technically challenged...

Well I owe a few good friends some apologies...I, being technically challenged, realized today some of the wonderful commentary I've recieved from you all after viewing my blog. How kind are the people in my life...my freinds have always felt like family.
Well im painting today (as usual) and to fight my fatigue i decided to blog. Rufus and I have been working away today and seem to be making some headway...we have commissions all over the place--South Carolina, Santa Rosa Beach, Nashville...and the list continues. Have I mentioned lately how incredibley thankful I am to have work and to be working? what a great thing...being busy at work in a recessing economy...

Rufus is doing so much better. He is litterally acting like he has a new heart=) I believe he just might.
I've also started back to a classical ballet class at the local city ballet. As a painter, many days I find myself captivated by the suttle piano music from old ballet class...I paint and think about dancing while the music blares from my borrowed record player. It's a secret about myself... so shhh don't tell.

oh and i almost forgot...We are moving into a new studio space- in an old warehouse in the city- It should be exciting. I'll keep you all posted.

oh and one more thing...If you didn't already know I have a wonderful husband who is quite talented himself. Which brings me to introducing his first fiction novel due to hit the shelves at your local bookstore this coming fall- again I'll keep you posted.

hello, it's been a while.

Well, we are all back and better than ever in 2009. Rufus is making improvements with his mended heart... as you can see he is still good at what he does best.

It was a wonderful 2008. If you are in the Atlanta area the new series of 11 on wood intitled, "Monuments and Movements" has been released at Bennett Street Gallery. The exhibition closed on the 31st of December, but the works will remain showing at the gallery.

Also, paintings are still showing in the Newyork Area as well, so please contact the Jerry Pair Showroom if you wish to view or purchase. Other areas of showing still include the Panhandle of Florida in Rosemary Beach at Tracery Interiors, and Louisville, Kentucky with the Ground Floor Gallery. We are opening 2009 with new showings in Hilton Head, SC... details to come soon.

in and out of the studio...

Alright well, it looks as though I have not updated anyone in a while on whats happening in and around the studio. New Works our now available in the metro New York area at the Jerry Pair Showroom located right on 3rd Avenue. Also, more info is coming soon for the next New York opening dates for a post New Year/ Late Winter Series to be released... possibly even early spring. It looks like I should be present at that opening as well.

The next upcoming group exhibition is in Atlanta, Ga at Bennett Street Gallery. Feel free to check out the link below for more details...

http://www.bennettstgallery.com/index.html

now about whats going on in the studio...
Work is coming along. The new series is becoming such an act of preservation... can't wait to release the 12 new works at Bennett Street Gallery.
October has been quite an interesting month... Rufus has been very sick and it has been such an emotional time for me. He is doing better now, but we still have a long road to go. The studio is not quite the same with out him around. But things are hopeful---and he's still showing up for work everyday to lay around and watch things out the window=)
I'll write more later about some of my work that has really centered itself around his healing and the healing of so many others in and around my life. He's a very good dog and I expect many more creative years with him in the studio.
Well, it's now back to work for me.

open windows.

Well, I am back in the studio. It truly does feel like my short break lasted for quite some time. It is hard to stop painting... even for creative rejuvenation. Speaking of refreshment...the air in the studio is crisp for the first time in months, and it feels wonderful. All eight of the old gym windows are open, and my hours are quickly filled with the momentum of a new season of painting.

Rufus has been back to work in the studio as well...he loves laying on the cool cement. I've attached some photos of my little/large companion doing what he does best.

It's a new day.

& I am thankful for all the open windows.

Thought for the day.

Well, as I approach my next upcoming show, I decided to take a few minutes to be thankful. I was thinking back to design school, and remembered hearing one of the most impacting sentences of my academic experience. It was on a day that I realized I was coming into my own...but fighting it all the way.
I remember the frustration of my interior drawings not being exactly what I thought they should be...in essence, my drawings never looked like anyone else's and I struggled to be okay with my differences.
I remember sitting in my professor's office (one of many times), (who was my one my dearest friends from the very beginning) and hearing her say that maybe right where I was in my style and approach, was exactly that... my own unique style and approach.
Moreover, in that moment I began to be more gentle with my considerations of my skills as an artist...not satisfied with mediocrity, but content with the idea that I was different in style and intent.
So today, I thank those two friends that so gracefully showed me confidence and love as an artist... and today as a painter...very rarely is there a day in the studio when I don't think of you and continue to be inspired by your years of encouragement.
a note with love to: nicole and paula=)

Alejandro Ortiz Ponce

Well, I am always quite intrigued when I meet a new artist, but when I met Alejandro I was fascinated. On my previous visit outside of the country, in a very small city in Central America, I had the most wonderful privilege to meet this vibrant artist. After hearing some of his story and his approach as a sculptor and painter, I wanted to share a portion of his work. So with the permission of Alejandro, I have posted some quite amazing photographs to try and capture his vision as an artist.
If you would like more information on Alejandro and his work please feel free to contact via email @ courtneyjgarrett@gmail.com

(PLEASE NOTE ALL ART AND CONTENT COPYRIGHT OF ALEJANDRO ORTIZ PONCE).

on the road

Well I am back on the road again.
Special thanks to everyone who came out to the show in Florida a week ago.
Next public showing will be again in Florida on July 3-5...check out showings and publications info on the main website for details.
Also, it looks like there will be a showing this summer in the metro new york area...dates to be announced.