Saturday, April 23, 2011

Feeling the Spring?

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist,

and the less the artist does

the better.

Andre Gide

It's that "springy" time of year again, and I am being inspired by

that newness, and freshness that Spring brings.

I've been stretching those wings and trying

some "new" things in preparation for the

P A T C H W O R K

Indie Arts & Crafts Show coming up in May...

I'm finding myself experimenting with some wood substrates rather than the glass-

Trying to find a nice balance between collage and whimsy.

And freaking out a little... knowing that I have a few events lined up

that I need to produce some serious inventory for--

henceforth, why the quote above was speaking to me.

(Well... maybe it was actually yelling at me.)

I'll post that heart piece again when I finish it-- I'm trying decide on the words

and what area of the heart I may paint over with either a bird or flower thingy.

I was feeling a little empty, having missed writing last week.

I had my nephew here for a ten day visit,

and a surprise visit from my daughter (for a day) as well.

Causing some changes to the work schedule a bit- in a good way.

(I just love surprises from very special people).

During that week, I was also surprised with a lovely package

that came "f l y i n g i n " from one of our Kelly Rae Roberts ecourse friends Makiko.

Aside from being a wonderful ceramic artist,

Makiko, has a huge heart for the earthquake/ tsunami victims of her native Japan.

She has put together a wonderful fundraiser, that will

directly help in the recovery efforts.

She has created 1000 adorable little ceramic birds- can you believe it?

1000 little ceramic birds...

(and I am worried about inventory for a show?)

I ordered a few, and couldn't believe how lovely they were.

all wrapped up in their colorful paper nests...

ready to find a new home...

while meeting new friends!

If you want to take a peek~ check out Makiko's blog.

What a wonderful way to help!

h a p p y e a s t e r ~ h a p p y s p r i n g d e a r f r i e n d s!

By the way... linking up to Sneak Peek Friday at sweet Jennifer's Studio.

As always, there are some fabulous art blogs to peek at.

And for a special treat~ check out the Day Spring interview with Jennifer.

Leave a comment, to enter the very special giveaway!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A little of this... A little of that...

Where to begin... busy busy week.

I came across this quote that was very encouraging, and had to share...

Act as if what you do

makes a difference.

It does.

~William James

The simplicity of knowing,

that what we are doing as creatives really does matter...

adds a cherry on top of the sundae for me!

(As do the words I chose for my little birdie painting plate-

a pure expression of how I feel when I am "creating".

If you've been popping in now and then,

you may have noticed that there are a group of creatives

that have been linking on a regular basis to studiojru.

Jennifer has been hosting this lovely space

where creative gifts are being shared.

I am happy to mention that this week's link-up will be at the (in)courage site.

A wonderful place of inspiration, community, creativity, and fabulous product.

Grab a coffee, a tea, and take a look through-there's so much to see.

Here's what I had been up to...

launching... new moMMy pins

(personalized pins with your favorite picture)

launching... new biRdie pins

...prepped for a MOPS boutique and happily sold many inspirational plates...

... more prepping

... and planning

... and completing.

There are a few smaller shows on the horizon, but I am so happy about the opportunity

to be part of a larger show...

Patchwork- Indie Arts & Crafts Festival

This event will take place on May 15th in Long Beach.

Want to know a secret....

With this venue, I'll have to prepare a booth space.

A full 10 x 10 space of creativity to sell creativity- yikes!

(Something, I've always been a little freaked out about).

I am sharing the space, with a friend that I met at a prior venue.

Zazu Faure

Between the both of us, I think we will be able to pull

something together and make a nice showing.

Her work is quite lovely-

sweet plush animals out of reclaimed materials- so well made and stylized.

I am on a path right now, to continue integrating

more and more of my own paintings into the plates...

and perhaps have a few mixed media pieces to bring.

For anyone in Los Angeles- check out the Patchwork website-

perhaps we'll see you there... at a booth or stolling the show?

If anyone has any thoughts on a booth space they'd like to share-

feel free to leave some seeds in the comment area.

Any creative ideas are welcome!

Time to check out the rest of the creativity from Sneak Peek Friday.

Thanks for stopping by, and know that

"Y O U make a difference"!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

California Art Club... and other stuff...

an most incredible piece by

Richard Schmid

I must say- I have been going through major blogging withdrawal this week.

So much busyness and so much to share. After spending the necessary time prepping taxes, and completing a couple of custom order's, I am soooo ready to get back to "creating".

(I need to cleanse my brain of numbers and see colors again!)

so... sharing....

F I R S T...

A wonderful exhibit to check out- that is running at
the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

I had the opportunity to spend a day, last weekend, with my dear friend

and a r t ~ g a l ~ p a l Patty, soaking up
the beauty of the California Art Club exhibit.

It was an inspiring exhibit of contemporary-traditional fine art.
Many of the artists are local peeps with classes at LAAFA, California Art Institute,
and private studio locations.

Take a peek at the exhibition website~ inspiration abounds!
Here's a sampling of some of the work on display.
So worth a visit, if you are in the area.

100TH ANNUAL GOLD MEDAL JURIED EXHIBITION