Holiday Lights

Thought I'd share some of the holiday ligts from Paris. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to see that Christmas is not as retail hyped there as it seems to be here. While there were lovely light displays here and there, the season was far more low key than here. We seem to be much more "in your face" about it.
That said....here's some pretty lights....including one video...because I LOVED the way these lights "moved".

Latin Quarter

Artists Square at Montmartre



Boat on the River Seine


Like bubbly champagne glasses!! 

Colorful Inspiration

 Paris offered much in the way of beautiful colors!! The most colorful of these were their cookies...macarons!!

Aside from being yummy.....they were a feast for the eyes! Beautiful just to look at.

One other bit of unexpected color I discovered was Santa....wearing beautiful "blue & gold".

A Monumental Event

I returned home just last night from a most amazing trip...to Paris!!!
This came about mainly due to my husbands job. The company was to send him as a reward for his work...and I was, happily, given the trip to join him as well. He's a yacht broker and the main boat he sells is built there in France. So, he got to tour the companies factories as well as attend the huge Paris boat show.
In the week long schedule we were given they made sure to allow for plenty of free sightseeing time....which we took full advantage of!! We got to see more than I ever imagined in that week, even with having two of the days in France spent out on the coast.

One of the biggest highlights was getting to see the Eiffel Tower! Let me tell you...it is more amazing in person than you can even imagine. I was totally awestruck by this breathtaking vision!

Once every hour, on the hour, the tower sparkles in a showstopping light show. This took place just as we arrived. So...as the first thing I want to share with you from my pics on this trip, it's the video I shot as the light show began. A moment I won't soon forget.

Never gets old!!

Nope....I have to admit it. Every time I see my work in print in another ad for the Cloth Paper Scissors new Emag...I get a bit giddy. I know..I know...it's not the first time I've been in print....

and with any luck...not the last. But let me tell you....it's always a pure delight every time I see it.
As any artist who has tried to get their work known can tell you....marketing is almost a full time job in itself. While I may work many many hours on my pieces...I work just as many hours getting myself out there. So, it's just wonderful every time you get to see how much progress has been made.
Cloth Paper Scissors has been amazing to me in that regard. These ads have been running in all their print magazines and I can't tell you how many of their email newsletters have had one piece or another of my work and sometimes refer to them directly. CPS....Thank You!!!

Vintage inspiration

I was recently asked if I would again contribute a piece of art to the Fall River Historical Society for their annual fundraiser. Since I had very much enjoyed doing one for them last year, I had no problem saying yes again.

While we do not have to do a piece that has anything to do with historic sites around the city...I do feel that when I can, this is an added bonus. Last year I created a 5"x7" Torn Paper Painting of one of the historic lighthouses. This year it was the carousel that caught my attention.

This beautiful Lincoln Park Carousel at The Battleship Cove was built in 1920. It used to be in an amusement park that I often went to while growing up, so it holds many memories for me. It now sits on the waterfront in a building made just for it.

Our required size for this years piece is an 8"x8". Here is my horse. While at the carousel taking photos of the horses to work from I also took a video of the entire carousel. See if you can spot the horse of my inspiration!

A Sassy Siren

Having started this piece a while ago, I was delayed in finishing it due to having my back act up for over a week. When I work I like to stand. So, needless to say, I couldn't stand for long periods of time this way.

I'm glad to say that this is on the mend and I finally managed to finish my first mermaid.

I'm really pleased with the way she turned out.

As my husband pointed out...she looks a bit "sassy" with the shorter blonde hair instead of the long flowing hair that is usually associated with mermaids. I have to agree.

I have a feeling there will be other sirens of the sea turning up now and then!

Workshop

   Still time and spaces available for the next workshop.
Class starts 11-11-11  What an easy date to remember!!!

Be sure to register...Now!!!

Flip Flops

Having done a number of "Beach Toy" pieces with a pail & shovel....I switched it up just a bit by adding another one of those summer icon images...Flip Flops.

