Have the vision to recognize a good thing . . .

while writing a new blog a came to realize that I don't think this one ever got posted?!? so if that is the case - here is a post written a few months ago . . .

lucky penny

I am happy to announce that I am one of the 6 participating artists in 
Fountain Street Fine Art's recent endeavor ~ 

Community Supported Art or CSArt.

This is a inspired way to collect some 

great, original ART 

at easy on your wallet prices :).  

The idea is similiar to Community Supported Agriculture but instead of getting shares of a garden's output you get a share of a gallery's selected artist's output.  

Below you will find a more thorough description of this program, as well as links to each artists' web/blog and a special CSArt blog with artist's statements and more. (click here for my page)

I have been very excited about this prospect from the first time I was ask to participate.  

My mind has been spinning with different ideas for my 'share' of the 'shares'.  

One of the circling thoughts is to make individual Daily Dresses pieces, not in a book :0 (say it isn't so).  Many people have suggested that I should take my daily dress journals apart so that each piece can stand on its own.  I can't imagine doing that, BUT I have been playing with the idea of making these mixed~media snapshots of my daily going-on on separate pieces of paper or board?!?!

'dress of installation' (6/3/12) mixed media on mdf

I experimented this weekend with the detritus of a day that I helped a friend install a sign.  I call this piece, 'dress of installation'. The jury is still out about how I feel about if these pieces can stand on their own?!?! 

But I do like the idea of some kind of mixed media piece for the CSArt.

marker on mdf ~ medium density fiberboard

I have also thought about pulling out my inks, rollers and brayers and do a woodcut or such!?!? or drawings or little dress collages ~ the possibilities are endless. 

But as u can tell this idea of creating a special treasure  for the lucky share holders  thrills  me    !!!!  

strata ~ mixed media on canvas

So if you have thought about investing in 'local' artists, 

or want to ‘grow’ you art collection ~ 

this is 

for you!!*

(*you will al$o be helping out some wonderful & worthy artists)

Fountain Street Fine Art starts

Community Supported ART (CSArt@FSFA)

Many local residents are familiar with community-supported agriculture, (CSA) a popular way for consumers to buy seasonal food directly from local farms. With the same buy-local spirit in mind, many arts organizations have started a similar endeavor to support local art, artists and collectors.  Fountain Street Fine Art is starting its own CSArt to put original art from the hands of local artists into the hands of thirty lucky locals!

 CSArt@FSFA is modeled on wildly popular programs throughout the country, including a successful Art CSA program adopted last year by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. 

The six artists participating in this year’s CSArt@FSFA are Lisa Barthelson, Cheryl Clinton, Marie Craig, Virginia Fitzgerald, Kay Hartung, and Jeanne Williamson, all Core and Associate members of the gallery. Find out more about the artists at csartfsfa.blogspot.com

Here’s how the CSArt@FSFA works:

-Each Share costs $360.  ONLY 30 shares will be sold, to keep the quality high.  

-Each shareholder will receive six works of art at an "Art Harvest" party in the fall, one by each of 6 different artists.

-Each work of art will be a unique, signed original piece. Artists will decide what to make; each piece will be about 12x12 inches or smaller.

Shares are selling at a steady pace, and will be available through the end of June (to allow the artists plenty of time to create the work) or until sold out.

We've attached a press release and FAQ with more information, as well as jpegs of example pieces by our participating artists. Please contact us for additional photos of the artists at work and examples of their art.

Thank you,

Marie and Cherie

Jamaica Plain Open Studios @ JP Knit and Stitch

It has been a thoroughly busy past few weeks for me ~ 

8 Visions at the Attleboro Arts Museum, 'Upon Further Consideration' with David Lang at Regis College and this weekend - I had the pleasure of performing 'insatiable' at  JP Knit and Stitch for the Jamaica Plain Open Studios. And once I got to this lovely store I realized that this was exactly what the doctor ordered for this overly committed artist!! 

 Genevieve Day of JP Knit and Stitch has created a dreamy haven for anyone interested in any type of handiwork (beautiful fabrics and divine yarns). For this weekend I had been invited to perform with 'insatiable' and I had two heavenly days crocheting and talking to their wonderful clientele .  I also introduced a large selection of dresscards and dressmats which were quite nicely received!! 

On top of all that fun, this weekend we introduced my Organic Crocheting Workshop that I will be teaching at JP Knit and Stitch on November 4th.  I am thinking this will be a perfect way to spend the first day of daylight saving ~ sitting in this cozy spot and freely crocheting, seeing where your hook will lead you.  Check out the class posting on their site and join me for this meditative and relaxing afternoon.

