Hi there. How are you?

Being an artist can be an isolating experience. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my solo time in the studio, but it’s also important for me to have interactions with other likeminded artists. That’s why I love Thursdays.

For almost 4 years now, I meet with my artist pals over breakfast every Thursday at Cristaudo’s in downtown Carbondale. We always sit at the same table. We eat, we talk, we brainstorm and strategize. It’s not all shop talk, but if I have a design, business, or creative question, this is the time to ask it. I look forward to this time each week. Actually, I think all four of us do.

We took over.

Cristaudo’s holds monthly art exhibitions and a while back, it was suggested that the Thursday breakfast crew should do our own show there. We all were up for it and now, it’s hung!

“Hey! That’s our Table!” features new work by Emily Kircher, Karen Fiorino, Heather Smith and me! Emily is showing her recycled collage art, Karen created a new series of ceramic platters, and Heather has mixed media collage on display. I completed my "Ebb & Flow" series and it’s all framed up and included in this show.

Here’s a taste of the show:

Emily Kircher, (EKRA) created a series of recycled paper collages on canvas.

Karen Fiorino (Clay Lick Pottery) made a new collection of ceramic platers for the show.

Heather Smith (Merchop) is exhibiting her mixed media collages. (This is my fave!)

My Ebb & Flow drawing series is finished, framed an on display at Cristaudos.

I don’t think I would have created this new body of original work if I didn’t have that push from my friends and an occasion to make it. I owe Heather, Karen and Emily a big huge thank you!

When you hang the work of four very different artists who created the pieces totally independently of one another, there’s a worry that it’s not going to mesh when it’s all hung together. That is certainly not the case! I am so proud of our exhibition and so glad that Heather gave us the push to do this.

The work is on display now until April 28. You can stop by anytime Cristaudo’s is open to view and/or purchase. (Most of the pieces in the show are for sale.)

Are you local? Come to our “Opening!”

We're having an "opening" reception this Friday, April 12 from 7-9. There will be finger food and a cash bar. (Yep, Cristaudo’s has a liquor license now!)

We hope you will come and support our artistic endeavors. Just don't sit at our table!

Vintage map from Maral Sassoun's Flickr Photostream

Greetings from Southern Illinois! Just about 2 weeks ago, I quit my job, packed up all of our belongings in Rockford (up north, right on the border between Illinois and Wisconsin) and Matt and I moved 366 miles south to Carbondale. Though we are still in Illinois, it feels like a whole another world down here!

Carbondale is a truly southern town. Things move a little slower, you hear a lot of southern drawls and country music. That renowned sense of "southern hospitality" pervades and barbeque is big. Our local news comes from Paducah, Kentucky and Cape Girardeau, Missouri and the closest big cities are St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee.

Unlike our hometown, the locals here are proud to call Southern Illinois home. They tell Matt and I about their lakes, hiking trails, art, university, schools, and wineries (YIPPEE!!!) We are excited to be here and explore our new home.

So why did we move to Southern Illinois? Matt's new job with the Illinois Education Association (teacher's union) brought us down south. I am currently playing the role of "housewife" while I set up our new house and figure out what I am going to do with my life. Though I do miss my babies (students) at school, I don't know if I will go back to teaching. I would love to make art a full time gig. Maybe this is the time and place to do it!

Once we get the condo all done up, I'll share some pics of our new space.

More soon! Ta-ta for now.