Visiting Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC

Succour Photo Slideshow

The Welcoming Center at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California



My little prayer flags are there to the right of the window. Check out all of the great photos in this SLIDESHOW.

Sharing

I got this touching email yesterday and wanted to share:

Dear artists of Succour,
Prayers are being answered, God is doing great things in difficult times, and we are blessed!

After walking through the gallery space this afternoon with a few of the Cathedral volunteer greeters, again one truly realized how God has done something miraculous. In simply sharing with the greeters what the exhibit is about, there stood this elder lady of the church welling up with tears. The simple fact that we would share this gift with others, without any cost as a gift of love to God is overwhelming to others. That we artists would desire to share our art with others, write statements that share our hearts, and spend years creating such meaningful conceptual art to honor Christ is an incredible encouragement to all. Thank you for making this exhibit. Like an orchestral symphony, each of you are the total work, we each fill in the composition and bring depth and richness to the completed work. God, of course, conducts the entire piece!

In addition, this exhibit is an amazing testimony to each of you. For those who gave SEEDS your additional assistance, we cannot thank you enough. Installing the exhibit was a joy! The time and funds you gave helped us all to have this exhibit. The volunteers just kept showing up. Many artists even give a day or two to install others artists works -that is such a blessing. There are many more volunteers and staff of St John's Lutheran performing music each weekend, assisting in the gallery and assisting us in the details.

The Cathedral space is all that we could dream of in its grand architecture, pure clean vast amounts of space and light. The staff at the Cathedral are all under a lot of pressure and they have faithfully assisted us in countless ways in making this space a gallery. At present the gallery almost fully completed AND is on the web so you can see your artworks as installed!

We are overwhelmed with the deeply meaningful beauty this exhibit has all because of each of you. Keep Succour and Seeds in your prayers for there are two months of exhibiting ahead for us.

And again we so look forward to being with you as we gathering together. Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving and see you on Saturday at 5:15 for the gathering of artists and prayer!

In Christ!

Cindi Zech Rhodes and Denise Kufus Weyhrich - curators

Denise: 714 225-5695 Cindi: 714 309-8096
241 North Cambridge St. Orange, CA 92866 USA
www.seedsfineart.org

Gifts of Courage

My silkscreened prayer flags are on display at the Crystal Cathedral. The exhibition runs from November 29, 2008 – January 9, 2009 at the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove Richard Meier Welcoming Center. Read on:

Courage is a virtue a brave person exhibits in the face of great difficulty or fearsome circumstance. We see images of great courage all around us today as we encounter devastating natural disasters and financial downturns. Inspired by those who step up in faith when others turn and run, a landmark fine art exhibition, “Gifts of Courage,” will be presented in the beautiful Richard Meier-designed Welcoming Center. Everyone is invited to the Gala Grand Opening on the evening of November 29. This free month-long exhibition is open to the public, designed for all ages, and comprised of three elements – an art exhibit with music, documentary film screenings, and family workshops.

Art Exhibit: “Succour - the gifts of support and solace”
Presented in the Second Floor Gallery by SEEDS Fine Art Exhibitions and curators Cindi Zech Rhodes and Denise Kufus Weyhrich (www.seedsfineart.org), experience an all-media national group exhibition of forty-five artists, it takes a cue from the scripture, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b). Two years in the making, this exhibition honors the courageous people in the lives of the artists and reveals the personal struggles and triumphs of all people and cultures. Each work is accompanied by a personal explanation, adding an insightful element to this compelling experience. Art exhibit music schedule:

* Sat., Nov. 29: 6-9 pm (Gala Opening)
* Sun., Nov. 30: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm
* Sun., Dec. 7: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm
* Sat., Dec. 13: 5:30-6:30 pm, 7:30-8:30 pm
* Sun., Dec. 14: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm
* Sat., Dec. 20: 5:30-6:30 pm, 7:30-8:30 pm
* Sun., Dec. 21: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm
* Sat., Dec. 27: 5:30-6:30 pm, 7:30-8:30 pm
* Sun., Dec. 28: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm, 6:30-7:30 pm
* Sun., Jan. 4: 10:30 am - 1 pm
* Sat., Jan. 10: 11 am - 2 pm (Artists’ Open House)

