Artful Adventures

More Show Report

Several of you have asked for more of what's become known as "the Show Report", so here goes:)  The show runs until Aug. 22, at Off the Wheel Pottery in Egg Harbor, up in Door County.  The gallery itself is one end of an old barn that's been converted for gallery use, but not in the traditional sense of the word.  There's this one white wall that's been installed to section off the gallery space from the rest of the barn.  The other walls are still the old barn boards, complete with the open spaces between the barnboards that let the natural light come streaming in.  I was in such a panic getting ready, that I remembered that wall being endless, and was worried I'd never have enough to fill it, and actually ended up bringing too much!  Bet that'll never happen again:) 

When you walk in the door to the gallery, "The Girls" are straight ahead, front & center!  Those are each 2'x3' , just to give you an idea of the size of the walls, and they're hung quite high  with displays of Renee's pottery beneath them-worked out perfectly. 

It's hard to see on here, but Gary built a jewelry display case that's hanging just to the left of the door.  He made it out of an old window that he hinged for the front and built a box type structure on the back to attach it to.  Not the best description, but you get the idea.  There's more jewelry in Renee's studio, and if you happen to get up there, make sure to go into her studio to see her work-you'll fall in love with it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides wall art & jewelry (now why is this text all underlined?) I brought along some journals that I made out of the pages of nature prints that I did last year after reading LK Ludwig's book, Mixed Media Nature Journals.  If you don't already own this book, treat yourself and get a copy, it's a great one!  No blank white pages in these books-these 6"x12" books are loaded with color & various leaf prints from foliage around the yard.  Time consuming, but well worth it!  Try it, you'll be hooked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the opening (and apparently the underling is here to stay also!) it went just fine!  A steady flow of people that were all so nice, and I was a nervous wreck for no reason! I knew I had done work that I felt good about, so it was all fine, really.  Funny part though, I had ordered some clothes to wear from Oh My Guaze, wanting something to wear that was a little funkier.  I waited til the last minute to order, and as a result I got them at the last minute-just a few hours before we left for the show!  Someone was looking over me on that one-they fit, were comfortable, and was just the look that I wanted-whew!  There's actually more to this story about the show and how it all came about, but that'll be for another day.  Starting tomorrow there's another blog event you won't want to miss out on!  Seth Apter of The Altered Page is hosting an event that he's calling Buried Treasure.  All participants are asked to repost at least one of their favorite posts from their blogs, a way for bloggers to get to know each other better, and read something special in the process.  Something you won't want to miss!  Since I'll be participating, I'll see you all tomorrow!

A few things for the show

Photos are a tad crooked, but you'll get the idea-here are a few of things hanging-will give you all the "show report" complete with photos this week end-wish me luck!

It 's a Show & you're invited!

Even though I had a grat excuse to not be spending so much time on the computer, I shouldn't have just vanished as I did-for that I apologize.  But----please do celebrate my very first show with me!  The very talented potter, Renee' Schwaller of Off the Wheel Pottery invited me to be her featured artist this summer, showing my art along with her fabulous pottery in her gallery which is a renovated barn.  I really haven't said a whole lot about it to many people for all these months because, well, I quess because I had to see it to believe it.  We hung the work yesterday, I saw, and I believe!  The opening reception is this Friday, the 19th-and for some reason I'm not even freaking out about it, odd for me.  After that, it's quick get ready for that hip replacement on the 24th, see if I have any better luck this time around than I did in
December!  What would the odds be, really, of finding another blood clot or something else to postphone it again?   So, it's going to happen this time!  And hopefully, by the time of surgery, I'll still be grinning about what a fun reception I had:)

MMCA Marketplace Gallery Exhibit at Arts on Union

 

 

