Tag Archives: Art

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My Weekend…Planned

This week, although a day shorter, brought a workload twice as long. This weeks to do list has already been added onto next week list!


Friday 

This morning we’re cleaning and preparing for summer. In the afternoon the girls and I will head to my office for a few hours. 

Friday the girls will go to their grandparents house for the night. David and I both have gigs. First up? “WhatsUp” by artists Sarah Zeffiro. A collab with another artist Tom Mosser opening at Irma Freeman Center for Imagination in conjunction with Unblurred on Penn. What’s great about this gig? Not only do I get to perform for a great friend but with great friends. My bandmate Brett Staggs and I will be mixing it up and doing something a little different. Joining us during night, my husband David (yes on Steelpan) and another one of my incredibly talented friends, Ayesha Scott will sing. Join us for a jam session at 10, bring your instrument!


Saturday 

In the morning we’re meeting with another talented friend, artist John Eastman. David, John and I are collaborating on a project that am I completely moved and excited about. 

Saturday evening we’re heading to “Full Bloom” the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre’s annual fundraiser. We’ve supported KST and this event every year since my sister took the position of Executive Director somewhere around 8 years ago.  This is always a fun event. 


Sunday



Sunday morning we’re heading to the Carnegie Library Extravaganza with our girls. Not only is this a fun event but Stella will be recognized during a ceremony for the “I Do What I Can” Awards presented by WQED, which she received earlier this year for being smart, kind and helpful. I’m so proud of her. In addition to recording a radio interview with SLB Se also gets to take part in this ceremony.?Stella is a wonderful girl; talented, intelligent, inquisitive, kind and so much more. She’s impressive. We’re proud of her and happy to see her recognized at such a young age. 

Sunday evening we’ll gather once again with family to celebrate a high school graduation. One of many family gathering this summer!


All in All

I’ve been thinking a lot about the people that get a lot of praise in our society and what they’re praised and recognized for. I don’t want my children to get caught up in thinking that celebrity, fame, money and materials things lead to happiness or relate to importance or self worth. I’ve never been impressed by those things I’m not sure why others are. 

Who impresses me? Stella impresses me.  Beyoncé impressed me (probably for really different reasons than the screaming fans in the from row.) Entrepreneurs that are great parents and family centered, impress me. Musicians and artists that show exceptional talent, live from their art and share their art with the next generation, impress me. People who work hard, have confidence, achieve but are still kind and dedicate time to others. That really impresses me.

I’m not impressed by people that have accomplished a lot but failed to be there for their children. Or people who are seen as great outside of the home but struggle with relationships within their family. I’m not impressed by those who give a lot to strangers over their family. Or people that aren’t loyal to the people who have been there for them. I am not impressed by ignorance and selfishishness and false praise. 

I am impressed by people who understand recognition means nothing if you’re miserable behind closed doors. And those that realize that pedestals and praise are insignificant if you don’t have real relationships. I’m impressed by mothers and fathers that work extremely hard and raise great kids. By families that support one another. By couples that accomplish separately but achieve together. By families fighting illnesses with conviction. Strong relationships, unbreakable bonds, family first, exceptional achievements, giving hearts…That impresses me. I hope these things continue to impress my children. 

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My Weekend Planned….

Friday

Friday morning will be spent with girls working from home anticipating the end to a very hectic work week. The afternoon has been deemed “girl time” and we’ll be doing nails, enjoying lunch and spending some time together. Friday evening will begin with a stroll through downtown Pittsburgh for the Gallery Crawl. I love attending this event. From music to art and performance, there is so much to experience and always something new offered. I’ve been surrounded by the arts and creative people for the past few months and I couldn’t me more happy about it. Those who create are such an inspiration. it leaves me always wanting more.The evening will end with a drink at my new favorite spot, Tako. Where my favorite dj, aka dj illeso, aka David Pugliano aka my husband will have you moving in your seat to the very best music. A creative in his own right, he claims to not be a musician as I am, but somehow knows and feels the music as if he was playing it off of the sheet.

daviddj1

Saturday

Saturday morning will start with yoga, although this will be my second class ever, I’m excited to join my new friend and yoga instructor, Cara for a pop up yoga class at James Simon Sculptor Studio. What an incredible space to host a yoga class. My first yoga experience occurred a few months ago with Cara when we hosted pop up yoga class at fieldwork contemporary. That class kept me feeling calm and strong for the remainder of the day. I know the many benefits of yoga and I know my body, mind and spirit need it. I’m eager to try it again before diving in for regular sessions.

The afternoon will be a delight. I’m teaching a Saturday afternoon steelpan class through my organization, Barrels to Beethoven. These students are doing so well and teaching steelpan brings me deep joy and satisfaction. I’m hoping to offer free Saturday classes in the fall. Let’s just hope the funding organizations get hip to how amazing the steelpan is and how beneficial these programs are for youth.

Saturday evening is all about my family. I’m planning a picnic dinner in the park. A delicious menu, fun desserts and spending time outside as a family, our favorite things to do in the summertime.

