Gallery Hopping Does Pay

Have you ever been contacted by a vanity gallery? I got an email from Agora Gallery today through my website asking if they could send me "some information about our gallery and about an upcoming exhibition that you might be interested in".

Since I had visited that very gallery in Chelsea a year or so back, I knew immediately which one it was. I hadn't liked it because it was so reminiscent of  many not so tasteful galleries in backwater areas I have observed. Sort of like the art "malls" of Asheville (though I'm not saying Asheville's a backwater--au contraire).

The website looks nothing like the gallery when I was there so I imagine they've decluttered since. Apparently the deal is, artists pay from $3-10K annually to be represented. No thanks.

But what's a little sad is I didn't even get that instant of elation-- when I thought I had been "discovered" by a NYC gallery--before coming back down to earth. Guess that's what happens when you're a blasé and analytical middle aged emerging artist!

Buried Treasure from the Country

Here's my Buried Treasure post--playing along with the Altered Page's wonderful

idea of inviting people to repost a favorite post.  Thanks, Seth!

Back in early spring

when these were flowering, 

we went here.

 It was an old country store estate sale. Can you imagine a more beautiful combination of words?

They had old books, some in bad enough condition to make them perfect for collage.

. 

They've found their way into the studio, instead of to our already overflowing library.

There were letters and stencils galore. Did I mention that part of the sale was in someone's wonderful and very vintage garage/workshop?

I got some strange looks from men as I elbowed them (just kidding) out of the way, competing for prizes. I'm lucky to be the only woman in these parts collecting gnarly stuff.

Once we got our loot home, I had to compete with my husband to see who gets to make stuff with what. We couldn't figure out why this bucket was so heavy, until we took out the pulleys on top to find the bottom full with 8 inches of lead weights!

 And I made some assemblages using some things from that day. The ring with rusted wire was apparently part of a crab pot.

The Caprice key ring came from another hunting and gathering expedition.

What have you found lately?

Check out Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures!

New Ways to Embroider

As an enthusiastic lifelong 70's style embroiderer, I'm finding the modern resurgence of needle arts really exciting. Finally a fresh reason to add to my fabric stash...
 

Rebecca Ringquist  Berry Picker 2011, 14 x 14
Embroidery and machine stitching on found fabric  

via Tumblr 

More of Rebecca's work here

Nicola Ginzel,  SchweineVmMtzgr  DETAIL
2008-09 butcher paper bag, acrylic, cotton- wool
thread

Nicola Ginzel,  Monochromatic Fragment, No. 5 - DETAIL 2010
German Stamps, thread 7/8” x 5 7/8”

Nicola's website and an interview

Jenny Hart, from Embroidery-Selected Works

Be sure to check out Jenny's blog, Embroidery as Art as well as her website.

Fox by Poesie Grenadine

Poesie is also on Tumblr 

Kolams of Pondicherry

The Kolam practice as an ephemeral art form in public space.
A video by Kaaren Beckhof

I found this wonderful video about an ancient ritual performed by the women of Tamil Nadu in the mystical hour before dawn. They use rice powder to create geometrical patterns on the thresholds of their homes. "In olden days, kolams used to be drawn in coarse rice flour, so that the ants don't have to work so hard for a meal. The rice powder is said to invite birds and other small critters to eat it, thus inviting other beings into one's home and everyday life: a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home, not the least of whom is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity"  via utsavastu
You can read more here.

Birds and Eggs

  

 

 New York City is a place where I've always felt the energy, even as a little kid, and even before I got "sensitive" to that kind of thing. Whenever I'm there, ordinary things appear extraordinary to me--like birds hanging out at a construction site.

I've been appreciating street inspiration more than visits to galleries or museums on recent trips.

  I was drawn to these egg installations on Fifth Avenue.

 

And there's nothing like the gritty and derelict to jumpstart your creative mojo.

It's a city where you can be anything or anyone you want!

Quick Update

 

New creations have taken a back seat this busy month, but things are winding down, I hope. 

 Impressive fruit and cheese platters, along with minimally installed art.

My opening at Skyy Blue Gallery went really well--it was fun, with a Virginia wine tasting and around 65 people checking out my work. And there were sales! Several. With all the mingling I completely forgot to take pictures, but I did take some of the gallery before everyone arrived. And I'm expecting more photos taken by a photographer who was there, so I'll update soon. Now to finish preparing for that workshop I teach next Saturday...

June Recap, Upcoming Show

 Marsh Spirit, acrylic diptych on canvas, 20" x 32"© Deborah Jaouen

Forgive me Blogger, it has been 3 weeks since my last confession/ post. I have
-suffered through a broken air conditioner in the sultry South for a month,
-gone to a cosmetic trade show in New York City,
-had two college age children home for a month so far,
-taken them to several doctors and done many loads of laundry,
-dealt with an Amazon rip off artist in my other business,
-prepared for a sweet solo show of my work--"Collage Infusion", the inaugural exhibition!--opening next week in a new cafe/gallery nearby,
-gotten ready to go to a food trade show (yum),
-put all the good people who actually want to hear about my upcoming exhibitions into a "real" database.

And now, just maybe I can even post this while I wait for Mail Chimp to upload my email list--it's free but it takes forever. And I still have to send out invitations tonight. How was your month?