So the first two months of school are past! I just can't believe its November already.
I did a craft fair in Natick about two weeks ago. The road was under construction, yet open, so I think people that WOULD have come, didn't. It was pretty slow and the biggest disappointment was that the Elks Club Cafe announced they would be serving hot dogs and french fries. Katie and I was VERY much looking forward to that but, alas, they served tostitos corn chips instead. So Katie went off and got us, and the table next to us french fries. She is a good sister. Even given the slowness of the day we had about 5 or 6 sales, and the best, I got a custom order out of it!
This week, Mike is gone on a business trip. Me and the Bailster are home and gonna do laundry and watch chick flicks all day. If I get done with the monstrosity that is doing loads of laundry I may make a necklace or two. After all, I am a Suburban Artist.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Successful Show, and Some Confusion
This past weekend, I was at MAYNARD FEST, in Maynard, MA. It was a great time, TONS of people to watch. That paired with LINCOLN PARK DAY the weekend before, and my people watching has at an all time hight.
First, in my hometown of Lincoln Park, we had the good fortune to be placed next to a Tae Kwon Do studio. At first, watching a dozen children with weapons such as bo sticks, knun chucks (I KNOW I spelled that one wrong) and splitting boards, I thought my faithful car Red, had met her doom. Or myself or my sister or mother would receive a concussion from a flying martial arts weapon. The flip side? Watching the very nice and very attractive Sensei Scott all day long. I smile now as I remember trying to get my sister to go hit on him. My mother took care of that and got us all an invite for a free lesson at the dojo. Seriously. But it was a good show and I made my money back on the show fee and had some scrumptious fair food and sat back and watched the interesting people go by. Both my mother and I are stout "Lincoln Parkers". We spent most of our lives there, I at the age of 33, spent half my life in good ole Lincoln Park and my mom is always telling us "kids, this is where your roots are." My sister and brother, are not stout Lincoln Parkers, and my sister was convinced that some of the more...interesting sights were a product of LP. My mom did not agree and neither did I...for the most part. But it was a great day. I sold a few Autism Awareness items and that made my day. Even if I do not sell a necklace and an Autism Item is sold then my mission is done. Awareness is spreading.
That leads me to Maynard Fest. It was beautiful weather. After a week of torrential downpours to have a crisp, sunny, New England day was just fantastic. There were tons of people and I made sales! MacGyver, Mike's friend from college and my friend too, showed up and bought us (my mom, sister and I) fried dough and really who doesn't like fried dough (although it was NOT a zeppoli, a reminder I am sadly no longer in NJ).
Here is the thing and here is my disclaimer before my statement: I fully support Gay Rights. People who are gay should totally be able to get married, have kids or adopt kids. I have family members who are gay, and seriously I am, and always have been, open and have had friends who are gay. Another disclaimer that will make sense in a few short seconds: Massachusetts, as a whole and as observed as a public school teacher in 3 different schools in 1 year, has no or little understanding of Autism. Traditionally students with Autism that may have not been able to function in the mainstream, have been sent to private schools. I have heard many times "Autism is new for us" in three different school districts. That statement alone sums up why I have had such a hard time in my new district, as the program I am in is in its 2nd year, and people aren't used to "those kids being in school." OK, SERIOUSLY?! Before I digress any further here is what happened.
I make jewelry, necklaces and earrings and bracelets. I also make AUTISM AWARENESS jewelry and bookmarks. To spread awareness in a pretty way,instead of those bulky rubbery livestrong type bracelets. I use a Sterling Silver PUZZLE PIECES (you have no idea how many people asked where where the puzzles that I was selling...that did not happen in NJ), and I use four colors from the Autism Awareness ribbon: red, yellow, teal and blue. I use these colors in Swarovski crystals and really they are very pretty.
The confusion was people where either: A) asking what the puzzle piece was for and not understanding my explanation, B) thinking my Autism Awareness items were Gay Pride items or C)buying the Autism Awareness jewelry WITH A PUZZLE PIECE and said "Thank you for my Pride bracelet." Or they thanked me for supporting Gay Rights...Which I do support, just that was not the point of the jewelry.
