Watering the Soul

My favorite Garden event has come and gone. As the Volunteer Art Show Coordinator, I was pleased to see the last of the sculptures loaded out of the Alaska Botanical Garden Fair and Outdoor Art Show yesterday under wet, gray skies but the positive comments on the art kept my disposition sunny. There was even an opportunity for me to do some Plein Air work on Saturday while I was art sitting the Show. A bit out of practice but painting and drawing out in the fresh

garden air actually felt like I was replenishing my soul. I sold two of my three sculptures, “Crescent Moon” was delivered last night and I will deliver “Lambelia” to the Lowenfel’s house today. The event sold more works than last year and judging from the comments and voting for the People’s Choice Award, the show has evolved to feature more confident and professional works of art. Congratulations to Marieke’s “Karmic Instructions” win

ning the 2010 People’s Choice Award. Click here for a copy of the sculpture Artists brochure I put together for the Show and here for the painters/mixed media brochure. “Solstice Love” is still for sale but there were two customers who wanted to find just the right place it in their garden before committing to buying. The sculpture has a relative small footprint but needs a lot of space for good visual placement at 73” wide x 85” tall x 45” deep. This year the trend seemed to be more gardeners but gardens and landscaping being done in smaller spaces. Overall budgets were also a bit smaller than in

years past and much consideration and more thoughtful conversations were taking place before purchases. A big help this year (especially for Daddy-O who has been the Show's muscle every year!) was the youthful strength of the 9-Star volunteers helping customers and artists haul out the sculptures via 4 wheeler. No rest for me today though, I’ve got to replenish Katie’s Gallery with works as she has sold out(!) and the Spenard Farmers Market awaits us this Saturday… m-u-s-t g-o t-o t-h-e s-h-o-p and c-u-t the m-e-t-a-l then w-e-l-d the m-e-t-a-l…

Thought you'd like to see Gina Hollomon's large, pit fired "Berry Patch Bear" at the Alaska Botanical Garden Show.

For a contrast to the green, lush, warm Garden, Kristen sent us the latest pictures from the top of the world. Their captain gave everyone “Ice Liberty” in the Arctic! She said she and fellow grad students really enjoyed the experience. The man with the gun that Kristen is “strong arming” with is one of four official Polar Bear watchmen –fortunately, his “expertise” was not needed… Here is a great link showing more of NASA’s Arctic Ice 2010.

Midsummer Gala in the Garden

Encaustic & mixed media artist Sheary Clough Suiter, glass artist Laura Mendola and myself enjoy sunshine, friendship and art along with a nice chilled glass of wine at the 2010 ABG Outdoor Art Show and Gala

The Midsummer Gala in the Garden was a prelude to the 13^th Annual Alaska Botanical Garden Fair and Outdoor Art Show. All week cloudy, cool rainy skies kept the volunteer committees wondering if we would need more tents for our opening event and as if the garden spirits and wood sprites were looking out for us, the clouds parted and the

sun shone on a capacity crowd at the 2010 ABG Gala! As the volunteer Art Show Coordinator my job doesn’t end until the last piece of art is safely purchased, delivered or picked up on the last day of the Fair on Sunday but a large part of my job was completed last night and it was time for a little libation celebrating fresh air, great art and friends! As the music

played under the arbor, wine glasses clinked and patrons filled their plates with incredible food including smoked salmon fillets, shrimp on ice, Quinoa Tabbouleh, chocolate dipped strawberries, and then we SOLD SOME ART BABY! 50% of the sales on each piece of art benefits the Garden and we sold pieces in all price ranges from $300 to $4,200. The most satisfying was not only selling over half of the works submitted but seeing two new artists to the event selling all three

of their submitted sculptures! The People’s Choice voting is underway and Garden Fair goers will have a chance to see all of the work on display through Sunday and cast their vote –a huge basket of art supplies awaits the winning lucky artist! So far, I have some catching up to do with “Solstice Love” running in second to Marieke Heatwole’s “Karmic Instruction.” I shouldn't say which piece I voted for last night but it wasn't

mine there were more deserving works in the Show but I can share it was between Rick Potter’s “Trimorphic” and Marieke’s. I can also say that I think Daddy-O and I canceled each other out as he had cash in hand to purchase Rick’s piece but was beat to the punch by a longtime supporter of the Garden who arrived early to snatch up Rick’s wonderful sculpture. If you're in Anchorage and missed the Gala there’s still time to experience the work of a select group of Artist’s in one of Alaska’s most inspiring outdoor venues. The ABG Garden Fair is this weekend Saturday 11 -6 (early entry for members at 10am) and Sunday 11 -5. Come say hi, I'm the Art Show hostess through the weekend. THEN go say hi to Daddy-O and Gus at the Spenard Farmers Market Saturday, 10-3 Gus and Derek will be "manning" our booth!

