ArtBeat, September 2009 by ArtBeat

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Deluxe Craft Weekend

Volume 1 // Issue 9 â&#x20AC;˘ September 2009

Jessica Tate

The Arbor

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ArtBeat Oklahoma

Volume 1 / Issue 9 / September 2009 ArtBeat is a monthly publication dedicated to encouraging and promoting creativity and the arts in Oklahoma. ArtBeat serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for the individual artist and a foundation of unity and information within the art community as a whole. ArtBeat is a tool for promoting the work of local artists, both established and underground, and art-driven businesses through affordable advertising and a calendar of local events bringing awareness to the many opportunities in the Oklahoma arts scene. Oklahoma is rich with artists and great art; it is our desire to give these incredible Oklahoma artists visibility and connections both with one another and the thriving community of patrons here in our state.

//Staff//

//Contents// page 4 // Second Annual Photo Fest page 5 // Momentous Occasion page 6-7 // Deluxe Craft Weekend page 9 // Jessica Tate page 10 // Cory-O's Curiosities page 11 // Life, Art & Coffee Stirrers page 13 // An ONEAL Update page 14 // Raising Creative Kids pages 16-17 // ARTIST SHOWCASE page 19 // The Arbor Arts Collective page 20 // Chronicles of Caleb page 21 // Flows'n'Prose page 22 // CLIMB: Creativity & Obstacles page 23 // Your Inner Pollock pages 24-25 // Chase Dryden: Any Canvas Will Do page 27 // Rock Island Arts Festival page 28 // "Richard's Journey through a Short Life" (a short story) page 29 // Claremore Photographer's Exhibit Featured at Capitol page 30 // Calendar

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This month's ArtBeat is sure to please. We have for you opportunities to behold inspiring photography (pg 4 and pg 29), a call for both artists and crafters (pg 5, pgs 6-7, pg 13, and pg 19), a few brilliant reasons for a road trip (pg 5, pg 11, and pg 27),the hip harp sounds of Jessica Tate (pg 9), a short story by local writer, Nick Lyon, and a tale of an incredible young artist who pursues a different kind of canvas (pgs 24-25)- not to mention all the many inspiring and entertaining bonuses. And while we greatly enjoy letting you know what art events are happening and showcasing both Oklahoma's finest emerging and established artists, we have another passion as well. It is our desire to see your life deeply influenced and enriched by art both as an audience and as a creator. Too many of you disregard that itch to create. You may see the value in creativity and art in other's lives but have yet to apply it to your own. We challenge you to abandon your inhibitions and express yourself! Write a poem, tell a story, paint a picture, sing a song, take up the ukulele (you know you want to!) make chainmaile, whittle (there just happen to be workshops available on these last two at the Deluxe Craft Weekend!) Take a chance and CREATE! Be Blessed and MAKE ART!

Missy Hancock:) ArtBeat Managing Editor

September 2009 | page 3

T S E F O T nual PHO

r n e A b d m n e o t c p e S Se g n i r u d O E S A P on

he Paseo Arts Association, in Oklahoma City, is hosting its annual juried photography exhibition which will feature photographers from across the state. The second annual Photo Fest will be at the Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo, during the month of September. Participating galleries on Paseo will also feature local and national photography. An opening reception is scheduled Friday, September 4th from 6-10pm during the Paseo Arts District First Friday Gallery Walk. Romy Owens, a fine-art photographer based in Oklahoma City, has been selected as this years' juror for the PAA juried photography exhibit. She is the curator at the Oklahoma Heritage Association's Gaylord-Pickens Museum; a graduate of OCU with an MFA, Romy is sure to curate a fascinating show. Owens will assign awards to select pieces,

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including best of show, two merit awards, and two honorable mention awards. Embracing the evolution of photography, the Paseo Arts District is proud to display all types of the medium in this exclusive exhibit. Works including traditional black and white, digital, mixed-media, and alternative photography will be on display, in an effort to support the diverse talents of Oklahoma photographers. Executive Director, Lori Oden says, "The Paseo Arts Association is excited to host this show again in 2009. We are honored to have Romy Owens as our juror and express our thanks to her for helping the Paseo reach a high level of standard for this exhibit. As

the level of enthusiasm continues to grow for Photo Fest, so do our hopes of expanding the program." Paseo Art Space is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4pm or by appointment. The Photo Fest juried exhibition will be on display through September 26. For more information please call 405.525.2688 or visit our website www.thepaseo.com. The Paseo Arts Association is a nonprofit organization established over 30 years ago. Our mission is: "The Paseo Artists Association seeks to preserve and maintain the Paseo in Oklahoma City as a historic arts district. We seek to foster an environment of cultural exchange between the public and the arts through performances, festivals and educational programming." The Paseo is where arts and history come alive.

For more information about Momentum Tulsa, please visit www.MomentumOklahoma.org.

Photo by Romy Owens “American Voyeur” by Nick Bayer

“Point Of Impact” by Nick Bayer

“Hype-Genistry” installation by Dustin Boise

custom-made large scale spirograph, with the spirograph designs layered into her abstract paintings. The spirograph tools will be on display during the event for audiences to create their own take-home art. Dustin Boise's installation will put the viewer up against an army of twelveinch teeth, with the head of the troops projecting dental propaganda. Nick Bayer is making a large-scale whirligig, a kinetic sculpture inspired by his grandfather's interest in the art form. All Oklahoma artists ages 30 and under are invited to submit artwork for the Momentum exhibition by the deadline of September 26-27. Full details are available online at www.MomentumOklahoma.org. Awards for artists total over $1,000 and include Viewers Choice in Visual Art and Performance Art, selected by Momentum attendees. OVAC expects over 800 in attendance at the October 10 opening party. Tickets to the event are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MomentumOklahoma.org, or by phone at 405-879-2400. Advance tickets can also be purchased at area ticket outlets.

Photo by Romy Owens

TULSA - Featuring many of Oklahoma's up-and-coming artists the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's annual event Momentum Tulsa: Art Doesn't Stand Still will take place on Saturday, October 10, from 8pm-Midnight. Living Arts will serve as venue in their brand new location at 307 E. Brady in Tulsa's growing Brady Arts District. Following the opening event, the exhibition will remain on display through October 24. With a mission to highlight Oklahoma artists ages 30 and under, the exhibition will feature painting, photography, sculpture, film, performance, and largescale installations. Guest curators select the art and awards for Momentum Tulsa from an open call to artists. This year, curators are Scott Perkins, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at the Price Tower Arts Center in Bartlesville and Frank Wick, Artist and Momentum Spotlight Emerging Curator. Wick was selected from a pool of applicants to participate as an emerging curator through the Momentum Spotlight program. Three artists received $1,500 Momentum Spotlight commissions and have already been creating new artwork. The Spotlight artists were chosen in July for the program to receive cash commissions and three months of interaction with the guest curators. The Spotlight artists, Emily Kern of Stillwater, Dustin Boise of Edmond and Nick Bayer of Oklahoma City, will be exhibiting these new projects for the first time on October 10. Emily Kern will be creating a series of mixed media paintings which use her

September 2009 | page 5

Brings Artists Together

by Mel Sparks

he weekend of September 25-27 marks Oklahoma City's first Deluxe Craft Weekend, a chance for artists, crafters and other creative types to spend quality time working on their chosen crafts away from common distractions found at home. Designed to be useful for both professionals and hobbyists, the weekend offers space, support and educational opportunities to inspire and empower creative people. Hosted by Deluxe Directors JD McCoy and Sara Cowan, the event is an opportunity for artists to focus on their craft and build up inventory for fall shows and holiday gifts. Bringing their own projects, equipment and objectives, participants can craft from 9-9 Friday through Sunday without worrying about cooking or dealing with household demands. Separate workshops will also be available on a variety of topics, from sewing to whittling to product photography. "We are especially excited about the workshop with the producers of The Girlie Show, where artists can learn the intricacies of promoting their work to juries and curators," Cowan said. Workshop registration is open to the general public, but space is limited. Weekend participants can also add workshops to their schedule for a small fee. "If you choose to attend the entire weekend, we'll feed you, offer advice and support and plenty of room to work," said Cowan. "You can leave your work out all weekend, the location is secure. If you'd rather put on your iPod and tune out the world while you work, that's fine! We're here to support and feed you while you create." The weekend is limited to 30 registrants, while individual workshops have space limitations between 6 and 15 people. For this reason, early registration is advised. Weekend participants will each be provided with a large table on which to work, with access to electrical outlets. Nine meals will also be provided, as well as an event t-shirt. The location for the event, the Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative, is a shared office space Downtown where tech and creative types come to work and share ideas. At the CoCo, a variety of membership levels offer benefits such as wireless internet, free coffee, conference room access and even private offices. The open spaces and natural lighting are a terrific space for creative types, Cowan said. Parking is free at the CoCo, located at 723 N. Hudson. For full information on additional workshops and to register for the event, visit DeluxeOK.net.

