Little dogs can teach us to be patient

Since I have been so busy getting ready for the next few installs for my Art Space Management gigs, that I haven’t had much time to blog. With that said – in between art gigs or studio time I sometimes talk about Stella – my Mini-Dachshund. I have to say, for those who haven’t had a puppy, you think that you will never see anything so cute and loving when they are little – but 11 months later and she is still that way – cute and loving and SO long – that she is an extra long hot dog. We have been teaching her patience in waiting for treats while sitting on her “chill mat” (mostly during dinner) – at the same time, maybe she is teaching us a little t0o. Those who know me know that I’m in short supply and Rich has an endless amount. As a grow, I’m chilling out on the hurry up mentality – I think the dog helps me. We are trusting her alone outside her crate for an hour or so at a time, and I know it’s her patience that gets her through the time that we are not home – and when we get there – she jumps on you and licks you on the face with so much happiness. Fun dog -

So – after this weekend I will be free to paint again – I have kicked up the heat with marketing on these shows and have worked my butt off to really get the word out there about my next artists. More later.

A fun free event in Portland – Not Art (Travel)

Princess and Cunard Cruise Night April 14 2009

Join Hurley Travel Experts & Escape Completely with Princess & Cunard Cruises!

Who: Guest Speaker – Beverley Williams from Princess & Cunard Cruise Lines

What: Special evening to learn about cruising, Europe, exotic itineraries,
trans-Atlantic sailings and more! Plus, special cruise values!

When: Tuesday, April 14th @ 7-9pm

Where: The Cumberland Club
116 High Street
Portland, ME 04101

Why: Spring is in the air and it’s time to see the world! Join us for a fun evening with
coffee & desserts and learn all about the amazing places Princess and Cunard
Cruises can take you! Our staff will be there to answer any questions and pass
on our exclusive cruise sale!

RSVP: Hurley Travel Experts by Wednesday, April 8th at 207.874.7400

Wiffle

Ok – Another post about Stella – but what can I say – she’s an amazing little creature. Over the past 10 months we have trained her to know her crate as “Stella’s House” – that she goes in Stella’s House when it’s “Bedtime for Stella” – and even heads in there without the verbal command if she sees both of us putting our coats on and her travel crate no where in site. Smart! lately Rich has been teaching her the names of her toys, and since most of them have a very short life – we have concentrated on the one with the best possible staying power – IE: A wiffle ball – Yes, I agree – an unusual toy for a dog, but she loves chasing it and carrying it around. It took her a while and you could see her thinking, but if you say “Get Wiffle” she does! It’s great to think she is learning so many words (hearing) and understanding their meaning. Fun Dog – very cleaver…and I always thought that cats were the smart ones.

Mud Season A Collaboration of 21 Artists

PORTLAND, MAINE – Join us April 3, 2009 for the opening of Mud Season from 5pm-8pm for First Friday at Sylvia Kania Gallery (SKG) located at 148 High Street, Portland, directly across the street from the Eastland Park Hotel. Our regular hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays 11am-6:30pm and Sundays 11am-3pm or by chance any other time. 
 
SKG has grown in members and boasts exceptional talent and art in almost every imaginable genre.  Our gallery has a fresh look for Springtime, come and take a look. See why First Friday Artwalk and other events at SKG are the place to be in Portland. Mud Season features vibrant & energetic works by our artist members. This show runs through May 23, 2009. Our April 3rd opening will feature live music, wine & truly yummy homemade treats by our members.
 
Mid April, we will be introducing a show within a show – The ‘F’ Word will be exhibited on one wall of the gallery April 22-May 22, 2009.

“Few labels have the ability to stereotype like feminist artist. Instantly images of woman burning bras, donning male phalluses, and explicitly depicting both female and male genitalia come to mind. To be a feminist is to be loud, abrasive, and dominant. To be a feminist artist is to see the world through a victimized woman’s eyes, constantly rejecting and raging against the male gaze. But this is just a stereotype, a small fraction of feminist art. We are looking for works that explore the complexity of this topic through painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and textile.”

SKG Artists:  Cat McKenna, Jessica Lauren Lipton, Jonathan M. Dunitz, Lori Rae Curole, Kelly Donohoe, Gregor Arturo, Jen Joaquin, Lindsay Torrey, Felicia Teach, Molly Anathan, Natallia Chekunova,  Catherine Ross,  Robert Hollingworth, Carlo Spirto,  Kelly Whelan, Bridget McAlonan, Jennifer Tauber, Jeanne Wells, Dennis Stein, Kevin Colle, and Ray Cathode    ART: Photography   Paintings    Installation   Pottery   Fiber Arts   Sculpture   Jewelry    Printmaking    Glass   Prints  Coffee Bar   &  Live Music on First Fridays

About Sylvia Kania Gallery SKG is a funky artist-run cooperative, focused on culture, outreach & conversation in an invitingly offbeat space

