This is Not the End of the Journey for Me

I heard that line last night in the Theatre Downtown's production of the play Shining City by Conor McPherson and it rang true to my heart. I was thinking about my life as a journey and where it might take me. I have often thought that I would like to teach. In order to teach at a college level, which is what I think I would like most, I would have to earn a master's degree. This brings me around full circle to another thing I have always said I wanted to do, to earn a masters degree in Art History. 

These things are down the road for me, further along in my journey. I am enjoying where I am and what I am doing now, but I am a person who always has goals and a "to do list" in the wings. 

Robin Maria Pedrero and I did an art demo and business workshop last week for the SCC Art Club in conjunction with our exhibit there. We had a good group of students with which we discussed the business of art, sharing some of our own experiences and resources to benefit the career paths of these students. I enjoyed very much the feeling of "giving back" of helping some students who stood in the same shoes I stood in many years ago. Many of these students were very eager to learn more about the business side of art, which is something that I am still learning about. 

It felt good to be an inspiration. To inspire people to try a new technique and a new medium, and to inspire them about their chosen career path in art. I remembered how much my high school art teacher Barbara Chiampa inspired me. She went the extra mile in giving her time and talent to her students. She photographed my entire portfolio, we developed it to slide film, she showed me how to mask out the backgrounds with black electrical tape (yes! this was WAY before digital technology) and how to put the slides together in a packet to be sent off with my applications to art school. This, of course, was after she inspired me to want to GO to art school, and to create all the work IN the portfolio. 

When I think about my artistic journey and my career path, it always starts with "Champ," my teacher.

Collecting Art

Most Recent Aquisition: Doceur by Janie Brault

On our recent trip to Québec City, we stopped in the small town of St-Hilaire (see older posts) for lunch. in the Presse-Cafe there was an exhibit by a local artist, and I decided that what I wanted to bring home from the town of St-Hilaire was a piece of local art.

Janie Brault is a 33-year old artist who has been painting since she was 15. Her first influence was the wide open sky and surrealistic vision of Salvador Dali. Janie has done much traveling, mostly in South America. Everywhere she goes, she tries to catch the essence of people and places. In her art, Janie says she "wants to share some beauty, brightness and softness." She explained to me that the name of this piece, Douceur, means "Softness" (in French). It was inspired by her part time work in massage therapy.

Douceur is 10x10, however Janie typically works on large pieces that have been known to go up to 9-feet tall! I was glad I found a small one, so I could fit it into my ever expanding art collection!

I told Janie, that the next time she comes down to Florida, I'd meet her at the Dali Museum. Turns out Janie has an Aunt right here in the Sunshine State, so we just might do that.

Collecting Art

Anna with the Red Robe

In addition to Don Howard, I also have a piece by Margaret Dyer in my collection. Margaret is a pastel artist from Atlanta. I took a workshop with her in Daytona beach a few years back. You have never met a nicer person or a better teacher than Margaret! Be on the lookout for her locally in Orlando as well, she does the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival pretty regularly. The next one is March 21, 21 & 22, 2009. 

Collecting Art

Grande Sol

Artists like art. What do people who like art do? They collect!

A number of artists collect art as well as make art, and I am one of them. Sure, I could fill the walls of my house with my own art, and I have. What interests me however, are the styles and techniques of artists other than myself. I started my art collection with two pieces of art by Don Howard a number of years ago. His work is completely different from anything I would ever do, and I love it! I have a Sun God as well as a piece of his tribal art.

Good Press by SCC

Thanks Loraine O'Connell

Loraine covered our show for the SCC website and school publication and wrote a really nice article about Robin, myself and the show. Good press is always appreciated! Read the SCC website article.

A Closer Look

Photo Gallery Now Online

For all of you folks who made it out to the SCC opening and want to see if you were caught on film (of course it's all digital now), we have made a photo gallery. For all of you folks who missed it and want to see who was there, we have made a photo gallery. And for all of you who are just curious.... check out all the photos! Courtesy of Doug Nelson Photography.

Photos from SCC Opening Reception

Thanks to Doug Nelson, Photographer!

Many thanks to Doug for getting great photos of this much anticipated event, and for publishing them so quickly. We have print quality digital photos if anyone wants to give us additional press! Thanks also to Lucy Gonzalez and her husband for doing such a great job hanging the show, it looked wonderful! We appreciate all our guests and friends for attending the show, which will be up through September 25th. More information about Gallery hours.