P.M. Progress: Part One

P.M. Progress :Part Two

P.M. Progress: Part 3

A.M. Inspiration

I feel like a little fashion inspiration. Above is Iconique Society Awards winning fashion illustrator, Choon Fai Yip.
"The Iconique Society Awards jury had a hard task; the standard of entries to this year's awards was truly outstanding. Entries came in from far and wide, indeed from every continent on the planet, with the exception of the North and South Pole. Entrants interpreted the theme 'Elevated' in a diverse number of ways, some taking the theme in a contextual sense, others literally. The entries across both the fashion photography and fashion illustration categories left us in no doubt that the fashion visual arts are breaking new boundaries both technically and conceptually, and on that note let us cut to the chase and announce the winners and runners-up...
The 'Excellence in Fashion Illustration Award' goes to Choon Fai Yip of Singapore for his entry 'Awakening of the Puppresses', which so impressed jury member Michael Dye, that he is commissioning the illustrator for a project for his label Dye4Gething, which he jointly runs with designer Debbie Gething. The first runner-up is Felicia Atanasiu of Toronto, Canada and the second runner-up is Adolie Day of Chavagnes en Paillers, France."

Lovely.
Further lovelies in these Paris street photos.

Doing Hard Time

First, I need to assert that if you have not been to the Frist lately, you are missing out. The Paint Made Flesh exhibit is phenemonal. Sure, maybe as a figurative painter I 'm a little biased, but whatev. It's GREAT. Apparently it's great enough that one non- local blogger feels it cannot possibly be fully appreciated in Nashville and laments the works "doing hard time" here; if you feel like laughing reading her cliche post. Second, there is another moving exhibit to see at the Frist titled "Seeing Ourselves:Photographs of Safe Haven". It is curated by Andee Rudloff and depicts the results of the Frist's outreach experience with the family shelter, Safe Haven. Channel Five recently did a segment on it, click here to see.I hope you get a chance to see these; they're very inspiring.

Accountabilabuddies

"Elastic Modulus" by John Tallman

Thursday night last week I braved the cold, dreary weather and ventured out to Cheekwood with my sweet friend, Beth. It was the opening night for two notable exhibitons: "Tennessee Abstract Painters" and "Michael Baggarly: Reverberent Measures". First, the abstract exhibit is aptly described on Cheekwood's website as "fourteen Tennessee artists who explore different approaches to abstract imagery". Really each artist does take such a unique approach that even if abstract usually "isn't your thing", you can't help but be intrigued by the masterful range of style and technique here. Second, the Temporary Contemporary Gallery houses a cohesive collection by Michael Baggarly (coincidentally, also a Tennessee artist). It's piercing, literally. I loved it. My description won't do it justice- you 'll just have to go see it! Fast forward to this week, and my new challenge that begins tomorrow morning. The struggle to break out of the winter slump has been hard. It always is a struggle for me, but guess what- it is Spring! With the first official day of spring only a day and a half away, I say "close enough- it's SPRINGTIME!!!!". I' m busting out my new personal challenge tomorrow in the early A.M. This is where my accountabilabuddy, Hollie, enters the picture. Yes, I love that word. Thank you Hollie, for introducing it to me. We have committed to working out Monday through Friday first thing in the morning, and will take turns calling each other at 7:30 a.m. on those days for a confirmation that we're each upholding our end of the deal. When I focus myself like that physically, I find it pours over into the rest of my life as well. Speaking of early mornings, it's getting late. *snorrrrres from Seamus* Good Night!

The Cloning Was Sucessful

So, here I am with my clone. Ha ha ha- not exactly- but still slightly creepy. It's my tiny buddy Juliana; I like to think she looks like the younger, cuter version of me. She is a creative girl; an artist, a fashionista, a future designer! Do you wonder where she gets it from? Hmmm, maybe her multi- talented Mother?

Color Me Pysched

I' ve begun a new painting, and it's huge! Dimensionally, that is. This will actually be the largest piece I've made; it's 60" x 36".

