Women Works Art Show

Short Notice! Enter TODAY!
Here is the link
Women’s Works™ is a juried fine art exhibit presented annually by the Northwest Area Arts Council (naac). The show, which coincides with Women’s History Month, has become a much anticipated event in northern Illinois. It is our goal to focus on women artists of North America. We provide an opportunity which showcases the creative efforts of women artists.

21st Anniversary Exhibit of Fine Art by Women – Exhibition takes place at the Old Court House Arts Center on the Historic Town Square in Woodstock, Illinois.

The strength of the show is in you and your participation. Women’s Works has become a much anticipated area event, and the Gala Night Opening Reception sees an excess of 500 people filling the galleries. The show enjoys excellent media coverage and exposure. Along with the Opening Reception, numerous other events are held at The Old Court House Arts Center during the exhibition. Concurrent with this, our Twenty First Anniversary Women’s Works is the Twelfth Annual Little Women’s Works featuring (and nurturing) the artistic achievements of young women. Information on that event is available separately. Please visit the naac web site at www.naac4art.org.

Jump for Art!

Jumping in Art museums seems like a very Makers thing to do.

knitting graffiti

A few meetings back we were talking about knitting graffiti. The above picture is one I took while in chicago, it is right outside of the art institute.
Here is a comprehensive post someone put together of knitting graffiti.
Would anyone from the group like to organize a knitting graffiti mission?

Introducing The Makers Flickr Gallery

Hey! We now have a gallery soley for The Makers Art Group Members! Please feel free to post your finished work at http://www.flickr.com/groups/themakersartgroup/. This way we are able to present ourselves to potential gallerys, shows, etc. as a group. Think of it as an online group portfolio. Thanks!

FREE CLASSES TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

The Small Business Administration has FREE online classes for starting your own business including: Business Planning, Business Management, Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Advertising, Small Business Retirement, and Federal Tax Training. Here is the link.

STARTING A BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS

"So, you want to start a business of your own? We've assembled information from across state government to help you get your business up and running. From developing your business plan to registering your business, these links will help explain what resources are available and what your responsibilities are as a new business owner. If you still need help, feel free to ask us a question."

http://business.illinois.gov/starting.cfm

DOOR COUNTY CALL FOR ARTWORK

Deadline: September 1
Knock: Arts & Literature journal is currently seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, non-fiction,
painting, drawing, journal entries, songs, prints, rants, haikus, and whatever else has been eating
away your time...please visit Knock Magazine for more information, submission
guidelines and previous submissions, and share this with anyone who might be interested!

Submission Information. For a stepping off point, the loose theme for issue 6, is Neverland and Peter Pan. The feeling of delayed maturity and sustained paradise in Door County is something that many residents, new-residents, and even visitors have dealt with now and again, within themselves or with others. Are you a lostboy or lostgirl? Chasing a shadow? Still trying to concentrate on that happy thought? Write, muse, paint, draw about it, and share it with us.

CALL TO ARTISTS, ENTRY FEES

As shown at: Art Calendar Magazine, July/August 2008. I've narrowed down some of the Call for entries to our members' interests and color-coded them for easy access. Hope everyone finds this helpful!

Al: BLUE

Robyn: GREEN

Erin: BROWN

Elinor: RED

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

DESTRUCT/CONSTRUCT. NATIONAL JURIED ART EXHIBIT. Sept.12 – Oct.10. Awards: $500.00/1st; $350.00/2nd; $150.00/3rd.Open to US artists 18+. Entry Fee: $25/3 slides or jpeg,CD format. $15 handling fee for shipped work.30% donation to gallery appreciated. Juror:Gregg Hertlieb, director/curator of Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, IN. Prospectus: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411, www.unionstreetgallery.org .

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

“FIBER ART” JURIED SHOW. PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE. Oct 14 – Nov 11. Open to artists in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, & Wisconsin, 21+ years. Cash awards. Fine Art. Entry fee: $20/4 images. 20% commission. Prospectus and entry form: SASE to Christopher Art Gallery, Prairie State College, 202 S. Halstead St, Chicago, Heights, IL 60411 or www.prairiestate.edu/artgallery .

