Art Theft In Tucson

The Rogue Speaks:

I'll say one thing for the thieves--they have good taste! If anyone sees any of these paintings around town (or out of town, for that matter!), please contact the gallery!

PLEASE NOTE: Click on the following link if you have any information concerning the theft,

www.conradwildegallery.com/returnthepaintings/html

Our creations are like our children--we are sick when something happens to one. Art thieves are without morals or basic personal values. They don't care that when they steal artwork, they also steal a piece of an artist's soul. They are the scum of the earth.

THE MONSTERS THAT MADE US

The Rogue Speaks:

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Yep, that's the name of the next exhibit I am in! Before I could get in this show, I had to prove to them that I had come from a dysfunctional family, and that it had affected the way I create my art. Since most of us are the product of a dysfunctional family, the first part was easy. All I had to mention was bipolar, suicide, and major affective disorder. I just this second realized that the initials for the last thing are m.a.d. and that is exactly what they were! They were MAD, I tell you! MAD! Actually that is the line from an old horror movie I once saw, but it works.

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The second part took some thinking, since my work has never been dark, angry, or brooding. I believe that artists should paint to their strengths, not their weaknesses. I do, however, like quirky stuff--stuff that is a little outside the box. My explanation for this is that I really never wanted to be part of a crazy family, therefore, I wanted to be outside the box. One of my submissions is an encaustic, Young Santa, shown above. It is a small piece, only 8 x 8, and I incorporated a broken pair of glasses that just happened to be lying around. O.k., they're mine! But I just got new ones. Works for me. I guess it worked for the curator of the exhibit, because I got accepted.
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I could have mentioned alcoholism, drug addiction, grand theft, incest, severe ocd, hoarding, and a few other things, but those were in my extended family, with whom I had only occasional contact.

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I told just enough stuff to get me in the show. Hopefully I will sell something, which is my main goal anyway. I did pretty well at Brandi Fenton--sold two out of three!

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The artists reception is Friday, April 9 from 5-9, at the Holy Joe Studio (you read that right), 1122 N. Stone Avenue . If you're in town, you are welcome to come. Otherwise, I'll keep you posted!

Hanging Out On The Corner of Walk And Don't Walk

The Rogue Speaks:
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I was driving to the mall today to spend my birthday money at Dillard's and I realized I had to make a very critical decision. When I came to the corner of Walk and Don't Walk, I started to get a little tense and sweaty. It was at the infamous corner where I got caught unfairly by the traffic camera and I received my first ever traffic ticket in December of 2008. Yeah, I know this is a very busy intersection, but there is more to it than that. The city fathers chose this intersection for a reason, and I know what it is. You see, on the corner there is a gas station, and the entrance to the station is VERY near the intersection, so if you suddenly realize that you are almost out of gas, you have to turn to get into the station. Of course, you are not the ONLY PERSON who is almost out of gas, so there is a line to get into the station and you have to STOP in the middle of the intersection and wait your turn. While you are waiting, the light turns red and you are CAUGHT by the camera. You had NO IDEA that those people were going to stop, trapping you in the intersection. But the city fathers knew--and they need that $180 that you have to pay for "running a red light." They need it so badly that they also shortened the light! They will claim that they did not, but all of us who were trapped there KNOW they did.
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There was such an outrage at this obvious attempt to TRICK people at this intersection, that literally hundreds of people picketed the intersection one weekend. This is no joke. The city is using this intersection to make money. They say that is not true, that the intersection is dangerous. Well it isn't half as dangerous as an angry mob waving signs at passing motorists.
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I was very cautious today at the corner of Walk and Don't Walk. I needed to turn to get to my favorite cocktail napkin store, and I decided to face my fear and turn. Just as I was about to turn, I remembered to check the entrance to the gas station to see if there was a line. There was. I stopped. Even though the light hadn't changed to yellow, I stopped--behind the "wait line." Immediately some jerk behind me blew his horn. I wanted to jump out of the car and go beat on his window and scream at him that unless he had $180 to throw away, he'd better SHUT UP.
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They got me once--they're not getting me again!

