New Work - New Show!

I have been busy in the studio, creating a new series of mixed media collages and am really excited to be sharing them in a solo exhibit this October and November at Gallery 291 in Mill Valley, CA. At the heart of the new work is the experience of reaching into the darkness, the unknown, and having an unexpected gift or blessing arrive. Gallery 291 will be showing these pieces plus works from my 5 previous series as well - so it feels a bit like mid-career retrospective. If you are in the area, I hope you will get a chance to check it out and come to the reception or artist talk.   

Mary Daniel Hobson: Mixed Media Photography

October - November 2014

Reception: Saturday, October 18th, 6:30pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, Novembe 13th at 6:30pm

Gallery 291 (at The Image Flow)

401 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 

415-888-3585 

Image Info: Invocation #1, ©2014, mixed media collage, 14 x 10"

Just Do Your Work - Wise Words from Kiki Smith

 
“Just do your work. 
And if the world needs your work, it will come and get you. And if it doesn’t, do your work anyway. You can have fantasies about having control over the world, but I know I can barely control my kitchen sink. That is the grace I am given. Because when one can control things, one is limited to one’s own vision.”
-Kiki Smith

Image: Studio Work Table, ©2014 Mary Daniel Hobson

Making Art Together - The Traveling Postcards Project

Six of us, myself included, gathered on a recent Monday evening in my studio to celebrate a friend's birthday by making postcards for the Traveling Postcards Project. Amid the sounds of shuffling paper, scissors slicing and easy conversation, we each crafted a 4 x 6"card for an anonymous woman in need of support. It was a lovely way to channel our creative energy into a meaningful gift for someone else while enjoying tea and chocolate birthday cake.

The Traveling Postcards Project was founded by Caroline Lovell, and the cards created are delivered by her organization to women in shelters recovering from abuse. As Caroline says, "Creating postcards that incorporate both art and words may seem like a small action, but it is exactly what most women want; voice, visibility and compassionate caring. Receiving a card that is both beautiful and meaningful from a stranger is empowering. Knowing that you are not alone and that someone is trying to help can create resiliency. None of us can hope to effect change single handedly, but together, through collective action, we can help each other."

For me, it was so inspiring to create art as an anonymous gift for someone else. I also loved offering a hands-on artmaking event in my studio. I realize, although I have hosted many events - from Open Studios to mentoring, group critiques, artist gatherings and more - that I have rarely pulled out the art supplies and invited people to just create with me in my studio. It was such fun and I look forward to doing something like this again soon.

You could see the postcards we made that night on the Traveling Postcards facebook page. If you are interested in learning how to make your own card, please click here. 

Creativity & Grace

Wishing you a new year full of creativity and grace!

Image Info: Wish ©2013, mixed media collage, 4 x 6"

Getting Ready...Open Studio Tomorrow!

I have been having fun and working hard this week getting the studio ready for my Fall Open Studio tomorrow, Saturday, October 5th. It's always a treat to re-hang my art for these events and see it fresh. Plus I have been organizing paints so kids can decorate flower pots, and baking biscotti and other treats. Here are a few photos of the studio as it is getting ready. If you are in the Bay Area it would be great to have you come by!

Muir Beach Open Studio & Garden Sale
hosted by Mary Daniel Hobson, Wendy Johnson & Peter Rudnick
Saturday, October 5 from 10am - 4pm
1795 & 1815 Shoreline Hwy, Muir Beach, CA
Offering fine art, organic plants, art activities for kids and tea & treats and more.
Questions? Please email me.

Image #1: Machu Picchu II, Conserve Ecology, Ascend, and a new piece called Open.

Image #2: I always love offering some of my favorite quotes about the creative process - folded up so people can pick one intuitively. 

Image #3: A panoramic shot of three walls of the studio