My Personal Chef!

Wilson's big Christmas gift was a real chef uniform! He loves it- and has pretty much been wearing it since the 25th. My son has a true love for cooking. When we had a visit to see Santa Claus he asked him for a "wisk" and recipe cards.
The Gallerage will be closed until January 6. I need a bit of a rest after my successful holiday season. My Birthday is Wednesday, and I will be taking advantage of my yearly dinner and a movie date!

Got some time...

I have a little time to catch up! My New Years resolution is to keep up with the blog!

Steve Gallow's show was a great success, probably the best opening I have had at my Gallerage!
Thanks so much Steve, you did a great job filling the place! You can still get Calendars cards and prints by Steve, although they are going fast!

I am making my Woody Santas like crazy, I will be cutting more today, and you can find me painting them at the Gallerage (215 Main St. Groton- 280-9699) this week.

Also- selected pieces from Gary Rith Pottery have been marked down 50%! Great teacher gifts!

New show coming up!

Be there!!!!

Another Saturday- already!

The days are going so fast, time seems to be speeding by as I get closer to the Holidays! I have spent the last couple of days dusting, sweeping and rearranging displays. getting ready for incoming merch and festive decorations! At home I have been painting dreidels like crazy. the dreidel song keeps going through my head, although I make them out of wood- not clay. I am trying to remember where I put those christmas lights I bought on clearance last January- gotta find them! I am hoping I will have time to paint today at the gallery, I have orders to get done. I guess I thrive on a full plate.

Upcoming Show with Dee Sprague

There is much going on at the Gallerage, and I have been so busy I haven't been very good at keeping up with the blog!

On Friday November 20th, 5:00-8:00, we have a fab opening for Dee Sprague's ANGELS AMONG US. These are beautiful and affordable oil on wood original paintings, done in Dees recognizable folk art style. We will also have some hand painted furnishings, cards and prints by Dee, perfect for gift giving. Please stop by and meet the artist, have some snacks and mingle with friends.

Happy Birthday Wilson

Big birthday weekend- Wilson turned 8 years old yesterday! Party at Grandma and Grampa's, party at school, and a party at home! Mommy is partied out! Happy Birthday to my big boy!

The Big Day!

Here is the complete look. We had a busy weekend of trick or treating! At school Friday they had the costume parade and party, that evening Main St. Groton had the treats, with all the businesses giving out candy- we must have had 400 kids come by! I went through a LOT of candy! Then Saturday morning we went to the party at the Farmers' market for the parade and hay ride. Then last night the neighborhood trick or treating. Wilson LOVES Halloween, he loved going around saying "What's up Doc" too.

The Halloween Costume!

Wilson has discovered Bugs Bunny, he LOVES the classic cartoons, and that is what he wanted to be for Halloween this year! I painted a plain white mask, and glued the bunny nose on. Then I couldn't find gray ears,but, I was able to find white ones (Bugs is a gray bunny) so I had to paint those. I have a gray sweat shirt that I will attach a fuzzy white tummy, and a fluffy tail too. Add gray sweat pants, and you have Bugs Bunny! He will also be carrying an Ithaca Farmers' Market bag full of (fake) organic carrots.

Last Sunday Market!

I'm trying to get things painted for my last Sunday at the Ithaca Farmers' Market. My inventory is a bit low, but I have plenty of switch plates and a selection of Holiday Bobs (ornaments)! Life has been a bit hectic with openings and the Art Trail the last 2 weekends at the Gallerage. I need to get my kid's classes and a floor cloth class organized. I am working it!

Let the Sunshine IN!

It is supposed to be a warm day, I look forward to opening the garage door, and letting in the light- I just hope we don't get a hard rain!

New Wilson YouTube!

Wilson knows how to party at a wedding! This video is so funny, I almost wet my pants laughing so hard! Take a look at a REAL dancing fool!

Don and Wils are home! They went to our niece's wedding in Baltimore this past weekend. I was very sorry not to be able to go, but I had signed up and paid for the Art Trail before we got the invitation. I really would have LOVED to have been there! Congratulations Lauren and Ian! I heard it was a great party at the Modern Art Museum on the Inner Harbor! My guys enjoyed their "all boy" road trip anyway.
Today I will shopping for soup supplies and whipping up a batch of sausage tortellini soup for tomorrow at Bun Appetit. Then at 2:00 Gary is coming over with new pots! A new supply of Gary Rith pottery will be on display at the Gallerage! I hear he is bringing cows, and much more!

Happy Holidays!

