Saturday Hangout

The Road to Artomatic is exciting, however, one cant survive on Artomatic alone.  I took some time out to hang out, a past time that is a journey all unto itself. I have heard others say, that  being an artist is a solitary profession. Not so, its only solitary when one is creating, artists like to socialize....somewhat. My Saturday hangout was Eastern Market, a place full of solitary artist in a group setting.  Its a Saturday overcast afternoon, people are bustling about, taking in the many vendors, many of them artists who come every weekend to sell their wares. You can find almost everything from fresh grown vegetables, fruits, and flowers to handmade hats, clothing, jewelery, candles, scarves, paintings, drawings, sculpture and a whole host of other eclectic items for every type of persona. 

As I made my way up the sidewalk, I took in the atmosphere, looking at everything in as I walk towards the stands. Even the inside of Eastern Market is crowded. The smells of baked goods waft through the air. The bakery has a lot of goodies that taste good on the lips, but quickly slide down to the hips. But who can resist a larger than average brownie, lemon tarts, apple fritters and fresh baked bread loafs. I walk over to my favorite vendor, an older guy who always has a way of making you smile and laugh.  He sells the good good incense, dresses, etc.  Plays old school funk like the Commodores, Ohio Players. I wanted to feature his picture, but his religious beliefs prevent that, he did let me take a picture of his space.  He is a wonderful person to talk to, he's friendly, helpful and a little flirtatious, just a pleasant man. Unfortunately, I got to Eastern Market after  4:30, vendors had started packing up, it looked like it was about to rain. He is on the corner of the Market, same place every Saturday & Sunday, go see Noora - UL Isalam.

Walking past vendors selling similar items. I come to a vendor, a sister, we have talked before.  She remembers me and is eager to show me her newest creation.  She makes jewelery out of copper and brass. I am always fascinated with her pieces.  Her pieces are a little on the large side for me, but she does have some smaller pieces.  We chat for awhile talking supplies and her process of creating. Love to patronize vendors whenever possible, so I promise to come back and buy. Stop by and see her jewelery, Artlry Dezigns, there is something for everyone there. Oh, the dog was a cute, trembling chichuaua, that wasn't a barking mini megaphone.

  

Met a few other vendors there, but most were busy breaking down their stands and really didn't want to talk anymore.  That's okay, they were friendly enough and allowed me to take pictures. There is a guy who does paintings on almost any surface, some very patriotic (see 2nd photo). Quest Arts, has the cool painted van, Author Tariiq Omari Walton and a host of others. If you can get to Eastern Market, Open Saturday & Sundays 9-5pm. FREE. The Market in the building is open Tuesday-Sunday. Accessible from the Eastern Market subway.

BTW, Check out some of the shops, too. There are a variety of  small businesses, you can quench your thirst while you sit and enjoy the view.  There are also vendors on the "lot"(school parking lot), you can find furniture, dishes, handmade rugs, mirrors, and a stand that sells all natural flava ice!

I walked around downtown trying to make a sensible dinner choice, navigating through the tourist and weekend warriors who trip me out with their " cruel to my eyes " apparel. Obviously, the lines between sleep clothes, club clothes and clothes that shouldn't leave the house have been erased. At Gallery place, someone needed their own theme music blaring to announce their arrival. Decided to spend the rest of my evening at Austin Grill, a very nice waiter named Alex, was very attentive and made what could have been a somewhat unpleasant evening very enjoyable, especially the Sangria Pomegranate Margarita thanks  for a jolly time!!

Sunday is work on my red hot mama day.  This chick is about to make my head explode, & not in a good way.  Read about that in the next installment of The Road to Artomatic.  See you next time, Same blog time, same blog channel!!

ROAD TO ARTOMATIC PT V

Today was the last day of my volunteer shift and I actually did something!! whoo hoo! We had to check light bulbs in the ceilings on whatever floor we are assigned. On the 8th floor today.  We also had to check the carpet and tape down any really bad areas.  My floor partner named Steve, is an older man who had hip replacement a few years ago. He moves a little slow, but that's to be expected.  Thank goodness the majority of the lights worked on our floor. I could see the spectacle of me standing on a step stool and trying to remove the light bulbs. Such a task doesn't need to be challenging, but I think standing on a stool not a ladder, being short and Steve all have the making of some comic relief sketch. Steve is a really nice guy, he shuffled to Starbucks and bought me coffee. I met another retired gentleman who is an oil painter, I think his name is Bryan.  We were trying to find light bulbs. His floor partner, a facebook friend of mine Jane, decided we should see each others space, walk and talk until we could get a hold of the light bulbs.  Now, whats so hard about finding and changing the bulbs? Well office lights use the long tubes that have two ends to screw in, there are eleven floors. Those flourescent bulbs were a hot commodity! Eventually, we got a box and the three of us (Steve went home), walked around the 4th floor changing the bulbs, since Bryan and Jane were assigned to that floor. This was the best shift ever! and Im glad its over. Now, I can begin installing my work, which will begin next week.  Aahh, the road to Artomatic full of excitement! with a boring moment or two or three, but still full of excitement. So far, people are still pretty friendly...for now. Stay tuned for the next part of my journey...installation station!   So tune in same blog time, same blog channel!

