I'm published--in Studios magazine

I came home yesterday to find my advance, complimentary copy of Cloth Paper Scissors' Studios magazine had arrived! What a day brightener (certainly needed!) 

I haven't wanted to write about it till it was a sure thing...I guess this makes it a done deal!

A few months ago my best friend, Julie, suggested that I submit photos of my studio to CPS. Actually she did so right here on my blog...and the editor of Studios saw the comment and encouraged me to do so.

Well, my friend and artist, Julie had just finished re-doing her own studio space in her home...so I suggested we both do it! That set off a busy few weeks of picture taking, tweeking pics...and getting them in to the magazine to meet their summer issue deadline (it was more complicated than you might imagine...but fun!)

So this is the result...

We both made it in the issue...Julie's name is at the top of the list of studio vignettes. The picture above is from the Table of Contents page...which also includes one of my pics!

The issue is available in bookstores and art stores May 18th. I've been waiting patiently to see a copy and I'm glad I didn't have to wait any longer! This is a good reminder to me to try new things...you'll never know where they might lead!

Oh, and a number of my art friends (met via the internet) are also featured in this issue...congrats to Kim Geiser, Jodi Ohl, and Pam Carriker!

Thanks Julie for the encouragement! Here's a link to Julie's blog featuring her great work!

 

Lowertown First Friday--It's Back!

Missed the Art Crawl? Or just want to come back to see more?

 
Lowertown artists will open their studios this coming Friday--May 7th--for Lowertown First Friday. This is an ongoing monthly event taking place on the first Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m.

Join us the First Friday of each month for...

Open Artist Studios * Gallery Openings * Entertainment & More

Buildings participating in Lowertown First Fridays include:

Jax Building - 253 E 4th Street
Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative - 255 E Kellogg
Northern Warehouse - 308 Prince Street
Tilsner Artist Cooperative-300 Broadway Street
Northwestern Bldg--275 E 4th Street

as well as openings at the following galleries:

AZ Gallery - 308 Prince Street
Black Dog Cafe - corner of 4th and Broadway
Peach (Northwestern Bldg - 275 E 4th Street

Several Lowertown bars and restaurants will be featuring food specials, along with entertainment, during Lowertown First Friday. Convenient parking located in the lot at Kellogg and Broadway.

I will, of course, have my Tilsner studio open--300 Broadway Street, Studio 507. There will be treats and lots of art! Other artists at the Tilsner will be open, along with a video installation of four short films that will be presented in the Tilsner Atrium. I guess since I will soon be without a job this will be a true "starving artist sale". LOL...just hope you will stop by and say hi!

Beware of fortune cookies!

When I cracked open my fortune cookie following dinner tonight, the above was my fortune! I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud.

You see, today I was laid off from my job.

I'm not going to lie to you, it's been a very difficult day. Even though I was prepared for the possibility, the reality of being laid off hit me like a ton of bricks. 

Everyone was to report to work this morning by 8:45 a.m. When we arrived, we each had an envelope in our personal mailbox. The envelope contained a note either telling us that we should report to a 12:30 meeting to discuss program changes or that we had a individual morning meeting scheduled to discuss a job change (code for: layoff). Unfortunately, my envelope contained the latter.

We're a small office, so word spread like wildfire. By 9 a.m. everyone knew just which letter you got. It got sort of weird then--at least for me. For all of us, I guess. If you were one of the group with a morning meeting, you definitely felt everyone looking at you with...well, it was awkward. I wanted to disappear. 

My meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. There was a possibility of a reduction in hours, but I, like 3 others, got a full layoff. I don't really feel like re-hashing all the details...but it was one of the hardest meetings I've ever had. Harder even because I truly like my supervisors. And I like where I work.

Afterwards, I spent a few moments with folks who are soon-to-be ex-co-workers, but truthfully, more like family and friends. There will be time later to support and comfort one another. I had hubby drive me to work today...and he was thankfully waiting nearby to take me home.

I will still be working for 3 weeks. I'm not sure what those 3 weeks will feel like--I can't quite imagine it. I'm going to take this weekend to lay low and sort of it let it soak in. I need to catch my breath.

I know there will be more grief...for the job I am losing, for my friends that are also leaving and for how my agency is being forced to change. Truth is, I know it will not be easy for the team of folks that are left behind to carry on. I wish them well and I hope that the changes work for them and for Southside.

And in the coming weeks, I will be working on being open to and accepting the changes that will be coming my way. There will be hard days. But I think there will also be new and exciting opportunities. It's not easy stepping into the unknown. 

I hope to do so with grace.

A long week drawing to a difficult close...

