New Art, New Show locations - in Boston and Brooklyn

 December with all its activities has a way of rushing by,
but this year it seemed to sweep by even faster.  Here
we are in January, and I wonder where the month went.
Where were the moments for quiet reflection? Doing
two back to back shows probably had a lot to do with
the frenetic pace - which hasn't seemed to slow down
much since then.

Before images and memories are flooded with new
ones, I want to share a bit of the two shows .
The first, Craft Boston Holiday was held at the
Hynes Convention center this year.  The size
was increased and  many of us had reservations about
the change of venue. However, thanks to the efforts of
the staff of the Society of Arts and Crafts, attendance
was quite good and sales to match.  Sculptures and
many leather items with eyes left my booth.

Reardon, the Rambunctious, pranced off to a new
home:

 Burrolle and Terref , the Traveling librarian packed up
books and were off as well. This especially pleased me
since the proceeds from the sale were designated for
funds for our daughter and so-in-law's mobile library
and literacy program in Ecuador called  "From Words
to Wings"

(Stay tuned for much more about that in a future
post.)

The following weekend  Dec. 14,15, I was off to Brooklyn
for the American Art Marketing's new American Fine
Craft Show Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Museum.  The space
where the show was held was gorgeous. (The photo
at the top of my booth there gives you a sense
of the elegance. )

As a new show and with a snow storm on Saturday to
complicate our lives, attendance was not quite what
we hoped for. That said, however, many of us are
very enthusiastic about this show which we think
shows a lot of promise and will do everything we
can to make sure it flies high in the future.
(Next year's dates are Nov. 21-23. - so perhaps
I can avoid back to back shows in 2014. )

This year the show soared from the viewpoint of
quality and diversity.  I was inspired by the work of
many artists.

John Borrero was set up a few booths away from
me ...a treat since I don't get to see his intriguing work
often enough.

Margery Goldberg of Zenith Gallery brought along
the art of many exciting artists including that of
Chris Malone. I've admired Chris's work in
magazines, but had never seen it in person:

and Fernando Roman:

Many of the  exhibitors at the show were familiar to me from
other major shows. It is always an honor to show with
 friends, but I also hope to meet new artists. One, whose
work pulled me in was Olga Grinberg.  Olga finds inspiration
in nature and primitive art.  I especially liked this guy:

Orders placed afterwards by people who saw me at the
Brooklyn museum added to sales I made at the show.
I'm optimistic that if we put in the effort to publicize the
show in every way possible, we can develop the market nicely.
In addition, thanks to lots of help on hand, the move in and
move out for the show was easy and uncomplicated...a nice
way to end the year.

Now on to 2014 to see what it has to offer.  One adventure
in the plans is a trip to Ecuador and Peru....so look for
blog posts about that before long.

Happy New Year  - May this year be filled
with wondrous  adventures for us all!

Wendy

Journeys by Hand - bridging neighborhoods through art

Artists together, showing, working and laughing...what more
could you ask for to stir up creative energies? As mentioned in
my last blog post, I joined two other  Roxbury artists to share a
gallery space on Beacon Hill in Boston for two weeks in November.
Lisa Lee, Kristen Belton Willis and I are all connected with
 Discover Roxbury's ArtRox . The aim of this effort was to
bridge neighborhoods through art.

We showed under the collective name "Journeys by Hand" -
All of us do extensive hand work in our art.Our hands
have taken us on many journeys - together and individually.
The three of us live within a block of each other. The
hours in the gallery gave us an opportunity to share
stories about our individual journeys  and to get to know
each other better.   We all work with the children at the
Hawthorne Youth and Community Center in our
neighborhood - stay tuned for a blog post about Lisa and my
First Night project this year with HYCC.   In December,
Kristen led the kids in an improv performance of the Black
Snowman by Phil Mendez at the neighborhood Christmas
tree lighting as part of her work on literacy with the after
school children.

