Some Catching Up To Do: The Importance of Community

In an effort to catch my blog up with my life in anticipation of my commitment to begin life-journal blogging again in the very near future, I'm posting my last few newsletters. Apologies for the repeat to those who subscribe to both lists.

"Grown Ass Woman"  9" x 9" Mixed Media Canvas by Crystal Neubauer; Now available as Prints and Canvas reproduction

One Thing I Know For Sure - The Importance of Community

On the heels of my nearly two week time hosting my friend Jan Avellana, during which we co-taught a workshop and worked collaboratively and individually to meet deadlines for other projects, I received many messages about the importance of developing creative community when living the creative life or pursuing a career in the arts.

You didn't have to tell me, but it was affirming none-the-less that to truly become my fullest artistic self, I cannot work exclusively in isolation as an artist. I am here in Chicago, Jan is there in Honolulu, but the support and encouragement we have given each other over the past 7+ years has been invaluable to each of us in the pursuit of our artistic careers.

To commemorate our time together, Jan and I created a series of collaborative works titled "Birds of a Feather", a joy to be sure!

To say I am in a time of transition in my life and career seems like the understatement of the year. If you have been following my blog, newsletters, or Facebook feed, or you know me in person, you know that my career path has been one that has unfolded in a faith-filled step by step process. One in which I take the step before me, lean in and listen until I feel led to the next. It was in this place of leaning in to listen that my husband and I decided to make our move to Chicago this past spring. A surprise to be sure, but many times over, we've felt that decision confirmed.

The details are still unfolding, decisions still need to be made about the studio, and I'm still processing where I will place my creative energies and focus for the next year, but one thing I know for sure, it will involve community. Online and face to face, the importance of living and working around like-minded people is invaluable to me. Thank you to all of you for joining me in this space.

Little Pockets of Joy (or how do you eat an elephant?)

Work In Progress: S.O.S. (Save Our Souls) 30" x 36" collage by Crystal Neubauer

Work in the studio goes slow these days. In the midst of one of the busiest seasons of my career as an artist, we moved to the south side of the city from the far north suburbs. It is a time of transition that came by surprise, but is so right. The next right action in a series of actions that have brought me closer to who I am and what I want my life to look like.

I drive back to my studio several days a week, but I'm limited to a set number of hours when I'm there or I deal with heavy traffic that lengthens my commute to nearly twice it's already long drive.

I feel it. the separation from the ability to create on a whim, to be able to run down before breakfast, or again after dinner to paint or glue. But the next has not fully opened up yet, and so I accept and I wait. And I seek out other means to feed my creativity.

A walk along the lake front with my husband. A drive after dark just to look at the city lights. Lunch with my girls, laughing as they make similar dance moves from their seats to the music without even looking at each other. These moments are my little pockets of joy.

I know the next will come. Incrementally it opens as I take the step before me. It's funny, I am being bombarded with reminders of this step by step process. Like the elephant analogy - how do you eat one? One bite at a time. Or the butterfly effect theory; how one small fluttering wing somewhere in the world can create a storm on the other side of the globe.

I am a work in progress.

Back at the studio this piece is nearing completion. It speaks of the global impact one person's actions can make. For the good or otherwise, how we treat other people matters. Oppression isn't a problem to be solved out there somewhere.

Just like the eating the elephant, climbing the stairs, or the near imperceivable movement of a tiny wing, how we view and treat other people in our daily lives is a step that makes a global difference. It is the thing you can do in the here and now. It doesn't have to be big. Smile at a stranger. Befriend someone who is not like you. Don't cross the street or look the other way. Move into the neighborhood. Defend the person being treated rudely. Rise up and own your own power and help empower your sister and brother.

And share your own little pockets of joy.

How Many Times Can We Meet In June?

How many times will we have the opportunity to meet in June? Well, three, to be exact! Read on to find out about a Chicago exhibit and two workshops to kick off a creative summer!

In case I haven't enticed you enough, feast your eyes on the delicious hand made mark-making tool I taught students to made at my recent Mark-Making and Collage workshop in San Antonio. Doesn't it make you want to drool?

