Beth Ann Short MA ATR

2nd Annual Juried Twilight Art Sale

DOD: "If Only..."

Another show is coming to an end and I am with mixed feelings our studio is hosting the HIV/AIDS art show next month.  I say with mixed feelings because I feel strongly about supporting those impacted...but I just wish like everyone else that there was a cure.  I can't believe how quickly time has been moving for me these days...I feel like I was just looking forward to Halloween and here it is closing in on World AIDS Day.  Lately I have been pondering how I have been spending time and re-evaluating...prioritizing...restructuring.  I am not one to look at regret in life, however there are times when I wish I had more effectively used time.  Another aspect of our lives that sometimes may seem out of control...but really can be controlled.

DOD: "If only..."

Today think about an "if only..." 

Is there a time when you wish had made a different choice, said/not said something...The choices we make every day have the potential to bring an array of emotions into our life, good and bad.  It is not realistic to think we can avoid the more uncomfortable feelings, however how we react to these experiences...that we can change.  Getting into thinking about the "if only..." holds us back from working with what we have.  These "if only's" stack up, reminding us of something that really is out of our control. 

Today create a piece of art/word stream of consciousness style including "if only's" that have been weighting you down.  Spend less then 15 minutes on this...NO longer.

When you are finished reflect on it...and then rip it up.  If you are in a place where you can contain it...and are responsible with fire...burn it.  This simple action is to symbolize you letting these moments go and being in the present. 

story & sculpture

An excellent story about an ant god

Nice work!

DOD: Change

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.

~Andy Warhol

Change will come whether you want it or not... throughout life we pass milestones and look forward to the next.  

Sometimes (usually) it isn't what we expected.  

Sometimes we want others to change, but we can't make them.  

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." 

~ Mahatma Gandhi

We have to be brave to make "the" change.

What do you want to change in your life?

Remember the other day when we did a dod (drawing/journal of the day) about control?  

This is your chance to imagine being the change.

Before you draw...write single words around the edge of your paper for a few minutes leaving the center blank  These should be words that have been inspired by thinking about change.  

After you have written the words choose one to develop into your dod in the center of the sheet. Pick the one that seems the most approachable.  

Start with a scribble and see where it goes.  

Change begins when we imagine it, drawing it makes it more real...implementing it becomes more approachable.

Give it a try!  Make a change in your life today.

Drawing/journal of the Day: Control

Control...

We all want to feel control in our lives, but let's face it.  Sometimes it can be lost in the many details and tasks we give our selves.  BUT there it is..."tasks we give our selves."  Control ultimately comes back to us.Today I begin a series of excercises where I (and I hope you dear reader) will engage in an creative journey.  Today I begin to put up prompts for a drawing/journal entries.  These should be quick entries.  If you are using written word, remember to go stream of consciousness style...if you are drawing, use your choice of media.  If you enjoy this process, come back and see what prompts come next.  I am going to put them up throughout the days...but they will also be different.

Why should you do this?

Think of this as an opportunity to bring creativity into your thought process more often.  The more you try the more often creativity becomes part of your brain's process

Do you have 5-10 minutes?

I bet you do...but it comes back to our first theme...  control

Before you begin, for just one moment think about something in your life that you feel you have absolute control over, a menial task.  One that when you do it, the actions are second nature and you are able to completely trust you instincts to make this happen.  It could be as simple as, making your own breakfast or putting gas in your car or brushing your teeth.

When you pick the task...think for a moment about what it feels like to do something so effortlessly...with such confidence that you trust your actions to achieve the end result.

When you get here...I want you to draw about an object that is instrumental in this process OR if you are writing...write about the tools that you use.  You can use both words and images if you'd like...

The rest of the day and onward...remember that this tool is a symbol of how many tools that are available to you in the world.  Tools to help make your experiences easier. 
Throughout your days remember to access your tools...

OH and a very important rule to remember...
There is no wrong way to do art, as long as you are safe with materials...

cubist cat & Luken

This piece was created during the Picasso No School Art Studio day last week.

All the youth transformed found objects to create a Cubist sculpture.

Illustration as a Career? A Workshop with Brie Spangler

Have you ever thought about becoming an illustrator or maybe even writing children's books?

We are fortunate to have creator Brie Spangler in our studio this month.  She is working with kids in our Wednesday after-school class, but she is also doing an interactive lecture for those interested in the possibility of illustration as a career...

Illustration as a Career?
Leader: Brie Spangler
This two part workshop is for adults and older teens who are interested in Illustration as a career choice.  Topics covered in this will include:
*Defining your style
*Streamlining your portfolio to attract art directors to your particular niche
*Planning, budgeting & executing worthwhile self-promotion
*Managing your business
In day two, Spangler will fconduct a question and answer portion as well as look at portfolios of participants.
Saturday & Sunday November 14th & 15th from 1-3pm both days
Cost: $70
Members: $60

More inforamation on Spangler can be found http://www.briespangler.com/ and at Random House here...

Brie Spangler is an author-illustrator originally from the Boston area. She loves clambakes, baseball, and her Pekingese, Lola.  A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she has almost 10 years experience working as a professional illustrator for various publishers and products.  When not drawing pictures, she can be found avoiding direct sunlight, drinking too much coffee, and snuggling with her husband, Matt.

First Friday: Pilgrimage TONIGHT

This First Friday come and share a personal journey with the artists in this group show.
Friday, November 6th from 6-9pm
Show Dates: November 6-29th

Live music by Aaron Bacca
Fun for all ages!

Artists in this showing include:

Lesley Atlansky
Carlos Rosario Ageros
Robin Ator
Don Fox
Lindsey Grant
Schel Harris
Ron Hendrick 
Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence 
Keysa Lawrence 
Rich Mackin
Heather Parsons
Jodhi Reis 
Joan Schweizer Hoff 
Noelle Scott
Megan Weirich 
Brennan Wood
Elizabeth Youngs 

In partnership with The Dougy Center:

The Dougy Center was founded in 1982 and our pioneering grief support model has been replicated in over 500 sites throughout the U.S. and into Africa, Asia, Australia , Europe, and South America . We currently serve over 380 children, teens, young adults, and their parents each month at our Portland , Canby, and Hillsboro locations. Our staff conduct trainings on grief and loss and interventions following deaths in schools or the community. The Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations; families are never charged a fee.   

On Father's Day 2009, June 21st, The Dougy Center's home of 21 years, a beautiful white 1922 house on SE 52nd was destroyed by an arsonist. The building, one of our 3 locations, served about 80% of our families and housed 8 of our 12 staff. We have rented a temporary home for program services at 2228 NE Glisan , and our staff will operate out of renovated quarters next to the destroyed building as we begin the rebuilding process. The fire did not destroy our mission, our hope, or our resolve to serve children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a loss through death.   

Wine tasting with Hip Chicks Do Wine!