the challenge

I shared this photo with Tom for his 1st photo...It 's a family portrait 9/25/11

There are many challenges in everyday life.  One I find I come across more often than not is the constant struggle to create art in my everyday life.  I consider myself a working artist, however most days I feel I work more than I make personal art.  Last year I did give myself the "challenge" of entering and completing The Sketchbook Project.  I had a great time participating and welcomed the challenge...however I have to be honest and admit, a little part of me has been missing my sketchbook.  I will definitely have to go visit it now that the books have returned to the Brooklyn Art Library's permanent collection.  While on vacation last week, my husband Tom was showing me one of  the latest i Phone apps he had downloaded called Photo365.  We are both photographers, he is as a professional photographer and I have a degree in photography where it has now become a favorite hobby more than a profession, but never the less, we are both usually snapping away with some kind of camera, and many times, it is with our i Phones.  So there we were looking at our i Phone photos of the day and decided, wouldn't it be a great challenge to do Photo365 together!  We decided to make the official "start" date our 7 year anniversary, and then go for a year and see what we each come up with.  I even added it to our "shared" calendar so each day at noon an alarm goes off  on our i Phones to remind us to take our daily photo.  Last night Tom told me it is much harder to "do this" now that we are no longer on vacation...I do agree.  However I feel that makes it even more of a challenge.  Maybe some days will not have a photo, and that is ok too. What I see is most important is to at least try to find some time where you can look, feel or find some inspiration to help create art for yourself, then the rest can all fall into place.  Sometimes just making the commitment is the challenge in itself.

This is my 1st photo...9/25/11

Katie, over at Adventures of an Art Teacher talks about setting goals in art as well and about the Project 365 in 2010.  I "googled" Project 365 and found that there are many photographers and Flickr sites out there where photographers have been taking daily photos and recording them, some better than others.  I think it is often a great idea for recording a pregnancy, aging of your children, progress of a garden,  or even the growth of animals. I am definitely looking forward to Tom's and mine.  

Has anyone else started a new and interesting challenge? 

i ♥ risd

I love RISD (Rhode Island School of Design)...really, I do.  Whenever someone mentions the school, the word,  or even Providence at that matter...my eyes light up and I am instantly reminded of all the wonderful experiences I had as a student there oh too many years ago!  Yes, it has a reputation as being one of the best art schools in the country...but for me, and most of the people I know who went there, it is so much more.  The exceptional teachers, the array of remarkable art classes, the amazing and unique friends I met while spending night after night in the studio to complete project after project....they are all a part of who I am today.  I love to visit the school and Providence.  Living only a few hours away and having family not far from Providence brings me to the area at least once or twice a year.  For many years my closest college friends and I would visit every October for Parent and Alumni Weekend.  The best part about that weekend it the student and alumni sale where RISD-ites show off their talents and sell their handmade goods.  I am never at a loss for something to buy at those sales and sometimes I even participate.  The city has definitely changed since I was a student...but absolutely for the better.  It has gone through a renaissance that has beautified parts that needed help, yet the history and charm of old world Providence seems untouched.  A few weekends ago my husband and I made a quick stop in Providence on our way back from visiting family.  Our time was limited so I knew we wouldn't be able to hit every favorite spot, but I also knew whatever we did see would still be excellent! We had our dog Mel with us so we set out on a little walking tour.   Of course my husband has heard the same stories a hundred times....but I thought Mel would enjoy a peek at what I was doing before he was even born!

One of my favorite stops...the mailroom!

The RISD museum has vastly expanded since I was a student.  It has a fabulous and diverse collection...a MUST see if you are in town!

The infamous RISD "beach".  Most students spend hours on this small patch of lawn, a great meeting place around the dorms in the center of the campus.  Note the tape "installation" on the wall welcoming the summer pre-college students!

Close up of the sculpture on the beach (Tom took this one).

Students selling their goods on the beach overlooking Benefit Street - where the student/alumni sale is in the fall.

The Nature Lab - One of the best places to spend countless hours examining specimens and drawing their likeness.  An amazingly original asset to the campus.

Mel & Tom resting while I shopped a bit at the RISD store!

The lower end of the museum on North Main St. which also features a the RISD Works store - all items are developed and/or made by RISD students/graduates.

This stairwell used to be a small, back alley when I was a student...Mel enjoyed the improvement!

Taking a lunch break down by the canal at Union Station Brewery.  They were so nice there, filled up Mel's bowl and gave us a table outside so he could take a rest while we ate.

Downtown Providence and the canal has gone through a "renaissance" since I was a student.  This bridge leading to the canal has been renovated and a September 11th memorial has been created by local students.

It is called the Wall of Hope.

I looked up and these old chandeliers were looking down at me...I love how the old mixes with the revived and new.

