Tuesday, July 7, 2015

30 Thankfuls - July 7, 2015

 I am thankful:

1) for the lovely green veggies in our garden up the hill.
2) that weather for Stillwater's  first Summer Tuesday of the season was just about Perfect.
3) for "free" live music available for five more weeks - weather permitting.
4) because the Grand Marais Art Festival is coming up this weekend.
5) that Todd cleaned up most of the downed portion of the apple tree in backyard.


6) that we didn't have more damage.
7) that we can listen to Wimbledon tennis matches on-line.
8) I was able to walk/run  up and down twice a "new" old section of Stillwater's stairs this morning.
9) for Aldi's sale on cherries today. I sat in the van, ate a few from first container, then went in for            three more boxes!
10) for not caring if there are any typos in this post tonight.
11) the box of pre-cut mats arrived this afternoon. My mat-cutter and I have never gotten along...
12) there are always more than thirty reasons to be Thankful.
13) that it was Discount Tuesday for members of our local co-op. I bought a small container of                 coffee-flavored not-real ice cream. No sugar. No milk. But lots of flavor! Pace myself...
14) that the ArtReach exhibition crew allowed me to deliver my entry just slightly after the deadline.
15) for the discovery of how good grilled egg-plant tastes!
16) because our new turn-table works with the old records.
17) our drawing session went O.K. (A parade of widely varied animals playing band instruments is always a challenge!) Please don't judge - we did the best we could!


18) to be able to Own books!!!!!
19) that we have Free Little Library sites in town.
20) to have more clothes than I need.
21) because the days are still relatively long. This will pass all to soon.
22) that the Minnesota Twins baseball team is doing much better than it did the past three years.
23) for the Minnesota Orchestra's free concert in Hudson, Wisconsin last night. Yoda and I were                there - along with a park-full of other music fans.


                         24) that the Orchestra played music from STAR WARS!!!

25) that there is still a bit of un-used space in the garden, and that it is not too late to put in a few               more seeds/plants.
26) for the whistling tea-pot on the stove.
27) knowing that this post is almost finished!
28) for Facebook Shares that get me through the day.
29) that I don't have to read scary novels for a living.
30) although, sometimes, not Thankful enough. (Today there were a few growly patches. Oh well.)

Ta da! And on to tomorrow -

Fare-thee-well,
Sue


Appreciating the Old Stuff

I have to deliver art to our local ArtReach Members Show today. This Stillwater group has grown amazingly since getting its own space ( a large house across from The Stillwater Library) several years ago. Writers and poets meet there regularly. There are rooms upstairs for classes of many kinds. Two spacious areas downstairs make for excellent viewing of the every-changing (mostly month) art exhibits. The front porch is welcoming spot to sit during Openings. But I digress.

I have to deliver a piece of art there. Today. all of the new work is either packed for art fairs, in galleries, or unfinished. Worthy work we have at home has mostly already been shown there. Time to go deep and see what's to be found... dig dig dig.

Here are the "volunteers" that are heading downtown today - whether they want to or not -



This is a small 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" colored-pencil drawing, matted and framed funkily, but matted and framed. 1998? Evidence of how long bear shaped objects have been showing up by way of pencil, paint, or pen. I don't want to dig deeper. So  - good to go!

These guys show more emotion than lots of my current work. Something IS going on - though I have no idea what.. Well, alcohol MIGHT be involved... But I do not know the situation - before or after. That;s part of the "charm" of heading toward white paper with art supplies. Even with plans these often go awry. Some work will appear much more wonderful than one could have imagined. Other pieces get "Sorry"d to and then ripped into quarters. It happens.

And, if anybody needs an original of two tipsy bruins, these guys are for sale.

Temperature is brisk 54 degrees - heading for 71.  time for a 1 1/2 mile walk downhill, a bunch of stairs, 1 1/2 miles UPHILL, and  doing what must be done for the rest of this beautiful day.
Hoping to see some of you this weekend at Grand Marais Art Fair! Though the weekend of July 11 - 12 is coming up a bit too fast... ONWARD!

(And because I am "behind" in this Personal Challenge be warned that there will be multiple postings soon in catching up. Feel free to suggest a Topic!)

Fare-thee-well,
Be kind -
Sue

www.suerowe.com
Facebook  Page: Sue-Rowe-Studios


Sunday, July 5, 2015

No-Art-Fair 4th - Eek!

July 5th, 2015.

We survived not doing an art fair or flea-market on July 4th! I am so used to loading a vehicle on July 2nd or 3rd and then heading somewhere in wee morning hours of that date that I knew we could not "waste" this rare weekend summer day.

