PATTI SMITH

Last week we went to hear Patti Smith talk at the MFA.  This is the Evening with Creative Minds: The Ruth and Carl J Shapiro Celebrity Lecture series and it definately was that.  The title of her talk is Kidding Around with Patti Smith.  And she is a joy to hear...as she read to us, sang to us, told us stories, made us laugh and answer all our curious questions in to short a time.  I never really knew her music until now but it was her book Just Kids that got my attention.  This 2010 National Book Award winner is about her friendship with fellow artist Robert Mapplethorpe and their early years in New York City of the 1970s.  Her writing is sensational and poetic and a must read (and has pictures - we visual artists love that).  She is a must to go hear... anywhere!  As an artist she reminded us that night that it is about the work, the process, the vision are what matters not the sales.  We can do anything to earn a living but no matter what we have to do to make money we are always an artist.  I am a new fan of this amazing artist. 

TAOS SELECTED

My painting TAOS, a large watercolor 22 x 30, has been selected for the seARTS 2011 loan program at the Bass Rocks Golf Club in Gloucester, MA.  This is my third year having my work accepted.  The club house at Bass Rocks is a beautiful venue, on a stunning setting overlooking the sea, to showcase one's work.  seARTS stands for the society for the encouragement of the arts and does an outstanding job promoting this program and supporting the arts in general in the state.  It is a worthwhile society to join for any artist or art supporter.

PAYING THE UNCLE

Taxes are done - hurrah!  So I am back in the studio.  Yesterday I experimented with Golden's OPEN acrylics on 18 x 18 canvases working on three at once.  I also tried Golden's Acrylic Retarder as still the acrylics are drying to fast for me.  Still, interesting things are happening and I have lots of tools and products to play with.  And the task of taxes is off the list.

BEACH ART

Inspiring finds on the beach at Crane

 

TRANSPORTING THE STUDIO

Today, instead of heading west to my studio, I went northeast to explore a different studio.  It was a much longer drive but well worth the hour or so once I arrived. The light was fantastic, the space immense, the music soothing and the air crisp.  During my time there I was able to clear the "cabin fever fuzz" in my head and discovered along the way inspiring works already created in this space.  I would advise anyone to make the same trip especially when the place calls to you.