Tender Buttons, Feigen gallery

Pictures from A Trip About Death...

A Book About Death blues

To Be Tangible, substantial, visible, concrete, manifest.
NYC last weekend... to be alive.
Now, here, abstract secret mask.
Left with the dishes,
the chore,
the bore,
the tore.
The struggle.

Sept. 17, 2009

"When Wilson became aware that her husband was attracted to a younger woman, she began to pay more attention to how she looked when she was with her husband. But she had left their marriage to follow her art. Her children and her grandchildren were welcome to follow her, or they could wave good-bye. As I have often had reason to say, art is a jealous lover. Later she admitted that she had left her husband for art before he had left her for the other woman. Still, she had been called a gargoyle, and suffered the fury of the scorned. During her sixtieth birthday weekend she was with her husband for their fortieth wedding anniversary, but she was also with her friend Ray Johnson, there in her studio by the Chesapeake Bay. She was already cutting into sexy photographs of young women." by William Wilson

September 14, 2009 I've got a little story to tell...

Although I had a fantastic time in the big apple... I came home a little sick. There was a "don't travel with the flu sign"... at the airport. Thankfully at that time I only had a runny nose. Could you imagine being quarantined at JFK? I most certainly cannot. Yesterday moped around. Today much of the same. And frankly, I can't wait to get a few things done--to be feeling better.

Let me tell you about my little trip to NYC. Left early thursday morning... played in China town and then Little Italy...In Chinatown I got this backrub that felt pretty good at the time but the next day--I was hurting! I bought the boys pokemon cards and Lulu a died hot pink silk fan... In Little Italy while sitting eating a lemoncello on sorbet--we saw Ted Danza walk by with a young thing... too funny... and to say that we saw it on Mulberry street. There was a festival of some this or that going on...

...then rested a while and got ready to see the A BOOK ABOUT DEATH SHOW . From our Solita Soho hotel Ginny Lloyd and I walked to the Emily Harvey Gallery. It was on the second floor and we were buzzed in at the front door. I met several artists immediately... and it was such a thrill to meet the people that had previously sent me mail art. I met Keith Buchholz, Reed Altemus, Reed Wood, the Sticker Dude, William Evertson, and Christine Tarantino.
The night was electric... and I felt out of my element... a strange girl in a strange land... Let the Fluxus entertainment begin! This guy named Mark Bloch did a performance piece about Ray Johnson where he wore Ray's book about death. (hope I'm getting this right...). I realized that I had quoted him about Ray in my CHromatophore program... so I had to introduce myself. He wasn't mad that I quoted him without asking... so at least that worry was over. The night was a blurr... and ended nicely at a french restaurant (Parigot, French Bistro, 155 Grand Street-corner of Lafayette)... apple tart with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ginny had the same. We had a desert wine too and I can't remember the name... but it hit the spot to have a really decent night's rest.

the next day... life after death...? Perhaps. We headed uptown... ended up at the MoMA which I have a certain kind of fondness for... like visiting old friends... and never having enough time to really get intimate. There is so much I could say about any place or event that we went to... and yet not enough space or time to do so. My goal of really putting myself "out there" in the world of art this year has really kept me, yanni, too busy... We had lunch at the 2nd floor moma cafe. I had a duck salad... and it was delicious minus the duck and the masca-blah blah cheese that I really didn't like. Anyway... I ate it cause I needed to eat something... then I left Ginny finished up at the MoMa and then went next door to see the Am Folk Art Museum. I made a connection with two people there... one that looks promising. And no, I'm not talking about the guy from Denver who invited me to lunch or dinner--my choice--the next time I'm in Denver. What a sweet old guy. Ok... on to the Ray Johnson art show at the Richard L. Feigen & Co. gallery... It was a strange gallery as you walk up to what looks like a townhome and get buzzed in... to find what used to be the Iranian embassy and is now a gallery. Feigen usually houses classic paintings but also handles the estate of Ray Johnson. Today we were looking at pieces of Ray Johnson's, Dali and Warhol. It was easy to see the interplay of the three men. I thoroughly enjoyed the space--as it was quiet and I was one of three people there. I bought the show catalog and the lady working at the desk offered us previous Johnson show catalogs as well as pins with the infamous Ray Johnson Bunny. Freebies are great... and Ray Johnson freebies--spectacular.
I told Ginny we had to make one more stop while we were in the area... to see "Tender Buttons." Richard Canard told me that I would like the shop... and I did--adorable. But it seemed like a mystery to me. The man working there was also named Richard. I asked who made the sign and the lady working there told me that the shop owner did. Later I was told by Mark Bloch that Ray Johnson made the sign. So I did as Richard told me to do and picked up a few business cards for Tender Buttons. And I bought some buttons... as I couldn't help myself.
Had dinner at mexican sort of place in soho... la Esquina. Delicious... and on to the Fluxfest show in Brooklyn. The lady working at the hotel... steered us way into the wrong direction... and $40 later in taxi fees and Ted on the phone with the google directions and cross streets--we made it... just as the Fluxfest was ending. We walked from there to the subway station with Reed and Mark and headed to the after party party... at Bill Wilson's house. On the subway I was serenaded by a man who claimed to be from outer space and played the saxophone. It was so much fun...

