Preparing for an Exhibit

The past 5 weeks this is where I've been. In the studio, creating new art.

I gave myself 7 weeks to create 9 major new textile paintings and 18 smaller pieces mounted on canvas. As of this writing I have 4 of the larger pieces completed and 3 of the smaller. The next 2 weeks will be very busy meeting my deadline. Below I share the reward I will give myself when the show is installed.

The theme for this exhibit is home. I've thought about it a lot over the past few years and I love hearing other's ideas on the topic. See below for a chance to have your thoughts included in my exhibit.

I've been sharing in progress photos of the artwork for this show on my public facebook page (you don't need to be a member of facebook to see these images) and writing about the process for preparing for an exhibit on my blog.

Enjoy, and as usual, thank you for subscribing and supporting my art and sharing my journey.

---lisa

PS: If you'd like to keep in touch more than through my newsletter, please check out these locations:

• Lisa's Blog
• Lisa's Twitter Profile
• Lisa's Facebook Profile
• Lisa's Facebook Fan Page
• The MakeBigArt Blog
• MakeBigArt Facebook Fan Page

 Home #12
 ©2010 Lisa Call
 Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
 35" x 34.5"
 

A sneak peek at one of the textile paintings that will be part of my upcoming solo exhibit in February.

After working in the more muted and earthy colors from my South African Impression series last fall I've been having fun dabbling with brighter colors for these larger pieces in my Home series. The bold orange in the background comes alive when paired with the more muted blue.

 
Detail Image of Home #12:

Dwelling  
My upcoming solo exhibit, Dwelling, at Andrew J. Macky Gallery on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus runs from February 17 through March 17, 2010.

The gallery is at 17th Street and University Ave., Boulder, CO. Phone: 303.492.8423. For directions and parking information see my website.

Opening Reception  
Please join me at the opening reception on Sunday, February 21st from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

This is the best time for those that work during the day to see the show as the gallery is only open to the public on Wednesdays from 9:00am-4:00pm or to ticket holders to events in the Macky Auditorium during the show's run, February 17 through March 17, 2010.

I will be giving an artist talk during the opening on February 21st at 2:00pm.

Share Your Thoughts  
Along with my artwork I would like to display writings answering the question "What Makes a House a Home?". As mentioned in my exhibit statement, this question has been foremost in my mind much of the year. I invite you to share your thoughts for possible inclusion in my exhibit.

If you would like to write a few sentences or even a longer essay on the topic to be included in the exhibit please email me your words. [I reserve the right to edit statements if necessary and they will be posted with first names only.]

I'm excited to add this interactive component to my exhibit and appreciate your contributions.

New Collection of ACEOs  
As part of the Dwelling exhibit I am creating a new collection of ACEOS (small textile paintings that measure 2.5"x3.5") based on the larger artwork that will be in the show. These ACEOs will first be available during the opening on February 21 and after that I will add them to my website for sale.

These smaller works are a great way for those with a smaller art budget to own original artwork. Look for special pricing on these ACEOs during the run of my exhibit.

 
As I've been focusing almost exclusively on artwork for my upcoming solo show, there hasn't been much new collectible small art flowing from my studio the past month. Lines #34 below is the 1 exception.

So Lines #34 isn't lonely I'm also including a couple of ACEOs, of which I have only 4 or 5 left from 2009. It was exciting and validating when all of the ACEOs from the South African Impression series sold last month.

	Lines #34 ©2010 Lisa Call 3" x 3" Textile Painting Mounted on stretched canvas $75 Purchase Here
	ACEO #32 ©2009 Lisa Call 3.5" x 2.5" Textile Painting $40 Purchase Here
	ACEO #38 ©2009 Lisa Call 3.5" x 2.5" Textile Painting $40 Purchase Here

Note from a Collector:

I just received Dream #19. It is beautiful! Love the colors. Now I'm the proud owner of a Lisa Call original. Perhaps one day I can own a larger piece.

 
For a complete view of all of my available collectible small art please see my collectible small art webpage.

*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 measurer 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.

Rewards

As I've been working around the clock to prepare for my solo exhibit I've been increasingly thinking about relaxing after the opening. Spending a week recovering by sleeping, taking hot baths, getting a massage and spending time with friends and family.

And not worrying about deadlines. Luxury!

I prefer not to work on deadline but at times I also find it can be a great motivator. I find that rewards can also be a wonderful motivator. And so I've been thinking about a bigger more enticing reward to inspire me out of bed at 5am after only 5-6 hours of sleep.

I keep of list of artwork I'd like to see some time in my life. I've always thought of this as a Maybe-Someday kind of list, after I retire, after the kids are in college, etc, as much of this art is far away.

But what better enticement to stay in my studio than plans to see one of these works of art? And really, what am I waiting for? As Mark Twain said:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did."

Exactly, so in early March I will spend a weekend in Houston, which is quite close, visiting the Rothko Chapel. I'm most looking forward to it.

What have you been putting off for no good reason? Maybe it's time for a reward.

Tribal Pendants
©2010 Julie Picarello - Yellow House Designs
Polymer Clay, GF Wire, Purple Jade Beads, Watch Parts & Metal Accents
(reprinted with permission by the artist)

Jewelry artist Julie Picarello recently contacted me after seeing a photo on my blog of dozens of empty mettler thread spools. Apparently these spools make an interesting design when stamped into polymer clay and she wants extras to give to her students in her workshops.

I was more than happy to share my unused plastic with her as I save them in hopes of finding such ways to recycle them as the alternative is the landfill.

Curious about who I was sending the spools to, I checked out Julie's website Yellow House Designs. I was instantly drawn to her strong beautiful designs.

Julie says about her artwork:

"The primitive power and strength of metal and the sophisticated depth and dimension of polymer clay are to me a perfect union."

I suspect Julie's 20 year background designing circuit boards might also be a factor in drawing in the software engineer in me.

In addition to jewelry Julie also creates beads to adorn clothing or artwork, which you can see here.

If you are more of a doer vs a buyer when it comes to polymer clay check out her workshops, she teaches all over the country and in Europe on occasion.

-- Each month I introduce my readers a new artist. I love learning about new artists and also love to share the talent of the amazing artists I know and admire with my readers.