Folk Art a Most Excellent Adventure............

OK the American Folk Art Show is over, and what a success it was..........it had all of the right ingredients............beautiful weather, friendly people, wonderful antiques, clever folk art, good food and wine, and loyal customers milling about. You can say Success with a capital letter..........Below are a few photos from the picture perfect day.......

My table of goodies below........ in between friends Jack Roads and Nicol Sayer. We had fun seeing mutual friends and greeting potential new customers.

A few things up close, and still up for grabs..........

Welcome Inhabitots.....Tater Tots

Herding Cats in a Catgo Line

Hep Cat Eight to the Bar only four made it........

Lady Ca......diver

Evil Richard Employee of the Month from Hell..............

And now presenting the Featured Artist of the show......... my friend Freeland Tanner and his out of this world Tramp Art......First a work in progress and below it..........Masterpieces.....

One final note that capped the day......a woman came to my space and spent a long time looking at the array of art......I had a special Halloween table and like the other tables, I had props on it.......which included......four little rubber mice. After looking at everything for a great period of time she approached me and asked......how much for a mouse. I thought she was kidding...and chuckled........she was serious.......the only thing left to do was to just give her one....it made her day. You just never know what will strike a chord with some............here is what the next customer did when he saw the mice..........who knew.......mice would be such a hit..........

For my next show I am going to purchase a 1000 mice charge a 100 dollars each for them and call it a day!

On and Off the Table Again!

The need to create is even more intense as the American Folk Art Festival (see side panel) is only a few weeks away. There is no time to think about anything but having pieces come together by accident. First by gathering materials.....and not knowing what will become of them. Next hoping an inspiration comes while picking stuff up off the floor and table. I usually find just the things that I need to come together. I cannot work for a big show if there is order in the studio...... I need to see the goods, and supplies.....all of them........or else how can you make instant decisions about what would go with what! These table, and studio shots need no further explanation.

So in other words, if I don't see it I don't use it. Every upturned box has the potential to hold the next body of work.

Although chaos breeds creativity in the studio it's...........a far cry from my thoughts of holding classes someday outside in the vineyard among the tranquil vines, with good food and a glass of wine.

or perhaps in the great room........with vineyard views.....since Carneros is sometimes known for its rustic breezes......

It's just so hard sometimes to get motivated in the studio........maybe I will chase my Grandson out in the field.....

Or make like the sheep down the road............

Or capture the wild turkeys in back of the house...........shovel is there as a warning no running around the pool.......

Actually here's the thing....I cannot bring myself to work in the daylight hours...call it a habit, or bizarre, but I feel the most creative in the late evening and early morning hours 11pm until 3am..............So when I see the sunset over our pond............I will go to work soon.....

There it is waiting for me..........
the studio that should look like this inside........but seems to happen only when I am expecting guests........

Opps I am caught working........

Here are a few things you may see at the show......




Hep Cat 8 to the Bar

Carnival Knockoff Knockdowns

Garden of Eatin...

Devil with a Lisp........sixth, sixth, sixth

Rescue........Hell.......icopter............

See you at the show.....with more to come!

Italian Crunch on the Roll

Here is proof I am actually in my studio getting ready for....................................................

AMERICAN FOLK ART FESTIVAL 2010 Saturday, May 1 Time: 12-5pmLocation: Laird Family Estate Winery, 5055 Solano Avenue, Napa, CA 94558 Join us once again for the third annual AMERICAN FOLK ART FESTIVAL featuring a wonderful array of dealers and artists showcasing both contemporary and antique treasures of Americana and American creativity... All in a beautiful winery setting. Guests may enjoy wine, refreshments, light appetizers and live music! This event will benefit The Napa Valley Museum.

Vermeer has Girl with a Pearl.......I have Girl with a Ribbon

Hair Extensions From Machu Pichu

Blue Missing You............

Jackie Out of the Box

Petal Pusher

Expiration Date
What Is That Nagging Thought?

Time Is Money (what you can't see is the watch and client list)

Bauble for Where?

Pythagorian Therorem...........two triangle sides go to great lengths to create a third, a fourth and so on.......

You must attend this stellar artistic and antique event in the Napa Valley......and see, or should I say experience my friend Freeland Tanner who is recognized for his Tramp Art inspired wood sculptures. An exhibit of his recent works along with a presentation of how his art is created will be on display. His work is spectacular.......
For more information for this event call 707-253-1092, email mail@hallidayhouseantiques.com

Hope to see you........!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The" I's" Have It.............

On my blog, I have shown portraits of many faces from times past. Then I have gone on to use their images in my work. However, in my library, I have a good number of books about Native Americans. I have yet to open these books here. It is my privilege to now share a few of the photos from the book, INDIAN SPIRIT. I am mesmerized by these portraits. Through the eyes, and faces of these great Chiefs' you can see the Indian Spirit, and begin to learn secrets about their sacred ways. I welcome you to greet these ancient ones, share their wisdom, and be inspired. I have also included some of the wise words once spoken by them. No other people throughout the years deserve more respect and honor than the Native Americas.

The truly brave man, we contend yields neither to fear nor anger, desire, nor agony ......he is at all times master of himself..........

Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the clouds, and the great sea, as well as, the earth? But wait, did not the Great Spirit make them all for the use of the children.

It is our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way it will in time disturb the spiritual balance of the man.

I will respectfully use these images in my work.......to powerfully inspire a message, and show honor.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)