Best of all, it was a gift! Thank you Jane for the beauty your dahlias have added to my garden...
Our Saturday was a gorgeous day that started at 7:00 AM! Allison Spinks picked me up and we talked non-stop all the way to Penland, just in time to choose our very own thrown coffee mugs, fill them with coffee and stack our little plates with scrumptious breakfast goodies to include rosemary and feta scones! By the time we finished our coffee we had run into countless friends from the past, all with some Penland connection... First we ran into he Bringle sisters, Michael Sherrill, and even Jean Mclaughlin, Executive Director of Penland. Jean is the wisest, most intelligent, but warmest person you will ever meet. I first met Jean when she was Director of the NC Arts Council and lucky for Penland, she agreed to become the new director. She has taken Penland so far down the road that it has grown in size and scope, while achieving International fame. At the auction event, everyone is smiling, laughing and so excited to return to the warmth and excitement of Penland and old and new friends. The weather is fabulous as Allison and I head off on a unique adventure...the annual Penland August Auction.
Our visit which started at the Barns is where the resident artists have studios for a 3 year period of time. They work in iron, wood, mixed media, glass, etc. The work is stunning and cutting edge! Another special quality about Penland it is a place where "cross pollination between artists and their mediums" is immediately evident and exciting! Allison and I enjoyed trying out some of the unusual, fun and beautifully crafted chairs by Annie Evelyn. But I was most interested in the glass figures that had been cast in glass in several layers of colored glass by Dean Allison. .
Next we headed for the center of Penland to register and view the work available for both the live and silent auctions in Northern Lights. This was the 2nd day of silent and live auctions. The work of course was stunning! And we ran into Cat Lloyd and "Vana in training" Glory Day Loflin, as soon as we entered Northern Lights! After hugs all around we began to peruse the fabulous work just waiting to go to auction. Cristina Cordova's collaboration caught my eye instantly. It was gorgeous! The jewelry is always amazing and draws a huge crowd! I was also fascinated by a stoneware hanging chain. Then, right in the center of things, an enormous, powerful and darkly silhouetted elephant head by woodworker, Wendy Maruyama. I simply cannot say enough good things about the artist and about her work....Of course, we all love and want to protect the elephants of this world but often feel we helpless to do much except write a check but Wendy's powerful wood sculptures shows how an artist in any medium can do amazing work with a message that is so captivating that it can actually steal the hearts of those who experience it. It is the combined support of all these people who have been touched to their core who can create change in a multitude of different ways. This work has the potential protect special species, like the gentle and intelligent elephant...
Now is the time to head for lunch and the auction tent. There are round tables everywhere set with centerpieces of round red wooden circles. Each had a one of a kind small sculpture of captivating and amusing dogs, rabbits and goats brought to life by Margaret Couch Cogswell, daughter of Kitty Couch, sadly deceased but remembered by many...... Then Paulus Berensohn entered with a magnificent carved cane leading the way. Allison and I were honored to be seated next to Paulus who is Penland's Outstanding Artist Educator of the 2016, an incredibly special honor....Paulus is near and dear to countless followers and admirers. I personally thank Paulus for being role model, mentor and guiding force in my work as an artist and as a teacher....
After a gorgeous lunch, the auction started! All I can say is that there is nothing quite like the enthusiasm of these annual auctions at Penland. The audience is a beautiful and lively display of an eclectic group of art enthusiasts, collectors, artists, curators, museum directors, gallery owners, who are ready and willing to support the arts and the scholarship program at Penland. Along with the regular auction, another $138,000 was raised in a matter of minutes to complete the new Northern Lights Building. Even the delightful centerpieces were all pre-sold by 10:00 AM before the auction!
Wendy Maruyama's "WildLIFE project" was the focal point and intended to bring attention and help to save the elephants of Africa. Mauyama's work took center stage at the auction where it not only sold for retail but was donated to the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC! It was also the feature show in the newly expanded Penland Gallery which is absolute stunning. I have not stopped thinking about the magnitude of what Wendy is doing through this new work....
