Observations of an Artist

Shining Our Lights on the World

2010-09-19T13:24:00.014-06:00

Greetings Bookworms!

This past Tuesday I celebrated the launch of Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories From Inspiring Women at the Cork Wine House in Denver. Speaking Your Truth is the anthology my essay, “I Find Myself Painting,” was published in last month.

With fellow author Melissa Kline.

At the launch party I shared a sponsorship table with fellow author Melissa Kline. Melissa has penned ten young adult novels. Read her blog, “Reflections on Writing,” at http://melissakline.blogspot.com/ for insights, exercises, and tools to inspire the creative writing process. And follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/melissakwriter.

Melissa Kline is also the founder of the Rocky Mountain Women Writers. To learn more about their bi-weekly writing group meetings in Golden, Colorado visit their fan page at http://bit.ly/bpsimN.

The sponsorship table I shared with contributor Melissa Kline.

In addition to selling and signing books, I displayed my latest painting, “On the Road to Lovin.” It is from the, “Excavations of the Heart,” series I am currently painting. The rest of the series will be revealed at my solo art exhibition at Strings restaurant in Denver. Save the date! My artist reception will held on Wednesday, November 3 from 6-8 pm.

With contributor Melissa Kline and children's author Pat Reid.

Didn’t make it to the book launch party? No worries! Purchase an autographed copy of Speaking Your Truth today right here on my blog using your PayPal account.

With poet Janine Trudell.

Are you a woman who also has a personal, inspiring story to tell? Do you want to inspire and empower other women? If so, the creators of Speaking Your Truth, Lisa Shultz and Andrea Costantine, are working on Volume 2. If you would like to become part of the next Speaking Your Truth book project they invite you to submit a chapter for consideration.

Signing books.

You may submit an original piece that describes your experiences, life story, and/or something you have overcome or succeeded in. To obtain a copy of the submission guidelines, please write to Lisa Shultz at info@lisashultz.com or Andrea Costantine at info@andreacostantine.com.

Signing more books.

Are you, or someone you know, a teen who wants to speak her truth? Lisa Shultz’s daughter Summer Johnke is spearheading Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories From Inspiring Teens. For more information, write to Summer at ssjohnke@netzero.net.

"Speaking Your Truth" creator Lisa Shultz, contributor

Melissa Kline, and co-creator Andrea Costantine.

Coming soon! Speaking Your Truth on amazon’s Kindle!

Contributors group photo.

Keep following your bliss! The rest will follow!

Peace, Love, Art… and Writing!
Marcella

Art Supporting the Arts

2010-09-12T19:34:00.006-06:00

Greetings Art Fans!

Back in May, the Board of Directors at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden asked me to help them organize and curate an art show to hang during the 6-week run of ART, 1998 Tony Award winner for best play. It wrestles with the subjective nature of art, the complexity of relationships, and our relationship with art.

It's Not Black & White art show Opening Artist Reception.

Miners Alley Playhouse lobby - Golden, Colorado

Four months later, 36 original works of art, created by 14 artists, was on display in the Playhouse lobby in an art show titled, It’s Not Black & White.

With Rick Bernstein.

Actor, director & owner of Miners Alley Playhouse.

Last night was the Opening Artist Reception! We rubbed elbows, nibbled on complimentary Hors d’ oeuvres, and asked the question, “What IS Art, anyway?”

Rick introducing Marcella. Marcella thanking artists.

The highlight of the evening was thanking my mentors Eric Matelski and Laurie Maves, both artists in the show, for welcoming me into the Denver art scene. In an act of “paying it foreword,” I welcomed other emerging artists and thanked them for choosing the It’s Not Black & White art show to make their debut.

With Eric Matelski.

Arist, artist advocate and art show/event creator extraordinar!

The artists include: Cory Allen, Rachel Campbell, David DeField, Tim DeMasters,
Ky Gabriel, Iva Lemmons, Kevin Louche, Eric Matelski, Laurie Maves, Bruce Nall, Marcella Nordbeck, Jennifer Ressmann, John Slizeski, and Ann Thacker.

With photographer, & Festivus Film Festival creator, Tim DeMasters.

With artist Rachel Campbell.

Didn’t make it to the reception Saturday night? No worries! The art show will be on display in the Playhouse lobby during the 6-week run of the play ART. Performances run through Sunday, October 24.

With artist Ky Gabriel.

The lobby is open, and the art show is free to the public, Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-10 pm and Sundays from 5-9 pm. Or, call 303-935-3044 to schedule an appointment for a private viewing of the art show.

With artist David DeField and wife Cinder.

Show times for ART are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 6 pm (October 24 at 2 pm). Tickets, and reserved seats, can be purchased in advanced at http://www.minersalley.com/BoxOffice.shtml.

With Sean Richardson.

In front of Eightfold Path, Infinite Love and A Good Cry.

Miners Alley Playhouse is located at 1224 Washington Ave, Golden, Colorado 80401. It is off 13th Ave, between Washington and Miners Alley on the 2nd floor.

Please join me for the Speaking Your Truth book launch party this coming Tuesday, September 14 at the Cork Wine House in Denver from 6-10 pm. In addition to signing copies of this inspiring anthology, that includes my essay “I Find Myself Painting,” I will be displaying my latest painting from the new series I’m working on. Get a “sneak peek” at the direction my art work is taking. The rest of the series won't be revealed until my solo art exhibition in November.

Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women

Can’t make it to the book launch party? No worries! Purchase Speaking Your Truth: Inspiring Stories by Courageous Women on amazon at http://amzn.to/ceyi6k.

Keep creating the life of your dreams!

Peace, Love and Art,
Marcella

*Photos courtesy of Sean Richardson.

Summer Time Reflections

2010-09-05T23:07:00.014-06:00

Howdy Art Lovers!

Wowza! What a summer it’s been! One of the highlights was visiting “O’Keefe Country" in Northwestern New Mexico in August. I toured artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s home in Abiquiu, hiked the desert that inspired many of her paintings in Ghost Ranch, and caught her current exhibit “Abstractions” at the Georgia O’Keeffe museum in Santa Fe.

Reflections in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

Ghost Ranch and Pedernal Mountain, as seen from Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

I’m a published author! My essay, “I Find Myself Painting,” was published in the anthology, Speaking Your Truth: Inspiring Stories by Courageous Women. Two days after I returned from New Mexico the book launched on amazon. We ranked #1 in Movers & Shakers, #3 in the Self-Help/Motivational category, and 79 out of 137,568 the first day! Purchase Speaking Your Truth at http://amzn.to/ceyi6k.

Speaking Your Truth:

Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women

Please join me for the Speaking Your Truth book launch party on Tuesday, September 14 at the Cork Wine House in Denver from 6-10p. In addition to signing copies of this inspiring anthology, I’ll be displaying my latest painting from the new series I’m working on for my solo art show this November at Strings restaurant in Denver. Get a “sneak peek” at the new direction my art work is taking.

I wrapped up August showing two of my paintings – “Jubilee” and “Serenity Washes Over Me” – at Art Farm 2010. It’s an outdoor art show and garden gala organized and curated each year by fellow Denver Artist Eric Matelski. Proceeds from Art Farm benefit the Denver Urban Gardens.

Art Farm 2010

Marcella with "Jubliee" and "Serenity Washes Over Me"

This week I’m hanging the “It’s Not Black & White” art show at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden. The exhibition will be on display in the Playhouse lobby during the six-week run of the play "ART," winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play. The opening Artist Reception is Saturday, September 11 from 5-7 pm, followed by a 7:30 pm performance of “ART.” The art show is free and open to the public. Tickets for the play can be purchased in advanced at http://www.minersalley.com/BoxOffice.shtml. The play contains mature themes and adult language.

See my painting, “Pieces of Me, Pieces of You,” at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado in the sanctuary lobby on Sundays between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm through October 10.

Keep following your bliss! The rest will follow.

Peace, Love and Art,
Marcella

Moving in the Direction of Our Dreams

2010-07-25T21:56:00.006-06:00

Left: Marcella's blue toes - inspired by recent screening of "Avitar"

Right: The orange toes of friend & fellow Author Melissa Kline

Greetings Pretty Petunias!

This weekend I caught up with a few of my sassy chicas: Colista Lich – Artist, Writer and Motivational Speaker; Ky Gabriel – Artist and licensed Spiritual Practitioner; and Melissa Kline – soon to be published Author. Each of these ladies is a beautiful, unique, and creative soul. And I am so blessed that our paths have crossed!

Colista Lich and I have been Facebook friends for some time, but we finally met in person for lunch on Friday. Over salads at the Atlanta Bread Co, we shared stories of our creative and spiritual journeys and remarked about the similarities of our paths. When I shared that I am grateful for, but overwhelmed by, the painting and writing opportunities that have recently presented themselves she reminded me to 1. breath, 2. say thank you, and 3. know that I can do it. Thank you Colista! I needed those gentle reminders.

I visited fellow Artist and licensed Spiritual Practitioner Ky Gabriel Saturday afternoon at her art studio. While she repaired a few of my jewelry pieces – reattached a post to an earring, shortened a necklace, and restrung a bracelet – we discussed the importance of checking our ego’s at the door. We are both in agreement that promoting our artistic endeavors is just a means to an end. It’s not about being popular or famous. It’s about reaching others, connecting, and being in service to uplift and inspire. Ky, and her beautiful one of a kind jewelry pieces and paintings, certainly inspire me!

Sunday morning I caught up with soon-to-be-published author Melissa Kline at the Venetian Nail Spa in Golden. While sitting in massage chairs, we received “Signature” pedis that included exfoliating leg treatments and a massage of the legs and feet. As we received much deserved pampering we both closed our eyes and relished a few moments of stillness. But while we waited for our polish to dry we discussed the importance of self care and pacing ourselves. Both extremely self-motivated and ambitious about our creative endeavors, we acknowledged that it’s not a race and that the journey is just as important, if not more so, than the destination. Amen! And amen!

Have you slowed down lately to check-in with the people that inspire you? Have you taken time to give yourself some tender loving care – even if just a simple nap? Keep moving in the direction of your dreams. With the love and support of my friends, I know I am. But remember the importance of taking a break to connect with others and giving yourself some self love. You might just find a renewed sense of inspiration in the process.

Peace, Love, and Art,

Marcella

To learn more about Artist/Writer/Speaker Colista Lich, visit http://www.colistalich.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.zazzle.com/Colista.

To learn more about Artist Ky Gabriel, like her Facebook fan page for Peacock Arts at http://bit.ly/alKblS.

To learn more about Writer Melissa Kline and her forthcoming publication, follow her blog at http://melissakline.blogspot.com/.

For the Venetian Nail Spa’s location and services, visit http://www.venetiannailspaco.com/.

ARTapalooza!

2010-07-19T23:36:00.005-06:00

Greetings Dreamcicles!

For the past few weeks I have been busy designing and launching my new website and creating my Facebook fan page. Check out my new site at http://marcellanordbeck.com/ and “like” me at http://bit.ly/dBECT4.

But life hasn’t been all work and no play. Last weekend I crawled out from under my rock long enough to check out the Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver where I caught up with the artist Nemo. I am proud to say I am now the owner of a Nemo original! To learn more about him and his art visit http://www.artbynemo.com/.

Marcella with fellow artist Nemo

This past weekend was an ARTapalooza! I kicked it off Friday night at Russell Wilbar’s opening reception for his show Construction/Deconstruction. Russell is a “green” mixed media artist whose reconstructed and painted salvaged doors and floors practically float off the wall. Check out Wilbar’s show at Sync Gallery in the Santa Fe art district in Denver through August 16. Visit http://www.russellwilbar.com/ to learn more.

Marcella with fellow artist Russell Wilbar and Wilbar's art piece "Out of Mind"

Saturday night I saw the play “The Underpants” at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden with fellow writer Janet Roots. It’s a hoot a half! Written by Carl Sternheim, adapted by Steve Martin, and directed by Rick Bernstein, I nearly peed my pants I laughed so hard. Visit http://www.minersalley.com/ for show times.

Marcella with fellow writer Janet Roots

Janet serves on the Playhouse board and asked me to assist her with organizing and curating the “It’s Not Black & White” juried art show. It will hang in the Playhouse lobby in September and October during the six week run of the Tony Award winning play “Art.” Visit http://www.minersalley.com/SpecialEvents.shtml for the call for entry details. To learn more about Janet’s writing services visit http://www.rootswrites.com/.