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

SEPTEMBER JURIED EXHIBITION. DAC Gallery. September 2 – 30, 2008. Open to all artists worldwide, 18 and older, not currently represented by CAS working in all 2D media. Three winners will be chosen to take part in a group exhibition at DAC Gallery in 2009. Juror: Allen Terrell, Program Manager, who has been curating shows for over 15 years and oversees three art centers in the Los Angeles area. Entry fee: $35 for 1-3 pieces, $45 for 4-5 pieces. Artists may send color printouts or a CD via mail or images via e-mail. 40% of the selling price will be retained by DAC Gallery. Prospectus: SASE to 828 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 or download application form at www.dacgallery.com .

DEADLINE AUGUST 14TH

ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES JURIED COMPETITION. Soho Photo Gallery. November 6 – 29, 2008. Cash awards. Open to US residents 18. Photography Media: Alternative processes including (but not limited to) cyanotype, Van Dyke, platinum/palladium, Polaroid© transfer. $40/5 entries. 20% commission. Juror: Dan Estabrook, artist- photographer. Prospectus: SASE to Alt. Processes, Soho Photo Gallery, 15 White St., NYC, NY 10013, www.sohophoto.com , mbfranklin@earthlink.com .

DEADLINE AUGUST 8

THE PERFECT FIT: SHOES TELL STORIES. Fuller Craft Museum. June 6, 2009- January 3, 2010. Starting in February, 2010, the exhibition will travel to exhibition venues around the country. Open to all US artists working in any craft medium. This exhibition will explore how shoes can tell stories, addressing topics such as gender, history, sexuality, race, class, and culture. Artists looking to apply for this opportunity should review the recent and upcoming exhibitions at Fuller Craft to understand the mission of the museum (e.g. we do not exhibit photography, paintings, or prints, and our focus is contemporary craft). Objects made in 2006 or later by artists working in the United States will be considered. Any size is possible. Any craft medium is possible. Any extraordinary concept is possible. If accepted, artists will be responsible for all incoming shipping, crating and transportation costs. Entry fee: $10. Apply online only at: www.fullercraft.org .

DEADLINE AUGUST 15

MIDNIGHT OILS. Mills Pond House Gallery invites artists to submit works ranging from the macabre to the whimsical. We are looking for works that celebrate the awesome power of art as a spiritual instrument that helps man transcend its primeval fear of death and of the unknown. Juror: Alain Khadem. The juror is not interested in works that are gratuitously gory, but is looking instead for works that have an added dimension and portray frightening subject matters in a philosophic, romantic, or humorous light. Download prospectus from www.stacarts.org/exhibits or e-mail HalloweenArt@stacarts.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 2

UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS: A FINE CRAFT EXHIBITION AND BOUTIQUE AT THE PEN AND BRUSH GALLERIES. Oct. 9 – Nov. 2, 2008. Open to all women artists working in decorative and wearable fiber, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, enamel work, ceramics and sculpture. Entry fee: $50/3 images. 25% commission. Juror: Joanna Rothbard, owner of American Craftsman Galleries, NYC. Prospectus and info: www.penandbrush.org or SASE to CRAFT, Pen and Brush, 16 E. 10th Street, New York, NY 10002, or e-mail: info@penandbrush.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 4

SMALL WONDERS JURIED EXHIBITION. Maryland Federation of Art. Dec. 2 – 27, 2008. $15,000 in cash awards. Open to US residents. Media: any 2 or 3D work following size guidelines. (slides or digital) Entry fee: $25/1-2 entries; $5/ea.add’l up to 6 total. 30% commission. Juror: Diane DiSalvo, Curator & Director of Cultural programs at Villa Julie College. Prospectus: SASE to MFA, Small Wonders Dept AC, PO Box 1866, Annapolis, Md. 21404, www.mdfedart.org , or info@mdfedart.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 8

