#Jo Westfall

[longlistshort]

Jo Westfall, “The Queens Astronomer”, 2023, Mixed media

Christine Mauersberger, “Kates Bouquet”, 2022, Digital print on Japanese Kozo paper, of loom weaving

Cat Mailloux, “Rose Window”, 2023, Quilted appliqué on found fabric

Suzi Hyden, “If the Sun Could Kiss Me”, 2023, Toned cyanotype on vintage linen hand-stitched onto metal fencing

Above are a few of the works from Common Thread, the current exhibition at Malone University’s art gallery. It is on view until 2/29/24.

From the gallery about the show-

Although quite different, all artists in this exhibition are united by the idea of textiles. Suzi Hyden’s work celebrates the environment by combining elements from nature and repurposed materials to create cyanotypes on vintage fabrics.

Cat Mailloux’s textile practice is focused in quilt making, pursuing connections between the visual language of churches, cathedrals, and domestic spaces that slowly bleed their way into imagined and limitless landscapes, exploring questions of the infinite through material.

Christine Mauersberger’s body of work is aesthetically eclectic. Hard and soft. Digital and analog. Some pieces fill a room, others can be held in your hand. The common thread is that each piece attempts to make the invisible visible.

Jo Westfall creates visual work considered resource art. It is portraiture, fiber art, and assemblage made with local materials that were discarded, overlooked, or unused. It reclaims the aesthetic capacity and utility of these items by integrating them into fresh renderings.

[demonbarbers]

ok i spent sunday drinking with oomfs and then monday mourning i’m Ready to Share what i can i remember from sunday

the energy was so electric! and not just for josh and annaleigh there was so much love in the room for everyone it was really beautiful

josh and annaleigh were, as always, on point but they were also just giving it their absolute ALL. final sequence was absolutely insane there was such a sorrow and fury to everything… i did cry

it looked like maria was crying during green finch which is a choice i’ve never seen her make so that made me emotional. ruthie also cried in character but in a place she usually doesn’t cry and that destroyed me

delaney westfall did a very funny “NOOOO” instead of her usual gasp during pirelli’s miracle elixir

nik chris was going the fuck off he brought the house down as pirelli as usual but he had such an intensity that night it was making me cry with laughter

after killing pirelli sweeney let out this like little pathetic heartbroken cry and josh usually does that but this one was the saddest noise i’d ever heard

right before pretty women when lovett is bringing toby into her back parlor annaleigh and daniel knocked the bench over and annaleigh had to fix it in character and it was hilarious and the audience ate it up

josh and annaleigh’s last a little priest… so funny so ridiculous annaleigh got on all fours and just moaned at one point and it made josh genuinely actually break which made her break. it was very sweet and the audience picked up on it and loved it

when sweeney and lovett kiss in by the sea people genuinely cheered and hooted and hollered it was so funny and Real

john rapson and annaleigh were going HAM during parlor songs. funniest they’ve ever been

josh’s final “BENJAMIN BARKER” was insane. and so hot

i just need to say it again again the final sequence from the minute anthony and johanna arrive at the shop to when sweeney dies it was just perfect. everyone broke my heart. it was so human.

jo shouts “NO” when she runs in on toby killing sweeney and i’m gonna be thinking about that choice for a very long time. maria was cooking with that.

also just wanna shout out daniel marconi! his physical intensity was insane. this was only my second time seeing him and ugh i really love his toby i’m so sad he’s leaving soon. he plays toby with a little limp and leans into the disabled young man characterization toby usually gets but does it with so much dignity.

ok parasocial corner time

when i tell you the entire ensemble was weeping during josh and annaleigh’s speeches… you can see in the video the sweeney insta posted that 3 of them are crying but it was truly the entire ensemble. i went back and watched my own video and it was just so moving to see the respect and love on display. there’s soooo much love in that company and you can really feel that in the bones of this production.

ruthie was running around taking pictures of josh and annaleigh during their final bows like a mom and it was so cute. love her

overall just so grateful i got to watch this production with this cast and make some wonderful friends through it :’)

[sarahlancashire]

top 5 female characters?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME

i can't possibly choose only five, i'm going to have to categorise. none of these are in order bc i can't choose between them (also there might be more than five within some of the categories oops)

sitcom queens who got me through the ordeal of growing up:

bill porter (2point4 children)

barbara good (the good life)

margo leadbetter (the good life)

ann bryce (ever decreasing circles)

pat dawkins (the thin blue line)

powerful sapphic characters who make me feel empowered:

caroline elliot/ mckenzie-dawson (last tango in halifax)

bridget westfall (wentworth)

maggie radcliffe (broadchurch)

paula martin (coronation street)

edith lyons (years and years)

millie harcourt (the bletchley circle)

disastrous sapphic characters who make me feel validated:

bernie wolfe (holby city)

dulcie collins (deadloch)

shona o'keefe (this way up)

chase phillips (losing chase)

karen (real women)

jo davidson (line of duty)

proudly/ happily sapphic characters who make me happy:

rosalyn mullens (shortland street)

gwendolyn briggs (ratched)

hannah taylor (harlan coben's shelter)

dinah groshardt (late bloomers)

paula cohen (zombies, run!)