I guess the holiday shopping season has started! I sold a bunch of my "holiday Bobs" yesterday, and I am cooking a couple of more up for today. The Gallerage had a nice turn out for the Art Trail Open House, and today is the last day- stop by and say HI! You can also pick up a brochure with a map and listings for all the other open studios on the Art Trail. It is a fun way to spend a fall afternoon.
I will be unpacking my power miter saw this week. I need to start stocking up on my spindle Santas. Last year for my Birthday I got a saw, and I haven't used it yet. I made a bunch of these little guys last year (cut with a hand miter box) and they were very popular. It will be a lot easier to produce them with a power saw!
Now I have to get set up for the Art Trail, it runs from 11:00-5:00.

Made the news!

I just saw the Ithaca journal check it out!

Big weekend coming up!

The Ithaca Art Trail open studio tours are this weekend. I am on the trail! Stop by 215 Main st. at Thou Art Gallerage! I am not sure how much traffic I will get, I'm a bit of an island here in Groton. I will also have Alice Muhlback's opening reception for Heart is in the RIGHT place. Maybe I can "bribe "people to come out for free food and wine!

BUSY OCTOBER!

In addition to the open studio tours with the Ithaca Art Trail, I will be opening a new show at the Gallerage!

I was busy painting all last week, I got these 2 pieces finished- just in the nick of time! The top photo, large glass bowl, was a special order piece for a farmers' market customer. SHE LOVED IT! The other bowl is large as well, and one of my recycled wooden salad bowls. It will be part of the Art trail members' show at the State of the Art Gallery in Ithaca. Opening night is this Friday from 5-8. If you can, come see the wonderful work by almost all the Art trail members. I always enjoy it when I can make to another gallery's opening!

Hey you out there!

So, I know I've been very bad about the blog thing! I have had so much other stuff to do, that I just haven't been good about it. I have new work at the gallerage by Annie Zig, also a new show coming up with Alice Muhlback. I have rearranged the shop and waxed the floors. The place looks FABULOUS, and I have had more biz since school started. I am also on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail and we have open studio weekends coming up. I have much to do to get ready for all this, so check back- I haven't deserted the blog, just really busy!

Hello, Hello!

It has been a while since I have checked in. I have been working hard on painting a piece for the Art Trail show at the State of the Art Gallery- I'm getting there. I am also planning the next exhibit for the Gallerage: Alice Muhlback will be showing some of her latest works. Alice is one (I have many) of my favorite artists, her work is fun, thought provoking, and easy to own! The show will be opening at the end of September- I'm still pinning down an exact date.
We also had the first week back to school. Big thing for a new third grader!
I have to get going, I'm doing the Ithaca Market today. Check back for more info!

The yearly jaunt!

Every year we look forward to attending The Great New York State Fair! Yesterday was the day. It is our way of winding up the Summer, one last day of gluttony, mindless spending, and lots of FUN! We had a great time wearing ourselves out. Wilson LOVES the rides, Don LOVES the food, and I LOVE the animals and the exhibits. The Cornell Solar House was amazing, and The sand sculpture was pretty cool too. How much fun can you pack in one day? Before we left we caught the Skinny German Juggle boy. He is one of the best street performers I have ever seen. Food, thrills, education, and live theater- WOW, what a day!

I survived a natural disaster!

On Saturday we went to my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party. It was at the Canandaigua Yacht Club. It started raining pretty hard, then harder, then all of a sudden it was sideways rain and you couldn't see anything outside through the windows. An alarm went off, but nobody seemed to know what it was, and there was no instruction from the staff at the club. My 93 year old Grandma was sitting in front of a window, and we surrounded her to get her moved (she doesn't move real fast). Don took Wilson on the other side of the room away from the windows, The rain was really loud and absolutely pounding on the windows, and I said "maybe we should go downstairs to the basement". As soon as I said this there was a huge bang, and the rain died down. We could see out the window now, and a Huge tree had fallen right next to us. We went outside. There were several huge chestnut trees all all over the grounds, as we looked to the lake we could see a pile of boats and more strewn across the beach that had been picked up and tossed about. There were a couple that had been tossed out into the lake that were capsized and sinking. We could not believe the damage, and how concentrated it was- a straight line from behind the club house (where we were having our party) to the marina, all the destruction seemed to be a path about 50 yards wide. We later found out the National Weather service said it was a tornado! What are the chances of being smack dab in the middle of a tornado?!! We finished the party- we couldn't get out because of all the downed trees. The electric was out, but the bar was open and there was much to talk about! It was the most interesting anniversary party I have ever been to!