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ROAD TO ARTOMATIC PT.IV


Today is the second day of my required volunteer shift at Artomatic.  I was the manager of the 11th floor catacombs. So many small offices that interconnect, the hallway weaves around into rooms with no way out, other than the way you came in.  Finding the bathroom was like walking through a maze. Felt like I needed to leave bread crumbs or string so I could find my way back to the elevators.  Met some more amazing artist who are participating.  Didn't take their picture, since everyone wants to have their artwork next to them.  Only three people were on the floor working, one was Liz Lescault a ceramic artist who does biomorphic sculpture. I was very intrigued with her work and spent a few minutes chatting with her. I decided to not be a chatty kathy today, but its so hard! When you see someone you want to talk art and get to know people if for nothing more than a confirmation of your sanity. There's very little of it amongst some of us (artist), but what little sanity you have must be fueled by interaction with others.

catacomb hallway

It must be the time of day that I'm doing my shift, 12-5 a time most people are working. I see more people at the end of my shift. But that's cool, had my sketchbook with me so I could doodle. Midway through, I found myself needing coffee, made my way to Starbucks. Thank goodness we get breaks, walking around managing empty catacombs can make a person a little parched & tired. Did I mention there are no chairs?! Got lost trying to find the room where a chair was spotted. By the time I found it, I just sat down, wherever the chair was. Left with an "ops" worker to grab some coffee, she was really nice, don't remember her name.  We went through the loading dock and up the freight elevator to get back into the building.  My last hour, I decided to make my dissension floor by floor. Met a really cool chick named Liz, who was walking around checking outlets to make sure they worked. Also, met a dog named Bert, he was really friendly and gave me a kiss! I need a dog! His owner and dad is participating in Artomatic. Bert has a teenage brother who he likes to play with anywhere. By the time I reached the third floor, I had met two artists, a guy painting one of his images on the wall, he's a fellow Calvin and Hobbs fan! The other cast pieces in bronze (wow!) at Montgomery College.  Think I have a class to take! Everybodys super friendly, which makes it sound so syrupy and abnormal.  Just wait until it gets closer to opening day.  The niceness is going right out the window.  I plan to start installing next week, something you cant do on your shift. Hopefully, I will avoid becoming insane in the membrane! and far away from those who contract the insanity bug up their ass. 

My evening was very nice. Went to the closing reception for Bill Mould. Read about that in my Interviews section tomorrow.  Must get ready for my last day of my volunteer shift.  I will be there on Saturday too, but as part of the  Professional Music Series Development Committee. Plenty of people should be there with a lot to say, ooh lots of pictures!  Stay tuned for another episode of...The Road to Artomatic! Same blog time, same blog channel!

THE ROAD TO ARTOMATIC, PT III

Today was my first day volunteering for the installation shift at Artomatic. When I arrived, there were people sitting outside the building waiting to get in. It was about 10 minutes before we entered the building. We signed in and people were given a station to supervise/manage. I was the tenth floor manger of the great wide open for several hours. Very few, (none) people were there installing their work. So I walked around and took some pictures, the tenth floor  has a grand view. Yes, I could see National Airport, watched several planes take off and land, and a few boats go sailing by...people were few and far between. Crystal City seemed pretty quiet for that time of day...oooh creepy!   

At some point I got a floor buddy, her name is Jenny.  She is also participating in artomatic and has a small room to set up on another floor. Guess there was too much quiet and so they gave me some company, just in case a mass of artists decided to descend upon the space. Too much alone time makes for a chatty kathy, which I was. After an hour, Jenny decided she wanted to switch floors.Too much chatty kathy! Off the elevator, a new buddy appeared, a guy. Cant remember his name, sorry! He is a photographer, (there are alot of them in Artomatic!) One guy came in during my shift and dropped stuff off and left. While Jenny was my floor buddy, we found one artist sanding a wall, scared her half to death! She had on her ipod and didn't hear my mouth chatty kathying away!

