Day 165 - 365/2014

Day One Hundred Sixty-Five

Today before Terri and Juana and I got together I put a layer of decorative paper on the frame for Creatura Lupus Urusus.  The frame is very chewed up in places and the paper covers those spots really well.  I plan on probably darkening the color of the paper a bit once it is all dry...I still have quite a bit more to do as far as papering goes...this is just the first layer on the front.

The papering took about three hours...a lot of tearing and gluing small pieces, and a lot of surface to cover.  I will keep working on it this weekend so that I can work on the color and get the varnish on it before it needs to be taken to PCCA for the Members Biennial Exhibition.

Later this afternoon Terri and Juana came over and we went to the Northville Art House to see West of Center.  Then we went to Mr. Thai for a late lunch/early dinner (very yummy).  Next we went to Riverside Arena to a fundraiser for the Detroit Derby Girls.  That was a lot of fun but the photos were too dark and somewhat blurry...low lighting conditions/long exposures on moving subjects.  And after that we went to Tuscan Cafe for coffees and more conversation.  Such a lovely day with good friends!

365/2013 - Day 152 part two

a lovely day -- in two parts -- part two

And we arrived in Saline at Two Twelve Arts Center (which I mistakenly called "212 Gallery" in the previous post but I am not going back right now to change it) to see the show featuring Deb and Jeff Kolar.  Deb has mosaic and fiber work.  Jeff and Deb have collaborative pieces featuring mosaics, repurposed window frames, and Jeff's metal work.

Deb getting a group shot...I didn't realize I was holding them up while I was taking photos of the building.

Deb taking a photo of us...I love shooting people who are taking photos.

Now it's my turn to take a group shot..Deb, Leann, Jane, Carlene.

The space at Two Twelve is just wonderful...however, it is difficult to get a photograph that doesn't have glare on the glass -- there are so many windows and bright rooms.  These are some of Deb's incredible fiber pieces.

One of Deb's mosaic frames...Jane enjoyed her reflection because this piece is totally Jane's colors.

Jan Waller is the proud new owner of this piece!

I love this fabric work.

Deb with "Happy Horse"...which was not for sale...I really like this one.

THIS is the collaborative piece I'd buy if I could.  Jeff has added lights behind the panels.

detail of the window I love.

And look who it is -- Jan Waller!  Husband Mark was also in attendance.

another of the fabulous collaborations by Deb and Jeff Kolar

and this one, too...Jeff made the metal fish form and Deb made the ceramics to fit into it...as well as the mosaic work

Deb and Jan

Deb and Carlene talking about Deb's fiber pieces

Whoa -- pretty much all of us in one room at the same time (minus the two Marks):  Jan, Deb, Carlene, Jane, Leann, and Kat Campau.

this piece was already sold

as was this magnificent peacock

This show runs through June 26, then it moves to the Saline library.  Please, try to go and see these marvelous works in person -- they are just delightful and so labor intensive.  Click on the link in the first paragraph for more information about Two Twelve Arts Center.

After looking at the art all nine of us packed up and went to lunch together...it was such a great afternoon of art and friends!

365/2013 - Day 149

another glorious Wednesday Morning with Joan and Leann

I cannot express how much I love my friends and our mornings together.  Man.

Leann arrived first -- and headed for the coffee

awwww

Okay -- I was having a LOT of trouble understanding how to make the hole/fabric tube/sleeve that will allow my soft sculpture "Quillz" to sit on its stand for display at West of Center at the Northville Art House.  The drop off date is quickly approaching.  This morning Joan and Leann convinced me to just let Joan whip it together because she can do it so effortlessly and beautifully.  After much discussion they helped me to understand that this is how artists learn from each other and that she wasn't doing this as a collaboration or that I wasn't passing the work off...it was just one artist was showing another artist how to do something so that the other artist can do it herself next time.

First "we" went into the seam by the tail...Joan made a long tube/sleeve and attached it to the inside of the hole that was created by opening one of my seams. 

