Little Ditties...

These are new this year. I wanted to do something that was under $5.00- a sample size item. These are little tiles I paint and then attach an extra strong magnet to. They look great on the fridge, and can hold up a lot! With school starting and lots of artwork and news that needs to be posted- these come in handy. Squares are $3.00, and hearts are $4.00.

Some EXCITEMENT!

Nothing like a backhoe and a BIG hole to brighten the day of a 6 year old! Wils had to get his hard hat and rubber boots on for this event! We have a fire hydrant in our front yard. Last February it sprung a leak. It is finally being fixed, 6 months later, and our yard is a bit of a mess.

Hello, anybody out there?

It has been one of those weeks- I feel like shouting "I'M OPEN!!!!"
Thou Art Gallery, Check it out!

'Tis the Season- to get to work!

It is the time of year when I start getting my inventory of "Holiday Bobs" going. I usually sell quite a few of these beauties in various shapes and sizes. This is a new style this year- I think it works. My "bobs" sell for $20.00 & $25.00 each. They are all hand painted and one of a kind.
I better get going on the next one, the season is fast approaching!

A Summer Celebration!

Yesterday was our annual summer celebration- the family pilgrimage to the New York State fair!
Wilson counts the minutes to this event every year! It is a long day filled with carnival food, farm animals, midway rides, more food, crowds of people, lots of walking and a parade. We love the fair! The weather was perfect- cool, breezy and not too sunny, all around it was fabulous! My son LOVES to go on rides, I, DO NOT share this enthusiasm for spinning, hanging upside down and being scared. So Don did that with him. I had a hard time even watching. It is getting harder every year he moves a little more away from the kiddie rides and wants to go on bigger, faster and more frightening contraptions. It can be hard watching your little one grow up. But, what a great day!

New Display for Gary Rith Pottery

I have decided to move things around again. Gary Rith is one of my favorite artists at the gallery. He is also a good customer. I would like to do all I can to improve his sales here at Thou Art. Now he has a prime location- this fabulous display is the first thing you see when you walk in, and it is right next to the register area, so it is also one of the last things you see when you leave. I'm knocking my customers over the head with Gary Rith Pottery! I hope this helps.

Head Warmers

I have a great new artist at the Gallery. Mo Viele hand knits and felts these beautiful, happy baby hats. They are the CUTEST!

My trademark revealed!

Not everyone would have the guts to reveal a trademark secret! My bright red hair is "store bought"! My son Wilson, as I have mentioned before, loves to take photos- here he caught Mommy in the act of monthly maintenance. It takes a lot of work to look this good! Boy, this is really a bad picture of me!

A Smiley for Everyone!

My husband got a card with these smileys on it for his birthday, I thought this was really cute.
It gave me a SMILE!

Paint by Numbers

Do-it-yourself SeascapeJ, done by Andy Warhol in 1963.
I have been fascinated by PBN kits since I was a child- I guess I still am. I have been thinking about doing a community participation piece of a giant paint by numbers. I recently found out that Andy Warhol also enjoyed PBNs, or as he called them "do- it- yourself pictures". He Would project line art onto a large canvas and then add the numbers. Then He would partially paint the piece, leaving the rest to be finished by the buyer. I love this idea! I also love the way you can see the numbers through the paint.

Warhol IS probably my favorite artist- I am a HUGE fan! I always find him and his work interesting and exciting.

Wilson's Parade pix...

Groton Olde Home Days was this past weekend. The Gallery was quite busy, but I was able to enjoy some of the festivities. Every year our small town does it "big", for this weekend. We even have an annual parade, which, I thought, was better than usual this year. This celebration is one of many great things about living in our small "country" community- Wilson is already talking about Olde Home Days next year.

