Patti Gibbons Art

I am rushing trying to pack to leave for NYC at the crack of dawn to play for a few days with my friend Annie/Loel in a nice apartment on Riverside Drive. And, in a few hours I leave for Bethel Woods to see the Dylan concert with Larry and Megan. Turns out a bunch of my friends are going too so we are trying to hook up before the concert. What a trip it is going to be! What a trip it is going to be getting up at 6 AM tomorrow. Sheesh. I used to do it well, about 30 years ago!!! I FINALLY BOUGHT A LAPTOP, a Toshiba, but I have not really had time to set it up yet. I hope I figure it out before I get back, LOL. I got a great deal on it..did my research on Consumer Reports, and got the "BEST BUY" computer. Sale price 599.00 and it has as much RAM and storage as my home computer which serves me just fine! Someday I will get a MAC. Not now. Anyway, if you don't hear from me for a few days, you will know that I never figured out how to set it all up. Gotta run, will HOPEFULLY b...

Today was a great adventure. A hike on the Mohonk Preserve, rediscovering the flora and fauna such as the fresh wild blueberries that graced the paths higher up, the mountain laurel, and the wintergreen that I immediately picked, crushed, and smelled in my hands. We had lunch, and then had an outing in a row boat on the Rondout Creek. I went with Michael, a teacher friend of mine whom I have known for about 14 years.He is the real outdoorsy kind; hiker, biker, scrambler, boater, adventurer. You know, the kind that you trust will get you up and back DOWN the mountain, and be able to handle that boat when launching it means going down a steep embankment and getting it over some major logs. I used to do a lot of outdoor things, but over the years they diminished gradually. First it was the kids, then the work schedule, finally the broken ankle. This was actually the first time in two years that I did something that I would have done BEFORE I broke it! We found a flat of rocks that we clim...

Today I made lunch for a some friends of mine, and spent the afternoon hanging out in the kiddie pool with my good friend Bardet who is here for the summer from Sausalito. Lunches have been salad from the garden, as well as any variety of cold salads that I have made. Summer is my favorite time to cook as there is such an array of fresh produce available. I escaped to visit her over Easter break, and am glad that she is here in town for the summer with her grandson. Somehow the afternoon turned into a pool party, (uh, in my 5.5' kiddie pool) with family and friends. It reminded me of when my kids were little, when I was a single parent (for years) and we made the best of the summer, with kiddie pools, sprinklers, and what ever else we could come up with. My friends would come by with their beach chairs and lunches, probably a few beers, and we all hung out. Though they were very hard times for me and the kids, I had the most wonderful times. We kept it simple, but enjoyed every sma...

Today I had another IMPEACH sign incident. I have an impeach sign on my lawn, in a fairly conservative neighborhood. I think there are a lot more closet impeach supporters, but they don't dare to put the sign out. It usually happens like this. Scenerio: I am standing in my driveway talking to a friend or a neighbor and someone pulls up in a car, and comes running towards me. Now I never know if it is friend or foe, so there is a brief moment when my heart pounds. Both times it was friend who wanted to know where I got my sign. This time, a WWII veteran, last time a retired California professor. This time I was ready. I had one in the car, and he readily bought it from me. I will have to get another sign to hold for the next excited supporter. I have had no ill will towards me save for the neighbors who countered it with a huge blow up flag, but that did not last long. I swear I did not pop it. Tonight's picture is of Marc Anthony. It is a photogravure from the late 180...

My word of the day was venerate:To treat someone or something with deep respect, reverence or deference; to revere. I use this word in my studio art class to describe icons...as they were objects of veneration. Though we used it in reference to Byzantine art, we discussed objects/people of veneration in pop culture. The kids came up with Rolex watches, certain cars, movie stars, and singers. Interesting how 600 years later we have moved from the spiritual to the material world. One of my issues about the big hubbub of the movie/book "The Secret", was the focus on the material, rather than the gifts of the spiritual world. The concept is fascinating, and I believe in it, but I think that it is a shame that we think of our self worth in necklaces, or millions, and that is how our happiness and success is measured. I revere the beauty of the earth, of God/Allah/Buddha, whatever you want to call the "entity" that is greater than us. I revere love, peace, fortitude, empa...

