quiet quality

2011-01-04T09:40:00.002-05:00

11:

have more adventures (be more adventurous)

learn to grill

be frugal & get financially in shape (organized, with a plan)

curse less

get back to writing thank you notes and real letters

say “no” sometimes

purge often

build better friendships

host dinner parties

travel

last project: exhibition design (part 1: overview)

2010-06-21T15:23:00.006-04:00

I had the pleasure of taking Katie Meaney's excellent exhibition design studio as my last. I learned so much, and made so much. We chose books from D.H. Hill library (the main collection on campus) that piqued our interest. Some we thought should be treated as rare (many were quite old) and entered into "Special Collections", others were quirky, and some just beautiful.

From these books we created a kit of parts, collecting images of the books (glamour shots) and mutated images from which to design. We designed giant banners, posters, labeling systems, display cases and supplementary materials (many books, a blog, case explorations, invitations, posters, comprehensive exhibition-wide labeling, and more). The semester concluded with an exhibition (The Book is Dead! Long Live the Book in the Allred Gallery in Kamphoefner) that really was quite stunning. It was a great mix of individual and team work, with truly fantastic results. My classmates were amazing!

I really hope to continue in exhibition design. My post at the NCMOH is very much just graphic design, but I hope, as time goes on, to be able to integrate these interests and departments. I loved mixing shop work (ooh, power tools, oh, laser cutter!) with laptop time, thinking about the intimate (a handheld book) as well as the 3d and spatial needs.

Image above stolen from Meg O'Brien. I don't think she'll mind =)

new ventures

2010-06-21T15:10:00.004-04:00

I'll skip the excuses and apologies for no posts in months.

It's been an amazing and busy 2010 so far. I graduated in graphic design just over a month ago, scooped up a job at the Museum of History as (get this) a graphic designer, and have been joyfully busy with family and friends (weddings and reunions and cookouts. This life (THIS ONE!) is a good one.
I'm quite thrilled to have found something in my field, in a museum no less. I'm anxious to start some real design projects (and to graduate from resizing, mock-ups, and template filling sort of work I've been assigned so far), but imagine this is all part of the dues-paying phase of my career. Ever the impatient lady, I'm chomping at the bit, ready to get started! I want to use by brain! Practice my skills!

So I've been doing some painting-like things:

2010-03-05T16:37:00.001-05:00

That project I was working on...

2010-02-17T10:44:00.004-05:00

Here it is! I was lucky enough to design the commencement program for the College of Design's December graduation ceremony. It was such a fun project. The pattern is based on a window that is in both Leazar and Brooks (two of the College of Design's buildings). It was printed on Mohawk Linen paper and folds in thirds, and then opens to reveal a poster-of-sorts with the roofline of Brooks Hall and the graduation date (seen below). I even got to include a gradient, something I've never used in earnest before (as opposed to capitalizing on the tacky possibilities of gradients). Win!

another sneak peek, plan-making and procrastination

2009-12-09T09:44:00.002-05:00

Counting down until my school obligations are complete! Just an exam (for which I am woefully unprepared), my "mid-residency review," and a paper to go! Looking forward to Friday evening, and then a winter break complete with holiday-gift-gathering, holiday-card-making, some decorating, hopefully a mini-road trip or three, studio-time and REST.
*Sneak peek of a project I'm working on, set to go to print on Friday!

a pattern for a project

2009-12-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

recent schoolin'

2009-11-16T10:31:00.001-05:00

Environmental graphics for our (wannabe) community food center, FarmTable.

two things that are making me smile on such a cold and rainy day:

2009-11-12T12:29:00.000-05:00

and

some kind words

2009-10-29T13:00:00.010-04:00

Some kind words on the current exhibition at the Block Gallery, Retrospective25. This was definitely the biggest (in scale and in importance) exhibition I've curated, so its positive review is especially appreciated. Coincidentally, this is the last exhibition of my Block Gallery career, as tomorrow is my last day. I couldn't be more grateful for the experience I've gained working with the Arts Commission, and for the opportunity to work with the fabulous, accomplished and amazingly talented artists (especially in the Retrospective).

Check out the whole review here. Thanks to Dave Delcambre and the Independent Weekly for covering art!

on this blog

2009-10-07T08:52:00.003-04:00

So, I've been doing a bit of rearranging 'round here.

As part of my Type 3 class, we were tasked with manipulating the CSS that Blogger uses to make this sort of thing pretty (or not-so-pretty, as the case may be). While these changes are not drastic, it is great to know how to change each piece of the page, not simply the options given by Blogger. It has also been frustrating as some parts simply don't respond the way one expects. For example, once I got started by changing colors and type "stacks," I decided to try to move the header to the left. One might thing this could be accomplished with "text-align: left;" but, well, it can't. Or, at least, I couldn't. I ended up moving it left by adjusting margins through trial and error.

I have never been super happy with the default ways in which Blogger deals with image, so I was glad to "float" images left, then add a bit more breathing room (padding) on each side. I also like that the text is wrapping. It's a little quirky still, but since my blog mostly features images, it might serve as a way to caption things. Additionally, I think I might be able to set up a few different ways in CSS to treat images, so that each is presented appropriately.

