Why I Don't have an Umbrella this Rainy Season

It's been a whirlwind year

I swear last Christmas was just a few months ago

so it's not surprising that I totally forgot

that earlier this year I reserved to show my art

in a prominent business building in downtown Portland

I'm not quite sure how I get myself into these silly things

I think "gosh that would be fun"

completely forgetting the time, energy, and $$$ that go into filling such a large space

And what a large space I had!

Perhaps what is most agonizing is coming up with an idea

non of my artwork was large enough to fill the space

so I knew from the get go I wanted to do an installation piece

I also Knew I wanted it to have a positive message and be fitting for Christmas

So after days of agonizing I came up with this idea

of an elephant handing a child an umbrella

long story short... the child turned into a girl playing dress up

and the elephant represents her imagination

It was quite a challenging project

as I had very little money to spare for the project and had to fill such a dang large space!

So I used cheap ol' plywood... might I say I learn everything the hard way

I laid out my three sheets of plywood and just started drawing

but trying to draw an 8' elephant freehand is not easy

no not at all!

after I was done I took pictures and downloaded them onto my computer

from there I drew my elephant contours

and realized I had to make some adjustments

would have been easier to have made a grid...

but like I said I ALWAYS learn the hard way.

Oh did I mention is rained like every other day... Ugggg

Poor elephant!

This is not my first window display...

perhaps you might recall my giant robot

or last years Jack Frost Display I did for local Portland business Posh Baby?

I swear each time I say this is the last time...

Well it would be nice if I could at least have a proper handyman

My poor hubby gets a little fed up with these projects of mine

but he is a pretty great sport about it.

Window displays are impossible to document in photographs.

There are glare issues up the ying-yang.

We tried at first to do them at night...

but that really was hopeless...

I'm a self proclaimed DORK!

Ah that's better...

hehe can you see me?

I'm not 100% satisfied with the elephant

but I'm pretty dang proud of myself!

I guess you really could call this art

It's not a very busy road and I'm not getting anything out of it

but then again... omg I have now displayed my art 3 times in downtown Portland

How many people can say that?

As I didn't go to school for art and I have done little

to no reading on what it means to be an artist

I am complexed by what does and should drive the artistic soul

should it have monetary value, name recognition...

heck if I know? What rational can you give to doing such silly, hair pulling things?

I hope to explore the idea more

Someday I would even like to have my own gallery showing...

it is interesting in a way that when I was in high school

the only career that interested me

was window display and store design

and I've always wanted to have my own boutique!

It's my ultimate dream besides being a mommy.

The title of this window is

"Help Set the Stage for Active Imaginations"

This world could use a little less reality

and a bit more silly fanciful trips into the world of childish play and make-belief

if you ask my humble opinion

One last thing before I go

I just completed another page for my wedding scrapbook

oh my that silly cupcake just exploded!

The cupcake I stuck in his face was a different kind of frosting

so I think we were both shocked when his exploded all over me!

*digital elements from Kitschy Digitals, A Print a Day, and Tracy Ann Digital Art (tada)

oh yeah! If you're in the area go see my window display for yourself

it will be up until the end of January

Click here for location