Hi! Oh how I missed you all! I am serious when I say that too! So, the secret was… I had an art show. I told a few artist friends about it, and they submitted their pieces to be juried into the show. Thankfully, they all got in. So, it was me and 3 artist friends (me in my gallery, them in tents). The show was the twice a year artists studio tour. There are about 16 locations with a few artists at each. I happen to be one of the locations.
So, with that, we had to stop eating jelly beans and get ready for the show, like Pronto! I had to do my girl’s hair, dust…
And, work like a mad woman to produce a few new pieces for the show. That is why I was a bit hush about it. I had no idea if I was going to pull it off with grace or be in my knickers while people showed up. All the postcards didn’t arrive until 5:45 p.m. on Friday. The show was on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5p.m.
It was madness as usual. However, shows are funny little things. First of all, you never know what kind of a show you are going to have. Strange, wonderful, raw, magical… You can hope for the best, and then whamo, nothing like you expected. After much thought about this show, and much talk with my lovely friend, I have decided that this show was a combination of weird and wonderful 🙂 I don’t know how to describe it any better.
I guess, it can be really emotional, opening your private little humble place to the real world. But, I have to say, there was this one lady… I will never forget her as long as I live. She was wearing big star shaped earrings, and she was about 80 years old. She was dressed very hip, and she stayed for a long time. Looking up at each piece, and whispering lovely things to her husband who seemed just as interested in my work as she was. She then gets ready to leave, and points at me with her right thumb and pointer finger, and says, "the world needs more people like you, because it can be a very dark place…" She then made this little sound, like clicking her teeth, and says "good job." I just loved that. It made the whole show for me…
Anyhow, the whole thing is over (until the next show in fall), and I can get back to my studio and back to here!! Where it seems you guys had a ball without me! Hee hee. Oh, your comments on my cards made me feel welcome back home (home as in blogland home). Annnnd, I will say, those cards were a hit all weekend. I had to keep running inside to make more packages. Good thing I ordered a ton of them…
Before I get to the drawing details, I wanted to tell you… I will be putting a few new pieces from my show, in my shop. I am so in love with these pieces. It is funny, the bonds we form with our creations. You know, on Thursday, I felt sick pangs in my belly of sadness for missing the dolls who found new homes 🙂 I told Mr. Lovee, I am actually sad. And, I guess I must have made a pitiful face because his eyes got all watery too, as I told him stories I had heard about the dolls and their new homes…
Anyhow, here are some of the new pieces that I will be putting in the shop…
The Queen of the Carnivale (I know, I am obsessed with the old fashioned carnivale, but who isn’t? 20" x 20")
Wouldn’t you just love to hear her voice??
I hear she can speak in a bird language. Can you imagine? She opens her mouth and speaks to birds in perfect chirps and song?
I don’t think she would be willing to part with her head dress, but I sure would love one for myself (vintage mica flakes in the clouds)…
Our next girl, is so romantic and soooooo, umm, what is the word… So dramatic and passionate about her feelings. She has these dreams of a far away place… An escape, a world she longs for…
"She dreamed of a far away place…" (18" x 24")
The background is a piece paper I purchased at a papier shoppe inTaos 4 years ago. It has a map of Paris on it. And the circles are vintage postcards I had from Rome. The sparkles on her vintage dictionary page dress, are from my most beloved champagne colored vintage mica flakes…
The one below does not have a proper title yet, but for some reason, it felt like the male figure, was recalling a profound moment in his life. One where he was entangled in his deep feelings of love and this overwhelming memory he had, or perhaps even a dream of a dance long ago… (12" x 40")
The figures, as in most of my work, are first drawn in pencil on cardstock, and then cut out. I then prepare my canvas with all the layers, after which I glue on the figures, and then paint them and add paper dresses to the girls. The hot air balloons in this piece were collaged on from a large sheet of Italian hot-air balloon paper…
So there you have it. A few new pieces I will put in the shop this evening…
Okay, are you ready for the postcard set recipients?? By way of the random number generator we have 6 🙂 Instead of 3. I know, I am sooo tricky… Make sure you e-mail me your addresses as soon as possible 🙂 Drum rolllllll…….(if you didn’t have a link and you won, I e-mailed you…)
Janet, Beth, Polly, Nicole, Bari & Pam at, Little town big life…
Sooo! That was way fun, wasn’t it??? Okay, I am off to pop these new pieces in my shop! See you all very soon!!!
ps: I have been trying to post this for 4 hours and typepad was giving me major issues. Anyone else with that problem?
Oh darling girl….funny after all the work you were doing I never asked to see these pieces before you posted them….but they were worth the wait. OMG! Well you KNOW my love for dancers and carnivale and old theater & so on….. these are singing to me on a very deep level. Bravo once again on your talent extraordinaire!
I love what that woman told you…she was spot on you know!
XOXOXOXO
oooh Vanessa!! What delights!! Your paintings are so fabulous…especially that juicy taaaaallll one!! Lovely:) I love what that little lady said to you…quite accurate I think! I’m off to your shop to see if there are any postcards left;) xoxoxo…jenn
these new pieces are wonderful…i especially love the one, ‘she dreamed of a faraway place’
Gorgeous! The Queen is my favorite. So glad to have you back.