Bill Wilson is May Wilson's son. May Wilson is an awesome artist and friend of Ray Johnson. May and Bill were friends with Ray Johnson. This was probably the highlight of my trip... seeing and meeting Bill Wilson and listening to his stories of Ray Johnson. The art in his home was utterly amazing. And in a way I felt at home... a home filled with art... just feels right. At the end of the evening I ended up asking Bill what it was like growing up around all this art... he said it was a wonderful way to grow up and that it broadened his horizons. He signed one of his mother's art catalogs for me, "This is my mom, Many Loves, Bill" Bill is a pretty old guy but gracious as anything and I so enjoyed listening to him. The house was filled with priceless art and interesting people... a virtual whose-who in the NYC art world... and little ol' me. It felt good. Really good. Bill gave us as many Ray Johnson postcards as we could carry and books from his personal collection that he was ready to part with. What a day!

The next morning GInny and I had breakfast at the Parigot--I had the omelette with french fries and a salad. I'm not an omelette eater but knew that I just had to order it and it would be delish... and it was. Plus I enjoyed the staff... the manager who tried on my sunglasses and took a picture of me with my Diana camera and the chef who came out to say hello... And they were all french... nothing like a real french man speaking french! Walked around Soho... went to the bathroom in the dirtiest Starbucks bathroom that I've ever seen... and then caught a towncar to the airport... the rest my friend, is history.
I have about a thousand pictures but won't be able to post them all here... so here is 10... maybe I'll post more throughout the week!

Despair

I'm still in a real yucky place. We are still not on track with school... we are still drowning in class changes, random papers, homework shoved into a locker, dreams of golf teams and utter failures making the headlines. Triple ugh. Tomorrow I'm leaving for NYC. I had a fever this afternoon of 99 and started to get that body ache... Ted brought me home some "airborne," and I did some homeopathic stuff... and I think... I'm okay... No one wants to be sick while traveling... Still I'm hoping that I will leave for 3 days and come home to the perfect life... can you arrange that for me?

I just feel behind in everything and like I can't catch up and in the meantime I'm being asked to do more. It seems never ending. Don't know what exactly I can even do about it. Who sped up the clock... it's spinning out of control. Tomorrow I'm going to wake up and have a beard down to my toes... and won't know anything around me... oh, wait that's someone else's story...

And to make matters worse the vacuum cleaner is broke. I can't even do my homemaking duties.

On a happy note... here I am with the oil painting I entered into the Art's Center's democratic show. I went to the opening last friday and had a grand time. The crumbcakes really enjoyed taking part in the demonstrations. I enjoyed meeting and talking with a variety of people. Ted never made it to the show... too busy with that little thing called work. And the beat goes on...

Ryosuke Cohen

I received an email this morning from Ryosuke Cohen and here is his ongoing mail art call:

Please send me your stamp design, rubberstamp, or 150 stickers or seals. I will print or paste these materials onto the A3 size paper, creating 150 sheets. I will then send a sheet back with a list of addresses to each participant. I will publish at intervals of 8 to 10 days at that time will include 60 people or so. Brain Cell is always seeking a change, does not intend to settle and care of it’s extension of the Network. So... don’t mail a lump of stuff for several issues. Please send them to me one issue at a time, Thank you!

Ryosuke Cohen c/o Brain Cell
3-76-1-A-613 Yagumokitacho Moriguchi City Osaka 570 Japan
TEL&FAX +81.6.6991.1507


http://www.ryosukecohen.com/



http://www.h5.dion.ne.jp/~cohen/fractal/franctal050607.htm



http://www.h5.dion.ne.jp/~cohen/info/ryosukec.htm

Take a Deep Breath ALready...

