July Featured Artists at Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts

It has been so busy in the shop that I haven't had time to write a blog lately.  But, I did want to invite everyone to the opening reception for Warner Hyde and John Mecham.  It is on July 3rd, from 2-4pm, at Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts, 80 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC. 

Warner was my very first featured artist back in October when we first opened the shop.  This time will be a new body of work.  He will be showing his traditional wood-fired ceramic pieces that he created at a workshop a few weeks ago.  I don't have any pictures yet, but will post some as soon as I get some.

(And for you that do not know, John is my husband)  John has been working hard at creating 13 different hand-tinted photographs. This one is called, "McLeod's Dream".  He starts will a black and white photograph that he process the "old-fashioned" way and then he takes oils and hand tints the color.  None of it is computerized.  It is a very tedious process.

At the reception John Kincheloe will be playing the Native American Flute.  He has a variety of flutes that he plays.  He will also have CDs for sale.

Come listen to some great music, see some wonderful art, have a glass of wine and visit with the great people!

In addition to the opening it is First Sunday in Pittsboro.  That means there will be art vendors set up along the street, a band, and food vendors.  It starts at Noon and lasts till 4pm.

Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts

MARCH Featured Artists at Liquidambar Gallery

I wanted to let everyone know that we will be having an artist’s reception at Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts on March 6th, 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to come and meet this month’s artists.

The two-dimensional artist is Erik Dahlager. His photographs are printed using the gum-oil transfer method. These are incredibly beautiful and a little haunting. www.erikd.com

An excerpt from his website on the Gumoil Process, "In the early 1990's the gumoil printing process was developed by Karl P Koenig and is not to be comfused with similar pre-modern processes such as gum bichromate, gum color, oil and bromoil printing.  The gumoil process consists of several steps: first a positive transparency is contact printed onto gum-coated watercolor paper.  Black oil paint is then worked into the paper. followed by etching the print in a bleach bath.  Colored oils can now be worked into the paper followed by a final etching to remove any gum and reveal the white highlights.  The process is crude and far removed from modern technology, and although the same image may be printed many times again, the results are different with each print."

I am unable to post one of his photos here, but please visit his website to see them - www.erikd.com



The three-dimensional featured artist is Douglas Trimble. "It's all in the curves." He creates lovely pieces of fine furniture.

His Artist Statement:

"Wood is alive and has a spirit and I strive to bring that spirit into a form that is meaningful.

In my early years the wood forms took shape into functional pieces. As I evolved as a creator with wood then came the evolution into curves and artistic depth. Experimenting with woods from around the world, I bring together the functional, the playful and the sensual into unique pieces."

A look back at 2010 in pictures

January 2010 - My mommy came down to visit us!

February was Clint's 16th birthday!

March -we spent time at the river.

April - we spent more time at the river.

May - Clint gets creative

June- we went out (sorry the pic is sideways)

July - was Nancy's 19th birthday, but don't have any pictures.

August - We start work on the new store.

September - Broken Cat (or Mercy) shows up and moves in.

October - Pittsboro by Gaslight

November - we do lots of shows.

December - Best two kids in the world! (even if they are sideways)

This past weekend

 We had a huge pottery festival in Seagrove, NC.  Thank you to everyone that came out!!!  I was going to take a picture of my booth, but I got side-tracked.  This is what I ended up with.....

 

Some of my favorite t-shirts

I just got a new catalog in the mail that has tons of t-shirts in it.  Personally, I don't wear t-shirts with stuff written on them, but they are always fun to read.  So, I thought that I would pass along some of my favorites.  These are in no particular order (but #5 fits so many people in my family).

1. Empty Promises, Calculated Betrayal, Sociopathic Greed. Just another Monday.

2.  I'm sure you mean well.  But, I'm not sure you are well.

3. Just another Poo Flingin' day in the jungle.

4.  If you met my family, you'd understand!

5.  I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick.

6.  Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for much, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

7.  I hate it when my cat thinks outside the box.

8.  Buckle up, It makes it harder for the aliens to snatch you from your car.

9.  Destined for Greatness - just pacing myself.

10.  Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

But the one that probably suits me the best:

My life is loosely based on a true story.

FInally OPEN!!!!!!

Today we decided to unofficially open Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts!  Here are a couple of pictures to show you a little of the store.  We still have a lot to do, such as finish the pedestals for all of the featured artist's work (Warner Hyde), and still need to hang some artwork on the walls.  But, I am finally open for business!  Thank you to everyone who has helped, particularly my husband - I couldn't have done it without him!!!!!!!

 

Our Newest Family Member

When we moved out to Pittsboro John promised that we could get a cat.  Since Nancy and I are terribly allergic to cats it would have to be a completely outdoor cat.  We said after Clint builds a cat-house then we could go to a shelter and find one.

Clint worked hard at creating a plan, buying materials and then building a custom cat-house.  One side is the front entry that leads to a hall-way and then to a separate bedroom.  It has a cover area for the food bowls and a hinged roof for easy access.  He even put shingles on it.

About a week ago, John and I were driving down the road and there was a cat laying in the middle.  At first we thought that it was dead because it didn't try to get out of our way.  (we have since discovered that it is deaf and probably just didn't hear us)  We stopped, got out of the car and the poor cat limped over to us.  Nothing but skin and bones, meowing very loudly.  We went back down the drive and got it some tuna and milk, which it ate every bite.  She has stayed with us ever since. 

She such a sweet lovable kitty and she doesn't seem to mind Biscuit at all.  We are not sure Biscuit thinks to highly of the new family member, but Biscuit already makes sure the kitty keeps up on walks and makes it safely back.  

Here is Biscuit moaning at the cat.