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--Workshop Descriptions--

The Art of Getting Crafty: How To Pimp and Promote Your Goods

Presented by the producers of The Girlie Show - Marilyn Artus, Dawn Harth, Erin Merryweather discuss juried shows, submitting applications, showcasing your work ... learn a few tricks of the art-and-craft-tradin' trade from three girlies who have been on both the artist/crafter and art show producer sides of the fence. Workshop includes presentation, panel discussion and Q&A session. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. $20

Whittling 101

This is a very basic introduction into whittling or wood carving. Students will receive instruction on carving woods, tools, safety, and basic cuts. Students will start a whittling project in class. Supplies provided in the course fees: Knife, safety glove, thumb guard, carving block, and various printed information. Instructor: Frank Shedden Saturday 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. $45

Making Chainmaile

Students will be introduced to the European 4-in-1 method of weaving. There will be discussion of history, various weaves, and types of steel. Students will start a project in class. Supplies provided in the course fees: Stainless steel split rings, flat nosed pliers, findings and various printed information. Instructor: Frank Shedden Sunday 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. $40

How to Sell on Etsy

Make the most of your crafting business by selling on Etsy. This class will teach you the basics of setting up your shop and offer pointers for marketing your items online. Instructor Brigid Vance has run an Etsy shop since 2007 and currently serves as the co-leader of the Oklahoma Etsy Street Team. Sunday 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. $20

Basic Serging

Learn to thread your machine and basic stitches. Please bring your own machines as well as thread. If you do not have a serger you may arrange to rent one for an additional fee of $10.00. Contact instructor Sarah Thompson at sarah@designsbyelizabeth.net to make arrangements for machine rental. Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., $20

Basic Sewing Machine

Want to learn to sew? Here is the class for you - a 2 hour introduction to sewing machine. Learn how to thread your machine and basic stitches. Please bring your own machine. If you do not have a sewing machine you may arrange to rent one for an additional fee of $10.00. Contact instructor Sarah Thompson at sarah@designsbyelizabeth.net to make arrangements for machine rental. Friday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., $20

Product Photography

Instructor: Katie Haney Winters. When selling online or applying to shows, a single photograph represents your product to potential customers. A great photo will attract a buyer's eye, while soso images will often be bypassed. Learn to take attention-grabbing photos that show the world the amazing merchandise you have to offer. In this class you will: Learn the dos & don'ts of photographing your products Choose a theme for your photos Find out how to use your camera and photo editing software to make stunning product images Discover how to bring out the best in your product through photographs Receive resources to help you take your product photos to the next level Saturday, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., $25

7 Secrets to Boost Your Creativity

Hit a creative dry spell? Need a creative boost? Shawn and Missy Hancock share secrets to boosting your creativity and living a more creative life! This session is equally geared to inspire and encourage both the budding and the seasoned artist/crafter/creator. Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. $25

Brick and Mortar: Getting Your Work into Stores

Lindsay Zodrow, Owner of Collected Thread, and Amanda Bradway, Owner of DNA Galleries, will walk through the process of professionally approaching a store about selling your work. Please feel free to bring some of your work with you for some feedback. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. $15

Many types of skill workshops will be offered at Deluxe Craft Weekend, including whittling, as demonstrated by Frank Shedden. (Photo by Sara Cowan)

The space at Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative is ideal for creative people, with natural light, bright colors and plenty of work space. (Photo by Frank Shedden)

While sergers can be intimidating to the inexperienced operator, these machines can be valuable tools to artists and sewers. An introductory serger workshop is scheduled during Deluxe Craft Weekend. (Photo by Frank Shedden)

Deluxe artist Holly Hall creates with directors Sara Cowan and JD McCoy (photo by Samantha Lamb)

September 2009 | page 7

OKLAHOMA

ARTS CONFERENCE Moving For ward in a Challenging Economy

O ctober 7-9 , 2 0 0 9 Stillwater

Wes Watkins Center

www.arts.ok.gov O K L A H O M A

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C O U N C I L

Jessica Tate

Streetlamp Symphonies By Nathaniel Atterberry

essica Tate does not play the harp, she commands the servitude of this instrument. She plays like she has a deal with the devil, turning the harp into hautecouture. Imagine not a surgeon delicately saving a life, but Dr. Frankenstein violently creating it. Jessica plays the harp like you've never heard it before. The recently released album of Jessica's, Streetlamp Symphonies, reveals the soul of a Blues Brother. Her songs borrow the lyrics of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child", Peggy Lee's "Why Don't You Do Right?" and Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed", along with many others that make up the backbone of American folk and blues today. But begrudge her not this allowance. It's the only thing she takes for granted. The musical accompaniment with every song is entirely original composition. Once heard, Jessica Tate is granted every reprieve. Streetlamp Symphonies describes a woman with desperate beauty saturating her life. The appropriate name beckons images of 1950's film noir dames walking a beat, trench coat wrapped tight. Every song describes the complex spectrum of this woman, from the cradle of "God Bless the Child" to the grave of "Wayfaring Stranger". The voice heard is one almost echoing off tall brick buildings, down lonely alleys, with a sharp breath in the cold night air. It is a voice confident of itself and not of life. It resonates deeply, soulfully, even guttural at times. The strength of Jessica's album lies in a very simple nature. It is not crowded with paraphernalia. Her voice does not overpower the sting of each harp string. Simply the exclusivity of harp and singer. Balance between artist and instrument is the key, bringing every quality of Jessica's to a shining forefront. A little prattle with the artist's mother, Cindy Tate, divulges the history of harp in the family. Before she could even walk Jessica would watch her mother strum,

fascinated at the melody and grace. This would soon spur 15 years of classical training in Jessica's life. It would lead to a full-scholarship based on such classical practices. It would also lead to her dropping the scholarship and corresponding courses in the discovery that she doesn't even like the classic harp. Jessica smiles in revelry. "That achy blues music", she says, "to me that is the music that swings". "The harp is a snotty instrument. I want to make it accessible to the masses. I want to make the harp cool", Jessica says over the rim of a glass of red wine. She jokingly adds that her next album will be titled "Kicking Ass and Taking Names". When prompted about her own songs, she admits to being a terrible lyricist. The fluency of her fingers to string is undeniable. Her articulation on pen and paper is yet to be discovered. This strawberry-blonde is by no means slowing down. She is a world traveler, coasting through Peru, France, Italy and soon-to-be Egypt. Having graduated from OU, she is now working towards her masters in English Lit. She speaks enough French to get drunk at any night club in Paris. But one day she will take a step back and relax. "I don't want to be famous," she insists," I don't want to be rich. I just want to make people like the harp." Jessica Tate's album, Streetlamp Symphonies, can be found wherever she happens to be at the time, including her weekly shows, or online at www.myspace. com/jessicatate. Her live performances are a must see. She plays Maker's Cigar and Piano Bar in Bricktown, 25 S. Oklahoma St. on Mondays from 7 pm. to 11 pm. She also plays the Prohibition Room in the Gold Dome at 1112 NW 23rd St. on Fridays from 6:30 pm. To 9:30 pm. Streetlamp Symphonies was recorded with Dave Copenhaver at Studio 7. Graphic design and album cover done by Jessica's fiance, Nick Betz. Hooray for the future.

