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."  

spreading the love (art)!!!! in natick, attleboro and (wait for it ..... ) Sunny California!!!!

this past week i have been spreading the love ...

new cards at Renew in downtown Natick.
note the cards featuring their great merchandise

print of illustrated quote

First I replenished the stock of cards and prints at Uni-T at the Natick Collection. I brought new cards as well as many new prints, which included some of my illustrations. 

I introduced these illustrated prints at my open studio 

and they were received very well!! And at 

the owner, Eujin Kim Neilan, displays them so well.

one of the 'renew' notecards

Then on to Renew Arts & Industry, where not only did I restock their origami dresscards, but I added some of the new dress notecards, such as 'sizzzle...'  

AND also added some notecards featuring some of my photographs of their beautiful merchandise!!

new dresscard image, 'sizzzzle ...'

' #kitchentableseries V ...'  pen and ink.
 inspired by an instagram posting by another 'dress' artist, Karen Arp-Sandel.

In Attleboro, MA, you can find one of my #kitchentableseries drawings at the Attleboro Arts Museum as part of their Benefit Art Auction.  

Today is the last day that you can bid online so make sure to click this link to bid and to see all the beautiful offerings.  

click here to see online auction

And now for the big news!!! the California news!!
I am happy to announce that I made my first sale via/thanks to the internet!!

mixed media dress collage,  is now in CA!!! 

Thank you instagram's 'randomartist222', who saw my dress collage 

that I had shared on instagram and inquired if it was for sale!!!

YES!!! but .... she was in CA and I in MA?!?!

Well she made some suggestions and she waited patiently as I set up my paypal account and investigated shipping and then voila, she still wanted it!! the USPS got it there safely, she liked it in person ....

SO

 I successfully made my first online sale!!!!!!!

(the crowd goes wild!!!)

And with that under my belt ... there will be more!!! 

Oh yes there will be more!!! 

so til later!! 

peace, va

#wip wednesday: a little catch-up

There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time. ~Napoleon I, Maxims, 1815

 here's a bit of the projects that are filling my time these past few weeks . . . 

latest embroidery, made for a dear friend and angel!!

Still pulling together and creating pieces for my second delivery 

to the oh-so patient Eujin @ Uni-T!

new dresspaintings, heading to Uni_t at the Natick Mall

more flowerpower paintings for Uni-T

new dresspaintings, heading to Uni_t at the Natick Mall

dresscard design

most recent order of dresscards heading to Uni-T. 

My plan is to offer these notecards for purchase online  . . . just need to figure out details, the how.

I am thinking about offering a kind of DYI approach - create your own set of notecards, as I can't fathom buying just one card online?!? 

'i still rise . . .' 19april15, 43F, 7:30AM

one of the ephemeral dresses made during these past weeks - 

to see all of these ephemeral creations check out my instagram account, Flickr, twitter or FB. 

I post them on those sites on a regular basis only because I can post directly from my phone.

I want to figure out how to post directly onto this blog, but until then . . .

'dear jeff . . . ' at the SSAC just before i packed her up . . .

and as all good things must end, "Forever & After" closed.  It was incredible exhibit and experience.  Also the difference in the weather on the day I delivered my pieces (freezing and with snow piles so high that it was dangerous to drive) and the day I picked them up (sunny, warm, Spring)!!! 

Gotta love weather to live in New England!! 

Lastly I am still pondering, playing with #the100dayproject and will be posting 'part 2' of that mental discussion in the next few days.  However no matter what I decide to do for the project or/and if I even decide to do the project at all, this has been a terrific exercise in thinking about social media, time and purpose!! 

so 'til later, thanks for stopping by and joining me on this amazing journey called life!! xxxx, va

Arty happenings, THIS week!!!!!

Some of many exciting events that are on the calendar this coming week, in no particular order!!!!

First I am so pleased to be exhibiting some of my dressphotos at the Wellesley Center Starbucks for the month of November! So if you are in the area make sure to stop in for a toasty warm drink as the cold northeastern winter months arrive.

As I hung my photos last night,  I remembered that it was over 7 years ago that I exhibited some of my still life paintings at this exact Starbucks, in fact on this exact wall. This realization gave me a moment to reflect on the amazing journey that I have been on and how intrigued I am about where the journey will take me!

Secondly, this Sunday I hope you will join me at the Artisan Market at Roots and Wings. This past week I have been I have been madly making dresscards and other daily dress intentions inspired items. Roots and Wings is a lovely place, offering wonderful classes in yoga, meditation and so much more. The market will support Roots & Wings' nonprofit organization Branching Out for Youth.

Then last but not least!!, I am so sad to say that 'breaking open' is almost closing. The show ends on Nov. 10th. But there are still some events that may help you get there!!

On Thursday, November 7th, from 5-8, we are having a gathering where the gallery will be open later.  Come by for some refreshments and lively conversation!!  I'll be there to talk about the work and answer any questions.  

