Open Studio Half Price Sale This Weekend

I’m holding an open studio and half price studio sale this Saturday and Sunday. I have several projects in the works and need to clear some space.

All work in my studio, as well as some items never shown before, will be half off. Paintings, prints, miixed media pieces, wearable art, tiny tokens, postcards, and some items that defy description. Prices will range from $1 to $ 350. If you’ve had your eye on something, this is your chance for an awesome deal. 

"Skull and Roses", acrylic on slate, sale price this weekend: $12.50

"Rain X", mixed media on wood plate, sale price this weekend: $50.

"Find Your Truth", mixed media on wood plate, sale price this weekend: $50.

"Take Flight", mixed media on wood plate, sale price this weekend: $50.

"Skeleton Keys", mixed media with barn board frame, sale price this weekend: $20.

"Creating Evolution, Evolving Creation", acrylic on canvas, sale price this weekend: $350.

"Nature's Sculpture II", acrylic on canvas, sale price this weekend: $300.

"Temptation", acrylic on canvas, sale price this weekend: $150.

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, 22 N. High St., Millville, NJ. This Saturday, November 13,11-3, and Sunday, November 14, 11-5. My studio is located upstairs to the right. When you enter the room with all the computers, go to the right and you’ll be facing the studio.

If there’s a specific piece you’re interested in, feel free to send me a message to inquire. And, as always, even if you’re not shopping, stop in and say hi. Would love to see you all.

Thanks so much,

Anna Vosburgh
annavosburgh@yahoo.com

The Summer of George

I love Seinfeld. In one episode, George Costanza proclaims it to be "The Summer of George". Okay, so for the character, it's because his fiancee has died and he finds himself able to date and his parents have moved so he has the house to himself. Totally different situation (and my name isn't George), but otherwise exactly the same.

In July, I won second place in Da Vinci Art Alliance's "Seven" exhibit. http://www.davinciartalliance.org

"Hope I", Second Place Winner in Da Vinci's "Seven"

"Hope II"

"Hope I" and "Hope II" are painted on barn boards in the most literal sense. My father replaced the barn doors on the farm where I grew up and I salvaged the old boards. It's a wonderful surface to paint on, you can't fake the weathered, aged appearance. Believe me, I've tried.

What an honor to be chosen as an award-winner.

"Seven" will be traveling to the Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton, October 1 - 30, 2010, with an opening reception on October 1, 5:00 - 8:00 http://www.noyesmuseum.org/hammonton.html

One of the coolest things to ever happen to me, I now have a studio at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts (RRCA) in Millville, NJ.  http://www.rrcarts.com/

The RRCA is a huge community gallery with big classrooms and artists' studios. It is the perfect setting for creativity. An art library outside my studio door for inspiration, Macs lining the walls for research and design, various artists and art lovers roaming about. This has been a dream of mine for years now. The third Friday of each month in Millville is a celebration of art and music. Galleries stay open late, musicians line the streets, and the studios are open at the RRCA. Last Friday was my public opening and it was wonderful. I couldn't keep track of how many were in attendance. Very much looking forward to next month's third Friday, which will also be the opening reception for the studio artist's show downstairs at the RRCA. The reception is 6-9 pm, Sept. 17. Be sure to come upstairs to visit the studios. If you'll be in town at another time, give me a call or send me a message. I'd be happy to meet you there and show you around (if I'm not already there).

In health news, it turns out I don't have lupus. No one knows what's going on with me, but my hands are much better than they were. Not much problem painting as long as I pay attention to the warning signs and take a break. After the studio opening, I had the expected crash, but it wasn't terrible. I'm feeling pretty much back to normal and looking forward to going in to get some work done tomorrow.

What I'm working on: Work for the studio artists' show, including one huge piece. There will be comic books, spark plugs, and fans. Stay tuned. Then, I need to get my butt working on a couple of commissions I've had on the back burner for a while.

Finding my Direction

There is a big black canvas bag in my studio filled with files containing sketches, photos, and various references for my new series. As usual, I have many pieces planned and they are big, dramatic, and each is a huge undertaking. That's not a bad thing. If I am anything, I am a determined extremist.

It's actually more like four series. I've planned several more "Rain" pieces.  They are intricate, but once

I get started, my subconscious takes over. They seem to be my most popular pieces lately.

