I guess sometimes there is a point where your body just says, “I give up.”  I am notorious for saying yes.  I say yes to things that I think will lead to opportunity.  I say yes to things that I think will help someone out.  And I’ll say yes to something that I think will make another person happy.  Needless to say, saying yes sometimes may be at the expense of myself.  So last week, after a month of weekly exhibit installations, openings, finishing of work, writing proposals, artist lectures, teaching obligations, and job interviews, my body just said enough was enough and it landed me in bed with a sinus infection.  Honestly, it wasn’t the worst I’ve had.  I’ve had some real doozies and really, I would not like to relive them but after a month that seemed to never stop, I now am on the exact flip side and find myself without much structure to my day.  It’s somewhat a weird feeling.  I seem to exist between two places- insanely busy; and confusingly slow.  And while I am in the midst of each, I want the other- what is a girl to do?

So again, I am starting off my summer with much anticipation and trepidation.  I’m free to do what I may- and that will involve hours making at the studio.  I also can’t help to voice that without a traditional paycheck, it makes “carefree living” rather dampened but I have been faced with this predicament before.  And this may be the year that I figure it out.  I have heard on many of occasion that one is destined to repeat a problem until they have finally resolved it.  It does seem a little bit like a Sisyphusian plight.  How does one break the cycle?  Well, I am still working on it however I think honoring achievements is one place to start.

So thinking back from last year to this one, there are many, many changes.  As I wrapped last year’s school year, I rushed into the planning stages of my community project and then into teaching the summer session.  But I also had a goal to push my work into a larger market.  So with that goal in mind, my work made it to Texas and Philadelphia.  I also have made a conscious effort to expand on my studio practice.  Advancement does not come without re-invention and reinterpretation.  So the new work continues in that evolution.  But overall, I have been looking for developing and reaching a new audience.  I don’t quite know how that is panning out yet but I realize that not everything happens at once but I have great momentum that I am taking all the right measures to get there.  I also taken to marketing my work which is exciting.  Coming up this fall I will be featured in a lovely magazine that I will be sure to share with you.  AND As a plug, right here- right now, you should check out my work at URBN in the Gallery at Building 543 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard AND go soo my stuff at the JCC of Allentown in the small works exhibition, Ethereal Nature (with Adriano Farinella), then go to Zaragoza, Spain to see my solo exhibition open this Thursday. (I know, I am SHAMELESS!)

But back to what I am really trying to say…..

One has to pay attention to signs.  Last week, I received my fancypants Allentown Arts Commission Arts Ovation Award.  I woke up that morning and was still feeling sick and perhaps nervy.  I didn’t want to go.  I didn’t want my film to sound stupid.  I didn’t want to sit in a nearly sold out room and be a fool.  The film is short and above some of the other intelligent things I siad during the filming, maybe they picked a segment that I needed to hear myself.  Years ago, my work began in a place of pain however it is something I needed to experience.  There is where I realized that I am exactly where I need to be- and it’s a strange place to realize that you positioned yourself there.  So the direction I hope to be taking in whatever capacity it is presented to me, is for allowing people to realize their highest self.  The self  that is genuinely them.  This is a place I am proudly investigating for myself but I think I am far enough along that I may help others recognize it too.

As a result of my fancypants award, I had a day named after me.  A DAY!  So Heather Sincavage Day is May 5.  Peeps, as funny as it sounds, may this be a day to allow yourself to be just that.  It’s an important place to be.  I know that I can definitely cut myself to shreds with doubt and criticism so no one is perfect but for one day, say yes to you in all your creases, dimples, and imperfections.  It seems that sometimes lessons come in small, indescrete packages or like this one, with lights and sirens.

I know, I know, I know… I have been negligent of my blogging duties however I have good reason.  Every so often a gal like me gets some opportunity- I spent the last half of the week traveling Northern almost Canada Maine interviewing for a job.  That’s about all I’m going to say about it other than how much I enjoyed meeting people and seeing a new place and program.  I don’t have too many pictures for you except one I took at sunrise as I boarded the plane for home.  I just thought it might have been weird to try to document my trip when I was trying to make a good first impression.  Here’s what Maine looks like now (I rode in on 6 inches of snow- which everyone I met apologized about).

But really, dear reader, I am writing to invite you to the closing of my exhibition at the Eagle’s Nest Gallery in Nazareth.  It’s this Wednesday afternoon from 3-5pm.  It is a lovely space in Nazareth High School and, as always, I will have some type of baked good.  It’s a nice show, if I do say so myself.  My newest work is on display- some of it I have yet to photograph!

Earlier in the week, I installed of my older work down in Philadelphia at the Naval Yard.  I have to say this was an absolutely stunning trip and I am so thrilled to be in this space.  My work will be on display at URBN, Building 548 in the Gallery in Building 548 (witty name, right?).  It faces the water and one incredible retired naval ship, but there are many more where that comes from.  The show lasts until mid May so if you are in the area, it’s totally worth a look.  Here are some pics…. I’m heading back down to take more (and better) ones.  This place is not to be missed.

I’ve been waiting for weeks for a package from Sergio in Spain.  Sergio decided he would video parts of my trip so that he could have documentary that could accompany my work at exhibitions.  With my upcoming exhibit at Calvo i Mayayo next month, he was anxious to see what I thought about the film.  I recieved it today and watched it with many sentimental memories.  This is such a lovely document to my time there…. Please watch this and enjoy a little slice of my work there.

