Thursday, October 04, 2007

Now Arts Grant



This past month I recieved a grant in support of Meet-A-Stranger by the incredible artist, writer and speaker, Damali Ayo. If you have not yet heard of her, I recommend checking out her sites. Her work is extremely forward thinking and does what art should do in my opinion, effect and cause social change. She is also giving back to the community by supporting and mentoring other artists who are working outside of the traditional gallery scene. Below are links to her sites. With this grant support, I plan to move on from my dictaphone and purchase a high definition digital voice recorder that will allow me to archive audio interviews on the blog in addition to text. I can't wait to see how this project will evolve with a new added component and resource! Thank you Damali!

http://damaliayo.com/

http://www.rent-a-negro.com/


September 2007
Announcing the newest Now Art Grant recipient

Meet a Stranger by Laura Parker

$500
Project: "Meet a Stranger" project
Will deliver to donors and network: People annd their Stories

I chose Laura's "Meet a Stranger" project for the latest Now Art Grant because it is already up and running and brilliant. You can participate today! Laura's Blog "Meet a Stranger" http://www.meet-a-stranger.blogspot.com/ is a wonderful collection of people that Laura gets to know and delivers their stories right to your computer screen through her blog and direct emails of the "stranger bios." Laura has a gift for plain-language story telling and describing people as they describe themselves. Her project exemplifies the essence of Now Art, engaging real people with each other and with our world through art. Samples from the Meet a Stranger Project are excerpted below.

If you find yourself entranced by this project as I did, donate to the program: http://damaliayo.com/pages/grants.htm Consider a donation of $20 to $100. Every $500 means a new artist gets funded. If you're feeling excited about the program, why not donate $500? Your donation will launch a new Now Art project!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Gallery 2 and Project Space, Chicago

This month I have a Meet-A-Stranger installation in Chicago. If you are in the area check it out!

This Is Not A Self-Portrait

Gallery 2 and Project Space
846 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, Illinois
September 21-October 20, 2007

Website






Sunday, September 02, 2007

Finished



Come see my new paintings at the Kentucky Girlhood Project Friday, September 14th at Glassworks, 8pm.




Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Monday, August 13, 2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Elhaj - Acrylic Painting



Elhaj is from the Republic of Senegal in western Africa. This is Elhaj in a CVS Pharmacy in Louisville, Kentucky in 2005. He moved to Kentucky in 2001. He says they have similar stores in Africa.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Exploring Watercolors






From my sailing trip to the Bahamas

Our motor broke down in Bimini and we ran into a tugboat due to a extremely strong current. We ended up becoming friends with Marco, who worked on the tugboat, and I painted this picture for him.



Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Meet A Stranger

Interesting People Doing Interesting Things. This project began several months ago and has become my favorite hobby. It is a very organic process that occurs by just living my life in the most curious way. Some days I travel around by myself or with a friend and other times I will meet someone just outside my window. If you are curious about the process of this project feel free to contact me with questions at laura.parker@mac.com.

To learn more about Meet A Stranger click here


MEET TREVOR



This is Trevor and he is from England. He and his wife run Martinizing Dry Cleaning on lower Brownsboro Rd in Louisville, KY. He is not at all interested in dry cleaning but does find cars and women fascinating. He recently became a new father to a son born on September 11, 2005. The weirdest thing that anyone has ever brought into the dry cleaners to be dry cleaned was underwear. The person was a local celebrity. He cannot stand the color blue. He never wears it outside of work and would never paint a room in his house "Martinizing Blue". His favorite color is purple but he does not like to wear it. He really enjoys his job because of the customer service. Oddly he finds socializing outside of work less fun, uncomfortable and just different. One day he hopes to be able to vote in America.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Wooden Postcards for Sale!

Buy a handmade wooden postcard! Only $4 each! Send me an email if you would like to see more! laura.parker@mac.com

















Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Entertainer For Hire! Louisville, Kentucky

UPDATE!!!! I now do balloon art as well.





Handmade Princess wands to be decorated at a Princess Party!












Hire me for your next event. I dress in a variety of original costumes for both children and adult parties, parades, events and celebrations. I work with my clients to create the most unique and special experience for their events. I also provide arts & crafts entertainment, hand-made decorations, sing-alongs, storytelling and much more!

Email me at artbylaura@gmail.com for more info!