Thursday News

I have breaking news worthy of a Thursday (my creative day to stay at home and work on art): my work will now be available at Nestware, a wonderful design-oriented housewares shop in downtown Davis, CA (where I live). I have had my eye on this shop for a while because I want to own nearly every object in the place. They have a really unique selection of beautiful items in there, and I am so glad to be a part.

I dropped off the ten remaining 8 x 10 inch “How to Save the World” original drawings (“Ride Bikes” sold at a show last Fall), plus a big word painting called “Black Hole.” The pieces should be hung by this weekend, so no photos yet, but if you’re in the area, go on and check it out. I must say a big THANK YOU to Era who gave me the final push to approach Nestware!

In other news, the Indie Sacramento Craft Show is fast approaching, and here are the details:

They’re calling for rain this Saturday, but I’m crossing my fingers that the sun gods smile down on us! The show is rain or shine, so if it does rain, I will be finding out how waterproof my canopy is. As if crafty items to buy is not enough incentive, the Indie Sac ladies have come up with the Craft University where you can take workshops and see demos. Check out the website above for the schedule. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there!

An Ode to the Beast

I’ve been thinking about this drawing for a while: an ode to my dog Lance. I often refer to him as “the beast” because he is, in fact, quite a beast—kind of like a bull in a china cabinet. He is not dainty—he drips water all over the carpet, chews on his toenails, and doesn’t mind a roll in the dirt. But he is our beast, and he offers us endless smiles and laughs as he sits slouching against the wall, or rolls on his back with glee. I have a feeling I’m not alone here, so I made this:

“The Family Beast,” 5.5 x 6.5 inches, pen and ink, available in my shop.

I apologize to all of you cat lovers. I’ve never had cats, and I almost feel like there should be a companion piece, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin with a cat, so a dog it is. Although these might be cool commission pieces, as in, you give me your pet photo and I could do a profile specifically of him or her with whatever words you want below. Let me know if you like the idea.

Happy dog-loving day!

I’m featured on Heart Handmade!

Hello there! Just a quick note that I’m this week’s featured artist on Heart Handmade!

Specifically, my miniature landscapes are featured, but the lovely Marichelle has a great set of interview questions that I got to answer and therefore let the public into my weird little art world. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you are already a part of that world, but you may find out some things you didn’t know about me if you head on over and read the interview.

Anyway, hats off to Marichelle and her wonderful blog! Thanks again!

Spring has sprung, and so have the craft shows!

I recently got some wise advice that I shouldn’t decide whether or not craft shows are a good venue for my work until I’d gone a full year and I’d tried lots of different craft shows. Well, I took that advice to heart, perhaps a little too much, and now I’m signed up for three craft shows in the month of May—every Saturday for the next three Saturdays! I’m not quite sure how it happened . . . one thing lead to another, and now I’m looking out on May as one big craft show adventure!

Since it is Spring, and beautiful weather, all three shows are outside, so I had to expand on my usual single table for indoor shows. I don’t have a lot of money to invest yet, so I had to keep things cheap. Quite by luck, I discovered a 10 x 10 foot canopy on sale at Rite Aid—there was just one left, and it was half off the usual $100, so I was pretty excited to haul it out of the store!

The next question was what to do with all that space? 10 x 10 feet is quite a bit bigger than just one table. I took me and my low budget to the hardware store and spent a grand total of $8 on a jumbo pack of clothespins and some twine to create this neato organic-y gallery set-up!

I’m pretty excited about it! Actually this little project reminds me that sometimes being poor pays off—without the money to buy all of the official booth set-ups, I was forced to come up with a cheap and therefore more creative solution, and in the end, I feel like this set-up really reflects my personality and business better than any expensive portable wall. I can’t say I’ll never invest in more substantial equipment if I keep doing craft shows, but I think it looks good—and it all fits inside a ziploc bag (well, not the canopy, and the table, but you know what I mean)—my kind of light traveling!

I will also have my usual table and bike wheel mobile, along with some newly framed original drawings. I’m excited to see how it all looks together and what other people think of it. Stay tuned for pictures after the first craft show next Saturday. More info to come on two shows to follow.

