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We are moving out today. And Tomorrow. And Sunday. Probably Monday, too.

Stupid mold.

Where Are You, Lazy Summer?

Image source.

Ugh! I thought summer was the time to slow down. I imagined catching up on all my favorite blogs, posting some interesting blogs, long hours in the studio, bike rides, any kind of summertime leisure. Now it's almost August and I still feel like I haven't accomplished any of the kind of real leisure. I don't think I have found the right kind of balance with my new job just yet and I'm still in the long, drawn out process of moving out of my old apartment and studio.

Now we have a new worry to add to our list. We discovered mold in our house and not just on a piece of bread. Our basement is filled and it continues to grow. We are trying to figure out what we can do. We may have to move again. Stress stress.

I just want some leisure time! Some summertime!

I am doing all I can to keep up with my fundraiser blog. I have made a few sales which is really exciting. We have some really great pieces up. It's really hard for me to not buy everything on the blog. Go take a look and buy some super affordable art for a good cause. I was just reading on Sarah's caring bridge journal that she continues to do well while going through chemo. Also her baby is growing and may just get out of the hospital soon! I think all the well wishes going toward the family are doing a lot of good. Keep them in your thoughts.

Have a great day.

Will Cotton

I just finished watching the latest Work of Art and I still don't know where I stand with the show. I like reading different recaps from different types of people to see what others' feelings are. Do you guys watch it? Thoughts? It is very exciting seeing Peregrine Honig in action since I've had an art crush on her for forever. She's still there and going strong and I'm quite pleased. John Parot, unfortunately, got kicked off way too soon. His work is definitely way stronger than a lot of the other contestants who are still around so it's a real shame. I was excited to see what else he would make. The actual work being made is really not that exciting. When you have a challenge and about a day to do it you really can't expect work that is that great. I used to tell my students that art takes time and it's done when it's done, not when you spend x amount of hours. I hated hearing anyone say, "but i spent eight hours on it." "So spend about thirteen more and then it might be finished," I'd tell them.

Okay so I'm not just hear to bitch. I'm actually pretty excited about the guest judge on last night's episode because I fell head-over-heals for his work. I also realized that a teacher once gave me a postcard for one of his upcoming shows because he thought I would like him. I think I immediately lost the postcard so I'm happy for the reminder.

Will Cotton seemed like a charming character. He liked Peregrine's work! She liked his work! I like both of their work! I wish they could like me... haha.

Take a look at some pieces here. Then go to his website to see more greatness:

More Fun Art

More goodies up on the fundraiser blog.

A beautiful mixed media collage by Kristen Wulff.

Ollie and Ginger, cute felted animals by Jennifer Hugon.
Buy art at affordable prices, all for a good cause!

Meghan O'Connor

My good friend Meghan O'Connor has just installed this amazing show in Lexington, Kentucky at the Lexington Arts League. If you are in the area the closing reception is August 27 from 6-9. This show really blows me away. I told Meghan I wanted to do a write-up on my blog so I asked her to send me an artist statement for the show. She sent this:

