my garage?

Watercolor on Aquabord in progress, and progress, and progress 22X30.
Though not from my garage...I very much appreciate the wonderful "collection" of aged treasures and visual repetition of lines, angles and what will be secret dark spaces perfect for exploring. One of my fondest memories from childhood...exploring my great grandmothers long-abandoned log cabin, built by her and her husband; the decorative wallpaper...newspaper from the nearest rural south Texas town (that was able to produce a paper)...and the nostalgic smells and shapes of furniture re-purposed from a previous life and necessity.

Virginia Arts Advocacy Day

ArtWorks for Virginia is the only statewide, multidisciplinary conference for Virginia artists, board and staff leaders of Virginia arts organizations, art educators and students, arts advocates and volunteers, as well as anyone interested in successful integration of arts in the community.
Anyone interested in the arts is invited to attend the ArtWorks for Virginia conference for Virginia Arts Advocacy Day in Richmond January 26-28. For the first time, ArtWorks will feature an exhibition on Wednesday, January 27 by artists from the Workhouse! My painting Abundance, along with 12 other 2D and 3D works from workhouse artists were selected to represent the Workhouse Arts Center.

Suffering...how it takes place while someone else is eating or opening a window...or just walking dully along.

"About suffering, they were never wrong, the old masters: how well they understood, it's human position; how it takes place while someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along." WH Auden

In light of recent tragic events and the people suffering in Haiti, I am reminded of this quote. Though I choose to interpret "Masters" as really anyone. I mostly connect with this statement as a nurse and mother, roles that help ground me in reality, but also often from an artist's view and the importance of being thankful for the beauty in what we see everyday.
And so this second week of the new year...and a new decade...I planned to re-organize and renew... my priorities... my intentions....my pastel box. I listed a few of these artistic "resolutions" below, but they seem lofty even as I type them remembering that others are simply "surviving". My real goal...never to walk "dully along".

1. Make better decisions when juggling competing responsibilities.
2. Focus more on the joy of creating and the journey.
3. Seek authenticity and work to develop a cohesion in vision, handling of medium, artistic touch and style.
4. Be confident in and value the of sharing my vision of art and the beauty in everyday, unlikely places.

Recommended by my friend who works at USAID:
Those interested in helping victims in Haiti can get more info by visiting the following sites (cash is viewed as the best way to help): Center for Int'l Disaster Info www.cidi.org; Interaction www.interaction.org for a list of credible responding agencies; www.give.org for assistance in making informed decisions when supporting charities; and www.globalgiving.org.

"Creativity Takes Courage" -Henry Matisse

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to re-examine artistic goals, personal priorities, and renew intentions. These aspirations provide a pathway to guide decision-making and help to clarify the directions we should take on our creative journey [and in life]. One of my most valued [and rewarding] intentions for 2010 is to continue to share the processes I have learned in art through teaching workshops. Over the past few years, I have had the amazing opportunity to teach and encourage the artistic growth of many developing painters of all levels. This month LibertyTown Arts is exhibiting artwork from Liberty Town "students" (aren't we all students of art) created in 2009. The Opening Reception will be Friday, Jan 8th from 5-9PM. Below are 6 of the paintings on exhibit by artists from my workshops this past year. Thank you all for participating in the exhibit and having courage to explore your creative drives. I am renewed by your energy and enthusiasm. For information and to view my 2010 Workshop Schedule.
Melange aux Fleurs by Sandy Staley

Hawk by Shirley Buckler

Tortuga by Sue Henderson

Sun's Flower by MaryBeth Algert

Hydrangea Close-up by MJ Bradley

Canna by Charlotte Plaxico