First day of the Birds of Poetry install

pictures from my first day of installing the Birds of Poetry at the Attleboro Public Library - it was a long but wonderful day!!! Thank you to everyone who helped ~ especially my two stellar helpers!!! 

Peace & good night!!!

so much to do, so little time . . .

where to begin . . .

Dress of Poetry on display at Attleboro Public Library

today I am heading to Attleboro to start the install of the Birds of Poetry!! I have two wonderful assistants with me and we are going to primp the birds, get them already for flight then, if TIME allows,  launch them into the atrium.

birds in process

I also plan to stop by the Attleboro Arts Museum to see the exhibit On the Threshold – A National Juried Exhibition (July 14 – August 10, 2012).  I was hoping to make it to the opening last Wednesday but nasty thunderstorms and flash flooding put an end to that idea.  But will make there today to see the show.

'uterus' in "on the threshold'

 While at the museum I will be picking up announcement for their next show, 8 Visions – Work from 8 Juried Member Artists in which I am also exhibiting!! I am really excited about this opportunity!! and, when I can, I am frantically working in my studio to finish some NEW pieces. Here is the info about that show : 

Exhibition: August 21 – September 15, 2012

Opening Reception: Wednesday, Aug 22nd from 7 – 9pm. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Sept 8th: Gallery Talk, 2-4pm.  Free and open to the public. Kindly reserve your space by Thursday, September 6th. 508-222-2644  

Also last week I meet with the folks at JP Knit and Stitch and discussed performing 'insatiable' at their adorable shop during this years JP Open Studios!! Again, so excited!!! to sit in this inspiring place and crochet on 'insatiable' for hours ~ truly my idea of bliss.  

So on Sept. 22 & 23 you will find me 461 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA, crocheting away!  I will also be selling my dresscards ( need to make that money thing :)  Here are some samples I made for JP Knit - with the paper for the dresses based on fiber arts and knitting.  I also borrowed some of their awesome fabric for some dresses!! So mark your calendars and stop by.  

 ALSO they want me to teach an organic crocheting workshop in the Fall ~

SO FUN!!! 

Now off to Attleboro!! 

peace

worlds collide, in a good way

Like many artists I juggle many jobs to help pay the bills. One of these jobs is making and distributing my dresscards. Another of those jobs is helping Judy Labins with her lovely interior design shop Shafer O'Neil Interior Design.  

I have worked with Judy for a few years now and it is a wonderful working relationship.  Besides being able to go to work in a stunning setting twice a week, Judy has always supported my art.  

She has showcased a number of my sculptural dresses in the shop's window over the years. (click here to see the past windows)  And this month we have put my beach dress photos in the window.

  

And to add to all that, this week I delivered a group of my dresscards to the shop!!! Shafer O'Neil does not usually carry cards but Judy felt these were unique enough for her store.  And I made these especially for the shop ~ instead of using the ordinary origami papers and created papers based on the interior design fabrics that Judy uses in her design work. 

 I am very happy with the way these cards turned out.  These cards have just reaffirmed an idea that I was flirting with, about designing/making my own papers to use for the dresses.  It makes the dresscards even more one-of-a-kind.

So I am happy to announce now TWO wonderful shops are carrying my dresscards ~ Artisans Way, Concord, MA and Shafer O'Neil Interior Design, Wellesley, MA, and I am working on more.  (If you have a store and would like to carry these cards please leave a comment below and I'll contact you)

I am also trying to figure out the best way to sell them on-line . . .any suggestions?? if so, I would love to hear them.  I have gotten nice comments on FB and I have been considering Etsy, but I need more information.  

Bottom line is, especially now that I am divorced and on my own, I need to figure out ways of making that thing called money that everyone seems to want :). 

But I am in good company, as I noted above ~ like many artists I juggle many jobs to help pay the bills.

wishing all a wonderful and cool :) weekend! Peace

amen, sister!!!

Happy Independence Day America!!

Wishing everyone a fun, safe & scrumptious 4th o' July!!! 

peace & bon appetite!! :)

Happy Birthday Bro!!! xxx

Today is my baby brother's birthday!!

So Happy Birthday Bob!!!

I am having so much fun making these men's origami shirts!!! I figured I'd make Bob a shirt/tie birthday card but when I found this quote by Picasso - which is perfect for my brother who is a wonderful father to FOUR boys -  I didn't think that I tie would be appropriate!! So in comes the sewn on pocket, flower and butterfly :). 

Happy Happy day bro!!! Hope it is full of fun and laughs and loads of smiles!!!

p.s. the card will be in the mail tomorrow :)

So much going on . . .

This is one packed full day of art !!! with openings and workshops and more.

I will be at Attleboro helping make Birds of Poetry at Attleboro’s Expo for the Senses which runs from 12-5pm today.  I am planning to be there more on the later side because I need to head west first.

First I am dropping off a new set of dresscards  at Artisans Way in Concord, MA.

the addition of a man's shirt/tie :)

I am very excited about these cards.  I have been experimenting with making my own paper for the origami. This feeds my love of collage and scraps!! I can use all the bits and pieces of wrapping paper, packing and other visual treasures that I have stockpiled all these years :). 

I also have fun finding quotes that resonate and matching it with a fun dress, or now dress or shirt and tie!!! I have posted a few here but here is a link to the entire collection.

  Then after Concord I will head to ArtSpace in Maynard, MA for the closing reception of Michael Frassinelli's Exhibit ~ "The Last of the Pianistas: Piano Sculptures and Artifacts by Michael Frassinelli" (May 30-June 29th) I had planned to make it to the opening, but life got in the way, but I will be there today.

    My daughter would SOO agree!!

Last year I substituted for Michael at Dana Hall while he was on sabbatical, creating much of the work that is being shown in Maynard.  He works with old pianos, he has created an entire culture and history about  people called the Pianistas.  The closing reception is 1-4pm today and the show runs thru the 29th.

From Maynard I will then head to Attleboro to make some Birds of Poetry and then end my day in Framingham, with the opening reception of Fountain Street Fine Art's latest show - Internal Combustion**. This is their 2012 summer open juried show, juried by Joseph Carroll.  the reception is 5-7pm. And if I have any energy left I hope to make it to my studio!!!

**The theme for this exhibit, INTERNAL COMBUSTION, celebrates the Gallery’s industrial roots and speaks to the transformative power of imagination.

Juried by Joseph Carroll, of Carroll and Sons Gallery in Boston. Carroll and Sons supports contemporary artists, and focuses on building the careers of lesser-known artists and promoting ones who are under recognized.

So as I said ~ a packed full day!! 

So what am I doing sitting here writing my blog?!?!

 Off to the highways and byways! 

Wishing all a great weekend!! peace

my life's motto