MMCA Marketplace Artists are scattered throughout the nation. In February, their work is under one roof for the first time and it is happening in Central Pennsylvania.
Middletown, PA - Not only have most of the members never met in person, the MMCA Marketplace Artists have never shown their work in a gallery as a group. This month, Arts on Union Gallery and Studio, 203 N. Union St., Middletown, exhibits their art. An opening reception will take place Saturday, Feb. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be free refreshments and artists will be on hand to talk about their work.
MMCA Marketplace Artists opened for business in mid-2008, as the Dow was plunging downward. Its charter members were already online acquaintances through the MMCA, a larger network of artists who share tips and news and offer critiques on the work of other members. National and regional online and print publications have featured the work of the group.
The MMCA Marketplace artists exhibiting at Arts on Union have successful exhibition, publication and teaching credits. Despite the economic downturn and the frenetic pace of life, they continue to live and work as professional artists. Among the group are two Middletown artists, Elaine Brady-Smith and Christine Goldbeck. In addition to mixed-media paintings and collage on canvas and paper, the Arts on Union exhibit includes jewelry, note cards and three-dimensional work.
“It felt like Christmas all over again when the art for this exhibit started arriving from Wisconsin, California, Florida and other places. I am so glad to be able to show the work of this group and I am in awe of the talent and skill each has. The necklaces one artist sent are amazing. She hand drills each pearl, for example. The craftsmanship in these pieces is incredible,” Goldbeck, who owns Arts on Union, said.
Arts on Union opened in February 2008. Visit Christine Goldbeck for more information about the February exhibit and workshops. Mixed media collage and mixed-media painting workshops are on February’s studio calendar to coincide with the exhibit.

The above photo and press release, were provided courtesy of Christine Goldbeck, who was also kind enough to host this first time exhibit featuring artists from the MMCA Marketplace, an online marketing venue owned by Debbie Overton, that I'm very pleased to be a part of.  Now if I could only find a way to get to PA in time for the opening reception this Saturday:)  So if you live anywhere near Middletown, PA, please stop in and take a peek!

A new month/a New Year!

 

January was a bust, in every sense of the word, so for me on this day of Feb.1, 2009, I'm declaring this as my New Year, and will start all over again, there's no doubt that it'll be better.  Plenty has happened, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  One of the good things was that Gary had a birthday on Thursday, but the celebration will be delayed until sometime later this month.  A couple of weeks ago, his aunt, who was truly more like a 2nd Mom to him because she finished raising him when his own Mother died when he was just 16, fell & broke her hip.  At 92 years old, that's a hell of a hurdle to get over, and she couldn't do it, passing away early Tuesday morning.  The funeral wasn't held until yesterday to allow time for out of state relatives to attend.  Making this past week feel like a lifetime-waiting.  To complicate matters, with the stress level high, I screwed up on taking the correct amount of Warfarin, which sent my bloodwork plummeting right back down to close to the level that I had in the hospital.  It's corrected now and all is well on that end, but between that & the blood clot, I wasn't allowed to attend the funeral.  Even though I knew I couldn't go, the tremendousus guilt that I feel for not being there to support Gary when he needed me the most, is something that I'll have to live with.  It's a shame that it takes something so dramatic in life to realize just how fiercely you love someone, and want to protect them from anything that hurts them.  After being married to him for over 30 years, and as angry as we can get at each other, sometimes wondering what's the point, now I know without a doubt that the point is-we really do love each other.  A good comforting thing to know. 

After several phone calls & a little sit down with the docs, it was explained in a language I could understand, that my version of taking it easy & theirs, wasn't the same.  To keep everybody happy, I haven't left the house much at all (they hadn't explained that car rides were bad) and now have  footstools in several places all over the house, so that no matter where I sit I can put that foot up.  We even have a drafting table set up in the living room so now I can do art with my foot propped up under the table.  But the best was getting a laptop, so now I can get back to spending some time on the computer, back to posting here, and catch up on the rest of you-all with--you quessed it-with my foot propped up.  But January wasn't all bad, I got art shipped to PA to  Arts On Union for a show that runs the month of February, featuring the artists of MMCA Marketplace, how exciting!  But more on that tomorrow:)  And I can't let the good things go by without thanking Amanda for being coming here to work on art together, for sitting with me yesterday while everyone was at the funeral, in general for being a friend and going out of her way to help-thank you again!  Lots more to tell, but one day at a time, in the meantime, being cooped up isn't so bad when I have these kinds of views right outside my window. 

