It's always exciting to think about a new year. So much potential for growth, so many opportunities to experience good things, and best of all, a chance to start over.
Some art goals and resolutions for 2013...
1. See more shows. There's lots going on in DC at pretty much any given time-- Per Kirkeby at the Phillips (through Jan 6), Lichtenstein at NGA (through Jan 13), Ai Wei Wei at the Hirshhorn (through Feb 24), and Taryn Simon at the Corcoran (through Feb 24), for example!
2. Get organized.
a) Create a set of ten materials packets for shows, grants, and residency applications
b) Clear out my studio; reconfigure storage
c) Set up better files, clear out/archive/clean up digital files and emails
d) Update website, blog, newsletter, and all social media (regular schedule)
3. Enter more shows. It's time to expand my reach a little farther beyond my immediate neighborhood.
What goals have you thought about for the new year?
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A year in review
2012 has been an amazing year for me artistically, and I'm quite awestruck and grateful for all that has transpired.
A year in review:
-I chose to extend my maternity leave to be more available to my second child, as well as my eldest. In the beginning the baby slept two naps, and I was able to paint a significant body of work. Daily walks around the lake opened my eyes to new inspiration and gave me peace of mind and body, two things that are critical to a woman post-partum.
-Little by little, with support from my husband and my friends, I was able to start making sales. A decision was made to sign up to be an outdoor vendor at the local farmers and craft market near my home as a way to learn how to sell my work in that manner. My business was officially established January 1, and by April my husband helped me set up the paperwork. Morgan Johnson Norwood Visual Art was born.
-I entered several local group shows sponsored by the League of Reston Artists, which gained me showing experience, and even landed me two awards!
-In May I began showing my work at the market, and I learned that it is a really difficult, labor-intensive process, but I had more fun than I ever thought. I am fascinated by the culture of the gypsy artist/artisan/farmer/vendor. The idea that one can set up a shop where there previously was nothing is a triumph in capitalism and ingenuity, and packing skills! Everything needs to fit in your car! I learned that selling is an art all by itself. I also learned that my work stops people in their tracks, and that pleased me greatly, but it was much harder sending the work home with someone, no matter how in love with it they were. All of these points became big lessons. I sold seven paintings this season, and made countless contacts. Definitely a good learning experience, indeed.
-In September my mother-in-law and I hung a large exhibition of my paintings at North Gate Vineyard (46 paintings, now 49 are still on view). As their inaugural artist-in-residence, I was blessed to participate in many of their functions, including my own, the Artist Inspiration Days, where 3 additional paintings were added to the exhibition. I sold fourteen paintings (so far!) from the show, and received countless comments on how beautiful the show looks in the space. As much as the paintings are like my children, I will be a little sad to bring the show home after such a radiant viewing period.
-And now my art has entered a much quieter time. Things at home require much more of my attention, schedules have drastically altered, babies are now active toddlers, and my teaching has picked up a bit more. Time in the studio is more difficult to achieve than it was, but I'm happy to say that what has been coming out of the studio is exciting to me, and reflective of all the massive changes that have been going on in the past few months. The good point about being forced to slow down my production, I suppose, is that the work has become even better. Stay tuned.
A year in review:
-I chose to extend my maternity leave to be more available to my second child, as well as my eldest. In the beginning the baby slept two naps, and I was able to paint a significant body of work. Daily walks around the lake opened my eyes to new inspiration and gave me peace of mind and body, two things that are critical to a woman post-partum.
-Little by little, with support from my husband and my friends, I was able to start making sales. A decision was made to sign up to be an outdoor vendor at the local farmers and craft market near my home as a way to learn how to sell my work in that manner. My business was officially established January 1, and by April my husband helped me set up the paperwork. Morgan Johnson Norwood Visual Art was born.
-I entered several local group shows sponsored by the League of Reston Artists, which gained me showing experience, and even landed me two awards!
-In May I began showing my work at the market, and I learned that it is a really difficult, labor-intensive process, but I had more fun than I ever thought. I am fascinated by the culture of the gypsy artist/artisan/farmer/vendor. The idea that one can set up a shop where there previously was nothing is a triumph in capitalism and ingenuity, and packing skills! Everything needs to fit in your car! I learned that selling is an art all by itself. I also learned that my work stops people in their tracks, and that pleased me greatly, but it was much harder sending the work home with someone, no matter how in love with it they were. All of these points became big lessons. I sold seven paintings this season, and made countless contacts. Definitely a good learning experience, indeed.
-In September my mother-in-law and I hung a large exhibition of my paintings at North Gate Vineyard (46 paintings, now 49 are still on view). As their inaugural artist-in-residence, I was blessed to participate in many of their functions, including my own, the Artist Inspiration Days, where 3 additional paintings were added to the exhibition. I sold fourteen paintings (so far!) from the show, and received countless comments on how beautiful the show looks in the space. As much as the paintings are like my children, I will be a little sad to bring the show home after such a radiant viewing period.
