Announcing the opening of my new Etsy Store, Flying Selki Studio!

Flying Selki studio is now open at Etsy.com Flying Selki Studio by Flyingselki on Etsy
I am starting with just a few items. Posters from my original art perfect for home, office or school and my Castle Coloring Book for Princesses and Princesses ( also available at bootylandkids.com) .
You'll find my poster, Ajax Cafe with Granite and more.

To start off my shop and the holiday season I am offering a promotional coupon code for a holiday discount on any item.Available for my friends and blogger s ! Use this code for 5% off any item: POSTERDEC1210

Thank you for supporting art and artists!

Four paintings on view at The Seattle Design Center

Stop by the Seattle Design Center, Rise Gallery to see four of my paintings. I am a guest artist in Zalmon Berkowitz's ProNoia exhibit.
On view 11-11-1o- through 12-15-10
Suite 528
Seattle Design Center
5701 6th Ave. S.
Seattle WA 98108

Transforming Gesture Artist Talk

Here are some stills taken by Christopher Overman, photographer extraordinaire from the dance performance installation piece inspired by the Transforming Gesture exhibit last Sunday, October 10, 2010.
Maureen Freehill and Nala Walla created a spontaneous dance about fertility and nature in the Northwind Arts center gallery.
The pictures show Andrea Lawson and Karen Kosoglad's paintings. Andrea's paintings were inspired by dance and specifically the ballet Rite of Spring. The program created another level of interaction between art dance, dance life,fertility, nature and expression.The exhibit will remain on view through November 1, 2010 in Port Townsend, Washington.

A Pair of Logs 8/1

Dance and Life

Interview with Maureen Freehill a Butoh inspired dancer who will be performing at Andrea's Art Talk, Exhibit Transforming Gesture, Sunday, October 10 at 2 pm. Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend, Washington. www.northwindarts.org.

What is Butoh?

Primarily Butoh is incapable of being defined...it is always emerging each moment. It is life and death and all that is in between. It is the soul as it is revealed authentically through the flesh.

That said, it is also a performing art that originated 50 years ago in Japan. Dancers Hijikata Tatsumi and Kazuo Ohno are credited as the founders of the art. It has now developed to be a performing art that is crafted, practiced and performed internationally. It is not traditionally Japanese...but certainly its source lies in Japan.

Who did you study under?

I studied for the past 16 years. My primary sensei (teacher) has been Kazuo Ohno with whom I studied, lived, performed for about 5 years in Japan.

When did you first learn of Butoh?

In 1993 I was searching for something to help with my disillusionment as a performer. I had been in--and quit-- an exclusive MFA broadway track acting conservatory program/scholarship and "dropped our" for a time when I saw a woman with an interesting T-shirt next to me in line at a music festival in Seattle. The woman turned out to be my first butoh teacher, Joan Laage, and the T-shirt picture was of her Japanese butoh teacher, Yoko Ashikawa.

How did you decide Butoh is the dance for you? What other dance forms do you practice?

Butoh just feels right in my body and soul. Ever since I met butoh, there has been no other life-art-dance practice that I never tire of and always am inspired and challenged by. It is like a soul mate for me and my body.

Apart from butoh, mostly I have enjoyed all kinds of improvisational dance like Contact Improvisation, Contemplative Dance Practice & Authentic Movement.

Since discovering butoh and my first trip to Japan in 1994, I worked extensively with Noh Theater and the dance/movement that is related to it as well as Nihon Buyo, Kabuki and Bejing Opera. My MFA is in Asian Performance and Directing from University of Hawaii.

I have also practiced many set forms of dance including modern, contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, ethnic forms like west African, hula, belly dance, Korean dance, folk and contra dance, etc. as well as social dances like tango, salsa and swing. Enjoyment of many, mastery of none.

What does Butoh enable you to do that you wouldn’t do otherwise?

Probably nothing in itself....however my butoh teachers, especially Kazuo Ohno have enabled me to open my heart, body, mind and soul in ways I am sure I never could have without their inspiration and guidance. Simply living and studying in Japan for the time that I did allowed me a perspective on myself, my creativity and my conditioning from growing up in the USA that I believe I could not have seen or known had I not gone. The completely different perspective, culture and landscape woke me up and opened gateways of my creativity, strength and skill that were inaccessible otherwise.

How does Butoh compare to other dance forms?

It is not a form. Other dance forms are form based. Butoh is body, life, soul, earth based and not defined by any particular form. It is a practice, an art, a way of life. It is not a technique or a set of moves or style or steps that can be mastered.(http://butohdance.ning.com)

When you look at these recordings, what is lost in the transfer to digital media?