The second series, which I can't wait to begin, is a sort of mundane surrealism. The grim reaper vacuuming his living room, a ninja pushing a baby stroller, a mermaid and a yeti embracing. Over-the-top characters involved in everyday activities.



The third, which I'm unsure about, is scenes from above. The students in my art class working, the coffee shop that we frequent for open mics. Gatherings of creative folks interacting from a birds-eye-view. I'm still working out how to take the reference photos. I managed to get a good one of the art class, with the help of a nimble young student with climbing abilities that I don't have.

The fourth, and most personal and intimate, is what I consider a visual documentation of my family of artists, musicians, writers, and poets. Mostly mixed media, some will be like my "I'll Make it to the Moon if I Have to Crawl". Others will be more traditional paintings, but from unusual perspectives.





I may start with a self portrait, which makes me very nervous. I've taken some reference shots.

My idea is to create a visual history of the people in my life. Millville, which is about 10 minutes away from Bridgeton, built an arts district 10 years ago. Last year, it was named America's Top Arts District in a well-respected national arts magazine. On third Fridays, we spend the evening in the district, socializing at the coffee shop and then listening to live music at Brainchurch, a psychedelic, bohemian hang out run by local celebrity, Sitarbob.

Millville, along with Brenner's Brew http://www.youtube.com/user/brennersbrew#g/a in Bridgeton, is like home to us. (Watch Bob propose to me last year at Brenner's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB5_P4RLckE ). My family is this group of misfit poets, musicians, and artists who work and play together.

I was at a monthly artists' party and it dawned on me that this could be important. The room I was in, the people around me, reminded me of an art history book. You've read about pockets of creatively-minded people all working together in one place. Usually, when an artist becomes "famous", he's not all by himself working in his studio. He's usually (not always) part of a movement or a group or a district. His contemporaries' work, whether it's music or paintings or writing, becomes well-known because of their associations. A mini renaissance.

Of course, this place and time may have no historical significance whatsoever, but I don't know of any situation within my lifetime, anywhere in the world, that has a better opportunity than here, now. So I'm taking advantage of it the best I can. My series will be portraits of these people doing what they do. Some group scenes to show what it's like, how it feels to be part of this.

I've spent the last year feeling pretty lost. Tired from the cycle of exhibits, and wondering if I was getting anywhere. I needed a new direction. I've decided to take the next year or so off from showing. I will probably participate in an exhibit now and then, but I need to give birth to something new. My plan, or perhaps my hope is a better word, is to complete these works and then expand into new territories. I've joined DaVinci Art Alliance in Philly, http://www.davinciartalliance.org/, and would like to do more in the city. I may be bold and ask for solo shows. The worst that can happen is to be turned down. Rejection usually doesn't bother me, I've developed a thick artistic skin.

My friend and fellow artist, Jay Helfrich, lent me a book, "Art and Fear".  http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaking/dp/0961454733/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266830813&sr=1-1     I've only read the first couple chapters so far, but I'm convinced it was written specifically for me. So far, the most important revelation is that when a painting fails, it doesn't mean I'm a failure. The screw ups are just as important as the great ones, and there are and will continue to be many, many more unsuccessful pieces. You learn from each one. So, I have about 40 pieces planned. If I end up with 15 to show, great. I wouldn't have felt the same way a year ago.

I completed three mixed media pieces before Christmas and am happy with the results. They are on wood plates, and I just let myself go and have fun.

I've been teaching ArtWorks, a program for high school students who are recommended by their art teachers or guidance counselors. 

These are kids who want to create. They are talented and love to come to class. The pieces they make continue to amaze me. So far, they have created paintings in the style of Georgia O'Keeffe

and Chuck Close.

I am proud to be their teacher and find the program extremely fulfilling, I hope the students do as well. There will be an exhibit at the RRCA at the end of the program featuring their work, I'm looking forward to it.

Who Am I, Where Should I Go?

I'm considering applying for membership at a museum. There are two levels, one for the emerging artist and one for the established artist. For the emerging artist, they are seeking artists who wish to gain exposure, grow and improve his/her artistic talent. That applies to me. The next level for established artists, are artists established ("known" artists), who have exhibited extensively, with solo shows, and have gotten lots of press. Also that they teach in their medium. All these also apply to me. So, if the question is whether or not I'm done experimenting and am a landscape artist with my only interest being to improve my landscape techniques, then no, that absolutely does not apply to me. I don't plan on ever settling into one little comfortable area of painting and stay there. I do collage, I paint, I experiment A LOT and that's actually what I plan to do for the rest of my career. So, yeah, not sure which one to apply for.

