Sculpture in the backyard

Recently we ripped up the concrete at the back of our house because we are building a studio/workshop. My son Adam and I couldn't resist spray painting the giant pieces of stone.
Since we have lots of neighbors who walk our alley they enjoyed the splash of color and random patterns (even though it lasted only one evening). To our dismay and my husbands delight they brought in a truck that removed all the debris the next morning.

Emerging Artists

Art Mail is here and we have some...

exciting news!!!! I have submitted my "Art-Mail" postcards for the Salem Art Association"s "Project Space" and they have given me two rooms during the month of July to create an installation.

As part of this installation I would like to encourage artists to create their own "art mail" cards and send them to us. Not a big deal...just a postcard that you could make...jot a note on the back and send it to the gallery.

My proposal includes converstations with artists (you), the community and myself....what can we say using postcards as our canvas and having them pass through many hands?

When a postcard is mailed don't you wonder who may take a second to read what is written on the back? Sneaking a peak..... I do. Usually the words are non-discript..."having a good time", "wish you were here", "enjoying the scenery"....nothing that is too personal....What if there was something that was written or created that made us stop to think. Art SHOULD stop us, make us pause..... that is why I'm creating these cards and why I'd love for all of you to join me in this show....nothing big, just a postcard...out there for anyone to see...passing through many hands...pushing the limits and exposing those that "sneak a peak" to ART .

The other part of my installation will ask those that visit to make their own "Art-Mail", BUT....(you know there is always a catch with me) they will not be able to take the card home with them. They will have to address the card and send it out right away. I'm hoping that this might help people understand the artist's perspective of "creating" and then having to part with the finished piece -even if they love it.

It's just a small piece of mail, but who knows - we may change the world - just a little...I'm a postive thinker.

Send me a postcard by July 12th...Mary Lou Zeek Gallery-335 State Street-Salem, Oregon 97301 (I'll personally send you one of mine back!)

Mary Lou
www.zeekgallery.com

Commissions sometimes aren't so easy....

but when working with Seattle artist Steven Gardner it has been a wonderful experience.
I have been hired to be the "art consultant" for the new Kroc Center that is being built north of Salem. What a spectacular building!
Steve is creating a terracotta wall sculpture that will be mounted into the fireplace. Steve and Randy Curtis are shown here discussing measurements.

Me? I'm just behind the camera smiling...art in public spaces, that makes me very happy.

More for the Bra Ball!

We now have our second bra for our "Bra Ball". This was donated by Renee Hartig in memory of her Great aunt Irmi Wenner.

It was a sad day....

Last night while fixing dinner I heard a giant crash come from our living room. A large painting had fallen down from over our fireplace, taking out three of my favorite ceramic pieces.
All I could do was pick up the pieces and cry. At the gallery I always tell people of "connections" to the art and the artist. For them to know how art is created...who made the artwork...know the soul of the piece. These were my good friends. Sad day at my house.

It was a hot night....

...but we debuted our "Art-Mail"l machine with MiKayla as our "talking machine".


Despite the loud music that was being played in front of the shop next door, "Art-Mail" was a success!


We only had my cards along with a few from "Emerging artist" Allison Kerst for this first time but do hope to encourage other artists to contribute for the next First Wednesday. Let me know if you are interested and I'll give you the scoop!

Why? Let's spread "the love" for art!

Art Mail

I love creating art but find that running a gallery can take up most of my free time. Understand that I do LOVE what I do but find that people who knew me in my "previous life" ask the same question...."are you going to ever go back to making pots?" "Don't you miss making art?"....don't you miss "being creative".

My response is to tell them that running the gallery has kept me thinking creatively every minute of the day. Maybe not making the traditional art but thinking of how we can push the limits with our artists. Each month we plan shows, create show cards, mailers (remember us sending a can through the mail?) We are always looking for ways to stand out in the crowd.

Well....we do have another fun idea up our sleeves and I've been having a great time making "art mail" postcards for our new "Mail Art" machine. This fine tuned, person run, wacky but fun machine will be making it's debut on First Wednesday.

This is one of the many cards that I've made for this "Mail Art" machine...random but fun. Stop by to see it in action Wednesday evening.