literal angels:

sister julienne (call the midwife)

cathy walker (mum)

kathleen kelly (you've got mail)

lucy moderatz (while you were sleeping)

iris simpkins (the holiday)

helen gallagher (happy valley)

hannah grose (the haunting of bly manor)

isabella (measure for measure)

kay chandler (random hearts)

martyrs:

celia coplestone (the cocktail party)

sara smith (zombies, run!)

major de santa (zombies, run!)

lindsay denton (line of duty)

beth march (little women)

better than everyone:

beatrice lacy (rebecca)

mrs. lintott (the history boys)

gill murray (scott & bailey)

birgitte nyborg (borgen)

janet scott (scott & bailey)

portia (the merchant of venice)

susan ryeland (magpie murders)

mrs. hughes (downton abbey)

lorelai gilmore (gilmore girls)

mrs. gardiner (pride and prejudice)

miss maudie (to kill a mockingbird)

phyl moore (their finest)

cyril woodcock (phantom thread)

you're so hot i can't even think:

bridget westfall (yes, again)

rosalyn mullens (also yes, again)

julia standing (the night watch)

chrissie read (river)

morrigan (dragon age)

[johanna-gampre]

It had been a long time since Susan last saw her half-sister, years even-- A fact she couldn't claim any longer as she traversed the dirt road, putting herself feet and then inches closer to her destination: Johanna Gampres humble abode. Shed pause on the dirt path, eyes sentimental as she considers what bridging this gap may bring...

No letter ahead of time to announce her arrival, Sue anticipated to catch Johanna off guard, and in part the Madam was fighting the urge to turn heel and return to the horse she rented to fulfill this trip to Westfall. No letter and leaving now meant if Jo wasn't expecting her she wouldn't miss her if Susan gave into her weaker urges to shy away from human connection.. But she didnt. She wouldnt... Couldn't, in all honesty. Too long had she been hiding in her brothel, ignoring family, friends.

Instead Susan simply breaths in a little courage before crossing the distance to the front door for a sharp few knocks of announcement, calling out: "Jo? Fear not, it's Susan, not some fundamentalist light worshiper wanting to convert you with enticing brownies and readings.."

There were plenty of things Johanna might have expected when it came to knocks on doors at unexpected times and on unexpected days. Given where she lived - where she had lived the majority of her life, much to her displeasure - it could have been anything from well-meaning strangers to far less benevolent strangers, from the Defias returned for a third time to Stormwind’s finest looking for said Defias. Needless to say, it wasn’t with any particular enthusiasm that Johanna finally came to the door - at least, not until she heard Susan speak.

Where it had taken far longer than strictly necessary for Johanna to come to the door at all, it was with far more enthusiasm that the door swung open. The strawberry blonde was grinning ear to ear, giving a short laugh at Susan’s words. “I have to say, if they brought brownies, they might actually get a word or two in. No such luck.”

For a moment, Jo eyed her half-sister a tad critically, green eyes narrowing and flitting from her toes to her hair and back - a rather concerned once-over disguised as curiosity. “You, on the other hand, I wanna hear all about. You could’a written, you know, Su.” There it was - the concern, as well as the more obvious drawl to her words.

Stepping outside, and settling herself comfortably onto the steps, Johanna patted the spot beside her. “C’mon, I mean it, I wanna hear everything.”

( @susan-gampre )

[offender42085]

Post 0485

“let that sink in” -- Judge

Trevor Alan Teets, Ohio inmate A722459, born 1995, incarceration intake in 2017 at age 22, sentenced to Life; subject to parole consideration as of December 2032

Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter

Trevor Alan Teets, who was found guilty of the murder of Alicia Marie Pentecost-Salyers, was sentenced to 18 years to life in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court.

Teets, of Circleville, shot Alicia Marie Pentecost-Salyers, 19, at Woodview Estates on South Court Street on Feb. 1, 2015. Teets was found guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter and a charge of domestic violence.

Before Judge P. Randall Knece delivered his sentence to Teets, Teets’ attorney, Jo Hans-Kaiser, asked the judge to consider Teets’ past. She said Teets just turned 22 this month and has lived in Circleville his entire life. He graduated from Westfall High School where he participated in band, wrestling, football and was often on the honor roll. He had no criminal history.

“He moved in with a girl and things were going well and then they weren’t,” Hans-Kaiser said. “Two lives were forever changed.”

Hans-Kaiser went on to say that the event that occurred would likely never occur again and it was a set of circumstances gone completely wrong and Teets has shown genuine remorse for his actions.

Against the advice of his attorney, Teets decided to speak to the courtroom because he felt it was the right thing to do.

“I do love Alicia,” Teets said. “I will always love Alicia. She comes to me in my dreams at night and tells me it’s okay and she loves me. I feel for her everyday. I don’t hurt for myself, I don’t feel the pain through myself. I feel the pain for all these people here.”

Teets turned to Alicia’s family and asked for forgiveness.

“I would never do this, I didn’t,” he said.

Teets went on to say he wanted to do things in his life that no one in his family had done and wanted Alicia by his side.

