What are you busy at?

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Babs

I’ve been considering this question this past month. It’s wonderful to have places to be, people to see, and work to complete. Sometimes I just need to force myself to stop and examine that unfolding rhythm of my days.

Each week I’m greeted with the challenge fulfilling others expectations, and doing what fulfills me. Would a stricter routine, a more rigid schedule help? Maybe a checklist would keep me on track?

Then I think about that John Lennon quote; “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” So I take a breath and try to let myself truly enjoy the present moment, whatever that may be. This is it, this is my life.

Highlight for last week, besides pulling together the AAWA Exhibition in Lansing. I donated two pieces to the Ecology Center Fundraiser “sustainable centerpiece” project. They will be sold during a silent auction. Hope they generate some funds for a good cause.

Recycling Outside a Small Circle of Friends

Windmills of her mind

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November? What happened to September and October

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Babs

It’s been a busy Autumn. Living in a college town it’s always surprising how the energy of this town is driven by the University Schedule, even if you aren’t a student or professor.

I’ve had the pleasure of exhibiting in several places throughout Michigan the past couple months. I had two pieces in the Figurative show at the Northville Arthouse.  One in a Menopause themed exhibit in at the Rivers Edge in Wyandotte.  It’s exciting that my piece “Menopause the Miracle” sold  before the Artist Reception.

Menopause: The Miracle

This Sunday AAWA has it’s first exhibit of the new season opening at Michigan Women’s Historical Museum.  Here are photos of my three pieces.  The theme is “Celebrating Women.”  The first image is a hommage to my mother, who managed to give her all to the most unglamorous tasks.  I learned early that any job worth doing is worth doing well.  I only hope to one day be as accomplished an artist as she was a cook.

Cafeteria Mom

Farm Sisters

My Encore

Posted in exhibition, Found object art, Michigan Art, Photography, sculpture, Small works | 4 Comments

Does Size Matter?

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Babs

I’ve been thinking about this for awhile.  Building smaller forms can be as difficult, sometimes more difficult than building something larger.  The scale of an object implies a relativity; to the room, surrounding objects, or the viewer. Is bigger always better?  Frequently the larger pieces in an exhibit seem to draw more attention, just due the mere size.  You can’t miss them from across the room.  Smaller works beg for more intimacy. You need to get close to see.

How does it make us feel to be in front of art that is larger than us? Is it overbearing or compelling? What about art that you could feasibly hold in your hand? Does it elicit that “awe”, nurturing response?

I have two pieces chosen to be exhibited in Great Lakes “Small Works” 2D-3D Juried Exhibition. The juried exhibit was open to artists residing in any of the Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin). All work exhibited will be no larger than 12 inches on either side including frames.

Artists’ reception will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, 5:00-7:00 PM. I’m looking forward to seeing all the work included in this exhibition. The Gallery Hours are Thursday – Saturday, 3:00-9:00 PM; Sunday, 1:30-4:00 PM. The exhibit runs September 2 – 25, 2010 at Riverside Arts Center, 76 North Huron, Ypsilanti, MI 734-480-2787

Hope that after you visit this exhibit or another one like it, you’ll share your impressions.

Posted in clay, exhibition, Michigan Art, narrative sculpture, sculpture, Small works | Leave a comment