There is something to be said about an out of body experience.  I think we all have had them- for good reasons or bad.  And it becomes a situation where your instincts take over and your brain follows behind.  I have to say I’m not entirely comfortable with public speaking.  Yes, I do believe I understand the irony on that being that my job requires public speaking on a daily basis.  This has been something that have grappled with for years.  I used to throw up before classes when I started teaching and now I just have the flurry of butterflies that occupy my stomach from time to time.  It’s an improvement, at least but get me into a scenario where I have never been- well, those butterflies are flutter a bit more crazily.

Last Friday, I debuted my work in my new hometown of Presque Isle.  My exhibit was at Cafe Sorpreso and part of the First Friday Art Walk.  I put up 18 or 19 pieces from my Iniciar show.  It was an absurdly hurried day since I had only slept about 2 hours because of worrying about 2 of the pieces coming off the Fed Ex plane just in the nick of time of putting up the show.  It’s a long and convoluted story not worth telling here- but I am reconsidering my use of the services of Fed Ex.  (ahem)

So I rushed about my day until finally the opening arrived….  like any other First Friday I have been to, people scurried from one thing to the next and for me being the newbie in town, I didn’t expect so many to come out, which set my expectations rather low.  I pumped up the show in my classes all week and even though many students nod their heads and sound like they will come- I am realistic and it IS a friday night.  Would that actually happen?

I was due to speak at 8:15.  I barely ate dinner.  People started to trickle in- more and more were faces I recognized.  My last count, close to the time I was to speak, was around 70 people.  I’ve had very few situations where I have spoken to a room more than 30-50 people.  Let me just tell you, the extra 20+ bodies REALLY up the anti!

8:15 rolls around- Judy turns off the music- Cliff leans in and tells me we’re going to get started.  After his introduction, people applaud.  But then the applause continues, and someone whistles, and someone yells out- I don’t know what happened to me however I somewhat think for the first time in my life that I can relate to Arsenio Hall.  Something in me had me jump up and down and then where a fleeting fist pump came in, I couldn’t tell you.  Again- mind out of body, body working on it’s own- I am sure that is how Arsenio Hall started his fist pump/crank and “roo roo roo” (I wiki-ed that because I did not know how to spell the sound associated with his fist pump).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenio_Hall

Ok- WHY DID I DO THAT???  Quite honestly, never in my life have I had such a reception.  I have had some enthusiastic clapping.  I’ve turned around a room with speaking but never as I was introduced did I have such warmth.  This makes Presque Isle so much different.

I am not quite sure how long I spoke- maybe 15 minutes.  I hope I sounded articulate.  I don’t think I “roorooroo-ed” but hopefully I made some sense.  One can only hope.

Let me just say, moving to Presque Isle has not been without it’s difficulties, but as I have settled in, I am daily reminded that this was a great choice.  Will I continue fist pumping?  I’m not sure.  Stranger things have happened- it just may be my new thing.

Thanks for supporting my work- for updates on new things, you should definitely hit the “like” button on my Facebook page.  Just do it, I won’t bite.

It seems its the season for thinking about names.  My sister is due to have my second nephew in a few weeks.  And a number of friends and family members have either just had a child or are about to have a child within the next few weeks or months.  The first question I ALWAYS ask is “what is the name?”  I loves names.  I love thinking of names and I am proud to say the top contender of a name for my new nephew came from me.

SO what’s in a name?  I think it shows so much of the hopes of the parent- not just a bright and healthy future but also the personality you hope to nurture as a parent.  I have never had this experience for myself.  The only thing I can possibly relate is naming my cat…. and well, naming my paintings and most recently, naming my show.

Naming my show was surprising similar to how I hear my friends discuss naming their baby.  I just returned from a baby shower where my friend still has two choices for their daughter- Morgan or Mackenzie.  They decided that they got this far but when they actually meet her, they will “call it in the air.”  They want to wait to meet her and see if her personality is more “Mackenzie” or more “Morgan.”    I’m not sure what those traits are but then again, I don’t have a history with either of the names to inform that decision.

As I have been feverishly trying to finish my Texas show, the gallery contacted me and needed a name for my show.  Oh my god, a NAME???  I had forgotten the name!  I thought so much about the series to be represented- Architect’s Daughter and the debut of Sojourner.  Both series are very similar in spirit but still different.  How was I going to encapsulate both and not favor one over  the other?  So I slept on it.  I hoped it would have some divine intervention.  I hoped I could leaf through from poetry terms and it would come to me but nothing.

Then I instant message with Catey and ask her.  Who knows- she may have an observation I had not thought of.  As she “interviewed” me, I settled on “synecdoche” even though I didn’t think it was totally right.  But I decided to let it go, it was too close to a movie name and I never feel quite that secure in pronouncing it.  If it didn’t feel right then it just wasn’t.  Maybe this was one of those moments of looking at your child and deciding that maybe it’s more a “Morgan” and less an “Mackenzie.”

Back to my interview with Catey:

ME: can you name my show please? i forgot to do it
Catey: what work is in it?
and where is it
and when
ME: new architects’ daughters but newer “sojourner” pieces… it’s in august. in Texas
you want me to call it architects daugher and sojourner are new in august in Texas
Catey: haha no
i wanted more information before crafting something potentially useful
Catey: what do you think are the defining links between the two series?
ME: well, probably the deconstruction/reconstruction- sort of
more like the exposed and veiled
Catey: Do you think they are potentially overexposed or underexposed?
ME: eh. i don’t know. thinking all around that- both
weird answer
i was loving synedoche for a bit. but that is also a movie. and i don’t like that. it’s not quite right
Catey: hrmm
ME: i thought about just the definition of sojourner: “Noun 1. sojourner – a temporary resident” but then it’s weighed more heavily on that series and it;s not done yet and may suck
Catey: is there a word to describe
transient people
that also build more permanent structures?
to kind of tie the two?
ME: i’m googling and seeing what comes up
so far homelessness
Catey: name it hobo

I was close to naming it “hobo.”  I, in fact, would like to make a show to name “hobo.”