A view of the drive to Poncha Springs, Colorado

I wrapped up the weekend driving down to Poncha Springs for the Art of the Rockies art show at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Three of my paintings were accepted into this juried exhibition, but “A Moment of Suspense” received an Honorable Mention ribbon in the Advanced oil/acrylic category. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a nod from the judge as my abstracts were a minority in a sea of landscapes, horses, and cowboys.

Marcella with "A Moment of Suspense"

That’s all for now folks. I’ve got to put the blinders back on and refocus. I’m working on a new painting for the upcoming Yin/Yang show at Mile Hi Church, I’m on deadline to finish writing my book proposal for Hay House, and I’m working on a new series of abstract/mixed media paintings inspired by my recent trip through the Caribbean and my love for the ocean. The new series will be revealed at my next solo art exhibition at Strings restaurant in Denver in November. Details to come…

But before I go, let me remind you to save the date! In August I will add published author to my resume! My essay “I Find Myself Painting” is being published in the anthology “Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories by Inspiring Women.” The book will be available for purchase on amazon August 25.

Keep following your bliss! The rest will follow.

Peace, Love, and Art,
Marcella

A First Time for Everything

2010-07-07T00:14:00.003-06:00

Greetings Moon Beams!

I’ve been home for three weeks, so it’s starting to feel like old news, but here are pics from my recent vacation. My friend, and fellow writer, Kate Heartsong and I attended a writing workshop hosted by Hay House publishing. Did I mention it was held on a 7-night Caribbean cruise? Minor detail…but, yeah…it was awesome!

The view of the port in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

from Shawpark Botanical Gardens.

I would have sat my ass in the middle of Greenland bundled up in a parka to learn about publishing ins and outs from Hay House – number one metaphysical publisher in the world. But I’m not complaining. I got to soak up industry knowledge in between sun beams in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel.

Wading in the ocean in Fort Lauderdale & chillin at the beach in the Bahamas.

The highlight of my adventure on the high seas was my 6 mile round trip hike from the port to Shawpark Botanical Gardens in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I practically had to beat off thirty cab drivers that wanted to drive me there. But once I got into downtown it was a peaceful walk the rest of the way. That is, if you don’t mind 90+ degree weather and what feels like 100% humidity.

Nothing says vacation like a hibiscus flower.

I don’t think many tourists walk through Ocho Rios. The school kids, in their matching uniforms, looked liked they’d never seen anyone so…tall. Okay, maybe it was the glare off my SPF 90. But I got lots of waves and smiles flashed my way.

A Jamaican Shaman I met eating and breathing fire in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

There are many advantages to seeing Ocho Rios by foot, things you’d miss if you were sitting in the back of a taxi. The plant life, the fire eating and breathing Jamaican Shaman, the two goats tied to a bush on the side a road. Sorry, seeing goats is not an every day occurrence for me. And I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure I heard a rooster.

The waterfall at Shawpark Botanical Gardens

in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Another advantage to getting off the tourist track in Jamaica, if you time it right, is arriving at Shawpark Botanical Gardens just as a tour bus is leaving. I had such an experience and it was heaven. It was just me, the gardens, the waterfall, the birds of paradise - the flower, not actual birds – and the butterflies!

Crazy beautiful flowers and tree in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Oh, the butterflies! There were swarms of them. Swarms I tell ya! I’d never seen so many butterflies in my life! Every shape, size, color you can imagine. I tried to photograph the little buggers, but, even though they fly like they’re drunk, they’re fast! My handy point-and-shoot was no match for their nimbleness.

Steppin' out for formal night on the cruise ship.

I’m home again. Back to my crazy life as an Admin turned Artist turned Writer. And I’m on deadline. I have three months to finish writing my book proposal, develop my platform (that’s fancy publishing lingo for developing my marketing plan), produce a 3-minute YouTube video and submit it all to Hay House sans agent – a rare opportunity. The reward? Someone who attended the writing workshop is going to win a publishing contract and a $10,000 advance. Wish me luck!

Peace, love, and art,
Marcella

P.S.
To learn more about Kate Heartsong and her recently published book, “Deeply We Are One,” please visit http://www.joyfulradiance.com/.

For more information about Hay House, please visit http://www.hayhouse.com/.

comMISSION Accomplished!

2010-06-05T04:09:00.010-06:00

I finished and delivered my first commissioned painting this week titled Beauty of the Moment. Actually it's a series of three paintings depicting different phases of the moon.

Here's a glimpse into my creative process:

First Sketch

Examples of Moon Phases

Second Sketch

Test Boards

Beauty of the Moment 1

Beauty of the Moment 2

Beauty of the Moment 3

Beauty of the Moment series

Acrylic & Mixed Media, 14x14 each panel

Bon Voyage! I'm off to take a 10 day vacation - a writing workshop with Hay House publishing on a Princess cruise!

The Fine Arts Ministry: My Portal into the Denver Art Scene

2010-05-28T23:13:00.006-06:00

It is hard to believe it has been one year since my first art show. It was the “Mandalas” show at Mile Hi Church, organized and curated by the Fine Arts Ministry. Like a portal, my first art show at Mile Hi opened the door for me to the Denver art scene and my life has not been the same. I have since shown in seven more group art shows and had two solo exhibitions. And last week I was asked to curate an art show later this summer for a local theater group in their lobby. None of this would have been possible if I had not taken a leap of faith and submitted my painting “Infinite Love” into that fateful show.

The new Fine Arts Ministry art show “Portals” was hung today in the sanctuary lobby. My painting “Eightfold Path” is among the sixteen works on display. I was told by Cyndy Beardsley, Fine Arts Ministry Coordinator, that the number of submissions was record breaking so it is an honor that my painting was selected.

The common definition of a portal is of an opening, entrance, doorway, pathway or gate in the physical realm. However, a portal can also be used as a metaphor for spiritual growth. It can be an invitation for deep exploration into the inner pathways to our inherent nature, consciousness, and self-awareness. In Buddhism the Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

The Fine Arts Ministry is made up of a team of Mile Hi Church congregants who possess a passion for art. The team meets every twelve months to vision themes for the next year’s shows. Submissions are judged by members of the Ministry who have not submitted a piece of art. Work is judged on content and design, expression of theme, presentation and skill, and overall artistic expression and creativity.

Fritz and Doris Penning, artists and members of the Fine Arts Ministry, hang the new shows every two to three months. Together they take great care in arranging the paintings, photographs, and mixed media pieces to best feature each work of art. Fritz is the winner of the 2009 Eye of the Camera Best of Show and his photography can be seen at the Littleton Museum through May 30.

Mile Hi Church is located at 9077 W. Alameda in Lakewood, Colorado. “Portals” runs through August 5 and can be viewed in the sanctuary lobby on Sundays from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. For information on upcoming themes, dates, and submission requirements please email fineartsministry@milehichurch.org. One need not be a member of Mile Hi Church to summit their artwork to the Fine Arts Ministry.

10% of the proceeds from the sale of “Eightfold Path” will be donated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in memory of Karen V. If you, or someone you know, is feeling helpless or hopeless PLEASE call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Painting the Town Red

2010-05-25T00:52:00.014-06:00

Who has time to write a new blog posting when there are SO many fun things to do in Denver in the spring time? Pictured are the highlights of another weekend lived to the fullest!

Got ready to step out and paint the town red Saturday night

in my patent leather pumps with matching pedi.

My fiancé Sean and I started dinner at Strings with appetizers

in the bar under my painting "It Begins With Me."

The HOPE Art Show will be at Strings through June 5.

Visited my painting "Hope" (left) and a painting by Laurie Maves (right) upstairs at Strings. Both have been donated to the Cunningham Foundation for the June 5 HOPE Ball silent art auction.

Cut lilacs Sunday morning before heading down to 16th Street Mall

to look for the piano I painted for Downtown Denver Partnership's

"Your Keys to the City" for Spring 2010.

"But it would match everything I own!"

I loved this bag, but Sean talked me out of buying it.

How many shoulder bags does a girl really need?

There it was, the piano I painted, at 16th & Welton!

And to my delight, a little boy was playing it!

The smallest of all the pianos painted,

mine kept attracting the children until...

...this women came out of a store,

aptly called Only In Colorado, and started playing Mozart!

She played with such passion!

It brought my piano to life and me to tears - of joy!

It turns out her name is Sue and she works at Only in Colorado.

She told me she plays every day during her 15 minute break!

I don't really play, but I pretended to.

You can pretent, or play for real, through Friday, June 18.

Sunday eve we wound down our weekend with a BBQ and a bon fire

in Kittredge at our friends Tom and Jeanne's house.

That's Tom and Jeanne - the Propritors of Knot New Wood.

They custom design and build furniture from salvaged wood.

Check out their website for their summer art festival schedule: http://www.knotnewwood.com/

Your Keys to the City - Spring 2010

2010-05-11T20:21:00.006-06:00

The Downtown Denver Partnership invited me to paint a donated piano for “Your Keys to the City” for Spring 2010. Be on the lookout for painted pianos on a corner near you in the 16th Street Mall area.

I am one of ten Denver artists asked to participate this Spring. The other artists include Laurie Maves, Eric Matelski, Dan Ericson (aka DUNN the Signtologist), Audrey McNamera, among others.

Front Before

Back Before

Second Coat of Primer - Front

Second Coat of Primer - Back

The Color Palette

Painting a Leg

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

First of Two Coats of Color

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

Getting Ready to Paint blogspot URL

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

Painting blogspot URL

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

Front Finished - With blogspot "Spots"

Back Finished!

They said we didn't have to paint the backs as they will be covered with tarps that will will be pulled over the pianos at night. But it was calling to me to give it some color.

This piano could not have been painted without the assistance and support of the following individuals: Jen Craven – thank you for emailing me; Laurie Maves – thank you for giving Jen Craven at the Downtown Denver Partnership my name and email address; Laurie Maves & Eric Matelski – thank you for answering my questions; Sean Richardson – thank you for packing my lunch, being my driver, carrying my supplies, and taking photos; Melissa Kline – thank you for emailing me my blog URL when I couldn’t remember it; and thank you to everyone that shared my excitement prior to painting my first piano, cheered me on throughout the process, and anxiously anticipated the photos. I am SO blessed!

The Perfect Sunday

2010-05-09T20:31:00.005-06:00

In my quest to find some balance this weekend, we went for a hike in Mount Falcon Park in Indian Hills, Colorado. No painting or writing. Just taking in the beauty of nature and the wild flowers that are starting to bloom.

The Lone Wild Tulip

Red Rocks in the Hazy Distance

Purple Wild Flowers

View From the Top

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

6,800 Feet

Like Three Baby Birds...

...Waiting for a Feeding

Living Proof

2010-05-04T00:36:00.002-06:00

Anyone who has been following my blog for a while knows that the blues, or what Holly Golightly describes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s as the mean reds, and I are no strangers to one another. But many people don’t know that eight and a half years ago I was hospitalized for life threatening depression. Life threatening. That’s a gentle way of saying I was suicidal and an imminent threat to myself.

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Photo courtesy of Paramount

Despite the painful events that lead up to my breakdown, or what I prefer to call my breakthrough, being hospitalized was perhaps the best thing to ever happen to me. It was in the hospital where I was reintroduced to art in the form of art therapy. If it weren’t for art therapy, I wouldn’t have celebrated my first solo art show last November where I sold five paintings opening night. I wouldn’t currently have a 4 x 3 foot painting hanging in the middle of Strings, a five star restaurant in downtown Denver. And I wouldn’t be adding published author to my list of accomplishments because of the essay I wrote about art therapy that is being published later this year.

Through my struggles with depression, and my second chance at life, I have learned that it is the difficult challenges we overcome that have the potential to propel us into our greatness. I only wish I had been more forthcoming with this wisdom before my friend Karen decided to make her transition last month. Transition. That’s a gentle way of saying she took her own life. She committed suicide.

As I finished reading Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way and posted my last blog entry four weeks ago I wasn’t entirely sure what the next chapter in my life had in store for me. But when I learned of Karen’s passing two days later it became clear that it is my responsibility to tell my story. If my experience as a suicide survivor can inspire just one person to make a different choice, to choose life, then everything I’ve been through will have meaning.

