Bright & Shiny

Workshops & Exhibition Updates

2009-02-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy few weeks with workshops and the like.

I was able to teach at Byzantium in Columbus, Ohio, the first weekend of February. Two previous students attended the class (repeat offenders!), and one of them brought a piece they worked on in a weekend class I taught

Artist: Andrea Von Raabbe

"All About Eve" was included in an exhibition at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, and my fiancé and I went to see the show - here's some pics.

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Besides being house-confined between ice storms and snow white-outs, I've been pretty busy making some work, both beginning to paint again and doing some embellished textile pieces.

Craft Alliance is still featuring some of my small pieces (see Queen of the Harpies below), and they're selling - I'm nearly dumbstruck!

Workshop season is starting again - last weekend I did one at our local book store, CoffeeTree Books, in association with a book signing (Creative Quilting with Beads), and this weekend I'll be teaching again at Byzantium Beads in Columbus. I'm really enjoying teaching at for-profits, something I thought wouldn't be workshop venues, but have worked out really well! In April I'll be at the Society for Contemporary Craft again in Pittsburgh for a weekend workshop, which I'm really looking forward to.

Admittedly, I haven't been blogging much. The terrible truth is . . . I will soon by moving my entire web site to Wordpress.org, with my domain name. I even have Wordpress for Dummies in my possession! Since the major activity I do with my web site is blog anyways, I thought it would make sense. We'll see if it does! This probably won't happen until Spring Break at the earliest, because judging by the book itself, it'll be a complicated transaction....

another image, exhi

2008-11-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

In the throes of the most hectic part of the fall semester, but as soon as the faculty show is up (opening - Wednesday, 11/12, 6 - 8 pm) @ MSU, things will

s l o w d o w n!

Here's a new piece.......

Watch Out Sweetheart

That one and four others are in St. Louis, MO at the Craft Alliance for an exhibition (www.craftalliance.org).

I'll be in another exhibition @ WomanMade Gallery in Chicago, this time in a show called "And You Think That's Funny?", January - February 2009. I'm really going to use this as an opportunity to get out of town, as the last show I was in, I didn't see it.

There's two more workshops scheduled for the spring - both V-Day Postcard 4 - 5 hour workshops. One's at Byzantium (best bead store with sweetest staff on the PLANET), Saturday, Feb 7 (tentative), and on January 31 @ CoffeeTree Books as well.

Looking forward to hearing back from Mesa Art Center's Contemporary Craft exhibition . . . here's hoping!

Finally, I'm about to move my studio from the temp location to the more permanent one this weekend and next. And, realistically, this project will continue on into winter break as well. Since I've been hoarding (instead of organizing) beads and costume jewelry, it'll force me (that's what it will take) into getting my act together.

artwork & workshop updates

2008-10-13T12:06:00.001-07:00

Been working on a few small pieces that will be going to the Craft Alliance in St. Louis at the end of this month.....

Title: "The Committee", 4 x 6", to be framed

Title: "Strange Fruit", 6 x 4" (unframed)

Title: "Deer in the Headlights", 5 x 3" (unframed)

They'll go retail for $200. We'll see!

Lately, been doing a lot of workshops - have one coming up in two weeks @ Byzantium (that place has been keeping me VERY BUSY!!!), this time a weekend one. After that, I will only have a book signing @ CoffeeTree Books in November, and then won't have a workshop until February, which will be a nice break. But, a heads up - I will be doing CraftSummer in 2009, this time with "sequential textile art", aka fabric books or some alternative of that. It will be exciting to teach something new!

Kinko's is becoming my new friend, as I'm really getting into using laminated images into my pieces quite a bit.

Zen Gallery Exhibition, Workshop & Exhibition updates

2008-09-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

The first exhibition of the season is UP! The show is called "I'm Not That Innocent" and features work that delves into childhood themes. Here's some opening receptions shots from last Wednesday....

Kira Campbell and I spent Sunday of this past weekend on a marathon of a road trip to drive to Morgantown and back to install an exhibition opening this weekend at Zen Clay Gallery - all total, about a 14 hour trip. Needless to say, I spent Labor Day in true rest from that work.

Here are some images . . .

A gallery wall shot with our works.

My diptych, Two Gothic Vessels with a piece by Kira underneath.

Detail of one of Kira's pieces....

Some small pieces - if they don't sell here, hopefully they will be at the Craft Alliance in October.

There will be more images of the opening to come.

I'm getting ready to apply for another Artist Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. It's amazing how this deadlines creep up on you suddenly.

And, I did go ahead and apply to Quilt National - last time I did it, it was in 2004, and didn't get in - not surprisingly, because my work wasn't that strong. Now, I will be very interested in what happens this time, since (an assumption!) my work is stronger - but, as a gallery director who's worked with a lot of jurors, it's all subjective. This summer has been focused more on making work and doing workshops, and the exhibition and other workshop proposals weren't a priority - which they are definitely going to be in September!

The workshop at CoffeeTree Books in Morehead on Saturday, Sept 13 from 12 - 4 still has one or two slots open - $50 buys the "Creative Quilting with Beads" book and all supplies. It's a deal. The max head count was set @ 10 - I think we're up to 8, so it should be a good turn-out.

Finally: took the "big girl" photos of new pieces with my fancy new lighting equipment.

Upcoming & Previous Workshops, New Work, and the Artist's Life of PAIN

2008-08-12T15:29:00.001-07:00

Summer is about over, and it's been a good one. I've enjoyed being back in town, being able to have a newly painted, well-lit studio, the big front porch, and riding my bike for errands. Now that I'm back to school, I'll enjoy the 2 minute morning walk to the office the most yet.

Upcoming workshops: CoffeeTree Books of Morehead, Kentucky, our fantastic local & independent bookstore, will be hosting a workshop and book signing on Saturday, September 13th from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. (workshop) and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (book signing) in association with the book I am featuring in, "Creative Quilting with Beads", published by Lark Books. The cost of the four hour workshop is $50, and includes all supplies & the book (retailing @ $24.95). Call 606-784-8364 to register or for more info, and/or visit www.coffeetreebooks.com and *click* "events". I'm very excited about this opportunity - besides this being a local event since I rarely teach out in my region, the Fuzzy Duck, our local coffee place, is literally in the building, and anyone who knows me, knows I need a steady and reliable source of coffee at all times.....

Students will make a piece like this, approx. 4 x 6"

Other scheduled workshops: Byzantium Bead store in Columbus, Ohio is hosting me again (they have been FANTASTIC to me and will be helping to pay my MRI bill - see below) on Sept 20 from 12:15 - 5:15. The class is very comparable to the one @ CoffeeTree, and the piece to be created is a similar size, do-able in an afternoon. If you are interested in a more intensive workshop re: the embellished textile assemblage techniques, Byz is also hosting a weekend workshop in October that I will post more info on later. Visit www.bigbead.com or call (614) 291-3130 - they are located @ 1088 N. High Street just north of the Short North (fun place in C-Bus).

Way, way off in the future: I will be back (like Arnold) at the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh for a weekend workshop April 4 & 5. Pittsburgh is a great town, and Laura Rundell, Education Programs Manager, does a wonderful job as mastermind of the educational programming. Last time I had a blast walking around the neighborhood/business district surrounding SSC, including PennMac, which has to be one of the best Italian grocery stores in the US. You can e-mail thestudio@contemporarycraft.org or phone 412.261.7003 for more info about educational programming @ SCC.

Final workshop news: the weekend workshop @ Craft Alliance in St. Louis was a terrific time, with great students and terrific publicity and support from Luanne Rimel, Senior Director, Education & Exhibition Programs. One of the students, Carlene Fullerton, was an amazing host, running what I consider the Artist's B&B of choice. The Craft Alliance is located in "The Loop", an arts district with lots of good restaurants and fun stores - always a good thing when I have a little stipend burning in my pocket. Beyond the workshop, other benefits gained: I will be included in the pre-holiday art exhibition @ Craft Alliance with my smaller pieces, and will be exhibiting at Forest Park Community College in Sept/Oct 2009, conveniently when St. Louis's city-wide event, Innovations in Textiles, will be happening. Bad news: schlemping work and supplies around airports, etc., in association with Craft Alliance was the tipping point for a C-Spine injury that I'm currently nursing. Lots of visits to the chiaropractor and being careful should reverse it. Ah, the artist's burden.

Images from Craft Alliance:

Two finished pieces recently. The first one is part of the Appalachian Altars series, This one is called "Appalachian Altars #1: Fertility", and is about 12 x 11". There will be others, about crows, atvs, etc.

Here's a small 6 x 4" one - this one and its cousins are for sale for $200 framed, and are available through me or Craft Alliance during their upcoming October/November exhibition.

Soon, Kira Campbell and I will be heading up to Morgantown WV for our two-person exhibition called "A Ribbon Tied Around a Bomb", at Zen Gallery Gallery, which will be up for the month of September and part of October. Go to www.zenclay.com for more info. Cream of the Crop, at the Southern Ohio Museum just came down, and I have a slew of exhibition submissions to get to in the next few weeks. Fall is here and time to get back to business!

