February 2010

When a purchased piece of artwork is wrapped up and delivered to a new owner it’s gone from the studio and off to a new environment. What a treat it is to receive a snapshot of a painting or print on location. Just for fun I’ve added the Whereabouts page (see link above), with images from those who have chosen to include a bit of my art in their residential or work spaces.

Spring Border, watercolor, in a West Akron home

Many thanks to all who have kept me posted and answered the question, ‘where are they now?’ If you have any photos of my art hanging around your place send them my way and I’ll post its whereabouts!

This seems to be the week for media razzle dazzle: olympic athletes compete for medals, designers show off their new fashion lines, and celebrity dogs head to Madison Square Garden for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Ever since the release of Best in Show ten years ago it is nearly impossible to view any of the televised Westminster without wishing for a bit of Buck Laughlin (Fred Willard) behind the microphone. One almost expects to spot some of the Mayflower Dog Show contestants from Christopher Guest’s good natured parody.

I admit, I couldn’t resist tuning in for the hound group (sans Hubert) and later checking out this year’s winner. While near perfection was everywhere in evidence, leave it to Berkeley Breathed to give the rest of the dogs their due in The Shocking Raid on Westminster: Flawed Dogs, The Novel. Inspired by the overwhelming number of shelter dogs and described as ‘tragic and hilarious,’ the story is intense (keep a box of tissues nearby), the characters are wonderfully misfit underdogs, and the finale is spectacular a spectacle!  What a delightful read for all who know that best in show is actually clipped to the leash they hold in their hand!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This little monotype doesn’t know it’s out of season - Sunflowers is available here.

The Creative Opportunity Grant art talk is the final requirement of recipients: the use of the award and its effect on your work. With the letterpress the ‘how’ is easily explained, the ‘effect’ remains a work in progress, and the time in between has all been a great deal of fun!

For more images visit my letterpress rehab set on Flickr.

A 2009 Creative Opportunity Grant (COG) from Artists of Rubber City helped fund last year’s letterpress rehab, specifically the purchase of new rollers. Each COG recipient is asked to give a short presentation, sharing how the grant was used and its effect on current work. Last evening was show time: I was joined by fellow COG artists Brenda Keblesh and Miller Horns. Brenda’s award enabled her to frame a series which is currently in Collage X 12 at Summit Artspace; Miller used his to further the installation of his Matthews Hotel Project and get a start on new video pieces. It was a fine combination of ideas, processes and outcomes.

Hooray for Groundhog Day and today’s hounds on the Daily Drool Calendar, where every day is hound dog day!