I would do anything
to get away
run and hide
be happy and at peace
But the knowing comes
It is within
There is no place to go
Nothing I can do
to bring you back
to have you beside me again
Loving me for all that I was
All that I wasn’t
All that I hoped to be
Your face is everywhere I look
And everything has a memory of you
Sleep doesn’t take away the pain
It lives in my dreams
And I wake again to the void
Of a life without you
OvationTV “Open Critiques” Group Artists Interview for GraceC
1. What is your medium and why do you use it?
Ceramics, primarily porcelain. I’m a visual person but also very tactile. The way something feels is important to me and the texture of porcelain is amazing. Also, there are virtually no limits to the potential of things to create with it, from large sculptural work to insanely thin and delicate pieces. It’s extremely temperamental and difficult to work with and there are days when I wonder why I use it, but the first time I worked it I was entranced and still am.
2. When someone views your work what is your intended perception?
I hope that someone will find something that resonates, but I really don’t have an intended perception. It’s interesting to me to hear what viewers see, sometimes I understand their perspective, sometimes they see what I do. I’ve been amazed at the number of people who want to run their hands over it.
3. How do you choose your subjects?
They seem to choose me. When I start working on a new piece, I sit and look at it for a while letting my mind wander, then something clicks and I know where to start. It’s like seeing a shadow of where to make alterations, begin carving, etc.
4. What inspires your creation?
There are many different things; music, a thought, a person, an emotion. Anything that affects my physical, mental, emotional or spiritual state can inspire or influence what I create. The forms (to me) are mostly things of nature.
5. How do you see your work evolving in the future?
That’s a difficult question for me to answer. With RA I just hope to be able to continue working and will let the inspiration and ability take me where it will. Although not tied to my specific work, future plans include opening an art center.
6. If you had to describe your life, so far, in one sentence what would it be?
A long, strange trip to the amusement park.
7. What came first the passion or the pain?
The desire to create has been there for as long as I can remember – drawing, painting, etc. The passion for porcelain and working on the wheel came during the pain. We had just moved back to my mother’s house in Virginia so I could be a caregiver for her due to a debilitating illness. I was also in the midst of the death throws of my second marriage. At that time it was an escape from my life.
8. Favorite painter?
Hmmm….. there are many painters I really like. Favorite potters would be Arne Ase and Peter Lane.
9. Most played CD this week?
Pilgrim – Eric Clapton
10. What do you think of Ovation TV and the website?
Wonderful (lol - even with the kickapps issues). I’m very grateful for this site. Spending most of my time in the studio alone, it’s great to be able to interact with other artists, view their work and receive feedback on what I do.
11. If you could make one wish what would it be?
Serenity and prosperity for all of us.
12. What growth would you like to see in yourself as an artist?
Less perfectionism.
This is a great opportunity for promotion and exposure, and living with RA, this is an event close to my heart. A portion of the coordinator’s email to me follows, as well as the details she attached. Her contact information is in the last paragraph or you can go to http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/metropolitan-washington/ . The event should be a lot of fun and I hope to see you there. ---------------------- “The Arts for Arthritis Gala is open to artists who live outside of the area as well , and I thank you for your willingness and ability to post information about it on the Ovation site. I’m attaching the details about the gala in case the artists have any questions, though they are free to contact me anytime with any questions that they might have.”
The Arthritis Foundation Metropolitan Washington Chapter is delighted to extend an invitation to artists to participate in the Arts for Arthritis Gala to be held on the evening of Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City Hotel. This is an exquisite black-tie dinner dance featuring a live and silent auction to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan Washington, DC Chapter. It is also an opportunity for the Arthritis Foundation to present The Marriott Lifetime Achievement Award and we are privileged to honor former Congressman Paul Rogers , now with Hogan and Hartson, as this year’s Marriott Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. We expect more than 500 community advocates, members of Congress, members of the health care industry, and art collectors to attend. The Arts for Arthritis Gala highlights premier artists in the Washington , DC area. We invite artists to participate in this event by making an auction contribution of your work. Artists may either make a straight donation or can split the sale of the work 50 – 50 with the foundation. Artists will set the actual price of their work as well as set the minimum bid. As a donor to the auction, artists will share in the spotlight. Your support will be recognized in the Gala program, event signage, the Arthritis Frontline newsletter which reaches 25,000 recipients in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area as well as on our website. To further expand awareness of your work, we will be happy to make available announcements of upcoming shows, or promotional materials, at the auction. With artists’ permission, we will include donated piece(s) in an on-line auction prior to the Gala, which will increase your visibility and promote higher bidding on artwork. We want artists’ participation in this event to not only raise funds for fighting disease, but to raise awareness of the major creative effort put forth by our local artists’ community.
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the nation and the second leading cause of workplace disability. This condition includes more than 100 different diseases, and affects people of all age groups, including nearly 300,000 children. There are 70 million Americans affected by arthritis -- 830,000 in the metropolitan Washington To respond, please complete the Artist’s Auction Donation Form and send to the Arthritis Foundation. Proceeds from the evening will provide the critical funding needed to sustain the programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation that benefit so many individuals in our community. The success of this evening will truly depend on the generosity of many. All consideration is greatly appreciated. Should there be any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at (202) 537–6800 ext. 3027; fax (202) 537–6859; or e-mail me at vcummings@arthritis.org.
I'm so very sorry to say that Angry Old Artist passed on June 28th. My love to you Jeania and your family.
Two of our community members, Bambibeau and Delaney 14, are competing in online art contests and need our votes. We all know how tough the competitions can be, so let's show our support. Go to http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=163553/ to vote for Bambi and www.artintheround to register a vote for Delaney14.
Where have I been?
When did it start?
Railing against the ravages of addiction?
Cancer?
Suicide?
Disability?
Too much death?
Too much pain?
Time?
The implosion.
Sinking….
Giving in to limitations.
The realities of life.
I will not lie down and die.
Reaching for acceptance.
Emerging.
I am here.
I have value.
I am not alone.
I still love
and I am loved.
To alert the community... A perfect 10 for 10 bone marrow match was found for AOA. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for continued success with his treatments.