Marieke Heatwole poses with her "Karmic Instruction" in which the center columns spin.

Rick Potter's "Trimorphic" sculpture of steel, aluminum, copper, brass, copper. 32" w x 84" tall

Isolde Gibson's "Lichen" hand built ceramic urn 18.5" x 13"

Happy Science Holiday!

Kristen (the oldest offspring) is out in the Bering Sea for a month and a half on the US Coast Guard Cutter, Healy doing scientific research in chemical oceanography. She sent us these photos from the Northern Chukchi Sea and thought they were perfect for the Summer Solstice. She said that “summer in the Arctic is in full swing and at times it was difficult to distinguish the glass clear water from the sky.”

I’m celebrating Solstice with the purchase of my new PLASMA CUTTER! I picked it up last week from Air Liquide. Had to have another 240 receptacle installed in the shop by our very talented electrician but now I’m wired for (more!) power. Thanks to Larry (that’s him at the Air Liquide dock loading me up) for

helping me to better understand all that was needed for my upgrade to the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52 and for our electrician, Michael who keeps us safely powered up. I’m not quite ready for production cutting as I still have to sift through the manual, though I did already watch the DVD… New tools, new instructions mean a new learning curve. I just finished reading the

manual on the new camera Daddy-O and Gus bought me (xox) They surprised me with a new Sony Cyber-shot 14.1 mega pixel(!) camera. My other one was Will’s hand-me-down –this one is sleek, has sweet, mega optics and even does these cool, moving panorama shots. I’ve already taken tons of pics of Tauzer, the garden and my flowers –but I won’t bore you with them –yet.

Summer Solstice is a big deal here in Alaska –well anything having to do with sunshine and daylight is a big deal in Alaska! This weekend officially kicked off Solstice with parties, bands, BBQ’s, markets and festivals. Gus asked us what Solstice was and after we described to him the differences between the Summer and the Winter Solstice he said “Oh I get it, it’s like a science holiday!” So Happy Science Holiday!

Kristen, out in the Northern Chukchi Sea on the USCGC Healy. Here is a NASA Arctic Voyage 2010 Blog link that also has some great information and photos!

Where I'm At

My 30^th class reunion is coming up. How has it been 30 years? I promptly called my Mom and told her that her kid just sent in her RSVP to attend her 30-year class reunion! If anyone understands how time can fly so fast it’s my folks –they still inadvertently think my sister and I can be no more than 20 years old and how can they possibly have a daughter that is closer to 50 than 30?! Even Derek and I don’t keep track of our birthdays and anniversary very well –my Mom calls to remind us of our wedding anniversary. Maybe it’s just our way of living timelessly –or maybe we’re just in denial? –ha! 30 years? Skimming over the Dimond High School class reunion website I read who would be attending so far, who was missing and who had died. Not to get existential, but this darn class reunion thing has had me being all existential this week. I’m totally content with my love life, my husband, kids, family life, dog, garden and even my business life -but my

“artist being” is always up for scrutiny...

Being rejected from a prestigious juried museum show (I hate to admit it, but for ten years running now), denied a National call for entry and then to be turned down for an important grant that I applied for left me questioning my “artist being.” Selling my garden art at the Spenard Farmers Market, which has provided more than summer spending money, it has provided me a bit of positive affirmation for my “artist being.” Only, sometimes when I tell friends what I’m doing I feel like I almost have to apologize for selling my art at a “market.” That somehow selling at a market has made me less of a “real artist” doing the “art under a tent” set-up. The truth is I’m really having fun at the Market and I enjoy it. My whole family helps at the Market, including helping other vendors set-up and tear down, helping with the

garbage and recycle cans, picnic tables and information tents and we like all of it. I attend weekly vendor committee planning meetings and help with marketing and vendor support. Derek says it’s because of the organic-ness of it -no pun intended. We like what the Market does for our community. We like driving 3 blocks to set up and being out in the fresh air with a cool vibe flowing from 10-3. We enjoy the new friends we’ve made and we especially like the whole foods we buy each Saturday and eat all week long.

