ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL

Featuring:
Meeting: Pat Shapiro, Sculptor
Artist Spotlight: Jane Pettit, Marilyn Hayes
StoneWomynArt- Viva la Femme!

All things Beautiful

I'm out and about again after a brief moment that required me to be close to home. Exploring my world is what I do best, and from a creative standpoint a necessity. There are beautiful things everywhere, especially in the city. I love nature, as long as it respects the fact that I don't want it crawling or biting on me. Leave me alone, and I will admire you from a safe distance. All will live to see another day, or at least until something else eats it or kills it!

Pennsylvania Avenue has a small revitalization going on and people are making natural beauty a part of their landscape.  Like this fir tree, its in a small garden next to a townhouse, kinda reminds me of a green creeping schmoo! There is a schmoo that lives in the bush out in front of my house. There are also gnomes and elves too! But that's another story! Imagination is great for adults and kids alike and the schmoo fits right in. My green schmoo lives quietly in my large green bush near my front door.  When the bush gets too large is reaches out, much like the fir tree in this photo. Except, my schmoo will pull you back into the center of the bush where little green mini schmoos live, with the aphids, preying mantis, and other flying insects. So I keep the bush trimmed so that no one gets pulled in.lol.

Along my journey, there are flowers in bloom, and the stench, oops! I mean smell of foliage flows through the air,gagging me. I came across a flower unique to me, it looks like an eye from a distance, but upon closer inspection, it was a purple yellow, and white flower with bees anxiously sucking up the pollen.  The smell of honeysuckle became apparent as I moved closer.  Sorry, nature is beautiful to look at, but smells awful! 

There aren't many butterflies in the city, but there are many near me. When I go for my daily walk, it's amazing to see different varieties of butterflies. Some are black with vibrant colors, others are yellowish brown and when they land on a flower, they look like a fallen leaf. Such great camouflage! Dragonflies are in abundance too.  Be aware they don't bite people, but will eat a mosquito with a quickness, long live the dragonfly!

Waxing poetic on nature, be it smelly, creeping or fluttering are part of...all things beautiful! Mother Nature rules!

MEETING: Sculptor Pat Shapiro

On Saturday I met sculptor Pat Shapiro, we talked about sculpture of course! she talked about making bronze sculpture in the Ukraine, immediately, I was fascinated. Pat will be in Paris in a few weeks, while I envy her for being there, mastering the french language is something I'm not sure I want to do. It's hard enough trying to keep up with the English language native to me.lol Although Spanish is easy enough for me to grasp and I can speak it moderately. Aah, being multilingual is every one's wish. Right? 

Pat also gave me a new appreciation for beautiful horses.  When she showed me a picture of her horse, it was animal love at first sight. Always, thought horses were beautiful and I rode one when I was a kid, briefly. Her horse has a sense of humor it seems, and looks like a joy to have. Must get to the other side of the world! Beautiful horses await!

We chatted outside at Starbucks, it was nice to talk about process with another sculptor. No offense painters etc., but discussing 3-D issues such as where shadows fall when your pieces are photographed, the idea of working in the round, or switching materials to achieve your goal, many 2-D people don't understand the differences.  We talked about using plaster, clay, stone and the process of making bronze sculpture, this is a dream come true, at least mine.  So often, I'm faced with researching information about my own craft, or talking with people via email that talking face to face with another sculptor is wonderful. Once she gets settled in Paris, Pat will send me some photos and she will be featured in the Artist Spotlight.

Thanks for sharing and talking with me. Pat your awesome! Have a safe journey!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

These women artists are members of the Women's Caucus for Art and each has a unique style. It is great to know these incredible women as they make a valuable contribution to art and are activist for Women in the arts.

If your into mosaic assemblage then Jane is the woman to know! Her work makes me think of what Picasso's work would look like in mosaic form. Jane's use of vibrant colors and the slight asymmetrical feel of her work, is beautiful, not just to look at, but take in, like a deep breath.  I love work that gives me something different to see every time. Jane's work does that. Her pieces are glorious and one day I hope to have one on my wall!

