Entering an Art Show

This is a longer post.

 

Six months ago, I embarked on a new creative project, mixed media art. I’d abandoned the visual arts a long time ago after losing my vision from a progressive retinal eye disease with no cure called RP. I compensated by turning my creativity towards writing and have since published six books and have written dozens of articles and over 100 poems since losing my sight. But something was still missing.

I started reading “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. I learned, through some of Cameron’s deep questioning that I was ignoring and suppressing a part of my creative spirit and it was past the time to reinvigorate my affinity with the visual arts.

 

For at least a year prior to reading Cameron’s book, I kept being challenged by the Universe and I just did not pick up on the messages. I became friends with a painter who is blind. I watched a presentation wherein the painter was a blind guy who painted murals and was successful and represented by a legitimate art gallery.

 

The self-imposed barrier seemed to fade. I felt the itch to create. ideas and compositions filled me. I watched YouTube, my favorite is Mixed Media Masters with Spider Graham.  I made lists and started buying stuff for my studio, got an art table, and a couple of hundred dollars of supplies and a month later, I sat down and began creating.

 

I use stencils, canvas and watercolor paper, upcycle materials like packing foam, and acrylic paints, wood, wax sticks, stickers, ribbon and other textiles.

 

Yesterday I dropped off three pieces for a touchable juried art show being held at the Carnegie Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians, or LAMP, here in Pittsburgh.

It is titled, Sumata Sensory -Relating to the Senses

Exhibition Dates: November 7 – 28, 2025

Open to all persons working in 3-dimensional materials

that provide a rewarding tactile experience.

 

Presented in partnership:

Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (LAMP, CLP)

https://mylamp.org/

Pittsburgh’s Society of Sculptors, SOS

https://www.societyofsculptors.org

 

About the Exhibition:

• • • This exhibition presents a tactile adventure for visitors to LAMP/CLP’s engaging library space.

 

When I first became a published author and poet, I accomplished not only releasing a book but also offered a book in an accessible format for the blind and individual with print disabilities. I am continuing this overarching goal with my art. I want people to touch it and all except for one piece is touchable. I strive to have all my pieces described.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be in touch soon with a new page of my pieces and prices should anyone wish to add my work to your wall. 😊 🎨

Description: A six inch round black folk-art piece mounted in a black wood frame. Several small flower-like shapes are arranged somewhat symmetrically. There are four reddish-orange copper colored  flower shapes each with a black center. Three smaller white or silver flower shapes are scattered in between the reddish flowers. In the very center a single blue eye design resembling an eye charm or amulet is painted upon a larger copper colored flower.

Materials: 6” circle canvas board. poly  foam flowers. Acrylic paint and copper metallic powder, black  and silver  glitter paper. Marble paper, Paint pen. Flowers cut using steel cookie cutter and paper punch.  Sealed in clear gloss medium.