'Tis the Season

"So much to do, so little time." seems to be a common theme for me this year. Last Saturday, I participated in The Holly Arts Festival in Pinehurst. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The weeks leading up to Holly Arts were filled with creative chaos as I worked to accumulate my inventory for the show. I was pleased with the results, and I learned a lot from the entire experience.

Now, I'm faced with preparations for next week's First Friday Event, next Saturday's opening for Thomas Butler, (A fabulous artist who I'll write about next week.), changing our displays here at Artist Alley, building inventory for my next show on November 9th and 10th, and so on...and so on...and so on!!!

I'm not complaining, just explaining. I love every minute of my crazy chaotic creative existence, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, if I could just find the time to blog!

It's a Blue Dog Day!

It's a Blue Dog Day! (I don't know why; but just reading that makes me hum a little song that the Brady Bunch used to sing. Do you remember it too?!?!)

Actually, it's a Blue Dog Day because I just received a new shipment from Rachelle Currie. Rachelle lives in the mountains of North Carolina, and she's become widely known for her series of "Blue Dog" prints. These pieces are so whimsical, and in each she manages to capture the personality of many dogs, regardless of their breed. (Coco's laying by my feet right now, and she totally agrees.) Rachelle also does a beautiful job of framing these pieces in a distressed barnwood, and they show incredibly well as a collection.

I hope that you enjoy this peak at Rachelle's work. If your in the area, please visit Artist Alley to enjoy the full collection. If not, a selection of her work is also available for your viewing pleasure in our online store .

Where does the time go?!?!?

It's hard to believe that it's been a week since I last wrote. Where does the time go?!?!

We have lots happening here at Artist Alley now. There are new artists; new art; and several sales this month. I'll try to bring you up to speed on the specifics of these exciting developments over the next few weeks.

It's a beautiful day here today. The temperature in Southern Pines has dropped at least ten degrees. The sun is shining. There's a gentle breeze blowing. And you can finally feel a touch of fall in the air.

Today our grasshopper friend paid yet another visit. Each time he does, we wonder if it will be his last. Fall, and the seasons in general, provide me with a reminder of how quickly time passes.

On that note, it's time for me to go home and appreciate every minute of an evening with my family. I hope that you'll enjoy yours tonight too.

Kathleen Miller: Opening for October's Featured Artist

Kathleen Miller will be our featured artist for the month of October here at Artist Alley. We'll be holding a First Friday Opening for her on Friday, October 5th from 5:00 - 9:00. If you find yourself in the area, please join us!

With over 28 years of painting experience, Kathleen creates decorative artwork on furniture, and accessories for home décor, in Traditional, Country, and Folk Art styles. When asked what inspires her, she replies, “I have so much inspiration that I can hardly catch my breath! I love to recreate images of the past - the primitive styles, the charm of country living. This season I feel inspired by autumn, with its glorious rusts, oranges, and golds. The holidays inspire me; my collectors inspire me; my students inspire me. I’m never at a loss for inspiration.”

As these photos show, Kathleen's work is an inspiration to us too!

Brush and Palette Show and ARTober FEST

Doris Smith is a talented North Carolina Painter who displays her artwork here at Artist Alley. What I admire most about her body of work is its diversity. Doris works in watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints. She creates abstract beauty, incredible portraits, and florals; to name just a few of her chosen subjects. When you visit Artist Alley, please ask me to give you a guided tour of all of her wonderful creations!

Doris participates in a painting club called, "The Brush & Palette" in Sanford, North Carolina. They'll be celebrating ARTober FEST next Saturday, October 6th at Depot Park from 10AM - 5PM. ARTober FEST will also kick-off the 43rd Annual Brush & Palette Show. It's being held from October 6 - 13 from 10AM - 6PM at Hales Center.

If you're in the area and looking for a weekend filled with North Carolina Art, please mark your calendar and plan to attend! For more information, you can also call 919-775-8332 , email downtown@sanfordnc.net, or visit www.downtownsanford.com/events_calendar.htm .

Art Dolls and Angels with Joy Hellman

To the delight of our visitors, Southern Pines Artist, Joy Hellman, demonstrated the creation of her Art Dolls and Blessing Angels at Artist Alley on Friday night.