I will continue to paint and blog about my journey navigating the Denver art scene. But the memoir/self-help book I am writing about my struggles with depression and the steps I take to live joyfully has taken precedence. What once was a blog about an emerging artist is now also a blog about an aspiring author.

If you are feeling helpless, hopeless, or having thoughts of suicide PLEASE call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You can begin again. I’m living proof.

The Artist's Way - Week Twelve

2010-04-05T01:48:00.003-06:00

Twelve chapters and twelve blogs in twelve weeks – could I do it? That was the question I posed three months ago as I began reading Julia Cameron’s classic book, The Artist’s Way. Could I read a chapter a week, write daily morning pages, and go on weekly solo artist dates to “discover and recover my creative self” while working a full-time day job, meeting painting and writing deadlines, and writing and posting a blog about it each week?

Preparing to paint

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

It was an ambitious endeavor to follow the “spiritual path to higher creativity” as outlined in The Artist’s Way and to post a blog about it each week, but somehow I managed to do it. Did I do it perfectly? No. Did I write morning pages? Not every morning. Did I go on weekly solo artist dates? Not every week. Did I fulfill the weekly tasks as suggested at the end of each chapter? Not always. But I read a chapter a week, I wrote my morning pages more often than not, and I went on solo artist dates when I wasn’t on deadline to complete the essay that’s being independently published in a book later this year and finish new paintings for upcoming art shows.

Two weeks into The Artist’s Way Tarcher/Penguin, the publisher of Julia Cameron’s book, found my blog and contacted me about being a guest blogger on their website. As I received more comments through twitter, Facebook, and directly on my blog, as a result of the additional exposure, I realized that I wasn’t just doing The Artist’s Way for me. As I lived my life in a fish bowl for three months I had a responsibility to serve as an inspiration for others; this meant being authentic and honest about my experiences – no matter how challenging.

"It Begins With Me"

48"x 36" Acrylic & Mixed Media on Canvas

I gained a lot of insight into myself and my creative process through writing the daily morning pages. Writing my weekly blogs were also enlightening experiences. But it was the emails from complete strangers – artists living in other states – asking me how I work full-time and make time to honor my creativity that had the deepest impact on me. It was through those email correspondences that I realized that my experience with life-threatening depression nine years ago is not unique and that my need to express myself creatively and the struggle to make the time to do so is not just my own.

I’ve been asked by friends and fellow artists if I will read another Julia Cameron book and blog about it, but I don’t think I will – at least not at this time. I’ve been invited to show in a couple of more group art shows and another solo show so initially I will be putting my energy into those projects. But what is calling to me the most right now is dusting off my book manuscript and finally finishing it. It is non-fiction about the role art therapy and spirituality play in my life to love myself, to ward off depression, and live a life that is fulfilling and balanced.

Painting in the dinning room

Photo courtsey of Sean Richardson

To support me through the ambitious endeavor of finishing this book I will be attending a 7-night writing workshop cruise hosted by Hay House publishing in June. It is Hay House’s policy to only accept manuscripts from agents. But participants on the cruise will have about 6 months to finish their manuscripts and submit it directly to Hay House without an agent. Someone on the cruise will be awarded a publishing contract and a $10,000 advance.

Check back next…week? Hmmm…I don’t know when I’ll post my next blog. In the meantime, keep following your bliss and merry art making!

To learn more about Julia Cameron’s publisher Tarcher/Penguin please visit http://www.tarcherbooks.net/.

My latest painting “It Begins With Me” will be on display at Strings Restaurant in Denver from mid-April through late May. For information on Strings visit http://www.stringsrestaurant.com/.

The Artist's Way - Week Eleven

2010-03-29T21:44:00.003-06:00

Eleven weeks, and eleven chapters, into Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way and never have I felt more creatively blocked. I’m on deadline to post this blog and finish a painting for an upcoming group art show and I don’t feel inspired to complete either. I feel like I’m running on empty.

I’m blaming my lack of inspiration on the sore throat I’ve been trying to sooth all day. But that doesn’t explain my lack of productivity this past weekend. That is, if you call grocery shopping, washing, drying and folding three loads of laundry, preparing meals, and attending a women’s self defense class as unproductive. What I mean is, I didn’t get any writing or painting done this weekend, so despite my busyness, I don’t feel like I have anything to show for it.

My apologies, dear readers, that I don’t have any insights or inspiration to share this week about The Artist’s Way. But I can’t force it, despite how much I have tried. It seems working full-time AND being a full-time artist has taken its toll on me.

Please check back next week as I finish Julia Cameron’s 12-week course outlined in her book The Artist’s Way and reflect on the progress I’ve made these past three months unblocking my creativity – despite this week’s minor set back.

The women’s self defense class I took this weekend was taught by my friend and 1st Degree Black Belt Melissa Barrow, along with 7th Degree Black Belt Master John W. Rankin, and instructors from the Mountain Academy of Martial Arts. For more information about their school please visit http://www.mountainacademyofmartialarts.com/.

The Artist's Way - Week Ten

2010-03-22T23:31:00.008-06:00

During week ten following Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way I circled back around to last week’s chapter on, “recovering a sense of compassion” and reflected on a time in my life when I took a creative U-turn.

"The September Issue" DVD cover

My memories of running from my creativity were triggered by this week’s solo artist date when I watched the film The September Issue. It’s a documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry. It follows Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief, and Grace Coddington, Art Director, as they pull together the September Vogue – the highly anticipated annual issue in which the designers’ fall collections are revealed.

Not following a career in fashion has to be the biggest U-turn I’ve taken. It’s the only explanation for why I’m not working in fashion in some capacity today. Throughout high school I poured over the pages of Vogue and made all of my clothes in the sewing classes I took each semester. During my senior year of high school I studied Fashion Merchandising for three hours a day. And when I wasn’t modeling I worked as a dresser – dressing other models during fashion shows. But my proudest accomplishment during my last year of high school was when I was a finalist in a fashion design competition.

I have spent the past eighteen years harboring resentment towards my parents because they weren’t willing to pay out-of-state tuition for me to study fashion design at Parsons School of Design or the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. It has been easier to blame them for not providing me with the “proper” education than to accept responsibility for the choices I made due to fear. The truth is, I doubted my abilities to design and construct clothes. So my parent’s willingness to “only” provide me with an in-state college education instead of the out-of-state experience I thought I desired gave me permission to turn my back on the fashion industry – thus taking a creative U-turn – even though there were other avenues I could have followed to pursue my dreams.

As I embark on chapter 11 of The Artist’s Way and, “recover a sense of autonomy,” I can’t help but begin to ponder what’s next for me after I finish Julia Cameron’s 12-week course. Opportunities to show my paintings keep presenting themselves. I have two group art shows in April and one group show, a silent auction, and a solo art show in May. But I also have an opportunity to submit a book manuscript without an agent to Hay House Publishing following the seven-night writer’s workshop cruise I’m taking in June.

The thought of putting painting on hold for six months so that I can focus on finishing my book makes me wonder if I could be taking another creative U-turn. But if don’t take advantage of the opportunity to submit my book to Hay House – whose policy is to only accept manuscripts from agents – that could be a regrettable U-turn too. I just have to trust that as I continue to write my three daily morning pages that I will remain connected to my creative Source and be divinely guided as to how best to invest my creative energies into the opportunities – both in painting and writing – that continue to present themselves.

Visit http://www.theseptemberissue.com/ to view the trailer for the documentary The September Issue.

The Artist's Way - Week Nine

2010-03-15T23:51:00.004-06:00

"Magic Moment" 2010

Acrylic & Acrylic Mediums, 24x24"

Nine weeks into Julia Cameron’s 12-week course outlined in her book The Artist’s Way and I’m exhausted! Instead of “recovering a sense of compassion” this week, I spent every free waking minute working on a new painting for the next Fine Arts Ministry juried art show at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado.

My morning pages fell to the wayside as I laid down a layer of paint upon waking each morning. Lunch was spent driving 30 minutes round trip from work, to home, and back to work again just so I could put down yet another layer of paint during the remaining 30 minutes of my mid-day break. Painting was also the first thing I did when I got home from work each day and the last thing I did before collapsing into bed each night.

Was neglecting my morning pages, failing to do any of the weekly exercises, and abandoning this week’s solo artist date worth it? Perhaps I will think so if my piece is selected for the show. But I won’t know until Friday. In the meantime, my exhaustion is accompanied by self-criticism and I have lost perspective as to whether or not my new painting has any merit. All I can see when I look at it is what I would do differently if I had more time.

There is that word again: time. The only thing I managed to do this week regarding The Artist’s Way, in addition to reading chapter 9, was take a quick glance at some of my earlier morning pages. When I was still writing morning pages! A consistent theme I saw was my perception that I don’t have enough time to do all the things I need and want to do.

Despite my looming deadline, I made time this weekend to attend Rev. Cynthia James workshop “What Will Set You Free” and Jennifer Burnett’s concert at Jazz @ Jacks in Denver, in addition to starting and finish a new painting. That is, if you call running out of time and being forced to accept that it’s the best I could do with the resources I had available to me as finishing. Just don’t get me started on the dirty laundry that has pilled up next to the mountain of unopened mail and sticky note reminders that I need to pay bills, get an oil change, and do my taxes.

Check back next week as I embark on chapter 10 of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, “recover a sense of self-protection,” and resume my daily morning pages, weekly exercises, and solo artist date.

The Artist's Way - Week Eight

2010-03-08T05:46:00.004-07:00

Test boards for commissioned painting

Maybe I’m being lazy, but I don’t think so. Week 8 following Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and I have found that my favorite solo artist dates are the ones when I stay home alone. I blew off the art shows I had planned to check out in LODO and the RINO art district. I didn’t even go to First Friday Art Walk for the second consecutive month in a row. Instead, I spent the evening listening to music while I prepared dinner. Later I watched back-to-back encores of the last two Project Runway episodes while folding laundry. I missed their original airing because of my busy schedule. Watching a reality TV show may not sound like a viable artist date, but Project Runway is the only show I follow because I enjoy watching the fashion designers’ creative process as it unfolds.

After a lifetime of shyness and isolation, and my relocation from Detroit to Denver last year, I am finally getting out in the world, having new experiences, and meeting new people. It’s great, but lately I haven’t been making enough time just for me. It’s only recently that I’ve begun to allow myself to enjoy an after work nap or given myself permission to dance in the kitchen while listening to music and cooking dinner. Heck, just preparing a home cooked meal is an accomplishment in self love! But more importantly, I haven’t been making time to slow down to appreciate what I already have (my health and supportive family and friends), what I’ve already accomplished (moving to Denver and honoring my creative nature), and who I have already grown into (a more confident woman who’s no longer afraid to take risks and express herself).

An added bonus of staying in instead of going out? While I cooked dinner I felt inspired to cook different dishes next week and wrote out my grocery list. Normally I spend Sunday afternoons standing in the center of the kitchen, pen in my right hand, empty grocery list in my left, staring into barren cupboards, stumped as to what I want to eat in the coming week. But Friday night, as the pasta sauce simmered and the noodles boiled, I felt yearnings for the comfort food I ate growing up: meatloaf with ketchup, tuna noodle casserole, brown sugar baby carrots, banana bread, pumpkin pie… Not as one meal of course, but smells, textures, and tastes I would like to experience again.

Who would have guessed that when I began to unblock my creatively that I would find myself inspired to cook – and the Midwest comfort food I grew up with no less? And as I got caught up on episodes of Project Runway, I was grateful that I brought my old sewing machine with me when I moved to Denver last year. Just the thought of dusting off my old Kenmore 12-stitch reminds me of my other forgotten passion – sewing my own clothes.

Despite resting and deepening my connection with the creative Spirit Friday night, the week was not completely without art. Monday I attended Eric Matelski’s First Monday Art Talk at Dazzle Jazz Lounge where Nemo was the featured artist. Saturday morning I showed my sketch and test boards to my commissioned painting customer. And Saturday afternoon my friend and artist Stephanie McCandless and I visited the William Havu Gallery to experience Amy Metier’s abstract oil paintings. And because I had gotten my laundry and grocery shopping out of the way, I spent the greater part of Sunday painting.

Next week I’ll embark on chapter 9 of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and “Recover a Sense of Compassion” while asking my self “What Will Set Me Free?” at Rev. Cynthia James’ weekend workshop.

