A Poem for Wednesday

Every Breath is a Small Victory
16" x 20" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

Each Wednesday I am going to feature a favorite poem along with a painting of mine I feel reflects it. The paintings are all available on my Etsy site. Here's an old favorite, a lovely but sad verse that takes me back to college days:

A Sad Child, by Margaret Atwood
You're sad because you're sad.
It's psychic. It's the age. It's chemical.
Go see a shrink or take a pill,
or hug your sadness like an eyeless doll
you need to sleep.

Well, all children are sad
but some get over it.
Count your blessings. Better than that,
buy a hat. Buy a coat or pet.
Take up dancing to forget.

Forget what?
Your sadness, your shadow,
whatever it was that was done to you
the day of the lawn party
when you came inside flushed with the sun,
your mouth sulky with sugar,
in your new dress with the ribbon
and the ice-cream smear,
and said to yourself in the bathroom,
I am not the favorite child.

My darling, when it comes
right down to it
and the light fails and the fog rolls in
and you're trapped in your overturned body
under a blanket or burning car,

and the red flame is seeping out of you
and igniting the tarmac beside you head
or else the floor, or else the pillow,
none of us is;
or else we all are.

Solitary Pine

10" x 11 3.4"
Watercolor on Paper

"God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools." ~John Muir

One of the fun things about moving (and there really aren't many) is finding hidden treasures from the past. As I packed and unpacked boxes, I came across this lovely watercolor from years ago. I was struck by the fact that when I painted this, I was searching for my artistic voice. Now looking back, it's clear that my voice was present long before I had discovered it...nature's earthy, organic essence have simply always been a part of my paintings.

Another thing I found in a dusty box from the attic are my old journals from high school and college. I have always been a writer, and am looking forward to delving into these relics to see the growth that has occurred over the years. It's almost like having a meeting with my past self...strange. I'm quite certain these words and works from my past will fuel my current creative fire for quite some time.

By the way, this painting is for sale on Etsy if you want to check it out.

Sometimes I Feel Like I'm Falling in the Ocean

24" x 24" x 1.5" (2 Canvases, 12" x 24" each)
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

Am feeling a little overwhelmed by life lately. I painted this as a reminder to myself just to try and relax, even when I feel like I am drowning, as a reminder that if I remain present in this moment anything is manageable. I was trying to come up with the title for this and while on a morning run, the Blue October song, "Into the Ocean" came through on the Ipod and I knew I had found it:

Now floating up and down
I spin colliding into sound.
Like whales beneath me diving down.
I'm sinking to the bottom of my everything.
That freaks me out.
The lighthouse beam has just run out.
I'm cold, as cold, as cold can be...be *sigh*

I wanna swim away but don't know how.
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean.
Let the waves up; take me down.
Let the hurricane set in motion, yea.
Let the rain of what I feel right now come down.
Let the rain come down.

Where is the coast guard?
I keep looking each direction for a spotlight; give me something.
I need something for protection.
Maybe Flotsam jump will do just fine...
The Jetsam sunk I'm left behind.
I'm treading for my life, believe me.
How can I keep up this breathing?
Not knowing how to think I scream aloud, begin to sink.
My legs and arms are broken down
With envy for the solid ground.
I'm reaching for the life within me.
How can one man stop his ending?
I thought of just your face...
Relaxed and floated into space.

I wanna swim away but don't know how.
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean.
Let the waves up; take me down.
Let the hurricane set in motion, yea.
Let the rain of what I feel right now come down.
Let the rain come down.

Now, waking to the sun I calculate what I had done.
Like jumping from the bow, yea, just to prove that I knew how, yea.
Its Midnight's late reminder of the loss of her; the one I love.
My will to quickly end it all
Sat front row in my need to fall.

Come and Talk Art with Me

Saturday, March 27
2-3 p.m.
Artisan Style Gallery
2417 Mahon St.
Dallas, TX 75201
www.artisanstyle.net

This is my first time to give an artist talk and I am feeling a little uncertain about whether anyone really cares what I have to say, but I guess that is the insecurity that lies behind every artist who puts themselves out there and bares their soul on a canvas. Come and join me this Saturday to discuss my work currently on exhibit in the Uncommon Ground show. The Gallery has asked me to touch on being a mother of three young children and balancing work and home life as my youngest one is just eight weeks old. I will also discuss my love for music and poetry, which have inspired so many of my pieces.

