getting out there!!

spirit tree - mixed media on photo transfer with sewing (8x10)
 

spirit tree detail

without a doubt, I fit the definition of a struggling artist, scrambling to find the way 

to support me and my girls with my art/ my passion!!! 

garden party dress - mixed media on transfer (5x7)

this desire regularly brings me to a state of frenzy  ~ I work on one project, but then move to another project that may be more profitable and then abandon everything to explore a new inspiration!? or maybe my time is better spent making dresscards?!??! did someone mention ADHD??? 

(oh & did i mention groceries, girl taxi service, bills, paycheck jobs...)

green dress - mixed media on transfer (5x7)

Now I am not unique, many know this story, but as I was beginning to sink into hopelessness, I realized that I need to get my art out there before I jump ship.  I have many, MANY unfinished projects, and not a lot out in the world ~ but that changes NOW!

look to the sky - painting on transfer (8x10). part of a series of sky and bits of architecture

I am happy to announce that some of my most recent works are NOW on exhibit at 

Fountain Street Fine Art.  

And there is A LOT going on at FSFA ~ tonight is the opening of 'materialize', Lisa Barthelson and Denise Driscoll, as well as the Fountain Street Studios' open studios, not to mention FSFA's 8x8 member exhibit ~ so much art in one spot, and now some of my work has joined the fray!!!

mixed media and sewing on subscription cards

detail of loose threads

These pieces represent the many different 'interests' that i have been obsessed with these past months - subscription cards, transfers, photographs,  . . .  as I matted these works I realize that each of them speaks to me.  This is confusing as well as significant, as I have a show at Fountain Street Fine Art this October, and I am wondering/thinking/curious about what I am going to show?!?!? so we will see ~

just in time for mother's day!!!

I am also delighted to say I finally finished more dresscards ( for some reason this was a daunting task) but I now have a good supply which I am distributing to those who want them ~ 

Fountain Street Fine Art, Framingham, MA

Shafer O'Neil Interior Design, Wellesley, MA

Artisans Way, Concord, MA

Renew Art & Industry, Natick, MA

or via ME (just email)

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!!!

playing a little catch-up!!!

In my head I have at least 5 separate blogs that I was hoping to post but for now I am going to do a quik debriefing and hope to follow up with more detail a little later.

detail from  'ball gown'

As my last post mentioned, this has been a wonderfully full month for my work.  I have pieces in many venues, from Cambridge to Worcester and some places in between.  

Last evening I gallery sat at the Fountain Street Fine Art gallery, Framingham, MA where the show is Present Company. This is a salon show of members' work.   I am exhibiting Treacherous and Do they know it is Christmas??  It is a rich show ~ the owners of FSFA, Marie Craig and Cheri Clinton always hang an exquisite show!!!

I also have delivered more dresscards to Artisans Way in Concord, MA.  I am so excited that my dresscards are finding homes ~ I love the combination of the quotes and the dresses.  And since I can never  make anything the same way! I am now incorporating papers that I make/design as well as the origami paper. I am very happy with how these have turned out and hope to expand on this idea.

 

In Attleboro, Emily, or the Dress of Etiquette, is holding court at the Attleboro Arts Museum, for their member show! The opening reception was quite crowded (always nice to see) and I was pleasantly surprised when Emily receive a merit award.

At the Sprinkler Factory, Worcester, MA there are two other dresses holding court, Provocative & Black Widow for the No Theme, No Limit show.  Love the gallery space!!!

And the other main project that has been demanding my time is a commissioned dress, made for the interior design store, Shafer O'Neil, in Wellesley, MA.  They asked for the holiday dress that highlighted their collection of vintage Christmas ornaments.  This is the first full-sized sculptural dress that I have happily completed in a long time, so there many aspects of this piece to celebrate.  

'ball gown' (working title?!?!)

I hope to elaborate further about 'ball gown' in a later post, but for now my studio is beckoning so  . . .

peace

dresscards

As I mentioned in my last post, I introduced my dresscards during my open studios and now I will officially introduce them here. My dresscards are my newest note cards, each with a hand~picked quote and a hand~folded origami dress ~ which is attached with a brad. 