Jenny, floor buddy


I took pictures of the graffiti that's been painted on the walls near the sound stage, pretty cool. Workers were also setting up the stage, but even they were in and out, hardly saw them.  Maybe they were avoiding me! I took a break, got some food and talked to another volunteer named Sarah. She was managing the front desk. We chatted and I found out she does incredible light bulb art, reasonably priced and awesome!  I am going to feature her in my interviews section. The artist who have agreed to interviews want to set their work up first. Kinda like applying makeup before you leave the house.

Sarah, Light bulb artist

10th fl graffiti

My day wasn't completely boring. I met Christine and Moose before I left. Moose and I talked about....collecting moose, what else! Seems we have a common item to collect. He even knew about Chocolate Moose on 17th and L St., NW. They sell stuffed moose, mixed matched socks and other knick knack bricka brack. Weird, how you can connect with people and moose! Christine is also a photographer, Moose is there helping her out. They both were delightful and funny people to talk with.

 

 My first day wasn't too bad, as my shift ended more people started to arrive and install their work.  All this empty quiet space is about to change. Over 900 artists are participating, that's a lot of interviews, not sure if I can do all that, photos will have to do. I will install my work next week. 

In the meantime, I need to finish sanding my purple chick. My red hot mama, needs to cools down, shes so hot she has a hairline crack running from one side to the next. Ugh! So no more carving, just files, rasps and a dremel for grinding. Her butt better be her best asset for real! all this work! A new photo wont show much, even though Ive rounded her booty a little more, rounded her arms and legs.  This chick, if she breaks, over half of her body will be gone. Then, I will hurl her across the room! our relationship will be over, and her hot tamale bottom will cool like a blue mist alabaster stone. Whatever connection or rapport we've established will crack and break when she does. A gentler touch she will get, even though it seems she likes me to handle her roughly.

Day II of volunteering is tomorrow, must remember to bring a book. Step this way for another adventure at Artomatic! TTYL



Getting Ready for Artomatic- new title

 "The Road To Artomatic!"

Yesterday was orientation and site selection for Artomatic.  Upon arriving, I took this photo of the building where Artomatic is taking place. Just think, they are going to demolish this building, vacated by  hundreds of DOD employees some now travelling to the new office park off of 395. They want to have the building entrance off the main road, which would make the current entrance the back. They also want to update the inside of the building. Guess you have to knock it down to get that, so on with the new!

My next step was to sign in and line up for orientation. Upon entering the building, I noticed all the marble thats going to be removed from the building.  I think its going to be recycled, which is good cause its Earth Day! So I took a picture of the sign in table. I dont know the names of those pictured, but they were very nice and helpful. We had to line up for the next orientation which was at 2:45. It lasted for about fifteen minutes. Then we were off to select our spaces.

While checking in, I saw an old friend from the Corcoran.  It was so nice to see her, she still looks the same! Meaning, no visible gray hairs! We were students there at the same time, I was ahead of her by a year. Sydney will be participating in Artomatic too! AND she will be an upcoming featured artist in my Interviews section of my blog, so go check her stuff out!

Sign In Table

Sydney Buffalo-coolest name ever!

This is Erin, an Artomatic volunteer who helps participants block off their space. She wanted me to get her good side, so your lookin at it! her good side that is! She was very nice in applying blue tape to the floor to block off my space, which looks huge with nothing in it. Im on the 3rd floor in this huge room. I can visualize the office layout complete with a security lock entrance a room of desks, possibly separated by cubicle walls, telephones ringing, drones sitting at their desks typing away at their computers trying to expedite some top secret procedure none of us will ever know about. Now its an art space! Funny how that turned out.

Erin

After my space is selected and taped off, my yellow card with my name is taped to the floor. I take my blue card to the check out room, a room that people looked happy going in, but once in, looked like they couldnt get out fast enough. Their smile returned when they left. Can we say hot and stuffy little room!  My friend, Marilyn and I were chatting away so I didnt get a picture of the small hotbox. She is also participating in Artomatic.  Marilyn Hayes is on the National Board of  Women's Caucus of Art, she is also a member of the DC Chapter of which I am Co-President. Dont know what floor she's on, but I will give more information on participating WCADC members as I document my journey.

