Whimsies & Folksies

Christmas... the most wonderful time of the year!

Even though we cut back on the gift buying this year, it seems we're still doing our part to keep the economy up and running!  With five combined kids between the two of us, three of whom have spouces, plus two grandkids, four parents, and each other, we've got lots of gifts to buy and wrap! But this year I decided rather than fight all the crowds at the mall, I would shop primarily online and suck-up and pay the excessive shipping that some of these obscure shops want.  If you ever need to know where to buy authentic Mexican cooking supplies and food, just ask me!  Or how about speciality products and clothing for the bicycling enthusiast... got it.  Educational toys and books for growing young children... check. Professional tools for the home improvement worker...  yup, I got that, too!  If you need to find funky tampon carrying cases and condom caddys with funny sayings on them, well just ask!  I know where to find them!!  (seriously, I do) And only for a mere $32!!  What a deal.  Although that's where I draw the line.  No, Monica, I'm NOT buying you a tampon case for Christmas to be opened in front of all your siblings and grandparents, no matter how much you want it!

My question is, whatever happened to doing your gift buying at Woolworth's Drug Store?  When I was little my Daddy would take all of us kids during the holidays out to Topps (remember Topps?) and Zayres and Woolworth's Drug Store...  the most popular discount stores in our area.  

There were four of us kids and we had lots of relatives to buy for, so we needed inexpensive gifts. We were always in a dilemma on what to buy our mom, grandparents, and siblings for their Christmas gifts.  If we even looked at something he would go, "Your mom will love it! Put it in the cart!"  Daddy wasn't much for shopping, so the sooner he could get us all out of there and to Henry's Hamburgers for a quick bite to eat, and travel back home, the better!  Never failed, my poor mom got so many dumb, cheap gifts it was ridiculous!  I'm sure that one day, when she leaves this world, we'll find about a thousand bottles of dried-up, bright red fingernail polish and Salsa Red Revlon lipstick stuffed far back in her vanity drawers.  Those gifts she just couldn't bare to part with, even though it was the last thing on earth she wanted or needed.  They represented our love, compassion, and creativity. Our days spent shopping with our daddy.  The time we spent making lists, worrying if she would like bright red better than hot pink, the scent of roses better than lilac, or blue slippers rather than white.  

I have some of those things tucked away in the back of my drawers and closets, too.  Little treasures hidden away, some never opened, yet so full of sentiment and memories.  One thing in particular I can think of, and actually know where it is, because it's always packed away with our Christmas decorations.  It's a gift to my husband, given to him when our youngest daughter was in the second grade.  She had one of those "shop for your family" days at school, where the kids were to bring in some money to shop with and they got to go to the gymnasium where Santa's Secret Shop was set-up.  It was full of all sorts of trinkets and treasures that every little kid loves to buy for their mommy and daddy and siblings.  

Well, Natalie, was soooo excited to give this gift to her Daddy!  She LOVED this gift more than any other thing she had purchased.  She really wanted to keep it for herself, but knew that Christmas was a time for giving and so she committed to giving it away.  I'll never forget the look on Dale's face when he opened his gift.  Of course he wasn't expecting some fabulously expensive item from his little girl, but I really don't believe he thought he'd be receiving a necklace!  It was a giant jingle bell, dangling on a bright green and gold braided rope!  Why she chose to give a necklace to her Daddy rather than me or her sister or grandma, is beyond me.  I guess she felt it was extra special.  She was so proud and happy and insisted he put it on that very moment and wear it.  And he did.  He wore that necklace all Christmas day, as well as to all the relative's houses we visited for several days after.  

We've kept that necklace all these years.  Natalie just finished her first semester at college.  It holds a special place in our hearts because of what it represents.  Each year when we pull it out, we get to re-live that moment in time and how happy and proud our little girl was that day.  And every year her Daddy wears it around his neck... if only for a little while, as a connection to the past and all the wonderful memories that go with it. 

 

It's good to know that there's some traditions that withstand the test of time.  Aaaaaahh, Christmas.... it is the most wonderful time of the year!

Peace, Hope, and Joy

Wishing you many blessings of peace, hope, and joy this holiday season.

   

Modish Free Giveaway!