Film Screenings: “Siege on Modjeska,” a documentary film by Darrel Dorr. The film will be screened on Saturdays in the Freed Theater, Garden Level. Witness heartbreak and hope in Modjeska Canyon like the kind we saw recently during the Southern California fire season. This film tells the story of a courageous volunteer fire unit and their battle to save their beautiful canyon town. Film screening schedule:

* Sat., Nov. 29: 8 pm, 9:15 (Gala Opening)
* Sun., Nov. 30: 5 pm, 7 pm
* Sun., Dec. 7: 7 pm
* Sun., Dec. 14: 7 pm
* Sat., Dec. 20: 6 pm, 8 pm
* Sun., Dec. 21: 5 pm, 7 pm
* Sat., Dec. 27: 6 pm, 8 pm
* Sun., Dec. 28: 5 pm, 7 pm
* Sat., Jan. 10: 12 noon, 1 pm (Artists’ Open House)

Family Workshops: “Hands of Courage”
Margie Tabor Zuliani of Legacy Arts (www.legacyartsgallery.com) offers family members of all ages the opportunity to become artists as they honor those who have shown great courage - a parent, a firefighter, a police officer, a member of the U.S. military, a teacher, a friend, a child, etc. The finished hands-on art projects using cut paper, drawing, and gluing will be displayed and become part of the exhibition. Workshops will continue on Sundays throughout the exhibition. Family Workshop schedule:

* Sat., Nov. 29: 6-9 pm (Gala Opening)
* Sun., Nov. 30: 10:30 am - 3 pm
* Sun., Dec. 7: 10:30 am - 3 pm
* Sun., Dec. 14: 10:30 am - 3 pm
* Sun., Dec. 21: 10:30 am - 3 pm
* Sun., Dec. 28: 10:30 am - 3 pm
* Sun., Jan. 4: 10:30 am - 3 pm

SUCCOUR featured fine art in "Gifts of Courage"

Pick of the Week

I've decided that each week I'll be highlighting a different piece of artwork and offering it at an irresistible price. The "pick of the week" will be available at the special price for one week only, and of course...first come, first served. I'll try to post on Sundays. This week's pick is "One Red", an intimate little encaustic painting from a 5 piece series called "Color Block". To achieve the textural effect, I layered acrylic paint and wax on a canvas panel. It's 5" x 7" and framed in a black metal frame, ready for hanging. I accepted paypal, checks (from people I know), money orders, or cash. Normally priced at $60, this week you can own it for the low, low price of $45. This would make a perfect addition to your art collection, or a gift for the holidays. Shipping varies with location and will be paid for by the buyer. It's very light in weight and should cost only a few dollars. Be the first to E-mail me!

These Artists are a Bunch of Sell Outs...

...I wish!! But overall, a good day for art sells. This year's Art for the Masses was totally packed out all day long, with visitors moving through the tight aisles like tourists at the Vatican. You could see the look of "art overload" in the glazed eyes of people moving past booth after booth in a march that resembled a cattle herd. Anyone who lingered too long at any one spot was threatened to be stampeded by those behind them eager to quickly make their rounds of the building. Luckily I had my trusty pocket flask to help take the edge off the bitter cold nip of winter in the air.

Art for the Masses!!!!

ORIGINAL FINE ART FOR $250 OR LESS

200 Regional Artists are pleased to invite you to purchase artwork directly from them priced at $250 or less.

Artwork available in pottery, painting, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, photography, watercolor, wood, metalsmith, digital, collage, illustration, mosaic, screen printing, sculpture, printing, glass, and drawing and more (don't forget LEATHER baby, yeah!).




