Hands painting hands

I’ve taken on a new series recently. I realized that quite a lot of my work has hands in it. They are part of the stories that are told through my art. A lot can be told through the expression of hands. With this discovery, I decided to paint hands on purpose… Instead of being a vehicle to tell the story. They ARE the story. I debuted six new paintings at the Hartford Open Studio in November. I’ve since done two more paintings to compliment that series. I will continue to explore hands in the future. Here are a few photos of the artwork framed. (I’m not a great photographer, so please bear with me!)

The ones on the bottom are the new ones. The guitar playing hands belong to fellow painter, Jason Werner. And the “I love you” sign language hand is my own hand. This one is painted in particular for a show coming up here at Artspace. You can read about it here.

Here is a close up version of the hands with a guitar:

Art for the Open Heart

February 9, 6-9pm
Artspace Gallery
555 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT

I will be participating in this exhibition coming up at Artspace. It is a fundraiser to help Tao LaBossiere pay  for his open heart surgery that he will need in February. Tao has been instrumental in the growth of Artspace gallery and the Hartford art community as a whole. He has been a resident of Artspace since it’s inception in 1997, and is the volunteer director of the gallery.

I have created this piece specifically for this event. “I love you” Painted with oils. There is a heart in the background, it’s kind of hard to tell with the lighting, but it’s there. Love and all. ❤

From the Facebook event page:

Not to be missed exhibit will feature hundreds of artworks by more than one hundred local artists. $10+ donation at the door.

Music by DJ Jon Eastman
Wine presented by Two Guys and a Lotta Wine
Food by Salute, Fire ‘n Spice, Ginza Japanese Restaurant

This is a benefit for Tao LaBossiere’s Open Heart Surgery.

20% or more of any sales will be generously donated to the “Tao LaBossiere Open Heart Fund.” ALL event proceeds will benefit the “Tao LaBossiere Open Heart Fund”. Tao is in need of open heart surgery and his catastrophic insurance will leave him with more than $45,000+ in medical bills. We are creating an art show that benefits all participating artists, as well as a Benefit for Tao, that will help him to avoid financial ruin from this unexpected necessary medical condition.

Tao LaBossiere has been volunteering to help artists and build up the artist community through ArtSpace Hartford Gallery since 1997. He is the volunteer force behind 18-21 art shows each year for the past 15 years, each attended by hundreds equaling thousands of lives touched yearly, by Tao’s assistance. If you have ever been part of an art show at Hartford ArtSpace Gallery, or if your friends have ever even attended an event, then you have directly benefited by his volunteer efforts. Additionally, you should note his years of volunteer support to the artists of Hartford Artists Open Studio Weekend, CowParade, West Hartford Art League, and Oil Drum Art. He is humbled and grateful for any and all help you decide to freely give.

If anyone would prefer to donate directly in lieu of participation, feel free to send a check to:
TD Bank
c/o Tao LaBossiere Open Heart Fund
203 Trumbull Street
Hartford, CT 06103

Or donate online at:
http://www.giveforward.com/taolabossiereopenheartfund

For those artists looking to participate:

$20 Entry Donation per piece, no limit to number of pieces an artist may submit. Size limit of 4 ft in any direction. Diptychs and Triptychs count as individual pieces.

First come, first served until the gallery is full, salon-style. We will direct you in hanging the work as it comes in and reserve the right to tweak the show to it’s best display for all.

Art Drop off:
Monday, Feb 4, 5 to 7 pm
Tuesday, Feb 5, 5 to 7 pm
and by appointment (contact Amy LaBossiere 860-543-3244)

Hope to see you there!! 

High Priestess

I was fortunate enough to be invited to be a part of a show here at Artspace called, “The Oracles”. It was an amazing show where 22 artists were asked to create a tarot card, each one of the major arcana. I was asked to create the High Priestess.

Once I started reading about the High Priestess and everything she represents, I really felt like I needed more of her in my life. Basically, the High Priestess is about looking within and following your instincts. Knowing that you know best. I hadn’t been following my instincts and I feel it threw me off course for a little while. I’m back on track now, following what I feel and not over thinking things. (at least I try to… 🙂 easier said than done) She is mysterious and mystical and knows all. She is typically shown with a black and white pillar on each side of her, symbolizing dark and light decisions and she stands in contemplation between the two. Instead of the pillars, I have used the light itself to illustrate the light and dark sides of the high priestess. She is half in light and half in shadow. She is holding onto scrolls, information that you can see, but she is not quick to reveal.

