Present and Accounted For!

Present and Accounted For! As of the end of June, 2015, Stacey Brown Arts is on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, Tumblr and Pinterest! Come on over and follow me.  There will be A LOT of great stuff posted there each day.  And, I sure would LOVE IT if you would share my posts with your friends.   AND, my new website, www.staceybrownarts.com, is up and running.  Its in development,but you should definitely take a peek.   Since this is all new, please, please, please give me some feedback.  I'd love to hear from you! Yee-haw!

Bloom True!

For a transformational approach to painting and living that celebrates intuition, connects body, mind and spirit and allows unique paintings to emerge, sign up for Flora Bowley's "Bloom True" e-course.

If you sign up with this link, I'll get a few dollars with which I will buy more paint. ... which will motivate me to make more art!

https://uc112.infusionsoft.com/go/BT/staceycbrown

Take a look at Flora Bowley's video that was just released to promote the course:

https://vimeo.com/braveintuitiveyou/review/73823819/4de4514685

www.staceybrownarts.com

Arts for Act

The yearly art auction to benefit the Abuse Counseling and Treatment Center here in Fort Myers was held last night. The Arts For Act event offers raffle, silent auction, and active bidding on fantastic pieces of art that have been donated to benefit the cause.

I donated a couple of pieces of my flower collages on watercolor paper and canvas that we're inspired by artist Traci Bautista. Claudia Goode, the clever curator of the gallery downtown and head of this event, offered my collage works as part of the
raffle. She paired my paintings with a monthly supply of beautiful flower arrangements that would be delivered by a local florist. The little glass jar in front of the display is filled with little pink tickets. I was pleased with the presentation and honored to be a part of the event.

www.staceybrownarts.com

Better Late Than Never

Typical of my unorganized and over booked lifestyle, I didn't realize that there was a super cool summer art show going on at Florida Gulf Coast University this month.  My husband knew all about it and had, in fact, planned on attending the event on the final night.  But, typical of a complete failure of communication on many levels, he didn't tell me about the call for artists.

SO, today, when my newly 12 year old daughter was summoned by her classmate (crush) to go skateboarding with him out at FGCU while his mother was working, I learned about the show.  It just so happened that the crush's mother is the Gallery Manager.  SO, when she was standing in  my kitchen, she mentioned the show and said "why didn't you send anything in to the show?"

"...  Duh.... um.... well.... um...... ",  I said.

We plucked one of my newest  paintings off the wall and  put my name on the back of it.  There.  So, the crush's mom put my canvas in her minivan, borrowed my husband's charcoal lighter metal box thing and drove off.

Tonight is the last night of the show.  But, late is better than never, I suppose.  Here's the link for the show titled "Hot!".  If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for some good art, good food, good wine and good folks:

http://artgallery.fgcu.edu/Art_Gallery/Welcome_to_FGCU_Art_Galleries.html


www.staceybrownarts.com

A Blooming Surprise for Me!

I'm so happy to have my artwork selected to be part of the gallery for Flora Bowley's Bloom True class!

I had been admiring all of the other students' artwork as each page of the gallery was announced.  So far, there are five pages posted.  Every time I have received an announcement to check out the gallery, I have marveled at all of the very different interpretations that came from one class.  While the basic teachings are clear to me (drippy, no fear, lots of colors, etc.), each painting definitely has the signature style of each student.  So, imagine my surprise as I was scrolling down and saw my painting!  Maybe they just needed filler.....  but I'm totally thrilled and excited anyway!

My painting is the fifth one down on the list in Gallery # 5.  Hmmmmm.... I do really like prime numbers....  Check out all of the galleries as well as the entire site.  It's all incredibly inspiring and is a feast for the eyes.

Here's the link:

http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2012/06/05/bloom-true-gallery-part-5/

www.staceybrownarts.com

Well, this was nice....