In typical Sarah fashion, I've rearranged and changed palettes three whole times now, and well, at least I know more or less how to do that! I think I'll stick with this direction for awhile, rearranging a bit as I go along.

big busy week!

2009-09-27T19:35:00.004-04:00

this week's going to be a great big exciting one:

My exhibition at the Morning Times comes down on Tuesday. Boohoo. It'll be kinda nice to spend some time with the work since I finished it pretty much the day we installed it. Haven't decided if it will grace my walls, or live at Blam! for a bit.

Block Gallery Retrospective opens on Thursday with a reception from 5 until 7 p.m. This exhibition is awesome. Really.

Three Piece Suit opens at Rebus for First Friday. Celia Gray, Kreh Mellick (image above) and Andrew Hayes happen to be three of my FAVORITE artists and well, it's just going be pretty damn great! We'll have music outside (the Monologue Bombs!!) and guess what? A taco truck. I love my job.

And, drumroll, Stephen and I are flying to Syracuse for his stepsister's wedding in Clayton, NY. In the seven years we've been together, this is the first time we'll fly together. Crazy! I can't wait.. it will be so nice to get out of Raleigh, spend some quality time with Stephen's family, and, wait for it....... eat cheese curd. Yes! That does mean I will, sadly, miss the festivities at Rebus (and the afterparty at the Remedy).

All that, and yes, school work too! Super excited about my magazine for typography, tentatively named Triptych. It will be a quarterly art/music/food (and all points in between) covering Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

posters galore.

2009-09-20T21:20:00.002-04:00

The week of the poster: complete. now on to the week of the exhibition dismantling and installing. most stressful of all, for realz.

this week's work

2009-09-15T10:02:00.007-04:00

Cover of the catalogue for the upcoming Block Gallery exhibition: Retrospective 25:

This (eighty-page, perfect bound) book has gone to the printer. Cross your fingers for its arrival before its deadline!

ch-ch-change...

2009-09-12T10:39:00.008-04:00

so, this is now going to be more about those things that i do. design, art, whatevs. from here on out, y'all. promise!

exhibit a:

i totally have art on walls that aren't in my house! woah! see it through september 30 at the morning times. i'm exhibiting with my lovely studio mates: stacey kirby, jen coon, phoebe briley and lee moore. thanks to megan sullivan for putting this together!

exhibit b:

i made this last night, real quick-like, a fast and furious show poster for a friend. the photo is from my birthday trip to the zoo in june. what? 27 year-olds can ask for a trip to the zoo for their birthday too.

i need this:

2009-03-20T15:30:00.002-04:00

that would be fleishmann from dutch type library, if only i had an extra 3500 euros around. i also need a puppy.

on my mind...

2009-02-10T22:08:00.002-05:00

being a newly engaged lady, this issue is certainly on my mind.
how do you reconcile this inequality?

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
it makes my heart feel heavy, and makes me feel guilty for taking something for granted that is simply unavailable for so many other people.

a little study

2009-02-05T11:36:00.003-05:00

from on Vimeo.

Music is from Blonde Redhead's "Memory of Certain Damaged Lemons."

today is a good day.

2009-01-20T09:45:00.005-05:00

the greatest day? new president, fresh and beautiful snow.
i am captivated by the quietness of snow-- the cars seem to disappear, and the snow softens each step. lovely. what a peaceful day.

scenes from ny (and on the train, too)

2009-01-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

This makes me very happy.

2008-11-05T16:09:00.000-05:00

recent bits of inspiration

2008-10-20T22:40:00.004-04:00

paper fish in an empty pond

2008-09-24T21:02:00.003-04:00

bad photos of delicious patterns

2008-09-21T14:24:00.005-04:00

found this afternoon at d.h. hill. from the covers of decorative trees and shrubs (top) and one of the audubon bird books (bottom).

what i'm working on...

2008-09-17T12:53:00.004-04:00

doing now:

-concept maps on cell phones (just finished)

-some poetry (gasp- not sure where that came from, but i'm loving it)

-learning my* snazzy camera (ah, love the dslr)

-learning to letterpress

-working all hours in my school studio

-writing press release for pro/con: political craft exhibition at rebus works

dreaming now:

-making an all-white (or nearly all-white) sculptural book with letterpressed text that resembles my embossed circle book from my penland days, but with a elastic binding, and more pronounced (conceptual) form

-cooking meals. also eating meals.

-working in my non-school studio

-having more time for creative and educational endeavors

*my = long-term borrowed from my oh-so-generous mother

that picture up there? that's my tableau for imaging project #3.

RFK...

2008-09-04T10:25:00.002-04:00

in our living room.

Do you see it?

2008-08-25T20:42:00.004-04:00

There's a pretty sweet "g" in there.
(as part of Type 1: Project 1)

Also, I almost titled this "What's Up, G?" Aren't you glad I didn't? Yep, me too.

P.S. I love school!

simply too excited about this:

2008-08-24T17:10:00.003-04:00

so many treasures! i'd love to cook my way through this amazing collection. shelf upon shelf of cookbooks.

i like it...

