A Grand Night for Hopping

Note to the wonderful, funny, empathetic and appreciative people I met at last night's event: If you are interested in purchasing a piece from the exhibit, please leave a comment or email me; they are all priced to sell - $40 - $125. I sold a couple of pieces but have plenty left... maybe your favorite??
***
I had a chance to exhibit my work at Studio 603 during last night's Gallery Hop, thanks to artist extraordinaire and fabulous gal-pal Debbie Westerfield (my art angel who frequently appears in my blog). Though I had a couple of weeks to prepare, thanks to record snow (i.e. kids home from school) I lost several critical days and ended up putting it all together the usual way - at the last minute.
I haven't had 'two walls to myself,' before, and I was a bit intimidated when it came to framing. I mean, how do you frame journals and other pieces that are two or three inches thick? I headed to Michaels last weekend and took advantage of their 25% off frames discount. I went with a carefully prepared list of sizes and still ended up with major brain freeze and a cart full of 'just-in-case frames and shadow boxes.
Yesterday morning I spread it all out in the dining room. DH, who has been exhibiting his paintings for years, was so busy at work that he only had time to show me a couple of tricks and leave me scratching my head with a ...load of supplies and six hours until the Hop.



Hmmmm, no this doesn't work, and these photos don't do justice to my new angel series that I've been working so hard to finish for this show. The last piece was declared done Thursday night and I still had a blob of pink paint on my neck and a few other smears (didn't come off in the shower - but complemented my outfit).


This didn't work in a shadow box... thank the framing gods for frame sealing tape, putty and a glue gun! My ebay binges have really paid off - check out some of the gems that made great wings, bodies, trim and assorted danglies.


The most surprising questions of the night was, "What is in those books??" which never occurred to me. One guy, an artist and author, said he'd have to conjure some pretty profound thoughts to write in such a fancy journal. Never thought about that either.
One of Jim's helpful hints was wax - to make sure the covers would stay put. It might take a bit of the magic away to look inside and see blank lined pages with a variety of borders.


I finally arrived at the Studio at 1:00 with sandwiches and broccoli/cranberry cole slaw (I am totally addicted), two large bins of empty frames and a stack of black board that the folks at the art supply store were gracious enough to cut for me at the last minute.

Plaster walls in old buildings mean no nails. I hadn't a clue about using the hook and wire system to dangle frames from mounting rail installed a few inches below the ceiling on all the walls. Lucky for me, artist/friend/fellow exhibitor Chris Huestis was on hand and spent 3 hours hanging twelve pieces - that would have taken me 3 days.



I hardly had time to change clothes and chug another latte before folks started hopping in... thanks to the first sunny day in weeks, 38 degrees even, those of us who have been holed up for days at a time emerged, mole-like, blinking, happy. Ready to talk and laugh, sip wine and chat, ask questions about the secrets I have buried in the books with the waxed-shut covers...



My team showed up and let me take a much needed break. It does look like they are the only people in the place, but trust me, Debbie has an enormous following and there were dozens of folks wandering through most all evening.


My manager and creative director gave me a thumbs-up before making a mad dash to the chocolate covered strawberries!
When it was well past closing time and I didn't think I could take another step on my swollen, aching feet, I came home and found my little buddy, Henry, waiting for me. I'd been busy and gone for so long that he cuddled up and slept beside me all night long.

Comments

Karin Bartimole said…
congratulations Patti! It looks like you pulled it all together beautifully! I would have never thought of framing the journals, but it looks great having them properly displayed and lit so that people can really see them! I'm not sure I understand the wax part, so I'll have to get the details later!! So glad the weather cooperated and the showing was a success - bravo to you!!
DVArtist said…
Good morning Patti. I simply love what you have done with the journals. Oh I am wondering if your broccoli cranberry slaw is the same as mine? I am making some today. I can't hardly stop eating it. LOL!!!
Congratulations on the showing.

Nicole/Beadwright
gg said…
enjoyed meeting you and your hubby last Friday. Your show was great ~ and a great turnout. Small world about us living in the same town and even more strange that our meeting was accidental. :-) gg
DVArtist said…
Hi Patti come by my blog. I have something for you.

Nicole/Beadwright
Congratulations on what looks and sounds like a wonderful show!
Lovely creations all!
oxo
Dawn said…
Hi Patti
Wow love your pieces - so inspiring..
Just popped over to let you know I posted your package on Monday so hopefully it's winging it's way across the pond as I type!!
Cannot find your E-mal address for the life of me,, EEK!!
Hope you get it real soon

Hugs
Dawn
random notes said…
That looks like a great series for the gallery hop and it looks fabulous hanging on the wall. What an amazing journey you have had in the last few years. congratulations Patti.
Now, where is the pic of you standing by "your" art?
Jane
Trudy said…
Beautiful pieces.

I just started An Artistic Mother's Group where we will be going through 12 projects together from Shona Cole's new book The Artistic Mother. Her desire is to help mothers find a to fit art into their every day, even if it's just a little something. I would so love for you to join us. You can read more about it on my blog; and if you're interested in participating, just leave me a comment, and I'll add you to the list.

Trudy

http://artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-artistic-mother-group-forming-i.html

PS If this is not something you are interested in doing at this time,or even if you are, maybe you could do a little blurb about it for me so that other artsy moms can join. It might be a help to them if they are looking for inspiration and/or an accountability group. We start March 6th, but anyone can jump in at any time. We will spend two weeks on each project. Blog about our progress and link to all of the other participants. Thanks so much for your consideration.

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