Join me in Kansas City for "Mark-Making and the Painted Collage" in just a few short weeks and kick off a creative summer learning to make your own mark-making tools, and then put them to good use in your very own collage!

If you've never been to Kansas City, you'll want to leave room in your schedule to explore. By several accounts I've read, KC has the distinction of boasting the highest percentage of visual artists per capita in the country! And it just so happens that the workshop falls on the same weekend as the popular First Fridays in the Crossroads, an event that draws thousands. Now that is an inspiring way to kick off the weekend! 

Don't miss out - head on over to the registration page here. See you in Kansas City!

As soon as I get back from my trip to KC, I'm heading over to hang my work at Motor Row gallery, where I have the honor of participating in a group show with 10 other very talented Chicago artists. Just featured on Art World Chicago, check out the details and mark your calendars for this very special exhibit and sale!

Chicago’s historic Motor Row is getting some zoom from 11 artists who are bringing energy and experimentation to this near-south neighborhood. Once home to auto showrooms and Chess Recording Studios, this stretch of South Michigan Avenue is being re-invigorated and re-imagined by artists and entrepreneurs.

Motor Row Gallery will be the epicenter of a celebration of art and rebirth called unchARTed. It will feature 11 emerging and established artists, along with live music, food and craft beer from Motor Row Brewery.

Opening Reception:
Friday, June 12th, 5pm- 9pm
There will be live music performed by the acoustic duo, Pearl Morning, complimentary refreshments and wine, and craft beer from MotorRow Brewery.

Opening weekend:
Saturday, June 13th, 11am-6pm
Sunday, June 14th, 12pm – 5pm

LOCATION:
Motor Row Gallery
2345 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616

Motor Row, once the home of the largest auto-mall in the U.S. and major recording studios, including Chess Records, is undergoing an urban Renaissance and quickly becoming one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods. Motor Row Gallery’s non-traditional space is a uniquely apt setting for this creatively rich pop-up show and sale.

The unchARTed art exhibit at Motor Row Gallery will showcase 11 artists who leap into unknown territory to share their neo-expressionistic visions in mixed media painting, collage, clay and photography.

ARTISTS:
Amy Van Winkle / www.amyvanwinkle.com
Bill Sosin / www.billsosin.com
Crystal Neubauer / www.crystalneubauer.com
Cynthia Lee / http://www.cynthiajlee.com
Dianne Martia / www.diannemartia.com
Eve Ozer / www.eveozer.com
Janet Lewandowski / www.janetlewandowski.com
James Edward Scherbarth / www.jamesedwardscherbarth.com
Nancy Pirri / www.nancy-pirri.com
Pam Peterson / www.pampetersonart.com
Turkan Ilkdemirci / www.turkansart.blogspot.com

GALLERY CONTACT: Suzanne Weaver
Motor Row Gallery 708-354-4333/630.248.4437

And as if all that goodness wasn't enough to make my summer complete, I have a very special workshop planned with my good friend, award winning artist and designer, Jan Avellana at The Healing House Art Studio. Jan and I rarely have the occasion to have our feet on the same piece of land. And this time around I get the once in a blue moon opportunity to share her with you!

Jan and I will be joining forces for a very special one day workshop on June 20th and we don't want you to miss out! Head over to this link to register for "Encaustic Wax Collage Doodle in a Box". 

"Encaustic Wax Collage Doodle in a Box". That pretty much sums the techniques up nicely, doesn't it? In this fun filled day, you will start by creating an encaustic collage designed to fit inside a container or box of your choice. After lunch, spend a relaxing afternoon working on some fun doodling exercises with Jan, and then bring it all together by picking one to become the focal point of your box assemblage. We'll show you several great image transfers to achieve this and Wallah! You've got yourself a mini-masterpiece and a memorable fun day spent in creative community!

Be sure to find out more about Jan on her website here and then run, don't walk, on over to register here. See you in June, smiles included!

Amazon Has My Book Available for Pre-Order and I'm Throwing a Party!

