Thursday, March 11, 2010

Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour--Let the Visits Begin

The news around town is that there is a real "buzz" as the Tucson Artists' Open Studios Tour gears up for this Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM until 5 PM. I think that it's the increase in the collective heart rate of all the artists who are participating this weekend. Dear artist bloggers: I sense your kind support, knowing that you will be here in spirit. Wouldn't it be great if we could have a group show?! I would love that. Let's dream together on this and see what comes. I'm pretty excited about all of this because next week my college boy is coming home and he's having a birthday, too. So, I've got a mailart to share and a quick sketch I made from a screen capture as we webcam'd recently.
  This mailart piece is a bit out of character (more sculptural, really). But, here's why. This Plexiglass, paper with grommet and 'o' rings enshrine a story I made up one day while Ell and I were resting after I had set up camp in the forest. Ell was six years old. I was old. So, I told him we had to rest in the tent until Daddy got there from work. I began to stare at the clouds as they rolled by over our tent. They seemed to be speaking. I told him the story of Little Proud Thundercloud (M. S. Esparza ©). It stuck as a family story and now it is in plexiglass. Of course, at the time we didn't know anything about Iceland, but I think that painting the cloud to resemble the country pleased my world traveler today. It's approximately 8" x 4," plexi over paper, with tarp grommet, washers and 'o' rings and glue. And to all my visitors from far, far away (Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom)--- Peace to you all and thank you for visiting. I am honored when you visit. I hope you'll always feel welcomed here. I hope you'll feel comfortable to comment any time you want to. In my dreams you all are here and we are laughing, sharing green tea, and talking about life, art, good things to make a better world. I'll try to take photos to share next week. Everyone, stay well, don't give up.

16 comments:

Poetic Painter said...

Great sketch!

Melinda said...

Welcome, Poetic Painter!

Thank you for your comment. I'm gonna head on over to your blog and check it out.

Melinda said...

Yes, I believe you will be.

Thanks, SamArtDog.

daviddrawsandpaints said...

I am certainly laughing.
No special reason - just laughing!

But not drinking green tea ;o)

Great sketch! (was that an echo?)

cohen labelle said...

Melinda
This is wonderful! I didn’t know anything about mail art before coming to your blog. It’s a great art form because it’s so spontaneous. It reminds me a bit of Ernst and Picabia and the Dadaists – Miro, the whole lot. It allows for whimsicality and eccentricity, the works and it incorporates an extraordinary range of materials at hand. Am I right?
This is such a sweet, tender piece. I love the drawing of Ell and the little cloud that is reminiscent of Ice Land. When my daughter was in high school, she represented Ice Land at the model UN. Not only that, when I was a child, our family lived for two years in Elfros, Saskatchewan – an Icelandic community where my dad was the village doctor.
I can feel the buzz, Melinda, all the way from you in Tucson. I’d love to be there in person but I’ll definitely be with you in spirit!!!
XO Marcia

Melinda said...

Ah, come on, David, just a little green tea, as long as there's a hint of prickly pear syrup?!

I'm so glad you are laughing and still walking on air. I smile thinking about your good fortune.

Wish you could be here, but I know, for you, that it's far more rewarding to be there with grandbaby!

I'll be listening for your laugh...

Melinda said...

Thank you so much, Marcia, for your thoughtful remarks.

Indeed, mail art is quite the medium. I find that it is a lot like a soulful conversation without vocality. The process of searching for the words, cutting them out, and all the ideas that spring forth, lead one to make connections that couldn't be done in a shorter sequence.

That is so great that you have had some experience with things Icelandic. It would be so great to visit there, I hear.

I'll see you out of the corner of my eye!

Barbara Muir said...

Wonderful sketch of your dear boy, and
I am for sure there with you.

Hurray for Melinda.

Take care,

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Salon Delucca said...

Melinda, have the best weekend sharing your studio with visitors - something about having people in your personal creative space - it's like opening your heart - I will be thinking about you - love the mail art :)

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Love all your thought evoking art Melinda and I have no doubt that your studio stop on the tour will be quite the hit among the art loving throngs...bravo and get ready to fill all those empty spaces later!! BTW when is the best time to show up to make sure I can get in on some of those cookies!!!!!

Jeffrey

Joan Breckwoldt said...

Ohh, good luck with the open house, I am sure you will enjoy it, you seem to be such a people person and I know how much you enjoy being around people. Your sketch is wonderful!
I'm looking forward to hearing all about it and seeing photos.
Joan

Linny D. Vine said...

Super sonny sketch!These are wonderful words, Melinda! (I did nice long neck stretches to read them - thank-you for having them in opposite directions for reading.) May you have a wonderful, magical, joyful weekend!

Melinda said...

Thank you very much, Jeane. I see you out of the corner of my eye, too--smiling as the spirit of art.

You're right about having people in the studio. It's different, but every visitor has been kind, respectful and generous with their support. So far so good!

Melinda said...

You are a delight, Jeffrey! Any time you come by will be the perfect time for some fresh, out of the oven, cookies! Just give me an hour's notice.

I'm liking your comment about filling in those empty spaces...!! I look forward to painting again next week.

Melinda said...

Thank you, Joan! I really appreciate your kind words.

It's true. I do enjoy the people who come by to visit. They are so interesting and kind. It's been lots of fun. One more day--then I'll report back.

Wish you could be here!

Melinda said...

Oh, Linny! You have found me out. As you know I try to infuse a little humor, some computer tricks and an occasional interactive item. This week's challenge is called, The Artist's Calisthenics. You are an astute observer and now, you have a stronger neck! ;)

I did the same thing just to see if it was readable. Ha.

Thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate your support.