New Site Launch for Local Pottery

I'm so grateful that I have clients that trust me and actually pay me to make beautiful images and designs for them. When I get to make this beauty with Paul, it's even better. Lisa Howard of Local Pottery is one of those clients. The new Local Pottery website, a collaboration between Paul Clancy, Peter Nassoit and myself, can be seen by going here. The launch coincides with the sale of the year for Local Pottery. An amazing open studio event with handmade gifts you shouldn't miss if you're in the Boston Area. You can go here to get the scoop on hours, etc. Below are the images from the shoot we did just last night for the home page, which changes seasonally. Just the right combination of an outdoor fire, a two hundred year old wrap my friend John Hegnauer gave me, an indigo tea bowl and the last 45 minutes of sunlight that was magic.

For Wallace and Levi

Luigi Prina: The Ships That Sail Through The Clouds
A lovely story from Blinking City via my friend Lasse Antonsen.
Be sure and follow the link to the video.

A Great Book for Beginner and Seasoned Artists

My friend, Deborah Forman really knows how to teach artists. Years ago, she was my daughter's art teacher and helped get Brin ready to apply to art school. I was on the search committee to find a teacher for the Westport high school and when Deborah came in and showed a few lesson plans it was hard not to jump out of our chairs and scream YES! She's recently written a book called Paint Lab which is a collection of 52 exercises based on practicing artists work, materials and techniques. The lessons are short and manageable for a quick change of approach but have depth enough to carry you far in another direction if you're so inclined. It's a great book for new or experienced artists and the book includes exercises based on the work of Paul Klee, Helen Frankenthaler, Gerhard Richter, Frida Kahlo, Tom Sgouros, Neal T Walsh and I'm honored to say, Alyn Carlson. It's published by the same folks that are publishing my hat book, Quarry Press and my fabulous editor, Mary Ann Hall edited it. Check it out on Amazon, here.

Quarry also publishes a series of these books for children.

Each exercise takes up only one spread.

Deb used my Landscape No. 23 as her back cover art.

My Walk Tonight

I have a crush on Westport.

Sometimes I just want to hug the place.

Nice to draw on the beach tonight

It's wonderful to use my whole body to draw.
East Beach in Westport line drawings tonight.

Huge Breathe Coming Through The Heart

I finally got back into the painting studio this past week after a few weeks dedicated to the sale of my work. It felt so good, like a gorgeous blue sigh. This is what I painted. I do love you blue. Each and every one of you blues. 

My friend Claudia came up with a brilliant description for this one-
"like a huge breathe coming through the heart"

Nice Wired Magazine Article about Alex's Latest

Alex Chen, my son-law, has made another thing of beauty to delight the eyes and ears. He's created an animated visual representation of the Beach Boy's You Still Believe In Me. Alex transcribed the harmonies note for note, and then wrote the code to render as it played. He got the idea from church bells. Just like the size of a bell corresponds to the pitch of the note it produces, Alex took circles to represent each note in the song. Cool thing is, the Beach Boy's song was inspired by a church choir. You can read the write up here at Wired and experience Alex's art here. I could watch and listen to this one for a whole afternoon.

4 Sisters Photographed For Almost 40 Years

In 1975, Nicolas Nixon, a professor of  photography at Mass Art, photographed his wife and her three sisters. They have continued the tradition for 36 years. When people are captured without a forced smile we get to see so much more. I love seeing the body language that shows the obvious affection these sisters have for each other through the years. For more photos and story you can go to So Bad So Good. The whole portrait collection is available in the book, Nicholas Nixon: The Brown Sisters. Thirty-Three Years.

Rainbow House in a Very Good Spot

I love this house which is very well placed across the street from Westboro Baptist Church. From Amy of Amy's Organics.

Letting You in on a Little Secret

This past weekend, my open studio with South Coast Artists Tour was a wonderful experience. So many old and new friends stopped by. I sold 25 paintings and connected with many artists I greatly respect. One of my favorite moments was when a young woman bought two pieces and with a grin announced they were her first art acquisition. It was nice moments like that, that made it all worthwhile. 

Letting you in on a secret, sometimes I miss the applause and the audience presence from when I was performing in the theater. It's not why we make art but affirmation is a nice back rub after all the heavy lifting. This felt like the visual artist's version of it. I feel more connected to the folks who enjoy my art and this will be a annual event for me. Thanks for all the support!

With Paul's help the barn was transformed into a cozy gallery.
Photo by Paul Clancy

Photo by Paul Clancy

Photo by Paul Clancy