Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tucson Weekly Review of Solo Show and "Pollos del Pueblo" Paintings


Pat's Chili Dogs
24" x 30"
Acrylic on Canvas
Showing at Gallery 801, Tucson, AZ

Carolyn Anne Anderson 2009
Pollos del Pueblo Series.




Margaret Regan of the Tucson Weekly reviews my solo show and the series of paintings called "Pollos del Pueblo".

Click Here To Read The Review Online.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Press Release: Carolyn Anderson's Solo Show September 2009






Press Release
Contact: Carolyn Anne Anderson
Email: Carolyn@muttbutt.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Fowl Play!
Chickens, Dogs, and Pandas take over Gallery 801
For Carolyn Anderson’s Solo Show.

TUCSON, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009- What do the No-Tel Motel, The Buffet, fighting roosters, and a bunch of hens have in common? They are all subjects in a series of paintings titled “Pollos del Pueblo” which feature chickens and iconic Tucson landmarks. The poultry paintings are on display at Gallery 801 as part of a show featuring the artwork of Carolyn Anne Anderson.

Steven Derks and Gallery 801 present Carolyn Anne Anderson’s first solo exhibition on view September 26 through October 17, 2009. This retrospective of a Tucson emerging artist covers her work from 2005 to the present. An opening reception will be held Saturday, September 26, 6-9 PM, at Gallery 801, 801 North Main.





Anderson’s introspective acrylics on canvas and water color paintings explore humans/animal relationships. Drawing on her personal experiences, imagined urban interactions and her own quirky and whimsical style; the show features paintings of critters of all types in familiar and surreal locations. Subjects including dueling roosters fighting in front of the Buffet tavern, a Panda, Swan and Weimaraner dancing in a grove of birch trees, and a beloved Black Labrador running into a misty forest provide the viewer with much to consider, as well as insight into the artist’s imagination. Anderson’s paintings explore influential animal relationships, the search for life’s meaning, hidden mystery alongside the mundane and finding humor and joy in everyday situations.

Earlier this year when David Aguirre of Dinnerware Gallery put out a call for artists to create chicken inspired art for an event called “Pollos del Pueblo”, Anderson responded with a painting of hens en route to the iconic Hotel Congress. This inspired a series of paintings with chickens that feature favorite Tucson landmarks including the Buffet Tavern, The Rialto Theatre, The Loft, and the No-Tel Motel.




Here’s what local critics have had to say about the series. Erl Kimmich, a documentary film maker comments on the painting Why Did The Chicken? "...this painting makes me think of Edward Hopper. While striking a certain nostalgic nerve in me, an unresolved brilliance seems to bleach the Congress side of the street as would the Tucson noonday sun.” Tucson Art Blogger Rachelle Diaz of Tuscene.com called Anderson's series "a charming, quirky mixture of classic painterly cityscape meets comic strip panel." The series recently appeared on MOCO the Blog of Modern and Contemporary and will be highlighted in the Tucson Lifestyles November Issue.



The retrospective will also include many of the paintings Anderson is best known for: her large scale images of dogs with deep soulful eyes. In 2005, Anderson began a series of paintings with canine subjects. Using a wheelchair for mobility after an SUV roll-over accident caused a paralyzing spinal cord injury Anderson acquired a service dog to help her cultivate more independence. The close relationship with “Tyler”, a Black Labrador Retriever, inspired a series of over 30 paintings featuring dogs.

Chickens, dogs, and other creatures will accompany Gallery 801 visitors on a journey into the unpredictable and quirky world of Anderson’s imagination. The show runs through October 17th with gallery hours Tuesday through Sunday 10-5pm. Gallery 801 is located at 801 North Main at the corners of Main and University. Visit Gallery 801’ website www.artinarizona or call 520-370-1610 for more information. You can see Anderson’s artwork online at www.muttbutt.com .


Show Events:
Opening Reception
Saturday, September 26, 6-9 PM: music provided by Kevin McCalix and Cinder Bridge, hors d’oeuvres and samplings of award winning wines by Mutt Lynch Winery (www.muttlynchwinery.com). Free and open to the public.

