Art Week

I borrowed this from a fellow artist because it is so TRUE and reflects the mood of this busy week leading up to the Art Tour weekend.

I am so excited about the tour this year. This is the first time I will have prints available of some of my current works. Gail Pommerening did a beautiful job on the first artist proofs of five of my originals.

The artist proofs are the first prints that will be the precursor to an actual edition of prints. This is where the colors are set and each print is scrutinized as being the most exactly to match the original. Gail has invested in the giclee technology that can do this and is a master at manipulating the image. A giclee print is created from an archival printer that has 12 ink jets that applies ink dots of archival ink to create the image. The result has a beautiful matte texture and is especially suited to reproducing my pastel works. However----a print is still a print! It is not an original. But it's as close as the process can achieve and I think the result is beautiful.

I will also be displaying:

      Over 30 original works in oil and pastel


      Dozens of stained glass panels 


      Multistrand necklaces, earrings and bracelets


      Hurricane lamps


      Seasonal Ornaments - angels, snowmen, etc.


      and I'll have the Gourd Fest --- which will benefit Refuge Farms! (Wait until you see the  SNAKE GOURDS! They are awesome and not scary at all!)

To top it all off --- Jan Brunkow is the Guest Artist! She paints on silk and has GORGEOUS framed silk paintings as well as beautiful WEARABLE scarves. Jan will also have framed watercolors and note cards available.

The weather is going to be gorgeous so it will be a great weekend to hit the road, see the colors and some great art along the route.

Fall Fresh Art

I got my big box of art tour brochures which is another step toward the October  1-2-3,  show. My studio will be open those days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Put the dates on your calendar and plan to see some beautiful art, fall leaves and the glorious river valley.

Thank You!

What a beautiful weekend we had for the Tour! The weather was perfect and so many great people stopped in the visit the studio.

Thanks to the folks who entered the raffle this weekend which benefits Refuge Farms! We had 121 entries and 100% of the dollars go to the support of horses who have been rescued from very sad and abusive situations.

The judge finally arrived to draw the lucky number and.........

THE WINNER IS................ drum roll...............
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NUMBER 35 
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Held by Lisa Johnson from Pepin, WI!................cheers!.........


Thank you, Lisa (you did STUFF the entry box) for your support and I hope you enjoy the panel for years to come!

The Fall Art Tour is going to be held the first weekend in October and I'll dream up another contest.

Guest Blog for Refuge Farm

I had the privilege to share some thoughts on Sandy Gilbert's blog for Refuge Farm in Spring Valley, WI, that you can read through the link. That was a different experience. I usually don't have a theme in mind when I write on my own blog until I sit down and first find a picture. I could write about whatever I wanted -- so subject matter was wide open. But, when you know other people are going to be reading it I had a case of stage fright!

The recession has been difficult for charitable organizations in general but the horse rescue has suffered a double-whammy. The number of horses that have been abandoned, neglected and abused is at an all time high due to the recession--on top of the decline of donated funds to keep the operation afloat. I am hoping to have a little fund raiser in conjunction with the Fresh Art Tour on May 14, 15, 16. Last fall it was a pumpkin sale so maybe I can have some bedding plants ready or something on that order.

Fall Art Tour - The Wrap Up

What a great weekend it was! The weather was iffy all three days, but it didn't stop about 300 really nice people from visiting my studio at Catfish Corner. I talked myself hoarse--I'm just not used to talking that much. (When I talk to myself I try to do it silently!)

Our visitors really liked the chickens and geese, they spoiled the horses with constant attention, and some folks were even treated to hoot owls chatting in the pines. What a wonderful experience to meet so many great people. Some of my high school friends, Frederic 1974, and Norm & Jan and Sarah, surprised me by making the two hour trip! I wish they could have stayed longer so we could catch up! Veteran studio elf, Loie, and Wanda were here as well --it was so fun to have friends visit. Just like the old days!

The "Gourd Fest" was a big hit and thanks to those who made generous contributions I have $216 in donations to pass along to Sandy Gilbert and her Refuge Farms for abused and abandoned horses. It was amazing how the investment of $1.39 for a packet of seeds and a little effort in the garden could be transformed to a nice return for a good cause. And I still have plenty of gourds, pumpkins and squash left!

I was goofy and didn't get the camera busy right away so I didn't get pictures of all my angels who helped pull this event off. Bonnie Anderson, Pat and Ione Timm, MaryAnn and Al Ormson.

Tom Hogue's beautiful daughters, Madison and Taylor and the lovely Fran Latane all spent their time meeting and greeting--helping with the demonstrations, directing traffic, etc. What a great support crew.

My love and husband Don, likes a more low key, behind the scenes support who made sure the signs were up on time and taken down at night and took care of Helga all day. He was also the head BBQ chef who served us steak dinners after "work" for three nights in a row. Wow, those steaks were great!

Now--I know what everyone is waiting for: WHO WON THE STAINED GLASS PANEL?

The drawing took place this morning on the front porch of Funk & Wagnell's where the hermetically sealed mayonnaise jar was unsealed to reveal the name of the lucky winner, who is,-------drum roll, please!.....................

Amanda Lindbo of Baldwin, Wisconsin!!!!

Congratulations, Amanda!

Thanks to all who entered and I hope you had as much fun on the tour as we did!

Ione Timm, MaryAnn Ormson and Taylor Hogue were "angels" to help!

