UMKC 12th Annual Talent Show

What an exciting night it was yesterday. Lindsey and I performed on stage for the first time together. The performance went smoothly. We practiced hard. We put in the time and it all paid off. UMKC definitely had talent that night. WE had fun. I had a blast.

Anyway, here is the video:

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1225493442

Sept.9th, 2006 Opening Reception at Leopold Gallery

Well my summer long anticipated solo exhibition was this past Saturday. It was the same night of my dance team's performance at Dance in the Park which I regrefully missed due to the conflicting schedules. However, I had the privilege to see it on video and it was off the hook, needless say. www.kcsalsa.com

Anyway, I pulled up to the gallery in the crestwood area at around 6.45pm. I recognized some people in there whom I was really excited to see. It was the most rewarding feeling an Artist could experience knowing how far you have came and knowing all I had to do this evening was to relax and enjoy the work on the wall and enjoy the company of fans, friends and clients. I remember when I started on my first painting for the show in July this year. In the middle of the painting, occasionally a glimpse of 20 blank canvasses and a thousand dollars worth of frames that crowded my tiny studio in my one bedroom apartment haunted me.

Everyday I questioned myself if I will ever finish this show. I DID IT! I even took six days off to visit Puerto Rico. That trip inspired me. It was worth the money and risk. So here I am sitting in my car reflecting on my journey this summer struggling to finish this show. All the energy and pressure built up was going to be released this very moment, the opening reception. I was speechless.

The show was a great success!!!!! We managed to sell more paintings at the opening this year than last year. Thats exciting news. It just gets better and better every year.

Flint Hills - Field Trip

Here I am on the Prairie Hills of Kansas, on Saturday morning Sept. 9th.

Months ago, I was presented an opportunity to donate a painting of the Flint Hills to help support my friend Beth Carolan and her Pembroke School environmental art project. Soon the gallery that I exhibit in was involved and the project grew which involved this field trip out to the Flint Hills with a bunch of high school art kids/aspiring young artists along with some professional artist from the gallery including myself. In October 21st, the students and the artists will have a joint exhibition down by the Crossroad district. Even though it was during the day of my exhibition, it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse.

I started my journey at 8.30am Saturday morning. The overcast sky and the cool breeze made the trip quite pleasant. Along the shoulder, wild sunflowers were in bloom. I arrived at the Zbar Ranch around 10.30am. There were around 40 kids, half from Pembroke Hill and half from Paseo Art Academy. We all split up into groups and I had the honor and privilege to be in charge of the drawing class that had six amazingly talented, outgoing, funny, humble and bright students.

We wasted no time but to hike up the hill and started drawing the hills and land that stretched for hundreds and hundreds of miles ahead. We spent the rest of the time chatting about life, Art, school and etc.... Needless say, we had a blast. My goal for the day was to inspire them, encourage them and made sure they had enough references to produce an original artwork for the exhibition held next month. I am so excited to see their work.

Got home at 5.30pm and rushed to get ready for my opening reception at 6pm.