Where are the creative people in Austin?

Monday, April 26, 2010, posted by Laura Roberts | (17) Comments

Four times a year you can find the creatives of Austin at Pecha Kucha night.  Pecha Kucha was started in Tokyo in 2003 and has grown to over 300 cities.  Each presenter gets to show 20 slides and has 20 seconds per slide.  20 x 20.  Painters, architects, writers. landcape designer, theremin players and musicians of all types (yes!), photographers, choreographers….you name it, they will be there.  Presenting, connecting, listening, inspiring.

Last Thursday was Pecha Kucha Austin for the spring.  Laura, Robin, Melissa and I met up with Cori and Teva and ran into many creatives to have a great evening.  The best place to stay in touch with Pecha Kucha and get a reminder in your email inbox is their Facebook page.  It was updated before the national site.

Some highlights were Kenny Braun’s surf photographs from the Texas coast.  You know I LOVE photography!  Sam Martin, author of Manspace, Matt the Electrician, and Christine Ten Eych, landscape architect, were all inspiring.

Here is a sample Pecha Kucha Vancouver with Danielle La Porte, author of Style Statement. I went to a White Hot Truth workshop with her last fall. She continues to inspire. Her slogan is White Hot Truth: because self realization rocks.

See you in the fall at Pecha Kucha. Tell me where you find creativity in Austin! or the planet   And thank you to all the creative people in my life!

Lance Letscher Opening

Wednesday, April 14, 2010, posted by Laura Roberts | (14) Comments

Check out Lance Letscher at the d berman gallery. We went for night on the town with Cori (owner of Wildflower Organics ), Marla Henderson (Marla Henderson Design), and Teva (special gal). We started at happy hour at Botticelli's. Marla, Georgian girl that she is, recommended the spicy shrimp on polenta from their $5 happy hour menu. They also have a $5 wine and specialty cocktail menu. Fantastic! Their outdoor patio is fabulous this time of year.

We then headed to the d berman gallery for the Lance Letscher Perfect Machine opening. He uses book pages, scribbles, old magazines and record covers to create collages and collaged objects. You'll notice a commissioned Lance Letscher piece above the fireplace at the River Road house in my portfolio. Several of my favorite pieces from the show are already sold, but I highly recommend commissioned pieces with him. I don't think you would be disappointed.

He has a newly published children's book, The Perfect Machine. Don't miss the book signing, Saturday, April 24 at 1pm at d berman gallery.

We ran into another of my favorite painters, Roi James (more to come about him later) and Stephen L. Clark at the opening. Then headed back down to Congress Avenue to Jo's for the Amy Cook's CD release, but I think we missed it?

Creative Process

Wednesday, April 07, 2010, posted by Laura Roberts | (17) Comments

I believe in the creative process and creative spirit and believe all homes should have at least one piece of original art. I believe in falling in love too. And each time I buy a piece of art, I feel that "falling in love" feeling. When I help clients purchase something, when I get the tingle up my spine I know we have found the right piece.

I remember buying my first significant piece from the Stephen L. Clark Gallery many years ago. "Chicken Feathers" by Keith Carter just would not leave me alone. I would see the sparklers shining, the childrens' costumes and chicken feathers on the ground when trying to fall to sleep at night. It was the last one available in the edition which is not necessarily when you want to purchase because it is the most expensive. However, it is still hanging on my wall and has a companion piece "Garlic" by Keith Carter. Yes, I have that in common with three other people -- Garlic that is......Stephen L. Clark, Andrea Turner (a great friend since we were 16) and President Barack Obama.

Generally when purchasing photographs, it's great to go to the first show and purchase. An artist will decide the number of prints they will make, then set the prices. The first five might be $1200 then the next $1800 etc until they have reached the end of the edition. An edition for a print might be 8 or it could be 50 (or more). It's up to the artist.

Here is Keith Carter on the making of Chicken Feathers: