Well, the show in Milwaukee is a success. It was really wonderful seeing so many friendly faces at the opening, and if you haven’t seen the show, you really must. The gallery owners, Gene and Bridget Evans are absolute delights. And, both of their studios are located in the gallery. I bet you could go watch them while they work.
Judith Ann Moriarty wrote a very lovely review of the show, and while all press is good press, good press really warms the ego. I just found out, through the magic of Google, that I was the A.V. Club pick for Gallery Night. My ego is now on fire. Burning.
Fun story about Judith Ann: Ms. Moriarty used to publish Art Muscle, a Milwaukee-based, Midwest-focused art digest. Judith Ann was the most influential writer and critic in town, and one night as I was making dinner for a dinner party, my cell phone rang. When I answered it, the voice said, “Amy O’Neill? This is Judith Ann Moriarty. I want to do a story on you. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?” My heart jumped out of my chest, and in a moment of fluster and spaz, I dropped the knife that I was using to chop the garlic. In slow motion, I watched the knife fall end over end, until it landed squarely in the meat of my calf. The knife went so deep into my leg that it just stood at attention, like a lawn jart. We started the interview, but then a few minutes into it I said, “I’m sorry if I sound distracted, Ms. Moriarty, but I seemed to have stabbed myself in the leg.” She answered, “Oh dear. Would you like to continue at another time?” I paused, pulled the knife out of my leg with both hands, and said, “Nope, I’m good.”
It’s always good to be a starstruck dork.
Congratulations on the AV Club and all your success especially on this show. It was great fun watching it progress from raw canvas to finished work.
What were you making for dinner?
Well, thank you very much! This dinner/interview/stabbing was in 1999, but I distinctly remember making filet mignon, grilled portobellos, asparagus, and maybe a starch, like a potato. I don’t know what the wine was, but I’m sure it was expensive.
Great show, & great gallery! Great story too. It’s good to know that there’s yet another generation of “if you’re going to do something dumb, at least have a good story”…
You make me laugh with your stories. The lawn jarts visual reminds me of the legendary Seinfeld episode with the “stick a fork in me, I’m done” quote. You, my dear, are also a legend.
Amy…my gosh, I had completely forgotten about the dart in the leg story!
I gave my sister one of your wee chicken paintings (purchased at Portrait Gallery)last year. West…isn’t that center street in RW? heh, heh.
lucky students, yes LUCKY, to have you as a teacher….judith ann