Friday, April 20, 2012

Essence and a Book Signing

self portrait by Donna Watson, collage
(this is not my self portrait in the book)

BOOK SIGNING!!
The Pulse of Mixed Media:
Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed 
by Seth Apter
local artists Leslie Avon Miller and myself
will also be there doing demos
Bellevue Art and Frame, Bellevue WA
May 5th, 12-2
20% off of all books purchased during signing and DOOR PRIZES
 Seth Apter invited 31 artists to create self -portraits for his book.  Below are 5 artists who submitted their self-portraits.   "We are not free when we are doing just what we like.  We are only free when we are doing what the deepest self likes.  And there is getting down to the deepest self!  It takes some diving."  D.H. Lawrence
Alicia Caudel lives in the Pacific NW.  She says her inspiration for her self-portrait is simply all that she treasures.  "I am a quirky girl with many loves and adoration, and as such I wished to represent as many of these affinities as possible."  website here and blog here

Your handwriting.  The way you walk.  Which china pattern you choose.  It's all giving you away.  Everything you do is a self-portrait.  Everything is a diary.  --Chuck Palahniuk, Diary
Jen Crossley lives in Australia.  "Reflections" shows the many layers of mica over the image which represents the many layers of Jen's life as a mother, wife, best friend and artist.  blog here.  

Art is not making a beautiful surface, or drawing a realistic apple.  Art is getting to an essence, reaching the senses.  -- Shoichi Ida

Robyn Gordon lives in South Africa.  Her wood carving has become a form of meditation.  "I decided to portray one of the most important facets of my life, and that is the serenity that I feel while creating art."  her blog ArtPropelled here  
What we make, why it is made,  how we draw a dog, who it is we are drawn to, why we cannot forget.  Everything is a collage,  even genetics.  There is the hidden presence of others in us,  even those we have known briefly.  We contain them for the rest of our lives,  at every border we cross.
Michael Ondaatje
  
Bridgette Guerzon Mills is a mixed media artist who currently has two young children.  Her self portrait is a female figure who conveys motherhood and fertility but also a gatherer, and nurturer.
website here  and blog here

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find ways in which you yourself have altered.   --- Nelson Mandela

Don Madden works with clay.  He was not an artist all his life.. coming from the corporate world so he is now busy working with new techniques and creating unique wonderful pieces.  He also has a very funny sense of humor which you will find at his blog here.  

A person is never as quiet or unrestrained as they seem,
or as bad or good, 
as vulnerable or as strong, 
as sweet or as feisty;
we are thickly layered, 
page upon page, 
behind simple covers.
-- Deb Caletti

29 comments:

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

This is a happiness post! I have the book, I love what Seth has done and is still doing. I love that you are part of it. Good on you Donna.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Wonderful choices of portraits Donna. I love the freedom with which the artists created their work. What variety! Its the message not the medium.
See you in Bellevue.

Sweetpea said...

I've put the date on my calendar, Donna...dunno yet if I can escape down to Seattle that day, but I am certainly going to try!

ArtPropelled said...

It's lovely to see my carving here Donna, thank you! I enjoyed all the quotes. Looking forward to hearing all about the book signing.

amy of studio four corners said...

I have the date on my calendar...I am so looking forward to it...

Jen Crossley said...

Thanks so much Donna I was honored to be featured.
Jen xxx

nancy neva gagliano said...

a spectrum that 'propels' my imagination...
the shoichi ida quote is perfect, and "everything we do..a self-portrait, ...a diary"...
celebrate together in Bellevue! what a "mixed media" trip:
PART OF THE ART OF LIVING IS LIVING WITH ART, and connecting with your artist friends!
even via the internet. grin.

diane said...

When you announced that you were in Seth's book, I knew I had to order it. The book is great as is your work. Wish I were in the Seattle area that weekend. Enjoy!

mansuetude said...

you always make a harmony.

esp the quote about everything being a self portrait--expression in our every gesture . i really love body language.

wonderful portraits here. really loving don's abstract.

enjoy your book signing time.

anca gray said...

well, now i must order the book.
the preview you are sharing here
draws every bit of me in.
have a lovely time at the signing!

Tammie Lee said...

such a wonderful post.
i am enjoying getting to know you in Seth's book. Lovely Sunday to you.

Emma said...

Wonderful quotes & I enjoyed Seths 31 days, will go back to his blog hop & I'll certainly come back here to follow these links.

Now I shall go off to work ....peacefully.

Barry said...

D-like the self portrait - simplicity and yet meanings only you know. Well done to all of you who collaborated in the book and the Seth for having the foresight to invite such talent in. Go well. B

annell4 said...

On this quiet Sunday morning, this post seems so right. Acknowledging others, remembering we are not alone in our journey! Thanks from Taos, home on the desert.
No one is who he seems.

Seth said...

Thanks for putting this post together Donna. The self portraits were among my most favorite parts of the book. You have chosen wonderful pieces to highlight and added the perfect quotes.

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

Thank you Donna for this post and I just love the quotes you have picked out. We all have our stories that aren't so evident. The self portraits reveal other aspects of ourselves that words and even actions do not.

Wish I could attend and meet both you and leslie!

sukipoet said...

have a wonderful day of book signing and demonstration. two such talented artists. the self portraits are all so different and expressive.

eb said...

Donna,
thinking now about layers
and the skin under the skin
a wound, a gash, a burn
to our largest organ
revealing
painfully
the fresh new layers
underneath
gradually the new baby skin strengthens
comes out of the depths
perhaps still very sensitive
but ready
to feel
the fresh breeze
the rain
the warmth of the sun
a caress
ever more deeply
layers
layering
oh my - how did I get here
with yet
another word stack
layers carry
deep meaning...
all of these self portraits
have layers
and each quote full to brimming
thank you Donna
for all of the layers
that you share...

xox - eb.

Anna Mavromatis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anna Mavromatis said...

Donna,
A perfect post to view, to read, view again and read again and then rest thinking about it, about all the bits and pieces that make us who we are, and the uniqueness of each artist on his/her approach to create their own self portrait.
Brilliant as always. Thank you!

Caterina Giglio said...

wonderful post, all splendid works, and have fun at the book signing...

Donna Iona Drozda said...

What a wonderful collection of reflection on the self. I also love the quotes that you sprinkle throughout...like Piccasso said..."everything I create is a self-portrait".

Congrats on the book and have so much fun at the book signing!! wish I could drop in!

Gaby Bee said...

I really enjoyed reading this post. It must be so exciting to see yourself published ... enjoy your book signing!

Deborah said...

Looks like a fascinating book!

Yvette said...

wow Donna
besides you of course
lots of interesting links!

Lynn said...

Congratulations, Donna.
I ordered the book and have loved wandering through its pages. Full of inspiration.

Laura said...

Awesome

Jill Zaheer said...

Hope you had a super time at the booksigning! Your works are always stunningly beautiful and very moving! xo

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