Linda Darke Swaynos, wonderful friend and Gallery Owner, has once again outdone herself with the selection of these artists.  I found Geoff’s work to be exceptional!

The visit to the gallery opening made for the beginning of a wonderful “date night” for Tom and me. Find your own reason to go….just don’t miss this terrific exhibit!

It is one of those things that is on my list of career goals but one that was decidedly further in the future.  Then, all of a sudden, the opportunity was presented and I had to act fast.  Then…..wait.  That was the hard part as I am not exactly known for my patience.

The process was interesting as I had to present photos of my work, bio and resume for review and a vote.  If I remember right they were considering 7 artists.  Then there were the two left standing.  We had to present three paintings and then wait for the vote.  The whole time I kept saying things like..you know, if it does not happen it is OK.  I am OK with whatever happens, etc.  However, I must say that every time the phone rang I jumped and combed through emails on a daily basis watching for an email with the decision.

Then the day came.  Caller ID read Christie Coker.  I took a deep breath and answered.  I am not sure I was breathing at all until she finally told me I had been accepted.  WOW, what a feeling.

Upon calling both my husband and daughter I said.  “Oh my goodness, they really like my work.  I got in.  Can you believe it?” Once again, the deep sighs.  Once again, they reminded me that I am the only one surprised by all this.  Proving once again, that we artists are the most critical of our own work.

And now….the pressure is on.  I now MUST paint.  So I better get after it.

By the way, several of my paintings will be at Archway on March 6 – Hope to see you there.  I will be the one with the biggest smile!

Opening reception is January 8th, 6-8pm.

Check out the Pearl website for details of their new show, A Sense of Place, Selections from the Bobbie and John Nau Collection of Texas Art, January 9-March 28, 2010.  Directions can be found at the Pearl website.

We look forward to seeing all our friends at the opening reception!

During our 40th Annual Members Exhibit earlier this month we welcomed Jan Fabian Wallake to Houston as our juror and workshop artist.  We had 227 submitted paintings for the exhibit which had to be reduced in number to 89 due to space limitations of our gallery.  Jan told us that she had expected it to take 5 to 6 hours to juror and judge the show.  That was, of course, before she experienced the “well-oiled machine” kicking into gear.  The teamwork of our dedicated volunteers, which, by-the-way, is becoming well known throughout the world of watercolor, assisted in completing the task in approximately two hours.  That was just one of the many things that happened that “wowed” our guest artist.

As we went upstairs to set up for the Sunday demo Jan commented that she guessed that it would take the rest of the week to get the show hung before our reception on Friday.  By the time we had finished setting up for her demo and preliminary set-up for the week-long workshop….the show was up.  She was amazed!

From the time our artists arrive at the airport to their departure our membership works diligently through both individual and group efforts to make sure they are not only comfortable with everything that has to do with teaching in our world class facility but making sure that they are enjoying visiting our wonderful city. Houston has so many wonderful restaurants and there is so little time.  Speaking strictly for myself…..I always gain weight during these events.

It is so rewarding at the end of these events to hear our visiting artists share their thoughts on the exceptional experience they have had at WAS-H.  They are not only impressed with our building, which contains a beautiful gallery space and an exceptional teaching venue but I think mostly they are wowed by the incredible southern hospitality of our members.  On top of that we have some of the most talented water-media artists around.

Don’t take my word for it, ask the artists.

Photos from take-in to the closing reception can be found at our WAS-H Calendar Site.

We are looking forward to “Wowing” Frank Webb in March 2010 during our International Show.

On our recent trip to Mobile, Alabama, Tom and I took off to the city to see the revitalization efforts in downtown and hopefully visit some of the local art galleries.  With Tom’s interest in revitalization and mine in the arts, not much extra time on our hands and rain quickly approaching we headed to the Lower Dauphin Street Historic District.

We just happened to park very near one of the newest galleries in the area, Robertson Gallery 450.  It is a remarkable place!

One of the nicest galleries I believe I have seen not only in the content of the art – which you might guess is abstract – but in the architectural design of the newly refurbished interior.  A very elegantly spacious gallery with the newness of the built walls contrasting the wonderful historic look and feel of the space itself.  Simply beautiful!

Robertson Gallery

Unfortunately we had to keep moving because the rain was about to catch up with us.

Please put this gallery on your must see list for next time you are in the Mobile, Alabama area.

Robertson Gallery, 450 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Al. 36602 – Phone 251-433-1311

We walked down the very quaint streets with the wonderful historic fixtures adorned with planters of beautiful flowers.  We moved quickly into a restaurant across from Cathedral Square where we darted in for lunch just in time to escape the downpour.