My new friends

Today I took two of Kim Murton's giant clay sculptures to a clients house for approval. I couldn't fit anyone else into our tiny Smart car so it was just me and my two new friends. A quiet car ride with lots of people doing "double takes".

Our first bra....

Would this be considered a "training bra" since it is our first submission for the bra ball? We love what Ruth Armitage created for the "Bra Ball" and we can't wait to see what others send. Notice the detailed stitching? Spectacular!

Door Show #4

Always a clown...

We recently had our "Door Show #4" preview party. There were lots of people who came out for the evening to see all 23 doors in one place. For the evening, we placed a cardboard cutout of myself in the entry as a greeter (not my idea) and my son Adam is posing....silly but fun.
It was a wonderful evening.

Some days...

we get out of town to see our kids. This last weekend we drove down to Eugene to see the new baby goats that my son and girlfriend are raising. Friendly little guys who love climbing onto everything and everyone.
I also had to get a shot of the chicken posing by the artwork.

This was a nice break from the gallery.

Door Show #4

These are shots of our artists who have been working on their paintings for our Door Show #4. Incredible pieces and amazing artists.

Lucky

wow.

Lucky us.

I'm sure I've mentioned just how lucky we are to meet such amazing artists. We find ourselves in a dance of getting to know one another. We visit studios. We talk about life. We get to know their families.
For us to have artists as friends and representing them in the gallery is such a gift.

and so it seems......

.....that our economy has really taken it's toll on everyone, especially the creatives who I encounter. So a thought came to mind, why not shake things up a bit and attempt something that just make people smile, chuckle or at least shake their heads. We all know that art IS something that should make people think.....So we have an idea.

A few years ago we visited the Visionary Folk Art Museum in Baltimore and couldn't get over the various art exhibits. One that stuck in our minds was the "Bra Ball". Yes, it was a giant ball made from bras that resembled a rubberband ball.
Our minds went into action....why don't we make a "bra ball" of our own at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.

First things first....we needed to contact the artist, Emily Duffy and ask her permission.
"Not that permission is mine to give, you certainly have my blessings to make a bra ball at your gallery. I'd be grateful for any visibility you'd like to give to the BraBall sculpture project." (thank you Emily!)

How do we begin? Just visit www.braball.com to get a glimpse of this giant colorful ball but also see the amazing process that Emily went through to create this sculpture.


What can you do? Send us your bras of course! Pass this onto your art friends, blog about it, link us...Artists like to create some stir and shake things up and we are ready! Grab that bra and paint it, stitch on it, write on it. Dedicate your bra to a breast cancer survivor or someone you loved...do what you'd like. Send your finished bra to the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and we'll photograph it and share it on the blog.

We will gather the bras over the next 5 months and then in October (Breast Cancer Month) begin assembling. Keep a close eye on our attempt to bring a smile to those that "think most artists are crazy". Let's keep them thinking.

Bidding Frenzy!

Last night was the last time for bidding at our 100 Artists show at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery. We had many people standing and waiting to make those last minute bids on their favorite pieces. We are now counting up the votes for "Best of Show" for people's choice.....we'll let you know.

Studio Visits

Our gallery is small but our vision is BIG!
We are fortunate enough to connect clients with artists for special commissions. Kristin Kuhns recently completed a 5' x 8' painting for a client who lives in Eastern Oregon. These images really don't give the painting the justice it deserves...one of those, "you need to be there to see it for yourself". Well, we were and WE think it's fabulous.

Our book is finished!

We finally finished our blurb book for our "100 Artist Show". Click the link below to order yours!

100 Artists-2009

"Inside-Out Educat...

By Mary Lou Zeek Gallery

Book Preview

100 Artists "Inside-Out"

These last few weeks have been 24/7 at the gallery and at home. Late night posting images online, creating a Blurb book, tagging each piece of art, keeping 100 art pieces organized, dusting and mopping the floors,; Shelley, Roz, Tina, Bonnie, MiKayla and Monica have all been a force over the last 6 months...these shows would not happen without their help. Also thanks to the "strong men" (Alan and Ted) for hanging shelves and keeping us all on task.
Last,I do believe that this show is over the top and each and every artist has done a fabulous job, without their contributing and creating as they do...this show wouldn't exist...we can't wait for you to see.
Stop in, call us with a bid and watch for pictures online, we'll keep you posted.