Husband and I often have different thoughts on what constitutes a good way to spend a day, that on the morning of July 4th we agreed (!) to head about thirty miles north of Stillwater and explore a bit of Interstate State Park. The park's website stated that parking would be at a premium during the holiday, but arriving at approximately 9:30 A.M. we had no problem finding a space. A day pass was $5.00, and after using the Self-Pay kiosk we joined the folks already walking and climbing among the rocks. 

Knowing that I would want to document the day I made sure my "good" digital camera was fully charged. I love the iPhone, but wanted lots of "room" in case it was needed. About half-way to our destination, yup, I realized camera was still home hooked to charger. O.K., little iPhone, it's up to you.

Because there are so many images already in phone (yes, I know they have to be moved somewhere else) I chose my photos carefully. Sometimes this is a good discipline. And, yes, I trashed a few along the route. But I was pleased with the pictures I shot and know that I WILL be back - next time with another camera!

 Here is just one image from the day:



Will write later about the geography and a little history of this place. But so enjoyed being with these ancient geological beauties for the first time.

It won't be the last!

And this next weekend holds Grand Marais - one of our favorite art festivals. Life is pretty good.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

www.suerowe.com
Facebook Page: Sue-Rowe-Sudios

Friday, July 3, 2015

Art Fair Mystery - Grand Marais

Art Fairs aren't just about selling ones wares to others.
They are also about meeting new friends and re-visiting old ones.
Sometimes they are about surviving thunder storms and/or hail.
Sometimes they are about surviving an afternoon when the Heat Index reaching 105 F.

They can be the greatest fun.
They can be true agony.
They can hold laughter and tears within the same hour.

Some art fairs allow dogs.
I have MANY photos of Art Fair Dogs.
Two years ago, had I been quicker at the set up for River Falls, Wisconsin's Art on the Kinni I would have at least one photo of a young guy walking his pet porker on a leash. I have only memories. They are enough.

Then here is this beastie:


Two years ago Todd and I were walking around Grand Marais, Minnesota. It was a lovely calm evening. Even with the bars busy and shops open relatively late, there is not much going on on the main drag. After dinner we always hike to several different look-outs to spy on Lake Superior. As we walked closer to one of the many small shops in town I did a double-take when spotting this special window scene. The shop cat was keeping watch over whatever was holding its attention. Or perhaps it was in deep meditation? One seldom knows with cats. It looked at us for a moment as we came closer; then chose, in cat fashion, to ignore those two folks at the window. We were not in any way a concern to Cat. Cat was focused on cat thoughts. I took the photo and we moved on.

The weekend of July 11 - 12, 2015 we intend to be exhibiting at Grand Marais again. The fair is not large - but it IS Special. We get to talk life with Canadians. We got to wee lake Superior in action - for better and sometimes for worse. We artists enjoy getting treated REALLY well by members of the Grand Marais Art Colony. And The World's Best Donuts are on the far end of town. Really. With walls and tables covered in photos of folks all over the world proclaiming same. And there is PIE and great art galleries and music-filled bars and air that is fresh and sweet and Lake Superior-y. If you like rocks the beach is a fine place for picking. If you like trees there are plenty. If you like being alone and then with people and then alone again you can do this easily in Grand Marais.

Oh, and the past few years the Art Fair weekend is one for yarn-bombing sightings all through town.

Now it's time to re-call becoming parents to our son on a sort of long-ago July 3rd. He may be taller than our daughter but he'll always be that Younger Brother.  And I  still remember watching the National Fireworks from my July 4th hospital bed - ha! In person fire-works are better.

And NOW it's time to brew a cup of tea and decide on a chocolate treat from Trader Joe's. The head won't thank me but the tongue will - at least for a little while. And we must learn to appreciate those Little Whiles. Like the cat in the window. Or maybe the cat is still there...

"Happy Fourth of July!," if you celebrate the date, and May Your July 4th be a Lovely Day with the Activities of Your Choosing - if you do not.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

www.suerowe.com
Facebook Page: Sue-Rowe-Studios


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

July Challenge - Day 1

Good Morning and Happy July 1st!

If I want to be A Blogger I guess I have to blog.
My Personal Challenge to me for July is to post thirty times.

That Contact Thirty Places to sell one's wares never happened - though I did feel guilty and mad at myself that whole month for continuing on with those "I'M TOO AFRAID TO CONTACT BUSINESS PEOPLE" interior mind chat. Bleah.

Forward and sideways!

"Don't beat up on yourself." O.K.

And I DID start being one of The Stillwater main Street Stairs People - ha and yay. 159 steps up. 159 steps down. Just within the past two weeks I have learned so many different ways of dealing with ups and downs.

Will type more of this later.
Time for working at the antique shop, and trying to figure out what should be included in new web-site design.

The garden is coming along and the days re not requiring air-conditioning!

And, with mixed emotions, we will probably be free of doing an art fair this July 4th Holiday Weekend.