Facebook Event Page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93474561261&ref=ts

Art and Wine for the Weimaraners:
In celebration of Anderson’s series of canine inspired art, Gallery 801 will host an event as part of the show entitled “Art and Wine for The Weimaraners”, Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 3-6 PM. Chris and Brenda Lynch, the dog loving, wine making couple who own Mutt Lynch Winery in Healdsburg, CA; will be providing guests tasting samples of several of their award winning wines. Kevin McCalix and Cinder Bridge will be performing live music. The event is open to the public with a $5 donation to Arizona Weimaraner Rescue.

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119981745988&ref=ts

GALLERY INFO
Gallery 801
801 North Main
Tucson, AZ
Owner: Steven Derks
Gallery Phone: 520-370-1610
Gallery Website: www.artinarizona.com
Gallery Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tucson-AZ/Gallery-801/49688199309

Additional Websites:
Carolyn Anderson’s Website www.muttbutt.com
Steven Derks’ Website www.stevenderks.com
Mutt Lynch Winery www.muttlynchwinery.com
Cinder Bridge www.cinderbridge.com
Arizona Weimaraner Rescue www.azweimrescue.org
Tucson Revivalist Artist Collective www.tracartists.com
Tweet Tucson (A Blog of Gallery 801 and TRAC Happenings)
www.tweettucson.com

Carolyn Anderson's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Anne-Anderson/8201664321?ref=ts

-End-

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Tibetan Peace Flag Paintings

Here are two new paintings in my Tibetan Peace Flag series.


The new ones






Watercolor Study 11 x 14



16 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas


A painting of Peace Flags from 2008



Tibetan Peace Flags 2008
12 x 14
Acrylic on Canvas




This painting was used as the cover art for Diane Mandle's "Being Well: The Journey" a CD of guided meditations and sacred instruments including Tibetan singing bowls and gongs.

You can read more about the CD and learn about healing and sacred instruments at Diane Mandle's website SoundEnergyHealing.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Art and Wine for the Weimaraners


Sunday October 4, 2009, 3-6 PM
Gallery 801, 801 North Main

$5 Donation to Arizona Weimaraner Rescue

Wine Tasting of Mutt Lynch Winery's award winning wines, musical performance by Cinder Bridge and Kevin McCalix.

And of course- the canine inspired artwork of Carolyn Anne Anderson.

On Facebook?
RSVP for the event online and share the event info with your Facebook friends!

Click Here for the Facebook Event Invitation




Mutt Lynch Winery
www.muttlynchwinery.com

New Water Color Series




Friday, June 26, 2009

Gallery 801 & TuScene on NPR

Our local NPR station KUAZ's show AZ Spotlight had a story on the arts and the economy this morning. They ran the AZ Illustrated feature on Gallery 801 and TRAC. You can listen to it and watch the video online on the KUAZ website. The story features Steven Derks, a brief interview with me, and in the video you can see my boys running around the gallery.



They also interviewed artist Rachelle Diaz of the local Tucson blog www.tuscene.com . Diaz's blog covers all the shows and happening on the Southern Arizona arts scene.

Click Here or on the image below to listen to the interview online.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Print Auctioned Off To Support Tucson YMCA


"Why Did The Chicken" 8 x 10 Signed, Framed Print being auctioned off.

Click Here To See The Listing

Benefit Online Silent Auction For Tucson Family YMCA

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Gallery 801 on Arizona Illustrated June 16, 2009


Arizona Illustrated June 16, 2009

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Upcoming KUAT Segment

Friday June 5th Steven Derks and I were filmed at Gallery 801 for an upcoming segment on KUAT's Arizona Illustrated. The segment is about arts and the economy. I was told they are interviewing several local artists about using new marketing techniques like social networking i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc. to stay afloat in a down economy. I talked about TRAC (Tucson Revivalist Artist Collective) a group that Steven Derks founded that I am a part of that has put together a few shows at 801. For more on TRAC visit their website. To learn more about the show we put together called "Home Tweet Home" utilizing twitter click here: www.tweettucson.com . You can also follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/tweettucson and www.twitter.com/muttbutt .

Here are some photos of KUAT producer Sooyeon Lee, her crew, and my toddlers getting into mischief at Gallery 801. The segment should air sometime this week. I'll post the time and date when I know.




Monday, May 25, 2009

Home Tweet Home Opening

Here are some photos from the May 9, 2009 opening at Gallery 801's show "Home Tweet Home"

We had an incredible turnout! It was a lot of fun.

Thanks everyone who came.