Jane Pettit, 

Mosaic Assemblage Artist

Jane Pettit makes contemporary sculpture and wall art. She loves intense color, bold texture and the look of ordered chaos, all of which are present in her art. Jane’s art form is a unique combination of mosaic, collage and assemblage.  She combines mosaic materials and techniques with three-dimensional objects and paint.   Whether a large garden sculpture or a miniature wall piece, every viewing can bring a new discovery.  In her portraits, she uses a combination of abstraction and realism to convey personality and circumstance.   Recent work in Italy has prompted the use of ancient techniques in combination with her modern aesthetic.  A current passion is creating sculpture whose elements can be combined in multiple ways.  

Mandolin

Jane’s studio is housed in an old barn which gives her lots of space to store her materials and to display her art. She welcomes visitors!

Nice Apples

Jane has exhibited widely, including NYC, Bucks County, PA, Connecticut, Frederick, MD and many venues in the DC area.  Her art is in private collections throughout the eastern US.  Her recent show, "Messages from Outsiderdom: Visionary Artists Reveal their Uncooked Realities”, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery,  1632 U Street, NW , was selected by the Washington Post as “The Gallery Show of the Week”.  Her art is in private collections throughout the eastern US. 

Josep8

Contact info: www.janepettit.com...202-494-4801…janepettit1@verizon.net

Red Earring

Marilyn's work speaks volumes with visible watercolor brush strokes and a gestural feel within her images. These feminine images are transparent, layered and create depth. The colors and forms gives way to the spiritual elements implied in her work. Her depiction of the female is "goddess like" and transcends beyond the surface.

Marilyn is also former President of the Women's Caucus for Art D.C. Chapter and is the one I turn to for advice now that I am President. She is helpful, informative and really a fun person to talk to. Marilyn is always involved with something, her home is full of art and vibrant with life; busy, much like she is. How she finds time to make art, I don't know. Her energy and passion is only rivaled by Jane's. Both women are miracle workers, something I hope to be when I grow up.lol

Marilyn Hayes

My work reflects the symbolism, experiences and mystery of my inner life in figures and symbolic images as seen through shamanism, the framework of Jungian psychology, in particular the symbolic approach to mythology.  The work also expresses the power and mystery of the feminine through the images and symbols reflected in myths from ancient cultures.  In those cultures, images of goddesses empowered women by providing positive symbols of feminine energy in the natural, instinctive world. Themes related to the natural world and its symbols are another aspect of my work. I include these themes in my work because I feel that connecting to the natural world balances my involvement in the technical world that surrounds me.  My primary influences are the impressionists and abstract expressionists but I am also inspired by my ancestry and the stories about my Haitian grandmother.

Delaware River

Currently, I am working in watercolor and gouache and making monoprints using Akua water-based inks.  At the beginning of my life as an artist, I focused on drawing because I loved the magic of creating a three dimensional space on the blank page.  Drawing is still an essential part of my work.  When I encountered watercolor I could see that I could express myself more fully in color and continue to draw.  While drawing is still an important part of my work, watercolor appeals to me because of its flexibility and fluidity and because I can apply it in so many ways (brushes, fingers, handprints, sponges) and in so many intensities and textures.  I also love working in water-based media because the results can be unpredictable.  

Over the years I have experimented, gaining skill with additional techniques.  I am constantly returning to familiar methods and building on what I know. I am concerned with both expressing flow and improving my control and skill.  I make my monoprints at the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, VA.

Emergence

Marilyn Hayes, a student of myth and spirituality and concerned with feminine power, includes her life passions in her work. Born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1944, Marilyn Hayes family later moved to Pontiac, Michigan.  After earning a degree in Secondary Education and Social Science, she moved to Washington DC to work for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

The experiences and mystery of her inner life inform Marilyn Hayes work. Her mother taught her to draw and paint with watercolors when she was in elementary school.  Nearly 40 years later Ms. Hayes began her career by studying drawing at the Washington Studio School where her drawings was accepted in the student exhibition. Subsequently, she studied watercolor and monoprints there.  She began exhibiting her drawings and later worked in pastel. Currently she is working intensively in watercolor, producing abstract watercolors in a variety of styles.  She has recently extended her media to include monoprints which are similar in style and focus to her watercolors.

Ms. Hayes has exhibited her work in the Washington DC area, in New York, and internationally. 

StoneWomynArt

Well, it's on! Inspired by these energetic women, I take on my work with new enthusiasm.  Recently, I began making little pendants for necklaces out of stone chunks that are left after I'm finished carving. Taking the name Viva la Femme! (thanks Dani), these pieces include Slits, tits,& bellies. Oh, am I being vulgar!? They are what they are, plus its fun to say!lol  I'm creating bellies now. Each piece has a hole for a cord. 

