Tag Archives: NC Arboretum

Serendipity = Happy Accidents … 1st iTunes Podcast & Last Week of “Shadow & Color”

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You never know who you will meet during an exhibition, an open studio tour, at the taco truck, or in a class.

One of my artist students, Meredith Adler, recently launched a podcast, and it has been wonderful to be part of the launch.

I heard she needed a logo for her website and iTunes so I did some rough sketches and sent them off to my design partner and friend from Chouinard, John Otto. With lighting speed, John created something unique.

The podcast experience, which was a first for me, was illuminating. Meredith came by with two associates, and the four of us sat around with two of us hooked up to mics. It was fun and you know what I say, “If it’s not fun or funny, I don’t do it!” I was able to do a lot of exaggerating because I’ve forgotten so many details.

It was fun to sketch the LOCAL HEARTED logo, and it reminds me of how much I enjoy collaborating on that process. John Otto is one terrific designer.

Do check out Meredith’s LOCAL HEARTED podcast launch. She put a lot of diligent effort into creating a high-quality product. She even included a link to the website of my friend and business partner, Murray Garrett. This is a quote from his website, “Garrett worked with and personally interacted with celebrities in the worlds of show business, sports, politics, the arts and sciences…a list of which would even turn fellow Brooklynite Larry King green with envy.”

A note about the LOCAL HEARTED podcast: you can subscribe to it through the iTunes Podcasts app.

I mentioned earlier that Meredith is an artist. She works in Oil Pastel with Gouache. You can see her work at her blog, Paint Like Nobody’s Watching.

Here is a special reminder to local friends who enjoy the Arboretum. This is the last week of the “Shadows and Color” exhibit. It is in the Education Center. I’ve spent quite a few Saturdays there, and met all kinds of people. This past Saturday, a young admirer told me my work was “not bad.” Guess I’ll keep at it. So it’s on to the next project. I am doing some white-on-white work.

Click here to read an article in The Laurel about the exhibit at the Arboretum, then put it on your calendar for this weekend! Maybe I’ll see you there on Saturday. Here is a photo of one of the $300 11x 14 sculptures in the exhibit. It’s called “Found at Washita.”

Found at Washita, 11 x 14, $300

Found at Washita, 11 x 14, $300

Serendipity: “Luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.”

…thanks for visiting me.

Leo

Affection

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Recently, I had the good fortune to be invited to give a two-hour collage workshop for young cancer patients as part of a continuing series for the Arts For Life non-profit. It was at the SECU at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. I say “continuing series” because I certainly intend to volunteer again and again.

I had two girl patients, 10 and 12 years old, two mothers, and three young women, who are Arts for Life staff members. I told them that there would be no observers, all had to participate in the workshop.

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They worked side-by-side doing this level of design exercises for the first time, adults and children working at the same level, all doing basic collage, with similar, different, and quite exciting results. They were quiet and intense artists in the moment. Two hours passed quickly, and they were delighted with their results.

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One mother said that this was something that she and her daughter could do together. I told her she was absolutely right, that I didn’t have to be with them! They have all they need — old magazines for the images, scissors, glue sticks, and cardboard working areas. Kitchen table art time, together, between therapy treatments and living life.

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I have great affection for the work I do as an artist. Process is the reward, and passing on to children this affection for making art is the real payoff. That is why when I facilitate workshops for adults, I say leave your children at home; they are better at this than we are!

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Thanks again for visiting me …

leo

P.S. I have an exhibit at the NC Arboretum this summer. It will be up from July 16 through September 17th. The Lego exhibit will also be there.

P.P.S. My series of three workshops continue to attract participants. Stay tuned for the next series schedule.
* * * * * * * UPDATE * * * * * * *
This just in from the June 30 Arts for Life newsletter: http://www.artsforlifenc.org/hitting-the-jackpot-with-leo-the-color-man/ To subscribe to the newsletter, just send an email to info at artsforlifenc[dot]org.