Purlie and Jenny

How fun, my next commissions (2 Cats) are lined up and I have a field trip scheduled to meet the little critters. The fun part of this commission is that Jenny lives in DeWolfe & Woods Books which is located in Alfred, Maine. Purlie lives at home. I love the idea that Jenny lives amongst a world of books & it will be a great project to immortalize these kittys in art.

Now that taxes are done (in the mail Monday) and my marketing work for SKG will be complete (for now) this weekend…I am excited to start back in the studio again! I am refreshed, healthy, and excited to see what 2009 brings. Now I just have to figure out how to have Stella in the studio without eating the floor and things on it.

Art & Society; Curatorial Experiment #2 February 15-March 28, 2009

The purpose of this curatorial experiment is to explore the effects that art has had on society and vice versa. From the functional to the decorative, and the representational to the esoteric, art is interlaced into every aspect of our lives.

I have been getting my inventory of Swathed Babies framed and ready for delivery for the next show at SKG.
Here is a blurb about what I am working with, it will be an exciting show!

Swathed Babies
My Swathed Babies or Swaddled Babies became inspiration as I was reading a book about being adopted. The tightly wrapped blankets around these faceless infants to me represented being born into this world with no identity, as many orphaned children are. I was lucky enough to be born into the world & immediately given a name, one that is different than the one I have today – you see my second stroke of luck was being adopted, hence name number 2. The new additions have sleeping faces and hair, a progression in this series over a period of five years from the original.

Sylvia Kania Gallery is located at 148 High Street Portland, ME 04101 directly across from the Eastland Park Hotel.

Dachshund Breed named in top 10 Breed List 3 Years Running

That’s truly amazing, because, mostly the list consists of larger dogs.  Well, as you can see Stella is growing up…almost 9 months now and under 9lbs. Having traveled and experienced much more than my husband and I ever did in the first year of life, Stella is becoming quite the portable take every dog. Since much of this time of year is dedicated to planning, paperwork, and organization I have had lots of extra time to spend with Stella on the weekends.  I haven’t posted pictures of her in a while, so I’ll post a few more.  This is on my desktop on my computer.

On a very sad note, Stella is still crushed at the passing of her big dog friend Napi who went to dog heaven last week. She was glad to jump around him & bounce a bit when she was still a wee pup & more recently. We’ll miss you Napoleon.

Fun stuff in my future

AS most of you kow, I normally take January to get my head on straight, chill, cleanse, clean, organize & YES, do the dreaded tax prep. But with a clean and organized studio, so new supplies, I am ready to paint again. I miss it – but the other work (Art Management, Marketing & Meetings for the Co-op, and YES…yechy taxes) are a necessary part of my business.) My next Install for my art spaces is not until the end of March. I have all my artists booked for 2009! 2010 is in progress with a waiting list! The Co-op is currently showing a regular monthly show with preparation for our next big show – Art in Society! As far as commissions, they are slowly coming again as I am working with a couple who are interested in having their two cats painted (one of them lives with them and one lives in their bookstore! – Roadtrip!) I will blog more about this project, but it seems promising & I remember this couple well from the show over the holidays. Happy HUMP Day.

SNOW & Dreams of warmer places

Wow, it isn’t going to stop today, is it. The snow just keeps coming. It has given me time to organize myhome office and studio for this new year. Du
A new commission is coming (in May) – this one, a 30×30 Fleur De Li for my sister-in-law in Louisiana…during a family trip home, this will be my first traveling commission. Exciting.

Happy shoveling.

Whiskers – a commission from the Holiday

A Little Bit of Whimsy & Color

SYLVIA KANIA GALLERY

Sylvia Kania Gallery is in full swing this New Year and they have many exciting upcoming events. Dates & Details are coming soon. Here is what is in the mix:

Events Calendar:

A Creative Economy Mixer – Come mix with members of the city council and The SKG Artists and find out more about Portland’s Creative Economy and how YOU can help. This is coming up soon January 29th 5:30pm. Discussion begins at 6. Refreshments will be provided.

A Little Bit of Whimsy & Color is now exhibited for First Friday Artwalk February 6th 5pm-8pm (The Gallery opens at 11am!) – Our Opening Reception features music, wine, great homemade treats by our members & remarkable artwork for sale.

Naked Gallery Art Party Feb 14th – For an alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day happenings, the gallery will be stripped bare and filled with paper, paints, charcoal and other media for an interactive live art event. DJ J. Hjiort and others will spin live to further inspire the creative vibes. The party begins at 9pm. $2 suggested donation. 18+

Mardi Gras – February 24th – details coming, but this should be a blast, a parade, bright colors, outrageous outfits, Mardi Gras beads, traditional desserts, and maybe some people in drag. Stop in for a sneak peek at our newest curatorial experiment: Art & Society.

