Light, Sound, Voices, Art…

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One week ago today, a group of talented artists and friends at The Freight Street Art Gallery were adding the finishing touches to an art show and fundraiser in Waterbury CT.  I tried to help out here and there during the weeks before the show, but it was apparent from the beginning i was in a bit over my head.  I love art, but i have no clue how one goes about organizing a fundraiser, or art show.  The friends made it look easy… recruiting volunteer musicians, readers, artists… gathering donations, scheduling the evening’s events…creating the overall atmosphere of the event. I was like a dear in headlights. I had no idea how i could contribute.  But I did the best i could to help and hesitantly donated some art.

Ollie at Freight Street

As the hours before the event unfolded, the tables of food and raffle items were tidied and fluffed, the art was arranged, and the space was seamlessly transformed.   I had no idea what would happen, or what the evening would bring… and I didn’t know how powerfully it would resonate.  The evening was a huge success, i met some of the loveliest people, I learned a ton, and I experienced one spectacular, magical evening.The people, the cause, the light, the music, Ollie, the voices, the art…

Thank you again Freight Street. Awesome. Cheers!

x.o.

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Recently I had the opportunity meet some really nice people at an art gallery in CT and check out the space where they work and get creative.  I heard about the Freight Street Art Gallery a few times and and got interested in a show/fundraiser they are putting on in March.  I wanted to see if i could contribute to it it some way, but i don’t really go out and socialize too much.  I am more of a solo flyer, an introvert that loves the comfort of solitude, animals, and yoga, and the company of my dearest friends and family. I am drawn to the anonymity of the internet and the possibilities it provides artists to learn and find success doing what they love.

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But one day i was just like, screw it…try something different once in a while, erica.   i stopped in to the gallery a few times to learn more about the upcoming fundraiser show, and see what else they do there.  I would consider submitting some art for a fundraiser, because hey, that’s worth a try if it can be part of something like that.

But then i start thinking about why i make the things i make.   I would love to make money from art, but mostly so i can have an excuse to do it all the time.  I am not in a reasonable position to quit my job to pursue my passion full time, so the only way for me to achieve that possibility, is to figure out a way to make money from it and other creative endeavors.  Maybe i will make that happen, and maybe i won’t.  but during what’s left of my week i must commit to working in my studio, taking pictures, writing, or learning about something… taking any step toward achieving the life i long for.  I have to force myself to devote the time to it, even if I am tired, or busy, or lacking inspiration from the past 20 years of uniforms or a cubicles.  I have to commit to it, or i am not OK.

Whenever i have a chance, I’ll go in my studio, get cozy and just see what comes out.  For the most part, I make art that simply makes me feel happy.  I make things that i would want in my own home.  Freight Street put on a show last night, and when i heard about the theme… Pizza…  i knew i would be going.  Cheesie Dream was going to be right up my alley. (food art… my crazy obsession).  I didn’t plan on submitting anything, even though the people there encouraged me to try it.

One evening,I started a sketch for the heck of it, laid it out on a piece of wood, and then instinctively added it to my floor sculpture of unfinished paintings before i shut down the studio.  I was quitting again.  But i then i realized i just had to finish it. This once, i had to finish something.  I picked it up again, and there was no turning back.  I was finishing it.  I stayed up the entire night, and nearly finished the painting, but then i had to take a shower and go to work. (wah).  When i got home that night, i put on a few finishing touches, knowing it still wasn’t truly finished, and terrified to put my stuff out there to be seen and judged (or worse, not noticed) by art enthusiasts.  Again, i almost stuck it back in the pile of works in progress.  but then i finally talked myself into bringing down to submit.  I asked myself… do i like it?  Would i put it in my own home?  Sure. So I humbly brought it down to gallery… and handed it over.

The next evening W made some pizza for dinner and headed over to the show.  It was amazing. Not the pizza (that was definitely edible)… i mean the art show.  I don’t find a lot this artsy stuff where i live, but if you are always on the lookout for it, you’ll find it. We made our way inside the old factory doorway, and it was like magic.  The main gallery had transformed from a state of chaos and creative madness, into a warm, magical space filled with fantastic live music, wine, interesting chatter, art and of course… pizza everywhere you turned.

With all the talk about guns and violence lately… with all the road rage in the wake of storm Nemo… i just had bring some color and peaceful vibes to the world.  That’s how my pizza art evolved.

IMG_0802Thanks for the good time, Freight Street.

xo, skyblue

Street art found…

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Waiting for my doc appointment, which was 72 minutes ago, and trying to make constructive use of my time. Learning how to WordPress from my phone. So her goes…

It’s hard to find street art in Connecticut, but when I find it I like to stop and take a closer look. This used to be a motorcycle dealership… Now it’s art. Enjoy!

Xo skyblue

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Coffee and Daydreams

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IMG_9306Some afternoons, when I just sit with my thoughts, and breath…IMG_9190I find myself in little orange studio, sipping a perfect cup of coffee from my favorite mug… sunbeams raining on my two sweet purring cats.   My road rage is replaced by thoughts of those i love.  I realize i am pretty. And all at once, i remember a thousand of my happiest childhood moments.  I get a glimpse of what i ache for most in life.

I suddenly realize how much of it I already have.

thank you to everyone who believes in me.

xo skyblue

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skyblue sunday

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well, we finally took the i-plunge…complete with his and hers Otters.

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Besides Pandora, a few word games and texts, i am not attached to it much. But when i  have some free time, it’s all about the camera apps.  As my handful of Facebook followers (who may or may not have been bribed) may have noticed, i can get a little carried away with the Instagram sometimes.  I don’t post anything for weeks, and then i go ape-Sh*t.  I can’t help myself.  Especially on Sundays, or days off when i get a chance to be home doing skyblue stuff.  Morning coffee, cats lounging, heaps of pancakes… real exciting stuff, i know.  I basically don’t have a meal without capturing it in Toaster.   It’s just a fun way to say “thank you” to the universe.  I am sure i could get a lot more art done, and a lot more housework, if i didn’t spend so much time Instagraming.   But since i did, you might as well enjoy…

http://instagram.com/skybluewithdaisies

Happy New Year.

xo, skyblue.

Let’s stop for a moment, as Autumn light fades.

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Summer is long gone.  Fall is nearly devoid of all color.  New England is known for its breathtaking foliage and autumn wonder, but the window is small.  It feels like i blinked and the color was gone.  Last weekend, I knew it would be my last chance of the year to enjoy the warm sunshine and colors in my yard.  Tiny still-lifes everywhere. I didn’t want these moments it to go unappreciated and forgotten.

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Sure enough, here it is the following weekend, and the grey veil has settled upon us.  The sky is drab, the blossoms are shriveled, and the trees are almost bare.  Sandy threatens to wipe out what remains.  It will be cold and grey for the next five months.  Goodbye color and light…for now.  This is where art comes in.

“Dawn’s Garden” sky blue

Stay safe in the storm.

xo skyblue