Come to my unofficial Fiber coming out party! "Sew What" at the Broker's Buidling Gallery, Friday April 1, 2011

My fiber work is coming out of the closet. 

Yes, I work in Fiber....

I am graduating this May with a degree in Applied Design with an emphasis in Fiber, so you think I would be proud to fly my I heart Fiber flag. 

But the encaustic wax work I do overpowers fiber with its smell, texture and visual aesthetic.  

So I have kept most of the fiber only work hidden away from the world (with a few exceptions). 

But on Friday, April 1, 2011, I will be taking my fiber art out to strut it's stuff. And I am not alone. 

Come join us! 

Time	Friday, April 1 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location	Brokers Building Gallery 402 Market Street San Diego, CA
Sew What: Four Artists Experimenting in the Field of Fiber Emily Stone Joan Mathison Jaime Lyerly Scott Gengelbach Friday April 1, 2011 Opening Night April 2 - 15, 2011 by Viewing Appointment 619.368.1685

___________________________________________________

Expect the unexpected! 

But I will give you a hint of what's to come...

• Installation work
• Humor
• Unconventional materials
• Fiber that is not your grandma's sampler
• and lots of WINE! Yay! 

So join us if you can. And I will do my best to get the photos of the show up as soon as possible. 

As always, thanks for being a part of my journey! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Solar Spring Spirit Jam on Saturday, March 26, 2011

 Looking forward to using my new Tiger Eye Drum by artisan drum maker Lisa Starr

photo by Lisa Starr

Come join us on Saturday, March 26, 2011 · 8:30pm - 11:30pm for the first annual  Solar Spring Spirit Jam, brought to you by Mind Altering Records and The Prosperity Hive:

A special evening of transcendental music, dance, and communal drumming featuring Solarminds (of Mind Altering Records) at the

The Prosperity Hive

740 13th St. #503

San Diego, CA

RSVP on the Facebook event page or just come join us! 

From Chris Miner of solarminds: 

..."I have some new material that I'd like to share with people. Right now it's just me and my acoustic guitar, but I would like to get a big audience driven drum circle going, and maybe a couple musicians helping to provide a drone sort of thing that my stuff could go on top of- very repetitive, meditative, spiritual stuff. The goal being to evoke ecstatic states of mystical devotion and union for everyone involved. 

It's all about dissolving boundaries- between audience and performer, and this world and the spirit world. It's about letting the spirits sing through me, letting the spirits dance our bodies. I always tell people my music is divinely inspired, but on March 26th, I want to inspire the spirits to join us, so that we transcend who inspires who on that night. 

It will be an experiment for sure, and I'm not sure where the experiment will take us, but I have a feeling it will take us somewhere magical." 

Bring your drum, rattle, tambourine, or other percussion instrument, and your dancing feet!

$5-$20 suggested donation

Doors open at 8:30
Music starts at 9pm

Hope to see you there! ~ Jaime Lyerly 

Zoom! From Haystack, to school to one retreat after another

Quick note to fill in the blanks while I work on the "real" posts for these events.

Got back on Friday night, August 27 from the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (in Deer Isle, Maine) where I was the Technical Assistant to Cynthia Winika for the Hot Wax: Encaustic Painting Comprehensive Workshop.

The Haystack experience was amazing! I cannot say enough good things about it. I am doing a write up in more detail about this event.

Then school started for me on Tuesday, August 30th before I could even catch my breathe or really unpack my stuff (and life) from two weeks away at Haystack.

As I rush, rush hurry to class to work to class to home to blah blah blah... I am trying to get a solid hold of my schedule and make time for contemplation and writing about my events. But everything on my to do list marked priority! What is a girl to do?

So on that note, I am packing my bags to go teach Encaustic Collage at the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat, in Julian, CA. It will be the first time I am teaching just collage - which I think is the easiest way to begin to understand working in wax. I am excited to teach, and am looking forward to the event.

But another part of me is just looking forward to having a couple of days where someone cooks my meals again (thanks, Haystack for spoiling me for two weeks) and let's me have quiet time or social time at my own choosing.

I hope to have a great write up about both events within in next week. Then it is rush, rush off to the International Encaustic Artist Annual Advance (Retreat) in San Francisco, the week after that! I think I will need a retreat from all the retreats I am going to.

