opening reception a huge success - and changes coming!

The Mystery art show opening reception was a huge success - we have a diverse collection of art dealing with whatever we see as Halloween, Mystery - and as I see it, Shadow (Carl Jung's Shadow is the unseen, disowned self which is translated into our fears etc). My shrine to the Shadow was completed for the opening - with the two quotes from Carl Jung and Edgar Allen Poe. I'm pretty pleased with it.

I took down David Richman's mosaic exhibit yesterday, leaving space for my next endeavor at my studio. In talking to an art coach recently, I have come up with a new set of goals that I want to pursue with my mosaic art. I want to start focusing on dream art exclusively (other than holiday gifts of course). My goal is to devote 24 hours a week to finishing "hypnogogia" and creating some other dream art pieces. Some will be wall pieces, some will be sculpture. The pieces will incorporate my fused glass pieces, reclamed glass, and of course some of my favorite glass tile SICIS. The other part of my plan is to start chronicling the creation of the dream art here in my blog. I will be posting pictures of the creation process. Once my shrine (Ode to Shadow) is taken down I will post pictures of it here.

my submission for the Halloween themed art show at Poudre River Arts Center

My submission is almost done - I have mosaiced a cube with a river running along the outside and mirrored glass on the inside. The inner part is what I'm still working on. So far it looks like it'll be a mosaic of soldered pieces with these quotes, maybe more, dealing with our fear of the Shadow, the unknown of the inner and outer world...

Deep into that darkness peering,
long I stood there, wondering,
fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams
no mortal ever dared to dream before.
~Edgar Allan Poe

At first we cannot see beyond the
path that leads downward to dark
and hateful things - but no light or
beauty will ever come from the man
who cannot bear this sight. Light
is always born of darkness, and the
sun never yet stood still in heaven
to satisfy man’s longing or to still
his fears.
~C.G. Jung

Now to get a picture of it up here!!

David Richman's World of Mosaics exhibit extended for one more week!

David and I have decided to extend his mosaic art exhibit for one more week. The exhibit wall is full of David's rich and wonderful wall mosaics. There is a country church, which has been a favorite of many. Actually I'm surprised that it hasn't sold yet. There is "Bird of Paradise", another favorite of our visitors.

This exhibit runs concurrently with the "MIDNIGHT – THE ART OF MYSTERY, MAGIC AND MAYHEM” exhibit in the main gallery. It is also Poudre River Arts Center's second anniversary event - so we'll have live music and refreshments - and I think even costumes! While you are looking at the exhibit in the main gallery, be sure to check out all of the artist studios upstairs. Watch them as they work, askthem questions, and experience the art process in their habitat.

Poudre River Arts Center is a bit challenging to find - but worth the effort to find it. It's on the corner of Willow and College Avenue. The old Taco John's building is kitty-corner from our building. The address is 406 North College Avenue. DreamMosaics Studio is adjacent to the main gallery - so it's easy to find when you enter. Hope to see you there!

Opening reception for horse art show and David Richman's World of Mosaics exhibits

There will be an opening reception for an open house for the horse art shows in the main gallery at Poudre River Arts Center and the Center for Fine Art Photography. I will also have an open house at DreamMosaics Studio that same night, featuring David Richman's World of Mosaics exhibit. The open house is this Thursday night, September 18th from 6 to 9 p.m. We will have refreshments - and it's free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Art show 08

This is the last day of the Art show 08 at the First Baptist Church in Fort Collins. We had a wonderful opening on Friday night, which coincided with the open house at the church. The event was visually stunning, full of beautiful music, and teeming with people. We have jewelry, original paintings (oil, acrylic, watercolor), pottery, mosaic, and so much more. I guess we have over 40 artists at the show. I am selling my small offering of mosaic crosses, bonestatic leash hangers, magnets, and one of my newest mosaics: Inspiration cubes. The crosses and magnets are a hit, as usual.

I hope you can make it today - the open house is from 10 to 12 noon today. I know the window of time is pretty small - but it's worth it. If you can't make it today, come to my studio at Poudre River Arts Center - my crosses will be displayed there. I think my exhibit wall in October will have of my mosaic and fused glass crosses. I had scheduled myself to be the exhibitor - so I guess this will be it.