This will be a very informal event, and this is a great time to get to know me. I look forward to a dialogue about art, the creative process and hearing your thoughts!

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Anna Mitchael

This week's feature showcases the writing of Author Anna Mitchael. Her first novel, a memoir entitled, Just Don'tCall me Ma'am, hits bookstores this week!! It's wry, hilarious and insightful, much like the author herself. Anna has been a dear friend of ours for years, and I'm so proud of all she has accomplished.

Name: Anna Mitchael

Education: I got my degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Advertising. That decision was a combination of my mother telling me that finding a job with just an English degree could be difficult around the same time I saw a Jennifer Aniston movie where somebody had a glamorous job in an ad agency. And that's just typical for me—it takes me an hour for me to decide what I want for dinner, but I am happy making major life decisions because of what I picked out at Blockbuster.

Current City: I live on a ranch that's about forty miles west of Waco. The closest city to me has a population of 30. And no, that's not a typo, that's a thirty.

Tell me about your work in one sentence: I try to write about the modern experience for Southern females in a way that is true, approachable and (hopefully) helpful for people as they plug through their days.

My ideal day: I spent a lot of years wondering what would make an ideal day. Somehow, thankfully, I've found a life that's made up of hundreds of them. I wake up, write until I am absolutely sure there's nothing else to say, then spend some time doing the routine maintenance we're all plagued with-bills and errands, etc. By the time I'm done with that I've usually found something more to write about and so I spend another couple hours working. I'm in the middle of a second book, which I feel really blessed to be able to work on. After ten years spent in advertising, where my days were spent writing for other people, attending meetings and playing politics, this freedom to work is the most ideal gift I could have been given.

What are your passions? The people I love. I like traveling and eating in fancy restaurants and all that jazz....but at the end of the day—it's all about the people I love.



Who are your creative influences? I thought finding creative influences and inspiration would be really difficult once I moved to the country. After living in New York and Seattle and all these cities where great designers and artists and thinkers were, literally, a dime a dozen—I was like, 'How am I going to get anything new in my brain when I'm out in the middle of nowhere?' But then I got out here and I can't tell you what a huge change has come into my work. The QUIET has changed everything. Right now, I'm into the isolation and just waiting for ideas to come to me, instead of always being in mad pursuit of them.

What motivates you? At the last agency where I worked there was this very, VERY unhappy man who was in an extremely visible and important position. He yelled a lot. And when he yelled he mostly chose language that is not appropriate for this family-friendly website. I would go to meetings with him and watch how his unhappiness spread. Occasionally I would even feel it threatening me. And I told myself that I would never, ever, end up being such a caged person, because what's the point of spreading that kind of unhappiness in the world? That man was the breaking point for me—when I was finally like, 'DONE' and just left the corporate world. I wanted complete control over the people who could influence my days, and I was tired of having to pretend like I agreed with people who just plugged through the day. This is a very long, winding answer—but what I am trying to say is that happiness motivates me. I like to wake up happy, and writing is a big part of that for me.

What are your websites/social networking links?
On annamitchael.com you can learn more about me and my first book coming out in April from Seal Press called Just Don't Call Me Ma'am.
My blog, the happiness project, is located on annamitchael.com/happinessproject. And if you are on facebook - become a fan of Just Don't Call Me Ma'am or order your copy today from Amazon.

Where There is Love, There is No Darkness

24" x 36"
Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas
SOLD


This painting is a special one because it was commissioned by a husband for his wife as an anniversary gift. It took him several weeks to figure out a composition that he thought she would really love and one that would compliment the decor of their modern home. The style was a bit of a stretch for me, but I really enjoyed working in a more abstract method and feel like this piece has pointed my future works in a new direction.

Since I knew the couple before I worked on the painting for them I know how much they adore each other, and when I came across the Burundian proverb that says, "Where there is love, there is no darkness", I knew that had to be the title of the painting. The proverb's simple clarity really struck a chord with me. From its inception, this painting was created with love. It may sound a little hokey, but while I was working on this, I feel like that light of love was working through me and manifesting itself on the canvas. I hope it brings Lulu and Pryce many years of happiness.

