December Walk

 

It has been chilly, but so sunny and pretty this month. Yesterday while on a walk through the woods I enjoyed sharing space with the wild life. Get outside and savor the weather. 

Town Hall Conversations

 

 

Tonight I logged onto Zoom for a NAEA Town Hall. I must say these days are long when tethered to the screen as I am so many days So, tonight I connected my computer to my TV to watch in a more leisurely environment, not my studio that has become my pandemic office. The difference sharing on a TV screen was immediately more interesting for me...sitting by the fire, with my cat and husband tuning into the latest conversations in art education. I must admit, I was also highly motivated to tune it because my friend was a panelist. Having her and the whole panel visit my living room was a delight!

 It was such a thought provoking conversation. The format was incredibly inviting it was called Long Conversation. Person A & B will engage in a 6 minute dialogue. There is a one minute warning to wrap the conversation and then the interviewee becomes the interviewer of the next panelist. It will continue until all panelists have engaged. The flow was so inviting and listening to the different view points kept the conversation fresh and moving. The concluding question between each panelist was how they are exercising self care during this pandemic. Listening to the different ways self care is practiced was cathartic and a reminder that it is necessary. 

A quote that resonated with me was "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." originally said by Audra Lorde and restated tonight by Ruth as she reflected on journaling as a means for self care and processing this time.  

The strategies discussed tonight are immediately practical to our classrooms and school systems. I am continuously reminded to be more aware of my own bias' and reflective in my personal growth. Surround yourself with people that inspire and challenge you. Welcome perspectives that are uncomfortable, it is in that space growth is possible.

Artist Teacher Exhibition 2020

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fine Arts Office is proud to present its 13th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition. This art exhibition recognizes the creativity and technical expertise of FCPS art teachers who were invited to submit original recent works for this exhibition. 

The participating artists have sought solace in the creative process as a response to the coronavirus crisis and ensuing quarantine lifestyle that stemmed from it. The resulting artwork of the 76 FCPS artist teachers who participated is extraordinary and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with you. 

This year has been challenging; showing the artwork in a gallery as we have done in years past was not an option. Instead, the Artist Teacher Exhibition 2020 is presented here as a digital gallery experience. Please take a moment and enjoy the artistry of FCPS educators.

We also got a little love from the local news! Here is the link to that story. 

Women's Right to Vote Exhibition

 The Del Ray Artisans opened a new show today, A Women's Right to Vote: 100 Years Since the 19th Amendment. The exhibition runs from November 6th through the 28th. As a new member to the group, I am thrilled to have three artworks in the show! 

                                                                                                            Vote Lady

It has proven to be quite a historical week in our country. There is still no definitive call on our Presidential election. The country is weary and on edge. 

                                                               Pandemic Vote 2020

We will soon know what our next four years will look like...it is my hope that we will welcome the first female Vice President to the White House. It is long overdue, and our country would benefit from a woman's tenacity and intuition.

                                                                                                                          1920-2020

Del Ray Artisan Gallery Hours: 

Thursday  Noon - 6 pm 

Friday      Noon - 6 pm  

Saturday  Noon - 4 pm

*Always free admission. Accessible facility. 

Learning in 2020

American Gothic 2020

 Last week I walked into the dining room and the cat was looking right at me and standing guard by Eddie! I quickly grabbed my phone to take a picture...the added bonus was my son mimicking the cat's facial expression. Learning in 2020 has been challenging, but I must say we are making great memories together. This photo perfectly captures the adolescent mood before noon while learning virtually! 

Catharsis

Fragile March 2020 

2020 is not like any time we have ever experienced or could have imagined, even in our most dystopian dreams. Typically, my daily planner looks like a Tetris game packed tight with adventures. However, in the blink of an eye we were all suddenly grounded to a halt by a surreal pandemic laying our day and night bare of activity. 

Saves April 2020

Being stalled redirected my usual kinetic energy back into the studio. It was there that I reconnected with a plethora of clippings and images, an eclectic mix of  ephemera, that I had tucked away for a rainy day. 

State of Confusion April 2020

The need to make art rages within, and over these last six months, rather than ferreting out scenes to photograph during walkabouts I have cut, glued, doodled and montaged my way through the hours. When the newspaper headlines would make my head spin, I would take the scissors to them and reconstruct the narrative. 

Priority May 2020

This change to my process has been cathartic --- a return to the most basic to find creativity in the analog world. Although quarantined to my studio, I found it energizing to step away from my usual creative process that fed off being in the outside world and instead pivot to a laboratory-like space where I curated therapeutic think pieces that allowed me to exercise a completely different part of my intellect.

Social Distance June 2020

Recent Works Exhibition

October 16th and 17th 

RECENT WORKS

at the Fairfax Railroad Museum 

The Recent Works Art Show & Benefit features the work of Artist-Educators Elaine Florimonte, Keith Beale, Amy Bruce, Debbie Glakas, Heather Dilatush, Leslie O'Shaughnessy and me. This year's show will be a little different due to the precautions around Covid-19. We are scheduling visitors to manage the size of our gathering. In accordance with the Governor's orders, all visitors must wear a mask. Prizes will be given for the most artful mask! 

We have been busy making art during this surreal time that is sure to impress and refresh your walls. Schedule your visit here. 

Fairfax Railroad Museum

11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA 220139