DreamMosaics Studio is the premier studio in the Poudre River Arts Center, on the main floor, just before the steps. I hope you can drop in - have a cup of coffee, talk about art, and enjoy!

David Richman's World of Mosaics

David Richman is a very talented veteran mosaicist - he has been mosaicing since the 1950's and has had some breaks from creating mosaics from time to time in his life. He has 9 pieces of mosaic wall art in an exhibit in my studio and they are phenomenal - and they are all new except for one, which is his first.

I think my favorite is "Bird of Paradise". At least today - other days another mosaic speaks to me. I think many people agree with me - the Bird of Paradise got lots of attention and oohs and ahs during the opening reception. The opening reception was on the first Friday of the month - our gallery walk. We had a great turn-out that night.

The exhibit will be up all month of September. I hope you can come and see it - it's worth your time and effort to find the sometimes-hard-to-find Poudre River Arts Center. The address is 406 North College Avenue - it's on the corner of Willow and College. The corner has the Taco John's building and a gas station as well.

The gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 p.m. Of course you can call me to see the exhibit by appointment. I already have a group coming on a Monday at 2 p.m.

Rocky Mountain Association of Mosaic Artists "Reflections" Exhibit opens on Friday

Rocky Mountain Association of Mosaic Artists "Reflections" mirror exhibit opens on Friday August 1st, which is during the gallery walk in Fort Collins. The exhibit runs through the month of August and will be featured in the DreamMosaics Studio at Poudre River Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public.

There are over 20 mirrors in the exhibit, created by local artists, ranging in style and color. No two mirrors are the same. The artists whose work are in the show are: Carrie Murphy, Kathy Thaden, Linda Shields, Judy Conroy, Wendy Dumas, Judy Nixon Kent, Rita Schelin, Wendy Wadge, and Kat Peters-Midland.

The exhibit runs concurrent with Suzanne Johnston's new exhibit in the main gallery at Poudre River Arts Center and The Center for Fine Art Photography's "The artful nude" exhibit.

The opening reception for this exhibit is Friday night, August 1st from 6 to 9 p.m., which is during gallery walk. Refreshments will be served. If you can't make it to the opening reception, the studio will also be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 p.m.

DreamMosaics Studio
at Poudre River Arts Center
406 North College Avenue
(on the corner of College Avenue and Willow)
Fort Collins, CO.

For directions to find Poudre River Arts Center go to http://www.PoudreRiverArtsCenter.com.

DreamMosaics Studio is moving!

Well, just downstairs to the main floor of Poudre River Arts Center. It is Studio 105the premiere studio on the main floor, where Barbara Moore, Jan Allen and Bob Matthews exhibited their work for the last two years. This studio will allow a lot more exposure to the public and it's more than double the studio space I have right now and I'm really excited to take on this new venture. July will be the month of preparing for this new venture - first, I will paint the studio a neutral color, probably gray, hopefully to lighten up the space as well as make it fitting for exhibiting all forms of art.

My plan for this new studio is to make it a working studio (where I create and sell mosaic, fused glass items, batik, and other art) plus have more art shows, classes, and art demonstrations in that space. I will start offering a Guest artist program in August, to help emerging artists with getting their work out in the public. They will exhibit and sell their work at my studio for 1-3 months. How long the exhibit is depends on what the artist wants. The east wall will be where we'll exhibit the work. The first day of the exhibit will be the first Friday of each month, when we have the gallery walk and the most exposure.

I want to also feature art demos during the gallery walk. Sharon Stuart will be demonstrating Ikebana in August or September. It should be a hit! I also hope to have an artist demonstrate bead-making and cutting smalti with a hammer and a hardie. I'm open to other ideas - so let me know what other art demos you'd like to see.

I'm still developing my plans, so I'm sure there'll be more.

More to come!

Dream art show and more

The dream art show went well - we had 97 people come in expressedly to see the show, not counting our First Friday (gallery walk) crowd. The show was multi-media (which was my intention) - we had paintings, mixed media, mosaic, sculpture, and film.