It's definitely that time of year for generosity!  I just found out about another awesome FREE giveaway!!  Modish is holding three random drawings for a total of $2,161 worth of free merchandise!  How cool is that?  There will be one winner for each giveaway package, and each contest will end on Tuesday, December 16th.  The winners will be selected next Wednesday morning and announed on their blog. Here's a list of the artists and artisans who contributed:

::GIVEAWAY CONTRIBUTIONS::

• pair of small hairclips VIVIDOT
• deco the halls cards GREEN PORCH-LIGHTS
• thorn photo print ALINA JOLIE
• wintery mix lip balm OM SHANTI HANDCRAFTS
• badge of courage GAJETTES
• Christmas tree monster KIVETT STUDIO
• beaded bracelet STELLA JADE
• bouquet of buttons print MELISSA LUND
• mini book art EMERALD ARTS
• little bittie angel TIN WINGS
• slowly print EYEFUL by TRICIA McKELLAR
• pearl and shell drop earrings K KENNEDY DESIGNS
• smell the flowers print MATILOU
• A horse of course print TANIS ALEXIS
• crystal drop earrings MOONDOONIE
• tree brooch MONSTER FASHION
• smoky quartz drop earrings JEWEL ALCHEMY
• lavendermint body frosting & liquid soap, citrus spice body butter DANDY BODYCARE
• tickle my fancy print FOOD CHIC
• crystal aurora borealis drop earrings CRYSTAL ALLURE
• terrace heights earrings TWINKLE
• rainbow flower pendant PIECES OF ME PENDANTS
• Needlepoint Trade Secrets book & "Wicked" stitch guideJANET PERRY
• peach flower headband STYLISH MODE
• batik zip pouch URBANKNIT
• protozoan necklace STARVING ARTIST BAZAAR
• slimline zip-it bag OBLINAKNIT
• pearl drop earrings A PRETTY ROCK
• girl in white dress & girl and a column prints IRENA SOPHIA
• letter to my love necklace ECLECTIC ECCENTRICITY
• recycled negatives necklace TOMATE D'EPINGLES
• sailor boy zip pouch ITY-BITY BAGS
• greeting card set PURPLE LEMON DESIGNS
  
• lotus dangle earrings CHERRY CREEK DESIGNS
• woodburned snowman ornament ELPY
• dice jewelry set- earrings & necklace ECLECTIC ELEMENTS
• pair of tiny mushroom ornaments MUDPUPPY
  
• doxie duet print KERRY BEARY
• opalescent drop earrings IT'S A LJUBICA DESIGNS

From the photos, there looks t be tons of fabulous handcrafted items, so run on over to Modish and check it out!

Exhibition 36 by Susan Tuttle

 

One of my favorite artists, Susan Tuttle, has a new book out!  Susan is a talented photographer and writer, as well.  Her book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, is now available at Amazon.  It was just released from North Light Books and already has five star reviews!  Although I haven't read it yet, it's on my Christmas wish list and I can't wait to receive it!  If you're looking for a new source for techniques and inspiration, check out Susan's new book! 

Susan is also holding a drawing for one free book to be held on Tuesday, December 16th at 12:00 noon. Check-out Susan's blog for details on how to enter.  Good Luck!!

Thankful for All Good Things

 

I hope all of you had a wonderful and very happy Thanksgiving last week!  We certainly had more than our share of food.  We hosted a beautiful dinner here and had a lucky thirteen, with eleven adults and two children.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving I did another art fair/show with my mom.  We had one two weeks ago and it went pretty well.  This show was much better and was pretty busy off and on throughout the whole day.  I sold lots of my new pendants and a couple of my mounted prints.

       

I have a good selection and am making more for holiday orders.  No more shows for the rest of this year, though.  I need to concentrate on getting my Christmas shopping finished!

Here's a picture from the show we did earlier in the month.  I think we had a much better set-up last weekend, but I somehow managed for forget about taking a photo.

My First Solo Art Exhibition

It's been such a long time since I made an entry I almost forget how to do it! Life continues to move at such a fast pace, doesn't it?  Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and then we'll have less than a month to get all of our holiday shopping and decorating done! This year I think I will try to get all of my Christmas decorations set-out during Thanksgiving week. I really don't like to decorate before Thanksgiving has even taken place, but it always takes me so long to get everything out that by the time I finish I don't ever feel like I have time to enjoy the holiday decorations.  So, I just decided I might as well jump the gun and go for it!  My hubby will be off work the whole week, so he suggested we get it all out while he's home.

I'm very happy to announce that last week was the opening of my very first Solo Art Exhibition! This show was booked a year and a half ago... that's how far in advance the gallery books their shows!  It's at the Greenfield Banking Company's main branch in their Art Gallery. This bank has had their own gallery for over thirty years, booking artists for one person shows. I have twenty-two large paintings hanging, plus another fifteen or sixteen small pieces displayed on a center island in the middle of the gallery.

If you happen to be visiting, or live near Indianapolis, you can catch my show now through the end of the year.  Here's the pertinent info:

One Woman Art Exhibition

Joann Loftus, mixed-media artist

November 1 through December 31, 2008

Greenfield Banking Company Art Gallery

1920 North State Street

Greenfield, IN 46140

HOURS:

Mon - Thurs    9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday             9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday         9:00 am - 12:00 pm

I hope some of you can make it, and please remember to sign my guest book!

