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!