Loft Stage 2

Posted on | May 5, 2012 | 1 Comment

New pictures from today’s walk through. I forgot my measuring tape yet again and held the camera in portrait no landscape mode the whole time. Another senior moment.

Coming in the front door, utility closet and coat closet on left

looking right towards stairs

Stairs

Looking over balcony at canal side windows

Looking over balcony at wall on left

Looking at new parking lot side windows

Left wall from floor

Canal windows from floor

Kitchen area

Bathroom entrance

Along parking lot wall to stairs

up the stairs

Category: Art

Loft Stage 1

Posted on | April 19, 2012 | No Comments

I’m moving into a loft at Western Avenue Lofts (very near my studio) in the beginning of June. It is still under construction so I thought I would document that process. Here are pictures taken April 7th.

Parking lot side windows ( not yet installed)

kinda blurry, windows will be on this wall

Canal side windows

looking towards the bathroom and a little bit of the kitchen

looking toward parking lot wall

Wall between my unit and my neighbor

looking towards kitchen area

Floor Plan

Category: Art

Happy Holidays!

Posted on | December 23, 2011 | No Comments

2011_holiday

Category: Art

2 more digital collage from my show

Posted on | October 2, 2011 | No Comments

blue-chair

Blue Chair

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Fan

Category: Art, Digital Collage

2 digital collage from my show

Posted on | September 28, 2011 | No Comments

Abandoned

AfterTheFlood After the Flood

Category: Art, Digital Collage

Distressed, my show in Lowell, MA

Posted on | September 28, 2011 | No Comments

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Distressed

September 28 – October 30, 2011

Reception for the Artists: October 7, 2011, 6–9 PM

The Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios

122 Western Avenue

Lowell, MA 01851

“Distressed” typically refers to being damaged or previously used, intentionally defacing or fading an object to convey an antique or used look, or to experience distress. At the Loading Dock Gallery, Distressed is an exhibit of artwork by Karen Bettencourt and David Hogan. Bettencourt and Hogan “distress” their artwork literally, but the artwork has also been a positive outlet for telling stories of distress. They each work with a mix of media and techniques. Bettencourt focuses on digital and material collage, assemblage, and fiber while Hogan works with drawing, painting, assemblage, and printmaking.

Bettencourt uses mixed media to create artwork that responds to all forms of distress. She says “I have always been truly fond of that which is old, weathered, rusted or distressed. I search endlessly for old handwritten letters, paper, tickets, photographs, hotel bills, rusted metal, and aged or distressed wood and cloth.” Bettencourt uses these found objects to create colorful, textured collage and assemblage.

For Hogan, the artwork is about how nature and manmade objects like buildings are affected by natural and human forces. He says “Everything we perceive is “distressed” to one degree or another.” The objects may not fit our preconceptions of beauty because they are “distressed,” but they can have their own integrity and beauty.

Bettencourt and Hogan endeavor to translate the life experiences of people and objects into pieces of art. They use objects that they find, what they see around them, and experiences they have to tell stories with their artwork so that their meaningfulness is never lost. Their art will help you to see the beauty in an object or an experience that you might not have otherwise noticed.

Distressed exhibits at the Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, 2^nd floor of the A Mill from September 28^th to October 30^th. Join the artists for a reception on Friday evening October 7^th from 6 to 9pm. The Loading Dock Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 4:30pm. For more information, go to www.theloadingdockgallery.com or call Maxine Farkas at 978-349-8069.

Category: Art

Hurricane Irene

Posted on | August 29, 2011 | No Comments

summer 2011 015
Top: side patio

summer 2011 016
Middle: driveway

summer 2011 020
Bottom: my house from across the street

Hurricane Irene has come and gone. I lost power about noon on Sunday. I don’t know if the power is on yet cause I left early to drive to Lowell to my studio, where I knew there was power. Its 2:30pm now and I will leave soon hoping… Yesterday was kinda of a hoot. I was in my living room watching TV and on my laptop. The power started fluctuating so I quickly unplugged my laptop just in case there was some sort of surge. Then I heard a fire engine drive up and park in the street. So, stupid me apparently, I walked across the street to my neighbor’s house to see what was wrong. As it turned out a transformer blew and there was a live wire. So the fireman told me I couldn’t cross the street again as I might get fried, if another line came down. Geeez. I stayed at my neighbor’s for awhile then the power just went off and the fire truck left. So then, I hopped it across the street home.

No power, so I shut down my laptop, went upstairs and took a long nap. I got up at 6:30pm, no power still, lit candles, had cereal and milk and went upstairs and to bed. Soooo bored.

Category: Home, Life in general
Tags: hurricane

In Memoriam – The Gray Cat

Posted on | June 27, 2011 | 4 Comments

mouse

I had to have my precious gray cat put to sleep this morning. Her name was Mouse and she was the light of my life. But, she had many health problems and they finally got the better of her. Mouse brought such joy to my life and I miss her terribly already. The house is empty without her.

Category: Art, Gray Cat

Yet more snow

Posted on | February 3, 2011 | No Comments

This time some images from where I work, an art supply store called Van Gogh’s Gear in Lowell, MA. Thank goodness my boss shovels the snow. I tried to take pictures from home, but in the cold and snow flurries I kept pushing the wrong button. I’ll try again tomorrow.

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To the right coming from the door

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On the path looking at the store

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Garden area

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end of the path looking at the street, looking to the left

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The path towards Middle Street

Category: Fun in Lowell, snow

Whew, I finally finished my sketchbook

Posted on | January 15, 2011 | No Comments

I finally finished my sketchbook for the Art Coop Sketchbook Project. I’m off the the post office soon to get it postmarked today. I don’t totally love it but it will do. Here are some of the less yucky pages.