Seems like it's been go, go, go since early March.  I was thrilled to work with two other creative women to produce a Spring Pop-Up event that was held on March 22nd at Cocktail Hour Essentials in West Warwick, R.I.  The store is such a unique addition to our state.  The owner, Karen Ventrone Moore, carries all things related to enjoying an appetizer and some delicious wines.  Check out her Facebook page here: (8) Facebook.  My fellow exhibitor was Linda Kamajian of Dreamy Venice home - Dreamy Venice Jewelry and Gifts (dreamy-venice.com).  Linda's collection of colorful and stylish jewelry is popular with those who don't want to look like everyone else!  We partnered for this event because there was a nice synergy between my colorful abstract art and her colorful, well-designed jewelry. The afternoon flew by as we greeted family and friends who shopped and tasted some fantastic Armenian wines. 

In March, I also dropped off several new pieces at Studio Hop Studio Hop (studiohopri.com) and then I  enrolled in an intensive, 12-week on-line art course with abstract artist, Nicholas Wilton. There are classes on design, value, color and risk-taking.  All artists take risks. They put themselves "out there" to be judged.  Last weekend, I showed some pieces at a small local show and overhead a man say about one of my pieces, " Are they kidding?  I go do that."  It felt a little like a gut-punch, but I recovered.  Abstract art is not for everyone.  Because there may not be a recognizable object on the canvas, assumptions are made about the skill-level of the artist.  Believe, me, making work that connects with the viewer using only shape, color, value, and composition, is quite challenging.

I'm excited about the course.  I know I will learn more about techniques and the principals involved with artmaking. More importantly, I hope what I learn will lead to making bigger and better work that truly communicates my voice.