Shari Beaubien

"Night Mood"

Here's another piece that's newly finished for my upcoming solo exhibition.  This one measures 9" x 12" and is actually painted over an old work I just didn't like anymore.  Sometimes I have fun fantasizing about being famous one day and having people scan my artwork to discover what lies beneath the surface.  Until then, it will just be my little secret!  *WINK, WINK*

I had the opportunity to go to the LA Art Show last week and it was a lot of fun.  It's the sort of art expo that many of the larger cities play host to.  Galleries and print makers put together stunning displays of their artist's best work.  So inspirational!  I highly recommend setting aside a day like this if you happen to be lucky enough to have an art expo happening anywhere near your neck of the woods.  This year was the first year the LA show was held at the Convention Center, so it was greatly increased in size.  It was a terrific learning experience and like I said before, really inspiring.

A Good Read

This book has been on my nightstand recently, and I just wanted to share it with all of you.    It's called Creative Authenticity by Ian Roberts.  His writing is both though-provoking and insightful and I have enjoyed it immensely.   One of my favorite quotes from the book is this:

"Time is so short, the path to authenticity, to expressing what lies within, so vague and intangible, that if we don't overcome our dance of avoidance we may find we've simply run out of time."

Poetic AND true, huh?

On another note, yesterday was quite a day for our nation, huh?  I tried to draft a post several times yesterday, but I just couldn't.  Whatever words I typed seemed so woefully inadequate for the occasion.  My heart swells with pride for us... for ALL of us.  What a moment in history.

Did you know you can make your own Obama-esque poster using your favorite picture?  As you can see, Montgomery is looking pretty presidential here.  Steve created this and sent it to me this morning.  Montgomery's been having some health issues lately, so it meant a lot to me.  The website to do it yourself is here.  Have fun!

As I conclude this post, I am struck by the fact that I wrote about a book and the inauguration together.  The parallel appears obvious, to me anyway.  One chapter in history closes while another begins...  Amen.

One of My Favorites...

If you caught my interview on Modish,
you might recall a few shots of this piece in progress...

Here it is completed...

The Arrival
16" x 20"

As I suppose is the case with parents and their kids, I try really hard not to play favorites with my creations.  But I'll let you in on a little secret...  This one is certainly one of my favorites.  I hope you like it, too!

Completions (plural)!!

This was my initial sketch...

And you may remember my first few layers of paint...

And now here it is... the finished triptych!

"A Night for Dreaming"
3 canvases:  10" x 30" each

I've been painting madly these past couple of weeks, finishing up SEVEN pieces that were previously  in various stages of completion.  I gave up on waiting for our windy weather to cooperate and finally succumbed to indoor vanishing for the first time ever.  Not so bad!  Steve helped me photograph my new artwork this past weekend and as I get them computer-ready, I'm eager to share them with you here.  This has been a huge push of work for me as I get myself ready for my "Journeys of the Heart" show in February.

Finishing a lot of work at once also means that I will bid my art table adieu as I plunk myself down in front of the computer for several long days.  I've been loading things onto my website and blog, making fine art prints, and inventorying everything.  In addition, I'm working on my portfolio in two versions.  I'll take some photos and share that effort with you, too, in the coming weeks.

It feels oddly satisfying not to have ANYTHING in progress in my studio at all.  This hasn't happened to me in well over two years.  I'm enjoying a sense of lightness that seems to have seeped its way into my very veins.  I anticipate I'll feel even better once all this computer stuff is behind me!  (As if there's ever really an end to it all...  Alas, there's always something MORE we should be doing to help ourselves along, isn't there?)  But for now, I'm not going to dwell on that.  I'm happy in the knowledge that my first-ever solo show is just over three weeks away now!

Artist Receptions This Saturday...

See?  Didn't I tell you I've been busy?  Here are two group shows of which I'm thrilled to be a part.  The opening receptions are this Saturday and yes, I'll be at both!  (Just not at the same time.)

"Bird Is the Word"
at the Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock, CA

"California Visual Artists Exhibition"
at 2nd City Council in Long Beach, CA

Links and other pertinent information can be found in my left sidebar or on my website here.  Hope to see you there!

A Great Way to Start the New Year...

As wonderful as the holidays are, I have to admit that I cherish the familiarity of my normal routine even more.  That's precisely why I'm THRILLED that it's Monday!  (And no, that's not sarcastic!!)  But beyond "Monday", I'm even more thrilled than usual because I have some truly fantastic news to share with all of you.

So... without further ado... allow me to introduce

"Journeys of the Heart"
my very first SOLO EXHIBITION!

As you can imagine, I am BEYOND excited about this!  The show will run from Friday, February 6 thru Wednesday February 25, 2009 at the Creative Arts Center Gallery in Burbank, CA.  The opening reception is Friday, February 6 from 7 pm to 9 pm.  A bit more info. is included in my January newsletter, which will be coming out in the next few days.  (Sign up for free in my right sidebar if you haven't already.)

In addition to this solo show, I'm also involved in three juried group shows - all running simultaneously.  (More info. about these shows can be found in my left sidebar or my newsletter or on my website here.)  These events have been keeping me pretty busy, but in a good way.  I feel energized and enthusiastic and blessed to have these opportunities.

Please mark your calendars for the opening reception of "Journeys of the Heart" on 2/6.  It means so much to me to be able to share my work in this very personal fashion.  Incidentally, this will be the first time "Soul Sketches" and "Carnival of Dreams" will be on display in public.  I hope you can make it!

Happy New Year, everyone!