Joy began making dolls when she was a little girl. She recalls using left over fabric from her mother’s sewing projects. She also watched her create porcelain dolls and the Victorian clothes for them.

As an adult, Joy developed an interest in doll making after her mother passed away. It was then that she fell in love with fabric and fiber, and she began making dolls on a regular basis. Today, her creations are collected internationally

Joy also creates custom dolls and angels for her sentimental collectors. She's made angels from girls' dresses, boys' shirts, wedding dresses, and other memorable fabric. These creations provide a wonderful way to honor a loved one.

Holiday orders are currently being accepted. Please order early, as the number of orders that Joy accepts for the season will be limited.

Grasshopper

This little fellow has been making appearances here at Artist Alley for the past week. Last Saturday, Alan first encountered him while watering the flowers. Evidently he received a bit of water too, and he was quite surprised by it.

Then, on Tuesday, when I was putting the lawn art outside, I realized that he had taken up overnight residence on a garden stake. Gently, I returned him to the plants in front of The Alley.

Yesterday morning, I was deadheading flowers and removing brown leaves, when I noticed that he had come along for the ride on one of them. Again, I returned him to the relative safety of the planter.

And finally last night he appeared at the middle of the metal stand that Emily Whittle uses to display her prints. He was perched at the top of it, clinging to the wire. One more time, I returned him to his home. I took a picture, and I haven't seen him since. Maybe tomorrow...

According to Wikpedia, "Grasshopper is a term used nowadays somewhat in jest referencing an inexperienced person who 'has much to learn'. " Is the universe trying to tell me something?

Funky Junky Windchimes: Time to Create

As I write this, the sun is warm on my face, and there's a breeze blowing. It's the first time I've seen the sun at my computer since the leaves came on the trees and summer arrived. Autumn is in the air, and I think I'm ready for it. I'll miss the days that seem to last forever; but I look forward to cool evenings spent wrapped in a blanket and cozy socks on my porch swing.

Today I made wind chimes. Not the tuned-to-perfection garden variety that resound in harmony at the slightest hint of a breeze; but my own one-of-a-kind masterpieces. They play a tune that's a bit unexpected and off-key; but it's sweet music to my ears. To the untrained eye, they may seem imperfect; but they are perfectly me.

These windchimes combine some of my favorite treasures; they include bits and pieces and shiny things that I've squirrelled away for years while waiting for exactly the right time to use them. They already mean more to me in this moment than they ever did waiting for someday.

No more waiting for me.

Life is too short.

I intend to embrace every bit of it right now.

The Four Season : Paintings and Art Dolls by Joy Hellman

The "Four Seasons" blew into Artist Alley this week courtesy of local artist, Joy Hellman. These lovely ladies are done in acrylic on canvas, and each of them represents one of the four seasons. Individually, or together, they make quite an artistic statement.

Which one is which? Can you tell?!?!

Joy has also graced us with a collection of her handmade art dolls and blessing angels. Each of these mini-masterpieces is entirely handcrafted and embellished by Joy.

Joy is planning to conduct an art-doll demonstration here at Artist Alley on Friday, September 21st, from 6:30 - 9:00. If you're in the area, please plan to visit. You'll be able to meet Joy and watch as she works her magic on several of her latest creations.

The rest of the evening's plans are still being developed; but you can be sure that they'll include the usual line-up of food, drink, and North Carolina Art and Fine Craft that you've come to expect from us!

Ole Fish House Pottery

I've just finished unpacking an amazing assortment of Ole Fish House Pottery, and I thought that I would share some of the selection with you here today.

Georgia and Byron Knight graciously welcomed Kathleen Miller (our resident decorative painter) and me last week. They have a large gallery in Seagrove named, "Blue Moon", in which they elegantly display their own works along with the works of other artists and friends. There's also a window in the back that will provide you with a firsthand view of their studio space and a unique behind-the-scenes-glimpse of their work in process.

Obviously I'm a fan. I hope that you enjoy the photos. Please visit Artist Alley soon for the best selection, and to see these one of a kind creations in person!