Working Like Mad

Here's a quick peek at some of the paper mache sculptures that I've been working on. I've been working like mad (I love that word; it sounds so British. Well, it is of Old English origin.) to get a good inventory going for the Art Extravaganza that I've been invited to attend in August.

The Art Extravaganza will be held at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Resort, 205 Route 507 in Hawley, Pennsylvania on August 29, 2010. So, it's off to sculpt I go.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Good to Be Home Again!

A visit to Home Again in Luzerne is always an adventure. I don't know how she does it, but every time I stop in for a visit, Mary's store looks fabulous. Here's one of my primitive boxes sitting on a new jute rug by Capitol Earth Rugs.

The primitive box in this photo is one that I just dropped off last weekend. An art student gave me this vintage art supply box, which is fully functional and may be used for display or for actual use.

Now I bet you didn't know that Mary is an artist herself. She's a fantastic photographer, and the two patriotic framed photographs are hers. Mary has a keen eye for taking pictures. Be sure to check these out in person. They're beautiful.

Home Again has the best selection of vintage folk art.

Here's some beautiful milk glass.

And, of course, Home Again is an authorized distributor for Bella Taylor handbags by Victorian Heart.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this cute, little cat. He seems to be Mary's mascot.

Sharing More of My Students' Artwork

I received so many nice comments on my blog about my students' artwork that I posted last week. I appreciate all the kind words, and my students were thrilled to learn what people had to say.

I thought I'd provide another update on some of the works in progress. The picture above shows Melanie's lovely flower painting that she started last week.

This is what the painting looked like when Melanie finished it this evening. Melanie did a fantastic job on this piece.

Mark started a new painting of the Lehigh River Gorge, which is a favorite recreation spot in northeast Pennsylvania. The painting looks great so far, and I'm sure Mark will get a lot done by the time we meet for class in two weeks. I'll be anxious to see what he accomplishes on his own. Knowing Mark, he'll have the painting done when he comes back to class.

Rachael always creates such whimsical paintings. I like her style and the subject matter. All of her paintings have a fun and lighthearted feel to them.

Eleanor is basically done with this painting. She just needs to add a few more branches and limbs to some of the trees in the back on the left-hand side of the painting. The tree in the middle is so beautiful! It looks like one of those trees that you'd find in a fairytale, but Eleanor actually saw this tree in person and photographed it herself to use as her reference.Any gnome would love to call that tree home.

Lisa put her painting aside tonight to look for some new reference material. She just has to do a little bit more work on the bird and on the pink flowers. Then she can call it finished. The painting looks great so far.

I hope you enjoyed this update. As always, we love to hear from you all!

What's New at Home Again

I just dropped off this prim box at Home Again in Luzerne. Mary said she'd like to see more of my primitive artwork in her store, so I decided to dig out this old box that my dad gave me several years ago.  I thought a cozy, little landscape would work well on the box, which was once used to store micrometers. The box would look great propped up on a shelf or mantel.

I have more prim goodies in the works for Mary, so I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

The Cats Are Back!

They're quirky, fun, and just plain cute. And just like your favorite furry feline, each of these original cat paintings will add love and warmth to any room. Stop by Art Street USA to see these paintings in person. Art Street USA is located in the Flower Warehouse in Forty Fort, PA. MeoW!

Merry Whatever Giveaway

Stop by the Babycakes Merry Whatever blog for a chance to win one of five giveaways by five different holiday artists. I'll be donating a piece of artwork for the Valentine's Day category. The drawing will be held on May 31, so you have plenty of time to enter. Hope to see you there!

Vintage Fillmore Concert Posters

On Wednesday night, John came home with two of the best finds I think I've seen thus far: two authentic Fillmore concert posters from the '60s. Once I saw them, I knew I just had to keep them. John agreed after doing some research online and discovering that one of these babies is a first print.

I've always been a fan of this poster artwork because it reminds me of the work of Alphonse Mucha with all the heavy lines and curves, the repeat patterns, and the elegant ladies.

If you look closely, you can see that this poster was announcing the concert for Captain Beefhart & His Magic Band, Chocolate Watchband, and The Great Pumpkin at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Fransisco. Talk about wild names for bands. Gotta love it!

~The artist's name and copyright year~

~The artist's name and year within the artwork~

John knew I was going to flip over this "flame" poster because it contains the name of one of my favorite '60s bands: Quicksilver Messenger Service. The poster also names The Association and The Grassroots.

The bottom of this poster lists some of the many places where tickets were sold for this concert. 

Imagine being able to purchase concert tickets at a pharmacy.

This picture shows the frame shop on the back of each poster.

If you've never heard of Quicksilver Messenger Service, check them out on YouTube. Quicksilver's rendition of Who Do You Love is the best jam version. I love the sound of that raunchy guitar.



Dino's Song is so cheesy, but it's so good. This song has a great garage-band feel to it. I love the mangy cat lurking around in the beginning of this video. Gotta love that tripped-out van too. Ah, the artwork in the '60s was so cool.

Some Talented Students

I've been teaching a watercolor class for adults at Crestwood High School in Mountaintop for a number of years, and I wanted to share some of the works in progress. The painting above is by Lisa. She just started this lovely piece in class tonight.

Eleanor is working on a majestic tree.

Here's Mark doing what he does best.

~Melanie's sunflowers~

Finally, this was the beautiful sky this evening overlooking the mountains. What a view!

