Further to my posting about the art group's exhibition, I had an enquiry this week from someone who had visited it and wanted to buy a painting, so it has turned out that we've now actually sold more paintings than we thought at the time (three instead of two - and three greetings cards). A reasonable result for a new venue in an unfamiliar town, and a one day event at that.
Until recently, I used to do voluntary work for a charity in a nearby town, and I ran a small art and craft group.
The story begins in February. There was still snow on the ground and bus services had just about returned to normal. Wearing wellies, vest, woollies etc, I popped over to the premises to fill my forms in, provided all the ID and names and addresses of referees, then attended their preparation courses over the following weeks, and waited for my police check (CPR) to arrive - and waited, and waited... Spring arrived, the birds were singing, I scoffed a few Easter eggs, a heatwave followed and, during this, I went away on holiday. Returning scantily clad, tanned and relaxed, I found my CPR on the doormat - four months on! I spoke to someone at the office and arranged to go in, borrowed a library book on activities with this kind of group, and so began my voluntary work.
On arriving at the first group session, I found no materials had been provided, but the manager quickly found some pencils and paper for us. I found out later that there were materials but the only person who knew about it was off ill, so it was a good thing I had taken my own in. Other than this, it seemed to go quite smoothly, and I hoped I had helped this group in some way.
More next time.
Jewel
I'd just like to add a couple more lines to Gill's poem commemorating our recent exhibition, to finish it off:
Kevin and Barbara can't be here today
Because they live too far away
and
Gill's natural subjects lend themselves well
sometimes what they are you cannot tell (only joking, Gill)
But enough awful poetry (on my part), and time for a little anecdote from the Art Group (or "playgroup" as Elizabeth's partner calls it).
Gill was being taught how to do some new technique by another member. She said, "that can be the thing that I've learnt today. I try to learn one new thing every day, one new thing is quite enough".
I asked, "So what did you learn yesterday?"
"I don't know" came the reply.
Hope you have enjoyed reading this, more soon.
Jewel
Kevin and Barbara can't be here today
Because they live too far away
and
Gill's natural subjects lend themselves well
sometimes what they are you cannot tell (only joking, Gill)
But enough awful poetry (on my part), and time for a little anecdote from the Art Group (or "playgroup" as Elizabeth's partner calls it).
Gill was being taught how to do some new technique by another member. She said, "that can be the thing that I've learnt today. I try to learn one new thing every day, one new thing is quite enough".
I asked, "So what did you learn yesterday?"
"I don't know" came the reply.
Hope you have enjoyed reading this, more soon.
Jewel
I was at the MOMA today (Museum of Modern Art) admiring a contemporary drawing by Glenn Ligon when I looked closer and noticed that there was text in it that was familiar to me. I read the title: Stranger in the Village/Hands. Yes, the text that was interspersed in the drawing (a collage really, made of glue, dust, ink and newspaper) was from an essay by James Baldwin that I had assigned in my essay class. It was about the shock of being the first African American to visit a small town in Switzerland. The text was overlaid with images of the Million Man March in 1995. A surprise like this is one of the pleasures of growing older. Everything you've learned comes together, grows richer from different fields of study and perspectives. Another pleasure of growing older is not dying younger.
I guess what made me think of this is that tomorrow is my birthday.
I guess what made me think of this is that tomorrow is my birthday.
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Dear readers,
First of all, I'm sorry I haven't had chance to add to my blog since the initial posting, but I have been extremely busy preparing for firstly an exhibition, then a trade fair the following week. I have had to get the the website ready for these events. Pretty much all my time has been taken up since I last posted.
I thought I'd share with you a poem composed by one of the art group members about our most recent exhibition. It seems to sum it up quite nicely:
Every Picture Tells A Story
Exhibition morning with keen anticipation
A group of local artists place their work before the nation
There's a wonderful collection of swans in different poses
Who's the talented painter? Oh I believe it's Margaret Rose's
Elizabeth's created views from exotic locations
Her atmospheric steam train is heading for the station
Julie's beautiful flower study
Contains colours all aglow
It took so long to paint it
Getting details just so
John's standing at his easel
Creating a prize winner
Where's Sue? Tucking into soup
And pud selling cards to pay for dinner
Woodland glades are Maggie's forte
Gentle sunlight filtering through
but the Indians on horseback make me wish I was that talented too
Karen's tiger looks magnificent
His wild eyes looking pensive
I wonder how much she's charging, I bet it's quite expensive
You can tell Madge loves her wildlife from the images on view
When we've helped to boost her confidence
She'll believe she's talented too
Well it's nearly time to pack up
Paintings we've not sold many
We've probably made more on the tombola
If you count up every penny
Gill
First of all, I'm sorry I haven't had chance to add to my blog since the initial posting, but I have been extremely busy preparing for firstly an exhibition, then a trade fair the following week. I have had to get the the website ready for these events. Pretty much all my time has been taken up since I last posted.
