Earlier this year I submitted a proposal to The Lawndale Art Center for a gallery show and, well, sadly, they didn't accept it. So, what to do next? Today, I submitted again to the same gallery but for a different show. That's what I promised myself I would do this year.

It's an awkward process. I wrapped up my three favorite pieces and printed out the paperwork. I filled it out three times in an effort to get it just right. I double and triple checked everything and made my way over to the gallery. For this show, you have to drop the work off for a jury to review them (vs. sending in images of it). I am happy about that actually because I think the work is more interesting in person. You can really see it the textures and all the layers that way. As I was walking in, there were lots of other artists carrying in their work as well. Even though it made me realize how much competition there is for the space on the walls, it also made me feel better. I kept thinking, we're all in this together. I wasn't the only one filling out the paperwork 3 times and I wouldn't be the only one who got told yes or no.

The judging happens on Saturday and Sunday and on Sunday they will be calling the people whose work was NOT selected. If the work is not selected, then you have to go pick it back up. I'm really hoping they say yes because going back to pick it up if they say no is really not going to be fun. As you can imagine, my Sunday afternoon is going to be spent staring down my cell phone and hoping that I do not get a call. We were allowed up to three submissions so they may accept one, two or three. I have to remember that if/when my phone rings on Sunday afternoon.

So, sweet friends, on Saturday and Sunday send me good luck vibes, pray, maybe do a rain dance or meditate on the visual of them accepting my work. I would appreciate anything of the sort that you can send my way.

This week I am in Dallas taking a workshop with one of my favorite photographers. It's inspiring and I'm loving every minute of it. Our instructor created this analog Facebook like wall for us. We put out inspiration pieces on it, an image from our work and little bits of pieces of things we love. On the first day, we went around and introduced ourselves and talked about why we were here, a little bit about ourselves and what our photography is like. It was so nice to hear everyone's stories. It is always amazing to me how  a group of stories can be so similar yet so unique.

For me, I am searching for new inspiration. I am a body in motion trying to stay in motion. Ideas beget ideas and action and inspiration are the seeds for ideas.

It's hard to be away from though. It's been almost 4 days and I'm missing my three guys. I like to be away and off in the world on my own every so often but after a few days I start to feel a little untethered. I need hugs from my boys and I need to know Steven is nearby. I need to see their faces. For now, I need to head back into class and immerse myself into the work, focus and enjoy the respite.

I think this might be my most favorite piece of art that I have ever made! I saw it clearly before I even started, which does not always happen. I have had this tiny statue of the girl carrying the suitcase for ever. I have a mini priest too but I haven't figured out what to do with him yet.

Anyway, back to the art at hand. The lower half is a pencil drawing with a round piece of crochet. The wool was found on a trip to Chile a while back. The snail shell was found in France. The distressed map images are fiber prints (prints made in a darkroom) that have been selenium toned and then distressed, overlapped and sewn together. The cord is simply braided string and the buttons are antique finds.

I promised that I would take you guys along on my art journey this year. To be honest, it's been hard keeping up with it all. I also feel a little unsure what to write about. I guess you can say that I am still trying to find my blog voice when it comes to my art.

I have all of my current favorite pieces up on my art wall at the studio. It's a stand alone wall with only this type of work on it. I've noticed that I don't point it out. I think I'm still pretty shy and nervous about unveiling this other side of my work. I get annoyed with myself for that and, with that in mind, I would like to invite you to my open house this weekend.

Did I mention that I'm terrified that no one will come? I'm also a little terrified of the opposite scenario. Regardless of these nervous feelings, I do hope that YOU will come! It's this Saturday, April 30th, from noon to 9 pm. My open house coincides with my building's open house and the Inner Art Corridor event. The I C Art studio crawl should be a lot of fun and I highly recommend you join in. While you crawl from studio to studio, stop by and see me. We're even doing free Facebook profile pics for our guests!

1824 Spring Street
Studio 216 (second floor)
Houston, Texas 77007

Hope to see you this weekend!

This Friday I am going to be a part of a pop up gallery show at Loop Shoes in the Rice Village here in Houston. The show features Toms shoes that have been customized by local artists. The show was organized by my friend, Danny Clark and the people at Loop. I hope you will come by and see the shoes and say hello!

The shoes will be on display all day Friday with an artist reception from 6-8 pm. Loop is located at 2427 Rice Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005.

My shoes are called Elephants March and are painted using flexible fabric acrylic paint and accented with a few rhinestones. They are a 7.5 (sadly, not my size) and will be on sale at the show. Maybe they will be a perfect fit for you?

If you have not heard of Toms shoes yet, I am more than happy to give you the skinny. I love this company! You can learn all about their story here. The basic idea is that for every pair of shoes you buy, the company gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. Their motto is "one for one". Here is one of their inspiring videos. There are more on their site and on You Tube.