Carolyn and Carl Anderson at the opening (in front of artwork by Steven Derks)




If you click over to www.tweettucson.com subscribe to the blog and you'll get updates with incredible photos of the artist's new artwork and all the happenings around Gallery 801.

You can also follow the show on twitter at www.twitter.com/tweettucson

New Pollos Del Pueblo Painting

Here it is!
The new Pollo del Pueblo painting.



It's called "Hen Party at the Rialto"
20 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
$950
Currently showing at Gallery 801
801 North Main, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone 520-370-1610

Here are some of my fabulous girlfriends who came out for the reception


Friday, May 15, 2009

Pollos on Moco Loco & Caliente Blogs

My new series called "Pollos del Pueblo" which features chickens out on the town in Tucson, AZ was featured in the blog Moco Loco. Moco Loco is a blog of modern and contemporary art. To read the entry click on the link below below.

Moco Loco




They were also featured in the Arizona Daily Star's Thursday May 14, 2009 Caliente Blog


Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tweethearts of the Rodeo






Home Tweet Home

Gallery 801’s new show wants to tell the world about the Tucson Art Scene and How Tweet It Is

May 9, 2009 Gallery 801 opens “Home Tweet Home” a fine art show featuring Tucson artists on Tucson. From Steven Derks’ bright tiles baked in the Tucson sun, Bryan Crow’s abstract painting expressing dry-heat urban angst to cool tranquility, to J Randall Harris’ photographic travel posters featuring Tucson’s favorite destinations, the show features original work interpreting what we all love about the Old Pueblo. Painter Carolyn Anne Anderson has contributed a series for the show called “Pollos del Pueblo” featuring hens en route to Club Congress, a fowl couple leaving The No-Tel Motel, and inebriated roosters stumbling out of The Buffet. Her pollos offer a whimsical take on our city landscape. Edward McCain, who is best known for his award winning photographs featured in publications including Arizona Highways and Sunset Magazine will have an artist talk and book signing for his photo-documentary "7 Days in Tucson” at the gallery May 16, 1-3 pm. The show will also feature McCain’s photographs from the book.

In addition to the diverse artists represented, Home Tweet Home features an innovative interactive element. Art fans will be able to view the show at Gallery 801 and also online at www.tweettucson.com . Through the website you can click and transfer images, links, and artist information onto your blog, social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, and Twitter.

Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that allows user to send 140 character messages to their followers called “Tweets”. For example, a visitor to the gallery can go to the tweetucson.com website and click the “tweet” button to post something like:

“Chicken’s At the No-Tel Motel? Check out a Painting by Tucson’s Carolyn Anderson muttbutt.com all part of Gallery 801s show tweettucson.com”

This allows visitors to the physical and online shows to interact with the work in a new way. The site also allows you to get to know the artists directly through Facebook, MySpace or to link directly to their individual websites.

The show came together when Steven Derks, Carolyn Anne Anderson, and Bryan Crow, members of the Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective, got together to brainstorm creative marketing ideas. The show grew out of an effort to offer people who want to support local artist an easy means to do so. Gallery 801 owner Derks states “Most people know Tucson has an incredible art community and are interested in supporting it. With this show we wanted to explore ways online that people can interact with the art, the artists, as the relationship goes both ways. The Twitter and Facebook component exponentially increases who can experience the show. The tweetucson.com website gives folks a free and easy opportunity to support local artist and give them exposure to thousands of people.”

“Tweeting” has the potential to bring about great publicity for our local artists and the Tucson arts scene as a whole.
Check Out “Home Tweet Home” opening May 9, 2009 at Gallery 801 and online at www.tweettucson.com.
With an opening artist’s reception Saturday May 9, 6-9 pm, Photographer Edward McCain’s Artist Talk and Book Signing Saturday May 16, 1-3 pm, the show runs through July 1, 2009.
Gallery 801 is located at 801 North Main and the corners of Main and University. For more information call 520-370-1610.

For more information about the artists mentioned above please visit their individual websites:
Carolyn Anne Anderson www.muttbutt.com
Lee Roy Beach www.leeroybeach.com
Bryan Crowe www.bryancrowartist.com
Steven Derks www.stevenderks.com
J Randall Harris www.jrandallharris.com
Edward McCain www.mccainphoto.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Great Press Coverage In The Tucson Weekly


Here's a story about Steven Derks, Bryan Crow and yours truly...

