"Like Mother...": babysitter optional

We're about to put the current iteration of "Like Mother" to bed (see what I did there?). But before the show closes at Art Xchange Gallery, let's talk about making art while parenting.

The gallery is hosting "ProCreators: Navigating Motherhood in the Art World" tomorrow afternoon. At 1pm, we'd love you to take a(nother) look at the art before we sit down to talk at 2pm. We'll chat about being parents in an industry that rarely acknowledges the existence of family life, as well as how parenthood can transform and shape one’s artwork in inspiring ways.

And if you have children -- no need to scramble for a babysitter before you join us! Art Xchange will have games, drawing and DVDs set up in their upstairs Loft area for kids. Looking forward to talking art with you in person!

Someone you know needs art

I'd like to share a happy moment with you, an unintentional pay-it-forward thing. Recently I talked to the person who bought this altered book, "Daddy Loves Me."

She said she'd wanted to purchase something I made, and the altered book came along at the right time. But it didn't quite feel like it 'belonged' to her. She decided to gift it to another friend. Immediately the recipient's eyes welled up.

The collector had had a difficult relationship with his father, but the art brought up a treasured memory: a childhood moment when he knew for sure that his daddy loved him.

That piece sold in 2015, and at the time I was quite happy someone wanted to take it home. But now I'm profoundly grateful as well: I feel that I helped someone remember a moment where everything was right and beautiful in his world.

Double-happiness, double holiday madness

Anyone out there less than excited about decorating for the winter holidays?

Good thing my neighbors are on it, because I've decided I'm done with the decor. I enjoy giving presents, but "creating atmosphere"... not so much. My kids will just have to take it up with their future therapists. "My mother was horrible at holidays; she never put up Thanksgiving turkeys or mistletoe or did the Elf on the Shelf." THAT'S RIGHT. 

"She was always too busy in her studio to create holiday cheer." ABSOLUTELY. (I'm sure my punishment will be one of them marrying the Homemaker From Hell.)

This year, the kids will literally wake up on December 25th to Christmas presents... and go to bed with the first night of Hanukkah gifts. I better not hear any complaining as I bandage the paper cuts I'll get from wrapping all this stuff!