“Things got out of hand and I don’t know what happened,” Teets said. “All I know is I am here and Alicia is gone.”

Judge Knece cut him off and said the family had been put through enough.

Knece made it clear that his hands were tied in the sentencing because of the state statute and that Teets would get 15 years to life with an additional three years added on for a gun specification. He then explained to Teets that the parole authority can hold him for the rest of his life and what Teets said in the courtroom would be typed up and sent to the parole board so they can see how arrogant he is and the lack of remorse he has.

Knece said that he would also write a letter to the parole board for when his time is up for parole. He told Teets to “let that sink in” and that he committed a “selfish act.”

2d

[lxvenderhxzehv]

Intro: Josie

(Anya Taylor-Joy) [THE FOX]. Please welcome [Josie Reigh (She/Her)] to Huntsville, WV. They are a [23]-year-old [RESIDENT] who lives in [TOWN]. You may see them around working as a [assistant librarian]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive. (Pixie, 24, She/her/hers, EST)

Name: Josie Reigh Nicknames: Jo, JoJo, Age/DOB: 23 April 14th, 1999 Gender: cis-Female She/Her Sexual Orientation: Bi-sexual Personality type: The Fox Relationship status: In a relationship with Gabe 'G' Westfall Occupation: Librarian Assistant Destianation: In Town

Bio:

TW: Alcoholism, Death and emotional abuse

Josie always felt out of place in Huntsville. Her Parents, who were always drunk, seemed to never understand her issues with the small town, or why she threatened to run away and never come back. Despite her hate for her home town Josie was a good kid and a good student always excelling at most of her classes in school. She was also not one to shy away from people and still manage to have a good group of friends that made Huntsville a little more tolerable.

Josie knew from an early age that her only way out of Huntsville would be going to college. She also knew that meant she would have to save up for herself. Helping with chores around the house and sneaking an extra dollar from her parents wallet when she could. She had managed saved up quite a little stash of money. However a few days before her thirteenth birthday, she came home from school to find both her parents passed out in the living room with empty bottles of liquor everywhere, along with the box where she had hid her money. It was gone, all of it. Every last cent wasted on the one thing her parents loved more than their own child. Tired of her parents Vices she pack a small bag with clothes and necessities. She didn't even leave a note for her parents figuring they wouldn't care. Heading to the border of Huntsville in a cab she scrounged to pay for with some change in her bag. Anticipation rose as they approached the border, closer and closer. Josie almost had to do double take, realizing they had reentered the town. Josie asked the driver what his problem was, only to find out he was just as confused as she was. He tried once more and it was the same result back in Huntsville like she was stuck in a loop. She figured in was a sign and asked the cab driver to drop her back off at home. When she arrived her driveway was full off flashing lights. A sinking feeling rested in her stomach. In what felt like moving in slow motion she watched as a body bag on a Gurney was lead into an ambulance followed by her distraught father, Her Mother had died.

As the years went on Josie's home life only go worse, Her fathers Alcoholism caused him to loose his job, leaving Josie to start work at the library in town. With all chances of Collage off the table thanks to the monsters, the paradox and their financial struggles Josie only saw it fitting that she got a job anyway. It gave her a break from her fathers constant mouth and loud voice. He had always blamed her for her mothers death. Always saying that if she had never runaway her mother would still be alive. Josie often wondered how long her father had left to live, it wasn't long she would soon find out. Thanks to his constant benders her father found himself face to face with one of the monsters pretending to be his late wife. Her father being impaired by his drink approached the figure hopeful that his love had returned. The next morning Josie found him or what was left of him in their front yard. For the first time in Josie life she felt free, and she soon realized Huntsville wasn't the problem, it was her parents.

Josie is now quite content in her place in Huntsville, she just hopes the life she lives now is one she can look back on and not regret it. Not that she has a choice.

[storyofwhoiam]

@byzcntine liked for muse roulette plotting:

Lucy Lane - Teddy Altman: Met whilst they were both serving in the army?

Tara Lewis - Will Gorski: The BAU are called in to assist on a case that Will’s working on

Amy Cameron - Andrea Rojas: I don’t know Andrea very well but I do know that they should kiss

Catia Lucas - Kara Danvers: CatCo reporter buddies!

Bridget Westfall - Jennifer Jareau: Clearly the entirety of the BAU should be in a whole lot of therapy at all times

Robin Gallagher - Jason Mendoza: I have no idea how they’d meet — beyond Jason rocking up at the strip club which I don’t suppose is the most unlikely — but I just think they could be really chill friends

Leah Jacobs - Kara Danvers: Kara interviewing Leah and/or Supergirl needing to rescue Leah from some sort of threat?

Lemond Bishop - Wolfgang Bogdanow: Wolfgang is absolutely someone with the skills that Bishop would be wanting in his crew

Nora Goddard - Kara Danvers: I stand by my earlier point, Nora deserves a beefcake lol

Debbie Smith - Sara Lance: Debbie Didn’t Die AU. There was some space/time disturbance and the Waverider crew have to pull her out of her timeline. Maybe she can’t get back to her mum, but she does get to go on cool adventures

Marie Winter - Jo Wilson: Marie’s girls are going to need medical attention from time to time but you know she’s controlling enough not to let them go without someone to keep an eye on them. Maybe Jo becomes suspicious?