Another venue and event that has become important to my “artist being” is the Alaska Botanical Garden Fair and Outdoor Art Show. About 10 years ago, the ABG Garden Fair is where I got my start in selling my metal Garden Art and ever since has been close to my art making heart. For the last few years I have volunteered as the Art Show Coordinator and enjoy rounding up the artists to participate and I also like spending the Fair weekend in the garden surrounded by all of their art. This year I’ll have three pieces in the Show, “Lambelia,” “Crescent Moon” 76" tall x 57" wide x 34" deep, and “Solstice Love" 85" tall x 73" wide x 45" deep.

After making the topiary sheep, I wanted to make another topiary sculpture with some of the left over wire and sphagnum moss. I was thinking about the longest day of the year approaching and the shear happiness of the midnight sun when “Solstice Love” hit me. Hopefully, the plantings will have enough time to grow more in length before the opening of the Show at the ABG Gala on June 24 –hurry, there is still time to get your tickets! If you are in Anchorage and aren’t able to attend the evening Gala you still can attend the annual Garden Fair at the Garden on June 26 & 27 OR stop by the Spenard Farmers Market this Saturday –because happily, that’s where I’m at.

Thar' She Blows!

One of the things I like most about keeping a Blog is when something happens to me art or business related I have someplace to vent, I mean share… So today, I got my feelings hurt. The winds at the Spenard Farmer’s Market (and all around Anchorage -my friend Katie Sevigny lost their tent at the Downtown Anchorage Market) were HOWLING! The wind blew so hard at the Market that my tent (the photo is of our booth sans tent...) was at least pul

ling a 30 degree lean and that’s AFTER Daddy-O came to the rescue, with not only sand bags but two 5 gallon buckets of new deck stain as tent weights! We couldn’t keep the metal sculptures upright, even the syrups were blowing over. Other vendors’ tent tops were flying off of their frames, displays blowing over, post cards and bags flew through the parking lot like crazy bats. The poor plants for sale were being forced to harden off and baskets were swaying from their hangers blossoms sailing. As Gus, Kristen and Derek and I were doing what we could to lay all of the metal work down, disassemble the tent (without empaling any customers), lay all of the glass jars of syrup and jams down an older female customer had her eye on me watching this total vendor chaos…

Her and I had been chatting a few minutes on and off because I kept getting interrupted by falling art and blowing debris from other vendors. As she finished smoking her butt in front of Gus she shook her angry finger in my face all teary eyed and said “well Cindy, while you were FUTZING (yes, she said futzing) around with all your stuff, YOU JUST LOST A CUSTOMER!” She walked off towards her car as I stood embarrassed in front of Gus saying “Now come on Lori, (YES, I EVEN SORT-OF KNOW HER!) I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, I didn’t know you wanted to buy anything, I was just trying to…. “ too late, she sped off in her car. I stood there wide eyed and wind blown as Gus turned to me and said “you’d better tell Dad what happened –she was even SMOKING!” So, Lori if you’re reading my Blog, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to provide the best customer service today and I’m even sorrier if I hurt your feelings. I would never intentionally ignore a customer and MY feelings were really hurt at her accusation -especially in front of my son. As the day blew on and we salvaged all of the art, helped other vendors load up I wrote several Blog posts in my head. Rather than stewing about hurt feelings or worrying about my upset (stomach) customer there were way more positive things about the day like;

...meeting Michelle Wilber and Jay Stange of the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage who turned me on to where I can find some cool bicycle parts for my upcoming 1% sculpture "Bicycle Bloom" -thanks Jay!

...selling Julia's Artisan HONEY which customers LOVE and always looks so cheery (this was taken before everything blew down)!

...meeting Blue Bell who will give you a high five for a Yummy-Chummy!

...AND Kristen came to town yesterday before she headed out today on the USCGC Healy for some Chemical Oceanography research work out of Dutch Harbor. She'll be out in the Bering Sea for over a month. With her in town it was a chance for me to get the kids' summer picture together. Excuse Gus, now that he's 12 the only smile seems to come with making fart noises...which cracks his brother Will up. Boys.