“Scum-Licker” is an installation that incorporates animals and appliances, tied together by the themes of domesticity, labor, comfort, and struggle. The appliances, furniture, and other household items are organized like the interior of a home, with the animal figures “inhabiting” the space.
As you enter the space, you step into the living room area and head in a counter-clockwise direction into the sewing/ work area. This space is a documentation of the work put into the show, as well as one of the laborious items used. After the sewing area, you enter the kitchen, full of struggling pigs, cats, and nests of birds. These are all animals that are consumed as food, but also loved as pets, which makes it easy for us to view them and give them human attributes. They are placed amidst ovens and other appliances associated with food and cooking, a common environment for seeing these animals, but the animals are taken out of context in their form to evoke emotional responses.
Once through the kitchen, you enter the bathroom, a combination of dirt and beauty. In “Rose Sink,” one can see inside the cabinet and it its full of dirt and clutter, but on top it is very organized, and made with “candy-coated” colors. One donkey stands looking in the mirror, possibly reflecting on its landscape. All of the bathroom donkeys are ether throwing their heads back, implying struggle; or lowering their heads, showing defeat. Donkeys and horses are assocciated with manual labor throughout history, getting dirty and muddy, getting pushed to the extreme. It seems appropriate to concentrate them in the “dirtiest” room of the house.
When you are “done” in the bathroom, then you enter the laundry room area full of donkeys, both large and small, and the ironing area with laundry lines. Again, this arrangement evokes the idea of labor. There are two main donkeys, one pink, and one brown. The pink donkey is connected to the washing machine, which is overflowing with similar scraps of fabric, surrounded by smaller donkeys. On the floor the pillows of a similar nature are very organized in a portable container. The brown donkey in the dryer is in a similar state. On the opposite side the laundry line is organized, and the ironing board empty, ready for more work.
Lastly, there is the reliquary area: “All that Glitters Ain’t Necessarily Gold.” This shrine area shows the passage of time. Remnants of the figures are recognizable from the space. It is their ancient ruins, broken yet golden. Imperfect but beautiful.
The entire show “Scum-Licker” is full of imperfections. It is dirty, old, there are spiders and webs everywhere, the space is organized clutter, a representation of our everyday strife. The animals themselves are somewhat ambiguous; it is hard to tell if their expressions are ones of struggle or ectasy. They are represented in a very playful manner, which hearkens to cartoons, stuffed animals, craft pillows, or even taxidermy The facial and bodily expression of the animals combined with an environemnt that is both hostile and comforting, are meant to make us question their roles, and our roles, domestically and socially. Often we ourselves are struggling with our own envrionments. We may have a love-hate relationship with doing the laundry, cooking food, or on a broader specturm, going to work, and contributing positively to society. But we do it anyway, and sometimes we cannot decide whether to laugh or to cry. We continue to “lick the scum,” why? because we have to? Or because a little part of us secretly enjoys it.
Meghan O’Connor

I love the statement and the show! I hope you can go see it if you are nearby. I wish I could see it in person. For now I'll just have to look at these photos over and over again. See more of Meghan's work here.

yay!

New artwork on the Art To Help fundraiser blog!

An original painting by Pretty Little Thieves...

Fabulous prints by Jerry Phillips...

Thank you both for your generous donations!

In the Studio

Yesterday I got some good studio time in. I'm almost finished with two paintings and am starting on another one.

More studio decor. That is the sewing machine that is intimidating me.
This one is almost finished. I think I need to add a bit of color to the houses first, though.
a detail.
This one is almost finished, also. I'm working on a few houses to collage in and then I think it's all done.
I just started this one. I'm going to use a picture of cupcake icing as a cloud for the rainbow.
I'm loving swishing paint around on paper. I hope that's all I do this weekend (besides work. wha whaaa).

Today on the fundraiser blog I updated it with some Jerry Phillips print magic. Also, today is Sarah's birthday! Celebrate by wearing pink and buying some art! Go take a look!

Have a great weekend!

OH!! And major thank yous to those who helped me out with my twitter page. It's still a bit confusing but I'm figuring it out. Follow me! My name is abeautifulparty.

Twittled.

I signed up for twitter and I have to admit, I don't understand how it works. This is like the time when DVD players came out and I wouldn't get one for forever because it just seemed to complicated to figure out. It's a CD? There's a menu screen? I'm going to try it out. I chose this picture of myself because I feel like this is the face I make in response to being on twitter. A little bit curious. A little bit blank. Trying to stay positive.

You can follow me. I guess my name is @abeautifulparty. Or just abeautifulparty. I don't get it. Do you need the @ symbol?

Someone explain twitter to me. ( :

P.S. My first follower is Yoko Ono. For reals.

One More Time!

A new piece has been added to the fundraising blog! This comes all the way from Germany and is made by Tari June Goerlitz. Click on the link to see more!

