Sunny weather=art photo shoots

The weather here has been trying to decide if it wants to be sunny or gloomy. Today: sunny and 80 degrees, so... short photo shoot!

Here's a sneak peek at the small collages (6" square) that I've been working on... just need to clean up the details.

I plan to list three in my Etsy shop this weekend, sometime after sundown -- which means "after 9:30pm" at this time of year. If you follow me on Facebook, you'll be pinged when they're live!

New art: "Give Us A Hug"

Did you get a chance to see my latest assemblage in May while my solo show was on exhibit? No worries: this way I can tell you the full backstory of "Give Us A Hug." Here she is... by day:

... and by night.

You might remember my great-grandmother inspired this piece -- or rather, I was inspired by explanations that might illuminate why Mickey became a mean drunk and a neglectful mother. I don't have those reasons, or even a photo of her as a young woman. So for this piece I painted a stand-in for Mickey...

... and explored the possibilities of why she spent more time drinking than parenting. Speaking of drinking, I created a faux-mercury glass effect in a glass from which I could imagine Mickey drinking whiskey.

Into the cup she went. And when I turned the glass on its lip, the image of Mickey-as-a-jellyfish fell right into place.

I wrapped her stinging tentacles around the wrist and fingers of baby doll arms, which stood in for Mickey's two daughters. Although Mickey is trying to drift away from her children, she can't: the tentacles anchor her to the children.

And the children are tethered to their mother as well. Barnacles and the crusty, sandy edges of the piece underline their unyielding bond to their mother.

Remember that Twyla Tharp quote? "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

I think that's why I sympathize with Mickey, even as I still wish I could time-travel to protect my grandmother from the fallout of Mickey's behavior. (And if I did, would that action create a Grandmother Paradox?) How do you run away without leaving home? Tell me in the comments or on Facebook.

Art walking in Mill Creek

Last night I was elbow-deep in gathering supplies...

...and mapping out how I'm going to set up for today's art walk at the Mill Creek Town Center.

Here's where I'll be: Northwest Pharmaceutical Compounding, at the north end of Main Street...

... right at the entrance.

I'll be working on some projects while I'm there too, so you can catch a glimpse of how the magic happens. No standing on chairs, though.

Details:
WHAT: Mill Creek Town Center Art Walk
WHEN: 5pm-8pm
WHERE: Northwest Pharmaceutical Compounding, 15021 Main Street, Suites A & B (across the street from LA Fitness)
COST: Free!

And if you're not within driving distance, would you visit my Etsy store between 5pm and 8pm? Hope to see you there -- virtually or in person!