The Last Day of the Year...Just Breath

Well, this concludes 2010. It seems like every second of every day is a race against time. Knee deep in several projects, my chest feels like it's being squeezed by a huge boa constrictor. Anxiety takes over at night and although my body is exhausted from the repetitive work I've been doing all day, my mind won't let me rest. 2010 has brought so much change. Another year of grad school down, my first semester of teaching under my belt, I've been in 25 exhibitions (freakin' A! is that even humanly possibly?), I've received several awards and been in several publications. Oh, and the move. We decided to move from our apartment in downtown Wilmington to a new house overlooking the Brunswick River. That has been so stressful and so time consuming that just thinking about it makes me want to reach for the flask of vodka in the pocket of the shabby bath robe I'm still wearing. (JOKING)

We are still in the middle of construction, still waiting for furniture to arrive, countertops to be installed, things to be organized. Chaos. I make lists - endless lists. Sometimes I wake up and want to cry because I know that deadlines are approaching, and as much as I love my work as an artist, I loath working against the clock.

So tomorrow starts 2011 and the things that it will bring for me make me smile. I'll be starting my thesis work and finishing grad school this time next year. In between now and the end, I'll be teaching two more semesters of textile classes and preparing for several exhibitions. My house will be nearly finished and I'll be making a transition back into my life (post grad school). I can work at my own pace and distance again. I can take a sigh of relief and watch the sun set while I lounge pool side. I'm going to Missouri to visit my family, I'm going to Florida over Spring break and I'm spending the first part of the Summer in Greece. I have plans, but really, anything could happen. (Note to self on "to do" list...be more flexible). Wait, what does God have to say about all of my planning?

Proverbs 16:3
"Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established." John Piper once said, "Planning is taken for granted and the issue is: How can you plan in such a way that what you produce will have abiding value and not just pass away overnight? Answer: Commit it to the Lord. That is, always seek the Lord's guidance and strength in your planning. Trust His wisdom and not your own. Then your plans will bear fruit that stays."

So, here's to the New Year...CHEERS!

My Girls

This year has had it's share of ups and downs, but this group of amazing women have helped see my through everything. I'm sooo thankful for these gals in my Thursday night bible study. What a blessing it has been to get together and share our hearts and worship God. We've laughed, we've cried, we've prayed, and we've done plenty of eating! I love you all!

Bed Bug

Developments

Adding text to the inside portion of my (work in progress) installation called Incubation.

Footprints

Late this afternoon I ventured out to the dock...

SNOW

Have a "Wonder"ful Christmas!

Progress

Last night I hand tinted all the letters for my book. More to come...

Today's adventure

Among many other things I'm working on today, I started making an accordian style book that will become part of the Brooklyn Arts Library and will tour throughout 2011. The deadline for this project is quickly approaching so stay tuned for more process shots this week.

What I Did On My Christmas Vacation

aka, more gutting...

New Studio: Phase 2 - the floor

My new studio has been drywalled and painted. The task lighting and track lighting are in; the garage door has been removed and a large sliding glass door installed to allow me the pleasure of a water view. Yesterday I painted the concrete floor and today I added a textured look with a semi transparent stain. I'm bushed, but overall it's looking pretty good. Tomorrow I'll add some black in areas, then bring it all together with a few coats of tinted concrete sealer. In the meantime, I'm still working on my new installation of gut covered wire sculptures.

Aesthetica Magazine

I am pleased to be selected as a commended entrant to the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition 2010. Containing 40 full color artworks from emerging artists across the world spanning a wide range of disciplines, as well as poetry and short stories, this is a stunning anthology of the finalists from the Creative Works Competition. As a Commended entrant, my name and the title of my commended piece, is listed in the back on the Judges Commendations page. To be commended in this competition is a real achievement, as there were over 4000 entries and only 40 finalists and 50 commended entries in each section (art, poetry, and short stories).

Aesthetica is a British-based art and culture publication that engages with contemporary art and culture both in the UK and internationally, combining dynamic content while exploring the best in emerging and established contemporary arts and design. Established in 2002, Aesthetica Magazine is stocked in WH Smith, prestigious locations such as Tate Modern, Serpentine and National Portrait Gallery, and in March 2008 the company added a second publication to its fold, the Aesthetica Annual.

The Aesthetica Creative Works Annual 2011 is available in galleries and independent retailers nationwide and will showcase the very best in new artistic and writing talent. The Annual has been comprised of the winning entries of the Aesthetica Annual Creative Works Competition, which received an astounding 4000 entries.

Aesthetica Editor and one of the judges, Cherie Federico:

“This year’s competition was incredible. I was thrilled by the quality of entries, equally, I had to make some tough decisions, and I spent a considerable amount of time contemplating each piece of work. Being commended in the Creative Works Competition is a fantastic achievement as there were only 50 commendations for each category.”

With three categories for artwork, poetry and fiction, the Aesthetica Competition was judged by Cherie Federico, Creative Writing lecturer Dr Kate North, and writer and editor Rachel Hazelwood. Cherie Federico says: “I think I can speak for all the judges when I say that the entries were of an extremely high caliber. We actually had to extend the judging period for a week and a half because whittling the works down proved a huge deliberation, but it’s really encouraged me to continue championing new talent and encouraging creativity in everyone. There was huge potential in so many of the works which Rachel, Kate and myself saw and I would like to urge all the competition entrants to continue developing their considerable talents.”

Contemporary Craft Exhibition Catalog

More Gutting

The salt from the gut causes the wire to rust, causing beautiful
things to happen, causing me to become very happy...

I Gut Therefore I Am

A bowl of fresh hog intestines - time to get some work done!

Preview

Just finishing up this 9 foot linear sculpture.

Thanksgiving Day Finds

2010 Fine Contemporary Craft Exhibition at Artspace

clockwise from top left:
Joshua Almond, Of Sex and Death, Robin Haller, Everything In Its Own Time, Dorothy McGuinness, Conjoined, Matt Gagnon, Squeeze Lamp 80, Stephen Sidelinger, Pirates #1, Kyle Fleet, Lily Pad Table, Helen Otterson, Untitled


2010 Fine Contemporary Craft Exhibition
Juror: Alfred D. Ward
December 3, 2010 - January 15, 2011
Opening Reception: December 3, 6 - 10pm

The Fine Contemporary Craft Exhibition is a biennial juried exhibition recognizing individual artists involved in the design and creation of functional and sculptural contemporary crafts. Craftspeople and artists from all over the country submitted work in a variety of media for this exhibition. Works were selected by Alfred D. Ward. Awards will be announced at the First Friday Gallery Walk, December 3, at 8pm.


Come check out my work (Given and Received), in this exhibition at Artspace. Artspace is located at 201 East Davie St., Raleigh, NC. Call 919.821.2787 for more info.

Holiday Sale

Get your original, one-of-a-kind, handmade, super cool, Christmas gifts here!

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