All I wanted to do was eat today... and I wanted chocolate. Can't tell you the last time I wanted chocolate... I'm still exhausted from Chromatophore... which by the way went smashingly well... Maybe someday I'll tell you about it. Not much to tell... collected art, posted art, hung art, shared art. The sharing was very fun...

A Book About... Death

I'm excited to go to NYC for the Book About Death Show. I'm going to share a place with Ginny Lloyd--aka GIna Lotta Post. So the Queen of artistamps will be staying with the princess of mail art. Har har.

My head is spinning with my oldest crumbcake going to middle school... he's so disorganized and the teachers just assume that he can remember anything... he's lost at sea... and we missed the open house last night. Ted swears that when they woke him up Saturday with the automated telephone call that it said his open house was tonight... nope, it was last night--we missed it--and we totally screwed our son out of any hope of catching up and getting organized. I'm ready to spit nails... oh yeah, already did that last night. It makes me despise all things school and all things little boy and all things husband. The sheer lack of any organized thought amongst them drives me nuts. Why does mom have to figure every darn thing out?? Why does mom have to solve all the problems. Homeschool was so much easier... and a lot less wasted time.

UGH.

When I go to NY I may just never come back. You all understand don't you?

10,000 things to be happy about

When I was a freshman in college I bought the book, "10,000 things to be happy about" Now there is an updated version--they added 4,000 more things. One of my favorite movies from my childhood was Pollyanna. Do you remember the glad game? There is so much to be thankful for--so much to be happy about. I'm going to list a few of my recent favorites.

new toothbrush
thunderstorms
walking across the street holding hands
packing tape from Publix at a reasonable price
Tommy saying, "I googled Particle Accelerator"
Free buttons
Original ideas
A true friend
Eternal Truth
Sharpies
my sewing machines
sand between my toes
salty water in my eyes
A clean house--if I could have one--I would be thoroughly happy
Finding
trip to New York
Leaving bad ideas in the dust...

Free Art Friday, Mail art and Chromo

I participated in "Free Art Friday". I don't know why I did it... releasing my art into the unknown... not knowing if someone will pick it up to love or just toss it or what...??? I left her with the tag in the photo... with my info. No response and if they didn't respond already--they probably won't. ha!

I was on Art In Your Ear hosted by JoEllen Schilke. Last year when I was really down with stuff... she listened and offered help. JoEllen is a shelter in the storm of life. She owns and runs and cooks for...the Globe Coffee Lounge--a great little hang out in downtown St. Petersburg. She is a blend of art, music and good food. Anyway--none of that has to do with Art In Your Ear... so JoEllen is also the host of the Art In Your Ear show... on 88.5... public radio! She wears many hats. Coralette, Tommy and I headed over to Tampa and we got their a little too early. You can never judge Tampa traffic. Tommy made friends with the receptionist... I chatted away nervously to Coralette... telling her random things about my life. I'm sure she was just thrilled! She was as cool as a cucumber. Then Jorge walked in the door with his latest protoge. He and her were going on after us pitching the latest project for the Morean arts center. I listened to their bit later and I still can't figure out what it's about. I'll have to listen again. JoEllen led us into the radio studio. I sat in a high office chair with a giant microphone in my face. Then the bumbling began... I was running on adrenaline. Who knows what I said about mail art. Tommy did well and was short and to the point when answering questions. You never know what a kid is going to say but he did well. Coralette has a knack for giving the right answers--she was made for interviews. I don't think she was nervous at all! All I really wanted to say was "Hi Mom," "Testtower are you out there?" and "Courside Grille donated 3 gift cards!!" JoEllen wasn't about to let any of that happen... she led me down a path of questions and answers like picking up a bread crumb trail. It was easy--she made it that way. And all that nervousness seemed a bit wasted. Radio interview--a first for me. This has been a year of firsts. Chromatophore is going to be a smashing success. I can taste it. It's all downhill from here--even hanging the show... I know that I haven't told them (Studio 620) what or how the show is going to look... but I see it, I know it, I feel it... and on Wed. when we hang--it will all come together. And it's going to be something that all the contributors and viewers are going to love.

Today I did this doodle--self portrait--I was looking in the passenger vanity mirror while driving to church. I hadn't had time to draw in a few days and was going through some withdrawals. So I started working on this piece and will send it out as mail art. I like the piece...

Just one more thing... Podpost's book, "Good Mail Day." is AWESOME. It really gives some great guidelines, rules, advice, how-tos for mail art. It's an amazing book. A piece of my art is on the cover and I'm on page 115. Buy it on Amazon. It's a great book--you'll love it. And I'll sign my page if you want me too. HA HA HA HA!!

