Margo in Lincoln Nebraska!

Well I am very excited to write to you about my adventure to the wonderful town of Lincoln Nebraska. I applied for a juried competition in December of 2008. The Haydon Art Center put together, Metamorphosis: Contemporary Statements in Encaustics which was juried by George W. Neubert. George has served as director of the Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, Nebraska and San Antonio Art Museum, Associate Director of Art for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Project Director for the Project Sculpture/Public Sites program at the Golden Gate National Park, and Chief Curator of Art at the Oakland Museum. Neubert is also an artist and sculptor. He has exhibited his work in the United States and internationally in Japan and Budapest. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Artist Grant in 1980.

I was able to discuss with George about my work. We discussed how straight forward the work is as well as how well it was technically created.

The trip started early, waking up at 4:00am created a tired little Margo on the plane.




I finally arrived in NE, I was so excited to see snow, even if is was just a small dirty mound of it, it was snow none the less.


One of the amazing things about Lincoln, is the food, and the people. We found a cool place to eat, Maggie's, great name by the way. This was a super rad and hip organic food stop. I had a tofu wrap that was delicious!



The first day was very exciting. I sat in on a demo that Susan and Margaret gave to inform the members about the medium, since many people are still learning about it. Later that night was the members night where I meet the members and discussed my work on a more private basis with the viewer.






And I ventured on, next stop, public art and education about the town. Lincoln has so much public art, I am so inspired. I cant believe how much I learned about the animals that use to live in NE. In case you didn't know, sloths are my favorite animal, and it just so happen that the ground sloth used to live here. Amazing! Not to mention the Mammoths, giant camels, rhinos, and these mini horses, just amazing.











And I ventured on, I was lucky enough to have some of my family who lives around the area come to see my work at the Haydon. Thank you for the support!



O and here below, is what they call, the Penis of the Plains and no building can be built taller than this. very cool. ha.

Onward to Margaret's House, where all the visiting artists got together and talked shop and celebrated the show together. All these women are so amazing!


Now it is time for the big night. The Art Walk that they have every first Friday. This was an amazing event to be a part of. Lots of people all different, and amazing art in the galleries. I will let the photos do the rest, I went to three galleries that night.






Here we are with George W. Neubert discussing the showing.


Here are all the artist that were able to make it to the event. I love these women, their so awesome!


And with that. We ventured on to the other galleries after the Haydon finally closed at 9:30pm. We went to the Loft which is an amazing showing space. I learned so much going to NE and I hope to bring that and my newly found energy to Monterey Bay. I want to leave you with my last pic...me studying. :) Im reading a book for my Steinbeck exhibition in August.

Lompoc

A few days before I went to the state of Nebraska I was in Lompoc, CA also know as the City of Murals. This is an interesting little town. There is such diversity of topics discussed in the murals. I thoroughly enjoined the many different scales and painting styles that were in Lompoc. Below are a few of the murals. If you ever get the chance to stop in Lompoc, you should, plus i hear they have the best Mexican food in the world!















This last one reminds me of PG.

It is amazing what a little public art can do. Public art inspires and builds community. Public art adds culture. Monterey CA needs more public art by local artists. Any sponsors?

Wrap-up of Carnal showing in Monterey

Well the Octopi Collective's showing is going very well. The closing/opening/ inbetween, meet and greet the artist went very well. We had around 80 to 100 people come to the event. Taylor Hawthorne and myself sold work that night. The Collective's Feb 2009-Feb 2010 calendars are still for sell. They are $15.00 each email me for interest. Each month has different work from the different artists. We had Michelle Magdalena live via Skype, it was very exciting to have her be a part of the evening. Below are a few of the images from the event. Happy One Year Octopi Collective! To many more years together making art!

This is one of my favorite shots of some of the artists.




We had Ryan Bisio play an acoustic set during the showing. He brought such an awesome vibe to the showing. Thanks Ryan!


This is J.R. piece. I had to take this shot when i saw it.



This is the piece i sold titled: "The Great Migration" if you are in the area, you should go check it out. This piece got reaction. Very fun.



O yes, we had to have a cake to celebrate our one year. Layers Cakes in Monterey created the cake using our logo. Nice job, and it was so yummy!


PhotographicNic, studiomargo, and PVDC.


Discussing my work.


This was such an amazing experience. I learn so much each time the Octopi show together. This work is showing until the end of March, so if you are in the area, go to East Village Coffee Lounge in Monterey and check out this carnal work. You will leave satisfied.

Octopi Showing Carnal thoughts

Well tomorrow night is the Octopi's 'Carnal' showing. Monterey is a small town, and i believe between the eight members, we have the promotion down. haha. If your reading this and your a local, dont forget to check the MC Weekly.

Anyways, I am very excited about the opening. This is my first time showing my watercolors on paper. This body of work takes a lighter approach to the carnal subject matter all the while really penetrating the theme of Carnal. The vibrate watercolors are well framed by a local framer with a slick and modern black frame. All work is for sale at $250.00. There are only five paintings and one has already been sold. So come by and check it out. The Collective will also be selling the official Feb to Feb calendars for $15.00, t-shirts for $12.00 and stemless wine glasses for $10 buckaroos. And for those of you who are not local and can not make it to the show and are interested in any of the above, just email me and we can go from there.

I will be blogging shortly in the next few days about all things studiomargo. Until then!

Wild Heart Gallery Presents a Two Day Photoshop for Photographers Seminar

Just to let you know there is going to be a Photoshop seminar held at Wild Heart Gallery on February 21-22. This is an opportunity to meet fine art photographer and instructor Larry Vogel as he presents a two day seminar PHOTOSHOP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Class size is limited and they have a few seats open. To reserve a spot please respond ASAP to info@wildheartgallery.com or directly to Larry Vogel at vogelart@cox.net

Please visit the websites for more workshop information:

www.wildheartgallery.com

www.lavogel.com/workshops

I will be there!

Margo Showing in Nebraska!

Yes. It is true. I am now a national artist. I am very excited about this opportunity. I will be showing at the Hayden Art Center in Lincoln, Nebraska during the month of March. The title of the exhibit is: Metamorphosis: Contemporary Statements in Encaustic. I will be showing in the largest format of my encaustic work, 18 x 24 in. But what is even more exciting about that is now i get to ship my largest format of work, in wax, to cold, cold, Nebraska. On another positive note, i am going to be showing with the women who initally taught me about the medium. So, if you are in good ol' NE during March, go check out my work in Lincoln. It is for sale. Here is the piece below, and a close up of it as well.

Life near Garrapata

The sunny days in Monterey.

With my new found freedom I am exploring all the amazing natural eye candy the Central Coast has to offer. I am, no doubt going through some amazing changes in my life. Turning the big 2-5 has turned out to be the age of learning how to remain calm. Thanks Obama, I have hope. So with all this new found hope, freedom, and creative juices oozing out of every little pour of my youthful body I am finding myself happier and lighter than before. Here are some photographs I took on a hike with a good friend. Moments like this makes me think about the big picture. Enjoy. Im going to be hopping back into the blogging routine. I just relized life doesnt slow down.