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Friday, January 09, 2009

When I Should Be Packing

This is where I started my day; up early (for me), gulp coffee, drive in to Portland to help judge Portland's 4th Annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. We had 2560 pieces of art contributed from 7th to 12th Grades separated into 6 categories: Painting (my category), Drawing, Printmaking/Mixed Media, Photography and Video/Film/Animation. It was wonderful seeing the advanced work these high school students had produced.

I dug through several boxes to try and unearth the Gold Key I won back in my Freshman year. I wanted to photograph it for you and tell you how it built my confidence to have that encouragement. But alas, it must be buried in one of those boxes up in the barn that haven't seen daylight for eleven years since we moved here.

This is a shot of some of us enjoying lunch in the large atrium of the art school. I attended PNCA in the early 80's and loved my time as a student. We were located in a different building then. I think it's a wonderful art school.

It's always interesting to sit on a jury and compare opinions with your peers . I'd say the three of us agreed about 92% of the time.

It was the pieces that we didn't agree on that provided the most entertainment. My fellow jurors were terrific.

I've started a poetry journal in my paper bag journal. Right now I am putting in some of my favorite verses and using lots of appropriated images along with some of my own scribbles. Eventually I want to write my own poetry in it and use only my own photographs and painting.

I wrote a lot of poetry when I was in college but haven't done so in years. I miss that pleasure and I'm going to return to it. It's only for myself; I'm old enough to know my limitations but that isn't going to stop me.

John likes to say that it's a terrible loss if we only let others sing for us, make music for us, paint for us, write for us. These are things we can all do to some extent and it's really fun to try. It deepens our experience of being alive.

One announcement; at Squam in September, Elizabeth Tanner Boll will be in attendance to show her film "Who Does She Think She Is?" and to answer questions. If you are not familiar with the film, it was made by the same producing team that won an Academy Award for Born Into Brothels. "Who Does She Think She Is?" examines some of the most pressing issues of our time: parenting and work, partnering and independence, economics and art.



And now, my friends, I'm off to pack for Bandon. Dear Katie will arrive on a big silver bird at 9 am and we will join a pack of jolly girlfriends for a happy, silly week of revelry and art making. Of course girl reporter will be sticking her big camera in everybodys' faces so you can join the fun.


Whew! Surely that's all for now. Hold down the fort until I get back. xo

15 comments:

femminismo said...

Oh, how funny/odd. I discovered a poem today that was a touchstone for me! Poems can certainly do that. Love the paperbag poetry painting book. I also want to see the film you previewed. Looks to be full of reassuring pats on the back for art makers. Have fun at the beach, Judy. Thanks for taking us along. Can't wait to see the pics!

Anonymous said...

definitely on my list of favorite posts for 2009...thank you!

Jeane Myers said...

John is a smart man! and the film looks really good! - have a fabulous time away!

Candace said...

This is simply a great, great post. Thanks so much for sharing this. The film looks wonderful, thought provoking as well.

Come back with stories and pictures, please, Girl Reporter.
(Love that paperbag journal... they are so FUN!)

Kind Thoughts, Warm Wishes.

A.Smith said...

Give Katie a hug from me, I hope we get a chance to get together before she goes back, drive carefully, be safe and happy; Tea and sweets will be waiting for you when you return. Above all: have fun.

Ro Bruhn said...

Have a wonderful time Judy with Katie and friends, I'm looking forward to seeing the photos and the art

J said...

I wish I live in the US so I can join your art doll class! Though I cannot be there in person, I will try to make some starting next week using paper clay or paper mache & perhaps share some photos of my attempts :)
Looking at all those wonderful pieces of art work made me think back to my highschool years. I have always loved to draw but was not encouraged to develop it since doing art doesn't always provide financial stability according to my traditional parents. So I turned my back to it and didn't pick it up until recently. I feel very fortunate that I still have the chance to do/make/create art and be inspired by so many talented artists found on the internet.
Thank you Judy & take care.
Justine (aka DinDin)

Anonymous said...

I love your paperbag journal....perhaps I will try that myself!

Karen Cole said...

I'm with John on this. Do it all! "If you only do what you know you can do- you never do very much." -Tom Krause

Chris said...

oh, wow. a paper bag journal. i'm tickled to death.

I hope your trip went well. These works are amazing. What talent.

Anonymous said...

Love the poetry journal...it's beautiful...I did one many years ago and would like to do it again. My journals are to big to wait for the next one so I may just start in the middle.

Anonymous said...

i love the paper bag idea. your journal pages are so inspiring. thanks for sharing.
kim

Sandy..... said...

A poetry journal, I don't know why I've never thought of that!
Have fun and post lots of pics when you're back!

Swing by my blog, I've nominated you for an award!

Deirdra Doan said...

HI Judy...I like your new banner and I liked the old one too...I am getting ready to put my dolls on my banner too...

I was wondering...can you put Bee's wax over an oil painting? Does it have to be dry...or how long does it need to dry..do I need to use the encaustic mixture rather than bee's wax???

Winter sunshine blessings...I am above the fog..how about you?

Joy Logan said...

Love the header Judy it's new isn't it? Added u to my RSS feeds finally found out how,lol.