Artful Weekend

We had a really good weekend. Artspace was having the Open Art Studio Tour. It is where you can tour local artists studios. See them work, see their work hanging in their studio and of course buy their beautiful art work. We usually go to two places because one place has several artists. It is a Bed and Breakfast with a gallery and it has out buildings with studios on the property for artists. The people there are lovely. We have worked with many of them too so know them fairly well. The other artist we go to is a good friend. But this time around she decided to go over and share some space at the Bed and Breakfast. So we were able to see 8 artists there. The feel of the place is just so serene but with this funky fun side too. This year they did a postcard project - decorating postcards. They then hung them up on a clothesline and then people could bid on them. The postcards were AMAZING. I told the organizer that if she does this next year I would be interested in participating.

We ended up buying a 2-tone pottery bowl from Damian Rice. And then a small acrylic piece by our friend. We don't have anything by her because well although her pieces are breath-taking we just can't afford her bigger pieces. She told us she was going to do some smaller pieces for those that can't afford the big pieces. Well she did and they were just as great as her large pieces. It is kind of a different style then she usually does but still amazing and of course we found one we really liked (okay several but picked one). Then the artist she was sharing her space with -- I just love to pieces. She has this energy that is contagious. Have you been around those people that are just up beat,excited and full of goodness/kindness -- and you start to feel everything they give off just by being around them....she is exactly like that. We got a piece of hers last year but I was looking for a piece of hers to give as a gift. And I found a little print but I really want to keep it! When we asked how much it was, she was very sweet and told us to take it. The other day she had been scolding me about not wanting to charge for something and then she was wanting to give us the print free. Michael has a bill for her for some website work for around the same price so he is going to rip it up.

We would have loved to buy from another artist there that we really enjoy. Her work really feels so earthy and warm to me. There was one piece I really fell in love with but we just couldn't afford it at this time. Her postcards she did were so beautiful too. One postcard by Dianna Fritzler was called Hanging Barbie Out to Dry. It was all about the the dislike of barbie because of the image she gives off to young girls about being perfect. But the title and the just look of the piece -- Michael LOVED. After he asked her about it and she explained why she did the piece -- he loved it even more.

There was also another little pottery wall hanging that was done in this technique that I can't remember the name for but you pull it from the kiln while it is on fire. And stuff it in a metal garbage can with lots of newspaper, put the lid on and the fire from the kiln sets the paper on fire burning around the piece. It creates this really interesting affect with the glaze. Michael really like one of those so when we went back on Sunday (to discuss something with Dianna about a project we are doing for her), I urged Michael to stop and see if it was still there. And it was so he picked that up too!

I hope to take pictures of everything soon. I really love filling our house with art.

Connections

We are going to an art exhibit opening tomorrow night at Two Rivers Winery for Artspace & Open Studio.

Eight

We went to In the Garden Art Show & Sale. A friend had this piece in her house that I gushed over. She said she did a trade with him...a piece of his for one of hers. The piece she has was a fairly large assemblage. Anyway we have since seen his not only the assemblages but collage photography. Every time I see work by him - I say how much I like his work. It is just really interesting to me. So we are walking around the show and we come upon his stuff. I know my eyes just lite up. We were leaving the area and Michael asked if I wanted one of the assemblages. I said yes and went straight for the one with the 8. I love numbers in art (maybe some people have noticed that on my art lol)

The artist doesn't have a website - I think he should though!

John Anglim's...Eight...



(He does have a website for his band --- Flat Top Reed)

In the Garden

....at The Gallery B&B

Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art Show and Sale

There will a variety of fine art and crafts offered plus Maddie Mae will have brats and fresh salads available. The event itself is free but there will be a wonderful collection of art and crafts for sale!

Art Tour

I really enjoyed this afternoon. We went to an art studios tour. There is a local art organization that planned what is called the Open Art Studio Tour. It is where local artists open up there studios for people to come and visit, look at their art, buy art, and so on. We first went to Diana Wood's studio. I have been in it a few times as I designed her website and Michael and I are friends with her and her husband. Her art is gorgeous! Beautiful colors and textures. I hope one day we are able to get a piece by her.

