Getting ready for the Fair

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker

I’m still making artwork to get ready for the Fair! The Iowa State Fair starts on Thursday (August 8, 2013), and I’ll have a booth in the Cultural Center with some friends. Stop by and see us! We’ll have new artwork for sale and art demonstrations, and the weather forecast looks great. The Fair runs through August 18.

Update: The 2013 Fair is over now — “thank you” to all our visitors!

Small slumped-acrylic sculptures by Jo Myers-Walker

The “chicks” are getting ready to go to the Fair
(slumped-acrylic chickens, stylish “sitters”
and groups of friends)

Artwork everywhere, getting ready for the 2013 Fair

Artwork everywhere!
(paintings and prints on every available surface)

Posted in Painting, Sculpture, Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Getting ready for the Fair

Reattachment

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
Terra cotta Story Wall figure with missing digit

Story Wall figure before repair

I was at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ames recently to repair one of the Story Wall‘s terra cotta figures (pictured), whose finger had broken off.

If you’re at St. Thomas Aquinas, go try to find it! I’ll come back here later and show you the location of the repair.

Follow-up: As indicated on the pictures below, the repair is on the bottom figure in the center right trio (which depicts education and growth).

At the church, you’ll get a different perspective on the figures — these pictures were taken straight-on, and in person you’re looking at them from below.

Terra cotta Story Wall showing location of repair

Story Wall showing location of repaired figure

Close-up of Story Wall figures showing location of repair

Close-up of that section of the Story Wall

Posted in Ceramic, Commissions, Meaning, Sculpture, Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Reattachment

Inside, outside

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
Empty space soon to be a studio

24' x 24' of possibility

At right: Empty now, but soon to be a studio. My granddaughter Emma is building a loft for her room – maybe I can do that, too, and fill it with watercolors!

Below: I’m looking after my health and getting in shape, and the Iowa City pedestrian mall is an attractive destination for walking. There are all kinds of restaurants, and a concert every Friday night. Bonnie and I felt irresistibly drawn to the end of the mall by the beckoning glow of the Dick Blick art supply store.

Thomas Jefferson statue on the Iowa City ped mall

Visiting with Thomas Jefferson on
the pedestrian mall

Walking along the Iowa City pedestrian mall

On our way to Dick Blick – first we had to stop in at one of the fine restaurants

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Inside, outside

Iowa Arts Festival and Carnaval

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
My booth at the Iowa Arts Festival 2013

My daughter Shelby and I at the Iowa Arts Festival, showing my watercolors (thanks to Pam for the photo!)

This year’s Iowa Arts Festival was a spontaneous and unique event. I saw lots of things I had not seen before! My booth was next to the concert area, and I got to hear some wonderful music.

On Saturday the townspeople – adults, children, students – made a parade out of art for Carnaval, an event developed by costume designer and University of Iowa faculty member Loyce Arthur. Note the paper towel rollers painted green to make headdresses (below left), along with repurposed plastic bags. These are my kind of people!

I made some new contacts and found new places to show my work, so much to chose from. For now I hope to sit it out awhile, slow down and enjoy my new life in Iowa City, seeing lots of my grandchildren.

River of Stories in the Carnaval parade, Iowa City 2013

Carrying the River of Stories

Costumes in the Carnaval parade, Iowa City 2013

More costumes and walking puppet in the Carnaval parade

Posted in Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Iowa Arts Festival and Carnaval

Place of prayer

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker

Recently I led a workshop on “Painting the Inward Journey” at Emmaus House in Des Moines, “an oasis of prayer and quiet in the midst of the busyness of modern life.” I went early and stayed at the Victorian-style house the night before, and found it a very special spiritual place, peaceful and full of love. In the morning I was ready for the workshop with this group of 15 faith-filled people.

You can see that we practiced watercolor techniques, but art is not just about painting a picture! Otto Rank said that “pessimism comes from the repression of creativity.” By looking inward, seeking the depths and daring to embrace our fears as well as our dreams, we can allow creativity to bring about transformation. This is Art as meditation, as prayer.