How To Merge Successfully

The Rogue Speaks:
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When Cindy Cook married Thayer Keller, her life took on a whole new meaning. I first met Cindy at the Tucson Botanical Garden when I had two Guild shows dumped in my lap. The one I knew about, an outdoor exhibit, was the very first show and sale that SAAG ever had. The one that came as a complete surprise was an exhibit in Porter Hall. Both shows turned out to be a complete success, thanks to Cindy, who helped me through my initiation as Director of Exhibitions for SAAG. Then Cindy left TBG when she married Thayer, and the odyssey began.
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I had seen Cindy's beautiful, hand-made clothes at the TMA shows, when she was still juggling two lives--her artistic life and her job at TBG. When I ran into her last Sunday, I discovered that she and Thayer were now full-time artisans. It takes a special dedication not only to merge two lives, but in the process, become self-sufficient in one's craft. The Kellers have done just that.

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In the photo above, you see an Indonesian cotton jacket, an Indonesian cotton vest, and a tan mudcloth jacket. I really like the mudcloth! To see more of Cindy and Thayer's work, click on http://www.casatranquiladesigns.com/To view their work up close and personal, the big outdoor show and sale at the Tucson Museum of Art begins Friday, March 26 and runs through Sunday. If you have never gone to this show, shame on you! DO IT! I'd better run into you there!

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p.s. Thanks, Kayla!

"Saturday, In The Park, ...."

The Rogue Speaks:

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My apologies to the group, Chicago, but it wasn't the fourth of July, it was the 13th of March.

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What an artful whirlwind yesterday! The day started off with the first meeting of the Guild's critique club. Those of you who signed up but didn't show up missed something special. We had a great time, and LOTS of good tips. Don't forget next month!!

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I went to Many Hands Courtyard, to see the work of Diane Haugh, JoAnne Hungate, Susan Maki, Nancy Norton, and Peggy Greene. They are pictured above, in that nice group picture. They are blocking the view of Diane's work, but I've put plenty of her paintings on the blog, so you already know how good she is. I took a picture of Susan's work, but for some reason it didn't come out, so I have to get some pictures from her that I can put up for you to see.

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Such talent! You will see some of their work in the pictures on the right.

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While I was there I went into the spinner's studio and spent the last money in my wallet on some beautiful wool. I usually don't go around without any cash, but I knew that my next stop was the reception, so I wouldn't go hungry.

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Then it was on to Brandi Fenton Park, for the Guild reception in the gallery there. Just look at all that great ceramic tile work at the entrance to the memory garden! I was so delighted with the show and all that yummy reception food that I invited a couple of women who were riding bikes around the park to come in and view the art, have so punch and a snack. Well they did, and actually bought two of my encaustics that I had on display there! I plan to take two more down on Monday to replace the two that sold.

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After a terrific birthday dinner with my husband at Gold, I slept like a log last night, all the colors of the wonderful artwork swirling around in my head! I am lucky to know such talented people.

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p.s. It is now Sunday afternoon, and I just got back from Mordecai Colodner's show. He's been holding out on us! I saw some of his paintings that I had never seen, and they were awesome! I asked him to send me some jpg's tonight, so I can put them on the blog tomorrow.

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I also ran into an old friend, Cindy Cook-Keller, whom I met at the very first exhibit the Guild had at the Botanical Garden. Cindy buys fabrics from all over the world, then designs and sews clothing to suit the fabric. Her stuff is definitely "gotta have!" More about Cindy in another post very soon.

Happy Sandy Feet!!!

The Rogue Speaks:

The original date of this post is March 12, 2010. Since I am leaving for Cancun at o'dark thirty on Saturday, and since my thoughts this week have been on just how few clothes I can get away with taking so I don't have to check my bag and pay the big bucks, I thought I would let you chew on this instead.

