Winter Art Festival - Madison, WI

Just SOLD her!
Her price of $75.00 is being donated to
Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue.
Thanks for buying her, Chelsea!

WINTER ART FESTIVAL in Madison, WI

on

November 12th & 13th

HOURS: Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Great art, musical entertainment, Young Collectors' Corner,

Kids' Art Activities

My booth is #95 ... hope to see you there!

I will be donating the entire price of the above Acorn Fairy to a organization that has become very dear to my heart this past year...a private dog rescue organization....BICHON AND LITTLES BUDDIES RESCUE!  There are so many lost, lonely and abused little critters looking for their "forever" homes...strays, puppy mill dogs, owner surrenders and more!

http://bichonrescues.com/

Click on the link above to see some of the dogs available for adoption. 

Visit me at the Winter Art Festival, where I hope to be able to donate a percentage of my sales to help out my little "buddies" at the rescue.

DRAGON ART FAIR....DeForest, Wisconsin

DRAGON ART FAIR - JUNE 5th - Market Street, Deforest, Wisconsin (10 miles North of Madison, on Hwy 51 or I-90/94

Show will be held "rain or shine"!  HOURS: 9 - 4

This will be a new venue for me, and am looking forward to doing a new show.  Since my first art show of the season was a total "bust", I'm thinking it can only get better!!  As usual, I will be doing a review of this show.

It appears there will be 70 exhibiting artists, great food, entertainment, and also several other events going on in Deforest on the 5th of June.

Deforest Ice Cream Social sponsored by the Historical Society, Deforest Car Show, and Windsor Garden Club Plant Sale.

The art show is put on by the DRAGON ARTS GROUP.  To visit their web page, CLICK on the link:   DRAGON ARTS GROUP

COME JOIN THE FUN......HOPEFULLY ON A BRIGHT, SUNNY SATURDAY!

ARTIST'S REVIEW OF - 34th Annual Madison Audubon Art Fair 2010

Lobby of the Warner Park Community Center

on day of the Audubon Art Fair

This past Saturday, May 1st, I exhibited at my first art show of the season at the 34th Annual Madison Audubon Art Fair.  I rather had a premonition that this day might not be one of the best I've ever had at an art show!

My sister was supposed to be at my house at 5 a.m. on Saturday so that we would have plenty of time to make it to the show, and set up before the 9:30 a.m. starting time of the show.  Well, about 5:15 a.m. I get a call from my sister on her cell phone saying she was lost, as she had to get off the freeway due to a large accident or something.  Now you have to know that it doesn't take either of us very much to get lost.  I'm terrible at giving directions over the phone because I drive by landmarks and not streets.  Therefore, trying to envision where she had ended up wasn't that easy for me!  After about 20 minutes of both of us trying to figure out the best way for her to get to my house,  we finally suceeded!  Now we were only running about 45 minutes late.

No worry!  Using her GPS, we did find the Warner Park Community Center building giving us a good amount of time to haul our stuff in and setup.

SILENT AUCTION SETUP AT SHOW

(Artists are asked to donate a piece of their art, where people can then bid on it.)

I've done this particular show for several years now when it was held at the Olbrech Botanical Gardens in Madison, and this was the second time I've done it at the new location at Werner Park Community Center.  I have to say that since the show was moved to this new spot, it hasn't been the same show as far as sales, people attending and the ambience is just not there. 

Setting up in a gym with grey plastic all over the floor doesn't make for a good environment for an art show.  On top of that it turned out that the people running the show mixed up my booth number with an artist friend of mine.  She wanted electricity and paid for, and I didn't.  I was given her booth and she was given mine.  We both already had our setups half up before we realized this.  To make matters worse her medium of "jewelry" was listed under my name, and my medium of "fiber" was listed under hers on the program.

Well, OK, my jewelry friend and I both decided to go with the flow!!  I know these shows are organized and setup using volunteers, and realize it takes a lot of work to put them together, but when artists pay a pretty good fee for their booth fee, I feel they should at least be assured of some quality treatment.

A portion of my "booth setup" with my new fiber jewelry and fantasy figures!

I'm so lucky to have my sister, Dianne, to help me with the display...actually she does most of it after we've set the gridwall up.  I just hate that part of doing a show!