Painting at the Emmaus House workshop

Painting at Emmaus House

Emmaus House workshop group

Some of the Emmaus workshop group with their creations

Posted in Classes, Meaning, Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Place of prayer

Farewell, and greetings

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker

A walk through the “bank,” from front to back, before greeting the next adventure:

Empty front room at The Left Bank Studio

Front room, looking through 50′ of new open space

Empty middle room at The Left Bank Studio

Middle room – do you believe how much room is now open for others to explore?

Empty main vault at The Left Bank Studio

Safe deposit vault, where the money was kept in the old days

Empty back room at The Left Bank Studio

Back room with rarely-seen floor

On safari, moving out of the Bank building

“On safari” in the rain

The moving truck is full

Having fun unloading the truck in the rain – my sons-in-law had lots of laughs at what I was saving for the move!

My new pedicure

My first night in Iowa City, my daughter and granddaughter painted my toenails (Caribbean Blue) so my feet can explore their new city in style. Then we watched the movie “Enchanted” – sort of like my life these days!

Posted in Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Farewell, and greetings

On the air

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
KHOI Community Radio logo

KHOI Community Radio logo
(click image to visit KHOI website)

Recently I had the honor to be interviewed for the Local Talk program on KHOI Community Radio. The episode is about “Independent Artists” and also includes interviews with artists Gwen Foster and Valerie Williams.

Update:  This program is no longer available online. You can listen to a variety of recent shows from KHOI’s streaming and podcast page.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on On the air

Little flowers

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
Little flower award

A lovely certificate, a lovely thought

One treasure going with me to my new location is this Little Flower Award I received from St. Theresa Catholic School after participating in their Social Justice Week earlier this year. It was such an honor it brought tears to my eyes. It meant a great deal to me personally during the transition to my new life — this is what I want to do, and they honored that. The children will continue to inspire me with their generosity and love for others.

The fine print is a quotation from St. Theresa, which I’ve copied below. I think it’s a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to be grand or famous to show love and make a difference to others.

“Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.” — St. Theresa

Posted in Meaning, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Little flowers

Clearing the way

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
Almost-empty front vault at The Left Bank Studio

Almost-empty vault in the front room

Bernie and truck

Bernie’s truck made many trips to storage

The train running through the front room at The Left Bank Studio

The train running through the front room. Little kids have come in and "sat in the train"!

Look, you can see the walls! We cleared the way not only for Tina’s new shop, but also my new life of art, travel, and teaching. My move was made possible through the combined efforts of family and friends, just like The Left Bank Studio was created and sustained with the love and support of many people through the years.

Behind Bernie (and the orange truck he loaned to the cause) you can see people looking through the “free pile” next to the dumpster. The treasure hunters included artists and art students. It was another way to closure for me to see the delight on their faces and tell them ways to repurpose their finds.

The bank is still inhabited! On Mother’s Day we discovered a robin’s nest outside (shown below), and she stayed and tended to her family among all the activity. It was a spiritual experience for me to look in her eye and realize we are connected in the universe.

Mother robin on nest

Mother robin, undeterred

Robin commemorated in the artwork

My granddaughter commemorated the robin by refreshing the front-room drawing

Posted in Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Clearing the way

A new owner for the old bank

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Jo Myers-Walker
Preview postcard from Tina Rice

A colorful preview from new building owner Tina Rice

Update 2017:
The little bank building has once again transformed, this time becoming “a casual coffee stop and eatery,” The Vault! (Link is to their Facebook page.)

(Original post:)
The “bank” building has changed hands, and I’m thrilled to be passing on the baton (or the paintbrush) to its new owner, artist Tina Rice. You may have met Tina at the Transformation Sale. She writes about her plans for the building:

    “Jo Myers-Walker has started something wonderful by bringing art to this little bank. I am honored to continue her tradition!
       
    The Bank will be in transition until [opening now planned for June 28!] when we will open the doors again. At that time, come see our new shop! We will feature fine art from several artists, as well as a huge selection of Happytape (washi paper tape), handmade jewelry, greeting cards, soaps, baskets, scarves, and other colorful life accompaniments! Order delicious cookies, cakes, coffee, and cokes from our kitchen. Beginning this fall we will offer art classes, retreats, and parties for children and adults. We can’t wait!”

You can see some of Tina’s jewelry, and watch for news of her new shop, at clarkavenue.blogspot.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A new owner for the old bank