february 9 2013

I have been busy since I last wrote and that is good!

I’m thrilled with the video that Jane Carney’s daughter, Lynne Westafer made capturing my “a love affair” show/story  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlxWlI1XbGk If you like it please say so in the youtube comments. Lynne’s business is “three, two, one productions” and good comments could help her grow her business.

If you are on facebook, then you are aware that one of my “52” trees was tagged. The parks dept responded quickly so it is looking better but it will never be the same. I know I shouldn’t but I take it so personal!!

SAVE THE DATE…”52″ will be open from Oct 3 2013 through the end of the year. October 18th will be the opening reception so please save that date.

I met with my two mentor artist, Jan Harvey and Kathy DeAtley, over the weekend. Jan is the regional expert in solar plate printmaking and Kathy is a master printer having work in some of California’s top print studios. They are both giving me expert guidance in my 52 tree “senior project” that will hang in the DeVean Gallery. I still left the meeting feeling a bit overwhelmed…the reality of doing is going to be much harder than the reality of dreaming….but I am in good hands. 

I am currently in a watercolor and acrylic painting classes at the Riverside Art Museum. I have never painted so this is painful at times. Watercolor is the hardest …acrylics a little easier though I thought it would be no big deal to whip out an abstract acrylic painting and….but it was! The best part of this phase of learning, the humble student phase, is the increased appreciation you develop for the many fine artist you know and admire.

Another big reality… I built a scale model of the two galleries. It took me three times to get the measurements accurate….so now I am intimately familiar with every inch…that’s the good news. The omg news is this…my first show at the rcaa gallery was on a 15 ft wall. I now know that I have 190 ft  of wall space to fill in these two galleries!!!! So, if you are wondering why you never hear from me anymore… it is because I’m in my studio!!! 

Thank you again for being interested in my journey and for all your support…YOU ROCK…sue

Local author and regional literary laureate (2012-2014) Gayle Brandeis and I walked  my favorite part of Fairmount Park mid – December…click thoughts to read Gayle’s reflections on our time together… KCET/Artbound article “Sue Mitchell’s Year of Art” 

What amazes me about this article is that we never stopped walking and through it all Gayle was asking questions, looking, walking, listening and sometimes writing…she had no tape recorder! She captured everything, including me saying “desert island” instead of deserted island. I can barely walk and talk at the same time. If you aren’t familiar with Gayle Brandeis please visit her website.

I want to thank all the family, friends, and new friends that joined my blog the past two weeks. Your interest really will help keep me motivated and on task. I plan to post every week or two. Please remember I am new at administering a website/ blog by myself (though I know Catina at RPS is a phone call away!) so you my notice some technical issues at times. This is an informal way to stay in touch so I am sure you will understand.

Tomorrow starts a new phase in the project…less talking and more doing. The dreaming, planning and getting the story out phase is over! 

Doug McCulloh

Last week I met with one of my advisors, Doug McCulloh, and he seemed pleased with my progress but the reality is that 90% of the project is still left to do. YIKES!! Next post I will show you a picture and share some stats that will make it even clearer why I had better get my act together…IMMEDIATELY!!!!

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!! …xo…sue

I’m a little down…

I have thought about what might help me stay on track with my project in this new year

down but not out…

and realized that I need more daily, weekly and monthly accountability. I am hoping that those of you that are interested in my arts journey will subscribe to my blog using the “subscribe” button is at the bottom of the page.(not the bottom of the post …keep scrolling to bottom of the page) You don’t even have to read it – I just need to think you are.

Sisyphus

I knew that my biggest challenge this year would be discipline…DAILY DISCIPLINE…not my strong suit. I didn’t make as much progress as I should have during my first three months (probably kind of normal) so I am feeling a little frustrated with myself but unlike Sisyphus, I will get that rock to the top of the hill.

 Thank you friends for your interest and support…sue

PS If this is your first time visiting my blog or even hearing about my year-long arts sabbatical and you want an overview of my crazy adventure…go to the “about” tab on this website …there is a link to an article in Riverside Magazine and a Press Enterprise article that explain my journey or type “Grand Plan” in the search bar at the top of the blog for another detailed account.

january 1 2013

I have create a rock inspired countdown system. Every morning I move one small rock from the right container to the left. 93 days have passed…272 days to go.

I will grade my first three months tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

                                  …sue

PS The saying under the stack of rocks…”those who remove mountains begin by carrying away small stones”...Chinese Proverb … was on an encouraging card sent to me at the beginning of my sabbatical by my good friends Jim and Phyllis Crabtree

december 26 2012

My family and friends are being so supportive of my project. ALL my Christmas gifts had an arts orientation. My son gave this great OBEY shirt…”Make ART not WAR”  He said that It is specifically to be worn in the studio and that he expects it to get dirty. (I will post a picture of the shirt at the end of my sabbatical)

red dots and these are an artists best friend. Thank you Zee!

He also had a great comment when I was whining about being so behind…”sounds like too much inspiration and not enough perspiration.”

He’s right! I did need to plan, organize, and read a lot of inspirational “fear of art” type books. But now it is about doing!!

december 14 2012

           SANTA HATS ON 25 WORKS OF THE ART…

december 7, 2012

the study area

I have a daily schedule that I try to keep… except when I have a show, help on a campaign, have company, celebrate a holiday, go to the office, get my car repaired, run errands… I am supposed to spend  time in my classroom…Fairmount Park and to study in the mornings and studio time in the afternoons.

the studio

I am happy to say that I have finally had two good weeks in a row of following my schedule. I’m frustrated that the holidays are coming up – I’ll enjoy them for sure but I will get behind again! There will always be a reason not to do my project…the new year will become a “no excuse zone” 

december 1 2012

Riverside Magazine’s December issue has a nice article, written by Amy Bentley, about my sabbatical. She really captured the intentions of my year off. Eric Reed took some great pictures in my studio.

photo by Eric Reed

november 29 2012

I’m supposed to be in my studio everyday making something/anything. So, today to meet that committment I pulled out this really contemporary paint-by-number set that I have had for years. I spent several hours completing four small pieces. It was fun, therapeutic and inspiring because the color and designs were so cool. This wasn’t your grandmother’s paint-by-number!

Encore I

 I  am giving up making my rock infused mix media pieces this year but I did make a couple more over the past two weeks. I still had all the materials out from my work for my “a love affair” show…so, before I cleaned my studio I made “Encore I & II.” They will be hanging in the PNet printmaking show at RAM in February .