Weekend with old friends

There is always a place where your heart sits most comfortably, a place which is like no other. Mine is Vermont. It especially lives in the Newport area. Its remote rugged beauty with people who I love and admire and miss terribly are all there. Rainer and I went to visit and attend my dear friend's surprise (and it was!) 30th anniversary party held in a beautiful spot right on Lake Memphremagog. We enjoyed our weekend stay at *the* finest B and B anywhere - Swedish inspired Little Gnesta in Newport - highly recommended for your travels North. We spent an evening catching up and chatting till far too late then partying the next night with a full tour of the area where I used to live to fill in the gaps for Rainer squeezed in between. Monday we spent the morning walking the beautiful new bike/ski path next to the big lake before we turned our car South to head home.

Through the woods

We made it through ooo oooo. Wait, no not Madonna, not to grandmothers house, but Through the woods. Like Frost. As in a nature walk. As in a place to go and find a quiet moment to contemplate. Artist Judith Heller Cassell and Danna Ray have created a body of work which will make you take pause. Do so with us this Saturday from 5-7 p.m. during our opening for this show. It will all be online this Friday prior to the opening in our online shop or pop in for a preview peek!

Happy Halloween!

It's a little crazy here in NH with snow and Halloween all mixed up together, but what better way to celebrate than to launch some new Megan Bogonovich work in the shop? It's weird and wonderful cut and paste all together! These beauties are all available and going online tomorrow!

Batik!

Batik!, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

One of the 52 adventures in Art from my upcoming book:
Art Lab for Kids! published by Quarry Books.
February 2012 it will be released.. here's the Facebook page to keep up with the newest peeks tand the website which has a blog attached for updates!

Megan Bogonovich new work!

Some fun new collage vases from Megan Bogonovich -- in our gallery now! We also have a lot of new slip cast lovelies too, check them out here online in the shop!

A new direction

Oh so busy here - but thought I would post a peek at a new painting from a new series of mine called Nation. This one is entitled "Safety Net". Stay tuned for more ... and click over here if you would like to find out more about my book progress! Much excitement with it's being co-editioned in Germany and much more ...

Prints - take two

Kristina Gill

Rachel Saldana

Alexandra Morrow
Had to show you some more as that didn't include any of the photographic prints. These are just three of the many affordable prints in our shop!

All around the gallery in prints!

Jenn Ski

Ana Ventura

Hadley Hutton

While it's all rain and puddles out there today - inside artstream we have so much sunshine in our print racks and drawers - Sunshine abounds!

I thought it would be nice to take a little peek at some of the many prints we have here at artstream. Prints are such a great way to make a fast change in a room or pop into a mailer for a special someone's birthday. These are just a few - stop by here to browse more.

Interview with Kelcey Loomer - mixed media artist

Summer Cocoon by Kelcey Loomer

I am so thrilled to introduce Kelcey Loomer here via a little interview we did last week via email. We love her work at the gallery and we wanted to dig a little deeper into the back story - so here it is folks!

Also - quick announcement that Fern was the lucky winner of Kath Ricketson's book so shoot me an email Fern with your mailing address and we can get that right out to you.

First I want to share Kelcey's artist statement with you and then move on to the "Five Fast Ones" interview with Kelcey ...

I think of my paintings as abstract maps, where the marks of time and emotion leave traces on the surface. My work focuses on the act of looking inward to feel a connection to the mysteries of life; how the connections to our ancestors, our own past, and to the present moment are all intertwined. My paintings have a unique depth to them that is akinto being in a room where the wallpaper is peeling, revealing hints of color and style from the past inhabitant. They are emotional landscapes that look inward for a sense of place...

At an earlier point in my life I wanted to become a biologist. Although I choose a different path, flora and fauna have always captured my attention and imagination. They play in integral part in my paintings both subconsciously and often as conscious symbols. The process by which I create involves many steps. I start with a wooden panel and begin applying layers of antique book pages, ledgers, maps, notes, translucent papers, and inks with glue. After these dry I sand them repeatedly until the surface is soft and the layers blend together seamlessly. The complexity of the layers (between 8 to 10 in all) is tempered by the subtle colors and texture, giving the viewer a place breathe and rest their eyes.

artesprit:

What name do you go by online and do you have a different name for your blog or shop?

KL: Mostly I like to go by Kelcey Loomer, but my buisness name (Etsy shop & blog) is Sweet Mess. A long time ago I found a tee shirt that I thought was en-scripted with the words "Sweet mess". It turned out that I read it wrong, and it actually said "Sweetness", but the image of sweet mess and how it was the perfect name for my art stuck with me. My process of creating is extremly messy with layer upon layer being glued, cut and sanded. In the middle of the process is this incredible sweetness and satisfaction of doing something I love.

artesprit: What art do you find really exciting right now?

KL:I love art that tells a story.

Internet access only came to my neck of the woods 3 years ago. In a way that was previously unattainable, I can now see art from around the world in my livingroom, and I am constantly in awe by all the beauty. Here is a link to some recent favorites I posted on pintrest.

artesprit: What sort of day is a good art day for you?

KL: The best art days are ones where my husband <3<3 stays home with our two children and I get to go into my tiny studio and work all day long.

artesprit: Do you like working out of your normal medium? if so what do you play with?

