Please don’t laugh at the length of my reading list. I’m a slow reader. Reading puts me to sleep. Any reading list is ambitious for me. So here are the *two* books I’d like to read this year:

Landscape and Memory by Simon Schama (isbn 0-679-73512-7) - This book was included in a Michael James reading list for a class somewhere. I didn’t take the class, but the book description was intriguing: “Schama presents a wide-ranging meditation on the role of nature in Western civilization from ancient times to the present… He argues persuasively that Europeans and Americans have been shaped by nature as much as they themselves have shaped nature. Schama discusses the impact of sacred or mysterious rivers, forests, and mountains in forging the Western imagination.”
Art in Theory, 1900-2000, edited by Charles Harrison and Paul Wood (isbn 0-631-22708-3)

Another digital collage for the International Collage Exchange. This is one of my favorites– the others are a bit busier, I like the simplicity of this image.

I’ve got a few thoughts simmering for goals & direction in 2007 but nothing firm on paper yet… I think it’s time for me to delve deeper into my imagery, consider the concepts in my art, and explore the relationship of media to concept.

I’m hoping to draw more and keep a visual journal.

I’m also hoping to read more about 20th century art. Ask and ye shall receive! I bought a used flat file yesterday from a lovely artist downsizing her home and she gave some books from her library! Joan Walecka gave me American Abstract Art of the 1930s and 1940s (isbn 0-8109-6375-2).

I’d like to pick a few themes and work on a few series on those themes in several media. I’ve been doing some painting and just started a welding class!

It’s a quiet January…a bit cold and gray. I’m thankful for the opportunity to get back to the studio and get to work. These are yet untitled digital collages for the International Collage Exchange (formerly known as the Bakers Dozen Collage Exchange). I just ordered some new paper for the exchange prints– Arches Infinity Digital Art Paper, 230gsm– it’s thick and somewhat textured like watercolor paper. I’m really looking forward to working with it.

Nest #4, 12″ x 12″, ©2006, $125

Digital prints on silk, stitched.

January 1, 2007, a good time to reflect on the past year and look forward. In 2006, I began to get serious about exhibiting my art and had 3 (yes, 3!) solo exhibitions! It’s good to think about my recent accomplishments before I begin to record goals for 2007 (and realize how much more work there is to do!). In 2006, I:

• exhibited in Form Not Function (juried)
• participated in Dale Copeland’s International Collage Exchange in New Zealand and sold work
• hung work at PharmalinkFHI offices and sold work
• was juried in to Artspace as an artist member
• participated in Keisha Robert’s curated exhibition, Visual Voice
• hung work at RDU airport
• had work selected for inclusion in the book, Innovative Fabric Imagery to be published in 2007 by C&T Publishing
• had a solo exhibition at the Durham Arts Council and sold work
• hung 2 pieces in PAQA-South’s ARTQUILTSfive
• had a solo exhibition at Jordan Hall Art Center
• donated work for Artpace’s Gala auction
• participated in the Green Hill Center’s Winter Show (invitational) and sold work
• had a solo exhibition in Artspace’s Upfront Gallery and sold work

Wow! I am thankful for opportunity to make my art and share it! Life is good!