May First Friday "Not Your Grandma's Quilts!"

 Mark Your Calendar and take a walk downtown! 

May First Friday 

Art Quilts by Cindy Shake

Sevigny Studio

May 4^th 6:00 – 9:00 pm. 

608 W. 4^th Avenue  (907) 258-2787

Artists, music, food and a great downtown vibe for the May First Friday event at Sevigny Studios! 

“Sevigny Studios presents the vibrant Art Quilts by Cindy Shake. This well-known metal artist is branching out with her other artistic abilities. In addition, Sevigny Studios will have another popular fabric design artist Vittoria Dedmore. Come see her newest purse and wallet fashions. This packed event is rounded out with the music of The Westchester Collective who describe themselves as two kids playing guitar and piano, singing their hearts out, Alaska Indie folk style.” 

Kristen is home for the week before she goes off on another research trip, this time out of Seward, AK. Glad to have another girl in the house because it’s been as she says “looks like a lotta’ BRO TIME has been goin’ on in this house!” Trucks, trailers, tires, tools, mud, X-Tra Tuf boots CAKED with mud, multiple trips to the grocery store, you know the traditional Springtime dude rituals. I swear, it's like they just woke up from hibernation! The guys said they NEEDED to use the 4-wheeler to push the remaining snow around BEFORE they started the spring yard and garden clean-up…

 Here photo updates of my Provider Snap Bush Beans and Pole Beans! Sweet Peas are thankfully taking their time, but I had to add extra bamboo sticks to the beans as they were searching for something to choke to as they continue to climb and I didn’t want my Sweet Peas to be their victims!
This is the first time I have started plants this way. Kind of fun having a little green and (clean) soil in the studio!

First Friday and History Fish

Last week I had a chance to finish a set of "History Fish" for the Show at Katie's. I enjoy making these fish because it gives me a chance to upcycle some of my scrap steel. After I draw and cut a large base fish design I try and plasma cut interesting pieces of the steel left over from a large 4' x 8' sheet and keep them in my "cool scrap bin."

Though sometimes the "cool scrap bin" becomes the "crap scrap bin" if it starts to overflow, collect shop dust and starts to look like work if I want to use it -making me not want dig. If I maintain the pile I tend to want to use the scraps on a regular basis otherwise it's off to Alaska Metal Recyclers with a TRUCK LOAD of good scrap. These fish are about 24" wide with an enamel fini

sh. After I weld the fish together I give them a clear coat enamel finish which provides a smooth tooth for the brushed on enamel paint. For the enamel color I use One Shot Sign Painter's Enamel. It's hand brush applied full strength with the desired color blends then hand rubbed off using industrial strength rags. I usually go over the finished piece with with highlights of orange or other contrasting colors for highlights with a very dry brush.

First Friday at Katie's Gallery was packed. She knows how to throw a pARTy! I wish Katie was able to enjoy the evening more -she works her tail off! She was behind the register the entire time -which is good for the Gallery and all of the artists she has in her place but tough to soak up all the good vibes, art, music and food. I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all Katie and Barb did Friday night to ensure it was a packed house all night long. THANKS LADIES! That is a picture of Katie working the register, Barb is packaging up some art AND working the beverage counter. Daddy-O had a chance to visit with other teachers on summer hiatus and Gus stepped in to help pour fresh ice tea for customers and had fun as well as the junior barkeep. The flowers were sent to the Gallery from my parents. xox The other photo is of talented artists, Duke Russell and Lance Lekander pictured with me. I was happy to see them as there were several great shows downtown Friday night and everyone was trying to make the rounds. Anchorage has one of the BEST artist communities that is LOADED with talented people. Thank goodness we have First Fridays otherwise some of us artists don't get out of the studio nearly enough.

Viva L'Artista!

Katie Sevigny, myself and Marieke Heatwole sampling Marieke's Mojito's!

