Peach Coglo

Thinking of Summer and Fall

It's 29 degrees outside and the ground is still covered with snow from the blizzard.  It looks like we might be in for some more snow this weekend.  Nonetheless, I am thinking of summer, fall and two shows I need to populate with some art-a summer show and Hartford Open Studio Weekend-trying to get some art ideas and plans together.  For the first time, I am actually planning and making way ahead of time.  Usually due to child care, Greg's work schedule and life, I don't get started until mid to late summer-not cool, so not cool. 

Having a space of my own and the youngest going to preschool for 2 hours, four days per week helps-tremendously.   The difference is unbelievable.  I get some time to recover from the barrage of words and movement from such a full family life.  Being an introvert, I could always use more time and thinking space, but for now I will be grateful for what I can get, etch out more time where I can, and meet myself where I am.

I read this recently and had to "pin" it.  It's so true and a very nice reminder for when I slide off track or when I am feeling overwhelmed and behind (whatever  or wherever behind is).

So in the spirit of preparation and putting art at the core of my life, I am presently working on some Harry Potter inspired concepts for Open Studio, along with some other ideas.  I am thinking a lot about symbols and myth lately.  We'll see how it turns out.

So what are you creating time for in your life?

The Aetna Show-Part One

January and February have been very full and exciting months.  Due to the generosity of The Aetna, Cynthia, and Artists in Real Time, I hung my first solo art show!  Squee!  Cynthia, the marvelous coordinator of Hartford's Open Studio Weekend, invited me to exhibit at The Aetna's gallery.  I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity!   It is a splendid thing that The Aetna provides such an amazing opportunity for artists to exhibit their work.  

My work will remain at The Aetna for the entire month of February.  At the end of the show, I'll attend a "meet and greet" where I'll be talking to folks about my art and fun things in general.  It's always fun to meet people and learn about their interests.  So far gallery visitors have enjoyed the show so it will be great to talk to them in person.

I better get back to my work, but I wanted to share some of the completed pieces that are being exhibited right now.

 

Hulled

 

Seconds

The Workday Begins

and finally Plimoth Kitchen

 

Have a great weekend.  I hope it is filled with lots of relaxation and time to create !

So I've Been Painting

Whew! what a whirlwind.  I have been trying to find my rhythm lately or as Amanda wisely put it, "let the rhythm find me".  It's slow going, but I think I see something approaching a rhythm coming at me.

We are in the midst of acclimating to middle school-things are going very well and Doran's teacher is simply awesome.  Eden loves her preschool.  Helena and Elijah seem to be feeling fine about third grade, although there is some question of whether the spelling homework is effective.  Nutcracker Season has definitely started (and with a fundraiser too).

Hmm, so we are having a bit of the fall autism nerves/anxiety-happens every year.  This makes for late nights and some impulsive behaviors.  I think (hope) we are starting to come down from it.  Elijah is enjoying his weekend robot class.  Helena is rehearsing (already) and selling pies, plants, cookie dough and ads.  She definitely enjoys all of that.  This is good thing because mama is not the one.  Also, since it is her gig, I think she should be mostly responsible for it while Greg and I help when needed.

I have been painting - a lot.  I have been painting while Eden is at school and when I can squeeze some time in on the weekends.  Some paintings I like and some look a little craptastic.  I am trying to quiet my mind as I paint.  It helps to have a quiet mind if you want to be creative.  I am imagining some new things to make for the November Open Studio, while trying simultaneously not to freak out (you know the whole quiet mind thing).  There are thoughts of moving this blog to Wordpress, selling on line and breathing life into some creative sparks.  There are a lot of ideas swirling and crashing around in my head, as I try to remember to make dinner, attend meetings, make sure people have clean underwear (including moi) and pay attention to my family.

There are thoughts of Christmas and the need to adjust some of the making to conform to the new ryhthm(?) around here.  I am in the Knitting (and Blogging) Hall o' Shame lately.  You don't even want to know how long I took to finish a thumb for a mitt.  Here's a hint; I am almost done-just shameful.

But in better news, here's a painting I like.

 

What have you been up to lately? Oh and before I take off to catch up with this day, I wanted to let those of you who asked, I am writing up a post about the psychic table.  It involves spirits, intution and green.  It was very intriguing.  Thanks for your interest and questions.

I wish you an awesome Monday and that it gives you a gentle start to the week!

xo,

Ang

 

 

 

Mysterious

A couple of weekends ago (um yeah I am that far behind in my blogging, moving on now), I participated in my local art league's juried show.  I checked out the art, helped man the psychic table (that was one of the most interesting volunteer jobs I have had in a while).  We participated in some traditional Chinese dances.  The kiddos painted panels for an art mural and made ribbons.  That was definitely fun, but it was also fun watching my girl do her thing with sidewalk chalk. 

On a whim, Helena entered a chalk competition.  She named her piece Mysterious.  She didn't have much variety in the way of chalk colors, but I thought she rocked it out.  Apparently the judges did too because she won her age division.  Sweet!  The prize was a gift certificate to a local Mexican cafeteria-style restaurant.  The best thing was seeing how proud she was to win.  Helena treated the family to some tasty Mexican food.  We had a fun celebration.  I think she is still shining from that win.  It's cool to watch her feel competent and able.  I never would've tried entering an art contest at her age.  Cheers to the next generation!

Happy Monday friends!

September Already?!

Unbelievable where the time has gone. . . .  Summer was good but not exactly what I had planned.  There was much time spent painting in the studio-halleluyer for that!  I'll be sharing what I made I haven't scanned them yet so it's slightly fuzzy pics for now). 

