Winners and Losers

Yesterday, I spent the day at Artists Medium, teaching some incredible women how to make altered books. It was a great group and I am so inspired by their creativity and energy. I want to give a special shout out to Chelsea, Kristen and the entire staff at AM, who always make me feel so at home when I teach in their space! Thank you!
Also, I am sure you all want to know who is getting the Altered Book Kit.... Can I have a drum roll please.....

The winner of my altered book giveaway is Carol Berger... Miss Queen Bee, herself! Thank you, Carol for sharing the love of Glimmering Prize too all your peeps on Facebook. Carol is a terrific mixed media artist, herself. I can't wait to see what she makes from all the great paper and materials I'm sending her.

If you didn't win this time, don't worry, I am doing another very special giveaway at the end of the month. I'll give you a hint... it has something to do with boxes...and another class that I am teaching @ Art-Is-You in Danbury, CT.

After pulling together all the materials for Carol's prize I realized just how much "stuff" I have filling the shelves in my workroom. 

I've been busy working on new pieces for up coming shows and I have no where to put the completed work. So I have to clear out some space in the workroom. I spent a good portion of the morning photographing tons of great ephemera packs and old photos, that I just don't have the space for. 

My loss is your gain. Check out my ETSY site all this week. I will be listing like crazy.  There will be new stuff added daily.  This is just a teaser of some of the stuff I am listing....There will be lots of old photo lots, Ephemera paper collage packs, beautiful old sheet music, vibrant children's books with wonderful illustrations, and lots of rusty bits.  There might even be an odd curiosity or two. Wonderful stuff for all your mixed media projects.  Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have an artful day!

2 days left to register for the Altered Book Kit Giveaway!

Yes, it's true you only have 2 days left to sign up for the altered book kit giveaway.
How do you sign up?
It's easy. All you have to do is post something about my blog to your facebook page, twitter, blog, etc. then comment to this post with the link, and tada! You in the running for this great kit to get you started on your very own altered book.

The kit includes... an old book to alter, (great title: "humankind") lots of ephemera and old photos, and found objects for embellishments. All you need is glue and your imagination. the winner will be drawn at random after i teach my altered book class at Artists Medium this Saturday.

Anyone registered for the class is automatically entered. In fact, I am going to open it up even further, if you are registered for  any of my upcoming classes, @ Artists Medium, Art is You - Danbury or ARTFEST12, send me an email, let me know what venue and class your are registered for and you will be in the drawing too.

Here's to being creatively brave! Have an artful day!

CLASS UPDATES and SUPER SAVER COUPON

The summer always make me feel really creative. I love spending Saturday morning hunting for treasures at yard sales. I come home with a big pile of rusty things and just want to get down to the workroom and get things started. You feel the same way? Maybe you need some thing to inspire you? Maybe we should get together and make some art! 

Well there's some great opportunities for us to work on some special art projects together.

There's still a few spots left in my classes at INSPIRE MY LIFE. Yes, I'm headed to the Midwest at the end of the month, to hang out with one of my favorite people Kim Geiser, in beautiful Manitowoc, WI.  If you live near by I would love to see you! 

If being in the Midwest is not in your plans this summer, why not take one or two of my classes at the splendid art retreat, ART-IS-YOU, in Danbury, CT, in October. October feels like it is so far away, but classes at this annual retreat book up fast. 

http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/reynolds-soul.htm

To sweeten the deal, the ladies @ Art-Is-You are offering a super saver coupon for $50 off your full registration. But, the coupon is only go FOR ONE DAY. Monday July 4th. So don't delay.  Make sure to used the coupon code:JULY4 when you register.

Hope you have a creative weekend! See you in the the classroom.

Sailor's Valentines Revisited

waiting for me

last week i was down on long island. every may i have this sort of homecoming. i go down to long island, ny to work with a crew of amazing snowboarders to get their feedback on the product we are developing for the upcoming season.often, i also have the opportunity to see some friends i have known for almost 20 years to go back to parts of the island where i grew up.

Monday night, i stood on the ocean, on the edge of the beach at twilight; the waves lapped at my feet. the ocean were calling me. if i did not have a company dinner waiting for me, i probably would have leaped into the water and  transformed into an undine.  i miss living where the land meets the water. i miss the ocean.  