2008-06-10T17:04:00.001-04:00

who made it?

i need an assignment.

2008-06-09T15:19:00.002-04:00

Of course, it's not because I've got free time (what is that, again?)

In spite of an always growing to do list, I still crave some creative engagement for this mind-o-mine.

What I need is a prompt to get me started-- a catalyst for writing, painting, or otherwise making.

Ideally, said prompt/assignment would force me to either:
a. Write a little something here on Quiet Quality.
b. Inspire me to spend some time in the studio.

I'll think of it as a belated and much appreciated birthday present. Thanks.

#52: Durham

2008-05-28T22:19:00.009-04:00

I heart Durham.*

Saturday night, we headed West, and saw Fistful of Love at Manbites Dog. It was hilarious and pretty brilliant-- especially the Dr. Dre song, wow. Had dinner at the Federal (yum), and a nice walk between the two, on the very empty streets of Durham.

So Durham is considered dangerous, and I can't help but wonder if people walked more, it might be a bit more hospitable. Empty sidewalks are scary sidewalks, in my book. The more you walk, hang out on porches and in front yards, the more you know and trust your neighbors. Maybe it's some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy: Durham's dangerous, so we don't walk = Durham's dangerous because we don't walk?

*I fully realize that this statement might be considered treasonous by some fellow Raleigh-ites (specifically my dear gentleman caller), but what-evs.
Also realize that the above theory is mighty simplistic and a bit Pollyanna/Glad Game of me.

RebusFest Photos!

2008-05-20T08:17:00.002-04:00

from my polling place @ pullen arts center

2008-05-06T17:22:00.002-04:00

voting & weaving.

the view from (park slope/carroll gardens/redhook)?

2008-05-02T08:16:00.002-04:00

a quick trip

2008-04-27T18:57:00.009-04:00

Just got back from a quick trip to new york, and wow!
Some quick thoughts:

- Brooklyn and bits I've never seen before (Red Hook, Greenpoint)
- subways-- wish we had 'em in a big way!
- also: walking non-stop
- great signs
- things that haven't changed (neat shops and restaurants that seem to have been around since the beginning of time, Polish everything in Greenpoint, beautiful old buildings)
- things that have changed (new + old merged, the palimpsest of signs on buildings that were once this, and now that)
- walking "home" over the Williamsburg Bridge
- spotting the Statue of Liberty on the train from Park Slope
- meeting all kinds of nice new people
- being in the city for their first day of beautiful spring weather

some other favorite things:

Dumont - yummy food (crispy artichoke salad--yowza!-- and the burger--wow) and SO beautiful.
Monkeytown - also great food, and a space for video/performance art! We saw Food Party by Thu Tran. It was awesome.
Erie Basin - the most beautiful shop, ever, with a superbly curated collection of antique and contemporary jewelry.

Most of all, it was wonderful to see old friends who are happy and loving their new city-lives. Thanks to Candace for her wonderful and gracious hostess-ing!

this doesn't seem right...

2008-04-20T15:27:00.002-04:00

On I-40, last weekend.

Penland Lovelies #1: I Think I'm in Love

2008-04-10T16:38:00.010-04:00

Tucked into another artist's package was a little envelope, constructed out of a discarded drawing. Beautifully lettered with hand-sewn trim on the heavy paper, this handsome sleeve contained a cd full of work from Penland Core student Kreh Mellick.
I fell in love instantly, charmed by Kreh's thoughtful presentation. And then, wow... Her work! Lovely, fresh, clever.

Although we didn't get to really meet with her at Penland, we did check out some of her work-- at the coffeehouse Core gallery and the Penland Gallery. Her illustrations are pretty and hilarious, bits of stories I don't know. I love them!

Kreh's also collaborating with Andrew Hayes, who makes wonderful small-ish steel sculptures (and in whose package she was a stowaway). The collaborative work features a sort of old-fashioned theater, with a metal "frame" and a drawing in three parts, giving the "stage" dimension. So nice. Andrew tipped me off to her independent study studio. Giant drawings on paper (you can see one above) that are s-w-e-e-t.

Image above from Kreh's studio, in progress, I think.

on my mind.

2008-04-08T16:49:00.003-04:00

learning to use my new sewing machine
-a failed dress (so far)
-"drawing" with the machine
-making little pouches
-pretty fabrics

I wasn't nervous.

2008-04-07T12:16:00.009-04:00

Penland Lovelies: A Preamble

I wasn't nervous.

Of course, before I left Raleigh and my boyfriend, our brand-new dog, and cozy apartment, I was both unsure and excited, and well, okay, maybe a bit nervous. And yes, the white-knuckled drive up the mountains in my aging Volvo wagon was more than a little nerve-racking.

But as I drove up Penland Road, and got the first glimpse of the Craft House and the Pines from a distance, all that disappeared, and wow, I felt different. I wasn't nervous.

I am a nervous person. I obsess. I am awkward. I am unsure. And this new place, Penland,where I didn't know anyone, mysteriously calmed me.

All sorts of emotions began to bubble to the surface after that auspicious first impression. It was an intense time--my mother was in Iraq, and I had just graduated from college. Even the fact that my boyfriend and I had made a big domestic step--we got a dog-- strangely weighed on me.

