Joy to the Nerd

New Website

2009-10-23T07:57:00.002-05:00

Visit a new and improved blog, plus paintings and videos at: www.carolynswiszcz.com

These Go To Eleven

2009-08-16T21:22:00.006-05:00

I really hate to tell you this, but I took this picture in a hospital room.

Drive-Thru Malfunctioning, Pecos, NM

2009-08-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

Yes, we did honk twice and were served.

Fitness Trail Marker, Santa Fe

2009-07-31T22:50:00.000-05:00

In the 1980's there was a fad among parks and recreation departments to add "fitness trails" to walking paths. These trails had signs describing an exercise you were supposed to perform while taking your walk. Most also had little props like a chin-up bar or some kind of step or bench. I remember our girl scout troop made an outing to try the newly installed fitness trail in my hometown. It is rare to find these trails anymore but I have seen a number of instances where a lone sign was saved from demolition because of its relatively hidden location.

Neglected James Turrell, Santa Fe

2009-07-29T08:49:00.001-05:00

This Skyspace needs attention.

Mall, Santa Fe

2009-07-23T08:44:00.002-05:00

Bubble Wrap

2009-05-07T21:39:00.005-05:00

I bought a large roll of bubble wrap on line to have on hand to protect current and future artworks. I did not consider its size very carefully when placing my order. It arrived by special truck today and it will not fit in the house. Darin is the photo so you can get a sense of the scale. I will unwrap it and make two rolls.

Wiggly Bridge

2009-04-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

York, Maine

From West St. Paul to Tokyo

2009-03-14T14:53:00.000-05:00

My first international solo show opens in Tokyo on March 14 at Shonandai MY Gallery in Tokyo. Unfortunately I'm not going there for the opening. I have a hunch most of you won't make it, either. You can see the work from this show on my Picassa Page. Do you think the Japanese will find my subject matter exotic?

Innovation Road Recap

2009-03-02T10:38:00.003-06:00

Here are some installation views of the Franklin Art Works show. I got some great press from Mary Abbe, Susannah Schouweiler, and (my favorite) Melissa Stang (link is not working now, will fix). Thank you!

Flash Card #3

2009-02-12T08:22:00.000-06:00

Flash Card # 2

2009-01-24T08:19:00.005-06:00

Q. What shapes come out at night?
A. Pentagon

Flash Card #1

2009-01-24T08:17:00.004-06:00

My daughter received some unusual flash cards for Christmas.

Franklin Art Works

2009-01-06T21:14:00.004-06:00

Today we got the artwork down from upstairs, out of the kitchen, into the car, and off to the gallery. Show opens Friday.

I Hate You, KSTP

2008-12-12T21:24:00.001-06:00

Since you fired Tommy Mischke my lunchtimes have been sad and silent.
This painting is from 2004.

Untitled

2008-11-02T19:26:00.003-06:00

Photo by Wilson

Mall Map #2

2008-10-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

Kings Highway Plaza, New Bedford MA, 1983
Click to enlarge.
There were a few more stores than this, but these are the ones I remember.
Send me a map of your "first mall."

Mall Map #1 - Click to Enlarge

2008-10-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Signal Hills Mall, West St. Paul, Circa 1974.
Thanks, Peggy.
Send me a map of the Mall where you spent your allowance.

Bell-Shaped Shrub

2008-10-12T12:35:00.003-05:00

Picture Window #1

2008-10-11T00:34:00.003-05:00

Phantom Limb

2008-08-13T22:04:00.003-05:00

Directive #2 (Disobeyed)

2008-07-28T20:37:00.000-05:00

Sparkle Britches

2008-07-19T08:19:00.004-05:00

Please visit my friend LeeAnne's Etsy web page to see her beautiful hand-made baby clothes. These cute little bubble shorts are made from vintage (but never used) fabric from her grandmother's collection!

Precarious Trash

2008-07-03T16:56:00.002-05:00

Directive, Seattle WA

2008-06-13T14:09:00.002-05:00

Wisconsin Fun

2008-05-19T14:02:00.001-05:00

Wave to Natalie and Max!

YouTube Star

2008-05-12T15:28:00.005-05:00

I'm on YouTube again with a new song and dance.
This time we entered a contest.
Check it out.

