I created the cover illustrations for this wonderfully compelling memoir by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. I love the book and it was a real treat to paint these mollusks.

“This exhibition, open through October 31 in the Photography Gallery, will feature 93 natural history illustrations, representing the work of 73 illustrators from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. The subjects represented are diverse, ranging from those only found in the artists’ home country to those that have a worldwide distribution. They include the Short-beaked Echidna, the Platypus, and the Leadbeater’s Possum, all mammals found only in Australia, and the Red Andreaea, a plant endemic to the Agulhas Negras Mountains of Brazil. Also represented are many birds familiar in the northeastern U.S. such as the Peregrine Falcon, Barred Owl, Connecticut Warbler, House Sparrow, and one of the world’s most widespread — the Barn Owl. There also are illustrations of an African Dung Beetle, along with the producer of its nourishment — an African elephant. Also included are recreations of extinct organisms such as the Apatosaurus (a dinosaur), Deinosuchus (an ancient crocodile), and Odontochelys (the ancestor of turtles.)”

I am honored to have my Marbled Salamander included in this exhibition.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) watercolor 9.5" x 12"

The painting on the poster for the exhibit is one by James Gurney, one of my very favorite illustrators.

Due to New York State budget woes, there will not be a formal opening event… or a catalog. Though an online catalog will be posted Tuesday, April 13th on the museum’s website.

New York State Museum

I’m having an art exhibit with Joy Yagid, and Tricia Zimic. Joy is a photographer and Tricia is a ceramicist and painter, and all three of us have chosen nature as a focus for our work. I’ve shown my work in various venues but I’m surprisingly excited to show these paintings in the town I live in.

April 18 through May 16
Opening reception on Sunday, April 25, 2–5 pm
1978 Arts Center in Maplewood, NJ. 07040
www.1978artscenter.org
(Gallery 1978 is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 pm.)

I've got some paper

I've got some glue

I've got some glitter

I'll make a valentine for someone such as yourself

]]> http://momsville.com/blog/2010/01/16/maplewood-nj-january-15-2010/feed/ 0 http://momsville.com/blog/2009/11/24/november-24-2009-maplewood-nj/ http://momsville.com/blog/2009/11/24/november-24-2009-maplewood-nj/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:32:59 +0000 mother http://momsville.com/blog/?p=215

Apples and Apples

Pears

As you can see, I truly believe that anything can be made more festive by adding m&ms and sprinkles. Yum!

It's a sad world after all.

Over 40 years ago, Disney opened the “It’s A Small World” ride to promote world peace and showcase the cultures of the world. Now after almost a year of renovation, Disney unveiled the “updated” version populated with trademark porn: Aladdin, Nemo, Ariel and more than two dozen other characters plucked from its movies.

Shame on you, Disney, for muddying the idea of actual people actually seeking understanding. I can count on you, Disney, to be a thoughtless corporation polluting one of your most beloved attractions looking for just one more way to make a buck. Way to insult many cultures at one time.

Yuck!

Superheroes (super-heroes?, super heroes?) have been on my mind and right in my face a lot lately. I live with two boys ages 7 and just-about-11. The path to superhero worship happened so subtly and gradually that I had to really go back to map it’s arrival.

First came mythology. My kids clicked really early on (like preschool) with Greek and Roman mythology. We would play a game in the car, “Greek or Roman”. An adult would call out the name of a God and the kids would guess “Greek” or “Roman”. (This game was based on our original, rather limited car game “Toilet Paper or Breakfast Cereal” which evolved into the much more successful “Pharmaceutical or Greek God”)

While interest in mythology remained strong, along came Pokemon. The boys traded with friends and complete strangers alike and carefully built their collections. They arranged and rearranged their cards according to everything from cuteness to illustrator (Yes, the artists are credited right on the card). But it was not lost on me that the basis of the game was power. Power and attack. Although cute.

A couple of viewings of Justice League and glimpses of superhero comics mixed well with mythology and Pokemon and the die was cast. Superheros took over our lives. We have argued about movies being appropriate or not. We have been begged for everything from T-shirts to information. How many times did I have to tell a 5 year old that I wasn’t holding back information on Batman, I just didn’t know!

Then came a magic moment. Our babysitter – a guy in his early 20′s who was already a main source for superhero info – gave them The Gift. “The Marvel Encyclopedia” entered our lives and was immediately joined by “The DC Encyclopedia”. These tomes were studied, deconstructed, questioned and sometimes ridiculed. Both boys have mocking impatience with “stupid powers”. Well…more on that later.

Now we have complete superhero saturation – everything from magnets to costumes:

to action figures. One favorite book series, Sidekicks, is still on our shelves. Unfortunately I think they are out of print. These books are hilarious if you have even a working knowledge of the superhero genre – a Tick for my children’s generation.

Sidekicks

elephant bones