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

Happy Twenty Ten!

"Sneaking a Beer" mixed media on wood 2010

Happy 2010?
You're not serious, January is just about over and I'm just getting started on the new year? Well, yeah. I guess I needed a few weeks to catch up on old 2010, think about what's up for me this year and even make a few resolutions. For one, stop procrastinating, get on the ball Murph! Like this blog for example, writing it was supposed to be fun, but it's become a chore like the ding dang dishes. All that is going to change I tell you! New blog posts galore in 2010! Number two, I need to get outta my pj's before noon...or four, a shower would be a good idea as well, and scrubbing the paint out of my fingernails and off my elbows might be a nice change. Numero three, just because I'm an artist doesn't mean I have to have a messy house. I'll attempt to keep the art in the studio and not on every flat surface in the house. I'm purdy lucky to make art for a living, sure beats other jobs that I've had like teaching comedy traffic school or my one day stint as a 1-900 phone "actress"...so it's time to get with the program!

New Stuff:

I'm now showing at Azuca Gallery in Los Gatos, there's a nice little window display of my work happening now..thanks Amy! The address is 11 1/2 Santa Cruz Ave in downtown Los Gatos. Check out the brand new originals and prints there!


"Be Mine" mixed media on paper 2010

There's a Valentine show at Psycho Donuts called "Tainted Love," that I'm currently working on new pieces for. Bring your sweetie out for a donut and some art Valentine's morning for a cool little reception to start your day. Check out the event on their blog The Psycho Buzz: http://psychodonuts.blogspot.com/

Upcoming in March is the Sketchbook show at Kaleid Gallery, you'll get a chance to peruse through my sketchbook along with I think 30 other artists, and see some killer art...more on that later. I will also be participating in the "Food" show at Studio Gallery in San Francisco, I'm thinking bacon and borscht.

I'm still working with Lizard Skin Studios on a public art piece in Milpitas, where we've erected a 20 foot steel tree and are hanging strands of recycled objects from it. We're still looking for CDs and bottle-caps, give me a holler if you have any! I'm also busy making clay forms for some new projects in the works for Sacramento and one in Poland!

Thats all for now...off to work, work, work!