Saturday, November 22, 2008
10am - 5pm
Hanover Center
3501 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC
(behind Stein Mart inside a 30,000 square foot warehouse)
Rain or Shine

$3 donation requested at the door

Among the 200 artists will be:
blah, blah, blah, LESLIE PEARSON, blah, blah, blah.......

Queen Magnum

I just finished this commission called "Queen Magnum". It's all one piece of leather that fits on the head like a hat. The jeweled rivets add a nice touch.

Hobbit Mask

I just finished this mask for my friend and fellow Acme-ite Dick Roberts. He said he wanted a mask that didn't interfere with his beard or glasses. This one worked out perfect for him. I decided to have a little fun trying it on before I let it go. It's made entirely of leather, including the "bushy" eyebrows which I created by cutting tiny strips of leather and gluing them on individually.



Here's how the mask looks on Franklin, my newest model:

Holiday Invitational Show in Wilson

Tonight at 5:30 pm, the Wilson Art Center opens it's annual Invitational Show. The event is free and open to the public. I have a variety of affordable artwork for sale there including some masks, totebags, and small oil paintings.

Holiday Invitational—November 13—December 27, 2008
Wilson Arts Center
124 Nash Street SW
Wilson, NC 27893


"White Squares #4", 5" x 7", Oil on canvas panel

RedBubble

Some of my original designs are now available on T-Shirts through a cool Australian website called RedBubble. Soon many of my paintings and mixed media artworks will be available for purchase in the form of cards, framed reproduction prints, and even canvas reproduction prints in various sizes.

Thoughts and Destiny

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."
~ Frank Outlaw

"Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts inspire your words. Be careful of your words, for your words precede your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits build your character. Be careful of your character, for your character decides your destiny."
~ Chinese proverb

"Fall"ing in Love

Seeing Pucci outside enjoying this beautiful Fall day in Maryland made me melt!

Interact and Surprise

Yesterday was action packed with art. We went to the Baltimore Museum of Art where I saw another piece by Glenn Ligon, one of favorite artists. And we played in the interactive rooms of Franz West's exhibition "to build a house you start with the roof". One whole room was filled with super-sized magnetic words that visitors could arrange into their own silly phrases.
After lunch at an over priced Indian restaurant, we walked to the Contemporary Museum to see a very inteRESTing exhibition of narrative works by Kianga Ford called "My Life in Fiction". She created a walking tour of the area around the museum by interweaving music and stories for visitors to listen to on an iPod they could check out from the desk. The museum is a small but intimate space where artists can do experimental, mixed-media artwork.


We capped off our day in Baltimore at the Walters Museum where we saw "Bedazzled", the temporary exhibition of jewelry spanning 50 centuries.


This was one of my favorite pieces. A 19th Century Imperial Headdress worn by the dowager mother in China. I'm reading Pearl S. Buck's Imperial Woman and she refers to the ornate headdress that is worn and I couldn't picture what it looked like in my mind. Now I know.

Get Away

We're off to the Baltimore/DC area for a few days to get away and see family. On our way we stopped off in old town Alexandra, VA to visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center. There are over 80 artists working and exhibiting their artwork, and visitors can easily get explore the studios for over two hours. Compared to ACME, the place is very clean and sleek. However, I left the place thinking to myself that I truly love working at my dirty, raw space at ACME and I'm so happy I can work in an uninhibited way, concentrating more on my process than on the appearance of my workspace. I have a lot of freedom to go back and forth between my interdisciplinarian interests.

Unmasking Fashion

The fashion show at the Urban Studios was a great night. I created masks for some of the models to wear and it was exciting to see them on the runway. It was also a great opportunity for me to share my artwork and network with a lot of people in my community. I got a lot of positive feedback about my spiraling wheel banner installation and "Emerging Surfaces #1" (behind the bar) and "The Truth Always Comes Out" (you can see it in the reflection on the mirror behind the models).

Installation at the Union Cafe

Yesterday we installed several pieces at the Union Cafe for a 3 month solo exhibition. The Union is located at a primo location on Front Street overlooking the Cape Fear River. There will be an opening party, the date is still to be determined.