Mission Accomplished

Last night I lost my art show virginity - a group show no less. Before all the lechers start salivating, I'll clarify that I'm speaking about showing my paintings - landscapes - composed outside. Artistic nudity only. No flesh, flabby or otherwise, was exposed in the presenting of my work. Ok, I think I'm just digging myself deeper here.

I give major credit to the members of the PAPC-SW, headed by Dr. Rita Rogan, for a wonderful gallery event. It was lovely. Everyone was friendly, chatty and the refreshments were nice. The gallery itself just glowed. The paintings were well displayed and enjoyed by all. There were incredible paintings. I encourage everyone to visit the gallery. The exhibit goes through the end of the month. I also have to add that the location in downtown Joliet is extremely charming. It has a very smooth, comfortable and artsy pulse. I had no idea that existed in Joliet. The city is serious about revitalizing their arts scene. This was a great start.

On the lighter side, I was running late for this event. As a result, my two awesome, vivacious and raucous daughters joined me at the exhibit- waaaay past their bedtime. Those stinkers slept on the drive out and were awake the entire ride home! Fortunately, Rob attended as well and did a great job wrangling the stallions with help from a few friends. The PAPC-SW gallery's formal name is "Indigo Gallery". Well, so is my firstborn. Indigo was saying she was at "her gallery". It was so cute. She is beginning to read and recognized the spelling of her name on the leaflet. BTW, Indi is also wearing a dress that I designed and made for her! She chose to wear it in support of my big night. What an awesome kid! Just when I think she is just all demands and tantrums, she pulls an ace out her sleeve.

I had a lot of support that evening, to my great surprise (no offense anyone, but Joliet is "out there"). My mom, sister Abbey and nephew came by. My sweet friends, Rox and Laura S came together. And my in-laws showed up too. I think that's a spectacular turn-out considering they all drove from the city, or close to it.

I have no idea if any sales were made that evening, but there were definitely many worthy works of art worth plunking down your hard-earned cash.

On the personal side I'd like to add that my stud-painter friend Sergio Rocha was right. I should be showing my stuff. Skill and experience aside. Any painting, drawing or garment (I have a background in fashion design) should be shown to the public with pride. It's a humbling experience to do so but the returns are great. Toss that into Lola's lemon bag!

When I got home, I found that Indigo had baked a celebratory cake (she'd be a cupcake if she had the magical powers to do so). The inscription on the cake read "Mom Gallery". Aww, how sweet. I had cake for breakfast - and so did Indigo (Hmm, she's getting quite clever).

I'm giong to be in an art show!

Above photo of me taken by Indigo

Dec. 8 - Wicker Park - Milwaukee Ave

Sept. 22 - Riverside, IL

Well, it's official. I'm a participant in the 3rd Annual Plein Air Painters of Chicago -Southwest - Show! They paint with the PAPC every other Saturday. I'm not formally a part of their group so it is extremely generous for them to allow me to participate in this show. I was very nervous about entering my stuff. It's important for an artist to show their work, regardless of skill, experience or confidence. This is one of those moments my friend, Laura McGowen, would keep in Lola's lemon bag. She says a person should do something that scares them - everyday. I agree and when I met her I was instantly attracted to her based on that statement alone (it sounds like I want to date her, I know - sorry Lola!). We all blunder forward.

How about a trip down memory lane? Above you will see my most recently completed painting. It's across from the John Fluevog (kick butt shoes) store on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. It was extremely cold that morning. My hands and feet were freezing despite feeling that I "bundled up". I finished the Spex (eyeglasses) building and the back ground stuff in the studio. But the overall composition, Fluevog bldg, the streetscape were all done en plein air (Freezing!). I wish I had a cool story -- like it was so cold my watercolor paints froze! But that didn't happen. The paints did just fine (I used hot water).

The other painting is my very first painting EVER - done in Riverside, IL on Sept. 22 (or thereabouts). It was a warm Indian Summer day. I had some friends visit me while painting and was a chatty little butterfly. I was grateful for company because I was very nervous. The PAPC painters were extremely inviting and friendly. I had a fun time on both accounts and feel very privileged to be a part of this group.

