Summer is over and the fall is here

Today we are hitting 80 degrees in Western Mass so who would know the summer is gone but for the beautiful yellow, orange and gold leaves framed in my window. 

I've been very busy since my last post, hence the quiet blogger :) so, here is a quick update on all things related to Frisky Furnishings...

First the studio - FINISHED (except for the floor) and fully operational - I love having the space to be working on multiple projects and to leave it all up and just close the door for the night without having to put away everything. My beautiful daughter Maya came and helped me organize it. That was fun too! Here she is:

August found me back at MassAppeal for another fun time with the co-hosts. They make it soooo easy its unbelievable and this time, having done it once before, I was relaxed and enjoyed myself thoroughly - Youtube link is here Frisky Furnishings - what to do with yard sale goods for anyone who didn't catch it the first time around

In September, I was very pleased to have this piece both included in the Becket Arts Center's Nouveau Brut show and SOLD (yay!) to another artist in the show. Thanks Nina!!

Also in September, the Posh Design Center opened its doors and my little Frisky Furnishing's design spot had its debut. I've since spent two days working the desk there and plan to be there every other Sunday at least through the end of December :) The entire shop is wonderful and so many talented folks are included. Its a group I am proud to be part of. Photo of my corner is below:

and lastly, I just finished this commissioned piece of a Stargazer Lilly for a friend named Lilly and am planning to drop it off this week. Hope she likes it as much as I do. Its my first commission for an embroidered flower piece and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

 Look close to see the word LOVE embroidered within the flower:

Well that about sums up the last couple of months - I'm approaching the fall with several pieces of furniture to beautify - lots of hope for great pre-holiday sales at Posh Design Center, and my first teaching job. I will be presenting a collage workshop at The Seat Weaver in Westfield, MA on Sat Nov 2nd from 10-12:30.

Life is good and I am grateful to be doing what I am doing right here and now....

Process Post

How did I get here?

A lot of folks ask me about my process so I did a photo timeline from beginning to end. Well, almost the beginning.... I forgot to take pics of the initial design on canvas before the embroidery began, although you can see some green marker peeking out from the embroidery on the first photo. I started this piece two weeks ago and finished it last night - bound for etsy today.

Yes, I use this tiny, tiny brush to do all the bits that are right next to the embroidery - it's the only way to make sure the paint doesn't get onto the thread - and it does take a very long time :)

This is the first time I've done a completely abstract embroidery piece without a clue as to where I was going with it.  It was freeing to watch the piece take shape and I think I will do more like this :)

Challenging summer - but in all the best ways!

It's almost the end of June - wow - where did it go?

The month and summer season started with a bang with my participation in the Worcester StART festival on June 2nd. We had gale force winds and a hot day to contend with, and I was very lucky to have my daughter visiting and cheerfully helping me with all that a big show like that takes.

Here she is literally holding down the fort :) thank you thank you Leilah <3 for your support in the face of challenge. We made little in sales but a wealth of experience and I'm glad we did it.

Since then I've been getting ready for my solo exhibition at the Westhampton Library which opens on Monday, July 1st and runs through the month - and have had fun finishing two new ambitious pieces

FLY - a message to me?

and Yellow Sky - an ode to the mountains of NH and the sunsets of Cape Cod all rolled into one

as I work through each piece, I discover a bit more about myself and this wonderful journey I'm on! and I marvel at the creative juices that flow and how each piece is so uniquely expressive.

To top it off I had to just laugh the other day at the messages the universe sends me when I least expect it.  Hearing some noise in my front yard, I looked out the window to discover the town dept of public works installing a sign in my front yard

YES! - I know!! - Becoming the successful artist I intend to be will take work and I AM up for the job, just have to keep on working everyday.....

No fear is the only way I will get there :)  just thankful it wasn't a Stop sign - LOL

Travelin' and Art

On a recent trip to New Hampshire (beautiful countryside!!) we stayed in two wonderful locales - a gorgeous hotel in Meredith, on Lake Winnipesaukee, with a an unbelievable view, where I managed to find a little space to paint and worked on the below piece in a corner of the hotel room while looking out at the following view:

Then we traveled to the Riverbend Inn - a beautiful B&B in Chocorua - the little buddha below welcoming us to serenity by the river and just a mile away from a beautiful lake that has inspired a new embroidered piece! Creativity runs through me wherever I am these days and I feel truly blessed to be in the flow!