One thing would be the "trapping" of a moment...when we see something live our memories can recreate it in all kinds of ways that may or may not be anything like the original work.

I’m not so sure what the difference of digital or analog would be but ANY kind of recording tends to loose much of the living breath, the environmental context, the invisible emotional and energetic atmosphere....sometimes I am lucky and these things still magically come through..

What is improved by having your performance recorded?

Certainly one thing that is better is how many witnesses are able to partake of a bit of the performance at any given moment. With the film it is possible to dance anywhere at any time I get an impulse or inspiration and make the offering to a wider circle for as long as we have internet. Dance is naturally a disappearing art...film is not. Also, in live performance situations you need to publicize, call the audience together to a specific place. This takes a great deal of energy.

What motions do you most often repeat? Or is repetition something you endeavor to avoid?

Since it is not really about "motions" per se I would have to go back and take a look to see what I did the most. In butoh I do tend toward simplicity in body movements so the feelings can emerge...standing, walking, turning, sinking and rising, rolling...jumping....not lots of "fancy moves" for sure. The Noh master Zeami wrote: "Feel 10 and show 7." Generally in butoh less movement is more effective.

That said, in some daily dance situations my "dancerly" self and training naturally arise out of the moment...I’m "moved" by the music in some way that is more "dancey" and less "butoh."

In a dance, do you hope to translate some meaning or particular interpretation to viewers?

Not exactly. It is not about expressing anything or telling anything in particular. However, inside me there is a particular intention, focus of attention, image, feeling, experience or even a story that is unfolding. I am far more concerned with being true to that and not with whether the audience "understands." I am always curious though about what they do feel, remember and "get" from any given performance that I offer.

How do you prepare for a performance?

The most important preparation is the process of practicing butoh daily for many years--as my spiritual practice and means of growth as a human being. There are many many butoh exercises for the body, mind and heart that I practice regularly. These have come from my various teachers or been created by me and are what I now teach in group and private lessons.

When it comes to a particular piece or work that I am crafting, I begin with something that inspires my heart, emotions and soul very deeply and particularly and something I am curious about but not sure about. An example would be my enthusiasm about the ocean as the mother of all life. The process of making performance is one of revelation and discovery always unfolding in surprising ways.

I play freely with an image, body sensation, emotion or other being/object and then movement patterns emerge spontaneously. Usually the technical elements like staging, costume, sound, lights, props, etc. come toward the end of the process. They grow naturally out of the feelings and images.

I never start with a "look" I am looking for. I used to do that.

My teacher Kazuo Ohno is known for the coaching: "Not thinking, only soul." and, although that is very difficult for any performer, I keep doing my best to prepare in that way.

I am looking forward to experiencing the collaboration between Maureen and Nala, and Transforming Gesture paintings!

I would like to invite you to the Transforming Gesture Exhibit Reception this Saturday October 2!

Here is the poster for our show!
I am excited to be showing with two other fabulous artists, Amy Reeves, jewelry and Karen Kosoglad, painter.
Karen and I both went to U.C. Santa Cruz and studied with the same teachers. We have a lot in common with our gestural process, but also very different palettes and approaches to our imagery.
Amy and I met when we both attended the Artist Trust Edge Program. Each of us produces art inspired by nature expressing the gesture of form. It is because we each have this gestural quality that I thought our work would be interesting together. Each of us echoes nature in a new way. We'll find out this Saturday, when we see the show hung together. I'm looking forward to the surprise of the alchemical creation as our three art forms coalesce into one art show.

Northwind Showcase online

My paintings will be in the Northwind Arts Center Showcase, Port Townsend, Washington through the end of September. Please visit online to see my Fireworks painting. Northwind Arts Center Showcase Gallery Featured Works.

Transforming Gesture Exhibit

Transforming Gesture

Paint and metal become form.
Transforming the gesture into evocative works of art, three artists express their reactions to motion, form and time in paintings, and jewelry explosive with color, passion and intellect.
Truthfully present in the moment, each artist explores her unique vision with a common thread.

The Artists:

Amy Reeves, " The passage of time has become a recurring theme in my jewelry."

Andrea Lawson, "In my Rite of Spring paintings, I explore movement and rhythm of gestural dance figures as they appear and disappear creating a metaphor for our relationship with a pulsating natural world."

Karen Kosoglad, " I'm interested in the gestural moments in everyday life and the balance between weight, rhythm, shape and color."