   

close up: waiting for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

close up: waiting for me

waiting for me: close up

close up: waiting for me

maybe this is why today, i have been able to finish two new pieces inspired by sailor's valentines. "everthine" and "waiting for me." perhaps the salt is still on my skin and in my hair, i can still hear ocean calling me, all the way up here in the mountains. i can still feel the wind blowing through your hair. if you ever lived near the water you will know exactly how i feel. if not, perhaps my new sailor's valentines can evoke the sad melancholy the ocean brings to me....

ever thine

everthine: close up

everthine; close up

everthine: close up

everthine: close up

Art By Mothers

 

I am super excited to be a part of this show in Stowe! Many thanks to Heidi Townsend and Natasha Bogar for inviting me to be part of this terrific show!

Somethings (are better left unsaid)

 

somethings(are better left unsaid)

this is a new shrine,assemblage piece made from found objects, old cabinet card, and a discarded light fixture.
tribute to secrets, fears and things that cannot be expressed with words.

14"x 6"x 6 1/2"

Build a little bird house in your soul

I had an amazing weekend. On top of some crazy weather and record snow fall. I spent a  rainy Saturday @ Artists' Medium creating Birdhouse Shrines with four amazing ladies. All the students in my class really stepped it up and produced beautiful work. To listen to them at the end of the class, talking about their 6 hour artistic journey and beaming in delight over their work was so rewarding.

Artists' Medium is locally owned and operated art supply store here in Williston, Vt. The shop employees are very supportive of my work. They work hard to get the word out and promote the class.  I really appreciate the opportunity to interface with the community this way. It's such a gift! Thanks, Chelsea and Kristen!

They've had me in the shop to do demos and teach other classes. Each time has been a memorable experience. This time was no exception.I really love teaching there. I always leave inspired and pumped about the creative process. Kristen and I are talking about scheduling  an altered books class. I haven't taught that in a while, so should be great fun!

Thanks ladies for your terrific work! You all did wonderful things! Stay creative, trust your instincts and don't forget to glue and screw.

Don't live in VT. Don't worry. I will be teaching at Art-Is-You, East Coast Art Retreat, this Fall. Check out their website for more info....

 

SMALL WORKS Opening Reception @ SPACE GALLERY 12/3

December 3-January 29: “Small Works” @ the SPACE GALLERY on PINE STREET, in BURLINGTON, VT.

The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery will unveil the second edition of our ‘Small Works’ exhibit on Friday, December 3rd with a opening reception from 5-9 pm. Expect an array of artwork 12″ or smaller in size. Last year’s show proved influential in creating awareness of the many local talents in and around Burlington. Perfectly sized for holiday gifts.

 

Kristen Richland- Traffic day



...and,  you know who will be there for the opening on FRIDAY.... moi! ......and you should know i have pulled some of my favorite little pieces together to hang in the show...(six altogether, some very new... ) and you should also know that there are some fabulous local artists showing their work in this show... like KRISTIN RICHLAND... who creates whimsical and fantastical little paintings of divine creatures. ( something that i would never, in a million years be talented enough to do!)  Kristen works at Artist's Medium, which is a terrific locally owner art supply shop, here in williston. She is a tremendously giving person, who is full of joy and life. I love her point of view fantastically creative mind. Check out her work at her website... and you  should stop by on friday at the SPACE gallery to see her stuff live and in person. and say hi to me, because you know i'll be there. it is the 1st friday of the month. so that means... BURLINGTON art walk.  game on, art fans.

The Art of Horror

I am incredibly excited to be a part of this show at the S.P.A.C.E gallery again this year! Being a costume designer, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. There's just something about it that inspires me . Then, have my "haunting" work on display in this show is a real treat! 

"The Art of Horror is a collection of dark artists who explore the musty recesses of their wickedly creative closets and shake loose a few skeletons to startle and disturb the unsuspecting villagers."

If you find yourself in Burlington, VT this Friday, swing by the SPACE gallery and check out the exhibition, it's guaranteed to give a thrill. 

Jme Wheeler

This horror-themed art show will terrorize you with pieces by:Beth Robinson, Kevin Montanaro, Mark Prent, Catherine Hall, S. Vogelsang, Lila Rees, Justin Atherton, Nikita Frankenstein, Jme Wheeler and yours truly! 

OPENING RECEPTION FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK:
Friday, October 1, 2010
5pm - 9pm

Kevin Montanaro

The gallery is open through October 31st, Thursdays-Saturdays 11AM-4PM.