We had a "people's choice" vote for our audience to vote for their favorite pieces.
The people's choice awards went to:
1st place: Nanci McCutcheon's "Wisdom of the Earth"
2nd place: Magic of the Crystal Tree
3rd place: Kirsten Truman's "Detachment"

My camera is missing so I didn't take pictures of the show, but we videoed it. The video will be posted on Utube and MySpace and hopefully on the new www.dreamartshow.com website. I'm still in the process of writing the text for the website. Stay tuned - more to come!

Dream art show update

Well, we heard from over 20 artists who submitted their art for the juried dream art show! I have emailed and called all of the artists and made arrangements for them to drop off or send their accepted art.

Boxes are arriving daily! I already have 6 dream pieces locked in my studio, waiting for hanging and exhibition. Yesterday Barry O'Riley from Laramie Wyoming, dropped off his 4 dream paintings. Tomorrow I meet with Irene Mok, for her to drop off her work. This weekend more artists will be dropping off their work.

The show opens on Wednesday April 30th and it runs until the 14th of May. The opening reception is Friday May 2nd from 6 to 9 p.m., when we have refreshments and live music. Celtic harpist Dave Tharp will be playing that night, which will set a nice soothing tone to the show.

I will post pictures here soon.

MOCA mask show

I forgot to mention this in my last blog - my mask will be in the FCMOCA mask exhibition. The show opens on Friday April 4th from 6 to 9 p.m. Be sure to stop by and check out the show - it looks like it's going to be a great one!

Dream art show and sale in Fort Collins Colorado

I have put out a call for entries for the first annual Dream art show and sale that will be exhibited at Poudre River Arts Center. The deadline for submissions for consideration is this Saturday April 5th. I have given a couple of artists an extension, which is available to anyone who needs it. The extension is April 10th since the jury meets on April 12th.

I'm hoping for all kinds of media for this show. So far I have received submissions of paintings, art quilt, sculpture, photography and mosaic art. If we can figure a projector, we will also have a dream inspired film, which would be exciting.

The show opens on April 29th and runs through May 14th. The opening reception is Friday May 2nd from 6 to 9 p.m. We'll have music and food - and great art to enjoy.

Stay tuned for more news about the show!

Mosaics for "Mosaic of the Arts"

Yesterday I finished my commissioned project of 120 mosaic magnets for the Fort Collins Arts Alive. Their "Mosaic of the arts" fundraiser is this weekend and the magnets are a little party favor/thank you for their supporters. I will be donating a functional mosaic vase for their auction as well. I took pictures of some of the magnets and will post them here soon.

The other project I'm finally finishing is my MOCA mask. It's about 2 months late. I need to do some more detail work on it and then find suitable way to hang it (cuz it's pretty heavy) - then I'll turn it in next week. The opening reception of the Masks at MOCA is on April's First Friday Gallery walk.

Now I will be focusing most of my energy and time on the Dream art show that will be in May. I have put out the call for entries in the Healing Path and Dream Network magazines. Their new issues will be out sometime in March I think. I have sent out the call to my email list, and to Loveland Art Academy and Jerrry's Artarama. The call will be sent out to MOCA and Arts Alive next week. The call for entries and entry form can be found at http://www.dreammosaics.com/Dream_Art_Show.htm.

December happenings

This weekend is the Fine and Funky art boutique at the Opera Galleria in Fort Collins - Friday night from 5 to 9 with carolers coming in and singing. That's my favorite part. Then we're open from 10 to 5 on Saturday the 8th. I have been mosaicing like a mad woman and have 76 mosaic magnets ready. I should have a Christmas themed trivet and a new cross debuing too.

Sunday is the craft fair at Fossil Creek Ranch - we're open from 12 to 5 that day. Artists: Jody Deschenes/j.j.d.esigns/original handmade jewelry, Angie Levasseur/arbonne, Lisa Wilson/novello image photography, Mona Thornton/plum nuts/original handmade scarves, hats, pins; Barbara moore/painter (watercolor - known for her local scenery), Kat Peters-Midland/mosaics - original handmade mirrors, crosses, magnets, etc; Laurie Warren/mariposa designs/fused glass - original handmade serveware, pendants, earrings, cardholders; Amelia Caruso/prints & note cards...that's who will be there!!