THE ARMORY ART CENTER invites all artists in all media to submit recent work produced after 2006 to be juried for October 17 to November 8, 2008 exhibition. 35 mm slides or CDs allowed for submission. Fees: $35 for 1-5 slides/images; $5 for each additional slide/image. Jury winner will have their work exhibited. All work must be for sale. for more information, details and entry form please e-mail Michelle.Nichols@armoryart.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

ONLINE OPEN INT’L ACRYLIC JURIED SHOW. International Society of Acrylic Painters. Opens November 14, 2008. Open to all artists 18 years and older with using 80% acrylic painting on any surface. Juror: John Cogan, landscape and wildlife painter. Entry fee: $25 for 2 images for ISAP members; $35 for 2 images for non-members. 15% donation appreciated for work sold during the online show. Prospectus: download at www.isaponline.com .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA 95TH ANNUAL NATIONAL EXHIBITION. Nov 13 – Dec 2, 2008 at the National Arts Club Galleries, NYC. $22,000.00 in awards in cash and medals. Open to all artists. Media: Oil, watermedia, pastel, graphics, sculpture. Slide or jpeg accepted. Prospectus: SASE to Rhonda Yanow, 19 Springtown Rd , White House Station, NJ 08889 or www.alliedartistsofamerica.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

SEEING THE LAND 2008. Juried Show. University of Indianapolis Dept of Art & Design. November 10 – December 5, 2008. Cash Awards; Three merit cash prizes. All media. Open to all artists residing in IN, OH, KY, IL, and MI. Entry fee: $20/2 works of art. No commission. Juried by the faculty of the Dept of Art & Design. Prospectus: SASE to University of Indianapolis Dept of Art & Design, 1400 Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227, 317-788-3253.

DEADLINE SEPEMBER 30

LIFE’S UNIQUE JOURNEY. 5TH Annual International Juried Exhibition. Northwest Cultural Council. Nov 18 – Dec 30. Cash and ribbon awards. Open to artists 18+ worldwide. All media, except performance, film and video. Entry fee: $25/3 slides. 25% commission. Jurors TBA. Prospectus: SASE to Northwest Cultural Council, 500 N. Hicks Rd, Suite 120, Palatine, IL 60067-3604, northwestculturalcouncil.org , 847-991-7966.

DEADLINE OCTOBER 3

BEYOND PRINTMAKING. JURIED EXHIBITION. Texas Tech. January 2009. All media including time based and installation. Include statement of concept ’beyond printmaking’. Original works by artists 18+. $25/3 entries. $5/ea.two add’l. Juror: Holly Morrison, Virginia Commonwealth University. Notification October 31, 2008. Details, prospectus available online at www.landmarkarts.org or send SASE to Beyond Printmaking, TTU School of Art, Box 42081, Lubbock, TX 79409.

Rockford Midwestern

Congratulations to Al for showing in the Rockford Midwestern show at the Rockford Art Museum. We are all very proud of him.

WEEEEEEEE!

I wanted to congratulate Makers Erin and Elinor on their brand new studio space!

Resin Video

Since we were talking about working with resin at our last meeting, here
are some links for a series of videos on working with resin.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
I wish I could find out where he buys his rings. I've had this plan in mind for years for doing collage pieces in silver rings with resin, but other than forming the rings individually I can't execute my idea. His rings are exactly what I've been looking for, for years. I've searched high and low on the internet, in catalogs (like rio grande) and the closest I've come to finding something like that was actually in a craft store. Unfortunately, it was all decorative and ornate, and I'm looking for plain, basic and simple. I imagine his ring blanks have to be purchased in bulk because he sells the finished pieces for $16, and their just silver plated (which is fine by me). So, if anyone has any idea where they might be able to attain a similar ring blank, please leave a comment. Thanks.
Oh, and while we're speaking of working with resin, my friend Rosa made this cool youtube video where she shows how she makes some of her artwork.