Buddhist Temple - Hampton, MN

2008-05-07T09:18:00.008-05:00

Archives #4

2008-04-20T08:38:00.003-05:00

Conversation With My Father, 1996

Archives #3

2008-04-09T13:44:00.000-05:00

Sun Trust, 2000

Archives #2

2008-04-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

Jeff, Unemployed, 1995

Archives #1

2008-03-31T20:16:00.003-05:00

On the subject of archives (see last post) I had to go through a whole pile of old slides this week in preparation for a lecture in Seattle. I found so many paintings I had almost forgotten about. Here's a look back. Tropical Fruit Palace, 2000

Tapes and Tapes (and Tapes)

2008-03-25T18:47:00.005-05:00

My father had a reel-to-reel recorder that he used in the 1950s and '60s to tape music and family milestones. Here's a photo of his work in the basement. Some of these reels are labeled and some are not. Wilson and I have started to make digital archives of them, but we don't have enough time to do it properly. I am not sure anybody has the time or interest to listen to them anyway. This has caused me to think more carefully about how I document my own life.

New Work

2008-03-13T22:09:00.003-05:00

This is my contribution to "Twenty Views of Dundas"

"Repping the Dub"

2008-02-15T18:49:00.006-06:00

Our "West St. Paul" video is a big hit so far. As of this writing it has been viewed 2,989 times on You Tube. The Walker Art Center has made it a part of the "Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes" exhibit that opens next week. We also made the cover - almost the entire cover, in fact - of our neighborhood newspaper, the Sun Current. It must have been a slow news week.

But Which Will You Miss MORE?

2008-01-18T21:59:00.000-06:00

Coin Criticism

2008-01-11T15:20:00.000-06:00

As I was counting out the till yesterday at work I had some time to think about the state quarters. Here are my picks for best (Connecticut) and worst (Ohio). Come on, Ohio, couldn't you think of something better to commemorate than people whose achievements didn't even take place in Ohio?

Stuffed Animal Tree Update

2007-12-22T10:17:00.000-06:00

The tree and the stuffed animals are completely gone. I am not sure exactly when it was destroyed but I wish I had been there...it was at least a month and a half ago. Here's how it used to look:

Ambrosino Gallery November 9, 2007

2007-11-24T22:54:00.000-06:00

Sushi Boats, Miami

2007-11-24T22:34:00.000-06:00

Walk Between the Raindrops

2007-11-04T08:25:00.001-06:00

My show at Ambrosino Gallery in Miami opens Saturday, November 10 at 7 PM
I'll be posting some photos from our trip when we return next week...

Untitled

2007-10-31T08:54:00.000-05:00

Flower Competition

2007-09-12T21:38:00.001-05:00

Minnesota State Fair

Call Me Ishmael

2007-09-04T14:58:00.000-05:00

Minnesota State Fair.
Coming to the Midway 2008: Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"

Defaced With Faces

2007-08-31T11:49:00.000-05:00

News boxes, Grand Avenue St. Paul

Stuffed Animal Tree

2007-08-09T18:27:00.000-05:00

A variety of plush toys has been affixed to this dead tree on Page Street in St. Paul.

New Project

2007-08-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

My future posts will be sporadic at best...

New Installation Statement

2007-07-06T13:22:00.001-05:00

I've set painting aside for a while to focus on this new "installation." I have used appropriated images, handmade gifts, and found objects to deconstruct the idea of expectant parent as consumer. Although this critique calls into question our society's need to spend money to welcome a child into the world (all she really will need is breast milk) it simultaneously celebrates, through materials chosen with care, the love that we can express through our purchasing choices. Hopefully in the next week we will welcome the living component to this artwork that will mark its completion.

Butterscotch Sundae

2007-06-03T21:05:00.001-05:00

...is her pet name. I won't reveal her real name so as to protect her privacy. Did I tell you how much I love her? She is sitting next to me wondering why I am updating this blog instead of playing with her. Photo by Wilson.

Cookie

2007-05-22T08:08:00.001-05:00

From Jerabek's Bakery

Work In Progress

2007-05-09T07:57:00.000-05:00

"Landscaping, Collins Avenue, Miami Beach" Almost Done.

Dundas, MN

2007-05-01T08:10:00.000-05:00

North on Lexington

2007-04-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

Kyle MacLachlan Imprisoned

2007-03-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

My husband is almost done remodeling our bathroom. Before he put up the sheet rock he decided to leave a memento for future generations so he walled in my Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) "Dune" action figure. This was done without my permission. I might have had him put the Sting action figure in there instead.

