art esprit

Dawn, Route 11

2012-01-26T11:49:00.001-05:00

Dawn, Route 11, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

Sharing a new gelatin - mixed media print I finished last night.
Pretty happy with where this series is going. What are you working on?

Color makes Happy! Jutta Spinner

2012-01-24T08:46:00.002-05:00

New exhibit coming here at artstream ... join us for Art stroll on Saturday February 4th from 5-7 p.m.

Jutta Spinner

Offenburg, Germany

Farbe macht glücklich

(color makes happy)

thoughts for January

2012-01-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

We left the above scenery behind us and so our winter break has come to a close. We are back in full swing at the gallery today. Celebrating MLK day and the beginning of the New Year officially by opening up a little earlier today and preparing for our classes tonight! Make sure you stop by and see Jane Kaufmann and Jennifer Stevens exhibit this week too.

We have some new classes we are going to announce later today - so make sure you are signed up for our Newsletter right here to get them in your inbox!

An exciting year is coming to a close ...

2011-12-30T05:44:00.002-05:00

So much goodness this year poured into our hearts and hands. So much to be thankful for! Starting last winter with the beginning of my book, through the spring and some wonderful exhibits at the gallery and some for my own work - then watching daughter Grace graduate from college, through the summer with a visit from the incredible artist and instructor, Meryl Truett to the autumn and wonderfully full classes at the studio ending the year with our trip to Germany, we celebrate everything great this past year! I am also slipping past the six year mark with this blog - sometimes personal, sometimes business, always grateful to my dear readers. All I can say is this - It's a wonderful Life. Really. Truly. Thank you!

I thought it would be fitting to toss in some photos from our trip thus far. Just a day in the life. Celebrating the little things you can find on a walk through a small village.

Preparations

2011-12-18T09:23:00.001-05:00

Wreath made today, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

Made a little wreath today just for fun ... hope this finds you all deep in the spirit of the season and enjoying every moment!

Last minute gifts ...

2011-12-14T09:56:00.003-05:00

A little nest

made in a ladel

Jennifer Stevens

just right for the bird lover on your list!

available here at the shop

A little closer look ... Art Lab for Kids

2011-12-08T10:36:00.001-05:00

Exciting mail day here- a single copy of my upcoming book arrived: Art Lab for Kids. Rainer and I worked about a year on this book and we were so excited to unwrap our copy! There are lots of things in store for the book, including a big bash here at artstream in February - (stay tuned here for details!) There are lots of other great things in the works for next year surrounding this book and we will keep everyone abreast of them at the ALFK book site and our facebook page too. (psssst: go over and like us there!)

A huge thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the book (you can do so here) I look forward to sharing it with everyone very soon!

2011-12-06T08:55:00.001-05:00

Our opening for "Secrets" and the "Holiday Art Show" last Saturday was an absolute blast! Over 100 people attended the event, which coincided with Art Stroll (first Saturday of the month art!) in Rochester. We were thrilled with the support (thanks to all of you who came out!) and also to artists who are participating in the shows. Below are a few photos from the night - and some captions! Enjoy!

Moe Clancey from NH and her clan came to the opening! Her beautiful paintings are right here.

Jennifer Stevens-Curwood and guests admiring her Peter Pan sculpture. Below Jane Kaufmann and Jennifer pose for a quick shot in front of a variety of small works by Jennifer. See them at the shop too!

Jane Kaufmann and Jennifer Stevens-Curwood : aka "Secrets" exhibition! You really need to experience this show in person at the gallery - but if you are in Australia or Europe you can see a bit more of it here.

ink drawings

2011-12-05T22:43:00.001-05:00

ink drawings, a set on Flickr.

Some little ink drawings - making more of these in the next weeks... for a "little bit sweet" show early next year!

2011-11-29T08:01:00.001-05:00

Where does the time go? How often have I said or thought that this past year... Well all the turkey business is over and we are setting our sites on December. Two great shows at the gallery this coming month. In the main gallery we have "Secrets" by Jane Kaufmann and Jennifer Stevens. This exhibit has a story to tell. It is full of everything holiday - glitter and glitz and lots of naughty and nice. The eQuinox gallery is hosting 20 artists with small works for the giving. Pretty sweet deal! Check in the shop after Friday for the entire she-bang. It's a winner and there is something for everyone on your list. Really.
A few secrets of my own brewing up here. All will be revealed soon!

Gallery tour ...

