Paradise City
The valley in which we live was buzzing with creativity and fine works of art due to the Paradise City Fine Arts show being in town. With inspiration on our minds we headed down to check it out. When we arrived we where gobsmacked with so many beautiful things and the artistry of so many talented people. Some of the art was on the level of holy in the sense that the artists hands musta been touched by something outta this world. For example this artist who creates bird sculptures. His work is at the Smithsonian and he’s done custom work for president’s. And I don’t think this guy was giving me any line of BS. The birds looked so authentic and real, I often thought they would fly up to the rafters!
When we first hit the scene we met with Vanilla, who’s partner creates elaborate welded sculptures like the dragon at the top of the page. He collaborates with a glass worker, and then somehow magically fuses the glass and metal together to come up with beauties like these.
He also has a life size giraffe that was so detailed and intricate that looking at the piece work involved made me kind of dizzy to think about. So I just stopped thinking and stood there with my mouth open in amazement and my eyes wide as I took in this majestic piece of art.
One artist and his wife create this beautiful fishes from clay and create their own glazes by melting down minerals which causes the glaze to sparkle once on the piece itself. For a minute we thought we had transported into Sea World in Florida! It was pretty fascinating to hear about how he creates these pieces of art, and to the degrees he gets to to make them happen.
It was the first time we had ever gone to this show and we plan to go back next year. The Paradise City Fine Arts show, makes me wish for an open check book as the art is truly one of a kind and if I had my way I’d support each and everyone of the artists whose work made my eyes light up. But reality being what is, I will take these pictures and treasure them, as each of the artist’s work is just that. Treasures.
At Last at Last Thank God Almighty I’m Free at Last!
This is my work, my joy,my frustration and my passion. Out of the ordinary blooms great things and after years of trying to discover who I am, this is what has emerged. I am an artist, my strength is my ability to create something out of nothing and develop something beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This is freedom being able to live in color.
Opening Day 2013
Finally! After months of preparation, a year of research, product development and life in general we opened officially to the public on April 27th 2013. The farmer’s market was buzzing with people and the day was glorious with all its warmth both in sunshine and the folks that we met. We were received with astonishment while people marveled and bought the creations that we have worked so hard to bring to the world.
After we set up our booth I had a little time to explore the offerings of others and was impressed with all the items that were on display for potential buyers. In the wee hours of dawn people worked to get their booths ready for the 8am start time and when the time came everyone was ready to go for the opening season.
The Chief was kind enough to join me for the first time out, and he was of tremendous help in setting up. He eventually went home to feed the dogs and came back later with a delicious mocha surprise for me!
Here is a picture of our little mascot! Many ladies commented about this little guy! They thought it was adorable and so fitting for our booth. The pin wheels where a big hit with the kids, and provided them entertainment as their parents hung out on the green while the Jazz band played some finger snapping music.
Another big hit with the little girls was this watering can! They would pick it up and start “watering” the grass. Hilarious to watch and I wish I would have gotten a picture of it in action, but maybe it will happen again and I could ask a parent if I could take a picture.
We could not have asked for better for the opening day of the farmer’s market. And we look forward to going back in a couple of weeks. With our stock now low I’ve got to get my nose to the grind stone and up the production quantities. It was a really awesome experience and the vendors and people that I met where so nice and encouraging. I am so grateful in so many ways and I am happy with how everything is progressing.
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Patience has never been my strong suit. However times are changing as I develop my green thumb. Last fall we planted 178 bulbs in a 125 foot patch of earth in our back yard. And the results are slowly making their way to the light of day. I squealed like a 5 year old trying to catch bubbles as I saw the little green leaves emerging from the dirt for the first time and I continue to clap my hands in glee each time I walk out there as the hyacinths and daffodils begin to peek out.
Each morning I look out the window and see a parade of birds busy getting their morning meal at the feeders and darting around the evergreens and birches. We where even visited by a big ol tom turkey last week!
It’s quite a job managing a home and all it’s up keep. However now we are on the right track to develop a wonderland that incorporates the wild and the tamed aspects that this land offers.
Eventually I will add pictures, of this land management experiment. But for now words are all I have as I am just waking up and I would rather just watch the land wake up with me.
Sunday Drive
Across the other side of the river there is a place tucked away high on a hill and that’s where the wind took me today. Again it was another day where the sun only peeked out occasionally from the saturated grey clouds. The sun was toying with many a wanderer as we walked about the land. Some people talked quietly; others said nothing, as the occasional bell could be heard from coming atop the dome.