I did sell two pieces of Autism jewelry to people who knew immediately what it was. I was hesitant to correct the other people. I tried at first, but no one "got it". "Its a rainbow" was the reply I hears often, and y e s....it is but its missing three other colors to make a rainbow. And there is a PUZZLE PIECE on it. My mom said, oh let them buy it and how silly will they feel when someone asks them later on "Oh you support Autism Awareness?" My mom has a point, does it matter how the Awareness is spread, as long as people see it and notice it? I have decided to make a few Gay and Lesbian Pride themed items, such as bookmarks and a bracelet or two, and have two distinct displays. Only because I truly wish to spread Awareness in a state that is so obviously lacking in knowledge of Autism. Another disclaimer: My signs that read "Puzzle Piece Jewelry" had photos of the JEWELRY that I make and a little statement about spreading Autism Awareness, so I was very baffled when people asked me where they puzzles were. They could read the sign but not process the images? And many people who could read and process images asked me why Puzzle Pieces are used for Autism Awareness.
So in the end two shows. A great time hanging out with my mom and my sister and MacGyver. And I am more determined than ever to spread Autism Awareness. Because if I FEEL frustrated as a teacher, person and artist, how do families affected by Autism feel to be living in an area where people are supposedly "just getting used to Autism"? I hope that those families know that they are not alone. Because there is at least 1 person who is trying her best to spread awareness both as an artist and as a teacher.
First, in my hometown of Lincoln Park, we had the good fortune to be placed next to a Tae Kwon Do studio. At first, watching a dozen children with weapons such as bo sticks, knun chucks (I KNOW I spelled that one wrong) and splitting boards, I thought my faithful car Red, had met her doom. Or myself or my sister or mother would receive a concussion from a flying martial arts weapon. The flip side? Watching the very nice and very attractive Sensei Scott all day long. I smile now as I remember trying to get my sister to go hit on him. My mother took care of that and got us all an invite for a free lesson at the dojo. Seriously. But it was a good show and I made my money back on the show fee and had some scrumptious fair food and sat back and watched the interesting people go by. Both my mother and I are stout "Lincoln Parkers". We spent most of our lives there, I at the age of 33, spent half my life in good ole Lincoln Park and my mom is always telling us "kids, this is where your roots are." My sister and brother, are not stout Lincoln Parkers, and my sister was convinced that some of the more...interesting sights were a product of LP. My mom did not agree and neither did I...for the most part. But it was a great day. I sold a few Autism Awareness items and that made my day. Even if I do not sell a necklace and an Autism Item is sold then my mission is done. Awareness is spreading.
That leads me to Maynard Fest. It was beautiful weather. After a week of torrential downpours to have a crisp, sunny, New England day was just fantastic. There were tons of people and I made sales! MacGyver, Mike's friend from college and my friend too, showed up and bought us (my mom, sister and I) fried dough and really who doesn't like fried dough (although it was NOT a zeppoli, a reminder I am sadly no longer in NJ).
Here is the thing and here is my disclaimer before my statement: I fully support Gay Rights. People who are gay should totally be able to get married, have kids or adopt kids. I have family members who are gay, and seriously I am, and always have been, open and have had friends who are gay. Another disclaimer that will make sense in a few short seconds: Massachusetts, as a whole and as observed as a public school teacher in 3 different schools in 1 year, has no or little understanding of Autism. Traditionally students with Autism that may have not been able to function in the mainstream, have been sent to private schools. I have heard many times "Autism is new for us" in three different school districts. That statement alone sums up why I have had such a hard time in my new district, as the program I am in is in its 2nd year, and people aren't used to "those kids being in school." OK, SERIOUSLY?! Before I digress any further here is what happened.
I make jewelry, necklaces and earrings and bracelets. I also make AUTISM AWARENESS jewelry and bookmarks. To spread awareness in a pretty way,instead of those bulky rubbery livestrong type bracelets. I use a Sterling Silver PUZZLE PIECES (you have no idea how many people asked where where the puzzles that I was selling...that did not happen in NJ), and I use four colors from the Autism Awareness ribbon: red, yellow, teal and blue. I use these colors in Swarovski crystals and really they are very pretty.
