Inspiration Can Keep You Humble

"The guys just love this picture! Especially the older men. It's so inspirational! "

That was from a woman who bought six or eight of my photographs to decorate a new office.

I was beaming! This is shot of Lower Gooseberry Falls in Minnesota is not one of my best technically, but it's ok. I'd like to get back there and reshoot it.

But hey! The guys like it! It's a construction firm and they are getting inspiration from the out-of-doors. My work is done!

She continued: "It hangs right over the men's urinal. The older guys find it very inspirational!"

I had to laugh out loud.

I try to do my part!

Amazing Weekend!

Wow! What a weekend! ArtFest on Walnut Street in Springfield MO had the best weather in years. Normally this wonderful street show has rain for part of the show. The people come out anyway, but we're always a little wet. There were five straight days of rain before the show.

ArtFest is an unusual show -- not from the artists' perspective (wonderful fine art from all over the country. No "pretend" art in this show), but unusual in the traffic it generates. It's a tradition to bring your pet to ArtFest. Unlike other shows, it's ENCOURAGED to bring your pet. Dogs of all breeds are common, of course. But Springfield pet owners are far more creative than just dogs and cats. This year walking by I saw three monkeys, one small ape, a chinchilla, a parrot, a big white bird of some kind, a turtle and a snake. I don't think these folks were buying art, but they were entertaining.

Fortunately, other people were buying art. And this is a sophisticated art-buying public. They know art, appreciate it and want to collect it.

And, I have to say, the judges there are geniuses! Ok. And I don't only think that because I won an award: Best of Show 2D! I have won several awards, including a couple of 1st places, but this is my first Best in Show. Photographers don't often see Best in Show awards (have you seen all that amazing art out there?!!) and I'm very grateful for the recognition.

The prize money doesn't hurt either. Thank you, Springfield!

Outside the Comfort Zone

Every once in a while a shoot outside my comfort zone. I know nothing about horses, but these two wild horses in the Smoky Mountains National Park caught my attention last March. I was on a shooting vacation, searching for the relaxing time with my family and a little exercise hiking up mountain trails in search of the perfect waterfall photograph. I found this instead. I think I got a good deal.

I don't know if it will ever see the lights of an exhibit and it doesn't fit into my current body of work, or even my new work, but I like it and I can share it here.

Franklin This Weekend

I'm deep into editing, printing, matting and framing in preparation for my first outdoor art fair of the season. The show is in Franklin TN April 28-29. Last year a torrential thunderstorm wiped out about half the booths. Mine was fine, but the show closed early. The forecasters are predicting beautiful weather this year. Please stop by!

Franklin is a beautiful old town south of Nashville. I love my Tennessee customers. I have never felt so welcomed and appreciated as an artist as when I do a show in Tennessee. Talk about Southern charm and hospitality! Almost more than this Yankee girl knows what to do with!

Venus Envy, Concluded

Absolutely wonderful show this year! Thank you to all the VE 07 Artists, Performers, Board and volunteers for making my job as exhibition co-chair so easy in such a challenging space. I won't belabor details (we got electricity a few hours before the Preview Party opened -- I was ready with flashlights!) The weather did not cooperate. Our cute little artist outfits were covered in coats. It was cold, but the community supported us. The art was terrific and the performances were amazing.

And my new work was well received -- and purchased. Again, thank you!

If you missed it, aren't you sorry? If you were there, please leave me a comment about your experience.

I have personal "thank yous" to Robin, Cathi, Rob & Sherri, Shane & Justin, Ilene & Scott, Jack & Florine (my fabulous in-laws who didn't know what they would see, but braved it anyway to support us), Harold, Nancy, Kim & Rick, Jessica & Elliana, Laura & Maryann, Walt & Sheila, Cindy, Jane, and Ilene & Scott -- many of whom are fabulous artists themselves. I've linked those who have sites. Ilene -- you need one! St. Louisans known Ilene's terrific public sculpture at CRC, Jefferson School and Adams School, among others. Thanks everyone for coming to the show.

I didn't have much time to take pictures, but snapped a few of my daughter Hannah with her henna, created by mehndi artist Suman Chandel. She'll be the coolest kid in 5th grade tomorrow. I hate to admit that her's looks better than mine. Fifty-year-old skin doesn't compare to 11-year-olds!

There were some amazing artists there. Of course, my friends Mary Beth Shaw (collage) and Rhonda Cearlock (clay) exhibited and sold tons! The paintings of Sukanya Mani are just beautiful, as is the work of Amy Van Donsel and Holly Gallaher. Sukanya and Holly had there first show at Venus, as did a few other young women.

Whew! Now, let's get ready for VE '08!

Venus Envy, Part II

The space looks terrific! April Seager and I are Exhibition Co-Chairs again this year and we (and dozens of others) have been working up to 12 hours a day installing the work, lights and generally preparing the raw, donated space. (Thanks, Nick, for installing the beams for the lights!)

Yes, my daughter wants to know who is that woman who drags in, exhausted, late every night. She thought it was cool to have an artist mom (she gets to go to all the gallery openings and eat her weight in fancy cookies!), but now she knows it just means that mom keeps weird hours and weird friends. Good thing that dad is normal.

Venus Envy This Weekend!

This is my fourth year to be selected to exhibit in Venus Envy. Each year I produce new work, just for this show. This year I will be exhibiting a series of 12 sepia photographs titled "White."
The series is 12 images of white found in the natural world, and representative of purity. The sepia is an ironic commentary on the nature of women and purity.

You never know what you'll see at Venus, but you know it will be interesting. There are more than 40 artists and performers.

Venus Envy St. Louis is an all-female art event showcasing painting, sculpture, installations, collage, music, and dance. The Venus Envy event is open to the public. The content of all shows is intended for mature audiences.


VENUS ENVY
Friday and Saturday, April 13 - 14, 2007 In the Locust Business district at 3001 and 3016 Locus
7 PM to midnight
Parking: Free lot at Garrison and Locust
$5 admission or $10 for admission plus two drink tickets

Venus Envy 2007 Visual Artists
Cate Anevski, Melissa Bales, Amy Lee Bell, Rhonda Cearlock, Brooke Center-Wise, Melissa Chasnoff, Joyce M. Cooks, Erin K. Cork, Stacy Davis, Renee Deall, Christa G. Denney, Holly Gallaher, Heather Haymart, Theresa M. Hopkins, Aunia Kahn, Courtney Kennedy, Connie Lambert, JJ Lane, Sukanya Mani, Rebecca McDonald, Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Sandy Miller, Deborah Moellering, Natalie Nauert, Kacie Nichols, Rebecca Orf, Elena Rodriguez, Mary Beth Shaw, Rochelle Steffen, Amy VanDonsel, Jeane Vogel, Lula Von Troy, Jennifer Weigel, Linda Wiggen Kraft and Michelle Zielinski

New Work

Rain Delay
Shot in Ephraim, WI in early August 2006
and finished in the studio. "Rain Delay"
is a hand-altered Polaroid photograph,
and part of the current body of work.

Show Schedule