circular fragments, calculations, waiting.

After a brief hiatus, I am back in business in my shop, and will continue posting new work this week. I made two sales last night, so I'm feeling good already.

Also feeling good about being on spring break from CSUN. Not that this week will be all crazy-fun-time, (or any) because I have lots of work to do.

School work, art work, house work, work-work.

The Southern Graphics Council was a splendid time. I am currently cameraless, (or rather, my digital camera has ceased to function) so I am unable to share any of my adventures from Chicago. My pal Maranda was a sport, as we explored the city...I'd tell her, "ooh, take a picture of that!" So when I get her pictures, I'll have more to say.

I'm going to Penland this summer: it's official, and I'm excited. 5th session, Arthur Hash's Metal's class. And after that I'll be doing my thing again at the annual benefit auction.

Hurts so good!

Michelle's Michelle Things.

All that orange stuff is (are?) california poppies. This was on my way home from Bakersfield a few weeks ago...a very circuitous route.


I've been busy.
I've been working hard.
I've been thinking.
I've been looking at good things.
I've been listening to good music.
I've been walkin' around town.
I've been trying.

I haven't been blogging. I'm okay with that...I hope you are too.

I have also temporarily closed my etsy shop. Fear not: I'll be reopening soon. New work.

New. New. New.

This week I'm heading to Chicago, for Southern Graphics Council. So excited to see old friends and a whole lotta art.

Ferriswheel Friday.

Today's Ferriswheel is one of mine: here's a detail of a piece listed for sale in my shop. That's a lavender ferriswheel printed on tea-bag material. Etching and lots of stitching...

I also wanted to tell the world about my dear friend Ann. We recently got to catch up at SGC, over some drinks and some collaborative drawings. She's in her first year of graduate school, and she's making some great work. Who thinks Ann should open an Etsy shop? I do! Here's a table full of her pretty sherbet-colored ghosts and waxy paper doilies:


A good, busy week. Lots of new drawings in my shop. Please take a look, and if you like the work, or like what I do, or like me....by all means, let me know. Does that sound needy? oops...


(This is the cover from my thesis installation guest book...)

Art House Co-Op

Or "coop" as I like to read it....

I met Steven Peterman from Atlanta at the open portfolio event at SGC, and today I checked out their website. I'm very excited about the projects that this organization, um, organizes. See if you don't agree! I'm participating in their "collecting objects" project. They are sending out mini accordion file folders, which participants fill with objects... receipts, ticket stubs, lists, Polaroids, etc. Then they are having a show of all the collected bits and pieces of the universe. For someone like me, who is constantly picking things up off the ground, this is an ideal assignment!

There seems to be plenty of room for participants...check it out!

More good things in my etsy store. like this:

Honesty, Sincerity, Simplicity, Integrity...

..and Dots.

I had an intense time at the Southern Graphics Council conference. I'm still processing the experience, but I need to tell the world about it.



Late on Wednesday night I arrived in Richmond, Virginia. From then 'til the time I left for the airport, (4:30am Sunday, by way of the most frightening van ride ever!) I was joyfully overwhelmed by old friends, familiar faces, former professors, long-time heroes, former class-mates, even a former student. So many friends. Oh, and plenty of art.

I walked a lot, I talked more than usual, I laughed a lot, and realized I don't laugh enough in Los Angeles. I saw a lot of art. I got to show my recent work to the whole of the SGC community, but more importantly I had the chance to show my new work to people who's opinion (and approval!) is really important to me. Two of these good people: my former professor Nicole Hand from Murray State University, and Joe Lupo, my former professor from West Virginia University.

I sold some work, made a lot of good contacts, and even saw a few fellow etsy folks. I drank a lot of coffee, a few beers, and then a few more beers. Ah, printmaking....

A particular highlight was hearing Leslie Dill speak about her work. I have known and admired her work for some time, but getting more of an impression of her as a person has truly made me a fan. She was interesting, profound, poetic...and funny. And here's a piece for you to enjoy:


Lesley Dill, 2004
Breathing Leaves
2004
ink, thread, glue on tea-stained fabric

ah....

The intensity of the experience didn't end with me crashing, exhausted, onto my Ikea sofa-bed back in LA. Oh no, that would have been too easy! When I got into LAX at 10:45 am, (after over seven hours of travel...oh, and a mere 2 hours of sleep the "night" before...) my guy picked me up and we drove out to Simi Valley. Sam was photographing an event at his former summer camp, Camp Alonim. We had an amazing day, and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to explore a place that is so important to my person-of-particular-significance.

Future-recent work will include images of stacked pink stones, pepper from pepper trees, pink eucalyptus leaves, and perhaps a watching horse. I also grabbed some twigs from a burnt tree. Southern-California-wildfire-charcoal drawings? Aren't we excited?

Anyway, I really needed SGC, and I think I also needed to see Camp Alonim. And BOY am I tired.....

Today I posted a whole bunch of new drawings in my Etsy store. I love this series of "Island" drawings. Take a look....see if you don't agree!

Guys and Dolls.

First, some Dolls:

I'm really excited to be participating in my friend Abbey's "Doll Swap." Working on a set of blank Russian Nesting Dolls? Great fun! You can read about it here. While you're "there" take a good look around Abbey's fantastic blog. It never fails to delight. Really. She's one of my heroes.

And while I'm gushing about Abbey, let me suggest you take a peek at her etsy shop as well............here. Below is an image of her work.


So, there's really only one "Guy" I wanted to mention. My special-favorite fellow just found out that he's going to the Penland School of Crafts for a photo class this summer! Oh the excitement! This is almost as good as the anticipation I'd feel if I was going! Maybe better, in fact...he's never been. Hooray!

To celebrate this news, here's a picture from last summer. That's me and Cappy Counard, loving life at the Toe River. This picture was taken by my ol' pal Manda, who I haven't spoken to in far too long...


I'm making final preparations for my trip to the Southern Graphics Council conference. So, I'm signing off 'til next week. Details when I return.

Ferriswheel Friday.

Yes, yes...I know it's Saturday.

Etsy seller stoopidgerl has a "thing" for ferriswheels too. And here is a lovely one:



In non ferriswheel news, its another beautiful day in California, and I am making it a productive one thus far. I am getting ready to head to the Southern Graphics Council conference next week. I'm looking forward to a change of scenery: I'll see lots of art, lots of far-away friends, drink a few drinks, and play a little Ms. Pacman.

Best SGC ever!