Who am I anyway?

Thank you Test Tower!

I just wanted to say a special Thank you to Test Tower who donated not--only one pack of his artist trading cards but two! (One for me!) Thanks Test. They are spectacular. I love them all!! I finished the Chromatohore banner/lap quilt today. I intend to raffle it away on the Opportunity Table August 27th. There are other artists who also intend on donating art! Remember I must have your art in hand to include you in the program Thank-you section.
I've also been working on the artist appreciation bags... I'd like to give something really great...but there will be a few things that will hopefully make the artists who attend the show a little happy! ;-)

10 Days Until Chromatophore!

Test Tower gives Chromatophore a shout out and also posts my latest piece to him... See it HERE. Can you imagine... only 10 more days until the opening of Chromatophore? 4 more days until Art in Your Ear! HERE IS A LINK TO LISTENING TO ART IN YOUR EAR FROM WHERE EVER YOU ARE ON EARTH! You might remember that last year for the first mail art show--we had our show at the Globe Coffee Lounge in St. Petersburg FL. Well, JoEllen Schilke, owner of the Globe, is also the host of a local art radio program. There is a lot I can say about JoEllen but the thing that sticks out in my mind--the most--is that she is a top notch person. She is the real deal--practicing what she preaches. So if you are in St. Petersburg you should check out her home cooking--and it's good for you--here is a LINK to her site. So remember to listen on Friday and if you can't check out the podcast! Coralette Damme--The Crafty Hag--will also be joining me on the radio show. So you get two mail arters for the price of one! Coralette also works for Studio 620 so she will have all the insider Studio info! Here is a link to Coralette's WORLD.

So this week should be one filled to brim... I have to get my 3 crumbcakes ready for school... you know the drill.... school supplies, new underwear and perhaps jeans long enough for CC #1's long growing legs! You know if middle school boys have to wear pants. At the rate he grows I'll be buying new jeans every other month...
I have to clean my house so that Gina Lotta Post has a nice place to stay when she is here for Chromo!
And the rest my friend is a secret--if you want to know... come to the mail art show opening on August 27th at the Studio @620!

Must go now and hope your week is fabulous!

332 Pieces of mail art....

I made my list of mail artists yesterday. I'm working on compiling the mail art data. For now--Richard Canard has sent 67 pieces. That's an utterly amazing amount. I'm starting to work on the program but it's something that has to be done last minute... as I'm adding those donating to the show to the program and donations are still rolling in. I'm so happy for the business owners and artists who have committed themselves to making this show a success. I am not selling any of my Chromatophore collection. Studio 620 is letting me use their space for free--of course they'll be reaping the benefits of the "opportunity table"--where I will raffle away the donations--gift cards and gift baskets and original art--that I've gone around and begged for... Fund raising is one hard job. Even businesses that have money don't want to donate because once they say yes to one person they feel like they have to say yes to everyone. So they don't want to open that door. I don't blame them. But I have to say--the majority of the places I asked--are places that I frequent and have spent money. To me, that seemed fair in my mind. If I could say--"hey, I eat here or shop here all the time, I've invested in you, could you invest in me?"--seemed fair. Plus I'm the kind of person--if I like your business--I tell more than 10 people. And this blog doesn't count cause only 3 people are reading it. lol.

My niece has the swine flu.

Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay voting is up... and I know this because artists are already making their pleas on facebook. So I'll do the big eye roll and say please don't vote for me. GAG. I may beg you to come to the Chromatophore show, to donate something for the "opportunity table" but I won't be as self serving to ask you to vote for me for any popularity contest. I also won't create a facebook fan page--I mean what is that? Unless you're really a star... unless you have stalkers--I don't think you need a fan page. *chortle* I voted for best artist and I voted for Hugo Porcaro. Hugo is involved in so many projects and only more to come. Plus he's a mail artist... and i'm kinda fond of that breed. Plus he's not asking anyone to "vote" for him.

Art in Your Ear--http://www.wmnf.org/programs/show/255 -- hosted by JoEllen Schike is on Fridays at 1pm on WMNF 88.5. I hope you listen next week as I will be on the show for Chromatophore. If you don't catch it live they do have podcasts on their website. I'm nervous. I hope you listen every week cause JoEllen is just a great gal and wonderful art host. I'm sure you can find a few categories to vote for her in the Best of the Bay. I know I did!

So... having friends tout your goodness--wonderful.
Touting your own goodness--not so much.

