The Art I Won't Show You

Shhh, it's a secret! No, not these. The two paintings pictured here are from last year's Money Talks, Art Walks benefit auction at IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City. You can't see my 2013 contributions yet.

Francine, acrylic on paper, 2012 by Sarah Atlee.

Aww, but I wanna!

In this show of sculptures and works on paper, all 8.5 x 11" or smaller, the artists' names are hidden. People attending the show may purchase tickets for $100, $75, or $50, and when they do so, their names go into the hat. When a name is drawn, that person has 30 seconds to pick out the piece they want to take home.

The $100 ticket holders get to pick first!

Inappropriate! acrylic on paper, 2012 by Sarah Atlee.

You have to show up to see the new paintings.

What: Money Talks, Art Walks: A Different Kind of Art Auction

When: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 7-10 pm

Where: IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan, Oklahoma City

How Much: Regular admission is $10, then it's $100, $75, or $50 to take home the art.

Why: Other than because it's wicked fun? You'll be supporting one of the best contemporary art venues in Oklahoma, and you'll get to take home an original work from one of scads of talented Oklahoma artists.

See you there.

The Lady Victory - Poems by Jane Vincent Taylor

Ennis Quadrangle, Patron Saint of Honne and Tatemae, acrylic and collage on stonehenge paper, 2009 by Sarah Atlee. Some rights reserved.

I am pleased to announce that my friend Jane Taylor has a new book of poems available, published by Turning Point Press.

The Lady Victory is a wonderful collection imagined within the walls of a home for unmarried pregnant girls. This is the setting for Jane's poems, but that tells you nothing of the warmth, love and humor to be found among the pages.

Jane chose my painting Ennis Quadrangle, Patron Saint of Honne and Tatemae for the book's cover. She and I talked about things that go unsaid, either because they are forbidden, or maybe just thought of as dangerous words. I can imagine many things going unsaid inside Victory.

See my previous post to learn more about the meaning of Ennis Quadrangle.

Here is one of my favorite poems (reproduced here with permission):

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from Part II: Dear Little Flame the Love Letters of Sister B.

26

Dear little wind behind the rain,

I wonder if you received the crocheted hat I made for you. I should have saved it for your birthday, but my favorite is Thanksgiving. They probably think these gifts come from your mother. She would have sent you pink but I thought purple. She would have dressed you in leotard and tutu. Little violet, your mother loved to dance. She had all the Victory girls doing the Pony on the screened-in porch. I secured permission for her to stage a mini Oklahoma. Mother S. insisted they leave out Ado Annie's song - Can't Say No. In my three year stint at Victory only your mother knew what to do with guilt and shame. She made everybody love her. If you ever feel like dancing, you best not fight against it. Everybody's born to something.

Born to write to you, Sister B.

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The Lady Victory is available at Full Circle Books in Oklahoma City, or from Amazon. Jane is the featured author and will read selected poems at Full Circle's Final Sunday Poetry Reading on 24 June, 2012. (See Full Circle's Events page for details.)

Later this summer, Jane is teaching a writing course titled The Poetry of Home at Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. There are still spaces available - I wish I could go.

And We're Back

My studio, featuring Submerge and Anonymous Niece.

How have you been? Glad to hear it.

I've enrolled in the Blog Triage online class taught by Alyson Stanfield and Cynthia Morris in an effort to spruce this place up. These smart ladies have started the course by asking participants to think about what goals they want their blogs to accomplish, and who they're writing for.

In other words, why do I have this blog? What do I hope you'll get out of it?

Interesting, interested people

I read a log of blogs. Like a ton, every day. My favorite posts on other people's blogs are the ones where I learn something new. About anything, not just art. This is my mission here - share what I've learned with you.

I post about painting techniques, sketches and experimental work, artists whose work I admire, art events happening in my area, and thoughts and ideas that roll across my landscape. If I think it's interesting, someone out there will be interested. I'll share with you; I hope you'll continue to share with me too.

What's interested me lately

David Rees sharpens pencils. I just love it when people find the thing they love to do.

I've been grooving to the beats of Kinshasa One Two for several weeks.

A cardboard arcade made by 9-year old Caine inspires me to build what I want using what I've got.

Ze Frank reminds us that we can begin anywhere. Like here.

Sarah Atlee at the Girlie Show! 2010.11.05-06

It's Girlie Show time! Friday and Saturday, November 5th and 6th, 2010, at the Farmer's Public Market in the heart of Oklahoma City. (map link) I'll be doing live portrait drawing, folks. Get your own 1-minute portrait for just five bucks!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 7 P.M. TO 11 P.M.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 NOON TO 5 P.M.

FARMER’S PUBLIC MARKET BUILDING 311 S. KLEIN, OKC

What’s The Girlie Show?

The Girlie Show is art, creativity, craftsmanship and funk. Hand-designed … sometimes refined … and all by chicks. It’s not stuffy like an art show or fluffy like a craft show. Think less haute, more hot. Guys, girls, good times. And this year is rockin’ number seven.

See who else will be there.

See you there!

Dr. Sketchy's OKC, Roller Derby Edition 2010.03.14

Hey Sketchers, come join me tonight at IAO Gallery for another episode of Dames, Drinking, and Drawing. In that order. Marilyn sez, "If you bring gently used or new art supplies you have a chance to win a fabulous prize. These art goodies will be going to Haiti." Yee-haw!

Abstract Dr. Sketchy's 8, ink on paper, 2010 by Sarah Atlee. Click image to view source.

Check out the new additions to my Flickr site - abstract drawings from this year's previous Dr. Sketchy's sessions.