Ollie is one of my favorite subjects, in general.  I love talking about him and photographing him.  I'm fortunate to have friends who understand my affection.  Back when we adopted Ollie, my friend Cindy painted this mirror for us.  It hangs on the wall directly above my desk and serves as inspiration. 

I love the serenity of his expression and the way she captures it. 

The painting inspires me to create more and expand my creative comfort zone. 

Ollie hasn't appeared in a needlepoint yet, but perhaps that will be the next addition to my Ollie art.

If you're in the Talahasse area this month,  check out the spectacular exhibit at the 621 Gallery. 

Cindy Stockton Moore explores the fragmented landscape and reveals painting as a process of artifice and intervention. In these imagined scenes, nature is a site for transgression and transition: both geographically and psychologically.  The current exhibition consists of three distinct series that also incorporate my personal connection to the North Florida region.

The exhibit also features the work of Daniel Kariko and John Raulerson.  For those of us who can't see the exhibit in her person, Cindy has documented this installation on her website.

'Restricted Geography' is running at 621 Gallery through October 25th.

The Governor's Island Figment Festival is rapidly becoming a summer opening event.

The island is filled with music, activities, sculpture and art of all kinds.  Housed in and surrounding buildings built 200 years ago, there is a lot of interaction. It's a park with fantastic views of New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.  It's also free ... completely free, even the ferry ride is free.  And who doesn't like a Ferry ride.

When you arrive at FIGMENT, you'll have the opportunity to experience 400 art pieces, projects, and performances... with only one common theme: you are asked to participate, create, and engage!

Salvage by Abby Goodman Cindy Stockton Moore FIGMENT is absolutely free to the public, rain or shine, and will be open:

Friday, June 12: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday, June 13: 10 am - 7 pm
Sunday, June 14: 10 am - 7 pm

..in addition, the City of Dreams will be open on weekends until mid-October with a large-scale interactive sculpture garden and an artistic mini-golf course.

Here are some quick links for you:
Getting There: Governors Island is easy to reach from both lower Manhattan and Brooklyn's Fulton Ferry Landing. The ferry is free, fast, and runs frequently!

Map, Schedule, Projects, & Artists: An amazing amount of music, events, family and children activities.  Everything from yoga to coloring. And the amazing art!

The MPL Project will be there so you can help us build a Mass Manifesting Mobile!  Stop by and add your creativity to this project. 

You can see photos from last year's event here.  It's bound to be a fun experience for everyone!

If you're unfamiliar with Abby Goodman's work, now is the time to get acquainted.  This talented artist and sculptor has three upcoming shows.  Always different, Abby's work incorporates unexpected materials and themes.  Her work is whimsical and humorous.  This combination makes her work stand out in any show.

Check out the work of this up-and-coming artist and one of these great events:

Saturday, May 23 5-7pm: P. S.122 

Performance Space 122 will feature an installation by Abby.  Her installation will appear as alongside an exhibit by two interesting painters who are featured in the main gallery.

Thursday May 28, 7pm: Art Jail

Art Jail, a spanking new gallery in Chinatown/Lower East Side will open with Abby's solo show featuring my her work. It is the inaugural exhibition for the new gallery!

Art Jail is located on 50 Eldridge St 6th Floor (between Hester and Canal)


June 12-14 all day: FIGMENT

For the past month Abby has been working on collaborative installation with Cindy Stockton Moore. The piece is called Salvage, and is comprised of a shipwrecked shopping cart, and salvaged materials from the streets of New York. Salvage will be shown at this year's FIGMENT Festival on Governors Island.

The installation will be a part of the season long sculpture installation on the island.

Check out the progress of the installation and building experience on their website, new uploads will be added as the piece progresses.

Encaustic painting is an age-old technique going back to ancient Greece.  It involves making paint from wax, a laborious technique but one that creates a stunning effect.  Cindy Stockton Moore has been working and teaching classes in encaustic technique. Frequently choosing the subject of swimmers, bathers and beach-goers, this technique adds a wonderfully appropriate texture; liquid and wet.

Her recent work, "Liquid State",  will be included in Encaustic Works 2009 at the Castle Gallery in New Rochelle. The  opening this Sunday, April 4th, will be held from 2:00-4:00PM.