Three for a Wedding finished, and embarking on the last workshop long haul

2008-07-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Three for a Wedding from the Counted Crows series is finished! Here are some rough photos - I plan on taking the "real" photos later for exhibition/workshop proposals (of course, the clear push pins aren't part of the piece). The piece also has a bit of a hipster reference to a song by the band Arcade Fire, which has a line that goes "a house on fire, a rising sea". The images of the man and woman are on pressed metal Greek votives that I bought at Byzantium and did black acrylic vanish on to antique them so they'd blend more with that flaming heart fabric.

Full size (a little more than 2 ft h):

Top detail:

Bottom detail:

The next two lines in the poem that I'll be working with is: Eight for Heaver & Nine for Hell.

Other than pushing hard to get this piece done, I've been trying to wrap my head around the needs of the three upcoming workshops in the next week and a half, the two in C-Bus @ Byzantium and the weekend one @ Craft Alliance. And, also trying to remind myself to take advantage of the last dregs of summer, since as soon as August comes, it's all over but the crying. Or should that be, with the crying?

When it rains!

2008-06-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

After a little dry spell, things are picking up!

Just got back from the Americans for the Arts conference in Philly, and en route, when to NYC to the Garment District (tried, with my best effort, to be good!) and bought some great black trims I've been using to frame my pieces and some different colors of silk duponi that I use as a beading surface. The afternoon was spent running around Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn (whew) with my friend (an arts administrator in the know) who took me to see THREE exhibitions by the art star of the moment Olafur Eliasson (see below) at MOMA, PS 1, and a small gallery in Chelsea. Also got to go to the FIT (Fashion Institute of Tech) exhibition space. Walking out of Penn Station into the utterly lovely chaos of that city is fantastic.

Olafur Eliasson

Fabric Workshop & Museum in Philly! My "trip treat" is a Kiki Smith Lamb Bank (a multiple, cheap, versus an original!)

Philly's Chinatown, where I couldn't resist buying some glittery treats!

So the book I'm in called Creative Quilting with Beads by Lark Books is out, and I received a copy early this week! You can get it on Amazon HERE. This is the first time (not the last, hopefully) that I'm in a book, which is thrilling.

In mid-July, I'm on the road teaching again - to St. Louis's Craft Alliance for a weekend workshop, which has filled up with no trouble. Having a big image of my piece Seven for a Secret Never Told didn't hurt that, I'm sure. The weekend prior to that I'll be back in C-Bus to teach two more one-dayers at Byzantium Bead including one for their staff since they were so excited about it. That's flattery.

Exhibitions: I'll be in Cream of the Crop at the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth,w which opens this Friday and runs most of the summer (?), and will also be in a small small in western KY late July. And, Kira Campbell and I are having a two person exhibition at Zen Clay Gallery in Morgantown, WV in Sept/Oct.

Currently, I'm working on finishing the Three for a Wedding piece as well as doing a new series of Roadkill Altars. Will post pics soon!

Migrating Magpie

2008-06-03T06:52:00.001-07:00

So my move from countie to townie is pretty much complete, and the studio arrangement is working out - watch for photos soon! Since I have the run of the place to myself for now, the downstairs studio is a fascist state of "materials that only have to do with current projects" - with all the other misc supplies shunted off to the upstairs.

The art making has been a little slow, but I recently got word that I have a group show I'm participating in late July in W. KY and a two person show @ Zen Clay Gallery (www.zenclay.com) with my dear friend Kira Campbell this fall - that gallery is in Morgantown WV, which from what I remember is a fun town.

Two recently completed pieces, both off to friends.... (I love scanners - both of these pieces were "photographed" that way)

The last two weeks have been very busy with teaching - there was the class @ Byzantium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, May 17, which was a blast and a little nostalgic for me as I used to haunt their old location on King Ave. when I was a wee art school girl. A pic from the workshop.....

The next one is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, anyone who's interested!

Besides the Byzantium workshop, for the first time ever, I taught an official textile class @ my homebase, Morehead State University. It was a lot of fun, and the first time I taught mostly traditional aged college students in my medium (I do teach the art appreciation classes here, but have never taught a studio class). A number of faculty/staff took it too, and it's a treat to get to hang out with people outside of the normal work-a-day context. The class was four hours a day, for two weeks, and we covered 3-D textile objects, knitting and crochet, fabric painting, piecing & quilting, and textile collage/assemblage. Here's some examples:

Anna Griffin:

Ryan Newberry:

Becki Alfrey:

The well-attended potluck reception!

The Bluegrass Biennial: A Kentucky Juried Exhibition opens this Saturday from 3:00 - 5:00 in the Claypool-Young Art Gallery. That's always a well-attended event, and this year it is held in conjunction with the Clack Mountain Festival featuring folk art, crafts, and music by Ralph Stanley, the Steeldrivers, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Should be a good time!

As of next week and through most of June & July, I'll either be at the new house getting stitchy with it or on the road teaching, etc. The Americans for the Arts conference in Philly is coming up in a few weeks, and I've dovetailing a day in the big city (re: NYC) with a friend so I can get my annual dose of culture. At least that facet of culture.

Judy Baca visit to MSU and workshop update

2008-04-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

April is its normal nuttiness, but with lots of good stuff happening!

First, the Judy Baca workshop and lecture on April 8 was totally amazing. This is why I adore my job @ MSU. Meeting and working with her (the artist responsible for The Great Wall of Los Angeles and the organization SPARC - Social and Public Art Resource Center, www.sparcmurals.org) and her assistant Carols Rogel was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, the participating MSU faculty, and MSU students who worked on the mural and came to the lecture.

Here's me beaming with Judy Baca in front of the yet-to-be-finished student mural:

For next year, we're working on bringing in Chip Kidd (graphic design superstar) and Eleanor Heartney (contemporary art critic and writer). We'll see....

Also, Byzantium Beads in Columbus called and said that the May 17 workshop has totally filled up and they wanted to book another one in July to resolve the waiting list issue. So, the next workshop is scheduled on Sunday, July 13 (a week prior to the Craft Alliance in St. Louis gig, so it will be a packed two weeks....)

FINALLY!

2008-02-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

Some good news!!!

After getting two show rejectinos (I misspelled that the first time, but figured it's more fun to say it that way), the Craft Alliance in St. Louis contacted me to do a workshop this summer or fall. Which is awesome, since I wanted to teach there, and with moving to a new abode (with a great studio space, btw), I'm freaked about entering the brave new world of paying once again a realistic rent.

Also, I will be writing an article for Arts Across Kentucky on our upcoming summer show, the 2008 Bluegrass Biennial.

And, finally, it's looking like there's a glimmer of hope re: my intensive MSU summer class (the last two weeks in May) making - it's on Textile Materials and Techniques. That would be terrific if it did. Here's hoping!!!

Workshops and Exhibitions Upcoming

2008-02-19T06:09:00.001-08:00

This spring/summer is bringing in more exhibitions/workshops than I expected, which is great news in the experiences/finances arena!

The workshop at the Society of Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh PA went very well, thanks in a large part to their Education Programs Manager, Laura Rundell. There's talk of bringing me in Spring 2009 to do a weekend workshop. The trip was also a ton of fun due to the company - Courtney Kessel and her lovely 3 yr old daughter Chloe accompanied me up there. Pittsburgh is a fabulous town!

A hardworking student @ SCC.

Tonight from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Morehead Conference Center, I'll be presenting along with another female artists on behalf of the Kentucky Foundation for Women (this was scheduled last week, but was postponed due to weather).

I nearly never go to receptions associated with the exhibitions I participate in because of logistics, but I will be going to the opening of the OH+5 Exhibition @ the Dairy Barn Arts Center on Friday, February 29th in the evening.

On Friday, March 14th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., I'll be teaching a (very truncated!) workshop on non-traditional quilting and textile embellishment as part of programming offered through the Rowan County Quilt Show to be held at the Morehead Conference Center.

The Byzantium Bead workshop in Columbus OH is still on the books for Saturday, May 17th.

And, for the first time ever, I'm proposing a 2 week intensive class (for college credit) @ dear old MSU called Explorations in Textile Materials and Techniques to be held the third and fourth week of May. I'm hopeful it will make!

Kentucky Foundation for Women workshop in Morehead!

2008-01-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Kentucky Foundation For Women has been extremely generous to me through both their Art Meets Activism and Artist Enrichment grants, and Kentucky is very fortunate to have a grant-giving non-profit focusing on the promotion of female/feminist work.

And, they have asked me to be one of several presenters representing "feminist" artists. Which I am. Which isn't seen as an overly popular thing to call yourself currently, but since 1) I consider myself a feminist being that I assume men and women are equally capable of being fully functioning adults; and 2) my artwork (sometimes) can be narcissistic indulgence (or therapy, depending on your perspective) about being of the female persuasion specific to ME: it's probably most likely the case that I am, indeed, a "feminist" artist.

The Kentucky Foundation for Women seminar is being held on Tuesday, February 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Morehead Conference Center.

Working on the next crow piece . . .

2008-01-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Now that the holiday excitement is over, I'm able to get moving on the next piece in the Counted Crows series - Three for a Wedding. The piece is also inspired by a line in an Arcade Fire song ("a house on fire, a rising sea). Actually, I've gotten more work done on it since this photo..... yay for productivity!

