Coveted superpower

Many times I've said that I'd like to have the superpower of being in several places at once. With our kids' activities and all the arts events, political meetings and community activities I'm interested in, having the ability to attend several at the same time seems pretty awesome. 

While I haven't developed the ability to physically be in several places at once, my artwork is simultaneously representing me this way. Please join me (where my body will actually be!) at the Hot Shops open house this weekend. I'm in Studio #311, where bead jeweler and sculptor Darcy Horn will also have work available.  We'll have the door wide open from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. I'll slip down to John Miller's studio on the second floor Saturday evening to play some music, and we'd love to have you join us there, too! 

Thirty paintings are displayed at the Shelterbelt Theatre. The prairie-inspired pieces complement the theatre's current production of "Catherland," a Nebraska ghost musical. I was delighted to be at the opening night performance, and the music and acting is very strong. Please go see it. All sales of my artwork there will help support the theatre, which specializes in producing new plays. 

And then I also have a dozen large paintings displayed at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center along with batik artist Kristine Allphin. We're making plans for an reception and I hope to conduct a workshop in early June. Stay tuned for details. 

"Prairie" a cold wax and oil painting on paper, framed, on display in my studio

first solo show

I'm so excited to show 25 recent paintings in my first solo exhibit: "A Prairie Perspective". The paintings, which range from 30x30" panels to small framed paintings on paper, are abstracted views that explore color, texture and line, inspired by landscape. The ESO Gallery is curated by artist Rachel Mindrup. The gallery is in a physician office, located in a strip mall just west of 78th Street on the north side of Davenport. The VFW is on the south side of the street. Brazenhead Pub is across 78th. Look for ESO or Eye Specialists of Omaha signs, and you'll know you've found it. The space offers large walls and intimate hallways to show artwork. We'll have a reception 1pm to 4pm Sunday. Details about the event are posted on Facebook here. I'm very proud of the work and would like more people to see it! 

Barrio

Working on a series of paintings based on my winter trip to Costa Rica, I'm enjoying layering the vibrant colors. My intention is to make pieces that are loose and lively with a bit of whimsy. 

Based on hillside neighborhoods in San Jose, Costa Rica, this is a section of a painting in progress.  

All the potential

Thirty 8x8" birch panels, sanded, taped, with a first coat of gesso. Through the spring and summer, I'll be working on a series of paintings based on my travels in Costa Rica. So many possibilities! 

artist exchange/winter travel

With the Spanish vocabulary of a toddler who knows a little about food and backed by my 9-percent fluency ranking with the app DuoLingo, I'm heading south for an artist exchange and reprieve from winter. Thanks to Judith Anthony Johnston and Katrina Methot Swanson, fellow members of the  Artists' Cooperative Gallery, and their multiple conversations with Costa Rican artist Elisa Morera, I get to participate in a program to show work in the Sophia Wanamaker Gallery, which is part of cultural center that links North America with Costa Rica. In June, our gallery will host several artists from Costa Rica.

I'm counting on the good will garnered with good manners -- I can easily say 'hello,' 'please' and 'thank-you' -- and the reports of numerous bilingual natives and U.S. expatriates. I expect to have at least occasional Internet access and plan to share a few photos on social media, but I'm really looking forward to sketching and writing as a way to journal about my adventures. My bags are packed, I've got colons in my wallet, and I'm hoping for a "bueno viaje" (good journey). Cheers!