Brighter days: The completely myopic journey of artist/painter Beck Lane.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
Entry #5 - Say WHAAAAAAAT? It's APRIL?????
I cannot get over how quickly themonths have gone by this year! First, I thought winter would NEVER end and now, out of the blue, it's April and the sun is out again! And although there have been a number of downs, I have a few up too which has been major boon to my once very ragged emotional state -
Now, for some reason, I thought Jerry's was a juried thing...turns out, it's not. Winners are based on votes made by facebook users - do a bro a solid and go vote: https://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/330629/voteable_entries/69038741
Prior to Jerry's, I submitted work to the Providence Art Club & Silvermine in New Canaan, Ct. The Art Club held their annual open call - because I'm afraid of being told "thanks but no thanks", I've made very little effort to apply to open calls but, I put on my big girl panties, and submitted one piece, "Melanie". To my shock, out of almost 200 entries, mine got in - I tend to think my stuff is a little too different for most venues so being accepted by the Art Club is a real boon.
Still feeling victorious, I decided to take a major leap and submit for membership to the Silvermine Arts Center. Twice a year they accept submssions for membership - you are not guaranteed acceptance but IF I am accepted, I would be sharing a venue with the likes of the great Alice Neel. www.silvermineart.org. Whether I am invited to be a member or not, I'm submitting work to their 64th annual Northeast Exhibition.
Other ballsy/I'm feeling stronger projects:
- First: I was picked up by a new gallery... and dropped again - long story. Short version: I built their website out, added hundreds of pics and links and text but once the site was up and running successfully and the audience grew to hundreds of views a day, the gallery manager took over aaaaaaaannnnnd....... gutted it. Completely gutted it and turned it into a horrible mess. I expressed my sadness, asked when the "reorganization" would be done (bc I had to start promoting my show) which resulted in me being dropped. One month later, the site is still an utter and complete, unfortunate, useless train wreck and I am on to other things. A very, very sad situation but there we are.
- Second: On the upside, within a week of being dropped, I was booked for 3 more shows in the NJ/NY area.
- Third: I did NOT get the fellowship I'd applied for a couple months ago. The money was designed to be used for a large scale portrait show I've been working on. Again, sad but oh well.
- Fourth: In response to all the no's, I started submitting work to venues and open calls. That's not something I've ever been completely comfortable doing but I'm doing it anyway - it's good exercise.
Now, for some reason, I thought Jerry's was a juried thing...turns out, it's not. Winners are based on votes made by facebook users - do a bro a solid and go vote: https://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/330629/voteable_entries/69038741
 If Alice Neel, R. Crumb & Thomas Benton all got together and made offspring ....this could be it. Say yes to the chest - vote: |
| https://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/330629/voteable_entries/69038741 |
Prior to Jerry's, I submitted work to the Providence Art Club & Silvermine in New Canaan, Ct. The Art Club held their annual open call - because I'm afraid of being told "thanks but no thanks", I've made very little effort to apply to open calls but, I put on my big girl panties, and submitted one piece, "Melanie". To my shock, out of almost 200 entries, mine got in - I tend to think my stuff is a little too different for most venues so being accepted by the Art Club is a real boon.
 |
| "Melanie" - oil on acrylic and aerosol with oil crayon & marker on 48" x 48" canvas. Prints available thru Saatchi Art Online: http://www.saatchiart.com/becklaneartist |
Still feeling victorious, I decided to take a major leap and submit for membership to the Silvermine Arts Center. Twice a year they accept submssions for membership - you are not guaranteed acceptance but IF I am accepted, I would be sharing a venue with the likes of the great Alice Neel. www.silvermineart.org. Whether I am invited to be a member or not, I'm submitting work to their 64th annual Northeast Exhibition.
Other ballsy/I'm feeling stronger projects:
- My new website is done and running: www.becklaneartist.com
- My graphic designer, Rafael Cuello www.rcuello.com is putting together a new portfolio presentation kit for me that includes a new brochure, new business card and new logo
- and I'm working on new paintings for several shows book this summer & fall.
- And, finally, I joined the Saatchi Art community - for the first time I can sell original work, prints and gallery wraps online! http://www.saatchiart.com/becklaneartist
Monday, February 17, 2014
Entry #3 Brighter days = BUUUUUSY days!
Yikes-r pencils!!!! When I started the new blog I had all intention of sitting down and writing everyday....well, almost everyday, but so much has happened over the last few weeks there ain't been no time!