The space at 98 W. Cedar Street used to be the office of
Barry Reality Group.   Skip Barry had talked to Derek Lumpkins
of Discover Roxbury about renting it to artists in an effort
to bridge neighborhoods through art.  Derek proposed the idea
the all in the ArtROX group. We thought it sounded promising.

Of course, a few folks dropped in asking about apartments, but
then enjoyed the art.  We were the  second artists to occupy the
space, two more set up after us.  By in large our experience was
very positive, although comments by a few individuals made us
realize how important this sort of exchange is.  We're hoping the
effort can continue.

 We were able to set up displays and create workspaces.

 Kristen displayed and worked on  some of  her Abena Family
rag dolls, her  jumping brooms, tuxedos for wine bottles and more
 including scrumptious sweets for our gatherings. (She does
 catering  as well as visual art!)

 Lisa was their with her "ladies" of leather, leather trees and bugs,
and exquisite jewelry. The name of her art business is "Royal
Dainties". Lisa is also an awesome spoken word artist!

I set up my creatures and books on the other side of the room
and stitched up miniature books and worked on inventory for
December shows:

We used social media and posters to let folks know we were there
and held Friday night  parties welcoming all.  (The photo of us
laughing at the beginning of this post was taken by the
photographer, Windy Seven at the first party. Thanks Windy,
it really captures the spirit of the experience!)

A great group of  friends and family came out to support
our efforts.

 

 

 Across the street from the space is the Advent School annex
building for art and language. Turns out Saskia Van Vactor, the art
teacher at the Advent was raised in our Fort Hill Roxbury
neighborhood. Journeys have a way of intertwining. Each of us
did a workshop with a  class of the  Advent - Lisa made leather
bugs with first graders studying the rain forest; I made mythic
creature books of paper and wire with the  fourth grade
investigating"cultures" and Kristen made "jumping brooms"
with the third  graders and talked about the creativity shown by
people who figure out ways  to maintain ceremony in spite of
obstacles.  These are some of the creature books which emerged
during  my workshop with the Advent School children:

 Since we were up on Beacon Hill, we took the opportunity
 to  join the Artists Under the Dome event at the state house
and visited our legislators.  Here we are in Tito Jackson's office.

It's important for the voices of artists to be heard!

I feel blessed to be connected with such a dynamic
neighborhood art community.  Here's hoping  everyone's
journeys  are filled with fun and  surprises  in 2014.
I'm hoping we Journeys by Hand ladies can figure
out more joint projects!

 Adventure on!   Wendy

Movement ,form and dance - at American Fine Craft and Contemporary Art Show NYC October 2013

This year at the American Fine Craft Show NYC, I was fortunate to

have my booth across from that of Lila Turjanski-Villard.  I had

seen  her work at previous shows and admired it, but never had 

much chance to  talk to her.  As Lila says on her website, she

has always had a passion for art and dance - something I relate

strongly .  It is the amazing movement, grace, and interactions 

in her work which draw me to it.

Lila explain on her website: "The themes of movement, space
and communication are constantly present in my artwork. I
like to explore the suggestions of bodies in communication
in movement and in rhythm with space." 

Dancing shadows enhance the work. 

. 

Marc Jenesel and Karen Pierce: www.clay-n-fiber.com were there

with  "Jewely for the Home in Clay, Fiber,Metal and Stone"

offering more movement and form through their collaboration

of raku pottery(Marc)  and woven sculpture (Karen).  The forms

danced and soared in the booth:

Another exhibitor,Mary O'Malley, talks about dance from a
different  perspective.  On her website she says: " The dance 
that results from trying to  find a balance between what we can
control and what we cannot is where I believe true beauty lies."

Mary was there with her intriguing "Bottom Feeders" series
which seem to tell the tale of  sea creatures taking over the
remnants of an elegant dining experience interrupted by a
devastating shipwreck. 

Fall of 2014, Mary will be off to the Royal Academy

of Art working toward a MA.  I wonder what series

that might provoke?

And finally - while on the subject of movement -

How about painting while flying over a canvas?

That is exactly what Indorato, the flying artist

does...and did in his intriguing weighted flying

apparatus at the show.  His canvases are so large

being able to hover  above them helps..

