Laura Jean's Art Blog

WOW

2010-12-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

I'm having such an incredible time with my art - I've been doing art shows every weekend since the beginning of November - so busy but soooo rewarding! I'm selling art and just relishing in the recognition! Here's a pic of one of the journals I did.

Holiday Weekend Guests

2010-09-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

We're having a great time. First thing we did was to hit Starbucks. Then walked around downtown Ensenada going from shop to bar to shop to bar, it was so much fun.

It's great to have friends and family visiting and showing off my new home!

Today

2010-09-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

Well my new art creations are my new home. I'm getting ready for my first guests - Labor Day guests. I have never had an in-home art studio or a guest room. This is really exciting and I'm loving it.

I've got to get a few last minute things together - like a small coffee maker for my guests!

WCA SD President to be on TV

2010-09-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

Jennie Bottoms will be on Community Artist Connection on Thursday, September 2nd at 9:30 p.m., channel 23 in San Diego and channel 18 in North County. Watch as Jennie talks about the Annual WCA Artist Retreat in Julian California!

Newest creation

2010-08-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

What do you think?

Judging US Open Sand Castle Competition

2010-07-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

On August 8th I'm going to be out in the sand at Imperial Beach judging the US Open Sand Castle Competition. This will be my 3rd year, it's so much fun!

The sand carvers will vie for over $21,000 in cash prizes and the title of Master's Champion.

It will be a long day, but it's so much fun. I'll be there from 7 am to about 4 pm, and you bet I'll be wearing really good sun screen!!

Come out and join me at Imperial Beach Pier as I walk up and down the sand looking at the creations as they develop.

Wow!

2010-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

So much has changed. In January I became a Member at Large with the Women's Caucus for Art in San Diego after being the President for four years.

My resolve to BE the change I want to see in the world is manifesting! I had decided that I wanted to quit working in the legal field and to start doing art full time.

Financially, I needed to get laid off and retire to do that.

In March I got a 60 day notice. I was estatic! Not the usual reaction of someone getting laid off, but it was all part of my plan. I didn't want to quit because the company that I worked for had a great severance package based on the number of years of service and I had been there for nearly 13 years!

I had never thought that I would be able to retire before 65 and yet here I am retired at 60! All of the pieces are falling into place. I have moved to cut back on my monthly expenses, am now living like a queen plus I have a huge studio to work in!

My last day of working was May 15 and on that day I retired! Since the retirement I have moved, done two shows, sold 6 ceramic pieces, been invited to exhibit in a downtown gallery, asked to collaborate on a clay piece by a former art professor from Texas A&M and asked to teach sculpting. Not too bad for two months!

I'm loving this change.

Artist Retreat

2009-11-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

I'm still reeling from my experiences at the WCA San Diego chapter's annual retreat at Camp Stevens in Julian. Every year at this retreat I come away re-vitalized and renewed. Making art opens my mind to "new" possibilities. Not only was I impacted by the close connection with other women artists but I also re-connected with my true self. This year I came away with a new direction - to trutly "BE the change I want to see in the world." My challenge is to communicate through my art that WE are who WE have been waiting for. It is up to me - up to you. I can stop waiting. I have the ability, I can create the change.

Community Artist Connection TV Show

2009-02-07T10:16:00.001-08:00

It has been acclaimed "a great success".

January 29th was the taping debut of "Community Artist Connection" Public Access TV show. WCA San Diego's President, Laura Jean Thompson taped her first in a series of shows that will feature San Diego Artists. The airing date has not been set yet, but it will be aired on Cox Channel 23 in South San Diego and Channel 18 in North County.

The first taping was hosted by Community Leader and Activist, Walter Davis. Mr. Davis interviewed Laura Jean, President WCA SD, on her reason for wanting to have a public access show, simply put, she wants San Diego Artists (visual, performing, music) to have free access to TV. She intends to interview one artist per half-hour show. She was excited to announce that she has so many worthy artists asking to be part of this show that it has become difficult to decide who to have first.

She will be taping 2 shows per month. Her next taping date is March 5th.

Laura said that she is looking for more people interested in being part of her crew. NO is experience needed. You can become part of the exciting world of TV, be behind the camera, learn how the credits appear, learn the technology behind the "sound board", learn to direct, and be a floor manager, you can do it all!

My next Exhibition

2008-11-06T06:59:00.000-08:00

I have a selection of my pen & ink "Ladies in Jazz" series and "Dia de los Muertos" series currently exhibited at Bard Hall Gallery, located at 4190 Front Street, San Diego, November 4, 2008 through November 30, 2008.

There will be an Open Gallery and Reception held for the artists on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For the first time I'll be exhibiting ALL of my goddess sculptures as a series. There are now six Goddesses, Sun, Earth, Fire, Love, Garden and Water. Both Water Goddess and Love Goddess have been honored with awards.

The public is invited to these events where the artists will be available to discuss their works. Refreshments will be served.

The public is also invited to join The First UU Art Guild Art Discussion Group Meeting following the reception from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Discussion group attendees who are artists, as well as artists interested in exhibiting in Bard Hall, are invited to bring samples of their current work to share with the group.

Bard Hall Gallery is open to the public Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm; Sun., 9am-noon. Free admission and free parking in church ACE parking lot, check-in at the office on weekdays. Wheelchair accessible.

First blog on my site

2008-11-05T19:24:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of my new blog. I'll have exciting news real soon! So look for it.