New Orleans Jazz Fest 2011

"Only in New Orleans" - the phrase used by Irvin Mayfield at the
concert on Wednesday before Jazz Fest: nojazzfest.com The same
could be used for the fest as a whole. Where else can you wander
for 3 days between 12 stages with nonstop performances from
11Am to 7PM including Zydeco, Gospel,blues, main stream jazz,
folk, Haitian drumming, storytelling, Mardi Gras Indian
performances and more all while viewing a Contemporary Craft
Show, a Louisiana Art Show and a Haitian Art Celebration. Not
to mention spend the evenings in New Orleans listening to more
music! Then, return on Thursday for four days to start all over
again with different artists and performers. I had heard of friends
participating in Jazz Fest before, but did not understand its scope
and incredible richness!

New Orleans has long felt a special connection to Haiti. This year
Jazz Fest showed support and involvement by inviting Haitian
artists and musicians to set up in the Congo Square area of the fest.
Didier Civil was one of the artists there: didiercivilartsjacmel.com



The Contemporary Craft Show tents are set up by the WWOZ Jazz
tent, the Gospel and Blues tent and behind the main Acura Stage
There are only 60 Contemporary Craft exhibitors which makes for
a intimate show in a huge setting. There is no electricity and
creativity in display is encouraged. I brought along some bright
material to spice up my booth. We lucked out this year with the
weather - not too much wind (read dust...jazz fest is at the race
track), no rain and not too hot.

Awards are given. "Most Unique Work" went to Woody Jones:
woodyjones.com Woody was there with his wooden
"Mechanical Amusements" including his big Head which filled
up most of his corner booth. You can see it on his link.

"Best of Show" went to Lewis Tardy for his steel sculpture:
Tardysculpture.com Here is a snapshot of his booth:



The show includes photography and painting. We enjoyed
the photography of Frank Relle: www.frankrelle.com
especially his houses encrusted in vegetation. That's his photo
on the cover of the book : Nine Lives:Mysery, Magic, Death and
in New Orleans by Dan Baum.

With jazz reverberating all around and an enthusiastic energetic
eclectic crowd, I felt more at home at Jazz Fest than at
many shows. I've often thought about the connection of the
improvisational way I approach my work and the passion my
parents had for jazz and imbued in me. As with jazz, in
my approach to art making, you listen, build on experience,
but mostly trust in the flow that propels you forward.



The most surprising part of the fest for me was watching
the Mardi Gras Indians walk by in their amazingly
crafted feather and bead regalia. The costumes are exquisite.
I was unfamiliar with the depth of tradition they represent
and have been doing a lot of reading about the story behind
the Mardi Gras Indians since I came home. (The photo at the
top of this post is of one of the many performance by these
groups. )



Just when I think my work is getting intricate, I look at
their work! Talk about inspiration to incorporate story
and really go for it!





I'll definitely apply to Jazzfest again next year. If accepted,
I hope we can arrange to attend before or after having
a booth. I'd love to wander, savor the performances
and absorb the energy in a relaxed fashion.

Next week's blog post - our trip to the warehouse
where the Mardi Gras floats are made!!

Adventure on! Wendy

New Orleans - prelude to JazzFest

"Only in New Orleans" was Irvin Mayfield's frequent refrain
when we were listening to him at Lafayette Square Wed.
eve before Jazz Fest. We arrived in New Orleans a day
and a half early to explore and savor the city a bit before
setting up at the Contemporary Craft Show section of
Jazzfest: nojazzfest.com

During one part of the concert, students joined
him. The 10 year old trumpet player and 16 year old sax
player pictured above with the band show the future of jazz
is alive and VERY well in NOLA. At the end of the concert,
a brass band led the crowd through the town down to the
Royal Sonesta Hotel where Mayfield's club is located. We all
became part of the classic "second line". One image I won't forget:
a woman on a bike twirling her purple parasol brought from
Colorado, hoping she might have a chance to dance with it.