The confusion was people where either: A) asking what the puzzle piece was for and not understanding my explanation, B) thinking my Autism Awareness items were Gay Pride items or C)buying the Autism Awareness jewelry WITH A PUZZLE PIECE and said "Thank you for my Pride bracelet." Or they thanked me for supporting Gay Rights...Which I do support, just that was not the point of the jewelry.
I did sell two pieces of Autism jewelry to people who knew immediately what it was. I was hesitant to correct the other people. I tried at first, but no one "got it". "Its a rainbow" was the reply I hears often, and y e s....it is but its missing three other colors to make a rainbow. And there is a PUZZLE PIECE on it. My mom said, oh let them buy it and how silly will they feel when someone asks them later on "Oh you support Autism Awareness?" My mom has a point, does it matter how the Awareness is spread, as long as people see it and notice it? I have decided to make a few Gay and Lesbian Pride themed items, such as bookmarks and a bracelet or two, and have two distinct displays. Only because I truly wish to spread Awareness in a state that is so obviously lacking in knowledge of Autism. Another disclaimer: My signs that read "Puzzle Piece Jewelry" had photos of the JEWELRY that I make and a little statement about spreading Autism Awareness, so I was very baffled when people asked me where they puzzles were. They could read the sign but not process the images? And many people who could read and process images asked me why Puzzle Pieces are used for Autism Awareness.
So in the end two shows. A great time hanging out with my mom and my sister and MacGyver. And I am more determined than ever to spread Autism Awareness. Because if I FEEL frustrated as a teacher, person and artist, how do families affected by Autism feel to be living in an area where people are supposedly "just getting used to Autism"? I hope that those families know that they are not alone. Because there is at least 1 person who is trying her best to spread awareness both as an artist and as a teacher.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Suburban Artist has FINALLY Arrived!
One of the reasons I named this blog, "The Suburban Artist", was to change the negative connotation to this term. Traditionally suburban artists are not well respected, frowned upon even. I guess one of the reasons are that we are not in the cities. We aren't selling our wares on the corner of Central Park West or have big fancy studios. Many of us suburban artists do not create art on a full time basis. I think mainly the last reason is the biggest reason suburban artists do no command the same respect as our full time, city counterparts. For that reason, I have always looked down on my own art. I didn't go to art school. I did not use art as my profession (I started out as an art teacher and heard that age old saying many times "those who can't teach). I took classes and even broke into the wedding photography business.
Many people along the years have told me that I have an eye. Or a good sense of color. Or that I am a good photographer. But they were always family, friends, professors or instructors. Gaining respect from professional artists was very rare. I remember once in college one of the BFA students (Bachelor of FINE ARTS) said "Wow, you really paint well...for an art ed. major."
I was never quite sure if that was a compliment or not.
10 years later, after leaving college, I have finally shown to myself and to others in the art community that; Yes I am an artist. This summer I dedicated myself to my art. Both with my jewelry and photography. I sold several pieces of jewelry and am gearing up for a fair this coming weekend. But the biggest news is that in the past 4 weeks, I have received 3 accolades.
The first was getting my work into the CIAO Gallery's "Call of the Wild" show, in Jackson Wyoming. Then was receiving and Honorable Mention nod from the Women in Photography International for their FACES competition. Finally, my work is one of 50 to be chosen for a juried show called "After Dark" at the Vermont Photo Space. To know that my work, is being seen by others in a real gallery, not just my own walls, is immensely gratifying. It is one of the best things ever to happen to me, aside from meeting my husband, getting engaged and married :)
So thank you to my friends and family who have always believed in me, even when I did not.
Friday, August 20, 2010
VOTE!