March 25 Tucson Weekly!

Friday, March 20, 2009

PBS Arte! Documentary



Here is the PBS ARTe! Documentary I am in. My segment begins about 24 minutes right after R. Carlos Nakai the Native American flute player.

If you like the piece take a moment to let the producers know
http://about.azpm.org/contact/

Monday, March 16, 2009

My Art On D-Town

This was a bit of a nice surprise today.

There is a Tucson Arts Show called "D-Town" and they filmed at Gallery 801. During some of the show they are standing in front of my paintings :-)

You can view it online at this address.

http://www.tucson12.tv/programs/DTown/index.php


Carolyn

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Segment Coming Up on KUAT Channel 6 ARTe!

Here's the KUAT Channel 6 Press Release ARTe
It will air Sunday March 22, 2009, 6:30 PM



TUCSON, Ariz. (March 6, 2009) – The first installment of the second season for the regional arts journal ARTe from Arizona Public Media features five area artists who use their art to inspire resilience for themselves and for others.

ARTe covers the vital and versatile arts scene in the Tucson area and Southern Arizona and is produced by Emmy award-winning producer Sooyeon Lee, who profiles some of the most talented visual and performing artists in the region for the journal. The five artists profiled in this installment of ARTe, called “Art and Inspirations”.


Date, time and channel
Sunday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. on KUAT6 and KUAT-HD (analog broadcast channel 6 and digital 6.1)


Where to watch
More information about the ARTe arts journal -- including when and where to watch -- can be found on the Arizona Public Media website at http://tv.azpm.org/originals/arte/


Artists featured
Mark Klett, Photographer
Rick DeMont, Olympian and Painter
Guillermo Gomez Pena, Performance Artist
R. Carlos Nakai, Native American Musician
Carolyn Anderson, Painter


Bios of artists featured on ARTe “Art and Inspirations”
MARK KLETT
Mark Klett photographs the intersection of cultures, landscapes and time. His background includes working as a geologist before turning to photography. Klett established his artistic perspective on the Western American landscape as the chief photographer for the Rephotographic Survey Project (1977-79), which rephotographed scenes visited by the first photographic surveys of the West in the 1860s and 1870s. Klett has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Buhl Foundation, and the Japan/U.S. Friendship Commission. His work has been exhibited, published and collected both nationally and internationally for over 25 years. He is the author of thirteen books including the recently released Saguaros (Radius Press and DAP, 2007), After the Ruins (University of California Press 2006), Yosemite in Time (Trinity University Press, 2005), and Third Views, Second Sights (Museum of New Mexico Press 2004). Mark Klett is Regents’ Professor of Art at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

RICK DEMONT
Rick DeMont was a swimmer who set a record for the1500m freestyle at the age of fifteen in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. But the International Olympic Committee took Rick DeMont's gold medal from the 400-meter freestyle at the 1972 Munich Games after he tested positive for a banned substance contained in his asthma medication. The U.S. Olympic Committee subsequently admitted that it had mishandled DeMont's medical information at the 1972 Olympics, and appealed in 2001 to the IOC to reinstate the medal, but the IOC refused to offer any official acknowledgement of DeMont's innocence. Now an established painter, DeMont talks about how painting helped him deal with distressful events, finally leading him to find serenity in life.

GUILLERMO GOMEZ PENA

Performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña was born and raised in Mexico City in 1955. He came to the United States in 1978 and has been exploring cross-cultural issues and North-South relations ever since. He works in a wide variety of media, including performance art, bilingual poetry, journalism, radio, television and video, and installation art. From 1983 until the mid-1990s, Gómez-Peña lived in San Diego/Tijuana, where he was a catalyst for the reinterpretation of American culture from the point of view of the contested terrain along the border between the United States and Mexico. His art focuses, on the one hand, the exotic and folkloric stereotypes of Mexico still popular in the United States; and on the other, the cultural nationalism often associated with politically charged Chicano art. He currently lives in San Francisco. He was a founding member of the Border Art Workshop/Taller de Arte Fronterizo and the editor of the experimental arts magazine The Broken Line/la Linea Quebrada. He has been a contributor to the national radio magazine Crossroads and the radio program Latino USA, and a contributing editor to High Performance magazine and The Drama Review, two of the leading magazines dealing with performance art. In 1991 he was the recipient of the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship.