Sketch Tuesday

I'm completely inspired by this video I just saw on youtube. This group has organized an event called Sketch Tuesday in San Fransisco.

"Sketch Tuesday is a monthly live drawing event at (a local) gallery. It takes place a certain tuesday each month. It's where artists come and draw live, or sketch and when the work is done they hang it up and it's available for sale, for very little prices."

Wouldn't this be a wonderful project for The Makers to propose to some of the local galleries? We could promote this to KVAL, NIU and the Kish Art depatments for a call to artists. We could inform the local newspapers and radios and they could spread the word to both artists and buyers. I just think it would be a great addition to DeKalb. I have a vision of local artists bringing minimal supplies, and the tables and chairs are provided by the gallery or a group. Afterward the artists just tack up the artwork like in the video and people from the community are able to purchase affordable artwork. In my mind the gallery would hopefully do it in an interest to get people into, and become familiar with the gallery, not as a direct money making venture. People could be encouraged to bring appetizers and even wine, etc. so that buyers and the artsists could snack and shmooze. The pieces would need to be made that evening. In the video it sounds like it is an invite only group. I'm not opposed to the group being open to all artists, depending on how big it got.

I'm excited. We'll talk more about it tonight.

-robyn (robayre.com)

Polaroid Week

Today is the beginning of Polaroid Week. Everyone can join in on taking a picture and posting it daily here on the 'Roid Week 08 group on flickr.

This is my picture for Monday. Today was the first time I've ever taken Theo outside and let her be on the ground/grass. I've always been too afraid that she would get startled and run away, get attacked by some animal seeing her, or get a tick or fleas or something in the grass. She seemed very curious and I could just imagine what she was thinking..."What is this weird place where the ground is made entirely of food?"
-Robyn (robayre.com/news)

Meeting 04.11.08

Natalie, Al and Erin were present and Robyn stopped by. Al handed out some of his prints to eager members. Erin showed her painting once again, but was stalled in progress. Members offered suggestions. No photos this week.

Wireless

I just read an article in the star about local businesses that offer wireless services. The Junction, Java 101, Shelley's, Panera, The DeKalb Public Library and The House all offer free wireless. Caribou offers the first hour free and an hour for every purchase over $1.35. The others businesses in the article all cost money so I won't waste my time to mention them.
Any of these might be a nice "change-up" to meet at on Fridays. What do you think?
-Robyn

Printmakers Unite!

Hi everyone! I finally figured out how to join the blog, and just in time too, for I have some printmaking info to share with the group!
When I came to my first Makers Meeting, I brought along a few envelopes with prints in them that I had received from participating in an exchange online. Printmakers Unite! is a group through myspace where group members can talk about their art, organize and participate in print exchanges, and just share information about what's going on in the print world.
Today I discovered two new exchanges posted in the group:

'Inky Sound' Print Exchange

• Sign ups end on Sunday, February 24th for this exchange.
• The mailing deadline is Wednesday, March 26th.

The details:

• Format: Any printmaking method or combination of methods.
• Theme: ‘inky sound’ – you must represent a song or a piece of music in print form. Don’t forget to let us know your inspiration!
• Paper: Your choice.
• Paper Size: 4”x 4” minimum / 8” x 10” maximum.
• Image size: Your choice.
• Edition Size: The number of prints you will need to send will be determined by the number of sign ups. If 20 people sign up, you need an edition of 20... If only five sign up, then we need only five prints. If the number of participants gets too large, I will break the exchange into smaller editions of around 10-20 prints. I'll give you the final number once sign ups have ended.
• MAILING DEADLINE is Wednesday, March 26th. Your package must be postmarked by this date. Keep an eye on the calendar – time can fly by faster than you think!

‘Impossible Visions’ Print Exchange

• Sign ups end on Sunday, March 16th for this exchange.
• The mailing deadline is Wednesday, April 30th.

