New Projects

It may seem as though I've been a slacker but I've actually been quite busy working on 2 really awesome projects. Both projects are in the same vein of spreading love through public art. I am so honored to be working with 2 really worthy organizations in painting a newspaper box that will be placed in NW Portland. Orlo, an organization that explores environmental issues through the creative arts, publishes a quarterly magazine called Bear Deluxe. Orlo partners with local organizations and artists to paint the outside of the boxes and places them in highly traveled areas throughout Portland. I was chosen by William Temple House to paint a box that represented their mission of renewing strength and hope in indivduals and families. Check out the link for information about this awesome project. I will post more information about the "unveiling" and will post pictures once the box has been placed.
http://www.orlo.org/ www.williamtemple.org

The second project I'm working on is for my friends Anne and Ian's wedding. They are getting married on a beautiful piece of property in Boring, Oregon. It also happens to be Anne's childhood home. I'm creating little ceramic charms with words and poems about love and placing them throughout the property for the guests to take home. I'm also going to document the process and the event and create a book for my friends as their wedding gift. Images will be posted within a week or 2. See...I told you I've been busy!

Ironic and Symbolic Resurrection

I woke up this morning (Easter) feeling like I needed a resurrection, a restart, a rebirth. Ironic. I know. I'd been mourning a recent break-up and I decided I was done. Bloom, grow, be.

The themes of most of my paintings have to do with spiritual growth. Grow, bloom and be, are all words I often inlcude in my paintings. I worked on some paintings today with those themes in mind. My soul is blooming. Passing these gems out to the universe helps to heal my spirit and rekindle my light. They're offerings to the universe to help aid my growth.

If you found one of these I really hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think. I'm also happy to report that my little red "Grow" painting found a new home. Thanks for writing me and letting me know you liked it!

Another artist passing out some love

My good friend, Becky, brought this to my attention. Check it out. This guy travels around the world hiding art for people to find. I love it!

http://www.bataclan.com/

1 for Downtown

I had to get creative as to where to hang this. No telephone poles downtown! My SE Foster piece is gone. I hope it found a good home!

One more

This one is for SE Foster.

Bloom

I created 2 more telephone pole pieces and hung one on 28th and one on SE Ankeny. Also, one of my first pieces is missing. I hope it found a lovely new home.

GSE: Cloud Nine!

Last night I passed out my second card. Ironic that it was at the Bonfire, since that's where I previously tried to pass out card number 2.

I was enjoying some food and beverages with my best friend Leslie, when I noticed the cook from the kitchen smoking a cigarette outside. He had beautiful thick arms and calves covered in tattoos. The food he made was tasty and I noticed every time I went to the bathroom, he was working his ass off.

Before I left, I handed him a card through the kitchen window. I wrote that he made tasty food and has lovely tattoos. About an hour later, he sent me the following email. "You handed me a card through the kitchen window. It was very nice and very pretty. Thanx. I just got back from Cambodia and tonight was my first shift. The gesture was awesome seeing as it was the first from a stranger since my return home and I'd been slammed all night. Rad."

Folks, that right there is what it's all about!

And, just as a side note, I'm not only looking for people who make me tasty treats and have attractive physical qualities ;)  I'm also looking for deeper connections. The two I passed out so far, just happen to have made me something delicious and employed things that I love: facial hair and tattoos. Cheers to an awesome St. Patrick's Day! 

Telephone Pole Art!

Telephone poles are riddled with nails just asking to have something special hung on them.

Today, I checked on my 2 not-so-hidden art gems and found them still hanging on the telephone poles I placed them on Sunday night. I realized that the sienna and umber paints I used, are the same colors as the poles. They blend in, they're a bit camouflaged. I notice them because I'm expecting them, but they are easy to miss. They still make the poles look so dang pretty! (Must take photos of them hanging on the poles tomorrow.)

This realization has spun, yet another, art idea. Wouldn't it be great if telephone poles throughout the city were adorned with pieces of art? People could still take them if they wanted, but I love the idea of creating art that is a little bit camouflaged to help give the telephone poles some spice, a little bit of flare. They truly need it! It makes no difference to me if people take the art or leave it. If someone loves what they see and takes it, then I'm a happy woman.

This will be my Spring Break project.

Random Hidden Art

After having a crappy-ass weekend, I decided I needed to spread some joy and love to help me feel better. I just took Sky for a walk and hung up 2 little pieces of art. They're not really hidden, they're just hanging from a telephone pole. I hung up one on 28th and one on Stark. I included a note on the back saying the art is for whomever finds it to keep, and, a link to this blog. If you find one, I hope you like it.!

GSE: Colossus, contents of my fridge and almost passing out card #2.

They're all related, trust me.

