On to the next...

So here is my completed man child.  Some would say a portrait of my teenage son, but he is truly at that stage where he either either acts like a child or a man and not really so much in between!  The jacket is made of old sheet music because he LOVES music, singing , playing composing.  I think he looks cool enough to be in a band from this shot, don't you?

On to the next!  Inspiration came from an unlikely place on this next piece, Facebook stream!  An artist friend of mine Ashby Foote, was tagged in a photo as she was heading to Brooklyn to a party at the train station.  I thought it was a glamorous mysterious photo so I asked her if I could use it as inspiration for my next collage.  I have the background painted and laid out and have started working on the the figure all in one day.  And there it sits because then I spent the rest of the week working on pulling expired consigner items, receiving and tagging new merchandise (over 100 pieces in 2 days! Whew!) and whipping the shop into shape so we can be ready for our big FIRSTfriday opening. 

If you are local, do stop in!  5 to 8pm THIS Friday.  Stay tuned for more details.

When you move Providence does too...

Bob and I celebrated our 19th(!) wedding anniversary last week with a trip to the beach.  While we were there we stopped by a local favorite hot sauce joint "Peppers" MY big schmoo of a husband and the owner  Chip Hearn, had a GREAT chat.  So great in fact that they asked Bob if he would be game to fill in last minute and do a food demo this weekend.  A ten case order later, all the details were filled in.  Pretty exciting for a fledgling business Bob's Best Quality. Pretty proud of the hubs...  If you are headed down to the sidewalk sale in Rehoboth this week stop by and chat up Bob.  It's good for Chip to know we have friends! 

Finished my boy in the fedora canvas, need to get a good shot for you.  And started my next one.  Excited!

Trying a new technique.

 I am trying a new technique for building my mixed media collages.  I tend to get glue happy and regret some layers I have laid down so this time I am doing of the pieces separately before I combine them in the final work.  My poor son gets the shirt shrift as I tend to make "girly" pieces so I asked him to model for a large work that I will display in my solo show at 1st Stage in Tyson's this November.  Above is the photograph I took.  Below is the pencil sketch. I decided I like it "flipped" better.

 I asked my boy what color he thought the background should be for my next painting and he said "moody purple"  He picked dark green for my last one (see previous post) and so I followed him again for this one.

Then I decided on the large scale object materials.  In this case fabrics, sheet music and leather.

 then I hand embroidered the face & finger delineations.  The most amusing part so far?  The t shirt on the figure is from a REAL rhino shirt that my son inherited from my good friend and fellow artist Beth Loftis' son YEARS ago and has grown out of!

I am psyched to continue working on this but ran away to "pick" for the shop inventory for Stifel & Capra on the Eastern shore!  Got LOTS of good loot today!  Can't wait for you to see it.

art and craft

 I was having a chat with a couple of clients the other day about the difference between "art" and "craft" and how testy people get when they get referred to by the name they DON'T approve of.  I consider myself both.  What is the difference between an artistand a crafter, an artisan and a designer?

 My theory is an artist creates their own one of a kind work entirely from scratch and a crafter tends to follow a pattern, even if the pattern is of their own making.  But that doesn't explain the folks that take craft to a high art.  Think quilting or basketry.  But does that theory  negate the artists that seem to do the same thing over and over because they love making it or because it sells?

That theory also doesn't explain the transcendence of practical products, like weaving, or knitting. Or the art of display or juxtaposition.  OK, so maybe I don't have a theory...

PS - When I did spell check on this post, Blogger didn't recognize "crafter" as a word.  Now, THAT gets my dander up!!!

PPS - the top photo is from the "pile o' supplies" in my prior post.

Chaos ensues!

 I get LOTS of compliments on how nicely arranged my shop is.  And when I have company coming the studio can look pretty cool too.  When I am actually MAKING art?  Eh, not so much...

 One of the "joys" of mixed media work is that EVERYTHING is an art supply.  The tricky thing is that my work has a LOT of layers so I end up working on multiple things at the same time while waiting for the proverbial paint (or glue!) to dry. 

 Obviously I have a lot going on.  Stay tuned for some actual finished pieces.

I had meeting number one with my personal PMP (project management professional) and his eyes rolled back in his head when I gave him all of my goals and projects I am trying to juggle.  Good to know I can frighten a professional...

PS Sold my blonde babe collage! Thank you Kevin.

Fashion 1968 - News you can use

 I was unpacking an estate sale buy and lining the bottom of a box was a 1968 newspaper from Newport News Virginia.  On one side was the "Women's Society Page" Headline page.  Who was lunching where, when the upcoming charity events would happen, etc. 

 Across from the "Mrs. Henry Simpkins hosted" article was a series of perky sport wear ads "for the Modern Woman".

I used fabrics in my stash from the 60's and used modern transfer and collage techniques to make these beauties.  What do you think?  They are 11x14 on canvas.  Individually priced at $135.