I'm almost done with the MOCA mask - I'm very very late in submitting it to MOCA for taking pictures of it for the brochure. I will be grouting it on Monday and then turning it in on Tuesday. I"ll be sure to post a picture of it here - I think it turned out pretty well - it's based on a dream that someone shared quite awhile ago. The dream really spoke to me and I was compelled to work the dream through the mosaicing process. I found that this process of working the dream and mosaicing, I did some personal healing work.

Catching up again

I have been working at my studio at Poudre River Arts Center 5 days a week so I don't get to the computer like I would like.

I have been working on Transition a little bit each day, except for today. The back of the face is completely mosaiced and the front is about 1/3 done. I need to finish two of the sides as well. I finished a mirror called "Matrix" and have started another one to play with color - purple, red, and turquoise. I also have gotten some magnets and wall-minis done to add to what I sell at The Artist Nook.

This Friday is First Friday Gallery walk in Fort Collins. The artists will be demonstrating their work. Also MOCA has the opening reception for the Studio Tour - I think it's from 6 to 9 p.m. Then the Studio Tour is on Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th. Katherine Skaggs' studio is on the tour - come by and be sure to say hi!

Also there is a "Fine Art and Antique show" at The Bellvue Store on Sept 7th 5:00 to 8:00pm and Sept 8th and 9th 10:00 am to 5:00pm. They are also open for the MOCA Studio Tour weekend Sept 15th and 16th from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

This month's featured artists will be- Venita Hawkins-Bird, Amanda Marie, Lynn Schwebach, Laurie Warren, Cindy Caruso-Hatman, Amelia Caruso, Kathy Hartmeister, Leonard Pettus, Rochelle Sage, Pam Furumo, Leslie Smith, Lynn Fecteau, Bev Perina, Tarra Parr, Whitney Clifton, Keri Dotson, Kelly Jones, Diane Finley, Monica Riffe and Sarah Fishburn. They have LOTS of new antiques and books - I have to see what new treasures they have!

Catching up again

I've been working a lot at my studio at Poudre River Arts Center. Lots of great ideas are being tossed around PRAC, ideas for art shows and invitationals. I really want to curate a dream-inspired art show - I'm thinking in May of 2008. Another artist and I are talking about curating another art show. Stay tuned for more information, when the ideas start hatching and developing (or is it developing and hatching?).

It's been a good couple of months - I've gotten a lot done on "Transition" sculpture (slowed down by deeply cutting my index finger instead of the glass) AND I sold 2 mirrors: "Mirror, Mirror on the wall" and "Blackbird". I also sold a cross and Peace vase at the Art show at Whole Foods art show last month. I'm scrambling to finish some mirrors so my walls won't look so bare.

I just delivered a torso sculpture called "Emergence" to Artist Nook today. The opening reception is Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m., on the First Friday Gallery Walk. I am also getting ready for "Dog Days of Summer" craft fair on August 18th - it's in Lyons and it's only 9 to 12. I'll bring my mosaiced leash hooks and dog bowl. I have sworn off craft fairs but I couldn't resist this one. I also will be doing a craft fair booth with my friend Cherrie - she'll have her cards and framed art and I will have...not sure yet. Probably some crosses, a mirror or two...I'm hoping some garden art. We'll see.

catching up

I've been busy mosaicing and teaching beginning mosaics. My mosaic classes have ended and two more ladies have signed up for my next beginning mosaics class. I need to take some time to organize the next class. It's been so fun sharing in the creation of mosaics!

I have been invited to participate in a garden art show at the Whole Foods Market on July 13th, 2007. I'll include more information about the art show when I have it. I've been playing around with new ideas for garden art. I'll mosaic some pots of course, but I also think it would be fun mosaic a garden pole, with a funky monkey on top. A pole like no other, that's for sure. I have poured a female figure to mosaic, a Garden Goddess. I think I'll finish a birdbath and have it ready for the show. The colors are of the ocean - it's beautiful so far.

