20/20 VISION: A Retrospective+

Japan Quartet (mixed media collage)

Exorcism (mixed media) and Sando Sign (willow and handmade paper)

Sands, Signs, Symbols: Western Journeys (handmade paper installation)

The Durango Arts Center is presenting work of 20+ artists with 20+ years of involvement with DAC. Everyone submitted 3 older works and 1 new work. My older works have been shown in the three previous locations of the Arts Center starting in 1983. The Japan Quartet is dated 2009. The exhibit opened August 7 with a reception and continues till September 4, 2009.

PAPER NARRATIVES

Language Bound (artists'book)

The above work is included in this invitational exhibition featuring 2 & 3-dimensional works on or of paper by artists concerned with narrative as both a visual & a conceptual element of their work.

Curated by Alicia Bailey at The Abecedarian Gallery in Denver's Art District on Santa Fe. July 30-September 5...first Friday reception August 7, 6-8 p.m.

MEREDITH NEMIROV WORKSHOP

I enjoyed the workshop "Artist's Sketchbooks: Classic and Contemporary" given by artist Meredith Nemirov this past Saturday. Meredith is exhibiting in the Art Library at the Durango Arts Center this summer. Lots of drawing and inspiration for me as I embark on a new direction in my art. Link to Meredith's website to see her interpretations of nature and the aspen tree in particular.

Barbara and Janet confer with Meredith Nemirov (right)

CAROL BARTON'S WORKSHOP

Thinking back on happenings in June, the Friends of the Art Library at the Durango Arts Center sponsored a very "happening" workshop on paper engineering, given by Carol Barton of Glen Echo, Maryland. All kinds of pop-up and movable paper structures were taught and everyone in the workshop went home loaded with lots of models, ideas and inspiration. For more information link to Carol's blog.

Participants Deborah and Amy

Carol Barton

NOVEL CONSTRUCTIONS: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS CREATE MONUMENTAL BOOKS

A review by Shirle Gottlie from Art Scene, California

"Novel Constructions" (through August 16 at Long Beach Museum of Art) consists of eight large scale constructions by six female artists who work within in the "book art" genre. Yes, these are essentially books, but no, you cannot grab any off the shelf to hold them in your hands. Most literally, you will encounter an oversized book. But then there is a room papered over with diary pages, pages formed into a large sacred ring, the text of the "Odyssey" cut up and reshaped into a labyrinth. Lots of "Wow" in this show.

Excerpt from the review in July newsletter of Art Scene, California

You have to see "Detritus" to believe it, only to discover that the facts behind Mary Ellen Long's installation are as exciting as the finished project. Using essential ingredients from nature, Long has created a faux forest that stretches the length of the gallery. Lying on the floor of this make-believe wilderness are seven handmade paper books constructed from decomposing paper. Displayed among fallen leaves, they lay opened at the base of cast-paper trees that range from 1 to 7 feet tall. Every year for the past 18 years, Long stacked pages of handmade paper outside her Colorado studio before it snowed. In the spring, after the snow has melted, she retrieves the paper and goes to work. Noting the transformation that has taken place due to nature, time, and decay. Long uses the paper as material to recreate her forest scene, time, and decay. Now, almost two decades later, "Detritus" culminates her annual ritual, as well as an exceptional exhibition.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Books from the Japan Journal Journey Box, 2009

JULY AND AUGUST WORKSHOPS in my home studio.

July 18 - Papermaking - basic "kitchen " techniques, western and eastern style methods, emphasis on local fibers

August 1 - Collage - basic techniques, understanding of adhesives

August 8 - Book Arts - review of all styles, bindings and sculptural forms with hands-on learning

August 22 - Eco-Art - visualizing environmental at, tour of artist's outdoor art, opportunity to create your own "nature art" 9-3 - $50.

The first three workshops are from 10-4 and cost $65. which includes all materials. The workshops are for beginning to experienced. Small classes will allow consultation on individual projects.

sign-up through my email wmelart@yahoo.com

DURANGO ARTS CENTER ANNUAL JURIED SHOW

Winter Pressing 08-09: Writing

This year's exhibit was juried by Shelley Horton-Trippe of Santa Fe, New Mexico. My accepted work used a variety of media (charcoal, sand, sumi ink, conte crayon, and scorch on natural-altered paper). The theme refers to nature's markings, automatic writing and written language: emergence, development, and disappearance. The reception was Friday, June 5. The show runs until June 27.

HIGH FIBER

Encyclopedia

One of my handmade paper-wrapped books from the Encyclopedia series is part of the exhibit HIGH FIBER at the Conrad Wilde Gallery in Tucson, Arizona. The show runs from June 6th to July 25th. The reception is Saturday, June 6th from 6-9 p.m. The Guest Curator was Catherine Nash. I am sorry not be be able to attend the reception. A catalog will be available and can be purchased by calling 520-622-8997.

THE BOOK: WIDE OPEN

Winter Pressing 03-04

Language Found

Pages Flying


Three of my book works were chosen by Lin Fife, curator for "The Book: Wide Open". The exhibit will be held in the Hagnauer Gallery at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs ( adjacent to Colorado Springs), Colorado. It runs May 22 to June 27 with the opening reception May 22.

COLORADO ART RANCH'S SEX & SENSIBILITY ARTPOSIUM IN TRINIDAD , COLORADO

Trinidad, Colorado

Located south of Wasenberg on I-25 near the New Mexico border, known for the Gender Reassignment Surgery Department in the local hospital

Leaving Durango for Trinidad

A van full of nomads: (l to r) Karen Pittman, Ron Ozaki, Carol Ozaki, Mary Ellen

Carol at reception

We registered at the First Street Gallery, in downtown Trinidad where a reception took place that featured Santa Fe, NM artists responding to the theme of Sex & Sensibility. The resident artists, part of Colorado Art Ranch program, exhibited their work also.

Sculpture garment of Christine Comeau

Carol and Ron and 2 others were part of the fun, wearing Christine's creation.

Resident artists

(l to r) Christine Comeau, Quebec, Sculpture; Greg Larson, Michigan, painter; Kristen Iverson, Memphis, writer; Zoe Childerly, UK, photography.

The artposium featured presenters/speakers, Charles Baxter, writer from Minneapolis; Dr. Marci Bowers, Trans-gender Surgeon of Trinidad; Mark Newport, fiber artist from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan; Laura Pritchett, author/editor, Northern Colorado; Joe Quirk, author of "It's Not You, It's Biology" from California.

Saturday we listened to a talk by Joe Quirk, "Sperm-Spreaders vs. Egg-Protectors", followed by Mark Newport's "Alter Egos" that focused on his knitted super heroes. The afternoon contained breakout sessions making wire sculptures with Katy Haas, Writing Sex Well with Laura Pritchett, and a follow-up "Sex with Joe". That evening we viewed "Trinidad, the Film" followed by music at the La Quinta. Sunday featured Dr. Marci Bowers "A Transgender Natural History" talk which provided insight into the transgender experience. This was a very informative and impressive presentation. Charlie Baxter talked about his work weaving sex, love, etc. throughout his novels and stories. I have attended 4 other Artposiums, presented by Colorado Art Ranch and presented at the Durango spot. All in all this Artsposium was one of the best yet relative to the quality of the presenters and uniqueness of the subject.

For more information on the Colorado Art Ranch and future artposiums and residencies, please use the link on this blog.