Saturday, April 16, 2011

Images from Opening Night

Thanks to all who have made it out to the gallery! It has been absolutely uplifting to hear such positive responses, and I appreciate every one. If you haven't seen the work in person, please enjoy some photos (taken by Carrie Bosch) from the opening on April 5th.














Saturday, April 2, 2011

Gallery List

Mini Works
2011 MIXED MEDIA
$35.00EA

1• Carrie
2010 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

2• Lori
2010 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

3• Leah
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

4• Sandy
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

5• Kim
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

6• Amanda
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

7• Kathy
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

8• Mickey
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

9• Melanie
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST

10• Andrea
2011 MIXED MEDIA
PRICE ON REQUEST



Each portrait that I have created is being offered to the Woman Artist Educator as a trade for a piece of her own artwork. If the subject declines the trade, the piece will be offered for sale to the general public.

Artist Statement

“Women Artist Educators” is a portrait series by way of experimental, contemporary “femmage.” Each piece combines a variety of media that can be tied to the lives of women, traditionally and non-traditionally. The materials used in this collection include: acrylic paint, acrylic gel medium, fabric, beads, foam core, cardboard, paper, photographs, glass, tissue, metal, and wood.


The theme of the display is gently feminist. The intention is to showcase and celebrate the uniqueness of women as artist educators, while overshadowing the typical feminine labels and titles that we all share. The media used reflects both traditional and contemporary feminine crafts with a modern twist in order to capture the subject.


Every material in each portrait has meaning, and many have been saved by myself or saved and donated by the woman artist educator. Photos illustrate relevant portions of life, and some materials were chosen because of their symbolic, feminine qualities. Significant or inspirational words, unique to the individual, flow through several of the portraits. Many of the portraits are subtly separated into layers using enviro-tex polymer, in order to echo the multiple layers of personality and wisdom that we all have as human beings.


I hope that each “Woman Artist Educator” views her portrait and connects to the subject matter, the colors, textures, layers, and unique energy that each piece gives off. I hope that all viewers will see each piece as independently beautiful, and also connected to one another on a subconscious level.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Andrea: Art Making Mother


I am an artist. Being an artist is a state of mind and I am completely comfortable wearing that title. Because I am an artist, I artfully approach all aspects of the way I live. I am a mother, wife, educator, friend, sister, and daughter and each of these things contribute to my whole self and contribute to my total happiness. I believe in having dreams and achieving them without considering limitations. We live in a world of infinite possibilities and I want my children to grow with positivity and love into whatever it is they dream to be.

We can be limited by the titles that we hold if we chose to be held back. When someone looks at me and knows that I am an art teacher, society has already implanted stereotypes in our brains that some of us cannot shake. I know that there are people that think that an educator should look and act a certain way. I've met these people. We are expected to act and carry out certain duties as mother, wife, etc. I've never been one to follow all of the rules, but that doesn't mean I'm not right for the label. I'd simply rather make my own label.

I am a great educator because I love what I do and I believe in what I teach. I will continue to improve throughout my career and throughout my life. Because my heart is in the right place and because my brain can back it up, I aim for greatness on a daily basis. Educator is a title that follows me in and out of the workplace. I love to share ideas, knowledge, and creativity with my children, friends, and strangers.

Greatness as an artist is relative. Attempting to create something new and illustrate the ideas in my head will always be exciting, and my art will always change. I love to make things... I love to make everything. The way I make things today may not be the way I make art tomorrow, but tomorrow is something to look forward to.

It's great to be a woman in 2011. It's great to not be afraid to be a woman. I can do absolutely anything that my male counterparts can do and I can open any door I choose to open. Am I a great woman? In my personal world, I think I'm close... but that doesn't mean I will ever stop growing. I'm proud of who I am, of what I've accomplished, and of my relationships with the people in my life.

Being a mother is an honor and the most important responsibility one can ever take on. I cherish every moment I have with my children (even the difficult ones). I will give my children all of the love and experience I can possibly give. They will have opportunities that I didn't have and they will learn to appreciate their environment and the world around them. Greatness in motherhood is an evolution, and you'll never know if you have achieved it until your children have grown to a point that they can recognize it.

From speaking with and creating art inspired by all of these wonderful women, I have grown tremendously. My hope is that each woman has learned a bit about themselves by contemplating the questions that I presented them with. Clearly, we all have common traits, but each of us is her own unique individual self, and that is a beautiful thing. If you are comfortable and confident within your own skin, the likelihood of being limited by any of your titles decreases.

Melanie: Artist Mom in Progress

Melanie sees herself as a "work in progress" but she is truly a work of art. She is a loving and caring mother who is completely dedicated and connected to her family in a beautifully positive way. Her background in art education guides her as a mother and teacher while her children guide her opportunities to make art.

Melanie says, "I am a work in progress just like my art. I love being a stay at home mom, a wife, an artist, and teaching my girls art. I love seeing my same passion for art come out in them."

Melanie shares that there is one particular scripture that she believes in and lives by wholeheartedly:


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"I look forward to seeing my talents develop and where God will lead me next."

Melanie's commitment to and love for her family and being a wonderful stay at home "art mom" has provided great inspiration in the creation of her portrait.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Mini Works






I have been creating these mini-works while adding to the Women Artist Educator portraits. Each piece is on a 5x7" board, and I have used them to test various media and to extend or recycle the materials I have used on any given portrait. The collection of mini-works is growing and I will display these in my exhibition in April.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

An Art Show Without Shoes

The opening reception for the "Women Artist Educators" exhibit will be held on April 5, 2011: One Day Without Shoes. I hope you will join me in raising awareness, by attending my show without shoes or spending your entire day without shoes. Visit TOMS for more information.