Juried show acceptance, selling from a booth, and fermenting ideas

I've read so many blogs full of wonderful resolutions for the New Year, ideas for greater creativity, increased production, stretching ones' boundaries, taking risks, and accepting all sorts of new challenges. I'm almost tempted to set some lofty goal in stone...but...I know myself better than that! While I admire those who can, I can't. Yet, I've always used this time of year for personal and business reflection and looking for ways in which I can bring about positive change. So, I've been thinking a lot lately.

While thinking, I've been working on several long term projects. I've already shared my hand embroidery...which will take weeks and week to finish. Above is another project...a twist on all the rusty things I've seen and pondered over the past year.

I've been wrapping rusted nails and attaching distressed tags to rust keys...the key to the future, the key to the past, the key to knowledge, success, happiness, failure, death, creativity, the city, my heart, understanding, faith, fulfillment, joy, and just about every other abstract noun imaginable. I envision an old door, one with peeling paint, a physical representation of life's many entryways...sometimes locked but covered with labeled keys. The nails...life's bittersweet memories, the symbol of accuracy, hard work, and sacrifice. That's all the further I've gotten with this idea, but in the wrapping there is a repetitive motion that stimulates additional thinking. I know the foggy vision will become clear and take physical form....an art installation.

I've also had two pieces, Strata VII and In Box XXXIX (I never posted a photo of this one, but this links to the tutorial!) accepted into Artsfest 2008, a juried show in Florence, South Carolina. While this is only a small, localized exhibit, I am very, very excited because I also applied and was accepted into the SALE! This means that I'm going to have a booth! So, if you're anywhere near Florence, SC on the weekend of February 8 - 10, come by the former county library at 319 South Irby Street to see me! There's a gala on Thursday evening too...it's the reception for the juried art show. I can't wait.