R. CARLOS NAKAI
Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world's premier performer of the Native American flute. He is responsible for the popularity of Native American music. Originally trained in classical trumpet and music theory, Nakai was given a traditional cedar wood flute as a gift and challenged to see what he could do with it. Since 1983, he has released over 40 albums. In addition to his solo appearances throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, Nakai has worked with guitarist William Eaton, flutist Paul Horn, composers James DeMars and Phillip Glass, and various symphony orchestras.

Nakai has earned two gold records for Canyon Trilogy and Earth Spirit and has received eight Grammy® nominations. Nakai’s career has been shaped by a desire to communicate a sense of Native American culture and society that transcends the common stereotypes presented in mass media.

CAROLYN ANDERSON
When Carolyn Anderson was 17 years old, she was a passenger in a SUV accident. Surviving this event became a defining point in her life. When the doctors diagnosed Carolyn with permanent paralysis, she began a journey to health and healing. In 1996 a four-legged companion joined her on my path; Tyler J. Worthington, her black Labrador Retriever service dog. They've been together for the last decade and his love has truly transformed her life and who she is. Anderson says dogs have the incredible ability to teach us about love, acceptance, gratitude, and most of all, joy. Now a painter, Anderson tries to capture that amazing love that she received from dogs on her canvas.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Planetarium



Last Friday the boys and I went to the BEST garage sale. It was a fund raiser for a girls soccer team. For $40 we purchased: 2 pogo sticks, a skate board, 5 soccer balls, a soccer ball net, a huge stack of picture books, winnie the pooh VHS Tape, a tape dispenser, solar powered flashlight, kids scrabble game, and the biggest prize of the day was.... (drumroll).... a brand new discovery store planetarium new in the box. Suffice it to say it was like Christmas when we got home. SO EXCITING.

The planetarium toy is the kind that is a round ball and projects the stars up on the ceiling. It also came with a DVD and an audio CD that explains all the constellations and instructions to look for them while you listen- and a laser pointer thing.

The boys could hardly wait for it to get dark so that we could try it out.

FINALLY after the sun went down we went into their bedroom and lit up the "sky" and put on the CD. It was really magical. Axel (my 2 year old) was completely mesmerized by the light show. I was so impressed that the boys took turns holding it. Amazingly they listened to 1 hour of a narrator talking about the planets and constellations (that's a LONG time for a 2 and 4 year old). It has started a whole interest in astronomy, planets, our solar system.

Here's a few photos I managed to capture of Axel in the dark. I think in them you can see his excitement and anticipation.

Most days I feel really lucky to be a stay at home mom. But today especially- sitting the the dark with them. The excitement and wonder, I don't know who was more excited them or me. Made me feel teeming with gratitude. I wanted to share these.




Monday, March 9, 2009

Win a FREE 13 x 19 Fine Art Print !!

Supporters of Mutt Butt Dot Com!
Win A FREE 13 x 19 Fine Art Print



I am announcing my NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!
Mailing List Sign Up Page

I am sure you are so excited you can hardly contain yourself! YIPPEEE more emails!


Now you may be hesitant and ask yourself... hmmmm...

WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP?
(here's a few reasons)


  • I won't share your email with anyone else.

  • I only send out a couple emails a month (I won't flood you with them everyday)

  • You can opt out at anytime by clicking "unsubscribe"



What's in it for me?

When you subscribe you'll be privy to a sneak peak of my new artwork before it is shown. Info on upcoming shows and events.

Mailings include my incredibly witty prose and funny jokes- now with misspellings and incomplete sentences!

NUMBER ONE. It really supports me by knowing who's interested in my art.

So you can feel good by simply clicking and entering your email- you are supporting a local artist. Let's face it. It's a hard economy for artists right now.
We can all use all the support we can get!

HERE'S ANOTHER GREAT REASON--- One lucky person who signs up between now and April 15, 2009 will win their choice of a 13 x 19 PRINT!

Click here to see the prints.
Carolyn's Etsy Shop

Click here to sign up!
Mailing List Sign Up Page

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up!
(If you've signed up in the past 2 weeks- you're already entered in the contest).