Also, the Byzantium workshop is a go - Saturday, May 17. Their web site is: http://www.bigbead.com/. The store images are actually from their old place on King Ave. (when I was @ CCAD - ack!), and they are now on High Street, in the "Garden District" - north of the Short North. The workshop is from 12:15 - 5:15, and it will be my first experience teaching at a retail venue.

Joe Sartor painting is MINE!

2008-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

Finally, finally got around to getting a fabulous painting by Joe Sartor, Morehead surrealist (as I like to refer to him!)

Here's his web site: http://sartor.myexpose.com

Here's one of his amazing paintings.......

New Crow Images - Decent Ones - and workshop updates

2008-01-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

Now that the holiday festivities are over, down to brass tacks . . .

Finally took decent photographs of the two new crow pieces:

There's a serious probability that the workshop on Fiber Valentines @ the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh PA scheduled for Saturday Feb 2 may actually MAKE! Whoo! We'll see . . . check out their web site @ http://www.contemporarycraft.org/

Also, currently working with Byzantium in Columbus OH to work out a workshop possibility in May. I thought this year would be light with workshops, and I'm still angling towards that especially in the summer, but I can't pass up these short ones which are fun and the extra moolah doesn't hurt.

Proof that if you harass people long enough

2007-12-17T18:12:00.000-08:00

You will eventually get your way!

So I got the happy surprise today of receiving notification that I got into Woman Made Gallery's 11th Annual International Open. Mind you, I've been rejected from Woman Made like THREE TIMES or something, so this comes with a special spike of sweetness. I was telling people I was going to apply for their exhibition opportunities until 1) I was accepted, or 2) I was a cold corpse in the ground. So now, perhaps I won't have to go the way of the dead. http://womanmade.org/

Other updates - the semester's over (can I get an amen, brother?), and I've been able to piddle about the farm working on various and sundry projects, mostly Xmas gifts. Which is nice, because many of of them are shrink polymer acrylic and ink paintings (read: fancy talk for shrinky dink), so it's sort of like tracing and coloring for the afternoon. Not bad work if you can get it. I also made (just for myself) a matchbox altar covered with thai paper, with a tiny shrinky dink icon as the centerpiece. It was my first time making matchbook art - I could see how addictive it could be, especially for those of us addled with OCD.

Two (horribly photographed) Images of New Crow Pieces!

2007-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

Three quick photos of the recently completed Crow pieces.

Seven for a Secret Never Told (from the "Counted Crows" Series), 2007, approx. 28 x 20", Embellished textile assemblage

Four for a Birth (from the "Counted Crows" Series), 2007, approx. 8 x 5", Embellished textile assemblage

Here's the poem that is the basis for the series....
Counting Rhyme (from The Folklore of Birds, by Laura C. Martin, 1993)

One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.

I've got the sketch finished for the Three for a Wedding - I probably won't get seriously moving on it until after xmas, since that's xmas-crafty time. But, that's not saying I won't start on it soon, especially because the concept & design for this new piece has come together in a way so preternaturally cohesive! (the planets must be out of alignment......)

Happy Day!

2007-11-15T12:19:00.001-08:00

1) The MSU Art Faculty Exhibition is up and the associated programming (reception and faculty forum) is DONE!!!

2) Got a letter from the Dairy Barn in Athens OH that two pieces of mine (see below) were accepted out of 220 entries for their OHIO+5 exhibition!

It's nice to know I'll be in an exhibition soon - I'm in that odd place waiting to hear back from different places. Makes the trip to the PO Box interesting!

I'll be posting images of the other two remaining (FINISHED!!!) Crow pieces asap.

Update ----

2007-11-06T09:33:00.001-08:00

So getting the faculty art exhibition up this week has consumed most of my time, plus we've received nearly 100 entries for the exhibition "Self-Evident: Contemporary American Self-Portraiture", which we are trying to organize even prior to the November 19 postmarked deadline.

This year with the faculty exhibition, we're doing something new - everyone has to turn in an artist statement to be included in the exhibition binder. So this is a welcomed push to get my act together, and re-work mine . . .

ARTIST STATEMENT

My current body of work, consisting of hand-worked embellished textile assemblages, hinge on intersections and the inherent tension, disorientation, and anxiety arising from conceptual and material collisions. The pieces investigate personal and cultural issues that are intentionally difficult: I believe good art comes from friction, micro or macro. The work glistening with embellishment and embedded with treasures beckons the viewer while presenting fractious imagery.

Working with a fine craft medium within a fine art structuring of concept and presentation is itself a subversive act, meant to posit a conflict of aesthetic assumptions. Incorporating personal narrative and popular culture iconography within Catholic inspired compositions, the medium of embellished textiles enables the investigation of polemic or emotionally murky subject matter with a material that can be a decorative foil for the content. My method of hand beading and quilting creates a dimensional surface that is highly tactile and luscious. Thoroughly complex and work-intensive creative processes attract me; the art in the work happens during the creative process, and the process becomes a type of meditative labor of stitching symbols and binding narratives.

Imbued with a Catholic aesthetic, my pieces in composition and content refer to both to the devotional and decorative. They are my personal altars, embedded within a ritualized context. I draw inspiration from objects that embrace artifice and decoration: Haitian prayer banners, Gothic reliquaries, Byzantine mosaics and paintings, Vienna Secession art and architecture. My aim is to create beauty; works that have the capacity to be seductively decorative in form and emotionally disconcerting in content.

Gettin' beady wit' it

2007-10-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

As the faculty show nears, and one of my pieces (Seven for a Secret Never Told (Counted Crows series) I intended to exhibit in it remains incomplete, I have been spending all extra moments in my studio (aka, the sweatshop). Here's updated images with details re: the piece:

It's taken some time to get itself together in regards to the composition, but adding the crow "wings" at the top might be the final element. So, if you need to reach me, you'll know where to find me - hunched over a studio table half-watching old Sex in the City episodes on the iBook - at least until the MSU faculty show is up!

Good news from the fine people @ Art St. Louis

2007-09-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is the second time I've participated in Fiber Focus, an exhibition Art St. Louis sponsors in tandem with Innovations in Textiles, a city-wide event with exhibitions and workshops (visit: http://www.craftalliance.org/exhibits/it/IT7.htm for more information).

Well, there was the happy surprise of a Merit Award check in my PO Box yesterday (Quilting Category) for this piece.........

I've had this piece rejected from a few exhibition opps, so having it be "prize-winning" now is great, and also just goes to show you that one juror's rejection is another's prize winner!

What's up wit' da art, the gallery, & MSU art events

2007-09-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is me about a month ago in Florence from the Duomo - you can climb to the top (450+ steps) and see a perfect 360 of the city. Florence and Vienna were my favorite parts of the trip. Seeing the Pantheon in Rome was no small shakes either! I will be sporadically throwing up the Europe photos up on the blog now and again.

The state of the studio, early September 2007:

The large piece of the crow series is moving along - this one is called "Seven For A Secret Never Told" - the crow applique is one big ring of fabric - cutting it out was a real challenge but it is almost entirely sewn down at this point, and soon I'm going to start the quilting/beading. I think the piece will be in a gothic arch shape, but I had to bind the piece off pre-cutting because the duponi was just shedding like crazy. My goal is to have this piece finished by early November so it can be in the faculty show here @ MSU.

The first show of the semester, "A Natural Order", opened and is up through September. We have two visiting artists coming in, Michael McFall from Georgia and Thomas Rice from Michigan. I'm excited that we have two coming with this show - I wish we could have all the artists come in. For more about the exhibition, visit: http://www.moreheadstate.edu/art/index.aspx?id=6039

Still working along on the Judy Baca logistics - we're (hopefully) bringing her in April 2008 to do a mural workshop and public lecture. Judy is the famous public art muralist who conceived and coordinated gang members in the 1970s in CA to create the Great Wall of Los Angeles. (visit: http://www.sparcmurals.org/). She is known as, I believe, THE political public artist working in America. This event is on par with the Faith Ringgold event I managed February 2006. I love, love, LOVE the fact I can coordinate this sort of thing, especially since we're in Eastern Kentucky and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students. And, people are being so generous in cost sharing with these projects, so what seems like a big budget event for one department to handle, ends up being relatively small when we partner. Sharing is fun!

There are two larger juried exhibitions happening this year - one is called "Self-Evident: Contemporary American Self-Portraiture" which is a national open call to artists who do work that translates that theme, and then it's the third incarnation of the "Bluegrass Biennial" that is currently the only Kentucky specific juried exhibition open to practicing artists in the commonwealth. Tim Glotzbach, now Director of Student Crafts at Berea College and formerly the Dean/Director of the Kentucky School of Craft down in Hindman KY, has generously agreed to be our juror. Tim is such a fabulous guy - just love him - and he is the person I feel that is responsible for me doing the workshopping stuff since he invited me back in 2003 to do a weekend workshop down at the KSoC and I discovered how much I adored spending an intensive period of time with student artists, all of us working in a collaborative fashion. And, as icing, I got to meet the lovely Ms. Libby Barnes of Nicholasville KY, who runs the Alternative Jewelry Shop - they make absolutely beautiful one of a kind cast pieces.