Warning

2007-03-08T21:18:00.000-06:00

Lent 2007

2007-03-05T08:58:00.000-06:00

The artist panel from my last post will be rescheduled. We enjoyed the snowstorm. Here is this year's Lenten display at my church. I spent less time on it this year. My only criticism is that it looks too festive for this season of pentinance. Thanks to Larry for his help with this project.

Artist Talk

2007-02-25T09:50:00.000-06:00

I'm part of a panel discussion this Thursday at the Minnesota Center for Photography.

Five Artistic Lives
Moderator: Jan Estep - Dona Schwartz, Wendy Fernstrum, Carolyn Swiszcz, Kelly Connole, Jean Matzke
March 1, 2007 - 7:00 PM
MCP is pleased to present, with its sister organizations in the Five Centers for Art-the Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Northern Clay Center, and the Textile Center of Minnesota-a panel featuring five artists who will discuss their lives and careers as contemporary women and working artists. Multi-media artist Jan Estep will moderate the panel, which includes Dona Schwartz, photographer; Carolyn Swiszcz, printmaker, Jean Matzke, textile artist; Kelly Connole, ceramicist; and Wendy Fernstrum, book artist. The panel discussion will be held at MCP Thursday, March 1, the first day of International Women's Month.

Braintree, MA

2007-02-18T19:57:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T08:23:00.000-06:00

Inspirational Pillow

2007-02-10T20:44:00.000-06:00

Easy Being Green #4

2007-02-03T18:51:00.000-06:00

This is my "Telephone Rock," found at Horseneck Beach on a walk with my cousin Joe. I thought it looked like a phone and he took it home and painted the numbers on it. This is back when phones were much larger.

Easy Being Green #3

2007-01-31T20:44:00.000-06:00

These are some recently printed "grass" squares waiting to be glued on to a new painting.

Easy Being Green #2

2007-01-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

This is my studio mascot. He was a gift from my cousin Joe when I got my wisdom teeth out in 1986.

Easy Being Green #1

2007-01-21T07:34:00.000-06:00

The angst about the carpet/studio situation has blown away like a bad weather system and my outlook has improved. I'm back in production mode and the feelings are positive.

Carpeting Dilemma

2007-01-02T08:38:00.000-06:00

In case you don't know, my studio is at home. The comfort level of my workspace has been bothering me for several weeks. It had hardwood floors with oddly-shaped pieces of linoleum laid down for protection. I've been trying to think of a way to make it more appealing. Wilson had a lot of green carpet leftover from a job and offered it to me as a floor covering. I thought it might cut down on the noise to the bedroom below, make the workspace cozier, and it would be OK if it got paint on it. Yesterday he started the installation process. It's not going so well. Also, I forgot about the issue of smelly outgassing. Maybe I've made a mistake.

Factoid

2006-12-22T07:53:00.000-06:00

This info comes from "Massive Change: The Future of Global Design," an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Not usually the kind of show I enjoy - very text heavy, more like a science exhibit. But there were so many new technologies and outlooks on display; it made me feel a little less pessimistic about the future.
Here is a link:
www.massivechange.com/index.php

Dudley P. Nutt

2006-12-18T22:53:00.000-06:00

I saw this mascot on a package of Pearson's Nut Rolls today and it triggered an intense 5 minute laughing spasm - tears were running down my face, I had stomach cramps, and I had to hide the package because I needed to catch my breath. I can't quite explain why I found this so funny. I was imagining the people at the candy factory's graphic design department brainstorming and sketching this character. He's "On a Roll." Get it? Maybe I'm losing my mind.

Just Ducky

2006-12-13T07:59:00.000-06:00

Sears Tower and Moon

2006-12-11T12:08:00.000-06:00

I was lucky to get to spend three days in Chicago last week. Here's the view from my window at the Merchandise Mart Holiday Inn.

Miami

2006-12-01T21:06:00.000-06:00

I just sent three paintings down to Miami for the Pulse art fair. Here's one.

2006-11-24T10:18:00.000-06:00

More From Robert Street

2006-11-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

Should I paint this?

2006-10-21T09:16:00.000-05:00

The other day when I drove by this store I got very inspired. But then when I went back to take a picture I was not so sure about it. Maybe I've done too many of these things. But I like the orange and brown Payless logo in combination with the pink window signs and the green tree.

