Inspiration on two levels at Northampton

Balance - how does one maintain that in the world we live in?
Balance between fighting for important causes, being supportive
of your own family members, and keeping creative juices flowing
to have the energy for the rest of life.  For me, one way is to make
sure I get a regular dose of inspiration from other artists.

Originally my husband was scheduled for hip replacement surgery
the end of March. So after ACC Baltimore, I opted to take a break
from shows until the Northampton Paradise City Arts Festival
over Memorial Day weekend.  Then life threw a few curves...as
is often the case.  Some medical issues were picked up which had
to be dealt with before surgery so hip surgery was rescheduled for
May 18. I could have cancelled Northampton, but it still seemed
feasible with the usual hospital stay and my hubby encouraged me
to go forward.  Long story short, hospital stay was extended and
a couple complications, though nothing drastic, were added. So
I would have to  leave for show only three days after my hubby
was discharged.

Cancel at the last minute - or go forward? That's when other artists
and family kicked in and made us realize how excellent our life
choices have been all these years with respect to the communities
we have chosen to live in.Our close artist friend, feltmaker Miriam
Carter offered to drive down the 1 hour from New Hampshire to
work the show for me if I went, but then suddenly had to leave.
 Meanwhile two of our children living in Brooklyn said they would
 come up and  "cover" for me with their Dad.  So..taking a deep
breath, and knowing a couple days away would probably be good 
for me, I packed up and went off.


And who should be there to greet me but the dragon musician above
and these creatures below created by the talented wooden rocking
 horse/ carousel animal and polymer fantasy creature sculptor
Tracy Kochanski.

This was Tracy's first trip to the Paradise City Arts Festival. Her
 creatures lifted my spirits..(even the caged fairy in the back of the
 booth! -After  a few comments by attendees, she made sure the door
 to the cage was open. Though we all agreed, some fairies occasionally
 need to be contained..).

 Chris Willimas' dragon soared watching over us all...and his sea
creatures inspired me to push my new line of deep sea journal
covers...

The metal sculpture at the show always attracts me. I' look
forward to  seeing what Matt Evald Johnson will bring along -
I am usually astounded by his energy and creativity.  This year
was as true as ever.  How could I resist a piece like "Modern
Promethes"...A bookbinder stitching and stitching her/his torn
and needy books.....

Matt's chess table made me wish  I had paid
 attention when folks were trying to teach me chess. I  can just imagine a game played on this table in some awesome living room or castle dwelling or perhaps in  some Game of Thrones court scene?  Check out the dragon "knights" on the black side.  

Kimberly Willcox , one of my  favorite 

sculptors was also there.  Her variety,

sense of line, movement, and design

always encourages me to work harder 

and go for it with my own work.

 

At one point things became a little dicey back home, but

in the end resolved for the better.  Everyone at the show-

artists and promoters supported me and kept checking in 

and our kids on the homefront did beautifully problem 

solving  - a wake up call perhaps that we parents are 

aging and not  invulnerable...but also to their competence

..and our confidence in them. Other folks back home

 helped out as well with food and backup if needed.  

My husband I ended feeling extremely blessed. I have 

learned to savor each day (As Muhammad Ali used to

say "don't count the days, make the days count")...but

knowing we wake up to exist in such supportive and 

loving communities, reminds me to offer a gesture of

gratitude each morning.  

Adventure on.  Wendy

 

 

Sculpture and inspiration in Northampton at Paradise City Arts Festival

Is it really worth setting up at fine craft shows when 
price of participation keeps going up, and profit margins can be
questionable?  Friends and colleagues ask.  True, it takes
energy and money, neither limitless at this point in my life. And,
for all of us, figuring how to balance family, work and community
is a challenge.  Then I participate in an event like the Spring
Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton over Memorial Day
weekend and am reminded just how important participation is to me.

At times, Matt Evald Johnson's sculpture pictured above seems
a metaphor for the effort and futility involved. But more often, I
see the dance:


Or the challenge  - how about pulling this stone into the abyss
and seeing where  it lands - or where you fly with it?


As I have mentioned in previous blogs, it's about being
in the presence of artistic synergy...and fun.  Walking
by the creatures of Chris Williams

Wishing we had a back yard to accommodate this guy:

or pond for an octopus or two:


Equally important is seeing artists willing to take risks.

Constance Talbot, an amazing potter whose dinner
service I have been collecting for a while, decided to
"go for it" and present her elegant sculpture this year:

Connie reported the conversations the sculpture stimulated were
worth the show.

Talk was lively in my booth as well. I had some long conversations
with a few Northampton writers and illustrators, even talked of
possible collaboration.  Stay tuned for more on that front.

Often attendees become friends as well as customers. Inspiration
can come from those relationships. I was invited to see the new
project of a now long term friend found through the show.  At 79
years young, she is building a dream - a passive solar house and
attached glass studio not far from Northampton.
 
We sipped hot tea by the 89 foot pond she has created:

How can one not return home more inspired, energized and ready
to take some risk?  You never know what may be lurking around
the next corner.

Adventure on!    Wendy