Creative Hibernation

by Kathy

Kathy Jeffers here--The wintertime after the Holidays is always a quiet time for us crafts people. This year has been more so than usual, due to the extreme cold weather and large amounts of snow we’ve had here in the Northeast. Most people I talk to have agreed with me that we’ve really been in hibernation mode—not going out, just wanting to do things in the house. It has been good for me, since It has kept me in my basement studio working away on pottery for the upcoming year’s craft events, stocking up, and I must say I’ve been very productive and focused on the work that I Iove. Here are  photos of some of my new pieces--fresh out of the kiln!
 

Upcoming Show

By Tom-- I will be having a show at the Hudson Street Cafe, 237 Hudson Street in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, from February 23 to April 12.  The opening reception is from 4-6pm on Sunday the 23rd.  Please join us!  If you've never visited the Cafe, it's a delightful place with a warm, quiet ambiance.  It's a great destination, or a perfect starting point for a visit to the beautiful Hudson Valley.  You will enjoy Chef Donna Hammond's comforting culinary creations. 

Two weeks ago, we made a quick trip to Nantucket to reconnect with some old family friends.  Most of our time was spent visiting, but I managed to get in some camera time on the ferry and during a 1am walk around town.  There are no woodchucks on Nantucket, but I did spot an elephant!

Dimensions

by Buff

I've always done 2-dimensional art (horrors -- I have no depth, I'm just 2-D!).  Three-D has always scared me a little -- what do you DO with that extra dimension?  But an idea popped into my head in December when I was thinking of what to enter in DVAA's "Art in Sixes" holiday show.  

I thought of a wooden box with little quilts inside.  Then Hank said, "what about quilts on the outside?"  Hmmm.  Then I said "how about a little 'stage' where the quilts would be sort of inside and outside?"  Hank made me two little 6x6x6 wooden boxes, and I was off and running.

You can see the results below:  The first one has a little flower quilt on each of the six sides of the box; you can turn it over and around for a different view every day (except Sunday).  I call it "Picture Cube." 

The other one, "Picture Viewer" (which sold at the show), I think of as a low-tech version of those computerized screens that you program to show ever-changing photographs.  I made five little quilts and hung them on miniature rods; the rods rest in notches and you can choose the one you want to see while the rest are hanging behind.  

The two works were a lot of fun . . . . maybe I'm not so "shallow" after all!  

Endeavor to Persevere

By Tom

I enjoy waking up very early on weekends, heading out to various destinations with camera and tripod to take advantage of the early morning light.  My trips never disappoint.  Sometimes I capture beautiful images but often not. It really doesn’t matter.  Watching the world come to life, witnessing the subtle transition from darkness to light fills a primal, spiritual need.  To experience it satisfies a personal need, and to capture it in images is an artistic challenge.  I enjoy both.  But during the winter months it’s something of a struggle.  The shocking rush of cold air when I reach out from our warm bed to turn off the alarm triggers a search for excuses that doesn’t end until I’m 15 minutes down the road, my car finally warmed up inside, and me sipping some hot coffee.  Sunday morning was one of those instances where I begrudgingly drove up through Port Jervis, following the Delaware up past Barryville.  It would have given instant gratification to turn off the alarm, roll over, and enjoy a few extra hours of sleep.  But instead, I witnessed the sun rising over the mountains, illuminating the river valley with its frost-laden trees. The ice crystals sparkled so brightly that it blinded me to peer through the viewfinder, compose and shoot.  Was it worth it?  Oh yeah.

Winter Approaches

By Hank

As winter approaches, our busy show schedule is at an end.  The last show, at the Cooperage in Honesdale, was last Saturday.  Three of us were going, but with the heavy snow, I was the only one who managed to get there.  I was surprised to see a lot of customers. 

The next gallery shows will be some time in the spring.  It’s a good time over the winter to rebuild inventory and to experiment with new ideas or old ones never completed.

As for myself, I plan to rebuild inventory and to work on some new kinetic sculptures – a promise I made to myself a long time ago.  The idea of gathering new materials and new tools can seem overwhelming at times, but I keep remembering, a house is built a brick at a time.

Burst of Summer by Nada

This is the latest in my small works series.  I've mainly been working on winter scenes, but this little burst of summer emerged yesterday.  My work scenario:  I create backgrounds - gold leaf, night skies, day skies, or perhaps a painted variegated surface - within the 4 inch inner space of the frame.  Then I survey the studio with its myriad containers of glass bits, jewels, transparencies, glass and acrylic paints, micro beads, brass findings, etc.  I choose a theme for each background.  As I add the items or paint on the surface, they are covered with layers of resin  Soon, a scene emerges.

One more art and craft to go this year, then I will have completed 15 shows in three months, some with Catskill Artists Gallery folks and some on my own.  So that I won't get so exhausted next year, I plan to have a greater inventory of both artwork and pendants created in advance.  The old adage applies here.....

PLAN AHEAD
D

:-)

Festivals



Festival of Yi Peng, Chiang Mai, Thailand