On the homefront we are just days away from a finished studio space - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - and my children are visiting and taking an overnight hiking trip on the Appalachian trail - shortened from a 3 nighter to a 1 nighter due to the rain and cold but on their way this morning.

Here is what I didn't get to say during my television debut!

whooo hoooo - that was fun! -

This last Wednesday I went in to the Channel 22 studios and was part of the live MassAppeal show - a 5 minute spot that was so fun to shoot and much easier than I anticipated!

You can watch the video here: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/mass_appeal/design/breath-new-life-into-old-furniture-with-paint

and below are the things I didn't have a chance to say (5 minutes is a very short time!!)

• Very important to wipe off the residue from sanding at every stage - either with a wet clean cloth or with tacky cloth which can be purchased at your local hardware store
• Also important to let each coat of primer, paint or finish dry completely before moving on to the next coat - I've learned the hard way and spoiled more than one piece by going too fast
• When buying products to use, read the labels carefully, follow all directions, and ask your local hardware store for advice
• Most final finishes need more than one coat!
• I use latex paint for the solid colors and when doing decorative painting I use acrylic paint
• I know it looks easy but I've had a lot of practice - do not try this on your favorite piece of furniture for the first time!

Many thanks to Mass Appeal producer, staff and hosts! You made it so easy!! 

Studio build is happening!!

Dedicated workspace is on its way!!! Yay!!

Found a contractor, and tonight we went into town and got the permit for the work to begin. Woody will be here Monday to start and expects to be finished in about 3 weeks. I'm jumping out of my skin excited. Can't wait to have a dedicated workspace where I can leave everything up and walk in and out and not have to clean up every second or worry about spilling on my hardwood floors.

Before pics and the initial teardown - stay tuned for after pics!!

Spring has SPRUNG

Spring is in full tilt here in Massachusetts. Beautifully blossomed trees everywhere I turn.

This week I started sanding on my front porch again :) - and I am actually looking forward to tackling the many stored pieces picked up over the colder months. I have chairs, tables, storage boxes etc....just waiting for me!

This sweet little table was purchased on the opening day of the Olde Hadley flea market for $6 (Yes, that's right!!) and it is now ready for painting. It is bound for glory as I'm preparing for a 5 minute spot on MassAppeal on May 15th. A producer from the show found my shop on etsy and invited me to do a painting demo on the show. That should be FUN! Just have to figure out how many bright colors to include.

In the meantime, I have found a contractor!!! whoopie - who will be coming next week to walk me through the beginnings of my new art studio. I can't wait to have dedicated space. What a dream come true....

more to follow...stay tuned :)

I'm in LOVE with sunflowers lately - How much fun is it to paint them? A lot! I sanded this little chair down and loved the feel and color of the original wood - so, left it except for a bright sunflower smack in the middle of the seat.

Still have to put a finish on it - which will be water based poly-crylic hard finish since little kids often have dirty hands :) It will be fun someday to have a grandchild to make one of these for!

Update from my new home in Massachusetts!

Can't believe its been 9 months since the BIG move up to Massachusetts and I am just now getting around to writing down some thoughts about it :)

I began this journey in a small apartment in NYC painting furniture in my kitchen. I've graduated to painting in the dining room of my beautiful 1855 Victorian home in the little village of Huntington, MA and am now working on re-inventing storage space in the back of the house into a proper studio. Can't wait for that reality.

In the meantime, I've been selling some furniture and paintings on etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/friskyfurnishings - sending chairs to Michigan and shelving to Texas, and have signed up for several local craft shows this spring and summer PLUS a full solo exhibition in the Westhampton, MA library for the month of July. I am living my working artist dream! and, am fully committed to making this work.

Since I've moved I've begun some new work - the secret garden series and now playing with some assemblage. More furniture on the way as soon as the snow melts and I can get back to work outside where I do all my sanding :) - ahhhhh yes, can't wait for spring to come!!!