A Bunch Of Thing to Say on A Friday

Today I had to finally admit there was not going to be the indian summer I had predicted. I held out as long as I possibly could but now I've given up all hope as my poor little autumn blaze tree has just about had it which always signals the onset of winter......

I've been busy in the studio but also planning for our upcoming Art Appreciation Show. This was the brainchild of Paul Harris who is the president of our community association. He approached me with the idea last year of having a one day event at our village hall to celebrate all the local artists in the area. I thought it was a great idea and if anything I really wanted the people who came out to get a chance to meet the artists who live around here and hopefully support their work with a purchase. Anyone can go to Walmart but to purchase a one of a kind piece of art from an artist means so much more. Last year I had our neighbours who live across the street come up to me at the show, surprised that I was an artist, which I honestly found a bit strange....not like I'm famous or anything close to that (in my dreams maybe) but I have been written up in the local paper quite a few times and what do they think I'm doing at night in that window with all the lights and the easel.......have they not seen me dancing???

So I've got about 14 artists which is 3 up from last year and we have also decided to extend the show one more day. We had such an amazing turnout last year and such great feedback we thought it a good idea. There are seasoned artists, many from the Images Studio Tour as well as a few newcomers.

So I'm sure everyone on the planet has seen the Black Eyed Peas performance on Oprah when the entire crowd got into it but I'm posting here anyway because it makes me feel good and hey, this is my blog. Also my favourite song right now and has been for quite awhile. So if your having a not so great day, check it out...........guaranteed to make you feel better.

The Girl In The Orange Shirt

Eons ago I had this idea of not only creating art but throwing myself into the clothing game as well. I had a few different images that I had designed and got the idea of putting them on a variety of clothing items such as long sleeved tees, hoodies and sweatshirts. I found the clothing manufacturer as well as the embroidery service that would do the work and voila.... an idea born. These sold quite well and I was happy but not over the moon about it as it was a lot of work and at some point it dawned on me that I couldn't do both. And since my heart was the the creative end I jumped ship. I was left with about 25 or so long sleeved tees so when my friends Bob and Marilyn left for Africa to start up The Livingstone Performing Arts Foundation I donated them.


That was perhaps a year ago so imagine my surprise when I was catching up with
Bob's blog and I saw this beautiful young girl wearing one of the shirts. I got all emotional and emailed Bob immediately to see if I could post that photo here. I then printed it off and stuck it smack dab in the middle of my bulletinboard in the studio.


Whenever I see it, not only do I smile but am reminded of how one small thing that I have done has created something good for someone else. Nothing better than that feeling.

Changes

Messy Girl............

Just arrived back from Hartley Woodside's where I picked up the remainder of my work from The Images Tour. He kept the work on for an extra week and a bit and I'm happy that he did as he sold a small work, a framed piece and a painting. Things are looking up people......

I'm going to do a group show with his gallery at the end of November as well.

So I've been on a bit of a roll these last few days. I was really inspired by Lisa Call's blog post from her Make Big Art site, entitled The Power of Responsibility....July 5th 2009. When I first read it this past summer I loved it so much I printed it off and hung it in my studio. Well, like most of the things in my studio it ended up behind some other papers or some crazy thing like that. I came across it a few days ago, reread it and "bing" something connected in a huge way with me. I immediately sat down and wrote out a list of goals for myself and what I needed to do to make it happen. The operative word being what "I" needed to do. I just decided there and then to grab the bull my the horns, so to speak, and start taking some chances.

I've started sending out submission packages to various galleries I'm interested in (which I've talked about forever but never started), submitted story ideas to some magazines regarding my art, there is something else in the works too which I'm crazy excited by but it is much to premature to discuss here and I may jinx it.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make here is.... I'm moving out of my comfort zone and right out into........who knows what. Will my work be rejected? Probably, any artist knows you have to develop a thick skin to be in this game. Will my work be accepted? Maybe, and on many levels it already has but for me, I know if I don't start taking those chances I'm guaranteed to never get rejected and I'm guaranteed to continue to stagnate. If I do take the leap, only then will I know my full potential.

Red Earth

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

So here I sit on a Tuesday night when everyone else is tucked into bed and hopefully asleep. Dishes done, laundry dried and folded, garbage taken out, kitchen floor swept and I'm printing off CV's and Artist Statements. I probably should have done this earlier today but I'm trying to reserve daytime hours for the studio and Jian Ghomeshi on Q and nights for paperwork (yuck). I just finished the above piece this afternoon and have two others on the go.

I'm hoping to put my nose to the grindstone and finish them up by Friday.

Tracy Helgeson put up a great post today entitled.." A Peek Inside My Drawers"..yeah, a great title. I absolutely love seeing the inside of other artist's studios and how they set everything up. O.k. I feel as if I am just continuing to ramble now so think I'll sign off and hit the sack. 6:30a.m. does come early.

'night....