So all in all this was a wonderful weekend which I would like to share . . . 

my wonderful space int he shop - love my creatures in their windows!!

one of my 5x7 dressmats

one of the dresscards that i made especially for jp Knits ;) 

an eager visitor who really wanted to get into the spirit of the piece!

another fan of 'insatiable' who even crocheted onto the piece

dressed and ready to feed the beast

and now I am a bit prepared for the Natick Artists Open Studios, 

for that weekend i'll be in my studio @ 25 Washington St. 

Natick Artists Open Studios
October 20 & 21, 2012
noon - 5 pm

peace

Laboring on Labor Day

This Labor Day weekend I was working hard with fellow artist David Lang to install our current two person exhibit at Regis College's Carney Gallery ~ 

"Upon Further Consideration: what tells a story"

Opening Reception is this Saturday, Sept. 8th, 4-7pm

'continuum . . .' (detail) David A. Lang

This is an exciting show who both of us for so many reasons.   

First, it is such an honor to be working with Steve Hall at Carney Gallery, and to be exhibiting in this lovely gallery space. 

Also David and I are also so pleased to be revisiting our two person show from last year at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA. It was during the SSAC exhibit that we witnessed how our pieces speak to each other.  

'raw' (2011-2012) organic crochet

And lastly, we are both debuting new pieces (especially David) which always adds an extra pinch of exhilaration to an opening. Here are some installation shots ~ 

The show runs from now until October 27th, with the opening reception this Saturday, September 8, 4-7pm. And for you who are keeping track, Saturday is also the Gallery talk for the 8 Visions exhibit at the Attleboro Arts Museum ~  

Saturday, Sept 8th: Gallery Talk, 2-4pm.  Free and open 

Hope to see you at one of these exciting venues - it all promises to be inspiring and entertaining!! 

peace

No moss on this stone ~

Now that 8 Visions is up and running I had a moment to look at my calendar and gadzooks ~ 

there is still a lot to be done!! 

what fun!!! 

So to be a little more proactive on announcing up-coming events . . . .

Up-coming show with David Lang at Regis College's Carney Gallery ~ 

Upon Further Consideration

Sept. 1- Oct. 27th

opening reception: Sept. 8th, 4-7pm**

(**this is also the date of the artist's talk at 8 Visions - :)

my contribution to NAOS 2012 Community Art Project/Art on the Common

Natick Artists Open Studios

October 20 & 21, 2012

noon - 5 pm

I will be 'holding court' in my studio at 25 Washington Ave.

an example of my organic crocheting

Jamaica Plains Open Studios

Sept. 22-23, 2012

11 - 6 pm

I am honored to be performing 'insatiable' at JP Knit & Stitch during this open studios.  I will also be leading a workshop on 'organic crocheting' later in the fall at this luscious knit shop - more info to come on the workshop.

peace

a Quick Peek at 8 Visions

Here are a few 'quick' shots of my pieces in the 8 Visions show at the Attleboro Arts Museum. 

'black widow' greets you at the door

My camera has a funny time with the lighting in the space so the color is off a bit - something I 'should' be able to fix. . . but alas. For now here is a little taste of the show.

'happily ever after'

The opening reception was a lovely evening - the museum's staff is so wonderful.  And it was such a treat to be able to show a group of my dresses in such a beautiful space and to debut a few pieces.  

'dear jeff' 

One of the pieces shown for the first time is 'dear jeff'.  Last night was especially special because Jeff Gonski, the man who commissioned 'dear jeff',  came to the opening.  

'dear jeff' is a sculpture made from the letters and correspondences that Jeff received from his then girl friend/ fiance and all the cards of sympathy and condolences that he received after he lost his fiance in the events of 9/11.  

This is a hugely emotional dress and this was proven last night as I watched as different people responded to the dress. I am truly thankful to Jeff for giving me the opportunity to work with these memories and for his bravery to share his memories with the world.

'kid gloves'

Also it was nice to be back talking to the gallery visitors about why I do dresses and why I chose the materials that I do, and all those fun questions.  

On that note, the gallery talk for this show - on Sept. 8th 2-4pm.

'lilith in blue'

And an extra perk of last night was that the two final jurors were at the opening as well ~ Seth Rainville,  curator at the New Bedford Art Museum and Bob Totaro, Director of J. Todd Galleries in Wellesley, MA. It was such a pleasure to meet them and talk to them about the jurying process.

'new york diner' dress 

 So this is a quick perusal of my part of 8 Visions ~ more to come (hopefully).  

Thanks to all that came to the opening - it was truly a special evening. 

And thank you to the other artists that were exhibiting last night ~ 

I am honored to be part of such a creative group!