The details:

• Format: Any printmaking method or combination of methods.
• Theme: ‘impossible visions’ – (to be interpreted by you as you wish)
• Paper: Your choice.
• Paper Size: 4”x 4” minimum / 8” x 10” maximum
• Image size: Your choice.
• Edition Size: The number of prints you will need to send will be determined by the number of sign ups. If 20 people sign up, you need an edition of 20... If only five sign up, then we need only five prints. If the number of participants gets too large, I will break the exchange into smaller editions of around 10-20 prints. I'll give you the final number once sign ups have ended.
  
• MAILING DEADLINE is Wednesday, April 30th. Your package must be postmarked by this date. Please keep track of the time – days, even weeks, can fly by fast!

I will be bringing more info about these exchanges to the meeting tomorrow, and I'll try and remember to bring some other exchange prints I haven't shown you guys yet.
Until then, I hope you all have a great Friday!

Opportunities for Our Members:

• GALLERIES/NONPROFIT SPACES REVIEWING PORTFOLIOS

Deadline: FEBRUARY 29
*ARBORETUM
STEINHAUER TRUST GALLERY

Open to artist producing wall-hung art to exhibit in University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum’s Steinhauer Trust Gallery. Send proposals, 5 slides or electronic images, SASE: pat Brown, UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711, 608-265-3355, http://www.UWArboretum.org/about/gallery/#artistsmailto:pabrown1@wisc.edu

Deadline: MARCH 1
ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE
The Galleries on the campus in East Peoria, IL, accepting applications for 2008-2009 exhibition season. Send current resume, 20 slides, short bio, statement and SASE to Jennifer Costa, Gallery Curator, Illinois Central College, One College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635. slides preferred, but will accept CDs with good quality images of work. E-mail submissions NOT accepted. Questions: 309-694-5529, jcosta@icc.edu

Deadline: MARCH 1
FRED P. GILES GALLERY
Accepting proposals for individual shows for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 exhibition schedules. Exhibition space consists of upper and lower galleries with a spacious landing between. Stipends for transportation costs and honoraria for gallery talks will be awarded on a funds-available basis. All media, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, metals, mixed media, painting photography, printmaking and sculpture will be considered. Insurance. Send 10-20 slides or digital entries, slide list, resume, statement, SASE to Esther E. Randall, Director, Fred P. Giles Gallery, Department of Art and Design, 309 Campbell Building, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475-3102.

SUBMISSION OF EXHIBITION PROPOSALES
KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE ART GALLERY
Kishwaukee College Art Gallery invites artists (one person or groups) and other interested parties to submit proposals for exhibition. Potential exhibitors are asked to provide the following materials for consideration: a written proposal discussing the type and number of works to be shown. 15-20 slides of the work, an artist’s statement outlining the focus of the work, a vitae, and a SASE. The exhibitor has the option of being available for the installation and removal of the work. In the absence of the exhibitor, the gallery director will supervise both the installation and removal of the work. Proposal materials are reviewed by the Gallery Committee as they become available for Fall and Spring exhibition schedules.
Non-art proposals should include a statement outlining the intent of the display and the type, size, quality of the materials to be shown.
Send Proposal Materials To:
Michelle Erickson-Goettl, Gallery DirectorKishwaukee College Art Gallery21193 Malta RoadMalta, IL 60150-9699Phone: (815) 825-2086 Ext. 561E-mail: Michelle Erickson-Goettl

• PRINT EXCHANGE

Deadline: APRIL 15
OREGON INKSPOT 2008 PRINT EXCHANGE
2^nd Annual Open to artists worldwide. No entry fee in lieu of donation of two prints from the exchange to Oregon university. Exchange requirements: edition of 15 identical 5x7 prints, original prints made for this exchange. Insert interleaf or glassine sheets between each print, cut to 5x7. Each print must be signed and numbered and accompanied by artist’s name, title and media. All prints submitted will be put in a web gallery and shown in an exhibition at the Nightingale Gallery, Eastern Oregon University’s main gallery space, in December 2009. A portfolio of 13 randomly selected prints will be mailed to each participant in the summer of 2008. Send prints and SASE (6”x9” or larger) to: Oregon Ink spot Exchange, Attn: Kathelene Galloway, Loso Hall 154, One University Blvd., Easter Oregon University, La Grande, OR 97850, http://www.eou.edu/inkspot

