365/2013 - Day 299

one show comes down, new art comes in

Today was Day One of taking down "Under the (Inspired) Influence" at the Northville Art House.  It was also Day One of art intake for "[small] Works Exhibit".

Two of the "Influence" artists couldn't be there today or tomorrow so I am packing up their art and bringing it to my house (because we are also friends in real life).  The flat work is easily wrapped up, but the 3D work is what has me worried.  I am taking my time wrapping and packing it and I know it will be fine...it's just that "please-don't-let-anything-happen-to-this-awesome-artwork" thing...you know?

I was incredibly fortunate to be able to purchase two of Anita Andersons' pieces from the show.  A collage, and a heartbreakingly adorable 3D assemblage named "Binky".  I suppose in wrapping Binky up today I was practicing for tomorrow when I bite the bullet and finish wrapping up the other two assemblages.  They seem even more delicate...but I am sure they will be fine.

My wrapping station...before people started arriving.

The gallery is starting to look so empty...

...but there is a lot of artwork coming in for the next show.

And my friend Peggy was able to come by after her run to Detroit and help me out at the last minute for the last part of today's art intake -- THANKS, Peggy -- I enjoyed the company and conversation! 

I had a couple of errands of my own to do on the way home...boy, I am bushed...but not too bushed to unwrap Binky!

The wad of bubble wrap containing Binky by Anita Andersons.

He's in there somewhere...

ta-daaaaaaaaaaa!

I can't even describe how sweet and adorable Binky is.  There is just something about him -- he is so innocent and small and young and I just want to cuddle him and take care of him -- he just really speaks to something deep inside of me.

I am not positive where Binky will reside just yet -- but for now he can sit near my other guy.

Oh -- and I started working on this Tooklet last night before I went to bed (and after I had already blogged).   I think I will probably start on one or two more Tooklets tonight while watching tv, but I wanted to be sure I got this posted (just in case I nod off later on).

365/2013 - Day 274

another great day of working on both shows

First -- I finally remembered to shoot the banner for the October and November/December exhibits at the Northville Art House.  Curating one show, coordinating the other -- I got teary looking up at the banner -- this is such a dream come true for me...I can't even tell you.

This morning I met Joan up at the Art House and we did a quick walk around the gallery to talk about my initial concerns for hanging and layout for "Under the (Inspired) Influence".  We had a great brainstorming session,  Joan gave me some really good ideas, and I went back home to think about things and to have a cup of coffee with the cats.

While I was home I got a call from Anita Andersons who asked if she could bring some additional artwork for the show and some for the Store.  Oh man -- YES, please!!!!  I met Anita back at the NAH soon after it opened at 1:00 and updated Patti.  When Anita arrived we went up to the gallery to look at the collages she brought in -- oh man -- I adore Anita's collages.  Two of the three framed ones will be in the show and all of the unframed ones will be for sale in the Store during the run of the show.  Not just prints of Anita's collages, mind you -- these are the originals. 

So then when Anita left I went back down into the Store to talk with Patti and get some teaser shots of the incoming artwork from the artists in the show.

I am not showing you everything you get in one of Leann Meixner's mysterious VooDoo Kits...you will have to come and see for yourself!

Mike Sivak's table top shrines (they light up) and some of his "portraits"...I love this stuff SO much.  And why yes -- those are my Tookies and Tooklets right behind Mike's items.

A sneak peek at Diane Hawkey's fabulous beads.

Some of this jewelry is by Juana Moore.

A few of Anita Andersons' unframed collages.

Then I needed to get back home because my sister Sue was coming back to finish staining my front porch.  I really like the color and the way it is turning out.  THANK YOU, Sue!

Then it was back to the NAH one more time to meet up with Mary Fortuna who needed to install some of her artwork herself.  Mary hung a shelf and set up her wondrous beeswax figures herself because the work is extremely fragile.  Mary also brought two watercolor & prismacolor pieces that haven't been seen in this area before...I feel very honored.

Mary Fortuna installing her wondrous beeswax figures.

And then (after making a quick stop for a fresh bag of ice) it was finally back home again for the night.  I entered more of the "[small] Work Exhibit" entries into my logs and now I am ready for meds/elevation/cold pack.   I am tired tonight -- a really good, satisfied tired.  It is another big day tomorrow -- I can hardly wait!

The entries are coming in at a good pace for the juried "[small] Works Exhibit" for Nov/Dec.

365/2013 - Day 273

sneaky peeks

Tonight was the second night of art drop off for the show I am curating at the Northville Art House.

Oh. Man.

Five artists brought their work in tonight -- I am speechless.

Here are some snapshots from tonight...what a good time!  (And plenty of wacky photo bombing.)

Diane Hawkey was first to arrive, photo bombed by husband Doug Spalding and daughter Maura.

Doug watches Anita Andersons unpack her pieces...with Maura cracking me up.

This is blurry because of the fast and furious picking up of Diane's fabulous beads...with Juana Moore and Patti Witte.

Hi, Doug!

You-know-who with Anita and Renee Dooley (who was arriving).

Renee and Anita

Renee with one of her Vulture Women.

Two of Renee's pieces.

Anita and Juana inspect one of Juana's incredible pieces, a tribute to Henry Darger.

Mike Sivak photo bombs Juana.

Mike assembling his amazing "Parcae" game.

Even if I do say so myself...this is going to be magical!

365 Day 163

We finally did it!

Juana and Anita and I have been wanting/planning to get together and share art supplies, talk, have lunch, just hang out, make stuff, etc. for months...we finally managed to all be available at the same time yesterday!

Juana and Anita came out here to Northville to my house. We went to lunch and made a stop over at the Northville Art House to see the West of Center show and also to look at the banner from William Hessian's Miniature Art Hunt. (More about the Art Hunt in upcoming blog posts.)
And we also grabbed a tasty beverage from Solid Grounds Coffeehouse and Anita tried the Art-o-mat machine for the first time.

We want to do this sort of thing on a more regular basis and we already discussed our next get together. We had such a great time!






Juana and Anita looking through the art supplies














Anita just happened to have these two Hey Diddle Diddle items in her trading stash and said I could take them -- I collect Hey Diddle Diddle things















more stuff I got from Anita













some of Anita's collage elements -- Juana and Anita and I all do collage, but we all have such different styles











more stuff I chose -- for future projects









Twink comes up to say hi to Anita