The Tempus Project

Despite the rain, last Friday night proved to be interesting. I went out to learn more about a new hot art spot in Tampa, FL called the Tempus Project.

The work was all top notch. The images below are just a few of my favorites.

“The Invisible Order”

Brian Taylor

Woodcut

POR

"The Invisible Order" woodcut by Brian Taylor has great dimensional AND emotional impact. The size of the piece is not too large or small. Whether hand-pulled or pulled by a press, the dimensions of this original print makes the effort significant. Like many pieces in the show, I found myself coming back to it again and again. I was reminded of the woodcuts by German Expressionist, Kathe Kollitz.

“Warning”

Ben Pace

Duct Tape, twine, deer antlers, rope & paperbark

POR

I really dig "Warning" by Ben Pace. The cast shadow is a perfect compliment to the actual physical piece. Even my nine year old was drawn to it. I think it's the simplicity of the piece that makes it effective. I find Pace's ability to manipulate mundane materials, like duct tape, twine and rope into an ominous and suggestive reference, very impressive.

“Waiting”

Jeff Gibbons

Latex, wood, books and string

NFS

I have to say that my absolute favorite from the show is "Waiting" by Jeff Gibbons. I believe it's an installation. If you walk behind the piece, you can see the projector. It's projecting subtle imagery that I can't really make out but as a whole the piece works. My photo above does not do it justice. The thing about a piece like this is that you have to "experience" it to appreciate it. Everytime I came back to it, I saw some other little thing that I had missed before. IMHO, "Waiting" is a great piece to experience. Check it out if you can.

As a whole, I found the exhibit extremely promising. I just wish there was a little more information about the pieces. For the next show, and hopefully there will be many more in the future for Tempus, the artists should consider adding statements. The works are so well executed that they deserve it.

To learn more about Tempus Projects visit their website or physical address: 5132 Florida Ave, Tampa, Fl. (Seminole Heights district.) The exhibit, 5132, runs until December 28th.

About This Blog! How can I improve it for you?

Hey everyone, I'm making some improvements to this blog for the upcoming year. Let me know how I can improve it for you.

• What do you want to read more about?
• What do you want to see more of?

I want you coming back for more and more of your art news. Here's my new mission statement below. I wanted to keep it short and sweet but give you an overview of what the focus will be for the next year. Could it be clearer? Let me know.

Here's my new intro.

Welcome to the Medici Club.

My name is Princess Simpson Rashid. I'm an American artist currently based in Tampa , FL.

My art focuses on science, math, music and energy. Oh yeah..and sport-fencing! What can I say, I'm a Renaissance woman!

This blog focuses on my work and the work of other artists that inspire me. On topic comments are welcome and appreciated.

Join me!

What do you think?

My Artist Interview @ Whopple.com

Learn a little more about me by reading a recent interview by retired publicist, Anne Marie. www.Whopple.com

Feel free to leave a comment.

"Composition D" At the Mayo Clinic!

My painting "Composition D" has been selected by jury for an upcoming 3-month exhibit at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl. I am honored to be included in this unique showing. If you are interested in purchasing the work (during the next three months), please contact the Women's Center of Jacksonville (WCJ). (voice: 904-722-3000)

"Composition D"

c. 2009 Princess Simpson Rashid

Acrylic on Canvas

48 x 12" (H x W")

Contact WCJ for purchase information.

I know, I'm biased but I simply LOVE this piece. It was the type of painting that just WORKED right off! I find that when I'm working in series, every now and then, one of the paintings just happens exactly as I envision. I don't have to work it to death or beat it into shape. The magic happens right there on the canvas and I can STOP and leave it alone. When I come back to it, if I still love it , then I know I've done it.

I have like a BAMMMM! moment. Do you feel the music?

Being Thankful In The Rain

We moved in our beautiful little bungalow home in Tampa, FL a few days ago. I love my new “old” house. The only thing I would change is the “bonus room”. It’s really a screened in patio. This is where I’m storing my art studio equipment and works in progress until I find an off site work space. The house is small and there’s no other place to put my studio stuff.

[A view from the "safe" side of the French Doors. My daughter and I accidently locked ourselves on the patio while investigating water damage to my studio supplies during a downpour of rain. At that time, there was no tarp covering the boxes. Photo credit. P. Rashid]

If I could, I would secure the patio with real walls and a substantial roof instead of the screens and flimsy roof that’s there now. But then it would lose some of the ambience-there’s a serene little view of my back yard. It’s a great space when the weather is nice. But I realize now that this “bonus room/patio” won’t make a good studio or storage space-not even temporarily.

