Where has March gone?

While warmer weather continues to evade us, I've taken advantage of the climate to work indoors on growing Native/Immigrant City, my homage to New Yorkers born in the City and from other States and countries.

My current piece in process is below. Please get in touch if you happen to be a current or former Brooklyn resident with a story to share about your experience making a home in the borough.

I also want to thank the Brooklyn Arts Council for providing me with some funding to grow and continue this project. More specifically, I have a generous regrant from the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

Finally, stay tuned for announcements of by-donation workshops coming soon to a Brooklyn venue near you...I provide supplies and instruction; you show up with an idea for a soft sculpture. Together, we turn your vision into a physical reality.

Poems to come/ in process

One of my favorite poets sent me some poems to embroider via email, each one carefully considered and rendered in 140 or fewer characters:

Can't wait to stitch these! 

Thanks to my father, Monte Olenick. Is he trying to tell me something in the last tweet?!


















Look out for my forthcoming embroideries with #Dadknowsbest!

On Thanksgiving, I am grateful for family time and embroidery time

A four-day weekend for an artist really means: how much progress can I make on this piece I want to finish? How many grant proposals can I write? Which residencies should I target for my next round of applications? Who do I need to follow up with about upcoming shows? Where is my art being exhibited right now, and do I have time to go photograph it on site?

Yes, we work all the time. For me, it doesn't feel like work, so I'm trying to say thank you for unscheduled days when I can make my work without too many external pressures or responsibilities.

Thanks also to my family for hosting a delicious and colorful (see below) Thanksgiving meal yesterday. I can't wait to eat the leftovers today. I admit to having a turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich last night as the perfect sequel to our Thanksgiving lunch.

Watermelon radish with turnip on plaid tablecloth.

Finally, I am so excited to have finished a piece I've been thinking about and embroidering slowly for the past few weeks (again, see below). I channeled my inner teenage girl for this one. Candy cane-colored hearts – OMG!

Salon Ciel, Wednesday, 9/22

Last Wednesday night, I participated in a two-person, one-night exhibit through an organization called Salon Ciel. The show was held in the private home of the event coordinator. It was a stormy night, and my friends enjoyed watching lightning from the balcony, which has amazing views of New York City, while I hugged people I hadn't seen in months and maybe even years.

Thanks to Rob Gerhardt, the photographer who shared the exhibit with me; Lyndsey Beutin, the Salon Ciel curator who organized the event; and David Rheingold, the host. 

Thanks also to all of my dear friends who shared the evening with me and made it truly successful. I love you all.

Inspiring Gifts

For the past five days, I've had the privilege of attending Artist Summer Institute, a business/career boot camp for professional artists. LMCC and Creative Capital co-sponsored this event. 

I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all of the information, perspective, advice, warmth, and sense of community we shared over five days. LMCC and Creative Capital assembled an incredible group of visual artists, dancers, choreographers, writers, musicians, performers, multidisciplinary artists. I learned so much!

Did I mention ASI took place on Governor's Island? If you haven't been there, the Island is an idyllic hamlet, and a 7-minute ferry ride away from Manhattan.

To add to my excitement, I returned home last night to find a package from my dear friend, Andrew Thornton. When I opened the box, I found a pile of beautiful, antique linens.

Wow! The possibilities for this stash of fabric are endless!

Andrew, you are so thoughtful and caring and I appreciate the support for my work. 

Thanks, Andrew!

In 2005, I spent a month in a studio program at the School of Visual Arts. Since I never actually went to art school, this experience helped give me insight into peer reviews as well as critiques from professional artists.

I ended up meeting some terrific friends who continue to be a part of my artist network. Andrew Thornton was in the same cohort as me. Since we met, he has been an unofficial press agent for me, promoting my artwork and exhibits on his blog. I can't thank you enough, Andrew, for your support and encouragement and generosity.

I learned recently that Andrew is about to leave New York for a new adventure. In an email he described to me his relationship with New York, and I instantly fell in love with what he'd written:

"My relationship with New York is like an abusive one... it beats me up, takes all my money, and I run away vowing never to return... but oddly enough come crawling back, begging for more."

Andrew, this piece here is for you. Thanks so much!