Luv is in the air!

'Ornaments of the eternal flame'

Just in time for Valentine's day! It's what seemed to make sense when I secured the February slot at First Cup Coffee House to show my art. After all, Luv is in the air! As I was hanging today, my friend remarked that she thought my stuff looked very "Rock & Roll" and I can't honestly think of a higher compliment! I must be on the right track, it feels like the natural progression from my Calaveras to now take on Sacred Hearts; another form of Mexican Folk Art for me to tweak and twist into my own funky style. I still love the rustic nature of ruddy old plywood and now I have discovered a new thrill: working with METAL! Tin cans, pie tins, lunch boxes, cookie canisters, you name it, I'm cutting it up! I've got the wounds to prove it, (bleeding for art somehow doesn't hurt as much). I'm having a lot of fun working with new tools and I've got a lot of new ideas on the burner. There's something about the combination of wood and paint and metal that really clicks for me. I can't really explain the attraction or why I feel compelled to craft 3-dimensional assemblages when I have so many 'drawings' in my head. It's funny for an 'Illustration major' to be so resistant to drawing! All I can say is that this is where I am now, and what is coming out. I'm just grateful (and a bit relieved) that I managed to get something out. . . and done. . . and up on a wall -in public!
Check it out if you're in the neighborhood:

First Cup
4103 SE Woodstock Blvd. PDX
or
you can view them here: www.flickr.com

"Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing." -Marc Chagall

Chain of Events

I went to art school because I wanted to be on the cover of Rolling Stone. Well, not really me, but my art. I dreamed of doing album covers and rock posters. I wanted to illustrate the music that drives me. . . that was the dream. Then Life happened, I got married then took a 1000 mile pilgrimage from SE France to NW Spain, then came back, bought a house and got a job to pay the mortgage. Then Motherhood happened and I worked part time at night, raising my boy by day until I got laid off 2 years ago. Now Art is happening. . . again.

A couple of years ago, el Hueso gave me the Art of Modern Rock for my birthday. I could feel the fire burning in my belly again. I drooled over the pages, marking my favorites, taking note of the artists that inspire me.

A month ago, a couple of friends invited me to go to the Goodfoot to see the Art of Musical Maintenance show. The entire place was plastered with righteous rock radness! Tempted by the dizzying display of posters, I didn't buy anything, wanting to wait for one from a show I'd been to, something that would mean more to me.

On New Years day, I went to see X at the Roseland. The man and I don't go out much anymore, but it was still technically my Birthday week so I talked him into it. I knew it would be too good a show to miss! I had never seen them play before, but the show took me back to a time and place that I thought I might have lost forever.

There was a poster for sale at the show. I could barely make it out in the dim light. It looked like it might be a Gary Houston! I didn't buy it then but hunted for it later the next day. I found it on the Voodoo Catbox website and called the studio. Gary answered the phone and gave me directions to come on over!! I was so excited that I called the only person who I thought might be as thrilled as me to see the studio and meet Gary. Turns out my buddy has a collection of GH posters and is a huge fan!

Today, we took a field trip to the Voodoo Catbox studio under the St. John's Bridge. Hell Yessss!

Today was an AWESOME day!

Gary Houston wrapping up my X poster

The journey continues. . .

Back to school for The Boy, back to work for The Man and back on track for Mamalea. The business of Life and each of our routines resumes. This year, I am not starting over, just picking up where I left off. Sure I'm making plans and setting goals, but mostly I am focusing on what I have already started and trying to stay committed to the pursuit of art making.

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
~Hal Borland

. . . and so the journey continues. This new year is as much a fresh start as each and every day is, when I awake to find that I am still Alive and in Love and on my Way.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

From Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Happy New Year.