5.29.2014

Crox. We are all hybrids.

What do you get when you mix a crow and a fox?
A crox? A tail-heavy bird? A winged vulpes? Earlier,
I was thinking I had to choose between the fox and
the crow, but recently I more fully realize that the
best stories are about life's juxtapositions, contra-
dictions, and even hybridizations.

In-progess Large Litany Bowl
During the last two weeks of the school year, I have
spent a lot of time dreaming about gardening, especially
flower gardening. The scavenger in me is gathering
perennials that other people are thinning out, using
recycled culvert ends as planters. The teacher in me is
not having it with all the daydreaming and insists that all
the classroom checklists be done before my hands dive
deep into pulling out my inner gardener or the neglected
artist.

The waitress in me is breaking out again after quite a
long hiatus, and anxious to pay off a few bills and talk
to adults. The mom and wife in me knows how few
Summers there will be with our kids at home, desperately
wanting to go to the beach while desperately avoiding
chores. And the artist in me knows this all ties together
somehow.

The artist most easily hybridizes all of this and knows
that we are all hybrids--of our families, of our roles, of
our dreams.


5.17.2014

"Creativity takes courage." H. Matisse

Have been reading some of the writing of Brene' Brown
lately. We all need reminders like hers, daily. Brown
hits home with her writing about courage and vulner-
ability--to be vulnerable takes courage, and avoiding
vulnerability is the most disengaged and unfulfilling way
to live. This is why I post my art here, and continue to
put it out there.

Hearing You Not Being Heard
I'll never forget the day that I sent my work out
to an artist cooperative in NYC to be viewed as they
considered me for membership. Besides the fear of
a fragile sculpture getting smashed somewhere along
the way, the vulnerability and fear of my own ego
getting smashed was excruciating. So why do it?
Why put myself through that? The only person who
could truly understand that day was my graphic
designer sister-in-law. I remember tearing up as I told
her, "No one will ever know, if I don't get my work out
there." The more I think about it now, that was the
beginning of the realization that I need to make art to be
me and to connect to the world and others. I was feeling
fragile, but it was exhilarating when the gallery got back
to me. Yes, the sculpture made it there okay. Yes, they
wanted me to be a member of the gallery!

The more I put off this need to make art, the more sick I
feel about facing each day. Being authentic and having
the courage to be vulnerable is the most hopeful way to
live. Yes, there are rejections along the way and many
people who just don't get it, but allowing the fear to win is
a way of rejecting yourself. Thanks Brene' for leading me
to what I hope to be a new breakthrough in my art,
parenting, and teaching!


“What’s the most significant barrier to creativity and innovation? 
Kevin thought about it for a minute and said, “I don’t know if it 
has a name, but honestly, it’s the fear of introducing an idea and 
being ridiculed, laughed at, and belittled.” "
― Brené Brown

“Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability 
determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our 
purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being 
vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.” 
― Brené Brown

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how 
the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have 
done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in 
the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who 
strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, 
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who 
does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, 
the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at 
the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and 
who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.…” 
― Theodore Roosevelt

"Connection: Connection is the energy that is created between 
people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give 
and receive without judgment." 
― Brené Brown

5.09.2014

I am the Mom?!

About 7 years ago, I was awoken on a Saturday morning
to the kitchen sounds of clanging and digging in forbidden
places, kids enjoying the freedom of sleeping parents.
The sounds brought back memories of my three younger
brothers--all fathers now. I fell back into the slumber
thinking, 'Mom will take care of it.' And then I shot up to
sitting in bed with the realization, I AM THE MOM!

5.01.2014

Are you the crow or the fox?

Am I the crow or the fox? Depends on the day,
I guess. These characters are taking over the illustrations
for this body of work, and taking on a life of their own.

Just finishing up the small bowl series, Not Seeing Us.


See Them Not Seeing Us