Carolyn

One More FREE and EASY way to support me and my art if you are a facebook user click over here
Carolyn's Face Book Artist Page
then clicking "Become a Fan"!

www. muttbutt. com

Saturday, February 28, 2009

New Mobility Verbatim March 2009


This is a feature in an upcoming issue of New Mobility.

Here's a PDF of the article if you'd like to read the text.


March 2009 "Verbatim"

It's a really great publication, especially for persons with disabilities, or their family members or caretakers.

Learn more or subscribe online at their website www.newmobility.com

C

Saturday, February 21, 2009

25 Random Things- Via Facebook

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I am nosey and want to know more about you.




1. I'll get the big one out of the way first. People ask, or some want to ask but don't know how is "what happened to you"?. I was in a SUV roll-over accident and broke my back, I am paralyzed from the waist down. The answers to the next questions are No, No and 17. No I wasn't driving, No I wasn't wearing my seat belt, and I was 17 years old at the time.

2. I was born in Wichita- grew up in Wisconsin in a town of about 800 people (799 after I left) where my dad was the Lutheran Minister. As teenager my life's dream was to be a Solid Gold Dancer, (second only to becoming Mrs. Han Solo). I used to dance around the yard in my little town with my girlfriends and imagine a producer from solid gold would drive by, be blown away by our routine to "Dancing Queen" or "Don't you want me" by the Human League. Slam on the brakes, sign a contract, and off to Hollywood!

3. I was hoping someone would get me a "Don't Blame Me - I Voted for Ron Paul" Bumper Sticker or T-shirt. But maybe for my birthday.

4. A guidance counselor told me once I'd grow up to be a real estate agent or the other woman.

5. I was voted "most likely to be convicted of a felony" by my high school class.

6. I studied Arabic at U C Berkeley in '97 with a bunch of CIA field agents

7. I haven't had a drink or smoke for over 11 years.

8. I gave birth (via c-section) to two healthy little boys- even when some doctors said that wasn't going to be possible to carry a baby to term.

9. I went to school with 2 famous people: recording diva and singer song writer Alice Peacock (www.alicepeacock.com) and actress Rachel Oliva (check out God, Inc on youtube, hilarious! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2f4heaG288 she's the redhead).

10. One time through an odd set of circumstances I ended up in the same room with Charlie Watts. He touched my shoulder and despite myself I didn't faint,melt, or throw up on myself.

11. I used to work at a fruit stand selling bananas and oranges in college. I used to work at a swap meet/flea market all through jr. high and high school. I am good at setting up folding tables, making change, and sidewalk salesmanship.

12. My college nick name was "Stan", I still answer to it, smile when I pick up the phone and someone asks for "Stan" as I know it's a dear friend I haven't seen for awhile.

13. My business is called "Mutt Butt" because I let my 3 1/2 year son old pick out the name. I was trying to think of something with "Mutt" in it because at the time I was painting people's dogs on commission and he said "butt" rhymes with "mutt", "butt" tee hee hee, "butt" hee he hee and continued to laugh until falling on the floor laughing, (literal ROFLMAO) and when I searched for domain names... "mutt butt" was there. Now... well now, I'm kind of stuck with it, but people definitely remember it. "butt" tee hee hee


14. I have an extensive salt and pepper shaker collection. My favorites being a collection of dogs in their dog houses, plastic kitchen appliance shakers, and a nudie stripper girl where you shake the salt out of removable boobies with Madonna rhinestone pointy pasties.

15. It wasn't until having children of my own did I truly realize how much and how deeply my parents loved me

16. I have a chapter I wrote in a book called "Foucault on Governance of Disability" before you run out and buy it- it's really kind of boring.

17. I used to contribute a comic in New Mobility magazine called "Dating and Disabled Girl"

18. I played on a women's wheelchair basketball team- and the men's U of A wildchairs team. I never was very good, but it was the first time I had ever met so many fabulous disabled women, it changed my life, and really helped form me into the person I am today. It gave me the courage to become a mom- as I met so many other moms who used wheelchairs.

19. This February I will have my art in a show- which has been a dream of mine since I was in high school. This is the first show I've ever been in. (www.artinarizona.com)

20. I find money on the ground almost anytime I for anywhere- from 5 cents to $100 bills and I have been that way ever since I was a little kid. Once on a family vacation at Disney World I found $200- 2 $100 folded together. Imagine being 8 at Disney with $200 at your disposal. Lucky me!

