You can imagine what flashed through my entire system when I realized how close the weekend of March the 31st is. Not only is it my little sister's birthday, but it is the CAST, Catalina Artists Studio Tour. My gallery is on the map. Which is causing frantic preparations. I decided I needed a curtain. I decided I would make said curtain. Then my brain went bonkers and decided there are 2,476 items I would like to create for the show.
Alas, I must be realistic. The reality is that, I have to clean up the place, organize it & put it back together. I do not want to feel stress or anxiety. This is supposed to be fun, and I think I will make it so. Although, I must say, if I could get some of my ideas created, well, it would be Yippee wonderful! Like, cartwheel wonderful!!! I will choose a few and go for it! This curtain being the first item on the list. It has so many fabric pieces that will act as the rod tabs…My rod will actually be a long branch, unless I go for the wire and clothes-pin look, which is charming too.
Too bad my two little helpers are inatimate objects. Interesting. I have a lot of them in my life. Good thing I am a nutcake, and I can pretend to hear their advice…
I am going to make some colorful unusual publicity items for the show that will be offered for sale. They will also promote the gypsy wagon puppet theater Dino and I are building on the property. It is a bit of an 1800's early 1900's carnival circus theme.
You will see them soon!! For the publicity stuff Ratmusque has been a huge inspiration! She is incredible. I love that she uses one of my favorite songs that was also in Marie Antoinette on her blog, which enhances the lovely visit! Thank you Babelfish & Emily for posting about her. Funny enough, one of Ratmusque's posters was created for a local group, Calexico, as well as for Salvador Duran, who lives in Tucson. I blogged about his visit to Bon. Funny, how worlds intertwine from one place in the world to another….
As for the gallery. I will not open my personal studio on the property to the public, even though it is a studio tour. I am private, funny right? I am, when it comes to things like my personal spaces. So, I will use my little gallery. I have told this before, but my gallery is in an adorable funky building that used to be a canning shed – once upon a time, before we were ever here. It was big for a canning shed. Teeny for a gallery. But I still love it. My heart lives here, in this place. So, the organization must occur!!! Here is what I have to work with, piles of art, piles of? stuff? I am good at creating clutter….Must take care of this first…
Look at the sun coming in to the gallery!!It is so very very warm! I can not convey how it feels to have cold bones, cold toes, cold finger tips. Then, all of a sudden wake up to 90 degree weather. I am just not ready… it is hot!!!I was looking forward to Spring. Oh well. It is nice, just a little warmer than desired so soon.
The good news is that trees are in bloom! It is so beautiful isn't it? I have enjoyed all of the posts I have been reading that show Spring in the air!!!
Off I go…My real job started with a phone ringing at 6:45 a.m. And lots of faxes! I have to go into the real world now and do some work!!!!But first, let me just sit here and relax…Maybe ride my bike around a little….
It is a really really good life. I can't complain….I think sometimes we get swept away in the waves of our own hoopla….It is important to take some time to stop and breath. Even if for just minutes. Don't you think so?
breath in….breath out….you will be brilliant and your lovely little gallery will be perfect just in time for the show, but not a moment before…lol.
what is your mystery “real job”????
xoxoxo
Oh yes…breathing is a wonderful thing. I have been consciously doing it all day so that I do not “accidentally” strangle someone that walked into the shop earlier.
Yeah…the heat is certainly heating up, although I hear there ia a little storm blowin in this week, so I am certainly excited about that…it just seems so very drastic this year!
The studio looks amazing, I wish I was going to be down there that weekend…damned car!
Oh Vanessa- it sounds like you have lots of exciting ideas for the show! I enjoyed the peek into your gallery space- are all of those paintings in there yours?
It is good to take a breather, and just enjoy life and just recognize that life is good! Your on the right track girl. By the way your paintings look awesome.
Oh wow…how exciting….I would love to be there in person and walk in that gallery and watch the show in the GYPSY WAGON…I HAVE to see that……keeping thumbs for you girl!!!!
I am so extaticly happy for youuuuu!! You are such a rockstar and you just keep on groovin’ baby! 🙂 Heh heh! I wish you nothin’ but the best evah!
p.s. check your mail box in a couple days 🙂 You don’t want the sweets to melt in that heat wave!
*smoochies*
Be sure to take lots of pictures and post them online. I can’t wait to hear how your show turns out! I wonder if my town does studio tours…I haven’t been in Portland very long but I imagine they would since it’s such an artsy town. It sounds like a lot of fun! People could visit my ‘dungeon’ art studio.