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I don't have a blackberry, so I can't check in on you while I am gone, but I will be thinking about all my blogger friends who are NOT on vacation, and smiling (because I am so lucky to even get to have this vacation!).

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At the time it was written, we only had one dog, Precious. But now we have Mulligan, and if we attempted to drive to Cancun with both dogs in the car, I am sure it would be our last trip on earth. Keep this in mind when you get to the part about Precious, and remember that Mulligan sings whenever Precious starts to bark like a dog with rabies. Now that you have that picture, please continue!
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I wish these were my feet, but sadly they are not! They belong to my sister-out-law. She used to be my sister-in-law when she was married to my crazy brother, but she made an extremely smart move, filed for divorce, went back to school, and got a law degree, and married a terrific guy who is loving and caring. We think he is ever-so-much nicer and more fun than the crazy one. An added plus is that he is NORMAL. Those of you who know me, know why this is such an important attribute.

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Those happy sandy feet were on the beach in Cancun. I got pictures enticing me to get on a plane and come join them. Oh, how sorely tempted I was! But this is way too busy a time in the art world to take off to Cancun, lie in the sun (or shade), read a good book, and watch the waves.

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My sister-out-law and I haven't been able to spend much time together in the last several years, but we plan to make up for that! I have made a firm commitment to her and her dream-of-a husband that Rod and I will come in July, when it is 110 degrees here, and almost everyone is complaining about the "dry heat."

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Yeah, I know you are thinking that Cancun is way out of my comfort zone. True! BUT one cannot drive to Cancun safely, and so we will FLY! I will not have to spend days and days driving through Mexico with bandits hiding along the roadside, just waiting for an opportunity to relieve us of our valuables, while our dog, Precious, barks her fool head off and pees on the seat of the car. No, she will be home with her brother, I will take some sort of tranquilizer, and our valuables will be stored in the baggage compartment after the baggage handlers have gone through them and have determined that we really HAVE nothing of value, and that my swim suit is way out of style!

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I know you think I will back out of this trip at some point because it is so far away, and if it were anyone but my sister-out-law, I admit that I would be tempted. However, that is not going to happen this time. Why, I even joined Facebook because I found out she had joined, and I figured I would hear from her more often if I did. My wall doesn't have anything on it that you can't find out by reading my blog, so don't even bother checking it out. Keep reading my blog, though, and give me some feedback with comments.

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p.s. She knows she needs another pedicure after all that sand. I have already told her.

More To See!!

The Rogue Speaks:

If you want to see even more luscious art on Saturday, after you attend the Brandi Fenton reception, check this out:

Open Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, 11 – 5
Many Hands Courtyard (Blue Raven Gallery)
3054 N. First Avenue between Ft. Lowell and Glen


Several of the Guild's artists will be there, including Diane Haug, JoAnn Hungate, Sue Maki, and Nancy Norton.

I plan to go and take pictures on Saturday, so if you can't make it then, check my blog to see what you missed, then go on Sunday!

While you are out, you can go to Tohono Chul to see more of Joe Bourne's work, and the work of more Guild members as well!

Have an "artful" weekend!

This Will Put A "Spring" In Your Step!

The Rogue Speaks:

The weather is finally turning a corner, and that means it is time for all those lovely spring art shows!

Guild members are showing this month at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park. The entrance to the park is on River, just before it becomes Alvernon . The show began yesterday, March 3, and runs until April 3rd. On Saturday, March 13, you are invited to attend the reception from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.

It is just accidental that the 13th is also my birthday, and Linda Ahearn's as well. If you come to the reception, please feel free to bring lavish gifts to either or both of us. I will be the one wearing the tiara, in honor of the fact that despite all my bad habits, I am still alive, and do not have a single bullet wound scar to boot!

The Guild receptions are known for having yummy food and beverages, plus there will be a lot of spectacular art on view, and for sale as well. Come and eat, meet the artists, and enjoy a wonderful spring day in Brandi Fenton Park.

See you there!