Dispatches from Sweden
This trip is taking you to Karlskrona in Sweden, situated by the Baltic Sea. I will hang my exhibition and attend the show opening at Karlskrona Konsthall (arthall). It is a cold day with the sun trying to shine through the clouds. I was supposed to go by train but the train is set so there is a bus taking us to our destinations instead.
The bus driver could only drive four hours at a time, so after a while he takes a break and hands out sandwiches to all of us, and takes his break with us back in the bus. He lives in Karlskrona and promises to go to my exhibition.
I have great help to hang the exhibition by the gallery technicians. Half of my paintings are already in the gallery and the rest will turn up the next day, straight from my exhibition in Östersund. It is a little bit nervous before you know if everything really gets there on time. It turns out the paintings are stuck somewhere on their way, but close. The janitor, where the paintings are, offers himself to bring them to us. Happy ending :)
See the paintings here. And a few more pictures from the arthall.
Next day after hanging it all I get time to look at the surroundings. It is a very cold day so I can't go so far. Maybe I should try to exhibit in the warm part of the year.
I walk around randomly on the streets. It is a very pretty town. Apparently the Naval Port of Karlskrona is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List The main square of Karlskrona is the biggest in Scandinavia, and actually the second biggest in Europe, after the Red Square of Moscow. I visit the Fredrik Church, the foundation of the church was laid in 1720, and it was inaugurated in 1744. It differs from usual Swedish churches in its yellow color and its adornment.
It seems like there is alot of "old fashioned" cafées in Karlskrona = they serve you by the table, they only have filter coffee, you get a refill and the cookies are small. I prefer a cafe latte, but I like these cafées very much.
Since I am going back home right after the opening, we do the celebration part the day before. They take me out for dinner and then a concert.
For obvious reasons I can't stay out late :) The opening goes well. They had a small contest before the show, people were asked to look at three of my paintings and write something, a story about one of them. We had so much fun reading them. Three of the contributions were selected and they got a small prize and read their own stories during the opening. I had tears in my eyes, they looked so proud.
A quick stop at the hot dog stand, for mashed potatoes and falafel, and then back to Gothenburg.
20 in 20
Create 20 handmade crafts in 20 days- and then give them all away? That's the idea behind Abbey Hendrickson's 20 in 20 project. Abbey, the artist behind the daily lifestyle blog Aesthetic Outburst, started her project as a personal crafting challenge, but now 20 in 20 has become a fun handmade giveaway for us all! Click here to find out how it all works! And then follow the giveaways each day!
CALL TO ARTISTS: Habitat for Artists Project Residency
HFA is a collective project that uses the idea of the artist’s studio as a catalyst for mutual engagement between artists and communities.
Press Release: Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild, St Johnsbury
Feathers and Fur, Birds and Beasts
Animals we live among, some wild and some domestic, will be the subjects of an exhibition hosted by the Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild from March 5 through April 23. Elinor Osborn's photographs of birds and ValeriaSarephena Elliott's photographic portraits of farm animals will enliven the walls, while in the center of the Backroom Gallery will hang ceramic bird houses by Abby Dreyer.
The public is cordially invited to meet the artists at a reception at the Guild on Saturday, March 12, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Abby Dreyer has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and studied wood working, furniture design, metal smithing and jewelry making. But it was not until January 2006 that she enrolled in a wheel throwing class and "discovered the wonders of clay." She says, "There has been nothing on my mind or in my hands since." She designs and builds one-of-a-kind birdhouses to be actual nesting boxes for various species of cavity nesting birds. The depth/width of the house as well as the diameter of the entrance hole is different for each species.
Valeria Sarephina Elliott's photography (see right) has always been inspired by nature.Her latest project has been photographing farm animals in local barnyards. She says, "With patience, the animals grow accustomed to my presence, and allow a glimpse of their personalities. I strive to reveal the emotions of the individual, always attempting to capture the spirit of the moment and my subject. "
She has a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts, in New York, and says that her principal mentor is Phillip Geftner, Page One Photo Editor of the New York Times. Her work has been shown in many galleries in New York and Vermont.