Several times a year the city holds what is called Waterfire Providence.   Waterfire was created by local artists as part of the revitalization movement and is a powerful work of art where fires are lit on the rivers at night as choreographed music plays and firetenders boat past...symbolizing the renaissance of the city.  The dark black orbs you see floating on the river in my photo are where some of the fires are lit.

My husband & Mel did get a treat from the RISD store...a new sticker for Tom's truck.  He has a pretty descent collection of stickers from all places we go...so when I saw the "my dog digs risd" bone shaped sticker...I knew he would find the perfect spot for it!  'Cause after all, Mel definitely shares my love for RISD now!

lost and found in brooklyn

As you probably know by now, we have had a lot of snow on the East Coast this year. I saw this video a few weeks ago when we had the blizzard that basically shut down New York for a day or two and thought it was pretty amazing.  I came across it again today and noted that the film maker, Todd Bieber, still has not found the owner of the photographs.  Take a look...maybe you can help and email him at brooklynfoundfilm@gmail.com

sketchbook in the mail!

My sketchbook is finished and in the mail (delivered in fact...I just checked my shipping confirmation)!  It was a very exciting and exhausting project, but I am so happy I decided to enter and see it through.  I didn't use all the materials I thought I would to create my book (not really all that surprising).  As it was coming together, I actually felt less was more and liked the simplicity of the book and composition of each page as I was designing them.  The photo transfers each took on their own life and no two were the same.  The photos also changed as they became transfers on fabric...which I really love.  Tom helped me photograph the book before I shipped it away so I would have a record of my work since it is now part of the permanent collection of the The Brooklyn Art Library.  Here are a few shots of the book, more can be seen here or if you visit one of the shows when all the sketchbooks are on tour!

Tom shooting my final book!

Can't wait to see all the creative books everyone made on tour!  

Did you enter? Well...there's always next year...OR next up

A Million Photographs...I'm still deciding :) 

sketchbook project...here i come!

Several people I know, including myself, entered The Sketchbook Project this year.  Sweet Dani B mentioned her sketchbook back in August on her blog and and our friend Dallas is also participating. It is an incredible project; over 28,000 artists are participating and making sketchbooks to be exhibited all around the country.  Check out the website, it's pretty cool, they have images of books from the previous year and give dates when the tour may be in a city near you.  So I entered, got my theme of "facing forward", and received my sketchbook months ago.  I have also had an idea of what I have wanted to do for months....and now those months have turned into weeks and now I am of course, down to less than two weeks before I need to send my book in...and I am just getting to create it.  The past few days I have been trying out what I have been "thinking" about, and I feel my ideas and concepts are really going to work.  I love photo transfers...and I have been reading about new ways to transfer onto fabric.  I want to make my book out of images and transfers, but I also want to incorporate fabrics and have the book be textural.  I had thought from the beginning I would have to "deconstruct" the book a bit.  One of the requirements is you have to have your pages fit inside the cover, but you can change out the pages if you'd like.  I have decided to make fabric pages for my book out of a thick muslin and use additional vintage fabrics throughout the book.

vintage fabrics for use throughout the sketchbook

transfer test on thin cotton muslin

transfer test on thicker cotton muslin

I kind of feel like I am back at RISD and will probably have to pull a few all-nighters to finish my book...however I am pretty excited with the results so far.  Anyone else participating and still working on your sketchbook?

shop til you drop...

At this time of the year, just about everyone is running around looking for those perfect gifts for everyone on their lists.  If you happen to be around the tri-state area...I have a few ideas for you!  This coming Monday I will be participating in the 'Shop til You Drop' event at Lua Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.  This shopping/charity event takes place Monday, Dec 13, from 7 - 10 pm.  Why not stop in and take advantage of some fabulous cocktail specials while picking up some great holiday gifts, all at the same time?

Looking for another idea?  Take a ride to The Putnam Arts Council in Mahopac, NY and check out the Crafts on the Hill...their 16th Annual Juried Showcase & Sale.  Open daily 12 - 5 pm (closed Mondays) through December 19th.  I am very pleased to have been asked back for a second time this year ♥

All done with everyone on your list?  Treat yourself...you deserve it...

