Don't Forget to PLAY!

Friends often remark that they don't know how I get it all done, yet I don't see myself doing anything extraordinary. I'm living. I love life. Even the crappy days are good because I always learn something about the world or my little microcosm. Yes, I get tired and I sleep. Yes, I get frustrated BUT I keep on keeping on. Usually, the good things happen after the initial few steps of "keeping on." Okay, some times, it might be a half mile or so into the matter until things start to look and feel a little better. Henry Rollins recently did a great -- and funny --video about being the master of your own destiny. Check it out.

Rollins got me thinking about whether there is anything important that I give up in life to do what I do. In other words, what are common things that I DON'T do and that I don't miss doing? They are:

• watch television. The rare exception is the news.
• hang out. I am not a hanger-outer or a chit-chatter and, for as much as I love people, I relish solitude.
• talk on the phone endlessly. It's like hanging out to me.
• Manicures, pedicures, body wax, hair waves, weaves, perms, color jobs, etc ... My stylist wants to color my hair. I tell him I cannot sit long enough for this process. Besides, I want to see how I look with my naturally-occurring, ever-increasing salt and pepper highlights.

For folks who like any or all of the above, go for it! Live YOUR life the way you want. Do what makes you happy.That's the point. It just so happens that I am one of those production-oriented types who likes to learn stuff, likes to make stuff and likes to be busy all the time. Even when I am cleaning house, my head is working on paintings or photographs or writing or processing something I read. Rollins also talks about saying "yes to everything," meaning opportunities, which often give you the benefit of new experiences with folks who you would not have had the chance to meet. A while back, when I was feeling particularly tired, I thought that I should say "no thanks" a lot more than I do, which is almost never. I've just never been good at saying "no" to doing something, even things I don't necessarily like because there is always something good that comes out of saying "yes."

I rise early (5:30ish on weekdays; sixish on weekends) and go to bed at a decent time (usually between 10 and 11 p.m.) Sometimes, I even get in a 20-minute nap. Early morning is when I do my first round of exercising and a lot of my outdoor photography. Evenings are for art administrative tasks and play. Using "playtime," I made this digital art, which is based in a photograph I shot several weeks ago in our garden. Playtime for me is also a learning experience, wherein anything goes and, if it does not go, then nothing is lost. Nothing. I still learned SOMETHING about what works and what does not, about process, about ME.

Don't Forget to Play

 I am convinced that play leads to production. I am a better person, partner and professional for giving myself permission to play. Whatever you do, whatever changes you make toward living a full life -- PLEASE remember to PLAY!

Garden Notes II

Garden Notes II by cgoldie featuring crochet tops

Shop and $AVE Local

Happy Thanksgiving! This Saturday -- November 26 -- is a big day for everyone at Arts on Union. It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support local businesses. Come shop Arts on Union at 203 North Union St. in Middletown between noon and 5 p.m. Saturday and receive awesome values on one-of-a-kind paintings,  photographs and notecards by Christine Goldbeck, glass pendants by Linda Billet and mixed media and collage by Elaine Brady-Smith. Don’t forget to “Like” and recommend us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arts-on-Union-Christine-Goldbeck/123113718082?ref=ts Art is a gift that shows thoughtfulness and INCREASES in VALUE. See you Saturday.

Hiding out in the studio

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Christine Goldbeck

Honestly, for as much as I like discussion and adventure, I am also perfectly happy hiding out, as I have been doing these last several days in my studio at Arts on Union.

Full Moon on the Creek

It’s a bit difficult to get around due to the historic flood that has ravagedMiddletown and much of the Susquehanna Valley. So, other than bicycle riding and walking, I have been  in the studio, painting and preparing inventory for Gallery Walk and upcoming fall shows. “Full Moon on the Creek,” pictured here, is a darker piece, indeed, especially for me. It fits though, what with the sadness one cannot help but feel when one is witness to the aftermath of a fury unleashed by water.

Thinking Spring? See you at the PA Garden Expo!

Monet's Tulip
Photography
11 by 14 matted to 16 by 20
$55 unframed
$95 framed

Springtime... almost. I can't wait. So, I am not going to! Instead, I'm going to immerse myself in the PA Garden Expo at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg later this month.