My first day off. Alone. It was heaven. Though I did not feel well (ok, I felt horrid, something at last night's dinner made me dreadfully sick) I worked on the house, in the garden, in the studio. It was almost like I was driven to work like a maniac and make every moment count in my life. I did take time to cut flowers so that I could enjoy their beauty. I also took a dip in the kiddie pool and laid out in the sun pouring over an art supply catalog for an hour while listening to my Ipod. Oh what turns me on! I also checked out my latest issue of Martha. (I failed Martha school but I still can dream, can't I?!) Later on Megan, Dole, and Alanna came by to hang out for a bit. For dinner, I foraged in the organic garden and made a delightful salad, and along with a bit of tuna, cottage cheese and fresh mozzerealla and tomato, made my favorite summer meal. I also managed to launch my new blog, which is purely about art for you art folks...the link for it is here...Catskillp...

Ever since I ended school I have not quite gotten the feel of what vacation is supposed to be. All I have done is go to my doc appointments, babysit, clean up the messes that have piled up over the weeks.. I finally had some quiet time to myself for an hour and put on my bikini top and laid out in the sun with my headphones on. I normally like the quietude of silence, but I listen to music because I want to drown out the sound of the ringing phone, of the cars that race down my street, and the barking of the neighborhood dogs. As soon as I sat outside the sun hid behind thick clouds and my neighbor came over for an hour of incessant chatter. I wanted to scream. I felt like my entire day was this photograph..looking at the back end of the buddha, never quite getting to see him head on and absorb his peaceful face. I will try tomorrow. I have no responsibilites other than to myself and will try once more to escape from the needs of others. I did get a good part of my new blog design...

What a glorious day. Clear sky, slight breeze, no humidity, and perfect temps. The only thing that might have made it better would have to been sailing on the Hudson, or hiking the top of a mountain. A trip to the local farmers market, a purchase of a piece of sculpture for my garden. Some time in the studio. Sitting in the sun with a drink and my headphones on actually doing NOTHING while Alanna was napping. A party with cool people. I felt blessed. My mind and my soul were quiet for once, and I rejoiced in the beauty of the day. I reflected on feeling love in the most general of senses. It was a place of peace. To keep days and moments like this in my mind will help quiet the murmurings of the wounded heart and mind. To let go of old wounds and sorrows will bring peace. The ball in my garden seemed magical today. I suspect I will find much magic in my own back yard....in the words of Dorothy..there's no place like home. Patti

The day arrived..the one that all kids and teachers look forward to-the last day of school. It was rather anti-climatic for me. I am always excited, but there is an element of sadness each year. Saying goodbye to kids I love, to staff who have been my friends and my support for the year. I don't get to see many of them over the summer, and some never return. I spend a lot of time alone as many of my friends are working, and I am grateful for the phone calls asking me if I want to meet them for lunch. I am on austerity budget for the summer, but I can always find something I can afford on the menu. Today I went through bouts of frustration, anger, and sadness. Tears came to my eyes a few times thinking about all of it, and when one of my co-workers stopped in who is very sick with cancer, I lost all control of my emotions. I had to turn and walk into my room as I did not want her to see me cry. It was too close to home for me, and I knew how sick she was. I was wrapping my boss'...

Today we had the maximum amount of sunlight in a 24 hour period. It also marks the beginning of summer. I celebrated it today by having lunch with two friends on the Rondout Creek, which runs into the Hudson River. It was a crystalline afternoon as the temperature and humidity were perfect. Yet in my celebration sadness crept in, its tendrils deeply wrapping around my heart. The light will become less and less each day. Already I felt the emptiness from friends and family moving on. As I drove over the Hudson the sun was slowly lowering itself for sleep over the Catskills, cloaking the sky in hues of pink and blue. The tribal beat of Dead Can Dance was lightly drumming. I struggled to feel grounded. I went to see the Alice Neel movie at Upstate. I had received an e-mail from a an artist who had shown a fabulous fresco in my Erotica show in my gallery Her son was one of the cinematographers in the film. I am always up for a glimpse into the art souls of others, and it is was even more i...

I am so very sad. There are a few people who have been involved in my life that I am facing saying goodbye to in the next few days. Each has bought something very special and unique to my life and my career. I am grateful for having met these very special people. They have given me gifts that are priceless and I hold them dear to my heart. Though I have told them this, I don't know if they will ever understand just how grateful I am for their having touched my life. I can only hope that I have given them something equally important in return. I spent much time creating something for each one of them. Though simple, they were truely gifts from my heart. Tonight's art was for one of them. I wanted to make a piece that symbolized them using my own art and photoshop. I wrote a farewell on it, deep from my heart. It is the most honest gift that I could give. To both these people my parting words are simple but ring true "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. (Garr...

