Wednesday, May 27, 2009

LAST WEEK FOR THE FREMONT DOLL SHOW!










This is the last week for the 2009 Exhibit titled “Olive Hyde Art Gallery, The Doll Show”. This is a show highlighting local, regional and national artists who hand craft original dolls. Work ranges from the traditional to the contemporary.I will feature several past works and new work at the gallery during the show. The show closes on May 30th

For more information about the show contact:
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94539

Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 12 p.m.to 5 p.m. (during exhibition run.)

Gallery Arts Administration contact:
Recreation Supervisor I Irene Jordahl 510-494-4228
ijordahl@ci.fremont.ca.us

Sunday, May 24, 2009

A Day Full of Murals: Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program Tour Part 2 of A Day In Philly!







Part II of the day consisted of a bus tour of the beautiful murals that are funded by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. The ladies of the Charm City Dolling Club arranged for this very informational tour. We had two tour guides from the Mural Arts program that provided us an in depth and informative look at the various murals created in very diverse neighborhoods across the city. The artistic ingenuity and sensitivity that went into these murals were fantastic!

We were informed that the neighborhoods have to apply for the program and the artists chosen must be sensitive and listen to the requests of the neighborhood regarding what they would like to see in their murals.

This was my second mural tour of Philadelphia and as always I like to take as many pictures of the murals that I find the most interesting. Enjoy!

A Day At the Philadelphia Black Doll Show Part 1

















What a day- Saturday, May 23, 2009- at the Philadelphia Convention Center. I arose early in the morning to catch my tour bus with the ladies of the Charm City Doll Club at the College Park, MD park and ride. Once I arrived to the stop, the bus driver Sandy- who is the bomb yall- from Dillon Bus Service was already there! I was the first to arrive to attend the bus trip at 6:50 in the morning.

Soon my sister and several others arrived for a marvelous trip up I-95 to Philadelphia. All of the DC area passengers arrived ahead of schedule and then we traveled to Baltimore to pick up the rest of the members and friends of the Charm City Doll Club.

Wow these ladies were certainly serious doll collectors. I was impressed with the members enthusiasm and knowledge of dolls and their collections. Some of them even brought their dolls, showing off their fashion design skills and custom outfits made for their dolls.

On the way there, I participated in a word game- I. L.O.V.E. D.O.L.L.S. The point is to get as many words from that phrase as possible. There were also several raffles as well for worthy causes.

It was so much fun!

I traveled with my art companion and twin sister Sharon Burton, which made it even more fun.

We arrived ahead of schedule to the Philadelphia Convention Center. Once we got in, I was overwhelmed. The doll show was packed with wonderful dolls from some of the finest doll artists in the United States. The most impressive dolls were from Patricia Coleman-Cobb see photo above, Jean Henderson of Expressions of Color and a new doll artist to me, Lorrie P. Payne, of Raw Sugar! I was totally impressed with Lorrie's dolls which I believe were the most unusual dolls there. Of course Coleman-Cobb stopped the house with her beauties and Jean Henderson's gourd dolls were so impressive I bought one!

The show was sponsored by the Philadelphia Black Doll Museum. Many who traveled with us with the Charm City Doll Club were old hats to the doll show. This was my first time attending and was very impressed with the quality of dolls and artistic showmanship. I do intend to show at this event within the next two years.

I love Philadelphia! Something about that city intrigues me. Maybe because I was born there. After attending the show, my sister Sharon and I had lunch at Maggianos Italian restaurant before heading out to our second phase of the trip which is described in post #2.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Announcing New Website Focusing on African American Doll Shows!


Announcing the launch of the new web site BlackDollShows.Com and the New York Black Doll & Craft Show, scheduled for July 25, 2009 at the beautiful Riverside Church, South Hall in New York City.

Quoting Black Doll Shows Press Release:

"Although BlackDollShows.Com helps to facilitate a smile, a hug and self-identity among its patrons, more importantly, it aims to connect the public and the world with the artisans, expert crafters, manufacturers and specialty retailers who sustain and enrich the tradition, the fantasy, the identity that is the black doll."

It is expected that over the next few months a growing list of regional black doll shows and events will be listed on their website. I checked it out and registered to be notified of new shows. It seems easy to navigate and appears to take the guesswork out of trying the find out when and where the next black doll show will be held and how to register to participate.

I think this is a long time coming.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT! Art Dolls: The Diversity of Figure And Form



May 15 - June 26, 2009

Opening Reception: Sunday, May 31, 4-6 pm

An invitational exhibition featuring artists working in mixed media to create unique, story-telling doll ensembles. I wish I was among the artists participating in this Show!

The show features renowned nationally known doll artists such as DC Doll Artist Christopher Malone (whose work is shown above), elinor peace bailey, Pamela Hastings, Susan Osborne, and more!

Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
voice: 610-688-3553
fax: 610-995-0478
info@wayneart.org

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

A Remarkable Weekend With Julia Cameron, Author of The Artist's Way






First and foremost, I must thank my husband, Howard, for gifting me with this experience for my birthday. I love you so much for thinking of me in such a wonderful, yet spiritual way.

Well just so you know I just returned from a fantastic weekend in Lenox, Massachusetts at the Kripalu Yoga Center where for my first visit, I participated in the Julia Cameron's Artist Way workshop on Myth's and Monsters! Julia Cameron is best known for her book Artist Way and for being an ex-wife of famous film maker Martin Scorsese.

I came in on Friday evening had a lovely organic meal and did not know what to expect. I was given a private room with a bath that was eco-friendly. I was so thrilled! I always wanted to stay in an environmentally friendly room. Please see photo above. It was so nicely decorated, clean and toxic free. I was as I understood later to be the first person to even sleep in that room because the Annex as it is officially called by Kripalu just opened up this past weekend! What a thrill!

That evening I met a young lady by the name of Susan who was a law professor at Syracuse University. We hung out together most of the evening. We both sat right up front to see the artist creativity guru, Julia Cameron up close.

The workshop started with a brief introduction by Julia about what we would be learning and the objectives and then like magic she began giving us exercises. Then the famous Morning Pages were given to us as a homework assignment in preparation for the next full day of class.

Saturday, day two. I had every intention to take a yoga class but, with the non toxic organic food I was eating my stomach was having trouble adjusting. I got up and wrote my morning pages, which for those of you who do not know, it is a famous exercise that is found in Julia's Artist Way that instructs readers to write three pages, free hand, of random thoughts that enter the mind first thing in the morning. Of course I could have written 10 pages since my mind is always flowing with information, worry and various thoughts.

Anyway, had a "Silent Breakfast" in the cafeteria of course again, great organic food. I loved the silent breakfast because all participants have breakfast in literal silence. No one is allowed to talk much less whisper. It provides one time to clear the mind and think through the day.

After the breakfast I settled into the workshop for day two. The workshop was filled with exercise after exercise, splitting into groups of no more than 3 and working through various lists unblocking ourselves from various things that does not honor our creativity.

Julia talked slowly yet deliberately. I found her aura fascinating. She wore all black. She always wanted us to finish our assignments in a timely fashion and appeared annoyed if this was not happening. Julia did not lecture much, yet she was very humorous in describing stories about herself and people she knew.

Wow, through this process, I met several other ladies, Dorie, Evelyn, and Karen. All of us connected in a strange yet wonderful way. We always met for lunch and dinner. Shared stories of our successes, etc.

Another interesting thing happened during the exercises was the random people I ended up pairing up with. When I told people my story of leaving the federal government and pursuing an art's career full time, in particular, discussing my doll making, people were truly fascinated and overcome with excitement. I ended up giving away all of my business cards for Sankofa Doll Artistry because so many people wanted to see my dolls and learn more about my artistic venture.

I also headed into Kripalu's bookstore. A great resource for anyone on the spiritual path. I purchased Julia's Complete Artist Way volumes.

After a long day. Several profound things began to emerge. Three tools of the artist way are as follows:

1) Morning Pages
2) Artist Dates
3) Walking

Before lunch Julia assigned us to take a 20 minute walk and ask ourselves the question What do We need to do? This was a strange yet puzzling question for me. I walked the beautiful grounds of the Kripalu constantly asking myself the question. The answer I originally gave myself was to always be authentic. Then somehow that answer did not resonate.

I slept on it.

That evening after dinner among other events held that evening was a special film screening of Who Does She Think She Is? This provocative documentary followed five very ethnically diverse artists in the stage and visual arts and how they managed to dedicate themselves to their art while managing a family. Director, Pamela T. Boll was there providing background and taking questions and answers. I was shocked at the amazing statistics that stated that women are grossly underrepresented in solo shows in the arts at the US foremost galleries and museums. The struggle for equal rights in the arts as well as having supportive spouses and families while paying the bills was an extreme challenge for all of the artists. Please check to find out if there will be a screening in your city. I am working to get a screening done in DC.

The next day, I wrote my morning pages once again, and decided to take a walk. I ended up walking Kripalu's labyrinth and contemplated in meditation the question given to me the previous day. I came to the conclusion that I must continue to dedicate my time to my doll artistry, do my morning pages, eat healthier, exercise daily and step up my yoga routine.

I had my silent breakfast and then headed to the workshop. More exercises were assigned by Julia and at the end of the workshop I felt very emotionally and physically overwhelmed by the information. I questioned whether or not the exercises really will help me unblock and become more creative. I reasoned in due time I will begin to see the results.

I approached Julia after the class was over for an autograph of the books I purchased. She gladly obliged and even allowed me to be photographed with her using my Blackberry cell phone camera. I noticed the glow I had in the photo. Not sure what it meant. Maybe I found the answer to my question.