FREEBIE FRIDAY!

 How cute is this?  :o)

Have a wonderful/productive/inspiring/creative weekend... Happy New Year in advance!

Best... Canace

Carnival of Animals

Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue in New York City unveils their 2011 Holiday Windows.

 Photo by Ricky Zehavi

The windows all have an animal theme and are far beyond the imagination in execution. I would love to be on the creative team that designs these windows! 
Make sure you watch the heartwarming video as well...so sweet.

Now I want to hop a train and see the windows in person... hmm..... maybe!

I hope your Christmas was all you hoped it would be. :o)

Best... Canace

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

xo
Canace

FREEBIE FRIDAY!

Off and running with my daughter....  so quickly... here's your Friday Freebie!

Merry Christmas!!

Best... Canace

A Christmas Present for You

It's not Freebie Friday, but it's the time of year for a Christmas graphic. I hope you'll enjoy using it this holiday season

Merry Christmas!

Best... Canace

FREEBIE FRIDAY!

I love this little guy. ... If you look at some of my fantasy graphics you will see him swimming around in some unlikely places.

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Best... Canace

Time to Breathe

The Wallkill River School show was a smashing success as it is every year. The gallery in Poughkeepsie  got 4 of the 6 pieces intended for them so I think my obligations are fulfilled to the best of my ability these days. Whew!
It's a wonderful thing not to have to create something but to do it because you are totally inspired and gung ho to do it for yourself, which is where I am now. Yesterday I decided to put my new skills from the Richard Salley class to work and I must say it's getting pretty exciting. I wish I'd thought to photograph as I went along but I got totally obsessed with the project. I will post a picture when it's complete.

In the meantime, if you're not aware of it, Richard Salley and wife Jane will be featured in an amazing week long workshop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico January 22-28. Here is the link to read all of the details. Puerto Vallarta Artist Retreat. I have no doubt that you would come away totally tanned and filled with new skills. I'm thinkin' the Sunday cocktail reception won't be such a bad thing either!


Best... Canace

Whew! I'm actually ready!

Today is the annual Wallkill River School Holiday Bazaar and the Biffs are part of it. We've been working non-stop for weeks to get ready and we did it!

Those of you who do shows know how it is...  do I have enough?... is there too much? .. how to display it to its best advantage?... what sort of people are buying?.... how do I price this?... etc. etc. etc. It can be very stressful and there is no science to it.. ya just wing it the best you can.

So..  the Wallkill River School Holiday Bazaar starts at noon and ends at 7pm during which time there will be a members reception as well. It's located in the beautiful old Patchett House on Route 17K in Montgomery, N.Y. If you are in the area I hope you'll stop by and say hello.

Off we go!

Best... Canace

'The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed', by Seth Apter

Seth's new book is now on pre-order with Amazon! I can't wait to lay my hands on this book..it's going to be very exciting to see all the different artists included. I have to admit, I'm in the book and that's part of the excitement, but in the end if it's done by Seth Apter it's got to be good.

If you don't know Seth, hop on over to his blog and get to know him. It's called 'The Altered Page' and it's always a fun and exciting time there. Seth has no end to his ideas on collaborations, exhibits, materials etc. etc. etc. 

And don't forget to pre-order your copy of  'Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed by Seth Apter'!

Best... Canace

Next stop... BEACON..... please step carefully....

 That's what you will hear if you take the Metro North train out of New York City. Normally Beacon is one of the stations where I catch the train for a day in the City but this past Saturday it was a new gallery for 'The Biffs' (Janet and I) to show our work...just jewelry this time. Funny how things happen... one day you're on an art studio tour meeting new artists.. next you're at their house for lunch.. and the next thing you're in a new gallery!

This is the River Center Gallery, part of the Scenic Hudson. It sits right on the Hudson River as part of a little park, right next to Dia (look that one up) and the train station. It's a converted barn and a fabulous space.
 Reception was Saturday evening... with a great turnout.

 

Janet welcomes you to the River Center

Setting Up

Yummmmm!

 

Our Table.. see the Hudson in the background?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of Janet's pieces on display.

 
And these are mine below:

 Many Hudson Valley artists represented along with their Hudson River landscapes...

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the River Center in Beacon... next stop.... 


Best... Canace

Rusty, juicy, FREEBIE

I find nothing more beautiful than ornate cast iron... especially rusty cast iron! It's the first thing I gravitate to at a flea market. One thing that I love to do with the iron is to make prints of it on muslin and it's so easy. I just spray the iron piece with a little vinegar/water solution, lay the fabric over or under it, wrap in plastic and let nature take its course. Try it.. it's beautiful!

Use the fabric in your books, making dolls, assemblages... use the image to make stencils,incorporate into graphic arts... use your imagination. :o)

Here's one of my favorite pieces to play with:

 I hope you'll find something great to do with the image.. love it if you'd share later!

Best... Canace

Out My Window

This morning, around 7am or so I happened to look out the window when the mist was just lifting and the sun peeking through the trees. I thought it was quite beautiful and thought I'd share it with you.