You are such a sweetie, just got your email…I wish I can go there and help you, it looks like so much fun! I love Ratmusque, her work is super adorable. Best of luck with your show (I understand fully about the personal space thing) 🙂
I am officially re-naming you. Vanessa is no more. WHIRLWIND is your new name. Whirlwind Valencia. She is always flitting about making art and being famously funny in a gypsy kind of way…entertaining…never resting or loafing like certain shabby folks out there…
Did I tell you about the very ancient decorative wooden doors from an old medicine man wagon at a flea market near me??? They look like carved theatre curtains pulled back to reveal a show!
Your posts always delight me! I love coming here! Yes, it is a good idea to take time to breathe and yes, life is really REALLY good.
You are an inspiration. 🙂
Good luck with the cleaning!
xo,
Karen Beth 🙂
Silly girl,I do SO MUCH understand the whirlwind you are going through,mine officially stopped on Sunday(thats good,right?)and I should be beginning all the projects I’ve been dreaming of doing,instead I feel a bit stuck in place. I know this will pass. Oh,and even your clutter looks artful!
Puppet wagon? Dang,if I was there we could really put on a show,my girls do puppet shows all the time!
Everything will come together, my dear! I promise!
No more baby steps for you….forge on dear artist! It’s your time to shine. Oh and I certainly understand keeping a private space to yourself! You’ll get it all done, you may not get sleep by your fires are stoked….and it will get done!! Can’t wait for the photos!
Peace Giggles
i love that you continue to remind yourself how great life is…i’m sure the helps you from stapling your head to the wall or someother extreme action. 2746 things to make! i wish i was there to help you with at least the 76. but it will all turn out wonderful…i can tell by those lovely photos of ribbons and other odds and ends.
Vanessa, when the shop is totally ready, then you must take us on a photo tour. I am so excited for you!
Love all the pretty ribbons!
Vanessa your blog is lovely!!!! I am in total love with the bright colors and fanciful ribbon so charming. Your studio and galery sound like wonderful places to consume one self in their art!
I will definitely be back soon for a visit.
XO
Kristen
Oh yes I agree! I would love to come ride bikes around with you!
Your gallery will be wonderful for the studio tour and I can’t wait to see. I LOVE visiting you and getting my dose of inspiration!
Vanessa, you always manage to pull everything off, even if it’s at the last minute! I’m sure visiting your gallery will be the highlight of that tour! Bonne chance et bonne courage, mon ami! And I read your brother’s miraculous story on Corey’s blog. What a blessing! xo
I love the madcap impulse to make a curtain – it sounds exactly like the kind of decision I would make! Must be why I keep coming back for more, hey? Have a wonderful open studio/gallery. Take plenty of photos to share!
Hey seester, I think I have Saturday free, you need me to come hlpe you get ready, get set, GO! for your show??? Let me know!
have fun miss fanciful…
love your studio clips…what a wonderful creative space!!…fabulous art.
x x x kazzy x x x
oh, hoopla – i just love that word, and i know how involved our projects can get, like Crazy, ya know!
have fun with all your projects and gallery stuff,wish i could come!!
and those ribbons are so colorful and pretty, will you show us your finished curtains?
i hope!
Oh it all so very exciting! I just know you will take loads of phptpgraphs to show us, really looking forward to this tour. And thanks so much for the kind support re broken bones.
You are doing so great.you deserve it sooo much.you will do good in everything.xoxo
Definetely need time to breathe….can relate to that today – work is killing me!!!!
Loving all the pictures – exciting stuff happening!! looks like its warming up over there…beautiful blooms!!
Let the games begin! You have a whirlwind of a couple weeks ahead of you. I wish you all the luck in the world getting your two thousand plus projects done! Enjoy some of that gorgeous weather and scenery along the way.
Yes, that’s it! A few things at a time 🙂 You are such a wonderful mad genius and I love the colours of your craziness! lol Having people come see your studio sounds so exciting, I would want to do a million things too. But remember, they have never seen your things before, and if there is too much they won’t be able to enjoy it all. Each of your pieces are so special, they need time to be enjoyed 🙂 Good luck with your preparations…I’m squeezing my thumbs (what Germans do instead of crossing fingers! haha!)
Looks like your gallery is coming a long nicely. All those beautiful colored ribbons and paintings. Curtains are always great to change a whole look of a room in no time.
And That rainbow in your other post is beautiful, just breath taking!!!