For the love of Gardens

I seem to really be favoring natural subjects these days—I find it pretty impossible to go outside without feeling inspired with all of this Spring-ness! After I made How Does Your Garden Grow?, I wanted to try another garden, and with the roses in bloom, and the birds swooping while I walked last week, I got inspired to make this:

“Grandma’s Roses,” 5.25 x 5.4 inches, pen and ink, available in my shop

You may notice that the size of this one is a little weird—I have a tendency to go outside of the boundaries I originally draw for a piece—things just end up bigger than I think they will. I guess I get a little excited and can’t stop, or specifically with this one, I ended up adding some more outside texture to make the drawing more balanced. So, this one’s fairly bursting off the paper it was drawn on, although there’s still a bit of a border for framing.

I think it would look lovely with a wide white mat and a black frame, maybe along with another mini landscape. I’m hoping to frame up some of these little ones soon, so you can all have a look and I can bring some to upcoming craft shows.

Speaking of which, I will be selling at the next Indie Sacramento Craft Show on May 2 (follow the link for details). They were originally going to try monthly shows, but because of the economy etc., they decided to break it down to two yearly shows—one Spring, one Holiday. So, this will be the last Indie Sac Show until next December. If you’re in the area, do come out! It will be outside in Fremont Park—let’s hope for lovely weather! I will post a reminder next week.

Back in the Swing

It’s hard to get back in the swing of things, even after just one week away! But art calls, and so here I am. I am learning that the best way to get back in the saddle, is to physically do something. It can be something small like cleaning my desk or doing a little drawing like the above, but for all my procrastination and mental muck, the best way to get over any hump is to jump right in. I think perhaps we all think a little too much, I know I do. I can think myself into a paranoia, but the moment I take a concrete action, I feel better.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a drawing I started last week, and will soon finish! Another mini landscape.

Under the weather

I just wanted to let you know that I did not drop off the face of the Earth! I came down with a roaring cold/flu at the most inopportune time—I’m going to a big family wedding this weekend, and then my parents are coming for a visit! Oh, boohoo—someone is trying to show me who’s boss! I have spent more than 50% of today’s daylight hours horizontal, and they were beautiful, sunshiney, Spring daylight hours!

Well so long for now—see you the middle of next week with something Creative!

The View

This is the view from my desk these days, and I thought I would share it with you because it is so inspiring to me!

In no particular order, there is a little picture of me and my fiance at the Owen’s River Gorge (near Bishop, CA where we used to live) in a frame I got at my cousin’s wedding, a tiny glass bottle my mom got me with a rose I picked near my house, a drawing of a flower by a favorite artist named Summer, and last but not least, a big letter “n” (peeking out from behind) from my friend and creative object conspirator Era.

I suppose I’ve always been a collector of tiny objects (seashells, worry dolls, miniature clogs, and glass animals abound on my window sills—in large part thanks to my mom), and I think it’s important to surround yourself with inspiring things. Often these things will be gifts, or found objects—they need not be expensive. Anyone who trolls thrift stores knows how easy it is to find something special.

While I am trying (and succeeding!) at keeping my desk clean, there’s always room for a rose. So, go forth and inspire yourself with small objects. I give you my permission.

Happy Easter!

We had a beautiful blue-sky day yesterday, perfect for decorating Easter eggs outside.

I have to say, the crafty aspect of holidays is really fun to me. Easter eggs, pumpkin carving, making tree ornaments, cooking—holidays are a great excuse to be creative, even if you’re not religious (not that you need an excuse!).

This is my favorite one—a blue egg with some stripes (made using a rubber band—thanks to Era’s egg-dying party last year).

That afternoon

I seem to have gotten into a pattern-drawing phase and haven’t been doing any word drawings over the past month. Well, I knew that just couldn’t be, so here’s a new one for you wordies:

“That Afternoon,” 8 x 10 inches, pen and ink, available in my shop

Also, on the subject of words, I’ve started posting quotes on my right sidebar under “Some Thoughts”—take a look—I just put a new one up there today and will try to remember to change it every week or two.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day!