New Site!!

Okay, after viewing the traffic of my fine art site I decided to redirect all my attention and focus solely on my design for now. The new site Ann Arbor Designs showcases my graphic and web design portfolio. Once I feel comfortable with the success of this site I will rework my fine art in later. I am still in the process of completing my last CSS course and then it is on to Flash! Then perhaps I can add some more pizazz to the new site.

Aging With Attitude Documentary

Aging with Attitude Art Exhibit

SafeHouse Show

This was a very powerful show. I donated my piece to SafeHouse and now can be found in their lobby.

rEVOLUTION

Show this Friday featuring "The Story of the Wood." It will take place at the Duderstadt Center. Opening reception starts at 7pm.

Show At Cafe Ambrosia

I am participating in a small show at Cafe Ambrosia. The show is Friday, February 22nd from 8-11:30pm. There will be great coffee and live music as well.

Aging with Attitude

I am participating in a show at the Slusser Gallery. The piece is titled "Le Bain." It depicts the functionality of a woman. As she ages she becomes the agent rather than the participant. Her life absorbs more purpose. The tools symbolize her responsibilities. The porcelain tub is her youth. This piece is an etching with acrylic on steel. The show will run from March 7-28 2008 with the opening reception on the 7th from 6-9:00pm.

A Utensil for Every Hunger

Tonight in class we talked about the Fork and how it changes in different situations. My personal take on the Fork is that there is a specific Fork for distict purposes, as there is a unique utensil for each meal. I see the Fork resembling a medium. Every artist has his or her own vehicle to project art. I put together a small video to examine how there is medium for every artist as there is a utensil for every hunger.

Art Exhibits

I went to a couple of art openings this past Friday. I actually have not been to as many as I would like due to my toddler needing all my extra time. I have a piece in a show at the Ann Arbor Art Center. The show is called "The Annual: All Media Exhibition". A show with such a diverse offering, permitted one to see how wonderful being an artist is. I was standing on the second floor looking at a large photograph that had been extremely saturated and I was thinking about what a clever idea the piece was. I would have never thought to do what that artist did, but the artist found their voice and now whenever I see an image like that I will know it must be them. Artwork is like fingerprints, every one is unique. An artist's work becomes their own personal identity. Some may absorb a style of another artist through inspriation, but it could never possibly be the same. My piece was on the first floor of the gallery. Such a small creation next to larger manifestations. It looked so meek and could perhaps even get glanced over. As I stared at it, I could envision the years ahead of me consisting of progress and work. I have been chipping away at this for as long as I can remember, and I love every minute of it. I once read that "art is a journey, not a destination." This quote may seem cliche, but its sincerely is undeniable. I have no endpoint in mind for my work, I do it for the process and for the revelations that unveil themselves with each piece. Something else that I want to share with anyone who reads this (if anyone even reads this) is the other artist I went to see Friday night at the Washington Street Gallery. I have included an image of one of the pieces that is on display there currently. The artist, Alvey Jones, shares beautiful and laborous pieces. His artwork reminds me of shadow boxes filled with secrets and memories. I especially appreciate the mixing of medium. He reaches out to all the senses with his piece. He paints the water and includes actual sand to bring forth the actual presence and texture of the beach. The colors are careful and specific, creating a sense of reflection and nostalgia. There is something very private, yet public, about this piece. Each little container holds a piece of the puzzle, and together they make a statement about the world and life as a whole. I would love to know what he was thinking, but then again I don't. Constructing one's own personal relationship with a piece of art is the point of the experience. For a second I can feel as if that piece and I found each and something beautiful was shared.
For more information on these two shows please click here.