No, I don’t understand what you are saying. I only understand you when you agree with me. –Nancy Kimberly
Do you ever wonder how some people just don’t filter what they are saying? I think my word used to be obtuse or maybe entitled or possibly big-baby, but now my word for 2012 is Grace. Words and intention are very important. Last year my word was Action. Choosing the word for the year is a combination of it being time to put something in motion and a desire for change. Choosing the word action accelerated the completion of ideas in 2011.
The problem with my word this year is the multiple meanings. You all can tell by my quote that I am desperately in need of grace. There is the grace that is bestowed on a person by God. There is being physically graceful like Gene Kelly.
Gene Kelly, so physically graceful
There is also a grace that I don’t understand. For my word for 2012, I am going with the 3rd definition of Grace and hope for divine intervention. I am also going with the hope that you don’t have to be born with grace.
The prospect of seeing if a leopard can really change her spots excites me. Or more aptly said, can a gator live in grace?
What’s your word for 2012? It is the auspicious year of the dragon. Time for some timely changes.
You know how it feels when you think you are on the right track, when all the pieces in your life are just falling into place? I feel like that about our move to New Orleans. At my launch party two weeks ago, 2 paintings sold and I was asked to donate a print to the Pussy Footer’s Ball. My friends Heather and Mimi are each putting my name in the drawing for the opportunity to be chosen for the marching krewe.
The Blush Ball is an event for charity. They are raising money for the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children.
This is the painting that I donated for the raffle. I decided on a mixed media original designed for the Ball. I put my mother’s glasses on the person in the painting. I have always loved these glasses from the 50’s. I said “person” because she could be a woman or could be a drag queen. It just depends on how you see her. I love how paintings have their own intentions.
Queen of the Ball
One of the paintings that sold at the party is Eternal Love. Both paintings had to have emergency photos taken at the print shop. The turn around was too quick to have Dorka take the photos.
Eternal Love
These two happy campers are pushing up daisies. The semi-transparent butterflies are emissaries between worlds. I painted this with my husband, David in mind.
I hope that 2012 is starting off fabulously wonderful for y’all.
2012 has started off ridiculously wonderful for everyone I have talked to. My sister-in-law is a brand new citizen of the United States. My daughters both got great LSAT scores. Katy got two job offers and free health care. I hope that 2012 is going the same for you. This will be one of the few times that I might have trouble keeping the blog short and sweet.
The opening of Gator Girl art was a ginormous success. I wanted a reverse retirement party. I wanted to feel viable in the world of art. I believe that celebrations and rituals are important. The act of ritual begins or ends something. I am going to tell you what worked, so you can have your own celebration of whatever you want to begin.
My sister and her boyfriend came from California to New Orleans to help. My brother coincidentally flew from Argentina for a job out of Houma the day before. So already it was amazing. We went to the Green Project to find some reclaimed wood to make frames for 3 of the paintings.
Angie, Jan and me looking at a shutter frame.Framing in my pajamas. An artist perk.Framed Gator in Entry
The above picture is of the entry table. On the right is my bio and artist statement. I put postcards by each painting that talk about the subject. On the piece of wood, sitting on a tiny easel, is a statement saying that 10% of all proceeds from the sale of Gator Girl Art goes to rebuilding parks and green spaces in New Orleans. Next to that is a bamboo box with my business cards. On a pink clipboard is a sign-in sheet for names and emails. Last but not least, is the painting Laughing Out Loud, framed in water-damaged, reclaimed wood. I am happy to say that this gator has a new home in New Orleans. I think it is important to have original art available for sale, so I learned from Shiloh Sophia to offer my original paintings for 1/3 down and you can take it home and pay $100 a month. I like the energy that comes with original art.
We had red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, drinks, king cake and chocolate chip cookies. I bought this really cool cheddar cheese that had sage running through it and made it look like an alligator. There was more food, but this is what I would serve again.
I am working on a new painting to donate to the Pussy Footer’s Ball. I am having so much fun painting it. I will show you very soon, because I am working on a deadline.
Waiting for Dinner, another piece we framedWere You There
I am including Were You There to show how important placement is. I didn’t like this painting as much before I put it up over the fireplace on a light-colored wall. I really like it now. I am going to frame most or all the art that I still have since the launch. I like how the frames look and I think people here, versus people in California like and maybe expect a frame.
That is all for now. I hope if you are celebrating something in your life that you would like to share with the world, this was helpful. If you came to my opening, thank you so much for supporting me. If you are following my blog, it warms my heart.
Gator Girl Art 