September 2009 | page 9

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"This is a great opportunity for our students to see clever appropriation and thoughtful construction merging into a experience that questions materials, motives and the nature of art to explore and evaluate art itself," says Jonathan Hils, professor of associate professor of contemporary sculpture at the OU School of Art and Art History. "He engages installation art and sculpture in an energetic fashion." The School of Art and Art History is proud to present Jonathan Brilliant's Goldsworthy of the Coffee Shop, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 28, in the Lightwell Gallery. Exhibit will continue through Friday, Sept. 25. "For the Goldsworthy of the Coffee Shop project I assume the role of a British artist who gathers materials in his natural environment and uses them to execute a site-specific installation," says Jonathan Brilliant, excerpt from artist statement. "In my version the natural environment is the coffee shop, and my materials are the to-go coffee cup and all its accoutrements. The resulting work is both ironic and labor intensive with a traditional craft based sensibility." Brilliant began constructing the work in the Lightwell Gallery Tuesday, Aug. 18, students walked into a work in progress. Through the first week of classes, students had the opportunity to assist Brilliant in the construction of the work and were able to speak with him about what his intentions are and how he arrived at this unique project. This exhibition will also be on display from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, for the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art. Most 2nd Fridays of each month from 6-9 p.m., the Lightwell Gallery, as a member of the Norman Gallery Association, opens its doors to participate in the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art. In coordina-

tion with other local galleries, CART, and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art transforms the entire city of Norman in to an arts district. Visitors are encouraged to ride the CART Trolley and experience cultural events across the city throughout the night. Stop by the Lightwell Gallery to visit, or revisit, Jonathan Brilliant's installation. "The Lightwell Projects bring emerging artists to OU who deal with installation art. The gallery space itself presents an eclectic venue for exhibiting artwork. Artists working today deal with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;space' in many varying ways and I hope this experience will allow the community an opportunity to see art

presented in a very non-traditional and exciting way," says Hils. The reception is free and open to the public and the exhibition continues through Sept. 25. The Lightwell Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located in the Fred Jones Art Center at 520 Parrington Oval, in the OU Arts District! The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the School of Art and Art History at (405) 325-2691. For more information, please visit, http://art.ou.edu/.

September 2009 | page 11

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by Molly O'Connor

October 7-9th -- See you in Stillwater at the Oklahoma Arts Conference! Hopefully by now you have heard of the ONEAL Network, the state's free independent network for Oklahoma's New and Emerging Arts Leaders. Designated as arts leaders age 35 and under OR those with less than 5 years of experience in the business of arts or arts administration, the ONEAL Network represents the next wave of leadership in the arts for Oklahoma. ONEAL members (AKA ONEALers), include an eclectic group of arts administrators, community leaders, creative entrepreneurs, cultural representatives, and artists and performers who are working to improve the quality of life in large and small communities in our state. It is free to join the network, and all members are self-appointed. So if you feel that you qualify as an ONEAL-er or would like to learn more about the network, check out our group page on facebook. If you need help locating the page, please contact Molly O'Connor at molly. oconnor@arts.ok.gov.

In August, ONEAL members gathered for "The ONEAL Deal," a free networking event that took place at City Arts Center in Oklahoma City. We had a great statewide turnout for this event, and it is evident more than ever that the ONEAL Network is fostering incredible enthusiasm for the arts across our state. Our network is less than a year old, and we are growing in numbers and diversifying regionally. The ONEAL Network exists to provide peer support and resources for new and emerging arts leaders. At the ONEAL Deal last month, we heard from a panel of ONEAL representatives in regards to the exciting work they are doing to advance the arts in their communities. Suzanne Tate, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council addressed how public funding for the arts increases the quality of life, educational opportunities, and builds economic revenue for our state. The ONEAL Deal was a great opportunity for arts leaders to network and discuss how we will move forward in building awareness about the importance of our work in the arts.

Now as we move into the fall, many ONEAL-ers are gearing up to attend the Oklahoma Arts Conference. This annual conference, which will take place in Stillwater from October 7-9, will allow all arts leaders from across the state of Oklahoma to convene and participate in sessions and tracks geared towards arts managers, artists, and community leaders. The Statewide Conference on the Arts is an excellent professional development and networking opportunity for ONEAL-ers. The ONEAL Task Force is leading the following sessions during the conference: Annual ONEAL Networking Forum: Don't miss this opportunity to join the ONEAL peer group and get connected! Wednesday, October 7, 1:00-4:00 pm The Value of Mentors for Arts Administrators: Whether you are beginning a career in the arts, or are experienced but in need of guidance, it is difficult to plan for your professional future while facing challenges along the way. This session will address how to identify a potential mentor who can provide valuable guidance through your career advancement. ONEAL (Oklahoma's New and Emerging Arts Leaders) and their mentors will discuss how their relationships have positively impacted their work in the arts. Thursday, October 8, 10:30 am to 12:00pm

Registration for the Oklahoma Arts Conference is only $50 per person. The deadline to sign up is September 25th. The entire conference schedule and registration is available online at: http://okarts. wordpress.com/. On behalf of ONEAL, we hope that you will join us for the conference in October. It will definitely be a valuable opportunity for anyone who is working to advance the arts in Oklahoma. Oh, and it will also be lots of fun, too. For more information on ONEAL or the Oklahoma Arts Conference, please contact Molly O'Connor at molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov

September 2009 | page 13

Freedom of Adventure By Amelia Brewer

ooking back at past "Raising Creative Kids" articles, I've noticed a trend among the writers. As we tap into the rhyme and reason in bringing up kids creatively, we seem to delve into our own childhood to get to the root of our artistic background. My own creative beginnings happened partly as a result of living in a town of around150 people, where my brother and I were absolutely free to explore. It was a safe little haven that offered adventure around every turn. For example, one of our neighbors had a small orchard beside her house, that my brother and I dubbed "fruity lane." A lot of adventures started right in that spot. There was also an enormous ditch called "The Stinky" that ran through town and protected the fields from the big floods. Most often it was dry and another great place for imaginary play. Not one inch of that town went unexplored. And even though my brother and I occasionally (and dangerously) used a neighbor's farm implements as playground equipment, and got covered in fire ants while burying ourselves in hay, it was a place of big dreams and fantastic escapades. The bottom line is creativity is born from a mindset of freedom...freedom of thought..... freedom of adventure. As I've said before, artists are inventors. In the past, artists have dared to try something completely out of the box and new, and ended up with Impressionism and Surrealism. You can trace back and see that this knack for "inventing" among the art masters began in their upbringing. I find for myself that the times I am most creative, are the times when I am absorbed in a great adventure novel or am in some way feeding my imagination. It opens up parts of the brain that deepens the creative flow.

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There are endless ways to steer your kids in this way. As with most good habits, it begins with parents modeling the desired behavior. In this case, the behavior is uninhibited play! The next time you take your kids to the park, don't limit yourselves to just playing on the equipment. Create a scenario for imaginary play. You could be superheroes, time travelers, aliens, it doesn't matter. Once you get an adventure ignited, the kids usually take it from there.

When my daughter was 4, she was obsessed with The Wizard of Oz. She wore the dress (created by Grandma), she wore ruby slippers daily, she insisted on being called Dorothy, that kind of thing. But although she enjoyed watching the movie, she was much more entertained and stimulated by either recreating the story with mommy and daddy, or taking the little Oz figures she had outdoors and recreating Dorothy's adventures, as well as inventing some new ones of her own. Now at 15, she is most happy when she is acting. My 12 year old son, on the other hand, spent a lot of his little boy years immersed in mud! (yes, I said immersed) If there was mud, he would spot it, find ways to make more of it, and see how much of himself he could get in it. As he grew, he traded the mud for paint, and his room is now stacked with canvases, oils, and brushes. So say you aren't the "let's get our hands dirty" type of parent. There are a lot of ways to be adventuresome with your children. For example, read a book aloud to them, like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or Where the Wild Things Are. After reading the book, set up imaginary play where you are exploring the woodland of the talking flowers or the island of the wild things. You can even create giant tissue paper flowers or construction paper/cardboard tube mushrooms to add to the environment. In this way, you are sparking creativity and stimulating several parts of the brain in the process. I find myself thinking of a great teacher who would always say "Take Chances, Make Mistakes, and Get Messy! (Mrs. Frizzle, Magic School Bus) Add it to your list of goals. And I'll add one more to that: Have Adventures!!