[containatrocity]

"Did you choose Silas, or are you afflicted with him like any insufferable older brother? Because I'm not sure sometimes if the recovery date was being looked forward to because it was when we could have sex again, or when you could jump Cyan outside of the Romero place." He teases with a laugh, sighing as she pushes the ashtray toward him. "You know I don't like smoking in the house..." It doesn't stop him, as he lights up and takes a long drag, white smoke coiling from his nose slowly as she smacks his upper chest. "Well we're going to be tired anyway! The specifics about which part of the unpacking process is the reason we're tired is like, honestly secondary, Jo. Could be the boxes, could be the setting up the office-" A pause, to take another drag. "Could be the celebratory fucking-in-a-pile-of-books, the important thing is that we will be tired at some point, and I can't start a house fire with the microwave."

He also isn't particularly bad with a knife, already moving to cut up fresh vegetables for their sandwiches- cigarette set aside in the ashtray as he works- and Josie insists he deserved a second chance- that his father had been cruel to insist that simply wanting to escape- to see the world through a wider lens than the 'good book'- was wrong, somehow. He knows that, now- had learned that lesson the night he left a front door slightly too-open for a sigil to protect the family inside. He'd killed his parents- intended to, perhaps, destroy the entirety of the Huntsville Westfalls the way someone had killed Gianna years later- Esther had ensured he wouldn't answer for what he'd done- by death, or jail time. Another thing he owed them for. "Well. That's been a long time ago now." He reasons, skirting past Josie to retrieve a mason jar of apple juice. "And you know... we've... learned from it. I like to pretend maybe I'll. Be a better parent, if the time comes, because of what Gabriel went through." He unscrews the lid, pouring himself a glass before bending to kiss Josie's temple. "Yeah I... I'd like that. I haven't been... out to see him in a while." Busy with the station, the move, his friends, and Josie, he'd neglected the burial site, unintentionally. "At least clean the marker up, I'm sure it's due for a weeding." There's a relief- in the way she doesn't argue against his worldview- adapting to it instead was a comfort- one that made him cling to it less violently- He'd been rather stable, since the last incident, careful to get in touch with someone on rough days and keeping himself distracted, otherwise. He reels her in by her waist gently, larger frame draped over her back slightly as she works, his other hand retaking his cigarette for another slow drag. "You are scary though. Absolutely terrifying." He teases. "five-ish feet of unbridled rage."

"oh now quite the opposite.. " she smiled softly. It had gotten to the point where she had gone just to see him. At the time she didn't realize it was crush she had on him. She just assumed she enjoyed his presence. He made her smile and laugh. But she never would have thought. She moved closer to him wrapping her arms around his waist as he pulled out his cigarettes. "You did, but I did too" she giggled a little "I wanted you to stare so I guess...I can make an exception...." She reached for the crystal ash tray on the counter and brought it closer signaling that she wasn't about to let him go just yet. And she wanted to smoke she wanted him to stay right there and do it. Clinging to him like he was a tree and she was sloth. She had never been clingy before. But now that she had so much too loose....she was scared and has a reason to be. Any Chang to hold him close like this she was going to take. She scoffed "You're telling me you were scared of little old me" she looked at him with doe eyes once more. He should be, she didn't know anyone who did half the dumb shit she did. Slapping mercy being the icing on the cake for dumbest things she had ever done. But she would never do anything to harm him. God she would do anything in the world to keep him safe. "girls are scary I get it" she said with laugh.

"This town has a weird way of bringing people together I think...." She mentions. "Lach was just my teacher until suddenly he wasn't and now he's my dad...." At last in her eyes he was. "Cal was my boss and then next thing I know he's like a brother to me...." She shrugged "Myles is my family too. Just like cyan, sissy....you" she said with warm cheeks. "I begged and wished for a family that actually loved me and suddenly I have a over abundance of it." She smiled Brightly. Josie smirks at him "Exhausted from unpacking....right..." She slaps his chest playfully and heads to the fridge to bring everything out before grabbing the bread and the plates "I have all he faith into. Just be careful... please" there is a seriousness to her voice. The first aid kit was on Deck just in case something went wrong. She begins to spread the condiments.on the bread and spreading it with the butter knife she had set aside. "Hey, you always deserve that second Chance....." They all did. Still she felt like she didn't, she didn't deserve him, or his Love. She needed to remind herself that, that was her father talking. She was trying to Better. For G, he deserved a good girlfriend. And she was going to die trying to be just that. "baby..." She said softly going to him as he talked about his father, the book, how he treated him "no one Should be punished for wanting to escape..." He cupped his face. "my dad tried to burn a lot of mine..." She said softly. "Only time he ever waisted alcohol was the drench my books in it and light them on fire...." She said with a sigh. She feels her cheeks flush a bit at the mention of Gabriel also liking her "I probably would have liked him too..." She smiled softly. She knew of him back then. She had made a mental note if how hot he was but that was all 13 year old Josie brain could think of at the time. "We should check on him, make sure everything is okay after the flood...leave some fresh flowers? Wouldn't have to stay just a quick stop" she suggested.