Florida Weekly did a nice article about me about a year ago....  OK... so I'm a little late posting it.  The article focused on my painting and interviewed me about my experience in the arts so far.

http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2011-05-18/Arts_(and)_Entertainment_News/ARTIST_PROFILE.html

www.staceybrownarts.com

PTSD

Today, I am at FGCU today for a professional clinical training titled "the efficacy, effectiveness and dissemination of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD". It is heavy cognitive stuff for sure. Can't wait to do yoga and get back to my artwork and bstract painting. Need more coffee.....  #work versus #studiotime

www.staceybrownarts.com

Awkward Teenager Phase

Thanks to Flora Bowley, I can go ahead and publish these paintings as the "awkward teenager phase".  I am grieving the loss... sort of.... of the pretty, batik-ish paintings I posted a few days ago.  They have long been covered up by many more layers of paint, stains, smears, stamping and drawings.  So, here I post (bravely) one of my many awkward teenagers.....    Here's to developing and growing....  to be continued.......

www.staceybrownarts.com

Flora

I mentioned before that I'm taking a very well timed class from Flora Bowley.   Her artwork appeals to me because of the many complex layers she uses in her artwork.  I like layers.  I like peeling layers of old paint on antique furniture.  I like decorating my house with layer upon layer of whimsical stuff.  I like layering my clothing.  I like layers.

And, given my tendency toward excess, rather than the recommended two canvases, I ended up with several.  They were just waiting for action and calling out to me, so I decided to work on several canvases at once.  It has been actually very helpful because I am not getting attached to any one of them.  As Flora recommends, I'm just going with the flow.  I do have to admit that I loved my second and third layers best.  They looked like batik or encaustic works.

So, here are a few photos of  my layers of paint.  There are still two weeks of class left.  I'm having such fun.....

www.staceybrownarts.com

Intuition

I'm so excited to be participating in Flora Bowley's painting class!  It is a sensual, creative journey that was just what I needed.  I love the way she integrates honoring the self, thinking positively, embracing play and honoring intuition along with the creative process.  It makes total sense, doesn't it?

I know for a fact that there is nothing creative or remotely artistic that is coming from my soul when I am obsessing about problems, letting my anxiety get the best of me or feeling down about myself or life.  Honoring yourself is so easy... but it takes practice to change a negative habit of any type.

My intuition is strong and always has been.  When I pay attention to it, I am always headed in the right direction.  Practicing yoga and meditation, exercising, having fun and listening to music daily is the only way to live.  Thanks for a very well timed reminder, Flora!  Let's make some art!

www.staceybrownarts.com

Pillow Paint

OK.... So, I'm distractible....   Even when I'm at my "real job", thoughts of gold sparkly paint and rearranging furniture and ways to decorate and paint are dancing through my head.  It's what I really want to do, of course.  Can you say ADHD?

Here in Southwest Florida, it's about 75 degrees now.  We like to enjoy the weather and eat outside often.  So, I found these great new seat cushions for my outdoor furniture at Old Time Pottery.  They are apple green and I am very pleased to replace my old, weather worn burnt orange cushions.  Guests will no longer have to sit on molded, dirty, sun faded, squirrel torn and dog haired outdoor cushions when we have our outdoor pizza oven parties.  I have promised myself to take care of these cushions now and put them in our little storage shed so the elements won't destroy them before next season.

I decided that the new cushions weren't enough.. as good looking as they are..   and that additional little pillows were necessary.  Instead of buying them, I decided to paint cushions that I already had that were also molded, dirty, sun faded, squirrel torn and dog haired.  I did not use fabric paint, but regular acrylic paint.  While they are certainly stiff, I think they will do just fine.

Here are the before, during and after photos...   I need to take a picture of the newly painted cushions on the new apple green cushions for the full effect.  But, take my word for it....  It is a much improved face lift on the outdoor furniture.... and it was a fun distraction.

Peace

As we enter the holiday season, I am reminded that PEACE is really what is important.  There is a lot of excitement swirling around me in my work environment, in my family and in my community.  Some of it isn't really pleasant excitement, but necessary in some ways.  Some of the excitement is just wonderful and fun.  Regardless, I have been reminded (again and again) that it is not what happens that is good or bad.  What I think about what is happening is what makes that determination.  

My friend, Mary, gave me a card one year for Christmas that had this PEACE message.  I held it close for many years, knowing that I would find just the right use for it.  I framed it and had it in my office.  Last year, I figured it out a better use and created my PEACE series using acrylics, collage components, photography transfer and the words of this poem on canvas and wood.  I still have requests for these original works of art in varying sizes.  It pleases me that Mary's gift continues to give.

PEACE

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work.  it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

www.staceybrownarts.com

dog

This is Flaco.  He's my faithful companion and fearless guard dog.  I think he's pretty cute for a 96 pound beast.  We've been talking about getting back in the studio this week.  I'm enrolled in Flora Bowley's class and I can't wait to get my hands in the paint.  Flaco will undoubtedly get his paws and tail in the paint as well.  It just adds to the creative life.  He's bored with jewelry production.

www.staceybrownarts.com

Lift

Today, I was running a few errands before I had to go to work. I hadn't noticed that the flowers are really blooming beautifully here in Fort Myers and the weather was cool and people seemed to be happy today until after my encounter.

