Library of Congress Employee Art Show

I worked at the Library of Congress for ten years. And for the last few I participated in the art show. I’ve been painting a variety of scenes of DC, our travels, and pet portraits on my iPad rather than hard copy watercolor, pen & ink, and pastels. Since I retired two years ago I can still contribute to the show. It gives me an opportunity to stay connected to the Library, and to see some of my past colleagues. This year I submitted two of my favorite dog portraits. One was the goofy dog and the other was a bulldog with a flower. The goofy dog is oftentimes saved on Pinterest. He is just the cutest pooch I’ve painted! The art show opened this month and I finally had a chance to view the collection. A friend of mine had a retirement party at the Library last week. After wishing him well, my husband and I took a trip to the sixth floor of the Madison Building and checked it out. I was very pleased with the placement of my artwork, but the title said they were digital prints instead of digital paintings. Not everyone realizes what I create is hand painted - and not a computer generated image. I suppose in the end I hope my paintings make someone smile, or make them stop and take a look. After all, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. It’s such a great venue to showcase your work. Not every one can say they have art hanging in the Library of Congress. If you are ever in the DC area, stop by. The display lasts through March 9, 2019. 

Calling All Artists - Library of Congress Art Show

I have been participating in the Library of Congress employee art show for the last several years. I always submit two digitalart works that will be on display for about six months in the Madison Building. And even as a retiree, I can still participate. It’s easy for me to get the artwork to the Library because all I have to do is walk two blocks up the street - the same as my commute when I worked there for ten years. Yesterday the email arrived to let us know the dates for drop off. Luckily I had the two portraits I selected a few months back already printed and framed, so all I need to do is attach the paperwork for agreement and registration. This time I picked the bulldog with the red flower entitled “Who wouldn’t love this face?” and one of my favorites of a goofy pooch entitled “Happy dog.” There is just something about having your artwork displayed in such an interesting place. And, there is a variety of traffic passing by the designated area - who knows who will see it? It’s a great opportunity for me to visit the Library and probably run in to some of my past colleagues. I generally don’t like to bother people at work, but if I run in to them in the hallway, so much the better. 

Library of Congress Art Show

I have submitted art work to the Library of Congress Employee Art Show for about five years. Last year was the first time I brought in two digital paintings as a retiree. It is wonderful exposure to have your creations featured in a great spot on the sixth floor of the Madison Building. A lot of people pass by there every day and the show lasts from October through April. Last week I received an email that it was time to pick up the paintings. So yesterday I walked over. Along the way I ran in to my past colleagues on the street, at the front entrance, down the stairs, the office where I picked my artwork up, and on the way out the door - including the familiar security guards. What should have taken five minutes turned in to an hour or more. It's always nice to see familiar faces, get hugs, and catch up. Usually my husband and I run in to folks on our way to and from programs we attend there, but we haven't been in the building for awhile. I'm just glad I don't have to deal with all the nonsense anymore. So I understand they will be calling for more artwork in July for the next show. It will be another excuse to go to the library. Who knows who I will see next time?

Library of Congress Employee Art Show

For the last few years I have submitted two digital paintings to the Library of Congress employee art show. This year was a portrait of four old friends sitting and standing in front of a wall in Yazd, Iran. The other was a fish pond on Capitol Hill. The only difference this year is that I retired in February, and haven't seen the exhibit since it opened in October. So when we went to a program at the library the other evening, we stopped by to visit the show. It is located on the sixth floor of the Madison Building and lasts through April. It's great exposure for anyone who likes to participate in these sorts of things. In fact, someone who works there mentioned that he saw my work, which reminded me to go myself! Anyway, if you are in DC anytime through April, please stop by and see the collection. It's not every day that someone has the opportunity to have such a great display site. Imagine what else resides in that building!

Old Men in Yazd and a Fish Pond on Capitol Hill

It's been awhile since the last art show at the Library of Congress.  I have participated in it over the last four years. Then there was a hiatus, and a year passed without an event. I retired in February, and made sure I was on the mailing list for updates since retirees can continue to contribute their work. Last week I received a call for art notice and that the fair was scheduled for October 2016 through April 2017. The email included the necessary paperwork - guidelines, registration, and agreements. Since I already had my selections made, it was easy to put together. The toughest part was getting the documents to print on my very old HP printer. For whatever reason, I couldn't print from my laptop, but could save the images to my iPad as a photo, and they printed. What was even more curious is that the copy function would only work from a color document and not with black and white. I hate it when these things happen! But as long as I can find a work around.... Anyway, yesterday I brought the two items to the Library and then had lunch with a colleague on the sixth floor cafeteria. This year "Old Men in Yazd" and "A Fish Pond on Capitol Hill" made the cut determined by a process of elimation of my then colleagues before I retired. My husband loves the old men image; I like the fish pond. Hopefully, one of them will get noticed! 

Library of Congress Art Show

For the last four years I have submitted my digital art work to the art show at the Library of Congress, where I work. Usually they are pet portraits - dogs and cats - but also one of my grandson shoveling snow in front of their Capitol Hill townhouse, one of my husband sleeping in his easy chair representing retirement, and a scene of women on the steps of Persepolis. The artwork is on display for about six months on the sixth floor of the Madison Building. It is great exposure, and I've even sold a print from it. Because obviously I like all of them (!) it's hard to decide the two best to submit this year. So I tried to narrow the field down from twenty to 15 and posted them on Facebook to get a general reaction. Of course, it is all over the board. There isn't any particular one that has an overwhelming majority. So I'm posting them here to see if I get any reaction. My husband likes paintings that I'm not totally thrilled with, but I usually trust his judgement. He is even surprised by the items that friends and family prefer. So, if you wouldn't mind taking a minute to browse, which two are your favorites? Thanks for your help!