The usual routine...

I have been painting my usual best sellers this week getting ready for the Farmers' Market on Sunday. I haven't been in a couple of weeks so I am excited to go and "hawk my wares". It has been a bit of a slow week at the Gallerage, but I have been getting a bit of my own work done, so that's good.

An announcement:

The Gallerage will be closed this Saturday August 29th due to a mandatory family event. Sorry if this is a problem, these things come up occasionally- I am a one woman operation.

A great night out!

My Lover-Boyce took me out for dinner and a show last night. We scarfed a hot dog 2 minutes before going into the theater! We try to get to at least one show a season at the Merry-Go-Round playhouse at the end of Owasco Lake. Last night we took in one of my favorites- A Chorus Line. I Love this musical. I think I have seen it 3 or 4 times now. I had the original cast recording on vinyl. When I was in High School, I knew every song by heart, and ask my parents they endured many a car ride with me in the back seat singing "Tits and Ass" at the top of my lungs! I used that kind of language only in the name of ART! Great play- see it if you can. I'll be singing all day today!

It's my weekend!

I have 2 days off in a row! I still have a bit of school shopping to get done, so I will be running some errands with my fabulous assistant Wilson Henry! That means we will probably have to go to McDonald's for lunch- if my assistant is a well behaved young man. Bribes help me get things done!
I don't usually like to paint furniture, but a friend asked me to do a child's chair for him to give as a gift. I couldn't say no! Anahlee's chair is really cute, I hope she likes it!

As long as I keep things simple, I guess I don't mind doing this sort of thing. Just a few more touch-ups and then the poly finish.
Now, on with my weekend!

settled into a routine...

I am all cleaned up from Olde Home Days, and the place looks great. I am really feeling comfortable in my new space. Don did my monthly bookkeeping, and I think many of my artisans will be surprised with their checks! Business is definitely better being on Main St.
With sales being so good I will not be able to do the Farmers' Market this Sunday- my inventory
is really low- I keep selling stuff!
It was a nice night, but the humidity is back today- what happened to that cold front we were supposed to get? I think I'll bring another fan to the shop today.
Back to painting...

Back to the Gal!

My Salvador is looking a bit tired and "wolf- like" after our busy day at the lake. Lots of swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing- it was a great day.
I have many creative outlets. I am a painter, but every now and then I like to do something different. My "baubles" have been selling very well at the shop, so I thought I would show a sample of new pieces.

Yesterday I took Wilson school shopping, while I was at the mall, I had to stop in at AC Moore. I spent a little cash on beads! It is a bad habit to get into!
Now, Back to painting today!

Made it through the weekend!

The big day has come and gone! Groton's Summer Celebration, aka Olde Home Days was HOT, and I mean HOT! I was wearing a towel around my neck filled with ice to try and stay cool. We had a lot of traffic at the new Gallerage, but I think it was a bit uncomfortable to stand in the sun and do my giant "Paint by Numbers." I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, maybe I'll save it for next year and we can finish it then!
Dino DiArtist was a hit, he stayed busy doing caricatures all day. We hope to have him again next year. If you stop in at Bun Appetit take a look at the drawing he did of Jodi and I- pretty funny! Thanks Dino!
We had live music, a pie contest, and the big parade! What a LONG DAY, and I was beat at the end of it.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Gallerage, it was great to see so many people visiting my shop- I love the traffic on Main St.!
Now, on with my regular stuff, I have orders to fill, and lots of painting to keep me busy. I also have to get my web site back in order- I'm working on it. But, today is supposed to be the hottest day of the year, so Wils, Salvador and I are going to go to the lake and have a nice, wet, relaxing day, work starts tomorrow!

Hello Again!

It has been a while since I have sat down and checked in! I have been busy getting ready for Olde Home Days. I am glad that it is finally here- this weekend Groton celebrates 75 years of our town's summer festival. I will be judging the photography show on Friday night, and Saturday is my Giant Paint By Numbers community art project. Thanks to my FAB Hubby for helping out with this! I also have an amazing caricature artist coming to do portraits under the tent in front of the Gallerage. If you are around on Saturday make sure you check out Dino DiArtist- he is really good at what he does!
It is supposed to be a beautiful day (for a change) HOT & SUNNY- and we will be selling ice cold bottled water to help keep people hydrated. There is much going on including the parade at 6:00, this is the biggest day of the year in our little town!
I have also been painting- yes, I do have some new pieces!


Stop by and see me Saturday!