(be sure to check out their websites - their names are links to their sites) 

2012 “8 Visions” Artists:

Patricia Berube – Cohasset, MA

Brenda Cirioni – Stow, MA

Susan Denniston – Scituate, MA

Virginia Fitzgerald – Natick, MA

Sand T Kalloch – Malden, MA

Niva Shrestha – Franklin, MA

Mary L. Taylor – Marshfield Hills, MA

Felicia Touhey – Portsmouth, RI

'provocative'

peace

If you are in the area of Attleboro . . .

As usual, the day before an opening and I am madly sending out emails, evites and announcements.  

If you are in the area, there are a few places where one could see my work in the next few weeks:

First, there is the 'Birds of Poetry' installation at the Attleboro Public Library ~ 

 And then down the street I have 7 pieces in the Attleboro Arts Museum's 8 Visions Exhibit ~ 

(3 of the pieces have never been exhibited before :)

And then this is what it is like to be a daughter of a mom who is working all the time . . .

peace

OPENING this WEDNESDAY

grant application submitted - CHECK

Any other artist out there feeling like the business end of being an artist is exhausting?!? 

Once again I am racing to get a grant submission in before the deadline (today), and each time I do this remember my desire to get better pictures of my work?!??!

This was the first time that I needed to prepare a powerpoint presentation so hopefully I dotted my i's and crossed my t's. 

Below are the 'slides'.

Now off to the next task . . . or maybe a nap?!?!? 

peace to all.

8 Visions delivery ~ CHECK!

The day I deliver pieces for a show is usually a bittersweet day for me ~ so excited and relieved that the pieces are safely at the gallery, and yet I am also sad that the creating is done, at least for a time. Now is the time I must turn my attention to other matters that I have been ignoring, like, publicity & press for the show, and everything else in my life!!! 

http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/

The days and weeks before a big show I get so focused about what I need to do that the rest of my life goes on hold (nice).  In fact for last 4-5 days I basically lived in my studio, spending long and late hours working & I LOVED it.  Every so often I would start to worry that I am becoming a true studio hermit ~ but then I could see no down side of that life :) (though, my girls might!)

delivered dresses waiting to be set up

'happily ever after' set-up at the South Shore Art Center, last year

During this crunch time I also get a billion of other ideas that I want to make for the pending show ~ crazy I know!!! This time I had a great friend counseling me away from the 'edge of starting all these new wonderful project' and to just finish the pieces that are almost done and need to be finished.  And for this friend I am truly grateful!!!

'lilith in blue'  with panel painting behind

So now these babies are out of my hands and into the world. 

Three of them will be debuting at 8 Visions & then there are some old faithfuls.   

Many of the pieces have 'stories' that I plan to share here in later posts, 

but for now I must attend to the matter of telling people about the show and getting them to come.

So feel free to spread the word!! :)

'kid gloves' ~ a small dress made out of broken eggshells sitting in a nest made of white/cream ribbons and being 'held' by old kid gloves that David A. Lang found for me on his endless travels.

'provocative' (rope dress)

'black widow' vcr tape dress

So on that note, here is the 411 about the show ~ 

8 Visions – Work from 8 Juried Member Artists

Attleboro Arts Museum

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  

- peace - 

http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/

getting dresses out there

5x7 matted dress with quote

As alluded to before - I'm trying to get sale-able stuff out there so that I can support my large dress making habit, as well as help pay rent, buy groceries and such :) and with that in mind . . .

 This week I dropped off some of my dresscards and dressmats at the store at the Attleboro Arts Museum. They have been carrying my dress project notecards but were excited to add the one-of-a-kind pieces to their inventory.

'uterus' organic knitting

Also my 'uterus' is on exhibit at the museum in their "On the Threshold" show, juried by Michele L'Heureux (be sure to check out her website). Then following that show, I am one of the eight artists that the museum will be exhibiting in their "8 Visions exhibition" ~Work from 8 Juried Member Artists.
 This show will run from August 21 – September 15, 2012.  

I'm VERY excited about being part of this show and a bit freaked out about how quickly the delivery date is approaching.  I was planning to have an entire new body of work to exhibit (in another reality) but I am happy with the new pieces that I will have.   I will be exhibiting with seven other wonderful artists: Patricia Berube, Brenda Cirioni, Susan Denniston, Sand T Kalloch, Niva Shrestha,  Mary L. Taylor & Felicia Touhey (this is the first year that the exhibiting group is all women :).

I have also been experimenting with some produced products, items that I am not making all myself. I have designed some products where an image of the 3D origami dress will be printed on a 2D product?!?  I have put in a sample order so we will see how & if this all works out?!?!?! 

It is all a work in process!! 
And with that said I need to go to work in my studio :) - no more productive procrastination for this artist!

Wishing all a peaceful and joyous Summer Sunday!! 

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