September 2009 | page 15

To submit your art, send us a picture of your work and your contact info to feature@artbeatok.com

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Go For Baroque September 14, 8 p.m. Regional premier of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Concierto Barrocoâ&#x20AC;? by Enrique Gonzalez-Medina. -ARGARET #HO s /CTOBER P M Margaret Choâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new show is a mix of stand up and live music. Her trademark politically charged comedy has developed a cult following. Mature audiences only. 2ELIENT + WITH "ARCELONA AND #OPELAND /CTOBER P M The Los Angeles Times has praised Relient K for â&#x20AC;&#x153;its smart blend of punk and power pop.â&#x20AC;? Relient K will be joined by Barcelona and Copeland for â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Three Hour Tour.â&#x20AC;? (ORSESHOE 2OAD s .OVEMBER P M â&#x20AC;&#x153;An eclectic musical style ranging from Blues to Bluegrassâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? World-renowned fiddle sensation, Kyle Dillingham, heads the band. &IDDLER ON THE 2OOF s .OVEMBER AND P M .OVEMBER P M In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community. $RUM %NGINE s &EBRUARY P M 0REMIER PERFORMANCE Take a musical journey and find yourself surprised at all the things you can do with percussion instruments. (ARTEL $ANCE 'ROUP s !PRIL P M This enthralling choreography has captured audiences with its hypnotic and enticing movements and shapes.

For ticket information, call 405-297-2264 or 1-800-364-7111. Tickets also available at the Rose State College Performing Arts Theatre box office located at I-40 and Hudiburg Drive, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. and online at www.myticketoffice.com.

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Launches

Clothing By Missy Hancock

f you have not yet experienced Tree & Leaf Clothing, I must say it is worth the trip up NW Expressway to Rockwell, where tucked away around the corner from Loony Bin Comedy Club, you will find this terrific and unique little shop. Filled with treasures from Tree & Leaf's own apparel line, as well as that of other local artists, your eyes will bounce from the art on the walls, to the terrific handmade knits by Hailey of Ozetta (www.ozettamade.blogspot.com) to the designs of such local apparel companies as Toxin Clothing by Jeremy Torres, Dead Cities (formerly Pollution Clothing) who uses vintage inspiration and graphic design, and PS Clothing by Jason Adams, and apparel by Amanda Weathers Bradway. "I just love local! The more local stuff the better!" shares one-half of Tree and Leaf's brilliant duo, John Milner. John oversees the business and financial end of things and along with business partner, Dusty Gilpin, has devoted innumerable hours over the last year to the revitalization of the new space available for events, The Arbor. "We are doing our best to provide an affordable high quality environment for local artists to rent out to do art shows, fashion shows, concerts, and more. We're really open to what the artists have in mind. The space is completely versatile in that everything can be moved around with the exception of

Arts Collective

the nice new restroom facilities." says John. Boasting a brand new top of the line sound system, The Arbor can also arrange for a full bar to be brought in, if desired, for your event. The other half of the Tree and Leaf duo, Dusty Gilpin, is a local artist and does the designs and much of the screen printing for Tree and Leaf. Dusty just finished teaching a summer of Graffiti Art workshops called "Express Yourself" for the Metropolitan Library System and was heavily involved with the big graffiti exhibition, Made You Look, held at Bricktown Live last month. Tree and Leaf sports a great selection of high quality graffiti art supplies as well. Dusty and John launched Tree and Leaf over three years ago, out of a two car garage. In addition to doing their own line of apparel, Tree and Leaf also does custom screen-printing for clients. Check them out at www.treeandleafclothing.com and keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming events at The Arbor Arts Collective (www.thearbor.com). And if you are ready to release that new album, looking for a great spot to do a fashion show of your new fall line, or are ready to launch an art show promoting your new series of brilliant works of visual art- give them a call and get your event on the calendar at what is sure to be a hot new spot for arts events in OKC.

The Arbor Arts Collective

Wants YOU! Tree & Leaf Clothing is very excited to begin booking events for our newest venture dubbed The Arbor Arts Collective. The Arbor is a 3509 sq ft space located at 8405 N. Rockwell Ave. STE #13. The Arbor boasts clean restroom facilities, superior sound, and an exceptional security system. We are anxious to begin booking art, fashion, and music shows as we have just finished the tiresome construction required to turn what was once a dilapidated room into an incredible venue. Tree & Leaf has always been a strong supporter of local musicians, artists, and philanthropies. We would like to further our involvement with our surrounding community by collaborating with the best talent that Oklahoma City has to offer. Our possibilities are infinite and we are very excited to work with and propel the careers of those talented artists and musicians surrounding us. If you are interested in having a concert or art event at The Arbor, feel free to contact us at Tree & Leaf Clothing, 405.728.2026 or www. treeandleafclothing.com.

photos by Josh McCullock

September 2009 | page 19

Chronicles of Caleb â&#x20AC;&#x153;Humanity's Crown Jewel, Mr. Tom Bosleyâ&#x20AC;? By Caleb Braudrick

few years ago, I, like many people, started reading and laughing at the absurd Chuck Norris facts floating around the Internet. Then, I found out something most disturbing: none of the facts were true. I was heartbroken. Chuck Norris had been my hero and now, he was just a fraud. A poseur in a cowboy hat. I had lost faith in humanity. That was, of course, before I discovered Tom Bosley. Tom Bosley is best known to television audiences as Howard Cunningham, Richie's father on Happy Days. As fantastic as he was on that show, and on the Father Dowling Mysteries, the reality of Tom Bosley was much more incredible. I have collected several facts about Mr. Bosley, and I would like to present a small portion of them here. In a future issue, I will divulge more of these magical tidbits regarding Tom, but for now, here is the first 25. Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce you to...Tom Bosley.

8. Tom Bosley is afraid of widths.

turns into a vampire.

9. Tom Bosley's favorite movie is a nine hour home video he made of himself taking a nap.

15. Years ago, Tom Bosley added normal household floor cleaner to a bowl of milk. He then sliced up a leather belt into the concoction and finished it off with a fist full of salt. He mixed it all together and let it sit over night. The result? Clint Eastwood.

10. Bosley was the opening act for Megadeth during the northwestern leg of their last tour. Bosley would come on stage and read excerpts from his favorite issues of Reader's Digest for two and a half hours. The audience would leave after his performance, being entertained to absolute human capacity. Megadeth went into hiatus.

17. In the spring of '82, Bosley set a world record. Tom ate 247 pounds of oysters. When a reporter asked Bosley why he decided to set this record, Tom simply smiled and rolled away. He had been wearing roller skates the entire time. 18. Tom Bosley once cut a saw in half using a woman.

1. Tom Bosley once tamed a great white shark with nothing but a rolled up newspaper and a tribal scream.

19. Tom Bosley once spent an entire month under water. After he surfaced, he was spotted by the Coast Guard and mistakenly identified as Godzilla. Bosley was so angry about this insult, he completely destroyed Tokyo.

2. Tom Bosley gets better gas mileage by laughing into his gas tank.

20. Tom Bosley is allergic to wind.

3. Winnie the Pooh is based solely on Tom Bosley.

21. Tom Bosley is president of seven different Dave Coulier fan clubs.

4. Tom Bosley's breast milk is known on the streets as "heroin." 5. Tom Bosley has a freezer full of Sasquatch meat.

11. Not only does Tom Bosley believe in aliens, he openly mocks them.

6. When Bosley was in high school, he made everyone call him Glacier because he thought it sounded cool. Everyone laughed at him. Then the Titanic set sail. Who's laughing now?

12. Tom Bosley collects water.

7. Tabasco Sauce is actually Tom Bosley's bath water.

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16. Tom Bosley once created his own hockey team by sticking his face in a pile of snow and smiling.

13. Whenever Tom Bosley says the word, "Chestnut" another hole appears in the ozone. Unfortunately, it's Tom's favorite word. 14. If Tom Bosley bites a werewolf, the werewolf

22. Tom Bosley was born wearing a sweater vest. 23. Tom Bosley learned karate by bathing in soy sauce for hours and hours. 24. Bosley has never seen a live monkey, and he'd like to keep it that way. 25. Instead of filing his taxes, Tom Bosley just sends the IRS an autographed photo of himself along with a single bullet

We have two poems for you this month. "I Looked Around the Room Recording All Things That Intrigued Me" comes from Jake Foster, an art history student at UCO. "Momma's Hankies" comes from S.K. Tharp, who writes childrens stories, songs, and poetry. As always, we welcome any style of poetry submissions at poetry@artbeatok.com

Momma's Hankies by S.K. Tharp

Momma's hankies, Folded so neat. Waiting to be chosen, Put in a purse, For an emergency: Crying in church, A prayer goes up, Tucked in one hand, A hankie. A wedding day, A gift of new white lace, On an old blue hankie. Hankies folded so neat, Part of me just holds them close, As the memories unfold. Scraps and cuts, A clean white hankie, With little pink hearts, Tied around a hurt knee. Hankies for diapers, On my Tiny Tears Doll. Learning to iron, Scorching some of Mom's hankies. Maybe Mom knew I would Come here first. In a big bright red hankie. There is a note address to me.