Coneflowers and Butterflies
Christine Goldbeck
40 by 70
acrylic on canvas
$800.00

If you're in the vicinity of Central Pennsylvania Feb. 25th through 27th, please visit me at the PA Garden Expo to view and purchase my floral and landscape paintings and photographs. 

My booth will be in the special Arts Market,which features garden-influenced artwork and hand-crafted items.

Details:

PA Garden Expo

Friday, February 25 10am-8pm

Saturday, February 26 10am-8pm

Sunday, February 27 10am-5pm

PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg

Red Flowers
Mixed Media on Canvas
Triptych and 30 by 38 on canvas
$900
These are fun because you can change them around any way you please!

inset

Meanwhile, if you need a quick dose of flower power, take a virtual visit to my website and the virtual home of Arts on Union.

"In Step" on its way to Canada for International Women Celebrate!

"In Step"
Christine Goldbeck
24 by 24 on canvas
acrylic

IWC! at AyrSpace

 Ontario, Canada

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, is the Centenary of International Women’s Day. At AyrSpace in Ontario, Canada, this year, 100 women from all over the world will raise their artistic voices and exhibit works responding to the theme International Women Celebrate! (IWC!) for five weeks—from Tuesday, March 8, to Sunday, April 10.

I am honored to be one of the 100. My painting, “In Step,” will exhibit with work by women artists from Canada, India, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, among other nations.

AyrSpace’s IWC! exhibit was conceived to: 1) observe the Centenary of International Women’s Day, 2) bring together an international artistic response to International Women Celebrate! and 3) contribute to the Haitian relief effort by donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of artworks to help improve healthcare conditions for Haitian women and their children.

“In Step”  is an intuitive, expressionist painting symbolizing women in all walks of and places in life who are moving, happily, toward their self-made destinies. It is with intent that I did not assign face, race or creed to the figures.  No matter the differences in our physical appearance, geographical location or personal beliefs, we have one very important thing in common – we are life givers – creators – and that is something to celebrate!

A book, “International Women Celebrate: 100 Women Artists Reflect,” is in production. To order a copy, contact  Jill at art@ayrspace.ca.

Meanwhile, I am contemplating doing a limited edition print run of the painting. Stay tuned for details and email me if you are interested in buying a print.

Learn how to use your new digital camera

In just a few weeks, the new semester of classes at Art Association of Harrisburg will begin. Below is a description for my six-week course. If you have a new camera or just want to learn how to use your camera technically and creativity, contact the Art Association and sign up. In addition to learning about your camera, making prints, uploading, etc ..., we have a great time.

Basics of Digital Photography
(Ages 19 through Adult, AAH Second Floor Michener Gallery, 6 weeks)
New and intermediate photographers will develop and improve their skills in pixel-based photography. Through demonstration and hands-on experience, the course will cover important creative and technical principles. Students will learn about composing, editing, storing, and outputting (printing/website) digital photographs. Automatic and manual-camera settings, white balance, composition basics, file formats, photographing art and products, and editing will be included. Students should bring their own cameras, manuals, and a notebook. An online component of the course encourages students to engage with one another outside of the classroom by posting their images and offering online feedback.
Instructor: Christine Goldbeck
$70.00 | Jan. 15 – Feb. 19 | Saturdays, 10am–12:30pm

Handmade in PA and Fox 43 Handmade in PA live news spot

I had the great fortune of doing a live news spot with Linda Billet at Fox 43 in York, PA. It is always fun to get out of the studio and be able to talk about the work of independent artists such as Linda and Elaine Brady-Smith, whose encaustic painting "Alphabet Angel" went to the station with us.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and Handmade in PA, whom I was proud to represent for the newscast.

As always, thank you for supporting independent artists and artisans. We could not create and share without your support.

Loving where you live!

It's NOT so such about the economy. 

Rather, it is more about the physical and social aesthetics of a place. Such is what the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Gallup report in the recently released "Knight Soul of the Community 2010," a study about why people love where they live and why it matters.

The gallery at Arts on Union

Jobs, the economy and safety are NOT the top factors. In fact, higher ratings go to "elements that relate directly to their daily quality of life." These include: physical beauty, opportunities for socializing and the openness of a community to all people.