I thought I'd share with you a poem composed by one of the art group members about our most recent exhibition. It seems to sum it up quite nicely:
Every Picture Tells A Story
Exhibition morning with keen anticipation
A group of local artists place their work before the nation
There's a wonderful collection of swans in different poses
Who's the talented painter? Oh I believe it's Margaret Rose's
Elizabeth's created views from exotic locations
Her atmospheric steam train is heading for the station
Julie's beautiful flower study
Contains colours all aglow
It took so long to paint it
Getting details just so
John's standing at his easel
Creating a prize winner
Where's Sue? Tucking into soup
And pud selling cards to pay for dinner
Woodland glades are Maggie's forte
Gentle sunlight filtering through
but the Indians on horseback make me wish I was that talented too
Karen's tiger looks magnificent
His wild eyes looking pensive
I wonder how much she's charging, I bet it's quite expensive
You can tell Madge loves her wildlife from the images on view
When we've helped to boost her confidence
She'll believe she's talented too
Well it's nearly time to pack up
Paintings we've not sold many
We've probably made more on the tombola
If you count up every penny
Gill
I'm always urging students to send out their work. Here are some "Where to Send's."
Upcoming AnthologiesDeadline:
11/15/09.Submit to: Diverse Voices Quarterly. E-mail attachments to: submit@diversevoicesquarterly.com.Theme: We welcome submissions from everyone, of all ages and backgrounds.Type: Poetry (5 poems MAX), short stories, personal essays (3,000 words MAX), and artwork/photography (2 images words MAX).
Deadline: 11/31/2009.Submit to: Untitled Anthology. Submit via e-mail (.doc or .docx attachment) to: susan@burwen.com. Please include your e-mail and phone number.Theme: Relationships between men and women that are almost successful in leading to marriage or a long-term commitment, but somehow don't work out.Type: Prose (8,000 words MAX).URL: TBA (NOTE: this anthology does not yet have a contracted publisher.Deadline: 12/01/09.
Deadline: 12/15/09.Submit to: Earth’s Daughters. PO Box 41, Central Park Station, Buffalo, NY 14215.Theme: Flesh and Spirit.Type: Poetry (3 poems MAX) and prose (1,500 words MAX).URL: http://www.earthsdaughters.org/themes.htm
Deadline: 12/15/09.Submit to: Fiction International. Harold Jaffe, Editor. San Diego State University, Dept. of English and Comp. Lit., 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-6020.Theme: Walls.Type: Prose. URL: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~fictintl/submissions.php
Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to: A Cup of Comfort. Submit via online form: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/memberlogin.Theme: For Golfers.Type: Personal essays (2,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/CallForSubmissions Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to:
12/31/09.Submit to: Whole Terrain. Editor, Antioch University New England, 40 Avon Street, Keene, NH 03431-3552, or e-mail to: whole_terrain@antioch.edu (preferred).Theme: The Scale of Significance. Type: Poetry (3 poems MAX), short stories, and essays (2,000 words
MAX).URL: http://www.antiochne.edu/news/news_detail.cfm?News_ID=733Deadline:
12/31/09.Submit to: Robot Hearts: Twisted and True Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age. E-mail to: red@lifesabitchbooks.com, or mail to: Life’s a Bitch Books, PO Box 4788, Baltimore, MD 21211.Theme: Looking for pieces that focus on the uniqueness of trying to make a human connection in this digital age.Type: First-person essays (5,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.lifesabitchbooks.com/anthologies/calls-for-submissions
Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to: What Doesn't Kill You... E-mail (via attachment) to coeditor Murray Dunlap at murraydunlap@gmail.com.Theme: Stories of struggle (real or imagined, physical or mental).Type: Short stories or personal essays (10,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.press53.com/whatdoesntkillyou.html
01/04/10.Submit to: City Works Press. E-mail to: MammasPappas@gmail.com, or mail to: City Works Press, ATTN: Mamas and Papas, San Diego City College, 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.Theme: Motherhood or fatherhood, or the decision NOT to be a parent.Type: Poetry (4 poems MAX) and prose (2,500 words MAX). URL: http://www.cityworkspress.org/submit.html
Deadline: 01/30/10.Submit to: K.A. Sheahan, Healing EMA, 12618 La Cresta Court, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, or e-mail Word document attachment and include in the body of the e-mail to sheahan.k@gmail.comTheme: Healing After the Betrayal of an Extramarital Affair.Type: Stories, essays, or excerpts where genuine healing has occurred (6,000 words MAX).URL: Please Google for more information.Deadline: 02/01/10.