New episodes of Project Runway are aired on Thursday nights on Lifetime at 8 pm Mountain Time. Encore episodes can be seen Friday nights at 7 and 8 pm Mountain Time.

Visit http://fmatdenver.com/ for a list of artists and dates for future First Monday Art Talks.

To see Nemo’s art visit http://www.artbynemo.com/.

William Have Gallery is located at 1040 Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80204. Visit http://www.williamhavugallery.com/ for hours and Amy Metier’s show dates.

Learn more about Rev. Cynthia James and purchase her book What Will Set You Free visit http://www.whatwillsetyoufree.com/. Register for her upcoming workshop of the same name at http://milehichurch.org/courses/wwsyf.asp.

The Artist's Way - Week Seven

2010-03-01T02:36:00.006-07:00

Hallelujah! As I made my way through week seven of Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way I didn’t have to have a biopsy! When I went in for the procedure on Tuesday my doctor told me he no longer saw any abnormal cells, that my body appears to have healed itself, and that he did not feel a biopsy was necessary. I just have to go back every six months for the next year for follow-up tests.

Image courtesy of Google Images

Having had two biopsies, and invasive surgery, in the past what did I do differently this time to turn my immune system around from when I received my doctor’s call until I was scheduled for the biopsy? Was it being more mindful of the projects I choose to get involved in and making a conscious effort to get more sleep? Was it incorporating more raw vegies into my diet through blending and juicing like Kris Carr in her documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer? Was it prayer and meditation? Or was it reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and following her 12-week course in “discovering and recovering your creative self”? I feel it was a combination of these things and it seems the work I’ve been doing to release my creative blocks also helped release what was creating dis-ease in my body.

Kris Carr: actress, film maker, and cancer survivor

Photo courtesy of Kris Carr

In addition to healing my physical body, it became evident to me that I have also healed my creative Spirit this weekend when I attended the Friday night and all day Saturday “Bridge of Dreams” workshop at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado. As I released past beliefs and feelings that no longer serve me, I replaced them with new beliefs and feelings that support my dreams. The process of crossing over the “bridge” was not an easy one, but as I participated in exercises with my partners and small group it appeared that the workshop was easier for me than it was for others. It seems the work I’ve been doing as I follow Julia Cameron’s 12-week course prepared me for this weekend. Because I already purged – literally – a lifetime of suppressed emotions just two weeks earlier, I was able to move quickly through the releasing and forgiving phases of the workshop and easily step into a space of believing in and loving myself on a deeper level, resulting in rekindling my dreams for painting and writing.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

How timely that week seven’s theme in The Artist’s Way is “Recovering a Sense of Connection.” Never have I felt more connected to Spirit, the source of creation and my creativity, as I do after reading this week’s chapter, completing some of the suggested exercises and tasks, receiving a clean bill of health, and participating in an intense experiential workshop.

Join me next week on my 12-week journey of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way as I embark on week eight and “Recover a Sense of Strength,” attend Eric Matelski’s First Monday Art Talk at Dazzle Jazz Lounge where Nemo is the featured artist, and decide if I’m going to attend First Friday Art Walk in the Sante Fe art district or attend artist receptions instead in LODO (lower downtown Denver) and at Lisa Kowalski’s gallery in the RINO art district.

Visit http://crazysexycancer.com/ to learn more about Kris Carr and view a trailer for her inspiring documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer.

Visit http://crazysexylife.com/ to follow Kris, her guest bloggers, and their “wellness warrior” adventures.

The Artist's Way - Week Six

2010-02-21T21:21:00.004-07:00

"Melting into Blue" 2010

Acrylic & Mixed Media on Wood, 15x30"

Eureka! I’m painting again! Six weeks into The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s 12-week course for “discovering and recovering your creative self,” and I’m painting! I developed a sketch and test boards for the commissioned piece I’m working on, made progress on my painting for the HOPE Ball auction, finished a painting titled, “Melting into Blue,” the first from a new series I started in November, and decided I’m going to submit a piece into the next juried art show at Mile Hi Church.

This productivity has come at a cost. To make time to paint around my full-time day job I slaked off writing my three daily pages (only writing three out seven mornings), I didn’t do the suggested exercises, and I didn’t even schedule a solo artist date with myself – my favorite aspect of The Artist’s Way. As I read chapter six on, “Recovering a Sense of Abundance,” it seems it is not financial abundance I struggle with, but rather the abundance of time, or my perception of a lack of time. Or worse, my fear that time might be running out.

Perhaps it is my pending biopsy this coming Tuesday that has shifted my perception and use of time. Whatever it is, this past week I had an insatiable hunger to tune out the world and just paint, so that’s what I did. As I count down the days until I take a test that will tell me if abnormal cells are, dare I say the word - cancer – I’ve spent my “free” time doing the one thing that brings me more joy than anything else in my life: painting.

Telling my parnter not take my picture while I paint.

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

When I wasn’t sequestered in my home office/art studio painting – or viewing a home screening of the documentary Who Does She Think She Is? at “Cinema Night”, a monthly event I co-host with artist Anita Larson and writer Janet Roots – I spent every waking moment (as well as every sleeping, napping, spooning moment) with my beloved. Instead of going out, both Friday and Saturday night we stayed in, made dinner together, and watched movies. And from the moment we woke up on Sunday morning until I sat down in the evening to write this blog, we spent every minute of the day together. Whether unloading and loading the dishwasher, folding laundry, grocery shopping, or preparing meals, we haven’t left each other’s side.

My favorite spot to sit in the kitchen

after juicing while dinner cooks.

Photo courtesy of Sean Richardson

It’s entirely possible the biopsy will come back benign and no further medical intervention need be taken. But it seems to me that my partner and I are both aware, even if we choose not to speak the words out loud, that these are precious moments we’re spending together. And we best not take them for granted.

Check in with me next week as I embark on chapter seven of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and “Recover a Sense of Connection.”

The Artist's Way - Week Five

2010-02-15T07:00:00.006-07:00

Opening Reception of "The Love Show"

at CORE New Art Space

Week five following the 12-week course outlined in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way has been the most challenging week yet. Writing my three daily morning pages Tuesday hit such a raw nerve that I spent the rest of the day crying. I was beyond embarrassed as I tried to hold myself together at the office I work at as the tears continued to flow throughout the day. A “normal” person would have gone home sick, if they had bothered to go into work at all. But fearing both the pile of work on my desk, and the thought of being home alone with my emotions, I pushed through.

Stephanie McCandless (center) talking to art enthusiasts

in front of "Love," her chalk pastel drawing on

black paper at "The Love Show" at CORE New Art Space

I felt better by Tuesday night after watching Louise L. Hay’s movie You Can Heal Your Life as this week’s solo artist date. Unlike last week’s attempt, I didn’t fall asleep. But by Wednesday night the levy broke and my tears were replaced by a more dramatic unblocking of buried emotions. Having no other physical symptoms, I knew it wasn't the flu. But as I kneeled on the bathroom floor, praying for the nausea to pass and repeating the Al-Anon slogan, “Let go and let God,” I experienced a physical manifestation of unblocking my creative Spirit and detoxifying my body and mind from a lifetime of self-doubt.

Posing with artist Laurie Maves (right) at her solo

artist reception for "Be Our Valentine" at VAIN Salon

Throughout the week I questioned why I am putting myself through The Artist’s Way experience. Despite the emotional lows, and gut wrenching sobbing and purging, I am feeling inspiration stirring within. If I can get over this hump of emotional release, I am confident the creativity and paint will be flowing again soon.

Opening reception of "Be Our Valentine"

Laurie Maves' solo art show at VAIN Salon

In the meantime I found motivation to keep working through The Artist’s Way and inspiration to keep painting by hanging out with two of my favorite fellow Dener artists this weekend. I attended Dana Cain’s “The Love Show” Friday night at CORE New Art Space where I took in the rest of the art with local artist Stephanie McCandless. I posed for the camera Saturday night with painter Laurie Maves at her artist reception at VAIN Salon for her six week show, “Be Our Valentine.”

Check in with me next week as I report on reaching the half-way point of The Artist’s Way journey in week six and view a home screening of the independent film Who Does She Think She Is?

To learn about events organized by Dana Cain visit http://www.danacain.com/.

“The Love Show” comes down February 28. Artists will pick up their work between 1-4 pm during the “Break Up Reception.” CORE New Art Space is located at 900 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204. To learn about upcoming art shows visit http://www.corenewartspace.com/.

Be Stephanie McCandless’ friend on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/.

To see Laurie Maves’ art work, and book her for live painting gigs, visit http://www.lauriemavesart.com/.

VAIN Salon is located at 1890 Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203. For more information visit http://www.vainsalon.com/.

The Artist's Way - Week Four

2010-02-07T20:18:00.006-07:00

"A Good Cry" 2009

Acrylic & Mixed Media

During week four of following Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way I found myself resisting the morning pages. I only wrote four out of the seven days. On the days I did write my pages, it was struggle. It wasn’t until the week’s end, when I was overcome by a good cry, that I began to realize I need the morning pages to exercise my demons and keep my creativity flowing. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself when I read in chapter four on page 80 that, “extreme emotions of any kind – the very thing that morning pages are superb for processing – are the usual triggers for avoiding the pages themselves.”

Throughout the week I didn’t think I was avoiding the pages. But as I stayed up late each night putting the final touches on my essay, I Find Myself Painting, it wasn't difficult to resist sleeping in the next morning. It didn’t take much to justify how skipping my pages was in my best interest if I wanted to get to work on time and get my piece turned over to the publisher of the anthology, Speaking Your Truth: Inspiring Stories from Courageous Women, by the deadline.

I made a conscious choice this week to limit my socializing to catch up on rest and I refrained from attending First Friday Art Walk. Instead, I attempted to re-watch my DVD of Louise L. Hay’s movie, You Can Heal Your Life, for my solo artist date. But only minutes into the film I succumbed to a nap on the couch and didn’t wakeup until the credits were rolling. I don’t think this is what Julia had in mind for reconnecting to my creative Spirit, but I felt better getting some rest.

Despite my mediocre attempts to write my daily morning pages, and sleeping through my solo artist date this week, I was reassured that I am still making progress when I read on page 83, “Remember that the more you feel yourself to be terra incognita, the more certain you can be that the recovery process is working.” Well, I felt like I was having an out of body experience when I was interviewed this week by Maryann Swartz for her forthcoming book titled, Fifty Interviews: Artists. As she drew my story out of me with her questions I couldn’t help but feel like I was talking about someone else as I outlined the unfolding of my art and writing careers over the past year.

I continue to be offered more opportunities to show my paintings and share my writing. Even though these are things I want, and that I’ve been working toward, some days I feel it’s happening too fast or that I don’t deserve the rewards of my hard work. As I write this, I am further realizing the importance of writing three daily morning pages so that I can work through these feelings of self doubt and insecurity in order to get out of my own way and just let life, and the creative process, unfold.

I'll be honest, there are times I want to dropkick my copy of The Artist’s Way across the room, particularly when I get to the end of a chapter, read the suggested exercises, and think, “There is no way I can squeeze one more thing into my schedule.” But I persevere. With my avoidance, hiccups, and imperfections I continue on this 12-week journey.

Check back next week as I embark of chapter five of Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, prepare for my next board meeting at the Denver Art Society, check out The Love Show at Core, and attend Laurie Maves artist reception for her opening at Vain.

To learn more about the teachings of Louise L. Hay, and her movie You Can Heal Your Life, visit http://www.louisehay.com/

For more information about the 50 Interviews series of books and Maryann Swartz, visit http://artists.50interviews.com/

The Artist's Way - Week Three

2010-02-01T01:10:00.007-07:00

Image courtesy of Google Images

Week three into Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way and I feel like an emotional basket case! Thank heaven for morning pages so that I have an outlet to purge my pent up emotions that the weekly readings and exercises are surfacing. I’m starting to understand that to unblock my creativity I have to deal with my unresolved anger and resentments – but most of all – fear.

This week I began hosting the women’s writing group I am a member of at my apartment. We’ve been meeting every other Monday in a coffee shop in downtown Golden, but we were finding it difficult to complete our writing exercises and share our work amongst the chatter of other patrons and the hiss of latte’s being steamed. It was an honor to open up my home to a group of women I respect and admire. However, I was nervous about them entering my private sanctuary. It’s where I give birth to my ideas and where the paintings I am currently working on are in their “ugly duckling” stage. Thankfully I kicked fear to the curb, let the girls come over anyway, and gained confidence in letting them see a glimpse into my creative process.