• EVENTS WITH ENTRY FEES

Deadline: MARCH 31
2008 JURIED COMPETITION

First Street Gallery, June 26-July19, 2008. Open to US residents 18+. All media except photography or film $30/up to 3 entries; $5/ea. add'l-no limit. Juror: Gregory Amenoff, Char of Visual Art; School of Arts, Columbia University. Prospectus: SASE to First Street Gallery, 526 W. 26th Street, New York, NY 10001 or http://www.firststreetgallery.net/ NO EMAIL ENTRIES.

Deadline: JANUARY 30
Woman Made Gallery: Clay and Fiber

CALL FOR ARTWORK: Clay and Fiber Exhibition Dates: April 4 – May 15, 2008Woman Made Gallery seeks entries by women and men for "Clay and Fiber," an exhibition that examines the creative potential of these two mediums. Artists may submit work in clay, fiber, or work that combines the two mediums. To provide a diverse presentation, the juror will consider art created with traditional, functional or conceptual approaches. Artist Statement plus Entry Fee: $24.Online Entries Submit jpgs of three of your works on our website.Mailed Entries Mail slides or cd with images of three of your works, completed entry form and a $24 entry fee to Woman Made Gallery, 685 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622Juror: Dorothy HughesDorothy Hughes is an accomplished clay, fiber and mixed media artist. After receiving her training from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and the University of Illinois at Champaign, Hughes taught Fiber at various institutions including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Evanston Art Center and Wolverhampton College of Art and Design in England. Hughes maintains a studio in Chicago and teaches Clay classes at ArtScapeChicago for Harold Washington College.Final Entry Deadline: January 30, 2008Notifications: February 20, 2008

Beginning Jewelry Making

Class offered through Kishwaukee College:

Beginning Jewelry Making:

Express your inner self by designing and creating your own jewelry! In this hands-on class you will create two unique pieces - a pendant and a ring. Along the way, you will learn the tools of the trade including sawing, soldering, cutting, and filing. Cost includes $20 for supplies. This class meets at Miedema Fine Jewelers, 113B West Main Street, Genoa

Ref#9469

Saturdays, 4/12 - 4/19/2008, 10am - 12pm

2 Sessions, $67 David Miedema

Several of The Makers members are taking this class, come join us!

Click here for a Registration form or call the college at 815.825.2086, ext. 204 between the hours of 7:30am - 4:00pm.

Revisiting Modern Japanese Prints:

"Selected Works from the Richard F. Grott Family Collection"

Show: Rotunda, NIU Art Gallery

This show showed the contrasts between the Eukiyo-e, woodblock prints of the Edo period and that of modern day.The different modern movements were sosaku-hanga, or "creative print," and the shin-hanga, or "new print." Shin-hanga was an effort to renew the Eukiyo-e print styles and conventions while the sosaku-hanga rejected these conventions in favor of self-expression and creativity of the individual artist.

Print (top):
Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950)
Title: Yamanaka Ko (Yamanaka Lake)
1978 reproduction of a print originally made in 1929, Edition: 62/300
Image: 16.75"x22.25"
Carver: Endσ Kσkyoku
Printers: Tochigi Yoshirσ, Ito Tσmoro
Richard F. Grott Family Collection

Print (bottom):
Clifton Karhu
Snow at Katsura (or Katsura Detached Palace)
1970, Woodcut, Edition: 38/50
Image: 15.5"x25.125"
Richard F. Grott Family Collection

Ayomi Yoshida - YEDOENSIS

This was the installation piece by Ayomi Yoshida that we visited as a group on Saturday. If you have a chance to visit, the experience is worth your time: Rotunda Gallery, NIU Altgeld Hall, January 15 - March 7, 2008.