As expected, I learned about printmaking and bookmaking. I met amazing and inspiring people, and fell into friend-love with quite a few. I uncovered all sorts of confusing and conflicting feelings that I am normally too distracted to notice. I fell in love with the kitchen, my early-morning prep shift, and surprisingly, hip-hop.

Now, I'm lucky enough to have a job that requires trips to Penland to find new artists and check out new work by our favorites in the area. While these trips are mostly business, I find myself rehashing all of these feelings the moment I step on campus. The ruminating begins--I wonder about how I used my Penland time, about my failure to be making anything of consequence, and my next steps.

This year, we visited on Easter, which felt especially significant since I spent that day, two years ago, absolutely occupied with thoughts of my mother. The egg-hunt, the lazy afternoon waiting, it all reminded me of her--that worry, that anger that we were in a war at all. And now, while I am immensely grateful that she is home safely, I am furious that the war is still on and worried that she will be deployed again.

And, all that, in its uncertainty and introspection, is what Penland is for me. I can't quite pinpoint it, but something was inexplicably different the moment I stepped out of my car, and that difference returns each time I do.

Check back soon for Penland Lovelies #1: I Think I'm in Love.

It's First Friday again. Yikes.

2008-04-04T08:02:00.010-04:00

images above from BLOCK BLINK, clockwise from left by Tracy Spencer, Stephen Gardner, Shonna Greenwell, and Paul Friedrich.

Tonight (at my places of business)
1. BLOCK BLINK at the Miriam BLOCK Gallery-- a fun, informal, tiny exhibition of camera phone photos that I hope will continue to grow throughout the run of the show, culminating in a slideshow coinciding with the lecture, PHOTO: Past, Present, Future on May 8. The opening reception will be held from 5 - 7 pm. Read more over at New Raleigh here. (Thanks, David!)
2. Structure + Color pastel drawings by Abie Harris at Rebus Works, opening reception from 6-10 pm. See more infomation at our website.
3. The other half (okay, seven-eighths) of the Miriam Block Gallery is The Importance of Place, featuring the photos of Russell Gorga, who a Raleigh photographer (and engineering professor at NCSU). This is a giant collection of work, featuring photos from Gorga's travels, creatively composed, and honestly captured.

Tonight: Elsewhere
4. Looking Back (see a few posts down) at Artspace is still up, and absolutely worth a visit! Stacey Kirby will be "performing" (that isn't quite the word I'm looking for, but hey, it's early!) the Declaration Project again.
5. Heroes at Lump. Curated by Laura Sharp Wilson and elin o'Hara slavick, this is a "group exhibition of work by 47 artists who explore heroes/heroines in their work." Via their website.
5. Honestly, this is all I really know about, but I'm sure the usual suspects (VAE, Morning Times, Designbox, Flanders 311) all have great shows too!

ah, penland.

2008-03-24T21:45:00.004-04:00

Just returned from a lovely trip to Asheville, Celo and Penland. Lots of art, new contacts, and even some old friends.
Images of some of my favorites later this week.

clock is a'ticking

2008-03-20T11:21:00.006-04:00

It's been busy 'round these parts.
I'm gearing up for three new exhibitions for the jobs:
1. Structure + Color, drawings by Abie Harris @ Rebus Works
2. The Importance of Place, photographs by Russell Gorga at the Block Gallery
3. Block Blink, a mini-exhibition of camera phone photographs also at the Block Gallery

They are all opening on April 4.

And, I'll be on art scoutin' trip to Asheville, Penland and Celo this weekend. I can't wait to find all sorts of new treasures, and report back on what I see!

Finally, I'm readying my little graphic design portfolio. There's much to be done, and I'm really excited to get to work. (If only there were more hours in the day, and maybe more days of the week, too.) Finding inspiration in some new book purchases (Hand Job, New Vintage Type)*, I'm starting to work on a (mostly) handmade/hand-drawn flyer for the T's show at Sadlack's (April 18). The clock is certainly ticking.

*Both book links above direct you to reviews/interviews on Book By Its Cover, the blog of designer/illustrator Julia Rothman. She covers all sorts of books, including artist-made. Seriously, it's amazing. From there you can link to buy.

Raleigh on Design*Sponge

2008-03-12T16:56:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite blogs, Design*Sponge, featured a Raleigh Design Guide yesterday.
I have to admit that I squealed, just a little bit, yesterday when I saw that we were mentioned. Yay Rebus Works!
I hope to add a comment with some of my unmentioned favorites. You should too-- it really can be a great resource for art/design minded travellers and those new to the area.

First Friday version 03.08, part 3

2008-03-07T11:30:00.001-05:00

5. Here Be Monsters: An Abridged Bestiary of Contemporary Monsters, Both Real and Imagined. @ Flanders 311

With a title like that, and an amazing roster of artists, this exhibition is sure to fascinate.

It reminds me a bit of a show that was at Penland a few years ago titled Beasties: Animals in Translation though its focus was a bit different. Both ideas seem really fun to curate.

