2010 in a Nutshell: A so-so year in review

2010, what can I say...not my best year, but not my worst either.

Good things that happened: I had a successful solo show. I went whale watching in Mexico and got to touch whales, even a baby one! Both my kids graduated. My daughter got into the art college of her dreams. My son started high school and is still there. I (nervously) did an overhead presentation of drawings about my life. I made some rocking mosaics. I started teaching again. I'm still married, and better yet, I still really love my husband. I got 6 more chickens. I rode a horse for the first time after being afraid to my whole life. I'm healthy. I started baking (big time). I made some new friends. I drove by myself from Portland to San Jose (this is kind of a major one, I used to be afraid to drive in unknown territory and I don't really like cars). I'm still making art, everyday.

Bad things that happened: My dad passed away. I got a little bit fat. My daughter moved away to go to college. I got bi-focals. I started teaching again.

So the good outweighs the bad, mostly, except for the dad part. I hope they're right about the whatever doesn't kill you, business.

What I hope to accomplish in 2011: Overcome another fear (snakes, public restrooms, knitting?), make more clay art, learn again to throw pots, start my illustrated novel (really, its about love, revenge and PTSD), sell enough art so I don't have to teach much, get rid of my little bit of fatness, grow lots of things, smile more, be patient and don't fight with others, love, make creme brulee, sleep 8 hours a night, actually write my blog every now and then.

Upcoming Shows (more on this soon):

"The Bird Show "
January 8 - February 6
Cactus Gallery
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041 - 323.256.6117

"Love Crazy"
Jan. 24th to Feb. 15th
Psycho Donuts in Campbell.
reception: Sat. Feb. 5th from 10AM to 3PM.

Image above: "I'll Rip Your Head Off (Bitch)" 2010

Kaleid Gallery's Rockin' Stocking Holiday Show and Sale!

Please join me December 3rd for Kaleid Gallery's A Rockin' Stocking Holiday Show and Sale! I've been making all kinds of new paintings, mixed media on wood and even some weird Christmas ornaments for this event. It will be opening during December's First Friday with a reception from 7-9pm. I'll be there...come say hi and see what I've been up to!

KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street (between San Fernando & Santa Clara)
Downtown San Jose
www.KALEIDGallery.com

Illustration Friday: Slither

This is a piece I did for one of my favorite collectors Oliver Wessel of his pet corn snake who is actually called El Diablo. So this one is aptly named "Dancing with El Diablo".

"SEE HERE" solo show at Kaleid Gallery Friday, June 4th

See Here, I have a show of new work coming to Kaleid Gallery on First Friday, June 4th. Included in the show will be loads of new paintings, some sculpture, a few of my "boyfriend " dolls and some really cool mosaic pieces that I'm really excited about! There will be live music and tasty vittles and of course me, please try and come by and say hi, I'll be there from 6-9pm.

In "See Here" I'm exploring the idea of telling someone off, letting them in on how you feel, letting your opinion be known, while at the same time saying "see, here, see inside my heart, feel what I'm feeling". My work is about emotion, its about what people think about but never say or about what you've said but wish you hadn't or about how actions speak more than words. Its a look both inside and outside your senses. My quirky, naive style is intentionally childlike, alphabet blocks spell out heart breaking messages and words packed with emotional heat are scrawled in brightly painted backgrounds. Our relationships with one another, and with the world around us are put under the microscope and seen through a simple eye, see here, it is what it is.

The opening also takes place during the SubZero Festival a DIY event of art, music and culture in Downtown San Jose. Please come see me first, then go enjoy the festival, it goes until midnight. I'll be there too!

www.subzerofestival.com

"See Here," continues through July 9th.

Hope to see you on

June 4th!

Kaleid Gallery

www.kaleidgallery.com

88 South 4th Street

San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 947-1785

Illustration Friday: Fearless

Wrestling your heart away from someone is always an act of fearlessness.

Mark your Calendar: Two New Shows this Spring!

What better excuse to blow off dishes and laundry and especially cleaning the bathroom than to make art! I have 2 shows coming up in May and June and have been in the studio everyday working my little (ok big, I have man hands) fingers to the bone making art.

The first show is called "Delicious" at Studio Gallery in San Francisco. If you haven't been to this great little gallery, you're missing out! The directors Jennifer and Rab are amazing and have a great eye for some awesome Bay Area artists. I've bought a few pieces in there, I just can't help myself. Two of my favorites are Bill Dunlap and Richard Benbrook. Anyways "Delicious" is a show all about art inspired by food and drink, I've done 4 pieces for this show, including this one, which is kind of a self portrait entitled "If You're not Careful".


Delicious at Studio Gallery
www.studiogallerysf.com
1815 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 931-3130
Opening Reception: Sunday, May 9, 2-6pm
The show runs through June 6th

The other show is a SOLO Show! Yes you heard it here first! Well, there's actually 2 solo shows going on simultaneously at Kaleid Gallery in June, I just happen to be one of them. I'm going all out on this one. In addition to a selection of new small paintings, I've been working on slab clay and mosaic pieces, art dolls, canvasses and some clay sculpture. I'm still trying to think of a title for the show. I have a long list of possibilities but nothing's jumped out at me yet, I'll keep you posted. The show opens on June 4th, which is First Friday in Downtown San Jose & there's an artwalk so all the galleries will have openings. There will be tasty vittles and live music and I'll probably do some serious baking, which is actually something I'm quite good at. If you're local please try and come! In any case my studio looks like a bomb went off but I'm making lots of progress with my clay work...I can't wait to fire and glaze these puppies. The pieces below will be assembled with broken tiles and the like, I'm really excited about these!

Kaleid Gallery

www.kaleidgallery.com

88 South 4th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 947-1785
Opening Reception; Friday June 4th 7-9pm
The show runs through June 26th

I Murphymae has a blog!

SJMA Member's Auction
I've just donated this piece on the left called "Open Up", to the San Jose Museum of Art's member's auction which will happen on Friday April 24th. Its open to the public on April 25th & 26th.
For more info:
http://www.sjmusart.org/a3/

Girl Power!
Lots of new paintings are evolving in my studio, lots about girlie stuff. I have a show coming up called "Girl Power" at South 1st Street Billiards in Downtown San Jose with fellow fab females Christine Benjamin, Lacey Bryant & Lara Sophia. The show starts at 8pm on April 3rd. http://www.heartofchaos.net/girl-power-art-show.html

Open Studio
I'll also be doing Open Studios again this year. Last year was a blast at artist Katy Kindig's house, but this year I've decided to open up my home studio. Stop by the weekend May 9th & 10th from 10am-5pm to see my studio and what I'm working on. I'll be joined by my friend Christine Benjamin who will be showing her fun paintings!
For more info and directions:
http://www.svos.org/artist.php?id=1708