I am welcoming myself, and YOU, back to my blog! I love the author Jennifer Louden, and one thing she talks about is Beginning Again. So I am beginning my blog again, and hope you will forgive me, Dear Reader, for not keeping up with it. I am now on Facebook as well; please check out René Seigh - Say Art. I look forward to hearing from you at either place. 

I am so excited about showing at Pickin' for a Cause, sponsored by University Pickers, on Saturday, November 1 from 9-3 in their back parking lot at 3024C University Dr, Huntsville, AL. It is a fundraiser for ReCentered House. The mission of Recentered House is "to bring HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT, ASSISTANCE and LEADERSHIP TRAINING to young adults who are looking to become productive members of society." 

I now have art prints on WOOD, and they look fantastic (if I do say so myself)! Come see the unveiling of this new offering during University Pickers Pickin' for a Cause. As always, my art cohorts, Ellen and Lisa, will be representin' as well, and my dear sister-in-law may be bringing her oh-so-popular leather bracelets. It will be a party! See you then! 

2012 Sidewalk Art Stroll

It's Sidewalk Art Stroll (http://www.sidewalkartsstroll.com/) time again. Last Thursday, May 17, we set up on the west side of the courthouse in downtown Huntsville. Spring is such a lovely time to be outside, showing our art, and meeting new art peeps! A big gully-washer storm hit Madison that night, but thankfully missed us downtown. I hadn't brought anything to cover my art pieces, so we were really lucky! I'll know better next time.

When we were beginning to break down our display, the 11x14 steam engine print on canvas turned out to be the perfect picture for a young Purdue Boilermaker graduate. He was thrilled with his purchase and it made my night.  Thanks to all who came out!

We will be doing it again on Thursday, June 21, 2012, same Bat Time (4:30 to 8:30), same Bat Place (west side of the square, across from the Huntsville Art League gallery). In the meantime, if you are interested in buying a print, just drop me a line with the title, size, and paper or canvas, and I'll get back with you on the price. And keep checking, I hope to have new originals soon. Namaste!

Art Stroll 2011

My peeps and I had a great time exhibiting at the Sidewalk Art Stroll last Thursday evening. The weather was still a little warmer than I would have liked, but a nice breeze was blowing and the rain held off. Lots of people came by to see our work and made nice comments. The Stroll brings in a variety of artists.  The Huntsville area has a lot of great talent! Competition? No, we are all related in the 'hood of art, and what a great family!

My first exhibit!

Bells and Whistles

I learned this week that my train pastel painting, Bells and Whistles, was accepted into the Huntsville Art League's Unique Views juried show. Tuesday evening, August 16, is the opening reception in the downtown Huntsville HAL gallery. Check out the HAL web site  for more info. The free exhibit is up until Aug 28, from 11 to 6 daily. Thursday night, August 18, the downtown Huntsville Sidewalk Art Stroll will be a great night to visit the exhibit and also check out the lovely things my art group is selling. We will be located near the HAL gallery on the NW corner of the square.

I painted Bells and Whistles when I was working on the set for the Huntsville Community Chorus melodrama Belles and Whistles. During dress rehearsal, I realized that the production really needed a train picture somewhere on the set. The play is set in a depot and has a great sound effect of a train pulling into the station, then leaving. The next day, I found several black and white pictures of 1930ish trains, and created the painting from them. I think it's one of my best works. My 7-year-old grandson likes it, too. One day he asked me, "NayNay, when you die, can I have the train picture?" LOL! I told him that he didn't have to wait for me to die, he could hang it in his room. So guess where it will be exhibited next?!?!? ;-)

My other creative outlet

I'm really busy right now! The art group is gearing up for the Art Stroll again on August 18, 2011, and I'm working props for the Theatre Huntsville production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opening on September 9. My husband is playing Big Daddy and my grandson is one of the kids. I hope you'll come see me at the Art Stroll, and get your tickets soon for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (http://yourseatiswaiting.org/).

One of my favorite things to do is volunteer with local theater groups as a 'techie.' I paint and dress sets as well as collect and create props. My husband has been an actor in local theater since 1999, but I didn't get involved until he pulled me kicking and screaming into the fray in 2008. My first gig was the Fantasy Children's Theater and Academy production of Gingerbread House in the Forest. I was immediately bitten by the theater bug! Since then, I've worked on seven other productions for Fantasy, Theatre Huntsville, and Huntsville Community Chorus.

Until I began volunteering, I never realized how much work goes into putting on a production, especially with volunteer organizations. It's amazing that SO MANY people put in countless hours without pay, all for the enjoyment of the audience. It's addicting, and if you've ever worked in theater, I'm sure you know what I mean!

Recent Events

My art group and I have hit the art show trail with a vengeance! Not only did we exhibit at the Madison, AL Street Fair on Oct 2, but we also participated in the Downtown Family Fest around the Huntsville, AL square. The weather was absolutely perfect for both events. It was great getting out and seeing people, children, and lots of dogs the two weekends. I really like meeting people and hearing the positive comments about our work. It's very inspirational and makes me want to do more! I'm on the trail of more events coming up soon. Yes, the bug has bitten and I'm smitten!

Something new that I'm exhibiting is a set of photographs that I took at the Chattanooga Aquarium. To get enough light, I had to slow the speed way down. A lot of the photos were still solid black until I lightened them in the free photo editing software Picasa. It was like going on a treasure hunt to see what would emerge. Check 'em out. If you see one you like, I'm selling them in 8x10 for $10. Just drop me an email.

Madison Street Festival October 2, 2010

The next art adventure for me and my two wonderful artist friends is the Madison Street Festival on October 2, 2010. Here's a link to the details: http://www.madisonstreetfestival.org/. I hope to have a couple of new things, but I'm working overtime right now which makes it difficult to be creative. DISLIKE