Meet the "Lambelia" Family

With the help from Daddy-O my Sheep Topiaries have been built,

wrapped, planted, watered and now are being babysat in a cool area of our backyard. The extra set of hands was much needed not only to help hold the sphagnum (I think this is kind of a gross word) moss as it was wrapped with floral wire around the sheep forms, but to swat all the HUGE mosquito’s that were swarming us! I have about two weeks of growing time before the Alaska Botanical Garden’s Gala, Art Show and Garden Fair! The “Lambelia” family will be one of my entries. The form I used was the same one I used to create the "Steel Wool" garden

sculpture sheep. For the topiaries, I welded more 1/8” round stock to the body as “ribs” and added and wrapped poultry wire for the form to better hold the sphagnum moss. The big tip came from Patty at Sutton’s greenhouse and that was to wrap my

poultry wire in plastic wrap! She told me her son came up with this idea as a better way to hold in the moisture of the plants and moss-

what a great idea! Thank goodness I’m holding in some moisture –I couldn’t imagine how dry these topiaries would be without the plastic helping hold some of the moisture. As it is, I’m misting and watering at least 3 times a day. For the plantings, I’m using my favorite Regatta Sapphire Lobelia and Bambini Mix, Splendid Blue & Yellow, Sorbet Lavender Ice Violas. So far none of the plants have shown any shock but Derek and I laughed while having our coffee because yesterday morning there was a clump of potting soil on the ground right behind the Mama Sheep that looked like she left us a little “present” overnight!

Speaking of needing an extra set of gloved hands, this morning Daddy-O helped me make three trips to Alaska Metal Recycling. After a few months and the side yard starts to look a little hill-billy, I can usually have about 2,000 pounds of scrap metal that are cuts left over from plasma cutting and welding –today there was a lot of the galvi duct work that I had up-cycled for the “Steel Wool” sheep sculptures. For you local artists, Alaska Metal Recycling is also where I purchase all my copper wire by the pound and copper pipe I use for the garden chimes –they are located off King Street here in Anchorage.

Dueling Events in a Transformative State

What's better than friends and flowers?! My friend Lynette and I at the Festival of Flowers on Saturday. Town Square, Anchorage.

Dual outdoor events this weekend took some major planning at our house and A LOT of (art)work. Daddy-O and Gus worked our booth at the Spenard Farmers Market and I worked my booth at the Anchorage Festival of Flowers. All three of us, helped get both venues set-up plus Willie

helped after he got off work. Since the Market ended at 3:00 pm, Derek and Gus rode their bikes to the Town Square to help me take-down at 6:00 p.m. We’re just starting to find our groove with the Saturday Farmer’s Market commitment but having committed to the Festival of Flowers meant doubling up on several items like purchasing another credit card machine, misc. sales and display items, printing additional business cards, price tags, signage

and most importantly creating enough artwork to sell at BOTH events. The good news/bad news is both events were relative slow sales-wise (Derek and Gus sold way more than I did –great job boys!) and I’ll have plenty of art to roll into next Saturday’s Farmers Market –yippee! Thanks to Kim (Will’s girlfriend) I even had a great sales assistant, Tiffany to help me at the Festival but we ended up taking turns getting hot coffee & tea (it was really chilly under cool, gray skies), visiting and shopping for flowers more than making sales. I’m

glad she was there because she was fun to visit with and she kept me company. Not to take anything away from the first annual Festival of Flowers but sales and traffic were really s-l-o-w. Since the event was a fundraising event to establish an endowment fund for the City of Flowers Program I hope enough plants and raffle tickets were sold. I definitely contributed by purchasing beautiful hanging baskets and potted flowers for our house.

Another bright spot in the day was my longtime friend Lynette purchasing one of my garden sculptures. She is one of the most sunshiny-cheeriest people I know, her voice is even velvety happy, ALWAYS. It’s easy to think how long Lynette and I have been friends. She was Gus’ kindergarten

teacher and before that, she and her husband Dan were my parent’s next door neighbors, and even longer ago (when we were mere babes ourselves –ha!) she and I were in a Lamaze class together expecting our first babies! Our daughters were born one day apart and we were even in the hospital together! Today our daughters are beautiful, young adults and most people call Lynette “Mrs. Mayor” as her husband Dan is now the Mayor of Anchorage. I still know her as one of the sweetest people I have ever met.

Being around all of the colorful flowers this weekend and watching our trees and garden literally transform this week, I was

inspired to work on my latest project… Rather than take today off Derek helped me make my Topiary Sheep for the upcoming Alaska Botanical Garden Art Show… you are not going to believe how COOL IT LOOKS! I love having another Blog post just waiting to be posted! The Spaghnum Moss Sheep is being watered right now in the yard –we took pictures so stay tuned….

We have two trees in our front yard that are over 50 years old (which is old, for a house in Anchorage) and over 25' tall, that transform with the seasons. The picture on the left in the 3 seasons group shot was taken this afternoon with the trees in full bloom! I think they are Corneliancherry Dogwoods(?) and had Gus glowing pink as he ate his breakfast by the window this morning -which he wasn't too happy about!