Creative Days

I love this time of year in Garrett County.  The busyness of summer is over, the festivals have come and gone and now I can go to my studio and CREATE.   The first day was not too gratifying, I couldn't seem to do much that was enjoyable or pleasing.   And then the juices began to flow.   After a lovely dinner with Bob Yonke, I was inspired to get going on our Christmas card painting.   At the same time I was making earrings that I have wanted to do for awhile.   Thanks to a great card Alan gave me for my birthday, I was inspired to try making some collage cards.  I have been working on all three projects this week and having FUN.
I present, for your viewing pleasure, a couple of samples of the cards.

Each  note card is individually created with paper, monotypes and a feather.

Sometimes I add a piece of linen line.

(Thoughts on pricing are welcome.)

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

Fall Show at Garrett County Arts Council

The current show at The Garrett County Arts Council's Backroom is a Fall Show.   All the art features "fall" scenes and it is a terrific show. The photos I took do not do it justice.  There were 40 paintings submitted.  Fred Peacock and Madalyn Hoffeditz hung it and did a beautiful job.

                      suealoft@aol.com
                     http://www.theloftshop.com/

Autumn Glory

It is here. . . Autumn Glory in Garrett County Maryland.   The celebration starts tonight with the Fireman's Parade in Oakland.  We will be at Heritage Craft Festival in Broad Ford school.  The HCF is a fundraiser for Garrett County Arts Council and features 70 vendors who are located in 2 schools.    We always have lots of fun being with other vendors, seeing customers and meeting new folks.   If you are in Garrett County this week end come by and see us in the cafeteria of Broad Ford School Saturday from 10-6 or Sunday 10-4.    The weather is going to be perfect (sunny, breezy and coolish) and the leaves  are looking colorful.
                              Enjoy the Fall

Niagra Falls

We decided it was time to take a break from Garrett County and see a bit of the world so we traveled to Niagra Falls.   We went to the Canadian side and had a wonderful time at The Falls.   Our hotel overlooked the falls, giving us a wonderful view.

We rode the Maid of the Mist and saw the falls from below.

If you haven't been there. . . . GO.

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

Gallery Hanging

The day began with 5 of us gathered at The Gallery at 206 E Alder Street, Oakland, Maryland to rehang the gallery.    The walls were bare and there were 60 paintings waiting to be hung.    We contemplated their fate and then snapped into action.    90 minutes later the Gallery walls were hung with some really nice work.
We do this three times a year, and each time we start I am convinced that it is just not possible to have it work.    At the end of the day, it looks terrific.
After lunch, we went back and did some work rearranging the displays on the floor, giving the Gallery a fresh new look.
Thanks to Pam, Fred, Madalyn, Debra for the great work today.
Here it is. . . . .

                                                      suealoft@aol.com
                                                      http://www.theloftshop.com/

End of summer

It truly is the end of summer here in Garrett County Maryland.   The leaves are changing, the nights are cooler but we have had just  wonderfully sunny days.   Last night was the first night of real rain that we have had in months.   
My flowers are still resplendent which prompted me to paint a flower painting ( I haven't done flowers in a long time).    It really captures the colors of the flowers on the deck and at the shop.

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

Art and Wine

The Saturday after Labor day is the Art and Wine Festival held at the Garrett County fairgrounds.  Last year the event raised $33,000 for the American Red Cross.   I would guess that it will be closer to $40,000 this year.   It was a picture perfect day and the crowd was huge.   Last year was the first time we had taken the shop and we had a great time.   This year was even better.   It was great fun greeting friends and customers, meeting new folks and being with fellow artists. 

We finally have a packing system, which certain makes it easier to go to festivals.

There they are. .  . . .The Arnsons

Annie Simcoe's sewed collages are terrific. She recently bought a house near us.

Welcome to Bittinger, Annie

It was a happy crowd.

Remember.  .  .  .  the Saturday after Labor Day

See you next year September 10, 2011 Art and Wine

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/