Then after that we went to another place...some people we know have space on their property for several artists plus they are a bed and breakfast (The Gallery Bed and Breakfast). Their property and the studios are simply amazing. While we were there someone said it is like being in Taos...and I was nodding. It is quite the artful paradise! We ended up buying a really pretty pottery bowl by Damian Rice. And then a painting by Dianna Fritzler of M&M's. Michael's initials being MM has meant he has collected M&M stuff over the years. So when I was flipping through a stack of work by Dianna I started squealing with when I saw the M&M's! I told Michael he NEEDED it for his office! He happened to agree! Dianna does landscapes, animals, still life...everyday things but all with vibrant color, wonderful texture and a lot of whimsy! All of her pieces are really so much fun! You just can't help look at them and feel good and smile! She is SO inspiring...she just has so many ideas and great energy! She has been very encouraging of me getting involved in the local art community. And after walking around and seeing all the art....it was very inspiring to me. I really wanted to come home and go to my studio right away and create but after having such a long day my body and brain couldn't handle it. This morning we had a photography shoot that was over an hour away. When we got back to town at a little after 1pm, we dropped equipment off and then left for the tour.

The bowl by Damain Rice...is it pretty? The colors are amazing...had to get photos of it from all sides as it so pretty!



M&M's by Dianna Fritzler....So FUN!

Area Event...

If you are in the Grand Junction area....and want to pick up some good quality art for great prices make sure to check out this event....

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
The Art Center
1803 N 7th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Admission: $20/person

Over 145 pieces of fine art, ceramics, Persian rugs, Russian Impressionists, and collectibles will be auctioned in a fund raiser for The Art Center's exhibition and education programs. Silent Auction from 5:30-6:45pm. Live auction starts at 7pm. Cash bar, hors d'ouevres.

Phone: 970-243-7337
http://www.gjartcenter.org

Michael and I each have works in it. He has his Barbwire I and II and I have Tap the Maidens.

A Good Step....

So this past weekend 2 pieces of mine were a part of a juried art exhibit. One of the pieces that I submited I also donated as part of a silent auction for charity. It didn't get their minimum bid on it (and many pieces from the sounds of it didn't get bids) and so they are sending it back to me. But I have already turned around and sold it because I had several people express interest in it.

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." ~ Pablo Picasso

"The aim off art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." ~ Aristotle

Those two quotes come to mind when I think of the other piece I submitted. I created a triptych over a year ago. I knew there was something more that would come of it as they were just small little pieces....meant to be artist trading cards but when I was done with them they were a triptych and meant for something different. They struck a deep cord in me when I made them. I hung on to them. And then the news of this show came up immediatly the triptych came to mind. I knew what it represented when I made it but I couldn't find her name but that came to me at the same time. So I worked on them a little more adding some texture and demension to them and finally framing them.

I remember trying to talk myself out of entering. I thought they won't take any of the pieces. I was so scared but Michael and another friend of mine really encouraged me to just do it! And so I did and 2 of the 3 pieces I submitted were accepted. This really is the first show of its kind that I have participated in. I was very excited and yes it validated me as an artist. I guess I feel I shouldn't need the validation but it is nice...it is nice have at times. The show was this past weekend.

The person that ran the show called me within 10 minutes of the artist reception (which I couldn't be a part of since it was in Arizona) asking me if I was willing to sell the triptych as it was set just as an exhibit not a gallery type showing. She had several people express interest in it, but one of the people really connected with the piece. I said I needed to think about it as the person would be around that weekend if I was okay with selling it. I love sharing my art with others. I love that people want the pieces and that they see things in them that evoke emotions, ideas, dreams and such. The goal of all artists I believe is to sell their work. And I have been selling pieces here and there. But this piece...this was a major piece for me. And so I had make sure I was okay with parting with it plus Michael seemed really pleased with this piece too so I wanted to see if he was okay with parting with it too. He was fine...he knows what selling a piece of such power and energy could mean for me. And that was it....the person connected to it...they felt the energy...they felt the emotions. They felt something by looking at it.....it became theirs. And in the end that person got it. And that pleases me so much!

I found out that it sold for sure last night as the exhibit just went through the weekend and I was flying. I am happy that someone that really connected with the piece has it.

The piece is a little graphic...and people can be taken aback by it so I am happy to hear that so many liked it and connected to it.

We didn't have a chance to photograph them hanging all side by side before I had to ship it so I only have these photos...click the image to see a bigger version.


































Section 2257
Each is 6" x 6"
Mix Media

For ATC Show

There are 5 ATC's that I submited for an ATC Exhibit: House of Cards at European Papers.


Warmer


Torn and Blue

Unexpected Surprises

Orange Postage

Dreamed of Spectacular