Too Much Culture - Not Enough Time!

Rather than spending all day Making Art I took a few hours off this evening to hang out with others who also Make Art.

The first event took place at Gallery 120 in River Falls, Wisconsin. Two friends who are photographers are part of exhibition featuring a total of four folks who make excellent images.

About half of the work was from abroad - Europe and South Africa in particular. As a person who has yet to cross an ocean I am still amazed by the many humans who take world-wide travel as a given.

Other subjects were beautiful close-ups of flowers and insects, and the ice caves in the Apostle Islands.

Each photographer had mastered topic, and I could still be there staring at the jaguar staring off frame - guarding its just-downed zebra foal while mare and herd mate look at big cat from hill above.

The artists each were invited to talk about their work, and all added to the specialness of the evening. I find even a few sentences to be eye-opening when then returning to view a picture. And hearing some of background stories made particular photographs even more powerful.

Having enjoyed both wine and coffee at that Opening I was both awake and relatively relaxed when arriving back in Stillwater for the ArtReach Members' Show Opening. No wine please, but Sparkling Water will be wonderful. A total of fifty works filled the two gallery spaces. The opening was well underway and very well attended. A magnificent bronze piece by Jim Schoop, depicting a local Gypsy Dancer, was the highlight of the exhibit. It handily won Best in Show and will probably win the Peoples' Choice award on closing night.

We helped finish off the brownies, and chatted till close of event.

Then it was time to come home and get back to work....
But - first there was Nervous Parenting to do. Daughter Tara was competing at the San Diego ComicCon's Her Universe Fashion Show. Her dress, inspired by the Star Wars Death Star had seventy-two hours of hand-beading, LED lights, and accompanying X-Wing Fighter Clutch Purse. It was magnificent! Just not magnificent enough... Tara placed Third out of twenty-five competitors. So texting and Face-booking and long-distance hugs and You Did Greats and all will be wells were typed and typed.

THEN I HAD to get to work. So mixed up some paint, scribbled "Simply put - I'm Happy Here" on the bottom of a painting, and decided that was it for the evening...

Tomorrow's coming WAY too soon, and there's "too much" to do in final prep for Grand Marais Art Festival, but what gets done gets done and what doesn't doesn't. Sometimes Zen practice helps lots - or maybe it's just the REALLY TIRED kicking in.

Ever onward. And Be Kind.
I have accomplished Today...

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

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

Never Too Late

That darned "30 Posts Personal Challenge."
I am tired and semi-cranky and usually am conked out by this time of night.
Not tonight.
Accidentally took a sort of nap around 6:30  P.M. and am now sort of awake.

Curses!
I am NOT a Night Person. I am a Five A.M. person.

So have been matting reproductions and making greeting cards.
"Monkey work" we call it.
The brain is mostly on the side-lines. Tonight it is listening to an episode of "The Mind of a Chef."
I love shows dealing with food and eating.
I am not one for shows about re-furbishing houses.
I have mixed emotions about shows about hoarding....

Now this piece is long enough for me to consider it a Post.
Disagree, if you choose.

Tomorrow is another day.
Another day. Another Chance. Another post.

Here's a scrap of ink and words from 2014:

Fare-thee-well!
Another day toward Grand Marais!!
Booth 5A - here we come!

Sue

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

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

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

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

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