Upcoming Art Shows/Open Houses

Greetings Fine Folk, apologies for the absence!

This won't do much to alleviate that, as time is short. Try considering this a post card rather than a blog post.

Dear Reader,
Truly sorry I didn't pick up that ANIMALS OF PENNSYLVANIA postcard in the rest stop (camo border, yes!), but maybe you also have a soft spot for the Liberty Bell. The drive was long, but fine* -- the mountains and foliage were gorgeous {*fine, because Javier did most of the driving, holla!}. It was wonderful to reminisce and reconnect with my family, and give Javier a little look-see around Philly. No time for him to pull a Rocky pose in front of the art museum, but in Pittsburgh we were compelled to take pictures of ourselves seated on a red divan, below a portrait of Warhol seated on a red divan. Thank goodness for jumbo postcards, right? Thank you, too, for watering my plants and for dismissing the sounds in the basement. Next time I'll bring back Tastykakes.

xoxo,
M

And now, back in Michigan, following the fastest-ever Summer, Fall seems to have lasted a week or so before unceremoniously dumping us on the doorstep of Winter. It fell below freezing the night before last, the radio murmured about rain/snow and this very afternoon, I saw flakes drift idly down as I gazed past my laptop screen, through the cafe window. My office is moving into a renovated building, but just as the renovations have been protracted, so too has the moving in part. I'm sure they are making great strides, etc. etc.; the second day on my loaner laptop was ever so much better than the first, when nothing seemed to work. Now, mostly everything works just fine, except for a little ghost-in-the-machine which hops my cursor back into the middle of words I have already typed and paragraphs I have already completed. Who doesn't love glitchy technology? But soon, very soon, we shall be back in an office proper and all shall be well (right?).

Outside of work, it is quite busy-busy. So let's get down to it. Brief answers to two key questions.

1.) What have I been up to? 

Now: listening to new sound cancelling headphones, though there don't (seem to be) any noises in the house, plus unearthing important things from closet corners (best yet: bags of dozens and dozens of cloth and kid gloves worn by my Grandmother).

Recently:

Detail from newest in Cakeasaurus Project

Targeted cupcakes, inked block

Targeted cupcakes, indigo test print

Mobile making at the "What have I done?" stage

  
2.) Where will these new prints be? 

October (Dexter): This Sunday, Oct. 27th. I am returning to sell prints at Art on the Farm, in Dexter, Michigan (in its tenth year! Nice Ann Arbor profile here.)10AM-4PM, rain or shine. Photography, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, blue grass music, gnoshy bits, cider, all make for a fine Sunday :)Visit the Facebook page for more details.


November (Ann Arbor):I am happy as always to join the artists at Jeanne Joesten's Art Open House, in Ann Arbor, just off Scio Church Friday, Nov. 22nd (4-8PM) and Sunday Nov. 24 (I want to say 11-5, but need to doublecheck on this score -- will update once we have a postcard). I have some snaps from last year in this post (scroll halfway down, went dancing the night before ;))

December (Detroit): Have you checked out Detroit Mercantile yet? Just off Eastern Market in Detroit, the Mercantile is filled to the gills with character, Detroit pride, and entrepreneurial spirit, with curious and quaint nods to our shared past...Walk past the made-to-order denim, reproduction Corktown maps (1923), polyglot baby blocks, Shinola watches and bicycles...  and if you're lucky, you can peek into their back 'room,' a tidy word for such a wealth of space! They could house giraffes in there. Rebuild a plane or raise an army of stiltwalkers. None of which they seem to be doing, mind. But they WILL be hosting their second Merry Market event on (Sat & Sun, December 14th-15th) and I'm excited to join the roster. Make a day of it! Swing by the Eastern Market, score a reuben at Russell Street Deli, you know, make it so I can justify buying one of Silent Giant's Jack White posters...Hah! All in the holiday spirit. See also Detroit Mercantile's Facebook.

Happy Fall to Everyone! Nifty quote, to help you on your way:

“Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences.” 

Music pioneer Brian Eno on art, in excerpts from his diaries -- I'm not sure where I got this from, but a good guess is BrainPickings.

