Seeing Spots - Thank you! Thank you!

I mean that literally!  My wall at Gardenscape was covered with red dots (i.e.) sold stickers.  I always have my enjoyment of my art, and your wonderful comments here in blogland, but what an amazing experience to see people's reactions to my work in person.  My face hurts from smiling.  I was there from 11 to 6 pm on Sunday only.  I have 2 pieces still available.  I sold seven and gained two commissions.   My next show will be at the Forestry Farm House on Sunday, May 27th as part of a group exhibit.  This one is still available.

7x9" October's Eve, 2012

Haha - see the stray green thread laying on the sky?  Ooops.  It isn't in the actual piece, but must have landed there for the photo op. 

So I did it!  I survived March.  W O W.  Like I said, in like a lion, out like a lion.  I think March 2012 packed in enough accomplishments to last a year.  2 art shows, 2 national magazines features, provincial jurying and acceptance in to the National Juried Show.  HOLEY MOLEY.  This Wednesday I'm booked as the guest speaker for the Bridge City NeedleArts Guild!  (They have a huge double display up at the Centre Galleries right now if you want to see!)

* * * Thank you to everyone who purchased my work at Gardenscape.  I will contact you all this week to arrange delivery to those who don't have them yet.  I am so very grateful, but still unsure what to do about all the "you are NOT charging enough for your work" comments.

p.s.  I bought art too you know.  It's my first time ever!  I purchased this little 6x6" painting from local painter Nicki Ault.  It's called 'Distant Windbreak'.  THANK YOU NICKI!  It's super-beautiful.

New Wheels

I am in style now!  Check it out...

I got my trolley from Zeller's.  WOW - it's the best.  A dozen glass frames can be very heavy!  Yes - that is a bumper sticker.  Yes - I know it's tacky.  I went a little overboard a long time ago with freebies from Vistaprint.  At least now I have somewhere to stick it!  I was worried that someone might 'borrow' my cart at trade shows, thinking it belonged to the hall or something. 

Everything is up and running at Prairieland Park.  All of the landscape & floral themed art is up in Hall A.  We went to set up on Thursday night.  There is some really fabulous art for sale there!  Wow.  I still can't get over the sound of a couple dozen artists hammering nails into their boards in a giant hall.  Next time I might just bring ear plugs!  lol

I'll be volunteering on Sunday.  Looking forward to all the greenery and beautiful smells of the flowers!  Thank you everyone for the sweet comments from the Friday Feature post.  I sincerely appreciate each and every comment!  : )

NINE Thread Paintings!

I did it!  I have 9 pieces of art packed and ready to go.  They are all for sale.  I'm hanging them on my wall at Gardenscape tonight!  They are:  Poles Along Highway #7 (this was as SaskMade Marketplace), Bloom #3, October's Eve, Flax at Jackfish, At the Buffalo Jump, Spring Greens, Sundown on Valley Road, Spring on the Prairie, and a new Canola field called Thunderhead.  They can be seen in my flickr sets for Fibre Art 2012 and Fibre Art 2011.

loads of hand stitched French Knots on 'Thunderhead'

Gardenscape is at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon and runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  There is an entrance fee though I'm not sure how much.  You can read more about Gardenscape here.

p.s.  I didn't get Tipi and Rosehips completed in time, but it will be at the next show...

Seeds. I'm in!

I'm in! : ), a photo by My Sweet Prairie - Monika Kinner on Flickr.

Seeds: An exhibition featuring the work of emerging Fine Craft Artisans in Saskatchewan opens January 13 until February 26, 2012 at the Affinity Gallery of the Saskatchewan Craft Council on Broadway in Saskatoon. Curated by Stephanie Canning.

Whooopeeee!! : ) My 'A Prairie Dress' and the accompanying shoes I made will be on display there along with a dozen other artists' work. The gallery is open daily from 1 to 5 pm.  The reception will be held on Friday, January 20th from 7 to 9 pm. You can bet that I will be there with bells on!!

Tweaking the Show.

I had a fun morning.  I took my little boy to the mall for a hot chocolate.  He homeschools, so he brought his story-book in the making...  

It was 9 am, and the retail stores were all still closed.  I took him through 'the link'.  

For anyone not in Canada, we have malls with underground parking.  You can drive in the winter snow from your garage to the mall without stepping outdoors.  This particular shopping center is TWO malls connected by an underground walkway which tunnels below the street.  Sounds pretty out-there doesn't it?  lol  Here we are going back up the ramp to daylight.

 

I love that my exhibit area is flooded with natural light!  : )  I ask my boy if he notices anything.  He pauses and stares silently for a while.

 

 

"MOM!  This is yours!!"  !!  That was the highlight of my day.  "That is totally epic mom.  I can't believe it."

 : )  I gave him my camera and got to work hanging more tags.

  and aiming the floodlights better...

All while carefully stepping over the threads and pictures.  Liam did a great job with the camera...

(Silly me.  I flipped that spool over so you can't see the price tag!  lol )

And here is a picture of my favorite little spot below the baby quilt...

I dig those half circle shelves.  Very cool.  I used lots of them.

I sat to take a break and a woman strolled by, stopped to look for a while at the exhibit.  I thought I recognized her.  : )  It was Flo who came to the first postcard workshop!  Nice to see you and thanks so much for taking the time to go out and look.  That was really sweet of you! 

Have a great day,

~Monika

Sunday Snapshots, #8

Today was the day.  I woke up calm.  Slowly packed all my art & tools etc into the van.  I drank lots of tea instead of my usual coffee because I figured that's what Michelle F. would do.  She drinks tea.  I made a pot of organic Blueberry White tea and it was soooo good!  I didn't even miss the coffee.

I took a break, and reached for my watch.  10:40.  I screeeeeeeeeeeeamed loud and high!  OMG  I was supposed to be hanging the show at ten thirty!  So off I went.  Michelle showed up later than me so I didn't feel so bad.  : )  We unpacked the van and got to work.  Here she is...

A BIG thank you Michelle!  We were there until 1:30 or so.  We were supposed to end by noon.  oops.  Arranging that shoe on the wall was harder than I thought.  I turned around to see another gallery with a hundred photos hung, and they were done & gone in less than an hour!  We took several hours.  Here I am...

We worked from the outside in.  The big quilts on the edges; the art in the middle.  I wanted everything horizontal in nice neat rows.  She was placing things vertically.  lol  It was Canadian Prairie Woman vs Australian Forest Woman.  That was so obvious.  ; )  

We ended up with flowing curves which I like, and a lot of crappy lighting which I don't like. I'm going to adjust some things and then I'll take a new & improved photo.  I don't even want to post this!  Here goes... (from my cell phone camera - click to see it bigger)

I'm not so happy with the burned out light bulbs and poorly aimed ones.  Good thing there is a glass ceiling above the walkway.  It's well lit in the daytime.  The floor has my red living room curtains topped with scattered photos and thread spools.  That was fun to do.

The mall opened by noon and the halls filled with movie-goers.  It was fun to sit there and listen to people as they stopped and pointed to their favorite piece.  : ) Maybe I'll hang out tomorrow and watch and listen.  

now to tackle the ridiculous amount of housework...

have a great weekend and thank you EVERYONE for your support!! : )

~Monika