Until then! Happy art making (even in a rush!) ~ Jaime Lyerly

It's time to Register for the 13th Annual San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat! Mark your calendars for September 10-12, 2010 in Julian, CA

 Jaime Lyerly showing how to scrape back encaustic wax © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the 13th ANNUAL 2010 WCA/SD RETREAT

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

Note: This event is for women, only. Sorry guys! Most of our events are co-ed, but this is for women only because of the sleeping arrangements.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE

PLEIN AIR PAINTING with Jen Bottoms

JOURNALING, BLIND DRAWING & MAKING YOUR OWN JOY

with Suzana Norberg

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS with Midge Hyde

ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE with Jaime Lyerly

(more details about the workshops below)

_______________________________________

WHEN

September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010

WHERE

Camp Stevens, Julian, 1108 Highway 78,

Julian, California 92036 (760) 765-0028

We will be staying in the Wolterstorff Lodge

FEE

$150 Retreat only WCA SD members

$175 Retreat & 1 year basic 2011 membership for WCA

members

$190 Retreat & 1 year basic 2011 WCA Membership for

non-members.

All include 3 days, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown

and prepared by Camp Stevens ), and all workshop fees

DIRECTIONS

From San Diego : Take Highway 67 to Ramona, then

Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2

miles east of Julian on State Highway 78. There is a

“ Camp Stevens ” entrance sign on the left side of the

highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

REGISTER EARLY

Your $50 Non-refundable deposit due by August 1, 2010

(check or PayPal) secures your reservation. Balance

due by September 1st, by check or PayPal. Upon final

payment you will receive a detailed map, packing list,

materials list, materials to bring and schedule, via

e-mail.


NOTE: There is limited cell phone service.


Women’s Caucus for Art, San Diego

13th Annual Retreat

at Camp Stevens

Julian, California

September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010

QUESTIONS AND INFO:

Jen Bottoms, (619) 892-3429

9500 Harritt Road, #75

Lakeside, CA 92040

jenniebottoms@gmail.com



WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

JOURNALING, BLIND DRAWING and MAKING YOUR OWN JOY with Suzana Norberg

As an advertising copywriter, Sue discovered the joy of art late in life. Inspired by “Harriett The Spy,” her favorite book as a child, Sue always kept a notebook of observations and snippets of overheard conversations.

But it wasn’t until the accidental discovery of three fabulous and freeing books that Sue began incorporating drawing into her work. See the three books that changed Sue’s creative life, page through her journals, and be prepared to draw with your eyes closed. Then apply it all to recording your weekend in a sketchbook that will be provided.


PLEIN AIR PAINTING with Jen Bottoms

Plein Air Painting is painting outdoors. Using oils, acrylics or watercolors whatever is your medium of choice, you will learn simple pallet color and placement while exploring the great outdoors and your personal emotions with the intent of taking out the intimidation factor. Realistic and non-realistic painters alike will love this enabling workshop that will set your spirit free and help you create
flowing, eye appealing works of art. Just let yourself go!


YOGA FOR BEGINNERS with Midge Hyde

Midge has done yoga for over 10 years. She plans to do light yoga exercises, first a warm up, practicing shallow and deep breathing. She reccomends everyone who has a yoga mat to bring it along. We will do mostly standing poses in case there are not enough mats for seated poses. The poses she likes are good stretches and parts of sun salutations, nothing too strenuous, just good stretching and deep breathing....a good way to end or start a day.


ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE with Jaime Lyerly

Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. We will not be using pigment but instead, be learning the basic techniques of of encaustic collage in this workshop. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting.

ABOUT CAMP STEVENS and WCA/SD RETREAT

We will stay in the Wolterstorff Lodge, which was built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge, destroyed in the “Angel Fire” of September 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with 2 shared baths, and a meeting room with a fireplace. The OUTDOOR FACILITIES include tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.
  
I hope you can join us! You can check out pictures from last year's retreat on my Facebook page ~ Jaime Lyerly 

Movements of my soul -- Introduction to Family Constellations workshop - Sunday 6/27/2010 in Vista, CA.

First family constellation final healing, Oil pastel drawing, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

I have been changing....

Changing what I am,
what I want,
how I live,
what I do,
what I need,
and how I deal with it all.