Henderson Art Project heART Show

I was excited to find out that my painting, Across the Blue, was selected to be featured in the Henderson Art Project heART Auction. The Henderson Art Project (H.A.P.) is a collaborative effort between business and the arts in Dallas where all stakeholders prosper. The founding idea is our community benefits when the arts are supported and artists are able to pursue their passions. 2010 is the inaugural year for the H.A.P. annual event and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

All paintings in the auction will be sold for a set rate of $400, but, they have sought after work that is valued at least double the selling price. Here is another cool aspect of this event: 50% of the proceeds go to the artists and 50% go to the Richardson Humane Society. It’s important to note that this is a win/win solution to the old “Silent Auction – give work to raise money for a charity” current business model. Usually, the artists are not compensated, not promoted, and not even invited to the function; unless they pay the high ticket price to the event. Ugh. However, even though I'm "donating" my work for the heART show, I will be fully promoted, compensated $200, if they sell my work, and actually invited to be a part of the party.

The event is aiming to draw an impressive art crowd, shooting for 300-400 people and media attention should be fantastic. I really look forward to being a part of the H.A.P. and all of the exposure that will come along with this event, not to mention a fun party! Here's to supporting the arts in Dallas!

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: David G. Smith

This week's feature showcases Visual Artist David G. Smith describing his creative journey. His lovely paintings and ceramic sculptures can be seen at Artisan Style Gallery.



"My name is David G Smith. I'm grew up in Iowa, but have lived in Dallas for about 20 years. I went to school at UTD with a Bachelors degree in Finance. My art is very eclectic in all senses ...multiple mediums, multiple subjects and techniques. I usually start my morning taking coffee to my spare bedroom that doubles as an oil painting drying room. I look around at the 10 or more half finished paintings propped up where-ever, and I walk away overwhelmed by the unfinished work and needing to get ready for my day job, which is at Southwest Airlines as a Software Developer. When I return home in the evening, I dive into my art. During this time I virtually lose all sense of reality or time. Before I know it, but hours later I awake from my working trance and go off to bed.

On Sundays I take a ceramics class at Brookhaven Community College, where I’m working on various ceramic sculptures.
Motivation for me is absolutely obtained from the last piece that I did. I'm still learning something new with each piece so new color combinations or technique discoveries start me thinking about the next piece before half finished with my current one. Aside from art my passion is travel and photography which helps tremendously when seeking inspiration. I enjoy experiencing different cultures, people, architecture, natural landscapes. I'm an observer.

I find Facebook a great tool for networking with other artists, also DANG (Dallas Artist Networking Group). I have only started showing publicly for a year now, so I have a lot to learn as far as networking and shows."

Shots from the Opening Reception

Here are a few pics from Friday's opening reception of my art show, Uncommon Ground, at Artisan Style Gallery. I feel so lucky to have great friends that came out to support! Kudos to owners Brandon Lynch and Steve Iha, for putting together a great show. The turnout was very impressive, and I can only hope everyone had as much fun as I did. My paintings, along with beautiful art by the other featured Artists Debbie Carroll, Michelle Stroescu and Kate Wickham, will be on display until 4/3.

Etsy Front Page News!

11" x 14"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

Birch trees are fascinating to me. They convey a simultaneous strength and frailty that I can really identify with. It was delightful to wake up this morning and discover that my little birch tree painting above was featured on the front page of Etsy. This is the second time in two months one of my paintings has been featured--what an honor! I am so grateful for the exposure.

"A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun, the tree perfects its character and becomes great. ... Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree." ~~Deng Ming-Dao ( Everyday Tao, 1996)

"Uncommon Ground" Opens Tonight!

