Did anyone notice that the time change this year is 3 weeks early? Yep. I always look forward to the time change in the spring. The days seem longer and full of promise.

This past fall.winter I posed three times for our very own Clifford Burkey and some other painters in his studio. One thinks that being an aritst’s model would be relatively easy. And it is in one sense. But just try holding the same position for three hours and tell me it’s easy... I now have a new respect for artist’s models as well as a few aches in muscles that I didn’t know I had. It’s rather surreal to see yourself painted in four or five different ways and I loved seeing the progression of each painting. I recomend doing it, even if it’s just once. Flowers and vases don’t need a bathroom break and to my knowledge they don’t want to fall asleep during their painting session - although they can wilt and so I am not entirely sure about that sleeping thing...

I am really looking forward to seeing what folks have been doing since we first talked about working in series a few months ago. I plan to bring something and I hope you will too. Don’t be shy! We all love to see the work of other artists and I think it makes us better artists too.

I hope everyone enjoyed Sandy Lepper’s talk last month as much as I did! Those dastardly myths could be a thing of the past for us all if we take to heart her words of wisdom.

1.The first item was an overview of "On Wing", the juried bird art show put together by Heather McGilvray in conjunction with the annual Bird Fest in May. The deadline for submitting your work is coming up on April 2nd. You can find a prospectus through the AC website: www.artists-connect.org or Bird Fest’s website: www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com. Please consider participating in the artist-decorated Bird House silent auction, as Heather said lots of interest has already been expressed in purchasing these by the Bird Fest organizers.

2. Next, Tonnie Wolfe asked for extra participants in next month’s program - where we will revisit the process of working in a series. Please contact her, if you’re willing to share a series of related work with the group for discussion.

3. Bill Butler gave the group a concise overview of progress to date on the July member show:

He has suggested to Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation (EAFF) through Ann Wood that we begin to be treated in a similar manner to ArtWorks. We should begin to look into having an expanded community presence through activities beyond the biannual shows.

Kathleen Johnson presented her design work on a proposed new logo for our group, with both a color and B&W version for different print applications. She asked for other volunteers to present their alternate design concepts to the group at our March meeting - if you would like to do this, please have a design created by March 17th for consideration and a vote by members. Dave Shaw and Kelly Tissot both agreed to work on logo concepts.

4. Samantha Saether & Yenny Broadie of the publicity committee presented their progress. They would like to start getting more news articles published in the months leading up to the show, to create more overall awareness of our group. They also would like to work on collecting funds to allow advertising for the event.

The publicity committee have also begun to work on a promotional public art project, based upon the sucessful artist-decorated animals which have worked well in many other communities - including Seattle’s "Pigs on Parade". They chose a Salmon theme in keeping with Edmonds association with the Sound. Dawn Reick has offered to design the base salmon model and fire them out of stoneware clay, for the cost of materials. Business sponsors will be sought to cover the materials cost at $150. each. The income would cover costs of the salmon production, and create funds for further AC promotion. The committee is hoping to have 20 fish on display this year. Sponsors would be included in promotional materials - such as a billboard displayed during the member show in July. Samantha said they are hoping to have the salmon completed for display (perhaps at the Edmonds Conference Center) from mid May through mid June. The salmon would have a base that includes the sponsor, artist’s name, title, and a credit to Dawn Reick. After the display period, each salmon will become the property of their sponsor - to keep or sell. This project is intended to "make noise" on behalf of AC, and bring us greater recognition in general. 11 fish were still unspoken for at the meeting - if you are interested in participating, please contact either Samantha Saether or Yenny Broadie. The project title is "Adopt a Fish & Support the Arts". Each artist will be responsible for purchasing their base salmon for $10., picking it up in early April, giving it a name, and completing their embellishments by May 15th. As a participant, you will benefit through contribution to AC by promoting our member show, gaining visibility through the public display and associated press coverage, and becoming part of a community project that may expand - perhaps to a larger size which could be displayed on the streets of Edmonds in coming years. Please visit www.wildsalmonparade.com for inspiration. * On a side note, Sam and Yenny attended the Downtown Edmonds Merchants Association monthly meeting on March 2nd, and after presenting our "Adopt a Fish & Support the Arts" project, gained 10 commitments for sponsorship!

The publicity committee also presented their work on creating a "brand" for our member shows which would generate more excitement, be easily read on show signage, and set apart the event from our overall organization. A "brand" name creates a sound bite that helps people retain our show events in the forefront of their memory (hopefully increasing attendance). Or, we could chose as members to retain the old title - ArtistsConnect Member Show & Sale. A list of proposed brand names submitted via the AC email group and through our website included: Art Explosion, Art Expressions, Art Fancy, Art Speak, ArtSplash, Color Splash, Art DuJour, Artful Connections, Colorful Expressions, Colored Canvas, Evergreen Art, Many Hands, Musing Connections, Splash, Sound Art, Sound Creations, Sound Musings, and Visual Feast. While several members expressed concerns that we don’t leave behind our association with our original name and identity, it was voted to chose one of the proposed "brand" names for our member shows. "Art Splash" received an overwhelming majority of votes (21) and was chosen as the headline for our show promotions, with a subtitle of "an Artists-Connect Member Show & Sale, to retain our group identity.