Barns Lost & Found Paintings by Richard Gombar

Barns Lost & Found Richard Gombar FALMOUTH, MAINE, March 29 – June 29, 2009     Lollipop Art Productions & Lifeworks Chiropractic present paintings by Richard Gombar, a Vermont Artist. Gombar’s Barn Series, which explores the “need to help nature survive”, is the subject of his upcoming show. Gombar’s palette is translucent, refined, and dreamlike. The simple nature of his paintings transcends the state of his dilapidated subjects and provides admirers with a sunny view of failing rural structures, despite their obvious condition. Gombar masterfully brings the “best” side of all his architectural subjects to light. Lifeworks Chiropractic is located in Foreside Place 202 U.S. Route One, Suite 100 Falmouth, Maine 04105 Phone: (207) 781-7911    Lifeworks Chiropractic *Office Hours: Monday 2:00pm – 6:00pm Tuesday 8:00am – 10:00am 3:00pm – 6:00pm Wednesday   2:00pm – 6:00pm Thursday 8:00am – 10:00am 3:00pm – 6:00pm *Due to the nature of the business in which the art is displayed, some works will be will be displayed in areas only accessible by appointment only when the office is closed. Please call Lori Rae at Lollipop Art Productions to arrange a viewing. About the Artist  I am an American painter of my environment. Where once art needed nature to survive, we now need art to help nature survive. While not politically motivated, in a sense-because I paint nature,both in the studio and outdoors-mywork is a political and environmental statement. I paint to capture beauty,to hold forever a passing moment, to memorialize that which may be fleeting, or in the case of barns, falling. If my paintings, pastels and drawings help more people become aware of what may potentially be lost, can invoke a sense of wonder as in childhood, and can be emotionally moving and provoking, then a statement with a profound impact may be the result. It is a search for truth without sentimentality. My work is of nature, but just as important, it is about painting, color, structure. The images are about Romanticism, transcendentalism and pure emotion. I try to make the immense intimate. Richard Gombar richgombar@aol.com   About the Art Space: Lifeworks Chiropractic Center Gental Spinal Care for Mind, Body & Spirit www.portlandmainechiropractor.com Providing relief and wellness care. Individual, Pediatric and Family Care available. Insurance eligible.   Complimented by high ceilings, neutral colors & wide open spaces, the original art exhibited regularly at Lifeworks Chiropractic Center gives the space a bit of “artmosphere” – Lori Rae,  Art Manager, Lollipop Art Productions.

Lollipop Art Productions is a local small business attempting to raise awareness of emerging local artists in conjunction with area businesses. Lollipop Art Productions will dedicate time and effort to give you a satisfactory, professionally installed quality display in your business. For more information, Contact Lori Rae at lorirae@lollipopartproductions.com or 207-415-7143

Spring Returns Photography by Kirk M. Rogers

Biddeford Savings Bank
presents Photography by
Kirk M. Rogers “Spring Returns”On Display March 28 – June 28, 2009 April 4, 2009 1pm-3pm

Location:Biddeford Savings Bank
360 US Route 1
Scarborough, ME 04074
207- 883-3004 www.biddefordsavings.com

Branch hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:30-4:00
Friday 8:30-5:00
Saturday 8:30-12:00

Meet the artist reception hosted by
Biddeford Savings Bank
Saturday, April 4, 2009 1pm-3pm
Light Refreshments Free to the Public

Photography by Kirk M. Rogers covers an extraordinary range – from the splendors of the night sky to the exquisite detail of a wood duck’s feathers. A Portland, Maine-based construction executive by profession, Rogers travels with his cameras and astrophotography equipment, whether flying for business or touring the U.S. and Canada on his Harley Davidson. His images of landscapes, birds and the night sky are further enhanced by his refined print processing, winsome titles and attractive framings and presentations. Over the past decade, Rogers has compiled a portfolio to rival some of the great American landscape and naturalist photographers.
Never far from the ocean which informs much of his work, Kirk was born on the submarine base in New London, Connecticut in 1953. When not out on the trail of his next great photographic subject, Kirk resides in Portland, Maine where among his varied interests he pursues study of the American Civil War and family genealogy. He is a founding member and Director of Southern Maine Astronomers and a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Kirk’s website featuring images from this show can be found at – http://www.kiroastro.com/birds/birdindex.html

Lollipop Art Productions is a local small business attempting to raise awareness of emerging local artists in conjunction with area businesses. Lollipop Art Productions will dedicate time and effort to give you a satisfactory, professionally installed quality display in your business. For more information, Contact Lori Rae at lorirae@lollipopartproductions.com or 207-415-7143.

Vote for US Portland’s Best Gallery

SKG has been nominated in the Phoenix “Best of Portland” polls so please go to http://thephoenix.com/theBest/Portland/Vote/ and vote for SKG for best Art Gallery.

My Dog ate my Dyson :(

I can only blog calmly about this because 4 or so days have gone by, but I was pretty upset when it happened. Our dog (puppy) – Stella who has just crested 10 months in age immediately started barking at our brand new Dyson Ball Vaccum the moment it came out of the box. Oh, we did all the right things…gave her treats, on the vaccum…turned it on, off – let her get used to it – still when it moved….she barked at it like it was a dog. My husband (always thinking of ways to make the dog happier (me too) – decides that Robo-VAC dubbed by him, should live in the kitchen where Stella spends most of her unsupervised time. When she sleeps in her crate (he thought) – Robo-VAC would be right there…and it worked, sorta…Robo-VAC was the first thing she sniffed as she stretched her way out of her crate daily and we even progressed to rolling the vaccum without her barking. So…we bought the Dyson on Sunday after our 14 year old Meilie died a sudden death – now fast forward to Thursday morning – My husband leaves early for work…I am upstairs getting ready for work – dog is loose in the kitchen – much to my surprise with Robo-VAC – of course – so when I rounded the corner & saw Robo-VAC I immediately examined the molded plastic that she has nipped at a few times while asserting her dominance – Whew! looked good, but wait, what’s that Stella, what is that in your mouth…is that…Robo-VAC’s tail….? ARRGGGHHHHHH yes it’s the power cord which was chewed off of the vaccum and currenty the object of my little dogs affection. Well…you can guess the rest…a repair shop visit authorized by Dyson and 50.00 later and Robo-VAC will forever hide from the little beast that ate her tale.

Purlie