New Year = New techniques & new knowledge

In keeping with my resolution to really focus on my art this year, I’ve tried a new approach to a painting, and I’m experimenting with glazing.  I’m probably not doing it right, but I think it’s something that requires practice.  I also signed up for a teaching course on the business side of being a professional artist.  I’m hoping the investment is worthwhile and can get me more exposure, and of course, more sales.  I’m hoping to have at least one of these three paintings in the Stutz exhibit for February, and I’ll have some of my art at Sacred Roots Midwifery and Birth Center for the next few months.  Wish me luck.

 

I’ll keep you posted!

 

 

Happy New Year

I’m full of creative ideas right now, and very excited about approaching painting in different ways.  An old dear friend mentioned to me recently that she loves my abstract paintings more than any others.  Most of the paintings I’ve done to sell or to give as gifts have been of landscapes that have special meaning to the recipient, but the ones that have been the most fun for me have been the abstracts.  Here’s to a new year of painting!   This is a work in progress inspired by a photograph by one of my favorite New Orleans photographers, John Snell, who has graciously given me permission to use his photographs.  Check out his work.  You will understand why people have a hard time leaving Louisiana.

Indiana Interchurch Center Gallery exhibition: Home

I am SO excited.  I found out today that this painting has been accepted for the exhibit of women’s art called “Home.”  The cherry on top was the email I got today from Frank Relle, of Frank Relle Photography, who told me he loves the painting that was inspired by one of his photographs.

Pull Up A Chair

I was honored to be included in this event  – a storytelling variety show.  Among the other storytellers were a comedian; a singer; a Guerilla Girl; a flutist.  This is a picture of me telling the story of Hurricane Katrina from the eyes of a native New Orleanian, and sharing my paintings, The Katrina Trilogy

Night Cypress

I had put this aside for a while because I wasn’t sure what to do next. Recently I looked again at the photograph by New Orleans photographer Frank Relle and was inspired – as I always am when I see his work. So, I just decided the best thing to do would be to get some water, clean up my studio and just jump in. This is what I have so far. I’m getting excited about finishing it.  This has been a big challenge.

hiraeth

(n.) a homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was; the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past

Pull Up a Chair: A Storytelling Variety Show

This event, on Sunday October 16 at 7:30 pm, will be its second annual occurrence.  This unique event will take place at Theater on the Square, 627 Massachusetts Ave., downtown Indianapolis.  I will be showing my Katrina Trilogy and telling the story of Katrina from my perspective as a native New Orleanian and a clinical social worker living and working with chronically mentally ill adults at the time of Hurricane Katrina, August 29, 2005.  I will talk about how the tragedy still affected me 10 years later, and led to the first step in my career as a professional artist.

Here is the program:

Performances- no particular order

  1. Mary Armstrong- Smith- Hope story or Bigot story
  2. Christy Warren- Song /story- Cut
  3. Matt Fogleman- Story, theme undecided
  4. Pamela O’Brien- visual art and story about Hurricane Katrina
  5. Katie Duffy Sim- Story about Vacation with husband
  6. Zach Ramsey- Song/Story- Proud of your boy
  7. Roger Roe- Oboe/Story
  8. Ivory Fleurtini- Portrait
  9. Minnie Ryder- Mommy burlesque
  10. Sara Jones-Dockery- Visual- Dick pics/ Censorship

If you are in Indianapolis and looking for something unique to do on a Sunday evening, please come by.  It’s $10 at the door, 18 and over.