[tvcolon4]

HS VOLLEYBALL: MCA heading to fifth straight state semifinal

Midland Classical's Paytan Parham tries for a kill as Greenwood's Kaylee Jo Underwood goes for a block 08/31/2021 at Greenwood excessive college. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram ABILENE – The Midland Classical Academy volleyball team is heading again to the TAPPS state match. The woman Knights survived for a 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-sixteen, 15-10 victory over Rockwall Heritage Christian at Abilene Christian excessive college on Saturday in a TAPPS 3A regional playoff in shape. The woman Knights (27-four) advance to their fifth straight look in the state semifinals and may play at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in opposition t a to-be-determined opponent in West. Paytan Parham led MCA with 23 kills to go together with 13 digs, Kyler Kirk had 20 digs and five aces, Elise Grigsby had sixty two assists, and Kennedi Carter introduced 13 kills. MCA DEF. ROCKWALL HERITAGE 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16, 15-10 MCA facts Aces -- Kyler Kirk 5, Maddy Hunter four, Paytan Parham 2 Blocks -- Annalee Dunn 2, M. Hunter 2, Kenedi Carter 2, Reese Casey 1, P. Parham 1,Emma Westfall 1, Elise Grigsby 1 Kills -- P. Parham 23, okay. Carter 13, E. Westfall 11, A. Dunn eight, M. Hunter 5, E. Grigsby 2, R. Casey 2 Assists -- E. Grigsby 62 Digs -- ok. Kirk 20, P. Parham 13, M. Hunter 12, E. Grigsby 9, E. Westfall 7, A. Dunn three, ok. Carter 3 먹튀검증

[jocelynherit-blog]

The Mind Wanders

She should have been studying, but as her mind tended to do as it pleased at times, she let it wander where it would. Her mind seemed to focus on the last few months and the changes that had occurred in her life. She smiled, though it hadn't all been easy and wonderful she knew she was in a much better place now. The studying was paying off, she was now able to summon the Light to heal, and most of the time she was able to imbue her weapon with the Light as well. She was now a mother, her adopted daughter taking up nearly all of her time whether she was studying or not. Little Merilyn, the single most important thing in her life was napping lazily with her head on Jocelyn's lap. Jo idly combed her fingers through her daughters wild and very blonde curls. She had met the girl while feeding the needy in Westfall, a task that her teacher had joined her on. Merilyn had a cut on her hand, and Jo had healed it. A bond had formed, at least for Jo anyway. She took her to the orphanage, but over the following weeks, she couldn't keep her distance. She found every reason she could to show up and help out, if only for a chance to see the girl. Once free of the shadows that had plagued her, she moved ahead with the adoption. Though in a relationship at the time, she was now a single mother. She didn't care, she had her daughter and that was all that mattered to her. A few more idle thoughts crossed her mind before she once again looked to the tome she was supposed to be studying. She had to study harder, Samariasi would expect her to be better then she was.

(( Sorry for the long absence in posts, hope you enjoy this. ))

[minayrd]

☆ chaol westfall will forever be my favororite character tysm!!

chaol is the love of my life thank u

come celebrate!!

url: i don’t get it | not my style | cute! | i love it | perfect?? | ANDREW MINYARD

icon: not my style | selfie | cute! | aesthetic af | perfect?? | NEIL JOSTEN

mobile theme: not my style | basic | it’s okay | cute! | gorgeous | flawless | KEVIN DAY 

desktop theme: default | not my style | basic | it’s okay | cute! | gorgeous | flawless | NICKY HEMMICK 

original content: not my style | cute! | gorgeous | teach me ur ways?? | MATT BOYD (couldn’t find any)

comment: i adore ur url it’s beautiful (like him heh) + ur tags page is super nice as organised!! 

following? no, but ily ♥ | i am now | ofc! | try and get rid of me,, i’ll wait

[longlistshort]

In March, Strauss Studios hosted Diane Belfiglio: An Artist’s Legacy, an exhibition celebrating the late artist. The Ohio artist and educator’s exploration of light and shadow give her subjects a unique graphic quality.

Here Belfiglio discusses her acrylic paintings-

My paintings prominently feature closely-cropped, sunlit architectural forms. Although realistic in their presentation, I rely heavily on their underlying abstract qualities to give to the already imposing images an even greater sense of power. Shadows, ethereal by nature, take on a rigid structural aspect in these compositions. Colors range from brilliant to subtle in an effort to reproduce the strong sense of sunlight streaming through each piece. Although these images are visually powerful, the delicate details in the architecture—and often in the surrounding vegetation–are also prominently featured in my work. The resultant blend produces a heightened, stylized reality. I work to transform the mundane into the extraordinary, so that we see beauty in images that generally go unnoticed by most of us on a daily basis.