Transforming Gesture will be on view October 1 through November 1, 2010

Artist Reception, Port Townsend First Saturday Gallery Walk

October 2, 5-8 P.M. Refreshments and live music by Composer and Keyboardist, Buzz Rogowski:

http://www.buzzmusic.biz/

Artist Talk Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 2PM

Sunday, October 10 at 2 PM, dancers Nala Walla and Maureen Freehill will respond to the Transforming Gestures art exhibit with a unique performance art installation Dance piece.
They will create a Butoh-esque dance inspired by art, nature and fertility.
Afterwards there will be an informal art talk, question answer session with the artists.

Hours: Northwind Arts Center is open Thursday -Monday 12- 5 P.M.

Northwind Arts Center is located at: 2409 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend , WA

360-379-1086
www.northwindarts.org

Andrea donates oil painting, Artisans On Taylor Starts a new scholarship for Youth

"I am going to be starting a scholarship fund for youth in our community", says Anna Nasset of Artisans On Taylor in Port Townsend. Andrea recently exhibited paintings at Artisans On Taylor and has work in AOT's online gallery. I was happy to donate a painting to this new worthwhile cause. Thank you Anna for supporting the arts and supporting education in Port Townsend!

"Call or stop in to buy a raffle ticket, or you can feel free to donate as well by simply making a check to AOT with "Scholarship Fund" in the memo. My goal is to raise through gallery donations and client donations $5000 a year!", Anna Nasset

I donated this small oil painting called "Wings Feather" to the raffle.

Geese at the Norton Simon Museum!

Make way for geese!

Andrea Now Showing at the Directors Gallery on Bainbridge Island!

Andrea's Paintings now showing at the Directors Gallery, Bainbridge, Washington on view for First Friday Gallery Walk!
New this month, August 2010, Andrea's paintings will be at the Directors Gallery on Bainbridge Island!
First Friday Gallery walk is tomorrow Bainbridge Island Galleries are open from 5pm-8 or 9pm
Contact information for the Directors gallery: The Directors Gallery
126 Madrone, Bainbridge, Washington open daily 10-6pm

Paintings at Artisans On Taylor through August

Please stop into Artisans On Taylor, Port Townsend, Washington or visit the beautiful online gallery at Artisans On Taylor/Artists.

September Bouquet, oil on canvas

Robert Boyle creative hollywood set designer died age 100.

Here is the link. He was such a creative and nice person. I wish that I had had a chance to talk to him more. I grew up with his daughters who also went to Oakwood school. Robert F. Boyle obituary.

Andrea's Art Opening at the Undertown, Port Townsend, Washington

Andrea in front of her Rite of Spring: Forest Dance tapestry ( above)
Andrea and friends at the Undertown opening July 3, 2010. (below)

Undertown Exhibit still up through August 3rd!

Please stop by the Undertown on Taylor street in Port Townsend Washington to see my exhibit!Open every morning at 6:30 A.M.!
or preview the show online at Artisans on Taylor!

New Show at Rise Gallery

Seattle Design Center Rise Gallery has a new exhibit of work by Artist Trust Edge graduates called Shine. Please stop in when you are in Georgetown to see Andrea's summer land and seascapes.
Art Purchases help save the world!
20% or the funds for the show go to to help those in need at "Rise n' Shine" helping children with hiv related problems and to Artist Trust, supporting art at its source!

Seattle Design Center.

Port Townsend Virtual Museum

Follow this link for Andrea's landscapes in the Port Townsend Virtual Museum.
http://porttownsendvirtualartmuseum.org/ShapeOfWater/Shape-of-Water.html

Current Art Exhibits

My paintings at the Undertown through August 3 and more paintings at Artisans On Taylor, Port Townsend, Washington through August 2010!

Kala Point, Landscape, Oil on canvas copyright 2010 Andrea K. Lawson

New Paintings Art Opening July 3 Artisans On Taylor, Undertown!

Please join me at The Undertown for a lively art opening July3, 5-8 pm, celtic, zydeco and cajun music with the Alternators until 10 pm at The Undertown, 211 Taylor St. Port Townsend, Washington.

Summer Art Classes With Andrea!

Sign up Now for Art Classes! Youth and Adults are Welcome! Located in Port Townsend, Port Hadlock. Washington. Landscape Painting en plein air in Jefferson County!
Drawing classes for all ages, Wednesdays 4-5:30 PM.
Contact Andrea for details!