Upcoming AnthologiesDeadline:
11/15/09.Submit to: Diverse Voices Quarterly. E-mail attachments to: submit@diversevoicesquarterly.com.Theme: We welcome submissions from everyone, of all ages and backgrounds.Type: Poetry (5 poems MAX), short stories, personal essays (3,000 words MAX), and artwork/photography (2 images words MAX).
Deadline: 11/31/2009.Submit to: Untitled Anthology. Submit via e-mail (.doc or .docx attachment) to: susan@burwen.com. Please include your e-mail and phone number.Theme: Relationships between men and women that are almost successful in leading to marriage or a long-term commitment, but somehow don't work out.Type: Prose (8,000 words MAX).URL: TBA (NOTE: this anthology does not yet have a contracted publisher.Deadline: 12/01/09.
Deadline: 12/15/09.Submit to: Earth’s Daughters. PO Box 41, Central Park Station, Buffalo, NY 14215.Theme: Flesh and Spirit.Type: Poetry (3 poems MAX) and prose (1,500 words MAX).URL: http://www.earthsdaughters.org/themes.htm
Deadline: 12/15/09.Submit to: Fiction International. Harold Jaffe, Editor. San Diego State University, Dept. of English and Comp. Lit., 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-6020.Theme: Walls.Type: Prose. URL: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~fictintl/submissions.php
Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to: A Cup of Comfort. Submit via online form: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/memberlogin.Theme: For Golfers.Type: Personal essays (2,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/CallForSubmissions Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to:
12/31/09.Submit to: Whole Terrain. Editor, Antioch University New England, 40 Avon Street, Keene, NH 03431-3552, or e-mail to: whole_terrain@antioch.edu (preferred).Theme: The Scale of Significance. Type: Poetry (3 poems MAX), short stories, and essays (2,000 words
MAX).URL: http://www.antiochne.edu/news/news_detail.cfm?News_ID=733Deadline:
12/31/09.Submit to: Robot Hearts: Twisted and True Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age. E-mail to: red@lifesabitchbooks.com, or mail to: Life’s a Bitch Books, PO Box 4788, Baltimore, MD 21211.Theme: Looking for pieces that focus on the uniqueness of trying to make a human connection in this digital age.Type: First-person essays (5,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.lifesabitchbooks.com/anthologies/calls-for-submissions
Deadline: 12/31/09.Submit to: What Doesn't Kill You... E-mail (via attachment) to coeditor Murray Dunlap at murraydunlap@gmail.com.Theme: Stories of struggle (real or imagined, physical or mental).Type: Short stories or personal essays (10,000 words MAX).URL: http://www.press53.com/whatdoesntkillyou.html
01/04/10.Submit to: City Works Press. E-mail to: MammasPappas@gmail.com, or mail to: City Works Press, ATTN: Mamas and Papas, San Diego City College, 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.Theme: Motherhood or fatherhood, or the decision NOT to be a parent.Type: Poetry (4 poems MAX) and prose (2,500 words MAX). URL: http://www.cityworkspress.org/submit.html
Deadline: 01/30/10.Submit to: K.A. Sheahan, Healing EMA, 12618 La Cresta Court, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, or e-mail Word document attachment and include in the body of the e-mail to sheahan.k@gmail.comTheme: Healing After the Betrayal of an Extramarital Affair.Type: Stories, essays, or excerpts where genuine healing has occurred (6,000 words MAX).URL: Please Google for more information.Deadline: 02/01/10.
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http://calitreview.com/5301
Here's my latest book review for Sounth Carolina Literary Review. I never would have read this book had it not been on the review list, and I'm so glad I did.
So many small lit magazines and webzines need reviewers. My students' feedback on what they've read proves to me that there are many reviewers among us. If you want to review books, poetry included, google lit matgazines, book reviews. Get a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers, and apply.
Here's my latest book review for Sounth Carolina Literary Review. I never would have read this book had it not been on the review list, and I'm so glad I did.
So many small lit magazines and webzines need reviewers. My students' feedback on what they've read proves to me that there are many reviewers among us. If you want to review books, poetry included, google lit matgazines, book reviews. Get a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers, and apply.
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