Colossus- One of the most significant moments of my life happened when I was only 7 years old. In 1978, the biggest wooden roller coaster in the world opened up at Magic Mountain, within hours of my childhood home http://www.coastergrotto.com/coaster.jsp?argId=65 A family escapade was planned with uncles and aunts and grandparents and moms and dads, brothers and sisters. Everyone was going to Magic Mountain to ride Colossus! Being a roller coaster junkie, I could hardly contain my excitement. The road trip started out early. After a torturous 3 hour drive, we finally arrived. The anticipation mounting, I couldn't wait to get to Colossus. We started our way around the park. We first encountered the Revolution: a fast little number with many upside-down turns. I chose to ride it with my uncle, Lee. I'm not sure why I was allowed to ride it, being only 7 years old and certainly not tall enough. I guess the 70's had very liberal rules back then.

I will never forget this moment in my life. We were mounting the first upside down turn. Just as we were entering the point of being completely upside down, my little rump started to slowly slide down the seat and under the arm bars. It was one of those surreal, slow moving moments when you remember every detail. I saw my short, little, 7-year old life flash before my eyes. My uncle Lee grabbed me and kept me from falling out as we were going upside down. When I got off the ride I was white as a ghost. Every one laughed and thought it was so funny how scared I was over a roller coaster. No one, except my uncle, knew what a terrifying experience I just went through .

When we finally reached Colossus, I was too scared to ride it. I was so disappointed in myself, but, I just couldn't do it. As we were leaving the amusement park and the entire car ride home, I regretted not riding Colossus. Now that the opportunity was gone, I wasn't afraid. I wanted to conquer that magnificent beast. The regret ate at me and drove me crazy. The feeling of regret was more painful than the fear I felt after riding the Revolution. Luckily, I got the chance to ride it only a few months later. Now, whenever I'm afraid to do something, I think about that moment in my life when I declined to ride Colossus and the regret that I felt. I never want to feel that regret again.   

My fridge- I hate shopping with a passion, especially on the weekends. It irritates me to no end to have to spend my precious weekend time maneuvering a cart around hoards of people.  I love to cook, I just hate spending time going to the grocery store, therefore, I never have anything to make into food (see photo of fridge). Today is Sunday and I was feeling hungry and of course, not in the mood to go grocery shopping. So I walked 2 blocks to the Bonfire and had a couple of beers and some food. I was sitting at the bar reading a book when 2 women came in and sat down next to me. One of their male friends soon joined them. I couldn't help but listen to their conversation. They told him stories about their cats and how their relationships were going. It was entertaining, I tried not to listen as I read my book. He seemed genuinely interested and supportive. I could tell he had a kind soul. 

I decided I would give this guy a card. I even wrote him a little a note about being a supportive friend to his lady friends. But, more joined the group and they moved to a different table.  It was time for me to go, so I got my stuff together. I wanted to give him a card but I felt shy around such a big group of people. I kept thinking of Colossus and the regret I felt. I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, I kept saying to myself.  I even walked right up to the table. As I approached, every single person in the party turned and looked right at me.  I stopped, like a deer in headlights. It was awkward and weird and I bolted. I pretended I got lost and walked out the other way. Alas, I was too shy to give him the card amongst a group of people. A group of female friends surrounding an interesting guy trumps the feeling of regret.

I don't feel too bad about it. When my desire is greater than my apprehension (and there isn't a swarm of lady friends) that's when cards will be given away. 

Modifications and Meaningful Encounters

I love the idea of writing goals and posting them. It works well for keeping me disciplined in creating art. I easily get lost or distracted so a little structure is always welcomed. While having goals is a very good thing for creating art, I don't think having goals for distributing the cards makes sense. Today is the 6th and I wrote that I would pass out all 6 by today. I could have them all given away by today if I didn't care if the encounters were meaningful, but I do. Since Monday, I haven't had any opportunities to pass out art.

Rethinking this goal is in order. How can I possibly predict how many people will intrigue me? It's important to me that every card I pass out is done in a purposeful and meaningful way. Attraction is organic. You can't plan it or manipulate it. So, I will no longer make goals for how many cards I will pass out, but I will make goals for creating opportunities where cards could be distributed and continue to make goals for creating the art.

Next goal: Creating opportunities- head out to the Goodfoot on Saturday and enjoy some bluegrass, drinks and dance my ass off and pass out cards if it feels right.

1st Card

Today I gave my first card to the sweet, hairy barista right by work. He calls me sunshine, although, he probably calls everyone that. It still makes me feel good! I wrote on the card "You have great facial hair and you make tasty coffee." He has one of those crazy, full beards (yummy) and he does make tasty coffee.

I always think it's a bold move to be a young guy and try for the full beard. Not all who try can pull it off, but the ones who can, really do it nicely. Amen to facial hair!

Card Examples- side 2

I decided to leave some blank space on each card so that I could write a message on each one as I pass them out. It seems more personal that way.

Next Goal- Pass all 6 cards out by Friday, March 6th.