During my time of major flux (my partner moving to Berkeley, my son graduating from middle school, my job not being what it used it be, my high stress life taking a toll, researching graduate schools and more) , I usually turn to art-making as a way to cope.

However, it has been a desert of non-productiveness in my life recently.

A lull in creative expression for a week to "unwind" from classes ending has turned into month of no art making.

A few nights of just watching tv has turned into a sleepless nights playing video games.

A break from class work has turned into a break from living.

How does this happen? I am not sure.

But during this time of low productivity has come a huge blessing - a time for "soul work."

Through artist and healer Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti, I learned of Family Constellation work, which is based on social psychology, family dynamics and energy healing.

She calls the changes that occur because of this healing, "Movements of the Soul."

I won't go into too much detail about the constellations here, but I can say that they have changed my life.

Every aspect of it from how I make art, who I think I am, what do I want, how do I get it, and how do I deal with this thing called life.

And it is a lot to process! Which is why I my blog has been neglected and you see me less on the social networking sites. I'm still here.... just thinking, feeling and trying to understand it.

So please bear with me as I morph into this new person that is greater than the sum of her parts.

Want to know more about Family Constellation work?

Great! Check out the links above and the book called The Healing Power of the Past.

Live in San Diego area? Even better!


Ellie is having a three hour workshop this Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm which is an Introduction to Family Constellations. 


Here is the info from the Facebook event: 


This is an introductory 3 hour workshop. If you've wanted to join Ellie to experience the transformational work of Family Constellations but haven't had the funds or the time now is your opportunity. Ellie asks that all participants contribute a donation of $25.00 to cover the expense of the conference room. Ellie will do 1 constellation chosen by lottery and 1 constellation as a group. Great opportunity for those of you who are wanting to experience more success in your personal finances, life's passion and or career. Ellie will be focusing on Money and the Heart. You must RSVP to attend. Please RSVP by email to: eangel11@gmail.com. If you don't RSVP you will not be admitted to the event. Sorry no exceptions space is limited. When you RSVP please provide name, phone number, and names of guests who are attending with you. 


Note: I will be attending this event!

It really is an awesome experience, and I felt compelled to share it with my friends and readers.

To your health and wellness and deep soul movements.. ~ Jaime Lyerly

San Diego area volunteers needed! The Tag Project at Kiku Gardens this Saturday June 5, 2010

Image from the Tag Project Facebook page

In San Diego area and have nothing to do this Saturday morning?

Want to help with an amazing project?

Great! Come join us at the Kiku Gardens as we help Artist Wendy Maruyama "age" tags for her Tag Project: E.O. 9066. See this invite below from Wendy:

The Tag Project will be at Kiku Gardens Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10 AM - noon. We are now at a point where we need help taking the tags through an aging process (dunking in coffee and krinkling and setting out to dry).

If you would like to help, please bring rubber gloves, old newspapers, and if you have one, a plastic dishpan or some similar plastic container for dunking tags.

Roll up your sleeves, and join the fun!!

Location:

Kiku Gardens
1260 Third Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91911

Time: 10 AM til 12 pm

Here is more about the Tag Project from the Facebook page:

This project was begun as part of my research on Executive Order 9066: it is the first time I made the personal decision to really look at this sorry chapter in history as a Japanese American artist. I plan to focus on this direction in my work for the next few years.

One project, "The Tag Project", was started in New York - I replicated 1011 tags from internees from my hometown (San Diego/Chula Vista). I was inspired by the thousands of folded origami cranes I saw at the Hiroshima Peace memorial and this group of tags was called "Cascade". I was also deeply moved by the photos of Dorothea Lange, one is shown above: it was her photos that initially provided the physical and emotional weight of the internment, and how it so profoundly affected the Japanese American citizens during and for years to come. All Japanese Americans were rounded up in 1942 and each were issued a tag and an ID number designating their destination: one of several internment camps, all in desolate deserted areas of the United States. The most haunting and striking photos were of the families wearing tags at the various assembly centers before being shipped off by train to these remote areas.

I was taken by the weight of these tags when they were completed and hung, despite appearing to be light and airy. This struck me as being very relevant to the way the internment was perceived by the general American Public. To this day it shocks me to still run into fellow Americans who had no clue that this had happened. I am going to commit to making all 120,000 tags, for all the Japanese Americans who were sent to all the camps. I feel that the sheer numbers and the scale of these tags will convey to all who view this that the internment was a massive project that was to affect an entire culture of people and their future generations.