Sights and sounds in New Orleans are complicated,
sobering and celebratory. We saw the excellent exhibit
"Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond" which just
opened up this past October in the French Quarter
at the Louisiana State Museum :
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/katrina/index.htm
The experiential exhibit plunges one into the reality of the
experience for New Orleans residents, details exactly what
happened and why, gives historical perspective, and highlights
the resilient character of the people who live in the region.

There is new construction and rehabilitation of structures
in many neighborhoods, but plenty of areas where damage is
still very apparent. As we wandered in the "Garden District"
I looked at the ancient oak trees whose gnarly roots were
protruding and seemingly taking over the sidewalks.





These are trees which are there to stay, hang on deep
and persistent. I reflected on the depth of connection
and persistence of the folks for whom New Orleans
is home and will always be.



Thanks to the suggestion from Boston artist friends that
the best gumbo in New Orleans is served at Dooky Chase's
restaurant at 2301 Orleans Ave, we went there for lunch.
We expected and tasted the excellent gumbo, but had no
idea we would be walking into a place so steeped in history
and tradition, especially for the African American Community
in New Orleans. The restaurant was flooded, as was much of
the immediate Treme neighborhood during Katrina, but Dooky
and Leah Chase , not exactly youngsters, did not give up.
The restaurant, open since 1941, reopened in 2008...only for
lunch and special events for now while they wait for the rest of
the neighborhood to catch up. Again those deep roots that hang
on tight holding the fabric of community together.

This includes honoring and displaying extraordinary art.
Eating in the restaurant is like eating in a museum.
My favorite was this one by Dr. John Biggers (1924-2001)
entitled "The Upper Room" :



I plan on spending some time investigating the work
and imagery of Dr. Biggers. This trip made it clear how
many well known artists I had ashamedly never heard of.
But after all, learning and discovering is the point of travel.

We entered our hotel that night preparing to set up for
the show the next day filled with story and music, but also
feeling extremely fortunate. That Wednesday when we were
savoring New Orleans, massive tornadoes were sweeping
through the path we had driven through the day before.
Another reminder of how quickly life can change.

Next blog post.. Jazzfest!

Adventure on! Wendy

Taking Myth and Story to New Orleans!

New Orleans here we come! I'll be participating in the Contemporary
Craft show at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, April 29-May 1:
www.nojazzfest.com Tent F.
For the occasion, I created Racontee, the storyteller:



Racontee travels with a variety of masks (one
of wet-formed leather, the others ceramic), two books
including a mini leather dragon book and special story
shards in the teller's leather trunk.



To intrigue folks to search me out, I'm advertising in the
program book. Here's my ad:



There is no electricity in the tents in New Orleans, which can
present challenges since my backdrops are usually black.
To help light bounce, I've purchased some glitzy material to
drape over my usual black. The black leather eye journals,
card holders and mythic figures which I am bringing along
really pop when laid on satiny bronze color material!
I'll post images from what should be a very different looking
booth, when I return.

Hope anyone near New Orleans will come on over..
fantastic music, great food, an art experience not to
be missed and an important community to continue to
support.

When back home, I'll share more images from earlier shows
as well as report in from Jazz Fest. Since I sold out of my
"eye" journals and card holders in NYC, I've been bustling
since back in my studio. Sorry posts have been delayed! I'll
try to make up for that in May!

Journey on. Wendy

More images from 2011 ACC Baltimore - Dale Rogers

More images from ACC Baltimore..





Just when I begin to think I' m working in a large format,
I'm assigned to be in a booth across from someone like
Dale Rogers!...Puts me in perspective really fast!..
Dale's cor-ten steel and aluminum sculptures are
definitely LARGE scale...the sculpture of the children
which Dale set up in the aisle between booths is a mock
up of a much larger piece installed in a public play area.
I loved seeing kids playing around it (including
Dale's children) and viewing my dragons through it.



Check out Dale's website to see his sculptures
installed outdoors and see photos of him working
in his studio: dalerogersstudio.com.
He shares personal reflections on his blog: dalerogers.blogspot.com
I met Dale through the Paradise City Arts Festival
shows. It's been fun watching this young sculptor's
career take off.

Off to finish taxes now...more images and reflections
from ACC and NYC show soon.

