The start of the (art) season

Fall skies are back...

... which means there must be an art reception on the horizon that needs your presence. Oh look -- there it is!

Kathleen McIver and I would love to spend some time with you at the gallery. I know your schedule's going to be hectic for a while,  what with the autumn equinox and school schedules and all that. But do you think you could swing by after work? After that evening commute, you could probably use a refreshing dose of new art. 

New work: but is it "safe"?

I don't remember any water towers near the place where I grew up.

There was a river sort of nearby, but we lived in a desert. The riverbed was usually so dry it was used mostly to shoot videos and movies.

Movie still from "Grease." Credit: William Anthony/ Wikipedia

So when I finally saw a water tower in real life, it looked almost like a cinematic prop. It would make a great dramatic refuge for the hero to escape from bullies and other bad guys.

Now I live in what used to be a temperate rainforest, so I see water towers all the time.  And I realize the bad guys could climb the same ladder you used to get away from them. They could attack one of the tower legs; the reservoir (and you) could come crashing down. It looks like a safe space... but it wouldn't be for long. How defensible is any "safe" space, really?

This weekend, you can see and decide for yourself. My collage series of five water towers debuts at the Centennial Center Gallery, along with other new and existing artworks. And hey -- let me know if you stop by to visit the gallery; take a photo and tag me on Facebook or Instagram.

Bloomers and water towers

In today's episode of My Twisty Little Mind: I'm thinking about water towers. And bloomers.

Artist Maura Donegan holds up pants-turned-into-bloomers. Credit: Mary Coss

The bloomers are part of a Victorian-era costume for the "Public Debt to the Suffragette" chalk art installation. At the Pacific NW Chalk Fest, Mary Coss will gather a group of artists to create a tribute to those who fought for the right to vote.

I'll be at the booth on August 19th.  Before and after that, though, I'll be holed up in the studio.

I've developed a thing for water towers. Not in a Jeff Foxworthy, defend-your-sister's-honor kind of way... they symbolize other, deeper things to me. And with that cliffhanger, I'll leave you until the next post... [chuckling evilly]