Second Chance: Did you miss the opening at the Glen House Inn B&B, located in Yellow Springs? The closing reception is Sunday, May 5th from 5-7pm. What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with homemade salsa in an Italian style villa!?!

Big Time/Little Space: Check out the behind the scenes of my installation, then join Dot and Dorrie on the tour of the Rigsby Contemporary Museum! You can also find it on Facebook! Sneak peek in the image above.

Pave the Way: I was recently offered an exhibition opportunity at Art Street, located on the UD campus. The show will be up during a couple private events, including a luncheon with the University President! Show starts May 7th until ???

Art 101: I will be conducting a workshop on artist statements at the Getting in the Game event on Saturday, June 1st at the Springfield Museum of Art. The event is sponsored by the Rosewood Arts Centre, Dayton Visual Arts Center and the Springfield Museum of Art and lasts from 1-5:30pm. For only $5 you will be able to attend several workshops on topics such as taxes, framing, pricing and more, as well as get critiques from art professionals about your artwork.

HELP!: I am so excited to have my first official Studio Intern/Apprentice, Amanda Rae! This amazing CCAD student will be assisting me over the summer with the prep work for my new website while I teach her what I have learned about painting and art over the years. Should be a fun adventure!

Amy Kollar Anderson
www.KollarAnderson.com

“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“Adventure isn’t hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life.” ~ John Amatt

“I know that you should always say yes to adventures or you’ll lead a very dull life.” ~ A.J. Jacobs

“An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.” ~ G. K. Chesterton

The Rigsby Contemporary Museum is the creation of the artist, Stephanie Rond. I originally viewed Laine Bachman’s exhibit at the S.Dot Gallery (another mini art space by Rond) and wanted to be a part of that project. It is a space that looks like a mini art gallery, complete with track lighting, but it was booked through 2014! When Stephanie offered me the opportunity to show in RCM I was very hesitant. This space was larger and really encouraged more experimental installations. Though I have worked with a variety of materials over the years, painting has been the main focus lately, but then the ideas started to flood in. I found inspiration in the colored panels of the Rigsby Contemporary Museum, I decided to explore the concepts of fluidity, transparency and transitory elements and call the exhibit Just Passing Through. Take a tour of the finished space at S.Rond Creative.

The adventure is about to begin. I am almost overwhelmed by the amount of items that are offered to me for the installation. The entire show is up to me, including the details such as opening reception food and furniture. You can see the S.Dot Gallery in the background.

This is the raw space I started with prior to installation. I had to change out several of the walls and floors from the previous show.

The museum includes restrooms, located on the first floor.

I start loading in my items. I had a layout of the space, but this is my first time seeing it in person, so I do not know exactly how things will fit.

See! I knew I would eventually find a use for those amazing glass pebbles I have been holding onto for years!

The inspiring Stephanie Rond documenting the show for the tour.

Much thanks to Laine Bachman for helping with the floors and walls and for being my friend!

This same chain and bead techniques was used to create the main feature of the exhibition, Drip, where I hand attached hundreds of little droplet beads to mimic the flow of fluids.

Take a tour of the finished space at S.Rond Creative.

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SWAGGER: So excited for Crafty Con TONIGHT! It is only one day, so come out to the Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. 4th St., between 5-11pm to pick up some amazing hand-made artsy creations!

HEY LADIES: While you are downtown for Crafty Con, be sure to swing by Aries de la Femme at Clash Consignment also from 5-11 p.m. An art show highlighting local women artisans. I have a piece in this lovely show!

STREET SMART: On Friday, April 12th, head back to Clash for the Art Salvo exhibition and silent auction. The show will feature tons of Keith Haring inspired artwork and the sales will go to benefit Dayton ARC. I will have two pieces in the show.

TEENY TINY: This month I will be installing my exhibition at the Rigsby Contemporary Museum. Look for photos in the next Announcement List!

CURIOUSER: Speaking of pictures, I just posted some from the KCT performance of Alice in Wonderland. AMAZING!

MEOW!: Everyone knows I love cats, so I am very excited to be a part of Catwalk 2013, a benefit for the Dayton Humane Society. No artwork this time, just me strutting my stuff in Clash Consignment clothes! Can you tell I love Clash?

SPOTLIGHT: Thanks to Mystery Build for featuring me on their website!

