Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Nail Art!

Why not?



It's pretty difficult for me to do both hands with the same amount of precision, being right handed. This is my left hand, which turned out quite a bit better than the right!


Think nail art is tacky/cheesy? Wait till you see what kind of designs this little lady comes up with:


Juliana Horner and her blog of ultimate coolness will inspire you!

This is image is my absolute favorite of nail art ideas I 'd like to try on myself for fall.

So perfect. Not that I could get it quite that precise, but I love it enough to give it a shot!

In other art related news: Franklin now has an art crawl. It's centered around downtown, but also includes artists studios and galleries in the Factory. I'm looking forward to exploring their first event this Friday, with my sister-in-law and fellow artist, Missi. Checkout Franklin Art Scene's website HERE for more info.



Monday, August 29, 2011

Press Release and a Sneak Peek!


 **Scroll down to the block highlighted in pink for bulletin on my work, and bottom of page for more images of work in progress!**



PRESS RELEASE:

HILLSBORO VILLAGE ART WALK
Thursday – September 1st, public invited, 5 – 8 pm

Village Art Walk receptions, shows and events are hosted in most Hillsboro Village shops and restaurants. This is a year round event that provides changing movies, music, artists, demonstrations, book signings and much more. 

Free Parking after 6 pm behind Cornerstone Financial and on 21st Avenue

Address: 21st Avenue South in Hillsboro Village @ Belcourt Avenue
Phone: Info: Duncan Ragsdale 615.352-4891 

Facebook link:

Shop of the Month ~ Belcourt Theater
For over 75 years, The Belcourt Theatre has provided a space for premiere entertainment in the heart of Nashville's Hillsboro Village. During this time, The Belcourt has existed in many incarnations - each of which has furnished a home for some of the city's best and most unusual performing arts. http://www.belcourt.org/venue

Join us for a wine & cheese reception in the lobby.  Here is what will be playing:

SENNADir. Asif Kapadia, UK, 2011, 104min, NR, 35mm
In the mid 1980s, Ayrton Senna, a young, gifted driver, exploded onto the world of Formula One racing. As a Brazilian in a predominantly European sport, a purist in a world polluted with backroom deals, and a man of faith in an arena filled with cynicism, Senna had to fight hard—both on and off the track. Facing titanic struggles, he conquered Formula One and became a global icon who was idolized in his home country. Told solely through the use of archival footage, Asif Kapadia’s documentary is a thrill ride worthy of its daring subject
TERRIDir. Azazel Jacobs, USA, 2011, 105min, 35mmhttp://terri-movie.com/
John C. Reilly plays an assistant high school principal (!!) with a soft spot for his school outcasts. His newest recruit is Terri (impressively played with oafish detachment by newcomer Jacob Wysocki), an overweight kid who looks out for his aging pilled-out uncle (Creed Bratton) with more attentiveness than he can muster to get out of his pajamas for school. Through his sessions with Reilly's character, Terri befriends two other fellow outcasts, an abrasive goth-like weirdo and a pretty blonde who may be turning into the class ho.
Raffle give-away basket that includes:
·         Belcourt Screenwriter membership
·         2 tickets to the nD Festival Fashion Show
·         Belcourt t-shirt
·         Belcourt hat
·         Belcourt cup (gets $1 refill in the theatre)
·         Date night package to include 2 tickets to a regularly scheduled Belcourt programmed film, 2 drinks & a large popcorn
TOTAL value:  $275+


These 3 guys will be in front of The Pancake Pantry:

1) Team Power Chics will be there in full regalia. They do the five-mile walk every year for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk in October, which will be on 10/15 this year. “I have been a “Pacesetter” for the past six years, and hopefully this will be my 7th! Pacesetters raise at least $2000 on their own. Over the past 8 years that I have done this, I have raised over $18,000 by myself, and obviously I am very proud of that! I am even in the official ACS video for this event! As you can see, we make quite the fashion statement. This year we will have 15 walkers on the team.” – Colleen Cussick. Check it out:    http://youtu.be/EwDhJvFzkzI


2) NASHVILLE ROLLERGIRLS - Skater owned and operated, the Nashville Rollergirls is a non-profit organization whose mission is not only to bring an exciting team sport to the city, but also to contribute to the community by supporting local charities and participating in community service events. The last Nashville Rollergirls doubleheader of the 2011 season is Saturday 9/10 at Municipal Auditorium.


3) Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee will have a table set up in order to pass out fliers and bring awareness to their cause.  They will be collecting food at the October and November Art Walks as well.


HILLSBORO VILLAGE AUTO SERVICE The Lane Motor Museum will be with us again in September!

A THOUSAND FACES –artist - Modern Bronze Jewelry is lovingly hand crafted by twin sisters, Sarah Knox and Liz Anderson, in Franklin, TN.  In addition to traditional sterling and gold-filled metals, Modern Bronze is unique in their preference of copper and bronze.  These metals are hammered and shaped into unique pieces and often adorned with gemstones and pearls. Sources of inspiration for the sisters' creations include luster and texture of the metals along with the jewelry-making techniques and artifacts of ancient civilizations. 


POSH – musicians - will host performances by Noel Barefoot and Meredith Mazie.


CLOTHING XCHANGE - Art: Jeff Bertrand
Music: Judah Magnolia
Food: CX Employee Cook-off, Back to School style!
Fun: Academic Decathlon for which the winner will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to Clothing Xchange! All customers and friends are welcome to test their skill to win.


SEE EYEWEAR – artist- Wendi Strauch Mahoney.   I have been painting for a number of years now. I have been drawing since I was a very young child. My goal with every subject I paint is to capture its essence. The images I paint come both from photographs I have taken and from my memories of experiences. However, my best paintings are those that evoke a visceral reaction from those who view them. Landscapes should provoke the senses, capture a moment and transport us to a familiar place. Portraits and figures should elicit a connection with spirit, state of mind and temperament. When I look at art, I want to feel something powerful that transports me to a place or a feeling that resonates deeply. I cannot imagine my life without art. I cannot imagine my mind without the potential for the creative. I love to paint and draw. I hope that is communicated to you. (wendi-strauch-mahoney.artistwebsites.com)
We will be offering $40 off one pair and a total of $100 off two pair, during the walk.

PROVENCE – artist- Brian Nash
I’m a self-taught artist who came to painting late in life and in a rather circuitous way.  I have an MBA from Dartmouth College, and was Director of Retail Marketing for Polo/Ralph Lauren in NYC when I got the bug to write country music.  I moved to Nashville to become a songwriter, and have had a few dozen songs recorded.
One day, I impulsively picked up a brush and some paint, and started painting.  I haven’t stopped since, other than to take the occasional nap.  I love writing songs, but painting gives me a joy that is unique and complete.
I love colour, and, for better or worse, I love playfulness.  I’d like to think that most of my paintings have evidence of both.

      Musicians - Local Band, Gypsy Pompe will be playing gypsy jazz and western swing   music. Zander Wyatt- Guitar Derek Pell - Violin Brad Barrett/Geoff Henderson - Bass Ethan Ballinger-Mandolin Charles Butler-Banjo Noah Denney--Brushes on a Manhasset.


FIRE FINCH – artist - Colleen Wandel is a transplant from Buffalo, New York, who draws inspiration from meadow frolics and Shelby Park bike rides on her vintage Schwinn.  She has the Midas touch with art; everything she touches -- whether on canvas, with fabric, or in the home -- turns to a vintage delicate gold.  Her woodland sensibilities blend harmoniously with a love of Grandma's lace and hand stitching.  In her free time, Colleen enjoys watching old films from the library and exploring the wonders of Tennessee. Follow her at oohcolleen.blogspot.com


PANGAEA –artist - Brad Keen is originally from Jackson, MS and has worked collaboratively and individually on a variety of projects for over a decade.  He has exhibited at Kentuck Art Festival, Capture Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, and The Ignition Art Gallery in Tuscaloosa, AL. Brad’s favorite subjects are Musicians and Disney Characters.  His use of color and lines seem to make the characters in his paintings come to life.  Brads favorite medium is acrylic but he’s not afraid to use oil, pencil and watercolor.  Brad is new to Nashville and is currently working at Vanderbilt University as the Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing for the Athletic Department.