Find out more on the The TAG Project: E.O. 9066 Blog.

Interview with Wendy in American Craft Magazine - "The Tag Project: In Search of Cultural Memory"

Tag Project Video

The Tag Project | Poston from xavier vasquez on Vimeo.

About Wendy Maruyama -

Wendy Maruyama is Head of the San Diego State Furniture Design /Woodworking program and has taught at SDSU since 1989. Prior to that she has headed programs at California College of Arts and Crafts and at the Appalachian Center for Crafts. She received her BA from San Diego State and MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been the recipient of a Fulbright Grant to England, foreign travel grants to France and Japan, and four NEA Craftsmen's Fellowships. She also serves on several non-profit boards, including the Furniture Society and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. She is a frequent workshop leader and lecturer and her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. It is documented in numerous publications and included in public collections, among them the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, American Craft Museum, Oakland Museum, Mingei International Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Arizona State University Museum in Tempe.

I know it is late notice, but you really want to come to this event! I would love to see you there.

Happy volunteering! ~ Jaime Lyerly

SDSU Art Council - 8th Annual Scholarship Exhibition at the La Jolla Athenaeum on May 21, 2010

Detail from Fibrous Waximus, which will be on display at the event
© 2010 Jaime Lyerly

Missed those other chances to see my encaustic art? Then come to this one.

San Diego State University Art Council 8th Annual Scholarship Exhibition

Dates/Times: May 22 - June 19, 2010
Opening: May 21, 2010, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: La Jolla Athenaeum Music and Arts Library
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA

More Information: The Athenaeum presents for the eighth consecutive year an exhibition of artwork by scholarship winners of the San Diego State University's Department of Art, Design, and Art History. Students from the upper division of the undergraduate or the graduate programs will be selected, based on scholarship applications, by the SDSU Art Council. Each of the five receives a monetary award and the opportunity to present their artwork in this exhibition.

What's in it for you:

* Support local and emerging artists
* Meet the five of SDSU's undergraduate and graduate artists who, including myself, have been awarded a scholarship based on an essay and portfolio review.
* Check out the Artist Book Collection.
* FREE ADMISSION!
* Three in One! See the other two exhibitions running and opening at the same time in different galleries at the Athenaeum, Including: Selections from the Athenaeum's Erika and Fred Torri Artists' Books Collection: Fischli/Weiss and Ellen Salk: Shaker Loops

Hope to see you there! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Opening Reception for SDSU's "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

Reminder!

Tonight from 6-9 pm is the San Diego State University's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture class anonymously juried show called "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

Exhibition: Comatose in the Sculptorium: SDSU's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture student show

Dates/Times: May 15 - 20, 2010. Hours variable. Opening: May 15, 2010 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Location: San Diego State University, Flor Y Canto Gallery on the fifth floor of the Art Department.

More Information: Facebook event

What's in it for you:

• Support local and emerging artists!
  
• See the experimental and conceptual sculpture that is being produced by the SDSU sculpture students. The variety is amazing.
  
• See my untitled 3-D encaustic sculptures from 2009 in a whole new setting and installation.
• Meet the infamous instructor and local artist, Richard Keely.
  
• FREE ADMISSION!

Hope to see you there!

~ Jaime Lyerly

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions (and what's in it for you...)

I have been a busy bee recently and have a few events that you may be interested in, especially if you are in San Diego, CA.

If you are not in the San Diego area, you can join me on the journey through my blog posts (although those always come later than the event).

I would love you to come and experience these, but I know you are all busy.

So, rather than just tooting my own horn about the awesomeness of me to get you to come to these events, I am going to tell you what's in it for you!

These events are in chronological order.

Current/Upcoming events:


Exhibition: A World of Art - San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Member Show

Dates/Times: May 1 - May 15, 2010, call to arrange for viewing times

Location: East Village Company, # 29
906 10th Ave, San Diego (corner of 10th & E-downtown)

More Information: See the Facebook event

What's in it for you:

• See the diversity of work from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art members.
  
• Also to my encaustic covered hand-carved Jelutong wood sculpture "Reliquary" and untitled encaustic painting.
  