Art Appreciation Show

Common Ground

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

Today I feel as if I may be coming down with a bit of cold. No surprising since everyone that lives in this house has had it already and has NOT been coughing into their arms. Haven't they been watching those public service annoucements? I'm still taking my Cold FX though, drinking lots of tea and keeping warm.

I'm also trying to organize, to the best of my abilities since organization is not my strong suit, a small art show at our community hall. Last year was our first and it ended up being quite successful so this year we've extended it to two days and a few more artists. It really gives the people who live in our area a great opportunity to come out and meet the talented artists who work here and perhaps support them by buying some of their work More about the show and the artists featured in upcoming posts....

Saturday in The Park

Work in Paint & Thread

Have a great weekend!

Computer Gives Up The Ghost

My computer has finally given up the ghost. It has been making this strange beeping noise for the past few weeks when I try to turn it on and I've been just too lazy to find out what what the problem was. You could usually unplug it from the back and then plug it back in and voila you were in business but yesterday...no such luck. I dropped it off yesterday afternoon but haven't heard back yet. I just have a feeling the news ain't gonna be great. Luckily I can access the internet from my daughter's computer so all is not lost but I am trying to remember if I backed up my lastest works. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Another Show Comes To An End

Well I can't complain about the weekend except to say I'm tired out today. The tour was extremely successful even though the weather was less than cooperative. Any show in which I sell work is frankly, a good show. I considered this to be a great one. I sold framed work as well as some new stuff and picked up a lecture in Toronto for 2010.

I love how most people were trying to figure out "how does she do that?" so it's rather fun for me to be standing around listening to their comments not knowing who I am. Lots of talking and explaining but it was great as most days it's just me in the studio talking to myself and embarrassingly enough....answering.

My biggest thanks probably go out to John's mom who really picked up the slack around the house and made a fantastic meal for us everynight. If it were left up to me it would likely have been Kraft Dinner. Too exhausted by the end of the day is my excuse.

So during the show their is always one odd thing that happens that seems to stand out. Mine came from a man who confessed he hadn't even looked at my work yet but absolutely loved my artist statement. After finding out it wasn't yet posted to my website he asked if I could email it to him. Never ever received that request before but I'm a firm believer that there is a first time for everything.

So in my aim to please, here it is in it's entirety. Feel free to print if off if you'd like and even frame it if you want..........and yes, I am kidding!

MELODY MADDEN

ARTIST STATEMENT

Through my work I try to explore the persistence of things in the world. This fascinates me. The sky, bodies of water, trees and humanity………..the strength of the human spirit…….all of these things become symbols of endurance and timelessness
Within my art, glimpses of everyday merge with fragment of memory and of personal experiences. I do not concern myself with capturing naturalistic impressions whether they be nature based or figurative but instead focus on capturing a mood or a feeling. That blurred, soft, dreamlike line between where reality ends and spirit begins intrigues me. Creating work that is fluid and ever changing just as in life……a connection of sorts to a moment in time that inevitably disappears in an instant.
The use of organic materials within my work keeps me rooted in the natural world. A world of lush wools and silks, small stones from the shores of Lake Superior and finely woven threads. The delicate balance of these alongside manmade acrylic paints satisfies my need to remain grounded and centered in my work as well as in my life. It somehow connects me to the space in which I live, the world in which I inhabit.
My art does not strive to make a statement whether it be political or societal but instead it is, and continues to be, my search for enlightenment and connection which may in turn be a statement in itself.

Images Tour Begins Tomorrow

Deeply Rooted

Mixed Media on Canvas

Quick post as I'm just on my way out the door to help Hartley and Gary set up the show. If you are in the area and would like to take in the local colours as well as view some beautiful, original artwork.....please check out the Images Brochure on the website. Would love to see you.........

Split Decision

Mixed Media on Canvas

6"x6"

Crazy day today with the tour beginning on Friday but I'm hoping to blog tomorrow about our trip to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) on Sunday. The Vanity Fair Exhibit was outstanding.

On The Go

Yesterday my beautiful first born baby turned 17. I looked at her and could feel nothing but love and pride at how wonderful a young woman she has turned out to be. I'm not taking any of the credit as my part and her dads was quite small. But if I had to take the credit I would take the loving, kind part and John can take the stubborn part.......o.k I'm only kidding!

Last night also turned out to be the university open house where all the schools show up to recruit a new batch of students who are looking to head off next fall. I didn't hold out much for the presentations but in the end it turned out to be quite informative and gave Sierah a better idea of what would work best for her. When I glanced over as she asked a question I couldn't help but notice at how grown up and independent she had become. For a split second I thought I may start to cry and totally embarrass her and have everyone thinking her mother may have emotional issues but I thankfully held it together in the end. I am excited for her and for the opportunities that will be there for the taking. Her life will open up in ways that she has never dreamed possible and truthfully, there is no one I know that is more ready to embark on a new chapter in their life then Sierah..................my beautiful, independent baby.