The Chief was off on adventures of his own so I scouted out some roads that had been calling and set out to practice. Looking for color once again, I found it blowing in the trees.
The high winds made the pond ripple quite a bit and luckily I brought a tissue to keep my eyes dry! Since we were at high altitude there were few places to hide from the gusts but eventually I found a little nook and dialed in my recent lessons from class and set to work with the mighty triangle of the camera world.
What do they say about a man and a fish?
Eventually the placed quieted down as people headed back to paved roads. I meandered around the perimeter of the land and scoped out interesting things that caught my eye, while I took moments to look up at the crown of the dome as the deep resonant of the bells rang out.
Eventually I had walked the place full circle and made my way back down the hill. I did manage to pick up some junk that made its way somehow onto the land and put it in my car for recycling. How did a quick mop metal handle land in the middle of this piece of property is beyond me, but I can make use of it if for mounting birdhouses so it all works out.
I made it home just before the skies opened up and the rain came in. Weatherman says we’ve have more rainy days in the next week which is a good thing. With drought like conditions here where several local brush fires have occurred; spurred on by the high winds and human error.
It was a good day for a solo adventure and when the Chief gets back, it will be even better the second time around.
Sunday Drive
Easter 2013 was delightful as we hit the road with no destination in mind and explored our waking valley. With twists and turns we went up mountain sides, hiked the back roads as the wind pushed us forward on our journey. We live in such a diverse area that offers so many good things, that we are always on the look out to discover it’s potential.
The glacier potholes in Shelburne Falls is an attraction that dates back way before any of us or our grandparents. It’s pretty amazing to see the sheer power that these falls generate. With the mixture of color and stone these rocks are fascinating and sometimes you can see faces in the formation when you look down. Pretty weird, but cool.
Route 2 was a busy road as a lot of people had the same notion we did, so we jumped off of the Mohawk Trail and went right onto Route 8A. We’d never explored this section and what a treat it was. With so many places to observe, our heads where like bobblehead dolls as we scanned the landscape back and forth as we traveled down the road.
We thought this was strange. Out in the middle of nowhere was some land with piles of junk and a run down building and a house. How did this bus get over turned? Who in their right mind would let such a glorious old truck go to waste like this. Poor truck. I bet she was a beauty in her hay day.
How would you like to have that view every morning? We plan to revisit this section of our trip when the land has really woken up and is covered in green. The expansive view really is breath taking and despite my best attempt to take a picture the only way to really sink into this view is through your very own eyes.
Our journey ended with this little gem of nature. Tucked away just a bit off of the road we both turned our head at the same time and was like “WOAH!” We had to go down a hill and turn around to take it all in. This was amazing!! The sound of the water rushing was pounding in our ears and we where quite a distance back. How lucky is that property owner? The small house just to the other side was busy with cars in the driveway, a family celebrating Easter perhaps.
We feel blessed for such a lovely day. Even though the clouds where covering the sky. We could not help but soak in all the wonderful sights and sounds of that day. Our dogs slept in the back as we rode along, this small little family together on a day of Resurrection.
Ready, Set GO!
Things are at opening up at a rapid rate around here, from plants, remodeling our house and business related things I feel like a pinball bouncing from flipper to flipper. It’s all good though since I’m maintaining my stations and working with all engines go!
The plants are doing quite nicely and hopefully next week I’ll have some proper pictures of their development. The yellow pear tomatoes are almost finished with their second set of leaves so soon it will time to pinch them. With the containers on a rotation for optimum heat and light everything is progressing nicely. By Monday I will need to thin out the red peppers along with the onions and petunias.
I did gently fertilize the yellow pear tomatoes with an organic fish product. I can’t think of the name off the top of my head, but it came highly recommended by two gardeners I know. It does not smell that bad but it’s not something I’d want to sniff on a regular basis.
In business news I’ve made contact with a certified public accountant who is a professor at a local college and he’s been good enough to answer some of my questions. I’ve got the numbers, now it’s a matter of putting them in the right place for the books. So confusing. So time consuming, So argh but have to trudge through it. With the launch date now at the end of April, I’ve got some time for trudgery. Yay.
Even more business news did you hear about Joe Biden’s hotel bill? Oh Mr. Vice President you’ve got some ‘splaining to do! What’s up with that, I only caught a glimpse of the headline, but will looking in today’s paper for more on the story.
Anyways with things moving right along, I’m in for a fast paced weekend so I’m tightening up the laces and headed out on the highway. I will be back later this week once the cool down kicks in.
Happy Spring!