You can  see a video of Michael  "flying" on the homepage

of his website. Just goes to show, you never know what you'll 
miss by not attending a show.  Unfortunately, lots of folks
missed all this at the Javits this October.  Attendance was low-
so this show will not return to the Javits.   

The Brooklyn Museum  seems a better location -

and that is exactly where I am heading for the

American Fine Crafts Brooklyn Show Dec. 14-15.  The

venue and work promises to be extraordinary.

But before that - a popup gallery exhibit with two
other Roxbury artists...we're showing under the
name "Journeys By Hand".at a gallery/work space on
Beacon Hill -bridging neighborhoods through art. Images
of the fun there in my next post. 

Adventure on!   Wendy

Wiskune and Hocus Pocus in Northampton

Wiskune, the mystic carried his mystery and fun to
the Hocus Pocus exhibit at the Paradise City Arts
Festival in Northampton as promised in the last
post..and yes, he posed for a good photo before
leaving for his permanent home.

This Hocus Pocus exhibit was a good mixture of
mayhem and magic.

  

 I was intrigued by the magical ships of Rafaela McCormack.
Into what worlds of magic might the paper sculptures in
the exhibit and her booth be sailing?

Of course what would hocus pocus be without a few rabbits,

pigs and frogs?  Alan and Rosemary Bennett provided these

Since magic, mystery and fun is embedded in much of
my work, I offered this large sketchbook/journal to
the exhibit to encourage a spell or story or two.



In Northampton, I also experimented with
a new backdrop for my booth.  I discovered
Bossbackdrops.com had the perfect wrinkle free
washable backdrop to give a clean look.  Since so
much of my work involves black leather, the
white really helps.(I'm not sure why the black
cloth looks so funky in this photo...it is plain
black - not textured gray as it looks here.

After the Paradise City Arts Festival, I was off to
NYC for the American Fine Craft Show NYC.  Next
post about that experience Oct. 24-27.

Adventure on!   Wendy

A Mystical figure commission - almost completed..

 As I mentioned in my last blog, there has been a figure in my

studio  for a while, waiting patiently for finishing touches. The 

order was placed  at ACC Baltimore in February, with no specific

deadline for completion ...although  I had been aiming for the 

customer's birthday in late August.  He generously  told me not 

to compromise my grandparenting duties in  order to finish and

added:   "Time might just be a sales promotional thing for watchmakers." 

I do try to meet deadlines, but certainly appreciated the 

freedom this time around, especially for this type of figure. 

My notes on the order stated:  commission for  a "mystical" 

standing figure about 26 " tall, with a staff ,ceramic heads, hands, 

feet, lots of color. He had admired my figures for a long time,

and realized I was moving in new directors so if he wanted one,

he'd  better act soon.  He told me he liked lots of things, including

ships, but left the details to me.

It's been fun revisiting this type of work...and realizing how 

connected I still feel to it.  Circling back has been instructive.

 I realize what I have learned in recent years re armature (the

figures are more sturdy now) and made me think again about

story being at the core of  my art. 

In my last blog, I  promised some process photos.   The 

figures begin with sculpted fire and glaze clay parts, wire,

polyester, thread and muslin:   

 
After creating the basic figure, I started looking around the
studio to see what textiles and leathers I had to create a
mystical look.  The materials have a magical way of just
being there...waiting...The top of a heavily embroidered hat
seemed just right for vest embellishment:

An old quilted and embroidered piece was waiting to become

a mystical cape. It just needed some more beads, trim, story items

and a collar made from part of an old embroidered Japanese kimono.

The staff?  Hmm...I wandered in our yard looking for an 

appropriately twisted stick..found a dead branch on our curly

willow just the right size...and saw a bird skull that I had picked

up on the beach during a writing retreat sitting on the shelf at

my work table....It fit exactly on the top of the branch.  