Allison and I had a difficult time tearing ourselves away Penland but the promise of a return to Penland in October where I will be teaching a one week workshop made it a bit easier. That week, I plan to spend more focused time on Wendy's WildLIFE Project. I think it will be perfect inspiration for the class I will be teaching....
I highly recommend making the dreamy road trip to Penland to see the new gallery space and experience this captivating show and visit some of the artists and their studios in the area....Penland has become a magnet for exceptional artists and it is so easy to see why...
Last but not least, I thank you Allison for agreeing to join me in this wonderful venture! Your company was a special gift of fun and laughter, deep thoughts, and great plans to make our year working together at CCES a great one! Alice
This past Sunday was a joyous and laughter filled reunion for part of our family in Athens, Georgia!
After my drive from Greenville, it was coffee at Gaby and Jesse's house with my sister Mary and husband John. Along with some lively conversation came the highlight and center of my visit. I was introduced to the newest member of our family, Alice!!!!!! And what a precious, petite, beautiful young lady she is! Her gentle, dark but bright and questioning eyes stole my heart immediately and completely! This joyous first meeting was followed by a short walk through their charming, eclectic neighborhood, a mix of old and high modern architecture, to Jesse and Gaby's incredible 4 star (5 in my book!) restaurant, Viva, home of the best Argentinian cuisine you will find anywhere. A wonderful little reunion took place with scrumptious foods with an assortment of subtle flavors of herbs and other interesting additions. Gaby and Jesse are masters of this.....All the while, little Alice captivated out attention, even as she slept. Again, the conversation brought on laughter and fun along with a few memories from long ago.... As you can tell, I adore my family and was so glad to be part of this gathering. It was, however, time to hit the road in time to miss the oncoming and much needed rainstorms that had been called for. One last siting that caught my eye was what I believe is a passion flower, just hanging in a tangle of vines full of bees... Thanks everybody for a wonderful visit!
John and Mary - Safe travels home to Fairfield, CO
My love to all of you!
Cam (my family nickname)
Life giving water sprinkling my beloved and thirsty garden...
So how did we manage to stay cool?????? Cleaning the goldfish pond, usually the favorite project if you can imagine, puppet shows, washing the car, going to the park at 7:00 AM, playing with wood, paint and cardboard boxes (inside) and finally, the pool after 5:00 PM. Thank you Ella, Lily, Charlie, Jaz, Rosie, Roger and oh yes, goldfish, for a busy, creative, crazy but fun 4 days filled with mostly laughter and only a couple of temper tantrums, even if the temperatures were sizzling!
Can you guess that they have 2 wonderful family dogs, Oden (a German Shepherd) and Lexi(a golden doodle)? I am in awe of 7 year old Lily's creativity and humor. I am also wondering what kind of dog her 4 year old brother Charlie happens to be. And by the way, I am still laughing every time I look at these. Lily, like all my 5th and 6th grade students, inspires me...
Thank you Lily!
love, Mimi
While walking with the grandkids in Falls Park on Friday morning, I was regretting the fact it was so hot and we didn't have a good place to set up the sprinkler at home, when all of a sudden!!!!! This is how a 4 year old and his sister solve the problem!
Just want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes, each and every one of them is mighty special!
Love,
me
The latest addition to my garden is this dahlia, a stunning blend of complementary colors! Thank you Jane...
It all started some months ago at an opening at Art & Light Gallery here in Greenville. Teresa Roche, the gallery owner/director of the gallery Teresa Roche <artandlightgallery.com/>invited Lesley Forager <lesley@artsyforager.com>, her web master, who is also a wonderful painter to have a show at Art & Light. She suggested that Lesley might consider giving a little seminar on the subject of social media while she was in Greenville.
Thankfully, Leslie said yes! The word must have traveled quickly because about 15 artists showed up to greet Lesley with great enthusiasm! The information she shared was excellent! She explained what social media is and how best to use it. She also explained which media works best for artists. I was so excited about all I learned that I asked Lesley if I could hire her to look at my relatively new site which was focused on my blog, "Day to Day", and make suggestions about how to now turn it into a site more focused on my work and on sales and commissions. She was genuinely enthusiastic about helping. About a week later a detailed report with excellent suggestions arrived by email.
