day bloomer

day bloomer, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

another one of our flowers from the garden. i have had so much fun with the camera and these beauties this year - mimi commented on the clematis that the reason for the huge blooms is the tropical weather. it must be! the day lilies are going wild -- and we are just waiting for the hollyhocks to burst!
happy monday to you all - tomorrow a big sneek peek from our upcoming exhibition which includes Lisa Congdon and Lisa Solomon. Get ready for some big big fun (and mark your calendars to come by for the opening - they will be here - July 18th 5-8 p.m.

good day, sunshine

our newest blooms, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Our latest bloomer, in the garden. Something happened this year to our clematis - it 's blooms increased in size by almost double! Have a wonderful weekend!

Big Install ... part one

Installation of work by Bruce Andrew McKay, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Here are four big cathead portraits from Bruce Andrew McKay in an installation at our local hospital.

*side note: Bruce made an incredibly cool commercial for Ford of Canada - check it out here *
We sold these works to our local hospital for their new 88,000 square foot addition (wing is really too small of a word for this four story improvement) . These hang in the children and womens' waiting room.
I took some quickie snapshots at the invocation this morning, but I plan on going back later this month to give a much better documentation of the large body of work which is there - I just didn't have the time to get proper shots today with the groups of people there.
Here's to a grand weekend for everyone - enjoy the delights of summer!

Fields Project - Danny Mansmith and Cathi Bouzide

Today I got a wonderful email complete with photos from the one and only Danny Mansmith. His latest work involves the midwest, corn bins and friend Cathi Bouzide. Check it out here at the site.
I love public art and I love the way this piece changes the landscape so subtly. More on other public art later today!

Scoop of life

This week has already proven to be filled with adventure and summer splendiferous-ness. Big party for 14 yr. old Chloe on Monday, packing and shipping a lot of artwork to live in new exciting places, fun little workshops with kids and adults and packing for aforementioned teen to bustle off to summer camp this weekend. Squeezing in the hanging of an inaugural show at a new off site location in town ( a new huge wing of our local hospital has opened and they put in a small gallery space which we are curating and maintaining) and some speed weeding of the garden has me looking forward to the weekend. 

I finally got (after three years of waiting and saving) an electric palette for my encaustic painting. no. more. griddle. I have saved it for this weekend to fire it up. Ya - hoo! I have a body of work started in acrylic for the summer painting session and some of the works will translate into encaustic pieces.

What are the scoops about? Well, I think they represent the right number of hands I would love to have right about now in the week... and they are little vintage finds available at my little flohmarkt shop.

Summer has begun...

It is seemingly a fleeting moment here in NH but summer is well appreciated by all for months to come. Like Fredrick, in the classic children's tale by Leo Lioni we save the warm memories for the deep dark days of February.
In this spirit of remembering what is around us at all times, the above print made by the fabulous Christine over at the darling shoppe. It is $25 and the proceeds go to help her to attend Squam Art Workshops right here in NH. I love the message and the theme it comes from. Here are Christine's words about the print:
Look Up is my debut True*Stories art print, featuring an original and inspiring drawing and story by yours truly. It reads:

"we don't spend enough time looking up," he said.

"i know," i said
& pointed my head upward.

just then, i saw a balloon floating toward the sun. it was a sign.

I hope we all see the signs today...

The Flohmarkt is open!

beehive measuring cups available at flohmarkt
I needed a diversion I guess - along with a little housekeeping, destashing, decluttering... so I went and opened a little etsy shop called Flohmarkt. Flohmarkt is the German word for "flea market" and well, it seemed appropriate for my idea. I have always collected a bit of this and that and love the eclectic and decayed, along with the idea of re purposing and reusing things.
Lots more goodies to come, but there are at least 10 items there now. I hope you take a peek!

Eve Corey

in my living room - by eve corey, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.
I blogged about Eve a couple of years ago when she was having an exhibition at artstream. I really love her work, her home and all that is Eve. We did a little art swap at that time and I got this beauty. It's been in our living room ever since and I truly never tire of it.

Peony and Parsley

peony and parsley, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Today the white/pink/peach dandies opened up fully and well, my parsley shot through the bolt with some pretty leggy stalks. These two had to pair up for a seat at the table for dinner tonight. Our bare bones walls in the background are almost ready for paint and the wall papered wall (yes, I am going to do one focal wall in a pattern) ...
This pair really spruced up the sub-floor, the 15 year old lace table cloth from Mexico and the repainted (old silver over sage over who remembers what?) side of the road find chairs which adorn our torn to bits kitchen.
Yes, peonies have a way of making the dreariest of renovations seem miles away. And what do you think of that parsley? It's still a garnish, but a bit elevated, don't you think?
I like this evening light, the mix and well, life on a Tuesday... hoping this finds you in an equally satisfied mood!