A VILLAGE OF FLOWERS –artist - Mary Claire Crow
Awesome Food Samples - Youlanda Peña.  After a successful career in business & banking I decided to return to my love of cooking and graduated from the Art Institute of Culinary Arts.  My love of food has allowed me to share fun and healthy ways of eating with friends and family, which led me to becoming my own personal chef.  I feel that more people would eat healthy if they knew how good it really was


RETROPOLITAN – artist - Candice Sone has a long and distinguished career as an interior designer having receiving her Bachelors Degree from the University of Illinois in 1987.  It was in college she also began her training as a painter.  In 2008, unable to find just the right pieces for her clients, she began to paint and sell her own artwork.  What began as a necessity has become her passion.
Ms. Sone’s subject matter is closely connected to nature.  An avid scuba diver, the water is a major influence in her work. She works primarily in acrylics to support a greener environment and often uses mixed media such as gold and silver leaf. 


HOT & COLD – artists - Micah Smith (amicahsmith.com) and Ashley Owens. We'll be launching some "back to school" fall drinks on that day. We'll also be launching a totally new brew method (for coffee) and some new fall teas on that day as well. We will have DJs playing live sets.



FIDO – artists - Casey Pierce and David Hellams will be up through September 13th.  
Both artists share a studio space and an appreciation for detail in their surreal work.  Hellams takes wild animals and places them in the path of daunting human invention.  The white paper focuses all of the attention on the relationship between the two subject matters.  Some of the symbols present in Hellams' work jumps off of the paper and appear independently on the wall as unique flag-like paintings in various appealing color pallets.  Pierce fills his surfaces with atmosphere placing extra attention to certain portions of the work through color and scale.  A series of large-scale hands and forearms are dispersed among the canvases.  Pierce shows fine tuned skill for bringing the viewer into the world of each piece.


JACKSON'S BAR & BISTRO – artist - Birmingham-based artist Paul Cordes Wilm paints whimsical, humorous and sometimes biting social-commentary pieces on reclaimed wood in a colorful and boisterous style. He has been the unofficial in-house artist at Jackson's in Homewood, AL since its opening in 2006 and is showing in the Village for the second time this year at Jackson's.


RODNEY MITCHELL SALON – artist - Sarah Shearer infuses her creative style into the art of retail window displays in boutiques throughout Nashville. Her latest installation will debut in Hillsboro Village's Rodney Mitchell salon at the September Art Walk. Don't miss her wildly enchanting salute to the arrival of Fall! For more info about Mrs. Shearer, visit www.sarahshearer.blogspot.com or send inquiries to sarahkshearer@gmail.com.


ZEITGEIST opens their Fall art season in Nashville with new work by two internationally recognized artists Kurt Wagner and Wayne White.

World known artist, art director, and puppeteer, Wayne White, is a Chattanooga native now living in LA. White has worked as an illustrator for the East Village Eye, New York Times, Raw Magazine, and the Village Voice and in 1986.  He became a designer for the hit television show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, was awarded with three Emmys, and continued to work in television and music video garnering Billboard and MTV awards.   His focus now is on painting.

White’s most recognizable works are his word paintings featuring oversized, three-dimensional text painstakingly integrated into vintage landscape lithographs. The paintings are thought-provoking and almost always humorous. White enjoys pointing a finger at vanity, ego, and his memories of the South.

In 2009, White's life and career were chronicled in an incredible 382-page monograph, edited by Todd Oldham. The book features hundreds of images from Wayne's earliest work as an illustrator all the way to his most recent fine art sculptures.

Zeitgeist is excited to also include in this exhibition work by Kurt Wagner.  Wagner, an artist from Nashville and childhood friend of White, may be best known for his work with the band Lambchop, and then again maybe not.

Felt leaves & handstitching.

Gotta lay it out all to see what you've got!


Embroidery thread for detail work.
Check back Thursday, 9.1.11, to see how it all comes together!

All photos courtesy Cristina Young.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Rash Decision

Here they are- the stuff my dreams are made of. I have been obsessed with Sam Edleman's Wickley Boots for MONTHS now. They represent a major purchase for me- apparently unlike the writer for  Vanderbilt University's student news who in a fashion post referred to Sam Edelman as "cobbler-to-the-commoner". Ha!


  First, I told myself they would be my treat if I got the new job. Well, I didn't get the new job, but I did gain great experience and receive excellent feedback while giving it my very best. For that, and all the disappointment and frustration of not getting it, I decided it would be OK to treat myself anyway!
This is the most financially irresponsible decision I have made in many moons. A rash one, maybe. But honestly, if there ever were a shoe (besides my Nike's) that I will get a great return on- it would be a studded black leather boot. Expect to see me in these 24-7 for Fall/Winter 2011.