The participating artists are Julie Armbruster, Owen Beckmann, Gigi Chen, Asya Dodina, David Eichenberger, Seth Ellis, Fort Grunt, Paul Friedrich, André Leon Gray, David Isele, Alison Overton, Slava Polischuk, Shaun Richards, Anthony Santella, and Megan Sullivan. You can read more at their site.

through April 2 , 2008, 311 West Martin Street, Raleigh, NC, open First Friday 6-9 p.m. Regular gallery hours run 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tues - Sat.

6. Jeanine Oleson, Urd Up @ Lump Gallery

Lump never disappoints, so it's always a good idea to check out what's there. Since I don't know much about this exhibition or the artist, click on over to the N&O where Michelle Natale's done a great job writing about it. Hopefully this is another that I'll be able to report back on later this month.
Lump is open First Fridays and Saturdays from 12-5. 505. South Blount Street.

That's all for now. Click on over to New Raleigh to catch up the rest.

*I finally got a new camera, so hopefully the pictures will be back in full force soon!

First Friday version 03.08, part 2

2008-03-06T08:04:00.009-05:00

3. Artspace's current Regional Emerging Artist-in-Residence

Casey Porn will celebrate month two this First Friday. As beneficial as the residency is for the artist, I think it's equally good for Artspace, and their artists. It keep things fresh, and moving forward (clearly evidenced in the artists exhibiting in Looking Back). I covet Casey's work-- hilariously adorable animals, bright colors, all skillfully rendered. And the titles-- wow. I believe Casey will have quite a bit of new work, so even if you saw her last month, stop by.

4. Shaun Richards @ Designbox, Click Clique

A founding member of the 311 Studios, Shaun is also a veteran of the Regional Emerging Artist-in Residence. Combining classic painting styles with collage (his paint chip work is really neat) and new imagery, Shaun's paintings are very interesting. I think these "constructs" are smaller in scale, so it should be a departure from what's been exhibited in Raleigh thus far. You can read more, and see a few images here. Click Clique, March 7—March 31, 323 West Martin Street, opening reception from 7-10 pm

First Friday version 03.08, part 1

2008-03-05T16:24:00.011-05:00

So excited about this week o'art:

1. Looking Back at Artspace: A collection of work, performance, and installation from the incredibly talented alumni of the Regional Emerging Artist Residency circa 2000-2004. The ladies of Artspace have done a fabulous job of putting the exhibition together, and it's gaurenteed to be a worthwhile First Friday stop. really looks killer, and includes a few of my most favorite City of Oaks artists:

Stacey Kirby, who happens to be a studiomate of mine, presents The Declaration Project: Artspace, a "performative interaction and installation/" Stacey and I seem to share a similar love of vintage office equipment, paper, cataloging, and an interest, in well, things, so I'm really, really, looking forward to this. This is, I think, the third version of the Declaration Project, having previously been installed/performed at Headlands and at Blam. It's funded through a grant from the United Arts Council.

I happily sit beneath this painting, Raleigh Saw, by Luke Buchanan, in my office. It was a great surprise on my first day of work, and it felt a bit like a familar face in an unfamilar place. I've long admired Luke's paintings--can't wait to see his contributions to this exhibition.

I'm also looking forward André Leon Gray's work and am anxious to see what Lauren Adams cooks up-- I was blown away by Bread & Bullets (complete with subversive toile!) at NCMA during the CrossCurrents show a couple of years ago. I'm hoping to see some more of Anna Podris' encaustics. I really feel like she's found her stride with those-- richly layered and well-resolved. Her blog features step-by-step photos of the process.

Other exhibiting artists with whom I'm less familiar include Laura Hatcher Allen, Tisha Edwards, Huong Ngo, and Meredith Sutton. With the company they keep, their work is sure to be stellar. Hopefully I can report back next week. Check out the Artspace page for more information. They'll be open (and performing!) from 6-9:30 this Friday, March 7. The exhibition runs through April 11.

2. Rebus Works (where I happily work): Black Valentine by Tiffany O'Brien, through March 26.

We've got special music-- two solo sets, one by Eddie Taylor of the Loners, and one by Ivan Howard of the Rosebuds. The music should start around 8:00. Open our normal First Friday hours, 6-10 pm.

Check back for Part II on Thursday!

a lucky art detective

2008-02-20T15:28:00.006-05:00

Today, I'm an art detective.

In my new job, I'm tasked with updating the City's ArtBank, the pretty sweet collection of work that the Arts Commission has acquired over its thirty-one years. The cataloging needs updating, understandably as it s a pretty giant and tedious job to get it into a computer system (PastPerfect) while the city grows, departments change offices, and art sometimes moves along with folks.

I'm tracking the work down, photographing, writing descriptions, updating information and hoping I'm getting it all right.

Another of the tasks that make me question if all my jobs are real-- that I really get to spend all day most days looking for art, laerning about art, writing about art, talking with artists, promoting artists, teaching art-- before finally making my own.

ps. the lack of photos...