I have Typepad, but I didn’t update today, so I didn’t notice any problems.
Deep sigh!!! You know when you take these little leave of absences I really do miss wonderful you and the world you take us too. But I always know that when you come back it will be wonderful! And this post was! Oh so lovely! I just adore your girls faces, and their dresses, and the colors you do the whole piece in. It is just so marvelous. I bet the postcards were huge. We would all love to have the original beauties, but with the postcards at least we can all have a bit of your world! I still adore my prints by the way. The only problem with them is when I see them I want more! So glad your show went well! Your discripton of that lovely lady reminds me of an older couple we lived with when we were first married. She was very “artsy” and hip and she would have said something just like that! Have a lovely evening and do a bit of relaxing!
Hey, I knew you had been busy, but with another show? how wonderful! Love the new pieces, the long canvas at the bottom looks great against the wall. Oh, the beautiful dress on ‘miss far away place’! What a sweet comment from the old lady (she saw beyond your art), and it’s so true 🙂 Congrats on all your hard work – I can imagine the ‘sadness’ you had when saying goodbye to your dolls, but I’m sure they are well-loved.x
Oh wow! Did I win? I’ve never won anything in my life!!! hahaha I’m so excited!!! I think “She dreamed of a far away place…” is just stunning! They are all so lovely though, as usual. I think what that lady said to you is so true! Don’t you just love when a stranger appears and says something so wonderful it makes your day. It’s something you never forget! I always wonder if they will remember these things and how they affected me. Probably not but I’d like to think so. 🙂
Hey Twirly Girly! Wierd and Wonderful is good! I a mhappy you had a good time at your art opening! Guess what…I have some news on my blog ..when you get chance go see…..( Hi FB)
Welcome back Miss Vanessa and congratulations on another successful show! 🙂
I looove every single new piece, they’re all so unique and beautiful! I think my favorite is “Queen of the Carnivale”….love her hat and her dress, especially the collar! And the longer canvas is really cool!
Oh, and the hip old lady? That will be you in 50+ years…still very artsy and oh so fanciful!
And do not be sad about your dolls who have flown off to new lands….they are off on magical adventures but think often of the home they left behind. Miss Tea-Time girl and the Carnivale keeper are both having a marvelous time enlisting Maude, Charlotte, and Vand into their circus world. The Carnivale keeper has taught wee Vand how to juggle….who knew the little guy had it in him! 😉
Oh They are all so lovely! And the mica flakes!! I love that! I’ve never seen or used these sparkley dustings in real life….they looks positively darling! I love them in your magical work! 🙂
And I LOVE what that lovely lady told you! And I whole heartedly agree! 🙂
Love the new pieces! And yes, Typepad was a bear yesterday. I couldn’t get on all evening! Congrats on your successful show Dear Heart!
“She dreamed of a faraway Place” is my favourite..beautiful and you are so talented. Its obvious that you put your heart and soul into your work.
I love it!
x
I wish I could have been there. The lady was right. I think I’ve already told you the light you shine in my little world is a bright one. Congratulations on your show and your success! You deserve it all, sister!
The world does need more people like you Miss Vanessa. I love that you’ve taken newsprint.. which almost never has anything good in it and recycled it into something so lovely and graceful. That is truly wonderful!
Way to go Vanessa! Good job!
The new pieces are so beautiful to say the very least…and I am so happy that your show was a success!!!
Congrats!
Off now to browse your shop!
xo
Gillian
Who would not love a little lady like that (note I left out the word “old” on purpose! Age is a number and this woman was young, forever in heart and spirit!)…and she’s absolutely correct. The world DOES need more people like you — you offer brightness, lightness and love (as well as beautiful art).
I love all of these pieces but I have to say that the face on the woman of the carnivale is exquisite…she’s stunningly beautiful.
FANTASTIC!
Your work is soooo lovely and dreamlike!
I too am having issues with typepad….verrrry slow today.
Vanessa! Your new paintings are absolutely wonderful. I echo what that woman said to you at your show. Good job!
Wow. All those pieces are so amazing. Queen of the Carnivale has such an intense face – and how do you know I CAN’T hear her voice, hm? 🙂
She dreamed of a faraway place… conveys exactly that feeling, of wistful longing.
And the man and the ballerina… gorgeous. Might I humbly suggest a name for it? It’s just such a strong feeling I got from it, I felt it bursting out – “The eyes of my heart still see…”
I promise I won’t be offended if you think of a better name 🙂
Have a wonderful week catching up with everything!
Oh how I wish I could have been there. I’m so glad your show was a success and I agree with the 80 y/o! 🙂
Good job indeed…that little angel of a woman was right. The world needs more light people, don’t you think?! And, you are so very brave, as always, to put yourself out there. It takes a tremendous amount of personal energy to do that…more than most people realize. It seems so “glamorous” to be and artist or any other wonderful thing…from the outside. And, it IS, on the inside…but, there are those moments when you have to take deep breaths and trust that it will be OK…And all the pieces are so wonderful my dear!! Good Job…
I love the sparkly dress…
Hello girlie! So glad your finally back!
