Auspicious Beginning

Nursery Rhyme

Thank you, Pacific Northwest! Being named a winner of the City of SeaTac's annual Photo/Art Exhibit after only a month as a resident of Seattle, is really encouraging. Not only is my Nursery Rhyme a winner in the contest, but they are acquiring it for the city’s art collection. Plus I am invited to accept the “purchase award” from the mayor at City Hall and present the meaning behind my work....

My childhood was rich in ways that matter. The little girl on those eggs in the nest was me. My parents encouraged me always to express myself as an independent, thinking, creative being, and embraced my love of the arts. A seminal activity in my early years was hearing and reading stories –beginning with nursery rhymes, fairy tales and family history. I think my creative fantasy began there, nurtured by the warmth of acceptance and stimulation. I wish the same for every child, and challenge all of us to be mentors and champions for all children.

Needless to say, I am pleased as punch about this positive reception by the Pacific Northwest as I settle into this community. One of the reasons I am excited to move here is because this area embraces the arts and artists in a big way. If you are a regular reader of GardenPoet, you will probably start to notice a renewal in my commitment to writing about local arts, simply because the scene here is strongly compelling. 

As a start, let me invite you to the City of SeaTac Photo Exhibit, which has already started and runs through October 28. You can find it at City Hall, 4800 South 188^th Street, SeaTac, first and third floors, weekdays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

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 If you wish to have a limited-edition print of Nursery Rhyme hanging on your wall as a daily reminder of these tenets, it is available as a pigment print on archival paper, titled, numbered and signed, ready for your favorite framing. I check each print personally to make sure the color and quality is the best. Sizes and pricing (includes first class shipping in an art tube): 

10" x 10" image on 11" x 17" stock, $310; 

12" x 12" image on 13" x 19" stock, $410; 

or 16" x 16" image on 17" x 22" stock, $560. 

Washington residents please add 10% tax. 

To order, just email me, with your mailing address and the size you wish. 

Questions welcomed.

: )

Last night the reception at Pacific Art League in Palo Alto was a lovely little party. I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of things to like--really wonderful, welcoming people there from the PAL Board and other members, to the folks who walked in off the street as part of the Friday Night Art Walk. Best of all, a whole gaggle of my own friends showed up to support me as this was the first time I have participated in an art show since high school. Even my sister came, driving five hours just to be there (bringing snazzy clothes and make up for me just in case I wasn't going to dress up). Yes, participated is the word you read: I had four of my prints hanging, including the one here, "Great Expectations."  The exhibit goes through March 31st in case you want to stop by and see more.

So, yeah, jumping into the world of making and showing art is turning out to be not just satisfying but it is actually a lot of work. If you ever envision artists sitting around eating bonbons and working when the mood strikes, you have a whole 'nother thing coming. It took me weeks to finish the pieces I had planned to submit, including editing and finalizing the images, testing for color, printing, matting (I cut my own mats), framing, labeling, making "hang-ready," wrapping and delivering -- then going through the sign-up process and labeling at the gallery. I do have to admit, I am not nearly as adroit at the matting and framing part as I will be someday and even sliced up one of my previously-most-useful fingers with a new Exacto knife blade which meant I spent several hours at the doc's having a "wound care specialist" put it all back together. So there is a little blood and sweat for you; maybe someday there'll be tears.

Now I get to start the process again: the next show at PAL is themed "In The Garden," a perfect venue for my portfolio. Submissions are due on Friday the 13th so it's going to be a busy week again. Happy me.

My next post will be about the Artist Series talk by world renowned sculptor, Bruce Beasley--and the private tour we had today by Mr. Beasley at his studio compound.