Share your thoughts, doodle or answer the question of the month on our floor to ceiling chalkboard. Lounge on our Comfy Chairs & Couches…Bring your sketchbook.. Research in our Artist’s Resource Library…. Chill out around 360 degrees of truly dynamic artwork…Network with community members…Meet our inspiring artists…

SKG Artists: Cat McKenna, Jessica Lauren Lipton, Jonathan M. Dunitz,
Lori Rae Curole, Kelly Donohoe, Gregor Arturo, Jen Joaquin, Lindsay Torrey,
Felicia Teach, Vicky Lloyd, Molly Anathan, Natallia Chekunova,
Catherine Ross, Robert Hollingworth, Carlo Spirto, Kelly Whelan, Bridget McAlonan

ART: Photography Paintings Installation Art Video Pottery Accessories Sculpture Jewelry Printmaking Glass Prints Coffee Bar Knitting
& Music on First Fridays

Where are we?
Venue: Sylvia Kania Gallery is located at 148 High Street, Portland, ME 04101
(Directly across from the Eastland Park Hotel in the State Theater Building)
New Hours: Wednesdays – Saturdays 11am-6:30pm and Sundays 11am-3pm
Or by Chance any other time
Phone: 207-615-6019

For More Information: Email Jess Lauren at SKGmanager@gmail.com

Reality Vs. Perception

Sometimes, even non speaking little dogs can teach us something about Reality Vs. Perception. It makes you wonder. My dog (puppy) Stella has such a keen sense of awareness. We had never tried to watch a “dog” movie with her, but we tried last night. It was eight-below, and as we were warm and comfortable starting to watch the movie, we noticed her body got very still, she stopped chewing her toy, and flipped around towards the movie screen. Sure enough, there were several sled dogs barking. Her tail went wild, her whole body shook with excitement, afterall – there are dogs here (she must have thought—-LET’S Play!) But the dogs were ignoring her, and even though her tail wagged and she barked….nothing was happening. After a while and what must have been equivalent to puppy frustration, she did a low growl & her tail stopped wagging. She was not happy. We shut the TV, she still barked. We tried to console her, but the barking persisted until we let her down to find the huskie dogs that invaded our house to not play with her. I guess we didn’t realize that she is still a new pup, learning new things, and her sense of reality vs. perception is not quite in tune yet. Maybe it will never be. It’s one of those things that makes you think about humans with the same problem. After all, sometimes we perceive something that is not how it is in real life. Right?

Happy Monday

Wow, I’m really motivated. I guess two weeks of being sick will do that for you. I have been in high gear in organization mode. It’s like I can’t move forward and create until I have all my ducks in a row. My studio, files, books, etc. have been getting overhauled and organized. It feels great. A new file cabinet (a big one) has been a great help to not ony have my tax records all in one home, but keep my business things seperated from my personal. I have been purging and letting go of lots of things that I no longer need or want – and it feels good.
This month – lots more of this – preparing taxes for the accountant…getting myself ready for my next round of commissions in February – storing up supplies for painting for inventory & SKG (vamping up for our new year) – lots to do there. I’ll keep you up to date on that. For now – enjoy the snow!

Lori

SKG – Wow – tons of stuff going on there

Sylvia Kania Gallery is in full swing this New Year and they have many exciting events that are upcoming. Dates & Details are coming soon. Here is what is in the mix:

A Creative Economy Mixer – Come mix with City the city counci, PACA, and The SKG Artists and find out more about Portland’s Creative Economy and how YOU can help. This is coming up soon the end of January – date and time soon.

Februay 6th – First Friday Artwalk – Opening Reception (Live Music, Wine, Great Homemade Treats by our Members)

Naked Wall Art Party – I know this going to be February 14th & will be geared towards the 18-21 year old crowd. Why the Naked Walls, because our Gallery is between shows at this time (our Curitorial begins around the 18th) – and there will be no art on the walls. There will be a DJ, Dancing, Mixing, and Creative minds coming together. There will be snacks, but due to the nature of this mixer, no alcohol will be served.

Mardi Gras – February 24th – details coming, but this should be a blast, a parade, bright colors, outrageous outfits, mardi gras bead, and maybe some people in drag. Again this is a no alcohol event. There will be art on the walls featuring all of our 18 SKG Artists, and of course you can purchase work during the event.

March 4 or 5 – A Meet the Artist Reception for Art and Society Curitorial – we will firm up the date soon.

March 6 – The Opening of our new Curitorial “Art & Society” – come see what the 18 Co-op Artist’s at SKG bring to the walls & displays of the gallery. My theme – Adoption – Do babies who are adopted have an imediate indentity? Nurture Vs. Nature?

In March/April…..we are toying with the idea of growing tomatoes indoors. Who say’s Olivia is the only one who can do this in Maine. If we suceed, we plan to share the secret and show others how to do this to.