Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Looking back at a crazy fall…


Last week I dropped off several of my latest art pieces at By Hand Gallery, closing the door on my frenetic efforts to build an inventory for fall shows and holiday events.  Two weeks ago I was still preparing for the Artisan’s Guild show at the Convention Center while I was organizing my exhibit in the Roger’s Room titled ‘Nature to Nurture.’  The events were a lot of fun, as usual.  It gives me the opportunity to chat with people that I don’t normally connect with during the year.  My newest tiles were well received by the passers by, and I think that people were happy to see the smaller format.  We chatted about the concept behind them, which is valuing the smaller things in life.  
 In the end, they’re what really matters.  The Rogers Room lies across the hall from my booth, so I very much enjoyed participating in the opening reception for my exhibit.  A special thanks to Patty Russo for all she did to make it successful and her ongoing support.  The exhibit’s title, 'Nature to Nature,' really tells the story of the exhibit.  The layout begins with sky and water themes and moves to pieces that feature landscapes and trees.  It transitions into compositions that imagine how we interact with agriculture and gardening, ending with a bounty of fruits and vegetables. 
 I added a tiled display of individual vegetables that I’m thinking of as visual recipes, but focusing on the individual vegetable on its own highlights how each plant is important and contributes to greater things.  It speaks to the bounty that we really have in this community. 

Closing the door on my shows brought me back to the reality of my last workshop for the year.  I spend months organizing and collecting materials for each workshop, but there’s always a last minute push to be sure I have enough looms and unique materials for each exploration of weaving techniques.   
I had an enthusiastic group of weavers on Saturday that were energized and ready to create!  It’s funny because it is always a challenge when I have weavers as participants.  Asking them to break from the rules and move away from straight lines and strict edges brings out a saucer eyed look.  I ask them to trust me—we’ll all hold hands and jump off the bridge together.  You might scrape your knees, and the cold water is a shock, but it will be worth it!  I was delighted to see them experimenting by combining different weights of yarn, weaving structures and throwing the concept of straight lines to the wind. 
 I feel like I can offer them a bunch of new tools for their artistic toolboxes and I can’t wait to see what comes from their experience.  As always, however, the best part of my adventures is coming home.  Saturday night night was no exception.  My family delayed dinner to surprise me with a delightful feast of ginger glazed salmon, fresh salad, rice and a still warm apple pie made from local golden delicious apples that Jim bought at the farmer’s market. 

Now I can rest!  OK, maybe not.  I need to put the Pippin costumes to bed and begin organizing fabrics, trim, props and everything else for next year’s adventure.  One of the participants at the workshop asked me what I do in my spare time—what’s my hobby?  Creating art is my career and my hobby.  It just fills my life.  It’s what I love to do.  And I have such a wonderful family to support me in all my adventures! 

Until next week,

Martina Celerin