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Monday, April 30, 2012

Sunflowers, Library Show, and Book Signing

Peace after storms, sun follows rain, and "we all shine on"...
"Fear Ye Not - the Sunflowers Ever Come"





Copyright 2012 Delorse Lovelady   Mixed Media 16x20
Sunflower Painting
I worked and struggled on this experimental painting off and on earlier this year, and finally finished it after lots of process and trial and error.  It's a combo of personal photos that have been Photoshopped, various collage, and acrylics on gallery canvas.  I was pleased to receive a 3rd place for painting of the month at Seattle Co-Arts last meeting!

Edmonds Library Show
My painting critique group will hold an upcoming 2 part Ten Ladies Painting Show at the Edmonds Library.  Sunflowers and 4 more of my paintings will be there starting June 11.

May 3 - June 10- Ten Ladies Painting 1:
Pamela B. Harold, Beverly Shaw Starkovich, 
Marilyn Webberly, and Helen Drummond

June 11 - July 30- Ten Ladies Painting 2:
Delorse Lovelady, Sue Gill Rose, 
Victoria Galbraith, Cheryl Hufnagel, 
Judith Heim, Jane Mayer, and Joan Poor

Book Signing
You are invited to attend..... 
Saturday May 5th from 12-2
Bellevue Art & Frame, 13131 NE 20th Street, Bellevue, WA. 425-453-8959. bellevueartandframe.com

The Pulse of Mixed Media:   Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed
By Seth Apter,
 
NY mixed media and book artist

This book goes below the surface to uncover the inner workings of the
creative mind.
Imagine you've been invited to have an intimate discussion with all of your favorite artists. You can ask them anything, and hear the
personal stories behind their artwork.
Become a true art insider.

Local artists Donna Watson & Leslie Avon Miller will be doing demos.
 
Local "Pulse" Artists also attending:  
Delorse Lovelady, Lisa JonesMoore, Robert Stockton, & Alicia Caudle

20% off all books purchased during signing.
 Door Prizes!


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Published, Fear and Altzheimer's

I opened the box labeled "fear"; it dissipated like wispy fog into the air...
"Fragments Over the Deep Blue" Mixed Media 10"x10"
Copyright by Delorse Lovelady 2011
Published
A special thank you goes to talented Seth Apter of The Altered Page blog whose book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed was recently published. It is a fabulous book full of wonderful artist's images and words... And, I feel so honored that he included me in this melange of 102 artists. My mixed media painting, "Fragments Over the Deep Blue" is in Section 3, Secrets Revealed.
Fear
My painting and another one I completed and submitted were in response to the challenging question: "what is your biggest fear?" There are little fears in life, then there are bigger fears. What seemed to pull at me the most when reflecting on the question was the dreadful disease altzheimer's which two of my aunts have battled over the last few years. One aunt continues to do so and now my mother is also affected. This has been and is difficult for myself and family.

But then, I did create the art pieces, which was quite cathartic. And I realized that another part of the fear was really putting out such personal art for viewing... I was reminded by my spouse that that was what real art was about, when an artist can reveal some deeper meanings that the viewers can connect to in their lives. And so there it is...

The roses in the painting are so symbolic for me in many ways, including, growth from the ashes, transcending struggles in life, hope always survives. So the question was asked and the fear was painted, and at the same time, the painting offers a resolution to the fear... art is so healing. I've always said so...

Altzheimer's
I am finding that there are so many families affected by this disease. It creates unfamiliarity where there was once knowledge and assurance, it changes the personality, functioning and relationships of the person and creates "the long blank stare". Memories are destroyed and it's almost like starting over with a "tabula rasa", a blank slate... in a child-like state. Sometimes we can laugh and other times it's just painful. I mourn and rail against the unfairness of it. But who am I to say. It just is, and I remember to keep a heart full of compassion.

I remind myself of the cycles of nature, the mysteries of life and being grateful in the now, sending out ripples of good energy, and being able to create and express, and so, I will...

Books
Here are two new books I chanced upon unexpectedly at a recent visit to the Seattle Frye Art Museum with my spouse. I have started reading them, and they seem quite full of great information and resources for those who have family members with altzheimer's.

Forget Memory - by Anne Davis Basting
Understanding fears and moving thru them; cultural stories about dementia

I'm Still Here - by John Zeisel, Phd.
Understanding it, the journey, relationships, art, treatment, being in the moment