Although award-winning photographer Elinor Osborn (left) enjoys photographing a variety of subjects in nature, the images in this exhibition will be of birds. In her book "Project UltraSwan" she follows the story of the trumpeter swan migration project in which scientists use ultralight aircraft to teach young swans the migration route. . Her photographs have been published in many books and magazines.
The Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild is located at 430 Railroad St. in St. Johnsbury and is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Telephone: 802-748-0158. Web address: www.nekartisansguild.com.
PRESS RELEASE: Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams at O'Maddi's Deli and Cafe in Northfield
A Touch of Green
Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams will be the featured artist for the month of March at O'Maddi's Deli and Cafe in Northfield. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the hoped-for coming of Spring, and the green walls of O'Maddi's, each of the artworks will have a little or a lot of green. Birds, blossoms and Vermont landscapes will be subjects of the oils and watercolors on display from March 1 - 31. O'Maddi's is located in the Mayo Building, 7 South Main Street in Northfield. Call 802-485-4700 for more information.
Image: Hidden Glade, oil, Ravenhorst-Adams
PRESS RELEASE: Elise Andréa talk in Craftsbury
Friday, March 4
6:30-7:30 pm
Elise Andréa of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont shows examples of her work and speaks about her life as an artist at The Art House Gallery at 1146 North Craftsbury Road in Craftsbury Common. Elise’s work has been included in many Vermont exhibitions, awarded numerous distinctions and are now in collections around the world. A long-time organic gardener, she traveled to New Zealand in 2006 to work on an organic sheep and cattle station, studying sheep to be able to paint them accurately. Her paintings won awards in New Zealand.
Elise's watercolors are currently on exhibit at the Brown Library at Sterling College.
Image: A Lemon Study by Elise Andréa
PRESS RELEASE: Grafton Valley Arts Guild Inaugural Showcase in Grafton
What: Inaugural Showcase featuring: Campion Tillbrook, Jason Ballard and Cobb Hill
Where: Phelps Barn, The Old Tavern At Grafton
When: Sunday March 20th, 2011 4-7 pm
Details:
The newly organized Grafton Valley Arts Guild, a non profit marketing cooperative supporting the arts within the village of Grafton and surrounding communities is pleased to announce its inaugural event: Sustaining The Arts, Sustaining Communities.
The event will take place Sunday March 20th from 4-7 pm at The Old Tavern At Grafton’s Phelps Barn.
The guild will be featuring the architectural collage works of Campion Tillbrook, which is reminiscent of art deco design and the elegant wood sculpture and furniture of Jason Ballard of My Minds Design in a one night only show.
Also featured will be the award winning Ascutney Mountain cheese from Cobb Hill, one of the most successful intentional communities in the United States. There will be a screening of a short film about Cobb Hill’s focus on sustainability by Vermont Public Television called Re-Generation at 5:30 pm.
The guilds president Adam Howard will make a few brief remarks, followed by a meet and greet with guild members as well as an opportunity to make application and view the guild’s new gallery space, scheduled to open in April, directly across from the Old Tavern At Grafton.
For further information on this unique inaugural event and the Grafton Valley Arts Guild, please contact Adam Howard President or Bryce LeVan Cushing, Treasurer at 802-843-1162.
PRESS RELEASE: Lydia Littwin at Davis Studio Gallery in Burlington
Lydia Littwin's oil paintings are on exhibit at Davis Studio Gallery, 404 Pine Street. There will be an opening reception during First Friday Art Walk, 6 – 8 p.m.
Littwin says, "I believe the greatest joys and challenges of living in New England are the seasons. I am inspired to capture the essence of a season in each of my paintings: the brilliant colors found in Farmer's Market produce, the indescribable shades of blue after a coastal storm, the familiar expanse of a snow-covered corn field. I work mainly in oil paint, and find comfort in the infinite range of colors."
Image: Ocean
Press Release: Karen Dawson at Barnes+Noble, S. Burlington
Vermont and Away-- Paintings by Karen Dawson
Artworks address the theme of seeing the forest for the trees… what is far away is also very close. Painting, as much as any other activity, is a search and a struggle; I hope this is conveyed in all of my work.
When: February 27 thru March 26, 2011
Reception: Saturday March 5, 3-5pm.
