Lightening Up

Had our Moving Art Studio sale last weekend, had a great turnout of friends, old... and new, by the end of the weekend. Thanks for coming by everyone!

It has been a tremendous effort going through stuff, putting it out, sorting, and finding homes for stuff. I hate to throw things away from a green non wasteful point of view, and, as time goes on, I am less of a hoarder, need less stuff. It feels great to see space. Space in my house, space in my studio, just space. It also feels great that so much of my art has found a place in the homes of friends and family....also got me to look at what I have done over the years and think about what is next... actually not thinking too much about it, just trying to enjoy the process which is kind of funny because moving is very stressful. Kind of grouchy with my kids at times, though I did take Griffin to the movies today to see Space Chimp and we both giggled alot, and last night our family went to the Red Bulls Galaxy Game so we are making time to enjoy life.

Oh... and Friday night at Singer Songwriters in the Park sponsored by my favorite radio station, 90.5 The Night, Brookdale Public Radio, Sons of William opened and then played back up for Griffin House who is GREAT! http://www.myspace.com/griffinhouse
Griffin played songs from his new cd Flying Upside Down (great title!) and some from Lost and Found (Love- Tell Me a Lie, and Way) so life is good and I am feeling lighter!

Schools out and Surf's Up!

It is officially summer. School ended last week for my boys, and my buddy Rick got me out in the water over the weekend! It was awesome for this surfer girl who doesn't get to do it much anymore, but with the imminent move to PA, a good two hours from the surf I figured get it while I can... and it was so much fun! Small pretty consistent waves, clear skies and water, with my guys on the beach - it was a perfect way to start the summer vacation. And a break from all my packing and puring, organizing and feelings of being a bit overwhelmed.

Going through my drawers and portfolios and finding all sorts of goodies for my Moving Art Studio sale.....

Art Studio Sale and helping a special girl

I had another fun day at the Freehold Apple Store with Marisa Maffia, my favorite techie. She helped me put together a flyer for a Moving Art Studio Sale that I am going to have next month. I would much rather see my work in the homes of friends, family and anyone else who wants to live with art, than pay the freight charges to PA and have it sit there. Art is to be shared - which leads me to something else.... my cousin Ellen McVicker, who is also my BFF and partner with Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings, introduced me to Cheryl McAllister years ago when Ellen and I first ventured on our path together. Cheryl is a gifted and I mean gifted, Angel Reader is with Ellen in Aurora, CO at the moment, and shared with her that she has someone special in her life who she loves - young girl named Macie,who is blind. Apparently, there is a very expensive procedure in China that has been very successful in restoring sight to others who have had her condition. That all said, I will be donating a portion of the proceeds of sales from my Art Studio Sale to benefit Macie so she can go to China to have her operation. For more information go to: http://www.maciesvisionquest.com/

Pay it forward my friends.....

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Went to the Apple Store in Freehold Mall today and had my One to One session with my favorite tech, Marisa Maffia, a very talented artist in her own right, and a wiz with imovie. Marisa's site is www.marisamaffia.com She makes it look easy, and maybe it is - after practice. Here is my first endeavor under the guidance of Marissa.

Studio & Garden in Progress

Looking at my home, studio, and gardens through the lens of 'works in progress,' and process as the journey... From that perspective I see that all that I do is part of being creative. In clearing out my studio I came across an email that a friend sent several years ago that I saved. The title of the email is 100 Hundred Ways to Survive as an Artist- Without Cutting off your Ear. (helpful, indeed!) Many of the reminders resonate- especially when at times I think that I am not "making enough art" whatever the heck that means. It's just one of the "squirrels in my head" (thank you Christian for that expression - along with so MANY other yogi lessons, on and off the mat!www.evenflowyoga.com) anyway, here's my quote from the email for the day....

#2 - The fact that you are making anything at all is a huge triumph!

Truly, with all that pulls at us in so many directions internally and externally- I can claim victory for at least another day!

By the way, that fabulous concrete Scottie Dog on my front walk way is by Hawaii based artist,
Jodi Endicott. www.jodiendicott.com/

Rambling through Manhattan and my mind

I have been making a point to get into the city at least once a week- I was in Chelsea with my art buddy Chris Twomey, caught the end of Jasper Johns exhibit at the Met the following week, and this past Friday I went in with my BFF, Marian Donohue with plans to see the Cai Guo-Qiang at the Guggenheim before that closes this month. Well, bad on me... apparently lots and I mean lots of other people had the same idea on that cold and rainy day. Long lines and the rain are not for me so off we went for some hot soup and some wandering... the Jewish Museum was closed (of course-Shabbat) so we wandered into the National Academy of Design for the juried student show, hung salon style with lots to look at. Mostly figurative, and much of it very skillful. Went down Fifth for another shot at the Guggenheim and by now the line was longer... went down a block or two and looked up to find ourselves in front of the Neue Galerie http://www.neuegalerie.org/ where I have wanted to go anyway... and found myself lingering in fron of Klimt's drawings. so beautiful, so elegant... his line, I would love to drape them over myself like an elegant wrap. On the wall, it said that he would spend hours in his study drawing like one would practice their scales.... so I am off to my studio... to glue bambooo!

Keep you posted.

S.P.W.W. while selling a home

"Study endlessly, persevere always, work perpetually, and wait patiently. Time has a way of recognizing talent and integrity." Louise Nevelson

I am always jotting down memorable quotes that resonate with me. I found this one from Louise Nevelson on the inside of a back cover of a sketch book from '05.

The following quote was on the inside of the front cover:
"Accept whatever comes to you in the pattern of your destiny for what could more aptly fit your needs?" Marcus Aurelius

Both seem as meaningful to me as always. We have decided to list our house FOR SALE BY OWNER. We love this house, we love living here. The house has charm, and character, and a wonderful soul. It also fits our needs - and I have a fabulous studio above the detached garage up in the tree tops. We also love our neighborhood, community and our location near the river, beaches, parks and close to NYC. But, Scott has been working down in Delaware since June of last year... and we all need to be together. So, I have been clearing out - giving away, throwing away and just purging! It feels great. I love the space this creates. I am also trying to be disciplined to go into my studio and work or clean or doodle or dawdle, but at least show up so I remember that that is what I need to do.