Vintage Wise Potato Chips Bag on eBay

John just listed this vintage Wise Potato Chips bag on eBay. I love the artwork on this bag. The owl reminds me of a Halloween owl. For more information about this listed item on eBay, click here.

A Night at The Auction

John and I drive by Kemler's Auctions in Bloomsburg all the time, but we never attended one of their auctions until this evening. Tonight, we made it a point to stop in. I'm glad we did because we had the opportunity to experience a new source for collectibles. I love the artwork on the cover of this magazine.

The bidding started at 7 p.m., and there wasn't a seat left in the house. For as packed as the place was, it seemed like the same ten people were bidding. I guess the auction is a night out for the rest of the folks.They had a fabulous selection of vintage glass ornaments.

I don't remember these things as a kid, but I understand they're children's play toys.

John scored four of these vintage Wise Potato Chip bags. He'll probably keep one and put the rest on eBay. I'm guessing this bag is from the '50s. I love the look of the old ink used in packaging.

Friday's Projects

Here's a peek at what's going on in my studio. Mary, the owner of Home Again, said she'd like to see more of my primitive works in her store, so I thought this old tool box would make a great surface to decorate.

After I'm done painting the box, I'm going to place a picture hanger on the back of the box and then seal the box shut with wood glue. The box used to hold micrometers, so the inside of the box is not very pretty.

I started this project by applying one layer of white paint using a dry-brush technique, and then I started to apply the other colors. I love using the DecoArt Americana brand acrylic paints because they have a nice flow, and they have a long shelf life.

This is just one of the many projects I'm involved with right now.  I currently have several paper mache pieces that are almost done drying, and I have more armatures waiting to be covered with paper mache.  Someone also dropped by my studio this morning with some restoration work for me.  It's a never-ending process, but I love it.

When You Put Your Request Out "There"

It's amazing how things just happen to materialize when you put your request out "there." I asked John to keep his eyes open for pipe cleaners when he's scouring the flea markets and auction houses. Well, the other day John presented me with a box of pipe cleaners that he won at Cook & Cook Auctions. How's that for fast service? I can't wait to use these pipe cleaners in my Halloween and Christmas creations.

This Board's Seen Better Days

While walking on the dike this afternoon, John and I spotted this skateboard in the garbage can.

What a picture!

Rain, Rain Go Away

The City of Wilkes-Barre closed the flood gates on River Street as a precautionary measure for the impending rain we're supposed to get this weekend. I took this picture after leaving my studio this morning. The sky is dark, but as of 2:30 p.m., we haven't seen much rain yet.

A Beautiful Gift

 I can't believe I was the lucky winner of this beautiful necklace from  Rock Hill Designs. The necklace is titled Green Goddess "Tree of Life" and features sterling silver charms with exquisite details. I'd like to thank Lynette and Melissa for offering this lovely giveaway, and I'm thrilled to have one of their fabulous designs.

If you're looking for some unique jewelry, be sure to visit  www.rockhill-designs.com.

Where There's A Will

 

Upon entering a mall in northern New Jersey today, I was immediately taken by the first four letters in the name of the mall, which stood out against the brilliant, blue sky. A word as simple as will can be so powerful.

Your will be done. ~Jesus

Where there's a will, there's a way. ~English Proverb

Great souls have will; feeble ones have only wishes. ~Chinese Proverb

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. ~General Douglas MacArthur 

The will is deaf and hears no heedful friends. ~William Shakespeare

The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them. ~Robert Frost

Soaking Up The Sun

Chiseler was lying in front of his favorite tree this afternoon soaking up the sun.

 

When Julius came outside, he muscled his way into Chiseler's spot. Rather than put up a fight, Chiseler came over to see me on the porch. Chiseler's fur was nice and warm from the sun.

 

Julius is content.

While sitting on the porch, I saw many people walking and bicycling on the dike. Everyone seems to be out enjoying the warmth of the sun today. I hope it melts what's left of the snow.

WYLN TV at Arts YOUniverse

A reporter from WYLN TV in Hazleton was on site last night interviewing the artists at Arts YOUniverse for the Off The Beaten Path program, which showcases interesting people, places, and things in Pennsylvania. Brian interviewed me in my studio, and I showed him some of my latest paper mache creations, and I told him a little bit about the Art Extravaganza that I was invited to participate in on August 29, 2010. The Art Extravaganza will be held at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Resort, 205 Route 507 in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

I'm not sure when this segment of Off The Beaten Path will air, but I'll keep you posted.

I've Been Invited...

What a surprise! This morning I got a phone call from Lucille, the Art Scene coordinator at Connections Magazine. I was invited to attend the upcoming Art Extravaganza, which is a tri-state art exhibit serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Only 30 artists will be participating in this event, so it truly is an honor.  The Art Extravaganza will be held at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Resort, 205 Route 507 in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

I'll be showcasing my latest Halloween and Christmas paper mache collections at this event, which will be held on August 29, 2010. It sounds like a long way off, but you know how time flies. It will be here before you know it.

Paper Mache Works-in-Progress

Here's a peek at what's going on in my studio. This morning I checked on the paper mache shapes I created on Monday. I couldn't wait to see how they turned out. They're looking good. I turned them over so that the other sides could dry evenly.

These heart shapes are drying on plastic strawberry containers.

 

I broke out the Paperclay today and sculpted approximately 40 beads this morning.

 

I used one of my clothes baskets for this drying setup. Rather than placing the clay shapes on a flat surface, I want to make sure I have some air flowing under these pieces as well. I could have used a drying rack, but why pay for one when you can rely on your ingenuity?  Hee! Hee!