Off to watch the movie Magnolia and continue the sewing!

Just when I thought I was out....

2007-08-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

They pull me back in! (my apologies to the Godfather)

Yep, I'm back in the country, a few pounds heavier from vino rosso and very good bread.

School is about to start, and I am about to finish the second crow piece and start the big one soon.

The Kentucky Arts Council funded a small grant to help me with tech equipment so soon I will have a scanner at my house (or maybe office, haven't decided....) and I can be a scanning fool with the small to medium size pieces. I've been joking to friends that all my artwork will now be produced with a size mandate conforming to the scanner bed. Har, har, har.

Will post images and comments re: the trip soon, especially to Wien (Vienna) where I was able to go to the Secession Building (swoon) and other various delights. What a cupcake of a city!

yay, yay, yay!!!!

2007-06-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

The Kentucky Art Council called me today to tell me I am a recipient of their Al Smith Fellowship!!!! It's a fellowship to support an artist's work, and the award is based primarily on artistic merit. I cannot believe it, really. Ask my friend and colleague Lisa, who upon querying last Friday re: the notification date, I said, well, I'm not really paying attention since the feasibility of me winning is nil.

My friend Robert said to me yesterday, you're developing one hell of an Appalachian inferiority complex. Yep.

I am so excited especially since I was freaking out about the Europe trip upcoming, and even though the workshops I've been busy with are covering the costs, putting some money away in the bank is always nice as well. This puts all that to rest.

Other than hysterically jumping up and down re: the fellowship, I'm in the mist of teaching through the Morehead Writing Project, which is loads of fun. My friend Emma (the art ed prof @ MSU) is also able to hang out and get crafty wit' us, so it's all that much more pleasant.

I've been so privileged this year to hit on a lot of lucky breaks with the art and also professional opportunities. Makes me wonder when the coal truck is going to run me over (I shouldn't even joke about that.....).

One new finished piece, mock-up for current work in new series

2007-06-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

As aforementioned, here's an image of the piece finished while up @ Miami U . . .

Jennifer A. Reis
Acts of Contrition, 2007
6 x 4", hand-worked embellished textile assemblage

and a mock-up of the next big piece, also from the new series . . .

The piece is tentatively titled "Who Knows How To Be". Using paper, like the cut out crow shapes and the paper towel (to represent the banner, which will be embroidered with the words "a wife, a mother, and a professional". Those metal pieces at the top are greek votives I've been collecting for some time, of course with no earthly idea what for.

Both pieces (and there's a third, about a quarter of the way finished) are part of the new series featuring crows/ravens. Since I've been showing the works in progress to people, I've hear a lot of various interesting stories about crows. But the question comes up often - why crows? I don't know, I guess (as I heard put so eloquently recently) make the work first, figure out the bs later. I can't get Goya out of my mind lately - keep thinking about his print "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters". At the moment, the crows are messangers as well as harpies - maybe annoying communicators.

As to the name of the series, haven't a clue as of yet.......

Back from CraftSummer @ MU!

2007-06-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just got back from CraftSummer 2007 @ MU, and had a blast as per usual. The folks there (Ron, Geoff, and Joyce, + the studio assistants) make the whole experience great. Most of all, the students are fantastic. Is it wrong to have the ulterior motive of poaching friends from these workshop classes? And, I sold a small piece (Gossip, from the Postcards from Anxietyville series), traded Motherships for an amazing pair of earrings by the metals workshop instructor (Kelly, CCAD faculty no less - there was one other CCAD faculty teaching there - Bill Hunt, in ceramics. We're EVERYWHERE. You can't hide!), and a great small piece of textile art made by one of my students. And I got a small piece finished, from the new Crow series (not sure yet of the title, tba), which I'll scan and post up here.

Working hard at CraftSummer (some of these hardworking nuts were up until wee hours of the morning laboring over their pieces!)

Kelly Burichin of Cincinnati explaining the finer points of stitching (probably along the tune of "who knew it was going to take so friggin' long!). We love Kelly!

Ron Stevens, CraftSummer director, like most program directors at universities, suffers the scourge of bureaucracy re: parking during the 2007 round of CraftSummer workshops. Why help someone or listen to their problems when you can make fun of the situation?!?!? The shrinky dink embellishments were the genius idea of one of the students.

Ron getting used to our style of sympathy and therapy.

My goal with teaching is to pass on texile techniques like applique, non-trad quilting, embroidery, and embellishment to equip and guide the student artists towards the creation of their individually designed/conceptualized piece. I love how everyone translates the techniques and materials with their personal vision.

Artist: Nicolette McFadden from Cincinnati, OH

Artist: Jen Ross from Columbus, OH

Artist: Kelly Burichin from Cincinnati, OH

new small piece

2007-05-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

New small piece using the same applique as the Lark Books piece....

It's gone now, a trade for a leather bag made by artist friends Juliette Montague and Greg Stange of Worthington, Ohio.

I'm starting a new series of pieces with crows in them - this is the smallest of three pieces in process......

Otherwise, just plugging away at getting the Louisville Area Fiber and Textile Artists exhibition up in the gallery which opens on Saturday, then next week will be focused on prepping for the three weeks of workshops scheduled for June.

I sent in a proposal to Quilting Arts to write for them and possibly to be featured in the magazine - we'll see what happens!

Lark Books piece FINISHED!!!!

2007-05-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Unless they don't like the abstracted naked lady, in that case I'll be in the studio swapping out with a more benign object d'art.

Another thing . . .

2007-05-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to make a piece for me - doubt I will exhibit this, or at least ship it out to a show. It's assemblage with a rabbit my grandfather made me when I was little, a small textile piece with a doll (purchased in WV), and collage/paint & some flowers from the "Stations of the Cross" paintings, Called "Rites of Spring", and is about 10" H, and hangs by my bed. Since it has embroidery of the symbol related to the voodoo queen Erzulie, guess it is a mojo of sorts.....

Dusty n Me in Huntington and other news......

2007-05-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dusty, Robb and I went to the opening reception for the 280 exh @ the Huntington Museum of Art. I thought the work included in the exhibition was very nice (and I'm not just saying that because of the obvious!).

Other news.. . . .

The visiting artist gig ("The Space Race") in New Albany, Ohio, in their middle school, went really well. Workshop with the middle school age group is my favorite re: teaching students.

The Lark Books project is due on Monday 5.21. I'm not too freaked out (wait 'til Thursday night when I have to send EVERYTHING off on Friday). Tonight and tomorrow I should be able to finish up the beading, and then I have to write the project steps, etc.

And, as an extra bonus, I've actually been getting into exhibitions (WOW!!!!), etc. Places you can see my work currently....
Artisans Center of Virginia
Appalachian State University (Boone, NC), Halpert Biennial
Society for Contemporary Craft (Pitts PA)
Hiestand Galleries @ Miami Univ (OH)
Opera House, Lexington KY
Upcoming . . . in June will have three person exh in downtown Lex with textile artists Laverne Zabelski and Mary Nehring

Did get one rejection today, but I don't have much room to complain, admittedly.

blanket stitch applique - Lark Books project

2007-04-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

OK, so the freezer paper technique got a little tricky around the time I cut it out and pulled the paper off - there was a bit more fraying than expected. However, I decided to use a blanket stitch to do the raw applique and that really cleaned it up (thank god - I was REALLY sweating there one evening in the studio!!!!).

How I Feel in April

2007-04-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

Or what might help make it feel all better.......

April is the cruelest month in academia, at least if you're on the semester cycle. Thank you Bosch (Cure For Folly).

Lark Books Applique, etc --- prepared to be harassed by every little step of this piece!!!

2007-04-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

So I've discovered (all b/c of my good friend Mary Nehring, an excellent Versailles KY textile art) the wonders of freezer paper - the applique design is sketched on the back and tonight with a bit of luck and all my ocd powers, I will attempt to cut it out and pin it down (this is why I love those Fiskars Mikro-Tip Scissors!).

Also - the Lexington Art League "Art Talk" went really, really well. They are doing so many exciting things with exhibitions, events, and programming. Got to meet some great people, had great conversation, and then ate at a new Indian place in town on Nicholasville Rd (near where New Circle and Nicholasville intersect) with Arturo, his friend Nicese (sp?) and Mary N. Wonderful night all 'round

Last minute facilitation - - -

2007-04-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was asked this week to facilitate a discussion re: fine art vs fine craft @ the Lexington Art League - here's the web site to read more about it..............

http://view.exacttarget.com/?ffcb10-fe6515707d67067b7710-fe2f1c7877670479771772-ff2e1773766c

Workshops Upcoming

2007-04-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I got a phone call from a very nice lady en route from Columbus by way of Cincinnati (stopped and had lunch with two friends from the days of working at the Cincy Art Museum - great time - ate at the venerable Mt. Adams Bar and Grill, tasty!)...... re: upcoming workshops.

