Openings are Fun?

Aziletos #1 and #6, Terry Bachman

Landscape 2, Don Weaver

Landscape 1, Don Weaver

Boro Tree, 12 x 3 x3" and Woman,11 x 3 x 3".
© 2010 Deborah Jaouen

I finally made it down to Norfolk to see how my 2 assemblages were getting along in their group show. The opening was back in April, but I wasn't braving that bridge tunnel bottleneck on a Friday evening. Worst traffic situation I've ever seen and I'm a native Angeleno (that's L.A). Anyway, does inconvenience justify not attending an opening?

As for my sculptures, they were tastefully installed with works hanging nearby. I really liked these two mixed media pieces by Don Weaver and thought they were a good choice to install next to my work. Two assembled woodwork pieces by Terry Bachman also caught my eye.

Art as Battle

Well, there's not much in the way of excuses as to why I've been so "lazy" about posting. Unless it's my usual condition--working full time running 3 other businesses besides my art one. Big confession-- I can't stand to hear art referred to as a hobby. I'm a lifer (so far) in the wannabe full-time artist arena. I don't want to be someone who can only make her art once she's safely retired. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not for me. I'd rather struggle with too many spinning plates until I can quit my day job.

On the sculpture side of life, I've been fighting the organizing battle again and this time I'm determined to win it. A harmonious studio is huge for getting on track, I've found, although my studio is currently completely out of sync with that ideal. This cute and freshly painted etagere is meant for sorting all the little parts I've been collecting for assemblage making. I will post a new pic when it's filled with the recycled phone packaging boxes I turn into mini-storage units. I'm pretty sure I don't have 24 though! My kids haven't gone through that many phones...yet.

Zippers

These are inspiring me right now...

How True

I thought this list I saw on Lenny Campello's blog was very well put.

Cardinal Mom

There is a mother cardinal living in my rose trellis! She has the sweetest little nest with three beautiful speckled eggs in it. I feel sorry for disturbing her with my sneaky peeks--she flies away in a panic. I'm often tempted to check her on my way to the garage to finish up some projects. But if I stay behind the glass of the garage door, she doesn't mind at all.

A nest, how evocative of nurturing and maternal love. Right now I'm in a conceptual stage, thinking about what I want to do next, so maybe you'll see some nest related pieces from me here soon. Or not...but I really hope I start working again very soon.

At the Hirschhorn

Sunday we popped up to DC for an afternoon of family museum fun. It was really hot out and the idea of an air conditioned building was irresistible. I had never been to the Hirshhorn(!)so I was pretty pleased.

In fact, the sculpture garden with its wonderful fountain was the best part of that particular visit. Because the Yves Klein show was being installed, we had to content ourselves with the permanent collection. I had an a-ha! moment when my daughter pointed something out--I don't like permanent collections either.

What I did love in the collection were the 4 magnificent Rothkos on the lower level. No photos allowed. And of course there was that amazing Lichtenstein sculpture "Brushstroke" at the museum entrance.

Follow Me, Hobbits

Hey people, I now have google friend connect enabled, so please follow my blog. I promise it will get better!
p.s. have I just identified myself as a Lord of the Rings nerd?