Eventually, I will expand to the one eyed bandit and its twin brothers. Along with some other body parts, like hands & feet. But for now, its all Viva La Femme!

If the stone chunk is large enough for an entire body, like this chunk from the making of Red Hot Mama, they will also be available.  Working this small is difficult so only the dremel tool, files and rasps are used. The stone size and shape determines what they will be. Most of the pieces maintain the original shape of the stone chunk.

Colors are limited at the moment, but soon that will change and they will be available in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes. Give me a little time to make em all!

It's been wonderful as always sharing my art world with you.  Your feedback is always appreciated.  If your interested in any of my pieces, please contact me. You can find me on facebook.  Maybe a slit is in your future! Hail to the "V"!

Until we meet again, will see you......

Same blog time, Same blog channel!

Places and Spaces Out There

Featuring
Pathways
"Slits" StoneWomynArt

-Pathways-

It's been a while since my last post.  I prefer quality over quantity,when exploring my world in art. Granted there are a lot of events I can blog about, but balance in life is important and there are other things that sometimes takes precedence over what I want to do. There aren't enough hours in the day to do everything and bring quality to it all.  Somethings suffer, so with that said, lets take a walk along a path. The joy is in the journey, the journey through places and spaces out there.

Another art filled day and the fresh air is calling me.  I must step outside to get some air, sun and a little exercise.  My computer will survive for an hour or two without me, my artwork can breathe for a minute. As I leave my home, it occurs to me that I take this journey, walking the pathways & roadways that most people drive on, drive by or don't pay attention to in their day to day rush. Late afternoon, most people are on their way home from work, as I walk up the driveway, I notice there are trails, and pathways of all kinds everywhere.

How intriguing these paths are, some are the paths less traveled. Most are roadways, that quiet and cool in the evening air as more vehicles find their rest in parking spaces for the night. My favorite path is the sidewalk past the business park.  The trees on each side of the sidewalk create an arch above the path. Some trees have areas where limbs were cut off, exposing their insides which now look like petrified wood. There are images in these trees, however, the camera doesn't capture the gestural images my eyes catch, same with clouds.  This journey begins when the sidewalk ends. Strolling through the business park, there are many little roadways that are short and just end, but the path straight through is one long continuous parking lot. Empty office buildings and parking spaces compete for the quiet they've been seeking all day. Even the main road is quieting down as the evening comes over the horizon. Walking in the  middle of the road is awesome, especially on the yellow line, its so wrong, but feels so right. Since traffic can be unpredictable, I don't do it much.

Walking down this road, brings back memories of when I first moved to this area.  I was 12 years old, this road was one lane each way, and there was no sidewalk, no pathways. Just the white line that separated the emergency stopping zones from the street. There were no lights and metro buses didn't run at all down this street. When they expanded the street, they changed the curvature of the road, added lights, sidewalks and metro now runs on this street on a regular basis. Now the old roadway is overgrown and forgotten. But I remember walking down the dark road many times. What else did kids have to do in the summer.

Hard to believe there was a road here. Now its just overgrown and has become a pathway for walkers to take en route to the main road. This road change does make it easier to access the main road. Before it was a challenge to turn onto the main road from here. It was hit and run, literally due to the old roads close proximity to traffic coming off the the beltway.

Now there is a pathway that goes past a church, it used to be just gravel and it wasn't long and curvy. grave stones sprinkle the property surrounding it. Its serenity is peaceful and beautiful to look at. The church can be seen from the main road, but this path is leads to the side street. Their roadway, curves and sways like fluid hips in motion. This path is used by walkers to get to and cross a major three lane road in both directions. The median in the middle breaks up the pedestrians trek. My walk spans about a mile, maybe a little more, depending on where I'm walking. Either direction, its a good mile or more before you see a store of any kind. One of the downsides to living in the suburbs. 

As I make my way home, I realize there are many pathways, that I do not walk down. They are not paths that I need to take for whatever reason but I do so just for the hell of it. The sky is blue, the air is warm, with a nice breeze.  The joy is in the journey, get up, get out and do something! 

