A New Year

Whew!  Let’s hear it for a fresh start!

I’m not making any resolutions, but I do have some expectations for myself this year that include more artistic output and focus on my business.  I love my day job, however I can’t let it interfere with my art, so I’m going to jump right back into the pet portraits with a freshly cleaned studio and a new commission.  I’m taking charge of my time and my space like Smokey the cat takes charge of his backyard!

I’ve been inspired by the positive responses I have received regarding the 2009 Calendar I put together in December.  It highlights some nature photography from my 18 months in Oregon.  It is for sale here.  I am pleased that everyone likes it so much, and it has given me ideas for future photography projects.

Back to the studio….I have to make the most of this “day off!”

New habitat

Albany is a good place.

It’s kind of strange to be back on the East Coast, but so familiar and comforting at the same time.  I am adapting to my new surroundings and falling back into a schedule of commuting and working for a real paycheck.  (Byron has been very cross with me since I no longer stay at home with him each day.  He pushes my buttons by straying too far off the leash and taking his sweet time in the yard when I’m in a hurry to get to work.  Tonight I took him for a walk through the neighborhood, and I am forgiven temporarily.)  Three weeks into my new job as a supervisor at EMS, I am still adjusting to being on my feet and chatting with customers all day, while memorizing the specifications of outdoor gear and climbing the warehouse shelves to fetch hiking boots.  Most of this is nothing new to me, since I worked for another outdoor retailer for three years in California.  But after 18 months of being at home to focus solely on my art, I forgot how exhausting retail can be.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, and I can see myself being there for a long time.  But how, I wonder, will I ever be able to find time for all the art projects I have lined up?  Sigh. I hope to soon find a peaceful balance between my full time job, my very new art business, and my constant craving for outdoor adventure.

More than anything, I am excited about exploring the lakes, rivers, woods, mountains, and small towns of Upstate NY.  Each outing will be documented with photography at the very least.  My sketchbook will always be tucked in my pack or dry bag.  And this blog will continue to be an outlet for me to share my experiences and my artwork.  Wait and see where this trail leads.

#3 reason I will miss Corvallis: our vet

Byron likes a place where everybody knows his name, and at West Hills Animal Hospital they all like him too. He gets so excited when we pull into their driveway that we can barely get his leash clipped on before he leaps from the truck and heads for their lobby door. Once inside, he sits politely near the counter where the treats are kept and looks cute for the staff so they will hand him a snack.

In just over 18 months, we have established a wonderful relationship with our veterinarian and his staff. They have provided Byron with the best care possible and have offered compassionate support to Joel and me through some emotional decisions and procedures. Thanks to them, we caught Byron’s tumor just in time and now look forward to giving him the best golden years a dog can have.

We stopped in at the hospital at noon today to say goodbye, and Byron casually accepted affectionate hugs and ear scratches from everyone there. I am always so impressed with how comfortable he is with them. I think he understands, in his own way, that they took care of him when he was scared and sick. (Plus they give him treats).

Saying goodbye was difficult. I don’t think we will ever find another veterinary team that compares. We will forever be grateful to Dr. Amsberry and his staff and will miss them dearly.

#7 reason I will miss Corvallis: The Arts Center

In February of last year I walked into The Arts Center, introduced myself, and filled out a membership form. The woman at the desk was a volunteer, and I thought, hey, I’ve got a little extra time. So the next week I began my weekly volunteer shift at the Art Shop. I saw this as an opportunity not only to help out the organization, but to become familiar with the local art community and get to know some other artists as I began my own art business. I am constantly impressed with the creativity that exists in this area, and The Arts Center does a fantastic job of bringing people together and promoting education for and involvement in the arts.

My contribution has been to talk with visitors, assist in the Art Shop and with a couple of day-camps for kids, and complete office-related projects like mailings. I know the staff appreciates my help, and I am glad to whatever is needed. What I have received in return, however, I feel has been much greater.

The staff at The Arts Center is a group of talented women who, whether they realize it or not, have been really supportive of me in my new career as a full-time artist. I have been working at home in my own little studio, away from co-workers and bosses, meetings and memos. I love having such a short commute, but it requires more of an effort to get the feedback and inspiration I need from others in my field. So I have looked forward to my Wednesday volunteer shift when I can talk shop and view the gallery shows, while taking some tedious but important task (like counting stickers) off someone’s plate. It’s good to have this kind of a break during a hectic and stressful week. Most of all, I leave feeling encouraged to keep making art. Whether a pair of my earrings has sold, someone asks me how my portrait is coming along, or I am inspired by the presentation of the latest exhibit, each afternoon at The Arts Center gives me a little push forward and reminds me that I’m on the right path.

Thank you ladies. I admire you all and will not ever forget you!

Brown House

Welcome, Brown House!

Yesterday I met up with my friend Carrie to check out a new shop in Corvallis called Brown House. It opened five weeks ago in the space on Madison Avenue where Gallery Nouveau used to be.

From the gloomy, rainy street, I stepped through the doors into a brilliant oasis and immediately felt at home. The shop is filled with eco-friendly products, including colorful table linens, luxurious duvets, cozy organic cotton throws and pillows, bamboo towels, modern wall hangings, and more. The textiles are all printed with bold, colorful graphics and patterns – ginko leaves, cattails, corals, birds, and trees, as well as geometric designs. There is a grapefruit soy candle that smells good enough to eat. And the cube seats made from reclaimed teak are modern, yet rustic.

Soon, owner Robin Brown will add to the collection products featuring her own screen print designs. She’s also hoping to bring in goods made by local artists.

Coming up, Brown House will be celebrating Moms:
Friday 5/2 – Free cocktails & Cloud 9 coupons
Saturday 5/3- Free wine tasting with Spindrift Cellars of Philomath
Sunday 5/4- Free mimosas
Get details here.

Corvallis was missing a place like Brown House, and I think it will do extremely well here. Check it out for yourself…

Brown House
Modern Textiles for the Home
www.brownhouseliving.com
462 SW Madison Ave
Corvallis, OR 97333
541.738.2527

Store Hours
Mon-Sat 9-6
Sun 12-5

Interview with The Arts Center

The people at The Arts Center in Corvallis have been so supportive of me and my work for the past year. They are really genuine, talented women, and I have enjoyed getting to know them all. I’m looking forward to teaching a new workshop there on April 26. Dog Portraits: Exploring Oil Pastel, for kids 10 and up, will incorporate drawing and painting skills and teach the students about line, color, and texture, and how these are important in creating an expressive dog portrait. The students will receive a small set of pastels and a pad of drawing paper to take with them, so that they may paint more animal portraits at home. It will be a fun class!

The Arts Center folks just interviewed me about my early influences and artistic background. For me, it all started with drawings of my dogs!

See the interview here.