changes, changes

i haven't posted any art these days.  that's mostly because i am not really making any.  i have been gathering ideas, spending way too much time on pinterest and reading art and design blogs.  i have also been continuing to clear out the house, getting ready for the change that is about to happen.

boxes, and boxes are moving out the door!

john took a new job in december, and it seems the tide is going to move us away from denver.  at first we were hoping that we might stay, but it's looking more and more like we are not.  last weekend i had an antiques dealer friend come by and purchase a garage full of small stuff plus 5 large pieces of furniture. we have also taken 7 full SUV loads to goodwill. it's a bit bittersweet to be casting off bits and pieces we have had for the last 25 years or so, but i think i am ready.  if we move, we will downsize to a smaller house and won't need all of the stuff we have accumulated over the years. 

along with the denver house, we will also be selling our place in taos, NM.  so there are now two places to clear out, and stuff to be sold, distributed, and given away.  it's a monumental task, but is also somehow freeing.  we are ready to start over in a new place.

cute, but NO WAY!!

now we have to get down to the business of figuring out exactly where the new place will be.  it may be california, it may be oregon, it may be someplace altogether different.  we are unsure.  as i was typing, my friend johnine sent me a photo of a back yard chicken coop, saying that oregon would be my fantasy hipster location!!  hipster, maybe. chicken coop, definitely NOT!!  i do know that wherever we end up will be fine.  i have long ago found that it really doesn't matter where you are, it all becomes home.

one part that i'm trying to get used to is that our little ben will not be moving with us.  he will stay in colorado and go to college.  he will be going to the university of colorado in boulder this august.  we will most likely be moving at the same time.  i think he is a little worried about it all.  he has lived in colorado for most of his life, and doesn't remember the moving around as a younger child.  john and i, on the other hand, have done our share of relocation.  colorado has our record of the longest place we have lived, and it's been 12 years.  i keep telling ben not to worry, that he will always have a home.  and that he can handle this--it's all part of growing up.  it's still not easy for any of us, though.

so who will i become, and what will i do when we move?  i really don't know.  i do know that art is in my heart and soul, and i will continue to make it.  i don't know if it will be full time, or if i might find a new job in the new place.  for now i will be concentrating on moving, and not so much on marketing myself and my art. i didn't apply for cherry creek arts festival this year, knowing it would be too much to handle with everything else on our plate.

i will probably not be posting for a long while, hopefully coming back to the blog at the same time i am coming back to creating meaningful work.  thank you to my readers and supporters of my art!!  it has been a thrill to speak with you through the blog.  see you soon!!

new glasses, kinda cat eye.

as a visual artist, the "visual" part of me has needed correction for the last 15 years or so.  when i first went to the eye doctor in my mid 30's requesting bifocals, he laughed.  that was, until he tested my eyes.  then it was obvious to both of us, and i walked out with a new prescription for progressive lenses.

over the several doctors have tried to talk me in to contacts.  oh, i have tried.  bad idea.  i went for a couple of weeks one time before i gave up and put the glasses back on.  i don't really mind glasses.  i usually don't even notice them on my face.  what i do notice are nice frames when i am staring back at myself in the mirror.  so i alway splurge for something a bit fun or funky or colorful.  i usually wear these frames for at least 2 years, every day for over 16 hours.

here are my new ones.  slightly catty, just like me!

slightly crooked, but finished!

i finished john's chair.  it came out pretty well, but the pattern got a bit wonky on the seat.  i think next time i will try something a bit more random.  but for the price, i'd say it's a success.

project...

i haven't been writing much.  and i haven't been making art.  what i have been doing is stressing out.   my husband (john) just got a new job.  it's been a bit crazy here in the interim.  at first we thought we were going to have to move to california.  that sounds like a fun adventure, but the problem was that our dear boy (ben) is a senior in high school.  he is not really in a good place to move.

luckily, as it turns out, we don't have to move.  john will be working in denver!  that is great except for one thing... he will be working from home.  now, don't get me wrong.  i am thrilled that he will be working from home!  it's nice to have lunch together, and it's nice that he can be on a call and throw a bit of laundry in.   but the problem is our office situation.

we have a wonderful office in our house.  it's beautiful, thanks to the previous owners of our abode who put in built-ins and two work stations with granite desktops.  the bad news is that it's next to the front door.  and our sweet labrador (vinny) loves to bark like a crazed doggie when the doorbell rings.  not a good situation for someone on a very important phone call.

so john is moving to the basement!  he already has a great room down there for his creative endeavors.  so we are adding some cool furniture and doing some re-painting to make it officially an office.  we got a desk on craigslist (photos to come when it's refinished) and i am in the process of creating the perfect office chair!

i got the chair a couple of years ago at goodwill.  it was $1.95!  yes, one dollar and 95 cents!!  i wish i took the before before pic, but i forgot.  so here is the before finishing and after taking apart version.

i bought the retro fabric yesterday, and am in the process of sewing a seat cover.  i have already re-covered the back and arms.  all in, it's cost is about $50.  that was for fabric and new foam.  

i am really excited for this!  promise to post our progress as it comes to fruition!!

jenny fillius

the internet can be a wonderful place for artists to meet.  recently, i received a message from a fellow collector and assembler of stuff, named jenny fillius.  jenny does some awesome work using found sheet metal which she snips and rivets and layers to create her wonderful pieces.  

being a collector of all things saintly, i am especially intrigued with her madonna creations.

hail mary

VOG (virgin of guadalupe)

i first saw jenny's work on pinterest, which led me to her website, http://jennyfillius.com.  she also has an etsy page, its link is on her website.

i have met so many interesting people through my computer.  it's amazing how the artist community (or any other) can seek kindred spirits by messaging through etsy, facebook, and the like.  it is definitely a great time to be an artist, although sometimes i admit i spend a bit too much time on the computer and not enough time in the studio!

thank you, jenny for the message.  maybe one day i will be in seattle, or you will be in denver, and then we can go on a monumental hunt for treasures!

the art of it all at shy rabbit

interior of shy rabbit contemporary arts in pagosa springs, co

the durango herald has a great article featuring the show in which my work is included.  click here for a link to the article!

shy rabbit also has a call posted on their site for their "print international 4" exhibit, which opens in july.  for any printmakers out there, it's a great opportunity to be a part of a great show in a great gallery!  click here for a link with the call information.

willow

while working in littleton for a few years, i was lucky enough to meet helen rice, the owner of willow.  willow is a great little spot on the corner of main and prince streets in historic downtown littleton.  helen has been in business for many years, and has worked hard to carry artwork by many local and national artists.  recently, i have added some work to her collection.  if you have the chance to stop by, it's a great venue for one-of-a-kind finds.  i always find wonderful gifts among the art, jewelry, clothing, and accessories.  

please check out willow's website by clicking here.  and if you go by, tell helen i sent you!!