And really what does it really matter--we have swine flu to worry about.

So I was thinking about that post that I just wrote... and yes I agree with what I said (look ma, I'm having a convo with myself) but on the other hand--what is this blog, my facebook, my etsy, etc--what is it? Self promotion. So I don't blame anyone for wanting to be the best artist or whatever in the Bay. And although I find the whole asking for votes thing a little pompous--how would people know to vote for you?? I imagine that unless you are really into Creative Loafing you may not even know about the their "Best of." Artists have to do promoting... just like movies have to have trailers. It's all a part of the game. A game that makes me feel uncomfortable most of the time--but still it's the game.

I just keep painting...

I was a busy girl today. Worked on a poster for the Chromo show and also some small pieces to possibly sell. Tomorrow I will go print some posters at Office Depot... and then my next giant task is the Chromo program. I talked to Ginny Lloyd for a long time today--she has volunteered to help me with a few aspects of the show and also dontate a book she wrote to the raffle. We are also going to do a mail art performance piece. You are the first person that I've told. It should be exciting and real San Fran Fluxus like. Look out St. Petersburg!!!!!! I'm so excited to meet Ginny in person--she was such a delight and I liked listening to her stories of the original Correspondence School players. Mail art opens doors--it has given me a chance to send and receive art from people all over the world. People who are connecting with other people is a beautiful thing to me.

Lulu was much better today but too weak to leave the house. She got lively about 5 pm. She started working on a little painting and I knew she was on the road to recovery. She said she was painting a "Cherie form." She described it as a woman with wings. It's funny the things that kids say and do.

This weekend I'm going to be at a Jewish Synagoge : Ben Yehuda Market Place, 1325 S. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764, Sunday AUg 16th from 1-4. You can come see me there if you want! I'm not sure how this sale will go... I've never done anything like it. Hopefully I'll make my entry fee back... UGH. Heather--a friend of mine since high school--told me about the event. She does Dove chocolate home shows and donated a chocolate martini gift basket to the Chromo raffle. Local crafters don't share much info with me at all. Except for one: Calan Ree--she is a fabulous jewelry maker--she works in clay and metal and makes some groovy stuff... read her blog HERE. She also sells on etsy--look her up www.gingerdead.etsy.com . She's a one-of-a-kind original!

I am still not sure if craft shows are the route I should be taking--they keep me working on merchandise and I wonder if this is art that I am making or crafts. What I want to be doing is painting with oils and drawing detailed portraits. And my mail art--I want to be doing that too as it connects me to life. I guess I'll figure things out. And then there is this mail art show... making me busy and a little stressed out. (understatement) Oh, and you better be there...

My Sick WOoWOo

My Lu has been sick with a fever and earache. She just got home from her two week trip to visit Ted's family in Arkansas. I made her the little rag doll to cheer her up.

Sarah at the Eclipse Gallery is now selling my rag dolls

http://networkedblogs.com/p8592054?ref=nf

I sent a few pieces of art for a show called 50 Artists, 50 mediums, 50 States to the Eclipse Gallery in Algoma, WI. The one named Gretchen is large--the largest doll I've made thus far. Recently I have made the smallest doll thus far--she is no more than 8 inches and can almost wear Tiny Besty McCall's clothes and Tiny Ann Estelle's. This little rag doll is wearing an apron. Lulu said she can live in the doll house as the maid--since she has the apron and all. I was hoping she would be the princess but she is a rag doll...

photo by Sarah E. Condon @ the Eclipse Gallery

Some of my latest work...

The envelopes were sent to local newspaper writers.... to tell them about the upcoming Chromatophore show.

Cherie's Artist Sidewalk sale

Sunday was a wonderful Art sidewalk sale outside of CHerie's on the corner of Beach Drive and 2nd Ave N. I can't remember if I've blogged about this... but Cherie's is closing her doors after 8 wonderful years. It breaks my heart as Cherie gave me a real chance to show my work and sell it. I think that small time artists--like me--hold themselves to the Cherie standard... I've shopped there for years... and when you go there and see the artwork that is there you say to yourself, "It would be just the ultimate to have my work at Cherie's." I've heard other artists share similar stories. To have my work in the window of Cherie's has been a compete and total honor. That's how I feel about it. I'm honored. Thank you for all you've done for our city Cherie. (Cherie's having another artist sidewalk sale this Saturday but I won't be able to be at that one.) Calan Ree will be there though--check out her blog: www.gingerdead.com She sells fan-tab jewelry!!

Mail Art Sent out....