A Room of Her Own

A Room of Her Own

I am honored to be a featured artist on the site A Room of Her Own, a Foundation for women writers and artists. My art " Storm over Plowed Fields" below is on the site. Scroll down about 2/3 of the page.

In July 2000, shortly after her mother’s death, Darlene Chandler Bassett arrived at Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico for a women’s retreat, a box of Kleenex and a copy of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own in her backpack. She retired from her career of twenty years as a corporate executive for entrepreneur Eli Broad five years prior, and had been seeking new passion and direction ever since.

Also arriving at Ghost Ranch was Mary Johnson, a woman who had recently left quite a different career, having served the same twenty years as a nun in the order founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The parish church where she worked sent her to the retreat for a week of continuing education. The first evening Mary announced, “This retreat was my fifth choice. It’s very difficult for me to trust older women, and I’m not sure why I’m here.” Ghost Ranch’s oddest couple had just met. During an evening session focused on midlife possibilities Mary told of her desire to write her story, asking the universe for “a room of my own and the opportunity to write.” At that moment Darlene found her passion, Mary found a benefactor, and A Room of Her Own Foundation found its beginning in the realization of Virginia Woolf’s words, “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write.” Recognizing a new calling, Darlene offered to fund Mary’s pursuit of a fine arts degree if Mary would help her create a template for an organization that would offer other women the privacy, finances, and creative support to pursue their work. Just like that, A Room of Her Own Foundation was born. “I decided I would finance Mary’s art, and if I could do it for her, we could do it for other women,” Chandler Bassett said. Together they developed a model for a foundation which would give creative women the money and space they needed to pursue their creative vision.

Poetry and art aren’t luxuries, they are integral to any culture’s evolution.
A Room of Her Own Foundation (AROHO)

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing a unique arts program that will impact the development of our culture. Our passion is for helping women writers and artists go the full journey from inspiration, through creative production, and on to the marketplace. AROHO is dedicated to furthering the vision of Virginia Woolf and bridging the gap between a woman’s economic reality and her artistic creation. We bridge this gap by offering generous financial support to women of diverse artistic expression—the written arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting), as well as the visual arts (painting, sculpture, and photography). We further Woolf’s vision by providing moral support and professional guidance to independent creative women who are committed to their art. Through the $50,000 biennial Gift of Freedom award, unique Writers' Retreat experiences, and the AROHO Book Club and blog, A Room of Her Own Foundation empowers women and educates the community about the important work of female artists and writers.

Stormy Skies in Autumn

It is a stormy day in Kansas City. I cannot find the words to describe the abundance of color in nature this time of year. The autumn golds, bronze,orange, rusts, reds, bring brilliance to any drive about town. The burning bushes as I call them are so bright it astounds me. I love the seasons and this is still my favorite!

Kreative Blogger Artist

I have been chosen as a Kreative Blogger by Greet Lefevre of Belgian Pearls. Her site is breathtaking and she is very knowledgeable. I am to tell several things about myself that others may not know

1) I am passionate about my loves, my family, the arts in nearly every form. Theatre, music, exhibits of art. Reading a great book before bed.Nothing can keep me away from painting and my expression of passion & love.


2) I love the water, I lived in San Diego thirteen years. A lot of my art reflects abstract water and landscapes.

3) I am back home in Kansas City where most of my family lives and this is where my heart is.Below is a fine art photography piece by Steve Johnston of the Country Club Plaza with images transposed which I love!
4) I am stronger and more resilient than I appear to most. I have a determination to make my dreams come true and to be an inspiration to my family and friends.

5) I adore autumn, a glass of Pinot Noir, a romantic dinner, a good movie, walks along the Tomahawk Creek Pathway, perusing the little specialty shops in our area. There are many pocket neighborhoods in KC. Brookside, Crestwood, The Plaza, etc. Visiting art galleries and museum exhibits is a favorite.

6) I love decorating and making even small changes to update and make my condominium look more interesting and comfortable.