KL: I studied printmaking and book arts in college, and I still love working in those mediums.

artesprit: What sort of music inspires you?

KL: I listen to a wide array of music. At the moment I am loving a live Leonard Cohen album. Music influences my artwork greatly. Sometimes I will listen to one album or even song on repeat while I work on a certain section of a painting because the music matches the mood of what I am creating.

artesprit: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one medium to work with, what would it be and why?

KL: If I had to choose I would happiest with a nice pen, a few paints, and a book of nice paper. Although I am sure there would be amazing resources on that deserted island. Being a mixed media artist, I see art making potential in everything around me. :)

Above are some of Kelcey's work which we have in the gallery and each piece is beautifully layered imparting incredible transparency and depth. The photos do not do the justice as in most original artwork - you just have to see them!

poppy field

poppy field, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr. acrylic and medium on wooden panel

Been playing around with a lot of materials to show my mixed media class. Came up with this little number filled with poppies and green. I think cleaning out my garden has made me a little sad for spring and so I am sure a few more of these florals will pop into my series soon. What are you drawing today?

Quilting Bee giveaway!

Litte Bits Quilting Bee - by the wonderfully talented Kath Ricketson.

I did a post earlier on this book when it came in and now it's time to give it away! Just leave your comments below through next Monday at midnight and Tuesday morning October 11th we will draw a random name for the book!

Leave me a comment below about your love of quilts or quilts which you have made or want to make or something about your "stash" of fabrics! I am showing the Liberty book as well as we will be giving that one away later in the month. The Quilting Bee is one fantastic book with loads of inspiration and modern quilting ideas for everyone.

Thoughts on October ...

Little witches at my door, (just a sneak peek at my 2012 calendar page for October) and pretty jewelry in our cases here at the gallery. 10% off today on all jewelry in the gallery- just because. This beautiful necklace is by our local artist Jessica Mixer. Sterling with semiprecious stones. So pretty!

O Canada, O New England the opening!

Last week was a whirlwind within the gallery - lots of art being finished up, wired up and set up. Darryl Berger (from the wildly popular blog red-handed) drove down from Ontario (O Canada) to lend a hand setting up the show and getting right into the opening night festivities. What a great crowd on Saturday evening - attending Art Stroll here in Rochester. Deep conversations about the work ensued and lots of little fun cards were handed out that evening. Stop by the gallery if you haven't seen the show yet and check it out now online in our shop!

O Canada, O New England

An exhibit at artstream gallery of mixed-media artwork inspired by absolutely truthful (we swear) stories and ideas about Canada and New England. Work by Darryl J. Berger and Susan Schwake. All work is available online now at our shop!

Part of Art Stroll (bring an umbrella tonight) in Downtown Rochester!

New porcelain by Vanessa Villarreal

small grouping of vanessa villarreal's porcelain cups -photo artstream
We are so pleased to introduce Vanessa Villarreal to our line of one of a kind ceramics here at artstream. Vanessa hails from Arizona and her work tells stories of the quiet kind. They fit the hand perfectly and each feather is unique. Small dipping dishes, luncheon plates, two sizes of cups and a large platter fill out the line. She also has the beautiful little vignettes I have posted here already. Too sweet!

New Jenn Ski Placemats in the shop!

Beautiful new placemats in the shop by Jenn Ski. I seriously am in love with the pattern and colors of these! A little bit about their cool eco vibe as well:
Made of : -80% Ecotec, recycled yarn made from excess cotton fabric from industrial clothing manufacturers -20% is made from recycled plastic soda bottles  --- best part for me? Made in NH!!!
Happy weekend all!

Quilting Bee by Kathreen Ricketson

Was really excited today when I opened my mailbox - a big box filled with books to peruse from Chronicle books.  First and most exciting was from my friend from Whip up, Kathreen Ricketson. Her new book Quilting Bee which may I begin with the gushing over the cover. It's beautiful. Once you hop into the first pages you notice straight away that the cover lies flat. Bravo! Nothing works better when using a book at a sewing machine than this little feature.
Inside you will find lovely projects in quilting that are not only modern and unique in pattern  but really achievable for most crafters. The idea of using up "little bits" of fabric and fat quarters appeals to me.  I am often overwhelmed by quilting patterns and  must say that this book with it's clear instructions and fabulous photography put me right at ease.
The Sunny Day Mat was really my favorite project and am thinking that might be a sweet little gift for a little someone I know!
Want to see more?  Click through here!.  Notice the Liberty book up there on top? More on that coming ...

Receptions

The past Saturday night's reception for Play/Art/Toy was so much fun! Will let the photos do the talking. Thanks to all who came out and supported this great evening... all works are available in the shop - except of course the ones which have already gone home with new owners.

Play/Art/Toy

Jerry Glynn, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

Artist reception is tomorrow night from 5-7 p.m. Full of fun, surprises, special cupcakes and a whole lot of beautiful art.. Stop by for some good times! Part of our monthly Art Stroll, so there's more than just our fun and games going on.

Meryl Truett's workshop

Chloe's birthday present to me!, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

Just a delayed posting for the piece which my daughter Chloe made in Meryl's workshop this summer. She mounted it on an old trivet and it now proudly hangs in our kitchen.