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Had to try out my new camera. Very nice point and shoot with a cool lens, nice click sound (gotta love that!), and wifi transfer. Sweet! Thanks Graham <3
I made these Nutcrackers in the summer of 2012. Article appeared in Somerset Studio Nov/Dec 2012. See my blog post HERE. Maybe you'll take advantage of some post-holiday sales and grab one or two to alter in the coming year. It's a fun project and great gift - TaDa!
Gabriela at Stampington invited a number of artists to share their artful resolutions for 2015. See the blog post at Somerset Place to read the thoughts of twenty-four participants HERE.
Here's what I wrote:
I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of the year. My philosophy is that I'd much rather reflect on the past year and recognize all I have done. I find that to be empowering and motivating. Each January I have a ritual of making a Ta-Da list. I start with the end of December and work my way back to the first of the year, making notes of everything I that I can remember doing during the year. It is easier to start with the most recent self-imposed assignments. Eventually I recall a full list of achievements, missions, chores, and projects that leaves me feeling really good. Sure, there are always things left on my To-Do list....there is always more to do, and ideas that are still in-process. However, when you move items from your To-Do list to your Ta-Da list you celebrate what you've completed - that's much more affirming than worrying about the tasks ahead, and the pledge to make changes with the turn of the calendar page. Maybe you could start 2015 by patting yourself on the back for all the work you completed in 2014, from art projects to self-improvement, then carry forward the positive energy into the brand new year. Make a Ta-Da list, because it's way more fun than a To-Do list!
If you're interested, you can download and make your own ToDo/TaDa lists.
Download ToDo LIST 2014 300dpi Download ToDo LIST 2015 300dpi
EDIT: I've had some requests to offer the printable lists as jpgs rather than pdfs. Here you go, click to enlarge.
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Earlier this year we road tripped home to Minnesota to visit family. On the return trip we detoured through Indiana to see a MotoGP motorcycle race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Graham's plan for the card this year was the perfect illustration of our adventures in 2014.
Have a blessed Christmas.
We visited over Thanksgiving weekend. An annual venture into the city just to see these windows, with the girls - Fallon and my mom. They were spectacular. There is so much more to experience in real life versus what the lens can capture, especially with the glare of the glass. To be there is very special. We make the train ride in, then subway uptown to catch Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's, then make our way down 5th Avenue for more visual delights at Tiffany's and others, stopping in at Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center....spy the tree being strung with lights, then head over to Bryant Park for the seasonal pop-up shops. A great kick off to the holiday season.
The theme this year at BG is Inspiration: The Arts. Hero shots of the windows by photographer Ricky Zehavi. To learn how she creates these photos see 5th/58th blog post from 2013 HERE. For a really generous look behind the scenes, in case you missed it, see the Wall Street Journal article HERE. Works-in-progress and sketches! Swoon.
I realize many of you may have never been to the city to see this retail marvel, so here is how the windows appear in context from across the street.
First from the left is Literature. The monochromatic color palette is so strong, which actually allows you to notice all the textural details within - everything is made from fabric and thread. All the portraits are embroidered or needlepointed! Rich and luscious velvets everywhere. Books are fabric with threaded words. Crochet and felted busts and creatures keep the lady company, next to a gigantic typewriter.
My favorite...the Architecture window. All paper. Blueprints. Models. Tools. Dimensional and inventive. The phrenology twins make their appearance in this one. (It's a search every year to see where they will surface.) Fabulous structures in every scale. Two composite figures that made me swoon, reminiscent of Nicolas de Larmessin but in 3-D. The juxtaposition of all the various elements makes you want to stay a while until you think you've caught every detail. Then you want to stay longer.
The Theater window was colorful and dynamic. A terrific tribute to the city and Broadway. Flashing, strobing, moving neon. My online friend Demetrios, Production Manager Windows, was involved with this one and wrote that he enjoyed learning what can be done with electric lights. I know he is a prolific paper artist so it must have been a blast to venture into new materials. Making shapes with color and glass and light? Fun!
Painting. An entire window of white washed props, tools, artist's models....then a painting brought to life with color. But Look again. It's a canvas painting of a canvas being painted. And tucked behind is another miniature artist. Massive articulated man and horse...small ones too. So much depth and so many secrets hiding in this one.
Music. Shiny sparkley silvery. You can imagine the finesse it took to assemble this one - likely with white gloves. They HAD to have rehearsed this off set to get the symmetry just right. Amazing!!
This offers a visual narrative of the five main windows. The side windows included Photography, Film, Calligraphy, Gastronomy, Cartography, Dance, Sculpture. They thought of everything. The Arts - very Inspiring. Thank Bergdorf Goodman for another array of delicious windows to rev up the excitement and stir the spirit leading up to the holidays.
Five years ago, November 2009, I started a Ruby Tuesday journal as a weekly practice of making art to keep me from getting crabby during the holidays. With so much that needs to get done in December, I found I wasn't setting aside time for myself. I've learned that if I don't get into the studio I start to get bunched up and anxious. I need to be using my hands to make stuff - it fulfills me in so many ways. The RT journal became a series, as I kept the practice going for several years, and used to post weekly updates here. Here is one from the archives, dated 12.16.09.
Sometimes we need to just step away from the To-Do list and escape...it quiets my mind to sit with a page and paint. It's on the plan for this afternoon!
I'm suffering from some trigger finger issues again.....so I've been off the computer. Didn't intend to stay away so long. Almost done editing my Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows photos. Will post soon!
