Cyber Friend

My life has been so crazy recently, I haven't had time till now to share a wonderful experience I had over the summer. As most of you already know, I've dedicated 2008 to trying to figure out how the internet can help me as an artist. One of the first things I did was sign up on an artists' community site called artscuttlebutt which is sponsored by art calendar magazine. For several months, I actively participated by looking at other people's work, starting conversations, and I even organized a photography group. It was a great way to get this internet thing going.

Sometime in July I got a note from Donna Iona Drozda—a fellow artist on the butt—about one of my photographs. We got to talking and sharing work and really hit it off. I added a link to her blog on mine and vice versa. When I saw her profile, I realized she lives in Virginia Beach. As luck would have it, we were headed there on vacation. I suggested we meet up.

Donna greeted us with a warm hug at the front door of our hotel feeling like an old friend, not a new one. She took us to the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia where she is a teacher and active participant. What a great place. My first thought was, we've got to figure out how to follow their model. They have a first-class exhibit space, offer a broad range of classes for kids and adults, have a stage and theater, and own an original Gilhooley! The exhibit we saw—Transformed—featured contemporary artwork that pushes the limits of art. One installation was a grouping of toilet paper rolls that had intricate branch carvings cut out of them (all in one knife stroke!) and then placed to look as if they were growing out of the rolls. The piece was meant to be a commentary on the overuse of trees and paper.


Donna's own work is beautiful—like her spirit—and colorful. Inspired by things in every day life, she interprets them in ways that make you stop and think. Her work can be appreciated by the most ardent art fan as well as a two-year old in a stroller. This piece is called Morning Song. Notice the moons along the edge of the boat. Check out all of Donna's work on her web site, and stop by her blog to read more about what she does.