Let the Circus Begin

tickets anyone?

So a few hours less of sleep a night...

a few less healthy meals...

a few more freaky nightmares...

a few more anxiety attacks.

and the days keep dissappearing on the calendar...

bringing me that much closer to the opening of my show.

I stuffed envelopes today, for the top 50 for galleries and press members...like mini press kits of sorts. I am trying to hit all the buttons, be the squeeky wheel, the friendly reminder,

the little bird that whispers in your ear.

i'll do better

I am gonna try to not forget to post later today, as for yesterday...it is gone.

 

The Art of Distractions

bunnies and flowers

I think I should get a PhD in distractions!

I can think of a million things to do...to avoid doing anything that is pressing.

I think I kind of feed on the adrenaline that I produce to play "catch up" when I realize that push has come to SHOVE!

Point in case: I am suppose to be ordering frames for my work, well frames and mat board...and here I am making bunny shaped cookies, doing laundry (note the same laundry I avoided earlier this week) and thinking of reorganizing the patio! seriously

I think the motivation for this series of distractions is the overwhelming feeling. I mean I not only have to work on not critiquing my work as I figure out how I want it to look framed, but what size frame, what shape, design, and where it should go in the gallery. Ideally though I am not suppose to think of that until I get to the gallery to hang the show...which is only 24days away!! not that I am not freaking about that either. breathing in and out in and out.

Today the gallery also sent out their press release to the media, so I am now out in the universe as I am really putting on this show and really going to have an opening.

In some ways I want to fast forward to First Friday where I am standing in the filled gallery and talking about my process and show....but in other ways I want to savor this drama....it could go two ways from here. I could not see this kind of buildup over a show for a while, or (crossed fingers and legs on this version) Someone else sees the work and wants it in their gallery too!

I am very proud, but it kind of feels like I have walked to the top of the building and am about to open the door to see just how up I am.

I hope there will be a lovely breeze out there!!

"life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end the faster it goes"

too strange

Night Out and About

The gallery full of people when I left at 8pm

Well last night was great! A gallery full of people and great conversations.

The Printmaking group I belong to divides up the task lists and everyone takes a roll in the annual event. This year I signed up for all the stuff that needed to be done at the beginning, as I knew I was going to be tied up with my own show stuff. So when it was time to bring in art, and hang the show all I had to do was bring in my art and wait for the opening night.

I try and stay away from the gallery when the group hangs the show, I like to be surprised. I don't look at what people turn in and I don't want to see where my stuff might be hung.

So when opening night comes around, I have a set of new eyes on the event just like everyone else.

The show looks great, I am always amazed how several people working in several different mediums, in separate locals all seem to make a cohesive body of work. Our folio pieces look amazing!

the set of work for the limited folio

my folio piece " A Stitch In Time"

The show was a success and I brought my cards for my upcoming show and put them on a table next to a bowl of nuts...their first public debut! People had them, and were asking me questions....

I also saw a lot of people hanging around my work....

*****WARNING THIS IS TOOT MY OWN HORN TIME ****

a group had gathered

the trio with sunsets glare

people were talking about my work and how they related to it and it reminded them of x y or z.

It felt nice.

Art Scene

Tonight is the opening for the Inkspots of Ventura's show "Think Ink". I am part of a group of printmakers and we produce a group show annually along with a limited edition folio.

There are about 11 members in the group and the printmaking methods are diverse. I am the youngest in the group by 10 years and at times it shows. I make references to things that are not understood or find somethings not as important as others do. We get along well, are supportive of one another and all have a common thread of being printmakers. At this time all FEMALE printmakers....I think that is pretty cool.

So tonight is the opening and that means I get to dress up and talk about art all night! I love these nights, I feel comfortable, and love to talk about art. I get to hear what others are doing around town and people watch all at the same time!

After the night is over, we close the doors and put our feet up and simply process all that was said, suggested or mentioned to each of us. Exhibiting work is a great joy to me....to have images tied up in your mind is one thing, but to be able to record them is like playing back dreams.

AMAZING

I will post some pics tomorrow...hopefully we will have a few others besides ourselves there tonight!

Sign Me Up

another way to embarrass sheep

Well I am going to try and take on NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) for the month of September...the theme is Art and so I felt it was perfect for the weeks leading up to my solo show.

I met today with a friend who was designing the email version of the poster for the eblast the gallery is sending out. She was also kind enough to design my gallery card! She is a talented painter in her own right and has been exploring the world of design too. I love visiting with her and hearing her insights.

I am currently pouring over catalogs to figure out what frames to order, as this month is all about framing and matting work! And there is a lot of work to frame and mat....I am trying to not let it be a taunting task.

Ways I worked on not feeling overwhelmed today:

*Clean work room, well cleared up a little

*Make orange flavored sugar cookie dough for tea cookies before 8am

*write out a market list so we can eat tonight

* avoid laundry

* window shop on etsy

Ok now to run some errands before making dinner and writing a cover letter for my mailings.

All of these are functional tasks that I mix into my daily work as an artist. I never realized how much work was involved with being an artist...I mean admin work is never really spoken about and I can never remember ever being taught about any of it in school either. So I am learning and enjoying the ride as I take on new and exciting personal challenges.

that sounded hokey....but whatever it is true, but maybe not well stated.

ok now I am babbling and avoiding my things I do to avoid being overwhelmed list....

argh

Wordless Wednesday

The count down is on....My solo show opens in 29days!

focus