I am typing in between storms. I had much to say (I always have something to say..go ask Larry) but I hear the thunder getting louder so I had better shut down and get to bed. I bought Alanna a pool this afternoon, and almost passed out from blowing up the THREE rings. The pool is about 5.5'in size, so you know that took some air. Of course, in spite of the dark clouds, we filled it up a few inches so that Alanna could go play before it got too late. This picture is after she got out of the pool and I took off her bathing suit. The first thing she did was run around the yard exclaiming that she had no clothes on, and quite joyful in her freedom. (oh I wish I could do that, but they would certainly take me away). She stuck her head in the chiminea (which we can't use due to the city regs...want to buy one cheap??)and made all kinds of sounds in it. She loved the echo of her voice. Oh to be naked and fascinated by the most simple of things. I watch her with great joy and celebrat...

Another incredibly busy day at school, but I am counting down the hours.... I was able to put a bed of flowers in by the Buddha....nothing has been doing well there and I bought a flat of verbena hoping that those will take OK. I think I need some fertilizer for the bed. Maybe that will help. I also managed to put up a new "mini Etsy" link on my blog. I think it is really cool that they provide code for blogs (it does not work in typepad I think) but any of your who have Etsy stores can get the code and install it yourself. It will link to specific items, but then you can view my entire shop. I have started adding things to it again for the summer. I hope to put on much more, but since school is not out yet, I don't have much time to devote to the work that it takes for a while. New music.... I just bought a CD titled The Reminder by the artist "Feist". A blend of genres, an indie artist who is up-and-coming. Google her name and NY Times and read the review they...

Another quick blog as it is late. I got up early to garden, work on the house, and on Larry's father's day card and gifts. I had bought him some homemade Cassis at a local farmer's market. I know a guy who sells it, but you have to ask him privately as he does not have a license to sell alcohol, but he has the best Cassis around. I whisper in his ear, he walks over to his vehicle and I go home with liquid gold. The bottle is plain, so I collaged it with a cascade of antique paper sweet peas. I also made him a great card, and collaged his wrapping paper. I bought him a book of wise words from the Dalai Lama, a new meditation/sleep CD called Namaste (great CD by the way) and took him to French restaurant for dinner where we dined for two hours on exquisite food and drank black current Cosmopolitans and Martinis. Late afternoon we took a ride to Catskill to go to Olana. Because we were so "Zen" about the day, we missed the last tour inside the newly repainted house. ...

After a busy day of cleaning my classroom, doing grades, going to to the senior class dinner, I had no energy to blog. I headed up to bed to wash my face, brush my teeth, and collapse into my soft bed. As I drew back the covers, I saw a large package that looked like a brick. I asked Larry what it was, and he said "it is a present for my wife". I opened the bag and in it was Fiona McCarthy's book "William Morris: A Life for Our Time". Now some of you who know me very well know I have a collection of Pre-Raphaelite books, some of which are rare and I have had to sell from time to time to keep my business going or to take a class. I regret selling one particular book as it was so rare that it could not be found but one place on the Internet, but what is done is done. The piece de resistance was when I opened the book and there was a postcard dated 1936 which was written to May Morris who was living at her family home - Kelmscott Manor, two years before she died. S...

The balm of the week so far was sailing on the Hudson. My friend has a 30' sailboat, and almost as long as we have worked together, he has taken me sailing in the spring. Sometimes I get lucky and I also get to go out in the summer, sometimes with his family and sometimes with friends. Today it was cloudy and cold. I asked him in the morning if we were still on for our sail date. He said OF COURSE! It tends to be even colder once you get on the river, but I told him I was still on. I had this boyfriend who took me out in his sunfish on the Hudson on a similar day. It misted the entire time, he motored instead of sailed, (mainly because I don't think he knew HOW) and it was a miserable first experience. I landed on shore wet and cold. A week later I was out in my friend's vintage wood motor boat, and spied the creep out on the river with another woman. I ran circles around his little sunfish with the bright yellow sail which made it oh-so-easy to spot even on the Hu...

I am not much in the mood for blogging. Let me say that I am upset as my boss of 7 years is leaving. I HATE the fact that I cannot say what is on my mind as this is a public blog. I have to censor myself A LOT of the time and it drives me NUTS. (I bet I would have a lot more readers if I did not have to censor myself!) I liked my boss. I respected her and I hope that the feeling was likewise. I just want this school year to be over. It has been a tough year...though it has also been a wonderful year. I have been buying some paper on ebay and getting ready to make a shitload of artwork this summer. I have orders to fill and if I were smart I would start to build stock for the fall and winter. I also plan on joining a paint out in Marlboro which will benefit an organization that is trying to save the farmlands from investors that are trying to buy out the farms. I hope to fill my spare time with as many trips out of town as I can. I want to be a gypsy, but I don't want to ...

