Monday, December 31, 2018

just in time!

It's New Year's Eve! I still have time to get in one last blog post for 2018! I haven't posted since October, so I have some serious updating to do. I'll try to keep it as short and sweet as possible (but don't hold your breath)!

I've had three Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon"s since my last blog post here. All three were at the Tontine Mall in Brunswick, just outside of Indrani's (I love that space! YAY!).

October's cause was Midcoast Humane (https://www.facebook.com/events/249571769051303/):

October's "pop-up"!



"Cat Gods" : won by Chris Rose!




I FINALLY got a sign! 


a visit from lovely Lee Ann!

work in progress...


"Orb Of Love" : won by Callum Christopher Siegel!



and December's cause was the Press Herald Toy Fund (https://www.facebook.com/events/514461275701484/)!


December's "pop-up"!


I'm excited about my sign- it feels so professional!


"Know Peace, Snow Peace" : won by Kathleen Meade!


I'm also excited to share that Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) made the paper in December! Here's a link to the Portland Press Herald article:

https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/14/brunswick-artist-raffling-piece-from-paint-a-thon/?fbclid=IwAR0juuPK62YC8yIOrtsQF4g8VFlMVuNGs6S5abaqJNC9pZ7Umzv0Q5x9VU4


woo hoo!




You may or may not remember that I started Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) in December 2015...that means we've officially passed the three year mark! Thanks to everyone's support, over $5600 has been raised for local and national charities! Small efforts certainly add up, don't they? I am thrilled about this, and I'm looking forward to keeping it going through 2019 and beyond. No one is too small to make a difference!


Here's another cool thing that happened this year: I've been commissioned to paint a series of panels for a chicken coop! Here are some photos of my new collector, Dr. John Joseph, with his chicken coop, the panels I've completed so far, and his dog, Beauregard!

John and "Miriam"!

John, Beau, and "Eggs"!

installed!


ta-da!

Say hello to "Cruella"! 



2018 was chock-full of awesome and interesting experiences, both personally and professionally. In June, I quit my "day-job" of designing closets for Closet Factory (which I did for almost 16 years) to focus more on my art, and thanks to the fabulous Christine DeTroy, I picked up a new "side hustle" of cleaning houses, which has proven to be fun and satisfying - and it's led me to this chicken coop project!


I've made some new friends, I've gotten some new collectors, and my work has made it into places I previously only dreamed about, including the Chris Robinson Brotherhood tour bus! WHAT???


Here's proof! 

I never could have imagined the way 2018 turned out, and I'm filled with optimism and hope about 2019. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for my family, my friends, the many blessings that I have, and the many blessings that are on their way. If you're reading this, thank you for sticking with me, thank you for your support, and thank you for being a part of this ride. May the coming year be filled with joy, peace, love, good health, creativity, and good fortune...and don't forget to eat your grapes at midnight! 







Tuesday, October 16, 2018

it's never too late to catch up

It's been just over two months since my last blog post here - yikes- but rather than beat myself up about it, I'm just going to pick things up where I last left off...or maybe, I'll go in reverse...but I guess it doesn't really matter, as long as I'm writing!

I've had two Brushstrokes with Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon"s since my most recent post here, and I have one more coming right up! On Saturday, October 20th, I'll be just outside of Indrani's of Brunswick (at the Tontine Mall), painting from roughly 10am-6pm, and this month's cause will be Midcoast Humane (formerly known as Coastal Humane Society). Please come see me! If you can't be there in person, fear not: long-distance support is always welcome and much appreciated! Here's a link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/249571769051303/

On Friday, September 14th, I was also set up outside of Indrani's (I just love that space- can you tell?), painting all day and raising money for a cause I really enjoy supporting: the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program's "Backpack Program". It was a beautiful day, filled with sunshine and sweet messages of encouragement from friends and family. I also met some very kind people while I was painting, including Julie Henze, the woman who ended up winning "Cantaloupe"! Thanks to everyone's support, we were able to raise $100 for MCHPP. Here are some photos from that day:

the "pop-up" show

the beginning...