Card Examples- side one

GSE: Trial Run and Idea Expansion

Trial Run- I spent part of my Saturday running around town taking care of business. I picked up a coffee, got a book at Powell's and went grocery shopping. I pretended I had all of my cards done and they were in my purse, ready to be distributed. I kept a look-out for anyone that might be a good candidate for a card.

I parked downtown, right in front of Jackpot Records. I got out and immediately locked eyes with a fine looking black man working inside. meow. Definitely would've like to give him one. I might need to go back ;) I wanted to give one to the dude playing his guitar in front of Powell's. His music was cheery and he had a nice smile. He deserved a little creative love. As I was leaving the grocery store, a big, burly dude walked by wearing shorts. He had the most incredible calves! They were huge and muscular. You could tell he was an avid bike rider. I love big guys who excerice. Those are my favorite. I turned left at 28th and pulled up to the light at Sandy. There he was in his truck, right behind me. I would've jumped out at the stop light to give him a card.

Idea Expansion- Earlier I wrote about creating a game where I passed out a card that included a clue to where a cool piece of art could be found somewhere in the city. The art could include a link to this blog and, hopefully, whomever found the art would write a comment about what they thought.

I've decided (as a side project) to skip the clue and just strategically place little pieces of art around Portland with a link to this blog on the art. I'll post pictures on the blog of each piece that I hide and people can log in and find the photo of the art that they found and write a comment. They could write about what they did with the art. Did they like it? Did they take it? Did they leave it? Pass it on? Throw it away? Something to work on this summer.

GSE: First Goals and Idea Evolution

1st Goal- My first goal is to complete 6 cards, photograph and post them to the blog by Sunday night.

2nd Goal- The second goal is to distribute all 6 by the following Friday, March 6th.

Idea Evolution- This idea is evolving inside of my head. I'm thinking that this experiment needs to be developed into a bigger art project, possibly 2. I'm not really sure what that would look like at this point. It will depend if anything interesting happens. I also think I need to document the process with film and hand written words. Take photos of the places I see people, journal entries about what I was feeling and thinking, document what happens after. I'm imagining wooden cubes, maybe 12"x12", on recycled wood, paint, collaged items, anything that tells the story of meeting someone new. The cubes would be interactive, people can pick them up, turn them around, read the story. Still thinking about this. Or... they could be vertical. I'm also imagining each story made out of a few pieces or recycled wood. Maybe each one has 3 pieces connected by chain or rope. They hang vertically down a wall, 1, 2, 3. Collage the story on the 3 pieces of wood. Still working this one out.

I'm also thinking about making this project into more of game. Every day, I take Sky for a walk down a street by my house. Someone has nailed an interesting piece of art high up on a telephone pole. This got me thinking that it would be cool to hand someone a card that had a clue. A clue that led them to a piece of art that I placed somewhere in the city. Will ponder this idea more.

GSE: A new idea, courtesy of Shar

Shar has a friend who once gave a random guy a calcium chew and then they started dating. Maybe some of the cards could have useful things attached? Perhaps a cough drop or a moist towlette? Bandaid? Jolly Rancher? Tic Tac? No, Tic Tacs could be misintrepreted.

I may need to get a bigger purse :)

The great social experiment: art and romance

The GSE for short. I actually came up with this idea about a year ago, but it didn't bloom into the full-on social experiment until just tonight. I completely forgot about this idea until my good friend Leslie reminded me. Thanks, Leslie! Some of you may remember me writing about this last year. Once again, feeling extremely frustrated about the difficulty of meeting integral men and the challenges of online dating, I started thinking about ways I could meet men in person. I thought how great it would be to create little pieces of art to randomly pass out to strangers I found intriguing. Wouldn't you be stoked if someone you didn't know came up to you and handed you a little piece of art and just said something like "Hey, you look like a person who can appreciate a little creativity. Cheers!" then walked away? I would be!

The art- I imagine the art to be on heavy-weight paper about 4"x 4"; sweet, juicy collages with highly textured paper, sensual, intense colors and dabs of black, sexy charcoal. Perhaps a trinket and some decadent words or a funny joke? Art cards for different occasions and different personalities. Of course, I will include the link to this blog so that I can be found :)

The experiment- I imagine passing these juicy morsels of art out to any man I find interesting, funny, smart, sexy or creative, along my day to day journey. Anyone I want to pass on a little joy and creativity. I wish I had documented all my funny and often ridiculous stories about meeting men online over the past 3 years. So here I am now, chronicling this new adventure and using art to create romance and writing about it- the 2009 love experiment. It can't be any worse than Mac the spider head, right?

This blog and writing about this adventure will create a certain amount of accountability, which my creative mind needs to keep me disciplined in manifesting change, excitement, new friends and, of course cool art. Feel free to leave me a note, a comment, a criticism, funny story or encouraging words. 2009 should be interesting. Cheers to new friends and interesting ideas!

Next blog to come...examples of completed pieces by Sunday night.