Beth Robinson

The Opening Party on October 1st from 5-9pm will host audio and visual nightmares assembled by the creeps at S.P.A.C.E., as well as ghost stories from the Queen of Halloween, Thea Lewis. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free and open to all ages, but those who are faint of heart and prone to hysterics might wish to consult with their doctor or priest prior to attending!

Also, I want to give a HUGE shout out to Stacey Merrill, aka Artsnark! She has always been a huge supporter of my work, and continues to do so with her blog posts from way down south in Tampa, FLA.  She is also an extremely talented artist, as well as a generous and giving friend. I wish you could be here this weekend Stacey. You would love this creepy show!

my captain

Working and getting over a cold. That's what I have been doing since I can home from the gallery at 404 Pine Street after an energizing Art Hop Weekend, The Hop was great and really has motivated me to get into the workroom every night. My solo show at Seminary Arts in the Center is opening in about a month and I have tons of work to do!

Here's a little taste of the work that is going into the show.

This piece, I like to call, Captain O My Captain, I finished late last night.  When found the frame and the tintype at Whistle Stop Antiques I just fell in love with him. For months he sat on my worktable with a few other elements, waiting patiently for me to commit to him. Finally, something swept me up, and I started in on him with fervor. It's strange to me how things just are that way. That odd moment when something clicks and the work "just happens"

I'll be looking for some more of that inspiration to strike me tonight.  I'm working on a few more soul houses as well as a very large piece about nightmares. Time to get back to work.

Abandoned Inspiration

Recently, I have been obsessed with abandoned buildings. It amazing me how beautiful dwellings can be forgotten along old roads and left to ruin. On our way to Pennsylvania, we drove through the Catskills. When you drive along the back roads, you see all the glory of days gone by. It seems that people no longer vacation in these mountains or along the small lakes and ponds that abide here.  Almost every town we drove through had crumbling cottages and broken down old hotels that mark a time of previous opulence.

My latest work, has also been about dwellings. A collection of small houses and boxes have been taking up residence on my work table. This new series of what I call "soul houses" will be on display in October for my show at Seminary Arts, but I wanted to share with you a sample of what's to come.


The discarded house forms, some as small as 3" tall and others as large as 2 feet wide, are being transformed into a chambers that capture the sadness and beauty of a lost moment in time. Like the stately hotels and camps along those old back roads, these little houses might be a little haunted and beckon you to find out more.

Slow and Steady

In case you haven't heard, I'm doing a solo show in October at Seminary Arts in Waterbury Center. Many thanks to the wonderfully inspiring Mame McKee for allowing me to hang my work in her gallery.

So this means with the South End Art Hop a little more than a month away and the gallery show in two. I still have lots of work to do before I am in the home stretch.

I have been lucky to have my muse with me the last few months. Helping me have a clear vision of the pieces I want to create. This latest piece, finally entitled: Fortune Teller is almost completely done.  This is the largest piece I have finished to date- 24" tall, 17" across and 10" deep.

I stayed up, way too late last night finishing her dress. I am very grateful to have had some lovely light on the back porch this evening to take some pictures of her.

She still needs a few finishing touches, but now I can move on to some other things. More pictures to come as I complete more work for the upcoming shows.

Brimfield - July 2010

Jim and I did not let the humidity or the heat get to us this week when we went south to Brimfield, MA to shop the antique market.  It was the first time I had been to Brimfield in about 7 years.  We had such a great time, we are talking about going down again in September.

Everything went very smoothly, we got a great deal on a room, not to far from the event on a little lake, where we dined outside on the screen porch and shared our onion rings with the crew of Antiques Warriors.  

The second night we had dinner at a fantastic Viennese restaurant, the Vienna Inn. The entire meal was amazing, but I really enjoyed sitting out on the front porch sharing a desert by candle light.

If you have never been to Brimfield, it is an experience. One solid mile of antique flea market, set up in individual fields. Your senses can be overwhelmed by the people, the stuff and the smell of fried food that comes wafting over the tents.

I am a little bit of a haggler. I know from going to enough estate auctions and flea markets, that every thing is negotiable.  And I am a digger, and love going through piles of junk to find that perfect, beautiful little thing. 

I came home with a ton of great finds to use in my art, some new contacts, tons of inspiration and a little cash left in my pockets. What more can you ask for??