Faith Ringgold and Alice Neel have probably done more to bring the work of women artists into the patriarchal dominated art world than any artists I can think of during the last half of the twentieth century.

Here is the link http://www.aliceneel.com/gallery/?mode=display&decade=7&painting=87 to the galleries on the Alice Neel website.  I suggest that you start in the 1920s and work your way through all the images until just before Neel’s death in 1984.  She never bowed to popular vision or demands.  She remained true to her own eye right to the very last.  Do seek out her self portrait painted in 1980.

Please go to:

thelmasmith.3rdward.com

The Vox Populi Award is based on public voting.  Take a look at a selection from the Left Turn Lane and vote for me.  Winning the Vox Populi Award will help me progress to the jurying process.  It’s a good thing to see art quilts in an artist’s venue.

Thank you for your support.  thelmasmith

Old fold to your left, new fold to your right.

The template I marked on the ironing board in permanent marker.  Makes the work go faster.

Another stack before refolding.  I find that working with the blues I have really few lights and a lot of mediums and darks.  You can see the edge of the scotch tape roll to the left as well as the cat bat.

It’s rather sensual handling and refolding fabric.  So many lovely textures and patterns.

I’ve learned that I need to completely fill the cubbyhole.  Anything less than full is a wonderful cat bed.  I can tell what was on the top of the piles in the arizona storage.  I am scraping off great quantities of cat hair.  The large roll of tape is doubled back on itself to form a self roller.  Speeds the process.  I keep both the tape and the cat bat at hand for my clothes as well.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6412572n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

These are the shipping tubes I mentioned yesterday.

Below are two views of a LOT of rubbermaid containers I need to sell. Again, pick up in Ventura, California.  Rubbermaid has a good life span unlike the Sterilite that break up from the UV, even indoors, within one year.  New Sterilite of similar size sell for $6US.  These were $10 new, now $5 each.

I also got all the Sunbrella measured and rerolled.  Here’s the manufacturer’s website.  Folding will damage the fabric so it must be shipped on rolls.  Shipping to be priced on an individual basis.

I have 54″ wide, cushion weight (light) natural sunbrella.

4.25 yards, whole piece, some spotting for $60 plus shipping.

5.5 yards of the same weight natural in perfect condition for $85.

There are 3.5 yards of a heavier teal (something like the floor color above) for $50.

There is an already cut bag in the teal approximately 8″ x 26″ x 20″ including the building diagram for $25.  It will need a 42″ zipper.

I have good, NEW, YKK Heavy Duty Marine Zippers – Separatin:

2 at 18″ long at $5 each pick up or $9 each post paid in the US.

2 at 72″ long at $10 each pick up or$15 each post paid in the US.

1 at 54″ long at $9 pick up or $14 post paid in the US.

1 at 42″ long at $8 pick up or $13 post paid in the US.

I also have a set of nickle plated sail grommets with the canvas cutter and the setting tools.  I need to get it out and see if it’s half inch or five eights.  Here’s an image from the net.  These were bought from Atlanta Thread.  The set includes a big chunk of oak to use as a work surface.  All are in one Rubbermaid box.  They are priced at approximately $150.  I will sell them for $80.  These are heavy; shipping is extra.

I left the Sonoran Desert last spring after twelve years year round. The climate is extreme, the land is beautiful, and the situation was very good to me and to my husband.

About a year and a half ago I formed a plan for one year, three years, and twenty years. I accomplished the one and three year plan is sixteen months. Age indeterminant has been accomplished. I’ve moved back to the ocean as I had to come back to the water.

I’m about eight blocks from downtown Ventura. I can see the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the end of California Street. I can see the pier that was a working wharf fifty to one hundred years ago.

The view of the town, which was built between about 1860(?) and 1920, most often looks as lovely and peaceful as an oldfashioned christmas card. The old gothic church is just two blocks down the hill. I still have not made it down there for meditation.

I can see the ocean from my deck. It is an ongoing vision of solace. I don’t get down to the beach as often as maybe I should. Looking out the door, sitting on the deck, looking into the floor mirror from the kitchen even gives me a view of the sea.

In August I heard an interview on Bookworm on PBS. An author was speaking about islands and oceans. He said that there is something very expansive about facing open water; psychically and psychologically it teaches your body and your soul that there are no limits.

amen

Thanks to my good friend in Montreal all vestiges of the hack attack have been removed. It is a wonderful thing to have friends you have never seen or hugged. Thank you, thank you! ! ! !

I’ve discovered the media file for WordPress.  When I get figured out how to post my own photos I’ll do that.  For this beautiful Saturday morning with a few clouds, a silvery, glistening ocean and 69ºF, have a wonderful weekend.

