Celebrating an Amazing Life

Inochi.  Sometimes amazing things happen.  And other times... the most unfathomable of events occur.

On Sunday, May 20th, a friend and fellow artist I have known since junior high school, passed away from complications related to a hit and run car accident that occurred on May 1st.  Carlleena Ieasha Person, known in the artist community as Savnac, left behind a beautiful legacy.  Though her life was cut much too short, the incredible journey she traveled on her way of becoming an established and respected self-taught artist has always harbored a sense of pride and amazement for me.  I was honored to know someone who was so passionate about her craft and who had a relentless and admirable work ethic.  Celebrating and finding the beauty in imperfections, she hustled every day to seize every opportunity to grow and work as a non-starving artist.  Many hearts have been broken this week and will be for a long time to come.  A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday -- it would have been her 33rd birthday.  (Details about the memorial event can be found on Carlleena's fanpage on Facebook under SAVNAC MURAL DESIGNS art of Carlleena Person.)

To get a glimpse of the beautiful soul that I knew, please view the links below.  And, if you have a moment to spare on Thursday, celebrate her life by finding beauty in the world, no matter how big or how small.  She would have loved that. 

“An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.”

- Charles Horton Cooley

Dreamers Don't Sleep

Yesterday, my friend's group art show, Dreamers Don't Sleep, Volume 1, opened for the first time in Charlotte at Espada Bicycles.  I wasn't able to attend, but I know for my friend, it was an important night, and not for the reason you may think.  You see, my friend, Carlleena, who has been working non-stop in her studio (a.k.a. the color lab) to prepare for the event, was in a serious car accident this week.  Though her car was totalled, she survived.  Battered and bruised, she was determined to make it to her show on Friday... and she did.  I think Carlleena described it best on her fanpage on Facebook:

So many people said, "Wow! I'm surprised you are here tonight?" or "Why are you here?" Lol. I say when you are in a situation such as I was a few days ago where the opportunity might not have been the same...pain is a reward for making it out alive. I knew that my artwork, the guys' artwork deserved me being there. When I say art is my life, it is!! It saved me when I was younger, and it saves me everyday. I teared up a bit tonight but know they were tears of joy and gratefulness because I still breath air in this realm and still have the opportunity to make dreams a reality. All this resting definitely has me thinking, reflecting, regrouping mentally. I am not one to make excuses or complain because I witness everyday so many who are and will be worse off than I, in more pain than I. I will continue...I have the opportunity to continue only becoming stronger, even more humbled and determined. Everyday is truly a gift and that will always be how i embrace the world. Many thanks to everyone who allows me to share and chooses to invest. You will be glad you did a few years from now. Until next time...I am enjoying my rest ;)

 Her passion for art and for life inspire me.  Just her outlook on life became the inspiration for my painting I created for her back in 2010.  In exchange, she gave me this beautiful piece, entitled Butterfly Wishes.











When I look at this painting, it makes me think of how Carlleena rose above the chaos in her life.  To make an appearance at her show on Friday night after something so traumatic -- it's inspiring.  Above all, I could feel her gratefulness for being alive.  Her attitude is beautiful, much like my treasured painting, a Carlleena original.

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."

-Author Unknown

Friends and Family Show and Third Friday in Durham

On Friday night, I trekked to Durham and headed toward the Scrap Exchange to attend the Friends and Family Show.  My friend and coworker, Monique, had some pieces entered into the show, and I wanted to show her my support.  I brought Izzy and Alfonso with me for a night of art.

The show was held in what the Scrap Exchange lovingly refers to as the Green Gallery.








Like the sign says, the mission of the Scrap Exchange is to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.  For artists looking for affordable materials, this place is heaven!

Here were some of the pieces I enjoyed in the show:

Monique's Masterpieces - Gorgeous!

After leaving the Scrap Exchange, I noticed a building of artist studios across the parking lot of the Scrap Exchange.  Lucky for us, it was Third Friday, a monthly event in Durham that encourages visitors to come and see all things art.  Cha-ching!  Jackpot!

Upon entering the artist studios, I met artist, Helen Griffin.  Right away, she greeted me with such kindness and told me a little about the artist studios known as Room 100.  She said that the space has been in existence for about four years.  I never knew this jewel existed, but I'm so happy that I know it about it now.  One of the things that drew me to Helen were her socially aware themed pieces.  In fact, I bought several copies of her poster to give as gifts to peeps on Monday.




Room 100 had so many talented, working artists creating under its roof.  If you are local and haven't been to the Scrap Exchange or Third Friday, please consider it was your next Friday night activity.  You won't be disappointed!

Art Every Day Month - Twenty-nineth and Thirtieth Entries

Here are my final entries into the Art Every Day Month Challenge:

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After

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After

I present to you a happy stingray and a goofy dog... Now that December is right around the corner, what ever shall I do with my time?  Just kidding!  A Patten family Christmas card is already underway!  Yippee!

Craft Night!

It had so long since I hosted a craft night, so when my best friend, Angela, suggested that we have one, I was in!  I did a few before Izzy was born, and, now that she's getting older and I'm getting a hang of this whole mommy thing, I couldn't wait to get them started again.  A recent trip to Dillard's inspired our craft for the night -- feather headbands.  The one I fancied at Dillard's was $88!  Surely, we could make some equally as stylish for the fraction of the cost.

To set us up for success, I gathered the appropriate materials:

Ample Snacks and Wine

Plenty of Feathers and Headbands

There is just something to be said about gathering around a table full of craft supplies and envisioning the possibilities for creating something new and fun.  Plus, it's just nice to relax, sip wine, and create with a friend.



 


After we made our feather headbands, we began making flower headbands and pins, too.  We were on a roll!


















At the end of the night, we had so many new goodies to wear.  It was just what the doctor ordered.

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

- Ovid

Art Every Day Month - Twenty-eighth Entry

Here is my twenty-eighth entry into the Art Every Day Month Challenge:

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After

I give you sad old dog with no teeth... Depressing, I know, but it's the thing I saw.  Life ain't always pretty, my friends.

Art Every Day Month - Twenty-seventh Entry

Here is my twenty-seventh entry into the Art Every Day Month Challenge:

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After

I present to you a seahorse roaming the ocean floor.  Aren't seahorses just amazing?  I saw the most amazing ones in Tennessee at the Ripley's Aquarium:

Fascinating creatures, no?

Art Every Day Month - Twenty-sixth Entry

Here is my twenty-sixth entry into the Art Every Day Month Challenge:

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After

I was wondering when I'd start to see any faces in these...

Art Every Day Month - Twenty-fifth Entry

Here is my twenty-fifth entry into the Art Every Day Month Challenge:

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This scribble reminded me of the cover art for the musical Wicked.  (If you haven't seen the musical, it's fabulous!  In fact, I am taking my husband to see it in May 2012 when it comes to the DPAC.  Can't wait!)