On snowy winds into the New Year, 2018!

So the mellow start of Winter has become a biting cold wind and a significant bit of snow, some eight to twelve inches near Chicago, Illinois. What a year 2017 proved to be! I think I have earned my three times as many white hairs. Between turning 40 years old, the challenges of various family health issues, and the birth of my second niece just this last week, I too have begun to feel a sense of time moving faster. I am grateful to say that both of my parents are recovering their health. The recovery has been slow but steady. I will be returning to physical therapy to deal with some rotator cuff and thorasic nerve issues in my left arm this week. My youngest brother, David and his wife, Tasha, welcomed the birth of their first child, Jeanette. I am delighted to get to be the doting auntie to another beautiful niece! I have also undertaken some new efforts to embrace change and growth with my art and teaching. This year I am embarking on a new installation work to be revealed with sketches, a model and prospectus later in the Spring. I have spent much of the Winter working on a commissioned acrylic mural on a linen chest.

I now offer drawing, watercolor and acrylic classes two days a week (Wednesday and Thursday), at the Michael’s in Downers Grove, with daytime and afternoon options.  Coming soon, evening options. My Community Arts Center classes, Painting & Drawing Studios on Mondays, have resumed after a hiatus for the holidays,  at the Northfield Mall in Bourbonnais. Ongoing offerings on Thursdays and Saturdays at the Elk Grove Village Park District include drawing, acrylic, watercolor and printmaking without a press. Upcoming classes at Expressions Graphics include Collagraphic printmaking plates of Birds and Nests and Sumi Painting on Fridays into the Spring. My classes are available here in the site menu by location at www.flyngypsyarts.wordpress.com

I have joined the organization The Artist Next Level, which has so far provided webinars with continuing education, referrals for a website review and an archive software, and community feedback. I am looking into a staffed archive service and a major update to my inventory and website as well.

Recent, current and upcoming art exhibits include “Incubator” at Dancing Krow Gallery in Oak Park,  through January 2018. At Life Force Arts Center in Chicago, the next exhibit, Passion and Vision: The Art of Youth opens on February 3rd, 2018 and features two of my early works, from 1996-97. On Friday, January 19th, 2018, I attended the opening for a Crosstown Exchange, a group show featuring the printmaking work of 25 separate organizations in the Chicagoland Region. Twelve members of Expressions Graphics collaborated on a silk screen print titled Brownstone, with twelve individual windows each featuring a sketch by a member. Ours was the only collaborative print in the exhibit. I had a chance to speak to one of the jurors and tour the expansive studio facility at the hosting organization, Spudnik Press in Chicago. I continue to have art on consignment at physical locations: Expressions Graphics (Prints), Life Force Arts (Coloring Books, Prints and Poetry Books), Dancing Krow Gallery (Cards, Scarves, and Wands), and  in online galleries: Vida (Art Print Clothing, Pillows, Purses and Bags), and a selection of original and print works my home website www.flyngypsyarts.com

Watch for news about the installation in the coming months. As always, I live an artful life, choosing each day to embrace my challenges with optimism and seek to foster the creativity of my students! I encourage you to check out a class, visit an exhibit or website, and contact me if you are looking for an original commission.