Handmade at the Hollow

As the holidays draw near and we start to think about choosing just the right gift for our loved ones, an opportunity presents to support your neighborhood small businesses while purchasing high quality and unique gifts under one roof.

I'm happy to be included in a wonderful group of artists, artisans and makers who are preparing for this fun event on NOVEMBER 26 in downtown Albany hosted by The Enchanted Florist of Albany and Downtown Albany. Among offerings at my booth will be Art Cards, Mini Journals with original tiny paintings attached (ACEOs) and Small Works - original paintings ready to hang. Still in development is a surprise new item I hope to be adding to my collection that day.

Grandbaby Love

Look who's here! This sweet boy has arrived and we were all thrilled to meet him.


Photo courtesy of Christine

At the Core Art Exhibit

 

 

I have always been drawn to spiral shapes found in nature. In this exhibit, At the Core, I celebrate spirals and how they may appear in our lives. Symbolic spirals are one of the oldest geometric shapes found in all cultures throughout history. They are truly timeless and universal.

In terms of birth and growth, the spiral can be found everywhere in nature beginning from the core or center and expanding outwardly. Some spirals represent a path leading from our outer consciousness inward towards our souls. Movements between our inner and outer worlds are mapped by spiraling rings both individually and collectively.

“The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress made in spirals."
~Madame de Stael 

 

 Gerald M. (Jerry) Tuckman collaborated on this exhibit providing each painting with a title and an accompanying poem. We met in 2014 when Jerry and his wife visited my studio at NUarts during First Fridays Artswalk. Our first collaboration was for Autumn Alchemy at the Whitney Center for the Arts.

 

 

Artisan Marketplace, Lee, Mass.

On Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM you will find me at the Artisan Marketplace being held in the Spectrum Playhouse right around the corner from The Good Purpose Gallery in Lee, Mass. In addition to mini journals and art cards, I have painted some small works, matted and ready to frame.

Here's the FaceBook Event Page for more details. I'm really looking forward to this event and having the chance to hang with a great group of other artists and artisans. See you there!

Art Cards - blank with matching envelopes

Mini Journals

Art on Lark - Rescheduled to July 16th

I am also super excited about this year's ART ON LARK happening in Albany, New York on Saturday, July 16th from 11 AM to 6 PM. Among the many booths to stop by is Albany Center Gallery's booth showcasing this year's juried artists, including me.

This from the Albany.com website:
 "Art on Lark is an annual summer street festival that celebrates local art and artisans in Albany, NY. One day each year in June, the city’s historic Lark Street is shut down to traffic and transformed by artists' displays including painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, ceramicists, live performances, and music. Shoppers can enjoy all the regular businesses Lark Street has to offer including cafés, restaurants, gift shops and bars, as well as over 50 local artists popping up for the day with their individual booths. Attendees can also enjoy food, drinks, live music, and the best of Lark Street!"

Here are my paintings that were chosen for this show. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the art, hearing the music, seeing loads people and just enjoying a great day on July 16th. Hey, if you are in the area...it will be a fun way to spend a few hours.

 

Granbaby Love

Photo credit Christine & Chris

While I'm devoting a great deal of time to making art these days, there is always LIFE happening too and what could be sweeter than the anticipation and joy of waiting for a grandbaby (except actually meeting the little one)? At least for me this is huge, something I love so much and that warms my heart as nothing else. You have met grandbaby #1, Samantha. Now we are awaiting grandbaby #2.

Blessings!

The People's Choice Show

Summer is here - hazy, hot and humid in the Capital District and it's a fine day to gather artwork and materials for drop off at The People's Choice Show at the Upstate Artists Guild. This members show will run from opening night on June 3rd during the 1st Friday Albany Art Walk until June 24th.

Then on Sunday, June 5th, between 12-4 during ART ON LARK you can vote for your favorite piece in the show.  Prizes will be awarded!


Birch trees are on my mind. I'll be delivering these two paintings today at Upstate Artists Guild.

I love summer here - so rich in art, cultural events and
the gorgeous landscape to explore.

Spiraling River Rocks

A year can't go by without my painting at least a couple of new river rock paintings, so I've added these spiral paintings to the ever changing river rock series.



 

What I'm Working On

I do my best pondering when I'm painting and so it began as I plotted out work for 2016 shows. I've been pretty obsessed with poppies all winter and have tried a number of approaches before adding lines and dots on these two. Then I went all "Peter Maxx" with the other painting. From these pieces I've gotten clearer on what I want to accomplish this year.

What are you working on?

Nursery Art

This winter I've been working on paintings in a new direction - Nursery Art. I'm inspired by being a Nana for sure; but let's face it, I've always loved everything to do with nurseries and children. So in addition to the paintings I'm more known for, I'm branching out to include nursery art.

This idea developed while I was painting my birch series in 2014. Sky Through Birches is an example. I just love trees, especially in the abstract. Sometimes I like collaging the tree trunks in and at other times creating patterns directly on the canvas, like I've done here.

These two paintings are works in progress. After consulting with some moms and moms-to-be, I'm thinking of adding an animal peaking out from behind the trees. Thoughts?