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it." ~ Danny Kaye

I am so excited for the opening of my art show, "Uncommon Ground", tonight at Artisan Style Gallery in Uptown. What an honor to be featured with artists Debbie Carroll, Michelle Stroescu and Kate Wickham. Collectively, we have created over fifty works interpreting the modern landscape. My paintings above will be featured, along with many other new works. I hope all of my Dallas friends can make it out to the reception, if you miss it the show will run until 4/3. Now, onto more important things....what to wear, what to wear? A 6 week-postpartum figure is certainly not the ideal, but hopefully everyone will be looking at my paintings and not the baby weight I'm still trying to work off. :)

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Lisa Jennings

This week's feature is a talented Designer named Lisa Jennings. It inspires me to see how Lisa works tirelessly to meet the exact design needs of her clients. To top it all off, she is a just a lovely person with whom I feel lucky my path has crossed.I have personally used her for multiple projects and am in awe of her passion and uncanny knack for bringing creative visions to life.



Name/Location
Lisa Jennings/ Houston, TX

Education
B.S. Advertising, University of Texas at Austin –Hook ‘em horns! J

Current City/Hometown
Houston, TX

Tell me about your work in one sentence.
I make invitations, announcements, and any sort of paper goods that celebrate “life’s biggest moments!”

Describe your normal day.
Well my ideal day would be to work on my business full time – that’s the goal! However, for now, I also work a full time job that has nothing to do with special events! It just makes me well-rounded, right? I must say that even though I don’t work on my business all day every day, I am constantly thinking about it. …so while, I’m at my “real” job I often find myself jotting down ideas or taking a quick break to look something up. In a moment the thought could be gone and then I’ve just let an opportunity pass me by! …I really have the most random ideas at the most random moments, so you gotta do what you gotta do, right?! I then spend most of my nights and most of my weekends bringing ideas to life. This could mean working on a client’s order or just randomly putting something together that could be used someday. …It’s going to be a miracle if I don’t have all of my children’s birthday parties planned until the time their 10 – and I don’t even have children yet!

What are your passions?
This – Invitation design is by far one of my biggest passions. I have always had a passion for ANYTHING creative. It started with t-shirt painting (yes, I was a child of the 80’s) and led to many random, creative projects with my best friend, Angee. I really wish we still had that putt-putt golf course we made out of a shoe box! We used a broken strand of twist beads (remember those??) for the golf balls. It was really cool!

Aside from invitation designing, I also love working out and baking (you have to do one to do the other, right)?! I’m pretty passionate about my husband, my nephews, friends and family too! …oh, and TCBY Peanut Butter Delight yogurt. Don’t get me started. I would buy the whole tub if they would let me!



What are your goals?
To eventually expand my business outside of my blog. Etsy will be my first stop! (Seriously, I could waste away an entire day perusing Etsy if I had the time. The site never ceases to amaze me)! That’s my short term goal. My long term goal is to eventually get enough business that I will be able to do this full time. J I would love to expand it into an event planning company as well. I’m telling you, I’m obsessed with special events. I love, love, love looking at wedding websites and seeing people’s “real weddings!”



Who are your creative influences?
When I think back over my life, I have to say that my dad and my best friend, Angee, have probably had the biggest influence on me creatively. I remember my dad drawing these cartoons for people at work, and working around the house building stuff. …and then there were always the school projects. He would always get so into it with me and help me bring my ideas to life. One in particular I remember is a hair accessory organizer made out of PVC pipe. Again, I was a child of the 80s – “Caboodles” were big business! The project was to invent something, so I put my own spin on the “Caboodle” and created this thing – ugly as it was – to hold hair dryers, curling irons, etc. It had a handle and there were 6 PVC pipes that were open at the top so that you could store stuff in them. To top it off we spray painted it purple. It was SO ugly, but creative for a 5th grader nonetheless! I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my dad’s help!

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?
Working in advertising, living in NY, and getting married are the 3 major things that have shaped me into an invitation designer. Although I wasn’t on the creative side of advertising, working in the industry definitely had its influences on me. Seeing a campaign go from concept to execution really makes you notice and appreciate the thoughtfulness and creativity behind it. I think the same way about invitations – there has to be thoughtfulness and creativity behind a design to make it unique and memorable. …and then, well, NY – ‘nuff said! It’s the fashion, advertising, you-name-it capital of the world. There is just so much creativity going on around you all the time. All of the industry parties I attended may have had a little something to do with it too! I definitely think that’s where my fascination with events came into play. …And then lastly, my own wedding. That is probably the one biggest influence on my invitation business. It’s what made me decide to go forth with it! I spent countless hours planning our wedding and loved every single second. I knew the planning wasn’t something I wanted to give up when it was all over. …thus, Social-o-logy was born. J

Is there anyone that you really look up to as an inspiration?
My friends and family have all shaped me to be the person I am today. It’s amazing the inspiration I get from my nephews as well. Everything is new and exciting to them. Stepping back and thinking like a 5-year old from time to time can really put you in the creative spirit! Aside from people I know, I would say various artists, invitation designers, event planners, etc. inspire me. I could spend HOURS looking at people’s blogs. I randomly come across them as I’m searching around online and I become hooked! Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone else’s idea to inspire my own!