Your computer will not disown you, social networks will not crash if you take a breath of fresh air. Your body with thank you for the exercise, and your fingers definitely want to do something other than type. Keep your phone in your pocket and take a friend with you to chat with for your time out.  Promise, interacting with an actual person is good for you. If you are a great multitasker and can do it all, more power to you! Find your places, and spaces out there! 

STONEWOMYNART

Now that the Mi Godessa's en clay are done, the stone has begun to call me again.  Often times I am asked if I make jewelery, and my answer is generally No.  I find making jewelery to be the most tedious thing to do. While I can work small, making pieces that are wearable is too small for me most times.

Without getting technical or overly explanatory, if the design is simple and the stone flat enough, I may be able to pull off a necklace.  There are no fancy details and the image is organic not figurative. Drill a hole in it! Done! Not interested in investing in jewelery making tools, don't have the space or money. With clay, it would be easier to do, but I do not have my own kiln and I am at the mercy of someone else to fire my work and keep all the pieces together. So mass production with clay may present a problem.

pink slit

I decided to revisit this idea and came up with female body parts that fit the shapes of the stone(not in clay at this time).  My need for change in imagery can hinder mass production of one image. My intent is to have breast(s), bellies, and "Slits"! Yes, it is what it sounds like. I've done one boob and one slit so far!  I have other stone chunks that I have prepped for more slits. Each slit, breast or belly will be different, depending on shape of the stone and color. Mass production can be streamlined if the pieces are only sanded once or twice then polished, instead of the normal 13 or 14 sandings for my larger works.

Why would anyone want to walk around with a breast, belly or Slit around their neck?  I think its cool. what do you think? You can provide feedback! lol. 

Well, its a short post this time. I promise it wont be so long in between posts next time.

thank you for reading. Till you read again, see you....

Same blog time! Same blog Channel!

Philadelphia Freedom

Featuring
Artist Profile- Cynthia Farrell Johnson
What a difference a doodle makes

PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM

Last weekend I went to Philly for the day to hang out.  The hometown of all my extended family.  I hung out with my good friend Terri and her daughter Zoe, who turned 10yrs old earlier in the week. Upon arriving, we decided where we wanted to go, it was unanimous! food was first on the list!  We ate at a Mexican restaurant named  Johnny Manana's.The Watermelon Margaritas were the best! The drinks were served in a mason jar, and the food was great! We watched the first of several downpours from the restaurant. The sun stayed out the entire time.


We went on a short drive through the city, and went past the old jail that's now used for tours and serves as one of the best haunted houses around Halloween.  Afterwards, we went to Abington Arts Center, which has a  27 acre Sculpture Park, where we walked along the winding path and looked at the outdoor sculpture.  It was quiet in the park, we saw only two other people walking around. As we walked, we saw deer in the thick brush that ran off when they saw us.  It was so cool!  The park had a lot of sculpture that worked well with the environment.  There were a few pieces that didn't quite belong there, I thought.  My favorites were the giant faces cut out of fallen tree trunks, & stumps, Cabin Van Gogh, and  skulls and flowers on a pole. We could hear the rain falling through the trees sounding somewhat like a rain stick.  It wasn't hard enough to reach the ground.The sun was out the whole time!


We went to an army surplus store to find a backpack and take a look in Plato's closet, a thrift store located in Montgomeryville, just outside the city. While we were in another thrift store, it began to pour down raining.  For the time being, we were trapped in the store with no umbrella and the car too far away to run quickly to. Thank goodness for natural hair! Someone had to get wet, thanks Terri for the save, she ran to the car in the downpour.  

We ended up at Terri's house to dry off. After changing into her Wellington rain boots and knee highs (she looked so cute), we talked about her work. She is a wonderful artist. She works with wire armatures and makes masks using a mud mix recipe that she has perfected. She has armatures of small children, babies, and pregnant women.  Terri uses a Mig welder to put the armatures together or uses chicken wire. She also draws and does wonderful imagery of women and children.  It's always so interesting to visit her and to see what's she's been up to. Seeing her work in person is so much better than email.  I can touch it in person!, ask a million questions, and have a creative dialog that inspires us both. Have to admit, I'm a little jealous of her ability to float between the disciplines fluidly,(I mainly sculpt) but she promised to show me the "Jedi master drawing tricks!" So I too, the Jedi drawing apprentice can learn to float fluidly between the disciplines like a Jedi warrior woman! Watchouttherenow!


