I guess it is fitting that I'm a fiber artist. The "threads" of my life seem to be unraveling in six different directions. Or, maybe they aren't coming undone at all. Maybe, I'm just "knitting" from six different spools!

I managed to reach John R. Maxim, the author of the suspense novel "Mosaic" which I just completed altering. He and his wife live in Hilton Head. He actually agreed to sign my artwork/his novel without hesitation, without having to view the images I posted on the other blog (some sideways, but definitely visible!) He even volunteered to meet us at the bar where the Ohio State fans meet to watch football games together.

I also got a nice mylar (or cellophane?) wrapper for the altered dustjacket. Pat Mason, owner of Dr. Books in Five Points (www.abebooks.com/home/DRBOOKS) just gave it to me. They have a most wonderful Siamese "shop cat", almost as grand as our Shadow!

I am nearly ready for my workshop and keynote address for the SC Arts Educators Conference in Greenville. I haven't actually heard from these people for the past two weeks. It does sort of worry me. I even dreamed about it last night. The van is mostly packed.

Terrace Oaks Antique Mall called to say that we sold several large pieces, enough that we really need to bring more merchandise. So now it looks like I'll head to Greenville, return to Columbia just long enough to unpack the workshop supplies and pack the pictures, and head on later in the day to Hilton Head. Steve will take Alex in his car. I will stay Sunday night with my parents and then go directly to Terrace Oaks in Charleston. In the meantime, I'm framing the large pictures in among the rest of the work.

Chris Gomez of Ironstone Vineyard in California did write back. I will definitely have a solo show there! It will be from January 1 through Sunday, February 25th. I am so very, very excited. The show is being called "Fiber Architecture: Building in Stitches". It is exactly what I was hoping for, including the possibility of a reception, if I can attend. Steve is already looking into flights.

The posted images on the Altered Book site have received plenty of nice compliments. It has nice to share with others the information about Sheer Heaven papers. I learned about this amazing product from their site. Like any group of this nature, there is just too much information for one to absorb. Sometimes, repeating it helps!

So, before the Archeology Project and the Architecture series in January, I am showing in the Open Eyes exhibition, Vista Lights, and having a solo show of the African pieces. This is really quite a lot, but it is wonderful!

Just when I've "made it official", so to speak, that I want to post on the other blog, I ended up spenting much of Monday trying to post images on that very blog. Several did upload--SIDEWAYS! Still, the capacity to hold more visual material makes the other blog my ultimate choice!

Eventually (including a few "sideways" images!), I uploaded pictures from both my newest altered books: "Mosaic" and "Everlasting Life". I also posted another notes about the past weekend. I completely forgot that I spent nearly five hours painting a platter for Festival of the Trees!

This is an annual charity event benefitting Children's Hospital. Since Mathias had major skull surgery there when he was but six months old, I'll likely paint a platter for life! The platter is one of those donated by a "paint-your-own-pottery" places. Thus, it is sort of difficult to figure out just how the thing will look once fired in their kiln. All the colors change during this process. I must have used over twenty different colors! (I posted a "before" picture on the other blog! It is sideways, of course!)

Today I also heard from Mathias. I bunch of the guys from BRB went into London to watch a hip-hop competition or show of some sort. They had a blast and really enjoyed it. They returned on a bus (or train--I forgot to ask) at midnight. Mathias wasn't back in his flat until just after 3 AM. Fortunately, he didn't have class or anything else until 2:20 PM. He got up at noon!

The company is in rehearsal this week. Evidently the choreography is being changed somewhat for Purchenilla. No one seemed to like the old version but learning the new version is considered even worse. Still, Mathias says there's no sense dancing something "you hate". He's determined to "like" it.

I posted images from both my "Life Everlasting" and "Mosaic" book on the other blog. I did get up the courage to call John R. Maxim this evening. I had to leave a message on the answering machine.

http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/
This is the address of my other blog. Sure, I'm much more comfortable with this blog and its system but that is only because I'm USED TO IT! I am limited to the number of images here. I freely admit to being no computer expert, but I am trying and I know that the possiblities of a better blog exist in this other realm. Please, readers, start checking on this site!

I know I said I wanted the other blog to be my "professional" site, a place to "look like a real artist". Yet, I can no sooner separate my "artist" personality from my "family" personality or my "business" personality. I have to admit. I am a mother. I have two sons and one is a professional dancer. I ran a full-service picture framing establishment (the largest in SC at the time) for fifteen years. It took two years to forcibly down-size the framing and becoming reborn as an artist. I love my husband. I generally have no idea what I'm doing. I can't begin to separate all this into neat categories.

I guess I learned this while trying to select slides of my work for the upcoming SC Arts Educator's conference. Nothing about my artistic journey follows a neat time line. I pick up one theme and then the next, some times doubling back to an older idea. I try one technique and then a next. Sometimes, I rediscover a course of action from my own past and pick up right where I left off a couple of years beforehand. Thus, I cannot have a "personal" blog and a "professional" blog. They are the same. In the future, however, I would prefer to post on the blog with unlimited image capablities! Check it out

I almost forgot one of the most important things that happened in the past few days! Dimba, the West African artifact dealer, came to Columbia and set his wares out for the public infront of Ginny Newell's art restoration shop on Devine Street. I used the digital images I took of his merchandise in order to create the work for my upcoming show at USC Aiken. My entire African series is based on the digital images of Dimba's masks, textiles, furniture, and trinkets.

Of course, when our hard drive crashed I lost everything. Even the company in Charlotte specializing in reclaiming data from dead hard drives couldn't retreive a thing. All my images were gone. But, I was granted an opportunity to shoot new pictures! The stash of masks and artifacts was more impressive than ever. I had give myself a crash course on the operations of the new camera, but I was able to take 224 new pictures. I am in debted to Ginny Newell for her invitation and to Dimba for his willingness for me to photograph all his pieces! New art is ON THE WAY!

Well, I think I'm caught up now with the postings. Sure, I didn't mention that the casting for Birmingham Royal Ballet was posted (not officially) and included Mathias in various performances as "Spanish". Hilariously, he wanted even more. He ranted a bit to Steve but within a day was totally fine with his ballet world again! Frankly, I love Spanish and am thrilled for him. I won't see it but Steve has booked a ticket to attend in November. If money were no object, we'd both go; but, the life of an artist isn't the most profitable. I still must frame pictures for a half a day and can't just hop on a plane headed to England with my husband! At least we can go separately upon occasion. We are grateful. Besides, I've got plenty of artwork waiting for me to do!

Speaking of artwork, the reception for the State Fair was today. Okay, no matter what, I cannot list anything from a "state fair" on my resume but extra cash for an award is always welcome. Entering the state fair is easy, on-line, and free. So, of course, I entered. I won first in Open Media two years ago and figured I'd never win again. Winners were suppose to be notified by an email. One never came but we went to the reception anyway. It is always a nice, relaxed time to see artwork and friends. Amazingly, however, the Lord's Prayer Triptych had a ribbon on it--a BLUE RIBBON. I won first in the category which is $500. For a piece that just got rejected from the Pittsburgh International biennial, I was stunned.

After spending the day in preparation for the SC Art Educator's conference, this prize was a reminder as to the life I want to lead--an artist, not a teacher. Many say I'm a natural teacher, born to entertain and educate simutaneously. I need to focus, however, on just the art, not the teaching. I'm ready for the address, the workshop (I think; I hope!) but I must be strong and keep my focus--my art!