2008-02-13T16:22:00.001-05:00

...is due to my digital camera having totally died. what a bummer.

this year, i am hoping to replace said failure of a camera with a good point and shoot (soon) and finally invest in a digital SLR (second, probably not for a while).

got to find the time to do all that research...

a new-ish studio and the drought

2008-02-13T16:02:00.004-05:00

So, I moved my little studio into Blam in November, and haven't yet gotten settled. There are several reasons: obviously the holidays happened, my new job started in a big way, and I'm suffering a general sort of idea-block (more on that later).

The one thing I hoped to jump right into was the darkroom, as I haven't had access since I graduated a couple of years ago. And, I've got piles and piles of film to develop-- a task I love when the creative juices don't seem to be a'flowing.

However, the darkroom had been neglected recently, and was full of abandoned chemicals and creative debris. A sort of artistic detritus, unfortunately caustic and altogether gross.

After dealing with that mess, it dawned on me and my photo-club studiomates that film processing isn't the most green activity, especially as Raleigh's suffering its most severe drought in history. So, what to do? Abandon the process until we're more afloat? We've kicked around using rain barrel water-- anyone have experience using reclaimed water in the darkroom? Are there water-saving ways to process film?

I think I've resigned myself to waiting it out, shooting more digital, and working more with found images/collage/painting, but any ideas would be much appreciated.

Being Two Places at Once!

2008-02-01T14:47:00.000-05:00

Yikes! Today, both my galleries (Rebus Works and the Raleigh Arts Commission MBAE) have openings. It's exciting (and more than a little bit stressful) to be involved with two pretty awesome galleries.

The new gig: Miriam Block Gallery, exhibiting Microcosm/Macrocosm featuring the paintings of Jason Craighead and the digital collages and quilts of Tricia McKellar. Tricia's got a great site and blog. Jason's website isn't quite up yet, but you can see his work here and here.

My other gig, Rebus Works, which I also refer to as "my true love," is exhibiting drawings and paintings by Tiffany O'Brien. I've actually never perused her site, but it looks pretty fascinating and fun! We're also, for the first time, showing some of David Eichenberger's paintings. He happens to be one of my favorite artists in Raleigh, so I'm super excited that we'll have his work. His portfolio is online here. His paintings have grown and evolved SO much in the short time that I've been active in the arts. Can't wait to see what he does next!

Some other excitings things happening to night:
Casey Porn's is the new emerging artist at ArtSpace. I've heard she's really transformed the space, and I'm sure it'll be awesome. I'm loving her work lately.

Mario Marzan, who exhibited with us at Rebus in October and November, will be showing at Flanders. His work is SO interesting, and looks to be pretty neat from the postcard.

So, yay for a pretty fantastic First Friday line-up!

Check out the First Friday Agenda by Tracey Spencer over at New Raleigh. They consistently do a great job of covering the arts. A great thing for Raleigh!

on arts writing...

2008-01-22T13:33:00.000-05:00

what are your tips for good (art) writing?
what do you appreciate in arts writing?
what bores you?
what inspires you?

in my many (okay, several) jobs, i am often writing about art-- press releases, gobs and gobs of emails, proposals, etc. of course, being me, i want to be a great writer, and have set about assigning myself some guidelines in hopes of improvement.

since i generally write promoting art that i've got some professional connection or obligation to, i'm interested in learning both to improve this type of writing, and to differentiate this writing from other types of arts writing. how is a press release different than a blog entry? how is one casual and still professional?

so, some notes from the ol' moleskin cahiers*

-connect to other things: not simply other artists or the frightful artspeak

-quick and breezy if a'bloggin'

-paint a picture, though not necessarily the artist's picture: imagery should give context, explanation, inspiration or reflection on work

-that said, also be descriptive: what is the artist's work?

-remember that promoting work is different than reviewing work! and, how is it different?

-remember why many arts magazines don't often hold my attention:
too specific, not contextual, not surprising. one reads it expecting to learn about art, perhaps it's more successful and interesting to happen upon an arts article in some other venue.

so, how do you write about art? any other tips for a novice like me?

*currently juggling three cahiers-- one for the city gallery, one for the commercial gallery, and one (empty so far) for my studio work-- as well as a tiny image-laden moleskin, AND my moleskin planner. this is not feeling very efficient. how does one manage all these things? oh yeah, and then there's my (overflowing) laptop... yikes!

two for one

2008-01-17T09:44:00.000-05:00

and so, in this year 2008, what will this blog be?

perhaps:
-a place to post progress (works in progress!)
-visual communication, perhaps a bit photo-heavy
-a place to reflect on my (not-so-apparent) life + time management skills
-exploration of some new-ish interests, like the adventures of a girl who doesn't yet know how to cook, but is reallly, really trying
-reviews of art/design/food all those things that surround me
-raleigh-stuff...
-a place to write (about anything and everything)

b a c k ?

2008-01-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

I'd like to come back, really, but I'm not quite sure how to do it. It's been so long, and while I'm sure some might compare it to riding a bike, I'm not sure I learned in the first place!
That said, I'm on to new, exciting things, that I'd love to write about. So, here's for breaking the ice, in hopes of really getting started again!

new work:

2007-08-05T15:45:00.000-04:00

A Slice of Tomato, and a Bit of Heat.