Circle Cutters, Mirrors and Upcoming Grooviness

Well last night all I could sputter about was aggravated TV watching. But this also belies the crafty activity beneath the surface! My ****favorite local art open house**** is happening this very weekend! And following close on its heels is a very exciting lease at the groovy and socially savvy Yellow Door Art Market, starting on May 1st. So much to be done, so little time, throw a nasty sickness in there and ta-da! A minorly chaotic house. But. So. Ahem. First, the invite to this weekend's festivities:

and...for local folk, here are the deets...In addition to my woodblock prints, you have a small and lovely selection of handmade goods, within a gorgeous home. Come, wander with a glass of wine, some nibblies, reconnect with friends...and check that Mother's day present from your list...Friday evening and Sunday day.

Darcy Bowden paper, fabric, clay - Linda Colman jewelry - Karin Wagner Coron color pastels - Janice Glander felt & fiber arts - Angelis Jackowski watercolor, photography - Jeanne Joesten  tiles - Kenyan Women's Cooperative, handwoven Baskets - Marie Krull fiber gifts- Ruth Krull embroidered towels - Dynese McClumpha ceramics -  John Newman's Baker St. Candies handcrafted caramels - Emily Nuber handmade soaps - Hilary Robinson jewelry - Rich Wood photography

On my end, my newest plaything is a clunky button maker. Plus a small contraption that magically cuts perfect circles from paper. The latter is truly more impressive than it sounds. Zip, zip: circle. "I can't get over that thing!" says Javier, from across the table. Zip, zip! Circle! "I *KNOW*"I say. Zip, zip, Circle! Quite satisfying. Sadly, one does not need SO very many paper circles. But at least one needs a few. Am I making buttons? Nope!

Mirrors! Wee little pocket ones. With printmaking designs.

Imaginary relative, with crochet detailing

Penguin trio! Suitcase power activate! Against a bubbly backdrop.

Not His Own Cake...detail, with some photoshopping tomfoolery.

Llama, Adorned. Very few prints of this available anymore.

Princess and an apple from the Tree of Life, natch.

Hope to see some of you this weekend! Happy midweek, All!

Pretenders to the Royal Dance Throne, Art to Feed the Spirit

Not to jump the gun, but I think 2012 was a good year for me. No dearth of trials or heartaches, but somehow the call to remain open was easier to balance with the need to open one's hands, see off disappointments, people or other passing phases. I did less printmaking, which felt wrong; but finally switched jobs after a strange year of (mostly) working from home; donated the moribund car in favor of a newer old car which pretty promptly developed the loudest vehicular version of a smoker's hack, after the exhaust line broke by the catalytic converter; made a "Nutritive Triptych" for a Grimm's exhibit; adventured in New Orleans with Compatriot; poured over behind-the-scenes work of childhood creative idol Jim Henson; got my virgin passport stamped for its very first time, in order to work in Shanghai for a full month...

This weekend felt like a microcosm* of the year...nonstop, art filled, people filled...Left-turning from anticipations, but still, one hopes, back on track. Caveat about my lack of direction aside~~By Saturday night I needed to blow off some steam. Happily, Comp has become a dance buddy over the past year and she was easily lured out. We negotiated times and pocket availability; Comp's license mysteriously disappeared, leading to a resigned turning away from the Blind Pig, heightened angst and extra miles on the highway. I couldn't help recalling the night I LOST my CREDIT CARD in New Orleans. New Orleans! Den of Iniquity! New Orleans: there's no way in hell you're getting your cc back!...But no, a day later and a return to the dive-bar-with-posh-cocktails, and there it was propped up against the side of the cash register, like there were still honest people left in the world.
 
In a similar fashion, the license on Saturday magically reappeared, long after we had given up on the idea of a dance outing. Which made it that much better: bonus fun, snatched from the grinding jaws of misspent time. Inside, the Bang crowd was bustling with characters; we were united as revelers and witnesses to the frivolity, dubious fashion choices and even more dubious momentarily impassioned dance floor flailings. But mostly we just danced, dodged half full pitchers of beer; and ironically worn prom gowns, which seemed a sway away from slamming onto the grimy floor. We wondered over a guy wearing a ten gallon hat on the dance floor. "That would be So! Hot!" I protested. "Bald spot!" Comp decided. Ahhh, now that made more sense, at least. Though I feel for the male self consciousness over hair: seriously, we don't get as hung up on that as you think we do. Though if you keep asking me if I ever grow my hair out, that kind of puts the kibosh on it. We danced along, with the odd preemptive elbow jab. "Ooooo, pouty date!" I craned my neck. We were momentarily at the dancing edge, near a small standing group. There was, indeed, a pretty blond, emanating affronted displeasure. Impressive. We pouted at each other. This is what we do. We are ridiculously amusing to each other.