SECOND CHANCE: Hopefully it is just showers from here on! For those who were not able to make it to the Glen House opening in March due to the snow/ice, stay tuned, we are working on possible plans for a closing reception! It is a beautiful space, just see the above picture!

Amy Kollar Anderson
www.KollarAnderson.com

“It is vital for artists to nurture and protect that which will make their vision unique.” ~ Jane Fulton Alt

“Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it.” ~ Tallulah Bankhead

“Everything is normal. It’s just that some normal things are weirder than other normal things.” ~ Steven Karl Zoltan Brust

“And now for something completely different…” ~ John Cleese

Photos by Redtail Photo

I was at the Rosewood theatre on opening night to see my paintings come to life! Thanks to Bruce Brown for his amazing sets and Ayn Wood for her stellar costumes, all inspired by my Alice in Wonderland series! There is no greater honor than to inspire the work of creative individuals whom you admire. Thanks to the entire KCT crew and, of course, the amazing actors…THEY ROCKED!

The Kettering Children’s Theatre is a non-auditioned theatrical instruction program for approximately 20 children in grades 5th through 9th. The program allows youth of all theatrical levels an equal opportunity to perform on stage. Cast members must have completed two prerequisite theatre instruction classes at Rosewood Arts Centre, or have had equivalent experience, before enrolling in the Kettering Children’s Theatre production.

Performances are scheduled bi-yearly in March and November, and complimentary intermission refreshments are served. Professionally produced and directed, Kettering Children’s Theatre presents two excellent plays of youth content for six performances and full-house seating of 200. The Rosewood Arts Centre theatre provides a unique opportunity for preschoolers to relax on padded mats at floor level in the black-box theatre
For more information concerning any of Rosewood Arts Centre’s special events, call (937) 296-0294 or e-mail rosewood@ketteringoh.org.

This painting is being created in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Five Rivers MetroParks. It measures 22″x26″. These images are stills from the time lapse movie. See the completed movie. This piece will be traveling around Dayton during 2013. Check the site for updates.

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CURTAIN CALL: Join me this Friday, March 15th at 7:oopm for the opening of Alice in Wonderland at the Rosewood Arts Centre in Kettering, OH. The play will be performed by the Kettering Children’s Theatre. The stage and costumes are inspired by my paintings, which will also be on display in the lobby! There are also performances on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next.

I HAVE THE POWER!: I will be at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts on Saturday, March 16th from 2-4pm for the opening of the 46th Annual Greater Hamilton Art Exhibition. I was one of a two person jury to select the exhibition.

SPRING IS SPRUNG: I will be displaying artwork at the beautiful Glen House Inn B&B, located in Yellow Springs. The opening is Sunday, March 24th from 5-7pm.

GET CRAFTY: I will be sharing a booth with the lovely and talented Jennifer Morris at Crafty Con Dayton. She will have handcrafted stained glass earrings and photos, and I will have all my nifty swag, including the new Alice postcard sets for only $5! We will both being creating on site, so come out and learn a thing or two! One Night Only! Friday, April 5th, 5-11pm. Old Yellow Cab Building.

CULTURE CLASH: I will be a part of two upcoming Clash Consignment events. The first is an all ladies show on Friday, April 5th (same night at Crafty Con) and a Keith Haring Tribute show and fundraiser. All work will be auctioned off to raise money for ARC of Dayton. That show will be April 12th. More info soon!

POST IT!: A little side project.

PLAYING HOUSE: Another installment of the Dollhouse Diary!

Amy Kollar Anderson
www.KollarAnderson.com

“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” ~ Plato

“Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets.” ~ Nido Qubein

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.” ~ Lao Tzu

“The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.” ~ Tennessee Williams

“I am the lizard king. I can do anything.” ~ Jim Morrison

UPDATE: 425 entries, 50 moved to the first round, but I will not be joining them. It was still a fun project to try and I wish the winner the best of luck! See the first 50 on her blog.

If you are not familiar with the Enchanted Dolls, they are exquisite works of art created by Marina Bychkova. For the past few years she has created a birthday contest where the winner gets one of her resin dolls! I gave it a try this year. The rules: One card per person. No envelopes-just the postcard.

