Sideshow Fringe Festval!

I have been graciously accepted into a wonderful new festival: the Sideshow Fringe Festival, Nashville's Progressive Performing Arts Event . . . An arts extravaganza connecting innovative artists with adventurous audiences!!

My project is called, Octopus Lament. Octopus Lament incorporates costuming, poetry, music composition, and performance. I wrote a poem that is being performed as spoken word on top of a beautiful piece of music composed by Jin-Hwa Choi. Megan Kelley stars as the octopus in a wonderfully whimsical and dark, eight-legged fabric get-up; with make-up by the incomparable Jackie Osborne.

The folks over at Actor's Bridge have worked super-hard to make this event possible . . . And, I would love for you all to come out and support this fantastic 4-day event!

The schedule of performances can be found here. I encourage you to take advantage of the weekend: see as many shows as possible!

Here are the particulars for Octopus Lament:
Octopus Lament
Saturday, October 1st
9:15pm
Belmont's Troutt Theatre steps, outside (rain or shine)

Thank you-thank you for your support!!

Effect: purple hands . . .

Cause: dying purple octopus legs . . .

Talking Gossip at The Houston Fine Arts Fair, D!verseWorks Artspace.

Bow down to the Queen . . .

Sit and have tea amidst royals . . . King Kanye and Queen Kim in the CelebriTEA installation at D!verseWorks Art Space in Houston, Texas.

STATE FAIR
Houston Fine Arts Fair: Saturday, September 17, 12-6pm
Texas Contemporary Fair: Saturday, October 22, 12-6pm

State Fair is a public spectacle that takes as its inspiration the construct of a contemporary art fair and merges it with the age-old tradition of street peddling. Organized to coincide Houston’s first-ever public art fairs, The Houston Fine Art Fair in September and the Texas Contemporary in October, State Fair is an arts-centric trade show with a twist in which artists from around the state will inhabit the gallery with public projects that explore the notion of street commerce, underground exchange, and alternate economies that defy the strictures of the commercial art economy. Prepare to be dazzled!

CelebriTEA Installation by: Lindsey Bailey and Wes Holloway

D!verseWorks Art Space
September 9-October 29, 2011
Curated by Diane Barber

Talking Gossip at D!verseWorks Artspace, Houston.

The Hatter and The Hare present CelebriTEA
State Fair, D!verseWorks Artspace

September 9-October 29, 2011
Curated by Diane Barber

Opening reception: Friday, September 9, 2011, 6-9pm
Market days: Saturday, September 17, 12-6pm &
Saturday, October 22, 12-6pm

State Fair is a public spectacle that takes as its inspiration the construct of a contemporary art fair and merges it with the age-old tradition of street peddling. Organized to coincide Houston’s first-ever public art fairs, The Houston Fine Art Fair in September and the Texas Contemporary in October, State Fair is an arts-centric trade show with a twist in which artists from around the state will inhabit the gallery with public projects that explore the notion of street commerce, underground exchange, and alternate economies that defy the strictures of the commercial art economy. Prepare to be dazzled!

How to Almost Put On A Sweater in The Mountains, in 5 Easy Steps.

CelebriTEA at D!verseWorks Art Space in Houston, Texas.

Sit and have tea amidst royals . . . King Kanye and Queen Kim in the CelebriTEA installation at D!verseWorks Art Space in Houston, Texas.

STATE FAIR
Opening reception: Friday, September 9, 2011, 6-9pm

Market days: Saturday, September 17, 12-6pm &
Saturday, October 22, 12-6pm

State Fair is a public spectacle that takes as its inspiration the construct of a contemporary art fair and merges it with the age-old tradition of street peddling. Organized to coincide Houston’s first-ever public art fairs, The Houston Fine Art Fair in September and the Texas Contemporary in October, State Fair is an arts-centric trade show with a twist in which artists from around the state will inhabit the gallery with public projects that explore the notion of street commerce, underground exchange, and alternate economies that defy the strictures of the commercial art economy. Prepare to be dazzled!

CelebriTEA Installation by: Lindsey Bailey and Wes Holloway

D!verseWorks Art Space
September 9-October 29, 2011
Curated by Diane Barber

Engage the Imagination.

She gets it.

Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, Bjork, and--to some extent--Madonna get it. They understand the visualization I spoke about in my earlier post.

The idea of a video is to capture the music visually . . . So, at the Video Music Awards where they celebrate the music video, why not take it all the way? Make it campy, creative, costume-y, fun! It's the embodiment of a character, it's role-playing. I enjoy celebrating the spectacle, being unique, making the visual element the focus. And, the artists I've mentioned above are inspiring budding costumers and visual artists everywhere by being adventurous.

Engage the imagination. I certainly look forward to seeing more, more, more!

I want my MTV.

I have a slight addiction to watching music videos. It started when I was 7 or 8 years old.

I would sit for hours watching MTV. At friend's houses, mind-you, as my parents refused to get cable: they were worried I might watch too much music television, interfering with my homework. Yes, well . . .


I'm almost positive that my infatuation with the visualization of music came when I saw Annie Lennox perform Sweet Dreams as half of the Eurythmics on the Grammys. (I'm watching it again now, and still I am so mesmerized!!) I remember Herbie Hancock, too, with his crazy kicking robotic legs. My dad was trying out the old VHS to see if we could--in fact--record things. And, it worked!!

So, I would sit in front of our television and fast-forward/rewind to all of the performances. Watching and re-watching the same things for hours. I did this with the American Music Awards and the Grammy's every year . . . When I got older, I turned to watching the Video Music Awards (the best show being when Arsenio Hall hosted, and Bel Biv DeVoe performed--I was in 10th grade, and watched it at my friend Katherine's house).

I mention all of this because I believe my obsession with these live performances is ultimately what peaked my interest in music videos.

Our family would go to my grandparent's house in Mineral Wells, Texas and I would go into the middle bedroom, close the door, and watch videos. Adam Curry and Martha Quinn directed my viewing. (I think about this now in horror, knowing that I could have been spending quality time with my grandparents.) On ski trips with my parents and family friends, I would be dressed in ski clothes--at least 6 layers--parked in front of the television begging for one more video before hitting the slopes. I believe it was in 8th grade that I moved all of the furniture in our den and supervised my friends as we recreated a New Kids On The Block video.

So when YouTube came around, everything was free and it was GLORIOUS!! I could watch whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. And, it's gotten pretty nuts . . . I only watch music videos and the occasional dance video. I don't watch cats doing things or babies or whatever else.

Last year during graduate school, stress would hit and I would calm myself by watching Beyonce, Diddy, Rihanna, New Boyz, Madonna, Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, and Jay-Z; repeatedly, sometimes the same video back-to-back.

It's kind of weird: I go through phases. Right now? I'm totally into Chris Brown. And, morally, I'm not okay with that. But, man is he a great dancer. So, I indulge. I've also been watching a lot of Kreayshawn, out of sheer curiosity. I still watch Beyonce on occasion, but her most recent effort includes crying . . . And, I'm more of a dance girl. Give me lots of movement, bright colors, and big eventful happenings!! I want to see fireworks!!

My question is: where does this come from? The repeats, the studying, the want to memorize . . . Are some of us just attracted to certain things more than others? Or is it because I'm an artist and the visuality of a music video interests me? I have no idea.

Will this ever end? Highly doubtful.

And so I continue on . . . Search. Watch. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Beaded and pink.

My friend Kelly bought the most amazing belly dancing belt today! Amazing for lot's of reasons, but mainly because it's a sequined-filled, beaded pink goodness . . . I shimmied all about her house this evening, as I played with Milo and listened to new music! Friday night fun just got a little more sparkly . . .

Next Steps.

At the end of July, I did a hand-sewing workshop at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for 15 students participating in the Next Steps program. Each of the students chose an image of a sculpture as seen on Vanderbilt's campus, composed it first on paper as a sketch, then translated their sketch into a fabric piece. Finally, we collaged all of the students work together to create a wall hanging for the Next Steps office. It's amazing what color can do for a space!!

Horn to Hoot.

WARNING: leaving anything at my house for too long might possibly result in some sort of felt or glitter covered craziness. While I am not a bedazzler by any stretch, I do like felt cozies for cold electronic things. My sewing machine is currently broken so this was hand-stitched; which was nice and much more relaxing than using the machine. Originally planned to be a trumpet, somehow it turned into an owl. So there ya have it: horn to hoot. I suppose at some point I have to send this jazz-and-blues-filled iPod back to its rightful owner. Until then, I will continue listening to Joe Williams, Aretha Franklin, and Bobby Bland.

