I'm Giving Away Art

I've got an upcoming show at Crowell's Gallery in New Bedford and I thought I'd celebrate with a little give away. I'm also interested in growing my list of followers on this blog. So here's the deal, my goal is to triple you guys by my show opening, September 16. Send three followers my way and I'll send you, via mail, a little piece of original, signed art. The medium is watercolor crayon, pencil, paint, graphite pencil and chalkboard paint. The size is 5" x5" and will fit in this cute little stitched envelope. This is a limited offer, just till September 15. The show, which formally gets announced next week, is about looking closely at the vivipary around us. Isn't that a great word? Now go look that word up and some friends who might like this kind of thing.

Mr. Stripey and Juicy Love

It's almost time for Mr. Stripey and Juicy Love, Black Krim, Cherokee Chocolate, and Julia Child. A basketful of Homer Fike's Yellow Oxheart with a few a Believe It or Nots thrown in. A plate of sliced Crazys, some Glory of Modova with one or two Marianna's Peace. But make sure you leave room for one of my favorites, the Mortgage Lifter.

Photos of Walker's Stand in Tiverton, Rhode Island by Paul Clancy

8.10.10 Color Swatch

Pantone Swatch No.185

yes 
dear Summer has really got 
the green thing down.

but she get's a little fatigued 
by the new midori bugs, 

tender blades, blair,
acid flair and myrtle glades

with peridot twinkles.

so when august 
steams onto my emerald lawn,

satisfied Summer lets out a

celadon sigh and squeezes 

all of her verdent vim

into the happy fat fruit of 

the tomato plant.

just in time for my saturated,

grass stained painter's

peepers to say yes, yes, 

yes to red.
-Alyn Carlson

More Wedding Lids

Why I love Artists at Weddings

I love guests at a wedding that take a little chance. And I'm not talking should the guest who takes a chance with having a third Long Island Ice Tea. I fall in love with the ones who perform their toasts in character (as if they had, had that third drink), belt out an original song they wrote themselves, or wear a piece of art on their head. Artists. They do that when they sense not only permission but a little joyful nudge from the bride and groom.  Here are some samples of hat wearing joy.

8.3.10 Color Swatch

kraft paper brown

haven't i seen you before?

on the back of a cereal box, maybe?

you are humble as can be but

you have snuck up on us, haven't you.

slipped in the back door of our

never green enough guilty conscience.

i've seen the towering temples

you've masterminded for yourself

at holy foods,

lining the shelves and end caps

with the collected DNA

of every scrap of fiber

that's come before you.

but i like you anyway

you are as comfortable as a

molasses cookie

and as crafty

as they come.
-Alyn Carlson

photo from madame alyn's bin 
great news- RI Monthly magazine just gave my hats 
a "Best of RI"award in the shopping category.

Poem for Monday

Hi again. I'm back from a wonderful month of pre and post wedding swirling. My youngest daughter and her wonderful man. I'm so proud of B+A's calm energy during the whole shabang. In the last few weeks, every time I looked, I saw them working together, shoulder to shoulder, in an easy tandemed rythym. This Robert Bly poem expresses what I sense they will have the rest of their lives. I am such a happy mother of the bride.

The Third Body

-Robert Bly

A man and a woman sit near each other,

and they do not long at this moment to be older, or younger,

nor born in any other nation, or any other time, or any other place.

They are content to be where they are, talking or not talking.

Their breaths together feed someone whom we do not know.

The man sees the way his fingers move;

he sees her hands close around a book she hands to him.

They obey a third body that they share in common.

They made a promise to love that body.

Age may come, parting may come, death will come.

A man and a woman sit near each other,

as they breathe they feed someone who we do not know,

who we know of, but have never seen.

Smoke and Pickles

So happy with the wonderful posting on Design Sponge today for my friend Dan George, of Smoke and Pickles Catering. Kristina Gill really got Dan and what he's all about. If you haven't been lucky enough to taste his incredible and unusual combination of fresh, local, smokey and pickled, here's a recipe you can try yourself. Paul and I had a wonderful time with Dan and Chris shooting in their backyard for the posting. To make your mouth water more and for a nice walk around my neighborhood you can check out Dan's site here. He'll be hauling his smoker over to my back meadow in July for my youngest daughter's wedding. OMG. Can't wait.

Photo- Paul Clancy

Tim Knowles, wish I'd thought of that

Since the Wizard of Oz I've suspected trees can talk to each other and occasionally dance. And now after seeing Tim Knowles work, I know they can draw. This work is so simple and elegant and moving. You can read more about his process and other projects here.

Poem for Monday

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

for more on this wonderful author go here.

photo- Paul Clancy for Mole Hollow Candles