Today was my last teaching day, a day where I had to fix yearbook files over the phone while teaching, deal with hundreds of questions as to when it will be printed (by kids AND staff), and deal with interpersonal problems with other staff members. Perhaps I was indeed more sensitive than usual. After all, I have been sick, have worked single handedly producing a 48 page document in both Photoshop and In Design with students, co-advised the senior class...all the while teaching. I give up my lunch for the kids to have somewhere to go that they enjoy, etc. So off-handed flippant remarks do leave a sting. And you know about Scorpios.....don't back them into a corner.... The joy of my day was Alanna. I picked her up from great grandmas, and off we went to my house. We played with blocks, puzzles, watched Peter and the Wolf, colored, and discovered that cookie tins and chop sticks make great drums. For a long time she played the drums with Larry while I cooked home made marinara...

Even though it is not quite summer, the storms presented themselves in their glory tonight. I did enhance the contrast a bit in Photoshop, but the essence of the photos are what the sky looked like. Not long before the sky was a beautiful blue. Then it got dark, the wind kicked up, and I got these fabulous photos. Somewhere in my past I was a meteorologist, though I suspect it was long before modern technology. Perhaps it was in Ancient Greece. After all, Aristotle wrote in great length about meterology. I prefer to think that I was in a civilized culture, where writing, art, and thought were highly prized. The longest day of the year will be soon upon us. Though I look forward to it, I am also saddened by the fact that they days will start to get shorter again. Here's to the light, and to summer, and all of its intricacies. To the gods who throw down their bolts, Patti

I am writing you in between going back and forth to bed all day. Yesterday before I took off and went to my party, a sudden attack of lethargy struck me. I had to lay down and I passed out for 2 hours. When I got up my back was killing me, my stomach hurt, and I felt like I was a mess. I went to my party, walked to it in fact, and decided that this time I was going to have a few drinks, which might take care of the back pain, and have a good time. Worse case scenario, I go home. I had a lovely time, lots of food, good company, and at the end the killer bottle came out. My friend knows we love Aquaveet-----so he stuck a bottle in the freezer. After a few sips of that, I forgot how to spell pain. We all had a chuckle over the fact that if you google the word aquaveet, my blog comes up as the number 3 and 4 search, and people stop by and read my silly story. Wish my artwork came up that way as well. Today? My body hurt all over. I have a temp of 99 which for me is high since my bod...

I have been noticing lately how angry people are. We criticize our youth and gangs for violence, but I see adults of all ages exhibiting anger on the roads, in the stores, on the street. Who do you think all these youngsters are emulating? There is the gratuitous violence presented to children in cartoons and as they grow up, they are fed it on TV and in the movies. Phase two of our life is to work work work and we want instant gratification and when we can't get what we want when we want it we go crazy. Recently I have made some mental notes about the anger I have encountered. A woman in her 60's is screaming out her car window at someone who was driving down the street slowly, looking for a place to park. Driving down a windy back road, I stop at the blinking red light - a truck comes barreling down the street. I wait at the light, and as the truck flies past me the woman shoots me a look that would kill. I am stopped at a stop sign letting the driver to my left go, and she G...

Recently there was a post on one of my art groups asking what we wanted to be when we grew up. I am still growing up, and still refining and redefining my dreams,but they have not changed much since I was a child. From the very first sniff of colored pencils and crayons I was hooked. The color, the texture, the smell, the magic of art. My earliest memories involve art and gave me comfort then, as they still do now. I went to Catholic school where we did not have art, but the times we did I was focused and often won special prizes. Of course it was cookie-cutter style of art, but I loved it nonetheless. My love for art followed me through junior and senior high. My fondest memories of high school (and there were not many) were in the art room in the 70's,(it happened to be the high school where the Woodstock kids went) listening to Cat Stevens, live music by people like Cyndi Cashdollar (heard her on Prairie Home Companion one day!)the Kane Brothers Blues Band, Mike DeMicco ET. AL. ...

