Leaning on Friends: Megan, Cale, & Wes.

Megan Kelly came to my rescue like a badass superhero about 3 weeks ago. After days of weeding my father's backyard (about 4 acres), I was sunburned and beat. And I needed a new project. ReachNash had contacted Megan about painting some bins and making a recycled chandelier/hanging sculpture for Toyota Prius. And, she generously contacted me to be involved. We worked with her roommates Stephen and Corey, completing the chandelier in just under 7 days. Like all art endeavors, it was a bigger undertaking than any of us thought it would be. But it turned out beautifully! And, you can see day-by-day accounts of the process here. (There was lots and lots of laughing . . . )


It's really the most amazing thing to hang out with someone you haven't seen in 15 years. Cale Montgomery and I dated briefly towards the early part of my Austin days, way back. I'm talking 1996 way back. (I was 22, see below.) Over the course of these past years, we popped up in each others lives at random: I mailed him a letter when I first moved back to Austin in 2006. And, we bumped into each other once at Longhorn Po-Boys. And now--of course--on Facebook. But, we hadn't hung out at all. We needed this, it was time. And now we are both older, both recently out of graduate school, and both potentially wiser (he probably more-so than I). And still, he is so very kind. He is soft-spoken and a fabulous trumpet player, who just happens to be an architect and now holds both an MBA and MSIS degree from Boston University. The weekend ended up being the most relaxing weekend I have had in a really long time, and it went by far too quickly. I got to reconnect with an old friend. Magic. (Now if he could just conveniently forget that he left his iPod touch here, that would be awesome.)


I was sad to leave Texas for lots of reasons. But, one of the most important reasons was my friend and muse, Wes Holloway. Wes and I met in Michael Mogavero's painting class in the Fall of 2007. And, it was love at first sight. He was a beautiful painter, he listened to rap, and he loved the crap out of some fun colors like I did. We were on the same wavelength about everything: trends and styles, artists we both liked. It was amazing. So, naturally, after I left Texas, we knocked around the idea of doing a show together. Well now, ladies and gentlemen, it has happened. Wes Holloway and I will be combining our styles and loves in an installation being featured during September and October at D!verseWorks in Houston, TX. I can't tell you how excited I am to be a part of this show and to be making work with Wes!! Tell the masses, stop traffic, everyone come to Houston!


Oh, and did I mention that I made a hat? And, put something on the side of a building for the Tomato Art Festival? Or, how about my new playscape installation based on Marfa that will appear at Gallery F sometime soon? Um, the planning of the curriculum for the Nashville Peace & Justice Center's Leadership Training? Or how about my application for a second Masters, in teaching . . . I think it's safe to say, I'm stayin' kinda busy.


Many, many goings-on. Stay tuned, friends!!