With these note cards I am happy to be incorporating two of my loves ~ my origami dresses and words & quotes.  I am constantly searching for the quotes that move me. 

I hope to highlight the wise words of women (like my heroines ~ Anais Nin, Mary Oliver & so many others)  but i will mix it up (not being a big fan of any kind of discrimination :)

The cards are white and 4x6; blank inside and signed on the back.  

They can be sent or framed or both. 

 At this point you can get them at Artisans Way, 18 Walden Street, Concord, MA ~ 978-369-4400 

and in a new store in Natick, Renew!, 19 South Main St. ~ 

 

or you can order via me just email me or comment below.  

The cards are $8. ea. ~ you can request a quote but the dress paper will vary.

 So that is the story of my dresscards!!! I have also been trying to post a new quote each weekday on Twitter (@virginiafitzart) and on facebook!! so you can see new cards there!!

 Happy Halloween & Peace!!

what a month!!!!

Upon reflection , I must say that this has been quite an exciting and full month ~ 

‘insatiable’ won an award at the show Form and Fantasy, at Mystic Arts Center in Mystic, CT; I am the artist of the month at the Attleboro Arts Museum; I have a dress at the BCM (as my daughter calls it); I hosted a terrific open studios where I successfully introduced my new dress~cards (which I just dropped off at the new Artisans Way Fine Arts and Craft Gallery, Concord, MA)  & now there is a wonderful interview of ME, on the web!!! 

Lynette Haggard, artist and blogger, has this fantastic blog where she posts her interviews with artists from all over and currently you can read about my career as an artist ~ inspirations, beginnings, projects and many other interesting facts.  Here is a little peek and here is the link to the entire interview.  http://lynettehaggard.blogspot.com/2011/10/virginia-fitzgerald-natick-mass.html

I must confess it was a great experience to do this interview, her questions made me really think about the hows and why of my work.  

Also this Saturday I am going to experience another side of Lynette, as a teacher, because I am going to take her Encaustic Workshop at the Fountain Street Fine Art Gallery, Framingham, MA ( can't wait to add another technique to my repertoire!! And then I will be back at  Fountain Street Fine Art  on Sunday to gallery sit during their new show, Beyond the Surface: biological explorations in wax. This is a group show of encaustic work, stop by to say hi.  Another arty event that runs the entire weekend is the Grand Opening Celebration Events at Artisans Way, Concord, MA: October 28th: Opening Reception: (4pm-8pm), October 29th: Artist talks and demonstrations (10am-6pm), October 30th: Cake Cutting & Raffle Drawing (12pm-5pm) 

So ~ Thank you Lynette for this awesome experience and hopefully I will see some of you at one of these arty events!!! Peace!!!

  

Virginia Fitzgerald: Natick, Mass.

Virginia Fitzgerald and  Lush

2009
57 x 24 x 24"

sculpture: fabric remnants, discarded clothing,
scrap wood, chicken wire, copper spool,
buttons, beads, embroidery floss;
100% found and discarded material used in the piece 

Please share a little about yourself. Where did you grow up and what were the early influences on your work?

I was born in 1964 and grew up in Chicago, IL. When I was 11, we moved to a suburb of Chicago.  I was fortunate because my grandmother loved to take me to the Art Institute of Chicago so I was exposed to magnificent art at a young age. I remember studying the Impressionists, having their bright colors and mark making pointed out to me.  I have vivid memories of standing mystified in front of Seurat’sSunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and wanting to dive into Georgia O’Keeffe’s Sky Above Clouds IV; this 8ft x 24ft painting of endless clouds.  Lastly I remember searching out the plaster sculptures of George Segal.  As I got older I became a huge fan of Henri Matisse and the Fauves.  And in the past years I have become a contemporary art junkie, making many pilgrimages to NYC to see cutting edge shows in Chelsea galleries.  I have also lived in numerous cities with wonderful museums, L.A.; New York and now Boston.  I presently live in Natick, Massachusetts, with my two daughters.