• Check out the East Village Company's space, hosted by the elegant and gracious, Coco Cabuquit-Jarboe. Coco opens her artist loft home to host art events. The relaxed ambiance makes viewing the art and meeting the artists a rewarding and intimate experience. One of San Diego's best kept secrets.
• FREE ADMISSION!
  

________________________________________

Exhibition: Repeat. Sum. Repeat. Art installation by Jaime Lyerly and sound installation by Experimental Musician Chris Miner

Date/Times: May 11, 2010, from 12 pm to 3 pm.

Location: San Diego State University, Art Building Installation Room Art 418C (on the fourth floor.) If you are not a student, park in the "W" lot, which you can buy an hourly permit. Call me at 619-750-2404 to get directions from there.

More Information: My first attempt at installing my body of work, including most of my current encaustic paintings and sculpture, and my newest fiber related works. See the Facebook Event.

What's in it for you:

• Supporting local and emerging artists!
  
• Check out my body of work, and help me figure out what needs tweaking as I get ready to apply for graduate school.
  
• Experience Chris Miner's sound installation which is based on the patterns and songs of whales. This is the initial stage of this sound collage, and will be expanded for inclusion in the Atomino 2010: Experimental Art Festival in Germany in August 2010.
• FREE ADMISSION (obviously - and I will entertain you too!)
  

__________________________________

Exhibition: Comatose in the Sculptorium: SDSU's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture student show

Dates/Times: May 15 - 20, 2010. Hours variable. Opening: May 15, 2010 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Location: San Diego State University, Flor Y Canto Gallery on the fifth floor of the Art Department.

More Information: Coming soon!

What's in it for you:

• Support local and emerging artists!
  
• See the experimental and conceptual sculpture that is being produced by the SDSU sculpture students. The variety is amazing.
  
• See my untitled 3-D encaustic sculptures from 2009 in a whole new setting and installation.
• Meet the infamous instructor and local artist, Richard Keely.
  
• FREE ADMISSION!
  

_________________________________

Exhibition: San Diego State University Art Council 8th Annual Scholarship Exhibition

Dates/Times: May 22 - June 19, 2010 Opening: May 21, 2010, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: La Jolla Athenaeum Music and Arts Library

More Information: The Athenaeum presents for the eighth consecutive year an exhibition of artwork by scholarship winners of the San Diego State University's Department of Art, Design, and Art History. Students from the upper division of the undergraduate or the graduate programs will be selected, based on scholarship applications, by the SDSU Art Council. Each of the five receives a monetary award and the opportunity to present their artwork in this exhibition.


What's in it for you:

• Support local and emerging artists (see a trend here?)
  
• Meet the five of SDSU's undergraduate and graduate artists who, including myself, have been awarded a scholarship based on an essay and portfolio review. I will get the names of the other four artists soon.
  
• Check out the Artist Book Collection.
  
• FREE ADMISSION!
  
• Three in One! See the other two exhibitions running and opening at the same time in different galleries at the Athenaeum, Including: Selections from the Athenaeum's Erika and Fred Torri Artists' Books Collection: Fischli/Weiss and Ellen Salk: Shaker Loops

Whew! Lots to do in the next few weeks, right?

Even though I would rather avoid these art openings, (yep, that is me - the introvert in me wants to stay home and watch movies instead) , I will be attending all these events.

I would love for you to join me! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Call for Art Donations - CSNO Art Relief Silent Auction, THIS Saturday, March 13, 2010, 6-9:30 pm in Balboa Park, San Diego

Normally, I wouldn't post an event so soon after one of my own blog posts, but this seems like a worthy cause with a timely request, so I had to promote it.

See the message below:

Invitation to our CSNO ART SILENT AUCTION!

Hello!

My name is Stephanie Carman Burgos, co-president for the SDSU on campus club College Students for New Orleans. This spring break Claudia Huizar (co- president) and I will be leading a group of 38 SDSU students to New Orleans for relief work in the St Bernard's Parish in the Greater New Orleans area. This will be our club's 9th trip. The purpose of this trip is not only for our Nawleanteers (New Orleans+ Volunteers) to rebuild houses, re-do landscaping and community centers, but also to spread the word about Louisiana's destroyed condition. The media has neglected to shine light upon this issue, even 5 years after the actual event; we want to enlighten Americans about this ongoing issue, here on US soil.

