Author: artspoken

Closing Artspoken Gallery and Studios

| artspoken

Artspoken Gallery

This is the short to medium version….

I  opened Artspoken Gallery and Studios in 2005 in response to losing my studio space and gallery representation because of a fire at the Guadaloupe Art Center and Vin Gallery in downtown Austin. I just needed a space to work in a cultivating environment and I knew others did too. Some of the original goals of the gallery were to provide original artwork, open art space, and professional studios for Austin artists and art lovers. In short, Artspoken Gallery and Studios evolved into a flourishing show space and artist community due to the effort and heart of many.

As many of you know, Artspoken Gallery and Studios turned into a full co-op last September.  I was overwhelmed with the business side of things and starting to have less and less energy for my artwork. The resident artists including Valerie Walden and Jan Knox were excited to help out. Special thanks to resident artist, Rebecca Bennett for managing the gallery for the last year. In January, I moved to Juneau while the gallery continued to function as a professional artist collective.

Knowing that long distant gallery ownership was not in my cards, the artists in the co-op decided to keep the spirit of Artspoken Gallery alive and move into a new location. Their new name is Austin Artspace, which opens in November. I’m so excited for all of them and I hope you will all continue to support them as they strive to enhance Austin’s art scene!

For more information on Austin Artspace you can visit http://www.austinartspace.com

And yes, I will miss it… the resident artists, the displaying artists, the patrons, the landlord, the neighbors, Bob the cat, my fight with the flower bed, the beautiful light in each studio, the stir of an opening, the inviting atmosphere, the blossoms on some unknown tree in the parking lot… I even got married there.  I am thankful for the opportunities the gallery provided and the replenishment and growth that took place in my life during its duration. And yes, I am relieved. Some things burn in your heart to do and some things only burn in your heart to start. In the 3 years of the gallery, I never really felt like the owner. I always felt like it was given to me just to hold for a time.

The Original SignThe Original Sign

12 Buy Reception

One of the first 12 Buy shows

Bob the CatAnd of course, Bob the Cat

Teaching

| artspoken

The Canvas

I start teaching classes for The Canvas tonight! I’m teaching a intermediate drawing class, an oil paining class, a marionette class, and some art classes!

I know from past experiences that I always grow the most when I’m teaching….and I feel like stretching my legs.

more info at Canvasarts.org

How My Opening Went on September 5th

| artspoken

Leading up to my art opening last Friday, I was thankful for the press coverage and support of the arts in general here in Juneau. You can follow the links below for more details and to listen to my first radio interview. Jeff Brown, the radio host of A Juneau Afternoon was easy to talk to and I felt relaxed talking on air. I don’t think I used the notes on my cheat sheet.

Note to self, don’t spend so much energy on what you may or may not say in life.

The opening itself was successful. It meant a lot to me to share my recent work… post Austin work. I felt very well received by the residents of Juneau and met a lot of interesting artists. I give all Juneau artists props for existing. It really is a lot harder to get materials and to stay dry enough to work.

Capital City Weekly

Juneau Empire/ Hooligan

KTOO Radio, A Juneau Afternoon

Above
“Anew” acrylic fresco on marble dust panel
people’s choice

Back from the Arctic Circle

| artspoken

One place I never thought I would visit.

Alan and I soon discovered just how close we were from the arctic circle on our road trip last week. We couldn’t pass by such an opportunity. Some of the most beautiful terrain I’ve ever seen adorns the Dempster Hwy, the worst road I’ve ever driven on. Rich hues of gray, purple, burnt sienna, green, yellow, and pink still linger inside my heart. At times, it was so quiet we could hear ringing.

Arctic Circle LineBetween here and there

Outside Studio

| artspoken

Outside Studio in Juneau

I moved my studio outside today. The porch was perfect shelter from the rain. Which is great because it hasn’t stopped raining for days! Does this count as Plein Air? The entire time I was painting I thought that bear might be under the house. I recommend this strategy to everyone. You get so much more done.

Paintings in Progress

Pets

| artspoken

Maple Eating Skunk CabbageThe number one reason why I keep my studio so clean. See pine cone above. Maple will eat anything. Onion likes to walk on wet surfaces, but Maple takes my career in art preservation to a new level.

Sometimes, distractions are sweet.

Workshop

| artspoken

Making Stretcher Bars

When we moved to Alaska, I only brought the basic art supplies.  Last week I finally purchased some wood tools to make my own canvases again. It was liberating and exhausting. I love power tools!  I made two 3 by 4’, 2 by 4’, and 3 by 3’ canvases.  Our house now looks like the Karen Museum of Soon to Be Art.

Even Pets Like Laundry

I call this one …
Even Pets Enjoy Laundry