Fancy Bones.

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!!

Shorty Swing My Way . . .

I was commissioned to make an "air dancer" for my dad to put next to his pond because herons keep eating all of his koi. And, he wanted something that would scare away the birds without being so loud and violent (Dede keeps shooting fireworks out the window at 6 in the morning).

So, I made Henry. Originally Henry was about 8 feet tall, but only inflated sideways . . . So, I cut him down to about 5 feet and he still only inflated upwards about half of the time. Without being able to find any help via the interwebs (shocker!!), I decided to go full on Edward Scissorhands. I inflated him and just started cutting until he was upright.

He's now much shorter, but leaving holes in him actually worked better. So, I cut the top and one of the appendages into slits. I felt the extra flappage would really get to the birds . . . Now the only question left: what else will it potentially scare away?

Forthcoming: Good Luck or a Pot of Gold . . .

And then there was a tree . . . Well, almost.

After living in Wisconsin in the middle of a forest and going camping almost monthly while living in Texas, I decided about a month ago that I needed a tree in my new dwelling (here in Tennessee).

I have an empty wall in my bedroom that would be perfect, I thought. Not only would it look spectacular, but the tree could pull double-duty as an accessories rack, holding purses, sweaters, and hats. Yes, yes. This could work. Time to get started right away!

The idea for this project came from Poppytalk, a blog I have been following for about 5 months.

I laid out the boards on my dog hair infused studio rug first, to get an idea of scale and to play with how the branches might need to be angled. My suggestion is to find old boards that have little warping. Some of the boards I used were a bit warped, which made it harder to transfer these boards to the wall. I also thought the boards with the nails still in them, and even the grayer wood, had more integrity (I realize I'm making a tree out of cut boards from once-live trees, but this is a symbol. Just go with it.).

This is what it looked like when I first muscled it up on the wall. Should you embark on your own tree project: it would definitely help to have a second person in the room. I had pieced together some of the boards before placing them on the wall, and they were too heavy and awkward to hold while simultaneously drilling. Everything kept slipping, which could have been frustrating had I not been eating ice cream intermittingly. Phew.

Now all of the branches are in place, and I've added an owl that an artist friend's student made. I also hung a little tin piece that one of my besties created about 6 years ago. Next up: adding hooks and accessories, and possibly a few more small branches . . .

Stay tuned!

"I know it was in here somewhere . . . "

Preliminary Images & Artist Statement for Deliciously Happy.

As a community artist, I develop a dialogue with youth about issues they are facing. These conversations frequently bring up questions I am exploring in my own work, sparking new ideas. This continuing dialogue becomes the content of finished artwork.

I create installations and performance pieces that are spontaneous and site specific. I use abstracted subject matter that references cakes, confections, or clouds. Comfort, escape, and playfulness are depicted through the use of bright color, compositions with lots of movement, and allude to childhood and memorable celebrations.

I try to evoke the same sense of enthusiasm and liveliness that one observes when children discover and interact with new things. Imagination, wonder, and invention are the driving force behind my work. Integral to my process is building relationships and collective collaboration.

Partnering with 3 Nashville schools (a charter, a public, and a private) in tandem with a weeklong workshop with Belmont sculpture students, and participatory venues for artmaking during the gallery show, I will facilitate artmaking as engagement for the community by the community. Social justice-based projects will be explored by means of performance and costuming as a tool for finding creative solutions.

Deliciously Happy will feature the work created within these partnerships and workshops, and feature projected animation and process documentation that interacts with costumes, colorful props, and stage pieces, demonstrations and invitations for the audience to join in.

EXHAUSTED: Bonnaroo 2011.

So here it is. I would have more to say if it hadn't been such an exhausting project (emotionally and physically). But, it's finished and it turned out fabulous! Andee Rudloff built the structure with the help of Troy and Brandon Bradshaw, and Shelby White. I finished off the inside and the outside with the help of some wonderful volunteers, namely: Sarah Sanfino, Megan Kelley, and Rachel McClain. GO TEAM!!

Tiffany's Fabulous Show at BLEND.