The Reality of Caregiving- 

No one really knows what it is like to be a caregiver unless you have done it full time.  People try to pretend and put a positive front on it.  But the reality is it is an extremely difficult thing.  It is the Constant the 24 hrs always having to watch after them.  A part of you is always watching, protecting, nonstop.

   Living with an Alzheimer's person is like living with a crazy five year old.  It instantly made me a single mother with no experience, no help, and no finances to cover loss of my income.  There is money to pay others part time, but caregivers learn in about every way they are on their own.  I didn't have mothering experience before I began because I could not have children. 

   Each day is a constant wandering the house, talking nonstop, tapping, getting in your face, talking to people not there.  It is the constant,  the nonstop, the always having to be with them and caring which takes it's toll.  

     Being a painter I try to escape within my own mind painting or sculpting, while part of me always keeps watch;  To protect, to love, to nurture.  Painting is difficult, the coming up and tapping on the canvas, pushing the canvas, standing behind me and tapping me on the back, the walking back and forth and back and forth right beside me.  The talking, yes the talking for hours nonstop to people who aren't there.  One tries to shut it out, till one begins to wonder about their own sanity.  Thinking why can't I just ignore it, just relax, just let go. But it is the constant, the noise, the care, the constant, the constant, the talking, and talking, and talking, over and over and over, the walking back and forth, and back and forth, and talking , and tapping, the talking, the noise, who are you, are you listening to me, what do you want, life isn't like it use to be, the constant, the unhappiness, the crazy, the insanity of it all.  And it goes on year after year, day after day, hour upon year.  Until you look in the mirror and no longer even recognize yourself..  You are suppose to care, suppose to protect, suppose to love, suppose to be family, have family, you are suppose to take care.... Be the care giver...... And without you she has no one.....you are the Caregiver. There is no one but you.  And really not even a you anymore.   The insanity of it all..... Life with Alzheimer's.

                   This is the reality millions face now with Alzheimer's and the caregivers who are going to have to care for their parent, their wife, their husband, their family.  Be strong because you will be on your own, and your strength is what will help them through.

"Wild Ones" exhibition- Working progressing well

New Body of work for the "Wild Ones" exhibition is going along smoothly.  Balancing funding with getting all ideas from the head to actual pieces produced.  A lot of the sculptures for the show are underway.  For a museum show all the body of work needs to come together as a whole with a powerful message.  I will have half paintings and half sculptures for this show, which is exciting because usually can show just one medium.   I have so many ideas, pining them down now to what can be accomplished and funded by me.  The work is exciting to see come to life.  Stay tuned and I will show you the ups and downs of pulling a show together.

                

  

                                      

                 

Work begun for "Wild Ones" exhibition up in mid Oct. Custom House Museum, Near Nashville, TN

              Work has begun for a major show this Fall.  Trying new ideas to push Wildlife art to more surreal and narratives.  Show will be both sculptures and paintings.  Some life size sculptures.  The piece above is about poaching.  The sky is reddish from the rhinos already lost, a mother rhino sleeps and dreams of a better life for the little ones/ one at the top, the poachers on right side, the poached rhinos on left, ground is cracked showing problem and how the probable is growing,  shape of africa hangs it's head down on tree limb, tree representing life itself.  Some pieces will be narratives like this, each showing an aspect of animal's life and their plight.  With species being loss at a faster and faster rate, I wanted to try and do sculptures and paintings that would bring the problem home more and get people talking and debating about it more.  Will try and show you from an animal's perspective.  It is a large undertaking in only a few months, but an exciting opportunity for a wonderful venue.  Stay tuned...... and make plans to visit Nashville area end of oct/first of Nov.  Reception will be first of Nov TBA.
                                                  

New Solo show in Oct. around Nashville "The Wild Ones"

Wonderful news of a solo exhibition I will have at the Custom House Museum near Nashville, TN.  This exhibition will give me the opportunity to push the limits in art to express conservation for endangered animals and wildlife in general.  I will go beyond just a beautiful painting or sculpture of an animal and do narratives, and some surreal.    This exhibition will give me the chance to combine my three loves animals, sculpture, and painting.  It is one of the largest projects I have taken on with showcasing both paintings and sculptures.  But it will be wonderful to bring the two together to enhance one another and play off of each other.  I have been wanting to stretch and go deeper to tell the plights of animals in narratives and some surreal ways.  I have been doing research of animals since last summer and ideas or being sketched out as we speak.  It is exciting as an artist to get a project that one can really sink their teeth in and given full rein to explore the ideas and art that brings about awareness.
  Stay tuned will show some of the works in progress and be sure to join me in oct.

              

Artists for Conservation Wildlife Festival

Excited to be heading up to Vancouver to the Artists for Conservation Wildlife Festival at Grouse Mountain Oct 13-22.  It is a wonderful gathering of conservationist and environmental artists, people to discuss the conservation efforts, an art exhibition etc....  I am proud to have a sculpture in the juried art exhibition there.  As an artist I try to help bring awareness to issues- one of which is the plight of endangered animals in the hopes that in a small way all of us can make a difference and help in saving many from extinction throughout the world.

Have sculpture in Art exhibition at Artists of Conservation Festival

Anyone up near Vancouver- there is a wonderful wildlife festival "Artists for conservation wildlife festival Oct 13-Oct 21 at Grouse Mountain resort North Vancouver.  Some of the top wildlife artists from around the world will be there.  I am proud to have a sculpture in the live exhibition there.  I will be up there for the opening and two to three days.  If you are up that way come by for a wonderful time learning about conservation of wildlife, environment and art.
More info at : Artists for Conservation website and facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/events/104900052991828/

New Surreal Painting about domestic violence, also TACA Biennial show opens

Just finished up a new painting to be enter in a juried exhibition which benefits a retreat for domestic violence victims.  the painting idea is surreal and represents this:
Tree are during a strong are strong and bend but with stand and stay strong.  This came to mind when I thought about what strength women have to have to with stand abuse and to protect their children.  Not having ever experienced this I tried to think how i would cope or react in that situation. First thought would be to protect the children.  So made women into trees which are in a storm.  The strongest part of a tree is the trunk area near the ground, this is why i choose to place children there within and by the bottom of the trunk.  it is the mother's strength and shelter which protects the children against the violence.  I wanted a simple, stark, surreal and haunting image.  It is tricky to know just how much realistic detail needs to be there but to still keep it surreal and simple in design.

   Also those around Nashville can come out and see the TACA Biennial Juried Exhibition which opened August 24th at the Tennessee State Museum.  I have a surreal sculpture in the show.  The show covers all media from ceramic, fiber, wood, glass and photography.  Should be a wonderful show.  The reception for this exhibition is Sept 29 7-9 at the museum.  So come out and say hi........