Here she talks about her decision to work with watercolor, like in the pair above-

Never say never. For the majority of my life, I have not taken to watercolor as a medium I ever wanted to use professionally. But in 2015-16, the Canton Museum of Art had a spectacular show of Joseph Raffael’s watercolor paintings. The colors and luminosity in his work were so amazing that I just couldn’t get the images out of my head. A couple of years later, I was called upon to teach Watercolors at Walsh University, a class I normally don’t teach. So there was another toe in the water (pun intended). Fast forward to 2020, when I finally had the urge to vanquish my demons and give it a try. I started slowly, making plenty of mistakes, but soon realized that I could create the luminosity that I crave in my work in this medium.

Tomorrow (5/3/24), Strauss Studios will be open late for Canton First Friday and showing the new exhibition Exploring Light and Darkness featuring artists Emily Orsich, Heather Bullach, Jo Westfall, Joe Ostrowske, Mary Crane Nutter, Patricia Zinsmeister Parker, and Susan Wilkof.

[phreakshownovel]

It all began in 2017.

During an art opening at La Luna here in Mansfield, a handful of us stood chatting. The conversation between Aurelio, Jo Westfall, Orie Rush & I turned to Jo & Orie’s recent art show way up in Cleveland.

They tried to smile as they spoke. Obvious disappointment pierced their carefully selected words. They’d created pieces, priced them, lovingly packed them in a car, driven 2+ hours one way. They were excited, hopeful. They’d done the work, made an honest effort, hustled to make their 2-person show happen in a distant city.

Access to the venue was down an alley. Signage leading to this out-of-the-way spot didn’t do all that much to coax or entice people in. The opening was poorly attended. Ya know, overall, the experience was meh. Again, my friends tried to put a positive spin on the experience somehow. But they were deflated.

I know that feeling.

Most artists who find the courage to put their stuff out in the world know the grab-bag of emotions that comes along with that bravery.

You make art. You keep working it until you feel pretty okay with the results. You frame it, wire it for hanging. Struggle to put a price, a monetary value, on something that’s an extension of who you are. You load this stuff into a car. Drive it somewhere. Unload it. Then you let it go. Drop it off. Fingers crossed.

Maybe a juror judges your creation as either good enough to include in an exhibit or so horrible it’s rejected. Or your art’s displayed on a wall or pedestal so a bunch of strangers can view it & decide if has any value. Is it worth anything at all? Is it worth buying, snapping a selfie with, telling a friend about? Does anyone even give a shit about the thoughts in your head & the thumpings in your heart made manifest?

So back in 2017, in the midst of a conversation with an undertone of heartbreak, an idea came. What if we put together a local group exhibition. No jurors. No rejection. No entry fee. Artists of all skill levels welcome. Newly created work only.

Eventually a name came: Membrane Constellation.

We held 3 shows in 2018: February/March, June/July & September/October.

Our first opening, there were over 300 people in attendance. Like, whoa.

Now with our initial show of 2019 currently up, we’ve had 4 shows & counting. So far, nearly 90 artists have participated. Not a single one was rejected. And while, yes, the art is displayed & a few have been sold or traded, the richest benefit is the community aspect of creative folk coming together, loving & supporting one another.

For many of the artists, this is their first attempt at showing their work outside a school setting. As organizers, we’ve been mentoring along the way on things like: how to frame & wire a piece, pricing, providing the information a gallery/venue needs, taking that next step in artistic expression.

Some descriptions we’ve used to try to describe these shows:

“Exclusive view of the newest & freshest works of Mansfield’s premier underground artists.”

“The Membrane Constellation Exhibition features artists from all walks of life who are bound together by their passion to create.”

“These exhibitions are intended to merge artists from all walks of life and to encourage artists to challenge themselves by constantly creating.”

A lot of folks have put in hard work to make the behind-the-scenes stuff come together: Aurelio Villa Luna Diaz, Kathy Fetzer-Goodwin, Jason Ned Kaufman, Orie Rush, Victoria Hoefler, Alison Rae Bach, etc. (And I’m sure I’m forgetting folks – forgive me – let me know & I’ll add you right in.)

Honestly, it’s all about the artists & their art. Giving them (us) a place to belong. Mansfield’s richly diverse. Our Membrane Constellation Exhibitions serve as tiny cross-sections of this beauty. Each show is a window into what’s happening in the here & now.

These shows go up. They stay for a month or so. Then they come down. They’re ephemeral that way. And I suppose the point of me creating this post is to capture, in some small way, a sense of that experience.

MC-004 is as beautiful & varied as the 3 shows that have gone before. This time around, I asked a photographer friend, Scott Smith, to help me chronicle the amazing collection.

Title cards are including in the pic of each piece. If they’re too small to read, and you’re interested in the artist or their work, let me know I’ll do my best to connect you.

      Membrane Constellation #004 It all began in 2017. During an art opening at La Luna here in Mansfield, a handful of us stood chatting.

[bookwhit]

H E L L O all my lovelies! July is OVER. Can you believe it? I can’t. Now it’s all about getting ready for school. Shopping for clothes and school supplies and any last minute efforts to do something as a family before summer is officially over. Maybe I will get more reading done with kids in school? I can only hope!

Here is the break down of what I read this month. I am hoping to do some reviews of these and have them up here soon. As always, I will give you the book, a synopsis and then my personal opinion on if it was worth the read with either a HECK YEAH or a BIG FAT NOPE.

1. Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson  was one I was really excited about. It comes out next week. August 7th I believe, and I read the ARC. YOU GUYS. I loved it.

Here is the synopsis:

A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty’s resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.

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2. The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright was a little bit slow but after I kept thinking of all the things I liked about it. It follows a past and present story about two women and their experiences with The House on Foster Hill. It has a suspense, mystery plus a few plot twists that kept me interested in this novel. Yes. Read it.

Here is the synopsis:

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather’s Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house’s dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy’s search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives–including her own–are lost?

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3.  Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga was such a fun tween read. This is a clean read. Anyone can read it. It is a fantasy and it took me a minute to understand the magic of the Kisses but I am telling you that there is no cuter story that explains how special true love is. I thought it was an adorable, fun read full of banter, adventure and love.

Here is the synopsis:

In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

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  4. The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas has been CRAZY good. Her level of writing and depth of telling the story is absolutely incredible. There is also a book of 5 novellas called The Assassins Blade that is not pictured. I’m featuring this here because I just read Tower of Dawn and then reread Empire of Storms this month. Kingdom of Ash is the last book and will be released October 23rd and I am so excited and sad. I can not wait for the ending that will in no doubt be epic. If you haven’t read this series then you need to. I know its a lot of books but I swear they are good enough that you don’t realize how fast you will go through them.

Here is the synopsis of the first book, Throne of Glass:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king’s council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her … but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead … quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

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5. The Siren by Kiera Cass was okay. It was a fun love story. I really liked her Selection Series but this one fell short me. I felt like I wanted there to be more. That being said, it was still fun. If you are wanting just a light, easy read then you should try this one! A fun love story. .. it just didn’t have the depth I was expecting but maybe that is because it isn’t very long.

Here is the synopsis:

Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again.

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude…until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can’t talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny…and Kahlen doesn’t want to.

Falling in love with a human breaks all the Ocean’s rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen’s feelings, she’ll be forced to leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.

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6. The Roommate by Kendall Ryan got me out a little reading slump this month. Sometimes I need a quick read that I can’t put down. This one was full of sexy banter and such a cute story, I read it in one sitting!

Here is the synopsis:

The last time I saw my best friend’s younger brother, he was a geek wearing braces. But when Cannon shows up to crash in my spare room, I get a swift reality check.

Now twenty-four, he’s broad shouldered and masculine, and so sinfully sexy, I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to enjoy. At six-foot-something with lean muscles hiding under his T-shirt, a deep sexy voice, and full lips that pull into a smirk when he studies me, he’s pure temptation.

Fresh out of a messy breakup, he doesn’t want any entanglements. But I can resist, right?

I’m holding strong until the third night of our new arrangement when we get drunk and he confesses his biggest secret of all: he’s cursed when it comes to sex. Apparently he’s a god in bed, and women instantly fall in love with him.

I’m calling bullshit. In fact, I’m going to prove him wrong, and if I rack up a few much-needed orgasms in the process, all the better.

There’s no way I’m going to fall in love with Cannon. But once we start… I realize betting against him may have been the biggest mistake of my life.

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7. Merciless by Willow Winters is the first of 4 books I believe. I received the first two books to read and review for a book tour and I wish I would have realized sooner that it was a 50 Shades of Grey type book. Don’t get me wrong, I love sexy, steamy romances but I don’t really love the dom/sub element. It’s not my thing and this one is about gangs in New York and how ruthless they are, honestly it made me uncomfortable. It was hard for me to read. I wouldn’t recommend it BUT… I will still leave the synopsis below.

I should’ve known she would ruin me the moment I saw her. Women like her are made to destroy men like me. I couldn’t resist her though. Given to me to start a war; I was too eager to accept.

But I didn’t know what she’d do to me. That she would change everything. She sees through me in a way no one else ever has. Her innocence and vulnerability make me weak for her and I hate it. I know better than to give in to temptation.

A ruthless man doesn’t let a soul close to him. A cold-hearted man doesn’t risk anything for anyone. A powerful man with a beautiful woman at his mercy… he doesn’t fall for her.

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There you have it! What I read in July. I will hopefully be posting a new review weekly as soon as school starts up. Then you will have some real reviews instead of just my yes and no reads! Have a wonderful day friends! Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

What I read in July

[containatrocity]

He needs the fresh air. If he's honest, the quake threw him off more than he thought it might have, and if he takes the time to recognize what happened, he knows the answer is one he doesn't like. He's bruised and scratched, knuckles bloodied and grazed, from incidents of forgetting that the kind of thing he is is not immune to harm, a scrape in scruffy facial hair and a bruise on his temple from a spill from the top of a mausoleum. He'd cleaned himself up, this time, knows what a broken bone feels like, by now, and it's not the slight, dull thump in his arm and side. He hates it, the split seconds before and after where he assumes there's no harm done as his body is dead already- before pain flowers- delusion can't suffocate reality, not all the time. So he's wandered, into the woods, to his grave.