My newly designed "jewelry diva", sitting in her chair is watching over things!

We are all set up and still have 10 minutes before the show starts!  I don't know how we managed that!  Now all we had to do is wait for the people to come flowing in.  Well, sorry to say that did not happen!  I have never seen such low attendance at this show.  I thought it was bad last year, but this year was unbelievable!

View of indoor part of the show

 NOTE: I took this photo in the middle part of the day, so you can see that there wasn't very many people attending.

View of the artist exhibiting outdoors...also not a lot of people!

One thing I always love about doing a show, whether good, bad or horrible is the fact that we always meet some delightful people, and can visit with past customers and meet a few new ones.  We've also always been lucky to have a delightful artist in the neighboring booth.

 Below is a photo of  our next door neighbor's booth, Anne Alessi of Waunakee, WI.  Anne designs and creates gorgeous "loom knit hand painted sweaters and silk scarves!  (Anne, thanks for the scarf!) To learn more about Anne and her exquisite designs, pay a visit to her web page by clicking on the link below:

ALESSI STUDIO

Below is a photo of a piece done by a truly talented glass artist!
(I had taken a few other photos, but somehow they weren't in my camera when I got home!)

The photo doesn't even begin to do justice to her work!

To sum up this show, I'd have to say there were a lot of very unhappy artists with many not even making their fees (myself included).  I actually only sold one tiny fairy for $49.00 and donated another for the same price to the silient auction, so that equals ZERO!  Not to mention my booth fees and gas.  Needless to say, this is one artist who won't be doing that show again.  Two years in a row, of low attendance and sales, makes me look to other venues, as I'm sure some of other artists attending will also. There is some wonderful art at this show, but it appears it is going the way of many of the art shows in this area.

What is the cause....it is hard to say....lack of promotion and advertising, the economy, location???

My next show will be coming up on June 5th.  It is a show I've never done before, so we shall see what happens there.  Stay tuned!  To all you artists and crafters out there....BEST OF LUCK, and may you find a few great shows!

Artist's Review of - 20th WINTER ART FESTIVAL in MADISON, WI

Information Booth at the 20th Annual Winter Art Festival in Madison, WI

This past weekend I was an exhibitor in my favorite art show......the 20TH ANNUAL WINTER ART FESTIVAL in Madison, WI.  This is one of the best fine art shows in the area, and is sponsored and produced by the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople (WAAC).  WAAC is made up of a very dedicated group of Wisconsin artists who not only organize and run the show, but also exhibit their art in the show.  It is through the hard work and dedication of this special group of artists that many other Wisconsin artists are provided with this high class venue in which to exhibit and sell their work!  If you'd like to learn more about the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople organization click on the link below:

WAAC

The show is held in Madison's beautiful Monona Terrace Convention Center on Lake Monona.

Monona Terrace Convention Center on Lake Monona

Most artists set their booths up the Friday evening before the show, which makes it really nice.  It takes the pressure out of having to get up in the wee hours of the morning, having to drive to the location and then rush to set up the morning of the show.

Below is a photo of a portion of my booth after my sister and I set it up on Friday.  My sister is my display artist as she enjoys arranging the booth and figuring out where everything will look the best.  What would I do without her!!  I just help with setting up the gridwall.

My sister and best friend.  We have such fun at these shows!

Part of my display of my newest creations....Fairy Face Pins/Knit Necklace Sets

These new designs were a BIG hit, and by the end of the weekend I only had several left!

The 20th Winter Art Festival had 134 exhibitors this year, with a wide range of high quality art ranging from, Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Graphics, Jewelry, Mixed 2-D, Mixed 3-D, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.

The attendance was good.  In fact, Sunday, which is usually a slower day at two days shows, seemed to be more steady than on Saturday!  I was very happy with my sales, and from the few artists I got to talk to about sales, they seemed satisfied also. 

During the show, when I had a moment, I took some photos of the different artists and their work to give you all an idea of the wonderful art that one can find at this show.  I wish I would have been able to get a few more photos as the work is so varied.  Below are several photos, and the artist's information if it was available. (All of the photos and information is being used with the artist's permission)

Lorraine Ortner-Blake - Graphic Design and Calligraphy

Lorraine was our booth neighbor again this year. A delightful person and wonderful artist!  She is also very active in the WAAC with the newletter and graphic design.