"Cantaloupe" : finished! 

the winning ticket!


That weekend was a busy (and fun) time for me: not only did I have my Brushstrokes with Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" event on Friday, but on Saturday, September 15th, I participated in Curtis Memorial Library's "How-To Festival and Block Party"! Here's a link to my post on the Curtis Creative Spaces blog in case you're interested in reading all about the day and the work that was created at my table (http://curtiscreativespaces.com/how-do-you-do/)...and here's a link to a photo album that the library put together!


shenanigans at the How-To Festival and Block Party! 


In August, my Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" (called "Trust The Process") took place at Monarch Massage and Wellness; that month's cause was the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust.
I am still knocked out by the support I received for this event from Maura, Seth, and the staff/patrons of Crystal Spring Farm: my event was listed in their e-newsletter, and some of my prints were on display during that week's farm share pickup! Thanks to their kindness, paired with the support of everyone who turned out in person and via phone/text, $151.50 was raised for BTLT! Hooray!


my prints at the farm! 

the beginning...

"Dill Explosion" : finished!

the winning ticket! 




Wednesday, August 8, 2018

trust the process

Well, July certainly flew by, didn't it? I took some time last month to catch a few shows and visit with family and friends...and now I'm back! Here's what's going on with me...and because I'm so excited about my latest news, I'm going to catch up in an out-of-order fashion.

First of all, my solo show at Monarch Massage and Wellness has been extended through the month of August (yay!), which means I'm having another Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" there! Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 18th...this one is called "Trust The Process," and the cause I'll be raising money for is the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Just in case this is your first time reading this blog, here's the deal: I'll be setting up my easel and painting for 8 hours straight; at the end of the day, the completed 8" x 8" acrylic painting will be raffled off, and 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10). Additionally, 10% of all my art sales for the month of August (excluding magnets, but including totes) will be donated to the BTLT

I am a big fan of Crystal Spring Farm, and I believe in the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's mission, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to show a little support. Seth and Maura from Crystal Spring Farm have been so kind to me: not only did they install my Little Free Library in their parking lot in the spring of 2017, they've already included information about my event and my mission in their weekly e-newsletter/blog! Plus, Maura has generously offered to sell raffle tickets during the CSA pickup next week, and yesterday, I dropped off some prints to be displayed inside the barn - right near their awesomely delicious veggies!

hooray!


Okay, now I will back up: on Saturday, July 7th, I had my 32nd Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon," entitled "Shine Your Light!" Once again, I was at Monarch Massage and Wellness in Topsham (I love that place- had you figured that out yet?), and this time, the cause was the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I was able to raise $100 for this very worthy cause, and the winner of "You Are The Light" was Julia Villacara! Julia's name has been on many, many raffle tickets since I started doing this back in December 2015, and I'm thrilled that her ticket was finally pulled as the winning one! Here are some photos:


from sketch...

...to finished painting!

congratulations, Julia!




Saturday, June 30, 2018

summer summarization

YIKES! I almost let all of June go by without a blog post here! The last several weeks have been busy...let me catch up!

First of all, I'm thrilled and grateful to have my work on display at the brand-new location of Monarch Massage and Wellness (41 Main Street, Topsham)! The show went up on Friday, June 1st, and on Sunday, June 3rd, I had my 31st Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" (entitled "Transformation Time!") during the open house celebration! Here are some photos of the show (and from that day, too):


welcome!


the foyer

the waiting area

the waiting area



the waiting area


the massage room!

the massage room!


the beginning...



an action shot!



"Butterfly" : finished!


The winning ticket! 

Congratulations to Quinn Griffin, the winner of "Butterfly"! Quinn is a budding artist herself, and I'm happy that she and her family will give my work a very good home. Thanks to everyone's support, together we were able to raise $223.50 for the MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program's "Backpack Program"! Since my work will be up through the month of July, my next Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" will also be held at Monarch Massage and Wellness. Mark your calendars for "Shine Your Light!" on Saturday, July 7th: this month's cause will be the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I'm grateful to have my work on display in such a beautiful and inviting space, and I'm happy to be able to support yet another worthy cause. I hope you will join me! Long-distance support is always welcome, too...


