Artist's Cafe

(First, just an FYI-I am hard at work on finishing the book I am writing.  Knowing I'd be sorta absent, I stored a few posts for the blog.)

 

Kelsi Maree Borland had contacted me to let me know a piece I had written for the November/December 2008 issue of Somerset Studio, The Poetic Eye I was being reprinted in Artist's Cafe: Best of Somerset Studio Art & Design.  I received my contributor's copy of this lush, 14 page semi-annual magazine, and to my surprise, my work was featured in not one, but two articles! 

I was paging through the magazine when I found The Artist's Profile piece that Ricë Freeman Zachary wrote for Somerset Studio in 2003!  I was confused at first, thinking, "This isn't what Kelsi contacted me about...  What happened?" Puzzled, I flipped a couple more pages and found the Poetic Eye I piece.  TWO articles!  How fabulous!!  I should have noticed the cover text, perhaps!  I definitely am grateful to Kelsi and to Christen for choosing my work!  Thanks!!

 

Here's a look at some images from The Poetic Eye I article.

And here is a glimpse of the Artist's Portfolio piece that Ricë wrote way back when! (thank you so much, Ricë!)

 

I have to tell you that when I read this article, I was amazed at how much my life has changed in the seven plus years that have passed since Ricë interviewed me by telephone. 

Besides differences between my personal and family life then and now- which are nothing short of immense and miraculous, I was struck by the fact that I shot FILM then, for gosh sakes!  Film!  The journals below span a four year time frame.  The photos you see in the journals are a mix of 120 film (medium format- Hasselblad & Holga), 35mm film, Polaroid-(600, Spectra, SX-70).  I manipulated the images various ways- solvent transfers of photocopies using acetone and xylene, cyanotypes using negatives created on transparencies,  Polaroid transfers or emulsion lifts using 35mm color slides, Polaroid pack film and a DayLab! Every new method I'd try was a fun and exciting exepriment!  I had forgotten!

And, even with ALL the changes my life has undergone in the past seven years, one thing remains the same- my studio space is still in the kitchen! Clearly, something about that works for me!

Comments

[Tina]

This article, about your life as an artist and single mom, was hugely inspirational for me. It helped me believe it wasn't too late to begin making art, even though I was a new mom and didn't know the first thing about how to do what I saw in my head. I some how got ahold of a stack of old Somerset Studios and this issue was in the the batch. It was the start of an amazing journey. My desire to take a class from you was what led me to Artfest and all that's had to offer. Your class was my very first. I'll never forget sitting there feeling completely overwhelmed by how everybody just started working on their projects without even receiving any instruction. They'd come with suitcases packed with tools and stuff to include on their pages. I had to ask you how to set an eyelet. I didn't know how to do ANYTHING but boy was I eager. I have much to thank you for!

[ToLiveInspired]

Congrats! I have to track this one down those look like great pieces!
Love the inspiration!

[Leslie M]

Congratulations! I'll be picking up this issue as soon as I can get my hands on it!

[katie]

This was the inspirational article that made such an impression on me when I was first starting out in my artist life, I still remember parts of it. You were my hero!!!

[Lisa D.]

Shape shifting! Turning 42 this year, I can really feel my shape shifting! Can I whine? Thank you i hateeeeee it... waaaaaaaaa lol

Happy Thanksgiving

[whimsywhiterock]

I am so impressed with your work and your videos...they are absolutely fantastic and inspirational.

I signed up for one of your classes where you offer a free class with it and paid through paypal but have not heard back from you.

I am quite concerned about this as I was very excited to take one of your classes.

You are probably too busy to get back to me.