Plain

the mysterious cell 6x6 inches mixed media on cradled board
It has snowed so much here in the past month, everything (as beautiful as it is in snow), looks plain. Which fits the IF prompt today. With the addition of rain today, came this artwork. A bit more later this afternoon too... Remember, there is still time to get your art work in for Lovely Hearts! Click the heart in the sidebar for more info.

Collages

Collages are always part of my repertoire when working with children or on my own. Here are a couple of links to making some special ones with your favorite child or yourself - one I found over at Bloesom and a post I wrote today at whip up. Happy cutting!

Unfinished and Unpublished

Marta from Studio Matador from Melbourne, Australia contacted me with this project/product which i find beguiling! (see definition #3 of Websters : to while away especially by some agreeable occupation - meet Unfinished and Unpublished
Yes, a diversion folks, a beautiful diversion! These collaborations between artists of limited edition notebooks are simply wonderful. Their collection is inspired by the philosophy of Wabi Sabi and - the best part - the impermanent and incomplete nature of the notebooks allows the end user to instill their own aesthetic and inspiration to finish what has remained unfinished.
Meticulously sewn bindings on hand made books are a true weakness of mine and these bindings are just that. Simply beautiful. I can see these being used in so many different applications. Want to see more? Just visit their studio site right here. Thanks Marta!

Joseph Blajda

Up Late by Joesph Blajda. I have always loved Joe's sense of color and have admired his work in our gallery, other galleries and of course my own walls at home for years.
Here is a sneak peek of things to come for artstream's 5th (!) anniversary show in April. Joe and I have been friends for almost 30 years and I am so pleased to announce that he and Megan Bogonovich will be featured in our 5th anniversary exhibition entitled "At Home" This is one of the pieces which will appear along with a multitude of others - and Megan's sculptures. They have been working hard for months and perhaps next week we will get a little peek into Megan's studio along with an interview.

Tattoos

mimi kirchners tattooed bearded man

ulla milbath's porcelain tattooed woman
Over at Doll and Ullabenulla I found two women working their magic with "tattoos". Different, but on the same vein I find these beauties irresistable! Mimi and Ulla have many lovely pages to browse - go take a look if you haven't already. It's snowing again here. Lots of snow. We call it winter in New England, sometimes with superlatives added. Now where did we stash the shovel?

upon-air

upon-air, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Just a little peek of a new series I have started called atmosphere.
I will continue to add to this set at my flickr and from time to time show them to you here as well. This is the first 8x8 inch oil on birch panel.

It's a very busy day here at the gallery, so this is just a shortie post. I will be back tomorrow with lots of goodies to share. Keep those Lovely Hearts 2 pouring in. This weekend we will be putting them into the shop for a "preview". Here's to a little thaw in January - not that I am thrilled about 60F in January, but the negative numbers were starting to get old fast. Enjoy the day!

something sweet

something sweet, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

From etsy shop: zuzu's petals. i am not a big collector of anything, except art. but i am so attracted to red mushrooms with polkadots, tiny things and well white. she just was screaming at me from afar. now she sits quietly on my tiny shelf. I can't think of anything that is quite so perfect as she. Don't you agree?

Seen and Unseen, Scene II

mary bullock paintings

small screen by judith heller cassell

down the gallery on left

further down the gallery on left

corner of the shopping cubes


Adam Pearson's sculpture


shelves full of goodies

painting by Mary Bullock
More art on a brighter photo day from Seen and Unseen. Do plan a stop by if you are in the neighborhood! Click all photos for large views.

Scenes from Seen and Unseen I

judith's large woodcuts in the front.

shot of the opening

amber lavalley

amber and patrons getting an explaination of the sisters

Wall of Judith, sculpture of Adam's

amber lavalley

judith heller cassell

amber and judith

amber lavalley

judith heller cassell + adam pearson

edibeth farrington monotypes
There are so many more shots I have to take today for you all as finally the sun has come out! It's been grey and nasty here for weeks it seems, so today we are finally able to shoot some more. Stay tuned for part II. But as promised here are some shots from our new exhibition.

Tyler Lotz Ceramics

Anyone who knows me, knows I am crazy about ceramics. I dabble a bit myself, and enjoy mud immensely. Through the fabulous Bibbi I found Tyler Lotz. The above photo is but one of his many beautiful works. Such a pop of inspiration for a Monday morning!

Seen and Unseen

A new show went up last night here at the gallery. Three locally talented women - Amber Lavalley (our wonderful wonderful intern), Judith Heller Cassell, and Mary Bullock - plus our good buddy sculptor -Adam Pearson. We are thrilled to house such local talent and proud of the mix so stop by tonight if you are in our little city from nibbles and sips from 5-7 p.m. The show will also feature for the month eleven new monotypes by Edibeth Farrington. They are holding the Lovely Hearts place for February!

100% map

a collage sketch done yesterday with a map of California.
Size is 30 inches by 20 inches. Click it to enlarge and find Fresno!
I did this one yesterday with my younger students - meet "Map man". Perhaps perfect for today's Illustration Friday prompt 100%...it was 100% fun to play with this!
Too late for Mapping the way, but perhaps it fits better with our next show Seen and Unseen. More on that before the opening!

I want to ride my bicycle

However the two feet of snow prohibit it. When it does clear, perhaps I will get one of these little numbers to strap on the front . A girl can dream of green grass again can't she?We live close to our place of work and this year I intend to ride there more often. This would help schlep the stuff around more. Available at one of my favorite stops Kiosk.