This, friends, is interesting stuff.  Policy makers continue to place priority on JES (jobs, economy, safety) and, according to this study, residents are looking at things a different way. JES matters, of course, it just doesn't rank as high as the issues of physical and social aesthetics because if you don't  have the aesthetics, you don't  have the JES.

"Over the last three years, the Soul of the Community study has found a positive correlation between community attachment and local GDP growth ... This is a key metric in assessing community success because local GDP growth not only measures a community's economic success, but also its ability to grow and meet residents' needs," the report states.

I take this information as evidence of a shift from "build it and they will come" to "clean it up, liven it up and they will come" and I think this adjustment toward aesthetics is especially important to post-industrial places, such as Pennsylvania.

What do you think?

Visit me Nov 6th and 7th for Art Studio Tour

A corner of my studio

My gallery and studio, Arts on Union, 203 N. Union St., Middletown, is one of the 32 central Pennsylvania artists on the upcoming, free Art Studio Tour. The event, in its 12th year, will take place Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 am. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 7 from noon to 5 p.m. and is designed to offer the public the chance to meet and support local artists by visiting the studios in which they work.

There will be a free drawing for a $100 gift certificate and a $50 gift certificate. Winners can use the certificates at any of the studios on the tour later this year or during the Art Studio Tour 2011. Registration cards will be available at each participating tour location.  In addition to Arts on Union, artists in Annville, Elizabethtown, Hershey, Hummelstown, Lebanon Mt. Gretna, and Schaefferstown are on the tour.  Visitors may set their own agenda in making their way from studio to studio. Arts on Union will have tour brochures and tour cards for a chance to win the gift certificate.

This is my third year of doing the tour and I love meeting folks from Middletown and all the travelers who stop in. Some people come to Christmas shop. Some come because they are curious about what an artist does. At the very least, people who visit will leave with an understanding of why my jeans and sweaters always have a freshly-painted look. The event is also good for Middletown. I like to send visitors to our restaurants and shops and I like hearing, afterward, that they did spend some time in town before continuing the tour.

During tour weekend, visitors to Arts on Union will have the opportunity to watch me work on several projects, including paintings on canvas and photographic prints. I like to talk about what I do, so feel free to ask questions.

Folks who are shopping for new home decor, art or doing their holiday shopping will find bargains!

Blogs, blogs and new sites too!

I have not been around here much lately because I have been trying to simplify. I have designed and launched two new blogs:

Christine Goldbeck

Arts on Union

Feel free to have a look and let me know what you think of them. Meanwhile, I plan to keep this place, at least until the feeds are working correctly.

How a Young Journalist sees My Life

Several months ago, PSU Student Journalist Wes Culp asked to interview me for an article. I agreed. It is good marketing and it is great to help out young wordsmiths. Today, his article was published. I am fairly pleased and I hope it inspires others to set goals and pursue them.

The site at which the article is published, UWEMP, is a cool idea and I hope they succeed. The digital humanities scholar/practitioner in me cheers the mission of this company.

Please take a moment to read and rate the article.

Summer Newsletter! SALES!

Happy Sunday! Here's the latest from Arts on Union.

Landfill Art Project Update

This is one of the most rewarding public art projects of all time and I am glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.

Word about the project grows by the day and I continue to enjoy following its success and expressions of public appreciation.

The image above is a photograph of the hubcap made by Hummelstown, Pennsylvania Artist Linda Billet.

Ken provided this update to Arts on Union earlier today:

"Hi Christine,
Thank you for your continued support of the Landfillart Project. To date 245 completed projects (including your wonderful piece) have been returned, approx. 400 are being worked on and I still have to place 400 more to complete the project total of 1041 pieces. As you know all 50 states are represented and there is artist participation from 48 countries. The five most recent countries to sign on are Tunisia, Chile, Serbia, Cyprus and Uruguay. The state with the most artist participation of course is Pennsylvania followed by Tennessee, and the country with the largest artist participation (other than the U.S.) is Ireland. I'm also proud to say that Native Americans representing 6 Indian Nations are participating, and a dedicated group of mentally/physically challenged artists have also embraced the Landfillart Project.

