Well I don't have any new art to post for the new year so I'm sharing an old photo of me from a land far, far away Tassajara, I think. My Gramma Lulu practiced art and Buddhism there and I have fond memories of taking road trips in the VW bus into the mountains to visit her. I just had another birthday (46!) which always leaves me very sentimental. It seems the older I get the more I long for the simplicity of youth, when my only responsibilities consisted of dreaming, playing, listening and loving. This year (and forever after) I resolve to honor those same responsibilities with a renewed passion! It's easy to forget to dream and play when there are so many other people and things I am responsible for now, but I will try to lighten up and not be so darn serious all the time! I'm sure I've said that before.
I have a vision in my head of the kind of art I want to make. I can only see what it feels like. It feels brave and spontaneous. Experimental and fluid and maybe even frenzied. This art lives inside me like a trapped dream, pounding on my chest to get out. But the control freak that I have become won't let it, too afraid it won't be cool enough, terrified that it will suck, people won't like it, no one will want it. So I work slow and carefully and over-think everything. I need to take more chances! I need to pick up the pace! I have 2 upcoming shows to prepare for, a whole new body of work must be created! Sheesh that's daunting.
But before I go forward, I need to look back over the year so I can wrap it up and be done with it. The best way to sum up 2012 is to say "IT ROCKED!" It began with a commitment to scale back my volunteer involvement at school -which allowed me to focus ALL of my energy on my art. It was a big step to start saying "No" but then, something really cool started happening . . . things started coming together to the point where I can now gleefully say I am living the dream of what I always wanted to be. Art is my job, (for now). I have what I asked for -except for the $ -we still need that part!
I have to say that the biggest bonus to choosing the life of an artist is all the amazing people I have met. I'm pretty sure I doubled my social circle in the last year alone. The art community in Portland is so supportive and awesome, it feels really good to be a part of it! Yay for new meaningful connections!!
2012 Exhibitions:
December 2012, 'Big 300' People’s Art of Portland, PDX - BIG Group Show
December 2012, 'New Brow', Portland Center for Performing Arts, PDX - Group Show
November 2012, 'Dia de los Muertos', Guardino Gallery, PDX - Group Show
November 2012, Siren Nation Craft Fair
November 2012, ' I think, therefore I am', Goodfoot, PDX - Group Show
November 2012, 'Send in the Clowns' Good: a Gallery, PDX - Group Show
October 2012, 'Skull Party', Arleta Library Cafe, PDX - Duo Show w/Adam Charles Ross
October 2012, 'Freak Show', First Cup Coffee House, PDX - Trio Show
October 2012, '88 Strong', Goodfoot, PDX - Group Show
September 2012, 'Food cArt Show', Screaming Sky Gallery, PDX - Small Group Show
August 2012, 'Sci-Fi Show', People’s Art of Portland, PDX - Group Show
July 2012, 'BEER Show', Amnesia Brewing, PDX - Duo Show w/Chris Haberman
July 2012, 'Edge Show', Launchpad Gallery, PDX - Group Show
June 2012, 'Quadrality Show', Bar Carlo, PDX - Quad Show
May 2012, 'Out of the Box II', People’s Art of Portland, PDX - Group Show
May 2012, 'May Day Show', Space Monkey, PDX - Group Show
April 2012, 'Simply Red II', Mark Woolley Gallery, PDX - Group Show
April 2012, 'Year of The Dragon Show', Lunar Boy Gallery, Astoria, OR - Group Show
April 2012, 'Diva Show', Limelight, PDX - Solo Show
March 2012, '4-click Bic Show', Bar Carlo, PDX - Group Show
March 2012, 'Skateboard Show', Space Monkey, PDX - Group Show
February 2012, 'For The Love of PDX' People’s Art of Portland, PDX - Group Show
February 2012, 'Double A II', Space Monkey, PDX - Duo Show w/Aaron Goodrich
January 2012, 'Surreal Salon', Baton Rouge Center for Contemporary Art, Baton Rouge, LA - Group
I'm not sure where I'm headed in 2013, but I hope to keep the momentum going!
Do or Die!
You go, Girl! Let that art OUT!!! I can't wait to see it! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Di! Happy to have met you along this path, we're good for each other, I can feel it!
DeleteFirst of all, I love that pic!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have met you this last year and hope to see more of you and your fabulous art this year. I like to think that some of that fear of what other people think goes away with age. I am a worrier too and was always so worried about what other people thought that I would hold myself back from having fun.
This is a small example but I remember even just a few years ago I threw a New Years' Party and when no one had arrived by 9:01 (party started at 9:00!), in my mind I was already starting to see images of failure, flies swarming around uneaten food, and was sure that no one liked me. Of course by the end of the night everyone had a great time. Reflecting upon this year, I realized that I did not have ONE THOUGHT about the success/failure of my party; I just had the attitude of expecting to enjoy it whether it was 2 good friends or 20. What a freeing feeling not to be doubting yourself!
So maybe 46 is your year to let it all out without fear.
Let's see it, baby!!
Christie, I'm so glad the 'Mud Bug' brought us together! Your NYE party was a blast and I look forward to much more partying with you! Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteWow that's a lot of shows!!! Great job. Your work is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat means so much to me Christine, since YOU are the 'Queen of Coolness' is my book.
DeleteLove the update, love your ideas, love the way your life is becoming what you've wanted it to be...very inspiring for me. The list of exhibitions is impressive! I expect you to have more success in 2013 -- not because you should, but because it will come on it's own!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Luv Julie. We inspire each other! I have always admired your knack for setting goals and achieving them!
DeleteGreat update. I remember (vaguely) those trips too! Well done on a stellar year!
ReplyDeleteThanks sis. It feels like another lifetime ago! I wish we had more photos of our childhood to bring the memories back into focus, oh well, I guess that's why we take so many of our own kids now!
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