Image courtesy of Motion Underground Dance Studio

Englewood, Colorado

Fear reared its ugly head again this week when I met with two prospective commission painting customers. I’m not sure what scares me more: negotiating the price and asking for a deposit or the thought that after all my hard work they won’t like the finished piece. Despite my fears the appointments went well.

The first was with a local dance studio. I’m excited about this project because of the size of the space that is going to allow me to paint big! I just haven’t quite flushed out my ideas for the series of 48 x 48 inch paintings. I’m sensing a solo artist date in my future in the form off a drop-in hip-hop dance class at the studio to inspire me.

My second appointment was with a woman I met at my artist reception in November. A painting she was interested in was purchased that night by someone else, prompting her to ask me to paint a commissioned piece. In contrast to my first appointment, when I entered her bedroom where she wants the painting to hang I was immediately inspired and began sketching. I shared my idea with her and an hour later I found myself on this week’s solo artist date at Michael’s spending her deposit to purchase the needed supplies.

Another fearful experience I had this week was asking friends, family, and fellow writers to proof read an essay I am writing. It is about the role painting has played in aiding me in overcoming my battles with depression. It’s going to be published in a book this summer titled Speaking Your Truth: Inspiring Stories by Courageous Women. I thought it would be scarier to share my deepest feelings and darkest experiences with people I don’t know very well. I was startled to discover that the harshest criticism came from the people who know me best. So I’m back to the editing process where I’m trying to write honestly about my experiences, while not hurting those that I love.

Image courtesy of Google Images

The scariest thing that happened to me this week was getting a wake-up call from my doctor. As a follow-up to a recent routine exam, they called to let me know that a test came back showing abnormalities. To be on the safe side they want to take a biopsy. I’m grateful I’m reading The Artist’s Way so that I can receive Julia Cameron’s gentle reminders to care for myself because without my health I wouldn’t be able to paint and write. With Julia as my guide I am listening to my body’s whispers that I need to slow down and choose my projects wisely so that I have time to care for myself before my body starts shouting at me because of something more serious.

I spent the weekend evaluating how I spend my time and focus my energy. As a result, I declined from participating in an art show this coming First Friday during Art Walk. I know I could finish the painting I was invited to show, but at the expense of getting little sleep this week. Since I currently have ten paintings hanging at the restaurant Larimer Hot House in Denver and I am starting one of the commissioned paintings I decided I have enough on my plate. I could allow myself to be fearful that if I stop saying yes to every opportunity that they’ll stop presenting themselves. But I have to trust that as long as I keep painting I will keep showing.

Check back next week as I “Recover a Sense of Integrity” as I work through chapter four of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, finish the final draft of my essay that’s getting published, and try to make time to paint.

The Artist's Way - Week Two

2010-01-24T18:42:00.007-07:00

"Tastes Wine Bar" painting

by Jennifer Mosquera

Week two of following Julia Cameron’s 12-week course outlined in her book The Artist’s Way was another busy week! I attended my first board meeting at the Denver Art Society, had drinks with artist and curator Jennifer Mosquera and Russell Wilbar at his artist reception at Tastes Wine Bar & Bistro in uptown Denver, saw a screening of Our City Dreams – a documentary about five female artists navigating the New York art scene, and had brunch with the Dana Cain – Denver’s event planning diva.

With my full dance card I didn’t find time to complete the suggested week two exercises, but I did manage to write my three morning pages each day and I scheduled a solo artist date with myself – a stroll through historic downtown Littleton on Saturday afternoon. So considering this past week was even busier than usual, completing two out of three Artist’s Way assignments isn’t bad, not bad at all.

What have I gained during these first two weeks following Julia Cameron’s course? For starters, I think writing three morning pages is making me better at time management. I’m more aware of what is on my to-do-list each day, including my three morning pages, and I’m finding that I am more present – more in the moment – as I move through my day and cross items off my to-do-list. The net result: the discipline I’m developing by reading a chapter a week, writing the three morning pages, and taking myself on a solo artist date actually seems to be making me more productive and aiding me in keeping the different aspects of my life in balance. I’m only two weeks into the 12-week course, but so far I’m grateful I decided to take the challenge and follow The Artist’s Way.

Photo originally posted online by the

American Academy of Pediatrics

In other news, I’m excited about the volunteer work I’ll be doing with the Denver Art Society as a member of the new event planning board. Founded two years ago by Sean McGowan, the goal of the Denver Art Society is to provide free art education to every child in Denver by the end of 2010. To do so, the board will be planning fundraising events throughout the year. First up: a screening of the art documentary Who Does She Think She Is? and a companion art show for women. My dream to bring this film to women artists in Denver is being realized and we’re supporting a worthwhile cause: ending artlessness! We’re shooting for a May screening and art show. Details to come…

To help end artlessness, please visit http://denverartsociety.com/ to sign up to be a volunteer or to make a monetary donation.

Our City Dreams movie poster

courtesy of filmmaker Chiara Clemente

Don’t waste your time renting the documentary Our City Dreams. While it was interesting to see the art work of five different female New York artists, I found the documentary lacking cohesion. Other than all five artists are women, not native to New York City, but all moved there to pursue their artistic endeavors, there is no other correlation between them. The independent film lacked so much organization of thought that I’m having difficulty describing it. Maybe you should see it and formulate your own opinion. To view the trailer visit http://firstrunfeatures.com/trailers_ourcitydreams.html

Check back next week as I work my way through week three of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, host the next meeting for the women’s writing group I am a member of at my apartment/art studio, and meet with not one, but two, prospective commissioned painting customers.

In the meantime, to see Jennifer Mosquera’s art please visit http://www.jennifermosquera.com/

To see Russell Wilbar’s art please visit http://sites.google.com/site/656arts/

Tastes Wine Bar has two locations: uptown at 1033 E. 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218 and 4267 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212. Visit http://www.tasteswinebar.com/ to view their menu.

And you don’t want to miss Dana Cain’s events so visit http://www.danacain.com/ for details!

The Artist's Way - Week One

2010-01-18T00:08:00.009-07:00

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Writing three morning pages each day, as suggested by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way, is much easier said than done. Week one and I only managed to write them three out of seven days. Not bad, considering I only averaged five to six hours of sleep every night for the past week, but if I were being graded on this self-appointed assignment, I wouldn’t be passing.

Why so little sleep? In addition to working full-time in an office, I’m a full-time working artist, and a soon to be published author. That’s right, later this year I’ll be adding author to my list of credentials. An essay I am writing about the role art has played in my life and the necessity for me to honor my creative spirit is being published in a book. This past Friday I attended a workshop hosted by the publisher so in preparation I spent many a late night last week finishing my first draft so that I could get feedback on it. But if getting ready to be published isn’t enough, I was sleepless in Denver as I also prepared to hang ten paintings at Larimer Hot House and I finished painting my two masks for the annual Denver Hospice Mask Project.

Larimer Hot House

Denver, Colorado

Larimer Hot House is located at 2810 Larimer St, Denver, Colorado 80205. Enjoy my vibrant abstract paintings while dining at the Hot House Monday through Friday, home of the Ten Buck Lunch (includes sandwich, soda or bottle water, homemade potato chip or potato salad, pickle and a krispy treat) and where Breakfast Burrito’s start at just $3.50. Breakfast is served from 7am to 11am. Lunch is served from 11am to 3:30pm.

Awaken the Dreamer Within and

The Golden Thread of Truth

The Denver Hospice - which marks its 32nd Anniversary in 2010 - is Colorado's oldest and largest hospice. The annual Mask Project helps people in the Denver community at a most critical time - the end of life - and enables Denver Hospice to continue their comprehensive and compassionate program of care. The 2010 Mask Project is free and open to the public, with hundreds of masks by renowned artists, celebrities, sports figures, political and community leaders on display at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center from April 1 to April 30, 2010.

I also struggled in week one of The Artist’s Way course with scheduling my weekly artist date with myself. The challenge? Balancing work with my personal life. Between my day job, painting, and writing (and the business of managing my multiple careers), I don’t have a lot of time to spend with my significant other so it felt criminal just to think of doing the fun things I had planned this weekend without him. So solo artist date? I’m looking at big fat goose egg on the week one score card.

Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith

Photo courtesy of Agape

But how could I attend a lecture and workshop with the world renown Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith from the movie The Secret and leave the love of my life at home? It would have been selfish to deny my partner the opportunity to experience the powerful and inspiring messages to let go of the perceived failures and disappointments of 2009 and to follow your bliss as 2010 unfolds.

Photo courtesy of Festivus Film Festival

And with my other half being an avid movie fan, I couldn’t go to the Festivus Film Festival on Saturday with out him. That would just have been rude. Plus, whose hand would I have squeezed during the horror film shorts? And who would I have talked to about the heartbreaking story of nine year old rapper Priscilla Star Diaz in the documentary P-Star whose dad pimped her out to music industry to pull the family out of poverty?

So as week one of my course in The Artist’s Way comes to close I hear the 12-step slogan, “Progress, not Perfection” ringing in my ear. The over achiever in me wishes she could report that she’s off to a perfect start, had written three morning pages each day, and carved out time for a solo artist date, but three days of writing morning pages is three more than I had written the week before so I celebrate my accomplishments.

Check back next week as I continue my 12-week course of The Artist’s Way, reveal some of the exciting things that are happening at the Denver Art Society, and report on my screening of the independent film Our City Dreams, a documentary about five female artists navigating the New York art scene.

New Year, More Art

2010-01-10T16:02:00.014-07:00

It’s only January 10, but already 2010 is off and running with me trying to catch my breath and keep up with it and all the fun, artistic things there are to do here in Denver.

Johnathan McFarlane, Tim DeMasters, and Eric Matelski

Photo courtesy of Art Pimp

I spent the first Monday of the New Year attending First Monday Art Talk at Dazzle where Eric Matelski interviewed Johnathan McFarlane and Tim DeMasters, the directors of the Festivus Film Festival, “Real Indie Flicks for Real Indie Fans.” This year celebrates the 3rd annual festival and runs from January 14-17.

Visit http://www.festivusfilmfestival.com/ for the festival schedule and to purchase tickets for this year’s four day event. Single Screenings are $8, a Day Pass (good at both venues – the Bug Theater and Oriental Theater) is $15, but a Festival Pass is only $40 and gives pass holders access to the Festivus Lounge where you can enjoy free drinks, mingle with the filmmakers, and relax between screenings.

The gallery at The Denver Art Society

Photo courtesy of Sean McGowan

Friday night I hung out at the Denver Art Society where I took in the art and enjoyed the musical stylings of local singer/songwriters Josh Jacobson and Julie Tiehen. Founded by local artist Sean McGowan, The Denver Art Society is a non-profit whose mission is to provide free art education to every child in Denver by the end of 2010. I’ll be volunteering my time there in the coming year to help raise money and awareness.

For more information about how you can support the Denver Art Society, please visit http://denverartsociety.com/

Rick Dula and me, Marcella Nordbeck,

in front of his mural at the Denver Art Musem

Saturday I was introduced to artist Rick Dula at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). If you’ve checked out the Embrace! exhibit than you’ve seen Rick’s mural at the top of the stairs on the second floor. It’s like looking through glass at the inner workings of the $110 million dollar construction. Rick’s mural, like his smaller paintings, is so lifelike you’ll swear you’re looking at a photograph, if not the real thing.

After Rick and I discussed the techniques he used to paint the mural we walked a few blocks over to the William Havu Gallery, which represents him, and looked at his latest works currently on display including the painting “Hamilton Building Construction View” that was the inspiration for the DAM mural. Afterward Rick, myself, and the rest of our party, discussed the probability of the DAM keeping his mural over drinks and appetizers at the Cap City Tavern even though the Embrace! exhibits were not created with the intention of keeping them after the show ends on April 4, 2010.

To learn more about Rick Dula, visit http://www.rickdula.com/

Check back next week as I’ll be reporting about my experiences “Rev’ing” up the New Year with Rev. Michael Beckwith from the movie The Secret, screening films at the Festivus Film Festival, and beginning my 12-week course of Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way. 12 blogs in 12 weeks about my trials and tribulations as I attempt to write 3 morning pages each day, conduct weekly exercises, and schedule weekly artist dates with myself – all while working full-time, preparing for a couple upcoming art shows, organizing my own film screening, and writing an essay I intend to have published by year’s end – can I do it?

Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge is located at 930 Lincoln St, Denver, Colorado 80203. Go to http://www.dazzlejazz.com/ for information on upcoming jazz acts and First Monday Art Talks.

Go to http://www.ericmatelski.com/ to learn more about Eric Matelski, his art, and the events he organizes to support other local Denver artists.

Support singer/songwriter Julie Tiehan by donating $15 at http://thejulieanne.wordpress.com/ for a presale copy of her new album so she can finish recording it.

I Am Here

2009-12-14T01:23:00.005-07:00

"I Am Here" 2009

Colorado Springs, Colorado

As 2009 comes to an end, I can’t help but reflect on what an amazing year it has been! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were unpacking our U-Haul after a 3 day, 1200 mile drive through two snow storms from Detroit to Denver. But in January we will celebrate our one year anniversary of living in Colorado.

As we unpacked and got settled into our new apartment I set the intention that in 2009 I would make more time to paint. Not knowing anyone but each other, and no longer having a house and a yard to maintain, I would have more time to dedicate to my creative expression. I think back to my younger self just 11 months ago and I smile as I reflect on the fact that I had no idea what was in store for me when I got here!

Colorado is an adventurous state with many of its residents being avid outdoor types. But navigating the Denver art scene is an adventure in itself! And I have only just begun to scratch the proverbial surface of artists to meet and galleries and museums to explore. Michigan has its renowned Detroit Institute of Art museum and metro-Detroit is peppered with the occasional art gallery. But there is nothing comparable to the Sante Fe and Rino art districts. Imagine my joy as I began to learn what a vibrant art community Denver has!

I’ve been painting on and off my entire life, but it wasn’t until I moved to Denver that I had the opportunity to start showing my work. If you would have told me a year ago that I’d spend 2009 participating in multiple group art shows and that I’d close the year with a two month solo art exhibit I wouldn’t have believed you. I had no frame of reference from where I came from that the experiences I’ve had this year were possible.

As 2010 approaches I am excited with anxious anticipation for what the New Year has in store. So much so that sometimes it’s hard to live in the moment. There is so much I want to do, to see, to experience that I feel this sense of urgency. I want to do it all and I want to do it now! I’m almost overwhelmed with the choices and paths that lay before me. I could pursue so many different avenues, and while each one would be different, they would each be an adventure I would never forget.

While 2009 has been the best year of my life, I am confident that 2010 will be even better. But I have to remember that I’m here, in this moment, and that it’s really all I have. Yesterday is over and I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But I’m here – living, learning, and loving everything I can about life.

When to Stop

2009-11-30T00:51:00.007-07:00

Rev. Haju Sunim

As the Thanksgiving weekend comes to an end my heart is telling me that I need a vacation. Or better yet, a sabbatical. Wikipedia defines sabbatical as, “literally a ceasing, a hiatus, or a rest from work.” Yes, that is what I need: a rest from work.

In order to prevent this artist from starving I still hold down a steady day job. But when my eight hour day is over I am just getting started. There are paintings to paint, events to promote, an online presence to manage…my work is never done.

One might think Thanksgiving weekend would be the perfect time to rest and renew, but I feel like I have been running in a marathon. I started three new paintings for an upcoming opportunity to hang, sketched ideas for two calls-for-entry of which the deadlines are quickly approaching, and I when I had a second to think, I thought about my ideas, or lack there of, for a commissioned painting.

Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for the opportunities to show my work that continue to present themselves, even more so since my solo art show at Michelangelo’s in November. But I’m still catching my breath from that experience.

So I have spent the majority of this Thanksgiving weekend not painting, not leisurely allowing the creative process to unfold. Instead I’ve been rushing, spilling paint, breaking spatulas, and fretting about how I don’t have enough time. Gone are the creativity and the fun and in their place are frustration and exhaustion. The worst of it is that what I did manage to paint this weekend is unacceptable. So it’s official: I’m burnt out.

The only cure I know for burn out is to take a break. And while I can’t take any time off from my day job so that I might take a vacation in the traditional sense of the word, I don’t have to keep saying yes to every opportunity that presents itself. To quote the Buddhist monk Rev. Haju Sunim, “Wisdom is knowing when to stop.”

By taking a break from painting, and saying no to opportunities, I will likely lose the momentum I’ve built and not show for a few months. But the alternative is showing work I’m not proud of. And in the end, that could be more disastrous.

Celebrating Life at First Solo Art Show

2009-11-15T21:37:00.012-07:00

Posing with singer/songwriter Mailyn Faulkner

and art collectors Anita & Larry Larson

This month I am the featured artist at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar in Denver. To celebrate this artistic achievement I hosted a reception there on Saturday, November 7. It was an evening to delight the senses with happy hour extended an additional hour, inspiring music performed and sung by my friend and singer/songwriter Mailyn Faulkner, and nineteen of my original works of art adorning the walls and adding to the ambiance. It was a wonderful experience to sell five of my paintings opening night, but the highlight of the evening was being honored by Tammy Cunningham of The Cunningham Foundation with a HOPE bracelet.

Photo courtesy of The Cunningham Foundation

The HOPE bracelets are a fundraising project that provides breakfast, lunch, an education, uniforms and shoes to 1,500 children at the Project Mercy orphanage in Yetebon, Ethiopia through The Cunningham Foundation. During the months of November and December 15% of the proceeds from the sale of my paintings at Michelangelo’s, and Mile Hi Church, will benefit The Cunningham Foundation. So I asked Tammy Cunningham, and fellow artist Laurie Maves, to share with the guests at my reception about the philanthropic work they do at Project Mercy through the foundation. It is with great pride that I wear my HOPE bracelet as it is a constant reminder that by honoring my creative self I am able to have a direct impact on the lives of children in the developing world and that I am living my mission: to send out love into the world one painting at a time.

Photo courtesy of The Cunningham Foundation

A first solo art show would be a significant achievement for any artist, but for me it was particularly sweet because eight years ago I could not imagine such an achievement. At that time I was just being reintroduced to art, after denying my creative self for nearly a decade, in the from of art therapy at the hospital I was being treated at for a life threatening bought of depression. Since my breakdown, or what I prefer to call my breakthrough, I have come to realize that it is imperative that I honor my creative self. When I didn’t, life for me was not worth living. So celebrating my first solo art show at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar was not just about celebrating an artistic achievement, it was about celebrating life, my life, and a life that I now honor and live to its fullest!

Honoring my creative self and painting brings me joy. But donating a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of my paintings to a cause I support gives my life purpose. Dr. Ernest Holmes once said, “Let the one who is sad, depressed, or unhappy find some altruistic purpose into which he may pour his whole being, and he will find a new inflow of life which he has never dreamed.” And so it is.

After the achievement of being the featured artist at Michelangelo’s, what’s next? I’ve been pondering this question for the past week and answer is simple. To keep living, to keep loving, to keep painting, and to keep bringing attention to the causes that are near and dear to my heart: the philanthropic work of The Cunningham Foundation and eliminating the stigma attached to people who have or continue to struggle with depression.

My solo exhibit at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar has been extended two weeks and will run through December 12, 2009. Please visit http://fineartamerica.com/events/1-featured-artist-of-the-month.html for their address and hours.

To learn how you too can support children of the developing world through The Cunningham Foundation please visit http://www.cunninghamfoundation.org/

To view Laurie Maves artwork and learn about her philanthropic endeavors please visit http://www.lauriemavesart.com/

Once an Artist, Always an Artist

2009-10-25T16:37:00.006-06:00

"Two of Them" 1977

"An Ocean of Possibility" 2009

The portfolio of my art that I created as a three year old child is perhaps the best birthday present I have ever received! My mom held onto my early creations over all these years and finally put the collection together after my recent visit to see her in Detroit. While there, I shared with her that from time to time I kick myself for throwing out all of my old drawings and paintings from the art classes I took in high school and college. The purge occurred when I was going through my divorce and was paring down during my move to a new home. Looking back it was a time in which I did not honor my creative self and, as a result, put my expressions on the curb to be picked up with the trash, not thinking of the regret I would feel years later.

A friend recently shared with me that perhaps I wasn’t meant to hold onto my old artwork. That maybe to have held onto it would have been like holding onto the past and that I need to live in the now and look to the future. While I agree with him on an intellectual level, from time-to-time my heart still yearns to reconnect with my younger, more innocent self in an effort to see my growth and measure how far I have come, both as an artist and as a person.

So when I opened the portfolio of my childhood art and saw shapes and symbols in the form of circles, lines and dots that still haunt my consciousness and my paintings today, thirty plus years later, I felt a completeness in my soul I have never known and I wept. The tears flowed as I was reminded of who I am: a creative being and one with my Creator. And now I understand why I paint what I paint: energy and my vision of our oneness – because it is who I am. One.

Once an artist, always an artist. Once an expression of love, always an expression love.

Deeply we are one.

Data Device Detox

2009-10-19T22:15:00.007-06:00

Zen Buddhist Temple in Ann Arbor, Michigan

How did we stay connected before the advent of emailing and texting? How would I break the ice at a networking function if I didn’t ask someone if they’re on Facebook or Twitter? And I know I’m not the only one who’s response to some unknown factoid is, “Let’s Google it!” But is all this technology really enhancing the quality of our lives?

Last week I attended Deb Davis’ discussion on social media. While I have already been using Facebook, Twitter, and Blogspot to connect with others and market my artistic endeavors, Deb taught me new tools and short cuts that I am optimistic will enhance my online presence and marketing efforts – assuming I make the time to use them.

How much time spent using online social networking tools is the right amount of time to promote one’s business or ideas? For all the hours I have spent online building my Fine Art America profile, adding enhancements to my Blogspot, connecting and reconnecting with friends on Facebook, and tweeting away on Twitter what do I have to show for it? Have I received a return on my investment? While it hasn’t cost me monetarily, it has been an enormous investment of time.

As I ponder these questions I am pleased report that after posting links on twitter of two new paintings I uploaded to Fine Art America today my profile received 60 visits in less than four hours. Not too shabby considering prior to using twitter my FAA profile only averaged 60 visitors per week!

I do think social networking works, but despite the seemingly endless advancements in communication technologies, nothing can replace connections to be made with face-to-face human contact. Like the glint in a friends eye as she tells you her cancer has gone into remission, squeezing a friends hand to let her know she’s not alone when she tells you she separated from her husband, or the sound of laughter as you share an inside joke.

So I’m challenging myself, and you, to turn off our cell phones, computers, and other data devices for just one day each week and to listen for a higher call. Who knows, we might actually receive the answers, solutions, or inspiration we’re looking for if we take a data device detox. I’ll start mine just as soon as I post this blog, RSVP to an invite on Facebook, tweet about tomorrow night’s plans, MapQuest directions, pay my bills online, catch up on my email correspondences…okay, maybe I’ll start my detox tomorrow.

Deb Davis is a marketing consultant and owner of 3D Communications. For more information about her services visit http://www.debidavisdriven.com/

The Power of Saying Yes

2009-10-03T10:17:00.015-06:00

"Infinite Love" 2009

Acrylic & Mixed Media

After First Friday Art Walk last night over drinks with friend, mentor, and fellow artist Laurie Maves I shared with her that the day we met changed my life forever. It is all because I said Yes.

I discovered Laurie and her work online late one night back in May when Google imaging other Denver artists. Out of curiosity I wondered if there was anyone else living in this spiritual Mecca I now call home feeling compelled to paint circles. Since these aura like images also haunt some of Laurie’s paintings it didn’t take me long to find her.

Laurie’s work is both dark and light in her use of color, as well as the emotions her paintings convey. I could study the somber faces with spirit orb eyes and the trippy, drippy poppies for hours as the symbolism and built up paint layers transport me to another plane of existence. But it’s not just her paintings that speak to me, it’s all the philanthropic work she does. So the night I discovered her I sent an email and asked her to let me know of opportunities to paint AND support a cause.

Not use to the kindness of strangers back in Michigan, I wasn’t expecting Laurie to email me back, but she did and invited me to visit her at an upcoming show. I get goose bumps recalling our first conversation. It was like standing at a cross road and what I said, Yes or No, would determine my fate forever.