I am still in need of and still searching for professional artists that would like to join this exciting global artist initiative.
Very best regards,
Ken" http://www.landfillart.org/

One-of -a-Kind Art for Sale

Morning Light
My handmade, handpainted paper mounted on 8 by 10 artboard. Does NOT require framing as sides are also covered with the paper.

Evening Light

My handmade, handpainted paper mounted on 8 by 10 artboard. Does NOT require framing as sides are also covered with the paper.

Want to join me? MMCA Marketplace now enrolling.

You've been hearing all the buzz lately about the up & coming MMCA Marketplace, and now we'd like to extend an invitation for you to join in on this exciting online marketing venue. If you are an artist who is committed to producing quality, original art, we welcome you to apply for membership now while we're doing an open enrollment.

Applicants are judged on quality, style and value to ensure that our Marketplace can effectively represent you, and so that we can offer "something for everyone" who comes to the Marketplace to shop. We strive to represent those artists who are devoted to their work and are constantly refining their skills. Artists accepted into the Marketplace will be coming together with the current members , adding to the already widely varied background of styles, mediums, and pricing, making it possible to offer our clients quality art in the medium of their choice.

While our standards are high, our membership costs are not. Benefits of belonging to the MMCA Marketplace include:

• 
  Your own shop page including your branding logo and short bio


• 
  Local, Regional and National Press Campaign


• 
  Website, blog and contact links listed on shop page


• 
  20 images with short product descriptions with Buy Now buttons


• 
  Featured Artist rotation on Marketplace Blog

Some of our more recent promotions are:

• 
  We made headlines in local, regional and national publications


• 
  Our artists participated in a gallery exhibit in Central Pennsylvania


• 
  We advertised in a nationally published magazine

To accommodate various budgets, we have three membership options. If you believe you belong with us, please consider submitting an application.

MMCA Marketplace makes big art headlines again

See the news!

By the way, if you want to see the work of MMCA Marketplace artists, come to Arts on Union before the end of February. We're having a party next Friday (Feb. 27th), as a matter of fact. Six to nine p.m. Dress is casual. Refreshments. Special art sales. Register to win original art.

Why Middletown for Arts on Union?

With all the traffic in and out of here this weekend, I several times was asked "why did you come here" because the town "hardly seems like a place that will support art.

Not so. We are a great community. Arts on Union and my home, which is above the gallery and studio, is situated on a street lined with restored Victorian homes and just a block away from the arts co-op, where we do many interesting activities for and with residents and artists in our community. Middletown also has its own movie theater, in the heart of our business district.

During the course of the last year, slow economy and all, I have learned that moving to Dauphin County's oldest borough and establishing a gallery and study here was definitely a smart move. For starters, it has a train stop (AMTRAK) and its own passenger and freights rail line (M&H), is close to Harrisburg International Airport and has bus service.

We have several top-notch restaurants. Want elegance and upscale? We have it in Alfred's Victorian. Want great decor and great family-style food? We have that in the Brownstone Cafe or the Lamp Post Inn. If you want diner food, we have that, too, in Kuppy's, a true culinary landmark here. Wings or good, homemade pastas? The Blue Room! I try to get there at least once a week for hot wings. The Blue Room also has an interesting family history and the story is told on the front of its menu. Go for the linguini with white clam sauce, if nothing else!

Boating, fishing, walking, picnicing, plein air painting on the banks of Swatara Creek and the Susquehanna River are also features, which means the place is right up my alley since I power walk or run every day and my two Golden Retrievers love water.

The old muckracker in me loves that we have our own community newspaper and this in an era when print media is struggling, consolidating, closing ... As an aside, never doubt the benefits (social, cultural, political) of a local newspaper.

As for towns that support art and artists, I'll take my chances with Middletown. Throughout the weekend, I've heard a lot of positive comments about my work and about having access to a gallery, workshops and art made right here in this historic, working-class town.

Art, like Middletown, after all, is subject to perceptions that are not always correct. That art is highbrow and expensive is not always so. I strive to make art that people can afford to take from my walls and pedestals. Through hands-on workshops and demonstrations, I try to show visitors the peace and joy within the art of living and within living with art.