Where: Barnes and Noble Café Gallery
102 Dorset Street
S. Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 864-8001
For more information about the artist and her work, please contact Karen Dawson 802-865-1208. Lakeside Gallery and Art Studio, 58 Wright Ave. Burlington, Vermont. Gallery visits by appointment.
More work available at karendawson.com.
Image: Carrying Baskets-- acrylic on paper, framed 20” x 26,” $500
A glimpse of spring
New Online Magazine: dabble!
Canadian design aficionado, Kimberley Seldon joins the ranks of online magazines today launching her newest project as Editor-in-Chief with dabble magazine! The design, travel and food publication is jam–packed with features such as an interview with Diane von Furstenberg, a home tour with Nashville's James Ingram, a faux–panelled wall DIY, heaps of travel destinations and delicious looking recipes! Click here to view the first issue.
Coordinate Your Rugs!
This is a sample size wool rug with a very large geometric design. Perfect for a large carpet in a great room.
Shown in chocolate and pale aqua blue. See two more sample size rugs below that coordinate beautifully with this rug. All in the same colors in 100% wool. Exclusive to Designer Carpets, Atlanta.
Chocolate, pale aqua blue and gold.
Chocolate, gold and pale aqua blue.
Dispatches from France
Hello everyone, today I want to tell you how I styled up our loos in France...OK not the more enticing subject but bear with me on this :-)
I'm currently in our home in France and one thing that I usually find relaxing when I'm down there - providing it's hot outside, I can get a tan without getting bored on a beach towel and I can listen to French radio - is doing DIY. Clearly February is not the appropriate season to dig out my bikini and paint brushes but while I'm there, I thought I would share with you a little DIY project in our toilet I did a couple of years ago on a budget and which still looks good.
I'm attracted to beautiful things and get 'a bit' stressed out when things don't look their best in my home. The loos we have in one of the homes we rent to other families during the Summer, were seriously doing my head in. Even if we hardly stay there, I still wanted to do something nice with them for the people who did. So here are the culprits....
My inspiration came from a photoshoot styled by Sweet Paul for Country Living (see below) where Paul covered a wall with pages from a book. I just love how simple and calming it looked.
Sweet Paul |
Then I just put some wallpaper glue on the pages and positioned them onto the wall...
- Select a book with a good layout. Lots of books nowadays have the title of the book on each page which won't look good on the wall so go for a book with a nice, airy layout.
- Measure the area to wallpaper and the size of your page to work out the number of pages you will need. If you need 100 pages, go for a book which has 200+ pages (pages are counted on recto & verso but you will only be able to use one side. Pretty obvious but wasn't to me at the time until my smart mum enlightened me.....
- Get a varnish that doesn't turn yellow over the years and spray your wall once finished to protect the pages from water projections.
And then of course you can do this with pages from comic strips or from The Times etc or even pages with gorgeous women from glossy mags but I wanted to create a relax feel to it and it just worked out perfectly.
Design Help for a Barbara Barry Fan
Kelly: "Ashley, I need design help!"
Kelly: "My dining room needs a major design transformation."
Me: "You mean room that has been unloved and unused for years?!"
Kelly: "Yes."
Me: "I have been waiting for this day to come!"
Kelly: "Ha ha, well I know what I want the space to look like, but I not sure how to achieve the design. I need some design direction and I don't have time with my two kids to find the resources, drag them shopping with me or stock design blogs!"
I am sure there are many of you who can related with Kelly.
This is when a little sister, or an interior designer, comes in really handy! It is part my job to know where to look, provided the resources, steer you in the right direction and most importantly, save you time!
Kelly's design inspiration is the elegant and oh so talented Barbara Barry. (mine too)
Gramercy Upholstered Chair from Ballard Design
Como Ikat Dijon Sunbrella from Ballard Design
Modern Glamour Hathaway Table from Ethan Allen
Modern Glamour Jaqueline Side Chair from Ethan Allen
Crackle Jars with Brass Lids from William Sonoma Home
Rectangular Shade Pendant from Restoration Hardware
Blog Archive
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2011
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February
(235)
- Dispatches from Sweden
- 20 in 20
- CALL TO ARTISTS: Habitat for Artists Project Resid...