I have taken the plunge have begun to enter photography competitions, as if the Jewelry isn't enough. BUT I have entered a National Geographic photography competition. Part of it is "People's Choice". So PLEASE, pretty PLEASE with a cherry on top, vote for me!
http://www.worldinfocuscontest.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1010207287
http://www.worldinfocuscontest.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1010207287
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Exciting Week=Busy Week
So this week is filled with visits! It started with a nice visit home to NJ. To belatedly celebrate my dad's birthday. We went out to my parents' favorite "new" Italian place, I called Positano's, in Wayne, NJ. http://www.positanorestaurant.com/. It was fantastic. I highly recommend the tomato and onion salad, the tomato caprese salad and the chicken marsala. It was fabulous. Then we just relaxed and Mike headed out to DC for work. Monday I saw Carrie for lunch at Bobby's Burger Palace, http://www.bobbysburgerpalace.com/. We ate. A lot. It was great to see Carrie and enjoy GOOD food. Then I had dinner with Cheryl and her beautiful family. I did "Auntie" duties and fed her son, Colin. I enjoyed every minute. Tuesday, I went early to the Educational Warehouse, at 7am, to get the 25% discount. It was worth it! I am nervous about my new job and will be writing all new plans once I get the Language Arts curriculum from the school, Thursday is the Math training. Then lunch with my Mom. It was a good day.
This week I have a pool date with Kerri and her her friends from Massachusetts. Thursday, the aforementioned Math workshop, and Friday, straightening the house and heading home to NJ. Friday, Mike comes up and Saturday, Dave and Anneie will be driving up for the 9-11 ride and staying at my parents' house. Saturday is Oldies at the Lake, http://www.frankiecanta.com/html/newgigs.html. My Dad is in the group, they sing doo-wop. We are all going, the third year in the row for Dave and Anneie coming up for it! Then Sunday a barbeque at the parent's and then ride home. Dave and Anneie will be staying with us for the week and I think Mike and Dave had tons of rides planned.
Its gonna be a great two weeks!
This week I have a pool date with Kerri and her her friends from Massachusetts. Thursday, the aforementioned Math workshop, and Friday, straightening the house and heading home to NJ. Friday, Mike comes up and Saturday, Dave and Anneie will be driving up for the 9-11 ride and staying at my parents' house. Saturday is Oldies at the Lake, http://www.frankiecanta.com/html/newgigs.html. My Dad is in the group, they sing doo-wop. We are all going, the third year in the row for Dave and Anneie coming up for it! Then Sunday a barbeque at the parent's and then ride home. Dave and Anneie will be staying with us for the week and I think Mike and Dave had tons of rides planned.
Its gonna be a great two weeks!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What a Weekend!
Whew! It was a great, fast weekend!
It started with me and our friend from VA "surprising" Mike with a visit. Byl, another friend from VA, was also coming up from his business trip in Connecticut. After a few good interviews, I was feeling fine! Mike decided to get tickets to go see the Barenaked Ladies. I had to tell him to get a 4th ticket for our friend who was surprising him!
Friday night we had dinner at Scupper Jacks. It was yummy as always!
http://www.scupperjacks.com
Saturday Byl came up and we headed out to lunch at Not Your Average Joes, http://www.notyouraveragejoes.com. It was also pretty good but I was disappointed that the Portabella Sandwich was no longer on the menu. But, instead I had the tomato and mozzarella sandwich instead, which was pretty tasty.