2011-11-11T12:31:00.001-05:00

artstream is so full right now with an incredible show - Through the woods with work by Judith Heller Cassell and Danna Ray and a whole lot of extra goodness by quite a few other talented artists. I thought it would be good to take a little tour today of our gallery to show you what you might be missing if you didn't pop in! Today too is a little extra special, so for 11.11.11 we are offering 11% off your purchases! Drop in or click in our shop!

Weekend with old friends

2011-11-10T10:14:00.005-05:00

There is always a place where your heart sits most comfortably, a place which is like no other. Mine is Vermont. It especially lives in the Newport area. Its remote rugged beauty with people who I love and admire and miss terribly are all there. Rainer and I went to visit and attend my dear friend's surprise (and it was!) 30th anniversary party held in a beautiful spot right on Lake Memphremagog. We enjoyed our weekend stay at *the* finest B and B anywhere - Swedish inspired Little Gnesta in Newport - highly recommended for your travels North. We spent an evening catching up and chatting till far too late then partying the next night with a full tour of the area where I used to live to fill in the gaps for Rainer squeezed in between. Monday we spent the morning walking the beautiful new bike/ski path next to the big lake before we turned our car South to head home.

Through the woods

2011-11-02T09:02:00.004-04:00

We made it through ooo oooo. Wait, no not Madonna, not to grandmothers house, but Through the woods. Like Frost. As in a nature walk. As in a place to go and find a quiet moment to contemplate. Artist Judith Heller Cassell and Danna Ray have created a body of work which will make you take pause. Do so with us this Saturday from 5-7 p.m. during our opening for this show. It will all be online this Friday prior to the opening in our online shop or pop in for a preview peek!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:50:00.002-04:00

It's a little crazy here in NH with snow and Halloween all mixed up together, but what better way to celebrate than to launch some new Megan Bogonovich work in the shop? It's weird and wonderful cut and paste all together! These beauties are all available and going online tomorrow!

Batik!

2011-10-29T12:03:00.002-04:00

Batik!, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr.

One of the 52 adventures in Art from my upcoming book:
Art Lab for Kids! published by Quarry Books.
February 2012 it will be released.. here's the Facebook page to keep up with the newest peeks tand the website which has a blog attached for updates!

Megan Bogonovich new work!

2011-10-27T09:43:00.002-04:00

Some fun new collage vases from Megan Bogonovich -- in our gallery now! We also have a lot of new slip cast lovelies too, check them out here online in the shop!

A new direction

2011-10-26T17:02:00.002-04:00

Oh so busy here - but thought I would post a peek at a new painting from a new series of mine called Nation. This one is entitled "Safety Net". Stay tuned for more ... and click over here if you would like to find out more about my book progress! Much excitement with it's being co-editioned in Germany and much more ...

Prints - take two

2011-10-14T13:01:00.005-04:00

Kristina Gill

Rachel Saldana

Alexandra Morrow
Had to show you some more as that didn't include any of the photographic prints. These are just three of the many affordable prints in our shop!

All around the gallery in prints!

2011-10-14T12:27:00.003-04:00

Jenn Ski

Ana Ventura

Hadley Hutton

While it's all rain and puddles out there today - inside artstream we have so much sunshine in our print racks and drawers - Sunshine abounds!

I thought it would be nice to take a little peek at some of the many prints we have here at artstream. Prints are such a great way to make a fast change in a room or pop into a mailer for a special someone's birthday. These are just a few - stop by here to browse more.

Interview with Kelcey Loomer - mixed media artist

2011-10-11T11:56:00.005-04:00

Summer Cocoon by Kelcey Loomer

I am so thrilled to introduce Kelcey Loomer here via a little interview we did last week via email. We love her work at the gallery and we wanted to dig a little deeper into the back story - so here it is folks!

Also - quick announcement that Fern was the lucky winner of Kath Ricketson's book so shoot me an email Fern with your mailing address and we can get that right out to you.

First I want to share Kelcey's artist statement with you and then move on to the "Five Fast Ones" interview with Kelcey ...

I think of my paintings as abstract maps, where the marks of time and emotion leave traces on the surface. My work focuses on the act of looking inward to feel a connection to the mysteries of life; how the connections to our ancestors, our own past, and to the present moment are all intertwined. My paintings have a unique depth to them that is akinto being in a room where the wallpaper is peeling, revealing hints of color and style from the past inhabitant. They are emotional landscapes that look inward for a sense of place...

