October has always been “party month” in our family and extended until November 11 th as that was Dad’s birthday. That’s also why this post is NOT on Thursday this week (Nov. 11th) rather than the usual Monday’s and brings party central to a reeling it in on all fronts!! hahaha. Obviously we failed as it’s a Monday post again.

Mom and I have decided to cut out all those nasty carbs for a while to drop those extra celebratory pounds, as well it’s get things organized time so the garage is a project and lastly even Koko is joining in. I am starting new training techniques to help with her anxieties and ADHD (which apparently is a canine characteristic). Wish us luck!

Dad was always the one who could reel things in easily since he was a workaholic and I use that term in a positive sense as he enjoyed being productive and busy. My thought there is that it was his positive way of handling what the world today calls PTSD; how do you go through a world war and challenges of life being born in a transforming country and politic in 1919 and not have it? The only problem with Dad is that he didn’t think he was exceptional and wouldn’t expect anything from anyone else that he didn’t expect from himself. Well that was true but he didn’t get that his bar was very high and not easy to obtain by everyone. This month we’ll try to channel his energy and push ourselves to that level of excellence. Pleasure in the WORK is the theme.

With the Eastside Culture Crawl coming up I decided to bring back the “Mira’s” of the past with a new twist. I’ll post a few pics of the installation by Connie Sabo! Here’s the new beginnings of what will happen to Salon Mira (the Crawl may have got it wrong and put me under Studio Mira but basically same same but different). Ten years ago I did a series of projections onto the garage door and invited a range of artists to present their work in the space. My practice was installation and drawing at the time. Now my interest in these two mediums continues and I’ve added textiles as a focus along the way. Now that I’m at 851 Union and the dust of stress has settled it seems appropriate to look at ways to transform projection into installation with a deeper meaning. It is my pleasure to introduce Connie Sabo as the first artist to explore this change with Box Space.

I signed up for the 2021 Crawl as I wanted to contribute to an organization I’ve given many many years of volunteer time too. Also the idea of art in the streets or art for the people has not left me and rings true in my mind. As I’ve worked with Connie, it’s been a pleasure for so many years to roll our sleeves up and jump into a project, it just unfolded. The result ended up being taking over the 800 blk alley of Union (between Union and Georgia). ART IN A BOX, came to be with the help of my friend Wayne who jumped into helping me (or me helping him) make the box on wheels. It will serve as an art space as well as a wall to cover the crazy madness of my garage. Next thing Carlyn Yandle comes along, helping with the QR code scene and offers up her ideas on rope lighting. One thing led to another and we scored a pretty amazing project. Nov. 19, 20, 21 st the alley will change. Laminated QR codes will be posted on the hydro poles, referencing the past MIRA’s. As one wonders down the alley they will eventually hit ART IN A BOX; in an alley.

Here’s the sneak preview:

Note: I’ll be sitting on the other side of the install waiting to hear peoples feedback. Have a great CRAWL!!