So, here's some info, some of which are open to the public, one at least which is not:

May 7 - 11
Space Race Shaped Textile Object Visiting Artist Workshop (not "open to public")
New Albany Middle School, Ohio

June 11 - 15
The Embellished Textile Collage
Miami University's CraftSummer Program

http://www.units.muohio.edu/craftsummer/schedule/Embellished_Collage.php

June 18 - 29
Mapping Your Life Through TEXTiles
MSU's Advanced Institute Writing Project
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/mwp/

July 6 - 7
Embellished Textile Collage Sampler
Society for Contemporary Craft, Pitts PA
http://www.contemporarycraft.org/

project examples for New Albany Workshop

2007-04-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

sketches/fabric swatches for Lark Books publication.....

2007-04-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

The piece will be about 12" H x 6" W. Going to TRY to get working on it this weekend while up in Cols., OH for Easter.

What I've been prepping for CONSTANTLY!!!

2007-04-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

The workshop season is gearing up - the one-dayer with the AP Art Class/Special Needs Class went well last Friday. Now I'm prepping for the New Albany Middle School (OHIO) visiting artist gig.

Two funny photos in regards to the above:

what happens when I hang out with other artists

2007-03-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Arturo Sandoval came in yesterday to jury the summer exhibition. This is what we did after jurying and before wine . . . .

Get Crafty Commune and Potluck! - Tuesday April 3!

2007-03-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

Get Crafty Commune and Potluck!
Food, crafty fun, and good times!

Bring a project (or not!), a dish or beverage to share, and friends!

Tuesday, April 3, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Directions: 1067 Mocabee Creek (go out Christy Creek, 32 S 'bout 5-6 miles, after the intersection of 3318), turn left on Brinegar (spelling varies....), follow this road up the ridge and down about 3-4 miles, turn right on Mocabee Creek (right after a severe left turn with a white house on the right). Follow Mocabee about 2-3 miles and the farm is on the right - white house with green metal roof and a few outbuilding (it's immediately after a big pole bard on your right, and you'll go down a steep 'lil hill and there you are!).

More info, call us (Dusty, Jennifer, & Jason) @ 606.286.9022 or e-mail me.

Hope y'all can make it!

Another break in the great Rejection String of 2007!

2007-03-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

The very nice lady from LARK BOOKS called and they want to include one of my pieces in an upcoming book called Quilting With Beads. Of course, the Sexpot Icons were a pinch too risqué, so I am (gladly) making a new piece for them (like I told my b-f, it's time to remove the porn, I suppose). Hoorah!

I am so so pleased about this. One of my big goals for 06-07 was to get published and I've been very lucky, with the ArtForum mention, the Lexington H-L review and now this.

It gives me a little more motivation to get those exhibition proposals out.

People have been coming out of the woodwork with jurying/panel freelance work lately.

And, a bunch of people from Cincinnati in the arts (or that worked with me @ art places in Cinci) have been contacting me. Not that I've been taking this as a sign I need to move there........

Back from Spring Break!

2007-03-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Monday back from Spring Break is always a hoot! But it was worth it. Besides hanging out in Columbus (there's a good retrospective of Glenn Ligon @ the Wexner Center - and their book shop is AMAZING!), I went to NYC as a driver of a 14 passenger van in and out of Manhattan on a student trip. Saw so much amazing art and had a great friend to escort me about the various museums (someone who knows my tastes in art and fun, no less!).

Here's me at the Round Table ala Dorothy Parker & friends......

Had to go back to St. Marks Book Shop - a fab bookstore I wandered into back in the CCAD days....

Of course, where I go on Spring Break is a winter wonderland.........

It can't be true.............

2007-03-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

My seemingly endless string of rejections may, just maybe, be over!

Just got notification that I got one piece (All About Eve) into the Huntington Art Museum in WV "280" exhibition. 600+ pieces were submitted and 87 were picked. The opening is May 5. So, will probably attend the opening and head afterwards to Stonewall, where there's usually a great drag show every weekend.

Geez, that was a dry spell. But, I also wasn't trying very hard after awhile b/c I was getting pissy about throwing away $25 - $30 a pop per submission.......

Update: work etc

2007-03-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

The high school show is up - hoorah!

I sent in another submission this week, so now I have two exhibition submission proposals (for individual works, juried exhibitions), four exhibition proposals re: Cotton Candy Bunny Ears Meets Mr. Death - booked for Miami April 2008!), a submission to Lark Books in Asheville (we'll see about that . . .) . . . and a grant submission about to go out.

It has to go out. I'll be @ work this weekend anyways (with midterms, MSU gallery stuff, et al - the weekends just become workends, really. BUT - the flexible job schedule is a v v v good thing, esp when someone is trying to cultivate a long distance relationship!).

I'll be in NYC next week (gasp!) as an MSU faculty escort. Primarily, my responsibility is to drive a passenger van from Morehead to Manhattan. And yes, in Manhattan as well. A friend who works as an upper level arts administrator in the city is going to shepherd me about town, and a nice pert is getting into all the art thangs for FREE. Gotta love it. Plus I plan on going to the Village b/c I just got my check for teaching the workshop @ the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and I plan on spending it.

Off to go to a meeting with my friend John, a history prof here. He brings in great people like Howard Zinn, and sometimes I help. Below is a pic of John and I with Nick Clooney (we brought him in with lots of help from Dale Greer - prof of comm - and Rebecca McGuiness - our super events manager)

Get Crafty Commune and Potluck! - Tuesday March 6!!!!

2007-02-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

Get Crafty Commune and Potluck!
Food, crafty fun, and good times!

Bring a project (or not!), a dish or beverage to share, and friends!

Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(next one planned for Tuesday, April 3)

Directions: 1067 Mocabee Creek (go out Christy Creek, 32 S 'bout 5-6 miles, after the intersection of 3318), turn left on Brinegar (spelling varies....), follow this road up the ridge and down about 3-4 miles, turn right on Mocabee Creek (right after a severe left turn with a white house on the right). Follow Mocabee about 2-3 miles and the farm is on the right - white house with green metal roof and a few outbuilding (it's immediately after a big pole bard on your right, and you'll go down a steep 'lil hill and there you are!).

More info, call us (Dusty, Jennifer, & Jason) @ 606.286.9022 or e-mail me.

Hope y'all can make it!

Images of Sexpots

2007-02-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Here are two images of Sexpot Icons that I sent off to Lark Books for my first stab at a book submission. It was a totally eleventh hour thing I did this weekend . . . these are about 10" in height, and have the shrinky dink painting on them. I actually sent them two sexpots and I hope I get them back!

Also, been working on the Al Smith Fellowship stuff for the Kentucky Arts Council. It really pushed me to finish up the "You Made Your Bed" piece below - the height is 20". I'm happy it's done.

What else - setting up high school art now - Pattern and Decoration came down, and the visiting artist Yoko Sekino-Bove was absolutely delightful, not to mention an amazing ceramist. She even traded me a piece, which was my favorite in the exhibition (I LOVE MY JOB!).

I'm starting to small pieces and actually am going to start to work on a piece that will be an altar that has a painting in it, artificial flowers nailed around the edges and dangling skeleton parts hanging around the edge - it's called "Rites of Spring". Something different - which I need because for some reason I'm BURNT OUT on the textiles.

Oh - and watch for the sky to fall now - I CLEANED MY STUDIO!!!!!!!

Review of "Cotton Candy Bunny Ears"

2007-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you create a pithy title for your exhibition...... (you can either click on the title of this blog entry or cut/paste the following URL: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/entertainment/16549740.htm).

I'm still working on the "You Made Your Bed" piece, but tomorrow and tonight I have to begin getting my act together for the workshop @ the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft. Yesterday I worked on my homemade thank-you cards (my secret weapon, and fun brainless activity). I ordered some slides, hopefully which will arrive this week, for exhibition submissions, and in February I have two workshops to prep for, one listed below.

This is a great workshop for people who don't want to commit a ton of time to learning these techniques. It's a good, basic, quick study in the techniques I use in my textile assemblages. The sewing, quilting, embroidery, and embellishing techniques are all hand-worked, no sewing machines used (allowed! ha, ha).

!!!WORKSHOP INFO!!!
Jennifer Reis
Embellished Textiles
February 10th from 12-4
KENTUCKY MUSEUM OF ART AND CRAFT
$40.00 for KMAC members, $45.00 for non-members

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Explore and learn innovative art quilting. embroidery and embellishing techniques by designing and creating a small scale hand sewn and embellished textile collage. Experienced and novice sewers alike will create a mini artwork using hand-worked techniques such as raw applique, quilting and embroidery techniques with floss and thread, beading, and embellishing with found objects. Students will also learn concepts of design and color specific to art quilting, as well as presentation tips for their finished mini-artwork. The artist will bring her own artwork as well as inspiration sources for student use. The supply fee includes the basic materials for applique, quilting, embroidery, and embellishing; however, students are encouraged to bring special embellishments to further personalize their artwork.

LINK: http://www.kentuckyarts.org/SaturdayMorning.cfm

exhibition installation from reception

2007-01-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

What's that say?

2007-01-22T13:09:00.001-08:00

I'm not sick of this yet - are you?

2007-01-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

Two pictures of fabulous friends: above - Emma (standing next to me) and Lisa (Elizabeth Mesa-Gaido - the other artist) off to the side; below - Neal, his bf David, Lisa, and me, with Emma behind.

