Serendipity informs the process and the teaching

Hmmm. Happy coincidences, or blessings, or opportunities to just surrender to the Universe informing me in a timely manner? Three days after the post below about Henry Darger, I went to the opening at 15th Street Studio in Boulder. I had been excited to see the one woman show of Livia Stein and meet the artist.
Each collage and mixed media piece was delicious and deserved a long look. My friend and I remarked that we were thinking of the film of the fantasy work of Darger, as we journeyed through the magical world of Livia Stein's show. As I studied one piece, I found a scrap of paper with Henry's name and the title, In the Realms of the Unreal. When it was my turn to chat with the artist. I mentioned the scrap. She wasn't familiar with Henry or the film...she looked closely at the incorporated "note to self". She recalled that the model she was drawing many years before had talked a lot and named the film. She said she would have to see it on Netflix. Let that settle for awhile

Last Saturday morning, in class, I told this story and encouraged my class to see the work of Livia Stein that is up until November 29th. I also mentioned that 15th Street Studio had a 4 person show several years ago with four California artists. The gallery had invited 2 artists who each invited one other artist. It also was a terrific show, and why I knew to go see Livia's show and to tell all of you to go. Then we continued class with a lesson on the Element of Line. One of my students brought a magazine to share with a cover illustration that tied in with the lecture. Another student encouraged me to flip to the contents and share the name of the cover artist. The drawing looked familiar and was by Heather Wilcoxon. Sunday night I was checking the artist's images on the internet for a follow up email to the students. When I saw the images, I realized immediately that Heather Wilcoxon was the artist in the 4 person show who invited Livia Stein. We see what we are ready to see. 

 
15th Street Studio, Boulder, Colorado 

Livia Stein 

Heather Wilcoxon