Lorraine uses water media - including watercolor, gouache and hand-ground inks along with found objects, handmade paper, and gold leaf.  Her work couples quotations from the wise with expressive letter forms and colorful nature-based illustrations.

To learn more about Lorraine and to see her lovely art, and inspirational cards visit her web site by clicking on the link below:

LORRAINE

REVIVE

VIVIAN SMITH - Madison, WI

Gorgeous handpainted silk garments!!

Vivian doesn't have a web page, but if you'd like to contact her about her garments, here is her email address:  revivedesigns@lycos.com

GRAND RIVER POTTERY

Susan & Eric Anderson

from Markesan, WI

Email: grpottery@hotmail.com

Beautiful, Beautiful pottery!!  The nature shapes are exquisite!

EAST SIDE BAGS

Portable Works of Art

by Artist, Jane M. Miller of Madison, WI

To learn more about Jane and her colorful "portable works of art", click on her blog link below:

EAST SIDE BAGS

HOPFINGER STUDIO

by Jenni Hopfinger

Hand-painted Truly Functional Glassware

for the every day celebrations of life, love, family and friendship

To learn more about Jenni and her glass art, visit her web page by clicking on the link below:

HOPFINGER STUDIO

RUSSELWORKS

Kim and Rob Russell

Spring Green, WI

Kim Russell

Below are several photos as shown on RUSSELWORKS web page.  To see and learn a lot more about these talented woodworking artists, be sure to pay a visit to the RUSSELWORKS web page by clicking on the link below.  There you will be able to see a lot more of the FANTASTIC creations, and even see Kim at work on a project.

RUSSELWORKS

Bird "Orni"ments

Sandhill Crane Sculpture

CRYSALIS

Pamela Bronk, Leather Artisan

Pamela's Artist Statement below:

"Using images derived from nature and classic Japanese design allows me to explore different themes and surface techniques on my handbags. Over the years I have incorporated many techniques, from beadwork to airbrushing to hand painting to stamping and embossing. I have some classic shapes I keep returning to, but my surface treatment of these classics continues to subtly evolve and change as I explore. I am constantly finding fresh inspiration in nature, art, and travel. I have been involved in the midwest crafts circuit for decades and am consistently impressed by the fresh ideas I see around me. I draw from all these forms of inspiration and return to my craft with a strengthened resolve to try new techniques.

I create my unique bags and accessories in my studio in the Wisconsin countryside. When creating my handiwork I strive to construct bags that are durable and functional, as well as creative and beautiful."

You can see more of Pamela's wonderful work by visiting her web page...just click on the BRONK ART link below:

BRONK ART


M. A. KATKE

Gourd Artisan

Friendship, WI

M.A. has been a working artist since the mid-sixties, including drawing, ceramics, textiles and scrimshaw on ivory.  Her major work was metal smithing and jewelry.  Her interests have now drifted to gourds (grown by friends).  The designs get started with light pencil sketches on the surface. Next is the permanent drawing with a wood-burner.  Some of M.A. finished gourds are for interior decorating, while others are functional such as birdhouses and ornaments. 

What beautiful, detailed work!

If you would like to get in touch with this artist, her email address is:

m.a.katke@hotmail.com

The above artists are just a very few of the many fabulous artists who exhibit in the Winter Art Festival each year.  If you live in the area and have never attended this show, be sure to mark your calendars for next year's show which is being held on November 13 & 14 - 2010.  WAAC's summer show, ART FAIR OFF THE SQUARE will be held July 10 & 11 - 2010.

I'd like to thank all of the people who make this show possible. Also, a special "thank you" to the artists who let me take photos of their work for this article.

I for one am already looking forward to next's year show!!

2009 WINTER ART FESTIVAL - Monona Terrace Convention Center - MADISON, WI

Monona Terrace Convention Center - Madison WI

I can hardly believe another year has almost passed, and it is time to exhibit in one of my favorite shows which is held in the beautiful building pictured above...the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

If you live in the area, this is one fine art show that you won't want to miss!  There are about 140 exhibitors of wonderful art!