I have been continuing to work on the Transition sculpture - her face needs to be finished and then I can start building the base. I hope to have the sculpture and base done by the end of July. It's been so slow going because of what creating the sculpture has symbolized for me over the months. I have been slowly creating change in my life as I create the Transition sculpture. I'm not sure what created what - the creation of the sculpture pushing me to make change or me making changes in my life pushing the creation of the sculpture. I guess it really doesn't matter, but both are intertwined. As I write this, I realize that the last step in creating this sculpture is mosaicing the face. As I mosaic the sculpture's Face, I reveal my Face - that is the last step in making a transition, isn't it? I have created faces so many times, most are hidden in some way. One of my first faces had at least half of it concealed by leather.

I do get frustrated with how slow I've been in getting the sculpture done. But I also know that transition into the "New" isn't a quick process - it takes time and it does seem slow, perhaps too slow. But maybe slow change is the healthiest change there is - kinda like losing weight - if you lose weight too fast, it's easier to gain it back. And I do not want to go backward - I like the change I've created so far!

New projects that I've been working on: I have begun painting again. The piece I jsut finished today combines texture, color, and glass (of all things). For me, that's breaking the "rules" of painting - I suppose that's a part of my transition as well. I also have been working on a prayer pole and painting with oil paints for the first time. After the pole is painted in purples, turquoise, orange and deep red, I will attach a string that will hold my prayer flags and perhaps even a feather. The pole is for creating prayer/intention and manifest what I want in my life. It'll join my other prayer pole in my backyard garden. That pole has held strong in all seasons, lovingly reminding me of my prayers and connection with the heavens and earth, for a number of years. I guess it really is time to think about new intentions, to think of what I want next in my transition.

catching up

I have been invited to participate in a garden art show July 13th at the Whole Foods store on College Avenue, so I've been playing around with new ideas and mosaics. So far, I have decided to mosaic a few pots, a garden ball, and a garden pole (for the lack of a better word). For marketing purposes, obviously I will need to come up with a better name for the pole! I have been working on the Transition sculpture, which is getting pretty close to being done. I have the face to finish (the front and back of it). Then I will be building the base of it soon

I have also started up painting again - it's been a long time since I painted. Another new project is creating prayer poles. I primed, and painted the top part of the pole and next Monday I will paint the rest of the pole, then join them (when dry). Then I'll attach some string on the top and add prayer flags and perhaps a feather at the end.

My mosaic class ended a few weeks ago. A couple of other ladies signed up to do another beginning mosaic class, which will be fun.

My first First Friday

I moved in my studio gallery at Poudre River Arts Center last week. One of my favorite mirrors sold the day I moved it to the gallery to exhibit. Since then, I have been working hard to have some more mirrors ready for "First Friday" gallery walk, which is May 4th. I'd hate to have too empty space!

I found a great quote:

"An artist is a creature driven by demons. He doesn't know why they choose him and he's usually too busy to wonder why" - William Faulkner

Poudre River Arts Center and dream-inspired sculpture

Tomorrow I move into my new studio and gallery at Poudre River Arts Center. I am so excited! It is a beautiful space with so much potential. The Center has been in operation for nearly a year and has hosted a number of art shows, auctions, fundraisers, and art classes. I'm betting there is so much more that can be done and what can be offered.

I have signed up for the events committe, which (as I understand it) will be responsible for making arrangements and taking care of details for events that the Poudre River Art Association votes to do. Soon we will have our first anniversary party/art show.

I taught the second class of mosaics a couple of days ago, which was really fun. We finished design and will start adhering tesserae (glass) to the substrate (picture frame)next class. I love to spend time with and share ideas with fellow creatives.

Today I'll be working on the dream sculpture. This weekend I'll take a new picture and then post it here, before I move it to my studio/gallery at PRAC. It'll be a work in progree there. I'd like to be mostly done with it by the First Friday in May.

I'll end this with one of my favorite quotes:

Art attracts us only
by what it reveals of
our most secret self.
~Jean Lue Godard~