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Fortitude…

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Main Entry: for·ti·tude
Pronunciation: ?fo?r-t?-?tüd, –?tyüd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fortitudin-, fortitudo, from fortis
Date: 12th century

1 : strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage

A little dramatic, perhaps. I am not in pain, nor danger. I am four days from installing my first solo show at the local arts co-op – The Newark Arts Alliance. But have I mentioned I am out of town this weekend? So really two days away… Today is a day filled with lists: to do lists, lists of work to finish, clerical matters, newletters, blogs, price lists, artist statements…<sigh> So it is a day when I am tapping into my inner fortitude – where did I put that? Right…

Here’s the important info you need to attend my fabulous, inspirational show:

Ariadne collage

(Ariadne: Mistress of the Labyrinth, mixed media collage, 16 x 20″, 2008)

Myth and Nature; transformed

Mixed Media Artwork by Jennifer Davies-Reazor

Newark Arts Alliance – 276 E> Main St Suite 102, Newark De 19711

May 4 – 29th. Artist Reception Friday, May 7th – 6 -8 pm.

Hours: 11 am – 3 pm daily. Thursday 11am – 7pm. Closed Monday.

Really – must get to the next task on the list. Busy day, and I am prepared to make it a good one! Hope to see you next week!

Frenetic…

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Main Entry: fre·net·ic
Pronunciation: fri-?ne-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English frenetik insane, from Anglo-French, from Latin phreneticus, modification of Greek phrenitikos, from phrenitis inflammation of the brain, from phren-, phr?n diaphragm, mind
Date: 14th century
“Inflammation of the brain” – that discribes the state of affairs here rather well. I am in full on frenzied production mode finishing – well, starting AND finishing new mixed media work for my first solo show. I have clay drying – hopefully to be fired and glazed in time. I have shrines awaiting interior installments. I have lined up blank canvases primed (pun intended) for paper, paint and glue.
studio shot(You can just see the shrines in the foreground on the left. And two labyrinth themed colalges on the work table, very near completion.)
Please save the date: Friday May 7th at the Newark Arts Alliance here in town. The reception is from 6-8 pm. So there are finishings artwork lists, and reception/organisational exhibit lists…
And icing on the cake – my friend Cooky will be here from San Diego! WooHoo! She is the owner of The Shepherdess – bead and fiber store extrordinaire – in Old Town, and an incredible mixed media artist/jeweler in her own right.  Coming for her first East Coast visit to my humble abode, she is drafted to help hang my show! Hee Hee. But she is also here on business and she and I will be attending MD Sheep and Wool Festival over the May Day weekend. So lets get this artwork prepped early – there is fun to be had; wine to be drunk, fibers to be fondled…
I digress. More on the show in the coming days/week… I need to get back to the studio. “Inflammation of the brain” – yes, that does sum it up…

Beautiful day in the neighborhood…

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RenCon was a great time – I have new favorite bands on continual loops in my head; new inspiration percolating for wonderful new tile designs; new fans and collectors of my work (Thank you all!) – but the people! The VIPs’ were open and accessible. The fellow vendors were interesting, interested, enthusiastic, sharing. The attendees were excited and appreciative. Whew!

I had great neighbors on my hallway, and I thank them for such a wonderful time!Let me introduce you:

Gypsy Nomads:  I think I need to listen to Track 3 every morning. No better way to start the day! I dont describe music well – but go listen to things on their website. They are infectious! And they are both visual artists as well, which thrills me, a bonus. These two were my across the hall neighbors providing a soundtrack for the weekend and performing both nights. And I look forward to seeing them live at FaerieCon! (Although I think they will be at Spoutwood Farms May Day Faerie Festival!)

Dancing Hands, FGM: Emma Dancing Hands (Fairy Goddess Mother, that is…) Here shown doing Fhairy strands in E’s hair. Everyone knows her, everyone loves her, she is a joy to be around. Its that simple! Not only will she be attending Spoutwood – there is a Charles Vess drawing of her for this years advertisement!  Banner

Kathryn Elizabeth Noska: Kathryn is a painter, poet, and self described ‘stonesayer’ and when you see her work you will understand. The stones speak to her, and she to them. Her paintings are exquisitely detailed painted from life, and she captures the characters in the stones themselves, showing them to us on canvas. I did not try to capture the painting’s detail on film (Just go take a look for yourself!)… and Kathyrn herself proves an elusive subject! From her booth: Noska book Kathryn’s amazing hand bound book of her drawing and poems. Noska stonesAnd her oracle stones. So lovely!

 

Goblin Bazaar: …” eclectic array of things from the realm of Fae captured and created by Kimberley Coffman as is inspired by the strange and wonderful world around us.” So true! Kim’s work is magical. Her fae are original, exquisitely painted one of a kind sculptures. I was enchanted!

kin faeClearly she takes good care of them, since not a one looked unhappy in their traveling containments. And her skills with a woodburning tool – really? Kim pendants

Kim and SarahKim, (onthe right) with Sarah of ToadstoolNtreestump.

Thank you one and all for making the weekend so magical! See you in November!

