charged up

I am feeling very charged up these days! Here's what's been happening:

My "make your own portable shrine" workshop is now listed on the Leapin' Lizards event calendar! Even though the date had been solidified last week, it didn't feel official until I saw it on the website on Monday morning. I am really looking forward to this workshop, and in preparation, I took a bin full of supplies and charged them for a few hours in the Wolf Full Moon on Wednesday night! I feel like the first full moon of the year has an extra-special quality to it, and I think that's a nice type of energy to put into a personal shrine. If you'd like to check out my workshop, here's the link to the Leapin' Lizards website: http://www.leapinlizards.biz/ ...and here's the link to the calendar listing!

http://www.leapinlizards.biz/freeport_calendar/calendar.cgi?month=2&view=Event&event_id=7023

On Wednesday, I finished my first painting of 2014! Yes, I had started this particular painting at the end of 2013, but I didn't finish and sign it until Wednesday, so technically it's from this year. I am still trying to decide on a title...stay tuned.

I also had my first Etsy sale of 2014 yesterday morning! This sale was to a repeat customer, which is great, and this person also happens to be the first customer I ever had on Etsy...and she bought on the very first day I opened my Etsy shop! Yes, that's a lot of italics, but that's how good I feel about it. 

Yesterday afternoon, I treated myself to a thirty minute Reiki session from Amanda Heath Walden in Bath. This was very easy to do, because it was free! I'd never had a Reiki session before, but I'd always been curious, and since Amanda is offering free introductory sessions during the month of January, I figured it would be a wonderful opportunity to give it a try. I am SO glad I did, because I left there feeling refreshed, relaxed, and fully charged with positive energy! If you're in the area and you're curious about Reiki, please check out Amanda and her business, Joyful Heart Reiki and Laughter Yoga. Here's a link to her Facebook page: 

https://m.facebook.com/JoyfulHeartReiki?id=210459995782969&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJoyfulHeartReiki

I am excited about all of these positive "firsts", and I'm hopeful that 2014 will have a lot more in store! 

potent potential

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The new year is always filled with potential and possibilities. I am excited about what is already unfolding in my life!

Last night was the opening reception for "Winter Wonderland," the Five Rivers Arts Alliance group show I am a part of at Coastal Orthopedics in Brunswick. It was the first art-related reception they've ever had there, so it was a fairly low-key event. I spent some time chatting with Jen, one of the directors at Coastal Orthopedics. She gave me a tour of the facilities...and let me tell you, that place is huge! Not only do they offer orthopedic care and sports medicine (including surgery, rehab, and massage therapy) but they offer classes (such as self-defense), they have gym facilities, they host kids' soccer matches, they have an adult dodgeball league, and they are forming an "adult recess" group, allowing people to get together and play schoolyard games like kickball and capture the flag! Even though only a small handful of people came to the opening reception last night, Jen told me that every day, there are a few hundred people who walk through their front door...and that sounds very good to me. If you're curious about what they have to offer (or if you'd like to stop by to check out the art!), here is a link to their website: www.coastalortho.com ; if you'd like more details about the show itself, here's a link to the Five Rivers Arts Alliance website: www.5raa.org

After I left Coastal Orthopedics, I went over to the Topsham Public Library to drop off my two submissions for the 6th annual Joy of Art juried group show. I was able to get in and out quickly, and since I was there fairly late in the evening, I was able to take a peek at the art that had already been dropped off. The Joy of Art show is usually a fairly conservative affair, but judging from the pieces I saw yesterday, I think this year's show is going to be very cool...and there's still another drop-off date to come. I'm looking forward to the opening on Saturday, January 18th! Here's a link to the Topsham Public Library website: www.topshamlibrary.org

Finally, the most outside-of-the-box thing I've got going on right now actually involves boxes: I'm going to be giving a "Make Your Own Portable Shrine" workshop at Leapin' Lizards in Freeport! I've been communicating with Melissa, the owner of Leapin' Lizards, for a little while now, and we just nailed down the date last night: Monday, February 3rd, 6 pm - 7:30 pm. It's so new, as of this moment, it's not even listed on their website/calendar, but I will certainly let you know when it is up! Here is a link to their website in the meantime: www.leapinlizards.biz. I will provide more details the closer we get, but I just couldn't wait to share my news!

new year...new frontier

Last night, while I was up in my studio painting, I decided to give my dear friend Tim a call to wish him (and his husband, Rick) a very happy new year. They had just returned to New York from a post-Christmas visit with Rick's family in Ohio. Tim made a point to tell me that he put one of my magnets ("Back Yard Buddha", to be precise) in Rick's son Andrew's stocking, and that it was a very big hit. "Your magnet is on its way to Seattle right now!" he said. "Wow, I have to update my list," I said...so, without further ado, here is the list of places where my work is now living (as of December 31st, 2013):

New York                  
Connecticut             
Massachusetts                                 
New Hampshire      
Vermont                    
Virginia
Colorado                   
California                  
Washington                          
Michigan                   
Wisconsin                
Louisiana                                                              
Canada                       
England
and, of course,
Maine

Now, this got me thinking, and two thoughts immediately sprang to mind: 

1. These are just the places I know about. Who knows how many more might be on this list? I know that a lot of people have given my magnets as gifts. Some people have told me where they were sending their purchases, but some have not; plus, people are buying my magnets from places like The Mix in Brunswick and She Doesn't Like Guthrie's in Lewiston, places where I'm not standing there and overseeing each and every purchase.  