Drink breaks. More dancing, more random guys in tutus and tennis shoes. We never had any intention of learning about the pouting, but we discovered that cowboy had a full head of hair after various dancers adopted the hat. At one point cowboy gestured to me from the stage; I shook my head, but he leaned toward me to say, "Gorgeous hair!" which was lovely to hear, as I have recently run across guys who are less than enamored of the shortness. Later we wound up mouthing Led Zeppelin lyrics to each other; nice crowd feeling. More dancing, less space, more elbows. Flattened golden crowns littered the floor. A young wispy woman bounded down from the stage and leaned in earnestly: "I just want to tell you guys that you are SO. CUTE. I mean, SO. CUTE!!" And then she hugged us both. Hah! Ohh, the assumptions fly all ways. But if we must be cute, then cute we shall be. Heh.

The late night shortened Sunday morning; shortly after rising, I was off to the second day of the Art Open House at Jeanne Joesten's. For both Friday night and Sunday day, the consensus was a nicely increased crowd, steady traffic in the check out room; and as always the day afforded us all the opportunity to reconnect. It's a pretty special group and a special event -- happily in its tenth year! I love meeting new artists and new art appreciators. Nice work if you can get it! 

Artist Karin Wagner Coron modelling zipper necklace by Marie Krull

Emily Nuber of Spotless soaps, nibbling, while Marie adjusts said necklace. Lots of tasty treats.

Dynese McClumpha trivet which followed me home.

Pizazz from Hilary Robinson

Coron pastels in background, Darcy Bowden plates and cards in front

A couple of my prints, cards from watercolorist Angelis Jackowski

Tiles by host Jeanne Joesten

Lovely framed floral watercolor, also by Angelis

Linda Colman, necklace. Her purchases confound the staff of Stadium Hardware.

Spotless! soaps.

A really lovely day. Not pictured: sea salt caramels by John Goodman, biscotti by Barbara Kinzer...And if any of the above appeals, many of us will also be doing a show at Hilary Robinson on Sunday, December 9th. More details to come...

Tinkering, Audio Passers-by, Open House

Hello, My People.

The very few of you who stop by, since I have become stoopid sporadic and...what? It has been a nonstandard year for me, which is, in itself a ridiculous thing to say. Who reaches this age and still has faith in a "standard year" ? I'm not decrepit, loathe to call myself old, as others of my age (almost proudly) do, when they have a certain number of accomplishments...and yet, yes I have my sh*t together and do not suffer fools lightly. I will suffer fools a bit, to see if they'll say anything interesting I could write about, or spin into tales for like-minded souls. And sometimes this deliciously happens, but as likely as not, at this point, I lack the time to even write about it. Which is a bit of backhanded bragging, isn't it? OMG, I'm SO busy, I'm SO in demand. Hah. Not really. Perhaps I need to work on my time management skills.

In any case, I have some new people throwing music my way, which is always good, as I always have music on, and it's best to introduce the new. Work buddy turned me onto "Global Concepts" by Robert DeLong today (which, my Curly Girl, you'll relish as it's rather Hot Chip) and I have been compelled to listen to repeatedly. Another fine person told me about seeing Amanda Palmer in concert this week and now I can't stop listening to "Bottomfeeder. I had *no* idea how cool she was, I missed the concert and apparently she's A.) a total bad-ass and B.) she's married to Neil Gaiman of graphic novel "Sandman" (high school swoon) and "The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish" fame.

I think, as well, this would be the time to note that I'm oh-so-very-privileged to be swimming amongst creative people, even though I, personally, have not grown oh-so-tremendously in 2012. See also: "busy, non-standard year." To wit -- this Art Open House that I set up at this evening. There are so many things I'd love to claim for my own, from this talented group. Beauty is enhanced, once you are aware of the hands which have brought it into being.

So: back at the ground level: I'm bringing pesto vermouth dip tomorrow night and will be wandering around, all covetous. If you're local, I highly encourage you to swing by! For some reason my sweet little Apple does not wish to download attachments, so I can not share the proper online flyer. Here's a snap of roughly the same info. Stop by, drink a little wine, nibble a savory, claim a tile or painting or pastel for someone else or yourself...

Some things I have readied for the show:

More Llama repetitions! They still capture me. I really have fun with them.

This past week, it was wonderful, heady to dwell in the variations in ink.

A very few Llama, Adorned have made it to wooden planks!