He's alive in spite of it, and maybe he just needs that reminder at his resting pla- it's a soft sound of surprise that catches her attention- or maybe the heavy footsteps of his boots and the faint clink of the smiley chain in the pocket of his jeans. Whatever it is, the two of them are staring for a moment, deer in the headlights expression at the back of her head as she explains- his own features relaxing, as she does, only slightly. His eyes move to the grave- cleared of overgrowing grass, little blue wildflowers sat under a crudely made headmarker. "Gabriel E. Westfall. 1996-2012" scratched into softer wood. He swallows, pushes a hand through dark hair as she seems to panic again. "I- no- no, I'm- Jo, I'm not mad at you." He closes the distance easily, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I'm not mad." he repeats. "I just. I was... surprised to see you out here. Nobody... comes out here, you know?" Just him, for quite a while, at least in any capacity that led to lingering- most passed through- hunting, foraging. Paying the grown over hole that had once been a shallow grave no mind. She rambles, his brows crease slightly, and he catches her cheek with a gentle hand, pulling her up into a kiss, cupping both cheeks a moment later. "I'm not mad." it's insistent, now. "I- hell, it's the opposite, you know? I... You didn't have to do this for me. Thank you." He breathes, after a moment. "It- It means more than you know, alright? That somebody even just... believes me enough to know why I care, much less... Liked me enough to do..." He motions. "People wanting me around is still. New. I'm not mad I'm... a little stunned, though... It... looks good, Jo- better than it has for months now."

where: Outskirts of town, Gabriel Westfalls grave marker who: Josie and G (@containatrocity)

Josie needed something to keep her mind occupied with the events that had happened. Not to mention she was growing in size and that alone was enough to send her spiraling. She instead decided to focus on what G had said: 'I don't clean it up much, anymore......Gabriel doesn't deserve to be forgotten, and I- well, I guess I'm the only guy who gave a shit- I'm stuck in our body, after all.'

So she got to work, It would have taken her less time if she wasn't pregnant but she was happy with the work she had done. it was already an improvement. You could actually see the name on the marker now, you could leave flowers, she could see someone sitting here and spending time with him. She felt a tear slip from her eye. It hurt a little to think that G had been in this grave at some point alive. And he thought he still hadn't survived. She whipped it away and went back to what she was doing. Going to get the flowers she was told were his favorite and setting them down. She took a step back and looked at the grave sight momentary. She heard footstep behind her and she froze putting her hands up. "I promise I'm not breaking anything...or grave robbing. I'm just.... helping someone out who is....really important to me..." she didn't want to move but she wanted to see who it was. She so slowly turned her cheeks went red at the side of him. Putting her hands down. "Y-you're not mad are you? You just had said you felt bad that you didn't have time...and I-" She felt her self rambling her heart pounding out of her chest "I wanted to leave some flowers...and then when I noticed how bad it was I couldn't just leave it here...like this." she explained. Her panic had set in.

[containatrocity]

There is... an alarming amount to unpack, as Josie curls into him, relaxes enough to speak. He takes the time he's removing his gloves to think about the way to approach this- she just confessed to a murder. It's almost funny, in a terribly dark way- that those words would spill out to one of the few people who could relate. He'd opened the door that night, hadn't he? In as sound a mind as G Westfall could manage, he'd flipped the deadbolt and cracked the front door just slightly- the ghosts wearing the faces of people he knew from church and the kids who buried him in the woods had done the rest. He'd had enough time to hear claws rend flesh, before Esther had dragged him the short distance to the backyard shed and locked the two of them inside to weather the night.

He'd done the same thing, for the sake of an escape. A brother who killed- hers had fled. "Jo..." He manages, after a long moment of simply holding her- and struggling to find something, anything to say. "I know you're upset. You've got every right to be, he shouldn't have just left you here- but... it was what he thought was best." He knows a little something about 'an older sibling doing their best'- his own visit to Esther had been... productive, if not painful. "You don't have to forgive him. You don't have to let him back in. But you do have to accept that he's here, you know? And that uh, no matter how upset you are about that... Him leaving did bring you some good- Um, Chris, and Lachlan, and your friends- you know?" He brushes long blonde hair back from her cheeks, kisses her forehead fondly. "When you're young it's hard to make those decisions. Especially for somebody else. It's a lot of weight to put on somebody- on you, on um, on your brother, too, you know? Maybe he made the wrong choice. But... You made it, despite it and him. That's important, you know?"

She lets his arms engulf her as she buries her face in his chest. She's so thankful for him, so happy to find comfort in someone for once. he's warm and he calls her baby. It soothes her enough "I have a brother...." She says against his chest. "stopped by today.....I-" She closes her eyes "I had hoped the nightmares weren't real....that he wasn't real but he is and he's here..." She sighed soft. "H-he left me G he left me here with those monsters I called parents." she tightened her grip on him. "becasue of him I had to kill my own father just to survive..." The words spilled from her lips without even thinking. She felt her heart pick up and she froze.

"I'm so mad at him G...." she whispered softly "But I- I can't be....because if he hadn't left me....I-" She pulled away to look at him "I wouldn't have you..." she was starting to see the pros. The amazing people in town that she loved. Her Found family the people that she was closest two not becasue of blood but becasue of what they had all gone through. She sniffled "I'm sorry....it's be a long day" She rested her head back on his chest. His breathing and his heart beat relaxing her a bit.