At little carving of the wood, a little stain and paint..and it was

ready for addition of some silver medallions, beads, leather and

dangles:

Then, of course, no mystical figure should be without a 

book of spells...

or nice beaded sandals:

A leather mask seemed in order:

oops...can't forget that mention of ships. A little embroidery
on the back of the suede coat would be a nice surprise:

And so the mystical figure has emerged.. Folks will be able

to see the almost finished figure at Roxbury Open Studios

this weekend. (October 5-6) at my home studio.  I'll work on

his name and legend this weekend.

 

I'll undoubtedly add a few more details next week, then take
him out to be displayed in the special "Hocus Pocus" exhibit
at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton next weekend.
I'll be in booth #805 at the festival with all my other work..
some inspired by this guy (including some miniature mystical
books.)  I hope to get a good photo of him at the festival. I'll share
that in my next post.

On return, I'll pack the figure up...and he will journey to his new
home and greet my very patient customer.

Here's hoping some of you are able to stop by my studio this
weekend or my booth next weekend in Northampton!

Adventure on!   Wendy

Summer "Nana art camp"

Family time is precious. With this in mind, I made the decision to
spend this  summer enjoying children, their spouses, and our 7
grandchildren rather than travelling to outdoor art shows.   One
daughter and her family live in Ecuador now, but came up for the
summer. We came together in New York, Virginia and
Massachusetts enjoying each other, including cuddling
two new grandbabies.

Here in Boston while our 8 year old grandson was at Taekwondo
camp, his 5 year old sister, Eliana, who tells everyone she is an
artist, requested "Nana art camp". Their parents were busy
launching a  new non-profit library and literacy project. (Stay
tuned for more of  that in future blog posts.)
Here are images and descriptions of some Nana art camp
activities.  We covered lots  of  media and took field trips
for extra inspiration.

Clay - experimenting with textures, balls, and making coil pots

After firing...we opted for painting with acrylics, rather than glazing:

One finished tall coil pot:

Mixed media sculpture - a walk around the neighborhood, and
search in my  studio resulted in this stone/wire/bead creature:

Two field trips to the Museum of Fine arts provided lots of
inspiration.  Eliana's brother joined us for the trip to see the
Samurai armor exhibit: http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/samurai
to see  incredible craftsmanship in leather, wood and bronze.
The dragon mask below was made to be  worn by a horse.

Eliana and I checked out the Hippie Chic exhibit:

.http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/hippie-chic Eliana
imagined her Nana wearing some of the outfits. (Somehow
some of the  outfits  didn't seem too far off today's garb.)
Though I have to admit I never felt quite as stylish in
the 60's as the models looked and didn't have white hair.

Eliana spent a long time looking at shapes and sketching

dress designs, and choosing her favorites. She finished

the design below back at home:

Looks like one I might have worn...or might now.

We stitched up a new "work" dress for her doll.

Every artist needs a place to store things. A painted plastic box
was perfect to keep a few items found in my studio to take back
to Ecuador to continue to working there.

Learning about promotion is important for aspiring  artists
so I encouraged  Eliana to design and decorate her own
business cards:

Then she decided she needed a  leather card holder.

 Well...yes it did look like the ones I make. She saw me working
and asked me to show her hot to make them.As you can  see in the
photo above with the cards..she added her own style and color to
the finished holder. I was sorry this skillful apprentice couldn't
stay around to help with my inventory this Fall.

Another field trip to a neighborhood site  which was filled with
large paintings and sculpture this summer offered further
 inspiration:  http://bartlettevents.org/  You never know what
awesome art might be just around the corner!


We pulled in Grandpa and brother, Joaquin, for some of the fun there:

Back in the studio...creatures roamed

and emerged . "Alice, the dragon" came to life

with Alice's story, of course:

It was a wonderful summer....

Now back to a usual Fall schedule...and catching up on some

of my overdue business orders....including the creation of

a standing mystical storyteller....Next post I'll share some

process photos of him.  He's been patient this summer...

evolving slowly, but ready to be finished now...

Then Roxbury Open Studios, Paradise City Northampton,

and the American Fine Craft Show NYC...all in October!!

I hope you all had wonderful summers....

Adventure on.  Wendy