21. I am married to my soul mate and the man I've been in love with since I was 18 years old. Grateful for every minute we've had together- cherish each moment- and looking forward to the next 60 plus years together.

22. It's my goal in the next couple years to write and illustrate a children's book. Another Life goal is to attend the annual TED conference- and even more- BE ACCEPTED AS A PRESENTER!

23. In November I put down my service dog Tyler of 13 years. That was a hard day, but I got through it. He was a good dog and he made me a better person.

24. I love to give my art away to people I don't know or I have never met. I love that I can give something to someone that you can't buy- and that is different then anything else. Each time I give a piece away- the next week something really magical happens. every time. without fail. One time I gave a way a painting to someone I never met- the day I dropped it in the mail- Harpo Studios (Oprah) called about a piece for her show. I totally believe in random acts of kindness having the ability to change yourself and the world.

25. At 35 years old I finally figured out what I am here to do and I couldn't be happier. Everything that has happened brought me to here- and I have nothing but gratitude for each moment on the journey. For me personally- the secret to life is Joy, finding it in each moment- going towards it, basking in it, and I am grateful each day for my kids- as that comes so naturally for them- they remind me if I ever forget.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Photos From The Show

Here are some pictures from the TRAC show opening at Gallery 801, 801 North Main, Tucson, AZ. The show is up until February 28, 2009. Stop by and see it! More information online at www.artinarizona.com.



Bryan Crow www.bryancrowartist.com






Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com


Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com


Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com



Photo by Karen Dombroski Sobel www.kadsphotos.com
Steven Derks- Gallery 801 Owner

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Two Trees by Yeats

I've been added to "A Treasury of Birches" on etsy
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=42187

"One could do worse than become a swinger of trees" Robert Frost

THE TWO TREES

by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

BELOVED, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
The changing colours of its fruit
Have dowered the stars with merry light;
The surety of its hidden root
Has planted quiet in the night;
The shaking of its leafy head
Has given the waves their melody,
And made my lips and music wed,
Murmuring a wizard song for thee.
There the Loves a circle go,
The flaming circle of our days,
Gyring, spiring to and fro
In those great ignorant leafy ways;
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the wingèd sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care:
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart.

Gaze no more in the bitter glass
The demons, with their subtle guile,
Lift up before us when they pass,
Or only gaze a little while;
For there a fatal image grows
That the stormy night receives,
Roots half hidden under snows,
Broken boughs and blackened leaves.
For all things turn to barrenness
In the dim glass the demons hold,
The glass of outer weariness,
Made when God slept in times of old.
There, through the broken branches, go
The ravens of unresting thought;
Flying, crying, to and fro,
Cruel claw and hungry throat,
Or else they stand and sniff the wind,
And shake their ragged wings; alas!
Thy tender eyes grow all unkind:
Gaze no more in the bitter glass.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Loki Blue Dog






Here's a couple more pictures of the Loki our new rescued Weimeraner.

He's got a very sweet personality, gentle, but at the same time a maniac puppy. He's 10 months old. He'll chew up anything he can get into, jump the fence in our backyard with a single leap, and he can climb. He climbs like my 20 month old- his ball bounced and landed on a top shelf of a book case and he very daintily climbed up the furniture to get it- like a cat almost- BUT HE'S a 56 lb dog.

I am wondering if naming a dog after the Norse god of mischief might not be a self-fulfilling prophecy.



He is really easy to train. He's got sit, down, stay- pretty good- and now we're working on "drop it" and "leave it" especially when he gets the kids stuffed animals.

It's been fun to watch his personality come out- he's eager to please- and wants to be right there- in the mix with the kids. Playing right along.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Up For Bids...

I have three pieces of art currently being auctioned off for charity.

1. Expansion- go to www.artinarizona.com and click on "silent auction" it's currently at $100 - all the proceeds go to Beads of Courage- a charity for children with cancer.



Expansion
Acrylic on Canvas
20 x 24

2. 13 x 19 Print of "Return to Gaia" go to www.artinarizona.com click on "silent auction" you can bid online again every cent goes to Beads of Courage.



3. 13 x 19 Print of "Return to Gaia" (same as above) benefit for Arizona Weimeraner Rescue- $85 plus shipping- buy online at Etsy follow this link

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20010830

To learn more about Beads of Courage watch this little youtube video