Imagination

I have been thinking about the influence that anime has had on art and illustration starting in the last century.I just finished reading Wrong About Japan by Peter Carey. At the very end of this book the author paraphrases the famous anime director Hayao Miyazaki, describing his views on imagination. Miyazaki directed My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away and many others.
"...one of the most important of man's abilities is the imagination, so the purpose of his creative activities is to develop the imagination of children, the coming generations.. Imagination can create a totally different world, depending on its use. It can give birth to virtue, or destructive weapons which threaten the whole world."

I think that our society under estimates the importance of developing imagination.

The Rise Opening was a success!

Hurray for art! Art was auctioned and donated to Rise n' Shine, including my print, Figure. Some of the Rise n' Shine kids were there and were excited about the exhibit and making art. They went out for pizza afterwords. The artwork along with pieces that were not hung at the opening will be on view through May 20th, 2010.Please stop!
Here are some photos from the show.

Hippos

Did you know that hippos drink coffee. They like it weak.

Rise Art Exhibit in Seattle to benefit Children and Artist Trust

Artist Trust’s Edge Graduates to Benefit Rise n’ Shine.

"The Ladder Project is a philanthropic collaboration between creativity and need, an exercise in positive reciprocity"

Artist Trust EDGE Program Graduates in collaboration with Artist Trust and The Seattle Design Center offer:

The RISE Exhibition

April 19th – May 20th, 2010

at

The Seattle Design Center

April 24th, 2010

VIP Auction Preview 2:00-3:00 pm

Artist’s Reception 3:00-5:00 pm

RISE showcases more than 100 original Contemporary Artworks from 26 EDGE Artists working in Photography, Painting, Sculpture, Encaustic, Bronze, Glass and Mixed Media. RISE is Artist conceived, designed and executed and benefits the Rise n’ Shine Foundation which offers support programs for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for your support, interest and attention. We welcome your comments!

Poem from Red Sings From The Treetops by Joyce Sidman

In SPRING
Red sings
from treetops:
cheer-cheer-cheer,
each note dropping
like a cherry
into my ear.

Red turns
the maples feathery,
sprouts in rhubard spears;
Red squirms on the road
after rain.

First Sunrise oil Painting

Brushing the light of luminous clouds reflecting on water always in motion
When it happens I catch my breath.

Sunrise Pastel Painting with boat

Sunrise Painting.

Close To Home Artist Talk

Artist Talk today at the Tyler St. Cafe in Port Townsend, Washington. Several artists including Andrea spoke about their work. Sarah, the curator and Mark Stevenson, sculptor, bronze caster of the Haller Fountain told us outrageous stories about the Haller Fountain. In Port Townsend she is called Galatea although she is really Venus rising from the water. It was fun to find out that cups used to hang from Galatea because the fountain was the city's drinking water. I would not recommend doing that today.Another hilarious tidbit was how when the fountain was being recast, Mark was told not to uncover the layers of paint. It turned out that this was because using the term loosely, two gentlemen when doing an earlier repair increased the size of the breasts and did not want the story of their putty uncovered. Many more stories will be found in Sarah's upcoming book about the Haller Fountain.

Pictures here of Andrea at the talk holding a cup up to her ink and wash drawing of the cup of cocoa that is Galatea transformed for cold weather.

"The cold made me think about hot chocolate and somehow that led to a conversation about art in action. What would happen if we floated marshmallows in the Haller Fountain?"
It turns out that in light of the former cups dangling from her arms or wherever this ink on paper image was appropriate.

Sunrise Series

Sunrise, Port Townsend Bay

Today's Sunrise, February 5, 2010

Today was a silvery sunrise.Not all color and drama. This was a challenge to capture.
While painting a picture of the sunrise, it feels as if I am participating in a visual transformation not unlike the sky's own transformation.The clouds move, float and reform. The light changes. The picture evolves in the same way.

Today

Art and Poetry

In the poet,W.S. Mervin's conversation on KUOW this morning, he mentioned that to create poetry, we need every bit of our knowledge. We have our knowledge, but the poem is not made of knowledge, it is made of what you don't know.( I am paraphrasing what I scribbled down on a scrap of paper that I found among the books and snack dishes scraped up off of the floor of my car). A poem comes partly our of the unknown, what isn't really there. It emerges.He says that if you already know everything it isn't a poem.

To me, Mervin's description of poetry is a lot like creating a painting. If you know too much, its boring. The painting is born from an image however fleeting, but has to be discovered as one creates the artwork.

Sunrise, Port Townsend Bay

Flying Bunny

Sunrises

I have been painting pastels of sunrises. Some of these I used as inspiration to create oil paintings.
I would like to challenge you to paint and post sunrises.