Wow! What an Amazing Week! (And It's Not Over, Yet!)

To say that I'm excited today is possibly the understatement of the year. So far, anyway.

I submitted my "Manitou" piece to the Lincoln Arts and Culture Foundation for their annual ceramics show, "Feats of Clay."  Here's the writeup:

Lincoln Arts and Culture Foundation will present its twenty-fourth annual juried competition of ceramic works April 23 - May 29, 2011 featuring artists residing or working in the United States, Mexico & Canada. This celebratory exhibition of contemporary ceramic art (sculptural, non-functional, functional) will be held on the property of the renowned Gladding, McBean Terra Cotta Factory, and displayed inside an original 35-foot beehive kiln and in the historic architectural design studio. Access to the exhibit is by tour only.

Placer County's "most unique event," Feats of Clay, brings together the best of contemporary ceramic art displayed in the historic Gladding McBean terra cotta factory. The competition has become one of the most important shows in the nation. A winning entry - or even a piece displayed in the hotly contested (over 1,000 entries are received yearly) show - is an impressive addition to any artists' resume.

I really didn't expect anything of it. After all, I have heard from reliable sources that all sorts of professionals submit for this show without ever being accepted. Considering this was my first year to submit, and the piece is relatively small, and the fact that I still don't consider myself to be a professional- I seriously did not expect to have my work accepted.

I got the phone call yesterday!

Yes, there was as much shouting, screaming, and jumping up and down as when my piece went into the Crocker Art Museum. Even more so, since my piece wasn't part of a student show. I am really stunned, amazed, and stoked! Wheee!

(Big, gooshy thanks to my benefactor and husband, Mr. ShellHawk, for not only being supportive, but essentially bankrolling my artistic endeavors! *kisses*)

And the week isn't even done! I still have Transworld to hit with the Hauntcast crew this weekend! I'll be speaking in exclamation points for a long time! Yay!

O.K. Seriously. I'll try to post some fun from Transworld! (Crap, the exclamation point snuck in again! ;o))

The Big Day, Part One

"Part Two" will hopefully come when I get into the next show, which would be another HUGE milestone in my life.

Until then, I'll give you a few pics of yesterday's festivities.

I'll start by saying I was really pleasantly surprised by the turnout for brunch. I don't think of myself as a big deal in any way, so when a number of folks expressed interest when I put out the invite, I could only think, "Wow. Seriously?"

So, about 20 people showed up, and my dad flew up from L.A. (best dad, ever!) for the event. BTW, if you're ever in the downtown Sacramento area, Capitol Garage is an unbelievably fantastic place for brunch!

Afterward, of course, we all headed over to the Crocker Art Museum to look at my sculpture and have a cultural experience. See how small he is? Now you know why I almost went blind making him!

Below, Mr. ShellHawk and I prove that Vanna has nothin' on us!

In any case, it was a really wonderful day. We took a little while to wander in the "old Crocker" area. The building itself is as much a piece of art as the works it houses. Hand-painted, hand carved everything, it is truly architecture that would cost millions today, if you could even find the artisans to make all the elements. The new ceramics wing was both inspiring and depressing, because I can clearly see how far I have to go before I get to those levels. We had to go sooner than I would have liked, but it gives me an excuse to go back again and examine everything more closely at a later date.

Onward to the next show!

YES! A Special Bulletin

It's official! My "Manitou" piece has been chosen for display in the Crocker Art Museum! Details about the showing will follow as soon as I get them.

And yes, I did actually jump up and down and scream, "Yay!" as loud as I could. Several times.

Dignity at all times.