Recent events have left me so, so BLAH: the car repair bills, the job sitch, the freaking rash, the medical bills- it's been an incredibly discouraging month. Although the meds for the allergic reaction (a.k.a. the freaking rash) give me several hours a day of relief, at this point there actually isn't much progress. There are new welts developing which means the Dr considers the current treatment unsuccessful. I am getting the maximum out patient treatment possible, which means the next step is in patient treatment. If by next week it still hasn't gone away, I will be admitted to the hospital for a steroid IV until this thing is gone. I'm almost ready for that to happen-just so it will be over once and for all. Except that I would love to avoid a trip to the hospital. We'll see. Maybe something will shift for the better over the weekend.
At least in the mean time I will rock the awesomest new boots. As soon as they're on my feet I feel 50% more bad ass!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Nosedive or High Five?

Well hello. It's been a minute!
I hope the thought of me writing in third person tickles your fancy. Why? Because I'm going to give you a Cliff's Notes style run down of my turbulent summer of ups, downs, and alot in between:

Prologue Summary & Analysis
At summer's start, a woman named Sarah looks ahead and prepares for what will be the busiest months of her year. Her workload  will be at it's most chaotic, and it will also her favorite time of year- a season of bright colors, hot sun, swimming and kayaking in cool Tennessee waters, and any other number of outdoor adventures. The season is ready to blossom.
Part 1
June kicks off at a boisterous pace. A dramatic shift propels the rest of the summer into a turbulent time- Sarah's current boss receives and accepts an exciting new job offer. Within weeks, she- the only other full time staff in the department- is gone. From that point forward, a frenetic couple of months ensues. Days are spent training new people, learning new work (as Sarah is the fill in for the recently departed boss), maintaining current programs, planning the upcoming fall schedule, and tying up ends that were left loose.
Part 2
Burning both ends, Sarah pushes ahead. With the help of a small crew of very hard workers, all summer programs are pulled off successfully. Sarah realizes she has a genuine passion for this job, and is excited at the prospect of continuing in this role although no decision will be made about who will fill the position permanently until months later.
Part 3
Summer programs start winding down. Sarah is still working at a feverish pace to pull together an innovative new program for fall. She is excited by the possibilities, but the sacrifices incurred by her commitment to this work venture begins to weigh heavily upon her. The summer is almost gone, and she sees many things she cherishes were dropped along the wayside- her home has been neglected, the flower and vegetable gardens she keeps every summer are overrun with weeds. She has not spent time in the studio pursuing her creative goals. She has missed important events, such as weddings of friends, and has been generally absent from friends and family. No waterfalls have been explored, far too few sunny days have been enjoyed and appreciated.
Part 4
Interviews for the position are held, the process looms overhead for weeks. Sarah goes on vacation, relieved to drop the chaos of the work and enjoy the final weeks of summer. A series of mishaps- major car repair,a poison ivy outbreak, etc- overshadow the vacation. The end of vacation will also mark the announcement of interview results.
Part 5
Sarah returns home post vacation -covered in painful poison ivy welts and showing a significantly decreased bank balance. With the return home,  heavy work news is imparted. During the week prior, one of the other top candidates was given the job- the job she has worked fiercely for all summer.
Epilogue
 Part 1 
Defeat, dissappointment, relief. How will she reconcile that months of the hardest work she could give was not enough to secure the job she thought she wanted?
Part 2 
The initial shock begins to subside, as do the blistery welts covering 80% of her body. Refocusing is difficult. What was all that for? Was it worth the energy given? Was it worth postponing pursuit of the many of the other passions she has?
Part 3
Yes. As Sarah regroups and returns to appreciaitng the richness of the life she already has, she looks back and says "Yes, I gave it my best and have no regrets. A good challenge brings healthy perspective. This particular challenge wasn't meant to be but it was worth it." She faces ahead and thinks, "I 'm back! Back with a new appreciation for the joys my life already holds. No more setting aside the surrounding beauty, love, and inspiration." Yes. It is good to be back.


                                                  I've missed you. Let's make plans. XOXO Sarah