**Update 7/8/2015 -- I am so very grateful for the great number of you who have written kind words and registered with me for the pre-order party pack. At this time I am at my capacity for the number of packs I can fill. HOWEVER - There is still time to get in on the drawing to win a piece of original art featured in the book. Simply follow the steps below to pre-order through Amazon for the remainder of July and your name will be entered. Thank you!!

Amazon Has My Book Available For Pre-Order and I'm Throwing A Party!
How exciting is this?? I've just discovered that Amazon has my book available for pre-order! Call me just a little bit inexperienced at these things, but I had no idea this would happen so quickly! I have already heard from tons of people on Facebook that they've placed their orders!       

W h a t ? ? ? ! ! !

So I wanted to just take a quick second to let you know that I am planning to throw a virtual party and you're invited! Now because we are all scattered in different locations across the country, and even the globe, I know we won't be able to physically party together, but that won't stop a creative group of people like us!

I am busy busy busy putting together a pack of party goodies to send out to everyone who gets in on the pre-order action over at Amazon. I'll be posting again in about a month with all of the details of the goods to be included, but to whet your appetite, there will be downloadable PDFs, an autographed book plate to stick in the cover when you get your book, your name entered in a drawing, a goody or two from some of the contributing artists, and maybe even a group conference call (if I can master the art of technology).

Very important information here: Amazon doesn't provide me with a list of the pre-orders. If you want to join the party here is what you need to do:

1. Pre-order the book at Amazon here. 
2. Take a screen shot, or forward your confirmation email from Amazon to me at this email address: crystal@crystalneubauer.com - be sure it includes your mailing address (but not your payment info.-no need for me to see that!) 
3. Wait for the party to begin! (information on party pack delivery dates to be announced at the end of May) 

One last tidbit - Amazon has a release date of the end of August listed, but a little bird tells me it may be much sooner! Whoot!!

Special Easter Offering: On Praise of a Clean Slate

"A Clean Slate" 24" x 24" original collage by Crystal Neubauer

As I spent time thinking of all the good that has come my way recently, my thoughts turned to this work of art titled "A Clean Slate", which has been touring the country and abroad for the past 2 1/2 years.

The process of creating this work was one that was very connected to a time of healing and release in my life. As often is the case, the things I am working through in my personal life, make themselves known when I am in the studio. This is what I wrote about that process in my original post, back in 2011;

     "just a few days before the show, when I was supposed to be framing and putting the last minute details for the booth together it all struck me so clearly - I could see what each piece needed and I worked frantically adding the black fields of Indian Ink and some graphite details. Better, much better. But still needing something. More pencil and mark making I thought. So I picked up a small pack of drawing pastels, in which a white piece was included, and as I put those white marks to the black ink I knew it was done. The worn chalkboard appearance with all the visible erase marks. Words came out of that white pencil. Labels I wanted to be free of. Names I had been called, or had called myself. And places I had been that I never wanted to go back to. 

I wrote and I wiped away and A Clean Slate series was born."

Ultimately, "A Clean Slate", with it's telling antique ledger paper slashed by India ink during a time of worship, is about redemption and second chances. The slate has been wiped clean, the debt has been paid. It represents ones ultimate value - that which comes from The Maker and not from ones own accomplishments or feelings of worth. It speaks to the fact that all of your life experiences are being used to create the beauty of who you are today, not one thing being valuable while the rest is hidden. A true beauty from ashes, garment of praise story!

With the recent move to the city, and Good Friday and Easter Weekend upon us, I've decided it is time for "A Clean Slate" to come home. And to help me celebrate the homecoming, I have decided to share it with you. 

Before it began it's tour, I had the collage professionally photographed at a fine art printer and for a limited time, I am releasing a limited quantity run of Giclee prints in three different sizes at celebration prices. It is my hope that by issuing this work as a fine art print, it will be able to impact many more people in the deep and cathartic way that it has me. 

If you'd like to have your own hand signed and numbered edition of "A Clean Slate", you can check it out here. 

And Happy Easter to you. He is risen! He is risen indeed!