Journey on! Wendy

Images from ACC Baltimore - Michael Schunke, Deborah Rogers and Kirsten Stingle

My dragons in Baltimore had lots of good views. Wudaineon loved
being across from Michael Schunke and his amazing glass.
www.nineironstudios.com Michael's work is beautiful and his
booth a joy to be near.

As usual (and what I always hope for), I met some artists
whom I had not known before. One such artist is Deborah
Rogers. She was in the "altcraft" section of the show . When
she arrived they had not set up a place for her. Fortuantely
she had brought along this small stage set-up, perfect for her work!



New to Baltimore, but hardly a new artist, she has
shown across the country (including at the Smithsonian
show). She used to be a painter and her approach to her
"narrative sculpture" made from various self-hardening
clays and found objects reflect her amazing decorative ability.
She uses colored pencils to get much of her detail!





Deborah's uses facebook to actively publicize
her work Check out her facebook.com page under:
Deborah G. Rogers

Another new (to me) artist I found at the
show with a strong sense of storytelling in her work is
Kirsten Stingle: www.kirstenstingle.com



Kirsten has a fine arts degree in theater. Not hard to
guess that when you are in the presence of her dramatic
intriguing work full of gesture and emotion!





Check out Kirsten's website for the full scoop. You
will see she's going to very busy with shows and
exhibits this spring and summer!

I'm busy getting ready for my next show:
www.craftnewyork.com April 1-3, but will try
to share more Baltimore and Atlanta images soon.

Journey on! Wendy

On to Atlanta! ACC Show March 11-13

The Atlanta American Craft Council Show is next weekend,
March 11-13 at the Cobb Galleria. Info at: www.craftcouncil.org/Atlanta
Krystuli pictured above will be prancing there in my booth #1206
along with other relatives, friends, eye journals and
more. We'll keep the conversation going about how one "sees"
the world. Krystuli will be watching:



As will "Tadaah!" - who usually prefers this way of
viewing the public, but occasionally stands on his/her
feet proclaiming "Tadaah":



Tadaah was inspired by a young friend who asked if I had
ever made a figure standing on its head. He followed up
with the question, "And then where would you put
the eye?"

Wudaineon, the leather dragon, posed for a photo
shoot at Baltimore. Here is the image of this gentle close to
five foot long creature looking for a new home taken by
Bob Barrett www.bobbarrettphoto.com



Wudaineon almost found a new home in Baltimore, but thinks
Atlanta would be a good homestead as well!

Today I'm putting final touches on a new "Dragon Names"
book. The number of names in the dragon shaped book is up
to close to 400 now thanks to a few additions from my
grandchildren. It's great having like minded family members!

If you're in the Atlanta area, please come on over to the
show...bring a few dragon names with you!

I will share images from ACC Baltimore and ACC Atlanta
when I return home to the studio.

Journey on. Wendy

Baltimore American Craft Council Show Feb. 22-27

All eyes are on ACC Baltimore!! As usual, I'll be there!
Thank goodness no big snow storms seem to be brewing.
It is always an unbelievably spectacular show, so I
encourage any and all to come. 700 exhibitors for retail!
Really quite an amazing treat for eyes and soul. Please
come by my booth # 1909! For complete show info go to:
public.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

Speaking of eyes....I'll be bringing along a new series
of Journals following up on my investigation of
Eyes as windows to the soul. Here are a couple images:



I'm having fun playing with different varieties of
eyes from glass moutain goat, African lion, red fox,
pheasant and more. I'll have both 6x8 and 4x6 replaceable
journals in these and other styles. Even some new card
holders with eyes! I'll also have some of my figures
with eyes in less than ordinary locations inspired by
my trip to Uruguay.

New creatures also arrive before Baltimore. Here is
a new one in process, tenatively named
Krystuli. Leather and beading will be added
before the show, maybe even a face on the sides!



Come see completed Krystuli at ACC Baltimore and
help me figure out Krystuli's story!

Wudaineon the dragon is looking forward to
seeing Baltimore for the first time as is her
dragon friend, Snarval!



Safe travels everyone!!!

Journey on! Wendy