Day on the Farm

This past Saturday was the annual Day on the Farm event, held at Kele Alpaca.  Farm events around here aren't that uncommon, but this one had a twist-alpacas instead of cows:)  It's also an event for the entire family with free admission, and the proceeds from a silent auction, food sales, and donations, being shared between the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) and ArtBeet.  VIP provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kewaunee County, and ArtBeet is a non-profit group to promote thearts in Kewaunee County.  All for great causes and fun for everyone!  There were demonstrations on spinning the Alpaca fibers-

felting----

and weaving.

There was live music all day--

kids got to take alpaca on a walk--

a lot of walks, all day long!

There was an area where kids got their faces painted, good food & drink, and watching Deb standing like a statue all day-seriously, it was hot, I don't know how she did it!

It also was home for the first ever art fair for ArtBeet!

An obstacle course was on the grounds where folks could walk an alpaca through it.  They kept switching out the alpacas throughout the day to keep them fresh, like I said, it was hot!

All in all, it was a good day!  You can read more about the specifics of the event here and here.  Most important, it was a day that families could do something together and not break the bank, artists & lots of volunteers came together for a worthy cause  making it a beautiful day!  After the event, there was food & drink for all who helped make it happen and after that, it was on to The Flying Pig for a concert-but more about that tomorrow:)  And here's LeAnna, who along with Keith makes it all happen at Kele, taking a quick & much needed break.

The Roy Bedward Exhibit

A while back, I posted about Roy Bedward, introducing this Madison based autistic artist and asked for your help.  So here I am, asking one more time to go back & read that post, as well as Roy's story, written in his own words, and spread the word if you are so inclined.  In the meantime, for those who can't come and see his show at The Flying Pig, with permission granted, here's a peek at what you're missing, and get to know the man that I've asked you to help.  It's been a powerful exhibit that's touched people to the point that many are in tears as they look at his art & read his words.  Now imagine having to communicate letter by letter, and to need help to do it.  That and his art have changed his world.  Roy's living proof that anything's possible, he's an inspiring young man!

Press Release, an introduction, and asking for help--

---but not necessarily in that order:)  This past spring I had the pleasure of meeting Roy Bedward, an artist from Madison who happens to be autistic.  I've been given permission to post a copy of a presentation that he gave at a recent conference for autism, you can find a link on the left sidebar, or just click here.  Now that may not sound very impressive in itself, but you have to understand that Roy can't talk, he's non verbal.   So go back & read, It's long, but well worth it to get a better understanding of Roy and his everyday challenges.  If you google his name, you'll find some of his art to see, like here for instance.

Now that you've had the introduction, here's where the call for help comes in.  Roy is limited as to what he can earn on his own and is always in need of money (I know, we all are) to buy art supplies.  If you've read his story, you'll know how important it is that he's able to create his art.  When asked what he could use, this is what I was told:  "I think we can utilize many materials.  What Roy uses the most currently is acrylic paint, heavy water color paper, canvas, brushes, glass jars for paint, and wood.  It would be great to use other material so what ever you may have to give, we will find use for it."  Jeremy helps with his care, but Alli is the supervisor & in charge of it all, so if you have any specific questions, or need an address to ship any extra supplies that you may be willing to part with, here's all the contact information:

Allison Kretschmer

Quality Assurance Coordinator

REM Wisconsin Inc.