PAPC - SW show is Jan. 4 through Jan. 31. Opening night and reception is Saturday, January 5th from 6-8pm. They have their very own Gallery.

Many excellent artists are represented at the show. You are all welcome! I'd love to see you there.

Sat., Jan. 5th @ Indigo at the Rialto - 100 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL.
6-8pm

Above is my friend, Tracie's house. Some of you may remember her from the Amazing Mama Race. The front windows are off (arrgghh! I asked if she'd return it so I could fix it). I cranked it out as a party gift for her. Regardless, it's such a charming house! A mere 1/2 block from mine.

Ais-base Wins debates for Iowa Caucus!

Ais-base just turned 18 months old. This is the time of her life where her language development is off the hizang!! Over the past week she has really been talking up a storm. She can say and mean yes and no. She asks where things are; “sippy are you?”, “baby are you?”. She is also transitioning into one nap - ugh - still. As she drops a nap, her language picks up. I guess she has to find something to fill the time!

I was barely able to capture this on video as it was take number 4 for her. My regular video camera kept running out of memory! Arrgghh… so I took this with my cell phone. And you thought I only wrote about Indigo! Enjoy!

This could also win the soundbite of the year award!

Runaway Gingerbread Person!

This has to bring a smile to your face!


I bought a Gingerbread Person decorating kit from Costco (my favorite store). Indi had a great time decorating with all the fun candies. Ais loved stealing the cookies It's a wonderful kit complete with icing already in packets! They taste horrible tho. I am using mine as Christmas decorations throughout the house. Resting on top of photo frames, etc!

&*@#!! Greedy Stores!

Last week I ordered a Magnetix i-Coaster from Amazon.com! This has been sold out in stores for a few weeks. It’s an awesome construction set. You connect different tracks to create a “coaster”. Then you connect the entire unit to a powered magnet source that magnetizes the entire toy. This allows a metal marble to roll all over the coaster and even jump in places where there are no tracks! All this and you can hook up your MP3 player to it to create your own i-coaster rock n roll experience.

I ordered the i-coaster for $90 on Amazon.com on Friday (I'm splitting the cost with another family member). Monday, I get an email indicting that my order was canceled (2 business days). I went to the vendor’s website to see why this happened. I-coasters were available for sale at $130! – 50% more than I was charged. It was clear that the seller intentionally canceled my order to sell it at a higher price. Greedy guts! Amazon received a well-worded nastygram indicating my outrage. Essentially there was nothing that could be done.

No i-coaster, no awesome accolades from my 12 y.o. nephew, at Christmas! Aw, hail no - it ain't happenin' to me (actually it’s such a cool toy, I don’t care about the cool points) I went to ebay to make this happen. I’m happy to say that I paid $109 for the replacement i-coaster and received it, brand new, in the mail today. Thanks ebay seller!

Stunts like the one the Amazon seller tried to pull really make me dislike Christmas. I hate being a “consumer” already. Christmas shopping just twists the knife in the wound, adds salt and spits in your face.

Beck you’re such a whiner! So what have I done to conquer my loathsome attitude? Small things.

- Minimize exposure to holiday songs and Holiday-themed movies (fun but they really mess with your head!). Will a real reindeer really come back to life after being shot, prancer?

(love um but they don’t sell Prozac in Christmas colors or “sparkle” –YET) –

- Tipping my servers the extra buck. Giving the obviously hung-over or strung out homeless person a buck (my inner mantra: I can’t be exploited – I choose to give – guilt won’t work).Overall being more generous when I give helps

** And my personal favorite: saying “Merry Christmas” to sales clerks instead of the politically correct “Happy Holidays”. Doing that, especially, makes me feel a little naughty and rebellious. And at times it pays off - especially if the sales clerk is a black woman. They smile and give back a heart "merry christmas to you". Love those gals! I think they share my secret delight -- and hey they can't get in trouble because the customer is always right. oh yeah, in the mood I'm in, just let management come over and give them (or me) a hard time. I implore you all to give it a try! Merry Christmas! It’s about Jesus after all!