Everything was fine until it rained yesterday.

[Boxes covered with tarp after exposed to the downpour of rain in my patio. You can see some of the water damage at the bottom of image. Photo credit: P. Rashid]

When it first started to pour, I went out with my 8 year old daughter and tried to assess the damage being done. The baby was napping.

As I watched the rain pour through the patio screens and the roof leak, I was getting a bit upset that some of my work and art supplies were getting drench. Some of the boxes were getting soaked and I didn't know what valuable thing I was losing....until the French doors leading to the patio closed......

All this time, my daughter was acting really timid. It was a very dark day. The rain was pouring down and there was a little thunder. My kid was hopping all over the place, trying not to get wet...but at the same time trying to stay close to me. I was wondering why she was acting this way.

[My Conrad Printing Press covered with a grill cover after the rain. Hopefully that will cut down on possible damage due to exposure. Photo credit: P.Rashid]

I was distracted. I closed the door. When I did, I realized the door was locked. My cell phone and keys were inside along with my sleeping 14 month old baby. She was due to wake up any moment. Well, all that frustration and worry about my artwork, paints, inks, and even my printing press rusting away in the rain, just went away. I could only think of my baby waking up alone in the house.

It’s funny how your priorities can change in a split second.

I stopped thinking about how much it can suck being a military family and moving all the time. I stopped thinking about how annoyed I was at my 8 year daughter’s behavior. I STARTED thinking about how to get in my new “old” house without breaking windows to get to my baby!

I remembered a nice neighbor I met the day before. I walked in the rain over to her house and she called Pop-A-Lock for me. Apparently they have a policy of opening doors for mothers who lock themselves out, for free. Whew! Nice to know I'm not the only one....

The baby was crying when I got in the house but she calmed down once she was in my arms and I apologized profusely. Actually, she finally forgave me when I put a bottle of warm milk in her mouth. That figures…children are so easy!

Anyway, last night as I went through soaked and ruined boxes to salvage my work and supplies, I was pretty calm. Most of my anger had dissipated. My husband promised to cover everything with tarp until I found a more suitable storage space.

Deep down, I know that things will work out. I’ve got my family and a roof over my head. There’s a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Call for Artists - Bucky Art | Crystal City BID | Arlington, VA

Have you ever heard of R. Buckminster Fuller? I'm a big fan.

Call for Artists - Bucky Art | Crystal City BID | Arlington, VA

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Arena Stage is introducing a temporary, outdoor art exhibit that pays homage to the great scientific mind of R. Buckminster Fuller and his creation of the Geodesic Dome. “Bucky-Art” celebrates the upcoming production of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE.

This Call for Artists announces the opportunity to design and construct small-scale Bucky-inspired geodesic domes or other creations based Bucky’s Design Science Principles, but with individual creativity and ingenuity. Selected artists will receive a grant of $2000 from the Crystal City Business Improvement District.

For questions or to request additional information, please contact Robert Mandle at 703-412-9435 or via email at rmandle@crystalcity.org.

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A Bit of Studio Nostagia (Part 3)

You may be wondering what the big deal is. Why was this studio space so special to me?

P.Rashid's Pacific Grove, CA studio.

[Photo Credit-Lindsey Klinger, c.2009]

Well to start, I really pushed my working process in that space. I produced a considerable amount of paintings there and it was the largest private studio space I've had so far. I think even more importantly was that I started leasing it a month before my last child was born. And that was like a leap of faith.

P.Rashid's Pacific Grove, CA studio.

[Photo Credit-Lindsey Klinger, c.2009]

Back then, I wasn't sure that I would even have time to use the space with a new baby at home not to mention a 7 year old. The main problem with having a studio outside the home is physically getting to it to work.

P.Rashid's Pacific Grove, CA studio.

[Photo Credit-Lindsey Klinger, c.2009]

But I have to say, with the support and encouragement of my husband, who was in a demanding graduate program at the time, I was able to carve out a few blocks of uninterrupted time a week for most of that year. I would come home refreshed and more energized to be the mother and wife my family needed. That was great! Now I'm on to find the magic again in Tampa, FL.