Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Weekend in Pictures

I could get used to three day weekends. Really, really used to them! Here's a glimpse of some of the things I saw and did this weekend.

eggs

We had friends over for dinner Saturday night. They brought us these gorgeous eggs. Now I want to keep chickens even more. Dwight is opposed, but I'll win him over whenever we move to our dream home in the country. We had a few of them for breakfast the next morning. Delicious!

annuals

Just before breakfast, though, we made a quick trip to Lowe's to pick up annuals. We hoped to get mulch, but they were out. Oops. We got just one flat of annuals this year, and I also picked up some herbs - Greek oregano, spicy globe basil, and sweet mint. Gotta have my fresh mojitos this summer!

herbs

Dwight grabbed a large container of catmint. Have to think of the kitties, too!

catmint

Dwight mentioned that he saw some poison ivy in a flower bed at the front of our yard, so I grabbed the poison ivy killer and searched it out. Wasn't hard to find; there was a ton of it, all in this bed filled with snowdrops (still going strong, even this late in the season).

snowdrops

I had a run in with poison ivy last year, and I didn't want a repeat. It wasn't bad, just a bit on my right wrist and forearm - but it was enough. KILL THE IVY!

poison ivy

Our yard is very shady. Like, ridiculously so. It makes growing a variety of plants a challenge, to say the least. However, it does make our back yard look like a park, so I sort of fall in love with it this time each year. I mean, come on. How can I not appreciate THIS?

back woods

backyard

I have to admit, we can grow the crap out of hostas, ferns, and bleeding hearts, so that's something.

pink bleeding hearts

The hydrangeas and rhododendrons  seem to like it, too, despite getting seriously zapped this winter. The snow up to the keester and super frigid temps meant losing one decorative tree, and our hydrangeas and roses to the ground. Stupid winter. Pfft.

white bleeding hearts

Our tree peony only had two blooms on it this year, and I almost missed them! Fortunately, I did manage to get a photo before the petals fell.

tree peony

Aside from lots of yard work, I also did some artsy stuff. I worked on (and finished) a 12" x 12" panting of a parrot tulip (finished photo yet to come).

tulip painting1
tulip painting2

And I started a new thing - paper beads. Kind of digging them!

paper beads



p.s. All photos were taken with my iPod Touch. I'm kind of in love with that thing. Don't tell Dwight.

On second thought, it's OK. I'm pretty sure he knows. He has one too, and I think he's got a crush on his, so we have mutual understanding.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Giveaway! Original Painting by Yours Truly


I made this almost exactly two years ago. It's FULL to texture and some of my favorite colors. I used a map for the balloon, modeling past and stamps for texture, masking tape, and some stencils. It was so much fun to make.




I still really like it, but I feel like it wants and needs a new home. Someone else to inspire. So I've decided to give it away to one of my readers. Sound good? All you have to do is leave a comment here - leave me your email address - and I'll pick a winner at random. No jumping through hoops for extra entries, just keeping it simple.


If you feel inspired, tell me what your big dream is, but no pressure. If you want to keep it secret, I get that. Just leave a comment by a week from today - Friday, May 30 - and I'll pick a winner.

p.s. this is an 8" x10" canvas

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! It's the only way I can contact you if you win!

If you don't feel comfortable leaving your address in the comments, 
email me with the info after you post your comment.


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Elkhart Art Walk May 2014

Art walk door poster

Technically this was my second art show. My first was two years ago when I entered two painting in a juried show and one was accepted. That was very cool. This? Well, the Art Walk was another beast entirely. I've been wanting to do more shows, specifically more art fair types of shows, with booths and tents and the whole nine yards. I finally got my act together and made the commitment by applying to two. (I haven't heard back on the second one yet - stay tuned!)

setup-complete-outside

I was sure I hadn't been chosen for the May 14 Art Walk because I assumed I would have heard something earlier, but on April 27, I got the email:

Dear Kelly --

I am so pleased that you will be part of the upcoming Wed. May 14 ArtWalk.


Eep! I was in. Then mild panic set in. So much to do! I need display panels! A set up! SOMETHING! I took some deep breaths, reminded myself that this is supposed to be FUN, and got to work planning and making lists.

K paintings-varnishing-driveway-500px

I didn't realize when I submitted my application that Dwight wanted to participate, too. Oops. Thankfully the organizers were fine with it and we got to work putting hangers on the paintings, spray painting old, second hand frames, buying new frames, and figuring out what kind of panels we could make in a short amount of time. After a scouting trip to Menards and lots of searching online, we devised our own folding screen and we were set!*

Panel assembly-pegboard-Dwight

Dwight-paintingprep-driveway-500px

adding hangers

The purpose of the Art Walks is to spotlight local art talent and create a sort of salon experience for them and the community. To do that, downtown businesses graciously open their doors and display windows for the artist. Each artist is assigned to a participating business and the artists coordinate with the owners to set up their art displays.

setup-complete


Dwight and I were first assigned to a restaurant in the middle of changing to a different restaurant, but construction was behind. It wasn't going to work. But we lucked out, and were reassigned two doors down at Matzke Florist. What a score! The owners and employees were amazing, and the store was filled with gorgeous flowers that smelled heavenly.

setup-column bag easel

We arrived the Thursday before the event to set up. Because this is a way to promote artists, displays are set up early and left up about a week after the walk so that people can check out the art for two full weeks, not just on the night of the Art Walk. So cool!

Artwalk-sidewindow

We made trip after trip into the shop — paintings, the homemade screen, easels, and even some little columns we happened to have — and got everything set up.

Setup-Car-labels

Art walk-folding table

The day of the walk, we got a call that the florist was going to rearrange the art so that we would get the entire front window. When we set up the week before, they had the display set up for Mother's Day, seeing as that's a pretty big deal for a florist (!) and had taken it down, letting us have the coveted space. The did it all themselves. How incredible is that? They did a wonderful job and really showed off the art, Dwight's in particular, since his paintings are larger and so striking.

Artwalk-frontwindow

The weather did NOT cooperate, but the people of Elkhart did not let that deter them.

weather

Art walk signs

We had a surprisingly good turnout, and the three hours went quickly. And we sold THREE paintings! I sold one and Dwight sold two.

Artwalk-display1-sold


Both being introverts, however, meant that Dwight and I were seriously pooped afterwards, but had a great time. In fact, we're planning on doing it again for the next Art Walk in July. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!




*Blog post coming soon for a "HOW-TO" on making the folding screen.--- You can find it HERE!
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