When Laurie asked me if I am a painter I hesitated because up until that moment I had not given myself that title. Sure, I’ve always been expressing myself creatively in some capacity, but I didn’t have a name for it. But then it occurred to me that Yes, I paint, so I am a painter!

I’ve been painting nearly every day since arriving in January. It’s part of why I came out here: to simplify my life, establish healthier boundaries with the ones I love, and to once and for all, create the place and space in my life to allow myself to paint with consistency. When I started painting again five years ago I was only averaging one painting per year. It was all I could produce in my limited free time with the responsibilities of living in a house and the social expectations of living twenty minutes from family. But since moving out here I’m averaging one to two paintings per month.

I said Yes again when Laurie asked me that first night if I was showing anywhere. Granted, I was only showing one painting, “Infinite Love,” and it was the first show that I had ever submitted a piece of my work to. But I was showing in the “Mandala” juried fine art show at Mile Hi Church so I said Yes, because it was true, I was showing somewhere!

Back in Detroit I haunted a few galleries, hung out with a couple working artists, and occasionally took a painting class, but it wasn’t until I moved to Denver that I found the courage to start submitting my work. I am grateful that I found this courage because had I wavered, had I answered No or down played the significance of my painting practices in response to Laurie’s questions, the world as I know it today would not exist.

So I keep saying Yes to every artistic opportunity that comes my way and it seems that the more I say Yes, the more opportunities the Spirit of the Universe gives me to say Yes to. This is an enormous challenge as I work full-time and therefore have less time to paint than I would like. But to have more opportunities to show than I have work to hang is a problem I don’t mind having. It just means I need to be mindful of the things I say No to so that I can see Yes to the things that I want to.

I said Yes again last night when Laurie invited me to paint live with her at Tommypolooza in November to support a children’s charity. I would be lying if I didn’t say that the thought of painting in front of a live audience and on an easel (of which I don’t own yet because I paint flat) doesn’t scare the shit out of me. But what an awesome opportunity to paint with purpose for a children’s charity, plus, paint in front of a live audience, grooving to live music, with the amazing and talented Laurie Maves at my side. Can life get any better than this?

Details to come regarding the Tommypolooza live painting event.

To see Laurie Maves paintings and learn about her philanthropic work visit http://www.lauriemavesart.com/.

Painting With Purpose

2009-09-19T16:51:00.007-06:00

"Self Portrait" 2009

When I meditate I often pose a question and ask for guidance. A recurring theme is, “Why am I here and what is my purpose?” Often in response I hear a voice that says, “Paint.”

“Paint?” I ask. “How can I contribute to the world and make a difference just with painting?” But the voice, accompanied by intuitive feelings, synchronistic messages, and serendipitous events keep instructing me, simply and firmly, to “paint.” And when I doubt myself, my abilities, and my purpose the message only gets louder and is accompanied by “never give up.” So I don’t know why, but I feel like painting is my calling. All I can do is follow my inner compass, get out of the way, and let it unfold.

Through my studies of Eastern religions and New Thought philosophy I have come to the conclusion that we are here to love. To love one another, but equally important, to love ourselves. It has been my experience that when I give myself the unconditional love and acceptance that I have spent most of my life looking for outside of myself, my capacity to love others increases and that anything, and everything, becomes possible.

So through my studies and meditation I have become aware that my mission is to send out love into the world one painting at a time. My ideas for my paintings often come to me during my mediation sessions. And while my painting practice involves a lot of rituals (finding the right music to play, laying out my brushes, etc.) I begin each painting, and each painting session, with prayer and meditation. The results have been astounding.

Opportunities to show my work in conjunction with supporting a cause have begun to present themselves. Last weekend I showed 4 paintings at Art Farm to support the Denver Urban Gardens. In November I will be the featured artist of the month at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar and will select a charity to bring awareness to and to support through the sale of my work. And I am painting a few masks for The Denver Hospice annual Mask Project to support people at a critical time – the end of life.

I believe that we are more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend. And I believe that we are capable of manifesting what we think about. So I wonder, what would the world look like if we all painted, or did what ever it is we are passionate about, from a place of love?

Dizzying, Dazzling and Damp

2009-09-13T14:03:00.015-06:00

Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver, Colorado

Wowza what a week! I’m dizzy from all the excitement and running around.

I kicked it off by attending Eric Matelski’s First Monday Art Talk at Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge. Each month, for the past three years, Eric interviews a different featured artist. This month it was award winning photographer Terry Fiala. Terry began his photography career by taking traditional black and white photographs with film, but over time has transitioned into digital and these days he’s manipulating color images. His most recent work is stirring and almost looks more like paintings.

Adding to the artistic ambiance at Dazzle was the poetry of art consultant Hilary DePolo – a former Detroit gal like me – and Lenny Chernila. Hilary’s poems capture the history of old Detroit and brought tears to my eyes. And Lenny, well there are no words to describe the exuberance of his poetry. You just have to experience him.

Tuesday I took my painting “Hope” to the art critique at RedLine. Critiques are held on the second Tuesday of each month. I was nervous about going as the last two paintings I took were not well received, but this time the praise out weighed the constructive criticism. I even received applause and an “awesome” when I unveiled the diptych. But I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me so I can’t let this small achievement go to my head.

Wednesday I enjoyed the soulful music of Jami Lula – another Detroit native! – and was energized by the Matsiko Children’s Choir from Uganda at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood.

Thursday I ran errands, Friday I tried to catch my breath, and on Saturday I showed four paintings at Art Farm – well, when they weren’t under black plastic garbage bags to protect them from the rain. But we made the most of it and mingled and dined under the food tents catered by Whole Foods and Breckenridge Brewery.

It was a fun and exciting week, but with any hope the next few days will be quieter so that I can get back to being creative. I’m going through paint withdrawals.

Go to http://www.ericmatelski.com/ to learn more about Eric Matelski, his art, and the events he organizes to support other local Denver artists.

Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge is located at 930 Lincoln St, Denver, Colorado 80203. Go to http://www.dazzlejazz.com/ for information on upcoming jazz acts and First Monday Art Talks.

Terry Fiala’s photographs can be seen at http://www.photoartwork.com/.

For information about Hilary DePolo’s art consulting services go to http://www.artconsultation.com/.

Check out Lenny Chernila on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q-RLXr2N4E.

For information about RedLine and second Tuesday art critiques go to http://www.redlineart.org/.

To learn more about Jami Lula, his music, and his inspirational message go to http://www.jamilula.com/.

To support the Matsiko Children’s Choir and the International Children’s Network go to http://www.icnchildren.net/.

Art Farm is an annual outdoor community art show hosted by Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) and Eric Matelski. For information about DUG go to http://www.dug.org/home.asp.

Art and Relationships - Finding A Balance

2009-09-05T16:11:00.003-06:00

"Art Table With Cleaning Supplies" 2009

After work last night I went to the First Friday Art Walk on Sante Fe Drive in Denver. I try to go every month as it inspires me to see what other painters are painting and what techniques they’re perfecting.

I visited Russell Wilbar at Artwork Network and saw his new piece – a 3 dimensional triptych collage of sorts made from salvaged doors and floor pieces. His work almost has a surrealist quality about it, the way it floats off the wall.

I chatted with Brianna Martray at her studio and sneaked a peak at some of her earlier creations. I loved seeing where her paintings have evolved from. There’s a maturity and sophistication about her newer pieces that I have an even greater appreciation for now that I’ve seen her larger body of work.

The highlight of Art Walk was finally meeting Chris Schranck. Like Wilbar, he constructs old salvaged objects (doors, chairs, swing sets, pipes, chains) into paintings that are also sculptures…or perhaps they’re sculptures that are also paintings. Either way, he marries the old and decaying with color and gloss of the new in a way that both delights the eye and lets the imagination run rampant.

By 9 pm I had visited the artists I wanted to visit and discovered a few who’s work I had not seen before so I was ready to go home and spend time with my fiancé Sean. But when I went to call him from my cell to tell him I was on my way he had sent me a text just 30 minutes earlier to say he had to get up early for work the next day so he was going to bed. My heart sank as I realized that another day had passed in which I had chosen art over my relationship.

How do I do remain true to myself and pursue my art career, while trying to manage my life (laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning the apartment, paying bills, etc.), work full-time, and still cultivate and nurture a relationship with my significant other?

If it weren’t for Sean I wouldn’t be where I am and I wouldn’t be doing the things that I love. It was his idea to leave Michigan and move to Denver – the best decision we ever made. We have friends and family back in Detroit that are still looking for work after losing their jobs in the automotive industry two years ago. And it is Sean who encourages me to keep painting, taking photographs, and writing when I have a bad day and I stop believing in myself.

It’s the first Saturday of the month so admission to the DAM (Denver Art Museum) is free today and I SO want to go! I’ve lived in Denver for eight months now and I still haven’t made it there. But as I write and reflect on the state of my personal affairs and contemplate what would be the best use of my time today there is a dishwasher that needs to be unloaded, a sink full of dirty dishes, hampers and laundry baskets that are over flowing, and a bathroom that has developed its own eco system.

So instead of satisfying my creative yearnings, I keep thinking about how happy Sean will be when he comes home tonight to a clean apartment as a means to keep myself motivated to get our lives back in order. Who knows, maybe a break from soaking in the local art scene and putting painting hold for a day or so is just what I need to inspire me to take my art to the next level.

To see Russell Wilbar’s art go to Artwork Network at 878 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204 or visit http://www.artworknetwork.com/.

Brianna Martray’s paintings and sculptures can be seen at her studio at 900 Santa Fe Drive, Studio G, Denver, Colorado, 80204 or by visiting http://www.briannamartray.com/.

Visit Chris Schranck at Neo Studios, above Grace Gallery Fine Art, at 877 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204 or online at http://www.chakragallery.com/.

Right Place Right Time

2009-09-03T16:01:00.004-06:00

"Colorado Abstract Paintings and Sculpture"

by Michael Paglia & Mary Voelz Chandler

I checked out the Denver Modernism last weekend. Anyone who is ANYONE in the Denver art scene was there. I’m definitely renting a booth next year!

I purchased a painting from Laurie Maves, visited Lisa Kowalski, and finally met Brianna Martray – all local, female painters whose work I greatly admire. I also met, Jennifer Bobola, another amazing local artist I’ve only recently discovered.

I bought a copy of the book “Colorado Abstract” AND I got to meet the authors and get their autographs! It’s a coffee table art book featuring abstract paintings and sculptures and the Colorado artists that created them. It was written by Michael Paglia, prominent art critic and “Westword” art columnist, and Mary Voelz Chandler, art and architecture critic for the “Rocky Mountain News” with a forward by Hugh Grant, founder, director and curator of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver and the adjunct curator of the Kirkland Collection at the Denver Art Museum.

I also met Sandra Phillips, Director of Sandra Phillips Gallery. When admiring art in her booth she noticed the book I was carrying and told me that Virginia Maitland, one of the artists she represents, is featured in the book AND that she was there. So painter Virginia Maitland also autographed my book!

In addition to carrying my art book, and talking to the authors and one of the artists featured in it, I was carrying the painting I had purchased from Laurie Maves. When asked about my painting, I told Sandra, Virginia, and Hugh that it was Laurie who had told me about what a fabulous book “Colorado Abstract” is so they all went to her booth to meet her and check out her work.

I’ll let you know when Laurie Maves is showing at the Sandra Phillips Gallery and the Kirkland Museum – I’m confident it will just be a matter of time – as well as when Michael Paglia writes raving reviews. In the meantime, to see Laurie’s paintings online and to learn where she’s currently showing, go to www.LaurieMavesArt.com.

Since I wasn’t exhibiting I didn’t create much of a buzz about my own work, but it was great to be a conduit and get prominent local art figures excited about someone else’s work whom I so strongly admire. What goes around comes around…

Following are websites of some of the amazing art types I got to hobnob with:

http://www.lauriemavesart.com/

http://www.lisakowalski.com/

http://www.briannamartray.com/

http://www.jenniferbobola.com/

http://www.virginiamaitland.com/

http://www.thesandraphillipsgallery.com/

http://www.kirklandmuseum.com/

The Art of Networking

2009-08-22T15:53:00.003-06:00

Artwork Network in Denver, Colorado

Once again I am reminded that networking in this industry is invaluable!