I'm sorry this whole week's worth of posts have been dedicated to my fundraising blog. I'm just excited about doing this and really want to raise a good amount of money for the Gardner family. I've been whiney lately about my own circumstances and I keep having to step back and look at the bigger picture. I have no right to complain right now. Sure, I'm going through some big changes but they are not a big deal. Running this fundraiser helps me focus on the more important things in life.

Some people have expressed interest in donating. Here is the post with all the info. Thank you all so much for your generous support!

More Great Art!

More goodies on the fundraising blog!

Shopping for Pearls by Mira Reisberg. Purchase here.

Jockey Silks hand-painted on wine glasses by Jennifer Tucker Nelson. See them here.
It's not too late to be part of this fundraiser. Whether it's donating work or buying work. Just email me at abeautifulparty@gmail.com. Thank you so much to all who are helping!

Making Me Happy

GRRRRRR., originally uploaded by mmmmmarge.

1. This awesome illustration.
2. Having two days off work in a row.
3. My boyfriend coming home from camping.
4. My best friend moving here shortly.
5. The movie sale I went to yesterday.
6. The generous donations to the fundraising blog I'm doing.
7. My home.
8. The air conditioner my boyfriend's parents loaned us.
9. What's happening in my studio.
10. Tips.
11. Getting enough sleep.
12. My fixed-up bike.
13. My amazing boyfriend.
14. My amazing friends.
15. My amazing family.
16. The homemade pizza we had for dinner last night.
17. The kindness of others.
18. Art.
19. Knowing my friends are just a phone call away.
20. Thinking about fun things in the future.
21. Cool, breezy nights.
22. Finally feeling like I'm doing okay at my job.
23. The silly dream I had last night.
24. The color green.
25. New music by Cocorosie.
26. Old music by the Knife.
27. Art papers.
28. Dancing when no one's looking.
29. Singing all the time. Even when people can hear.
30. Being asked to create this list.

Thank you so much to Amelia at 101 Bird Tales for asking me to create this list of 30 things I like.

I'm suppose to invite 7 others to create a list but I want to invite all of you to do it. Even if you don't have a blog. Sit down with pen and paper and write down 30 things that make you happy. I feel like I've been so negative lately in my life and this helps me remember all the little great things. If you make one let me know. I want to see your happiness!

Two New Pieces on the Fundraiser Blog!

Cassie Edwards and Christian Arrecis have both generously donated artwork to the Art To Help Fundraiser. If you are new to this fundraiser you can read more about it here and here. Don't forget, to purchase a piece email me at abeautifulparty@gmail.com. All proceeds minus shipping go directly to the family. Once a piece is sold I will mark it as sold on the blog. Go take a look and buy some art for a good cause!

Cassie Edwards, You Are Loved, watercolor, 8" x 11" on 11" x 15" paper. See it here.

Christian Arrecis, Garden, 9" x 6" More info here.
Hope you all had a great weekend!

Wowsa!

Oh my! Do you know about this? I was just reading some blogs this morning and came across this gem on Teenangster. Yay yay yay! I'm so excited for this to come out! November is a long way away. See more about the book here at Amy Sedaris Rocks.

My day just got better.

Art2LOVE Kelly Lynn Allen

Today's artist makes beautiful gauche collages that are so hyper realistic I first thought they were magazine cut-outs. I had trouble getting images to post on my blog so go to Kelly Lynn Allen's website and see many more beautiful paintings.

Don't forget to check back in with the fundraising blog. You can follow it and get updates when more art is put up for sale. Many more fabulous pieces are coming that way.

Have a great weekend!

New Work

Nice Hat was just added to the fundraising website here. Thank you, Jane Ryder, for this lovely print!

Besides working on this website I've been working in my brand new studio. Here are some images of what I've been working on. I just bought a pad of vellum paper and I've been trying to create little imaginative landscapes that are lush and colorful and water. I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate my ghost girls in to them. Any feedback? Thanks!