Honestly..is there anyone who doesn't have a pair of these in one or more colors during beach season? Nope...didn't think so.

Here is a shot of some of the work in progress. Fun to see it come together.

A fun visit

Today I received a visit from a dear art friend, Terri, aka Pringle Hill Studio. Having  been "online" art friends for a long time...this was only our second "in person" visit, but really, you'd never know it.

Terri has this warm bubbly personality that anyone who has met her before will be able to confirm. It was such fun to see her again. She and her husband were doing a road trip and going sooo close to my area that there was no way we could NOT get together!!!

We had met in person for the first time at another art friends house, Roc, a year ago. It was amazing how quickly people could feel like old friends from what they already knew of each other before ever meeting.

Having Terri here was such fun. It's always a treat to see someone's space and where they create and it was great fun to show her mine. I know that whenever I've seen another artists space, I picture them working there when I see new pieces.

Terri....we've both seen Rocs space and now you've seen mine. I hope sometime in the future I can travel down your direction and see where you create your stunning artwork as well.

Be sure to come back and visit anytime you're in the area!!

And.....thanks for the deli paper. You rock!!!

Fall Adult Classes.....sign up now!

Be sure to sign up early for classes at ArtWorks!!!

Another version



Click HERE for Download



Just wanted to pass along some information on the new eMag...Collage in Color.... from Cloth Paper Scissors.

 They have now created an iPad version and you can get the new downlond at the iTunes Store. How exciting. You're going to love the interaction in this eMag...so much more than you can get from a print magazine.
I can't wait for you to see it and look forward to your thoughts.

Some Great News

After all the sadness that has happened over the last couple of weeks...it's soo good to have a nice positive moment happen.

Some of you may remember that I'd been working on a special project back in June. It was one of my pail & shovel piece. Well....secret is now out. I have been featured in the very first issue of Cloth Paper Scissors eMag....Collage in Color!!!
You will totally LOVE this eMag. It's unlike your regular digital downloaded magazines. It's fully "interactive". You can watch videos...zoom in and out...see slide shows...and more!!

One of the coolest things you'll see is what was created with the pail & shovel piece. The editor had asked me to take photos all throughout the process...and what they created with them was a stop action video....so you can watch as it's being made. Cool indeed!
There are many awesome features in Collage in Color....so be sure to let me know what you think after you've seen it.

A Special Man

Wanted to take a moment to dedicate this post to my father-in-law...Charles!!

Sadly he passed away yesterday at the age of 81. It was a very peaceful passing which was a blessing.

Chas graduated from Brown University class of 1951.  He served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant on the USS Fletcher DDE 445.   He graduated from Harvard Law School.  His legal career included private practice at a very large local firm from 1959 to 1989 with a brief interval as Assistant Attorney General of Rhode Island in charge of the civil division. 

Later, he maintained a small private practice until he retired in 2000.   He worked primarily as an Estate Attorney but was most proud of his pro bono work with the American Civil Liberties Union, defending such rights as pro-choice, Indian land rights, fair housing, police harassment. 

He served on many boards including incorporating Hospice Care of Rhode Island, which as it turns out, were the wonderful people to make him comfortable in his final days. The director even came to see him that last day to express their graditude for the part he played for them.

Are we all proud of him...you bet!

Seagulls from scratch

Ahhh...and you thought seagulls were just those funny little ocean birds who flew into the picture looking around for everything and anything you may have left around!!

Nope...it's not that easy.

I've had a bit of a run on seagulls lately so I had to actually make some more "seagull" papers before I could even make more of those little birds.

The best papers in the shades of gray that I'd been working with were the ones I make myself. Sooo...that was the first part of the process.

 The result...my single guy...DB and my fun loving pair...Lucy & Ricky.

Yes...they sort of name themselves as they come to life.

Uncommon Art display

I payed a visit to my newest gallery last weekend in Bristol, RI.... the Uncommon Art Gallery.

