My Birdsong

California Dreamin'

I have always been in love with the lost art of spun cotton. It has such a Victorianesque look to it. The cherished ornaments were lovingly placed on the tree, and I can imagine the "oooh's" and "aaah's" that followed. I've been working on perfecting my technique, once I began this cotton journey more than a year ago. So I've been working in my studio preparing for my September travels. 

I'll be jetting my way to California Thursday to join some 24 other artists at Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show. The event is sure to be a crowd pleaser with so many different talented artisans in one place! And...all in beautiful, quaint downtown Danville!

Shops, restaurants, farmer's market...all within steps of the Danville Veterans Memorial Building, which is where I'll be Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 am to 4 pm with an assortment of my vintage inspired spun cotton Christmas ornaments and figures and Halloween goodies! I can't wait to spend time with my dear friends and see my wonderful customers. Soon my California Dreamin' will be a reality! See you all soon!

I'd love to meet you at Upcoming Shows!

Although it's still early August, I'm already preparing for Halloween and Christmas shows.

Below, is my upcoming schedule, and I'd love to meet you at one of these shows. Also, you'll find a variety of other talented artists at these venues, so be sure to mark your calendars now!

I look forward to seeing you at one of these outstanding events!

 

Saturday, September 15 • 10 am - 4 pm
Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show

Veteran's Memorial Building 
Downtown Danville
400 Hartz Ave., Danville (across from Starbucks)

TinselandTreasures.com 

• • •

Saturday, September 29 • 9 am - 2 pm
Halloween & Vine

Hermann Sons Hall 
860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA

HalloweenandVine.com

• • •

 

Friday, October 12 • 6pm - 9 pm
Saturday, October 13 • 10 am - 4 pm

Spirits in Sanford

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery
211 East First Street, Historic Downtown Sanford

SpiritsinSanford.com

 

 

So Many Fun Art Events Coming Up!

Hot air balloons are hot, and I'll have a few available at my next show, the Fourth Annual Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show, Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Alamo Women's Club, Alamo, CA. There's a line-up of fabulous artists who will bring their creative magic to the day.

Also after you've shopped and visited with the artists at the show, head for the Make and Take tables, where you can get inspired to make one or all of three projects, like this sweet Christmas Memories paper doll offered by Dede Warren. She designed this kit so you can personalize it with a family member's photo! What a wonderful gift it would make! Head to the Tinsel and Treasures blog to sign up and to see photos of the other projects offered. And sign up for the show mailing list for the latest news!

 

Next up...Halloween and Vine! On Saturday, Sept. 24, at Hermann Sons Hall, in Petaluma, CA, I'll be in the midst of a cadre of Halloween fans as I offer a table full of art that celebrates my favorite holiday - All Hallows' Eve!    I'll have mixed media collages, like "Nevermore", which pays tribute to Mr. Poe. There will be so many other "fangtastic" artists selling their works, you are sure to find that something special just for Halloween. Learn more about the show on the website, and don't forget to add your name to their mailing list! 

Then, it's Glitterfest on Saturday, October 15, at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge. This is always a great day with lots of art to choose from due to the 40+ artists there! It's not for the faint of heart! Head to the website for more information on artists and location.

 

Finally, Colleen and I are teaching a special event workshop together at Gilding the Lily, in downtown Fullerton, CA, on Sunday, October 16. "Winter wishes," is a one-of-a-kind light up lamp that is sure to become a family heirloom. 

We will have a great time building the lamp, creating a wintery scene and then sculpting and fashioning two sweet now ladies. You don't want to miss this! For information and to sign up, head to Gilding's classes blog.

I hope to see you at one of these events in the coming months! Cheers....Iva

 

It's already the end of May and time is just blowing by. I've been busy preparing for Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show set for Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at the Alamo Women's Club, 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA. I thought I'd share a video that was recently put together from last year's event. It holds just a tiny bit of the magic you'll find at the show. Other duties have kept me away from my blog too. 

In addition to taking care of my family (our son is now home from his first year in college - yay!), I've been taking an art class to keep me inspired and learn new techniques. It's always fascinating to see another artist work, and Mira M. White is not only a talented teacher, but a wonderful artist. She was featured recently in Pastel Journal, among her other credits. Here is just a sampling of some of her evocative art work. I fell in love with this piece. Just stunning!

 

Artist Mira M. White

Her Name Is Sophia And She Wears A Dress Of Stars

2010

Soft Pastel/Acrylic/Paper

• • •

Artist Mira M. White

Carnival City

2011

Soft Pastel/Acrylic/Paper

25"x37"

• • •

I hope you've been enjoying spring and new creative ideas and interests are sprouting for you as they have for me. Happy May!

 

Inspiration Comes with Two Tails or One?

 

I get so inspired by mermaid paintings from great artists like Arthur Rackham, Edvard Munch, and Peter Rubens. They all have different styles and they all seem to portray mermaids differently.

For some, the mysterious women of the sea are beguiling sirens trying to lure sailors to their deaths. While for other artists, mermaids are innocent beings just wishing to be human. Above all, it seems artists of yesterday and today vary as to whether mer people should have two tails or one. 

Disney's Little Mermaid is a one-tailed kinda gal, while the smiling saleswoman of Starbucks, sports two. I like the depictions of both, as evidenced from two of my latest paintings found here and in my Etsy shop. But I probably favor one long tail that can be swished from side to side. Of course, this all leads back to my own art and how I illustrate these mythical creatures. 

I've been creating a variety of mixed media paintings, and my mind keeps coming back to the ocean and these sirens of the sea. 

Mermaids seem so lonely to me and yet, so at peace in their underwater surroundings. The vibrant colors of the ocean floor teeming with life provides great opportunities for the artist to splash bright colors in an ordinarily dark world. I imagine the colorful living landscape seems to be like brilliant flowers in springtime, attracting passers-by to stop and enjoy them. I just wonder, do mermaids swim to these beautiful oceanic gardens with two tails or one? 

 

 

 

Off and Running

 

I am in high production mode for my  upcoming Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show, Sept. 18, in Alamo, Ca and Glitterfest Fall, Oct. 2, in Santa Ana, Ca. But...I managed to paint an original Halloween watercolor postcard and list it on eBay. I was inspired by a vintage postcard with similar Halloween elves hurrying scurrying, and thought I'd put a different spin on the little creatures.

If you like my watercolors, I will have originals for sale at both shows and many of my prints. Please stop by to say hello! Happy Haunting...Iva

My How Time Flies!

Preparing for Glitterfest Saturday, May 22, 10 am - 3 pm, at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge in Southern California. I am immersed in images of mermaids, bathing beauties and treasures from the deep. Stop by and say hello. And for all you Halloween lovers, I'll have a small display of my latest creations celebrating October 31. Hope to see you there!