Another thought. I'm established in South Jersey, and have been for many years. I'm emerging at the shore towns. I'm emerging in Philly. I'm emerging as a muralist. I'm well established as a painter. I am becoming well established with collage and mixed media. I am emerging with my 3-d works. I am well established as a teacher. See what I mean? These labels are confusing and if there's no realistic set of "rules" to describe these terms, to me, they don't really mean anything.

The cycle of preparing work for shows to fit a certain theme, then attending the shows and winning an award, then picking up unsold work from the show. I've had several all-night painting marathons lately in an attempt to get ready for various shows. A few years ago, this was what I wanted. I am thrilled at what I have accomplished, very pleased. Now I kind of have a feeling of "what now"? I need a new goal, something new to reach for.

I have a series of non-traditional portraits rolling around in my head for years. I think next year, I may go a little light on the exhibiting, not dropping out altogether, though. Maybe I'll concentrate on this series that's in my head. Do 20 or so throughout the year, then see where that takes me. It makes me nervous to start something with no real goal in mind, but with this, I think I need to find opportunities for the series after it's complete. It would be a nice change to follow my vision, not creating around a show's theme, or creating a mural in a library that has kids reading books. That's all good stuff, but I can work with no restrictions for a while. I like that idea. I think.

I have two receptions in Ocean City where my work is in two shows at two different galleries and one in Bridgeton tomorrow night. I've been notified that I've placed in the Bridgeton show, though I won't know what award until the awards ceremony. It's a purchase prize for this show, the prize money is to purchase the piece for the county's art collection, which is pretty cool. I think I have at least 6 pieces in their collection so far. Tomorrow will be a busy night.

What I'm working on: Day of the Dead inspired Holiday plates

text collage with acrylic paint:
"Rain V"

and the piece that I'm won with, a landscape, which I haven't done in ages. It was a nice break:

And today is my birthday! I wore a raspberry beret. The kind you find at a second hand store:

Frustration

I try to stay positive. I'm afraid this blog is going to be mostly complaining, however. Nothing is working. By the end of this week, I will have delivered work for two shows so far this season. A third show I was planning on participating in hasn't worked out. I just can't get anything to work. Painting is going too slow, I keep starting over, I just can't pull it together. It doesn't feel like creative block, exactly, I feel good about my concepts and when I begin a piece I have that burning flame deep within my belly, the excitement of creation unlike anything else. Half way in, however, I hate what I've done so far and begin again or abandon the project.

On top of being stuck in artistic molasses, our apartment was sprayed so I had to remove everything from our closets and cupboards and pull everything away from the walls. I should be putting all that we own back in its place as I write, but I just don't seem to have it in me right now. There's doctor's appointments, social obligations, and daily chores and errands, as there is with everyone in the world. The socializing usually gets put on the back burner because it's a non-essential, but I'm changing my attitude about that. Networking has gotten me twice as far as I could have alone, and I truly believe you get out of life what you put into it. I need to nurture my relationships, meet new people, and on occasion, enjoy myself. So, tonight, I will attend my film making friend's zombie makeup party, and tomorrow night I will go to the monthly artists' night at another friend's home. It's all good stuff, but add it all up and it equals maybe an hour or two to paint a day, and I can't get very far that way.

I think maybe I feel a little better just for having written this. Sometimes I know how to deal with a situation, but until I talk it out or write it down, I don't realize it. Something about putting it all into words. I'm still very frustrated by the mountain of work ahead of me, but I've scaled, moved, and sometimes blown mountains to smitherines, so I know I can do it.

"Season's Greetings", painted wooden plate

What I'm working on: I call them non-traditional holiday accent pieces. I am so not into pretty Christmas decorations, so I'm creating a series of painted plates, small canvases, and ornaments for the hipster set. Inspired by Day of the Dead sugar skulls, there's gingerbread men skeletons, a human skull with a santa hat, and candy canes for cross bones. They're bright and colorful, and although they're not for everyone, I can't think of anything more festive. I love bones. I collect bones and use them in my work. Painting them is fun, it doesn't take a lot of thought, and I can play with the colors and patterns and still be reasonably sure that I'll be happy with the results.