Home is Where the Art is (Part II)

Window from my parents' home

Yesterday, I journeyed west to Elgin with my Mom and Pen in tow.  I always enjoy the scenic drive snaking along the Fox River sandwiched between the golden quarry stone fences and stately, aging houses.  As we crossed subsequent main streets that bisect a series of quaint river towns, we talked about life and death and what lies ahead for us in these next months.  Without a doubt I'm feeling inspired by my family's stories and the physical places that help to illustrate them.  I'm interested in how artifacts and places change as time passes and how these material things reveal and are revealed in memories.

Photograph by Bernard J. Kleina

Arriving in downtown Elgin, we crossed the river locating 51 S. Spring St., the headquarters for ArtSpace Elgin where the "Home is Where the Art is" show is being housed.  The show is an art competition which celebrates fair housing.  I had created one piece for the show, but dropped off three because ---why not?  If you get a chance, learn more about it on-line or in person.  ArtSpace Elgin, offers low-income housing for artists and their families.  (Why didn't I think of that?) and Hope, Fair Housing Center advocates on behalf of those suffering housing discrimination.  Needless to say, I'm proud to be part of such a great effort! Below are the pieces I dropped off.

As I drop off work at ArtSpace this week, I pulled down my Prairie Title Show.  It seems like I hung it such a long time ago.  Also this week, I received news that my "Dying Grandma" painting was not accepted for a Brain and Body themed show at Women Made Gallery in Chicago.  I was disappointed, but glad to know that only 20 some pieces were accepted out of 200 plus applicants.  I'm waiting on another application and have another to submit this month.  So, there are exciting prospects on the horizon. 

Home Is Where The Art Is

 And now I will tell you of the vast benefits of reading instructions before you begin.  (Make sure your children are listening)  My artist friend and my Art in the Classroom PTO committee co-chair, Faith, put me in touch with this excellent on-line resouce for artists, actors, and writers.  On previously mentioned resource, I found a couple of shows to which I wanted to apply.  The first being an art show/fundraiser for HOPE Fair Housing Center in Wheaton.  They called for work relating the values of fair housing etc.  I decided to make a piece appropriate for the show and submit it before the March 1st deadline.  I should say that I am also preparing to travel to Miami on March 1st.  So, I'm scrambling to finish this laborious painting in order to prepare for my trip and my kids' going to grandparents etc. etc.  I'm stressing out about the painting feeling the pressure to finish is cramping my style, and in the end, I'm not one hundred percent content.  Oh well, just get it submitted and we'll see what happens.  Upon READING the directions which I had only previously skimmed, I notice there is no need to submit an image of my painting.  Strange, sure, but they also request that I send in a snail mail application instead of a convenient on-line one.  Anyhow, all of that stress was wasted.

I also applied to be in the Body and Mind show at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago.  I submitted my "Grandma Dying" painting.  We'll see what comes from that.  I don't want to sell her, but it would be great to present her to the public and develop my exhibition history.  Yay exhibitions!