Late December 2008

The holiday season is winding down, but not before we go to our cabin to be with some family and friends. The weather has been frightful many times already this winter, and although I love snow, it has hampered my need to celebrate with those I love. So, a few more gatherings in the next week, then many more little ones to help us all through the Cold Dark Time.

I have been busy in my studio. Here are some of my new Reminder Pins - helping me remember what is important sometimes.

Sea Shells

Lucky to be in Florida this week, visiting Mom. We spent this afternoon at the beach. As usual (and ever since we lived down here when I was a kid), I was enchanted with every shell, every piece of sand dollar, every strand of algae. I should know by now to bring a bushel basket with me (a slight exageration) to collect all the beautful bits that I want to look at and make into lovely reminders of that salty, mysterious world.

Studio Grand Opening

The event on Saturday was wonderful - lots of friends and well-wishers stopped by, and my friends Susan and Bill came all the way from Ithaca for my Grand Opening! Also received some beautiful flowers - Thanks, Mom and Colleen!!!! Here a few photos. The next project is to arrange to give some art classes - drawing, card making, and mixed media collage this winter.

The New Studio

Although I have officially been in my new studio since October 18th, I haven't been there much. BUT, I am participating in the Grand Opening of the store in which my studio is located, Great Finds in Valatie, NY, on Saturday, November 8th. I expect it will be a busy day, as all the weekend days have been since Maggie moved her store from a smaller space up Main Street to this grogeous renovated house across from the beautiful falls as the Kinderhook Creek tumbles through the village.

Here a few views of my sweet humble space:

MidOctober

The Adirondack studio tour went very well - lots of friendly visitors, some of whom bought some small works (Many Thanks to ALL!!!). Next project is setting up my new studio in a small village near home, Valatie. Much to do there before Saturday's village-wide Harvest Festival.

Meanwhile, the Fall colors and the Hunter's Moon are spectacular this week. Working indoors is HARD! Before I left the mountains yesterday, I paddled with my friend Gail. The tamaracks were golden, and the dropping needles rained down as we sat in our boats to talk and look.

Last night, our Full Moon Circle met outside with a campfire under the clouds and occasional moon sightings. We all agreed that it clearly feels like the turning point of the season now. A month from now these colors and mild tempertures will be a fond memory.

More for the Studio Tour

If you love being in little boats as much as I do, you might like the papier mache boats I made. There are two made from my handmade paper with pressed plants inside - one small (9.25") and one larger (13.5"). These are photos of the treasures inside. (Photos of the outsides were posted a couple of weeks ago.)

Two more boats (same sizes as above) are made from royal blue paper with gold fish printed on it; the insides are painted gold. Like the first boat I made for myself, I can add words of your choice to the interior of the boat. I'm thinking of love poems, anniversary sentiments, etc.

I'll be working on some collage pieces during the studio tour, and there will be some other small paintings, pastels, and photographs to browse through.

You will be most welcome at my little cabin! There will be hot cider on the stove and a cozy wood fire to warm you.

Adirondack Artists at Work Studio Tour

I've been so focused on getting some new pieces ready for this weekend's studio tour that I have not been attending to much else. In fact, three bowls of beautiful raspberries are calling me to make them into jam. (... just talk amongst yourselves ...)

Okay, now there are nine beautiful jars of jam on the counter, I made a fabulous dinner, and I'm back at the studio and computer.

First of all, get directions to my studio on the Adirondack Artists Guild website: http://www.adirondackartistsguild.com/studiotourwinters.htm Directions to the studios of all participating artists are available on that website as well. I will be in my studio on Saturday and Sunday - Friday is my day to visit the studios of some other artists.

Here a couple of new pieces in my "Habitats" series. They are made from photo transfers and torn papers, applied to small canvases that have been painted with acrylic paints.

I'll also have my Small Works and Dreamscapes on exhibit. These will be for sale, at prices named by the interested buyer. How much is one of them worth to you?!

Here are some examples. Each was made from free-form watercolor paint tossed onto small pieces of watercolorpaper. Then I drew into the shapes formed by the color. Most of them are completely informed by the viewer's interpretation. Look for the tiny details. Here is "Eichybush Autumn."

And here is "Dreamscape IV."

And "North Country I."

Tomorrow I'll add a few more pieces to this page before I load my car for the beautiful drive north.