Artists Statement:

"In April of 2007 as I watched the cherry blossoms falling, I wondered if the cherry trees would ever bloom again."

"Cherry trees seem to burst into blossom all at once, and after a day or two, drop their petals just as quickly. In Japan they have long been emblematic of life's evanescence. Traditionally, many festivals and seasonal celebrations are planned to coincide with the cherry trees' full flowering. But as the earth's temperature rises, the trees that used to flower in April are no flowering in march. Festivals conducted every year since the early Edo period (1603-1868) now occur long after the blossoms have been swept away. I once believed that the coming of spring and the cherry blossoms would always happen, but lately I am less certain. Will there come a time when the trees fail to bloom? Of course, if such a thing were to actually happen, everyone would be concerned and saddened. But by then, would it be too late?

While I watched the cherry blossoms fall last year, I though about my installation for NIU. The timing of the exhibition, from January to March, would coincide with the coming of sakura, cherry blossoms. During the 1990s, I had produced work about the disappearance of nature in populous cities throughout the world. These images were single sheet wood block prints. For NIU, however, I decided I wanted to merge my concept of "nature" and my artistic approach to "installation.

"Because the climate is so harsh in winter, cherry trees don't grow in many northern states in the U.S. However , if the earth continues to warm, there may be a time when cherry trees bloom in Minnesota and North Dakota. However, that happy though is tempered by the possibility that Japan would be a desert, or submerged beneath the rising seas.

"'Yedonesis' is the scientific name for Somei-yoshino, a type of tree cultivated from wild cherry trees during the Edo period.Somei-yoshino typically lives for sixty years and bears no seeds or fruit. When it is young, the blossoms are vibrant pink and full of life; as the tree ages, the blossoms become paler, as though presaging the end of life. In paintings that remain from the Edo period, the blossoms are pink, but in recent years whether because of weather conditions or weakening DNA, only white blossoms appear - even on young trees.

"Working with a team of volunteers for three weeks, I adhered nearly 100,000 woodblock printed sakura blossoms to two-dimensional branches on the walls of the Rotunda Gallery in the NIU Art museum. The point of my installation, however, was not simply to meet the challenge of producing and adhering so many printed blossoms. A single living cherry tree sends for millions of blossoms each spring. The installation demonstrated that no matter how many people worked over a long period of time, we couldn't come close to equaling nature. I hope that every one who was involved withe the installation, and everyone who visits the exhibition, will understand the grandness of life, its power and energy, but at the same time will sense the precious brevity of blossoming sakura.

"The growth of plants is governed by the rules of nature. In order to express this natural order, I used square prints adhered in a grid pattern. By opening the exhibition while the installation was still in progress, I could emulate a cherry tree coming into full bloom. It also allowed me to demonstrate how small, single acts, when piled one on top of another eventually amount to something larger. In Japan, when there is a great need or hope, it is customary for many people, almost impulsively, to combine their efforts to achieve a desired outcome. in this way, they realize their heart-felt wishes in the same way, I hope the concept and message of my installation - a work that involved so many individuals - will ready the hearts of even more people.

"Around the time that this exhibition ends, the "YEDOENSIS" cherry trees in Japan will begin to bloom. As always, their delicate beauty will be short-lived. It is my hope that each spring it will always be so."

~Ayomi Yoshida

January 15, 2008

Ventures into the new world

Yesterday, we (Robayre, Pejnolan, Al and I) ended up traveling to Schaumburg in search of Dick Blick and it's promised treasures.  What began as a simple drive to get art supplies ended up a six and a half hour venture filled with piles of sweaters, a million awesome art supplies, and visions of interior decoration heaven.  

Our venture began at the Protective Life parking lot, the three of them meeting me at my place of employment.  It was around 2 pm and none of us had eaten, so we headed out to the local Panera.  Delicious sandwiches (with spicy mustard!), bowls of soup, apples and baguettes were had by all - Al and Pejnolan pocketing their extras for later ; ).  Our conversation led us to the winter season, the need for warmth and sweaters.  Pejnolan was wearing a lovely grey sweater jacket from Old Navy.  It wasn't knitted in the standard garter stitch - it was in seed stitch.  

