September 3, 2008

Just Another Fact of Life
2005
acrylic on wood
20" x 22"


Yesterday was spent driving to Pittsburgh to deliver 25 pieces of art work for the show at the Fein Art Gallery. The space is very nice in a section of Pittsburgh that has a mix of old architecture with new restortations. Driving a 10' U Haul was a bit of a challenge on the road to Pittsburgh as there is construction most of the way so you are continually dealing with no shoulder, orange construction barrels and temporary cement walls. With day light the drive was considerably easier but once it got dark I had some issues that made the drive seem more frightening for my passenger as well as myself.

Although my mission was simply to drop off artwork I never miss a chance to explore and re-explore Pittsburgh and had a delightful day at Construction Junction (building salvage), East End Co-op (so much like the coops of the 70s), a great meal at my favorite Ethipoian restaurant (Abay) and a look see at one of the most enjoyable consigment shops Avalon. Even found a vegan cupcake at a Dozen Cupcakes in Squirrell Hill (Yummy).

Today I spend several hours making a detailed instruction/catalog for the gallery reiterating anything that important for hanging my work including thumbnails of each piece so it is easy to label for the show. Painted for about an hour today but weariness took over and I had a nice long nap in front of the fan on a hot summer day. Very relaxing. If only my brain would forgive those days that I need to take off and not beat me up too much for skipping walking in the woods and doing yoga. Too hot to garden. Did manage to make some more yoga props and wrap a yoga chair, two blocks and an eyebag to be shipped out.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 1, 2008

Rabbit (An ex friend's family says "Rabbit" on the first of each month for good luck). Sort of adopted it.

Painted a bit today although the beautiful weather outdoors was calling and calling. Started the next to last circle. It's meaning comes from: strong locally brewed beer, B & B and a dish of fresh pineapples.

You all can do the math.

Early morning tomorrow as I have to pick up a U Haul first thing, fourth set of headphones. Both the Menstruation Theater and "The Making of the Wall" have audio that has been split for two people to listen to the audio tracks simultaneously. Then off to Pittsburgh to deliver art work and accessories for the show.

Peace Always

Sharon

August 31, 2008

Besides getting ready for the show at the Fein Art Gallery in Pittsburgh, I have two pieces (framed and ready to go) for the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Biennial, and a small solo show at a local coffee shop, Websters on Aaron in State College during the month of December. The space at Websters is fairly small and I'm planning on making at least a couple of paintings site specific (one of the line at the coffee counter and something reflective of life in State College, PA). I also would like to show some of my photographs, most of which are nature photographs taken either at the local state game lands or in one of my backyard's gardens. My plan is to have 10-15 photos double matted at the frame show and then find simple pre-made frames that will suit the photographs. Because the space is small I also would like to paint a few "tiny" photographs. The photo at top is the size and simplicity of the statement the paintings that I see myself doing for this show. Today I had some editing experience as I selected music for the background of "The Making of the Wall" DVD that I am showing at the Fein Art Gallery. There were about 100 options in the library music I was looking through. At first it seemed slightly overwhelming and then I began to get a feel for what was needed and I choose pieces that felt right to the scenes the music will serve.

August 30, 2008

Final few crunch days before pieces have to be delivered for show at Fein Art Gallery in Pittsburgh. I dug out an antique ipod to load on the sound track for the Menstruation Theater, purchased a portable dvd player to present "The making of the "Wall". I went back and forth with whether or not to show this dvd as there will be no monetary transaction for either me or the gallery as the actual piece is unable to be shown. Finally decided it could offer a painting break should someone need to divert their attention a bit.

Tomorrow I need to chose some music from a music library to play softly underneath the original soundtrack which is talking and tool noises. Also an audio transfer from cassette to cd will be made. My final chore of today is to recheck my list of things to bring to painting drop off including: artwork, staple gun, dvd player, ipod, headphones, tape, epoxy and directions.

August 29, 2008

A brief trip to the local frame shop and $750 later, I have all the paintings I'm bring to Pittsburgh for a show framed and ready to go. There's just a few small tasks left for this weekend-get the audio for the Menstruation Theater onto an ipod, attached the ipod in a discrete location on the theatre (under or behind), transfer VHS to DVD (the actual footage of "The Wall" being removed from the back of my house and purchase a portable DVD player to play it on.

There are many hidden and not so hidden costs in doing a show like this. Gallery fees upfront have to be paid, framing, two-u haul rentals, purchase of DVD player, hotel cost for opening night, gas to get to Pittsburgh (three times-drop off, opening, pick-up) and the obligatory lunch on delivery day. Even so a two person show in a city gives me more visibility than I get in the group shows that I usually do.

Peace Always
Sharon

August 28, 2008

Another busy day yet still managed to get a few hours for painting. Today I started the bottom row. One circle is a head shot of my daughter on moving day and the second a Bart Simpson type character that is saying "You eat no meat!"I wanted to memorialize my daughter on moving day.The most memorable moment of the day was when she first showed up at her new apartment in a totally put together outfit that would translate well to a cinema version of moving (not necessarily the real thing).

My daughter has a fabulous sense of style and always has. Before she was in kindergarten, when we went clothes shopping I would take something to read and plant myself nearby while she sorted through clothes. The sales people were always confused by us but we always left with an outfit or two that was well coordinated (my daughter) and possible to wash (my say).

Peace Always

Sharon

August 27, 2008

Sophie with a butterfly on head
photo by Sharon Lee


Still quite busy getting ready for the show at the Fein Art Gallery next week, my daughter's new apartment needs, restocking my supply of yoga props and trying to retain a semblance of non dust order in my house while all this happening. Dragged out the Menstruation Theatre from its cedar closet and I was grateful to find that I had carefully covered it and all was in great shape. One bottom board needed to be re-glued, new batteries are necessary for the mini lights, a bit of dusting and she is good to go.

During an evening walk in the woods with my dog Sophie I decided I would put a dab of perfume on the puppet so every time you walk past you would slightly notice it. Consulting over the phone with my daughter, I decided on one of her Dolce and Gabana fragrances-light and not cloying.Tomorrow I have two art related errands: hair dyeing (roots) and pick up five pieces that are finished being framed. I love to see the final pieces always a surprise and usually a good one.Still undecided about whether to rent a cargo van or take the 10 foot U-Haul I have already reserved. Maybe the answer will come to me in a dream.

Peace Always

Sharon