I love your paintings! Such magic!!!!!
And congrats to the lucky winners of your fabulous post cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care doll~
OH V! I love that young man!! He is just beautiful! I hope you plan to itroduce us to more like him!! The QUEEN I imagin her voice would put anyone in a trance! She is lovely, as all these girls are! I am checking out the shop now!
Love Erin~
Welcome back! I so adore your new work…I think one of your lovely ladies is coming to visit the duchcess, check out your shop.
Thank you for sharing your personal feelings on putting your work “out there” I kind of feel like I am standing around in my underwear when I put my work “out there”. Although as I grow I am finding it doesn’t really matter what others think if it makes me happy.
I wish that all of us grow in the spirit of your new lady friend.
Kelley
Love the new pieces, and what’s not to love about the old fashioned carnivale?
I’m glad the show went well, and that lady’s comment summed you up perfectly! :o)
The dancer in your untitled piece is soooo pretty. I love all your work. Everything is so magical and has a very feminine touch. I am glad the show went well. I often wonder what it would be like to have a show of my very own (sigh). Next time you should let me know. I am just a hop, skip and a jump away. I would like to see you work in person one day.
OH those pieces are beautiful! Not only would I want to try on the headpiece…I’d love to wear one of those dresses! What is vintage mica? I see mica in the desert all the time when we are off roading…is it the same?
Yo necissita LAYAWAY. Carnival girl is muy bonita!
So happy your show was a success, but of course it would be…magical and delighful!
New dancing girls are so very lovely!!!
x..x
Your paintings are fabulous! I especially like teh last one with the gentleman:) Makes me want to paint and collage.
I liked the story about the older lady in your gallery the other day. It reminded me of an older and colorful woman named Alice who was in several of my sculpture classes. She always dressed flamboyantly (Fur ,lots of jewelry and sparkle) and who would paint clowns (even on her Mercedes) . She would go on about how brilliant I was (I think she may have said this to all of my fellow students). She studied art all over the world (with former Bauhaus instructors) and was so positive and intense that she was truly her own person.
Anyhow, you customer made me think of her and how if she saw your work, she’d be your biggest fan:)
~Christine
They are all Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!
You have hit a new height! Do you feel it? I know you do!
Congrats!
I particularly love the pointed ears that the Queen uses to hear with!
Sandra Evertson
another successful event, i’m sure…love the work…blessings, rebecca
Oh some day I will own a darling piece of yours – any of them! And have them adoring my walls! One for my sweet girls’ room most definitely! We’ll have to install a spotlight for it…oh one day!
Glad you had a wonderful art show – I think I’ve met that couple…she winked at me the other day while I was daydreaming about a piece of yours 😉 hehe
Every single piece a work of art. I absolutely love them all.
those are just magical, I love the “she dreamed of a far away place” just stunning!
Your new postcards look wonderful and the pieces in your show are beautiful, I love “She dreams of a Far off Place”. She captures how I have been feeling lately, all kind of dreamy! Congratulations on your show, I wish I could have popped in 🙂
Your work is so fabulous. I am so excited I am finally going to own an Original Piece. When I saw, “She Dreams of a Far off Place” I felt you painted that one for me personally. I am always dreaming of a far off place and I love Rome and Paris so very much. I am afraid I want more! Everything you do is simply enchanting.
That lady was right!
I’ve missed visiting here.
You are amazing and I’m drooling over owning one of those lovlies, someday!
Your creations lift me up, take me to another place and make me want to dance and dress up and sip tea and sing.
Seriously delighful are you.
You give everything you make a sparkle and a touch of magic. I so enjoy your enthusiasm. I only wish that I could have come to the show. That would be a serious treat.
xo
Oh! Welcome back… the world does INDEED need more people like you in it!
Dearest Vanessa, your pieces are gorgeous, as always. And that woman was absolutely right about your impact on the world! Alas, I am too late for your update, once again. Sigh. Congrats on the success of your show! xoxox
Just magic! Thank you for sharing your latest pieces and news, I especially adore the DANCE that each piece invokes.
..and that you put down jelly beans to create, well I KNOW how torturous that must have been as a JB lover myself. Art on, Monica 🙂
YEEEEESSSSS! I’m comment 44 again (my age). How pathetic Am I?!!!! Heehee!
OH, how I love your paintings! So beautiful and such fanciful scenes! I love the pottery lady too with her mouth full of jellybeans! How fun!!
🙂
I can’t believe it! Holy Cows! That’s so cool! Can you see me jumping up and down? Vanessa, you’re so incredibly talented! I can’t believe that I get a little piece of you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Blessings… P0lly
I love finding new blogs to love…I just clicked over from Little Flower Childe…what a great blog…I’m in your backposts now…:)
Absolutely magical! I just adore your work. Your home looks gorgeous too.
Sheila
halohill.blogspot.com