The other day I was wandering around downtown and stopped at the Gallery 37 store. Essentially, it's an art gallery that sells works by Chicago Public School students (http://www.afterschoolmatters.com/). Much of what's there is breathtakingly beautiful. And today I visited Project Onward Gallery (http://www.projectonward.org/) at the Chicago Cultural Center. This venue fosters the creative process in those with mental or developmental disabilities. Again, the work is magnificent.
I couldn't help but be inspired by both visits. Seeing works of art, whether in a traditional or alternative setting, brings out an almost visceral need in me to put paint to canvas. Plus, I've been wallowing lately in too much mindless activity-- tv, internet and the like. I've been feeling like I want to DO something. MAKE something.
Out came the canvas and brushes tonight. I've been dabbling with a few ideas off and on and in fact I have a painting started of 7th Heaven. But do you ever care so much about something that you're afraid of it? That's how I'm reacting to that painting. Eventually I plan on doing a diptych and sharing it with the band. So clearly it's precious and, being rusty, I'm afraid of "messing it up." Duh. It's acrylic-- which is very forgiving-- and painting is like riding a bike-- comes back quickly. Nevertheless. So for now I'm giving myself permission to leave it off to the side and I'm putting on the "training wheels" again by working on an abstract addition to my virus series.
Unless I'm in a class, painting can be something I do in fits and starts. Still, I'm encouraged by the simple act of that first brush stroke. Feels a lot better than reality tv.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Let me tell you about my birthday weekend...
I've been 48 years old for a week now. Damn. That's friggin' old! Seriously, though, it really doesn't feel that way to me. I like to think that my spirit of fun and adventure keeps me kinda young. That, and the fact that I still wear Muppets t-shirts.
My birthday weekend was incredible, even though the days leading up to it were not without some negative vibes and drama.
On Friday after work, my sister Teresa took me to a Blackhawks game while John watched my niece and nephew. Even though it's pre-season, the United Center was rocking and we had the ultimate great time, with lots of laughter, deep conversation, beers and pretzels! It was a lovely autumnal evening so we walked home from the United Center. I adore Teresa; our closeness
sustains me.
Meanwhile, John, Sean and Alexis were having a good time of their own. John's a very indulgent uncle so it was a night filled with snack foods, age-inappropriate movies and video games galore. We all decided to make it a sleepover; Teresa and I crashed around midnight, while John and the kids stayed up til well past three.
On Saturday morning after the family left, my friend Susan and I had lunch downtown and saw the kimono exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. I was in awe of the color and design; as always, AIC is a place of great joy for me. And it's always wonderful to see Susan. We talked a lot about Suellen, who we lost in December. Suellen's birthday is two days before mine, so she has been on our minds even more lately. Through our friendship, Susan and I keep the memory of Suellen alive and near.
John and I made a Target on Saturday night, where I was delighted to find Jackie Kennedy's recently-released interviews in a book/cd combo, as well as chicken jammies (what can I say, I have a fascination with chickens-- I don't know exactly why).
Got up bright and early to go to Brookfield Zoo for a 5K on Sunday. I was so excited to celebrate my birthday surrounded by the people I love while doing something I love-- running! John and I were met there by my sisters Teresa and Kimmy, my nephews Justin and Sean, my niece Kaylee, Denise, Ron and Maria and baby Kaden, and Kimmy's friend Heena. I was presented with a colorful handmade "happy birthday" sign, a tiara and some red swedish fish candies. More surprises would be coming later.
It was Teresa's first race after conquering a tibial stress fracture. Kaylee has expressed a big interest in competitive running, much to our delight, so T and I ran with her, helping her to pace herself and having a great time singing and looking at the animals along the way. It was a delight. Meanwhile, it was Mia's first race back after giving birth to Kaden about a month ago. She rocked that jogging stroller! And to add another milestone to the day, Denise came in first in her age group.