To resolve or not to resolve?

one of my tiny art pieces "at odds" available at my etsy shop
I am one of those people who don't really believe in "resolutions". I find them a sure fire recipe for disaster. Instead perhaps:

• Take stock now and again.
  
• Live each day fully.
  
• Make positive changes in yourself which you would like to see in others.
  
• Actually listen to others.
  
• Quit your agenda.
  
• Love deeply.

But please, don't ask me what my resolutions are, nor share yours with me. I will feel responsible if you don't keep them. (yes, I am smiling, you know who you are...)
Mostly my point is this: Don't beat yourself up, love yourself for who you are and what you can do. Sure, a kick in the behind is always good, but don't be the first one in line to hurt yourself. Change comes best in a loving environment it seems. So love yourself, take care of yourself, and most of all, take time for yourself. Just do it. (Nike said it) and I have adapted it along with my extensive list making which I totally abandoned last year.
Yeah, it's a little controlling, but at my age, it's good to have it in writing.

Which is all the nudge I need to resolve to be a better person in '08. I think I might have to get some of these lovely papers to make my lists on this year. They are so much fun! From BoyGirl party at etsy right here. They are so cute I would just have to follow my list!

Lovely Hearts 2

Yes, here it is! The Lovely Hearts 2 is rolling out the carpet for all artists,designers, and crafters both established and emerging, to exhibit and sell in our exhibition. Time is short but I know you people are talented so get your entries in! Remember, it's about LOVE, not just hearts. You can interpret it anyway you wish. You can enter up to three works for the jury process as before. We will be using three jurors for the process this year to create and curate a lovely event again.
Feel free to grab the beating heart code here, and post about it to spread the love. This year we have another wonderful evening planned with music, chocolate delights and lots of affordable (all under $100) small art available. Can't make the party? Not to worry, you can show your support by buying online at the shop. All the work will be available there.

Happy 2008!

my name by heather smith jones, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Yes, it is snowing yet again here today on January 1st. We have another 12 inches of white puffy light powder.
I wanted to show you the nice gift I received from Heather Smith Jones over Christmas.
I simply love her work. Don't forget, it's in the shop too still! Use this code:DECEMBER07 for free shipping until January 4th, from all of us at artstream, Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2007!

today's afternoon sky
The year grows old and is covered in snow here, the sun is shining brilliantly illuminating my thoughts of the past year.
Two words come to mind.
Thank you.
Thank you for the richness, the friendship, the love, the generosity and the creative goodness you all have imparted to me, to this blog and the lives of it's readers.
Thank you too for your kindness and willingness to jump in and help a cause, such as the Lovely Hearts. Or the Art Aids Art show from Sandy's tip off. There's real heart out there in the 'sphere. There have been so many incredible new bonds this year we have made with artists here at artstream too. Finding them around the corner or across the globe. It's all be possible because of the amazing network of blogging. I won't get too mushy here, but with a real swelling of gladness in my own heart, I thank you, each and every one. I wish you all a wonderful evening tonight too, whatever you do!

I did promise to release the Lovely Hearts form, heart code, and information today. It's live now, ready for your lovely entries. Please spread the word, grab the code for your blog and get involved. We are so very much looking forward to your participation!

The last word for the year is simply: peace. There is true strength in peace. Let's create it.

hot chocolate time

hot chocolate time, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

yeah, it's Friday. Hard to know isn't it?
This is just a little post to show my favorite purchase of 2007. At a local thrift store in town I found this little four cup beauty. As we use a coffee press, I designated it to the hot chocolate duty.
It is perfect. Four cups for $5. What a steal. Is everyone enjoying time away? What are you doing?
We had some nice company at the gallery today. Teeni and her husband popped by for a look and went home with some lovely pieces. What a good eye she has! (and really nice person to boot)
Enjoying the snow here with beautiful morning skies and a little extra napping time each day. Very splendid indeed. Enjoy your weekend and start thinking about your Lovely Hearts pieces. Here is a local article on the show last year. Posting the skinny on this year's exhibition on Monday here. Until then, have a wonder filled weekend!

peace and joy

my doves and coffee, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

to everyone in 2008...

I will be posting lightly over the next week, with more info on Lovely Hearts and beautiful artwork we find.
Until then, wishing everyone a lovely holiday!

Lovely Hearts 2

Everyone is busy and running about right now and thinking of this and that for the holidays,
We are feeling overloaded, but what better time to stop and ponder next year's charitable giving? Yes, I wanted to give you one more thing to think about. February. Lovely Hearts 2. This coming year we are doing our Lovely Hearts breast cancer research charity exhibition again.

This year it will be in honor of a close friend of ours, Tamara (Tammy) Cogen. Tammy is battling breast cancer right now. She is young and she is strong. We are pulling for her. She and her mother Nancy own The Melting Pot, over in Boreum Hill, Brooklyn and have been handcrafters since the 70's. (ok Tammy was a child then, but Nancy's batik business has been going strong for 30+ years!)

So, we would like to open up the entry process for you all again right after Christmas at artstream. All the proceeds, after fees, will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We will have our page set up for the process again at the site right after Christmas for entries, and to answer questions. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions now though!

We ask that the work be:

• small - nothing larger than 10x10 inches
• theme of show is love, not limited to just heart images!
  
• cost of artwork to be $100 or less
• ready to hang
  
• sculpture encouraged! no larger than 10x10x10
  

The opening for the event will be February 1 to coincide with our city's art stroll. Start thinking, planning, and spreading the love. Everything will be in a special section of our online shop.