Bag it!

I'm on the verge of a momentous change to the way I make art (and freespace). After 3 years without a studio and working everywhere else, including the basement laundry room, libraries, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 60 Wall street public area, and many other spots (the subway, a park bench, and random cafe), I am moving into a studio space, with a door, a lock and air conditioning!

About 2 weeks ago, the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts contacted me and asked me if I was interested in one of their studios. I looked at it and said yes (I did ask to see the cheapest one and that's the only one I looked at). It's just for 3 months. If it goes well, maybe I can continue to rent it month-to-month, and maybe I would be eligible or at least I'll be alerted to apply for one of their subsidized studios.

Now, I will take all the drawings out of my closet, out from under the couch, out of my underwear drawer and onto the walls. I haven't had an opportunity to look at everything all at once for a long time. My studio space will be a viewing space and a new, not free, workspace.

At this point, I need to really thank Karina Aguilera Skvirsky for suggesting me to the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. Karina is an amazing artist. She doesn't just offer her fellow artists ideas for opportunities, she makes the first move and suggests artists to institutions that are looking for certain artists for certains things. She understands the proactive power of suggestion. Thank you!

Pieces at Brece's

I ran with my bag-o-art over to Brece's and set up on the floor, working on the cover photos of the New York Times until it looked like I'd been there working for months and I had ink on my face. You've worked on one floor, you worked on'em all!

Like mother, like daughter

Me and my mom drawing. Thanks mom for teaching me to be creative, resourceful and to giv'em hell!

From light to dark to the garage

Before going out of town (I wish New York city was a "town"), I freespaced at StoneFox architects and artspace. It's such a beautiful place, bright and everything is either black or white and the floors charm you with their ccreakiness. It's a grand building and an inspiring place to work. Plus Elissa was installing her show which opens next Tuesday, so the excitment was in the air.

Here at my mom's I drew in bed in the dark using the light from my phone. Then Mike showed me that I could use the dimmer switch on the light next to the bed so not to wake Grant. Funny, I'm not getting as much drawing done as I had hoped. I'm a little dim (witted).

Now I write from inside my mom's garage, in order to get a friendly neighbor's wireless internet connection. Everyone needs
neighbors.

StoneFox pictured below:

The view from the garage:

Making and not making

I can't live without art, without making art. I realized, after not making art for a couple of days, that I'm certainly not a happy person when I don't make art. I changed my categories of creating; my days for making it, my hours of drawing, and the places I make it.

I made a poor decision to work on Pocket Utopia-related things on Saturday and Sunday instead of drawing. Monday morning arrived and I hadn't made any art for two days, and I tried to find beauty in things and it wasn't there.

But now I've sorted things out by making again. I discovered that I've made many drawings on two sides of the same page. Perhaps there are two sides to my personality that of making and that of not making.

Same Place, different drawings

I'm supposed to be redoing this blog, but I just get can't get the overhaul underway. I've been concentrating on actual art-making, and have overhauled all my drawing categories.

I am now doing new drawings on different days, even if it is in the same old places and I'm writing about it on the same old blog. The result will be different.

Pictured above, a found sculpture in the laundry room, surprises abound!

Libby has built me a bench

It's part of Libby's show, but I feel like Libby built me a bench to freespace on! Thanks Libby!

Idea becomes art

About a year ago, I received my first blog-related fan letter from an artist named Libby Hartle. Tonight Libby's solo show opens at the Pocket.

For the past six months Libby has been working at a table in the back, walking to and from the space, collecting detritus and turning it into cast paper sticks. The sticks have become nests. Her drawings, made at the table, now cover the wall. Libby has even created a seating area that extends out from her work table. I feel very fortunate to sit there and watch idea become art.