I was hanging out with Sue Soaring Sun of Sun Gallery fame.
(Never heard of Sun Gallery in Truth or Consequences, NM? Check it out here: http://www.sierracountynewmexico.info/shopping/a-z/name/sun-gallery/ and here: https://www.facebook.com/sungallerytorc/timeline. The gallery’s Facebook page says,
Sun Gallery is a folk art and antiques gallery in Truth or Consequences, a fun and affordable spa town in beautiful southern New Mexico.
The gallery is located at 407 1/2 N. Broadway.)
We were talking about a restaurant we both know, a place where the decor is heavy on chickens. One of us piped up with So many chickens…Sue’s boyfriend grinned and added in and so little time. When we quit laughing, we agreed it would be a perfect theme for an art show. Sue decided it would be a fun May show for her gallery, so she sent out a call for submissions.
Here’s the call, as it appeared on the gallery’s Facebook page:
CALL FOR ARTISTS
So Many Chickens, So Little TimeAll artists of any age or ability are invited to each bring ONE piece of artwork to Sun Gallery for our May 2016 show, “So Many Chickens, So Little Time.”
You can price your work or just show it without offering it for sale. If it sells, the artist gets 100% of the sales price. Sun Gallery will not be taking a percentage for this show.
Have fun with the theme! There are no rules about the medium or size of the artwork.
Sun Gallery will be open for both Fiesta weekend and Art Hop weekend, so your work will be seen by many.
Drop off your work on TUESDAY May 3rd between 12 noon and 4 pm.
Pick up your sales proceeds or unsold work on SUNDAY May 15 between 11 am and 4 pm.
Thanks for your participation!
I responded to the call with a big ol’ chicken collage. First I bought a used canvas and a red and white checkered napkin at Goodwill. I ironed the napkin, then used a staple gun to attach it to the canvas. The napkin made a great background to fill in any gaps between chickens.
As soon as I knew the show was happening, I requested catalogs from several chicken supply companies. Unfortunately, only one catalog had arrived by the time I really needed to get working on the project. I needed to find another source for photogenic fowl.
I had credit at bookstore that buys used books, DVDs, magazines, video games, CDs, craft supplies, musical instruments, and knickknacks. I went to the store’s periodical section and found several copies of Grit, the magazine Celebrating Rural America Since 1882. Chicken photo jackpot!
One additional source for poultry pictures was a beat-up children’s book given to me by the Lady of the House. Called The Lifesize Animal Opposites Book, it afforded me with my rooster focal point.
I spent a few evenings cutting, arranging, and gluing photos of chickens while sitting in front of a television 
playing late 20th-century game shows. I even made a special artist bio card to go with my collage.
I ended up pleased with the outcome of my work. There are a lot of chickens in my collage. There are SO many chickens!
I decided to call my piece Chicken Tractor because I think that’s a hilarious term.
My collage will be on display at Sun Gallery starting tomorrow until May 15. If you are in the neighborhood, you should stop by and see it live and in person. (As usual, my photos don’t do justice to the real thing.) The collage (13″ by 15″) is most definitely for sale. If you want to add it to your very special chicken collection or display in in your heretofore fowl free home, please contact me and we can negotiate.
I took the photos in this post.