Taking the Leap

After almost 20 years of juggling a day job and pursuing art simultaneously, I’ve decided that it’s time to focus on art full-time. I am excited and nervous and prepared. But mostly I am happy.

I had a great experience at the Boston Gift Show in March and as a result, I’ll be busy this month filling lots of orders for shops throughout the country.

The last few years, I've spent most of my weekends traveling to art festivals in New England and 2012 will be no different.  Next stop is the SoWa Winter Market on April 15. 

Basically, I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time in this glorious space and doing what I love.  So stay tuned for more exciting news...     

Ros Farbush

Today I learned that Ros Farbush, a close family friend and one of my great inspirations passed away. This post is dedicated to her memory and her beautiful paintings.

 Ros was a painter and a teacher.  She spent a lifetime doing what she loved to do.  And she worked hard at her craft every day.    

She painted her way and on her terms. She was a tough little cookie who spoke her mind. 

In her eighties, it was more difficult for her to get around, but she didn’t let that stop her. Ignoring obstacles and armed with sheer determination, somehow she found a way to paint daily.  Somehow she found the perfect spot for her frail, twisted frame and flimsy chair, and consistently pushed paint onto canvas like no one else.

Her paintings capture a colorful world full of imperfections, inconspicuous beauty and everyday things. Her loose style, bold color combinations and artistic voice are clear and distinct, instantly recognizable. I love them and I loved watching her apply paint to her palette and canvas. It was magical.

Ros on Newbury Street, Boston 2006 painting with my mom Dassie

Ros was spirited and soulful. Her passion about art and life was infectious and I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to watch her work and paint by her side. She had a big impact on me both personally and creatively and I’m forever grateful for the moments I shared with her.

A memorial service is being held at the South Shore Art Center on Friday March 9th at 10:30am.  And anyone interested in seeing her paintings, they are currently on display at Oceanside 17 Gallery, 17 Rockland Circle in Hull.  

What speaks to you?

For the most part, I look forward to working in my studio.   Though there are many days when cutting glass doesn’t go smoothly, my iron isn't working, I burn or cut myself, I drop a finished piece and it's ruined, I mess up a painting and need to start over, or I'm filled with doubt about what the hell I'm doing. 

But then I look up to that spot on the wall I've designated for photos and clippings and I'm inspired... and I keep going.    

 

This American Life

Making Progress.

I don’t really have much to say about art-related stuff other than I’m spending a lot of time in my studio. And there’s not much “creating” going on, just a lot of cleaning, painting (walls and floors), organizing, chatting, dreaming, and thinking. The high production mode of 2011 came to a screeching halt and I’m still in vacation mode I suppose. But I’ve been filling my time with other important activities like getting to know the other artists in my building and dare I say it, having a little fun.

For example, this past weekend I went dancing at the Good Life and ALMOST lost my keys. And I don't know about you, but for me that's always a fun time.  Fortunately, I found them on the floor at 2am and don't recall being that deliriously joyful in my entire life. ever.  Thus the weekend was salvaged so I could put the finishing touches on an order of mermaids headed to a shop in St. Thomas (too bad I can’t hand deliver that one), spend some quality time in my neighbor George Ford’s woodshop studio,

and visit Boston's Sowa Winter Market (485 Harrison Avenue) and the Sowa Vintage Market (460C Harrison Avenue) where I picked up yet another lovely metal chair to add to my growing collection of beat up, well made, industrial furniture.  LOVE.

So if you’re looking for a unique place to do some shopping over the next few months, both of these markets run every Sunday through April. The winter market features art, craft, local produce and baked goods and I’ll be there a bunch of dates in Feb, March and April..