My Mother covers me as I read, "I cried with joy, When I first held you, A touch of me, A touch of Dad, I cried so much, I had to use Dad's big red Hankie. I've watched you grow, And I grew too, Rediscovering a world, That was suddenly new. I just want you to know, These hankies are for you, Where I have gone, There are no tears, no hurts. When you miss me the most, Hold a hankie close. You know it's hard to laugh, With a red drippy nose." Love, Mom Yes, Mom knew how to make me smile. I think I'll just sit here and hold these Hankies for awhile.

I Looked Around the Room Recording All Things That Intrigued Me by Jake Foster We need new materials, Daring and obvious audacity, The complete works of Shakespeare, Bukowski's sexowski, A philosopher stoned, Dali's first film was brilliant, An anthology of surrealistic achievements, World scriptures, The quest for the golden cup, May be found in a museum of art, Beyond the pale, Archaeological evidence, Mirrors will guide us, The challenge is to stay awake, Long after politics have failed us, This pursuit is what drives us, The original U.S. never would have predicted, Hiroshima - man's greatest blunder, Mini owls everywhere, Research in this field tells us we are wise, Revised editions are always on the move, Treasures and ancient artifacts, The walls divide us, The globe surrounds us, Three days of peace and music, A hip schedule for youngsters, Application deadline, Easy to forget, Flight of the roll and tumble, The sacred herb produces high definition, Premiere quality of life, Independence is in the population, Excitement in the forest is expanding, The alpha is withering, The omega is burning, You get one wristband for each festival Where we all learn How to live and dance again

September 2009 | page 21

“In each age men of genius undertake the ascent. From below, the world follows them with their eyes. These men go up the mountain, enter the clouds, disappear, reappear. People watch them, mark them. They walk by the side of precipices. They daringly pursue their road. See them aloft, see them in the distance; they are but black specks. On they go. The road is uneven, its difficulties constant. At each step a wall, at each step a trap. As they rise the cold increases. They must make their ladder, cut the ice and walk on it hewing the steps in haste. A storm is raging. Nevertheless they go forward in their madness. The air becomes difficult to breath. The abyss yawns below them. Some fall. Others stop and retrace their steps; there is a sad weariness. The bold ones continue. They are eyed by eagles; the lightening plays about them: the hurricane is furious. No matter, they persevere.” - Victor Hugo

I recently heard Tulsa artist Matt Moffett (who, incidentally, currently has his must see exhibit “Dog Show” in the East Gallery at the state capitol, through November 1st) sharing his story of deciding to pursue a life as an artist. There was this moment towards the end of college where he was facing the reality of his future and he said to an art student friend, “Why do you get to be an artist? I want to be an artist.” His wise friend said, “What do you mean? You can be an artist too. Just don’t quit your day job.” And his pursuit began. Sometimes all we need is permission. Sometimes the obstacles are far greater. Whatever the obstacle, we must focus on our dream and persevere, push forward, resolve to overcome, no matter what. Leonardo da Vinci said, “Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to a stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.” I don’t know about you, but everyday I face obstacles that could very well shut down my creative pursuits if I let them. I must not let them. These obstacles tell me to “give up”, “you’re wasting your time”, “there is far more stability elsewhere”. They remind me of the “starving artist” and other such lies as “an artist never lives to see their success.” Still, there is a beating in my heart that yearns to create, to write, to paint. And the choice is there before me, do I listen to the voice of reason that shouts to me from every street corner or do I set my feet to this internal rhythm that drives me to a creative life? Again the choice is mine, and again, I listen to my heart. As artists, creators, dreamers, we must learn to trust this inner drive. Our aspirations cannot be fame or fortune, if we’re lucky, those will come along the way. But if they don’t, we must always remember that at some point we will come to the end, the last breath, that last beat of our hearts; and at this moment, will we long to have had more fame, more fortune, or more stability? Will we regret not having chosen an easier path? Or will our hearts rejoice in the knowledge of a life well spent? To choose to follow the creative life, the deep seeded passions that have been placed in us, will never be the easiest path. It is easy to go down hill, but to reach mountaintops, we must climb. Let us end our creative journeys on the mountaintop or at least, courageously climbing.

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Shawn and Missy Hancock have devoted their lives to the creative pursuit and to encouraging others in their creativity and their faith. Join Shawn and Missy as they share “7 Secrets to Boosting Your Creativity” at the Deluxe Craft Weekend workshops. To enroll, go to www.deluxeok.net.

YP ol

our I n ner

loc k

by Amanda Hall

ackson Pollock was always a favorite artist of mine. I saw his work at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and it took my breath away. Then a tutor asked me to do a report on him and I learned much more about him: his demons, his death, and his demeanor. Andy Warhol writes in his memoirs that Pollock was "a star painter alright, but that's no reason to pretend he was a pleasant person."* Warhol made references to his crass comments about race, sexuality, and the rumored drug use of those around him. He had what some psycho-analysts would call a "selfbelittling attitude," and struggled with alcoholism, depression, and marital trouble.* And yet, he produced chaotic and beautiful work throughout his life, even during sobriety. Most of my fellow artists are dealing with something from time to time that inadvertently becomes manifested in their personality. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be a strain on the artist themselves. When we have personal demons, what do we do with them? How do we get them under control? And how do we keep them from interfering with our work? There are of course obvious solutions, but not always the most accessible or easily executed: therapy/ counseling, "putting it into your work", just dealing with it while one attempts to survive, or turning often to more psychologically deviant behavior that often

causes more problems. Many in the public will simply dismiss this behavior and attitude as that of the typical artist. But I propose that we change that stereotype! When we learn to control our inner demons, we become more professional and tactful people, especially in networking situations. When one overcomes the obstacles of "my work is crap," or "I am an artist but there is no reason for me to [condescend to] speak to you about it," or even the die-hard practice of shoving a disk and a business card in someone's hand and then rushing away to hide in your own self-consciousness; the art world will be a little brighter. When people want to know about your work, it is not always so they can be critical about it. Often, it is a sincere inquiry so that they might see what you see when you paint. If your problems run deeper than your ego, never fear! The mind and life of the artist is volatile, and often in flux....ever notice how the big ones always had "periods" of different types of work? Everyone has problems from time to time, and that is no reason to lose faith in the brush, the pen, the torch-cutter, etc. In fact, when "life" happens to us all, it can be a catalyst for higher inspiration. Despite Pollock's inner demons, he was still able to create brilliant works, and did reach a period of sobriety during his lifetime before depression got the better of him. A legacy was left, and we can look back on it with insight into his beautiful chaos. Once we can identify our "inner Pollock", we too can discover the brilliance only life experiences (even the bad ones) can give us. *Warhol, Andy, and Hackett, Pat, Popism: the Warhol 60's, p.17, published 1980, ISBN 0-15672960-1 *http:///www.jackson-pollock.com/downfall.html "Jack the Dripper" unauthorized biography website

