As I gear up for a major home remodeling project, which will provide me with a studio in my new home, I have also spent the last few months refocusing on my art. It feels great to reconnect with my art career after the first half of the year where I was focused on decluttering and moving to my new house. I've been writing a lot of todo lists to get back on track.

My current studio may not be ideal but that's okay as I've still be able to create some wonderful new work. The latest piece, Structures #99, is shown below. This means next up will be Structures #100 is next. I haven't yet decided how to celebrate but I will soon. Watch my blog for details of reaching this exciting milestone.

One way I have reconnected with my artwork is to communicate with other artists and art lovers via social media, you can read below on how to join me.

There are many ways to communicate with those that enjoy my artwork. Thank you for your support by subscribing to my studio newsletter.
 
---lisa

 Structures #99
 ©2008
 33" x 39"
 

The above textile painting was completed early last week in my small bedroom studio. This piece was inspired by a visit to the Denver Art Museum where I found myself attracted to several paintings with a similar color palette. Dark black grays and deep browns set against a mist of lighter grays. One of the paintings was of buffalo in the Western Art section. Another of a wave in the special exhibit of landscapes in the impressionist style. These came together in my mind as I designed Structures #99.

In a departure from their inspiration, I found myself reaching for yellow and purple threads when adding the surface texture to the artwork. I love adding these little sparks of unexpected color when looking at the work close up.

Detail of Surface Stitching on Structures #99:

I love lists. I love organization. I love crossing things off my lists at the end of the day and feeling I'm making progress.

Some times I can get caught up in the doing that I lose sight of the bigger picture. How do I know I'm doing the right thing?

The first step is to have a vision for what I want from my art career. Without this overall big picture it's hard to say any given task is of value to me. You can read blog posts about my specific vision here: My Definition Of Success.

The second step is to have a set of projects that are in alignment with the bigger visions. Things that I can do that will move me forward towards my goals. I've been investigation using scrum, a software management methodology, for managing my art projects. The compilation of articles on this topic are here: Using Scrum to manage an art career.

When it comes time to make the todo list I select small tasks that are part of the projects that lead to my vision. In focusing on actions that are directly tied to my vision I am comfortable I'm moving in the direction that I want to go.

I find that this method

1. Identify a vision
2. Identify projects that will result in the vision being fulfilled
3. Make todo lists with tasks that result in the projects moving forward

is a great way for not only managing my art career but also other projects, like my home remodel. Instead of spending time with busy work, I am assured that I'm headed in the right direction when I put in the time to first define what I want.

The first 2 ACEOs, or Artist Trading Cards, shown below were inspired by a recent textile painting, Structures #98:

 
In a departure from my usual earth tone palette these aceos and piece that inspired them, are bright clear colors. Previously I did most of my fabric dyeing in my basement. Fabric for these pieces was dyed outside at my new house, which seems to have inspired a change in color palettethef, at least for a while.

	ACEO #13 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" Sold
	ACEO #14 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" Sold

The following ACEOs are related to my new series Home, which is informed by my recent move. I made only 1 small textile painting in this series but have many ideas for more. So watch my website for some smaller (and more affordable) pieces in this series. You can read my initial thoughts about this series here: Home #1 and my new series of textile paintings .

	ACEO #15 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" Sold
	ACEO #16 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" $21

These new ACEOs are available for sale to my newsletter subscribers. If you are interested in purchasing one of the art cards please email me to ask about availability. The price of $21 each is in US dollars and includes postage to anywhere. I accept paypal and US checks.

The cards are signed and dated on the back and the 1/1 indicates they are one of a kind originals. I will never create copies of these cards.

A recent comment from someone that purchased one of my ACEOs:

Ok, now I have to tell you I am blown away with your workmanship! One of the reasons I wanted to get this ACEO was to get a chance to look up close at your work. It's so hard in photographs to see the detail. I am totally amazed at the precision of your stitches and finishing detail!

Thank you again for offering this piece. One day I look forward to purchasing a larger piece!

ACEO stands for "art cards, editions and originals". Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" - the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

Over the last few months I've become more involved in some social media platforms, with most emphasis on twitter and facebook. I feel this could be an interesting way for artists and art lovers to have a more direct conversation. I'm looking forward to seeing where this relatively new platform unfolds for artists.

If you'd like to follow and/or participate in my conversation on these platforms check out some of my social media profiles:

• Lisa Call's Twitter Profile
• Lisa Call's Facebook Profile
• Lisa Call's Linkedin Profile

You can see my textile paintings in person at the following exhibits:

Structures #10	Depth and Breadth : Six Quiltmakers in the 21st Century Butler Institute of American Art Howland, Ohio October 12, 2008 - January 4, 2009 Museum Website   Opening Reception Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM I will be at the opening. Please come introduce yourself if you attend.
Structures #55	Quilt National 2007 Traveling Exhibit International Quilt Festival Houston, Texas October 30, 2008 - November 2, 2008 10/29/08 - 11/6/09 International Quilt Festival Website Quilt National Website
Structures #5	Rooted in Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Traveling Exhibit Massillon Museum Massillon, Ohio October 2, 2008 - November 30, 2008 Massillon Museum Website Exhibit Website
Structures #4	Elements Traveling Exhibit Exhibit Website Stauth Memorial Montezuma, Kansas September 1, 2008 - October 5, 2008 Stauth Memorial Website Excelsior Springs Museum and Archive Excelsior Springs, Missouri October 21, 2006 - November 30, 2008 Excelsior Springs Museum Website New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Las Cruces, New Mexico December 15, 2008 - January 19, 2009 New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Website

In addition to the above exhibits, my artwork is also available for sale on my website and through these venues:

Structures #70	Visions Art Quilt Gallery San Diego, California Gallery Website
Structures #34	The Artful Home Website By The Guild, the leading source for artist-made home décor products shipped direct from artists' studios to customers' homes nationwide. Offers consumers more than 12,000 works of original art for the home by top artists. Check out the new work recently added to my page at artful home page here:Lisa Call's Artful Home Webpage
Structures #96	Lux Center for the Arts Lincoln, Nebraska Lux Center for the Arts Website
Structures #87	Direct from the Artist You are always welcome to contact me directly via email to purchase my artwork. My Website