Sunday

this Sunday bringing it back to normal. We haven’t had a typical Sunday in a long time. Church, for us, is the best way to start our day and our week. Followed by brunch and a trip to the pool, if the girls get their way!

All in All…

This weekend will hopefully leave me feeling, relaxed and inspired. In spending time with a friend a great artist and yoga instructor, I’m learning about the importance of rest, both for your body and mind. Taking time to rest leads to more productivity and improved creative process. I am so used to working hard all of the day, rarely stopping to eat, rest and reenergize. I am learning to set aside regular time to do so. Whether its yoga or mediation, or making time to simply rest. I want to do this because I know it will have a direct positive impact on my family, my work and my creative endeavors. Taking care will increase my ability to do more. So many speak of how busy they are like it’s some sort of achievement. I’m not busy, I don’t talk about being busy. For me, I am successfully managing all aspects of my life. Starting with my children and my family and all that comes with that. My life’s work.

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My Mothers Day Weekend…Planned

It’s been a while since I’ve written about a well planned, busy weekend. Mothers Day weekend seems to be a good time to return. This weekend is busy but will surely be a great time.

Friday

I’m spending the day with my younger girls working at the gallery. It’s getting easier everyday to work with Cece but having her big sister here day makes for an easier time. Still hard to get things done but easier none the less.

I’m really looking forward to the evening. A night filled with live music and art at the gallery. Even better? My good friends will be in town and joining us. David and I will be kid-free and ready for a fun night with some of our favorite people.

Saturday

This day still remains the busiest of the week. Stella and Cece’s dance classes have ended but Sofia will continue for a few more weeks. No sleeping in for us. Class starts at 9am.

The afternoon brings another fun event at the gallery. To me, it’s so important that children not only experience the arts but have the opportunity to create. The amazing artist and educator that I’m working with feels the same. She’ll be leading children and their parents through a fun afternoon workshop entitled; Art with the Artist | What do you see? We are all looking forward to this!

Saturday evening I’ll be attending another gallery opening. So excited to see the space at Studio AM and I love being amongst amazing art and creative people.

Sunday

Mothers Day! I get very excited for Mothers Day. Not just because I’m a mother but because we’re celebrating mothers and motherhood. We deserve that. I have something special planned for my momma and I know David and the girls have something special planned for me. We’ll start the day with Sunday mass, hopefully skip brunch (I know, I love brunch, but David’s meals have been amazing lately, much better than eating out) and head down to the Neighborhood Flea fun event with vendors, cool food and music. I also have a feeling there’s a picnic in my future… if it doesn’t rain. No matter what, I’m going to enjoy the day with my family.

I’m a mother. I’m not telling you. I’m telling myself. I say it often not in sadness but with joy and a bit of disbelief. I am so very blessed to have my children I often can’t believe I have the privilege of raising 3 amazing, beautiful little girls. They say being a mother is not easy, but in a way it is. Or, maybe I just don’t think of it as easy or hard. It’s just not a choice. Although I thoroughly love my work, nothing compares to my role as a mother and so I treat it as such. I take full responsibility for everything my children do and don’t do. Know and don’t know. Experience and don’t experience. I’m raising people. Young people who will one day be adult people. I have always understand that children experience  impacts their life. Either positively or negatively. I try to choose wisely. I have worked very hard at giving my children what I consider “a good life”, teaching them new things, engaging with them as people trying to instill confidence and expanding their horizons. Sometimes that means late nights of planning, a family calendar of activities from tennis to theatre and reminders in my phone that say things like “teach Cece to write her name today.”

I will never stop trying to be a better mother, which means I’ll never stop trying to be a better person. I know for many people change is not easy. But it’s so necessary. I can recognize a shortcoming within myself and focus on being better.  It’s not always easy and I’m not always successful, but I do it for my girls. I better myself daily to be better for them. I’m a mother.

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be Moved, be Inspired

sarah

I first met artist Sarah Zeffiro by chance when she kindly attended the opening reception and launch of my organization, Barrels to Beethoven. Although we had never met, her spirit makes you feel as though you’ve known her for years. Our next close encounter was in December, her amazing artwork was the featured art in my pop up boutique. She spent a day with us in the boutique and during that time, I had the pleasure of getting to know her even better. Sarah doesn’t just tell you about herself and her art, she shares her inspiration and process.  She also wants to know about you and your experiences. It’s as if she absorbs the world around her and fully experiences every encounter she has the opportunity to be a part of.

Sarah approaches her art as a dancer approaches the stage, musically, rhythmically and sometimes a bit wild and unpredictable. She describes her creative process as being like a dance, moving around and on top of the work, swapping large brushes for small and charcoal for pastels, all while in motion.

Sarah’s new work, “Moving Language” opens on Saturday April 18th. This work blends space, lines, texture, dance and movement. I’m excited to be a part of this project and cannot wait to experience the final product.  SAVE THE DATE!

Moving Language

April 18th thru May 22nd  

fieldwork contemporary gallery

4925 penn avenue