The last time I'd been there was when I had dropped off 10 pieces for them....so I hadn't gotten to see everything up on display. Needed to get a pic of that!!

Most of the fine arts are on the second level.....so that's where seven of the framed pieces are. Downstairs there are three more....canvas beachscapes.

This is such a lovely place. While many folks go to the Bristol Art Gallery or the Hope Gallery because they are in the actual center of Hope Street..... believe me....it's well worth taking a walk a little further down the street to see what's there as well.

  

You wouldn't want to miss out on some truely "uncommon" art!!!

The Newest

Just finished dropping off some new work at The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis. They have been having a great summer there and sold 4 pieces of mine in one day last week.

Because of that....I needed to get the newest pieces I'd been working on down to them to fill that wall.

These are two of the newest that made the trip down today. Bill...the frog, and a pink lotus. 

Loved working on both of these.

A lovely surprise

How wonderful it is to find out over a cup of coffee on a quiet Sunday morning that The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis, Ma had an awesome day yesterday!!

Seems that one couple came in an bought FOUR of my pieces at once!!! Yay!! I'm soo thrilled that they loved the work that much.

The gallery posted this pic on their FaceBook page!

Woohoo...looks like I better get filling up that wall again....quickly!!

Painting Papers

Spent a beautiful warm sunny day outside yesterday painting papers to restock my palette.

Living in New England I don't have the luxury of mild year round weather...and I would much rather paint outdoors to keep the art room clean. So, that means grabbing those great summer days as I can get them.

I took all of my rice papers, book pages, etc out with me along with watercolors, acrylics, and some twinkling H2O's for an afternoon of fun!!

Luckily I have a great glass top table that is perfect for this. I can get it wet and messy and simply clean it off with the hose. Can't do that in the art room..lol

As you can see...I got quite a bit done. Now.... I need to find more time to actually do some paper making next. I'm starting to run out of those nice hand made pieces. That too is a messy process, so I'd rather grab some outside time for that as well.

That's also fun because you end up with papers you never even dreamed of creating!! Pure inspiration!

The Jury is in.....

and the answer is YES. The newest piece....a much larger 12"x24" version similier to a very small lighthouse I'd done earlier this year, has been juried into the Little Compton Community Center Arts Show in RI.

I have to say, this is always one of those art shows that you hold your breath for each year as the jury makes its choice. They can be really tough. 

Well....I can now breathe. It's in....and the opening is Friday evening and runs through the weekend.

I can't wait to go and see what other amazing work has been included. The tough jury does make for an outstanding art show.
If you're in the area this weekend....be sure to stop in!!

I have added this pic for you to see three stages of it's developement....underpainting, mid way, and finished.

Harry & Sally

Yep...that's their names. For some reason, the moment I finished working on these two, that's what I looked at them and called them....sooo...guess that's what they wanted. Who am I to argue...lol

Well....they now have a new home!

I finished working on them the night before I was due to drop off a piece of work for the local art group show.

Today I went to the art show late this afternoon as it was ending figuring I would be picking these guys up to take home....after all, they hadn't even had a full day of living at my house yet. When I walked in I discovered that they had already found a new home to fly off to!! The couple who purchased them had let them stay in the show until the ending...so I was lucky enough to be there to meet them when they returned. What a lovely couple they were. We had a nice chat and I was able to answer all their questions about my process and point out a few tidbits in the piece to them as well.

Soo...looks like Harry & Sally will be a couple of happy birds. Guess it was all for the best that I didn't get time to bond with them :)

PUBLISHED

YES....you read it right! I'm Published!!!

My work was given a two page spread in the July/Aug issue of Somerset Studios magazine in an article called "Painting with Paper".

I am just sooo thrilled to be included in this upscale national publication. I didn't want to break the news until the issue got closer to actually hitting the magazine racks.

Well...now that I have copies in my hand and others have mentioned seeing it....it is time to spread the news!!