Despite the rain it was still a good day to hang out in Philly for a change. Needed some different scenery. But Chocolate City will always be the place to be, no matter where I end up.

The one day trip via Megabus was less expensive than trying to get around D.C. to multiple events, eat and travel home.  We went to Philly for $34.50 (2 ppl) round trip from Union Station. Other than food and a backpack, we spent less than $80 for the entire day. That's a cheap trip!

ARTIST PROFILE

CYNTHIA FARRELL JOHNSON

Great Gettin' Up Morning 

Cynthia Farrell Johnson is an amazing artist. Her influences are evident. One major influence that comes through is Romare Bearden. Her images are filled with color, pattern and are vibrant with life, rhythm and music which is reminiscent of Bearden’s work.

Cynthia is a very busy woman.  She shared her excitement about her new space, current works and inspirations.

"Right now, she is moving into new studio space at the Pyramid Atlantic Community Art Center on Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring (http://www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org).  It is a great environment and the staff and artists there are welcoming and supportive.  The projects under way right now are holiday cards for the coming season and preparing for art markets in Annapolis and other venues (see bottom). She is also working on two commissions, one of which will be a carnival scene from Latin America.  It has been fun going through my photos from carnival in Panama (I lived there from 1985 - 1989).

Imagine.Create.Celebrate

Cynthia Farrell Johnson is a fan of vibrant colors.  Her works in gouache and acrylic have been inspired by the people she met and places where she lived during 25 years of globetrotting as a U.S. diplomat.  Service in West Africa, Central and South America exposed her to a wide variety of artistic traditions and forms of expression.  Her role models are Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold and Vincent Van Gogh.  Johnson currently makes her home in Silver Spring, Maryland, and draws much of her inspiration for themes and color schemes from the Washington, D.C. region’s rich, cultural diversity. 

Bathsheba

Johnson is a member of the Rockville Art League, Strathmore, and the Washington chapter of Women’s Caucus for Art.  More of her work can be seen in local venues, including the Parish Gallery of Georgetown, in Washington, D.C.   In  2011, Johnson was Artist-in-Residence at Wesley Theological Seminary’s Luce Center for the Arts & Religion.  Two years prior to that, she was Artist-in-Residence at Iona Senior Services.   Her cards and prints are available at Art Spring, the retail store for The Pyramid Atlantic Community Art Center, Zawardi art and gifts on U Street NW, and the Sandy Spring Museum Gift Shop.
 Johnson’s paintings have been exhibited overseas in cultural centers and galleries in Africa and in Latin America.  As a participant in the Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program, Ms. Johnson has placed her work in U.S. ambassadorial residence in Niger, Nicaragua, Serbia, Ecuador, and Panama.

Winter's Journey

Kitchen Twitchin' Tools

To learn more, visit www.cfjfinearts.com.  

Now Showing:
RE/USING OUR RESOURCES
Eco-Art Exhibit
June 13 - September 9, 2012
Sandy Spring Museum

First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis
August 5, September 2, October 7

Fenton Street Market in Silver Spring
 October 6

Also ... Check out the Parish Gallery back room!

Parish Gallery of Georgetown
http://www.parishgallery.com

What A Difference a Doodle Makes

This is a rare sharing moment.  My work is mainly sculpture and I prefer to sketch doing gestural drawing as opposed to rendering life like images.  However, a few years ago, I started a doodling project with my middle school students.  The intent was to get them to draw without thought.  They produced a series of gestural drawings of each other.  Willing students stood on  a chair and held a pose for 30 to 60 seconds and the class would draw them. The drawings became pieces that could be used in other projects.  These "doodles" have taken on a life of their own. At first each piece incorporated a remnant piece of student work, words and writings personal to me.  Six years later, doodles like these are part of a sketch book kept just for them. Some pieces use cut paper, tissue paper,or the muted color from a marker used on the previous page that soaked through somewhat. Fine point and ultra fine point markers and sharpies are great for drawing them.  There is no intent to display these pieces, they fulfill the need to draw.  There is no intimidation with free flowing images, because there is no right or wrong.  Unlike drawing to render or create an image for others, doodles don't require shading or shadow or 3-d drawing techniques. Just  lines and shapes of my choosing. I often use these as my cover image for facebook.

So to all those who think sculpture is all I do! It is!, Then there is doodling.


Well my post comes to a close once again.  Thank you reading.  Will see you next time....

Same blog time, Same blog channel!