Photo of the post-reception par-tay!

2007-01-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

Documentation of the great dinner and company post-reception on Friday night @ Belini's!

More photos of reception/etc to come!

beginning of the semester!

2007-01-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

A photo of a ceramic piece by Yoko Sekino-Bove, an artist featured in the first show of the spring semester in the Claypool-Young Art Gallery. The exhibition, "Pattern and Decoration" (a reference, perhaps an obtuse one, to the heavily-decorative 1970s movement called Pattern & Decoration - Elizabeth Murray was a big artist in it). Yoko's stuff is terrific as well as all the other artists' works, which all utilize decorative and/or repetitious forms in their work. We're having a closing reception instead of an opening this time - the first opening recept of each spring semester has a low turn out, so we're trying something a wee bit different this time. Plus Yoko will be there.

Other than installing the next show, this is the first week of classes, which is always a hectic time for all. After this week, the show will be up, my master's "oral" will be done, and I'm hopeful that I can tackle the mtn of work on my desk. And start to plan the grand Europa trip with my dad, scheduled for July 2007.

Two images of the UK exhibition

2007-01-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Two images of the UK exhibition (opening this FRIDAY!!!!!) thanks to the fine photography courtesy of Gary and Elizabeth Mesa-Gaido! The lighting will be fixed prior to the opening. Elizabeth's pieces hover in the air, and from some angles (as show here), her work is transposed on mine. I'll very happy with the way the show looks, and we are thinking about farming it out as a two-person exhibition for other venues.

UK installation shots ----- it's DONE!!!

2007-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Two shots from the installation on Thursday 1.11 @ the Tuska Center for Contemporary Art @ the University of Kentucky - it took over twelve hours and lots of help from a student worker (thank you Laura!!!) to install the 12 paintings. Next Friday is the opening from 5:00 - 7:30. I go in @ 2:30 to work with the gallery assistant to make sure the lighting is OK, my master's thesis "oral" with my committee is @ 3:30, and then I deal with the reception and then GO OUT TO DINNER AND POSSIBLY OUT AFTERWARDS! (Can you tell the part I'm truly excited about?)

The installation did go well, but I am burnt out! Tomorrow I receive work for the first CY Art Gallery exhibition of the semester and then to install that next week. I'm hopeful I can stand installing another show.

School starts next week. Here's hoping for a good Spring 2007!

promotional photos of Stations series

2007-01-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

Here are the three promotional photos for the Stations series........

upcoming workshops/exhibition links

2007-01-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

Upcoming art events, just fyi..........

"Cotton Candy Bunny Ears Meets Mr. Death: Textile Installations by Elizabeth Mesa-Gaido and Jennifer Reis"
Opening: Friday, January 19, 5:00 - 7:30 p..m.
Tuska Center for Contemporary Art, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
link: https://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Art/TCCA/

Embellished Textile "Postcards"
Saturday, February 10, 12 - 4 p.m. $40 - $45
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville, KY
http://www.kentuckyarts.org/SaturdayMorning.cfm

O M G

2007-01-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

Is it true - are these blasted things almost finished????????

The installation is Thursday 1.11.07. Ugh. It takes about 30 minutes per piece.

The exhibition might be reviewed in the Lexington Herald-Leader. That would be terrific.

"You Made Your Bed" (from the "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" series) is almost done (photos to be posted soon). I found the perfect piece of jewelry from Yang's to complete the piece. Frankly, the people at Yang's must think I'm an absolute fruitcake based on the monumental amount of fake flowers I buy every time I go in there.

another thing

2006-12-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

Here's two details, one each. These are all hand-stitched, each tiny bugle bead. Why? Official answer - that technique both beads and quilts the fabric at the same time. Unofficial answer - I'm crazy.

semi-decent photos of new works

2006-12-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

Finally, FINALLY, shot photos of two new(er) pieces, Axis Mundi (from the Self-Medication series) and All About Eve. Each piece is approx 20" high. They're both en route to Ashland right now for a small show. Tonight, I may try to work on new web pages for both works. Then I'll be able to send out a mass e-mailing to friends and interested (or not!) parties to visit the site.

The Siren painting is about to be varnished and the Crossed Arrows is half-ways done. I'm hoping by late tomorrow that I can take down the Siren and throw up a new piece of canvas. That would be painting #10. Hoorah!!! My hope is to get to 11 or 12 prior to leaving for Cowtown (Cols OH).

progress on stations of the cross.....

2006-12-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

Howdy -

More photos from the Stations series. There's the siren and deer in progress, and the three (Dame, Death, Heart) from the Faculty exhibition. The deer is currently being varnished, and the siren is ready for her second coat of paint re: the line drawing. I vomited up an exhibition statement and my own statement for the upcoming exhibition - it's both a blessing and a curse to be writing about these paintings while in the throes of crunch time.

Otherwise, saw the ad for the show I'm included in with/ Miami Art Basel in both ArtForum and Art in America. Both to be put in the art promo portfolio - hoorah! Haven't heard back from that last show I applied for, and with the Stations paintings, have been (still) pretty lazy re: applying for exhibitions. My studio @ the farm is still pre-tay cold, so it's a good thing I'm working on the paintings in my office. Spent the weekend here, which makes for a hard Monday!

I'm spending too much time watching Lost (season 2) on DVD. It makes me anxious, yet I continue to watch it!

Looking forward to the four-five days in Cowtown (Columbus), Ohio over the break, and will get to see friends from ye ol art school days. Back to the future!

happy face

2006-11-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

OK, so a friend (my slumlord) was giving me a hard time last night re: his perception of my supposed whiny attitude on this blog.

So here's a chirper entry......

Am cranking out the Stations paintings (altho my uber-Catholic brother over the thxgivin' holiday informed me that there are not 12 stations to the cross - there are FOURTEEN!!!!). The rose and the valiente guy are almost done (see photos). So, when these two are done (hopefully by tomorrow), I've have the following done: the dame, the dandy, death, the devil (even tho I'm not 100% happy with it, I'm leaving it alone until the end), the heart, valiente, rose - - - so, as of this week will be over the hump so to speak. I think I'll be working on the deer next, and maybe the hand - hope to have those done next week. PRODUCTIVITY!

I did get a rejection from a show in CA that stung a bit since I've been a wee bit lazy on sending in call for entries submissions. But, I already have the show in Miami and the 2 person for this year; I just don't feel like gunning it on the juried shows. Plus, there's the money factor - - - I've been spending a lot to do this series and I don't feel like blowing $20 - 30 a pop on these submissions.

While in Cowtown over the holiday, finally bought some photo backdrop paper b/c when the faculty show comes down, I def need to photo some of the works.

The faculty show went up and opened fine . . . the turn out for that opening is always great, altho I spent much of the time (like the adult I am) hiding (those of you aware of my personal life - which I have swore not to get into here - knoweth what I speak of. That's all I'm saying on the topic).

So off to work on what I am hoping will be the FINAL ppt of the semester on Dadaism and Surrealism. It will be brief b/c we need time in class to do Dada poetry and the Exquisite Corpse drawing - always a fun time.

More moaning and groaning

2006-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

FIRST, a pleasant thought.....

The Feminist PPT presentation I had to complete for my grad ptg class is OVER! Thankfully, my professor allowed me to do it in my FNA 160 class, and I had intended to create one eventually (like all the other undone ppt presentations!!!) so it was a blessing in disguise. Although I didn't think that @ 7:00 a.m. this morning when my laptop was being pissy and I still had some serious work to do on it.

Unpleasant thoughts.....
1) The faculty show is yet to be finished and I'm really dragging physically and mentally. People try to talk to me or get me to form a complete thought or sentence. It ain't happening. Totally the opening credits to Shaun of the Dead.
2) Which is a serious problem, because I have my monthly column for the local newspaper due TOMORROW which is not STARTED and this is the FOURTH year in a row that I've had to vomit up something legible regarding the SAME ART EXHIBITION (it's the only column I write about an annual exhibition). So each year I have to come up with a different take on the show. This year I had intended to write about a specific person, but it's too late now to do that, and also (and those of you who work in academia know what I'm talkin' 'bout) lavishing attention on one person in these types of exhibitions can cause more strife than toy stealing with toddlers. No offense intended.

However, I did get that last painting (the heart, see post below) finished, and I'm really happy with it. The flip side: totally, completed fuckered up the Devil (again, see below). Ah, the ying and yang of it all. So, now, in sum, have four paintings ready for the UK show in January.

Back to the gallery...........

Totally S.O.L.

2006-11-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

Geez, everything this part of the semester rolls around, I am totally completely swamped. This semester, more so.

1) Two paintings to finish by Monday (see above)
2) A PowerPoint prez for a graduate ptg class (almost done with the 1 out of 2 to finish prior to second M.A.!!!
3) correspondence with a gallery in Miami that ...... well, we're not communicating that well with e-mails especially re: the shipping of the to be included artwork from a museum (it'll all work out, just the basic exhibition chaos).
4) And, I have to be out the door today @ 4 pm to support a student exhibition 30 miles away (if I didn't have to do that, I'd probably be here all night - not ideal, but it seems necessary at this point.