At an earlier point in my life I wanted to become a biologist. Although I choose a different path, flora and fauna have always captured my attention and imagination. They play in integral part in my paintings both subconsciously and often as conscious symbols. The process by which I create involves many steps. I start with a wooden panel and begin applying layers of antique book pages, ledgers, maps, notes, translucent papers, and inks with glue. After these dry I sand them repeatedly until the surface is soft and the layers blend together seamlessly. The complexity of the layers (between 8 to 10 in all) is tempered by the subtle colors and texture, giving the viewer a place breathe and rest their eyes.

artesprit:

What name do you go by online and do you have a different name for your blog or shop?

KL: Mostly I like to go by Kelcey Loomer, but my buisness name (Etsy shop & blog) is Sweet Mess. A long time ago I found a tee shirt that I thought was en-scripted with the words "Sweet mess". It turned out that I read it wrong, and it actually said "Sweetness", but the image of sweet mess and how it was the perfect name for my art stuck with me. My process of creating is extremly messy with layer upon layer being glued, cut and sanded. In the middle of the process is this incredible sweetness and satisfaction of doing something I love.

artesprit: What art do you find really exciting right now?

KL:I love art that tells a story.

Internet access only came to my neck of the woods 3 years ago. In a way that was previously unattainable, I can now see art from around the world in my livingroom, and I am constantly in awe by all the beauty. Here is a link to some recent favorites I posted on pintrest.

artesprit: What sort of day is a good art day for you?

KL: The best art days are ones where my husband <3<3 stays home with our two children and I get to go into my tiny studio and work all day long.

artesprit: Do you like working out of your normal medium? if so what do you play with?

KL: I studied printmaking and book arts in college, and I still love working in those mediums.

artesprit: What sort of music inspires you?

KL: I listen to a wide array of music. At the moment I am loving a live Leonard Cohen album. Music influences my artwork greatly. Sometimes I will listen to one album or even song on repeat while I work on a certain section of a painting because the music matches the mood of what I am creating.

artesprit: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one medium to work with, what would it be and why?

KL: If I had to choose I would happiest with a nice pen, a few paints, and a book of nice paper. Although I am sure there would be amazing resources on that deserted island. Being a mixed media artist, I see art making potential in everything around me. :)

Above are some of Kelcey's work which we have in the gallery and each piece is beautifully layered imparting incredible transparency and depth. The photos do not do the justice as in most original artwork - you just have to see them!

poppy field

2011-10-10T14:56:00.002-04:00

poppy field, a photo by artstreamstudios on Flickr. acrylic and medium on wooden panel

Been playing around with a lot of materials to show my mixed media class. Came up with this little number filled with poppies and green. I think cleaning out my garden has made me a little sad for spring and so I am sure a few more of these florals will pop into my series soon. What are you drawing today?

Quilting Bee giveaway!

2011-10-07T12:13:00.009-04:00

Litte Bits Quilting Bee - by the wonderfully talented Kath Ricketson.

I did a post earlier on this book when it came in and now it's time to give it away! Just leave your comments below through next Monday at midnight and Tuesday morning October 11th we will draw a random name for the book!

Leave me a comment below about your love of quilts or quilts which you have made or want to make or something about your "stash" of fabrics! I am showing the Liberty book as well as we will be giving that one away later in the month. The Quilting Bee is one fantastic book with loads of inspiration and modern quilting ideas for everyone.

Thoughts on October ...

2011-10-06T12:22:00.001-04:00

Little witches at my door, (just a sneak peek at my 2012 calendar page for October) and pretty jewelry in our cases here at the gallery. 10% off today on all jewelry in the gallery- just because. This beautiful necklace is by our local artist Jessica Mixer. Sterling with semiprecious stones. So pretty!

O Canada, O New England the opening!

2011-10-03T12:55:00.000-04:00

Last week was a whirlwind within the gallery - lots of art being finished up, wired up and set up. Darryl Berger (from the wildly popular blog red-handed) drove down from Ontario (O Canada) to lend a hand setting up the show and getting right into the opening night festivities. What a great crowd on Saturday evening - attending Art Stroll here in Rochester. Deep conversations about the work ensued and lots of little fun cards were handed out that evening. Stop by the gallery if you haven't seen the show yet and check it out now online in our shop!

O Canada, O New England

2011-10-01T14:29:00.003-04:00

An exhibit at artstream gallery of mixed-media artwork inspired by absolutely truthful (we swear) stories and ideas about Canada and New England. Work by Darryl J. Berger and Susan Schwake. All work is available online now at our shop!

Part of Art Stroll (bring an umbrella tonight) in Downtown Rochester!