artHound

The Nightlight

July 3, 2014 in on page or screen | No comments

Akron’s new independent cinema, The Nightlight, opened to the public on Tuesday, July 1, with Only Lovers Left Alive, a film by Jim Jarmusch. I have been looking forward to viewing this film since reading about it last spring, so it was exciting news when The Nightlight announced it as their opening movie. Given the current popularity of all things undead, it was wonderful to see Jarmusch rescue the vampire narrative from the clutches of adolescent romance. The New Yorker review, After Darkness, by Anthony Lane, provides an excellent overview.

The Nightlight, created by Akron Film + Pixel, with generous support from the Knight Foundation and community funders, has a full schedule of upcoming films. Visit their website or, better yet, follow nightlightakron on Facebook for the latest schedule of movies and events.

summer reading ~ A Study in Sherlock

June 23, 2014 in on page or screen | No comments

While browsing the Akron-Summit County Public Library’s extensive collection of ebooks I happened upon a short story collection that seemed ideal for summer reading. Somehow I had missed A Study in Sherlock – Stories Inspired by the Holmes Canon when it was published in 2011. Edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger, the book features short takes on Sherlock Holmes by eighteen well-known authors, including Neal Gaiman, Lee Child, Dana Stabenow and Jan Burke. From Stabenow’s classroom assigned blog (complete with comments) to Thomas Perry’s release of John Watson’s manuscript of the events that transpired when Holmes was summoned to meet with President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, each piece is enthralling.

Rather than part ways when the library loan ended, I purchased a copy and learned that the graphic story by Colin Cotterill was not included in the library’s Kindle version. As his tale opens, Sticky Cotterill, writer of The Mysterious Case of the Unwritten Short Story, mistakes Laurie King for Larry King. Much silliness ensues amid delightful pen and ink drawings, rounding out a wonderful tribute to Sherlock Holmes.

Group Ten Gallery Regional Juried Exhibition

June 22, 2014 in artwork, hanging around town | No comments

Group Ten Gallery in Kent opened their first juried show with an evening reception on Friday, June 20, 2014. The call for entries was answered by 67 artists with 124 pieces entered. Eligible work was limited to 2D artwork, excluding photography. Esteemed judges, Christine Havice, Ph.D., Director, School of Art, Kent State University, and Lou Zona, Ph.D., Director of the Butler Institute of American Art, chose 58 pieces by 42 artists.

Among the included work is Aconitum, my monkshood themed set of five relief prints. It’s such an honor to be a part of such a strong exhibit of traditional and contemporary art by northeast Ohio artists. A list of included art and artists is available on the Group Ten Gallery website.

Group Ten Gallery
Regional Juried Exhibition
June 20 – July 19, 2014

138 East Main Street
Kent, Ohio 44240
(entrance on Burbick Way Alley)
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon – 5 p.m.

Hive

June 2, 2014 in artwork | No comments

Hive
block print – linocut

Considering the honeybees during a pause in the As Potent as a Charm series. This two-color version is the first of several bee prints in the works.

Valerian

May 30, 2014 in garden | No comments

A new herb appeared in the garden this spring, and, because there was an ID tag, I apparently planted it. Valerian, commonly used in herbal sedatives, grows quickly into a robust plant that is definitely not suitable for the front border of the garden. It rapidly reached five feet tall and showed no signs of slowing. Just when I was thinking that Valeriana officinalis would make a good substitute for Jack’s beanstalk, I learned that it already had a role in a different childhood tale: The Pied Piper of Hamelin. It wasn’t just the piper’s music that attracted the rats of Hamelin, it was the Valerian leaves he had in his shoes and elsewhere on his person. So, as catnip is to cats, Valerian is to (yikes!) rats.

A new herb disappeared from the garden this spring . . .

Art at the Farm 2014

May 24, 2014 in artists, hanging around town | No comments

For the third year the Barberton Community Foundation and the Barberton Historical Society presented Art at the Farm, featuring the work of both student and professional artists, in the O. C. Barber pig barn. The Barberton Community Foundation has a collection of photos, including some spectacular exterior views of this impressive building, on flickr – take a look!

above: Middle school students created a delightful creature feature of tiny ceramic monsters.
below: Rob Lehr and I making difficult decisions during the judging. (photo courtesy of Barberton Community Foundation)

my favorite house in spring

May 21, 2014 in garden, miscellany | No comments

Thanks to Stephen Paternite I feel like I’m living in an enchanted landscape. His infrared photo captures all of May’s springtime enthusiasm with lacy foliage and puffy clouds completely surrounding my big box of house. Forgotten are all of the flaws and tasks waiting to be completed – for the moment it’s like living in wonderland.

Stephen currently has an exhibit of his photographs at Studio 732, Akron Woman’s City Club, 732 West Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio. Stephen Paternite ~ Infrared Photographs will only be on view through May 29, 2014. Be sure to follow him on Facebook, visit his website and check out his new project, recently funded on Kickstarter!

“There is no house more beautiful than the house you happily live in.” Mehmet Murat ildan

Open Studio

May 19, 2014 in hanging around town, studio(s) | No comments

After days of stormy weather and flooding downpours, Sunday had all the hallmarks of springtime perfection – just in time for this year’s Open Studio. An afternoon of friends and family, conversation, art and goodies – what’s not to like?! Many thanks to all who stopped by!

Leona, Patti, me and Jessica standing around – thanks to Cari for snapping this shot for Leona!

go zen!

May 13, 2014 in miscellany, studio(s) | No comments

How appropriate that the Get Fuzzy calendar page provided me with an inspiring bit of motivation during this crazy week of Open Studio preparation . . .

I think I’ve found my new mantra!
The original strip can be viewed at gocomics.com.

getting ready . . .

May 12, 2014 in artwork, hanging around town, studio(s) | No comments

The cards are printed, the emails sent and the whirlwind preparations are underway!

It’s been nearly twenty years since I began hosting an open studio each spring, starting as one artist among many who participated in the Cleveland-based NOVA Open Studio Days. Following NOVA’s demise a group of Akron artists kept a local version of the event going, but only for a few years. Apparently my enthusiasm never waned – for many years, with only a couple exceptions, I’ve continued the spring open studio tradition on my own. Looks like the hounds are ready for visitors!