And later in the day my gorgeous Maple...

Autumn brings such mixed feelings. The beauty of the trees and the crisp fresh air is like no other season, but oh baby... what comes next... brrrr!

Enjoy your autumn day!

Best... Canace

Art in the Strangest Places..

Really?!

Really?

... Canace

Pics and Links of the OC Studio Tour

At the risk of sounding like a teenager... the OC Studio Tour was awesome! We met so many talented people and saw some enviable studios. There were 50 participating artists but there was no way that we could have possibly done even 10 of them. Here are a few of the highlights:

First, we stopped at the Newburgh Art Supply where there was a very substantial inventory and the manager was very knowledgeable and happy to share all the information on local galleries and artist submissions. There currently is a call for submissions to the 4th Annual World's Smallest stretched canvas painting competition with a $500 prize. It's offered at the Hudson Valley Gallery, Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Next we stopped in to see 'Meadow', from Wood Rock Studios, a very talented mixed media artist.

We had a great chat with her, only to find out that she lives very close by and we are going to get together soon. It's always exciting to meet new artists and get caught up in their enthusiasm for their work.

Off to Warwick, N.Y. to the Strazza Gallery, located in the Clock Tower. What a gorgeous building and impressive studio with both Lisa Strazza's paintings and her husband's photographs. I particularly liked her 'Fish' series which she was kind enough to let me photograph.

Very dynamic and exciting work!

Right in the Clock Tower were two other artists, Femi Ford and Steven Kenny.

Femi Ford is also mixed media and her work is fascinating. Some paintings appear to be textiles when in fact they are painted, others are very subtle and dreamy with great attention to detail.

We had a lovely visit with Femi and headed back to see Steven Kenny. I had seen Steven's work before and it took my breath away. In conversation we learned that he had spent time studying his art in Rome which I find very apparent in his style. I have never seen such beauty in surrealism before and I think you will agree. Amazing work! This is just one of all my favorites of his paintings.

We spent quite a lot of time in Steven's studio just absorbing all the magic of his paintings, feeling the stories and so appreciating his talent in conveying those stories. Have a look at his website and previous works, you won't be disappointed.

Leaving the Clock Tower we headed over to see Lisa Zukowski's studio. Imagine driving up a country lane to find a magic cottage.. that's what it was like seeing her studio. Walking on a stone walkway through her gardens we entered a studio that any artist would love, love, love to be able to create in. Her work is very diverse, yet you can see favorite themes throughout. We were fascinated by all the varied techniques that she uses and also teaches in workshops. Have a look!

Unfortunately the day had disappeared and we had to head home. It was one of those whirlwind days that you lay in bed at night and absorb in all its detail.

I hope you enjoyed your mini tour and you will follow the links to the individual artist's sites who were generous in opening their studios to us.  Thank you!
Best... Canace

Weekend Meandering and Treasure Hunt

A few weeks ago we attended a weekend wedding (Congratulations Cait and Jason!) in Hancock, N.Y. .. a sleepy somewhat forgotten little river town. It's where the East and West Branches of the Delaware River come together.

When we first arrived we passed this deserted looking storefront with these bizarre looking heads.. . bizarre.. must photograph!

Are these gas masks???

Needless to say I wanted one (or more) of these heads! We're not sure if they were cement, plaster.. who knows? Peeking in the windows the store was cluttered with all manner of 'stuff' including a magnificent old woodstove, complete with the mica in the little windows.

Then, looking at an angle through the front door I saw this gorgeous old solid brass scale I would LOVE to take home. Not to weigh myself of course.. that wouldn't be prudent. ;o)

We looked all around for someone to ask about the store but the street was literally deserted. The next morning we checked at a local fly fisherman's shop to see what he knew. He said that the store had been closed for years and the gentleman who owned it had gone pretty well into seclusion. Oh well.. it's still lovely to look at!

The wedding was lovely and we had a great time, but now it's Sunday and time to head home. I decided to take the scenic route as it was a beautiful fall day and there wasn't any hurry. On our way out we saw this lovely mother and daughter.

We drove home over hill and dale, bordering the Delaware River all along the way. It was a beautiful drive and very relaxing.. until.... I spotted this!

Anyone who knows me knows I hate to ever turn around... except for this! A treasure hunters dream!

Here are some pics from inside.

Kitchen Goodies

Lots of brass and copper!

Silver and pewter...

Lots of everything..

Picture of perfection... I forgot I wanted to buy this  :o(

Lovely old watches

And here are some of the things that I purchased. It would seem that I've developed a love for old stove parts. I'll have to start making some really BIG assemblages with these!

Mystery wheel.. has a steel center with spools.. anybody know what it is?

Coal stove draft door and stove skirt

Stove door with mica

Gorgeous old stove door!

I'm thinking I may just hang all the old stove bits on the front of the barn... a collage of rusty bits!

Hope your weekend is a good one..

Best... Canace