365/2013 - Day 316

several clusters of busy-ness

This morning was Wednesday Morning at Joan's with Joan and Leann.  Joan worked on her commission pieces, Leann was working on sketching and carving.  I worked on the lion-creature-guy -- I stitched his legs onto his body...this task (the stitching -- in the style of satin stitch) is pretty time consuming.  I didn't finish the purple flossed join yet...I will later on tonight.  And I decided for sure -- the lion-creature-guy does not need a tail...between all of the colors, his mane, etc...he is good like he is with no tail.

One of the topics we talked about this morning was the 6-ft lighted xmas tree at the Northville Community Center that the Northville Art House is decorating.  I haven't seen it -- I've never been in the Community Center ever (maybe this is a good time to check it out) but Joan was telling us about how she was trying to come up with ways to decorate the tree and represent the NAH.  She thought of small frames painted in different colors, a construction paper paper chain, small paint brushes, etc.  Leann suggested doing a few prototypes to show people the sort of thing you could do, but putting out pipe cleaners for people to make ornaments.  It is a great way for people to interact with the NAH's tree and (hopefully) whet their curiosity for the NAH classes, etc. 

While we were throwing out ideas, I thought how a tube of paint might be made.  In the afternoon I was at my computer and thinking about it more and I whipped up a sort of prototype using a short cardboard tube and a printed out NAH logo.  I put it together really quickly and showed it to Joan and Patti tonight at the Northville Arts Commission meeting.  I was thinking that maybe Patti would be able to use some with her holiday themed decorations in the NAH Store.  They liked the idea and Patti would like me to make a few colorful ones.  I think I will make them from plaster cloth and donate them to the Store...Patti can either just use them or if someone wants to buy a couple, any proceeds can be donated to the NAH.

The prototype...cardboard tube and cap from an airline sized bottle of flavored Absolut vodka...I know I have more of both the tubes and the caps.  The wide black line will be replaced by wide lines of color...to represent the pretend color of the pretend paint in the pretend/decoration tube.

I stopped by Hiller's on the way home from the meeting to find out more about the new Hiller's card points being used for a charitable donation (instead of coupons/redeeming the points for food items).  The NAH is on the drop down menu at the charities section at Hiller's website...I need to go back tomorrow because the manager on duty wasn't sure how that worked.  I want to find out how the points convert to cash for the charity -- how many points equal how much money, etc.  Some of the points you accumulate by shopping at Hiller's expire after a certain time and I was thinking I'd just donate them instead of letting them expire...and some weeks there just isn't anything I am interested in redeeming points for -- that'd be another way to use my points.

I'm also doing laundry tonight and a quick pre-clean up before tomorrow's bigger overall clean up before the big Second Thursday gathering.   Jan will be running a wet felting project with us.  I can hardly wait!

365/2013 - Day 270

guess what -- more busy work

I think "busy" work is pretty much all I am going to have time for until after "my" show opens next Friday.  And I am also working on the Nov/Dec show at the same time -- that Call for Entries deadline is next Saturday.  In between time I have to drop off my collage for the Canton show on Monday morning, Monday and Tuesday I have artists dropping off their work at NAH, a half-day or so of figuring out how I want the show to look, one more artist drop off, then hanging the show on Thursday during the day. Thursday night is the opening reception for the Canton Fine Art Exhibition -- Sue and I are going to that...I am really excited that Sue gets to see the program there...so cool.  Friday morning Joan and I will go and get the food for the opening reception, then at 2:00 I pick up the generously donated cake pops, cookies, and brownies from Sorella's Bakery and make a mad dash back to collect myself before I need to get to the NAH at around 5.  The NHS home coming parade begins right in front of the NAH and runs through town and up towards my house and turns onto 8 Mile to go to the athletic field.  Streets will be closed by the NAH so I want to be sure not to get temporarily locked out of downtown...the parade starts at 6, "my" opening is from 6-9.  The parade should be cleared out of our street by 6:15 or so.

But this morning Peggy and I went to the Ferndale Public Library to drop off our artwork that was accepted into  "The Power of Myth" show.  We ran into Terri who was there to drop off her fabulous collage "Kitten Kong".  I think this is going to be a really great show.  "The Power of Myth" runs from September 30 to November 10.  The reception is on Saturday, October 12 and there will be live music by The Hand in the Ocean.

 

In addition, on Monday, October 21, there will be an evening of poetry, storytelling, fables and urban legends -- with live music.  And much to her surprise and delight, Peggy learned today that her collage "Myth of the Eclipse" is the featured artwork on the poster for this event. 

 

"Myth of the Eclipse" is my very favorite of Peggy's artwork and I have many favorites!

Here are a few shots of Terri and Peggy and me dropping off our art.

Peggy and her collage

Terri and her empty box (she got there just before us)

Peggy, her collage, my plaster cloth sugar glider guy "Djubi" and my purse

Terri and her fantastic "Kitten Kong"

"Kitten Kong" detail

 After we got back to this area I stopped by the other possible sponsor for "Under the (Inspired) Influence" to talk a little more about if they can do it or not.  They are insanely busy right now but were glad that I stopped back in.  They will let me know early next week.  Fingers crossed!  They want to have their business and the NAH get together on occasion and this would be a great starting point...I hope it works out.

Then I went to the NAH to talk with Joan about some things and talk to Patti about some things.  Then I came home and worked on more letters and forms for both shows.  I took a dinner break, fed the cats, did a couple of loads of laundry and then looked over the paperwork I did today.  Things are coming along nicely.  I really DO love all of this "busy" work!