Art

Calendars As Rotating Art

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To look in my home, especially my office, you might think I had a touch of what the white rabbit had in Alice, except I don’t have a watch; I have calendars. In my office there are four, in the kitchen, one, in my drawing room, one, and in the back/TV room, one.

Where do they come from? Two are calendars for which I’ve done the graphic design, another is a gift from a friend, another an annual gift from a sibling, another a gift from a supplier, and the others came to me as fundraising appeals, some because I donate to them, others hoping I will be inspired to do so.

Why do I have so many up? Because I love great photography and inspiring art. In fact, I have even more that don’t have their own regular space, but must rotate and share with another one. But what is so wonderful is that the art changes every month. So I have gorgeous horses, wildlife, nature photography, ocean photography, American Indian art, wolves, and more. It’s a constant procession of images I love looking at. It just makes me happy. As each month comes to an end, I get excited about the surprise to come when all the calendar art throughout my home changes.

The only calendar that I seriously look at for the days of the month is whatever I have hanging in the kitchen in any given year because that’s where I write everything. (Yeah, still kind of analog in that regard, but I do have a few things in my Entourage calendar.) The rest just please and inspire me all year long. It’s a good thing.

Following the Links – Finding Gotye

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I am frequently amazed at how many talented writers, artists, photographers, etc. are out there blogging, and am equally amazed at how by following a link or two, we find wonderful and unexpected gems.

I was looking at a Fresh Pressed site, photographs taken by Loren Cooper during a blanketing of snow in London and was drawn to one commenter. I visited Inidna’s blog where she had posted videos and information about an Australian musician, Gotye.  I’ve never heard of him, but am easily getting lost in his music, and am already considering buying his album. What drew me in immediately is this deeply touching animated video wed to one of Gotye’s songs, Bronte, from his album Making Mirrors. What a brilliant combination of music and story.

The Sistine Chapel in 360˚

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Here’s a little treat for you. In my restless state, I was revisiting some places on the web I particularly enjoyed, and this is one of them.

Have you ever been to see the Sistine Chapel? I have not, but would love to. If you would, too, then take a look at this fabulous web site where you can view the entire Sistine Chapel in 360 glorious degrees. Your cursor will move the chapel in any direction, and you can also zoom in on any detail. Perhaps one of the most wonderful features of the site is the sacred music that is playing in the background. I was working earlier, (after I’d taken my tour), and just listening to the music while I worked.

This may be the closest I … or you … ever get to this miraculous piece of art. Hope you are inspired …

A Short Film – to Touch Your Heart, to Change the World

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That’s a pretty big promise, I know. But don’t take my word for it. Take a mere 10 minutes from your life and be moved by this amazing film, “Change for A Dollar,” by Sharon Wright. Don’t miss this. Watch here, or for a bigger view, just click the link above.

 

 

 

A DWAA Finalist!

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How excited was I to learn that I am a finalist in the Dog Writers Association of America’s (DWAA) national contest for dog illustration! My French Bulldog art has been appearing in Just Frenchies  magazine, a quarterly publication for the breed, for quite a few years now, and they recently notified me that I was a finalist. The publisher and editor-in-chief had submitted my French Bulldog artwork to DWAA, unbeknownst to me, and lo and behold … I made the cut.

I’m particularly honored to be among other finalists who are artists contributing to Dog Fancy and the AKC Gazette. That’s some mighty fine company. The winner will be announced at Westminster this coming February 2012, but I understand all the winners are announced prior to the show at the DWAA annual dinner.

This is the kind of thing where I would be beyond ecstatic if I won, but am just so grateful to have been submitted by my publisher AND to have been named a DWAA finalist among many accomplished professionals.

The burning question may be exactly which piece was submitted? And the answer is, I’m not sure yet. But it might be this one.

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!