"Made in the Shade" - acrylic on canvas, 20" x 30" - $700

                                   Honorable Mention - Indiana State Fair, 2005

                                   Will Vawter Art Exhibition, 2005 

                                   SALI National Fine Arts Exhibition, 2005

 

Fall is in the Air

Ah, fall... I love this time of year! Here in the midwest, most days are sunny and warm, with a crisp coolness in the air. Not too hot, not too cold... just right. Just right for fall festivals, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, flea markets, and long drives to some out-of-the-way cafe. Tomorrow we're driving over to Cincinnati to visit our two little grandchildren and going to the pumpkin patch. It'll be fun! My hubby took the beautiful flowers photo, which is listed on Etsy.

Let Your Muse be Your Guide to "Create"

Another mixed-media collage painting on wood. The image was burned into the wood with a woodburning tool.  I used colored pencils, acrylic paint, ink pens, watercolor paper, and tissue paper.  It's finished with a coat of beeswax, hand-buffed to a beautiful satin finish.  It smells good, too!  If you feel you could use some inspiration to "Create", you can find it here.

Midwest National Abstract Exhibition - Art Show

"Whimsical Garden" - 12" x 24" diptych, acrylic/mixed-media on gallery-wrapped canvases

This past weekend on Saturday, my husband and I attended the opening reception of the SALI Midwest National Abstract Exhibition.  One of my paintings, "Whimsical Garden", was accepted into the show, so of course I wanted to attend!  Last year all three pieces I entered were accepted, but this year just one piece got in the show.  I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, though, as this year only 49 paintings were juried in, as opposed to last year there were 90 paintings.  

My mother also had a wonderful painting in the show (wish I had a photo of it!) and I thought for sure she had won something because she had one of the best hangings in the show. The main wall right as you walk in, which has only five paintings hung on this long, huge wall.  She did win first place last year, though!  

Gotta brag a bit about this wonderful artist-mother of mine, Shirley Despot.  She's an amazing artist and the best art instructor I've ever had!  I was lucky enough to study "Abstract & Non-Objective Art" under her for several years at the Indianapolis Art Center before she retired a couple years ago. I've taken many other classes and workshops since then, but all other instructors have paled in comparison.

It's rare to find an instructor who is not only a wonderful artist, but someone who can TEACH their craft, as well.  So many times I've taken a class from someone who has truly beautiful work, yet they haven't learned how (or aren't willing) to share their knowledge.  

So how do you know when you've found a terrific instructor?  We're all given projects or assignments to do when taking a class. What makes one teacher stand out among all the rest?  Well, for one, they know how to guide you to be the best that YOU can be... not a clone of their style, but an inventor of your own.  

You know how you get to a certain point in your painting and you get "stuck" halfway though? You look at it and know it looks really bad, but you just can't figure out where to go from here. You're saying to yourself "What was I thinking?"  You ask your instructor to help you out of this mess and he/she tells you it "looks wonderful" and not to worry.  You're in big trouble!  You know it's a mess and so does your teacher... only they don't know what's wrong with it either! And even if they do know what's wrong, they aren't able to tell you how to fix the problem or where to go from there.  So they tell you it looks great and they move on to the next person.

We all know how to start a painting. That's the easy part! It's knowing how to finish it (and when to stop) that's the tricky part, especially when dealing with an abstract or non-objective piece. How do you know when it's finished?  When there's nothing else you can do to make it better!  When you have an teacher who can pinpoint what you need to do to improve your work... and is willing to share that knowledge with you... without taking the brush out of your hand and painting it herself (yes, unfortunately this has happened to me numerous times!), then you know you've found what you're looking for. A great artist, who is also a great teacher, is someone special indeed!

Here are the other two paintings I entered in the show:

"Oz" - 24" x 30" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas:

"Mystical Lands" - 30" x 42" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas:

The colors on this last piece didn't show up very well in the photography.  The "lands" or "pods" look black, but are actually a deep purple with a bluish-green mist floating around them.  Seems like a lot of my art has various shades of purple, but I've found that purples can be very difficult to photograph!

The  SALI Midwest National Abstract Exhibition continues through October 10th at the Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana. Park on the upper level parking lot and enter through the north door. Hours: Sun, Tues, Thurs and Fri 1:00 - 5:00 pm, Wed. 1:00 - 9:00 pm, and Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (closed Mondays).  Show is free to the public and all work is for sale. Contact Garfield Park for more info @ (317) 327-7077.

UPDATE:  The show is now over and when picking up our paintings, my mom found out she had won the "People's Choice" award! Yeah!!

Angel of Love

 

I just finished another mixed-media collage painting for the Suzi Blu workshop this evening. "Angel of Love" was created on a piece of 6" x 12" birch wood. I burned the image into the wood using a woodburning tool, then collaged and painted it, finishing with a coat of beeswax. I added some gold shimmer power to her hair and halo as a final step. If you need a beautiful guardian angel to watch over you, or someone you love, you can find her here.

UPDATE:  The original is SOLD.  Loose prints and wood mounted prints available on Etsy.