Post Number 1 - done and done.

Decide on your own 30 Day Challenge? You can do it! (Or as in the above case - not!)

Life's constant choices -------

Fare-thee-well!
Sue
 www.suerowe.com
Facebook page: Sue-Rowe-Studios

Friday, June 12, 2015

More Thirty Thankfuls

Today I am thankful (this is all very free-form)

1) for SUNSHINE.
2) that the garden is greening up.
3) for the teakettle that soon should be whistling on the stove.
4) for the music of Vivaldi.
5) that I got a re-order from a gallery out East.
6) because we have a new art fair to try this Sunday. (Oshkosh, WI - June 14).
7) for business that I need to use being only minutes away.
8) for a bowl of home-made soup waiting in the frig.
9) that we don't have to work at the antique shop today.
10) for the decent sales we've been having at the antique shop.

11) for the energy and will to keep exercising every day.
12) that I decided not to fight the folks at Wet Paint's art supply sale this morning, and spend the time weeding in the garden instead.
13) that the Bleeding Heart is STILL in blossom. It's been beautiful for WEEKS!
14) that Todd's (potentially) Giant Pumpkins are growing.
15) THAT OUR WEB-SITE IS FINALLY GETTING RE-DESIGNED!!!!
16) that American Pharaoh won The Triple Crown.
17) for Coconut Rough tea that friend living in New Zealand sent .
18) for friend who lives in New Zealand.
19) that I am not dealing with ambulance situation being heard in the background. (Thoughts and prayers going out to those who are.)

20) because I DO have more than enough art supplies!
21) for people wanting to buy the things that I create. THANK YOU!!!
22) for the NBA Play-off Series.  Sigh.
23) that we have more than enough food in our home.
24) that, as far as I know, both grown "kids" are doing O.K.
25) that Sir Todd gave me a good back rub before heading out for his day.
26) knowing I have more than 30 things to be thankful for.
27)  for Mozart and Bob Marley.
28) that I am in control of the big TV for a few hours. No, I probably won't watch - but I could!
29) because I can HEAR the kettle whistling through the tinnitus whistle. Nice Harmony this morning.
30) that this moment of blogging went quickly and easily.




Back to Reality!



Fare-thee-well,
Sue

www.suerowe.com
Facebook Page: Sue-Rowe-Studios

Monday, June 8, 2015

Dancing In Edges

Listening to National League Hockey play-offs and matting and framing pastels. Have I ever mentions how much I do not enjoy framing? Not that it matters. An artist's gotta do what an artist's gotta do.

Anyway, the latest piece to be captured behind glass is a work I titled "Dancing In Edges." Here it is is progress:


I was playing with color and trying to use up little chunks of pastel (an on-going process). After lightly drawing a basic bear I mostly just grabbed colors I felt worked well together and made shapes. Large, small, irregular. It didn't really matter. I did want an un-balanced balance, but didn't think HARD about where the colors and shapes ended up. Whole bunches of sort of "happy accidents."

The darkest areas at bottom probably started off black, but later I covered these spots with very dark blue. I use black when I fell like using it, but this time.... I changed my mind. It's O.K. to change your mind. It CAN be for the better. I did try to not layer colors - hoping their gem-like glows would shimmer against each-other. 

 I really liked the color of the dark-grey paper showing through areas not covered by pastel. This became the most serious issue when trying to finish the painting. I asked friends. i asked family members. I even took this piece to a meeting of the lake Country pastel Society. Opinions were mixed: Keep the grey areas. Work in more colors. 

Going with the "add a bit more color" folks, I had to decide which colors and where to put them. I did enjoy blending some edges while keeping some edges clean. I didn't worry too much about color theory - only whether the result of color against color was pleasing to my eye.

After a few more sessions of pressing bits of pastels into the paper I decided to quit and feel the painting was finished. There are still a few areas free of pastel - yay! And the colors glow - yay! And the piece is matted and framed - so I guess it IS finished - YAY!!



No, you cannot tell that any pastels are missing from the supplies. But I think the paper was well-used, and I hope that this colorful painting catches the eye of a potential customer at an art fair this coming Sunday!

Now it's time to feel sad for the serious Chicago Blackhawks hockey fans. Yup, their team led for a few seconds, but lost in the end.

Between basketball, hockey, tennis, and horse-racing this weekend I am almost sports out. Almost....
Bears, and hockey, and blogging, oh my!

Time for a tea break. It's been a long afternoon and evening of matting and framing art-work. 
But a good spending of time. Two new pieces ready for this Sunday's Art Fair in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It will be our first time exhibiting at this show, so am happy to increase the bruins' range.

Time to quit dancing. Time for a nap!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

www.suerowe.com
Facebook Page: Sue-Rowe-Studios