- Press Release: Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild, S...
- PRESS RELEASE: Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams at O'Madd...
- PRESS RELEASE: Elise Andréa talk in Craftsbury
- PRESS RELEASE: Grafton Valley Arts Guild Inaugural...
- PRESS RELEASE: Lydia Littwin at Davis Studio Galle...
- Press Release: Karen Dawson at Barnes+Noble, S. Bu...
- A glimpse of spring
- Today at Poppytalk Handmade
- New Online Magazine: dabble!
- Coordinate Your Rugs!
- Dispatches from France
- Design Help for a Barbara Barry Fan
- Today at Poppytalk Handmade
- Vintage Finds from an EBay Observer
- Happy Sunday!
- Sitting Still - Matthew Hilton's new Windsor chair...
- Today at Poppytalk Handmade
- More Today at Poppytalk Handmade
- Last Call for Submissions - Mad March Market - Dea...
- Weekend Project: Postcard Display turned Photo Di...
- Maker Faire Comes to Vancouver!
- Colours of the Week
- Where Do You See Our Products? Places like these!!
- Space to Think... at Ligne Roset's cave-desk
- Hula Seventy: Happy Walls
- Transform your room with a solid wood Mission Book...
- Think SPRING!!!
- On the Radar
- Photo of the Day!
- Finding a Great Rug!
- DIY Scrap Pallet Plank Wall
- Wood for Good - the medium is the message
- Dispatches From Sweden
- Lesson Learned
- Today at Poppytalk Handmade: Spring Flowers
- Pour
- DutchCrafters has Mission office furniture for you...
- Great Architecture in the US
- Porcelain of Vivienne Foley
- Kasanna Home
- Trompe L'oeil wallpapers of Christophe Koziel
- Seletti - Revolution is the only solution
- Punkalive’s wood furniture
- Christian Pottgiesser's architecture
- Weismann Roadster MF5
- Budding Blooms
- Dead Simple Chocolate Cake
- Fresh From the Oven: Cody Haltom
- The Sidetrack Cafe: Art Helps
- At DutchCrafters, you'll find the largest collecti...
- Burger Cake, Fries and a Soda!
- CALL TO ARTISTS: High School Art Competition will ...
- Kravet Showroom - The New Red!
- Anti-Bullying Flashmob
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- All wrapped up: an eye-catching light from the Sto...
- DutchCrafters Queen Anne Highboy Dresser featured ...
- Call to Artists: Northwestern Medical Center, St. ...
- Fresh off the Press! Art & Home Lookbook
- A Great Dining Lantern!
- Petracer's Ceramic - elegant & sophisticated tiles...
- Press Release: Works by Karen Dawson, Muddy Waters...
- PRESS RELEASE: Portraits in Writing at Chandler Ga...
- PRESS RELEASE: Melissa S Armstrong at Vermont Stud...
- Weekend Project: Convert a Closet
- Making the Canary Wood Box
- Found Wooden Box Drawings by Indigo
- The Native Trees of Canada
- Did you know that DutchCrafters offers Discounts f...
- Kravet Showroom Features Gray
- Sparrow & Co.
- Terreform - Visions for the future
- Kitty Teepee
- Our Latest and Greatest Flat File Cabinet!
- Photo of the Day!
- That One Great Thing
- Desart Collection
- Jakob + Macfarlane design
- We have the best solid wood Amish handcrafted offi...
- Quadrille Fabrics
- Ruling the Roost
- Affordable Art: You Sentimental Idiot
- DESIGNER OF THE MONTH
- Photo of the Day!
- my make believe collection :: 3 :: louise bourgeois
- X ray photography of Nick Veasey
- New Colors from Farrow and Ball Paints 2011
- Matsys - design that explores relationships betwee...
- Collection of furnishing from SNUG
- Check out our newest Collection ... The Craftsman ...
- Lobanov Design - luxury yachts & planes
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- Gimme S'more! Homemade Graham Cracker Cookies
- There's No Place Like Here: Hindsvik
- Press Release: Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams at City C...
- Photo of the Day!
- Camengo Collections from Casamance
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