Look what happens when you give a bunch of artists a theme of Viva L'Artista and a place to party! Last night we held our second annual Art Coffee Soiree at Katie Sevigny's Gallery. The crazy

good time probably had to do with sticking "Private Party" signs on Katie's front doors, or the venue, maybe even the good food or the huge thirst quenching area (bar!), the live music OR even the

Chinese Gift Exchange?! Each artist could bring a friend, spouse or partner and was asked to bring a Latin, Cuban or Hispanic-style, dish and beverage to share as well as a handmade, wrapped gift to exchange. We had a wonderful mix of artists who shared their various mediums, met new friends and talked art and music all night long. Even the partners of the artists seemed to have a good time and I overheard spouses swapping stories of how "it's tough being married to an artist isn't it?!" "Art Coffee" started a couple of years ago between Mary H., Marieke, both Linda's and myself as a way to get us all out of the studio and get together and share our art experiences. Depending on the time of year, we'd share everything from tax issues, to gallery groans or cheers, upcoming shows, or yak about the lack-o-inspiration that has plagued us all. When I'd send out the e-mail announcing the next Art Coffee, I'd ask that everyone forward the e-mail to other artists who might want to join our little gatherings. And look how it's grown -Viva L'Artista!

This Just In...

Just got off the phone with Katie and we've decided to spice up downtown shopping by offering 15% OFF EVERY PIECE of my metal work (including this new "History Fish!") ONE DAY ONLY at her Gallery this Friday, November 26, 2010! Shop Katie Sevigny Studio on Black Friday and SAVE on my work as well as other works Friday 9 am to 9 pm! Let the Season begin in artfully at 608 West 4th Avenue, downtown next to Cake Studio Bakery which is right next door to the 4th Avenue Theater. 907-258-2787

Giddy-UP!

Dan, SteelFab Estimator and I are troubleshooting a set of prototypes for my 1% for Art sculpture "Bicycle Bloom."

Now that the cold and flu virus has left my body, I hopped back on my production pony. There was a lot of work to catch up on and plasma cutting to do this week. The best part was being able to get my 1% for Art Public Sculpture, “Bicycle Bloom” back in the production queue! It’s been a very long process taking a tremendous amount of patience on my part because it was a year ago this month that I was notified of my sculpture proposal being selected for the site. The sidewalk was finally poured, the base structure has been completed for the sculpture and I was able to initiate yet another new quote from SteelFab. Unfortunately, the delays caused my original two quotes to expire and become obsolete. I built in a contingency dollar amount and it’s a good thing because due to the delay and rising costs all around, my new estimate

will cost me at least another $1,000+ dollars. I didn’t want to have one more quote and production schedule in place until the sidewalk was complete and all the parties involved gave me the final go-ahead. It’s been a real team effort on this project –quite a bit different from how I’m used to working. Normally, I think of a design, lay it out, trouble shoot issues myself, solve any design problems and fabricate it all by myself. Due to the size of this public outdoor sculpture the majority of the fabrication needs to be professionally fabricated by SteelFab. Early on, the sculpture also needed to have a set of structural engineering plans by Franklin & Associates designed, submitted and approved for strength and desired visual appeal. Things like the elevation plans, footing details, welded collar design, percentage of curve, base plate mounts measurements and design, structural integrity, weld placements

etc. are items I had no idea of how to draft up nor could I have even attempted those printed plans. I have appreciated the knowledge base that has helped me to produce this sculpture so far. I was even able to score some bicycle component parts for the sculpture's embellishments. Thanks Bicycle Shop! The butterflies are still there in my stomach but at least I feel confident that I have assembled a qualified team who wants a safe, successful, and creatively unique sculpture to come in on time and on budget.

My friend Katie and her Gallery were featured in a segment on KTUU Channel 2 News last night! “Day Trippin” (on www.gotoak.com) featured the popular tourist area of downtown Anchorage on 4^th Avenue. Here is a link to the video that gives you an idea of why we love living here. Way to go Katie!!