But Later in our conversation, Catey offered up another word “transigir” which is french “to moderate.”  I also found in Spanish it is “to give in.”  I decided it wasn’t quite right.  I actually thought giving in meant the show was passive.  That it was about victim of circumstance.  That’s not really the connotation I wanted it to have.  But I was very swayed by how pretty the word looked and just imagined it on a postcard and how sexy that postcard would be (again, I love me some printed paraphernalia!!).

I went back to my poem vocab and then thought about allegory… Could I name it just allegory?  Could it be the allegory of something?  It seemed too contrived and over romanticized.

Then I started through synonyms of that gorgeous “transigir.”  I came across a few but then I saw it and I knew it had to be mine!

INICIAR

INICIAR

INICIAR

Yes, I loved it!  It means “to intitiate, begin.”  Yes, this was the one.   The word is active; it is positive; it is about potential; it is acting out and pushing forward; it is moving up; it is anticipation.  This was my “Morgan or Mackenzie” moment.
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, please join me in welcoming my new work on view in t-minus two weeks at the Croft Gallery in Waco Texas.  INICIAR.  It’s perfect.

(the top image is THE CARD that is at the printers as I write)

On a sidenote: Catey has strong feelings about untitled work.
I quote her in saying: “untitled artwork: if you cant be bothered to title it,  why should i be bothered to look at it
i mean seriously, i dont care if you name a piece of abstract squares, chicken nugget
anything but untitled”

I better get to titling paintings!

So last week or so, I was asked to judge the portfolios for a local high school.  To my surprise, I came across this image that a student did.  The student did a series of the school’s custodians.  They interviewed each employee and then asked to photograph them in chosen areas around the school.  This employee chose to be photographed in my recent exhibit.  I thought this was lovely.  I don’t know the student’s name who photographed this, but thank you, whoever you are!

(this image isn’t the best quality- I photographed it with my phone)

Now I’m off for the week for some fun in the sun.  FLA here I come!!

http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=671445

“Symbol-metaphor lies a woman with feelings divided into drawers that are not always open, boxed feelings to which it is difficult emerge. And feelings lying almost dead. In front, a semi-stop window peep another female figure who wants to peek at all the world, but a structure in the form of bars imprisoning his wish by pressing the shutter. Oppressive structure in which, however, rebel fibers similar to cotton candy and sugar itself, which covers everything. Female identity is there, making clear to such adversity.

Described in the previous paragraph corresponds to two facilities Heather Sincavage, American artist scholarship from the Artix Creative Space for six weeks in 2009, included in the new exhibition at the gallery Calvo & Mayayo and which in a subtle way Not with the cry of protest, says the women felt about the situation in which a woman finds herself in our society.

And is that despite the struggle for equality, some things never change. But above all do not do feelings. And we do not want women and men we have, fortunately, differentiators, different emotions. Sincavage Hence, from the inside, feel the need to proclaim that part feminine singular or plural is still hurt by being buried, enclosed by education, tradition or cultural heritage.

Sincavage’s work is pure metaphor. It seeks to show the feminine identity through their self-portraits, in which mix various techniques (photo printed on panels or canvas, textured – metal, wood, newsprint, textiles – and organic matter – hair, sugar, branches , flowers – usually red paint, which makes it stand out and contrast shapes and colors).

With these materials, the author attempts to transport viewers to other worlds, to suggest that the definition of femininity, a search inside a woman, as a person and human being, as we said, it is revealed in a cry of protest, it serves no political burdens and struggles, but as something more transcendent. Hence, use his image, his body because his identity is that look yourself to be. And the feelings transmitted through the overlay material and emotional labyrinths boxes as overlapping feelings, feelings that can not be classified and create another major human feeling.”

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 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 really wished that when I got really really busy, I would be able to verbally dictate my blog to you.  Needless to say, I was really busy the past few days finishing up the RED Show install.  Here are some images of the piece for you to enjoy.  I wish you could have been there to see it in person.

There will be more (professional) pics taken in the next few days or so.  I’ll update as I can as well as document the rest of the show.

As you know, peeps, Friday night was my opening at the Painted Bride.  Quite honestly, it was a really. long. day.  The traffic to Philly was pretty atrocious and leaving was no better (complete with a flat tire.  Yikes!) but all in all, I’m happy to report that my work was well received!  I got some prime placement (if I do say so myself) right in direct eyesight of the gallery entrance.  Lucky me!

Unfortunately, the night was pretty cold so the gobs upon gobs of people I was hoping to be there, where not.  But that’s ok- it gave me a chance to meet my fellow exhibitors- all of which are very nice!
Please take a closer look at : Susan Cunningham, Laurie Beck Peterson, Benjamin C. Pierce, and Leah MacDonald… All fellow InLiquid-ers.

The exhibit “represents more photographic interpretations and expressions of body image and self-esteem.   In My Body: Reworks will exhibit 4 to 6 works from each of these artists to broaden the perception the audience experiences through the eyes of multiple artists examining the figure.”

So now go to Philly and check out the show and tell me what you think.  I know it sounds like a lot of homework but really, you could make a day of it in Old City then have lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.  So much fun.  I would totally do that.