Needless to say, we headed out to Old Navy.  What we found were an abundance of like minded people digging through piles and racks of clearance winter clothing.  Alas, a similar seed stitch sweater was not found, but other good deals were had all around - each of us bought at least one sweater for $6 or less!

We then made our way to Schaumburg and Dick Blick.  The drive took us back down a crazy length of Randall Rd, a long stretch of I90 and through the maddening streets of the Woodfield Mall shopping area.  After 1 turn around, Dick Blick's was at last before us.    

The story of our adventure to be continued...

Meeting Minutes

So, I was given the "Honor" *cough*sarcasm*cough* of posting minutes from last night's meeting.

Since, this "honor" wasn't given to me, until the end of the meeting, let's just see how much I can recall:

In attendance on Friday, January 11, 2008 Anno Domini, was Pejnolan, Dakokichi, Elle and myself.

Meeting commenced at 7:30ish post meridiem, at the DeKalb Borders.

This is the part I might have trouble with; the whole portion where the talking stuff happened.

So anyway, I think we began by talking about self promotion again:

• Networking
• printing promotional postcards with sample work
• contacting galleries, etc.
• possible opportunities to present artwork to be added to private collections

Then there was talk about available rental studio spaces in the area:

• above the Yarn Exchange in DeKalb
• basement apartments in the downtown area
• Fantasies about buying our own warehouse or duplex with conjoined garage to fill with studios.

Pejnolan brought some work. She shared with us what she has done since she showed it to us last.

"After doing some more in-depth research into Aboriginal art, I understand that what I am doing may be considered offensive to the indigenous people of Australia. Their art is more than just our western civilizations concept of art.
Art is not merely a "picture" but a living thing which connects past to present, natural to supernatural, and is a sign of knowledge. It is part of their religion and part of who they are as a people. The thing is, that is exactly why it is so dear to me. I respect that it is a spiritual journey of meditation, patience and guidance from a greater being whom I call God.
So, not wishing to offend, but still in admiration of the meditative, symbolic, iconic, and spiritual aspects of the artistic style; I've decided to build my own symbolic imagery stemming from my own geneology, time, place, space, religion, education and culture. Stories that my ancestors have passed down through the generations would be expressed in the paintings. Symbolic animals and plants from my piece of the big blue marble. "

Pejnolan also reflected on the previous year and drew to all of our attention that we have all done very well on last years goals.

Plans were made to venture to Blick to take advantage of their Back to School Sale, on Saturday.

Everyone picked up various art books and magazines to browse.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m

Back to School Sale

Here is a link to 30% off a one non-sale item at Dick Blick.

And then here is mention of the canvas sale I told you about. I think it was buy 20 or more canvases, receive 70% off, buy 15 or more canvases, receive 60% off, buy 10 or more canvases, receive 50% off. Sale goes till February 29th, it's still early in the sale, so they should still have plenty of stock.

Anyone interested in a trip to Blick, tonight for our meeting or this weekend? I think we should go to Schaumberg as I think it is a bigger store than the Wheaton one.

First Post

Hello! Welcome to the official Makers Art Group blog. This is our first post, weeee!

Last night we met at Borders for our weekly informal meeting and discussed creating this blog.

Erin brought her finished acrylic piece entitled "Crocodile Dinner" (see left) for constructive criticism as well as a work in progress.

We looked over the latest art magazines, talked about the presidential campaign and made the people around us squirm as we showcased our political "intellect". Case in point, can you imagine (red-neck voice) Howdy, I iz prezidint Huck-uh-bee.

Anyhoo....

We also discussed Al's possible future website and portrait business and what that would involve as far as contracts with clients, form of payment, etc.

Hope we haven't scared away our audience with our first post. We hope to post minutes from our meetings, announce group events such as field trips, and present photos of our most recent work.