2007-07-21T14:00:00.000-04:00

Hot, hot, hot summer day, sitting on the porch with a glass of wine.
Wishing for a breeze, perhaps the fragrance of gardenias.
Make it a bit more elegant Old South,
no longer a porch, certainly a veranda.
Trade in my wine for a mint julep or just a glass of Iced Tea,
my slumped posture for elegant poise.

my summer of monsters:

2007-07-05T23:13:00.000-04:00

oh yeah, and we made puppets too.

Making work.

2007-06-05T21:55:00.000-04:00

a relocation.

2007-05-15T15:59:00.000-04:00

silver lining.

2007-05-13T23:04:00.001-04:00

It's our Tear-Down Culture, My Friend.

2007-05-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

All over Raleigh new replaces old. Or, the old is just torn down. King's is gone, to provide parking for clean and shiny NEW IMPROVED RALEIGH. On nearly every block downtown, there's a leveled lot or a building scheduled for oblivion. Look towards Raleigh's old, established and quite wonderful neighborhoods. You'll see homes waiting to be torn down, empty lots and homes newly constructed, often simply super-sized versions of the old houses.

Now, I am most certainly NOT against in-fill construction. My love's livelihood depends on it and I want to see cutting-edge, progressive and green architecture populate Raleigh's neighborhoods.

But I wonder, what happens when a house is simply destroyed?

There are many impacts, I fear, environmentally, socially, historically and economically. This last one, economics or just plain money, is almost certainly also the catalyst for the whole mess.

Next door to my house (until about 9 this morning) was a small, old, dilapidated house. It wasn't a gem, however, its previous occupants were. Our neighborhood (though perhaps not too neighborly) YMCA bought the house a few years ago along with several others in our tiny 'hood. All were slated for demolition.

It's not that I'm against progress, nor the expansion of good organizations such as the Y, but it hurts me to see these houses leveled. I'm not sure why, though I think it might have to do not only with the tremendous amount of waste created by routine (not salvage) demolition but with the people whose lives were spent there, their memories and their stories.

Their once-homes are gone.

2007-02-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

From the Vault:

2007-01-13T09:16:00.000-05:00

Easter memories are all secular for me: the egg hunts, asparagus at dinner, and recently, the bloody marys. Yet today I'm feeling nostalgic, and am sitting in a one room church in the woods.
Upon entering, I was struck with the damp smell of old. It's that house in East Hill my mom wanted to buy, that had room upon room, no hallways. It's our house in Oriental, with squirrels in the walls, and pecan trees in the yard. This church smells of a field trip in elementary school, to a house on Seville Square, and the pink and white striped outfit my mother made me.
Right now, the smell is old, it's history, and I find myself wondering how many other people have been missed here. How many lovers gone to war? How many brothers, sons, fathers? Surely no mothers, I think, as I say a silent prayer for my mom.

Written Easter 2006, when my mother was deployed in the Al Anbar province in Iraq. It's still in progress as I'm not quite sure which direction to take it. Feel like it needs a bit of meat.

On Iraq.

2007-01-11T21:58:00.000-05:00

We drove past our neighborhood church, Pullen Memorial Baptist today. Facing the traffic on Hillsborough Street is a sign reading, "Remember the Human Toll." Underneath are the death and casualty tolls for American troops, coalition troops, and Iraqi civilians.

Brothers and Sisters, these numbers are astounding. As if any lesser number would be more forgiving, less bone-chilling, or justified.

I can't even come up with some logical stance on any of it. We have created such an amazingly horrifying mess.

Along with most sane Americans, I marched against it. I am incredibly sad, outraged, embarrassed, and betrayed by our country, because WE ENTERED ANYWAY. And we fucked up.

Send in more troops?

Fuck that.

Five Things:

2006-12-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged (images of graffiti in my head) by the lovely Peggy Payne* at her Boldness Blog with this prompt: What 5 Things You Don't Know About Me

So, here goes:

1. I hate driving, except when it's cold outside, and the car is perfectly warm and cozy. I love this moment, and (gasp! the enviromentalist in me is horrified) sometimes find an excuse to keep driving. Should I extrapolate this to some sort of preference of the journey (or means), versus the destination (or end)?
2. I was a high school (and junior high school) cheerleader.
3. Often, I think I know better (or more/or etc.) than my parents. I'm wrong.
4. I read recipes online, food blogs, and cookbooks obsessively, yet cook maybe twice a month. Okay, once a month. I'd like to change this.
5. I often worry about my iron or other small appliance being unplugged. This has led me to return several times, call the boy at home to check, etc. Nearly all times, they are unplugged. Find myself doing a "virtual tour" of our apartment picturing different sockets. Am aware that this is probably not healthy.

*Thanks to Peggy for enticing me to post today.

Triumph!

2006-11-17T14:57:00.000-05:00

Okay, perhaps that's a strong word--- but I'm back. Ah, how wonderful it is to do things that I love, work with people I admire and respect, each day!

penland wonderfuls #1: Eichelberger Clay

2006-11-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

Absolutely am smitten with the work of the Energy Xchange potter, Dave Eichelberger. Love the fine lines and surfaces of these pots, as well as the interesting forms.