September 2009 | page 23

Chase Dryden

Any Canvas Will Do! by Amelia Brewer

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hat do you get when you put an artist with a passion for movies, zombies, and childhood nostalgia to work in a shoe store? You get some unbelievable, one-of-a-kind masterpieces on canvas....shoe canvas that is. Chase Dryden has been drawing as long as he can remember. Growing up in Chandler, Oklahoma, his artistic journey began with doodles and scribbles created out of boredom as a child. Studying at several different schools including USAO, Cameron, and UCO, he gathered the knowledge he found useful, but on the whole, his art has advanced to his now intricate and stunning self taught style. Chase chooses ink for most of his work, but isn't too picky about his media. When the creative wheels start turning, he grabs the pen and paper closest to him and sets to work. His raw passion for his subject matter leaps out of his pieces, with edgy emotion. The thing about Chase is, he simply draws to draw, creates to create, and does it all with a child like spirit. He told me "I get a lot of what I come up with from childhood memories like my favorite movies and TOYS!" A few years ago, Chase went to work in a shoe store. "I got into painting shoes because a friend of mine suggested it. The thought had never crossed my mind, but since I work in a shoe store, it sort of went hand in hand. So, I slapped some zombies on an old nasty pair of Vans that I had and it took off from

there, " he said. Using acrylics, waterproof ink and finishing products, Chase has developed a fine tuned technique for painting and preserving the shoes, so they can be worn as any normal pair. "I have been painting shoes for about two years now. After the first pair I painted, it seems I have two or three pairs going at a time. Among other projects, I recently painted a pair of heels for my sister's wedding." When asked about his influences, Chase told me "I think it's great to have influences and other artists to look at, but I try not to look too much. That way I come up with a lot of the imagery I draw myself, unless of course I'm drawing a portrait. My favorites are the great Alex Pardee, Greg Simkins and Frank Miller. Their styles and content are what I want to be when I grow up. Also, there is an artist who goes by Mache and he does some of most insane custom shoes. And my cousin Kris Dryden has always been a huge influence since I was a grasshopper." Other than his shoes, Chase is in a constant cycle of projects. Among these endeavors is a collection of drawings for a possible book geared for a teen/young adult demographic. He is also hoping to move toward selling more of his creations and displaying his work in a gallery setting. To contact Chase, see more of his work or keep up with any of his future showings, you can check out his myspace page at www.myspace.com/crushedtoes.

September 2009 | page 25

This month's RE-Creation Challenge is "Wild Thing- Something for the Animals". Your challenge is to use your materials that need "re-using" to create something for our furry, feathery, or scaly friends. Maybe you have carpet remnants that are a playground for your pets in disguise? Perhaps there is a condo for cardinals hiding in your rainy day craft box! Whatever the material, we bet you can make an animal accessory or pet product. Let your imagination go wild for all things wild and send pictures of your entries to submit@artbeatok.com by October 10th. Winners will receive a gift certificate to Paseo's Sauced, as well as be recognized as a creative genius and be showcased in November's RE-Creation Challenge article!

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

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ome taste the arts at Chickasha's first-ever Rock Island Arts Festival. Planned for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, 2009, the festival will be held in the historic Rock Island Depot area at the east end of Chickasha Avenue. Sponsored by the Chickasha Area Arts Council, the festival will truly offer art for all of the senses, with over 30 artisan booths, a wine tasting featuring Oklahoma wineries, live music and theatrical performances, selections from the deadCenter's film archives, and a poetry reading. The Rock Island Arts Festival opens at 10 a.m. each day, and closes at 8 p.m. Visitors can stroll among booths featuring art that ranges from oil or watercolor paintings to photography to pottery, glass, wood and metal sculpture. The participating artists hail from around the state, and many are either alumni or students of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Oklahoma musicians will set the mood from the RIAF stage, located on the west side of the Mill Building. Indie and rock, country and gospel, folk and Christian and bluegrass are all on tap, as well as theatrical and martial arts performances. The highlights of the entertainment are the home-grown artists representing different threads of Oklahoma's rich tapestry. The sultry jazz tones of Ali Harter have been heard around the world, and she'll be taking the mic in Chickasha at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3. Her music is a combination of concrete, roots and indie, and this Choctaw native will provide the perfect atmosphere for strolling through art from the heartland. African drummer and self-styled "modern-day buffalo soldier," Jahruba was born in Norman and has spent the last 50 years treating old and young alike to music and African folk tales, set to the beat of the drum. He will perform at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, and again at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. At 12 p.m. on Oct. 3, One Spirit Praise will combine Native American praise and dance in a soulful performance that hearkens back to our land's earliest roots. For a change of pace, partake in the word on Friday evening at 6:30, when award-winning Oklahoma poets Sandra Soli, Nathan Brown and Tracy Townsend will read selections from their works on the south steps of the Mill Building. No festival is complete without good food, and the Depot's Cobblestone Courtyard will offer oldfashioned favorites such as the OHCE's famous Indian tacos (a carefully guarded, secret recipe -- so don't

even ask!) and KC's barbeque, and tasty treats from some of Chickasha's newest businesses: The Fried Pie Shoppe, Java Dave's, and BJ's Pizza, who will be cooking up gourmet pizza just for the festival For a special treat, the RIAF is proud to present an Oklahoma wine tasting, starring Woods and Waters Winery of Anadarko. An assortment of Bedre chocolates and Hardesty Cheese will round out the fare. The wine tasting will be held in the beautiful, historic Rock Island Depot building, which was remodeled by the Chickasha Antique Auto Club. In between sips and nibbles, guests at the wine tasting will view selections from the vaults of deadCENTER. "Sustainability Block" will be shown Friday and Saturday, from 5-6:30 p.m., and "OKIE shorts" is set for Friday and Saturday, from 6:45-8 p.m. And throughout both days, the silent antics of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplan from the blackand-white film era will be projected on the depot walls -- titles will include "Silent Comedy Night Vol. 1," "Keaton Carnival No. 1," and "Charlie Chaplin Cavalcade." And more surprises are in store. Those who stop by the CAAC membership drive tent can take home

a free henna tattoo when they purchase a oneyear membership. Henna artists Donja Lessor and Jennifer M.Cinocco will be on hand to create a unique piece of living art on each of their guests. Festival-goers can also have their pictures taken with actors in period costumes at the old jailhouse. Children are invited to join in the Mainstreet Merchants Bounty Treasure Hunt dig. A learning center for these young artists will offer origami and miniature Zen gardens, pet rock painting, and face painting by Mika Smith. The Chickasha Area Arts Council began planning this event after a survey conducted during the Grady County Fair revealed that the community is ready and waiting for more local arts events. In fact, as word about the festival spread, individuals and businesses from across the community have stepped up to lend their support, through donations of funds, materials and sweat. One major contributor is the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, the state's only public liberal arts college. The college is sponsoring some of the artisan booths and tents, and is planning a large activity tent, to complement the festivities. Two other contributors are the Walton Family Foundation and Arvest Bank. The Walton Family Foundation provided the festival with a generous monetary donation, and Arvest Bank has donated not only money, but the time of its employees. The Rock Island Arts Festival is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the north exhibit building of the Grady County Fairgrounds, with the exception of the wine tasting, which will remain at the Depot. The festival is made possible through grants and the support of community partners and volunteers. For more information, log on to www. rockislandartsfestival.org. Major contributors and sponsors include: USAO, Walton Family Foundation, Standley Systems, 1st National Bank, Bookstore on Corner, Arvest Bank, Steve LaForge Properties, CCT, Jay's Jewelry, Mosley's, Ferguson Funeral Home, John and Judy Jernigan, Chickasha Bank and Trust, MidFirst Bank, Gary Parks - Red Book, Eduardo's - Ed Hicks, McRay-Denton Vision Center, C. Brooks (private donation), John C. Phillips, DDS, Lonnie Jourdan (private donation), Fun Metal Creations - Patti LaForge Rogstad, Chickasha. biz, Mollman Outdoor, KOOL 105.5, Oddfellows Music Hall, Pioneer Equipment Rental, IBC Bank, Mike Day Insurance, Veazey's Party Supply Store, Barrington Electric.