and let me know what treasures you find ♥

the martha stewart holiday craft fair

The Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Fair is this weekend!  If you are in or around NYC Saturday, I suggest you go.  As many of you know, I was a set decorator on the Martha Stewart Show for about 8 years...then left a little over 2 years ago to get my Master degree in art education.  At any rate....it is a great company to work for with so many talented artists.  This is your opportunity to meet these amazing artists and see what they are all about.  When people ask me what I miss most about working there, on the top of the list is the people!  I miss working with my friends, the wonderful group I collaborated with everyday.  Many of these fabulous artists will be at the sale on Saturday!  My bff Daniele (from Sweet Dani B) who has appeared on the show numerous times making her spectacular cookies with Martha, will be selling many of her most popular cookies.  Hosanna from the tv art department will have her beautiful acorn necklaces...my husband bought me one last year and I have since bought several others as gifts.  Another tv crafter, Kristin, will be selling a new collection of necklaces - I also saw she has them on her etsy shop, each one has a different charitable symbolic meanings...check them out, very cool!  Oh, and for those of you who love cheese...you have to try the best pimen'a cheese ever!  My friend Kelli makes it and sold out within the first few hours last year!  Also last year, the tv art director Anduin was selling these really sweet stuffed animals...my mom bought one for my niece.  I hope she is back with new creations this year! This is just a tiny sampling of what you will find at the sale.  There will be a myriad of artists there selling all kinds of beautifully crafted items.  Last year I remember seeing ceramics, felted goods, clothes, ornaments, jewelry, food items, metal works, stuffed animals, knitted/crocheted items, glass works, bead work, paper made items, wooden crafts...the list goes on and on and on!  The most creative people imaginable will be here.  One hint I can give you...COME EARLY!  The line gets really long as the day goes on.  I can't wait to see what other incredible ideas the rest of the employees have come up with this year.  I hope to see you there too!

my niece Lilah loves Sweet Dani B's cookies!

Kelli with her helper & another talented MS employee Kait....

and the famous pimen'a cheese!

one of Hosanna's acorns I gave as a shower gift this year

Happy handmade shopping...the best gift you can give is one that is handmade ♥

what is etsy anyway?

When people ask me where I sell my crafts I say, very excitedly, Etsy!  Often times, I have further explaining to do.  If you are not familiar with Etsy, now is your time to become acquainted...especially with the holiday season upon us!  Etsy is "the worlds most vibrant handmade marketplace"...their words, not mine, but when I was looking for a perfect description I went to one of the hosting site's pages and found that sentence, and I couldn't agree more!  Etsy is an online web hosting place where any artist or crafter can create a website for free and sell their work.  The site charges a small listing fee and a small percentage of your sales (like ebay), but it is a safe and secure way to sell your artwork and craft wares among other talented artists.  Now Etsy is a very large "community".  There are blogs, teams, chat rooms, virtual labs, forums and treasury listings (curated lists of sellers goods).  Etsy also has "featured sellers" where you can learn a lot about how to make your Etsy shop most profitable.  It definitely takes time, dedication and work...just like running any other small business or website.  


I first started my Etsy site when I was in graduate school for art education.  I needed an outlet, something to do that was fun and creative, while I was reading and writing papers all the time.  I started making vintage bottle cap pendants.  I even did a home jewelry party for someone local who saw my work at a craft fair!  After a while I grew tired of making the same things over and over, so I remembered my friend Hosanna who I worked with at Martha Stewart TV, had developed a needle felted acorn segment for a television.  She gave me a pin for Christmas, which I still wear.  I decided to make some of the felted acorn pins like she made and try selling them on Etsy.  This year, I am still making felted acorns, but I turned them into ornaments which people seem to love.  I also created some other pins which I have been needle felting.  I like to try different ideas and and always experiment with new mediums.  I have the materials for a photo transfer on fabric sitting in a box under my desk....I just need to find the time to get to it!  Here is a what Etsy calls an "Etsy mini"...it shows a sample of what is on your site...

Giving (and getting) handmade gifts at the holidays is so rewarding. I am also participating in a few artisan sales and events. If you are in the tri-state area, be sure to check them out! The Putnam Arts Council is having their 16th Annual Juried Craft Showcase and Sale from Nov 27 - Dec 19. If you are in Hoboken, NJ on Dec 13, be sure to stop by Lua for Shop til You Drop from 7 - 10 pm! And of course, if you plan to go to either of these events, I'd love to know...happy handmade shopping ♥

Acorns, Acorns, and more Acorns!

acorn cookies by Sweet Dani B

While I am busy collecting and crafting with acorns, my BFF Daniele (Sweet Dani B, as she is known in "the business") is busy, well, making edible acorns!  She is among other things, a cookie decorator extraordinaire!  Check out her latest blog post about making these adorable acorn cookies.  There are step by step instructions.  Let me know if you give it a try.  Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away!  

Wouldn't these make sweet placecards, favors, or even look just fabulous on your dessert table?!  

Acorn caps drying from my last walk in the reservation...

might as well eat a cookie while I wait :)

Enjoy ♥

featured photographer

While I was researching and preparing for the summer photography classes I am teaching, I came across this astonishing photographer named Helen Levitt.  I included some of her photographs in the PowerPoint I was making for the students about documentary photography.  I can't believe I don't remember learning about her when I was a student at RISD !  Looking further for information about this notable artist, I noticed that Helen had a brilliant eye for photography and an overwhelming body of work.  I find so many of her photographs inspiring...I hope you do too - enjoy ♥