I had a vision of what I wanted to make. I headed to Marco’s Paper in search of the perfect base material. With the help of the clerk, I found it! A super heavy weight paper, almost more of a card stock. It was very dense with a velvety surface.

I started by cutting it down to a 4″x6″ postcard format. From there I sanded the edges until they were curved and rounded, then sketched my design.

Back in school I used to carve wood. It is pretty much what gave me Carpel Tunnel, but I loved it. I decided to revisit those skills and carve a flower with a border.

It was a little challenging at first, the material was not like wood, so I had to go slow, almost scraping instead of carving at times. I was able to achieve the results I was hoping for and could move on to the embellishment phase.

On the back, I wrote out her address and placed the stamps, then added some gold foil to work them into the surface. As you can see, I almost succeeded in creating this piece without injury. I had finished, but decided to make “once little change” and WHAM! I slammed that blade right into the outer knuckle on my pinky finger. Sigh. Hopefully, the blood-letting brings me good luck or something!

On the front, I used some letterpress scraps and a portion of a map to create the base, then added some gold foil.

I “aged” the surface with some watered-down acrylics. I wrote birthday wishes on the left side of the card.

In the upper right corner I added some fibers for clouds, then some paint for depth. After this phase I added some large glitter around the border for some extra bling.

My fingers are now crossed (even my healed pinky) to see who wins the competition. I have coveted her dolls for years and it would make me incredibly giddy to be able to hold one!

One step closer to the fun stuff! Every room in the house, except for the Sunny C room, has been primed with gesso and prepared for new fabulousness.

I continue to find more items from the thrift and antique stores. The table and rocker are donated by Mark’s Aunt. They were hers when she was young.

These little glasses were found in the bottom of the bin at the Goodwill Outlet. A VERY lucky find considering the chaotic mess there!

Looks like we need to fumigate before remodeling!

One thing I am learning a lot about is scale. Uh, don’t think this bed will work!

The most common dollhouse furniture is 1:12 scale (1 inch represents 1 foot). The Lundby is 1:18. If I wanted the house to be proportioned, it would be a bit tougher to find furnishings. Personally, I like the look of the 1:12 scale furniture in the space. Sure, you can fit fewer pieces in, but it is easier to play with and move around. Plus, it gives it a more Surreal quality. Some pieces, like a bed, will probably need to be custom made. This was a fun find! It is a metal table with cupids at the base and real glass!

Here you can see the table with the rug that will go in this space. It was created by Ellie’s Grandmother, Pat. She is working on a few more for the house and possibly some furniture!

Here are two of the plates and bowls I made for the kitchen. Real ceramics, glazed.

These paintings were created over the 2012 xmas holiday. I did the upper left, then right to Libby, Boogie, and the bottom row is Owen, Candice and Aiden.

A glimpse of them in their future home!

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February’s First Friday events at Sew Dayton and Clash Consignments were a blast! Thanks to everyone who braved the freezing cold temperatures to come out enjoy some art and hang out with great people!

The collaboration pouches at Sew Dayton were a big hit! If you want one, all sales go through Sew Dayton, so you either need to get your butt down there, or contact them about payments via PayPal. Last time I was in the store, there were only a couple of the large bags and about half of the smaller ones left. They are all hand-sewn with different cute fabric liners on the inside.

HIDE THE MATCHES: The start of a new painting, Transforming Beauty, has been posted.

I HAVE THE POWER!: I am looking forward to jurying the 46th Annual Greater Hamilton Art Exhibition at the Fitton Center! Drop off is going on right now!

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE: In case you did not know, I am the Gallery Coordinator for the Rosewood Gallery, located in the Rosewood Arts Centre. I put together a time lapse video showing the installation process of an exhibition. This is my favorite show of the year, Works on Paper. The second video is from our Pulp Fiction event.

BEING GIRLIE: A few photos at our recent photo shoot for Clash Consignments.

Amy Kollar Anderson
www.KollarAnderson.com

“A beautiful lady is an accident of nature. A beautiful old lady is a work of art.” ~ Louis Nizer

“Beauty is whatever gives joy.” ~ Hugh Nibley

“Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” ~ Franz Kafka

“Perhaps if we lived with less physical beauty we would develop our true natures more.” ~ Shirley Hazard

This painting is 29″ x 37″ acrylic on panel.