What motivates you on a daily basis?
Blog searching!

What are your websites/social networking links?
I can be found at www.social-o-logy.blogspot.com and on facebook under Lisa Holt Jennings. …an Etsy site and Social-o-logy Facebook coming soon! (Note that the blog is a work in progress too)! J

I'm Getting Published Again!

I received word yesterday that four paintings from my abstract cellular series were selected to be published in Brookhaven College's Literary Journal, The Moulin Review. I am stoked about the publication, as an artist it is always exciting to see your work in print.

I submitted them for consideration last May, and getting the good news yesterday was like finding a $20 bill in your pocket that you had forgotten you ever stuck there. I love when that happens! Along with the two pieces above (one which has sold at Artisan Style Gallery and one which is in my private collection), they selected the two pieces below, which I have always thought were a little taste-specific and have had trouble selling to this day, so it's nice to see them critically recognized. Just goes to show you that there is audience out there for everything, and if one person rejects your work, just keep on trying to get it seen until someone sees it as you do.

Locked and Loaded

Here is my Volvo, usually reserved for grocery-getting and toddler-toting, all loaded up with paintings to go to Artisan Style Gallery for my upcoming art show, "Uncommon Ground", which opens this Friday. There is a great group of women artists in the show, and I feel lucky to count myself among them. I am so excited to be displaying my new works and wonder how they will be received. Only time will tell!

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Debbie Carroll

This week's Creative Soul is the multi-talented Artist and Jewelry Designer, Debbie Carroll. She loves color as much as I do and will be displaying her paintings at our upcoming show, "Uncommon Grounds", opening next month at Uptown's Artisan Style Gallery.




Name:
Debbie Carroll

Education:
BS in Fashion Merchandising with an Art Minor from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois, Graphic Design Certification at the Art Institute in Houston, Texas

Current City/Hometown:
I currently live in Austin, but have lived in both Dallas and Houston - twice! I mostly grew up in Washington state and Illinois, before moving to a(sometimes) warmer climate!

Tell us about your work in one sentence.
I feel like my work is pretty much driven by color; I'll see a scene or object that I want to depict and play with the colors to make it my own interpretation - still recognizable but a little different.

Describe your normal day.
A normal day for me is getting everyone off to their respective destinations - school for the boys, work for my husband, then I feel like I can regroup and figure out what needs to happen. Every day is different depending on my mood, and lately on the natural light - it's been so gloomy! I generally try to do a few daily chores, walk the dog, etc...then I can think about what I'm working on, be it painting or making jewelry - my other pursuit. When painting, I like to do a few preliminary sketches (VERY sketchy) before starting to paint. One of the best tips I've learned is to completely underpaint my canvas or paper before starting, there is nothing worse than staring at a big white blank page! I am finding it is best to paint for 2 to 3 weeks, then switch gears and work on my jewelry for a week or two, before going back to painting. An ideal day for me would be a bright sunny day where I could work completely undisturbed from the moment I got up in the morning until late into the night, to really get into & stay in the "zone".



What are your passions?
My family, our dog Cutter, friends, travel, vintage "stuff", decorating, walking, and, of course, painting and many other creative pursuits like jewelry and sewing!

What are your goals?
I would love to be able to earn a good living by painting and help put our kids through college. My husband and I would love to retire to New Mexico or the west someday, where I could paint and he could fish. I would also like to spend some time delving into printmaking and trying my hand at Plein Air oil painting and pastels.