Recently I attended Artwork Network’s open house at their new location in the Sante Fe Art District in Denver. It’s more than a gallery. Sure they have a warehouse size gallery space, and they rent artists' studios and co-op space, but they’re most known for their art leasing and business art rotation.

While at Artwork Network I ran into local artist Russell Wilbar. I met him at the July art critique at RedLine and then ran into him on the street during the August First Friday Art Walk. Wilbar was kind enough to tell me about Call for Entry, or CAFÉ, this online “hub” for finding out about and applying to upcoming art shows. And now I’m telling you.

CAFÉ is a Colorado based website that lists shows and events in the Western part of the United States. It was developed by the Western States Art Federation and is a non-profit corporation. It’s free to create an account and the site allows you to enter into shows electronically. You submit your application and images online and the site keeps track of what images you’ve submitted to which shows so that there aren’t any conflicts if you’re accepted into multiple shows and their dates overlap.

To join CAFÉ go to http://www.callforentry.org/.

For more information about Artwork Network go to 878 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204 or visit http://www.artworknetwork.com/.

Russell Wilbar’s website is still in development, but as a member of the Artwork Network you will be able to see his work there in the coming months.

For more information about RedLine go to http://www.redlineart.org/.

Canvas For A Cause - Art Farm

2009-08-21T15:47:00.004-06:00

Photo courtesy of Eric Matelski, Art Farm 2008

Please join me on Saturday, September 12 for Art Farm 2009!

Art Farm is an outdoor community art show in the West Washington Park at 201 Grant St, Denver, Colorado 80203 and is weather permitting. All art is for sale and proceeds will benefit Denver Urban Gardens.

Featured artists include Eric Matelski, Laurie Maves, Chris Schranck, myself, members of the Art Student League of Denver, and many more!

As a nonprofit organization, Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) operates and assists with the creation and management of over 60 metro-Denver community gardens and small parks. Primarily serving low to moderate income populations in urban neighborhoods, DUG provides opportunities for participants to supplement their diet with produce grown in nearby public gardens. Through the gardens, participants assume responsibility to improve their community, initiate a sense of pride in their surroundings, and improve their nutritional status through healthy, fresh food.

Who Does She Think She Is? - Part II

2009-08-17T15:42:00.004-06:00

"Artist on Hold" 2009

Speaking of balancing motherhood and art careers, I recently met 3 dynamic women who seem to be balancing both creative endeavors with ease and grace. I met Color and Light Gallery owner Terri Clauss and painter Kelly Heck Shaw at the 2nd Friday “Feel the Art” event at Color and Light Gallery. And I met painter Lisa Kowalski when I checked out her gallery in the Rino Art District.

I don’t know how Terri finds the time to be creative while owning and operating a gallery and being a mother, but she’s doing it; Kelly Heck Shaw just gave birth to her second child seven weeks ago and still found the time and energy to be the featured artist of the month at Color and Light Gallery; and Lisa Kowalski has had an illustrious art career while raising a now college age son.

These three women amaze and inspire me! Over the past few years I’ve downsized my day job and simplified my living arrangements to make more time to create, but it’s still a struggle. And I have a hard enough time just trying to keeping my plants alive so I don’t know how I could be responsible for another human being while still making time to express myself.

If you are a woman and an artist I already admire you. But if you’re balancing a day job, a romantic relationship, and motherhood, along with all of the responsibilities that come with those tittles, AND pursuing your art, I bow to you.

The Color and Light Gallery is located at 1422 E. 22nd Ave, Denver, Colorado 80205. Visit http://www.color-n-light.com/ for hours and information on upcoming events.

To see the whimsical paintings of Kelly Heck Shaw, visit http://www.kellyheck.com/.

Lisa Kowalski’s gallery and studio space is located in the Rino art district at 2762 Walnut St, Denver, Colorado 80205. Visit http://www.lisakowalski.com/ for hours.

Who Does She Think She Is? - Part I

2009-08-16T15:35:00.005-06:00

"Who Does She Think She Is?" movie poster

courtesy of Artistic License Films

Anita Larson, fellow artist and “web muse” emailed me a link to the website of the documentary “Who Does She Think She Is?” It was directed and produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Pamela Tanner Boll and edited and co-directed by Nancy C. Kennedy.

I’ve only seen the trailer, but if you are a woman and an artist this film is for us! It addresses the balancing act of mothering and creativity, partnering and independence, and economics and art. It also wrestles with the statistics that 80% of the students enrolled in art schools are females, but that 70-80% of the artists showing in galleries and museums are males, despite the fact that women make up 52% of the world’s population.

I’m anxious to see this film and was excited to learn that it’s going to be screened at the Manhattan School of Arts in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, September 20. Admission is free, but registration is required. It’s a simple process – just call 720-561-3768.

To watch the trailer for “Who Does She Think She Is?” and for information on upcoming screenings in your area go to http://www.whodoesshethinksheis.net/.

For more information about Anita Larson and her website design business The Web Muse and & Co go to http://www.thewebmuse.com/.

Who Am I To Judge?

2009-08-15T15:28:00.006-06:00

Photo courtesy of RedLine in Denver, Colorado

I recently had the honor of serving as a judge on the Fine Arts Ministry jury for the next exhibition titled “All God’s Creatures” at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado. As a juror, I was asked to judge the submissions on creativity and originality, composition and design, and presentation and skill.

I find it interesting that I can usually be so quick to judge other artists’ work when visiting museums, galleries, and websites; I can immediately formulate an opinion and decided whether or not I think a piece of work has artistic merit. But as a judge I felt like the fate of another artist’s career – or at least the next chapter – was in my hands.

I know what it’s like to pour my heart and soul into my creations – to go through a labor of sorts – and to give birth to something that started as a mere idea in my head and is now a living, breathing (okay, maybe not literally) piece of art work, and to send it out into the world with bated breath, only to be told that my creation – my baby – is ugly. And this knowing weighed heavily on my heart this afternoon as I scrutinized each painting, photograph, and drawing.

I struggled the most over the pieces that were strong creatively and had great composition, but were lacking in their presentation. Why would an artist invest so much time on a detailed pastel drawing, only to seemly throw it into a predictable, sometimes damaged, matte and frame? And then there were the submissions that perhaps weren’t very original, and the composition and design were just sort of average, but the attention to detail in the overall presentation made the piece speak to me. In the end I chose to judge the art work – and the way it was presented – as a cohesive unit, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I was grateful to have a pencil in my hand so that I could erase my scores again and again until I felt satisfied that I’d give each piece an adequate amount of my time and a fair judging.

The exhibition dates of “All God’s Creatures” are August 23 through October 29, 2009 at Mile Hi Church at 9077 W. Alameda Ave, Lakewood, Colorado 80226. The pieces selected for this juried art show will be on display in the sanctuary lobby and open to the public before, during, and after services. Service times on Sundays are at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 noon. Service times on Wednesdays are at 7 pm.

Abecedarian Gallery - A Hidden Gem

2009-08-10T15:12:00.004-06:00

"Looking In, Looking Out" 2009

Abecedarian Gallery in Denver, Colorado

If you live in the Denver area I urge you to check out Abecedarian Gallery. Owned and curated by Alicia Bailey, it’s a hidden gem tucked away at 910 Sante Fe, # 101, Denver, CO 80204. Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1-5 pm and first and third Fridays from 1-8 pm.

“What does abecedarian mean?” you ask. According to Random House Dictionary abecedarian is a noun meaning 1. a person who is learning the letters of the alphabet, 2. a beginner in any field of learning.

After only a few short moments at Abecedarian you’ll understand the first meaning as the gallery is home to a collection of works that marry sculpture with words. But the second meaning rings equally true as Abecedarian Gallery, located on the north end of the Sante Fe art district, is always my first stop during First Friday Art Walks and where I begin to take the pulse of what’s new and happening in the Denver art scene each month.

The current exhibit is titled “Paper Narratives.” It’s an invitational exhibition featuring 2 and 3 dimensional works on or of paper by artists concerned with narrative as both a visual and conceptual element of their work. The exhibit runs through September 5, 2009.

For more information about Abecedarian Gallery and future exhibits visit http://www.abecedariangallery.com/.

Do you have a favorite gallery that’s not on the radar? Post a comment and share the love.

The Art Of Making Friends

2009-08-08T15:07:00.004-06:00

"Let's Meet at the Pond" 2009

Acrylic

Someone recently asked what inspires me and it didn’t take long to answer that it’s other people. Whether they produce films, build furniture, or lay tile, I am inspired by people who find joy in creating and share their creations with others. I had the pleasure to meet three such people when camping last weekend and seeing Phish at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado.

Prior to going to Phish I created a “Phish Phriends” painting made up of four 12x12 inch canvases that together make one 24x24 inch painting titled “Let’s Meet at the Pond.” I didn’t know at the time what I was going to do with the 4-piece painting. Perhaps I would sell it, maybe use it to barter and trade, or give it away to people I met and connected with. Either way, like a friendship necklace that you break and give the other half to someone else, the individual pieces would be separated from one another. As the weekend unfolded I met many creative people that were generous in spirit, but I decided to give three of the paintings away to the people that made the weekend the most enjoyable to honor the experiences we shared.

The first recipient was independent film producer, entrepreneur and conduit Brett Magdovitz of Memphis, Tennessee. It was a blast hanging out with Brett all weekend and I was so moved by his passion for his latest indie film endeavor “Cigarette Girl” that I had to give him one of the paintings in return. To learn more about Brett’s latest project go to http://www.cigarettegirlmovie.com/.

The next recipients were Thomas Banaszek and his life and business partner Jeanne Sullivan. They not only let me and a dozen or so other Phish Heads camp on their property in Kittredge for 4 nights, they feed us, kept us entertained, and repeatedly inquired as to whether or not our needs were met so I had to give them a painting as a token of my appreciation. Thom and Jeanne were incredible hosts and are the proprietors of Knot New Wood. For more information about eco-sensible custom design wood future check out their website at http://www.knotnewwood.com/.

I also felt moved to give one of the paintings to Red and his lovely lady Rachel who safely drove us to Red Rocks and back each night in their RV so that we didn’t have to deal with traffic and parking. They didn’t have tickets to see the shows, but patiently waited hours for us in the parking lot. Our trips back to the camp site were almost as much fun as the concerts themselves as we laughed and talked about the evenings’ events. When Red isn’t playing chauffer, he lays tile for a living.

To remember the amazing people I met at Phish I kept one of the painting pieces for myself – the lower, left corner. I had the time of my life and I will never forget the “phriends” I met. The painting serves as a visual reminder of some of the best memories I’ve created since moving to Colorado.

What will become of the 4 individual painting pieces? Will they ever be reunited? What adventures will they see? I wrote my email address on the inside of each quarter, so with any hope, the recipients will email me about their adventures and the 4-part painting.

So tell me, what inspires you? And more importantly, what have you inspired lately in someone else?

On The Plus Side

2009-07-25T10:39:00.004-06:00

"On the Plus Side" 2009

Plus Gallery in Denver, Colorado

Last night I attended the opening of R. Justin Stewart’s installation “Systems of Knowing” at Plus Gallery. The event also marked the gallery’s eight year anniversary.

I had the privilege to first meet Stewart, New York city based artist, at the July 14th art critique at RedLine. I find his circles within squares fascinating as these round shapes seem to be haunting my paintings lately. I like that he “thinks outside of the box” and connects his pen and ink bubble drawings on the wall with straight lines of tape to three-dimensional sphere sculptures made from plastic zip ties on the floor. The exhibit runs through August 28, 2009. Check it out if you’re looking for an art experience to expand your mind.

To learn more about R. Justine Stewart visit http://www.rjustin.com/.

To check out Plus Gallery go to 2501 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 or visit http://www.plusgallery.com/. While you’re there, go upstairs and check out the other works of art currently on display. I was particularly drawn to the circular movement of spray paint over the contorted image in Jenny Morgan and David Mramor’s painting “Enid Ellen.” And the modern pointillism painting “RCS-124802” by William Betts caught my eye too.

Art critiques are conducted at RedLine at 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205 on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm. Bring a piece of your work, buckle in, and get ready to ride a roller coaster of emotions as your baby is thrown into the stratosphere for all to judge. It’s not easy hearing praise, and being told to your face that someone doesn’t like your creation, while you’re learning to remember that it’s all relative. But it will make you a stronger artist and a more humble person just for going.

For more information about RedLine go to http://www.redlineart.org/.