Well worth checking out is the Energy Xchange, the home of several potters and glass blowers who use the power generated by a landfill in Western North Carolina to fire kilns and furnaces, and operate their studios.

More about the Energy Exchange (from their website): "The EnergyXchange Incubator program was established to support entrepreneurs in starting, managing and operating new businesses in the crafts of glass blowing and pottery. The clay kiln and glass furnaces are fired with landfill gas at no additional cost to the residents with a projected savings over the life of the project estimated at over a million dollars.

My (Surprising) Love Affair with...

2006-11-01T17:39:00.001-05:00

I am absolutely infatuated with pottery right now. It's somewhat surprising that I can't get my mind of this work, as I've never been very interested in clay. I suppose I've always associated the medium with dark/heavy/more traditional work, which just isn't my thing.

Return: Penland

2006-10-30T20:53:00.002-05:00

Just got back from a gallery trip to Penland School of Crafts and some surrounding artists. What a different experience than taking a class.

More to follow (including some pictures of work I saw and loved), but right now thoughts:

1. Quite strange to go back to a place you've lived, worked, and studied, and see a whole new cast of people.
2. Wonderful to be inspired (again) by all that Penland has to offer: amazing people, killer work, and oh, the landscape!
3. My biggest question and concern: Why aren't I making work?

The Truant Officer

2006-10-17T12:30:00.000-04:00

So this scary and foreign icon of elementary yesteryear ceases to exist in this version of my life, but the fear of being absent, or not present, still motivates me.

I hustle to make appointments, make appearances, and tie up loose ends. Sometimes, the appearances are online, and the absence is perhaps more pronounced. Or, at least, both easier to do and easier to avoid.

Somehow, ease of communication makes me a poorer penpal and a distant friend. And, obviously, an infrequent blogger.

The same technology makes it so easy to communicate, and so hard to find the time to communicate. For example, email that connects me with friends across the country, also connects me with potential clients. That time (and technology) is made valuable as both as a means to income and a way to catch up and converse.

Procrastination Update...

2006-09-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

Currently working on lullaby mixes for babies I know. Because, you know, babies enjoy gifts so much. Really, though, I'm trying to wow their folks with my amazing musical taste.

On keeping going.

2006-09-13T20:44:00.000-04:00

I've recently found that taking smalls bites makes (my) life much more palatable. Easily overwhelmed, I can talk myself into a funk anyday.

How do I avoid it? Well, I'm trying to stick to the present. Why, when my life is going better than ever-- it's rich and full of promise-- do I spend innumerable amounts of energy on what my next career might be? I haven't even tackled this one!

My current method at self-restraint is a mental command to "snap out of it." It reminds me of a quitting smoker snapping a rubberband on her wrist each time she craves a cigarette. Better yet, perhaps that old trick wouldn't be out of order. "Snap!" Just to remind me that I've got it pretty damn good.

oh, transition.

2006-09-12T17:37:00.000-04:00

I am closing up my office on my first day in my new four-day-nanny, one-day-(and nights and weekends) indy biz situation. I feel pretty unproductive, and have to get adjusted to being here during the day. focusing on any task today was a struggle. I have so many projects to start, and haven't been able to map out a way to best utilize the time I'm here.

My internet connection now works at my office. A mixed blessing for sure, as I don't have to keep lists of internet tasks to do at my kitchen table, but it also absolutely opens the door for online window shopping, my favorite procrastination tool, and blog-hopping. Jeepers.

It does feel pretty wonderful to get off work "like a normal person," and go home (opposed to rushing off to start my other work day, or, more realistically, feeling guilty for not rushing off). I'm even hoping to practice a bit of domesticity (a real home-cooked dinner!) before Boy rushes off to band practice. Maybe. Mostly, though, I'm excited about not eating boiled peanuts and chocolate milk for dinner again.

The Cohesive Life

2006-09-12T01:51:00.000-04:00

I am struggling to place myself, to name myself, and motivate myself. All my double and triple lives make me crave a cohesive life.

By cohesive, I certainly mean all parts relating and flowing, and additionally, a term meaning a purposeful and intentional life. How do I connect all disparate titles, jobs, and goals? I am a designer, an artist, a small business owner (kind of), a nanny. How do I apply what I learn in one area to the others? Each is only a percentage of my effort and time, and I am concerned that I can't do it all well.

out of the...

2006-09-10T23:04:00.000-04:00

More and more, I'm making less and less time to express myself, be it writing,art or design. So I suppose I'm approaching this blog as a new medium for myself-- one that's a bit more convenient, more instantly gratifying, and a little less serious.

Right now:
.making things for people (mixes of music, small books, obsessively wrapped gifts, cards, magnets, etc.)
.provoking/encouraging danceable times
.figuring it out-- a balance of job, business, life, and relaxation.
.being a clotheshorse on a ittybitty budget
.the joy of getting rid of useless and unused belongings
.enjoying blogs (design*sponge, design your life)
.battling my antisocial tendencies, and balancing my need for connections and my slackness with phonecalls/emails/plans

Here's to QuietQuality. Cheers.