The Time Has Come, The Time Is Now ...

The contest ends TODAY at 6PM.
So follow the link below and give my holiday windows  at
Renew Arts and Industry some cyber-lovin'!! 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJY2JPW

Here are some photos of said windows ....




information about the contest:

Hosted by Natick Center Cultural District
Natick Center Cultural District is happy to announce it's 6th annual Holiday Window Contest! This contest offers the businesses and favorite places downtown a chance to win the title of "Best Holiday Window 2017", be recognized in a special ceremony, win a NCCD 2018 membership, and have their business name engraved on the Holiday Window Contest trophy! 

It's not going to be easy to choose but vote for your favorite window beginning on Nov. 26th at 6:00 pm. (Voting will close on December 10th at 6:00 pm.) 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJY2JPW

Help your favorite business by voting soon and keeping Natick looking merry and bright for the holidays!

and some detail shots!! 

It is ALWAYS such a pleasure to create the window displays for this wonderful shop!! 

Patrice is a joy to work with and the merchandise is just plain dreamy!! 

Happy Holidays all!!

(and don't forget to VOTE :)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJY2JPW

 

Ho, ho, ho ... let the fun begin!!!

For you who might have missed the memo... today is Shop Small Saturday!!! which is to encourage folks to support and buy from small and local businesses!!  I am a big fan of the 'small' shops and I am so happy to say that my wares are carried in a number of wonderful, local 'small shop's and I have just restocked them with old favorites and some new products ....

Renew Arts & Industry

19 South Main St

Natick, MA 01760

508.318.4892

http://www.renewartsandindustry.com

Uni-T

Natick, MA 01760

Phone : 617-835-8888

Uni-T also has a wonderful website where you can see and purchase much of their merchandise which is all made by artists and artisans. 

 http://www.shopuni-t.com/art-prints/

some of the new products that I delivered
to Uni-T ...

new product: 4x4 framed dailydress inspiration photos
perfect for teacher gifts, hostess' gift or a little add-on.
can hang on the wall or sit on a desk or tabletop.
$12.00/ ea. or 3 for $30.

Roots and Wings

317 N Main St, Natick, MA 01760

Phone: (508) 315-8088

www.rootsandwingshealingarts.com

Also this week, on Wednesday 11/29 from 4-7PM come visit me at Roots and Wings' tea room,
as I am one of the featured artists at Roots and Wing's Holiday event!!

I will have my dresscards, my new framed 4x4 dailydress inspirational photos, mugs, pouches, and possibly one of my organically crocheted wellness wraps?!?!?

There will be hot apple cider, great conversation, and fabulous shopping.

"Featuring 11/29 from 4:00-7:00 pm, come meet artists Virginia Fitzgerald with her dress art, whimsical art, and her new pattern creations. Shop among her functional art, wearable art, and must need accessories. Also enjoy Anastasia Papanikolaou with her essential oils and tinctures, ornaments, scented pillows and much more more. Guest Vickie Karian will be joining us too with hand knit gorgeous scarves.

Also for sale each evening will be the work from other artists who have work displayed in our cases and along our walls at Roots & Wings. And come back each Wednesday for our other featured artists including Kathy James, Sarah Allessandro,Judit Csikos-Lamb, Cheryl Dunlap, Cathy Weaver Taylor, Andi Lindsey, Anastasia Papanikolaou and more. Check back here and on Facebook for an updated schedule of events and artists."  

filling in some blanks . . .

This past Saturday I had the honor to speak at 'Wake up & Smell the Poetry".  I spoke about my beloved #dressproject and what a wonderful experience it was for me!!! To get back into my #dressproject mindset is such a joy!! 

And I was in the company of many inspiring and talented people.  First, Susan McGee Bailey and Camille Breeze were the two other presenters (click here to read their bios) and then there were so many moving and wonderful performances/poems during the open mic. portion of the program.  

I am happy to say for those far and those who couldn't attend, the entire exhilarating morning was taped by HCAM and will be available for viewing sometime in June. 

(no worries, I will share when it is out!! ;-)

Below is a slideshow of the photos that I collected to accompany my talk; just a few of my dresses to help me demonstrate where the #dressproject has gone during these past nine years :)

Also on the exciting news front, this week I had my first day as shop photographer at this tremendously awesome store in Natick, Renew Arts & Industry!! talk about this visual wonderland:

Welcome to the world of Renew Arts & Industry. Located in Natick Center’s cultural district, we are Metrowest Boston’s premiere gallery shop featuring mid-century modern design. We offer a thoughtful mix of quality vintage furniture and décor, tableware, pottery, original art, hand crafted greeting cards, and artisan jewelry.  

I am so excited about this opportunity as it has allowed me to purchase a Macro lens for my camera and it is such a treat to photograph all their amazingly cool merchandise!! So a win-win all around.  So below are a few of the photos from my first day!! Loving my new lens!!! 

see why I am so happy!! a visual wonderland!!! 

So that's a bit of what has been keeping me out of trouble.  

Also, as much as I LOVE writing these posts and would love to post daily, 

I am realizing that isn't going to happen at this point in my life.  

I have been able to post more regularly on my DailyDress Inspiration blog, 

so please visit that blog and see what happening there!! 

and,  I will be here as much as I can, because as I was preparing for my lecture I referred to this blog many times and recognized the importance of this visual diary of my journey as a mother, artist and creator of the #dressproject.  And I am truly grateful for your company on this terrific ride!! xx

namaste, va

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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)