Festival Time

The Paseo Arts Festival is upon us again already.  Though I hope to be in my usual spot, I won't know until set-up this evening, so when you come out for art, music, friends, and fun, just look for this:

Have a fun, safe weekend, don't forget what Memorial Day is really all about, and I'll see you on the other side.

One Thing Leads to Another

Last weekend I found myself at a Kentucky Derby party.  Now I'm conflicted when it comes to horse racing; the fantasy is beautiful and romantic, but the reality seems to get uglier every year, and knowing the things I know,  I don't think I could bring myself to attend a race in person.  However, when someone tells me there's a  party with food, drinks, and lots of hats, how can I not be intrigued?  I have rather a lot of hats, but they're mostly everyday flapperish affairs, or ringed, netted pillboxes passed down from my grandmother and grandmothers of strangers.  Back in the winter, though, I had dropped $5 on a wide-brimmed felt hat at a vintage show, because it was something I didn't have, and it looked rather dashing.  For this affair it seemed a bit underdone, so I scrambled around looking for some way to jazz it up, without turning it ridiculous.  (It turned out there were nearly as many silly, over-the-top hats at the party as elegant and beautiful ones, but I didn't know that beforehand, and it mightn't have mattered, as I prefer not to look silly in a hat.)  In the end, I put an old flowered hat over the crown, stitched it in place, and clipped a large purple feathery flower fascinator on the side, which doesn't show much in the picture.  It was fun.  It was a hot day, and I didn't know many people, but my pal Jeri and I had a good time nibbling from the hors d'ourve table, sipping wine and mint juleps, and engaging in people-watching.

A few days later I realized my cutlery tray needed a good cleaning.  Which led to a sorting of silverware, and a curiosity about all my mismatched pieces.  That, in turn, led to getting out the readers and magnifying glass, finding an informative silver pattern website, and passing several hours researching the name and date of origin of my pieces.  I even wrote them down, with descriptions and sketches, for future reference.  From there I had to dig out the boxed silverware I'd inherited from my grandmother, probably never used.  Though I don't know exactly when she received it, I do know it's the Community Plate Coronation pattern, designed in 1936 in honor of Edward VIII, who, of course, ended up abdicating the throne in order to be with his divorced, American lady friend.

My digging around for silverware led me to a basement cupboard where I rediscovered a box of china I'd bought years ago from a wandering hippy at an art festival.  (I was selling mosaic ware at the time, and she rushed home to bring me her box of mostly brown willow dishes, saying I could smash them up.)  Brown willow doesn't appeal to me the way blue willow does, but the box also contained several tea cups, saucers, dessert plates, and small bowls of this sweet pattern.

The weather is beautifully cool, damp, dreary, our outdoor secret haven, The Magnolia Room, is in full swing most evenings, and the berries are ripening right on schedule.

I'm thinking a fancy garden tea party may be in order....

The jewelry show was a charming success; thank you to old friends and new for the encouragement, and for making purchases.  A few pieces are left, but many found new homes, which is always a delight.
Next up, Biting the Apple, Friday April 13, at IAO.
My submissions are in but whether you'll see them at the show depends upon the discretion of the jurors.  Good thing you can see them here.

 "Sucker's Dream"

"Two-Piece Dream"

Spring art opportunities

Tomorrow (Thursday), 6 pm - 8 pm, join me at Churchill Brown and Associates in Nichols Hills Plaza, Oklahoma City, for an evening of eats, drinks, art, and jewelry.  It'll be great.  I will be offering fresh new designs of the necklace and earring variety, for two hours only.  (If you should have to miss, contact me for a private viewing, or take a peek in Istvan Gallery in case any remaining pieces end up there.)

More in the performance art vein, mark your calendars for March 17 and 18, when Oklahoma City Museum of Art will be celebrating 10 years of its current incarnation in the heart of downtown OKC, with free admission, free movies (rumour has it "Zardoz" is amongst them.  I know).   Not to mention a plethora of fantastic activities all weekend long, including exotic professional face painting by yours truly.   Take a look at OKCMoA's website for further details.  This will be an event not to miss, despite the inconvenience of Project 180 making a mess of traffic and parking downtown.

Have you seen "The Artist" yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?  I'm not one for the whole Oscar show-and-tell-and-show-off affair, but must admit this year the winning film deserved every bit of the honour.   What a gorgeous, delightful, straightforward-yet-filled-with-subtlety treat it is.  I won't say just how many times I've taken myself to the cinema to see it, but the last viewing remained as fresh and charming as the first.  No, more so actually.  

When you see me in person, ask about how we found ourselves at a private Oscar watch party, and how I won a copy of the "Hugo" book.

Anyway, "The Artist" is my favorite, though I might still love you if it's not yours (but I won't profess to understand).   I made a 'thank you' card.

Friends of the Library book sale garnered two paper bags filled with treats, mostly old books and biographies.  Documentation to follow, after art obligations are seen to.

New Jewelry

A few new pieces added to Istvan Gallery, and more to come for a one-night show on March 1st, at Churchill Brown Associates in Nichols Hills.

Copper Wire and Celluloid

Okay, celluloid in spirit only, but still.  It's accurate to say I'm smitten.  You ought to see "The Artist".  At least twice.

In local news.....
If you haven't purchased tickets for the amazing, annual fete known as the Omelette Party (Eggs Royale this year), what are you waiting for?  No ticket sales the day of the party, only advance purchases allowed (something to do with staying on the right side of the ABLE Commission, which, though pesky, is probably still a good thing to do).  It's one of the easiest ways to support our world class Oklahoma City Museum of Art; all the stylish, charming kids will be there, a wide array of talented chefs will be serving up fresh and made-to-order eggy creations, the JetSet Kings will be playing fabulous live music, and the open bar is like  icing on the cake.  But wait - don't answer yet, because as if all that weren't more than enough, you will also be entitled to purchase raffle tickets (very reasonably priced) allowing you to participate in the exciting art giveaway.  Yes, that's right.  There will be a gallery of stunning artworks ranging from painting to pottery to sculpture to furniture to who knows what else, all offered by the bestest and brightest of local artists.  And every single piece of art will go home with some lucky party guests.  Wowsers.  I'm just sayin', if you miss this you'll be kicking yourself in the morning and beyond.
It's next Saturday, Feb. 4, so you haven't much time to muck about.  Visit OKCMoA's site for more info and to reserve your tickets, and I'll see you there!
http://www.okcmoa.com/newsroom/2012/01/04/159/

Oh, and this is my offering for the art raffle.

Out of the Past

While awaiting laptop repair, and while in the midst of making new art that's not quite ready for its closeup, I'm digging out some collage imagery from several years ago.

Bergamot Kiss

  Granny's Purse

Key to Love