Artscape starts today!!!!

Ahhh, the weather is doings its usually Artscape weekend routine with majorly hot hot weather. Tomorrow we may have some sprinkles to cool us down but also make us feel like we're living in jungle weather! That means's lots of cool dresses and seeing some body parts we really shouldn't have to see! All my items are packed and ready to be loaded in the truck and I could have slept another hour but my body is excited for the weekend and has me up. Woke up to discover I slept through my first earthquake!!!!3.6, outside of Rockville. Love finding out news by reading facebook and twitter statuses. Anyway, I get to set up for Artscape then have to go back to my last day of camp and then back to the festival for the rest of the day and night. This summer has been non-stop. I need a vacation from my vacation! The camera bags above are my newest creations for this weekend. Hope to see them all disappear this weekend into the hands of excited customers!

Sondheim Artscape Prize: 2010 Finalists

I took my drawing portfolio students to the BMA yesterday and we spent a long time in the Sondheim Artscape Finalist show. I asked them to pick who they wanted to win. I was happy to see such interest in contemporary art with these high school kids. It probably helped that everyday we viewed a new contemporary artist through the Art 21 series. Anyway, I recommend that everyone go see this amazing show. You will notice more video, interactive and sculptural pieces than paintings. And for a painter, who's always jokes about my favorite painting teacher, Joyce Stillman Myers' definition of a sculpture being something you back into when you're looking at a painting, I have become more of a sculptor, installation artist and appreciator.
I loved Nate Larson's twitter geo-scape quotation photographs. But got was absolutely blown away by Matt Janson's sculptures. Their beautiful three dimensional paintings that oozed of cake icing appeal and reminded me of my favorite 40's aesthetic.

Many of the pieces that Janson creates express a tension between lightheartedness and danger. His work frequently incorporates mirror fragments, which have a sparkly quality that appeals to viewers, while the mirrors' sharp edges warn them to keep away.

Other artworks have a thick, gooey texture that simultaneously brings to mind frosting and viscera.

Tonight they announce the winner at a special reception at 7 tonight. The show will be up until August 1...and its FREE!! with great air conditioning. So, no excuses! Oh yeah, my students pick a variety of these superior artists, but Janson got the most votes.

photo from BMA Flicker page

9 Days and Counting for Artscape!!!

I'm trying to remain calm!!! I really am. Doesn't help having to go from teaching half a day to teaching a full day until the 16th...the first day of Artscape!!! But I've been pretty dedicated to my work schedule and have completed all of my smaller items. Lots of eyeglass cases, zipper pouches, iron on patches, coaster sets and some new tea cozies! Now onto hand bags!! Hope you're planning on coming to the biggest art festival in the USA!! Here in good old B-more. Mob Town sure does shine on that third weekend of July. Let's hope this 100 temps are getting themselves out of its system.

Thanks For Stopping By! Artscape a Huge Success!

Well I'm back from the beach. Went straight from Artscape so I wasn't able to make any posts. Here are some great pics from tigerlily from the event! Thanks Allison! And thanks everyone who stopped by! It was the best show I did all year long! I'll be updating my shop...you can see how empty it is! That's how great Artscape was! Now onto Crafty Bastards in the Fall!

New Stuff for this weekend!

Just a sneak peek of bags and future eyeglass cases. All available for purchase starting Friday at Artscape!

Batches of Patches

In the studio today..birdy bird iron on patches.....the count down for artscape is on!

Handmade Nation coming this Tuesday!

This is your chance to see the amazing documentary film by Faythe Levine. I saw it in DC was so excited to see someone put this movement into such a moving statement! This begins our artscape events for the week and its free! See you there!

Economically Friendly Items for Sale!

We're into the Artscape countdown! Jennyjen42 will be at Artscape, July 17 - 19, in the Mt. Royal area of Baltimore with her BEST buddies. Look for us in the DIY section close to Mt. Royal Ave on Charles Street. I will be posting items for sale as well as other attractions associated with Artscape all this week on my blog and facebook. Today's features are my economically friendly items that are $20 or less! Look for these birdy bird products:

felt lined padded eyeglass cases for $15

Lined zipper pouches $15

iron on birdy bird patches $4

set of 4 coasters $20