7) I have a cat Miss Belle who is my little companion.My grandchildren, Isabella, Sal, Sarah, and Jessica are the most special ones to spend time with, making art, baking, going for pizza, movies, laughing, etc.

I will tag Patricia/ Mrs. Blandings, Joni/Cote De Texas, Anne/ Annechovie, Patricia/ PVE Design, David/ Midwestern Malaise, Soodie/Soodie Beasley, & Megan/ Beach Bungalow

Do the same thing, do tell your 7 little known facts and link my blog on your site!
*
Their links are all to the side of my post

Cool, Crisp Autumn arrives with Warm Color

My latest painting . It is 36 x 36 done in mixed media, oils and metallic. It is out the the deck wall, along with coordinating rust orange/ gold cushions and patio furniture refinished in a deep, deep red! One thing leads to another! Enjoy the season of the senses.

In The Pink Month

This is a time to pay tribute to our loved ones during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Who of us does not have a friend , relative, or co-worker who has fought the good fight against this serious disease. Let's give a smile to every woman we see or meet this month, for we never know what kind of pain one might be living with. Let's make a difference! Be sure to support Back in the Swing!

An Evening with Jamie Wyeth at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Last night I was honored to be invited to the exhibit Wyeth: Three generations of Artistry. This special event took place at The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City Missouri. Jamie Wyeth was interviewed by the new museum curater, Barbara Brian. Rachael Blackburn Cozad, Director and CEO was charming as always to all of the guests.

Sitting in the front row, I was able to ask Jamie a question during after the discourse. I was curious about his time spent with Nureyev and the many paintings and drawing he did of the Russian dancer. I will keep his story for another day!

The exhibit will be up until November 29th. It is breathtaking and I encourage anyone in the area to visit this special showing. These images are not in the exhibit, however they give you a hint of the power and expertise of his drawings and paintings.

I also was allowed to take a photo of one of my favorite works in the permanent collection at the Kemper by Helen Frankenthaler.
As a colorist and abstract expressionist, you can see why I love Helen's works of art. Bebe and Crosby Kemper are one of many extremely generous families of art patrons in Kansas City.

Images credited to the Kemper Museum and Jamie Wyeth. All works are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form.

Party Pics

Such a fun event! Many came to see my art and enjoy the music and refreshments. Much thanks to Art Commissioner George Schlagel, Waynel Gregory, and City Council member Scott Gregory for their help; and to Jessica my granddaughter for assisting with the installation. Isn't she beautiful!? More pics to follow as my daughter in law took many photos.

September Art Events

I am excited to announce two very special Art Events for September with fun receptions. The First Friday Event is at Art Bidz in the Kansas City Crossroads is on September 4th from 5-9 pm.

On Second Friday on Sept 11th I will have a solo art showing at the Roeland Park City Hall. This will be an early reception from 4-6 pm The location is on the link to the home page.

These are more monoprints from my new series done with my friend and sculptor/ print maker Robert Anders. Robert will be exhibiting in The Art Westport Show here in Kansas City. Click on images to enlarge.

New Ventures in Art

Vibrant Energy I

Serene Energy I

I have recently been honored to take a class with the artist Robert Anders. His sculptures are amazing...absolutely breathtaking. He is multi-talented; a painter and master print maker as well. We are both members of the Kansas City Artist's Coalition.

I have never worked in the printmaking arena, so we did some monoprints the other evening in his studio. I have to say I loved it. These are original oils done on copper plate. The red has some hand sketching and coloring. I am very excited to do more works in this medium. Let me know your thoughts. Do you always work in the same way, or are you willing to be adventurous and try new ways of creativity?

Art Bidz Fun First Friday

Event Pic! This is the best one, and I know There is glare on it. I am in the middle with a new hair design! These are friends Karen K and Kris R. There was a great turnout in spite of the heat! If you have never attended First Fridays in the Crossroads Kansas City; it is an amazing way to find unique and unbelievable works of art. Go to Art Bidz to find original oil paintings, sculptures. art glass art furniture and more. Thanks to all of my friends and family for your support!