Congressional Honor, MAC Show, Art Lovers Sunday, Mothers Day Poem, Native Baskets, Birdfest and More

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, it’s been a busy couple of weeks for Martha and me since our last published blog. First and foremost was the judging of the Congressional High School Art Show on May 2^nd at the Green River Community College by Martha and two other artist / instructors from the west side. That was a great treat to be part of and Martha was given a special medal from Congressman Dave Reichart for her effort. That was completely unexpected and really added to the day for Martha. The artwork was varied and quite good. The winning piece, a painting by Bonney Lake High School Student Chelsie Conroy, was unanimously chosen by all three judges and I think they got it right as well. Good job and congratulations Chelsie.

 

Before the event got started, we explored the large art piece in front of the auditorium. It was interesting so many ways in its form and texture as well as have a water feature that was not just an add on so to speak but which was integral to accentuating and even recreating the look of the piece as the water laced over the pattern of graded cuts into the stone formed new patterns that were fascinating to me. I had some fun with a couple of the photos I took of this piece creating some abstracts from close up photos and some digital manipulation.

Having decided to spend the night on the other side of the mountains, we took the time to explore some new areas to us that we weren’t as familiar with which lead us to a great little area called Dash Point which would be a great place to have a restaurant / art gallery etc… and right on the water. We had fun there before heading up to Seattle where we saw some public art that was new to us as well, like this giant lobster or was it a squid, and this crazy fun abstract sculpture carved from one solid piece of stone.

 

During the week that followed we got down to business as far as getting some of the smaller prints made for Martha’s upcoming show in Moses Lake… more on that later. Then, last weekend,

Mothers Day to be precise, Martha participated in the Art Lovers Sunday at the Pybus Public Market. This was a lot of fun as it was previously allowing us to not only display and sell Martha’s work, but to visit with fellow artists and see what wonderful creations they have been making.

 

While there Joann Walker asked Martha to recite her poem dedicated to her mother that Joann had seen / heard previously. So; after the award ceremony for Ken Duffen (Congratulations Ken), who was honored both for his long years of artistic accomplishments, and, for his design having been chosen for the 2014 Pybus Public Market poster, Martha read her poem.  Many of the mothers in the audience were particularly impacted by the reading and came up to Martha and expressed their appreciation for the sentiment and shared some of their own mother stories, thoughts and experiences.

 

During this past week we continued working on preparation for Martha’s show at the MAC in Moses Lake both preparing prints, but also, updating the list of works to be in the show as some of the works listed in the original proposal which was submitted a year and a half or more ago, have since been sold, and there have been so many new creations since then. We also made a trip out to Moses Lake where we met with Freya Hart and went over the dimensions, configuration and design of the show and addressed some technology issues as far as the video presentations components. That went well and we had a good time afterward before heading back to Wenatchee. Upon returning to the valley, we were a bit too tired to make it out to Leavenworth for the opening reception of the Birdfest Art show in which Martha has two new works. But, we knew we would be out there this weekend to volunteer, so we didn’t feel too badly about missing the reception.

Also this week, I submitted four photos to the OCCC Gallery in Orange County CA, for their upcoming show on the broadly described theme of “Home”. I took it as ‘how people live’ and chose some photos of the way people in some areas of Central America have crafted together means of having home and making home a meaningful space spiritually and aesthetically. I also began making some decisions as far as what pieces to include in my upcoming show at the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce.

Friday night, we attended the opening reception for the River of Baskets show at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. This was a big production that took the combined efforts of several of our friends and associates over the past two years to put together. Central to this event coming off were the efforts of Susan Evans and husband Bill Layman as well as the design and construction of the show by Bill Reitvelt and others. Kudos to the Bill’s, Susan and everybody involved in this historic, informative and enlightening display of the art of basket making by the various indigenous groups that lived and continue to live along the Columbia River. Getting so many Native American presenters, artisans, educators and leaders to participate in the show made it all the greater.

Saturday we made it to Leavenworth. The Birdfest Art Show was good. I really liked this 'White Headed Sparrow' painting by Lori Ainsworth. There were lots of people there participating in all the Birfest activities. It was a great day to be outdoors which is exactly where we were at, at the raffle ticket table selling tickets. It was great to see Alicia McKee and the other staff and volunteers like Mark Weike who we haven’t seen in ages.  It was a great event and well attended and we had a good time hanging out with fellow artist Cindy Reitvelt afterward. So, sorry husband Bill couldn’t have been there.

Well, enough for now and think on the words of Oscar Wilde from the ‘Picture of Dorian Grey’, who said, “Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.” Now there is something to ponder.

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