Respite & Review

 I have to admit I was a little envious hearing about friend's vacations where there are zip lining through the rain forests and scaling large mountain peaks.  On the other hand I have a fine appreciation for things that are the same, year in and out.  Like my husband building sandcastles!
Or Bob saying "There's my boat!" every time we see an especially cool one.

This one was on the bay at Lewes Beach , Delaware. So Vintage looking!  I am not educated enough to know whether it is old or not but it looks like something out of a Cary Grant movie doesn't it?

Except for some recreational picking I took a complete break from work.  It worked I feel so refreshed and really ready to jump back into the day to day.  OK, so I did make a thousand mental lists of "cool things I can work on when I return".

 

This week has been great so far.  Got back to working out again and have actually been in my studio 2 days in a row! Results on that VERY soon.

 

The clouds on the way home reminded my kiddies that it is almost back to school time.

(Who are they kidding? They can't really wait to see their friends, or and learn something.)

Muse following Canvas?

 Working on a variation the Field of Dreams movie quote.  "If you build it, they will come."  I went to the art supply store on Sunday and bought the canvases that I will transform into my first solo show.  I will be the featured artist at 1st Stage in Tyson's Corner, VA. 

The theatre, located near Leesburg Pike and the Dulles Toll Road, is the creation of a group of teachers, artists and actors in Fairfax County who wanted to bring professional theatre to Tysons Corner and, in doing so, give local artists an opportunity to grow in their careers. In its first two seasons, 1st Stage debuted the talent of nearly 30 actors, designers and directors.  http://www.1ststagespringhill.org

As I have a BAD habit of putting my own work last I figure that the visual reminder of the MOUNTAIN of canvas will remind me to stay focused and do the (fun!) work that putting together this show will require!  Above is number of one of a projected 30.  Tell me if you like it.

CREATE, Recreate, & Road Trip!

 ROAD TRIP!  Gotta tell you when I expressed my dismay at schlepping my truck load o' mixed media art supplies and "stuff" to be a vendor at the 1st CREATE retreat in NJ all by myself, I was shocked that my 13 year old son said, "Mom, I'll come help you; it will be fun."   "Dude, it's a 4 hour drive, and being my personal Sherpa, and being nice to old ladies like me.  Ya sure?"   "Do we get to stay in a hotel?"  "Yes."  "Do they have a pool and a jacuzzi? Can we order room service? And watch movies until midnight?"  "Yes, son, but no room service, the food is always cold; but we can eat at the restaurant downstairs."  "OK, count me in!"

 So off , we went!  Me being VERY mindful of making it fun, when I was the one doing all the driving.
Especially when a tractor trailer overturned on the NJ turnpike.  Happily thanks to modern technology, (bless you oh Traffic App!) we took a bucolic alternate route and arrived in fine time.  Got checked in, met some new pals at the show. Chatted up the College Closet folks and author Seth Apter (who I had recently met at Judith Heartsong's This Way Up Art Salon.  Gave away door prizes to the happy mother daughter pair below who had flown in from Europe for the event: WOW!  Got to meet the staff from Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine, awesome ladies all.  Was especially tickled to meet Editor Jenn Mason, who encouraged me to submit to the magazine!  As I have always threatened to submit, it was thrilling to have an unsolicited compliment!

 Not so fun? The tepid Jacuzzi and Monty Python-like Championship Hotel Hallway Door Slamming Event that went on until 2 am.   Way fun?  My son convincing me that "The X-Men" counted as a fine movie SERIES to stay up all night and watch, while the doors slammed and toddlers wailed outside until 2 am.  Even more exciting? Knowing Bob was holding down the fort back at the shop so I could make some new connections.                 Unforgettable?  Our non-stop conversation there, during, and back.  It's heartening to know that  you are raising a kid that you not only love but actually like. 

We talked about the funky carpet pattern and how it was all different yet connected.  Like people.  That knowledge was tested when we returned home and were told the terrible news that a beloved friend had committed suicide.  After a week of numb disbelief we tearfully attended his funeral and now pray daily for all of the people that love Mark to gather strength to face another day. 

Including us.

Bob IS the best, soooo

 Am trying to decide what convaluted thing it is that I can get things done for other people, waaay faster than I do things for myself.  Is it the "Martyr Mom" persona?  Is it the "you can rely on me!" SuperFriend thing?  With my own work I want it to be perfect so it never appears.  When I am working on something for someone I can objectively evaluate, (good, better great) make adjustments and GO.   I AM determined to NOT make the same mistakes helping my husband like I do when I trap myself in my own details.  (Coach Lesley are you proud of me???).

Thus Bob's Best Quality BBQ is on both Etsy AND Facebook as of last night at 10.  And of course he had more "fans" by breakfast than I had at Stifel & Capra in a month because I didn't TELL anyone when I posted the shop page!  Amazing how that works, she said abashedly.

Of COURSE, it needs to be tweaked and I can see every flaw and every "thing to do" but you know what?  This party has STARTED!  Trying to let that be a lesson to ME.  Next? The website!  Charge!

http://bobsbestquality.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/bobsbestquality



I want to be Linda when I grow up

 Linda Vrogindewey of Clay Whimsy is not only just imaginative and talented.  She has a great family (who braved the HEINOUS storms we had at her opening on FIRSTfriday).

