"On the Rocks" and Uncommon Arts!

I hope everyone is having a good summer in spite of the wide range of weather issues that we all have been dealing with this year. (Rain and flooding, super hot weather, just to name a few...)

I did finish up the "Rocks" print that I had started in the last post. I ended up using quite a few stencils to block out areas of different color tones.

A little hint of purple in there.

The final stage of the block

The final print!

Tomorrow I'm setting  up my tent for the "Uncommon Art on the Common" event in Goffstown. I'll be selling prints, and my friend Lori will be there with her incredible felted animals (as well as prints). 

It is local and fun!!  The forecast is for sunshine and low 80s for temperature. We're good to go!

Catching up With Summer!

It has been a busy and eventful summer! I've been enjoying the beautiful weather, visiting friends, working on an assortment of printmaking projects, and recovering from a hectic school year. Well now it is almost time to say goodbye to summer vacation, and get my brain back into teacher mode again.
Lori and I had a good day on August 3rd at the "Uncommon Art on the Common" Art Fest. After a few drops of rain at the beginning, the day turned out to be a pleasant one for an outdoor event. We set up the tent and tables with the assistance of our ever helpful husbands, and were pleased to see a steady stream of visitors throughout the day.

Last week, I attended the award ceremony at City Hall in Manchester for the "National Arts Program" sponsored art show for City and School Department employees. It's always a well-received show for artists of all ages and levels. I was happy to receive a 3rd Place Award for the "Pinkham Notch" reduction block print that I recently finished.

It's hard to say goodbye to the less scheduled days of summer, but the rhythm of the seasons makes them even more sweet!

Uncommon Art on the Common 2019

It's almost Uncommon Art on the Common time again in Goffstown, and Lori and I are going to give it another try this year. Pray for sunshine! Last year the rain kept us from setting up our tent, as our prints do not like to be exposed to damp conditions. I'll be working on getting my new prints matted and packaged to be ready for August 3rd. Now if only the weather will cooperate!

Happy Birthday Dad!

HAPPY 88th BIRTHDAY DAD!

Looking forward to a special birthday dinner with my dad and other family members! I feel so fortunate to have great parents who have always been supportive and a big part of my life!

I had an enjoyable day at the "Uncommon Art on the Common" event this past weekend. I don't do a lot of fairs, but this one is in town, and I like supporting Art Team who put this whole thing together. We have been having very hot and humid weather this summer, as well as a drought from lack of rain. Of course there was a little rain while we were setting up, and threats of thunderstorms, but we lucked out and managed to have a storm-free afternoon. I sold some of my work, and explained the process of reduction block printing to anyone who would listen!

I didn't have these "buoy" prints at the show, as I am still working on them. For this design, I am working with three small blocks at a time. I've been experimenting with different color combinations for the backgrounds and the buoys themselves. I also printed a few on black paper which produces a different texture and more contrast in the white.

Some rain is falling now, which is great for the plants and lawn, but the heat wave is coming back for the next four or five days, so will enjoy the cooler weather today!

Viking

I had fun drawing this operatic mouse for the week's Illustration Friday's prompt. I believe she is called Brunnehilde from the Wagner opera, the Ring Cycle. Even if one doesn't know much about the opera's story line, the image is pretty familiar, except my mouse may be a little too skinny for the role.

I'm getting ready for the "Uncommon Art on the Common" event this Saturday in Goffstown. I've been matting and packaging a lot of prints, trying to pull it all together, and hoping the weather will cooperate! I'll be setting up my booth on the main common this year, and plan to demonstrate some printmaking techniques.

Summertime...

Here is my Illustration Friday idea for this week's prompt, "stomach." I remember that I was advised many years ago, to give my babies "stomach time" so they could strengthen their arms and neck muscles. I think we could all use a little of that, especially in the summer!

Along with a bit of relaxation, I'm getting ready for the "Uncommon Art on the Common" Art Event on August 6th in Goffstown. I'm busy matting and packaging my work in preparation for the show. 

It's always a fun event, with a wide variety of different artists and media. Pop on over if you are in the area!

Uncommon Art on the Common

My booth at the Art Fest in Goffstown on August 2nd

I had an enjoyable day at the "Uncommon Art on the Common" Art Fest last Saturday. It ended up being decent, weather wise---just cloudy---no rain. I got the chance to explain the process of reduction printmaking to a lot of folks who had little knowledge of the technique. Although many remembered making linoleum block prints in school.

Yesterday I went to the League of NH Craftsmen Show in Sunapee with two of my art teacher friends. We had a great time looking through all the booths and hunting for this year's perfect mug. It was a beautiful day and not too crowded!

               The new mug on the right joins last year's pick! Both are made by potter Lloyd Hamovit.

Sadie enjoying her porch perch.

Illustration Friday "Golden"

"Rapunzel's Golden Hair"

Finishing up this week's IF post as well was getting ready for the "Uncommon Art on the Common" Art Fair on Saturday. I've spent the week measuring, cutting mats, bagging, framing, and organizing all my printmaking pieces for the show. Hopefully the weather will cooperate! My booth will be near Sawyer's Restaurant on Main Street in Goffstown. 

Illustration Friday "repeat"

This week's theme, "repeat," seemed a little challenging. I wanted to do something that wasn't the most obvious solution, so I went with the idea that little kids always want their favorite story read over and over "again…again…again."

"Repeat"

(Plus my friend's dog gets to make her debut in one of my drawings)

Otherwise my summer is flying by! During the last couple of weeks, I flew to Maryland for a visit with several friends, and a trip to the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) for some beach time. After driving back to New England, the rest of my college friends and I spent time in Connecticut for our annual summer reunion. 

 Laughing gulls on Rehoboth Beach

Now that my big trips are over, I'm focusing on getting artwork together for "Uncommon Art on the Common" which takes place on Saturday August 2nd in Goffstown NH. This annual show has a large assortment of different types of art from a variety of local artists. I've ordered more mat board and other supplies, so next week will be a busy one. I just hope the weather will cooperate!