Friday at the Fall Art Tour

We had a rainy first day, but that didn't stop people from getting out on the tour! We had visitors from Rochester, Osseo, St. Paul, Shakopee, Illinois, Iowa and lot of local folks, too. About 50 people entered the drawing for the mission panel--and there were many who chose not to.

Thanks so much to Bonnie, Pat and Frances for being such good studio elves! You really made my job easier and I sincerely appreciate your help! You did a great job helping people sign up for the drawing, pushing gourds (!) and directing the parking and explaining how stained glass is made.

'twas the night before art tour.....

and all through the shop, all the creatures are working, they might never stop.

Mom's hanging the stained glass, with all so much care, and Papa's with Helga, and aren't they a pair!

Paisley has chewed all the leaves off my plant.

The horses are restless--they're all on a rant.

Chickens are scratching and laying their eggs.

The geese are out plotting their final revenge.

OK, I've lost it--I'm as ready as I'm going to be. The rain is pouring and more is expected for tomorrow. It might be a reprieve to have a slow start to the morning. For better or for worse, look out--here it comes!

Falling Leaves of Ginger

Didn't get as many made as I wanted, but I at least have some homemade thin cripy ginger cookies for the Fall Tour.

My cookie cutter came from T C Latane. Fran Latane's (the horse trainer) mom is a talented designer and creator of tin cookie cutters. The good ones--made by hand. She can make anything you dream up. She and her husband, Tom, have a whole shop of their handmade works in metal, tin and other artists who do pottery and weaving. They have been original participants in the Fall Art Tour.

I like how each leaf is an individual--not "cookie cutter"ish at all. That's what comes from an original handmade cutter. And the burnt ones--well, they're pretty special, too.

Harvest of the Gourds

Paisley helped me bring in the massive harvest of batwing gourds and the few jack-be-little mini pumpkins. He was certain there might be a mouse in there!

I had to Google bat wing gourds to find out what their real purpose is. Evidently, they are good as utensils--like spoons and small vessels.

I only have several hundred of them so I am hoping to make them gifts to the expected visitors this weekend to the art tour at Catfish Corner. Cat included.

I also harvested eight BIG pumpkins and several dozen buttercup squash. We tried a couple of squash this week and they are very ripe and tasty.

Week before the show

Here it is Sunday afternoon already, and it has been a very full week. I made a lot of glass this week and I'm starting to get it set up into some fashion for the show.

I had Lois and Anders here for a visit Friday afternoon which was a welcome diversion! Then "The Petersen Girls" were here yesterday afternoon. This minivan of ladies piles out--they seemed familiar but being in my dotage, I wasn't quite placing them until the conversation turned to Luck, and that they are Stella Petersen's daughters. A long time ago, but were such fun customers at Studio Works, Luck. I was just a little girl when they were the young singers in church with their brothers--very talented! Early 60's stuff! We chatted a bit, and I showed them my shop and talked about the lampshades, etc., that they have from the Luck store.

I got a little pony time in last evening. The girls have been so bored lately since I have been in work mode. I brought them a bunch of carrots from the garden and a bucket full of kale. Favorite treats! Chy wanted to play first and we had a little 22' line action--which triggered Cerra and Emmy into galloping and bucking fits! It was so fun! Chy was so responsive--loped with me and was jumping barrels like a breeze. She tried walking the balance beam--a new try for her--she offered. I didn't ask. We tried the trailer again and, as usual, it's just so close. By then it was dark and I had to quit under the rising half moon.

On the road to the tour

The journey continues in the preparation department. Setting up displays, pairing compatible colors and finding the flow.

This coming week will be all about making stuff and the next week will be getting everything in place for the opening and doing the final clean up.

I'm making leaf shaped ginger cookies during my down time!

What are you going to do?

That's what I think their little cartoon bubbles would say at this point!

This is the kind of shot I have on hand for days like this. There isn't a real descriptive photo for everything that has been going on here in preparation for the Fall Art Tour. Maybe one of the vacuum cleaner? Art being hung? Cobwebs on the ceiling?

Transforming the workshop into "art gallery" has been challenging since I wanted to have it look good (decent, not too messy) for a press interview. I was visited today by Pam Powers of the Leader-Telegram newspaper in Eau Claire to do an article about my studio and the Art Tour. Being interviewed is strange--trying to tell the story, hit the high points, don't say anything too stupid, and keep my mouth shut if there is a camera around. Pam asked some thought provoking questions that---well, I guess I'll have to read the article to see what I said because I think I was at blabber point by then. It will be in the Sunday paper the week before the tour.

She took pictures of the studio, but also some for rural flavor--chickens, geese and we even got Paisley up on Chy. The "children" who are normally full of cat and horsenality were suddenly having to be coaxed with treats to come out and have their pictures taken.

October 2, 3, 4, 2009

Only 4 months away! I just found out our brochures are ready and soon the link will change from the Spring show to the Fall. 

I have been spending more time preparing the grounds than art and that needs to change pretty soon. Hope we have a late fall so the blooms will still be going!

Fall Art Tour

I had the initial jury visit from the Art Tour committee and have received word that I will be accepted as a hosting site for the FRESH ART Fall Tour 2009!

Mark the calendar for the weekend of October 2, 3 and 4. The fall colors will be in bloom and there will be 15 or site artist sites open for visitors in all types of artistic mediums from glass (me!) to pottery, paintings and fine art, wood, metal and jewelry. 

I'm happy to be part of this tour and thankfully I have many months to PREPARE!