First off, I will just comment that I am still "absorbing" last weekend's Art Crawl experience and will write about it soon. Overall, it was a good experience--lots of visitors to my studio, plenty of good conversation with folks about my art...As an introvert, on some levels, it is always a draining event for me...I need to pull back for a few days, spend some time with myself to recharge. But I enjoyed the Art Crawl a great deal.

Unfortunately, I've been forced to turn my attention this week to the difficult situation at my work. Tomorrow is the day that layoffs will be announced. I may very well be one of the staff that will be gone. Sometimes I think it might be even more painful to watch my friends/co-workers be told they're "done".

At work I'm keeping busy doing paperwork, updating files...At home, I try to divert my attention with a baseball game or something that doesn't require much thought. Mostly, I'm just a little numb.

I've done a lot of thinking about what matters to me...why I've stayed at Southside Family Nurturing Center--even though the pay is less than great, even though we've been under the budget ax this past year...and there are many reasons. There are the practical reasons...at this job, I have great non-pay benefits (paid time off, insurance) that allows me to pursue my art. But more importantly, Southside's values echo my own: I'm not looking to get rich in this lifetime, but I do want to give back. It is important to me to help others.

And so that is my greatest sadness in all this: that Southside's ability to help struggling families is being greatly diminished and threatened. I am not sure, if I should lose my job, what my new direction will be...but I will miss helping the families. I will miss hearing their stories and encouraging them to keep moving forward one small step at a time. I will miss watching their children grow...and thrive.

I appreciate all the support and encouragement I have received from you these past months. It touches my heart to read an email or comment from someone I've never met that is taking a few moments to offer some support. In my book, it's those kinds of efforts that keep this world spinning round.

I'll let you know how things unfold. Either way, it will be better tomorrow to know and be able to move forward. 

If you would like to know more about Southside, you can go to their website, read this earlier post or read any of my posts concerning Southside by clicking on the label on the right sidebar.  (or you can watch the video below) 

It is an amazing place.

Spring 2010 Art Crawl at Studio 507, Tilsner

Just a teaser...

...of a few shots of my studio set up for the Art Crawl. Still open today 12-5! Find me at 300 Broadway Street, Studio 507.

Art Crawl tips

Sunrise (18x24 / acrylic on canvas)

The Art Crawl is almost ready to begin--it's time to present --

"Tips for making the Art Crawl a fun experience"
 

--Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and after a while, comfort takes priority over fashion (at least in my book...but then I'm an artist, not a fashionista).

--A word of warning: we have a little bit of construction going on in Lowertown St. Paul. But don't let a little lightrail construction discourage you. Park in a lot and then walk or catch the shuttle bus. I would suggest using the parking lot at Kellogg and Broadway. (Unofficial word is that if you park in the upper level of this lot, it's r free). Oh, you can also catch the shuttle bus at this lot.
 

--Then select a few buildings to begin your crawl experience. I recommend starting with the Tilsner  (300 Broadway Street) where I'm located (Studio #507). The Tilsner is located across the street from that parking lot I just told you about (see how that works!) Generally I suggest checking out some of the buildings that are live/work spaces (like the Tilsner) and buildings that are solely work spaces--like the Jax. The Jax has a high concentration of open studios--many of the artists have been open there for years. I still have a working studio at the Jax and love the work of the artists there.

--Buy a crawl catalogue for a small donation ($2, I think). It's your all-in-one guide to the art crawl. It contains a nifty map of the crawl,along with artist information. 
 

--Generally start on the top floor of a building and work your way down. It's easier and less tiring to go down steps. Don't count on elevators--some buildings don't even have public elevators (but the Tilsner does). 
 

-Although you won't be served a meal, you will find plenty of treats at the Art Crawl. So studios will even be serving wine.

--There will also be music and performers in some studios or outside buildings. You'll find the most street entertainment on Friday night. The Black Dog Cafe usually has a fire juggler on Friday night and will definitely have music on Friday night. 
 

--Feel free to chat with the artists. They open up their studios so you can learn about their work and because they would like to hear what you think. This is the part I most enjoy. After creating art almost in a vacuum for 6 months out of the year, I welcome the opportunity to share my work with others and hear what they think. 


--Which leads me to my last point (not so much a tip perhaps, but a thought...) -- The Art Crawl is a great place to buy art, directly from the artist! Many people don't think of buying original art as something they can do, but often it's much more affordable than you might imagine. And it makes a great gift--one that will last a lifetime and be remembered for a lifetime. When my husband (then a boyfriend) took me to my first art crawl years ago, he returned to a studio we had visited and bought a painting for me. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received...and I think about that every time I see the painting hanging on our wall.

But even if you don't buy any art, come to the Art Crawl (I always call it a cheap date!)...And have a good time!