This Friday night is the invitational Poetry Scores silent auction fundraiser. For details on purchasing the work, please go here. I have decided to revamp a decade old printmaking plate- I worked to refine a few drawings that I created during my residency at KHN, but I ended up obscuring the image even further. In keeping with the themes of poverty and gross ostentatious corruption, I hope the recycling of the the copper plate reads well. I hope it makes some money for the Bicycle Day LP.
I have been limiting my screen time to try to get my act together in the studio and otherwise… so I have sent out two applications for art in the past two weeks. One, an application to St. Louis Community College- Florissant Valley and a proposal for a stipend from Critical Mass Artist Stimulus. I was a bit torn because I feel like my work is heading in a more object oriented direction (which seems like a way to go with a young family- when installing for a week or longer is really a huge output of cash for childcare)- and most of my recent work is ephemeral installation that is time-intensive on the back end. So I split the difference- I submitted my ephemeral birdseed drawings to Florissant Valley and proposed for the Artist Stimulus a few works that were more installation and object based and got a revised artist statement out. Rewriting a statement to include older works helped to rejuvenate me a bit and I got excited in the studio and spent a few hours this past weekend actually getting down to business. I have a few options going for my Poetry Scores donation(s)… and I think I am over the hurdle of needing perfection and starting to get used to just getting my feet wet again and making.
Well, the wee one is down for a nap- time to jump on the trainer and sweat. It seems to counter productive to get more energy from expending it, but the routine recommended by a personal friend is working out beautifully. At least with the inclusion of art magazines and a good novel or two.
I’ve just received word that one of the new works will be in the 2012 Rockford Midwest Biennial. I love the Rockford Art Museum‘s terrazzo floor, but won’t be needing it for this singular piece. ( Just a nail painted to match the wall.) I have to admit it feels luxurious to get to mail in an artwork and not have to worry about it getting installed incorrectly or managing the logistics to stay several days to do a seed drawing. In asking about some of the rules of the show, I discovered that I had taken several classes at NIU with their current curator.
Just from the website, it looks like the museum is carrying on great things, like I remembered from our DeKalb days. Having kids programming is even more important to me now as a parent. Bennett really seems to enjoy the stroller tours at the Contemporary. I get my art nerd on for about an hour- so of course I love it. I really want him to grow up getting something out of artwork before he doubts that he can relate to it.
I just spent a great evening with the Webelos of Brentwood. I am always concerned about teaching to the right level for kids, since I am used to working with adults. It was an ideal situation to come into- their art teacher was generous with space and materials, and had obviously taught them well. It was great to get rapid fire answers, and lots of participation and real concentration when they got to making their sculptures inspired by Liberman’s The Way. I was really impressed by their school and the boys themselves. I can see why the school is award-winning. What a wonderful place to grow up.
My bio and work were posted on Sam Davisstudio’s Showcase365 this past weekend. If you’re an artist in the St. Louis Area, send him some info and pics to help show all the creative folks this wonderful region has to offer.
Just completed four birdseed doilies at Thornhill Branch of the St. Louis County Library, and volunteered at the table for “Birdseed Mosaics” for their “Feed the Birds” family program today. It was 28 degrees this morning when I started loading up the car, but it was above freezing by the time I was packed and out the door. A bit of a cold wind though. I did have a few really sweet exchanges with library patrons and a good philosophical conversation with Anna and woman who sang in the choir across the street. I forget how much I enjoy making artwork in public. Here’s a few images from the morning’s work.
Thornhill Birdseed Doilies, February 25, 2012.
Artist pal Kim emailed me this great story… Sonja Hinrichsen‘s work is a great shot in the arm. I am jealous of her long list of residencies, and wish her continued success. Thanks Kim.
Another proposal off. Whew. This time seven hours before the online deadline. Now to focus on this exciting planet I live on.
well, I just made it under the wire to send out a second proposal. I wrote the project narrative, budget and time table in record time. However- this was a tough lesson in time management- I didn’t have a solid deadline on my calendar and almost missed it, so I ended up paying 20x the standard on the printing and shipping to get it done NOW! Luckily I sorted through my proposals again to check dates.
A special thanks to two women at Menlo College in Atherton, CA who expressed interest in my work. It is great to see how small the world is, but also unfortunate that logistics can be such a buzz kill. Thanks for asking- I’m sorry my artwork can’t be there in its four- dimensional glory. Thanks also to Chicago Art Magazine for enabling someone to find me across the miles.