Bowersock Blue Banner

Bowersock Blue, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Bowersock Gallery down in Provincetown MA on Cape Cod is sportin' two of my new large scale banners. This is a shot they took of the blue one and posted it on their blog. They said they had been looking for some large art for outside their building and well,I guess I had what they wanted. It so nice to see them up and unfurled! Inside they have some of my originals and some tiny art pieces of mine amidst loads of lovely work from many artists on the coast of NH. Thanks Steve and Mike!

Felt handiwork

Daughter Chloe turned 14 this past weekend and she really wanted a new digital camera. We found just the right one for her and just as soon as she opened it and snapped a few shots, she wanted to go down to the home studio and make a felt case for it. She hasn't sewn with a machine that much, but has a new found interest as she has declared she will study fashion design. She used the little Janome Mini and wanted to "draw" like Danny Mansmith on the flap. This is what she came up with and we all think it is adorable.

Embroidery Love

The ever-effervescent-creative diva of NH, Megan Bogonovich stopped in last night for a workshop. She was sporting this fabulous blouse, which, I immediately stopped me in my tracks. When I inquired about it, she said, oh my mommy made it for me! Goodness knows I love me some fancy needlework, but this one is so purely original that she allowed me to photograph her even with details. Blimey! indeed! I love it and can't wait to hear about the dinosaur ones her mumsie is whipping up next... Talent runs, no, sprints in that family!

Angela Liguori

Book art is something special to me. There is such joy in hand binding books. Today I found a local Boston area artist Angela Liguori ... Her graphic design studio specializes in custom made invitations, business cards, hand-bound books and cotton ribbons, directly imported from Italy. She also has a collaboration going with friend Silvana Amato on limited edition books, under the imprint of Edizioni Almenodue, which translates as “Press of at least two. The book of Jumbles above caught my eye. Here is her profile statement from her etsy shop:
Born and raised in Rome, Italy, Angela Liguori first apprenticed in the book arts in a studio in Bologna, where she learned the traditional style of bookbinding while simultaneously completing a university degree in Renaissance Art History. In 1994, she relocated to the United States, accepting position at The Minnesota Center for Book Arts. She now resides in the Boston area, where she continues to work through her business Carta, inc. and teaching book arts to local institutions.

the storm brought them in...

thundershowers brought cooling (whew!) air to our area last night... and brought down a few of the lovely buds outside. oh well, they are loving their space in the studio now and we are enjoying their beauty.
hope your wednesday was special!

peony love

our earliest peony blossom
A slight break from the art scene to share my other passion with you... peonies. I just love everything about this flower. This morning before it gets really crazy hot, I captured the blossom overload in the back garden. Their scent is intoxicating, their color is shameless and well, with this heat we have been experiencing, they are popping open by the bouquet-full.Off to greet 15 kindergarten students from a neighborhood elementary school. They are taking a walk over to see the gallery and play with me in some clay fun!

Lisa DeJohn + designsponge

lisa dejohn @ design sponge guestblogging us, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.
Lisa DeJohn stopped in this week at artstream to interview us for her guest blogging at design sponge. It is always great to see Lisa as she is not only a wonderful artist, but a truly nice person. We talked for quite awhile and she took a lot of photos - but I never imagined such a comprehensive write up as she did on us. Thank you so much Lisa!

artstream

looking east, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Whew! What a whirlwind week! Lots of art making/hanging/moving/shipping this week here at artstream. This is a busy time with lots of events happening. The calm I find inside our doors though every morning when I go to work, helps a lot. Having the wonderful artwork from Heather Smith Jones, Albina McPhail, Mary O'Malley to greet me each day is an absolute joy! The color explosion from Megan's vases are a cheery reminder that spring IS here and that the modern twist of this show makes for some dreamy thoughts.
Working on a few little pieces on paper to complement my public art piece. They will be available at Nahcotta this summer and in our shop online.

Student Art Exhibition

two of my students, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Tonight marks my 15th year of holding twice yearly art exhibitions for my students - (both young and old!) at our fabulous library downtown. Here are two of the giant (but not the largest made) masks which they made this year. I think the two of them look like they are whistlin' Dixie.
Lots of last minute prep work for this event, so I will leave you with this thought ... If YOU made a mask, who would YOU be? Feel free to leave comments below and enjoy this perfect spring day!