September 2009 | page 27

Richard's Journey through a Short Life

ife has a strange way of stretching out before you. It happens so quickly sometimes, that you're 34 before you take the time to remember being a child. For me, life went so much faster than that. They tell me that when I was born, I already had teeth. Sometimes it happens, they say, babies born with teeth, but I was just ready to go. I had some living to do. Just eight weeks after I was born, I was already standing on my own, at least they say. I was a peculiar child that looked forward to living life already. And it didn't stop there. My parents had to start teaching me to read and write by age three because of my deep interest in learning. I would have driven them crazy had they not started teaching me. Almost drove myself crazy, really. But I learned all the same. And by the time I was at the proper age to start school, they gave me tests to take to get me in the right grade. I started the eighth grade at six years old. Those were fine times in life. I got made fun of, as most kids do, and dealt with it. Besides, I only wanted to learn as quickly as I could to get out of there. I had plans, a life ahead of me that I wanted to get started. Right before my ninth birthday, I graduated high school. My parents were proud and sad. When you have a child, you expect them to be around long enough to get tired of them being around. But there I was, ready to leave the house in half the time that normal people leave. And I did leave. I didn't start college, as I didn't feel a need to. I wanted to see the world. Or at least the good parts of it. And everything went well, until I met Samantha. She was older than me by seven years. She had auburn hair that fell in curls around her shoulders, and her smile burned right through me. She was working at a gas station on the edge of some small town. She'd been out of high school for a year when I walked in. I'd hitched a ride in with some old farmer. He wanted to put me to work; I wanted to keep going. "How ya doin'?" Samantha said when I walked in the door. The sound of her voice froze me for a moment. It was the first time in my short life that any voice had had an effect on me in any way. When I looked at her for the first time, she took all my desires and made them hers. Traveling the world didn't matter anymore if I could have those eyes looking at me, that voice saying my name, and those lips kissing mine. I know it sounds strange, me being twelve at the time, and her being 19. But it wasn't that I was super intelligent; I was just older than my body allowed. So, while I lived in the body of a twelve year-old, on the inside I was 27. Or there about. I talked myself into walking forward again, and I even gave her a smile. But I'm sure no voice would have issued forth had I tried to talk. And

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although I was old in my mind, an ability to talk to girls can sometimes take years. I hung around the town. I put my traveling dreams on hold, so I could spend a few minutes talking to the girl at the gas station. I took the job with the farmer who thought I was brilliant for catching on so quickly. I spent every minute I could spare at that gas station. I overcame my fear of talking to her and found out very much about her. "I saw this and thought of you," she said one day when I walked in. She held up a round brimmed straw hat. I smiled at the sight, and she laughed. "I think a real farmer should always have a straw hat." The words came out in between giggles, and I had more fun listening to that sentence than I should have been allowed. That night, I walked her home wearing that straw hat. She lived only three blocks from the station and walked most nights. "I have a great secret I should share with you," I said as we walked. "Please don't," she said. "At least not while you're wearing that hat. I don't think I can take you serious." We both laughed as I pulled off the hat. "It seems I've fallen quite madly in love with you, Sam, and I feel obliged to tell you about it." She stopped walking as soon as the words were out of my mouth. "Well, Richard, I've never heard anyone say such a thing to me. And I must say, I already knew." "You already knew?" "Well, of course. You spend all your time hanging around, and the people I work with said you don't even come in if I'm not there." I laughed a little nervously. "But you're just a boy. You can't know much about love." Those words hurt a little, but she just didn't understand. "I may look like a boy on the outside, but really I'm much older. I've already seen many parts of the world, and I even graduated high school already." "You did not. There's no need to tease me." I had to keep a copy of my diploma with me so people would believe it, and I pulled it out to show her. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, Richard, I'm so sorry." She looked into my eyes. Really into them. She studied them the way she might have studied for an exam in high school. "You really are in there, aren't you?" she said at last. We walked the rest of the way to her house, and she asked me to come in. I went of course, and I didn't leave. Not for a few days at least. We both called into work, saying we were sick. Eventually though, life had to resume; life always has to resume. With Sam, life suddenly made sense. Those places in the world I wanted to visit were nothing compared to her. So I stayed. I continued to work

A short story by Nick Lyon

for the farmer, and she continued to work at the gas station. Until she had to take me to the emergency room. We were on her couch, watching a movie, when I blacked out. She screamed at me, slapped at my face, but couldn't revive me. My breathing became so shallow, she could barely feel it. Neither of us had the money to afford an ambulance, so she took me to the hospital in her car. Having the body of a twelve-year-old finally paid off. At the hospital, the doctors ran tests, hooked me to machines, and tried to understand what was happening with me. So they could give Sam some sort of solace, and maybe fix me. She told them my story, about my age progression. The doctors found it hard to believe until they found evidence of my body being much older than it looked. I woke up three days later, Sam was sitting by my side, and I smiled at her. She told me later it was one the happiest moments of her life. I told her it just reminded me of the first time I walked into that gas station. After I woke up one doctor came in to talk to me. "Richard, you're a very special man, aren't you?" he asked. I looked at Sam who nodded and smiled, to show me that she'd told them. "I guess you could say that." I replied. "It seems we've found the reason that you've aged as quickly as you have." "Really?" I sat up in bed, wanting to hear it. "You're dying. You have a tumor that's been dormant since birth, but there nonetheless. It's almost as if your body knew that the only chance at life you would have is if you started living it as soon as you could. The tumor is now overtaking your body and will begin shutting it down. You have only a few weeks left." I lay back on the bed, heavy from the news. Sam wrapped her arms around me and cried. In the days that followed, I spent every moment with Samantha. She called my parents to tell them where I was and what was happening. They came out the following day. As my breathing diminishes, I can at least smile at the thought that I lived my life, however short it was, as best I could. I have no regrets, except that maybe I didn't meet Samantha soon enough.

The End

CLAREMORE PHOTOGRAPHER'S EXHIBIT FEATURED AT CAPITOL STATE CAPITOL, NORTH GALLERY THROUGH OCTOBER 18 Oklahoma City, OK - Much of the subject matter of Don Emrick's photography in his exhibit at the State Capitol originated from splatters of paint which have built up over the years on tables and easels in the Art Department at Rogers State University where he is a photography instructor. The exhibit, Found in Abstraction, will be on display on the first floor of the State Capitol in the North Gallery through October 18th. Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the North Gallery is devoted to Oklahoma's finest photographers and is open daily from 8:30-5:00. "I started this body of work because I was compelled by the small particles of paint and the randomness of the splatters of color. I'm motivated to explore the beauty and abstraction of the found image rather than imitate or duplicate it," Emrick said. He explained that photographers such as Siskind, Callahan, and Gursky inspired his work and artists including Klee and Kandinsky opened his mind and eyes to the possibilities revealed by the camera. Emrick was born in Crookston, Minnesota, and his family settled in Oklahoma in 1971. After graduating from Bixby High School, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he

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Photos by Don Emrick

earned a B.A. and an M.A in Journalism & Mass Communications while he also studied fine art photography at OU's School of Art. Emrick has worked for the Tulsa World and the Tulsa Tribune newspapers. He currently teaches both film and digital photography at Tulsa Community College in addition to Rogers State University in Claremore. Emrick's photography has been featured in numerous solo exhibits, and he has participated in various group shows, including one in Sheffield, England in 2008. He is an active member of Oklahoma's art community as the Vice President of the Tulsa Artists' Coalition and a member of the Editorial Committee for Art Focus magazine, a publication of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. For more information, please contact Ann Dee Lee, Public Information Director, Oklahoma Arts Council at (405) 521-2931. ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL: The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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SEPTEMBER Events to look forward to every month Mondays: Free Art Exhibitions, Short Films, Drama, Live Music/ 8:30pm/ The Venue/ thevenueokc@gmail.com Thursday Evenings: Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $5, members FREE/ OKC Museum of Art Free local vineyard wine tastings/ Strebel Creek Vineyard/ strebelcreek.com or 405-720-1119 Free first-Monday-of-the-month: Natural History Museum/ Norman/ all year First Fridays: Paseo Art Walk/ 6-10pm/ Paseo District (OKC)/ FREE/ Continues Sat./ Noon-6pm/ thepaseo.com Second Fridays: “LIVE on the Plaza”/ 7-11pm/ Plaza District (OKC)/ FREE/ plazadistrict.org Second Sundays: Featured Poet/ 2pm/ Norman Train Depot (Norman)/ FREE Third Thursdays: Featured Poet/ 7pm/ Benedict Street Market Place (Shawnee)/ FREE Every Sunday: Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ FREE Second Sunday: Song Circle/ 5-10pm/ IAO Gallery new location (706 W. Sheridan)/ FREE Last Sundays: Featured Poet + Open Mic./ 2pm/ Full Circle Bookstore in 50 Penn Place (OKC)/ FREE Fourth Fridays: Featured Poet + Open Mic. / 7:30pm / IAO Gallery new location (706 W. Sheridan)/ FREE Second Fridays: Circuit of Art/ 6-10pm/ Main Street in Norman/ FREE Second Fridays: Art “à la CART”/ 6-9pm/ Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman/ FREE Last Saturdays: Downtown D.I.Y. / 7-10pm/ OKC Coworking Collaborative (723 N. Hudson)/ $3, members FREE