I immediately forwarded Lesley's report to my son Ryan. It is Ryan who has empowered me since the beginning of this journey to learn how to take care of my own site! He felt it would free me from alway depending on others. He was also the one who suggested I might also like to start a blog. I knew he was right but was not sure at the ripe age of almost 72 that I could actually learn how to do it. He assured me he would be by my side every step of the way and so he has, with love and great patience I must say! Over time, I came to really enjoy posting different types of content to "Day To Day", but there was a problem. I enjoy writing and posting content about things that are important to me along with events happening in my life; however, I came to realize that if I was going to use a blog to focus on my work, I would need a 2nd one. Thus "From the Studio" was born.
I tell you this, because I want to give each of you a choice. You now have the option to receive weekly digest from either or both. If you like what you receive simply do nothing, except perhaps share with others that you think might enjoy it. If you want to stop receiving the digest, feel free to opt out. I promise it won't hurt my feelings!
With that said, I also want to announce that my site has received a total makeover. It focuses on a lot more of my work and frankly is a lot more aesthetically pleasing. Ryan has spent countless hours making the changes required to transition to the new format and has done a beautiful job. He surprised me with images of my work I didn't know I had, along with videos and all kind of information about me on the internet that I had no earthly idea was out there. I must be one of the luckiest moms in the world to have a son willing to spend this kind of time to set me up and teach me what to do next. Of course this is ongoing, but what an exciting journey it has been for the two of us to get to know each other as adults! What is to special is that he has had the patience to teach me to fish and not just given me the fish. I must say that I am astonished at how much I have learned!!! I can hardly believe that I now know to resolve many problems I would have had to ask Ryan to fix for me only a few short months ago.
My appreciation extends to include my daughter in law, Jen, who had to entertain my two precious grandchildren Lily and Charlie so Ryan and I could work on the changes... Thank you Lily and Charlie for the time your dad gave to me to help give me a leg up in this world where technology rules and those over a certain age are challenged.
On my end I also want to thank Roger and our two dogs, Rosie and Jaz for their patience when Ryan and I were at work long distance on my computer. I love all of you starting with Teresa and Lesley who all played a part in getting the ball rolling toward the new look. Lastly, I'd like to sincerely thank all of you who have written to encourage me. Your support has helped me keep going though at times I wondered if anyone noticed...
I hope you enjoy the new website and blog formats. Please feel free to send me a message through the "Contact Me" section or by email with any feedback you might have on either the website or things you might like me to include in the blogs. I truly value your opinions.
I am going to post this but look for the next post on "From the Studio" with more details about what I hope to offer and accomplish with that blog.
Thanks everyone but most of all, I thank you Ryan...
Alice
Beautiful little nature-based art composition created by a young artist named Lily, my granddaughter!
Those of you in the workshop might want to know that along with the outline, I am also putting aside tools, examples of my work that show the techniques I will be sharing in demos, a few favorite books, "natural stuff" of course and my sketchbook/journal...
If you are coming from out of town and have to fly, remember the studio is extremely well equipped and those of us that are driving or live near by will have plenty of extra so do not worry about that.
I will plan to get up to the Bascom on Sunday mid-day to unpack and get set up. If you arrive on Sunday, feel free to drop by to to say hello and get the lay of the land. If you have time, go ahead and walk the trails and see what all the Bascom has to offer. If I don't see you Sunday, I look forward to seeing you Monday morning! The class will start at 10:00 on June 6 through June 10th.
Don't forget to spend some time looking at my Pinterest board on Ikebana! https://www.pinterest.com/alicerballard/ikebana-ideas/ It might help you think about the kinds of forms and containers that attract you the most. Even a few simple line drawings of the general forms you like notated in your journal/sketchbook might prove to be helpful.
See you soon!
Outdoor fun with the kids as they come up with creative and colorful ways to do their Initials and other messages with chalk.
A glimpse of my beloved garden as it comes to life...