Below is the finished sidewalk and mount for my sculpture...waiting for a beautiful steel Bloom! I read this quote in one of my art books and thought it was appropriate for me this week:

“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” –Norman Vincent Peale

Twigs & Leaves

The music was playing, the kids ate pizza and were watching Iron Man 2, ladders were busy, artwork was being hung, pottery was being unwrapped and color was everywhere! We got the cash wrap installed last night at my friend Katie Sevigny’s new Gallery space and it looked great. I'll try and get a better picture when the activity is a bit calmer!

To achieve the finish I wanted on the background panels I first use an orbital sander and evenly hand sand the entire

area. Next, I have a disc sander that I use on my drill, creating circular patterns. Before I weld the steel branches in place, I take a grinder and create long, fluid, sweeping grinder lines over the entire surface. The largest front panel was so long that I had to lay out my design and spot weld on the shop floor so it wouldn’t bow and flex unevenly. After

the layout was spot welded, I could put the entire 10’ strip up on my work table using a couple of extra metal saw horses and finish weld the branches and leaves. It was an easy install thanks to my sweetie and I wasn’t sweating the fit since I had pre fit all of the pieces on Friday. I had 3 pieces of galvi custom cut then embellished all three panels with a Twig & Leaf design. I chose the motif and purposely kept it unpainted to compliment the varied work that will be in the Gallery. I designed the branches and leaves to flow to the right and to pull the customer into the space.

I couldn’t believe the transformation since Friday when I “sailed” into the Gallery to test-fit the counter wrap.

WOW! The artwork is so original and Katie has some incredible new artists lined up. We even saw our friend Dawn Gerety last night who was prepping some large canvas paintings at the new Gallery and AK Starfish Company was scheduled to come today and merchandise an area. That's Katie's sister on the ladder hanging an original Duke Russell -Derek and I have our eye on a couple of his pieces we saw last night... Fresh, bright, happy and a good energy, were just some of the words Daddy-O and I kept saying on the way home last night. Daddy-O helped me mount the galvanized metal panels on Katie’s sales counter. Over the weekend Katie had a crew on hand to move all of the artwork from her old space on 4^th Avenue, East, up to the new space right next door to Cake Studio Bakery and the 4^th Avenue Theater.

I know if I’m ready for the party and grand opening on Friday night I can’t imagine how ready Katie is!!

Me and Katie last night. Katie-girl deserves a pARTy!

Look what the wind storm on Friday blew from one of our huge Spruce trees -a little gift to me!

Gallery Palette

Last night we were able to start painting the newly prepped walls in Katie’s Gallery. Katie is much more color brave than I am! At the paint store she knew exactly what she wanted in terms of the paint colors for her new space. While I was leaning towards taupe neutrals, she picked colors like “Mexican Café Yellow” and “Reflecting Pool Blue” –and last night all are working together beautifully! It’s been fun to see the transformation of the new space. We’re hoping for an October 1, First Friday Grand Opening –barring any inspection issues with the Muni. On the positive, it’s an all licensed and professional crew that the building owner is using, and to keep costs down Katie (and volunteers) are helping with the minor decorating details. Speaking of volunteers –I have one sweet Art Husband, even on his birthday last night he knocked out an entire section of wall painting! Katie treated him to his favorite sweet from Cake Studio (the bakery next door to the new Gallery) after we finished and all three of us sat on the steps outside in the lovely evening air (no rain!!) and watched as people held their hands to the windows of the new space trying to get a peek at what new business was going in the building.

As the Spenard Farmers Market nears it’s final Saturday for me (this Saturday 8/28) it was time to deliver some new metal work up the Alaska State Fair, Bad Girls of the North booth. You’d never know Anchorage had set a rain record by the incredible blue skies we’ve had the last few days –let’s hope it holds for the Sate Fair! The Bad Girls booth is next to my all-time favorite food booth… TAMALES! I (heart) Tamales :o)

Willie’s new toy (tool) box arrived yesterday. He spent the afternoon unloading all the goodies that any mechanic (or artist) lusts after. I’m excited because whether

it’s cell phones, fishing gear or new tool boxes we always manage a way to get the hand-me-downs -and his “old” tool box is pretty sweet and looks fine right where it’s at –in our garage!