Mother Daughter Tile

perhaps you recall that i am a gushing fan of the swedish artist camilla engman. she examples someone who has made herself very accessible via the web, I feel often artists are so elusive and mysterious. I fell for Camilla’s authenticity and her very unique expression.

when she posted that she was working on another collaboration with ceramicist karin ericksson,  an artist I also have admired, thanks to her work with Camilla, I went to peek at the items they were clearing out to make room for their newer pieces.

I was quite taken with this particular piece

i thought, wow – this tile says mother/daughter to me, how totally cool.

on a whim, i ordered it.

and so here it is – just in time for Mothers Day!!

i had to take a close up of the signature. LOOK…both of them signed it!!

when it arrived… I emailed both of them.  i shared that the tile was here, safe and intact and that i was delighted and grateful.

both artists entertained a few forth and back emails with me.

oh my goodness more gush.

perhaps my photography will someday have an adoring following.

yes, i have artist envy.

by the way, my daughter and I?

we are just like the ladies in this tile.

very happening!!

Take On The Good To Go Commuter Challenge!

A Bloomington – Normal  campaign known as “Good To Go” is gearing up for it’s annual challenge.   The campaign asks commuters to look at sustainable/ alternative ways of transportation.   This could include car share, car pooling, riding a bike, walking or taking the bus!

The effort asks computers to take this on for one week.  It’s a super program to observe commute habits and to consider some of these shifts as your personal norm. Try it on!

The director of the ISU Sustainability program Michael McCurdy enthusiastically champions this campaign, he commutes via bicycle to his job, as program director for the local public radio station WGLT

Michael just completed a series of radio/blog interviews to illustrate several who are alternatively commuting year round.   I was the project photographer.

The actual Good To Go challenge is May 12-18,  a friendly competition between individuals, teams and workplaces.  Participants track/report their efforts and are eligible for prizes. The simple goal is to do anything but drive alone.

The main reasons to consider alternative transportation is that it’s really good for you, great for the planet and it saves you money! It also connects you with others in the community!!

More projects by Photographer Karen Hanrahan

New Magazine — Taproot

I admit I am a devoted amanda soule groupie.

I love her vibe, her soft chatter, her warm heart, the beauty she surrounds herself, either handmade or naturally, and I admire her authenticity.  Simply by being herself she’s created a wonderful brand.  She is deeply committed and when she sets out to do something you experience the meaning tried and true.  I’ve been with her, her blog and family through two of her pregnancies, watched her move to their dream farm, publish two additional books, welcome fearfully, beekeeping to her daily tasks ( which i found sooooo fascinating) and always always find myself in a chuckle when she writes that she made popcorn for dinner…yet again.  I treasure the personality of her kids, the sweet posts written by her husband, and I am deeply envious of her talents in textiles.

A recent blog post shared an exciting project she is involved in that I felt I wanted to share.  It’s a stunning new magazine called Taproot.  In her post she writes, as only she can, about wanting to be part of something that is shifting to less. less stuff, less noise, a slower, and more mindful place.   As the editor of what looks like a deeply rooted concept, she lovingly shares images of the proofs of the first issue coming to print in March.   In my mind it looks like a magazine that I’d love to have.  It strikes me as thoughtful, arty and very resourceful.  AND a beautiful reminder of less.   Which I think is needed today.

 

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2012/02/introducing-taproot.html

My Photography Is Showing With Polygon Art Space Group

I am delighted to share that I am participating in the Polygon Art Space Group Art Show.

Wednesday Night 5-8 pm

Established and emerging local artists showing drawings, paintings, photography and ceramics.

Award winning water color artist, John Madison will also have an open studio next door that showcases his work and works in progress. Refreshments provided.

201 1/2 North Street Suite A downtown Normal (located in between The Rock restaurant and C tees shirt store)

The show can be viewed again on Sat night from 6-9 pm.

The current call for artists is a gesture of sharing wall and creative space for local established, emerging and non formally trained artists. Wall space is affordably leased to artists either weekly, monthly and for special events.

Artists in this group show include:

Jared Wittenmyer (mixed media)
Lauren Crossett (oil painting)
Karissa Kotovsky (photography)
Connie Richards Aigner (mixed media)
The Lumiere Brothers (photography and drawing)
Karen Hanrahan (photography)
Doug Johnson (oil painting)
Ted Diamond (photography)
Tim Kowalczyk (ceramic)
Evelyne Tardy (acrylic painting)
Chris Martin (oil painting)
Jay Miller (performance photography)
Amy Phillis Wolfe (ceramic)
Brad Kalavitinos (mixed media)

 

 

 

 

Students Teach Me The Power Of Blogging

Last night I completed teaching the second session of my class Blogging: Be The Expert Only YOU Can Be.  

It’s taken me two years to get back into the classroom.

It felt tremendous to be teaching again!

Thank you to the Community Education division of Heartland Community College for the opportunity

I started consulting folks on how to begin blogging this past December. People kept asking me. Why do I blog? Why WordPress? How has that helped your business?  I not only had strong passionate opinions about it.  I found myself giving away a lot of tips and tricks!!  Seemed like an opportunity to service a need with the people around me.  I don’t think of myself as an expert on blogging more like an advocate on how powerful the medium of blogging is to someone’s personal voice and an expert in ideas to get someone going!  I had such great mentorship along the way, I really feel I want to pass that same mentorship onto others.

My students were seriously awesome.

Some things my students taught me:

  • Plan for time to become related.
  • Students really do do their homework!
  • Being savvy in the technology of the classroom is a plus
  • Various levels of interest and experience bring a richness to the class
  • a student said “i have no idea what the “f” you are all talking about” SERIOUSLY funny
  • Revelations about one’s expertise, personal brand and the potential of published voice is positively inspirational!

one student realized that her topic, as shared by others was very toxic, she wanted her voice to be different, and found her passion around that

another had two blogs and realized by merging them together it would enrich her brand.

some just beginning began to play with blog names, post titles, language and how to illustrate

another realized that perhaps blogging daily might be too ambitious.

The reality of the class may unveil some new and very exciting bloggers!