Afterwards, I mentioned to the boys about a leather store, so I could learn about making leather bracelets. I was hesitant to go because all of the leather that was being sold was still in the shape of the animal (cow, deer etc..). But I wanted to go and they were more than happy to do it. IT was very...overwhelming for me. The smell is what hits you first. Then all of the dead animals. For the record, yes I eat meat. Steak. I realize where it comes from and I do not mind leather (FUR is another story, I mean people do not eat fox, or minks) because it is a byproduct of the meat industry. It was the deer, rabbit, snake, crocodile/alligator, and "COYOTE FACES" that totally freaked me out. And the smell. Now I love my leather boots and a nice suede jacked but the smell of leather was very over-powering. It didn't help that the boys announced that they were from PETA when we walked in. The boys had fun running around the store, although Byl did stay and try to help me NOT to have a nervous breakdown, as the very rude and humorless saleswoman, named Susan, tried to sell ME A DEER. If you know me well, you know that deer are my "spirit animal"*. I was mortified. As Susan lead me to the scrap section I almost threw up when she handed me a snake skin. At which point she told me that I needed to "snap out of it, you chose to come in here". Susan had a valid point, to a degree. I wanted leather scraps. Not a freaking snake, deer, alligator, or an armidillo! So I then followed her like a puppy, and asked about how to apply snaps. I then looked over at my beloved husband and our friends as they stalked the store pretending to either hunt or be the hunted animal. Then one of our friends found the fur and cave man type outfit. At this point the other store employees were in hysterics and my store person was NOT happy. Then I slowly turned around on the wall were Coyote FACES. That is what it the sign said. And it is what I saw. Skinned, eyeless coyote faces. They all looked like Bailey. SO I did the most natural thing, which was to scream Loudly. That was all about what Susan could handle so she asked someone else to show me how to use snaps. Then at the checkout counter Mike, after the boys engaged a lively employee in debating wether or not wolves make good pets, showed Susan the photo of Bailey. Then she ALMOST smiled and said "Oh now I get why you screamed".
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/
Moving on, the Barenaked Ladies concert was absolutely amazing! Who knew the lead singer was hot? They sounded fantastic and except for a horrific foul order that permeated from the Ginger Twins in front of us that had myself, Mike and the girl next to me gagging for most of the show. But the show was just so fantastic. They sounded phenomenal when they sang acapella.
Sunday, we had breakfast at Mario's in Westford then we went antiquing! So all in all a wonderful and great weekend. Monday was the icing on the cake, where the workshop instructor said that my photo of the rooftop with red and LED light painting was the best in the class!
From here two interviews, lunch with the girls and then home to Jersey for the weekend. A good week ahead.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/
It started with me and our friend from VA "surprising" Mike with a visit. Byl, another friend from VA, was also coming up from his business trip in Connecticut. After a few good interviews, I was feeling fine! Mike decided to get tickets to go see the Barenaked Ladies. I had to tell him to get a 4th ticket for our friend who was surprising him!
Friday night we had dinner at Scupper Jacks. It was yummy as always!
http://www.scupperjacks.com
Saturday Byl came up and we headed out to lunch at Not Your Average Joes, http://www.notyouraveragejoes.com. It was also pretty good but I was disappointed that the Portabella Sandwich was no longer on the menu. But, instead I had the tomato and mozzarella sandwich instead, which was pretty tasty.
Afterwards, I mentioned to the boys about a leather store, so I could learn about making leather bracelets. I was hesitant to go because all of the leather that was being sold was still in the shape of the animal (cow, deer etc..). But I wanted to go and they were more than happy to do it. IT was very...overwhelming for me. The smell is what hits you first. Then all of the dead animals. For the record, yes I eat meat. Steak. I realize where it comes from and I do not mind leather (FUR is another story, I mean people do not eat fox, or minks) because it is a byproduct of the meat industry. It was the deer, rabbit, snake, crocodile/alligator, and "COYOTE FACES" that totally freaked me out. And the smell. Now I love my leather boots and a nice suede jacked but the smell of leather was very over-powering. It didn't help that the boys announced that they were from PETA when we walked in. The boys had fun running around the store, although Byl did stay and try to help me NOT to have a nervous breakdown, as the very rude and humorless saleswoman, named Susan, tried to sell ME A DEER. If you know me well, you know that deer are my "spirit animal"*. I was mortified. As Susan lead me to the scrap section I almost threw up when she handed me a snake skin. At which point she told me that I needed to "snap out of it, you chose to come in here". Susan had a valid point, to a degree. I wanted leather scraps. Not a freaking snake, deer, alligator, or an armidillo! So I then followed her like a puppy, and asked about how to apply snaps. I then looked over at my beloved husband and our friends as they stalked the store pretending to either hunt or be the hunted animal. Then one of our friends found the fur and cave man type outfit. At this point the other store employees were in hysterics and my store person was NOT happy. Then I slowly turned around on the wall were Coyote FACES. That is what it the sign said. And it is what I saw. Skinned, eyeless coyote faces. They all looked like Bailey. SO I did the most natural thing, which was to scream Loudly. That was all about what Susan could handle so she asked someone else to show me how to use snaps. Then at the checkout counter Mike, after the boys engaged a lively employee in debating wether or not wolves make good pets, showed Susan the photo of Bailey. Then she ALMOST smiled and said "Oh now I get why you screamed".