Well, Thxgivin' will be here soon enough, and the faculty art exhibition will be up, and I can chill a little (although 7 more of the paintings have to be done by Jan 1. Ugh, trying not to think about this!!!!).

All Hail a Semblance of Alternative Culture in E. Kentucky!

2006-11-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

Pix from our annual Rocky Horror Celebration - Happy 31st!

Procrastinating on workshop proposal

2006-10-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

Ugh, laboring through a hefty workshop proposal and can't seem to get it together. There's self-mandated deadline of this afternoon (or evening!!!); I'm not going home until it's finished.

Prompted by a phone conversation with a friend, I did (during the summer) get the UK stipend check. Just in case anyone's wondering.

Also, got the good news today that an exhibition that I will be participating in will have an ad in ArtForum magazine since it's part of the Miami (FL) internationl art festival coming up. And my name is listed. Whoo hoo! Sarcasm aside, I am very pleased.

I'm trying to get my act more together with entering shows. I have one in the hopper and plan on sending out more this week (money crunch). After the two person show with the 12 paintings (Stations of the Cross), I'm going to try to show out proposals for one person shows, since I'm finally have a body of work that can fill up a decent amount of wall space. That's the plan, anyways.

another Cincy pic

2006-10-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

This week is the week of proposal submittance, 2 down, 3 to go. Some workshop related, others exhibition related, and then still others, work-work related. How did all these deadlines line up around 11/1?

Registering an LLC with the state of KY might have caused me more trouble than it's worth. Since they want me to file quarterly, yet can't seem to actually send me the returns to file, I'm shuffling through the typical bureaucracy (and here I was talking about the original "administrators", the Sumerians, today in class - oh, the coincidence!).

Off to talk to the state.....

Pictures actually posted!

2006-10-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Geez, based on what my Mac was telling me, I'm super surprised that image of three Stations of the Cross actually loaded.

Been spending (wasting?!?!?) time on posting new stuff to the web site. Soon I need to take photos of hopefully three new approx 20 x 12" pieces, but those won't be posted up as new pages until the winter break. But, Stations of the Cross has a page now, and check out: http://jenniferareis.com/theviewfromhere.html to see some views of what and whom I call home.....

Trying out images...........

2006-10-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots from the Transgressions show.

Getting burnt out

2006-10-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

I have a problem. It's the "when a number of unhappy accidents collide in a raging confluence" syndrone happens, I can have a hissy fit.

My boyfriend says I remind him of Bree from Desperate Housewives when I get like that.

A major part of the hissy: a young gallery coordinator, supposedly operating a "sales gallery" for a non-profit art education organization (huh? - don't sales gallery normally operate as for-profits and don't non-profits want to make money ~of course~ but don't choose their artwork just because of that fact), decided to make the "executive decision" to just CHANGE my prices on my work because, in his expert opinion of all of his young-twentysomething self, they were too high.

Too high (visit the web site @ www.jenniferareis.com to see the "too high" prices).

So he changed them.

Then, was affronted this afternoon when I called and told him, well, OK, but I need 24 hour notice should anyone be interested. And then he had to let me know about the monumental risk I was taking by "turning people off" and I responded that it's just a risk I'm willing to take.

This is coupled with the fact that NO ONE showed up to the opening. I mean, that I understand. But, now, to sell my work from out from under me without even a discussion with me. I work with sale galleries - I'm never been treated like this prior.

But, these are all good lessons to learn re: my day professional. Don't treat artists like idiots. Especially about money and their art.

AFTA Con Update and On Speaking Too Soon

2006-06-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

The AFTA Conference in Milwaukee was delightful. Highlights: art education peer group session where I got to meet many fine folks from the region (Milwaukee and the surrounding area is one of my targeted cities to move to when/if I decide to depart my wooded holler in summer 2007); and visiting Madison, which I believe is my version of heaven on earth. Old World Wisconsin was also a hoot. I bought WAY TOO MANY books re: arts management and education, and was able to spend a good part of Tuesday in the Milwaukee Art Museum (http://www.mam.org/) which has the terrific Calatrava addition, and the temporary exhibition was Masters of American Comics. Getting to see the works of Will Eisner, R. Crumb, and Chris Ware in person, viewing the originals (I'm into pencil marks) was amazing.

On Speaking Too Soon: Flew home to the fine state of KY, went to the post office, and low and behold, there's a envelope from my bank. What was in the envelope? A stop payment document in regards to the University of Kentucky check I received a few weeks ago (and was so pleased about) as stipend payment for a visiting artist residency I did in February. So, besides this just being a general pain in my ass, esp given my personal situation where it would be NICE to have some financial security, the other WONDERFUL elements associated with this transaction involved BANK CHARGES to my acct due to what I think I am fairly perceiving as INEPTITUDE on the part of the UK accounting office.

Or maybe I'm being too demanding here. It's probably too much to ask that 1) I'm paid in a timely manner for a week's worth (it was almost 3 months later that I received the check), and 2) when I receive it, it actually is able to be deposited in my account, and the money can, like a trading unit in our capitalist system, be traded to obtain materials like all the books I bought at the conference with the money I assumed I had in the bank.

I suppose I just might be confused here.

The saga continues. I put a call into the art dept office and will be checking back in this afternoon. Being that the end of the fiscal year is upon us, I'll either receive another check asap or, and this is a scenario I am not cutting out of a future reality, won't be paid at all.

Won't that be grand?

2006-05-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ah, summer is almost here. So close, yet so far!

At the gallery, I'm in the last throes of getting the summer exhibition set up, which is a bit challenging without the helpful installation elves (my grad assistants). However, there's a cadre of volunteers from local arts groups set to help hang artwork early next week. This week will be a marathon - Tuesday and Wednesday we set up the show, Thursday I go on the local public radio station to pitch the show, following by a meeting regarding another event for next academic year, then I hop in the car to drive to Portsmouth, Ohio to drop off my work and others for the regional juried exhibition Cream of the Crop. Friday is the last day to finish up the gallery show, and then an arts writer from the Lex Herald-Leader shows up in the afternoon to review, Saturday is the opening and award reception, and then, whoo, on Sunday @ 4:00 a.m., hop in the car and drive to the N. KY airport to fly up to Milwaukee for the Americans for the Arts conference. Thankfully, much bar hopping and frolicking in the evening hours of the con to look forward to....

On the workshop end, the one-dayer in the 'Head went well, and I have another coming up in Mt. Sterling on Thursday, June 22. I am set to teach at the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh October 21 and 22, and am currently in communication with the Craft Alliance in St. Louis for a workshop in the fall there. Both places should be fun, especially since I have friends in both locales and can mix bid-ness with pleasure. Other upcoming workshops include Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft's Blackacre arts camp for middle school kids in July, and another one-dayer with them (for adults) in January. I'll be doing two one-dayers just south of Indianapolis in August through an historical society/museum, which should be fun. The Museum of AQS e-mailed on Sunday re: a possible workshop - I've (shamefully) never been to Paducah, and would enjoy seeing the town. In the spring I'm doing another one like this, and in the summer (2007) have a week long educator's workshop where I'm working with a writer, so besides submitting another proposal to hopefully teach at Miami University's CraftSummer as prior, I'm laying off the workshop proposals.

Just writing that making me want to scream, when am I going to make art? Life's been nuts, but I did finish the "Axis Mundi" piece from the Self-Medication series (photos soon coming on web site) and have started a piece called "All About Eve" from the Breaking Up Is Hard To Do series. I do enjoy working in series, and they keep me focused. The Self-Medication and Breaking Up series are the two I'll probably focus on through at least this year and possibly next.

Exhibitions: I have a piece at the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, and one in the National Prize 2006 show. Soon I'll be sending off "Two Gothic Vessels" to the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft. "The Battle of the Sexes" will be in a show in Cincy called "Quilts for Change". Including Portsmouth, I have three exhibition entries in the hopper. That's a good number for me; at $15 - $25 a pop, it gets expensive.

I haven't heard back from the Kentucky Foundation for Women "Art Meets Activism" grant review yet, but am hopeful.

Because of a great void of interest and that I have a laptop, I am now an Officer (secretary) of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. The weekend before last was spent on ticket gate duty at their annual Spring Fair, and it was fun meeting fellow members and spending some much needed time in the sun (my cellar office doesn't really allow much vitamin D). Also, will be involved on the review panel for the Visual Arts at the Market, managed by Kentucky Crafted, an organization within the Kentucky Arts Council. I love being a juror - it's my job, without the work.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, today.....drumroll please.......I finally got the UK check. Amazing! It's a blessing, really, since now I'm not as panicked about costs re: the AFTA con this coming weekend.

Off to hang the show.......

the fates

2006-04-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

A friend and I recently had a discussion (or debate, or fight) regarding the existence of fate, a universal/cosmic structure or the lack therefore. I believe it, he does not.

But here's some proof for my side. After getting the wee bit depressing news that a workshop I was to do this summer is about to be canned due to low enrollment (pause in typing in order to flog myself), I got two separate e-mails about doing workshops in state and also in PA, at a well known contemporary craft center. There may be a possibility of actually losing money doing the PA one, but it is prob worth it just to put it on my resume.

