Let There Be Light

Well, I hope that you checked out the collaborative show at PVCC last night, Let There Be Light. Even if you aren't a fan of mildly disturbing installation art, it's always fun to run around in the dark with a flashlight following a path lit by multi-colored glo-sticks. And some of the exhibits were actually fun! The coordinator, James Yates, created an area that required protective eyewear and bare feet. Once the participant was suitably garbed, he or she could toss handfuls of glitter to reveal a message floating in the air. Also, I think it would be cool if the 'powers that be' left Fenella Belle's school of fish in the windows. It is really pretty to view from the outside. But I have to say that the piece that I could not get enough of was the dance performance choreographed by Michelle Cooper and performed by Brushwood's School of Dance Senior Performance Company. I believe there were nine young dancers wearing black hooded suits with glow-in-the-dark tubing that made the outline of stick-figure boys and girls. They did the funkiest dance piece and it was hysterical to see those stick outlines grooving in the dark. I will never forget it!

Hurray for Cajun!

Friday night in Charlottesville- This is a small town, but it is chock full of stuff to do. It makes life on the east coast so much more tolerable(we adopted northern California as home in our hearts). Anyway, we went to Mono Loco on a whim and had a blast listening to Jolie Fille, ragin' cajun music. It was all the more fun because we ran into old friends and new friends. Small town, small world.

Soooooo... if you are ever in town, check out Mono Loco and check out Jolie Fille. I'll be sure to dance with you if you do.

Balloon-Illustration Friday Sketch

This week's IF topic is balloon. There were about a hundred different ways that I thought about doing this sketch. In the end, out of bored frustration, I chose this quick and simple drawing. I think that it is cute and appropriate for the word, but not something that I will explore further.

Avante Garde or Oh My God?

Have you ever been to an art event that you really did not like, but felt as if you had to react a certain way to cover your true feelings? Well, that was me and mine at the yearly event hosted by the University of Virginia School of Computer Music, Technosonics. The projects were very interesting, but it was paramount to mild torture listening to the end result for more than thirty seconds. I'm sure there are people that are dedicated to this type of work, but I would rather be unsophisticated and wait for the watered down version. Still, I have no regrets. I am happy to live in a town where I can experience new things. And I realize that, as an artist, I am bound to provoke similar unpleasant reactions in others with my work. Oh, well.

McCain: Out the Door

I spent the afternoon walking around the Shockoe Slip district of Richmond, today. There are lots of beautiful old buildings and interesting new ones, but this is the picture that I thought most entertaining.

I have also included a scary drawing. Enjoy.

3 Fabulous Babes/ Looks Good on Paper

Last night, Fenella and I went to the opening for '3 Fabulous Babes' at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The 'babes' included Beryl Solla, Angi Curreri, and Silvia Lizama. The other half of the gallery featured 'Looks Good on Paper' with prints by Tim Michel, Matt Pamer, and Russell U. Richards. I have to say that I really enjoyed getting deep into the primeval prints of Richards. Very detailed and, as Fenella likes to say, luscious. I can't wait to see his current paintings at McGuffey. Check it out for yourself at: www.russellrichards.com.

Today, I have included a sketch that I did for a gallery flyer. Hope that you enjoy.

Long Lost Me

Well, it has been weeks since my last post. I have no excuses, just living the mom life.

I have been working steadily on my creations, though. Here is a picture of my latest portrait of Eden. I know that it is really light, but it has a nice effect in the real world.

Fall Festival at Carter Mountain

Brian, Eden and I went to the fall festival at Carter Mountain this weekend. It's practically in our backyard so how could we not go? Carter Mountain is a 'pick-your-own' apple orchard. This year, the Chiles family ( the owners) added a larger bakery and a wineshop. The added bakery windows made it so much nicer because I didn't have to spend my day waiting in line for apple cider donuts. And the wineshop features wine made from grapes grown on Carter Mountain.

Newest Creation

Well, it's been awhile since I have been able to complete a project. My husband was in a near-fatal car accident this past August, so I have become a caregiver/patient advocate. This simple flap-over bag is made of upcycled clothing for the strap and outer bag. I'm probably going to list it on etsy.com.

Fall Fiber Festival

I took Eden and her friend to the Fall Fiber Festival this weekend. It is such a sweet little gathering of people and animals that takes place every year at James Madison's Montpelier. Our favorite part is watching the sheep dog trials, but I couldn't get close enough to take a decent photo. These photos are the before and after shots of the shearing demonstration.

If you go to this festival, remember to take lots of cash. The entrance fee is minimal, but if you're a fiber artist you are going to go crazy over the selection of books, raw materials, and yarns. Also, you and the kids are going to want to munch on all of the yummy food. For more info, check out www.fallfiberfestival.org.

Nice to Meet You.

Hi. This is my blog and I hope that you enjoy it.