New Year. 2014.

Always happy to support a fellow artist and friend, as I did on January 3, 2014. Artists Incorporated, a local art gallery, hosted a book signing and reception for Charlie "Tin Man" Lucas. Good food. Great music. Love his new book.

Charlie doesn't venture very far from his two studios (Pink Lily and Selma, AL) so it was a real treat to hang out with him and share a couple of stories and a laugh.

Looking forward to seeing him and spending a little more time yapping it up, later this year, at the Annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts.

2011 KENTUCK Festival of the Arts

KENTUCK 2010: MERIT AWARD

I've been on the road, participating in art festivals, locally and regionally, almost every other weekend since August. Grueling. If you're holding down a full-time job and you think that going on the road with your art is easy my advice to you is NOT TO DO IT! It's insane.



KENTUCK was my last outdoors festival, to participate in, this year.
And. . . to my surprise, I was presented with a Merit Award. Never saw it coming. Never expected it. Ever. I was stunned! For those who participate in art festivals and/or follow established and emerging artists you know that receiving an award, on any level, at KENTUCK is H-U-G-E! Competition within each category is extremely high. It's difficult enough to be juried into the festival much less receive an award. To say that I'm walking on air, one week after the fact, is an understatement. The acknowledgement of my work, linoleum block relief prints, by the KENTUCK committee speaks volumes. I'm encouraged. My stock just went up.



I was assigned to a new spot, on the festival grounds, this year. Initially, I moaned about it. I'll be the first to admit that I had become very comfortable sandwiched between the University of Alabama Book Arts booth, Peter Rose, Kathy Fetters and Glenn House, Sr. I didn't want to deal with any of the anxiety that comes with a location shift. But, as we all know, change is not necessarily a bad thing. In the end, it all worked out.

The party at KENTUCK doesn't begin until Amos Kennedy appears. Here's a pic of Amos, in all his splendor, walking towards me in his trademark coveralls and pink tee. Everybody who meets Amos has a story to tell about him. I have my stories, too. My poster "ALL COMMUNITIES DESERVE HEALTHY FOOD'' was produced after having a conversation with Amos about creating art "for the people." He speaks; I listen. More about that later.

In closing, thanks to all who stopped by to say hello and a special thanks to my patrons. Lastly, my heart felt gratitude to Tom who works his magic, setting up and breaking down camp, each and every time. Couldn't do it without him. Thank you, Tom.

Time to Unwind

I've finally completed my obligation to the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham. September 30th ended the one year contract. Whew! My final report and the images which I created for my narrative: Walk, in the Direction You' Goin' In were turned in and reviewed. I feel relieved that it's done and behind me. It was quite a challenge going to work everyday from 9 to 5 and then having to come home and rev up for another 3 to 5 hours of carving linoleum blocks and/or drawing. I realized early during the grant year that the best part of my day, when I'm most alert and creative, was spent working for an employer. I would have preferred spending the bulk of my time engaged in a project that I felt passionate about . . . and working for myself. But that was not the case. I was constantly juggling my time, energy and attention. I believe that I presented a lot of great prints to show for my efforts. I have a few more commitments this month and then I plan to take a break from everything! I WILL NOT make any promises that will tie me to a schedule. . . other than what I want to do; when I want to do it. Once I regroup and catch my breath, I'll upload my DVD to YouTube. The DVD was created to highlight my year long process of working on my narrative and linoleum relief prints for CAGB.



Two weeks ago, I drove to the University of Montevallo to an event sponsored by Multicultural Affairs. My friend (and relative?) W. Ralph Eubanks lectured and read from his second book, released in May 2009: The House at the End of the Road: The Story of Three Generations of an Interracial Family in the American South. Ralph is Director of Publishing at the Library of Congress. He presented me with an autographed copy of his book. Love it!

Last week, I presented an art talk to Birmingham Needlearts, The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. It went well and I'm planning to give more of these talks and lino block demonstrations. I have a lot to say about my art and what it represents.

The first Saturday of October I participated in the 46th Annual Bluff Park Art Show . It's always a wonderful venue. I can't believe that this is my 4th year exhibiting there. Ginger of Deep Fried Kudzu stop by to introduce herself. I've been following her blog for a while. It was great putting a face with the name and meeting her husband and two sons. Her blog is about life, art, travel, cooking and Southern culture in the Deep South. Also, Penny Arnold, a very talented glass artist from Leeds dropped in. Penny was the instructor of a stained glass class that I took, this past January, at the Birmingham Museum of Art. I was in good company with my friend and fellow artist, John Sims. He and his wife were set up next to me. John is the individual who first encouraged me to apply for Bluff Park. When I was admitted on my first application it sealed the deal. I haven't looked back. Other friends and patrons stopped to say hello. And last but not least, kudos for my friend Tom who was available to lend a hand. Couldn't have done it without him.

Needless to say, I was in my element. The weather was great! Let's hope that we'll have lots of sunshine this weekend at The KENTUCK Festival in Northport, AL on October 17 & 18th. See you there!

KENTUCK '08 Recap

One week has passed since KENTUCK. I still consider myself a neophyte with regard to the juried art festival circuit. However, I've now participated in all of the major shows in this region, in three short years. It's very satisfying. I'll concentrate on my grant (administered by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham) over the next year and then will begin considering applications for out of state juried art festivals next fall. What can I say? I love the circuit!

I don't know how I happened to have landed a perfect spot for set up: B-34. I wish that I could post the pics of new friends and artists who I spent two days with but I failed to ask their permission to upload their faces and art. (I feel very strongly about that.) Bummer. Well, since I didn't ask, I'll just say that Peter Rose of Knoxville, TN, Kathleen Fetters with husband Glenn House of Gordo, ALA, Sam the Dot Man and Amos Paul Kennedy, Gordo, ALA among others made the event fun. Interesting note: Glenn is a retired faculty member in the MFA in the Book Arts Program at the University of Alabama. A number of patrons stopped by my booth to see my new block print designs. I was honored to have Buddy Palmer, President & CEO of Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham to stop by, and Julian Hazlett. Actually, I remembered to ask Julian if I could add his pic to my blog. Here he is with his trademark smile! What a handsome guy. Gush. Gush. My friend John Sims and his wife stopped in. John is the individual who literally pushed me into filling out my first application for an art festival -Bluff Park.

Although on-site security was great, I couldn't leave my prints overnight. The risk of dampness or dew saturating my paper is scary. I had to set up at 5:30 every morning then break down and pack up each evening for the drive back to Birmingham. I didn't do any of this alone. Tom did it all and I'm grateful for his effort. What a guy.

KENTUCK was fun! Thanks for stopping by my booth and saying hello. See you, again, next year!

KENTUCK Festival of the Arts

I spoke with the Executive Director of KENTUCK today and was informed that I have been accepted to participate in KENTUCK. The KENTUCK Festival is the mother of all juried art festivals (in my mind)!

I have lived and breathed KENTUCK since I arrived in Alabama ten years ago. It is the south and all things southern. The art, the food, the music. Everything about it speaks to me. I haven't missed a festival since 1997.

So much to do; so little time.
Hope to see 'yall there.
Bring a smile and good weather!