The pieces that have been used in the article are actually available at The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis, Ma.....so that's a really great thing for them!! 
Hope you all get out there and find yourself a copy!!

Uncommon Art

Yes....not only do I think the word "uncommon" is a good one to describe my art, but, as it turn out, it is also the name of the new gallery I am in.... Uncommon Art Gallery in Bristol, RI.

What a really lovely space this is. Two floors of the most interesting and unusual work. I looked around at numerous galleries in the area, some of which were really quite nice, but was more taken by this slightly out of the way but delightfully charming place than anywhere else.

It is right on the main road...Hope St....but set slightly back from the B&B in front. Very near the water.

If you find yourself in the area this summer it would most certainly be worth your while to take a stroll over there. Click on the link above and I think you'll agree!!

If you're lucky...you may even meet Destiny!

End result....almost

Since I'd shown you an earlier pic of this piece when it was just being worked on, I thought it only fair to show you the end result...of the piece....not the project.
The project this was made for will have to wait till about the end of the summer to be revealed...but it will be worth the wait.
Until then, here's the finished piece.

A family & friends weekend!!

You have to love a weekend filled with parties, friends, and family. On Saturday we traveled with two of our friends to the farmhouse owned by other friends of ours.The theme for this party was much like that of the Kentucky Derby party.....this one was for the Belmont.It was the first time we'd been to this farmhouse, built in the 1800's. Beautiful old New England.
The property has the largest hickory tree you could imagine. There is also a pond and waterfall to complete the setting!! Once inside my eyes fell onto the stove of my dreams!!!! Always wanted a kitchen with a stove like that!!

One of the other guests there was the brother of our hostess. His name is Jay McMahon ......a magician...and I must say....quite good!!! Just standing around in the kitchen, with no special props at all, he did magic that had me quite amazed.....and his sister concerned for her silverware...lol.  If you ever have a chance to see him or book him for an event...you won't be dissappointed.
What a great night that was....loads of friends, food, and fun.

The next day, and second part of our weekend was to drive back toward home to the river house to help celebrate my in-laws 60th anniversary!!!    Such a sweet and wonderful couple and such a great family they have created. I'm thrilled to have become part of it.   Bev & Chas.....may you have many more happy years !!!

And just look at this...we have my brother-in-law and hubby in the kitchen cleaning up!! Yep, men in the kitchen.....the perfect ending to a fun filled weekend.

Work In Progress....

Yes.....I'm still here and still creating!! I've been in the middle of a project that I can't talk about just yet...but I'm excited!!!!
You'll just have to wait to hear about it. This pic of the work in progress is actually a peek into the secret project.
Yes..I know...another beach pail. However, this one is much larger, 12x12, than the others which were all 6x6. There is also something else about this one.......opps....can't tell you any more....LOL
Well...just checking in to let you know I'm still around and will show you more later ;)

Workshop Complete!!

Just finished a two day workshop on Torn Paper Paintings. It was held at the Fall River Art Assoc.  I had a lovely group of students all eager to learn the process.

The subject I decided to assign was for them to pick a "simple subject" of their own choice. Well...as we discovered...."simple" has a different definition to everyone....lol We spent much of the first day going over details of the process and creating some of the painted paper they would each need for the personal subjects. Everyone still managed to get a good start on their piece before that day was over. The second day they all jumped back into their creations and we worked until well past the "planned" end of the class...lol

 Love how everyone's work came out.....but to view them all....you'll have to go the Torn Paper Paintings FaceBook FanPage! 
You won't be disappointed. Go...check them out!!!Enjoy!!

Derby party

Yesterday, as you all know, was the Kentucky Derby. We have friends who take this very seriously....party wise....and a big time horse race is as good a reason for a party as any!! :)

This is also, I might add, a good reason to dress up....derby style...lol

While I may have broken out my big hat...my husband, Mark, went one step further with this awesome yellow dress jacket which had once belonged to his grandfather!! Doesn't he look the full part of a cool southern gentleman? :)

Let the mint julips flow folks!!!