Featured Artisans

This is only small "peek" at a few of the artisans I feature at Thou Art Gallery. We sell fine art, quality handcrafts, and specialty foods all produced in the Finger Lakes area of central New York.
From the top:
*Ralph's Sauces, Ithaca, NY
*Gary Rith Pottery, Etna, NY & *Finger Lakes Roasters coffee, Victor, NY
*Jolene Lyon Woodwork, Dryden, NY
*Bill Davis Pottery, Ithaca, NY
I need to do a count, but I have somewhere around 55 local artisans. My youngest artist is 11, and my oldest is in her 80's. I am always on the lookout for new "neighbors" for the gallery.
This is really a special place with unique merchandise.

Tickets Anyone???

Get your tickets At Thou Art Gallery! Call 607-898-5706.

Click on poster to read the fine print. I am on the Special Events Committee for the Groton Business Association. I designed the poster and tickets for this event. Our little town has a really interesting history. I think this is going to be a cool thing to do for all! On the tours you will ride on a (purple) bus and listen to the narration written by a village historian. There will be surprise stops- a different one on every tour. This is something new for Groton Olde Home Days, and an opportunity to learn about the town we live in- Come on, GET ON THE BUS!

A weekend with the family

I had a completely restful weekend! My husband, son, and I spent three glorious days at Shale Point on Owasco lake. There is no other place like this, a rustic turn of the century cottage overlooking a huge, private shale covered beach. My son Wilson could spend hours in the lake! It is the perfect place to unwind- no TV or wireless service. We played Parcheesi, had a beach fire, did a little swimming, went kayaking, and hung out on the hammock. Not to mention, I don't sleep better anywhere on earth. It was a good weekend, after a really busy week!

The morning after...

I survived the opening last night for Amy Hnatko. There was a good crowd, good food and good sales, and of course good art!

Something strange happened after everyone had gone, and I was done cleaning up. I had turned off my lights and I was getting ready to leave, when I realized I forgot my coffee pot. I turned the lights back on and saw this strange reflection moving around the ceiling. I was all the way in the room when I figured out what it was- A BAT! He was flying in circles right above my head! I grabbed my coffee pot and got the heck out of there! My heart was racing, and now I'm a bit freaked out. I HAVE BATS IN MY BELFRY! This really isn't that surprising, the belfry is right above the gallery, but this is the first time I have actually had one flying around! He better be back upstairs when I get there today, or else I may not be open. Yesterday I got stung by a bee, vacuumed up mouse turds, and had a bat circling my head! There may be a little too much nature in there for my taste! I guess that is the chance you take when your business is in a church built in 1883!


YIKES!!!

"Hanging" in there....

I have been working hard climbing ladders, moving artwork, and hanging the new show. Amy's new giclee photos are beautiful and well worth a visit to Thou Art. Opening tomorrow evening there will be a reception with refreshments and local wine. All are invited. Thursday August 7, 6:30-9:00 pm.

Last Day Girl's Lunch

My mom took my sister-in-law Kristen and I out to lunch at Pumpkin Hill yesterday. We had a great meal, and good company. It was Kristen's and the boy's last full day in New York. My Brother's family lives in the mountain area of San Diego. Wilson has had a great time with his cousins, he was really sad when he had to say "good bye" to Jed and Emerson last night. See you next year, and have a safe trip home!

The Popular Piece!

This box is a work in progress, it is far from being finished, but it gets more attention than anything else in the gallery! Just about everyone that comes in asks about it. I started it a few months ago. The box itself is made by Jolene Lyon, one of the artists at Thou Art. It was a "second" piece of hers, so I asked her if I could paint it. I love this box! I think the reason I haven't finished it is because I don't want to sell it- this may be the "one" I keep for me. As you can see, It is also the item I chose to be working on for my "art gal" photo too.

Big Birthday

My Husband is a bit of a "nerd type" and he really wanted one of these shirts. It actually lights up a shows the "bars" for wireless frequency. I was able to find him one for his Birthday! He loves it, but probably should not wear it in the rain. Wilson and Frank the cat like it too.
Happy Birthday Daddy!

My Man is HOT!

This is my husband circa 1975 (and around 1964). I have always had a thing for big hair (and bow ties)! Tomorrow is Don's Birthday- Happy 51 babe!