Who are your creative influences?
Georgia O'Keefe, the Taos School of Painters, Gustave Baumann (printmaker), Vincent Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, some contemporary artists - Stephen Kilborn, Leigh Gusterson, and Jerry Jordan to name just a few, the Pre-Raphelites. The list is pretty long actually....I also really love the very graphic poster art of the 1920's and 30's, especially the WPA art done for the National Parks during the depression.

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?
I have always been into art since I was a very small child. My teachers really championed me along the way and I was lucky to have some very, very good teachers in high school. In college I truly loved art history, and learning about other artists. I was lucky enough to travel to Europe after graduating, enabling me to see some of the very works we had learned about - very inspiring! For a "milestone" birthday a couple of years ago, I treated myself to a painting workshop and that really helped me get back into my art after neglecting it for several years - I find it very necessary to have a creative outlet to keep me sane!

Is there anyone that you really look up to as an inspiration?
I look up to all the artists who have to make sacrifices in order to pursue their dream. I'm lucky because my family is very supportive and encouraging of my art.

What motivates you on a daily basis?
I have a need to feel like I accomplished something every day, whether it be painting, cleaning the house (not that it gets done often enough), making jewelry or working on my Etsy sites. My guilty pleasure is an over-indulgence in caffeine - I LOVE my coffee, and lot's of it :) I also love to get in a walk each morning - it clears my head and helps me focus my nervous energy into a more positive direction.

What's your working style?
Given a preference, I'd love to have big time blocks of time to do my work, but this generally doesn't happen, so I try to fit the task to fit the time I have available - prepping and underpainting canvas/paper when there's little time, major designing or painting when I do have the time. I don't do well with interruptions. I used to get a lot done late in the evening after everyone went to bed, but my eyes just don't function well enough for that any more!

What are your websites/social networking links?
Website/Etsy Sites:
debbiecarrolldesigns.etsy.com/ for my art
debbiecarroll.etsy.com/ for my jewelry

follow my blog:
debbiecarrolldesigns.blogspot.com/

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/debbiecdesigns

facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-Carroll-Designs-Art-Jewelry/171141211086?ref=ts

Happiness is Smaller Than You Think

9" x 12" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

I'm currently reading "Happy at Last: The Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy" by Richard O'Connor, Ph.D. Slowly but surely, I make it through a few pages every night before my eyes close from the sheer exhaustion of moving our household and raising three children under four. This book's philosophical approach to happiness and its message of being mindful is so simple, yet so easily forgotten. The author offers hope that we can somehow rewire our brains to be mindful, and by doing so experience a heightened state of happiness.

Although I feel so blessed to have the life and the family that I do, I am always restless, always searching for something. Does this mean I am unhappy? I don't think so, but I long for an inner peace that I feel often eludes me. Maybe it's just the chaotic state of life my right now, a season that will pass. I feel glimpses of the calm when I practice yoga, so I know it's there within reach. As an artist, I feel some of my most significant work has come out of painful or difficult experiences. Is it harder for me to be "happy" because I am genetically wired to find the difficulty in each situation that leads me to create, to process turmoil into my art? As I try to be more mindful and more present, I look at all the beauty in life, especially my children, and I can't help but smile as I watch them every day. To them, life is so simple, so full of wonder. I think they're onto something...

My Upcoming Art Show, "Uncommon Ground"

Information about my art show on 3/12 is below. So excited to be showing at my favorite gallery with such a great group of women artists and hope all of my Dallas friends can make it:

"Artisan Style is excited to announce our first small group show, "Uncommon Ground: A Collection of Modern Landscapes." This exhibit features work from Debbie Carroll, Gina Dunn, Michelle Stroescu and Kate Wickham. These four artists have created over 50 new pieces for this exhibition, which will run from March 12 through April 3.

Please join us Friday, March 12, from 6pm - 9 pm, for the opening reception with all four artists in attendance. Please call the gallery if you have any questions. This is an open invitation so please forward to anyone who might like to come."

Lil Ol' Me at the Dallas Flea!

Save the Date, 3/13, for The Dallas Flea! The Flea is an upscale indoor flea market packed full of fashion, food, furniture, and artwork from local creatives and companies. Sanctuary Sanctorum Home Decor will be there, featuring my paintings. This is an honor because vendors have to be invited to participate, and I'm thrilled they have selected my artwork to be a part of their presence at the event.