Monday, January 26, 2009

Art on Safari


My husband took me to Reno, NV last week for the Safari Club International Convention. Hey, I take my vacations when I can get them! I took a day of mineral bath/massage/margaritas with a couple of other wives while he and his buddies explored all the guns and hunt vendors. I did spend one day at the huge SCI expo and was pleased to find lots of art at this convention--jewelry, bronze sculptures, African animal art. Of course, there were lots of animal realism artists, but two of the less realistic SCI artists especially inspired me: Laurel Barbieri, and Kobus Moller. The photo in this post shows the large, booth of Kobus Moller. The display walls were held with an interesting grid of interlocking 2x6 boards and included great lighting. Mr. Moller was very congenial, and talked about his emotional/spiritual struggle between the passion and the pride in his work as it relates to his Christian beliefs on creativity and his gift as a painter.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Artist's Co-op Gallery Reception




Here's my wonderful kids with me and another wonderful kid at the emerging artists reception yesterday. We had a really amazing time in Omaha. There was a great crowd for the gallery event, even in the cold weather. The middle photo shows a small view of the bright open gallery with one of my paintings (Evolving Promises) on the left. Thanks to all the members of the Artist's Co-op Gallery who made this emerging artists show possible. Megan Sanders was in charge of the event. The bottom photo shows Megan introducing me to the crowd in front of the hanging panel where one highlighted work from each of the eight emerging artists is featured. I met some wonderful people and came away with lots of ideas and motivation for making art. It is such and honor to be a part of this selected group of artists. The show is up until January 25th, with opportunity to vote for the winning emerging artist until then. GO VOTE!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

New Year

Are you setting goals for 2009? Alyson Stanfield at www.artbizblog.com is encouraging followers to set goals. I also get newsletters from Christine Kane, who is telling me to chose a theme word for the year. I've already found that it is important to write these things down. I thought about them 2 weeks ago, and now can't remember what they were! That's my goal for the next week: to set specific accomplishments and choose a theme and WRITE them down. The year is starting off well. I have my first gallery showing of the year in Omaha NOW! I won a medal at the miniature show in the North Platte Art & Gift Gallery. Both gallery shows have receptions this weekend that I will attend with my children. They are so proud and supportive. I also have 3 commissions to get going on. Meet me in Omaha on Sunday at the Artists Cooperative Gallery!