 

Euphoria…

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Main Entry: eu·pho·ria
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros healthy, from eu- + pherein to bear — more at bear
Date: circa 1751
: a feeling of well-being or elation
A simple word, a complex potpouri of sensation, emotion, experience, feeling… A patchwork of sights, and sounds; drumbeats and squeaks; costumes, artwork, faces… friends. RenCon.
It was its first year. Would it satisfy? Would it be successful? Would it draw the crowds of its sister show FaerieCon? Yes, and yes, and no…
The crowds were less crowded, true. There were fewer vendors, fewer lectures, true. The business end of the weekend came away even. But for me personally – Euphoria.
I started the magic with Fhairy strands. Gossamer metallic threads entwined with my hair, bestowed by Dancing Hands, my Faerie Goddess-Mother. Fhairy strands
The weekend was a whirlwind of music – Gypsy Nomads, Estampie and Qntal from Germany; artwork – wonderful neighbors in Kathyrn Noska and Kimberly of Goblin Bazaar; Mark Lewis and his amazing tales, (and jokes!); and being able to meet and chat with people who I admire and respect – Caitlin Matthews and Brian Froud!
Sarah Mark me Caitlin and me
But the true euphoria comes from the feeling of community, of having found my tribe – where creativity is admired, recognized, revered. Where people express themselves in costume and revelry; and unite in a shared experience. It is hard to put into words, but it is a magical feeling that resonated long after the artwork and instruments are packed away.
The euphorical feeling, the shared wonder and excitement is a creative tonic. The new ideas that are swirling in my mind, ready to be put on paper, and into clay… will carry me forward, the last traces of the magic of the weekend…
Green Man

Myth, Fantasy, Folklore…Oh MY!

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RenCon! A new vision by the FaerieWorlds team, this weekend festival combines the best elements of a Rennaissance Faire, FaerieCon, and the like. Located at the Marriott Hunt Valley, just outside Baltimore MD, this weekend long celebration of myth, fantasy and folklore features music, art, lectures, and 2, yes 2, Masquerade Balls.

From the FaerieWorlds blog: “This is NOT your typical tankard toasting, turkey-leg weilding” RenFaire. In the spirit of the true meaning of “Renaissance”, RenCon celebrates today’s exciting re-birth in the mythic arts. Grounded in history, rooted in myth and legend and inspired by fantasy, people of all ages are seeking to “Live their Legend” in every aspect oftheir lives. At RenCon we are assembling the best artists, crafters, jewelers, costumers, clothiers, mask makers, and body decorators from the Renn, faerie, fantasy, and yes, steampunk worlds. It’s all here for three magical days and two enchanted nights with the amazing music of Estampie and Qntal at the Masquerades where you (and your wings!) will feel right at home! For more information and tickets, visit: http://www.renconvention.com

I had such a phenomenal weekend at FaerieCon last fall, I am looking forward to another similar weekend of creativity and enchantment. Now off to the studio – time is ticking away!

Charity…

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My friend Andrew Thornton (artist, designer, Renaissance Man) and beader/bloger extrordinaire Lorelei Eurto have collaborated on a necklace. It is an eclectic mix of their styles, drop dead gorgeaous components, truly one of a kind. And it includes a shard bead created by my friend Marsha, of Marsha Neal Studio.

The necklace is being auctioned off on Lorelei’s site; proceeds benefiting disaster relief in Haiti via the Red Cross. Please consider bidding. It is a remarkable piece, for a very needy cause.

Lorelei andrew haiti necklace 

Respite

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1re·spite

Pronunciation: ?res-p?t also ri-?sp?t, British usually ?res-?p?t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English respit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin respectus, from Latin, act of looking back
Date: 13th century

1 : a period of temporary delay
2 : an interval of rest or relief

koala

My trip to San Diego was great. There will be pictures soon, of class, and what I was working on. But the whole time was indeed a respite. A break from the routine of groceries, laundry, the day to day. Had a chance to visit with really good friends, and even a few furry ones.

elephantHave a little snack…

zebraposed for the camera..

meerkatand soaked up some sun! Wonderful trip! (uhh – then my camera battery died. So the rest of my zoo day was devoid of documentation… Oops!)

 

Packed… and ready to go

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Well, packing and getting ready to go…

This Friday my new pendants and connectors and buttons ( Oh my!) make their debut at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I am excited, and a bit nervous – hoping they are well received. And hoping they sell. There is that.

Hi Fire pendants

Those are some of the high fire pendants pieces ( ^10r for you clay people). I also did similar pieces low fire – colorful designs on a white clay body.

And dont forget the originals – the pieces inspired by my tiles, only on a miniature scale:

pendants in tray

And I am taking classes with Keith LoBue – stuffsmith, jeweler… I plan to blog during my trip, and I will definitely post images on my “Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor” Facebook page. Become a fan! Stay tuned!

(PS – decided not to take the mini laptop. So I hope to blog, but will definitely be posting pictures on my FB “Art of…” page. So tune in!)

One month to go…

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…until my trunk show of pendants, buttons, etc. at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I had a batch of stoneware firing in the ^10 gas kiln at the studio yesterday, and started glazing a batch of colorful ^04 white pieces here. Wait til I show you a comparison pix! They are worlds apart, yet the same…For now, a peak into yesterday’s process.  

pendants stage 1All lined up, rainbow of underglazes…

Pendants stage 2The middle. Messy explosions of color, lets get to the beauty shot…

Pendants stage 3OK – not the beauty shot really until after the firing. But the surfaces are wiped free of color, leaving it all in the impressions, thus highlighting the design.

Stay tuned. More soon!