First Exhibition

I've never been involved in an exhibition at a gallery or art center-until now. In July I delivered 22 pieces to Outside the Lines Art Gallery in Dubuque, Iowa. A delightful, intimate gallery with owners who are also artists. They helped me through the process and I guess my attitude was, "you have to start somewhere." I just accepted the fact that the pieces I gathered may not be something I would group after I've done a few of these, but I gave myself permission to make mistakes and learn from the experience.

Connie and Stormy, the owners, did a very nice job of displaying them. The other artist, a pastel artist from Galena, Illinois who does colorful, enchanting landscapes of rolling hillsides. The opening proved to be enjoyable. It is quite a different experience to have people comment and ask questions about mywork other than my family members.

In August I participated in a solo exhibition in Charles City at their Art center. Again, the director Nicole did an exceptional job of setting up the exhibition and arranging the opening. I even did my first gallery talk. I'll have to work on that!

Spring visits....

I just spent the weekend delivering a sculpture to an outdoor sculpture display in Sioux City, Iowa (called Sculpt Siouxland) and then painted pedestals and other parts of a new booth display my husband has been helping me with. Besides all of that I actually cleaned my studio and am ready to begin again to get my hands in clay again. In between all the other activities we had I got to spend a bit of time outside with everything in bloom and with my young grandchildren who always remind my by their presence what is really important in life.

The image to the left is the piece we installed this weekend. It's entitled "Just Between Us."

I have an early outdoor art festival this Saturday (May 17).

In the upper right hand corner is a piece I will be taking. See others at lindalewisart.com

Anxious for Spring

It's been cold and snowy all winter in Iowa land. While I welcome the warmth of spring to begin, I've taken advantage of the long evenings and weekends in the studio. I hear there's another storm coming, but I'll take advantage of the time to create as many sculptures as possible so I can enjoy the outdoors when the snow has melted, the days are longer and the sun shines most of the day.

There's got to be a sculpture in that.

News from the studio

Galleries:

New Gallery-Outside the Lines, Dubuque, Iowa

As of March 1st, Outside the Lines will represent my work in this quaint, warm gallery in an historic district in downtown Dubuque. The owners are planning a two person exhibition with Jane Chukus from Galena, Illinois in July and August. The opening will be July 11.

Downtown Chait Gallery- Iowa City, Iowa

March 7th is a gallery crawl in the Iowa City downtown area. Four artists including myself will be featured at the Chait along with some emerging artists from local high schools. I will have 6 new works on display as well as some of my previous works.

From Our Hands-Des Moines, Iowa

This gallery in the East Village, close to the state capital in Des Moines is in a revitalized area with other galleries, boutiques, book stores, places to eat and other interesting shops. At the end of Marh, they will have some of my new works.

Am I the only one, or do others do this too?

This question refers to the near obsession I have of looking at every person for sculpture potential. I do this mostly when I do not have another focus, like when I'm waiting in line or when I'm a bit annoyed with someone and I want to overlook what's annoying me. I look at the general shape of how they're holding their body in relation to the person they're with or the object they're holding. I look at proportions and the angles and surfaces. I think about titles.

Is this what it means to 'think like an artist?' or am I just slightly nutty? I prefer to think of myself as someone who finds themselves in an enviable position. Someone who has enjoyed another profession, but who has yearned to have time and opportunity to create art.