Some of the things that I love about the film are the nuances- at one point you can hear my ipod playing the same playlist I listened to daily while I was there.  You also see me prepped  for Spain’s NPR- you might see me a little overwhelmed there!  And of course you meet some of the sweet people I met there- Juan, Fernando, Silvia and of course, Sergio.

(Please don’t mind my over-smiley-ness- I was really happy to be there; and also note I was really sick in the beginning, I didn’t even recognize my voice!; and public apology to all my past students, I never realized how much I said UM!)

I received my show announcement for my solo exhibition ins Spain next month.  Needless to say, I’m dreaming of a chance to go but in the meantime, Sergio has been keeping me informed about the event- complete with a film he made about my residency there.  The documentary is enroute here to PA so as soon as I have it, I will upload it for you to see (and practice your Spanish).  If you just happen to be in Zaragoza next month, go check it out.

So many thanks go out to Sergio and Juan who have been handling my work there since my visit almost 2 years ago!

I’m in the middle of writing my artist talk for something BIG next week.  I can’t tell you about it right now but I can show you one of the images I will include in my talk.  Enjoy it. (Kiki Smith, Born, Lithograph, 2002)

I have to say, for a rainy night, First Friday was pretty fun.  Not that they all aren’t fun but last night was particularly enjoyable.  Maybe it was the karoake at the end of my hall, maybe it was Kelly’s antics interacting with my installation, maybe it was seeing my colleagues visit me from Lehigh, maybe it was the impromptu dance party in Berrisford’s studio to Journey and Lady Sovereign as the night wore down.  I guess it was the spontaneity of it all.

One question I had from one of my former students has me thinking.  I really love when students visit.  They have really great questions because they themselves are negotiating their own studio issues and building their own practice.  So I had a student ask if I had anything new in the studio.  I was kind of surprised by that because my entire studio was new work.  But he was very familiar to the Architect’s Daughter work and meant in his question if I had any new themes.

This really has me thinking….. when does one move on from a theme.  Or do they ever?  Thinking back on my work since graduate school, I have been working with this ever-evolving theme of the formation of identity.  What is really exciting for me is how I have processed questions and the vocabulary I have developed with certain types of marks and the context I use them.  I think this took a long time to finesse and really understand.  So now as I push forward in the studio, I realize how endlessly I can combine my vocabulary and as it evolves, the idea evolves too.

My work is becoming more active.  And the idea of active suggests a bit of upheaval.  I’m still somewhat processing this myself but as the carved element diminishes and the architecture builds in its own mania, it’s effect is becoming more and more direct on the figure.  It’s pretty exciting.  The early “daughters”  expose their framework and now the framework seems to be pushing the image aside.  This suggests that the construct is almost a being in itself- like children, it is developing a process of it’s own to thrive and prosper.  I have been calling these newer pieces “Siblings”… they are still related to the daughters but are somewhat of a newer entity that is not entirely like the “Daughters” (and yes, I realize that if one is a daughter then the siblings are also daughters to someone… but I like that they are actively becoming their own thing).

I’m not sure if after working on a theme (meaning this larger- identity formation) can be diminished in my work.  Profoundly apparent is how one idea builds on the last.  I’m not sure I would ever just turn around and start working on something completely new.  I hope to evolve and reflect on where I am with my own personal process.  I think it has been a long time cultivating it both visually and personally, I am pretty sure it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

(new work will be up on the blog soon)

Things are cranking away in the studio…. I’ll be installing in Nazareth at the end of the week!!  Busy, busy!  I’ll be in the studio every  waking moment I can this week finishing up.  Stop by to see me,… be sure to have cake!  Or chocolate.

ps. First Friday is this week.  See the finished (or almost finished) work at the end of the week!

Being that I dreamt last night that I started to write my blog on the top of my shoe, I felt it was only right of me to  update my blog.  Not sure how much I have to report that would be exciting for you however, I am working away in the studio on some things for my show I’ll be installing in Nazareth net week.  Yup, dear reader, this girl is under some anxiety about having enough time in the day to work, teach my classes, and eat right so I don’t get sick…. or fat.

So maybe today I plead you to maybe join my studio facebook page (click the “F” button at the top right of the page) and stay up to date with happenings and even studio playlists.  Yesterday was a grad school set.  It was fun and productive.  Who knows what tonight may bring but I have to say I am looking forward to it.

All in all there are a few places to check me out….

The Brown & White did a sweet story about the Red Show last week.  I’m quoted in there a bunch so  see what I have to say.
Here’s the link: http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2011/03/22/News/red-Show.Opens.Art.Studios.To.Community-3986554.shtml#cp_article_tools&sourcedomain=www.thebrownandwhite.com&facebook

I’m also entered in the “Power of Self” competition where I am applying to be paid to “take the year off” and spend it in the studio.  Pretty sweet!  You can check out my portfolio here: http://heathersincavage.see.me/aw2011
Even if I don’t win the competition, it’s possible for you to vote for me to receive People’s Choice award, which gives me $2500.  Believe me, I could use it!  So check me out and vote, via the rating system in the upper right hand corner.  I would sure appreciate it.  Vote everyday and share with your friends!

I realize, valued reader, that today’s post is merely a commercial about where to find me.  I will have more substance filled updates in days to come along with images.  Pretty ones.  Stay tuned!