Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Laundry List

Ah, the "Laundry List". Things are happening at lightning speed. Calls coming in, enquires, bookings, publications. I feel a bit like I am being pulled along in a rip-tide, and I am moving in slo-mo. I had a commission to felt today, as the rest of the week is booked, but I putzed around with the layout like I have all the time in the world. I had to sit down tonight with my monthly calenders and look at the big picture for the next couple of months, as I fear I am missing something. You know... those things that jolt you out of REM and leave your heart racing?
I had a call today from the Canadian Guild of Craft and have added them to the list of my galleries. I will deliver a series of sculptures and landscapes in mid-June. I am making an attempt this year to add a couple of galleries, produce some items for market and have a reliable income coming other than teaching. Of course, I cannot say "no" to my usual juried shows and exciting invitationals that may come my way. Oh, my life is full! This is what's coming up (my laundry list)
This week:
-Lunch with photographer, Tracy Olan,
-Appt in Belleville with Gallery,
-Kingston arts council Juried show drop off
-hanging of Kollaboration exhibit
-complete commission piece
- Opening for Kollaboration.
Next week:
-NY to pick up felting machine
-Artists round table
-Toronto for a fund-raiser
-KingstonArts Council opening
-Student in studio

Oh, and do the laundry.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Friday, April 23, 2010

Wonderful time in Ottawa area...

The Crew..
"Gaston" is my fan (former dancer, you know)




The group in the living room was the rowdy group!

Part of the kitchen group, hard at work!

Woody thinks he's a lap dog!

Dinner time

Trying out Kay's banjo



Hey all...I'm just home from a really nice 2 days with the West Carleton Fibre Guild. They are such a wonderful group of creative women, full of laugher (and a bit of mischief). I had 15 students for a 2 day felted figure workshop and they made some pretty funny people, as you will see! My host, Kay (and other half, Ray) were wonderful hosts. They have the most charming farm house that is so cozy and inviting. We had a little dinner party, lots of food (lots!), and drink and great conversation. I could not have asked for a better time in Almonte. Thanks all!
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Obama Loves it


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Sunday, April 18, 2010

I'm Back from Pittsburgh and Fiberart International

This image makes me laugh...I totally look like I creeped in behind to be included in the shot, but, truth be told, I asked for this shot with Juror, Washington Textile Museum curator, author, Rebecca Stevens.


My piece as it hung in the exhibit (see my little 'Libertio Captivus'?). The stunning large red piece is by Canadian, Barbara Wisnoski.


Leisa Rich interacting with her fabulous piece "No sense crying over spilled Milk- Altering the course"
Kathy Weaver (above) with her piece, "Damaged Morphology". Truly innovative.

I love this piece by Rebecca A. Siemering..."American Made" made from lottery tickets and dental floss...phenomenal.

The event was so professionally run, of such calibre, I was blown away. Had a great time meeting artists and networking. I received a commission within a couple of hours of arriving and have some promising leads to follow. One of the best things is that I am ready to move on...after seeing a few people flat-out copy some of my work, I recognize it is time to move on creatively to a new body of work. I am going to be doing some redefining, fine tuning and reflecting on the direction of my art career and I am grateful for the timing of this event. I have some work to do for a collaborative installation, I am out of town teaching again the end of the week, and then.....oh, I can't wait.


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Thursday, April 15, 2010

FiberArt International



Pittsburgh, here I come. I am so excited to be part of this prestigious exhibtion. With entries from all over the world and 47 artists traveling from as far away as Norway, Wales, and Chile, I know this must be quite a show. I am so lucky to be staying with a feltmaking friend that was involved in the event organizing (not a juror!) so I can just schlep around with her and not worry about where to go when...just along for the ride. They are publishing a catalogue that I cannot wait to get my hands on! Well, running along now...I'll report back after the weekend with lots of pictures!


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Pictures, finally!

Bags!


Sally working hard!


Linnea is good to go!

Ellen working on her layout


Stacy making some prefelt

Natasha asking if she can dip!


Marilyn's piece in progress..





Linnea (happy student!)


Bill (Happy student!)


A departure from the landscapes...from a photo of a horse ear (by Karen)



When Anne added the yarns, this really came to life! She made a quick trip to Webbs to find just the right yarns and ended up using something else in the end!


First. sorry to those waiting to see pictures! I got home and was hit with a whirlwind of errands, household and Mommy duties, bad brakes, and a bunch of info and images to get ready for a magazine feature. My new stash of short fibre merino is calling to me, as is the uncarbonized wool batt that I will use for my collaborative installation that will be due very, very soon. I am heading back out of town early Friday for an event I will blog about next, BUT...I had amazing, wonderful students at New England Felting Supply. I have only one regret that we did not take a proper group shot of everyones landscapes. I will post some here, but, dear students, if I do not post yours it is not because it is not worthy, but I missed the boat! For the bags class we managed to get a group shot, so here we go! My thanks to you ALL

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Monday, April 12, 2010

Home...


I am home from teaching at New England Felting Supply. Going to see Chris and her husband always feels like my second home and I look forward to my next trip the moment I leave. I had some amazing wonderful students and It never ceases to amaze me that we can all start with the same materials and end up with such different stuff! I will be posting student pictures tomorrow, but just wanted to say how lucky I am to be so welcomed by my eager, hard-working students, the staff at NEFS, and by my dear friends.
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Monday, April 5, 2010

And I'm off!

Off to the races, as they say. I have lots of things to organize tomorrow and then Wednesday I am off to New England Felting Supply to teach 2 days of Dimensional Landscapes and then 2 days Finnwool Bags. This is my first "away" teaching gig this year as I come out of my winter studio hibernation and begin a shorter list of teaching engagements than last year. I was gone way too much last summer and vowed to be home more with my family this year. I have still managed to fill my agenda with exhibits and other arty things and it just means that those who want a workshop will have to come to me or wait a bit! I have some exciting things in the works that are sprouting and I will keep you posted as they come to full bloom. In the meantime, the smell of spring tells me that it is time to pack up, roll down the windows for the long drive and see my friends to the south. I look forward to meeting some new students, sharing what I know and learning along the way, as the wool always has something new to say. I'll keep you posted, as always....
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

New Bag Sample

With my life, such as it is, I have been having a difficult time the last couple of days getting into the studio. Today, I had no meetings, no people to drive anywhere and nothing else to keep me from getting in there. I opened my window wide to hear the birds singing and was able to complete this sweet little bag sample for my class at NEFS next week (wholy smokes, next week! Yippee) It's no secret that one of my favorite wools is Finnwool and the grey's are so yummy. NEFS is all stocked up on some amazing brights that are great with the grey. So if you want to get your hands on some, give then a call or email before it is gone. I know I will stock up while I am there. This bag is small and very cute. I quite like this shape and will absolutely make another like this one. Tomorrow I will layout 3 new scarves to take with me as I sent all 11 of the others to Toronto! I must tidy up my space now so I am ready for tomorrow! Good-night!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

time to relax

time to relax
Liberatio Captivus