The Masks We Wear

Had a wonderful day in Second Life on Sunday! Started off with a lecture/discussion by my fellow avatar Emile Sands on the topic of masks and how they relate to the concept of avatars in a virtual world. It was fascinating. Afterwards we had a formal masquerade ball at a park across the street from my gallery where the lecture was. A Second Life jeweler made 8 custom masks for the event that were free to everyone coming to the event. We had a great crowd that stayed all 3 hours and best of all... I sold a LOT of paintings!

I have made a lot of serious contacts in Second Life in relation to my work, but it's also so much fun just being able to fantasize. I live in a very "casual" environment, and have neither the time nor inclination to dress formally. But in Second Life.... it's a hoot!

Another avatar friend of mine in Second Life, Wynd Ling, who owns a sim devoted to creative design in a virtual world has written about the ball on her blog. Check it out here!

First Place Award

I am thrilled to announce that my painting "Metamorphosis" was awarded First Place in Galeria Fusion Islena's collaborative exhibition with Puerto Rico's East End Art Guild. The purpose of the exhibition, titled "Simbiosis" was to meld the artistic efforts of the Art Guild with those of the gallery's. The Guild members, of which there are over 100, were asked to submit 2 pieces of work for consideration. The 28 chosen artworks were then displayed in an exhibition that opened in the gallery (located in the Centro de Bellas Artes in Caguas, PR) last Saturday evening, August 22.

The gallery owners asked leading members of Puerto Rico's art community to then award what they felt was the cream of the crop. I am so honored that they selected one of the 2 paintings I submitted for the top award.

This painting represents a new turn for me in my work is taking. It is a tremendous validation to receive such an honor at this point. It is a technique that I feel totally "at home" working in and to have it recognized affirms that I am heading in the right direction.

Life is good!

Uh oh...here we go again

Well, here we go again. I've started another big painting that I'll be bringing to this blog step by step. I've just posted the underpainting, which is the phase where I just let loose and throw some paint down on the canvas and let it do its own thing. My philosophy is that the "truth" of the artist comes out in such random work and I will attempt to honor this truth throughout the painting process. The dynamics established at this stage of the painting will dictate the direction it will take from here on in.

This is an oil painting on canvas, 30 x 30" square. I've got my work cut out for me but I'm excited.

Life is good.

My work in print

I recently affiliated myself with the fine art website, Fine Art America, for the purpose of offering a LOT of my work as affordable, fine art giclee reproductions. It's a great website because you can choose from a current selection of almost 50 images and have them printed to a size and surface that makes you happy! They do it all and deliver it to your front door.... from my easel to your house! How cool is that???

Here's the link to my page on the site:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/monica-linville.html