2. How many more places will be a part of this list in a year from now? Right now, I've got thirteen states and two countries besides the United States represented. I don't want to venture a guess, but I am looking forward to finding out whatever the answer will be. 

Is your state (or country, if you're not living in the US) on this list? Would you like it to be? Have you given my work as a gift? If so, I'm curious: did it end up in one of these places, or has it found a home somewhere else? Please let me know in the comments...there's always room for more on this list! 

every picture tells a story

I spent a good chunk of yesterday pulling photos for a "2013 art year in review" video project I'm hoping to work on. As I was working, I was struck by a couple of things: 1. WOW, was it a busy (and awesome!) year, and 2. I am filled with gratitude for each and every one of you who were a part of it. If I started naming names, this post would go on for three days. Thank you so much for your support: coming out to my shows, buying art, making my new magnet enterprise a smashing success, sharing links to my new Etsy page, telling friends about my work, reading my blog, following me on Twitter, giving my work as gifts, and just believing in me in general. 2013 was amazing, and I am excited about what 2014 holds for all of us. I wish you joy, love, peace, happiness, beauty, and people in your life who are as incredible to you as you have been to me. XO

happy holi-daze

The weather outside is making today a perfect day for catching up on lots of things I need to do, including writing a new blog post! Here goes:

It's the season of giving, and I'm sure your mailbox has been filling up with letters from different charities, non-profits, and causes asking for your last-minute, tax-deductible, charitable donation. You can probably imagine my surprise when I saw a familiar sight at the bottom of the Five Rivers Arts Alliance annual fundraising letter: my painting, "Sole Mate," is one of four images being used to drum up some holiday kindness! I am really happy they chose my work, and I hope that, in a small way, I can help Five Rivers to reach their fundraising goal of $7,000. If you're looking to support a non-profit arts organization this year, please consider helping out Five Rivers: www.5raa.org

(What a nice compliment!)

Speaking of Five Rivers, on Friday, December 13th, the first group show at Coastal Orthopedic in Brunswick came down, and the second one went up! Here are the four paintings I have on display in the new show, which will run until mid-March. This time, there will be an opening reception in early January, which should be interesting. The first show didn't have a reception, but it seems like Five Rivers is really working on forging a relationship with Coastal Orthopedic, and I think having an opening will improve the connection between the two organizations, the staff, and all the artists involved. We'll see how it goes! 

(Art heals!)

My Etsy shop has been doing very well this holiday season, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I have shipped magnets to people in Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine! The thought of my artwork being included in stockings and under trees all over the country makes me smile.  Also, I received a new shipment of "Old Fat Boy Sign" magnets, so I was finally able to add them to my Etsy page as well...that means all of my current magnets are now available and represented! Yay! Christmas is three days away, so I don't really expect to get any more last-minute orders between now and then, but Etsy gift cards are a fantastic option for those who meant to order magnets but just couldn't get their act together! Are you one of those people? Do you need an Etsy gift card? Well, here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/ltylzo2

...and here's the link to my Etsy shop, while you're at it: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushstrokesByMaria

...and yet another long overdue recap

Whew! Things have been very busy lately! I've been meaning to write a new blog post for quite a while now, but I just haven't gotten the chance until now. I will do my best to recap! Where do I start?

Terry and I had a beautiful Thanksgiving with his family in New Hampshire, as is our tradition. I brought along my magnets just in case anyone wanted to see them in person...and I sure am glad I did, because I sold a whole mess of them! I had a request for two "Old Fat Boy Sign" magnets, which I didn't have on me at the time...more were scheduled to arrive on Saturday so I would (hopefully) have enough to get me through the holiday season.

(So much to be thankful for: red wine, good music, family, and magnets!)

Cat Schwenk's Creative Economy show in Freeport on Thanksgiving weekend was a lot of fun, and I'm really happy to have been a part of it. The show was three days long, and I spent much of Saturday there, helping out and connecting with others. The space was absolutely beautiful, I was able to see my friends Echo and Jesse (and their son, Sy), and I was able to enjoy some of Jesse's delicious wood-fired pizza, baked fresh from the outdoor clay oven he built! Plus, I had a very funny interaction with someone at the show: I was speaking with a woman who recognized me and my work, but she was having a hard time placing me. When I said, "I'm Maria," she said, "Yes! You're Maria Castellano-Da-Da-Da!" I doubled over with laughter and said, "Maybe I should change my name to that!" When I told Terry about it later, he smiled and said, "I guess it is asking a lot of people..." Anyway, I sold a bunch of magnets, and the shipment of "Old Fat Boy Sign" magnets arrived right on schedule. However, that shipment was quickly depleted, requiring me to place a rush order in time for Arts Downtown and All Around, which brings us to this past weekend...