We would be ecstatic if you could talk for a few minutes about our cause at your general meetings, as well mention our CSNO ART RELIEF SILENT AUCTION. This will take place in El Centro Cultural de la Raza-Balboa Park THIS Saturday March 13 from 6-9:30. Our art relief will be a fun night filled with live entertainment, drinks and food. This silent auction is open to all of San Diego. We are hoping for a great turn out, as this is our main form of fundraising for our trip.

Important!!! : We are still accepting all mediums of art, so if you could briefly encourage people to donate their art, that would be greatly appreciated. All artists' art will be professionally displayed with their piece title as well as name. All funds raised will go directly go to our trip. Interested? Contact Danie Maxwell at max95618@yahoo.com

TICKET PRICES: pre sale- student $7, general $12. at the event- student $10 , general $15

Safe online donations are also accepted: http://ihcenter.org/groups/csno

Thank you so much, if you have any further questions, please email me back or call me at 530.220.2935

Peace, Stephanie

--
Claudia Huizar & Stephanie Carman Burgos
Presidents, College Students for New Orleans
San Diego State University
StudentsVolunteer@gmail.com
Claudia:805.816.1401 Stephanie:530.220.2935

Check out our website: http://StudentsVolunteer.googlepages.com/
Donate at: http://ihcenter.org/groups/csno

- Jaime Lyerly

Art and Fear - part one - You are not alone

My last two posts have been so different from my normal, perky blogging style. I'm so sorry you had to suffer for it.

I just started reading "Art and Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland and it is amazing.

It is one Ah ha! moment after another. I am only 20 pages in to the book and I am ready to buy copies for all my artist friends so that they can experience this book.

The crankiness that I have been experiencing recently (and blogging about - see The Psychology of Collaboration and Casting a wide net) is all about self-doubt. The "Art and Fear" book tells me that I am not alone in this self-doubt, and that it probably never will go away. I just need to work with it.

Usually, I just avoid blogging (and contact with other people in general) when I am feeling confused or unsure of myself. However, I am beginning to realize that even these lows are part of my artistic journey, and that is what my blog is about. So I will question myself and hopefully, you will know that your are not alone on this either.

So from this low, I tell you my good news - Two of my newest encaustic pieces got into the juried San Diego State University Student Award Exhibition XII.

I am thrilled because these works are very new, and I think some of my best work. The irony is that is NOT my "student work." This is the work that I do outside of my assignments, although I do bring them into my sculpture class for critique sometimes.

One of the pieces is the 30x30x2" untitled encaustic painting from the Gatherings series which is in the blog post below. The other is called Collection (Fibrous Waximus) and is a wall installation fiber and encaustic sculpture. I need a good installation shot for the blog and I will get you one next week.

The show opens on March 15, 2010 at the San Diego State University Everett Gee Jackson Gallery and Flor y Canto Gallery, and is up until March 24, 2010 until 3 pm. I hope that if you are in the area, you can check it out.

Back to my art and fear - I am working through this.

Yesterday, I was working in some wax and nothing was feeling right, so I took out some boards and started drawing on them with charcoal. A few hours later, I had a triptych that is complete. Usually, I spend a long time thinking about my work, and making it, but it hardly ever feels done that quickly. These feel done and I am shocked! Am I learning to accept the inspiration? Maybe... no, scratch that - YES. That is just fear talking.

And until that inner critic decides to take a vacation, I will continue to crank when I am feeling uninspried and unconnected. But I am working through it. And you will too...

Art and Fear... what is stopping you?
~Jaime Lyerly

A Thousand Ways to Draw a Tree: Expressive Drawing Workshop in San Diego this Sunday 2/28/2010

Here is a workshop taught by San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Valerie Samuel Henderson. Got some free time this weekend? (okay...I know free time doesn't exist...) Come to this workshop. Check it out:

RISKY BUSINESS! Draw Fast and Loose.

An expressive drawing workshop this Sunday, Feb. 28 10am-3pm

It’s called “A Thousand Ways to Draw a Tree”. You get to invent the ways! You get to think like an eight-year-old and draw outside the lines. Experiment, do quick sketches, and try working with new materials like charcoal taped to a stick, graphite crayons, and mixing oil pastel with India ink. Get inspired by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and your kid sister.