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/
Moving on, the Barenaked Ladies concert was absolutely amazing! Who knew the lead singer was hot? They sounded fantastic and except for a horrific foul order that permeated from the Ginger Twins in front of us that had myself, Mike and the girl next to me gagging for most of the show. But the show was just so fantastic. They sounded phenomenal when they sang acapella.
Sunday, we had breakfast at Mario's in Westford then we went antiquing! So all in all a wonderful and great weekend. Monday was the icing on the cake, where the workshop instructor said that my photo of the rooftop with red and LED light painting was the best in the class!
From here two interviews, lunch with the girls and then home to Jersey for the weekend. A good week ahead.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August Already?
August is upon us. Well, in fact it is here! It seems that either I am super busy or not so busy. But art IS being made despite it all.
I have been on two great shoots: Deer Island, Winthrop, MA (where Lisa lives. Have been there before with her and the kids) and the rooftop of a building at MIT in Cambridge.
The Deer Island shoot, for me, was cut short due to a migraine. I barely made it home without wanting to curl up on the side of the road and let it pass. But below are some images that I got that night.
I have been on two great shoots: Deer Island, Winthrop, MA (where Lisa lives. Have been there before with her and the kids) and the rooftop of a building at MIT in Cambridge.
The Deer Island shoot, for me, was cut short due to a migraine. I barely made it home without wanting to curl up on the side of the road and let it pass. But below are some images that I got that night.
On Monday we went to Cambridge and the MIT campus. Lots of people. A lot of students surprisingly since it is summer. But maybe not since it IS MIT. To get to the top of the 20 story building I had to take an elevator to the 18th floor, then enter a 3-4 person maximum capacity elevator to the 20th floor. Thank goodness it wasn't a long trip but my claustrophobia was already kicking in. There the views were breathtaking and amazing, as long as I didn't look down, which I did just once to see if being up there for a few hours conquered my fear of heights. It didn't. Finally along the railing and in every crevice were spiders. Like ones with freaking fur and white spots. Which to me meant Brown Racluse. Which I was bitten by in camp in 1998. And for about 4 years, every time I got a good amount of mosquito bites the bite would flare up and become just as gross as the initial bite. I am seriously not even exaggerating. Ask my mother she will tell you. My mom and my cousin Michael would not have liked the rooftop. At first I didn't either. Then, well I set up my tripod and I was fine. Great. Unless a spider was near and then I muttered "damn freaking spiders" to the humor of my classmates. None of them seemed bothered by them. Not even the one to size of a silver dollar on the staircase. I stayed away from said staircase. Ok. Below are some pics from that night. I had a blast with light painting. The one with red and LED light painting I teamed up with Sheryl (who got us on the roof to begin with) and it came out pretty cool.
Finally in between shoots, I went to the farm with Allison and Jasper and bought a ton of organic fruits and veggies that were fantastic. But for the record, homemade organic ravioli from New Hampshire is NOT the same as home made ravioli from NJ or NY. I threw out most of what I cooked except for the two pieces I ate. I also saw Lisa and the kids, in Boston with Grandpa E and Stacy and her daughter Hannah, and later on Lisa came out here to the country with the kids. We went swimming. It was fun. And I was totally wiped out afterwards. But it was great visit. Next we are gearing up for Byl and Jan to come out for a visit. Its going to be a great weekend! OH and I have been interviewing, two scheduled for the next two weeks. But there are NOT a lot of jobs out there. I have applied to every posting I have seen that fits my skill set, and I am sure that there are other well qualified teachers out there looking at the same job. I will not be happy, NOT teaching. But if it comes down to it, can't I be a Suburban Artist full time?
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