After the race we had a tailgate birthday party in the parking lot. Denise made chocolate cupcakes and -- wow-- did I ever get presents! Gorgeous jewelry from John. From my sisters and the kids-- a running shirt, two Angry Birds stuffed animals, llama jammies and a pocket llama (yes, another bizarre animal obsession of mine), a teddy bear. But the best gift of all was a photo album T made for me containing a "year in pictures"-- snapshots from Soldier Field and the crawfish celebration afterwards, races, baseball games, 7th Heaven shows, 4th of July, trips to Great America. The captions cracked me up-- T at her finest-- and I don't recall ever feeling so loved.
Not much time for rest and recovery because later that afternoon the crew gathered at our house to watch the Bears game and party some more. Kaylee and Alexis were involved in a "top secret" project in the rec room-- cardmaking for Aunt Linda. Once again I was bowled over by the love and consideration these people show me. I'm blessed beyond measure.
My birthday weekend was incredible, even though the days leading up to it were not without some negative vibes and drama.
On Friday after work, my sister Teresa took me to a Blackhawks game while John watched my niece and nephew. Even though it's pre-season, the United Center was rocking and we had the ultimate great time, with lots of laughter, deep conversation, beers and pretzels! It was a lovely autumnal evening so we walked home from the United Center. I adore Teresa; our closeness
sustains me.
Meanwhile, John, Sean and Alexis were having a good time of their own. John's a very indulgent uncle so it was a night filled with snack foods, age-inappropriate movies and video games galore. We all decided to make it a sleepover; Teresa and I crashed around midnight, while John and the kids stayed up til well past three.
On Saturday morning after the family left, my friend Susan and I had lunch downtown and saw the kimono exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. I was in awe of the color and design; as always, AIC is a place of great joy for me. And it's always wonderful to see Susan. We talked a lot about Suellen, who we lost in December. Suellen's birthday is two days before mine, so she has been on our minds even more lately. Through our friendship, Susan and I keep the memory of Suellen alive and near.
John and I made a Target on Saturday night, where I was delighted to find Jackie Kennedy's recently-released interviews in a book/cd combo, as well as chicken jammies (what can I say, I have a fascination with chickens-- I don't know exactly why).
Got up bright and early to go to Brookfield Zoo for a 5K on Sunday. I was so excited to celebrate my birthday surrounded by the people I love while doing something I love-- running! John and I were met there by my sisters Teresa and Kimmy, my nephews Justin and Sean, my niece Kaylee, Denise, Ron and Maria and baby Kaden, and Kimmy's friend Heena. I was presented with a colorful handmade "happy birthday" sign, a tiara and some red swedish fish candies. More surprises would be coming later.
It was Teresa's first race after conquering a tibial stress fracture. Kaylee has expressed a big interest in competitive running, much to our delight, so T and I ran with her, helping her to pace herself and having a great time singing and looking at the animals along the way. It was a delight. Meanwhile, it was Mia's first race back after giving birth to Kaden about a month ago. She rocked that jogging stroller! And to add another milestone to the day, Denise came in first in her age group.
After the race we had a tailgate birthday party in the parking lot. Denise made chocolate cupcakes and -- wow-- did I ever get presents! Gorgeous jewelry from John. From my sisters and the kids-- a running shirt, two Angry Birds stuffed animals, llama jammies and a pocket llama (yes, another bizarre animal obsession of mine), a teddy bear. But the best gift of all was a photo album T made for me containing a "year in pictures"-- snapshots from Soldier Field and the crawfish celebration afterwards, races, baseball games, 7th Heaven shows, 4th of July, trips to Great America. The captions cracked me up-- T at her finest-- and I don't recall ever feeling so loved.
Not much time for rest and recovery because later that afternoon the crew gathered at our house to watch the Bears game and party some more. Kaylee and Alexis were involved in a "top secret" project in the rec room-- cardmaking for Aunt Linda. Once again I was bowled over by the love and consideration these people show me. I'm blessed beyond measure.
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