Now that I have checked out, the real work begins. I will spend my Sunday with my red hot mama who wants to flaunt  her  rear asset! Shaping her up and carving out more of her head and legs, so she has more feminine shape and not an elephants backside! Best way to spend a rainy day! As you can tell by this post, she must be getting on my nerves. Will tell about that and in my next post. 

Next step on the Road to Artomatic!...Volunteer shifts begin Wednesday!!

Getting Ready for Artomatic

Hey, hope yall are good.  For the past two days I've been working on a piece to finish so that I can particpate in Artomatic.  I thought I'd share a little of what I do as a sculptor.  Its been beautiful outside, so, it was a perfect day to sit out front and sand one of my pieces. Normally, I would go out into the backyard and sit, but it seems that a mother cat and her kittens are using  under my patio & my backyard as part of their home/playpen. While it's annoying, I do like animals, she needs the shelter for the cute kittens, and I dont need the bugs dive bombing me every five seconds. So it was an amicable trade off  for me to go out front.

There are bugs out there too! But they are more interested in the flowers and bushes that they ignore lil 'ol me! Good bugs! It's quiet in the middle of the day in my neighborhood, at least until school lets out.

I have two pieces of stone, one a brownish/purple w/cream colored deckled specks in it. At first I thought it would sit uncarved for a while, but after putting a few cuts in it, it began to turn into this woman. Her name I dont know, yet. In a strange way my piece talks to me while Im working on her. Not verbally of course! but in a tactile way. Her story develops, beginning with how she allows me to handle her. Whether she is cooperative or difficult and how our relationship builds only to end with my name inscribed on her bottom.

This is her! She's in the sanding stage now and its only just begun.  She will be sanded 12-13 times before shes complete.  Then, she will be polished and her color will come through. In this photo, she kind of looks like a dirty rock with alot of glare! but you can see some of the deckles along the arm.
When I get about half way through the different grits of sandpaper, I switch to wet sanding. During this stage it really starts to show the deepness of the color.  Each piece of stone has its own challenges and difficulties. She was no exception.  This chick and her leg, just wouldnt cooperate, but somehow there was a compromise of sorts. I won! She's attached to the rock, and all I can think of its that old early 80's song by Paris, "Cant let go," holding on so tight, yet looking like she could break free, but she doesnt. Did I date myself with that song, wow!  So now its just a matter of time before shes complete. Come see her at Artomatic or check my website for her debut.

The second piece of stone is red. I have been looking at it for some time and could figure out what do with it.  Then, while taking a picture of gyrlfriend up there, I saw this red heded stepchilds backside just glaring at me.  Artomatic isnt that far away and I usually like to take my time with my pieces to get them just so.   But the temptation was too great and after taking a picture of the red stone, I went out back, (scaring the mother cat and her kittens, they ran off and hid) to use my trusty dremel to cut out the form I saw. Didnt stay out there too long, not with bugs dive bombin me! the mother cat and her kittens eventually came back. So take a look and see if you see this red chile's backside.

After working on her some yesterday evening and today, her form is being fleshed out. Its no where near finished, just got the basics of her form.  Decided that her head would hang over and her hair visible on the other side. She has a red headed story to tell. I can hear it in her hips and the robustness of her body. She already has spoken about her protruding bottom and the curves that need to be there to accentuate her best assest. Her need for me to remove the wrinkly butt and elephant legs she is beginning to have. Take her stumps and turn them into legs! Round her bottom so it coincides with her waste and not appear to sag like its a lumpy sack of potatoes. For some reason she wants only the back of her head to appear. At first, she seemed like she wanted to turn her face to the side, but the hair seems to be covering that up.

I did manage to smooth her bottom and round it up a bit, but her legs, are still stumps. Perhaps I will work on her some more tonight and show how her legs have progressed.  She definitely is proving to be a quicker piece than some of the others before her. Maybe cause she's red, a red hot mama.

Tomorrow I will go and select my site where I will exhibit and next week I will begin my volunteer shifts.  Hope to meet some new people and post their interviews as part of Getting ready for Artomatic. Check back for the next post. See you soon.

Welcome to LocalFocalArts Blog!

Hi! I'm Michelle, a sculptor and art educator in the D.C. Metropolitan area. My blog will focus on local art exhibits, artists, and art events in the area. Also, there will be interviews, reviews, of exhibits I attend, people I meet and of course my friends who have lots to say about themselves and art! Feel free to send your comments or ask questions. If you have an event or artwork you would like for me to talk about, feel free to send it to me. Lets start this Blog journey together...