1317 Applegate Road

Madison, WI 53713

Phone: 608-276-0102 #248

Fax: 608-276-0110

Allison.Kretschmer@thementornetwork.com

Now for the fun part, Roy is having his own show at The Flying Pig Gallery & Greenspace.  It's part of the Back Gallery Series offered, so he'll have his art on display and for sale there from June 28 through July 27, 2008.  Here's a copy of the press release that just went out that explains it all much better than I can:)  Thanks in advance for anyone who can help, please feel free to direct folks to this post, or put it on your blog, anything to get the word out to be able to help him.  This is exactly why I like to blog, there's such a sense of community and it's amazing how I've seen bloggers pull together, here's another chance to do just that!

For Immediate Release:

2008 Back Gallery Series Continues with the artwork of Roy Bedward.

In a life filled with shadows, he sees colors and is awakened by their beauty.   He communicates by typing on a simple paper keyboard, his helpers quickly deciphering the letters that soon become his words.  He may not be able to talk, but he most definitely understands – meet Roy Bedward, a Madison, WI, based artist whose work will be the on exhibit as part of The Back Gallery Series 2008 at The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace from June 28 through July 27. 

Although diagnosed with autism, Roy has captured the sense of magic and color that autism gives the real world – an endless supply of sensations with which to work.  For over ten years, he has been painting in self-made studios at his home in an assisted living residence in Madison.  Presented with a limited palate of colors and  materials to paint upon, Roy creates stunning abstract combinations of color and texture.

In addition to painting, Roy loves drawing, woodworking, and working with clay.  While in his studio, he has a support member assist him with his body if he becomes “stuck.”  Despite needing this support member, all of his creations are completely independent and original.

“When I'm painting I feel more normal and happy than any other time in my life.  I love color.  It can make me so much more alive when I have it in my life,” types Bedward.  “Just imagine how it would feel to not be able to talk.  If you can really imagine that, then you can begin to understand what my art means to me.” 

Bedward is the second of four artists to be featured at The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace this summer.  The remaining artists to be featured in the Back Gallery Series will be Melissa Jones of Birmingham, AL (August 2 – September 1) and Kim Wozniak of Pulaski, WI (September 6 – October 5).

The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace is located at N6975 Hwy 42, 2 miles south of Algoma. The gallery is open daily 9am-6pm. For gallery and event information, please call (920) 487-9902 or visit www.theflyingpig.biz.

 

Celebration of Life on the Lake

 

Gary participated in a community based project recently, Celebration of Life on the Lake, and here's the clay tile that he made.  I'm so proud of him for trying something new and doing it so well-good job!  The reception was this past Saturday where everybody got to see them all together for the first time, I didn't know what to expect since I wsn't a part of this one, and was blown away with what I saw.  And to see all the kids with their parents, showing off their art work, well that was just precious!  The following text is from a press release (making sure I get the facts straight!), and photos from Gary.  This will be the 3rd attempt, for some reason Typepad keeps eating my posts tonight!

Through the months of April and May students from Kewaunee and Algoma schools, as well as home school children and adult community members, have gathered at Clay on Steele in Algoma to create works of art celebrating life here in Northeast Wisconsin on the Lake Michigan shore.  Nearly 150 participants designed, created and glazed clay tiles that depict scenes of local plant and wildlife, recreational activities, family farms, historical buildings and endangered and invasive species.  The project, designed and implemented by local artists Kirsten Christianson and Stephanie St. John, was partially funded with a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board.  The artists were able to receive this grant by partnering up with ArtBeet, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the arts in Kewaunee County.  Additional support was provided by local businesses, individuals and over a dozen volunteers from the community.