This great show is sponsored by the WAAC (Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftpeople)  To learn more about this group of Wisconsin artists click on the link below:

WAAC

DATES: November  14 AND November 15

HOURS: Sat. - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Admission Fee:  $3.00

An exhibitor at last year's show

My booth # this year is #42...so hope you can stop on by for a visit!

Parking is no problem, as you can drive right into the Monona Convention Center building and take an elevator to the art show.

"NATIVE AMERICAN" INSPIRED FAIRY

I just finished this enchanting "Native American" inspired fairy, and unless she gets sold before this coming Saturday. May 2nd, she will be going with me to my first art show of the season in Madison, Wisconsin along with all my other creations.

If you'd like to see and learn more about her, just click on either of her two photos above. She is now listed out in my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy.

If any of you live in the Madison, Wisconsin area and are looking for something to do this coming Saturday, stop by and visit me at the 33rd Madison Aububon Annual Art Fair (hours are: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), which is being held this year at a new location....Warner Park Community Recreation Center. - 1625 Northpoint Drive., Madison WI.

My sister and I are usually good at getting lost when trying to find a new location, but since she has a new GPS system, I think we should find our way!! Hope to see you there!

Lots of great art, and just in time to find something "different" for a Mother's Day gift.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ART SHOWS -WINTER ART FESTIVAL - MADISON, WI

This past weekend, I was an exhibitor at the "WINTER ART FESTIVAL" Madison, Wisconsin. This was not only my last art show of the season, but another of my very favorite shows.

The show is put on by The Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc. (WAAC). I feel that this show is one of the top quality shows in my area. It not only is well run by a group of wonderful people, who are artists themselves, but also has the highest quality and variety of art that I have seen in this area. The mediums range from Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Graphics, Jewelry, Mixed 2-D, Mixed 3-D, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.

This was my 6th year of participating in this show, and it is always a pleasure! While, the economy has certainly taken its toll on the sales figures of artists, I still find it to be one of the best shows around....not only for sales, but also for the quality of the art on exhibit. As soon as you walk into the show, you can't help but pick up the "good vibes" that this show generates.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of creations, which I sold this weekend, so you can see me smiling below!!

I couldn't do a show without my sister, Dianne (above photo), who is not only my sister, but my very best friend and display artist! She loves to set up the display and "play with the creations" as she calls it. I'm thankful for that because I don't have the patience or the technique she does for knowing how they will look their very best. Many times throughout the day, she will move them to new spots, and lo and behold...they happen to catch someone's eye, where before they didn't get the attention. She did that with a fairy on Saturday, where a lady had said she was going to take a walk through the show and come back and buy her. Well, in the meantime, my sister had rearranged several of the fairies including that particular fairy, and another lady came into the booth and went straight to the fairy and bought her. The other lady did come back about an hour later, and she thought we were teasing her when we said it was sold. She told us next time she wouldn't wait!

YOUNG AT HEART is my business name, and an artist's statement is required to be on display at this show.

Below you will see photos of some of the isles of art at the show, taken before and after the show was open. I tried to get photos when the isles weren't very crowded. There was a good crowd both Saturday and Sunday, but one didn't see a whole lot of purchases walking by!

This talented pottery artist had a wonderful display of his colorful pottery bowls, dishes, mugs, and vases across the isle from us. If you'd like to learn more about this artist, visit his web page below:

MATTHIAS JAMES POTTERY STUDIO & GALLERY

The delightful creatures shown below are created by 3D-Mixed Media artist, Mary Lou Hager of Milwaukee, WI. Mary and I have been in quite a few of the same shows for several years now, and her work is nothing short of "AMAZING"! The details and colors are exquisite in each of her creations. She has a fantastic collection of turtles, frogs, lizards, fish, butterflies, and much more. Visit Mary's website by clicking on the link below. Mary also does several art shows in Florida, so if you live in Florida...check her art show schedule to see if she might just happen to be in your area.

MARY LOU HAGER

All in all is was a delightful weekend! I now will have to get started on making new creations for my jury slides, and getting things organized for next year's show. The application deadlines come up rather quickly...beginning already in the first few months of 2009.