 Linda is also kind and patient (listening to me talk about my kid's adventures in high school ceramics).

AND she lives in Florida for half the year.  A lot of folks know that the only time Bob & I buy lottery tickets is when we are on the Eastern Shore.  I say it's so we know if we have to come home!

Not that I would REALLY leave, but wouldn't it be nice to have beachfront too?

***Get upstairs and see Linda's Whimsical World in the Alcove Gallery before the month is out.  You will be glad you did!

And the band played on...

 FIRSTfriday in June was certainly one for stalwarts.  We had a wicked storm blow through complete with gale and tornado warnings.  Eeesh.  I always laugh when I read stories about "the small yet enthusiastic crowd" but that is certainly what we had!  Special thanks to Charles Solomon and Rick Steele for rockin' the (small yet enthusiastic house).  Hopefully you will play for us again soon in the sunshine!  Next: Clay Whimsy -Artisan of the Month

Bushes Make Good Neighbors

My neighbor Henry is an extraordinary gardener and cultivator of the land.  As the only things in our yard that grow are perennials that thrive on benign neglect he constantly impresses us with his diligence & painstaking care of his garden.

Also impressive, is Henry's "walking the walk".  He takes the Biblical edict of giving away one's "first fruits" literally.  As such we have been the willing recipients of his largess, sampling the first zucchini or tomato in seasons past and just yesterday, these lovely raspberries. 

Henry is also the neighbor I call the "Silver Sleuth".  He takes great delight in digging antique silver out of junk shops, letting me re-sell it at the shop and donating the proceeds to charity.

That's Henry. A good man & a great example, in more ways than one.

Leaving the Nest

Spring is ripe with possibilities but THIS spring at the Stifel household has been rife with big turbulence, fraught discussions and very exciting decisions.
After much agonizing & trepidation, we made a family decision that my husband Bob would put in his notice and quit his day job. *GULP*.

The idea is that if he takes over the financial & operations end of the business it will leave me more free time to do pro-active sales and marketing to get the word out about Stifel & Capra.  Oh, and make my art, you remember? The reason I opened the store in the first place! 

The prayer is that we can achieve more family unity and life balance while working on ALL of our pet projects.  One of mine? Regular blogging.  Stay tuned!

And a fun time was had by all!

DeborahConn's Watercolor Monotype Workshops at Stifel & Capra are always a big hit!

For $60 you get 3 hours of instruction, get to meet new, always fun fellow students and you get to leave with art!  What could be better?

You might be surprised to learn that these efforts will all completed by first timers to the class!  It's always fun to see the some what magic results when the prints are pulled off Debby's big hand rolling printing press.

In the workshop you learn various methods of applying color and of making a print.  We have even heard of a large format painter that used her CAR to pull a print!

Want to join us next time? Email workshops@stifelandcapra.com for an invitation to our next class.

For the first time since 1962!

This is Mom & Dad Wells getting ready to cruise on Dad's New HARLEY DAVIDSON trike.
Now you know where I get my free wheeling attitude from.

Spring has sprung as you can see from this photo'sbackground.  We are crazy busy at the shop.  It is ALL good.  Come see.

Dorothy Parker & 5th Anniversaries

While the SuperBowl is always a fun party it is somewhat of a harbinger in the Stifel house. The days after are the anniversary of when my husband lost his leg and spent a month in the ICU after complications from a strep infection. 5 years doesn't blunt the fact that Bob is still missing a leg (one of the neighborhood kids did ask if it would grow back, like a salamander) and that he still suffers phantom pain as a result of the operation. I often tell him, "sorry darling, I am still in the 'happy you are here' stage. Hopefully that will never end.

To celebrate we usually invite the immediate neighbors over that helped me juggle kids, therapies, phone calls & doctors appointments. As I am pigheadedly stubborn about asking for help this time of year is also a great reminder of how one's friends can ease your pain and carry your burdens for you. That is, if you will let them.

Let's raise a toast to those we still have, those that we don't and all that we love.

road trip- New York!

We had a lovely weekend (yeah, yeah I know it is Thursday) visiting my old roommate & his family in North Jersey last week. They live in the VERY pictoresque town of Maplewood. Maplewood is the kind of place that is made for the likes of Stifel & Capra. The main drag is two streets wide and not a chain store in sight. ALL of the shops, & restaurants are privately held, most shopkeepers are the owners. Very charming and very friendly. Lots of eye candy.

Pete & Judy indulged us and DROVE us to the Brooklyn Flea Market on Sunday. In the winter the Market moves indoors into a GORGEOUS old bank. The architecture defies description. It was so intricate with the grill and fretwork. Hard to fathom all the tiles were laid in one at a time. Amazing.

I bought a funky mid century decanter set for the shop and some scrumptious gnarly metal letters to use in my art. Of course I am just carrying the letters around at the moment exclaiming to one & all how COOL they are. Junk Nerd, that's me!