I Believe Anita Hill and in making new work!

(Above:  A group of young ladies under the "I BELIEVE ANITA HILL" sign at last night's 23rd anniversary party honoring Anita Hill's bravery, feminism, and the power of female networking!)

I haven't been attending the "I Believe Anita Hill" annual party since 1991 but several area women started this function twenty-three years ago here in Columbia, SC.  I've been going for the past several years.  It is a fabulous party, a great networking opportunity, and full of positive energy. It is wonderful to see the awareness being passed down to a younger generation.  Many of the ladies cheering for the keynote speaker and clapping for the professional video hadn't been born when Anita Hill testified.  The keynote speaker was only eleven years old.  The best photo op location was under the event sign.  I took the photo above ... and I don't know a single person in it but know each one shares something in common with me.  (To read more about Anita Hill and her courageous stand against work place sexual harassment, CLICK HERE.)

(Above:  Anita Garrett, Chief Strategy Officer at the Weathers Group ... a brand new friend.  Dolly Patton, Executive Director of the Saluda Shoals Foundation ... a friend for nearly twenty years ... and me.)

My friend Dolly met Anita Garrett earlier in the week at another business function.  I was introduced last night.  Making connections, networking, and supporting other, strong, focused women is what the evening is all about.  We are stronger together!

 
(Above:  The crowd at 701 Whaley for the "I Believe Anita Hill" annual party.)

Anita, Dolly, and I had to wait for our turn under the sign ... because the evening was packed with people ... mostly women but also a few, strong, supportive men.  I snapped the photo above ... of half the large room!  It was a great evening ... worth foregoing my studio for.  Ordinarily, very few functions can steal my precious studio time.

(Above:  In Box XLXV. Framed: 19 1/4" x 15 1/4". $225 plus tax and shipping.  Click on any image in this blog post for an enlargement.)

Fortunately, I did get plenty of studio time during the past week and managed to finish several new pieces.  I'm working hard to increase my inventory.  The American Craft Council shows in Baltimore and Atlanta will be here before I know it!

(Above:  In Box XLXVI. Framed: 19 1/4" x 15 1/4". $225 plus tax and shipping.  Click on any image in this blog post for an enlargement.)

(Above:  Lancet Window XLV.  Framed:  31 1/4" x 11 1/4". $375 plus tax and shipping.)

I know I want to make at least four more "Lancet Windows".  The unique size is perfect for odd walls ... especially ones sort of "ruined" by light switches or thermometers, etc.  Many collectors have homes that are quite filled with framed artwork ... but they frequently have a long, skinny place!

(Above:  Top section of Large Stained Glass Window LXI.)

I also finished a new "Large Stained Glass Window" and have yet another under construction.  These take hours and hours but the results are great!

(Above:  Bottom section of Large Stained Glass Window LXI.)

(Above:  Middle section of Large Stained Glass Window LXI.)

(Above:  Detail from the top section of Large Stained Glass Window LXI.)

(Above:  Large Stained Glass Window LXI. Framed:  66 1/2" x 22 1/2". $1200.)

(Above:  Window CX.  Framed:  17 1/4" x 15 1/4". $265 plus tax and shipping.)

(Above:  Window CXI.  Framed:  17 1/4" x 15 1/4". $265 plus tax and shipping.)

(Above:  Window CXII.  Framed:  17 1/4" x 15 1/4". $265 plus tax and shipping.)

I've also been busy with another hair-brained idea ... which includes my first attempts at natural dyeing.  I'm only using plant life from my own backyard.  I'm also busy rusting several vintage sleeping gowns.  Those images will be shown sometime next week.  I'm going to iron a few pieces before shooting pictures!


(Above:  Wade Sellers ... the new owner of Time Revolving!)

Another wonderful thing that happened this week was that my friend Wade Sellers selected Time Revolving for his personal collection!  This was my part of our trade.  I think I got the better end of the deal!  Wade is a real pro.  His equipment and staff are "serious".  His company, Coal Powered Filmworks is also a very well respected local business.  This summer Wade shot a segment on our South Carolina veterans returning to the shores of Omaha Beach for eTV.  His client list is significant.  I don't really want to imagine how much his normal charges for my video would have been. Wade shot, edited, selected the music, posted, and made possible the fabulous video called Threads: Gathering My Thoughts.  (CLICK HERE to see the video.)  I've already uploaded it to one of the "call-for-entry" sites and used it to submit an exhibition proposal. 


(Above:  Steve with his new "toy" ... a gigantic, flat screen, HD, "smart" television.)

We did make a significant purchase this week.  Why?  Well the twenty+ year old television (which had been my parents before we inherited it) "died".  My husband Steve is now very, very happy.  He tells people that we've finally arrived in the 21st century with this enormous, "smart", high-definition television even though it sits on the treadle sewing machine on which I earned my Girl Scout sewing badge!  As for me, I likely wouldn't own a television set.  Everything I really want seems to be "on my computer"! LOL!