Tru Fun

Greetings All -

Holy Moley.

As I sit here in mismatched sweats and floppy socks I'm taken back to a moment nearly 7 years ago when Handsome Husband and I pondered my future.
I was, in a word, miserable.

Most likely I sat here in this same chair in the same mismatched sweats. (It takes awhile to get them broken in just the way I like 'em.)  The job I had loved at one time had become a source of frustration. The pipe dream of being a real live artist was becoming less a dream and more of a realization. Time to fish or cut bait as they say.

Fast forward please.



 

I have just wrapped up a run of exhibits and opportunities that were unthinkable that day way back when.

 

At each opportunity I have learned something, and not all of it related to the artwork; how to show up, how to prepare, how to grow thicker skin. How to ask, and how to know when to walk away. Being an artist isn't all smiles, there are some moments of sharp elbows and doubt that would shake the foundations of an NFL lineman.



 

My exhibit at Tru Café in Kearney is one of the fun opportunities. Rick Brown, of the Kearney Daily Hub, wrote a great article here. How cool is that? Yeah, pretty cool. Btw, the exhibit will hang  at Tru the whole month of November. Stop in, have a delicious cuppa or even lunch, and have a look see.

Hang with me and together we'll see where the next 7 years will take me. I'm looking forward to it!

Home Again

It's been a wild year.

I'm wrapping up Two-Thousand and Thirteen with a couple of big events that happen in quick succession.

On Friday, November 1st a collection of my paintings will be hung at Tru Café in Kearney, Ne.  I grew up in that fine community, and met Handsome Husband in the hallowed halls of the University of Nebraska at Kearney where I graduated (eventually) with a degree in Art. It seems fitting that the title of my exhibit will be called "Home Again".
Tru Café is a really cool place dedicated to quality, healthy eating and to providing a place for local artisans to show their work. I'll be there to meet and greet my hometown peeps on Saturday, November 9th from 2:30 to 4:30pm. You're welcome to stop by, too.

I'll hardly have the Tru Café pieces dropped off than it'll be time to set up for the Museum of Nebraska Art's Kaleidoscope of Arts event. This is an awesome affair, like an art in the park, only inside. It's a great time to come visit one of the midwest's premier museums, and also to visit with - and purchase beautiful artwork from - artists and artisans from Nebraska.

I've created some special pieces just for this weekend. Here are just a few examples:

c 2103 Patricia Scarborough  Garden Sampler  6x6 oil on gallery wrap canvas 

c 2103 Patricia Scarborough  Geraniums  8x6 oil

c 2103 Patricia Scarborough  Specimen  8x6 oil

Of course I'll have my usual assortment of beautiful landscape paintings available as well.  If you have someone special on your gift list this holiday season, this would be an excellent opportunity for you to select something truly one-of-a-kind.

 

 

I'm looking forward to seeing you in Kearney soon!

Elements Opening

Oh what a night!

Friday evening was the opening reception for "Elements", an exhibit featuring Harold G. Adams and I at Graham Gallery in Hastings, Ne.

I must admit, the artwork looked fantastic on the original brick walls of Graham Gallery. It's a beautiful space to begin with, and the addition of Harry's amazing lathe-turned vessels along with my oils and pastels made a wonderful combination.

Have a look for yourself -

And the people! 

 

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new patrons, area artists and friends for an evening of conversation and laughter.  Cinderella couldn't have had a better time.

 

I am grateful to all of you who took time to stop by to see our work this past week.  Your support and interest means so much.

 

You've got a few more weeks to see what Harry and I have been  up to. The show is available at Graham Gallery in Hastings, Ne. Monday - Friday 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturdays 9:30 to 3:00, until Thursday, October 31st. 

 

Then 'poof' it's gone. 

Hay Bales and Sparrows

Greetings All -

A couple of weeks ago I shared a demo piece that  I had started in Valentine, Ne., while sharing a workshop with the Sand Painter's Art Guild. Go ahead and scroll down to the last post, I'll wait.

It was almost done...almost. Those of you who participate in creative endeavors understand that "finished" is a relative term. Sometimes it takes years to be relieved of the itch to make just one more little teeny tiny change that will transform a piece into a masterpiece. Sometimes that itch never goes away.

 This is where I left the demo after adding bales to fill in, and a flock of sparrows to tie in the right and left side.

 I was close. So close. 

And yet. Something was still not quite right.

It took a few hours of hemming and hawing, staring out the window, checking email, doing a few dishes, painting on and wiping off to achieve this:

Just three little dashes of paint with a teeny tiny brush. So what's the big deal?

Those three little swipes of the brush build a bridge from left to right

and continue the sweep of the road upward toward the tree. 

©2013Patricia Scarborough  12x16 oil

It's small, but significant, like a fine silk that holds a lovely garment together. Now I can declare it finis! 

At least I'm pretty sure.

You're invited to see for yourself. This painting and many others will soon be hanging at Graham Gallery in Hastings, Ne. for an exhibit titled "Elements" with wood turner Harold G. Adams. Soon as in October 2nd through October 31st, just a few days away.

Stop by Friday, October 4th from 5 to 8, I'll be there with Harry and you can tell me for yourself; did those three little marks do it?