Whipped!

(Note: used caution while googling "whipped")

Okay...fabulous weekend teaching. 11 wonderful students + 4 lbs c-1/Pelsull + soap and water = 11 really great bags. I was lots of work, but I was so happy to have a group of local students that already know the basics. I have lots of infomation to share and with beginner students, it is just not possible to get to some of the finer details and they are not at a place where they are ready to understand. So, this was a particularily rewarding class in my own town. How far we have come here in Kingston! I know I promised pictures...would you believe that my batteries died!? I will have to ask all my students to send their pictures, so give me some time!

Today, I had planned on getting some work laid out and a few neglected household things, but a forgotten gym bag has thrown a monkey wrench in my day, par for the course of late, I am afraid. I fret not, as I have a nice open window before I teach in Ottawa next week to do some work. I'll keep you posted!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What lies ahead...

I spent the day packing up for 2 days of teaching in a great space that is actually almost next door. I am loving the short commute! I still need to pick up some items, but I am ready to go to teach 11 students 'Felted bags with 3D elements'. I hope they are all ready to work hard!

Now, I know you are wondering. The image above is of a heart stopping, mouth watering, artery clogging, salty, fatty plate of yumminess. This, my readers, is a popular Canadian dish called "poutine": fries, cheese curd, gravy.

I have been trying to get a little more fit after being painfully aware that my skinny jeans were feeling a little too, well, skinny. This being said, I am now craving everything I should not be eating. Isn't that always the way?? It just so happens that there is a brand new place in town dedicated to the culinary delights of poutine. I will happen to be a couple of blocks away from it's doors this afternoon and have made the decision to check it out with the kiddos. Big question is will we walk the couple of blocks or drive. I really should save my energy for the weekend, no?


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Three Hundred

Wow! There are 300 of you that are now "following" my BLOG! Awww, gee. Thanks so much!

Not sure how it happened, but I guess you told 2 friends and they told 2 friends, and so on...and so on. In any case, I am so happy you are all here to listen to the bitching, occasional condescension (sorry) and me on my soap box but, most of all, to see my process in trying to produce good work and live my life as a full-time artist.

I think putting it all here (in almost 500 posts) has helped me take a birds-eye view of my art practice and really consider how little time I spend in the studio. What I do has evolved as needed to accommodate family and other demands such as teaching and my own learning. I feel, once again, that I am shifting gears as I keep my galleries in stock and seek some opportunities for some commission installation work. Once I complete my artist in residency, I have several winter months to nest, hole up in the studio and lose myself. I can't wait.

I love to teach feltmaking. I enter an alternative universe and wonder where the day went. It all just seems to happen! That being said, it is a significant draw on my energy and charging up for the next run means some down time that is elusive of late! I teach a 2 days bags class this weekend and will post images of what we create. After that it is my studio time and I look forward to sharing it all with you...all 300 of you!


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Waterloo...and a few of my favorite things

Yes, food! After a frenzied a.m., my wonderful host, Mary, magically whipped up this beautiful lunch for me.

Felting women (and wine)

A stunning array of samples- the fruits of our labour

I had such a great time in Waterloo at the amazing Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery and hope that they will invite me back soon. Mary, with the OCC, was a very understanding person as final details were ironed out and was a great host along with her husband and cute-as-a-button son (He is "two point five"). Thanks so much.

Emily at the gallery was as warm as the fleece in the sunny window and I hope we cross paths again soon. She is really super. My students worked hard and each made 2 samples incorporating several techniques. They are well on their way.

I will be teaching a 2 day bags class this weekend and can then get some work done for galleries. I need to sit and make a list of my committments and look forward to blocking off some serious studio time, limiting my web surfing/facebook/celebrity gossip/cnn/ procrastination habits!! I'll keep you posted on twitter (just kidding)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

From Oscar...to Oscar

From Oscar the Grouch to Oscar Award...(laughing). Thanks for turning it around for me, Viltariet with the comment on my last post! The perfect metaphor for my day, really. One moment I was in Oscar's trash can sipping latte's from an old paper cup on a sofa, circa 1972...and then a couple of phone calls and emails later I felt like a star. Ahh, the ups and downs of it all.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Feeling Mean

I personally believe that Oscar is misunderstood- a creative genius seeking acceptance. Just my opinion.

I am feeling mean today for standing my ground. As a rule, I just want everyone to be happy (delusion #1). Second, I expect certain aspects of my business to be concrete (Yup, delusion #2)
And, as an artist and business person, I expect to make more than minimum wage...need I say it?

I wonder if Oscar can find some space for me in his can today?! From what I recall it is pretty spacious :o)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Contracts...always have one.

No matter how informal things seem, or if you are doing business with a friend...always draw up a simple contract. I had a recent situation where I received a contract and was surprised to see a few gaps that were an issue...they were never resolved after several communiations and I moved on. Business is business.

I recently saw a flyer advertising an upcoming workshop I am teaching for a group and there were several major errors that would have never been there had I been sent the information for approval. No biggie, it's all good and getting figured out. This being said, we are still fine tuning things and have not yet put together a contract, which would include things like approval of marketing materials...Good lesson for me to follow my own advice. Yes, we are artists, but we are also business people. If someone scoffs at a contract, they do not take your business of being an artist seriously. It's just smart business to have a contract...'nuff said!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com