("Buddha To The Maxx", Creative Economy show)

I am thrilled to say that Arts Downtown and All Around was absolutely fantastic! This was my fourth year doing this show, and for me, this year was better than all the other years put together. The musicians I booked to perform were very well-received by both artists and show-goers alike, which makes me very happy. I was in the same room as last year, but this time, I had the space to myself, and I was able to fill it with no problem. Over the course of the weekend, I had at least 125 people come into my room. I got wonderful feedback and made a lot of sales as well...and, as Terry put it, I had a "hat trick": sales on all three days of the show, plus sales of magnets, mixed media, and paintings alike! Some of these sales were to people who have bought my work in the past, including the couple who bought my "Re-birthday Cake" painting at the 2012 10x10 show, and the woman who bought my "Weathervane, Bowdoin College" painting at the 2013 10x10 show. I sold magnets to other artists whose work I respect and admire, including Susan Mills (who has several of my mixed media pieces in her home already), Robin Brooks, Catherine Worthington, and Lee Cheever; plus, one of the mixed media pieces I sold was bought by Natasha Kempers-Cullen! What an amazing compliment: I've got collectors! I am blown away. Speaking of amazing compliments, I received one from Allison Price, who was one of the other artists participating in the group show at 98 Maine. When she walked into my room, she said it was "like seeing twenty-seven sunrises and rainbows all at once." Wow.

(Me in my room, having fun at Arts Downtown and All Around!)

Early Saturday afternoon, I ran out of "Old Fat Boy Sign" magnets...and then Terry arrived with the new shipment! By the end of the weekend, I only had three left. On Monday, I made a long-overdue trip to She Doesn't Like Guthrie's in Lewiston so I could replenish my magnet display. I should have done it sooner, because there were only a handful left...who knew I'd keep running out? Anyway, it was so nice to see Heather (as always!); I loaded up my display with new magnets, including "Prentiss' Owl" and "Weathervane, Bowdoin College" (which I didn't have there previously), and the three remaining "Old Fat Boy Sign" magnets. Yes, I placed a re-order yesterday...and yes, I doubled the amount I usually get!

(While you're waiting for your fabulous food at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's, check out my magnets!)

I'm happy to say that my Etsy shop is doing very well, and I now have almost all of my magnets represented there...I think you can guess which one isn't on there yet! Rest assured, as soon as the new shipment arrives, "Old Fat Boy Sign" will join the others (after I set aside two, of course)! If you haven't checked out my shop yet, here's the link! https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushstrokesByMaria

Okay, I think I'm now completely caught up with what's going on with me! Until next time...

posters and posting

The Arts Downtown and All Around posters have been printed and they look fabulous! I am very happy to report that my painting, "Sole Mate," made the poster! It's one of ten images, and they all look really good together. It's a nice way of capturing the diversity of work you'll see on display during this event. I've hung several around town already (with a few more to go), and people seem to be responding well to them. I'm also pleased to say that I've filled all of the slots that were assigned to me with bands/musicians for the weekend, and I'm really looking forward to all the great energy that live music can bring to an art event. For more information (including times, locations, and a list of participating artists), please click the link: http://5raa.org/arts-downtown-all-around-2/

                                                   

Speaking of art events I'm excited about, I dropped off work yesterday for the 7th Annual Creative Economy Sale and Show! The show takes place at Cat Schwenk's Studio on the Hill (21 Pleasant Hill Rd., Freeport) on Thanksgiving weekend (Friday, November 29th, Saturday, November 30th, and Sunday, December 1st; 10 am to 6:30 pm each day). Saturday was my first time meeting Cat in person (we've communicated via email and Facebook previously), and I liked her instantly! She was lovely and made me feel very relaxed. In fact, I left feeling even better about the show than I did when I arrived, and I was already feeling very positive. I decided to focus on small paintings and mixed media pieces (11" x 14" was the biggest painting I brought with me) since there are roughly 40 artists participating. I figured it would be a lot easier to fit more pieces that way, and since smaller pieces have smaller price tags, that might help to encourage potential buyers. I also brought my magnet display, which Cat said she would probably put near the cash register. Hooray for impulse buys! I've been hanging some posters around town for this show, too, but I picked up some more yesterday and I plan to do more...time to get the word out!
http://www.maineartscene.com/Maine-Art-Headlines/Freeport-s-7th-Annual-Creative-Economy-Studio-Show-and-Sale.html

Speaking of magnets, I finally got an Etsy shop up and running this week! I only have six different magnets on there right now, but I will be adding more before too long. I am thrilled to say that within an hour or so of opening my Etsy shop, I got my first sale! Woo hoo! I don't know or completely understand all of the ins and outs of Etsy yet, but there are people following my page, and people have "favorited" some of my magnets, and that sounds good to me! Here is the link to my page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushstrokesByMaria?ref=pr_shop_more