ArtOMatic is just about the most fun an artist can have:  nonjuried, HUGE, and so much to soak in for inspiration.  If you can’t find something to like at any ArtOMatic, then you just don’t like art! (Here’s my take on how to participate in an ArtOMatic).

Alas, we have not had a D.C. ArtOMatic for 2 years now.  We are due.  You can see some of my past writing on ArtOMatic by going to “ArtOMatic” or “ArtOMatic 2009” under Categories my side bar.  Here’s a past post on a long-time favorites, Kim Reyes, Krissy Downing (showing in Frederick), and a post from 2008.   So, while I couldn’t do the 2.5 hour trip for load-in/out and gallery sitting at the ArtOMatic in Frederick, MD, I had to make time to go see.

Lovely day trip!  Some old friends from D.C. ArtOMatic and lots of new folks to discover. 

I’m going to spend a few days sharing some of my favorites.  The reasons they are favorites are different:  some take my breath away, some are inspiration for ideas I’m currently working out like found object mosaics, some give me ideas for future work of my own, some are just fun and need to be shared.  When I’m doing three full floors of art and something makes me stop – it has a reason to be here!

Let’s face it:  3 floors of art in one afternoon puts you on overload no matter how you look at it.  So I’m sure I missed something.  And I didn’t have time to get titles, though I did get the artists’ names.  And the setup is not always good for getting the best picture of a piece so I hope you’ll excuse the less than perfect frameups.  It’s more about sharing the work with you and making you want to go see the real thing, than about making perfect pictures.  The perfect picture is in person!

IF they have a website, that follows the pictures.  And can I tell you how amazed I am at how many artists don’t have a website?!!  How are folks to find and enjoy (except through people like me who take an afternoon to look and a day to organize the pictures?!).  Come on y’all artists!  Honor yourself.  Honor your talents.  And make me happy – I want to see more! (Luckily this first batch mostly has website, so enjoy!)

Joe Cunningham  http://www.unseatedeye.com

Ellen Mansfield http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ellens-TileStroke-Studio/199126076793745 

Julie Maynard  http://weinbergphotography.com/TAG/artist-galleries/julie-maynard/

Laurie Niswander   http://www.etsy.com/shop/niswanderceramics

Jane Pettit  http://www.janepettit.com

Wylde Women’s Wisdom

Art should make you feel something.  The “something” is up to you.  But to be art, it should create a space where something new is born, by its very nature changing you and the way you see the world around you – and who knows where the ripples stop?  Tammy Vitale