I finished my shopping and walked into the parking lot. I saw this beautiful pink Volkswagen and as sickeningly pink as it was, it put a definite lift in my mood. It really pleased me to know someone felt good enough and happy enough to drive around in this screaming pink bag every day. No matter what their mood was, no matter how they felt, no matter if they were sick or well, they were driving around in this jewel. That takes confidence and it made me feel happy for that person. I had to leave to make an appointment so I didn't get to stick around to find out who drove it. But, whoever it is I bet their little world is alright.  Art is life.

www.staceybrownarts.com

Fall for the Arts at the Alliance!

We had a blast at the Family Fall for the Arts day.  The girls and I petted wolves, had our portraits drawn, played games, watched talented singers and dancers on stage, saw many friends and was surrounded by ARTISTS! The weather was glorious and it was definitely the go to spot for the day.  I love, love, love days like this!

The Alliance of the Arts' gift gallery in Fort Myers has a new crop of my mixed metal and stone earrings.  Go check it out!

Halloween 2011

So, for Halloween this year, I had double fun...   First, my friend and I hit the downtown streets to participate in Zombicon.  A world record was attempted to see how many zombies could show up in one place.  About 20,000 showed up.  As a "dead artist zombie", I got lots of comments with the paintbrushes in my hair and the canvas over my arm.  Everyone who attended had some sad story about how they had died.  My story was that I had inhaled too much lead based paint... a slow and painful death for an artist.

For Halloween with the girls, however, I adorned a purple wig and gold sparkling boots.  I had tried to channel Kate Pierson of the B52's, but there was no beehive wig available in Fort Myers.  I ended up being identified as some other Kate rock star girl that I don't know.  Oh well.... I do like purple.

abstract

When I'm really feeling "free to do what I want" (thanks Mick Jagger), I end up with this sort of thing....  Need to grab that "free" feeling a little more often, I think.  This weekend is the great studio clean up so there will be space to have some fun since the rain keeps coming.  Studio time + rain = ART FUN!

www.staceybrownarts.com

Davis building

I forgot to post these really great photos that I took the night of Art Walk.  This is the Sydney and Berne Davis Arts Center.  There is an amazing light source outside the building that illuminates the street, the trees, the building, the people.... and casts the Latin names of Southwest Florida's plants all over the place.  The building itself is gorgeous.  Our friend Jim Griffith has led the restoration project and now it has been transformed from the old courthouse/old post office to a beautiful art center.  You can check out their website at www.sbdac.com.  There's always something amazing going on there.  I love taking photos of the building.  It's a happy place indeed.

www.staceybrownarts.com

new jewelry display

At a shop downtown the other day... in a rare moment where I had caffeine in hand and no children in my car.... I went browsing for the first time in a long while.  I love thrift shopping.  Not only have I clothed my three kids and myself in fantastic finds from thrift stores, but I have also decorated my home and found stuff for my artwork there.  So, after staying away for a while, I returned.

 I get totally supercharged, artistically speaking, by looking around at the displays, the vintage ephemera, other people's artwork and broken, rusty stuff.  While I was there, I found this super cool printer's tray.  I've always wanted one to display my rubber stamps in the studio and have not found one at just the right price.  This one is lovely... very sturdy and the right price.  Now, it's home with me.  And, I've decided to use it to display my earrings!

I think it's super cool.  Tell me what you think?  Maybe I will put little price tags on the earrings....   Should I paint it or leave it in it's natural wooden glory?

www.staceybrownarts.com

So, we had a lot of unexpected fun at Art Walk this past Friday. I thought we'd take the usual gallery walk up and down First Street, see everyone in town and find adventures along the way. But, as it turns out, we camped out at the Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center and never left. My groom served as host to his students' one act play... twice.... and there were three fashion shows. The girls were long and thin walking on seemingly longer and thinner heels. Beautiful ball gowns started things off and then wearable arts ensembles and painted fabric (in day glow with blacklights) followed. It was all mighty impressive for our little town. But, the real show started after the tall beauties left the stage. The short beauties (about twelve kids) who had watched admiringly in the audience took over the runway and danced and put their own spin on runway modeling to Lady GaGa and Michael Jackson tunes. I realized at that moment that what our backyard needed was simply a long runway and a set of really good backyard speakers.