In other news, the piano I painted last year is out of storage and back on the sidewalk in front of Cool As A Moose! It's a tiny bit dinged up, but not bad, especially considering I thought it would only last one season. My piano has been joined by a hopscotch board, too...check it out (and stop by to play if you're visiting)!













Wednesday, May 16, 2018

room to bloom

It's May! Flowers are blooming! Trees are budding! Spring is in all its glory, and lots of fun things are happening...here's what's going on with me!

On Saturday, May 5th, I had my 30th Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon" (called "Hope Springs Eternal") during the Relay For Life of Greater Portland at Brick South, Thompson's Point, and it was a day I will always remember. First of all, Brick South is an absolutely gorgeous space: high ceilings, wooden beams, exposed brick, beautiful light, shiny floors, etc., etc., etc.! I painted from roughly noon to 8pm, but I arrived early so I could set up my "pop-up" show, which meant I had a little bit of time in between to walk around and check out the area. Here are some pictures!


my space!

my space!

my space! 

look at this place! 

volunteers working hard

welcome!

greetings from Thompson's Point! 

Relayers started arriving around noon, and the actual "Relay For Life" began at 2pm. I painted until 8pm, but things were still going until 10pm! Everyone I spoke to that day was friendly and welcoming (volunteers, workers, relayers), and I even had a couple of very special visitors: Annie Boissevain herself, and her good friend, Ann Dillon! Annie and Ann started the day off by taking a "Survivor's Lap," which was absolutely wonderful to see. YAY!!!


guests of honor! 



I had the opportunity to meet and chat with some wonderful, warm, strong people who are committed to defeating cancer...their positive energy filled Brick South all day long and was inspiring to be around.


dino-mite relayers having fun!



I'd like to extend a very special "thank you" to Ellen Russell of the American Cancer Society for allowing me to be a part of this memorable event - I'm grateful! The winner of "Hope In Bloom" was WMPG's very own Katzie Nogel, who I know is going to give my work a very good home...hooray! Thanks to everyone's support, together we were able to raise $118 for Hope Lodge in Boston!


the beginning...

"Hope In Bloom": finished! 



the winning ticket! 



So...what else is going on, you might ask? Well, I'm thrilled and honored to be involved in kicking off the NEW location of Monarch Massage and Wellness : 41 Main Street, Topsham!!! Thank you, Heather Goulette! Please come to the Open House celebration on Sunday, June 3rd! You guessed it: as part of the festivities, I'll be having my 31st Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon", which I'm calling "Transformation Time"! I'll painting from 9am to 5pm and raffling off the completed painting at the end of the day; 50% of all raffle ticket sales and 10% of all art sold during the month of June (excluding magnets, but including totes) will be donated to the MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program! In addition to being a wonderful massage therapist and a fantastic yoga instructor, Heather is one of my nearest and dearest friends, so I'm extremely grateful to have my work on display in her beautiful new space. Heather will also be welcoming Darcy Gagne, a new massage therapist who will be joining the practice in July, and the raffle fun doesn't stop with my painting: a 60-minute massage with Darcy and a five-class pass for yoga will also be up for grabs (proceeds will benefit the MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program)! Stop by and be part of the fun!  


By the way, Altered Couture is this Saturday, May 19th! Have you gotten your tickets yet? If not, here's the link: https://www.explorefrontier.com/event/the-8th-annual-mid-coast-altered-couture-contest/ . This show often sells out, so you may want to get on it while you can...plus, this year's proceeds benefit Mayo Street Arts, so it's all for a good cause. Not familiar with Altered Couture? Well, our fearless leader, Christine DeTroy, was the subject of an interview featured on the front page of the Times Record's "Ticket" section, and this should answer all of your questions! Here are some pictures of the spread...and I hope to see you there on Saturday night