Then she worked the creature down over the pole, positioning the stuffing and making it work...but it wasn't quite right.  The hole and tube needed to be inserted into a bottom seam.  Joan just took the seam out again and redid it in the new spot.  She is amazing.

ta-daaaaaaaaaaa

This is the second insert/tube/sleeve -- look at those smooth, even stitches.

This is the first seam that I will close back up.

and this is the pole/base/stand that I will sand and repaint...but it is much too humid today.  I did go out and get the paint, though!

It was very difficult for me to let go of my white-knuckled control over this project/problem.  Now that it is done (and I watched Joan do it so easily) I realize that if it had been something that Joan needed to plaster cloth or a tiny magazine image that needed intricate cutting I could have done that for her (and think nothing of it) just as easily as she did today's work for me. Duh.  

Thank You SO much, Joan (and Leann) for your help and guidance and patience and friendship and...and...and...

2012/365 - Day 179

a very art-full day

This morning was a glorious reunion of Wednesday Morning at Joan's...and we had a special guest -- Joan's mom, Frana.

What a lovely surprise that Frana joined us this morning!

She was excited to show us her beautiful mosaic ball.

And rightfully, so -- it is just incredible -- and Frana hasn't done mosaic work before.  Man!

Look at the wonderful little red flower and the gorgeous deep blue one...and the yellow one with the square middle.  I love the grouting, too.

Fantastic!

And then Leann arrived!

Frana took this photo -- I love it.

Leann shared the alphabet(s) she carved.

I am so envious of Leann's carving -- and she does it ALL with an X-ACTO knife! 

I am really horrible at carving letters -- Leann is exceptionally gifted at it.

Scout is posing for today's portrait.

There is Joan's mosaic ball near the hammock.

Wow.  That is all I have to say -- wow!

Leann gave Joan that nipple you see as the center of the yellow flower.

I really want to try doing one of these.

Look at the colors and patterns on the mosaic ball when Joan brought it over to the table under the red umbrella.

Yum!

Leann worked on another carving.

 

Could this be a partridge?

We sat outside this morning -- something I would not normally do -- but it was just so pleasant and lovely to be with my friends.  Joan smashed up another piece of pottery and started to lay out a design for another mosaic ball.  Leann worked on her carving.  I sat and soaked it all up.

Later on I went to the Northville Art House to collect art from the show that recently closed -- West of Center.  I brought home my Baby Beast and also Jon and Juana's pieces.

Baby Beast is back at home with the Cat-Creature and Chime Cat.

And when I checked the mail -- I found TWO boxes of art waiting for me!

I LOVE getting stuff in the mail -- especially art!

I purchased two sweet lolamade monsters from her Etsy shop.

These are by artist Laura Holewa.

And this one glows in the dark -- BONUS!!!

I wish I knew how to take photos of glow-in-the-dark stuff...this guy glows really bright.

And...all of this Topher-y goodness was in the other box!

This is what I won on eBay.

An etched Jack Daniels bottle...the whiskey having been personally finished off by the artist, Topher Crowder.

close up of etching

closer

another close up

You really need to see this etched bottle in person to appreciate the details and the work...it is just fabulous.

That wacky Topher...this was what the bottle was wrapped in.

And this was yet another bonus in the box -- I can't recall what these little creations are called...small plastic boxes with cool artifacts inside.

I first saw the boxes at Topher's show at the Northville Art House in January.  It was called "Etch, Sketch, & Stilettos:  the work of Topher Crowder".  Here is a link to the MotorCityBlog post about it.

I am still getting used to my new medication today.  For most of the day I have felt like I was wrapped in cotton batting and that my head might float off on its own.  Not a horrible feeling, I must admit, but not a good thing if you need to drive or do anything productive.  Hopefully I will adjust quickly and get some work done. (I don't know why Blogger has decided to make my lines double-spaced for the second half of this post...I can't figure out how to fix it.  Oh well.)