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

Blue Chair

Fan

After the Flood

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.

Middle: driveway

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.

]]> http://karenbettencourt.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=462 0 http://karenbettencourt.com/blog/?p=454 http://karenbettencourt.com/blog/?p=454#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:21:12 +0000 kbettenc http://karenbettencourt.com/blog/?p=454

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.

To the right coming from the door

On the path looking at the store

Garden area

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

The path towards Middle Street