Sertoma Arts Fair

Over the past month or so, I've been using my spare time creating and crafting like crazy.  It's felt great to have a goal that pushes me to share my art in a way that I've never done before.  In July, I decided to take the leap and send in my application to participate in my first arts fair.  Taking that leap has been scary, but I've enjoyed the growth it has given me professionally and creatively.  This is me getting my feet wet and, hopefully, opening the door to other creative endeavors.

As part of the process for participating in the arts fair, the Sertoma Arts Center asked that participating artists and crafters send in pictures of their work to possibly include on their promotional materials.  I sent in my submissions and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to be selected?"  I waited anxiously for the center to contact me when the materials would be ready for distribution.

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from the arts center that announced that postcards and posters for the event were ready to be picked up.  When I went to the arts center to pick up the materials, I began scanning the design.  Fall Arts Fair... Wait... Is that?.... YES!  My painting made it into the design!  I wanted to jump up and down.  I squealed inside.  I sent a picture text to my friends and family.  I just couldn't believe it.


Sure.  The whole painting is not included.  It's a little "Where's Waldo?", but, hey, it counts, right?  I'm over the moon about it.  Seeing my painting there, peeking out from behind the text of the event, well, it just made me more determined to create and prepare my booth.

I hope you come out and visit.  The event looks like it's going to be a blast.  Bring the kiddies.  There's lots for them to do.  Bring your significant other.  Shop for Christmas presents.  Stop by and say hello.  I'll be the girl in the outside booth with a smile plastered across my face.

"Bittersweet October.  The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect 

pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." 

- Carol Bishop Hipps

Trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art reopened its doors in April after completing some major renovations.  I have not had the opportunity to go there since the renovation, and the last time that I went to the museum was with my now husband on our first official date.  My friend, Diane, mentioned last week that she was going to go to the museum on Saturday, so I happily volunteered my time to go with her (a.k.a. I kind of invited myself to go).


We met at the NCMA and decided to start things off with a delicious brunch at the Iris Cafe, located just inside the newly constructed buildings of the museum.  The cafe is very spacious and very white - white tables, white walls, white chairs.  Spurts of color were added by way of table mats and Gerbia daisies on every table.  A large installation balanced the openness of the white room by covering the main wall with bare branches and vines from ceiling to floor.  The swirling arrangement of the piece made it flow like water on the wall.


If there is one thing I love more than art, it is good food.  For brunch, I ordered a mimosa and the Carolina crab cake Benedict, served on a spinach waffle, drizzled in a golden curry Hollandaise sauce, and served with brunch potatoes.  It was to die for.


After stuffing ourselves with brunch, we began to find our way through the maze of exhibits.  Diane had a degree in art history and served as my own personal museum guide.  We slowly explored each painting, each sculpture, each piece at the museum and enjoyed all of the rich history and expression we found around us.

Cinderella had glass slippers.  I have a glass dress.  Top that, Cinderella!

I particularly enjoyed the Rodin exhibit.  It extended out into the courtyard just outside of the museum.  Outside, we found Rodin's sculptures bordering a rectangular pond stocked with lily pads.  We were lucky to have a warm, sunny day to enjoy the area.

I think those Rodin statues are checking her out.

I don't know about Diane, but I left the museum feeling inspired, dreaming about the next painting I would create and wondering where it would end up.  In someone's home?  On the wall of an office?  Displayed in a museum like this?  No matter its destination, a painting is an artifact of an artist's soul, and yet, it has a life and a history of its own separate from the artist.  Knowing this, and being able to see works of art collected in one space like this, gives me a special kind of energy.  On the one hand, I imagine the artist creating, pondering his empty canvas or staring at his slab of marble.  And with a special force guiding him, he creates a piece that merits preservation beyond his own life.  On the other hand, I imagine the life of the work as it leaves its master's hands and becomes the prize and inspiration for those who possess it.  Knowing that there is a story behind every work of art, inspires me to discover what is the magic about the work I am drawn to.  This exercise energizes me and lulls me into a deep appreciation for the arts.  For me, the arts are magical.  And a little magic every now and then never hurt anybody.

"A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, 

but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing." 

- William Dobell

Little Pink Houses of Hope Needs You!

Today, someone special in my life needs your help.  My sister-in-law, Jeanine, wants to take what she has learned on her journey through breast cancer to help other families affected by the disease.  As a breast cancer survivor, she has found a new purpose in life.  That purpose is Little Pink Houses of Hope.


Here's where you can help.  Take a minute or two out of your day every day in September, go to this link, and vote.  Don't have a computer nearby but have a cell phone handy?  You can text 102293 to PEPSI (73774) to vote as well.  Help spread the Little Pink Fever!! We need your help to win. Post it on your Facebook, send the link and text code to your email contacts, shout it from the street corner!

Doesn't it feel GREAT to be a part of something so wonderful and powerful?

"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it."
-C.C. Scott