-And now my art has entered a much quieter time. Things at home require much more of my attention, schedules have drastically altered, babies are now active toddlers, and my teaching has picked up a bit more. Time in the studio is more difficult to achieve than it was, but I'm happy to say that what has been coming out of the studio is exciting to me, and reflective of all the massive changes that have been going on in the past few months. The good point about being forced to slow down my production, I suppose, is that the work has become even better. Stay tuned.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Weather
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| Brushstroke oil on canvas, 16 x 16 inches ©2012 Morgan Johnson Norwood |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Artist Inspiration Day
Sunday afternoon I handed over the parenting reins to my husband, packed the car with my easel and art supplies, and drove out to North Gate for the first ever Artist Inspiration Day. The early fall weather was exceptionally perfect, and with a glass of Viognier in hand, I wandered through the rows of grape vines, breathing the crisp air, listening to the birds chattering, and taking pictures of whatever grabbed my attention.
It was glorious.
And then I painted this outside on the patio, and felt happier than ever.
Want to join me for the next one?
Don't miss it!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
1-4pm
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Child's play
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| Blue Jello oil and charcoal on canvas, 24 x 24 inches ©2012 Morgan Johnson Norwood |
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| Cookie Monster oil and charcoal on canvas, 24 x 24 inches ©2012 Morgan Johnson Norwood |
Having a preschooler in the house definitely changes one's mindset. I used to be somewhat sophisticated, if you can believe it, rubbing elbows with famous artists at gallery openings, enjoying fancy dinners and expensive bottles of Vodka. I would actually wear heels most days, and if necessary, was unafraid to throw out a few colorful curse words to emphasize a point. But now my uniform is a t-shirt and jeans and a ponytail, and don't be surprised if you hear me uttering such phrases as, "your eyeball is on the floor," or "put on your fairy wings and wiggle!" because I'm a mom and that's the kind of life I have now: drably attired, perhaps, but exceptionally challenged and exponentially rewarded.
And thank goodness for naptime. (Did you hear that? That was the sound of thousands of mommies clinking their wine glasses in agreement.) Naptime is the precious 90-120 minute block when I remember who I actually am under all the yogurt stains: an artist.
In creating these two recent paintings, which, like most of my work, are very much inspired from patches of dappled light and shadows on the trail, I began to employ a playful attitude. I'm tickled with how these paintings came out, and to me they just scream childhood. Scrawled marks from charcoal outline the borders between the bright colors, and in the case of Cookie Monster, a playful stitching harkens to one of my favorite Henson puppets. Wouldn't they be fun hanging in a playroom?
Blue Jello and Cookie Monster are both currently on view at North Gate Vineyard as part of my solo show, Shadow | Light.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Time for an Artist Date!
If you're an artist local to the DC area, you might want to put these dates on your calendar.
A Walk in the Vines: Artists Days at North Gate Vineyard
Sunday afternoons, 1-4pm. September 23 & October 14
Program is free. Wine tasting: $5
Come spend some time on the North Gate property to photograph, paint plein air, sketch, plan, and otherwise find inspiration in a unique natural setting. Artists are invited to bring their supplies and enjoy the afternoon exploring the colors of the vines, the barrels, the freshly harvested grapes, and whatever else grabs your artistic spirit. Meet artist-in-residence, Morgan Johnson Norwood, for a chat about her works on view.
Call 540.668.6248 to reserve a spot!
North Gate Vineyard
16031 Hillsboro Road
Purcellville, Virginia 20132
A Walk in the Vines: Artists Days at North Gate Vineyard
Sunday afternoons, 1-4pm. September 23 & October 14
Program is free. Wine tasting: $5
Come spend some time on the North Gate property to photograph, paint plein air, sketch, plan, and otherwise find inspiration in a unique natural setting. Artists are invited to bring their supplies and enjoy the afternoon exploring the colors of the vines, the barrels, the freshly harvested grapes, and whatever else grabs your artistic spirit. Meet artist-in-residence, Morgan Johnson Norwood, for a chat about her works on view.
Call 540.668.6248 to reserve a spot!
North Gate Vineyard
16031 Hillsboro Road
Purcellville, Virginia 20132
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Hanging Day at North Gate Vineyard
After months of preparation and planning and hard work, I hung art yesterday at North Gate Vineyard in Purcellville, VA. Here are a few images from yesterday's hanging for my new show, Shadow | Light.
I rented a UHaul cargo van because there was NO WAY all this stuff would have fit in my car.
Purcellville is about a 45-minute drive away from where I live, and North Gate is smack in the middle of the prettiest countryside ever. Rolling hills and wooden horse fences are everywhere.
And just look at those vines!
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| The vines at North Gate Vineyard are heavy with grapes almost ready for harvest. |
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| My show signage. |
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| Unloading and setting out lots of art! |
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| My little helper stopped by to decide where her favorites went. |
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| Art on the walls, slowly but surely. |
Later my husband and daughter said goodbye, and then we set up the hanging supplies and got to work.
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| Where's my cape? LOL |
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| Another wall complete. |
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| 46 paintings are hung. I'm ready for a glass of wine, please. |
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