Here is the information from the website:

An expressive drawing workshop... Drawing trees is the theme and the focus is intuition, spontaneity and invention. You’ll do lots and lots of quick sketches using memory, observation and imagination. Find ways to draw trees by playing with line like you might play a melody on a saxophone. Experiment with different kinds of drawing tools from graphite sticks to long straws dipped in ink. This is an opportunity to try new things whether or not you have ever taken a drawing class before, or if you’re looking to refresh some sparks.

$62 members / $72 non-members Materials fee $10

Monday, January 18 10am – 3pm

Sunday, February 28 10am – 3pm

Sunday, April 11 10am – 3pm

Taught by an inspired mixed media artist, Valerie Samuel Henderson (BFA in Painting, Mass. College of Art. MFA in Visual Art, U.C.S.D.)

Bravo School of Art. 2690 Historic Decatur Rd Studio 206. San Diego , CA 92106 . 619-223-0058

workshops@BravoSchool of Art.com

www.BravoSchoolOfArt.com

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti's Art Reception and Wine Tasting at "The Wine Spot" Feb 27, 2010

image © 2010 Ellen Benfatti

A unique art reception and wine tasting event on Saturday, February 27, 2010 featuring 2010 San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Vice President Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti.

Here is more information about Ellie and her event:

Ellen Benfatti was born in the United States and resides in North San Diego, California. Several years ago she experienced a life altering event while visiting the spa of a luxury cruise line. Ellen was invited to experience a Reiki treatment. Shortly after her experience she began to have a strong desire to paint. She went on to become a certified Reiki Master Teacher and Artist. She was recently featured on San Diego public television for her brilliant use of color and its connection to increased health. She has spent the last several years studying the affects of color on the human body. Ellie’s studio is located at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. She’s a full time Artist and Pain Management Consultant.

She’s currently a featured artist for the Banners lining Pacific Coast Highway in Leucadia.

She opens at “The Wine Spot” on Feb 27th her exhibit will run from Feb 27-March 30th.

Feb 27th Art Reception and Wine Tasting 7-10 pm
The Wine Spot 2917 State St. Carlsbad
Complimentary Wines and Cheeses served from 7-8:30pm

Ellie will be raffling one of her gorgeous pictures and she'll be serving complimentary wines for tasting from 7-8:30.
RSVP on her Facebook event page or just come on down!

To learn more about her you may visit her portfolio at:
www.angelicmanifestations.com

Support local independent artists! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Open Art Studio at Silverton Business Center in San Diego - RESCHEDULED for Saturday, March 13, 2010

3.3.2010 update: EVENT RESCHEDULED to March 13, 2010.

Want to see artists in their creative space? Go to an open art studio!

Since I create on my balcony (for encaustics), in my house for other projects, and at the SDSU classrooms, I don't really have my own studio. So it is a privilege to be able to come into the studio space of others and see how they work their magic.

Here is upcoming open art studio not to be missed featuring 6 artists including former San Diego Women's Caucus for Art president Grace Matthews and member Anna Stoa. Information provided by Grace Matthews.

Silverton Ave Open Studios Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 1 – 4pm

Please join us for the first open studios of six artists at the Silverton Business Center in Mira Mesa.

7949-7955 Silverton Ave San Diego, CA 92126
http://art-studio-events.blogspot.com/

Artists:
Rafael “Fallo” Mareyna
Becky Guttin
Gail Liebig
Anna Stoa
Grace Matthews
Sarah Tippit

I am going to try my best to go to this event to peek into these active artist's studios.

Happy studio visiting! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Miya Hannan - Connectivity at Hyde Gallery

All artworks in this post are © 2006-2010 Miya Hannan

I just got back from seeing the Miya Hannan art show "Connectivity" at the Hyde Gallery, Grossmont Community College and it is AMAZING!

The show is open until February 25, 2010, and it is free.

My friend Starry came to see the show with me, and Grossmont Art Professor Jim Wilsterman stopped by to give us some more insight on the show.

The artist statement from Miya Hannan does a great job of putting these ethereal pieces into context. Here is the statement, which is slightly different from her Artist Statement on her website:

I have nothing but great things to say about this show, but for time purposes, I will leave you with her images. Please do go see it if you are in the area and let me know what you think. Seeing art in person is so much more inspiring than online, but this is for the time crunched or distance-challenged artists!

All artworks in this post are © 2006-2010 Miya Hannan

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly