I gave my first artist lecture yesterday morning at Walter State Community College in Morristown. Considering I had to wake up at 5am to prepare myself and drive there, I think it went fairly well.

My friend Brian teaches an Art Appreciation class there, hence why I was asked. I wasn't too nervous about it because, although I don't know much about most things, I do know quite a bit about the work I've been making for the past decade or so.

It was beneficial for me, too, to look back over the paintings I've made the past 7 or 8 years and see patterns and everything coming together currently. It's also nice to realize I've been an art making machine this year.






















^ Self Portrait
mixed media on paper
2004
The beginning of something grand for me...

I also now know what it's like, as a speaker, to see people's eyes roll to the back of their head as they fight off sleep. I was a little shaky at the beginning, so I don't blame them for not being engaged, but as I warmed up, I think they did, too. They asked some good questions and shared helpful feedback. I really appreciated engaging with people about my work in this manner.

Brian walked me to my car afterward and told me he finally realized what I've been doing all this time (in regard to my artwork). He has a great way of summarizing the work artists' make into one sentence, a thing you apparently learn to do in grad school. He said I am a conceptually minded illustrator.

It's given me something to think about.

My sweet sister gave me a subscription to Vogue for my birthday this past June. Considering I haven't subscribed to a magazine since Highlights for Kids and American Girl Magazine, I had forgotten that feeling of excitement, to receive a magazine each month. (I'm pretty sure I squeal when I see it in my mailbox.)

What clothes, models, and photos will I  adore, make me swoon? And even, Which ones will be hideous?



Looking at me, you may not realize I have this interest. I don't spend a lot of money on clothing; most of my wardrobe comes from Target and thrift stores. I am also a minimalist when it comes to fashion. Less is more. This is what I tell myself, but it could also be that I am lazy.

I allow myself the occasional trip to the mall. I legitimately used to not like it, but I now admit that the reason I stay away from the mall is to avoid the temptation to buy pretty and expensive things.






















^ I love this ad. Love it.

My sweet mother*, who tires of the fact that I wear second-hand clothing, tells me about once a year to use her credit card to go shopping. I did this recently, the first time since I've been receiving Vogue, and I felt a difference in the experience. I didn't just want any old thing, which has been typical of my 16ish to 25ish year-old self. I want the best, the most wonderfully designed pieces. I am meticulous in my search. If all of these designers are spending so much of their time designing and are charging an arm and a leg for their work, those buying their product better look smoking hot, right? I think so.

Sometimes (sometimes) I'm glad I don't have a lot of money. I'd be able to spend it all in the most frivolous manner.

For now, I'll admire from afar the beauty of the painstakingly tailored garment and well-designed shoe. I will also allow my paintings to be influenced by this recent interest.


* my family is sweet.

I now have an Upcoming Events page. You can reach it by clicking on the Upcoming Events  link right under the banner at the top of this page. Now you never have to wonder when and where my artwork will be displayed. (You can thank me later)

I'm thinking in a couple of months I may get around to making an About page, too, so that's something you can look forward to as well- right in time for Christmas!

Lastly, because I had a nightmare about Juicy being in danger last night, here are a few cute pictures of her, where she is not in danger.

Last Wednesday, I received a Facebook message from Travis Gray, the Art Director for the Metro Pulse, asking me if I'd like to make an illustration for the cover of their next issue. The story would be about Locavores.

While my inner child was jumping up and down with giddiness, I emailed him back saying I was interested, and that I could try to find the time to do it.

A tiny part of me was trying to play it cool, but I was mostly worried about taking time away from preparing for my upcoming show. At the same time, to have an illustration on the cover of the Metro Pulse... how sweet would that be?

A few messages later, he hooked me when he told me I would be paid.

***

THE WORK

Travis gave me an initial idea to illustrate a couple gardening (see below - don't judge him for this, he made it in 2 seconds)



I made a sketch from his idea Wednesday night. (see below- don't judge me. I sketch like a monkey.)






















He liked it, but Thursday morning, I woke up with another idea. I emailed Travis the new idea, one I thought would be more in line with the work I had been making and that would convey the idea even better. He liked it, and I thank him for trusting me.


As the initial pencil sketch progressed, I sent him photos of it. He made suggestions and I made changes. Once I got the sketch down, I painted Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Monday morning, I made some final changes and emailed the image. I was so nervous, my stomach hurt.

Both Travis and the writer of the story, Cari Wade Gervin, emailed me to tell me it was a hit. It was a hit!

Two days later, I conveniently ran an errand downtown when I thought the paper might be hitting stands...

...there it was. My painting on the cover of a newspaper, framed out with text. I could hold it in my hands, and so could many, many others. Sooo fun.


***

I'd like to tell you that now I am able to go on vacation for a week to some place exotic and warm, but I cannot. There is more work to be done, and so, I forage on.

The Owl of Athena
acrylic, oil, and varnish on canvas
approximately 4.5 x 6'
2011


I decided to make this painting while I was making The Poltroon Hard at Work (Athena and Cyclops), shown below.






















To explain The Owl of Athena painting, allow me to quote directly from Wikipedia:

In Greek and Roman mythology, Glaucus is the symbolic owl of Athena, or Minerva, respectively. Often referred to as the "owl of Athena" or "owl of Minerva", it accompanies Minerva in Roman myths, seen as a symbol of wisdom because the owl is capable of seeing even in the dark and of vigilance because the owl is awake at night.

The nineteenth-century idealist philosopher G.W.F. Hegel famously noted that "the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk"— meaning that philosophy comes to understand a historical condition just as it passes away. Philosophy cannot be prescriptive because it understands only in hindsight.

"One more word about giving instruction as to what the world ought to be. Philosophy in any case always comes on the scene too late to give it... When philosophy paints its gloomy picture then a form of life has grown old. It cannot be rejuvenated by the gloomy picture, but only understood. Only when the dusk starts to fall does the owl of Minerva spread its wings and fly."

***

To me, the owl of Athena is a symbol of the tenacity needed to pursue wisdom. In other words, it takes persistence, even vigilance, to make sure our mistakes don't destroy us. When we fall down we either choose to become resentful and bitter, or we choose to go after goodness, truth, and understanding.

***

The original painting and prints of this painting are for sale. One may also view this painting at my show on November 5 at the Birdhouse.

I'm sitting in my friend Amelia's den, waiting for her to walk with me to the Public House for a night cap.

Her voice calls out from her bedroom, "Guess what trend I'm bringing back?"

My mind begins sifting through the possibilities, but she enters the room before I can form an educated guess.

She holds up a pair of worn out leather boots. "Timberlands."

"Noooo." I say. "No."

We laugh and she asks, "Will you be embarrassed if I wear these?"

"No... I just don't want them to catch on."

"Oh, it's going to spread like wildfire," she says as she wraps the long laces around the the back of the high top and ties them back in front.

"The ole wrap around... you know what I'm talking about."

I do know what she's talking about.

***

They actually don't look that bad on her, but nothing ever does.










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If you're curious about the evolution of Timberland fashion, I encourage a little image searching. Very interesting. Below is an example (from this website) Seems like they've stepped up their game.

I watched Before Sunrise and Before Sunset this past week. The first time I saw them was not too long ago, but I've watched them several times since then.

I 'm not going to review them, but I highly recommend them- especially if you've traveled any... or fallen in love with someone, specifically while overseas...

but who would do something like that?

***

This song is at the end of Before Sunset, and that is how I learned who Nina Simone was.