She is usually crowned by the moon, shining light on what you may not have noticed before. I show the moon behind her following a spiral that emanates from her third eye. The Golden Spiral. I have always been fascinated with the Golden Ratio, as it’s the most aesthetically pleasing mathematical equation. It’s found in nature and in architecture. Whether it’s on purpose or an accident, it’s fascinating to me. It seems like a paradox–math and art–but also, so very obvious. Of course it can be boiled down to numbers. Of course there is order in this chaos. Of course everything is connected. You just have to listen. From your inner workings, to your outer world.

High Priestess, 18″ x 24″, oil paint

This show was amazing to be a part of, and I’m so happy to have been involved in it. There was a tarot deck made from the 22 original pieces of artwork that were shown, which you can buy online here.

Thank you to Dawn Manogue who coordinated this project as a part of her culminating project for a Masters Degree in Integrative Health and Healing with the Graduate Institute.

Sophia’s 2nd Birthday, The Starfish

My niece turned two last week. She is the most adorable little thing, with the funniest expressions. I decided that I wanted to do something special for her, and I just happened to be hiking to the top of Mt. Washington the week before her birthday party. I had knitted this starfish, and it was lying around, something that happens a lot when I make things. They just sit there…. But then I thought about bringing it to the top of the highest point in New England. Then it would be special, then it would be different. Then it would have opened it’s eyes……

So that’s just what I did.

It was a very foggy day, and visibility was practically zero. But we made it. It was an amazing hike, and I can’t wait until next year, to do it again.

So aside from the starfish (and me) making it to the top of the mountain, it needed a story.

Here is the story I wrote to go along with it. I was fully intending for it to be just two verses, short and sweet, but it ended up a little longer than anticipated and will probably grow even more over time….

Auntie Sarah took this starfish,
Up the mountain to make a wish.
He was so plain, at the mountain’s base,
He had no eyes, no mouth, no face.

She hiked and hiked, til she reached the top,
She could go no higher and had to stop.
Sarah held the starfish up so high,
It may have even touched the sky.

She wished so hard with all her might
He started to glow and shine so bright,
They were high as any human could go
And something made this starfish know.

He knew of all the things before,
the things that were forevermore.
He knew all things that are hereafter
He knew silence and he knew laughter.

He had come to life at the top of that mountain
knowledge flowed to him, like a fountain.
At that moment he opened his eyes,
he couldn’t speak, but he had become wise.

 

Google Drive

I have been working on my trusty MacBook Pro for 6 years now, and it’s started to slow down a bit, I’m starting to use up all the 200GB that came with it, and I’ve been periodically backing up my files just to keep enough room to work.

I connected my computers through the network, which was a lot easier than I thought it would be. The MacBook Pro, just showed up in my sidebar, and I signed in! Imagine that! (I did have to “share” the right folders on my old computer, but it was easy)

Once I did that I was going to just start shifting things over, through the network from one computer to the other, and it would probably take awhile depending on the speed of the network, and how many files I was moving. I was moving a LOT of files.

Then I discovered Google Drive…  It’s just like dropbox, but better. (Of course it is, everything Google makes is better!) You get 5GB free, and 25 GB, for a measly $2.49 per month. What?! I already had the free Dropbox of 2GB, which over the years (through referrals, 500MB/per) has grown to almost 5GB.

So I decided that I’m going to go Google. I purchased the extra plan, and I’m in the process of syncing my files with Google Drive now.

If you don’t know what Dropbox or Google Drive is, it is a magical thing. There is a folder on your computer, that Google (or Dropbox) will sync with the Cloud. Don’t know what the Cloud is? Don’t worry, no one really does. It’s a fantastical dreamland where your files reside, and are forever safe from the evils of a hard drive failure. Not that your computer is safe–don’t get me wrong. Your computer could kick the bucket at any time, but your files, your files will be safe and sound in the cloud.

So once I’m done syncing all my files to the cloud, I will create another synced folder on my iMac where it will begin downloading all the files.

What is the difference between doing this sync, and transferring them manually, you ask? Well, let me tell you. 🙂 I originally bought a MacBook Pro so that I could travel with my computer and be able to work wherever I am. I wanted an iMac as my new computer because it’s more powerful, and has a larger screen. I can now do both, work on my fancy shmancy iMac at home, and my practical MacBook wherever I want. And I know wherever I am, I’m working on the same files. No more forgetting this file, or that one. It’s all synced on the cloud…

The magical, fantastical cloud.

Here is my current state of affairs: Still syncing the cloud, it will take awhile.