 This project was created to bring the community together and to help us appreciate the beauty, history and culture of Kewaunee County.  We are thrilled with the exciting response we have received from all the participants, volunteers and donors.  The quality of art work and the excitement generated from the project participants was astounding and far surpassed what we had anticipated.  All the artists and families should be extremely proud of this body of work.  Celebration of Life on the Lake has truly been a community project, we are thankful for all your support and hope to continue to organize future community art projects.  A selection of tiles will kept on display at The Flying Pig through Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

Art in the Barn

After weeks of prepping, doing almost an all nighter the night before the show, and being a nervous wreck the few days prior, it all went well!  And today I'm exhausted:)  The group of women that are Women Create are not only extremely talented, but just as gracious, friendly, and supportive.  With this being the first show that I've ever done, it couldn't have been a better scenario to get my feet wet. 
This was their second annual art fair, held on the grounds of Off the Wheel Pottery  owned by Renee' Schwaller.  It's a beautiful setting, and must be a dream come true to work at what you love, and where you love to be, all at the same time.   See that smile on her face?    I don't think I saw her even once this week end, without that big smile-she and her family were a joy to be around, as they cheerfully hosted the entire event.  And her pottery----everyone needs a piece or 2 or 3 of it!  It's fun, funky, and beautiful!  And I'm the proud owner of a lovely bowl that she made, which I'm sure is just the beginning of a collection:)  The Women Create gals had their art in a wonderful old barn, so the displays were larger than life, and so much to look at!  This year they had invited 6 guest artists to participate in the show, and had us set up outside in the yard.  So as people came through, it was all very relaxed, as they strolled through the barn, our tents, and Renee's shop.  Such a nice, atmosphere to the whole event.  Having only seen a few pieces of Shan's  work in person before, I was looking forward to seeing more, and was certainly not disappointed!  Some of her work is huge, so to see it all hanging on those big old barn walls was the perfect setting.  One of the artist's work that I was particularly anxious to see was that of Angela Lensch .  A while back I had seen her website & was totally fascinated with her Spirit Ladies, to see them in person was a real treat, an understatement at the least!  One of these days, I hope to have one of them living in my house, the photos can't do justice, I wish you could see them in person.      
    An unexpected pleasure over the 2 days, was watching Dianne Saron  work her magic with pastels at an easel under her tent.  She was set up across the yard from me so I could watch the progress from a distance-until I couldn't stand it anymore & had to go watch over her shoulder:)   Hope I didn't drive her too crazy with that!   But I loved watching her get into that zone, and be so intent on her work, watching the layers evolve into a gorgeous piece of art.  What seems like a hundred years ago, I used to play around in pastels, and haven't touched them in ages.  But I may haul them out to play again after watching Dianne work.  Now if I could do a sunset even remotely close to how she does hers, I'd be thrilled!    An added bonus was having some very cool people set up by me.  Just behind me was Prisca , with some gorgeous pottery, in lovely earthy colors-which would match my color scheme so perfectly!   She had a large vase shaped piece that I can't get out of my head, it's just so beautiful.  And right next door was Colleen, we had a blast chatting for both days, and as it turns out we have a mutual friend-one of those small world things.  Colleen is one of those people that you can't help but like, so she made the whole event even more of a pleasure.  She was wearing a pair of bridal moccasins that she had made, that looked like the most comfortable things ever-and they were gorgeous!  Lucky me, we're doing a trade this winter and she's making a pair for me-yay!!    Check these out-are they cool, or what!!    More eye candy was getting to watch Rosie Dittman do some felting.  She made it all look so easy, and she had some great art pieces made with it-another one of those things that I'd love to try my hand at some day.  It looks like it would be something very relaxing to do-except I'm a train wreck when it comes to sewing, so the relaxation would end for me at that point of the project:)   Not all of my photos turned out, but I'm hoping this covers a lot of the show, plus I'll add some more to a new album just for the show.   And if you make sure to click on this Women Create  link, you'll find more information on all of those artists, which will make up for my bad photos and missing business cards that I collected from everyone over the week end-I know they're here somewhere!  One more picture, and I'm calling it a day-a group shot of all of us-a perfect ending to a perfect week end.  Thanks for inviting me to participate!