no ER for me

I gashed my lower knee today and I'm not going to the hospital. The cut is 1 1/4 by 1/4 inches, so definitely would benefit from stitches, but given that even at 900$ a quarter, blue cross does not pay for ER visits that do not lead to hospitalization, I know what I'd be looking at: I did go, at the urging of my father, to treat a cat bite two years ago, and it cost 600$. Assuming that stitches would be relatively more messy to deal with than a shot in the arm, I can only assume they'd be comperably more expensive.

its only a flesh wound. no tendons or bones. didn't even hurt much

what I did is this: I cleaned the area with antiseptic, applied a large band-aide in such a way as to pull the flesh back together, and then I went back to the attic. I had just started using the orbital sander, having finished with the various belts. I was approaching a difficult area: semi-underneith a low desk, and narrow. I was clearing the cords and such out of the way, with the sander on in my right hand. it made that mild orbital movement that they do, and I let my wrist roll with it, but my knee was too close- the edge bit me just below it. I think I finished moving the cords and then turned off the sander to see how deep it was, surprised to see the sedimentary layers of body.

so I had just been in an excellent conversation with an interesting character in my life, who had described an accident he had had and how he dealt with the situation. I decided to try the same: replay the incident as if the mistake had not been made. thirty times, focusing on recreating it in your mind as having been done correctly. I did. stand up, turn on the sander, crouch over there, approach, mindful, move cords, begin sanding, stand up, return to start. thirty times, and trying, as with meditation, to clear all memory of the accident, to imprint my mind with a new pattern. Eventually, I just kept sanding, and am currently taking a break. (and breaking the new imprint by writing this, I realize!). there is an intermittent mild pain in my leg, but the bleeding stopped almost as soon as it started (and I cleaned it off the floor so my assistant (and I!) doesn't know it ever happened.) right, so, I guess I've wandered into faith healing territory, but we'll see what it looks like in a week. I'll take another picture.

seasonal princess

still reeling from the meal that I just wolfed down like an existentialist lunges for the light- ...'is it possible that "I" am "alive" and consuming this divine nutriment' was the general sentiment of the past 20 minutes- it was a chunk of coho salmon, seared, with rice, a persimmon, a few fresh figs, and local wine- I thought of the good people in my life and how I would have loved to have them here with a similar plate to share, and I thought of how poignant it is that we all try so hard all the time and yet still, the place where the effort, appreciation, and loved ones come together is so elusive- as if the vast majority of our time as social innovators/ historical preservationists pans out as just (crucial) practice: 2011: you must value and allow 1000 meals composed of ingredients from carbon-responsible sources before you may share one with a friend- wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off....

life... as it shows itself presently... is looking wonder-full

a tiny summer update

Link to an interview on artclecticpdx about to rebroadcast.

ya, so its august already, and this year I am consumed by creating institutional memory about my PR job for PDXOS in addition to doing it, mentoring about it, and doing other people's work occasionally. Check out the new website at PortlandOpenStudios.com.... just re-wrote most of the copy as I organized its recent launch. Next up: serious database analysis and instituting a professional jury software service!

Studio is on simmer until next year when I shift out of this job obligation. Still managing to fire twice this year, but that's not much compared to what I could do... Having a full and varied social life is a very high priority as I figure out how I want to move forward into the world. And I am still remodeling the sweet little carriage house in which I live and work, but all those photos are up on facebook now- look for them there. I send out a quarterly e-newsletter to my mailing list instead of posting here much anymore.. if you'd like a copy of that, sign up here.

hope you too are loving your summer--

arts dispatch writes the pres about the NEA cuts

Barry Johnson's blog arts dispatch a loca-arts-ivore staple: here he writes to the president about the NEA cuts.

PDXOS calling all artists!

Portland Open Studios: Call to Artists

Deadline March 15, 2011

Jury: Mark Woolley, Elise Wagner, Modou Dieng

October 8, 9 and 15, 16

All artist studios open both weekends

Application at www.portlandopenstudios.com

What is Portland Open Studios?

The annual Portland Open Studios tour is a unique opportunity for you to open your studio to the public and educate visitors about your creative methods and materials, inspiration and enjoyment. As a member, you will meet other artists, have access to quality publicity and dialogue, and sell your work.

Open to all visual media. Artists are chosen by a jury of three art professionals.

The participation fee is $140 plus 8 hours of volunteer service. Artists who choose not to volunteer pay an additional $155. There is a separate non-refundable jury fee of $25 for early application before March 8. The jury fee is $35 from the 8^th to the 15^th.

Artists are required to open their studio and demonstrate their working methods both weekends.

Open to residents of Portland, Tigard, Beaverton, Aloha, Milwaukie, Oak Grove, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, West Linn and Tualatin

Kimberly Gales Scholarship Artists 20–30 years of age are encouraged to apply for the Kimberly Gales Scholarship to Portland Open Studios. Recipient will have all fees waived, and will receive a $100 stipend. See the website for details.

The 2011 Jury

Mark Woolley founded one of the first commercial galleries in what is now the Pearl District in 1993. Known initially as Acanthus Gallery the space featured emerging, mid-career and iconic late career painters and sculptors as well as challenging and provocative "outsider" artists and socio-political installation shows coupled with legendary openings and literary events. For the last 17 years, Woolley has been a force for moving the visual and performing arts forward in Portland and co-founded the Wonder Ballroom in 2005. He currently curates a variety of independent spaces and sponsors selected individual and group shows throughout the Portland area.

Elise Wagner has been a working and exhibiting artist in Portland for over twenty years. Best known for her deft handling of the encaustic medium, Wagner teaches both nationally and internationally. Wagner is represented locally by Butters Gallery in addition to Chase Young Gallery in Boston, Hallway Gallery in Bellevue, WA and Aberson Exhibits in Tulsa, OK. Elise Wagner was the recipient of a 2010 Oregon Arts Commission Career Opportunity Grant to fund concurrent 2011 solo exhibitions in Boston and at the Sordoni Art Gallery in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Modou Dieng is an Assistant Painting and Drawing Professor at PNCA. Dieng is known internationally for his multidisciplinary artistic work conceptualizing visions of contemporary life. He has exhibited with numerous galleries including Steve Turner Gallery (Los Angeles), Pascal Polar Gallery (Brussels), Museum of Contemporary African and Diaspora Art (NY), and Carousel du Louvre (Paris). Dieng is the founder and curator of Portland’s Worksound Gallery.

Benefits of being a Portland Open Studios member artist:

• Have your artwork published in 2,500 full color Tour Guides with targeted distribution, and on the website with a link to your site. A ticketed map with your location will also be printed.

• Get 5 free Tour Guides and the use of studio signs.

• Connect with other artists in 2 free workshops as you learn marketing and demonstration techniques. Gain confidence with self-presentation.

• Submit announcements in the Portland Open Studios blog for one year

• Tangible benefits extend beyond the two weekend event:

The Tour Guide is a valuable catalog with your name and contact info given to and used by the media, curators, and art buyers all year long. Artists may be invited to exhibitions, sell their work, become the subject of news articles, or asked to teach classes as a result of being in Portland Open Studios.