I’m also backing up my laptop, one last time, before I clean everything off of it and go to the cloud. I’ll post an update when I get everything up and running to let you know how everything turned out.

 

Tie One On!

Artsake Gallery is having a show at the end of the month called, Tie One One. Wooden neck ties were cut out and donated by Darcey Kitchens and Millwork, Inc of Tolland. These ties, painted by local artists, will be auctioned off for charity on April 27th, during the opening reception 7-9pm. The entrance fee is a non-perishable or healthcare item for the local food bank. All proceeds from the auction will go to Cornerstone Foundation Inc, in Rockville.

At the opening reception there will be music by Neal and Frank from the Barn, and Auctioneer Jayme Kunze from the Tolland Patch. Feel free to sport your favorite or silliest tie! Prizes will be given for ugliest, most original and most dapper ties worn.

Additional show dates: Saturday, April 28th, 10-5, and Sunday, April 29th, 10-5.

Here is a sneak peak at one of my ties. It’s not the best photo, but it’s something! I am also working on another one. Not sure when you will be able to see that one finished, but maybe soon! Or maybe not until the reception…. See you there!

Court Martial at Fort Devens by Jeffrey Sweet

The next play being put on by the Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC) is a historical play about black women in the army during WWII. They joined to become nurses and were told by a racist general that they could not treat white soldiers and were demoted to cleaning duty. They go on strike and by disobeying the orders of a general are court martialed. They will either go to prison for standing up for themselves and wanting to be nurses, or go back to cleaning floors.

This is the illustration I created for ETC. I wanted it to be monochromatic, but also a play on the white uniforms of a nurse vs. the blue uniforms that the janitors wear. These women were confined unwillingly to clean toilets when in fact they were trained to be nurses.

You can see the play at the First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow Street, Mystic CT. A portion of the profits to benefit Military Child Education Coalition.

Friday, April 13, 2012 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 14, 2012 @ 8pm
Sunday, April 15, 2012 @ 4pm
Thursday, April 19, 2012 @ 8pm
Friday, April 20, 2012 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 21, 2012 @ 8pm
Sunday, April 22, 2012 @ 4pm

Tickets are $25/person, $20 for students and seniors. Call 860.705.9711 for tickets or go to: www.emersontheatercollaborative.org

This illustration was created in watercolor.

Clubhouse Cadets Logo

Clubhouse Baseball is a 501c3 non profit organization, started by Danny Cahill, that will give kids age 9-15 access to high level baseball instruction and competition without the cost normally associated with travel ball. They work in conjunction with AAU programs, private instructors, MLB coaches, sports psychiatrists, and professional trainers to design a program for physical and mental development.

Many young kids are serious about baseball but the families cannot justify the expense associated with acquiring the proper training. It is especially difficult for families on the east coast due to the high cost of maintaining indoor memberships during the winter months.

The goal is to provide this type of opportunity to kids by asking for donations from individuals, corporations, and small businesses. Every dollar raised will go towards uniforms, program fees, tournament costs, equipment, and other related supplies.

“My philosophy in baseball is that the best baseball minds are in MLB, but that is where the least amount of instruction is needed. I have started a non-profit program to bring major league instruction to the people who need it most, kids! I am also going to put teams together to play against the very expensive AAU Travel programs which can cost $3,000 per kid, per summer, just to be on a team. They can play with my program for free, get great coaching and competition. ” ~ Danny Cahill

You can help by donating money to Clubhouse Baseball, please contact Danny Cahill at 860-951-6069 or  dc0527@gmail.com

This logo was created in Illustrator using a Wacom pen tablet.

Holiday Portraits: Revealed!

Here are a select few portraits that I did this year for the holidays! Enjoy!

Perseus, pastel, 8×10

Emma, pencil, 8×10

Gramma and Dogs, colored pencil, 10×8

Penny & Chester, pencil, 8×10

Adam’s Kids, pencil, 8×10

Beebe & Maggie, pencil, 8×10

Risa & her dog, pastel, 11×14

Rich Rochlin Photography Logo

Here is a logo I created for Rich Rochlin Photography. What we started with was nothing like what we ended up with. We went through a bunch of revisions on this logo as nothing seemed to fit just right for what Rich was looking for. But after talking it through and picking his brain a little more, this logo came through the fog and it was clear that this was the one!

I used the “R”s in his name and made a mirror image of them. Then I took the leg of the “R”s and made them longer to represent a tripod. The camera fit just perfectly on that tripod and I added a lens and a cutout for the flash.

You can see his photography work here.

You can see what he does for a day job here.