Spot of Tea

After lunch we walked around just a little more before heading back to the farm.  On this rainy day not much was opened but we were able to get a feel for the history of the place and witness the wonderful job that the district is doing in revitalizing the area.  It is one of those wonderful places you would hope to find in a historic city like Mobile.

Live music on Dauphin St.

Oh yes, did I mention the live music?  That was a real surprise.  Felt a little like New Orleans.

Enjoy life ….. Paint ….. Critique …. Exposure …. and who knows where it goes from here.  WOW!!

Being a part of this group  ROCKS!!!

http://10plusartists.blogspot.com

Hot Ticket

The excitement of this brings to mind a mentor of mine….Linda Swaynos, who always delights in teaching others about “shameless self promotion”….. Don’t knock it until you have tried it… Darkegallery We could all learn a few lessons…..

“Shamelessly” promoting my part in this fabulous group of artists!

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts

The event was held at our new Museum, The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts on Cypresswood Drive.

Speakers were Tim Novak, Pearl MFA; Nancy Decker, FACE; Nancy Agafitei, Barbara Bush Library and yours truly, Artist, and Pearl Board Member.

Not sure exactly  how many attended but we had a full house in the lobby area of the museum with many staying to go through the current exhibition.  It was a very nice turnout of our area small business owners.

The purpose was to get the word out to the small business community about the enormous positive economic impact that the arts has on our community.  We are so blessed to have so many fine visual and performing arts organizations and venues right here in Northwest Houston.  Some of the finest upcoming artists in both visual and performing arts are being educated right her within our public and private educational institutions.  My husband, Tom, and I have often called this area an “incubator”, if you will, for the arts.

We urged the businesses to support the arts  in whatever way they can, whether through in-kind or financial support.  Support of the arts is support for a growing and thriving community – which we are.  The community is enriched through the very existence of these organizations and venues.  They are the customers and consumers of products which our businesses provide.

As a serious artist, the existence of such a venue as the Pearl in our community raises the awareness of fine art that can be accessed without trips to the Museum District of Houston.  That awareness translates to the works that are being produced by the serious artists in our area and elevates appreciation for our work as well.

I had a number of people come up to me after-wards and tell me how much they appreciated what I had related in my portion of the presentation and the excitement and appreciation that I was able to generate.  The most heartwarming was from a young man who told me what the arts had meant to him during his education and that he was very appreciative of my talking to the business owners about the importance of supporting the arts within the educational institutions.

And that, my friends, made it all worthwhile!

So, I choose to focus on my art career – where that leads I am not quite sure.  That in itself is exciting.  At this point in my life it is what brings me the most joy and excitement.  Excitement for creativity yet untapped and excitement of the unknown.  Joy for being in a place where I can be myself and have fun.

A very wise friend of mine once said “They can do it without me.”  Marilyn Hillery – a dear friend who is one of the reasons I paint today. Sometimes the wisest thing a leader can do is let go and let others step up.

So, the community will survive and find new leadership. I will paint.

D'Nile 2nd Place Winner at September 2009 Gallery Show

Not too many months ago I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate with a group that was formed quite a long time ago.   First I got invited to attend as a guest and bring several paintings for critique.  I was a little nervous because these are all very accomplished painters and I was not sure how I would “measure up”.

I am never surprised anymore at the wonderful artists that I meet.  It is like a very warm loving family.  I was however, blown away by the work that each of them brought to have critiqued.  Oh no…..it was my turn….heart racing I presented my work.   I told myself, look confident, don’t faint and DON’T CRY – which is what I tend to do when I get over emotional whether happy or sad.

It was a wonderful experience.  They had some very good comments and actually liked my work and had some really great suggestions of names for the paintings.

Not only did I live through the experience but a few days after the meeting I was called to inquire about my interests in becoming a regular member of the group.  I said ‘yes’ very calmly as if it happens everyday.  Hung up the phone and immediately called my daughter, husband, sister, and said “oh my gosh, you will not believe what just happened.”  They all laughed at me and once again reminded me that I am the only one who is continually surprised by the fact that people like and appreciate my paintings.

The whole point of this is that being a part of this group has given me a new found confidence.  My life is VERY busy right now but I am finding time to paint and enjoying it more.  A little confidence goes a long way!

I am particularly happy with the way the images of the paintings are displayed.  We still have some photographing to do and some text revisions…but isn’t that always the case.  If you waited for that to be finished I suppose no one would ever have their sites up.

Enjoy!

Oh yes – Tom YOU ROCK!!!!