March 6 – June 5, 2006 - I have 14 watercolors, colored pencil and graphite works currently on display at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, 1525 W 5th St, Storm Lake, Iowa.
June 29-July 8, 2006 - Christine Richards has invited me to exhibit my work in her gallery, CR Gallery, right on Hwy 71 in Milford. ‘Cricket’ loves art, loves to go to work everyday and is a person every artist should know as she is supportive and encouraging in the arts.
July 31-Aug. 4, 2006 – I will be conducting a 5-day Watercolor Workshop, focus is primarily ‘landscape’ painting, at the studio of Dixie Swisher in Des Moines. For more information or to pre-register contact Dixie at 515-288-4390 or dixteaches@mchsi.com
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2006 – Art Iowa Colored Pencil Weekend, Amana Arts Guild, Amana. If you have never visited the Amana Colonies in the Fall, consider a trip this year. The area is beautiful, peaceful, simple. This is my 4th invite to be part of the Art Iowa Workshop offering at the Amanas and I look forward each time to my visit.
I have received many positive comments and encouraging remarks regarding my communiqué. You have been uplifting and encouraging. Today’s technology gives us a way to connect, communicate and to share with people all over the world in an instant. And as Phil Keoghan believes, no opportunity should go unwasted. Phil is the host of the award-winning television show “The Amazing Race”. I am fascinated with this show, have been a loyal fan from day one and would personally love to try it. Because of a near-death experience, Phil lives-out his N.O.W. philosophy, no opportunity wasted, living life to the fullest, as if the day were his last. Ok, Ok, I am not jumping out of a plane or swimming an underwater cave. I am taking advantage of a simple amazing communication tool. No opportunity wasted.
A reality show involving ART? Yes! I have watched two shows on the Travel Channel called “Sandblasters”. Exceptional sculptors from all over the world compete, building awesome sand sculptures within a certain amount of time. However, every hour or two, a number is drawn, lottery style, and if that number is yours, your sculpture is blown up and you start all over again, trying to finish a new one (plan B) before the deadline. It’s difficult to watch beautiful work, hard work blown up, but that is the name of the game. Amazing what is offered to us for entertainment.
I have heard from several people viewing my work on display at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Thanks for taking the time to send uplifting, encouraging comments. First and foremost, I create for my own need and enjoyment. If my work pleases someone else, that is an added bonus to me. Again, it is greatly appreciated.
In my last two communiqués, I sent info regarding the exhibit Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible at the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska, through April 16. Each of my 3 planned attempts to see this exhibit fell through for various reasons. I feel I really missed out on a very important historical event. If you were able to attend and would like to share your comments of the exhibit via my newsletter, you are welcome to send them my way.
If you are ever in need of finding Art History info, this site has it all. http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks.html
This website is designed and maintained by Dr. Christopher LCE Witcombe, Department of Art History, Sweet Briar College, Virginia.
Quack Quack Waddle Waddle!!!!! Do we have enough rain???
I recently received an e-mail from Roger C and he is wanting to know if there are organizations strictly devoted to drawing with graphite and/or charcoal. There are plenty of watercolor, pastel, colored pencil and oil organizations. Can anyone provide Roger with info, either regionally or nationally? Let me know.
Dennis wrote me – “I have found Stephen Kinsella Papers to be an excellent source for paper. “ And he is right! If you are looking for a paper, this place should have it. Check out www.kinsellaartpapers.com Thanks, Dennis, for the info.
I spent a delightful day yesterday at WomenInc Gifts in Fairmont, MN for their grand opening, a place where anyone can shop for products, books and art created by women throughout south central Minnesota and northern Iowa. (APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!!) It was a day of visiting with customers, telling the stories behind my artwork. This was new territory for me. I did not know a soul. The best part was meeting great talented women of the Midwest. I purchased a t-shirt that says it all, 'every woman has a story'. Congratulations to Kay Sauck, editor in Chief, Womeninc magazine, on the opening of the gift store.
I have registered to take a workshop with John Salminen, Abstraction and Realism at Dillman’s Lodge in northern Wisconsin, May 28-June 2. There still is space in his class if anyone might be interested. You can view Dillman’s website with the class description and info about lodging at www.dillmans.com . To view John’s work, check out his site http://www.johnsalminen.com/
A saying that I find myself referring to quite often is: If you want something bad enough, you will find a way, if you don’t, you will find an excuse. Ring true for any of you?
