Hyphenated-Time-Waster

Michael and I finally replaced our "dorm room" TV. You know the kind with the VCR in it. Well we bought this fancy pants flat screen TV in part because I could no longer read the subtitles on our old TV. Or at least that's why we finally made the move. I figured this new TV would be great for watching movies, but it is totally destroying my hiatus from TV.

First of all high definition is way better then I thought it would be. It not only looks awesome, but many of the standard channels offer addition channels via the new hyphenated channel system, which is weird but awesome. Our local public station, WTTW, offers three more channels, and two of them are in English! In addition to WTTW (11-2), there is WTTW Create (11-3), which shows tons of awesome cooking shows, This Old House, Ask This Old House and Bob Ross, and the best is WTTWD (11-1), the D stands for digital. To sum up this "new" PBS station its like, to exaggerate, every time I turn it on there is a scene of zooming through the Grand Canyon, or like an awesome scene of wild life in their habitat all in High Def! This channel alone is responsible for the loss of countless hours, which I've excused by saying that its educational.

This new TV also entertains our Little Kitty, who just started watching TV for the first time. You can guess she really likes WTTWD when the animals are on, but she'll watch people too. Its weird.

I can only hope that the end of this novelty in partnership with learning when the awesome nature shows are on in high def will help me return to my more disciplined use of the TV.

Sentient, Studio, Press

Today was a fun day in the studio. Above is the new configuration of Sentient for the exhibit at Northeastern. Anna Poplawska will be writing about the work in Yoga Chicago. She writes about spirituality and art and has a monthly column in Yoga Chicago. She came to my studio today and I am pretty excited.

My New Circular Saw

I bought a new circular saw today at Home Depot on Addison.

As I approached the mini van with my big orange cart of MDF, PVC male adaptors, other miscellaneous stuff and my new Milwaukee circular saw, I noticed a small man come out from behind the red big construction van parked next to my car. Since the housing market has crashed, men are looking for work in the Home Depot parking lots. Sometimes they want to help load stuff into your car. As I see this small man in a brown Carhartt-esque coat from the corner of my eye, I feel the hairs on the back of my neck spike up like a cat's. I am really aware of my new saw on my flat bed cart.

I turned from the cart for a moment, and he went for it! Immediately I am shouting "NO!" as I take it from his hand. He seems to motion he would put it in my car. I say, "NO!" repeatedly, and make a swiping motion with my hand. He still tries for ten foot peices if 1/2 inch PVC pipe on my cart, and again, "NO!" He finally backs away to stand by the back of the red van, right next to me. He doesn't look offended, and he doesn't defend himself. His face shows no emotion at all.

As I get into my car the adrenaline is pumping through my blood. I feel bad for him, that he probably is just looking for work, but I also feel like when I back out he'll try to car-jack me. I think about storming into Home Depot to complain, but I am worried about leaving my car now that he knows what is inside. I think about calling the police. Then I think both of these ideas are going over board. I wait till some one is near and back out. Its the owner of the red van. As I pull away I see them talking. The man was probably waiting next to the obviously best option for work- the construction van, and saw me when I approached.

Driving to my studio, my resolve of knowing that I handled the situation in the best and most effective way I could have, mixed with the probable reality of a man out of work and who has become used to being yelled at when offering help. The entire situation is upsetting. But the mixing of compassion with self defense in the aftermath felt like shaking oil and vinegar dressing, they mix only with vigorous effort and only temporarily.

Reality Check

Art Advice is a helpful website I just started looking at.

Priced to Sell

I've been experimenting some with marketable work to accompany my installations. I attribute this to coming to my senses as well as honestly trying to meet some of the enthusiasm my work generates in viewers, with a take it home option. The few items I've made and priced, I've priced reasonably in an effort to facilitate collecting from some people who might not think they can. This article from Art Newspaper may have me further second guessing this egalitarian approach. Sorry.

Why we like art less when its price goes down

Tucson Exhibits

Here are some pictures from my opening in Tucson.

I was in a juried encaustic show at Conrad Wilde Gallery, which is a really nice contemporary gallery, which mainly features encaustic work.
The opening was really well attended, there was about 200 people.
My mom, had an opening the same night. She makes encaustic work too!
Her triptych sold!