Tomorrow I have a workshop that I've yet to pull and organize the supplies for.... so much for planning ahead. I wonder what I'm thinking when I schedule workshops during what ends up being my busiest weekend so far as grading and class work.

Other stuff - have 3 exhibitions in the hopper to hear back from, and there are some other shows with deadlines looming. I need to get my act together and order more slides from www.slides.com - great, great site where you upload your digitals and for $2.50 for the first slide, and less for each dup, you get high quality slides in a few days. I wonder how long that business concept is going to stay strong, but it is amazing how many galleries/such-like still want slides. As a gallery director, I will admit to my luddite-preference for slides, for the ease of pulling them out of the portfolio and holding them up to the light and knowing right then what you're dealing with. Versus holding up a CD, which doesn't tell you a whole hella lot. Don't ever seen a CD to a gallery/such-like without at least one hard copy image of your work. Otherwise, it's too easily placed in the circular file. Not that I would do that.....

Duck and Cover

2006-04-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Not me, the poor students and my colleagues.

Due to circumstances out of my control (well, partially, since I really SHOULDN'T drink what probably amounts to 10 cups of coffee a day) like the cruelest month of my working year (April, duh), personal stuff (I'd use another word, but hey, I'm a lady), and my wee hobby of throwing objects in reach........well, quick reaction skills should be required by all who dare cross my office threshold from now until finals week.

Be warned.

Beyond working on my pitching arm, things are moving along. Tomorrow I ship a piece to the Museum of the American Quilt(er) Society (or is it the AQS Museum??? confused...) and later this week get a large amount of my work back from a group show out in the boonies of Wyoming. My art is going places I never will!

I had my first meeting/appt with a gallery owner, and now it seems I have gallery representation. Now on my art resume, it will say Gallery Representation: Swanson Reed Galleries. How odd! I was driving through L'Ville on Monday thinking, wow, I lived here 7 or so years ago and couldn't even get a retail clerk job in that gallery, among others, and now I'm represented by them.

So, here's a cheery thought from the optimistic pessimist - things change. For worst or sometimes better.

What other arty stuff? Mainly, feeling like I have no time to make work. But, the semester is almost over and I'll have some time. I have a workshop to host this weekend, just a Saturday thang. Possibly, maybe, I may (at some point, don't want to get too biggy about it) be teaching at both Haystack and the Center for Contemporary Craft because both institutions are considering scheduling one of my workshops during 2006/07. Oh, and also in the teaching vein, a friend just confirmed a short teaching artist residency I'm going to do through the large middle school campus north of Columbus in spring 2007. Haven't heard back from the women's foundation grant, but I'm hoping to soon and positively, because I need the moolah to buy a digital camera.

Speaking of stipends, despite a snotty (semi-snotty, partially sweet) e-mail I sent last week, still no check. However, I did get paid part of my stipend for a series of classes I'm doing with the local middle school here through their 21st Century after school program. Which I am grateful for. I just want the other check!

The Axis Mundi self medication piece is coming along, and I spent time working on it this morning prior to schlemping off to campus.

Speaking of schlemping, there's a grad seminar class I need to be in right now. Only two more classes after this for MA #2. And no more after that. I swear.

Art Update

2006-04-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Back from the long delay. Life's been a wee nuts, but that's all for another place.

A word of warning: when you do a visiting artist gig for a university, plan on getting screwed on the stipend. Or at least receiving the stipend in a timely manner. It's been 6 weeks since I was at another institution, and hey, no moolah yet. Amazing! And I believe I do have the right to complain about this, given that I too host visiting artists at my home institution, and ahem, I always have the stipend check awaiting them. Not that I expected that, but I did expect my money with a MONTH. Don't think I'm asking for the moon here, people.

Better news: am now officially a bid-ness: BRIGHT AND SHINY LLC. Hoorah! And, unlike the previously described situation, there was a quick turn-around on this. Shockingly quick. And also, a state agency. Wow!

I'm starting to work on a new series about self-medication. The first piece, Axis Mundi, is well on its way, with the fabric frame and applique sewn down. I'll have a pic of it up soon. I have to get a new digital camera (which I think I found the one I want, at Target - a Canon 230 or something - about $299 and 5 megapixels, not a big deal but good enough for me), probably in the middle of the month (or whenever I receive my visiting artist stipend --- ERRRRRRR) so I can move forward on this.

My new studio is pretty much set up and I'll feeling settled there. I've gotten a wee bit behind on applying for shows, but not sweating it too much since I have 4-5 exhibitions in the hopper for this summer.

This week and weekend, will be off to Chicago to escort students with fellow faculty in associated with MSU's Visual Art Guild. I'm looking forward to it, especially having an afternoon by myself to wander about the Art Institute. We're going en masse one day, but I like to spend an obscene amount of time in museums, especially solo. I swoon in art museums. It's sick.

There's the update. I could go on at length about life/personal issues, but hey, that's what the art's for!

Cheers!

Big money, come on.......

2006-03-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

So, just got back from L'Ville, and had a brief meeting with an art gallery manager associated with an arts/fine craft museum I'm currently showing in, and he took three of my Sexpot Icons (look @ the site @ www.jenniferareis.com to see only one - didn't get time to photo the 4 new ones) for a trial basis. I still have to go through the standard juring process in July, but they'll be up during the American Craft Council SE exhibition, which is what I wanted anywho.

Also while in L'Ville, went to Baer Fabric, which is the bestest fabric and notions store EVER so far as I'm concerned. The 2nd floor with the quilting fabric and dance trims was closed off because of a big seminar, but was able to get some more silk duponi and more thread. And made a contact I'm following up on re: the teaching artist gigs, because they do host lots of weekend workshops there and none in hand sewing/quilting/embellishment (or at least the non-trad type) so I might have a good chance. Or they just want to sell embroidery and sewing machines, and therefore they couldn't give a rat's ass about hand work. Six one way, half a dozen the other.

This week have to bust major butt to get exhibition and workshop proposals out. Faith Ringgold took up most of last week. But, she was a dynamite speaker and a delight to drive around. We had a hoot. It was a terrific experience for me, and reminded me of when I used to work in art museumland, and got to meet a fair amount of people.

Best go. Gotta nap.

Exhibition update, or why networking + digitals images are da bomb

2006-03-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

So, between my web site and networking and also the traditional methods of paying moolah and sending slides, will be in three shows this summer already, two @ museums (which is next big goal).

InSight @ the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
An embellished textile show @ the American Quilt Society Museum
The National Prize 2006 Exhibition, in Boston (har-vard square, darling)
(oops, actually four because I forgot about the CraftSummer @ Miami University of Ohio Faculty Show).

This week, have to get out a few exh prospecti, in between schlepping Faith Ringgold to and fro the airport. That's exciting - having her lecture - but part of me will be glad when it's over to have life somewhat back to normal.

Also, need to update web site re: workshop section because it looks like hell currently.

Last week sent out the second project grant proposal I've done as an artist. Written and received a fair amount as an arts administrator, but now trying on a different hat if you will, and trying to get the moolah as an artist, with some success. Here's hoping this one works out, because in my budget, I put in an Epson printer and digital camera, both of which I sorely need.

Ciao!

2006-03-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of you, sticking in there and going all through the web site to find this or perhaps you tracked it down via blogger.com, dispatches containing ramblings and rants re: my work, trying to get exhibition & teaching gigs, and other general art/art admin commentary. I'll try to keep the snarkiness to a minimum.

Lately, just finished a visiting artist residency at the University of Kentucky, in their Fibers Program, to whom I am indebted to Arturo Sandoval to being so kind as to invite me and schlep me around for the week. Despite the occasional 14 hour day, it was loads of fun: great students, lots of good food (being that it's free makes it taste better), and time to loll around the visiting scholar apart on campus working on a new smaller series called "Sexpot Icons" that I actually began as a sample project for this workshop and another teaching residency up at Miami University's (of Ohio) CraftSummer Program for this summer. The UK teaching gig has forced me to do several things re: the teaching gigs which were sorely needed: project handouts which illustrate the 8 or so sequential steps for the textile icon, textile technique handouts, and a large sampler on which I employ all the techniques I teach. While I will not jump up and down and holler about how much fun the creation of those peripheral materials was, it was necessary and of course, I needed much prodding to do it.

I like these opportunities to informally hang out with students, regardless if they're college or my more typical student artist demographic of 30 - 60 yrs old. Also, it was my largest crowd for an artist lecture ever: 300+. It was intimidating, but went really well, or at least they laughed at all my snarky and self-depreciating digs. And, I received e-mails from the students about how it was the first lecture they got anything out of from a visiting artist. Nice ego stroke.

This coming week, bringing in Faith Ringgold to MSU. She's the biggest artist that's been on campus for quite some time. We had Howard Zinn come in about 3 years ago, as far as a "big" person on campus, but not much as far as artists. I bring in quite a few visiting artists in association with the Claypool-Young Art Gallery, but they're not really big names like Faith. Should be pret-tay interesting.

Listening a lot to Sufjan Stevens lately. The UK students really liked the CDs

That's it for the first entry. Not sure the frequencies of this postings, but visit when you can.