Denise Cole next announced that her Gallery & Art Supply store has opened for business on 5th Avenue in downtown Edmonds. She is offering a 10% discount off the first purchase to all AC members. Also, she is scheduling free demonstrations (with free samples) at her gallery. Gamblin Oil representatives will be demonstrating their lower toxicity products on March 10th - please visit Denise’s website: www.denisecole.com or call the shop: (425)697-2787 for more information.

Member Announcements:

 Julie Scandora has artwork on display both at Semantics Gallery in Edmonds, and at the Edmonds Conference Center

Joan Longstaff asked interested artists to stop by her gallery on Main St. in Edmonds to talk about opportunities to show their work at open houses and other locations available through her realtor contacts.

Creative Program:

Sandy Lepper was asked to present a talk on "Myth Busting" by Tonnie Wolfe, who has worked with her as a student.

Sandy teaches painting, drawing and art history through Everett Community College. Her handout, which covered the main points of her discussion, has been added to the AC website by Amy Peacock for everyone to refer to. As a teacher, Sandy believes in taking things out of her student’s heads, rather than putting them in. We are often held back from creating by the "myths" we have implanted to justify not making art.

First, Sandy says we need to get rid of the pervasive "poverty" mentality. We say we can’t create art because we can’t afford the correct supplies. You probably have a backlog of supplies hoarded over the years, which are too "precious", and so you haven’t touched them. Take these out and use them! Also, start drawing - drawing is the foundation of all visual (and two-dimensional) creation, and none of us are drawing enough. Draw - not to make precious objects, but to exercise your hand and mind. Drawing is very inexpensive - all you need are basic pens or pencils and cheap paper. Art is being made all over the world in countries where people have practically nothing, but they aren’t held back from creativity by the need for "correct" supplies.

Another myth holding people back from making art is "I don’t have enough time". Choose to do with your time what you value. There are some things that are more valuable than making art, such as raising your children. However, why not spend time making art with your kids? To make time for creating art - you need to schedule some and set it aside. Learn not to over-commit, however, as this will set you up to fail at achieving your goals. Start with setting aside 1 hour a week for creating art - this is something you can reasonably do. Clean up your studio or personal space, so you won’t be distracted from making art by being unable to locate your supplies, or overwhelmed by the presence of clutter.

Sandy asked us whether we were glad to be living now? We should be grateful for the technology that allows us free time to work, and keeps us healthier for longer lives in which to create. However, be cautious of our current American culture, which will entertain you to death. She suggests reading "Time & the Art of Living" by Robert Gudrin. Learn to take advantage of your time like a 2 year-old or a dog - who live without a sense of time and future responsibilities. Experience rich time.

Chaos is not your friend. You shouldn’t be wasting any of your creation time cleaning the studio or finding something. Stuff doesn’t make you creative. Creativity is problem solving.

Another myth Sandy hopes to dispel is the artist’s expectation of support simply because "I’m an artist". We don’t deserve support because we create art. It isn’t an essential for the preservation of life. However, if creating art is important to you - don’t apologize for your passion - claim it. By declaring your art important, you will garner respect for your work among your friends and family.

Future ideas for programs should be directed to Tonnie Wolfe.

As a follow-up to our panel last fall on creating in series, the program committee is inviting anyone interested in experimenting with a series to create a new one between now and March. At the March 24, 2007 meeting, we will present those series and have a discussion of the experience. Those who have work to share should contact Tonnie Wolfe.

Sue Robertson has a show at The Gardens at Town Square from January 28 through April 27. There will be an opening reception on February 11 from 2:30 to 4:30. The address is at 933 111th Ave. in Bellevue. She also has a show at the Eastshore Gallery at 12700 SE 32nd St. in Bellevue from February 11 to March 11.

Contest for Magnolia Summer Art Festival 2007: The Annual Magnolia Summer Festival and Art Show, which is held the first weekend in August, is inviting artists to submit art work around the theme of Summer in Magnolia. The media can be photo, watercolor, oil, and mixed media. The finished poster will be 11 x 17 inches, in color, and contain information about the festival. The winning piece of art or design will be featured on the 2007 Magnolia Summer Festival and Art Show poster and postcard, the cover of the program, and other print media advertising the event. Information about the artist will appear in the program. If desired, the winner can have a free booth at the Summer Festival. Deadline: May 1, 2007 Deliver to: Magnolia Chamber of Commerce 3214 West McGraw St., #301B Seattle, WA 98199. For more information, please contact: Jeniene Kroeger or Andrew Parker, Summer Festival Art Show Co-Chairs (206-284-5836) www.magnoliachamber.org

Barb Childs will be showing at the Columbia Winery in Woodinville along with about 80 other potters in the Discovered & Undiscovered Potters Show March 28 - April 1. Preview sale is March 28, 3:00 - 9:00 with wine tasting and live music from 6:30 - 8:30. This show is at the same time as the Winery Tour celebration where you hop from winery to winery tasting their new wines. For more information visit www.columbiawinery.com or www.undiscovredpotters.com.

Julie Scandora has a fantastic display (The Sky's the Limit) of my large watercolors at the University Unitarian Church (6556 35th NE) in Seattle through March 29.  She urges members to see her art AND check out the facility as a possible display opportunity for themselves, as the church has its annual call for artists on April 14.
She also has several smaller works at Essential Baking Company in Seattle (1604 N 34th Street) from mid March to mid April.