Greg took on painting all of the bedrooms and he installed a new floor for our back porch.  Oh it is so much better.  The floor used to be covered with the grossest outdoor/indoor carpet you have ever seen or tried to walk across.  I should have taken pictures of it.  Now we need to paint the porch to our liking.  Hmm what else?  Doran has been making up rhyming words and poetry.  Eden has been carting around her invisible friend, Ardold (this is the best spelling of the name I can muster).  Helena has been dancing at ballet camp and is gearing up for her ballet classes and The Nutcracker.  I am in disbelief that rehearsals start in three, count 'em, three weeks!  Elijah has been building and programming his robot (it was expensive but so worth it; thanks for pitching in Mom!).  That thing can really get going.  It reminds me of those horror films when toys come alive and chase people in the dark.

So now it's time to adjust to a new studio, school and activity schedule, to put a few tomatoes by, start those Christmas projects and get back to my long-neglected knitting.

It's so good to be back in this space and I will be stopping by to visit you too.

xo,

Ang

Flying Jellyfish

Ah Boston.  Recently my mom treated me and the girls to a Day Out.  Thanks Mom!  We rode a ferry to Salem, MA for a quick visit.  After returning to Boston, we took a break at a crazy fountain near the aquarium.  The water shot up pretty high and the steam hissed; it was a pretty good effect and I was able to practice my water shots.  I would love to go back at night.  I am sure the light and the water would be spectacular.

 

I really enjoyed this fountain.  The water looked like flying jellyfish which is pretty cool as long as jellyfish don't really fly.  Could you imagine?  Eegh.  I have this thing about jellyfish.  I am simultaneously drawn to and disgusted by them.  That's probably why I am working on a jellyfish series of paintings.  Go figure.  Anyhoo,  I watched the fountain long enough to realize that the water basically makes sculptures in the sky.  I love it.  There is nothing like flying jellyfish sky sculptures.

Have a terrific weekend my friends.

Photographic Friday ~ Fifty-five

From time to time, I'll be posting photographs-exploration of time, space and being.  It's still kind of Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs. They still aren't perfect, and I am still enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice. If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link.

My oh my is this super full summer speeding right along.  I don't think I have ever experienced such a speedy summer and here I planned to have a super duper slow summer.   I've decided to not be grumpy about it, but to go along for the ride.  I do think this might be the new reality for a while. We've been reorganizing the house, painting several rooms, visiting family, reading, (no knitting unfortunately but there has been more studio time; I'll be sharing from my sketchbook as soon as I get my fuzzy pics uploaded), planning chore schedules, gardening, and just living this life.

How I have missed talking to you all in this space.  I will pop in to your spaces as often as I can, although I may not be able to "chat" as much as I have in the past.  As Ted once stated, "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K." 

I hope your summer is treating you well; have a wonderful weekend! 

Photographic Friday ~ Fifty-four

From time to time, I'll be posting photographs-exploration of time, space and being.  It's still kind of Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs. They still aren't perfect, and I am still enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice. If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link.

 

Whew

We are back to "normal"-well mostly.  It feels good to be back in this space and starting my summer.  I sure did miss everyone!  Thanks for your understanding and sweet comments.  I hope everyone is settling into summer and getting some relaxation.  We are trying out new recipes, chores for the kiddos (it turns out Elijah likes mopping the floor), and taking advantage of opportunities to create-basic day to day stuff.  I still envision a relaxing summer filled with knitting, Christmas gift-making, reading, and more time in my studio. 

Speaking of art, I've been toying with new-to-me ideas and inspiration-thinking about color a lot.  Here's my latest:

Have a great day!

 

 

Doran's Art Show

Please excuse me while I gush a bit about my boy.  A few weeks ago Doran received a letter from our town inviting him to an art reception where his work would be featured.  It turns out Doran's art teacher, Ms. H, entered his painting into a town-wide contest.  This contest is held only every two years.  Doran received a blue ribbon and his work will become part of our town's permanent collection.  I am truly amazed by Doran's talent, passion (he gets intense about his painting) and skill and so happy for him!  Doran has worked spectacularly hard and his teachers have worked along side him, pushing and encouraging him. 

We attended the reception at Town Hall.  We saw Doran's painting and the other beautiful works that will also be a part of the town's collection.  It was wonderful to watch all of the children get up and receive their certificates.  It was such an honor.  I could tell Doran was very proud!  Seeing that just made my year-to see his pride.  So often our kiddos who live with autism don't have the opportunity to feel competent about even the most basic of things.  I know I am biased, but I am over the moon that one of Doran's loves and strength lies in his art. 

He even went up to get his certificate by himself.  He responded with an adamant "No!" when I asked if he wanted me to help him to the podium.  It was such a joy to watch him race up to receive his certificate and then study it carefully on his way back to where we were standing.

I call this Doran's "Cool-B-Smooth James Dean" pose, but I think the poor kid was just exhausted.

I was also so touched by Doran's teachers.  They work so hard and are incredibly dedicated.  I don't think I could do it.  After being at school all day, Doran's principal Dr. D., his teachers Ms. G and Ms. T, and his art teacher Ms. H. came to the reception.  I will be forever grateful to them for the love and respect they have for my son.

Doran receiving his certificate.  The artwork in the room is from the ArtQuest program.

Thanks for your patience with my gushing!

Totally lopsided-sorry-it's the best I could do while dodging the crowd, but you get the idea.  I just love his background colors.  The town did a wonderful job framing it too.  Congratulations Doran!