This card describes how I felt after the end of the school day. I won't go into detail, but it was nuts and I was stressed and aggravated by the end of the day. I worked really hard, and once four rolled around, it was time to start playing hard. I went down to the Steel House on the Rondout creek for a Union party. I had enough money for one good drink, so a Grey Goose martini was the drink of choice. It was in a glass that seemed to go forever, and the appetizers were plentiful and I ate enough to carry me through dinner. On the way home I stopped at the drug store to pick up film, and came across the nail polish display and thought hmmm.....how long has it been since I bought some new nail polish? After a brisk walk while listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, I popped myself into the studio for a bit to make some cards....got my yayas out on a few of them. I make some crazy-ass cards and crack myself up while doing it. I hear a hot bath calling to me and I think I...

A very quick blog as it is very late. I got the contact sheets from the shoot and they are amazing. I look right out of the 20's. I am only showing a head shot from one of the 25 images I got, as even though I am fully clothed and dressed in period costume (rhinestone top/headpiece and the bottom is an authentic piece of a flapper dress that I had tucked away) I think it is a bit too skimpy to be posting. The quality is not great as I took this from the contact sheet and had to blow it up a bit, but you get the idea. Now I have to figure out which photos I want printed! I will tell people that it is my grandmother they are looking at, hahaha! Visit Isis' website. She had a show a few years ago at the Center for Photography in Woodstock, is working on a book, and is an amazing artist. She may not be for everyone, but I love what she does. Off to bed! patti

One of my pet peeves is the way society uses sex to sell anything, yet if we, as women, embrace our sexuality, we are considered as someone less than moral or ethical. The ancient Greeks, who were one of the most intelligent cultures to have developed, did not have the sexual hang ups we have now. Men had sex with men, women with women, and it was part of the culture. Out of this culture came great thinkers, artists, architects, playwrights. The Renaissance was the "rebirth" of the classical culture of Greece and Rome, but Da Vinci and Michelangelo had to hide their sexual proclivities for fear of embarrassment or possible condemnation from the law and the church. It was not a TRUE rebirth of these ancient cultures. This workshop I participated in was a celebration of women's sensuality. I had SUCH a great time as I was given the "permission" to enjoy all of the things that make me a woman. Time to indulge myself in the little joys of nail polish, makeup, costum...

It is late, but I wanted to briefly blog. I spent my day with two writers, one dancer, and a photographer, doing a Pin Up workshop. We learned about the history of the Pin Up and the portrayal of women in art history. The first part of the workshop was learning how to apply makeup for the period we were shooting in. I chose the 20's, while others chose the 50's. Intersting factoid: if you singe a real cork, it makes a perfect charcoal eyeliner. We did it. Amazing smoky eyes. We used stage makeup, and learned make up tricks used in film and photography. We each had the pleasure of Isis doing our make up, and that was a REAL girlie treat. And, for the first time in my life, I applied fake eyelashes!!! And eyeliner, I have not used that for YEARS!!!! Lip liner? NAH. We also gave ourselves manicures and painted our nails red, the true color of the Pin Up girl. I have NEVER painted my fingernails red, but I did like giving myself a manicure and decided that I need to pay...

I love when I am alone. Not to say that I don't enjoy my family or friends, but I am such a loner that I wonder how I have never became a hermit. I guess it is because life has never given me such a window of opportunity! The demands of my job and my busy life leave me little time to myself. There has always been people in my living space...a roommate, a child, a man. But live totally alone? Not happened yet. I fantasize about it, sometimes yearn for it. It has nothing to do with men, as I have chosen good men in the past 20 years to be a part of my life. (don't ask about the previous men BEFORE THAT!) Some did not work out, and my husband is a kind, thoughtful, and loving man. BUT OH I GET SO EXCITED WHEN I AM ALONE. So this weekend Larry is at a workshop with Keith Carter. I got up early, and took off to wander the farmer's market, hung out on the stone wall with friends eating croissants, sampling wines, chatting away. Full with social interaction, I headed home to work ...

I am glad this week is done with. The yearbook is finished and being proofed. The art show opening was last night and I went after school....making a long week even longer as I did not get home till 7 pm...a long 12 hour school day. When people say they want to have teacher's hours, I just want to slap them upside the head. I don't know what teachers THEY know, but I work every day from 8 am till 4 pm, often doing work at home and in my studio for the classroom. I scrounge for materials, I am always thinking about my students, and I give them enormous amounts of love, and energy, never mind the money I spend on them during the year. Sure, we have summers off-but we need to recover from raising and mentoring all your kids. I get the ones who are quite the challenge too...the At-Risk youth. I bet you don't get too many people at YOUR job telling you to go "fuck yourself" call you a "bitch" or threaten you. The only teachers who might make the 100,000 a yea...