Local

Things have not slowed down much around here but look what came in the mail.



The latest issue of Downtown Monthly and here I am for the Allied Arts, ARTini article. I had no idea it would be such a large picture. A bit shocking!

I was also delighted to see the latest copy of the OKCMOA's Magazine, Connect. There is a super full page article about Taking your child to an Art Museum with a really nice plug for my blog.



Thanks to both publications for their wonderful work.

I am beginning a new piece for Button Day. It is an exhibition celebrating the Children's Center.

My idea is a small still life. A bowl of sewing goodies-including of course, buttons as that is the criteria for the show. This is just an example for me to use for proportion. I will change up the colors and stuff but this is going to get me painting. I will keep you posted on the progress.



Be sure to save the date for ARTini. It is coming up quickly, Sat. May 15th.

I am also excited to be asked again to serve on the committee again for OVAC's biggest fundraiser, 12x12 which will be Sept. 25th. Mark it down now! Details to come.

Where has the time gone?

I have not had any new posts in a while as I have been busy! I had a wonderful Spring Break with my boys-we kept busy doing projects, playing games, having playdates, lunches, and some outings with friends that included going to the OKCMOA, Science Museum Oklahoma, Arbuckle Wilderness and the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum.

On top of that I was really busy working on the above painting for the Allied Arts fundraiser, ARTini. I mentioned I was lucky to be one of 25 artists chosen to be in this event. The painting needed to be finished by the end of April in time for the show, but then I was asked if I could finish the piece early (YESTERDAY!) to be included in a photo shoot for publication with Southwestern Publishing-they put out several local mags- Downtown Living, NW Style and several others. Needless to say, I could not turn down the amazing opportunity. The painting was finished in time due to long hours, a supportive husband and the photo shoot is done. We shot at the OKCMOA yesterday and I hope it turned out alright-I was really nervous! It is for an article about the event and will be in the May issue-all I can say is Lindsay at Allied rocks. I thank her for setting it all up!

This painting is the last of my Montana Series. I am going to start putting a new collection together and I think my will focus on Western Oklahoma. You can also see I am still posting "my art" posts here. I don't have a separate blog/website set up yet. I hope to have that done sometime soon-it's hard to figure out how I want to set it up. When it comes together, I promise you all will be some of the first to know! Thanks for reading and letting me share the fun news. Live Creative!

My Art-Guitar Love

The front


and the back


What a busy time of year it has been. This may be the last post that consists of "my art". I hope to have paperwork completed this week for my new adventure (an LLC) the name of which I will reveal when finished! I'd like to keep my artwork separate from the teaching artist page that this has so lovingly become. I hope to have more of both to share with you all!

The latest project I just finished is the painted acoustic guitar for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Their incredible exhibit, The Guitar: Art, Artists, and Artisans is opening Feb. 13th. If you have a love of music or have any interest in the guitar, you really have to go see this. Here is a snippet from one of their press releases:

There is something about a cowboy and guitar that says "we belong together." Today they do, but that was not always the case. In spring 2010, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum^® offers a new exhibition showcasing the instrument.

"The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans" spotlights three aspects. “First, the guitar is a work of art itself, providing a canvas for artwork that enhances the instrument’s beauty. Secondly, there are musical artists who are identified with the guitar when they perform. Lastly, there are the artisans who create these beautiful instruments,” said Don Cusic, the exhibit’s guest curator, in an article written for the Museum’s Persimmon Hill magazine, Winter 2009.

Organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the exhibit opens February 12 and runs through May 9. There will be a “sweet” exhibition preview that is free to the public, February 13, 6 to 8 p.m. Whether attending solo, visiting as part of a group or treating your Valentine, enjoy extended hours and be among the first to see this colorful exhibit.

Included in the exhibition are approximately 50 guitars worth millions, from top entertainers — recording artists whose image and career is tied closely to this instrument. These notable artists include Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Lynn Anderson, Brooks & Dunn, Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.

The 3 guitars that local OKC artists painted will be on hand for children to play and then GIVEN AWAY at the end of the show. You just have to attend the exhibit and stick your name in the raffle!

I was a bit nervous about this project. I have never painted a guitar! Sanding it was a feat in itself. Thrilled and honored to be asked, I could not turn down this amazing opportunity. Well, I finished her up and delivered her today. While I was there I got a "behind the scenes" tour that seriously blew my mind. All the things people never see at any Museum I got to peek at today. Pretty neat!

Local

Last night I attended a wonderful event for Teaching Artists at the Arts Council. Oklahoma City has so much offered to artists right now. It was part one of a four part series by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and City Arts Center. Last night I gathered with Art Education and Program Directors, Educators, Artists and more. There was some super creative energy flowing through as we listened to 3 speakers talk about Curriculum Planning.

I learned quite a bit, but more importantly I networked. I sat next to friends, one an artist-he talked about getting himself psyched up for this year, getting things done and being on the verge of an explosion. It's how I feel. This is my year. I have had so many wonderful opportunities offered to me this past year I am only building on it this year.

I mentioned sort of cryptically a while ago that I am working on something. I am not quite ready to purge the specifics, but I am committing myself to my artwork and more as I continue my search for studio space/small building in OKC. I am promising myself to paint more, volunteer more, share art with more children, network more and push myself further than I have gone in the past. I am happy I have the support of my family and of course my friends. One friend has really made me believe in myself-even if she doesn't know it-I owe a lot of my break out attitude to her. You know who you are. :)

Okay, other excitement is Jason Peters at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. I CANNOT WAIT to attend the members preview and lecture on the 27th. His work is really exciting. I don't believe anything quite like this has ever been in OKC. I took this pic the other day after one of my classes, he did a small installation outside the Museum Gift Shop. This picture doesn't do it justice. It's actually lit from the inside. Way different. Way cool.


It's hard to tell, those are buckets-suspended from the ceiling. They wrap and twist like a serpent. Love it. He has been working for a few weeks or so with OU students on filling our exhibition space with more extraordinary works.

I am wrapping up my painted acoustic guitar for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and it's pretty darn cool if I do say so myself! Thursday after my class at the Museum I am headed over to OVAC office to help with some mailings. As part of my networking 2010 pledge I am joining two other arts related Organizations this week, The Paseo Arts Association and IAO (actually trying to get 2 pieces finished for Money talks, Art Walks in Feb.)

I will post fun pictures from my snowman class after Thurday! I am really looking forward to it. As much as I am dedicating myself to my work, I am dedicating myself to children and the arts as well.

Have a Creative Day!

New Projects

Along with Christmas bells and noisy malls, I can hear the sound of brushstrokes and busy children. Over all that, I hear the constant stream of creative buzz going through my head. I have several projects in the works right now. Here is the latest.



I know you are thinking, what is with the picture of a guitar? Well, I am honored and thrilled to be asked with 2 other OKC artists to paint a western theme guitar for an exhibit at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The exhibit is titled: The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans. It runs Feb 12, 2010 - May 09, 2010. It is going to be outstanding and 3 lucky people will be the proud owners of the local artisan guitars at the end of the exhibit. During the run of the exhibit children will be able to play the guitars and have their picture taken. I hope you will bring your children to take a look! I will be taking mine!

The guitar painting process should be interesting. I am a bit nervous. I don't want to mess it up! :) I am going to sand the guitar and begin painting right away. I will be sure to take photos of the progress!

If you haven't seen the Museum's Winter and Spring Class Schedule, you should take a look! Classes are filling quickly even though I think this is the most offerings they have had since I have been there. It's a big issue! If you have local little ones I hope to see you in the toddler and pre-k classes.

I am also happy to say I will be working with the Metropolitan Library System this summer doing a summer teen art program. We are going to do artist trading cards and I will let you know more when the schedule comes out.

Busy, busy! I have several new projects for children that I will post soon! Have a Creative Day!

Big Sky

My latest painting titled Big Sky is framed, finished and ready to make big money at my son's school auction tonight!

Roadside Cotton Candy

OVAC's big event 12x12 is long over but I never got around to posting about it. The event was another huge success and I was proud to be part of it once again. There are so many wonderful artists in Oklahoma that want to be in the show and I have been lucky enough to have been invited for the past 6 years. I have also been lucky enough for my piece to sell each year.

This year I did an acrylic titled Roadside Cotton Candy. It was inspired from a trip to Montana that my husband and I took together. It was one of the few trips we were able to make without the boys tagging along. My heart really belongs to the mountains of Colorado but Montana quickly started to win me over with it stillness, wildlife and big sky.

I have been busy in my kitchen studio working away on several projects...I'll keep you posted!

Here is a WIP primed, outlined and ready to be filled with paint!

oh baby

This is a little illustration I did for a wonderful friend of mine that is having her first child-a girl! I did it for a baby shower invitation and it's pretty darn cute. Colors are a bit off as it was a CMYK doc for printing and being my somewhat impatient self I didn't want to adjust for RGB. Anyway, the only color that is really off is the blue. It's really more of a beautiful deeper blue turquoise, not that green. I hope she likes it as the invites are off to print. She is a very special friend and it was kinda hard to do this for her because she is so cool, very hip, great sense of style...I wanted to get it just right!

We've had a wonderful day here. Little guy and I picked up older child from school and we all went downtown. First we went to the library. We checked out more books than we could carry! Then we stopped by the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Boys can't get enough of the Chihuly. I actually checked out this book from the library. Not just for me, but the boys too! Chihuly: Oklahoma City Museum of Art. While we were there we got our membership-you should too!

Did I mention my other excitement? Being a committee member again for the outstanding fundraising event for OVAC, 12x12 Art Show and Sale. It's always a great event and this year will be no less!

Speaking of OVAC, I am getting 3 pieces together to enter this show, 24 Works on Paper. Since I am a member I can enter 3 pieces without an entry fee! You know those entry fees can usually be expensive. Even though only 24 works being accepted is a bit of a long shot, I feel like how can I not? Nothing to lose. Looks cool-and it's an IAO collaboration.

Have a creative day!

One complete/One WIP

My painting based on a trip to NYC titled, "One Way" is complete!

thought you might like a peek



This vibrant work, untitled is based on a hike at Cataract Lake in Colorado. This is a Work in Progress...also still working on the Rock Mary painting I posted earlier. Will post more soon!



I'm about to get my boys from school and the silence will be over! I'm working on finishing up my class ideas for the fall semester at the Museum and class descriptions for ArtzPlace Oklahoma, a wonderful facility I will start teaching at this summer. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day!

Rock Mary Underpainting

This is not complete!



This is my newest painting- it is NOT complete. This is the underpainting, or the first layer. All it does is block in colors and today I will go in and begin to add details and lowlights. Tonight, since I am using acrylics I should be able to add highlights and final details. It's hard to show the beginning work like this, sort of like being naked. But, I want to document the process. It's the bare bones and hopefully it will come together and I should have a finished piece to show tomorrow. Then I'll get a frame and present it to my honey. It's for him, afterall!

While I painted, so did my little man. He covered paper with blue (Thomas), red (James) and brown (Toby). What's that you say? Well it's some of the Thomas the Train and Friends gang.