Pit stop at Left Hand Brewery. Hello. You far surpass the new Fat Tire in my fridge. 

New cards, with glare. I fancy the utensil cards.

More wee cards, lazily uncropped.

Bird-Don't-Like-You Birds, on a friendly panel.

Perhaps prompted by the "glare" a couple lines back, I suddenly recalled the wonderful words of Irish poet Seamus Heaney,

"Me waiting until I was nearly fifty
To credit marvels. Like the tree-clock of tin cans
The tinkers made. So long for air to brighten,
Time to be dazzled and the heart to lighten."

Get your hands on an audio recording, to hear him, his talent, insight, and accent, if you can....

On Marcia Derse, Chicken Legs & Magical Roosters; and the Misuse of Muffin Tins

"I'm so excited you're here! I'm so excited I got to meet you, it was so sweet of you to come!" Over the course of the evening, I hear similar sentiments expressed repeatedly to persons other than myself. Clearly, Marcia Derse is a dour, unpleasant individual.* And who can blame her for a little bit of bitterness? She spends her days pouring over bolts of raw muslin, dyeing them, adding textures -- endlessly assessing them -- before sending them off to Japan, where a staff paints (not photographs, paints) a copy of her finished fabric design, so that they can mass produce it. Her fabrics have unevocative names like "aloe chicken scratch," "spotted graffiti," "bee hive basket," "onion skin argyle" and "indigo water lillies."

It gets worse: on the night of the studio open house, her husband, a nutritionist by trade, is manning the stove top, turning out diminutive sandwiches that riff on Korean barbeque and Cuban cuisine, among numerous other creations; people hover nearby to sample the newest tidbits, mmm'ing and ooo'ing and furrowing their brows in attempts to ferret out elusive spices and ingredients. In the pantry hangs a reproduction of "Portrait of a Man in a Turban" by Jan Van Eyck (1433), painted by their daughter Emily Derse Pellichero, after she studied in Florence for two years. Marcia's sister, greeting people at the door, is also a fabric artist, based in Chicago. And on this evening, a handful of other artists have invaded Marcia's home, carelessly mixing their own work with the art and collections found in every room. When will they leave? Artists are hard to get rid of, once they find a foothold. It's all too much. I know what you're thinking: "There but for the grace of God, go I..."

As if sensing the house's negative force field, my camera refused to take more pictures after the first six or so. Luckily, my right-hand man Stephen uses his iPhone camera at the drop of a hat and he kindly promised to email me photos from the event. Warning: if you don't like colorful, you're certainly not going to like these images. Avert your gaze!...Hard to do, while reading a blog post...

[*Blanket disclaimer for the overly literal: I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Marcia's clearly warm, wonderfully talented and fantastic. And this December night in Sylvania, OH was close to magical.]

Studio, with fabric cabinets

Game board, painting in the style of Matisse

Far studio wall

Fabric panels showing differing techniques over the decades

The artist next to her panel

Original design on left, reproduced fabric from Japan on right

wonderful textured quilt, above milk glass collection

"What about this one?" I asked Stephen.

 "Yes, it makes me happy. It makes me think of chicken legs." 

Stephen often makes great remarks like this.

Bovine happiness. Folk artists Paige & Larry Koosed.

I wanted to carry the goat around with me.

Within the built-in bookcases, hundreds of picture books -- the Derses used to own a children's bookstore. *Sigh.* On the table, tiles from Mary Ellen Taylor.

And the rooster. I was actually holding him, but it was necessary to crop myself out, as I looked mildly unhinged.

Vases by Jan Thomas

 

  

Ornaments by Jan Thomas

Yup, Jan Thomas again. perfume bottles.

More clay from Mary Ellen Taylor.

The Taylor tile that went home with me.

In situ. Kind of looks like I have a sister shrine going on. Photo from her college years.

the figures at top are all presidents

 

from wall of family photos

someone wasn't told not to draw on the walls. Mmph, mmph, mmph!

This was really only the tip of the iceberg. Several artists present were not represented in this post (apologies!). As it is, I'm all blogged out! Not a bad way to end the year, writing about talented, multifaceted folk! And yesterday was a banner day with Compatriot -- we started out with Indian buffet, made one last visit to the DIA in 2011 and ended with cocktails at Zola. Several of my favorite activities, all in one afternoon/evening! 

Tonight there will be fondue. Best wishes to Everyone for a fun evening -- and, more importantly, for an exciting, healthful and joyous 2012!