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Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $5, members FREE/all ages/ OKC Museum of Art • Wendy Weiss and Jay Kreimer: “Landscape with Floating Biology”: an interactive textile art installation/ 5-8pm Living Arts (new building: 307 E. Brady, Tulsa) runs thru Sept. 24th/ FREE / 918-585-1234 Paseo Art Walk: 6-10pm/ Paseo Arts District (OKC)/ FREE/ Fun Continues Saturday: Noon-6pm • Gallery Walk PAA Juried Photography Exhibit: Call for Entries/ will be posted on www.thepaseo.com • JRB Art at the Elms presents: Denise Duong & Matt Seikel’s opening/ 6-10pm/ FREE/ jrbartgallery.com • Jennifer Cocoma Hustis: opening reception/ 7-9pm/ OCU: Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery/ FREE • Gayle L. Curry opening reception: “No Clothes Required”/ 6-10pm/ In Your Eye Studio & Gallery/ FREE • Eric Humphries: “A Brief History”/ opening reception (show runs thru Sep. 30th)/ 7-9pm/ Galileo’s/ FREE • Marcy Priest/ Live Music/ 8pm/ Prohibition Room/ FREE admission • Downtown Arts Market/ 10am-3pm/ (Norman)/ FREE Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ FREE Films &/or Live Drama/Music/ 8:30p/ The Venue (OKC, Plaza District)/ FREE/ thevenueokc@gmail.com Free first-Monday-of-the-month: at the Natural History Museum in Norman Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $5, members free/ all ages (21 to drink)/ OKC Museum of Art • Workshop: Artist Proposal Writing/ learn the basics/ 6-8pm/ Tulsa Artists Coalition Gallery/ $10, members $5 “LIVE on the Plaza”: shops open late & street-vendors strut their stuff/ 7-11pm/ Plaza District (OKC)/ FREE Circuit of Art/ 6-10pm/ Main Street in Norman/ FREE Art “à la CART”/ 6-9pm / Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman/ FREE Song Circle/ 5-10pm/ IAO Gallery new location (706 W. Sheridan)/ FREE • Storytelling Festival: Humorous Stories/ 8pm/ Tolbert Theatre/ FREE/ artscouncilokc.com or 405-270-4848 • ”Heavenly Harmony”/ chorus & comedy/ 2pm & 7:30pm/ Oklahoma Christian University/ tickets:848-7464 Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ FREE • Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School / 6PM / AKA Gallery / 3001 Paseo / $10 / Bring your sketchbook Films &/or Live Drama/Music/ 8:30p/ The Venue (OKC, Plaza District)/ FREE/ thevenueokc@gmail.com • Workshop: Artist Proposal Writing/ learn the basics/ 6-8pm/ IAO Gallery (706 W. Sheridan)/ $10, members $5 Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $5, members FREE/ all ages (21 to drink)/ OKC Museum of Art Featured Poet/ 7pm/ Benedict Street Market Place (Shawnee)/ FREE • David Goad with OF THE TOWER/ 8pm/ The Red Room (Norman)/ $8 in advance, $10 ATD

20 Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ FREE 21 Films &/or Live Drama/Music/ 8:30p/ The Venue (OKC, Plaza District)/ free// thevenueokc@gmail.com 22 • Marcy Priest/ Live Music/ 7:30pm/ Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Bandshell Stage/ 405-503-7902 Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $5, members free/ all ages/ OKC Museum of Art 24 • Marcy Priest/ Cocktails on the Skyline/ 6-10pm/ OKC Museum of Art/ $5, members free 25

• Masks & Totems: An Exploration of the Primitive/ 5-7pm/ Mears Gallery/ free

Featured Poet + Open Mic./ 7:30pm/ IAO Gallery (OKC)/ free • Boutique Boulevard Consignment Sale Event/ 9am-6pm/ Cleveland County Fairgrounds (Norman)

www.ArtBeatOK.com | page 30

To add your event: calendar@artbeatok.com

26 • Boutique Downtown D.I.Y. / 7-10pm / OKC Coworking Collaborative (723 N. Hudson) / $3, free for members Boulevard Consignment Sale Event/ 9am-6pm/ Cleveland County Fairgrounds (Norman) • Dancing from the Inside Out! workshop/ Sat 10-4 & Sun 1-4/ Windsong Innerspace/ $55 createspiritdance@yahoo.com

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Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ free Featured Poet + Open Mic./ 2pm/ Full Circle Bookstore in 50 Penn Place (OKC)/ free Films &/or Live Drama/Music/ 8:30p/ The Venue (OKC, Plaza District)/ free// thevenueokc@gmail.com

OCTOBER

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Cocktails on the Skyline/ 5-10:30pm/ $12, members free/ all ages (21 to drink)/ OKC Museum of Art Paseo Art Walk/ 6-10pm/ FREE/ Paseo District (OKC)/ Fun Continues Saturday: Noon-6pm • Rock Island Arts Fest!/ 10am-8pm/ Rock Island Depot (Chickasha)/FREE/ more info: rockislandartsfestival.org • Trick Con Treat 2009: “Things That Go Bump In The Night”/ Fri. 10am - Sun. 4pm/ Biltmore Hotel (OKC) whole weekend membership: $30/ for more details & early-bird special: trickcontreat.com • Rock Island Arts Fest!/ 10am-8pm/ Rock Island Depot (Chickasha)/FREE/ more info: rockislandartsfestival.org • Trick Con Treat 2009: “Things That Go Bump In The Night”/ Fri. 10am - Sun. 4pm/ Biltmore Hotel (OKC) whole weekend membership: $30/ for more details & early-bird special: trickcontreat.com Open Forum at the Mic + Karaoke/ 8pm-midnight/ Pita Pit (Norman)/ free • Trick Con Treat 2009: “Things That Go Bump In The Night”/ Fri. 10am - Sun. 4pm/ Biltmore Hotel (OKC) whole weekend membership: $30/ for more details & early-bird special: trickcontreat.com Films &/or Live Drama/Music/ 8:30p/ The Venue (OKC, Plaza District)/ free// thevenueokc@gmail.com Free first-Monday-of-the-month: at the Natural History Museum in Norman

Artist Opportunities: • The Venue is looking for artists! email: thevenueokc@gmail.com • Public Art Mentorship: www.okpublicart.org Deadline: September 18, 2009/ Commissions: Total of $75,000/ Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, in partnership with Oklahoma Art in Public Places, presents the Public Art Mentorship. Seeking three artists without public art experience to create commissioned sculptures with assistance of an experienced mentor. • Momentum Tulsa: Art Doesn’t Stand Still: www.MomentumOklahoma.org Deadline: September 26-27, 2009/ Awards: Over $1,000 in cash prizes OVAC is seeking Oklahoma artists ages 30 and younger. Open to all media including 2D, 3D, performance, film and installation. October 10, 2009 at Living Arts, 307 E. Brady in Tulsa. • Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellowship: www.ovac-ok.org Deadline: October 1, 2009 Training promising writers and curators. This yearlong program is designed to encourage new writing and curatorial projects. Applicants must live within 350 miles of Oklahoma City. No undergraduate students. • OVAC Grants for Artists: www.ovac-ok.org Deadline: October 15, 2009 (quarterly deadlines)/ Awards: $15,000 annually Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Grants for Artists fund key points in artists’ careers such as project start-up funds, working with the community and continuing their training • Art 365: www.Art365.org Deadline: October 16, 2009/ Awards: $60,000 (Five awards of $12,000 each.) Art 365 is an exhibition for Oklahoma artists to create innovative artwork in collaboration with a nationally recognized curator. Visual artists working in all media are eligible to submit, including traditional studio art media as well as film and new media

Volunteer Opportunities: • IAO Needs Your Help IAO is currently seeking volunteers to serve as mature hosts during the hours the gallery is open to the public. For more information please call (405) 232-6060 or email: info@iaogallery.org. • Bethel Foundantion Volunteering The Bethel Foundation is a nonprofit organization, started and led by single mother, Lynda Powell, and completely run by volunteers. “At the Bethel Foundation, we take pride in helping single mothers get on their feet”. Go to www.bethelfoundationusa.com to learn how you can volunteer your time, donate food/clothing/baby items.

Flesheater Photography FLESHEATERPHOTOGRAPHY@yahoo.com FLESHEATERPHOTOGRAPHY.blogspot.com www.FLICKR.com/FLESHEATERPHOTOGRAPHY Untitled-1 1

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