A Moment at the Museum

I had 45 minutes between appointments. That is like gold to me. I can be MIA for 45 minutes! No one can fill the gap because it is only 45 minutes and yet it is 45 WHOLE MINUTES! With sketchbook in hand I headed to the museum.

There was an exhibit that I wanted to see. The Museum was quiet, just the way I like it, and I exhaled a happy breath as I stepped into the exhibit. About 30 seconds later two women came in......talking. You know those guards that have the insufferable job of wandering the rooms to be sure no one is harming the art? They should be the Guido's of the loud talkers. You know, it would look like, "YOU, loud talker, on floor! Your museum entry ticket has been revoked." Chuckle....that would make me happy. Anyway, back to my story.

This forced me into the Native glass exhibit that I wasn't that interested in. Don't get me wrong, the items were amazing but living here you have LOTS of encounters with Native art. But I did some sketching that really paid off.




I am working on my next book and I needed some strange, prehistoric flowers. These two sketches were of glass bottles that were on display. They had flower written all over them! I hadn't expected to see anything like this in the Native show. That's what I get for mentally writing of the show. Note to self, all art is worth seeing.

Here are the finished flowers. I decided to take off the 'mustache' on the cone flowers. It didn't seem like facial hair until I started to paint it. Instead I added the blue stems. I think they came out great.

So I learned a few things. First, always wander through an exhibit even if you think you're not interested. There could be something fantastic you're missing. Two, always have your sketch book to record an idea. And three, loud talkers can be beneficial but I might drop the Guido idea in the suggestion box.

Dizzy Days

Signore Greve - Imagination

My husband is going to see this post and think, " Why isn't she painting?!" He is right of course. I have a 'to-do' list a mile long and it all needs to be done and dry by Friday. The above Greve is one painting I have created for the Read Alaska Book Fair going on at the Anchorage Museum this weekend.

Cheesy Day

The book fair and art show in the atrium is free and is a LOT of fun. I was excited to sneak in last year and am happy to be there again this weekend. It is 10-6 Friday and Saturday, 12-5 on Sunday. There are so many awesome authors and artists in Alaska. This show does a great job of highlighting so many in one location.

Stop in and see me. You can see the first practice painting for the new book, "Have You Ever Had a Daydream..." Why am I not showing it to you here? Gee, there is no time, I got to get painting.

Chicken Soup Anyone?

Andy Warhol is coming to Anchorage! Well, not that man of course but his exhibit titled, "Manufactured" opens on Friday at the Anchorage Museum. This is an exhibit I won't miss.

Do I LOVE Andy Warhol? Not really but I find his thinking about art interesting. He was a filmmaker who was the mind behind the pop art movement. What is pop art? Well, it is the blending of fine art and media style graphics. The above art is a good example. It is a piece of art with a comic book style. I choose this instead of the world famous chicken soup can. Everyone knows that Warhol piece. A graphic designer spent hours creating the Campbell's label in hopes it would make us buy the soup. Now the label is part of American culture. You can buy t-shirts with the Campbell's label. Does that make it art?

I don't know the answer to that question but I am a bit fascinated with the impact his ideas are having today. You can get your photo done in the 'Warhol' style just like Marilyn Monroe's famous Warhol piece. Pop art is million dollar market.

I am not sure what to expect at this exhibit. Andy didn't die with a large catalog of works. He was really the start of us realizing how much the media was affecting our lives. I do know I will be there opening day and I hope the chicken soup can is there.

Dream Come True

Saturday was an exciting day for me. First it was the weekend of my 18th wedding anniversary and second I had a book signing at the Anchorage Museum. Having the art Museum invite me to come in with my book was a thrill!

They tied in my signing with the grand opening of the Imaginarium. Before, this kids hands on exhibit was downtown, hidden among shops. The recent Museum expansion brought the Imaginarium into the museum itself. There were adordable kids galore. I couldn't help but glow in their interest in the book. Some of the questions were a riot. My favorite was Allison who rested her head in her hands, tilted her head and asked me, " Why did you write a book?" Hmmm, good questions indeed!

Steve was outside the Museum enjoying the beautiful day when he caught a glimpse of Allison and her mom reading the book. A little native girl couldn't help but be curious. She was invited in to enjoy story time with Signore Greve and Celli. This will always be a prized picture for me!

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a group of pre-schoolers to read "If We Hopped on Our Bike..." I can't wait to tell you the stories that adventure will surely bring.

Define Creative

The Anchorage Art Museum had an awesome Star Wars display up for the last few months. Even if I weren't a Star Wars fan I would have enjoyed the show. Watching video, hearing what the different artist and designers used for inspiration was so interesting.

I had never considered all the different aspects that were involved in the making of the movies. The clothing designers, the artists that work with magnifying glasses painting to make the tiny model ships look dirty, the artists that sketch out creatures from other planets. The artists that create different worlds! You definitely felt you were in the presence of incredibly talented people.

They showed a clip of the artists walking through a hardware store. They picked up every little piece turning it, trying to see if it would make a perfect ship cargo bay or maybe a believable adornment on a princess' gown. They used Leggs eggs on the ships engines!!! (those Legg's eggs have so many uses)

Steve is a huge Star Wars fan. When I say huge I really mean HUGE! Here he is battling with Darth in the museum elevator. I adore my honey but I got to be honest, my money is on Darth Vader. I've seen Steve's Jedi skills.