Obey the Pineapple

2006-10-12T22:03:00.000-05:00

Lava Links, Roseville, MN

Pineda Tacos

2006-10-07T20:25:00.000-05:00

Darin and I took some photos here for the back cover of our forthcoming CD. We have a lot of work to do on our songs, and we still have to get another microphone.

Too Blessed To Be Stressed

2006-09-26T07:33:00.000-05:00

Melodica

2006-09-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

Arrangement

2006-09-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

How It Turned Out

2006-09-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

M.Y. Art Prospects
547 West 27th Street
2nd Floor
New York, NY

Bacon Fat

2006-09-09T13:32:00.000-05:00

During a recent breakfast with family and friends (in which Craig insisted on cooking bacon on his grill) I asked all present to think of bacon fat's most unappetizing food application. My cousin Larissa won with this: bacon fat and Twizzlers.

"Ugly Baby"

2006-09-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

Photo by Sophie Swiszcz

Ahoy!

2006-08-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

With all the paintings done, I finally had time for one of my favorite pastimes, Mini Golf. This photo was taken in Brainerd at the Pirate's Cove course. A pleasant but unchallenging 18 holes. They had the same layout on more than one hole - I guess they spent all their planning time on this magnificent ship. Yes that is a golf club I'm wielding - I beat Wilson by 2 points.

Next Generation

2006-08-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

I just received this 2005 photo of my nephew Cameron. See my previous post to appreciate it fully. Thanks, Geo and Deb!

Brainerd, MN

2006-08-16T07:47:00.000-05:00

On Monday we saw this lion water fountain, a gift to the people of Brainerd from the Lions Club. As a child I drank from a "bubbler" exactly like this at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, MA. I did not drink from this lion; there was a wadded up tissue and some used gum nearby which curbed my thirst. I should have been a good neighbor and picked them up.

Haiku

2006-08-14T07:51:00.000-05:00

Tangled cassette tape
Brings back hometown memories
Nostalgic litter

Inuit Art

2006-08-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

Enjoyed this at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts yesterday.

Attention

2006-07-31T16:15:00.000-05:00

Pile of Trash, Sunday Morning

2006-07-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

Another treat from University Avenue.

Treat

2006-07-19T16:48:00.000-05:00

The cone on the table is a lamp.

Adventurer

2006-07-03T02:12:00.000-05:00

This truck belongs to our friend Darin. It is a Dodge Adventurer. Today's adventure was to obtain barrels (shown) to collect rain from the garage roof for our garden. I was at work and did not participate.

Good Press

2006-06-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a kind little review of the Franklin Art Works show. One small error: I'm not a Minneapolitan.

The Rake Magazine

Rainbow Over Lake Pepin

2006-06-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

Work In Progress

2006-06-19T21:36:00.000-05:00

Buffalo, NY

2006-06-12T22:12:00.000-05:00

Photo courtesy of Mr. Cake.

Some Days Are Better Than Others

2006-06-07T21:15:00.000-05:00

Last year I made a drawing or painting a day for nine months. 112 of the best of those efforts are up at Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis through July 29. The opening is Saturday June 10 from 6-8 PM. Also, I got some good news today: I don't need a root canal (for now).

Uh-oh

2006-06-02T17:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the Lightship New Bedford sprung a leak and tipped over. I painted this hometown vessel in 2002 and the image was used to publicize the city's 2002/2003 "First Night" celebration. I am not all that surprised that it has started to sink; it's a pretty common fate for things that I paint pictures of. Kind of a sad metaphor for my old city - there's been a lot of trouble there lately. Read more about the Lightship on the Standard-Times Website.

Time Machine

2006-05-28T17:14:00.000-05:00

Last Friday I was at the doctor's office. In the waiting room I picked up a Newsweek magazine. I started to read a review of "Bugsy" starring Warren Beatty. I thought, "Hmmm, I suppose they must be re-releasing this movie on a special DVD...why would they be writing about this now?" Then I looked at the date on the magazine - it was from 1991. Did somebody have it at home all this time and bring it to get rid of it? Or had it been in this waiting room for fifteen years?

You're Feeling Very Sleepy...

2006-05-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

Self-Fulfilling

2006-05-18T22:19:00.000-05:00

Today at work my supervisor asked me to replenish the band aid supply in the First Aid Kit. I cut myself on the plastic latch of the box while trying to open it.

A World of Fish

2006-05-14T21:34:00.000-05:00