I am also gallery sitting on Saturday, November 9th from 2-5pm and plan to be there late Sunday afternoon.  So stop by if you can. 

The experience of putting together an exhibit I find to be quite the roller coaster ~ exhilarating, challenging, exhausting and yet satisfying and so rewarding.    You work so hard to put together a cohesive body of work, then deliver and install the work.  After that, there is the excitement of the opening and, if you are lucky, there will be an artist's talk.  These events usually go on when you are in a state of exhaustion, disbelief and excitement, having just installed the show.   

Then once those big events are finished, you have the job of getting people to go to the gallery. For me this is one of the harder parts of exhibiting.  In today's busy, busy world I am torn about adding one more invitation, obligation to the mix.  

But then again I am proud of the work, and especially for sculpture, one gets such a richer experience by being with the work, verses seeing it in pictures.  So I set up events that might make the visit more enjoyable. 

But this is part of being an exhibiting artist! It is a job/calling/passion that I love!! and an experience that I am so blessed to have the opportunity to share!!! 

p.s. one last event!

tonight is the annual benefit auction for the Attleboro Arts Museum.  I went last year and it was SO fun!!! Also I donated one of my 'home sweet home' collages,' somethings fishy'. Click here if you want to bid online ~ 

Well time to make more dresscards!!! peace

Dress Project, return engagement, Natick Mall . . .

a table of dresses

I am so happy and honored to be the guest artist at the store, Uni-T, at the Natick Collection.

 Uni-T is the creation of Eujin Kim Neilan, a wonderful artist and illustrator. In her beautiful shop she paints, silkscreens and sells her work, a dreams that I have often entertained - shop/studio!! Along with her own work,  Eujin generously brings in the work of other artists every month. This month she has graciously offered the opportunity to me :) So once again the Dress Project is a the Natick Mall!!

from 2008

The first time was in February of 2008. That time I brought 4 of my sculptural dresses and exhibited them in the atrium of the mall. The Red Alert Cocktail was one of the four. Since then the Red Alert Cocktail Dress has made the rounds - numerous venues around Boston, Teaneck, NJ, Providence, RI and the Boston Children's museum, to name a few places. And wherever she goes she is a show stopper :) 

So now Red Alert is holding court in Uni-T's shop window, beckoning people in to check out a table of dresses: dresscards, dressphotos, dressmats and some original dressart!!

I must confess it is heartening to see all my work together and out in public. Recently life has pulled me away from my studio practice, something I thought would never happen.  but to see all the different pieces working together is buoyed my anxious creative self.  So I am truly thankful to Eujin for the opportunity!! 

set of 6 cards, images from my mixed media collage series,
 home sweet home

some of my original mixed media dresspaintings on panel

photos, photo notecards and so much more

signing the wondow

Eujin signing the window

statement from 2008 exhibit - it still works!!

4x6 framed dressmat

p.s. on the updates

I forgot to mention that my painting from Fountain Street Fine Art's 8x8 show found a home!

got to love those red dots!!!

And for my parents, who are not on Facebook and get some of their Virginia Fitzgerald Art News here, (when I forget to mention it to them on the phone :) Last week I surpassed 300 'followers' on my Virginia Fitzgerald Art Page on Facebook :) So 300 people have chosen to follow your daughter's artistic endeavors! kind of fun, huh?!?!?

Thanks to everyone for their interest, support and encouragement of my art and my journey!

I feel stronger knowing that there are folks out there rooting for me!! 

peace

The power of mothers: LOVE

I have always loved mother's day

(when you remove the commercial and hallmark elements!!)

what's not to to love??? Celebrating moms and love!!

a day of family, togetherness and love?? 

 

And now that I am a mom, it is usually a day I can choose what to do and that usually involves ART :)

But in the past years I have learned more about Mother's Day that I feel is paramount to share.

The history of how this day started in 1870 with a Proclamation for peace by Julia Ward Howe.  

Last year my Mother's Day post quoted her Mother’s Day Proclamation, and other interesting facts.

Yesterday Upworthy posted an article called The Radical History Of Mothers Day, reviewing the true origin of Mother's Day and how Mother's Day honors a

progressive feminist, inclusive, non-violent vision for world community. Amen!!!

generations: my mom and my girls 

Also via social media I stumbled upon this video by Maria Shriver that I also feel is important to share.  Besides the empowering messages from Eunice Shriver, my favorite: "you can, you must, you will", this video also speaks to the importance of mothering.  In this economy and culture, the stay at home mom is still viewed as a second class citizen, in our society much of one's self worth is based on one's salary.   But what is more important than nurturing and supporting the next generation?!?!

The video speaks to the importance of acknowledging mothers ~ 

so I wish to acknowledge my mother, 

Patricia O'Riley Fitzgerald, 

for her loving support of me and my girls!! 

Happy Mother's Day Mom!! I love YOU!! 

peace

Maria and Eunice Shriver: The Gift My Mother Gave Me

http://youtu.be/YjYuj4BvIsc

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)