Let's go down the list of things that've changed recently:
Things that haven't changed:
Let's go down the list of things that've changed recently:
- Helped build my new website:http://becklane42.wix.com/becklaneartist
- Am with new gallery - Cassandra Complex Gallery:
- CCG has photographed work
- Been helping to build and rework the CCG website: www.thecassandracomplexgallery.com/
- Have solo show with CCG coming up Memorial Day weekend
- Produced and submitted painting of Frida Kahlo to MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art): http://goo.gl/pKXLN5
- Am planning new work for a brandy new restaurant that'll be featuring my work along with one other (very cool) artist
Things that haven't changed:
- Still fat
- Still 50
- Still don't have enough time in the day
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| See the finished Frida on Facebook: http://goo.gl/pKXLN5 |
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| Been battling this wee one for about 6 months... I WILL finish this... if it kills me. |
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Entry #2: Amygdalla-gedon
Phew.
Better days, brighter days - that's the mantra. That's the mantra that's helping me to lift my soul out of the drainage ditch it's been in for the past year and a half. Better days, brighter days - I say it over and over again. I repeat it as often as a recovering PTS patient breaths in the words "I am" and blows out the words "here".
For the past year and a half I've been living in limbo without much relief or hope. But things are on the upswing again and I have to put some focus on repairing the wear and tear I feel not only emotionally but in my brain - I need to center and regroup, let frustration and fear take a much needed nap, and get a handle on what needs to be done in order for me to have better days, brighter days. I also need to be clear enough to prepare for the opportunities that have been handed to me recently....can't do that if I'm still running my brain like a cornered wild child or a terrified rabbit on crack.
Without question, the past 20 months or so have been appallingly difficult but I am re-remembering how to relax my tightly wound Amygdalla, calm my Hypothallamus and not obsess over anything that isn't (art) work related. I'm also trying not to fret over the amount of damage the past 20 months have done to my little egghead even though my brain feels floaty...like I'm outside my head and second guessing my every thought. I'm hoping my mantra can help repair the broken bits while I re-remember how to breath deep, let shit go and think: Better days, brighter days.
Amygdalla-gedon aside, over the past 3 or 4 days I've managed to help put together my new website, upload approx. 150 images, pull together files, documents and photos for my new gallery and restart blogging. All in all not a bad start. Now, let's see what today brings - whatever it is, good or bad, I I will just keep repeating "better days, brighter days".
To see the new website visit: http://becklane42.wix.com/becklaneartist
Better days, brighter days - that's the mantra. That's the mantra that's helping me to lift my soul out of the drainage ditch it's been in for the past year and a half. Better days, brighter days - I say it over and over again. I repeat it as often as a recovering PTS patient breaths in the words "I am" and blows out the words "here".
For the past year and a half I've been living in limbo without much relief or hope. But things are on the upswing again and I have to put some focus on repairing the wear and tear I feel not only emotionally but in my brain - I need to center and regroup, let frustration and fear take a much needed nap, and get a handle on what needs to be done in order for me to have better days, brighter days. I also need to be clear enough to prepare for the opportunities that have been handed to me recently....can't do that if I'm still running my brain like a cornered wild child or a terrified rabbit on crack.
Without question, the past 20 months or so have been appallingly difficult but I am re-remembering how to relax my tightly wound Amygdalla, calm my Hypothallamus and not obsess over anything that isn't (art) work related. I'm also trying not to fret over the amount of damage the past 20 months have done to my little egghead even though my brain feels floaty...like I'm outside my head and second guessing my every thought. I'm hoping my mantra can help repair the broken bits while I re-remember how to breath deep, let shit go and think: Better days, brighter days.
Amygdalla-gedon aside, over the past 3 or 4 days I've managed to help put together my new website, upload approx. 150 images, pull together files, documents and photos for my new gallery and restart blogging. All in all not a bad start. Now, let's see what today brings - whatever it is, good or bad, I I will just keep repeating "better days, brighter days".
To see the new website visit: http://becklane42.wix.com/becklaneartist
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Entry #1 - Triggering the thalamus
Okay, so I'm a little late in the game this year - it's almost the end of January and I'm just starting my new blog now..... but there we are, there we are, and here I am. In my new live/work space, working with a new, progressive gallery, with a new solo show coming up, and a boat load of opportunities. AND for the first time in a very long time - I don't feel all that lost. In fact, I'm starting to feel.......up-ish and hopeful-ly-ish.
It's been a struggle for me to shift gears - to change from being in a constant state of frustration and sadness to feeling clear and productive but I've decided to make an effort to rid myself of my own sadness and plant the phrase "brighter days" in my little thalamus and focus on what needs to be done to make the most of 2014 instead of letting my lackluster 2013 (and 1/2 lackluster 2012) envelop my every thought.
Brighter days, brighter days...that's gonna be my mantra.....when I start to feel upset or sad or frustrated or overwhelmed I am going to think my way to better, brighter, more productive days.
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| The usual path my positive thoughts take. |
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| The path my "brighter days" mantra is HOPEFULLY going to take - a comparatively straighter path to the thalamus and straight-ish towards developing this year into what I want it to be. |
Oh, check out my new website - 100s of pieces of work, pics of my studio and links to my Youtube vids and other links available at: http://becklane42.wix.com/becklaneartist
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