A Tail That Never Ends

The neighborhood gang, out on the street. They're not looking for trouble...but those two feisty gray pups across the way may be a different thing. Those kids are from the wrong side of the fence.
Rollin' back to the crib; it's naptime! Salt & Pepper hobbles along last; dang ol' arthritis in the hip has been bad lately.
It's a crazy world out there. A world where a lonely calf pines for his unrequited love, while the horse next door glares in judgement, and hot, running water is apparently banal. Get the fire ready- let's fall asleep listening as spring water murmurs to the moon.

Hot Times In the Country: You Wouldn't Believe the Photo's I Didn't Get

Way on down an old gravel road, where things haven't changed much since '65, a forbidden love is blossoming. Young Beef has always wanted more than "just friends", but Big Bacon shuts him down every time. She finds his youth no match for the wisdom of her years; after all, she is no cougar.
Youth in all it's ignorance mistakes rejected advances for some sort of coy playfulness. Young Beef nonchalantly moves in, closer, closer, thinking maybe this is time his advances will be met with a mutual love. He thinks, "Maybe these young ladies riding by on bicycles will divert Big Bacon's attention from my awkward advances. Chew a little grass, ease up behind her ... NO, screw it, I WANT TO BE ON YOU!!!" And he was. Several times. Full Beef on Bacon action. Unfortunately, the romance was not written in the stars; Young Beef's desperate attempts at a love were a lost cause. Now he just stares at the neighbor ponies muttering something about "throwing pearls to the pigs"....
But they don't care. All big-eyed cold stares down their regal muzzles- they're not the Jerry Springer type.
Across the creek though, these two hellions are all up in your bid- ness. Just wait, you'll see it in their glinty little eyes.

Picture Takin Fool

Delightful finds from my travels in the valley's of middle TN... but that's not it! More pics and a story soon to come.

All Who Wander

I've been out and about lately, scavenging the countryside for treasure. This is what I found!

Aka and the Daffodils

Today was gloriously sunny and warm (in the 70's). YAAAAAAY! It was also full of hiking, friends, and art; all in all a good day!

Top 5

My goal for this evening is to have an Etsy account by the end of it. As I actively sought out things to do that would allow me to avoid getting into the detailed work of setting the account up, I realized how good I am at procrastinating. I could be considered an expert by now, actually! Hit me up if you need some pointers. In the meantime, I've compiled a list of (this evenings) top procrastination choices; take the liberty to switch it up to suit your tastes, these are just suggested starting points:
1) Making Things to Eat
2) Eating Them
3) Surfing Perez Hilton
4) Playing/ Snuggling with Dogs/ Cats
5) FACEBOOK
So, take these ideas and mold them into ones you can use on your very own journey in accomplishing absolutely nothing. Good Luck!

*Despite intense procrastination, I am now the proud owner of my own Etsy shop! It is but a babe, not ready to be released into the world but keep your eyeballs peeled (?eww) for it's glorious debut!!!!

Opening Preview

This afternoon DPC hosted the opening preview for the annual D.I.G. (Dialogue:an Interaction for Growth) show. It marks the time which Lent is traditionally observed during, and the shows theme is "Embodiment". The theme has been interpreted by 30 artists, each in a distinct way. The grand opening for the show will be held March 7th from 6-9 :00 in conjunction with the First Saturday Art Gallery "Art Crawl" in downtown Nashville. If you're a first time "art crawler" click here for my suggestions. At the grand opening there will be a pot luck dinner, to which all are welcome, and the purchase prize will be announced at 7:00. Here is a little sampling of what awaits:
Julie Lee's triptych

Elizabeth Streight's mobile

Stained glass

Mixed media

Richard and Phillip Feaster's collaboration

Andee Rudloff's paintings on wood panels

The first wall of work, and possibly the most vibrant, too


This magical Dr. Seuss-ian cake will be gone by the time you get there Saturday, but come on anyway! Oh, and the D.I.G. show reaches beyond just visual art. Check out the poster (at the top of this post) for the film series and spoken word event!