OH, and a quick ps.  My daughter just phoned.  I had loaned her my Singer 99K about twenty years ago.  She wanted to know what disposition as I told her it was not hers to get rid of.  It’s being placed in the trunk of my roadster later today.

Did you know that sewing machines are like cats?  All are welcome and we don’t count as all are self sufficient.

Hope this helps.  Next up, once I find the post office information, will be one year and/or multi year sets of magazines that will include free shipping.

Spent the last week in Mount Vernon, Washington.  I went to attend my son and daughter in law’s yard rave.  Wonderful music, skillfully mixed, mashed?, overlaid, and selected was provided by Berto Ross.  He got a big thumbs up from me for taking The Stones You Can’t Always Get WhatYou Want with a heavy drumming back beat from another group of artists.  Lots of good music!

Deirdre,  the mother of my beautiful grandchildren, is an artist in her own right.  I’m sure if you search the link you will find some lovely images.

My daughter, Gabrielle Windsor, was at the rave. Check out her résumé and if you can provide her with a contact, please do.

Her two nearly grown sons did not travel with her.  Check here for lots more images.  She grew up in Port Townsend, Washington, and was one of the original participants in the Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race.

The Mediocrity Award  seemed the best way to reward the artistic efforts at the beginning in 1983.  It remains today.

Enough of old memories.  The Northwest always does that to me.  I am grateful for the years I spent there.  I learned a lot.  It’s nice to visit.  I don’t need to live there any more.

Actually, I need, spiritually and psychically, to live exactly where I am, here in Ventura.  I spent the end of last year and the beginning of this year searching the Pacific coast for just the exactly right small city to live in.

That I found an apartment with an ocean view is a bonus.  I came here willingly and will, no doubt, leave the same way.   No pictures today, the iPhoto says 82 remaining to import.

OH! ! ps,   I will be offering things for sale, here, on the blog.  For the first offering:

White Homespun Barley Cloth

This is 100% cotton; each thread will remind you of kite string.  It has one inch hems on the 92″ wide ends; one selvedge and one zig zagged edge.  It is seven and one eighth yards long.

7 ₁⁄₈  yards

 This  is a spongy drapery cotton.  It is normally used hung crosswize for seamless curtains or made up into drapes.  Homespun House no longer stocks the barley cloth weave; the monks cloth is the closest match.  Barley cloth, originally twice as wide, has more depth and texture.

Contact me if you would like to buy this.  I will scan a sample next week.  I will post the image.   Remember this was originally 110 inches wide and has been washed down to eliminate the shrinkage.  Price is $110 for the whole cut.  Shipping cost (FedEx Ground) will be added.  This is quite heavy; shipping may run as high as $35.  I will charge you my cost plus the cost of the container.   I do take paypal through my website; scroll down from the link.

Sorry for the long sales ramble.  That’s what happens without preplanning.  Keep in touch.  I have a second piece of barley cloth that is similar in size; I’ll have to find the card for that one.

Arts Funding, Programming and Performance Opportunities:  Take the time to review this list.  Deadlines vary.
Ringing Rocks Foundation Offers Support to Conserve Cultural and Healing Practices of Indigenous People
Cintas Foundation Announces Opening of Fellowship Competition for Artists of Cuban Lineage
National Film Preservation Foundation Offers Grants to Preserve Avant-Garde Films)First Nations

Composer Initiative Invites Applications for Common Ground Grant Program
Open Society Institute Seeks Proposals for Documentary Photography Distribution Grants
ICMA Offers Public Library Innovation Grants
National Endowment for the Humanities Offers Small Grants to Libraries to Host Lincoln Exhibit
Music Matters Announces Music Education Grant Guidelines
Multi-Arts Production Fund Offers Support for New Work in Performing Arts
Big Read Offers Support for Community Reading Projects
National Museum of the American Indian Invites Applications for Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program
Blakemore Foundation Offers Support for Asian Language Study and Fine Arts Programs
Sundance Institute Accepting Entries for Documentary Fund
ASCAP Foundation Invites Entries for Young Jazz Composer Awards
NAMM Foundation Offers Funding for Music Making and Research
Nominations Invited for Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award
Harry Ransom Center Seeks Applications for Research Fellowships in the Humanities
Community Leaders Invited to Apply for Preserve America Community Designation
Guitar Center Music Foundation Offers Support for Music Instruction
Princess Grace Foundation-USA Announces Availability of Applications for 2008 Awards in Theater, Playwriting, Dance, Choreography, and Film
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Arts Program Announces National Projects Fund
American Councils for International Education Offers Support for Policy Relevant Research
Meet The Composer Accepting Applications for Creative Connections
Theatre Communications Group Announces Deadlines for Career Development Programs for Theater Directors and Designers
Bush Foundation Announces Artist Fellows Program
Surdna Foundation Announces Request for Proposals for Creative Writing Residencies for Teens

~ Manos Gallery~
Tubac Arizona Winter Invitational
Open to all media

Feb 28 – March 15   2009
Contact Person: Mary Helen Watson 520-398 8144 manosgallery@msn.com
website manosgallery.com

Juror:  Michaelin Otis LWS, TNWS, NPWS avalonarts.com

CALENDAR: Please keep this Prospectus for reference until the show closes.

ENTRIES and Fees MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN Nov 30, 2008.

Deadline for emailing entry images (digital) Nov 30, 2008

Acceptance notices will be sent out by Dec 15, 2008

Opening Reception: Feb 28  2009— 2 to 4 PM

Last Day of Show: Sunday, March 16  2009

Return of Unsold Work: Monday, March 17, 2009— Prepaid shipping labels required or d

All work must be original, created within the last 2 years and not shown previously in
a juried show in Tubac or surrounding area, including Tucson and Phoenix. Frames can be metal or wood. Wood frames must be simple, classic, and 2 1/3” or less in width. Manos reserves the right to refuse anything too ornate. Plexiglas is required if needed. Mat color should be white or off-white. Colored liner mat (fillet) is OK.  No frame larger than 42” on either side.
All artwork must be for sale.

IDENTIFICATION LABELS: Face back of artwork & place in lower left hand corner. Be sure the information on Entry #1 is identical to that on the Title #1 entry form and that
Entry #2 and Title #2 match also. We suggest you photocopy these in order to keep your
prospectus information intact.

Entry #1                                                                    Entry #2

Artist _____________________________ Artist ______________________________

Title ______________________________ Title ______________________________

Medium ___________________________ Medium_____________________________

Size ________ Price ___________ Size __________Price __________

Presentation:  Work will be rejected from the jury process: any artwork not presented
in a professional manner, appropriate for exhibiting  or not accurately represented by slide or image. Frame carefully, making sure frames are in pristine condition with tight corners and wire that is fastened about 1/3 the height down and has 2 to 3-inch flexibility. Mats must be clean and well cut. Plexi should be damage free and have no foreign matter (i.e.. pet hair, bugs, etc.) underneath. If this sounds daunting, please consult a professional framer.  Manos requests that each entry have a brief bio fastened securely to the back.

Entry Fee: Non-refundable $35 for the first entry and $20 for the second entry, with a maximum of 2 entries for $55 due with entry. Entries postmarked no later than Nov 30 2008. Mail to

MH Watson

747 Via Vanilla

Rio Rico, AZ 85748

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO Manos.
Shipping instructions sent with acceptance card.

Bios: e-Mail a 1-page bio to manosgallery@msn.com.

Juror: The Juror of Selection and Awards will be: Michaelin Otis of Green Valley, AZ.
Check her website at avalonartsgallery.com

Commissions and Awards: A 40% commission from each sale will go to Manos
Please price your paintings accordingly. Cash awards will be given including
the $500 Best of Show  Jurors Recognition $100 and 3 $50 Awards of Merit.

Sales and Shipping Procedure: Sales will be handled by the Manos Staff. Payment for sales to artists will be made by April 1.  All shipping of sold work will be handled by Manos Gallery.

Security and Gallery Features: The gallery carries insurance on these paintings (up to
$150,000 collectively) during the time they are in the gallery. Humidity, temperature, and
lighting are carefully controlled to assure paintings are protected and displayed in the best
professional manner.

Opening Reception and Show Specifics:
Saturday, Feb 28 2009, 2 to 4 PM is our opening reception.
Awards will be presented at that time.
The show will remain open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Subject Matter: Open

Pg 3

Watercolor Invitational ENTRY FORM

Mail to Manos   747 via Vanilla   Rio Rico AZ, Arizona, 85648,
Postmarked no later than Nov 30, 2008. Include a check payable to Manos for $35 for one entry or $55 for two entries. Photocopies are acceptable if you do not want to lose the
Information on the back of the form.

Artist (print)

______________________________(Sign*)_______________________________

*I confirm that the work submitted is my own unique, original creation. It is not copied or
derived, in whole or in major significant part, from the work of another artist and/or photographer without his/her written permission. I also understand that, although all possible care will be afforded each entry, Manos Gallery will not assume responsibility for damage or loss.

Address ______________________________________________________Zip _______

Phone _______________________ Email _____________________________________

TITLE#1_____________________________________ Frame Size _________________

Medium _______________________________________Price _____________________

TITLE #2 _____________________________________Frame Size ________________

Medium _______________________________________ Price ____________________