AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

I got three paintings in the above named group-show at W13 Gallery, in Downtown LA! There's a courtly love theme, for the Valentine Season. They chose the work off my website, and one, "Blooming Roses," I had promised to my favorite collector so a little drama ensued. But it turned out to be cosmic, because I contacted the collector to see what she thought, and found she had just gotten out of the hospital, after surgery, so I could give her my love and be there for her! She lovingly said “by all means, put the painting in the show, sell it — it needs to be seen!” I delivered the three paintings, and by another cosmic nuance, the curator decided not to use "Blooming Roses," afterall, because the frame made it too large for the space he had earmarked for it. He went with a smaller painting of my ex-husband, Doug, and I, instead. Suddenly, very cosmically, my contribution to the show became a personal retrospective of my love life: two paintings of Doug and I, a poem from my 2.5 year stint with Greg, then a poem from my year with Michael. Plus a painting of self-empowerment, and inspiration to write a new poem, based on this empowerment, for the show.

The gallery is two levels, with a staircase on one long wall and I performed from the mid-staircase, looking up and down at the guests...very balcony. I did commentary and read the poems...dug up a sestina (11th century style) from when I was with Greg. Read a very steamy modern love poem from when I was with Michael. And read my new, courtly love troubadour style poem, my inner-male playing the role of the peasant, madly in love with my Lady, the Queen of Art! "I see nothing but through you, Lady Art! You are my everything!" It was a BLAST! I went way over the top with it :) There was a sculpture downstairs, of several lilies in a box structure that make orgasm noises, like in the movie, "When Harry Met Sally," that started soft, almost undetectable, and then over about 15/20 minutes got louder and louder, then soft again. They were at the loudest point when I was reading some pretty erotic lines. Everyone flipped out! It was perfect!!!

A big thanks to all my friends who made it—you were an invaluable part of my performance energy!!!

And I LOVE this feeling of creative cosmic completion, and opening to the new. I have this wonderful sense of fulfillment with past romance, and feel at peace and totally ready for the new!

xo,

Nance