an imageteller captures image celebrations.
sharing image tales broadens an artistic expression.
doing so, brings this particular creative indescribable joy.
what is your image story? perhaps I can help you tell it!
recently a woman told me i needed to learn a new skill. she said i already had an artistic aesthetic and that all i needed was to tap into that. i found her assessment of my ideas and needs to be very refreshing and encouraging. she was spot on. learn a new skill. duh.
the thing is, this learning new things and skills i feel is a percolating theme.
i just decided i am going to have it be my theme for 2017.
Last years theme was "path"
with all the shift in direction especially in finding and feeling that i have a home
path was a good word for last year.
I thought i'd start learning new skills early.
one of the joys of this past year included showing some art.
however showing art has a few challenges.
for me, the expense of putting art up is something i've discussed here before.
i decided to learn how to wire these 5 pieces myself.
i am not adept at tools.
i also have lame tools.
my hands are not strong.
but i watched a gal do it at a local frame store.
and in a few videos.
I thought,
if they can do it.
so can i
right???
and so armed with wire that was the wrong gauge, and hardware that was too big for the frame, I turned my oak kitchen table into a workspace and I did it!!
the project was not without a few challenges though.
like putting the hole in the wrong place
so that when i screwed in the hardware it almost came out the other side.
ugh
or not being able to get screws in straight.
or flat.
but in the end and after some patience.
all 5 pieces looked pretty darn wired!!
and I saved money!!
The opening for the juried Winter Exhibit at Jansen Art Center begins December 8th, 2016 - the show will hang until the end of February.
These are the pieces I submitted
One of the things I have just loved about my affiliation with The Bureau Of Historical Investigation this past year has been the unveiling of their window displays!!
The shop part of The Bureau is closing at the end of the month.
( huge sad face inserted here )
Check out the sweet borrowed vintage reindeer collection from Erin Boyd Of Red Spade Designs ( local maker of those viral "nasty bitch" t-shirts )
Goodbye treasured time gone by.
It was such a pleasure to vend here.
AND gosh,
Happy Holidays!!
Thank you owners Sara Holodnick and Marissa McGrath for all that they are for the community and especially local artisans.
There are moments in our life when we know we've defined something. It might be something good. Or it might be something bad. What ever the moment is. There is a clarity that just makes sense of it all. I recently had that type of moment about my relationship with my sister.
This months collage circle theme was forgiveness. Forgiving is not that easy to do. Seems that in today's day there is a lot to forgive. Sometimes the need to forgive is closer to home
I have sometimes felt like forgiving was a forced march. I akin it to what I call an automatic sorry. The thing you say when someone expects you to, the problem is everyone can tell when your apology or your forgiveness is nothing but lip service.
What I learned recently about forgiveness is that it is a bit like that old phrase ...when one door closes, a window opens, or however that saying exactly goes. The point is, people and events come into our lives. Equally, they also leave our lives. The act of forgiveness allows for good karma.
The theme of this first collage was about the love and gratitude I felt for my sister. I made it when I first arrived in Washington. She missed the sentiment of the collage when I showed it to her. Her comment was dismissive. "Whatever" she said. I am not going to explain the entire demise of our relationship. Being dismissive though was a part of it. She and I have parted ways.
The second collage I created when I let go of the blame I was feeling towards someone. We were divided too, but i had found forgiveness for the circumstance. While not specifically created for my sister and I's parting - It seemed like the appropriate creative pairing and sentiment about her and I.
I appreciate the visual full circle of it.
Spent some time today submitting art for a winter juried exhibit at the Jansen Art Center. I had some decisions to make about what to submit. Winter photographs, which I have some beautiful captures of, or collages. With the advent of my class proposal to teach a Creative Subconscious Collage Workshop now accepted. YAY!! I felt perhaps collage work was a stronger art statement. When I think of winter, and color - there is of course the color white and snow, yet the blue of winter also really speaks to me. I decided to focus my selections around the color blue.
My artist statement says
Karen Hanrahan began tearing magazine images and unifying them into collage in the late 90's. Finding the process insightful and relaxing she shared the technique with others. Her Creative Subconscious Collage workshop evolved and became popular. After many years of facilitating workshops this methodology is still tried and true. Timeless, actually. A trust in the process is key, a willingness to play another, and taking the time to immerse also becomes part of doing Creative Subconscious Collage. In recent years Karen applied this technique to journaling. Her torn bits of magazine narrated love, pain, loss and courage. They told her story. Since it’s the only story she has, she loves that art can be therapeutic and telling. Facilitating workshops is a way to give to others this personal and inquisitive tool, as well as a way to meet other creatives like herself.
Here are the pieces I entered. Wish me luck on being selected.
Update: all five of my winter is blue pieces were accepted!! Opening Reception is Dec 8th, 6-8pm
I am tremendously honored to have participated in a collaborative art installation titled Women's Work. As someone who is decidedly not political it made sense for me to stitch the "?"
Hosted by The Bureau Of Historical Investigation
Curated by Sara Holodnick
"Featuring embroidered pieces by womxn* artists, celebrating the historical significance of changing roles & role models as the first woman representing a major political party competes for our country's highest office."
"A Woman's Place Is In The White House"
"240 Years? Bitch, Please"
"Votes For Women"
"Deeds Not Words"
Artists who participated include:
A - Carrie Cooper
Woman’s - Lisa Colleen Elliott
Place - Marissa McGrath
Is - Ann Darlin
In - Megan Carroll
White House - Emily Holodnick
? - Karen Hanrahan
Bitch, please - Christina Miglino
“Votes for Women” sash - Shandra Shankle, Valerie Rodriguez, Erika Rodriguez
“Deeds Not Words” dress - Sara Holodnick