Crafted by Hand

The March issue of Country Business magazine arrived today. I am pleased to be one of the featured artists in the article Crafted by Hand Working with Local Artists written by April Miller. I appreciate being asked to be a part of this article. In this age of imports and big box stores, buying more and paying less mentality, it is great to know that buying from artists and fine crafts people is still important. I appreciate the risks independent shops take. They put themselves out there, buying and stocking their stores, customizing their merchandise to the brand they have crafted and their customers needs. Through the years, I've had the opportunity to work with many of them and applaud their blood, sweat and their tears. Thanks for buying from artists. To my long-time and new customers I say THANKS! To those of you I have yet to meet, I look forward to working with you to promote the art that I love doing and to help grow your dreams as well. Cheers!

Trunk Show Tomorrow

Yup, that's artwork awaiting completion on my work table. Why is it that I am always the most creative and have the most ideas just before a show? Work begats work....ideas come faster and stronger while I'm in my studio under the gun. I do love the creative energy. Thrive on it really. If you are looking for something to do tomorrow come on by Stonecrop in Maple Grove for an Artist Afternoon. Meet five artists that have our work at Stonecrop and come by for some wonderful Stonecrop hospitality. Ideas abound at Stonecrop whether you're decorating for the Fall season, need a gift or just a treasure for yourself.

Tonight, finishing artwork and watching the Twins (hopefully) defeat the Yankees. Go Twins!

The Joy of Creating Art

My cousin, Karen, lives in Eden Prairie. I visited her home today while her husband, Bernie worked on my car. While I waited for my daughter to pick me up, I sat in Karen's "outdoor studio". There was a cute little metal table with two chairs and all the equipment she needed...brushes, paint, water, a paper plate for a palette, paper towels and her raw materials...smooth stones. Karen had all she needed to create her wonderful, whimsical pet rocks. She gifts these little creatures to her "children" on the bus route she drives at the end of the year. The kids have even started bringing pictures of themselves and their pets in hopes that Karen will make them a special portrait. Her little creatures grace her garden; peaking from knots in driftwood, perched on rocks and a school of fish swims in front of a pot of pansies. They are really cute.

Today was a good reminder about the spontaneous joy of making art. I have been in the midst of preparing for shows and trying to launch products and I have forgotten to have fun in my studio. I have been busy trying to second guess myself as to what products will be most profitable and writing a business plan. Even tho these things are important, I think I need to do more creating for creating sake. Get the ideas out of my head not because I think they would sell well but because these ideas need to be free to become the art they are to be. I love the quote, "Do what you love, continue to do it and it will take you where you need to go."

In Karen's "studio" today there was a peacefulness. The birds were singing, someone was mowing their lawn, the smell of flowers was in the air. There was a simple joy. It was a good reminder. Next week I think I'll take my sketch book outside to my beautiful gardens and enjoy creating something alfresco.

Thanks Karen for a nice visit, for the tour of your studio and for the reminder of the joy of creating.