I have some exciting news to share! If you were here in January and February, you may have seen some of the art pieces I was working on, or heard about the shows I was jurying for. Well, after three long months of anticipation, I got news my piece “Fields of Enchantment” was accepted for the Yardage Exhibit “Enchanted” at Convergence in Albuquerque, New Mexico from July 22-25th. It is a large tapestry-style felted piece, 26″ wide by 135″ long and is a panoramic presentation of agriculture in the state, and has fields of peanuts, chili peppers, cotton, hay, onions and livestock that give way to mountains and a sunrise pushing the darkness out of the sky. I love to represent agriculture in a fresh perspective. I feel there is nothing more beautiful than nature and God’s great beauty that surrounds me each day. Sometimes I am too sleepy in the morning while doing chores to notice a stunning sunrise, or just to busy to take a moment to revel in the simple blessings that I tread on. Like dandelions. I’m sorry to those lawn afficiandos but I love that green and yellow joyfulness in a dandelion peppered lawn or pasture. Kinda like John Deere I guess 🙂 I have that good old iron running in my blood I suppose.
I had the great opportunity to speak at Plum Grove Middle School in Rolling Meadows, IL a few days ago. I talked to four auditoriums full of kids about sustainability, renewable resources, fiber, farming, economic and art. It was great! I actually had their attention for forty minutes for each group, and I hope I started getting them thinking about their environment and how farms will play a part in keeping the earth here for another couple of hundred years! As farmer and an artist, and each role sees beauty around but interprets them differently. I believe that basically sums up a great deal of my passion.
So in a day, I’m planting dark purple opal basil, filling 10 water buckets (yep, each one of the mother ewes has to have their own bucket in their pen so it really adds up quickly!) and doing barn chores, tending the shop, dyeing, creating and teaching, and perhpaps hoeing a few rows of onions as the sun sets tonight. It’s a rich life, full of work yet with the satisfaction of watching the work of your hands prosper and grow.
Another one of my pieces was juried into the “Walk in Beauty” Fashion Show at Convergence so I’ll post a picture of that as well. I will also be in the Aurora Art Walk on Sat. June 5th from 2-7 pm. I’m in Ballydoyle’s – the Irish Pub on New York St. in Aurora. Currently, I have work in the Woman’s Work Show in Woodstock, IL at the Old Courthouse Arts Center until the end of the month, and in the Kaneland Arts Festival Show at the Sugar Grove Public Library until the end of the month (that’s where the “Fields of Enchantment” piece is right now!). Hope you can get a chance to check those shows out.
It should be a busy spring- lots of events and activities going on here and abroad! Hope to see you either at the shop or at a show.
Woman’s Work Show
March 4- May 2nd
Old Courthouse Art’s Center
Woodstock, IL
http://oldcourthouseartscenter.com
My wearable piece, “Sailing into the Sunset” is shown here!
Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival Juried Art Show
March 26th– April 30th
Sugar Grove Public Library
http://www.sugargrove.lib.il.us/site/modules/news/
I have three pieces in this show, including my newest and largest piece, “Fields of Enchantment”!
American Girl Craft Day!
Make a felted Lamb Sachet
Sat. May 1st 3-4 pm
Eola Public Library Youth Dept.
http://www2.youseemore.com/aurorapl/Default.asp?#top
We’ll be offering a class for the kids to create a sheep sachet with needle felting techniques.
MARK THE CALENDARS FOR OUR FARM DAY!
SATURDAY MAY 8th 10-4 pm
Farm Day!
Esther’s Place and Lamb of God Farm
Sat. May 8th 10-4 pm
This is a day you will want to be sure not to miss! Come visit our little lambs, breath the fresh country air, sample local foods from farms here in the area with our “Farmer’s Market”, learn more about our CSA, browse heirloom seeds, buy transplants, and support local farms!
We’ll have farm tours at 10am, 11:30, 1pm, 2:30, and 4 pm, as well as lots of goodies throughout the day prepared by local chefs with local foods. Needle felt a veggie pin and, pet a lamb, and relax with a beautiful day out in the country. All tours start at the shop! No cost, all events are free. Hope to see you there!
May Fair Festival
Sat. May 15th 10-4 pm
Chicago Waldorf School
http://chicagowaldorf.org/
This is a fun family event that celebrates creativity, Spring and the imagination! Good food and even a rummage sale… lots to do all day!
Gardenology
Sat. May 15th 10-4 pm
Geneva, IL
http://www.genevadowntown.org/
Browse downtown Geneva, stop by our booth and make a felted pin! Fun event with a green theme.
Four Winds May Fair
Four Winds Waldorf School
Warrenville, IL
http://www.fourwindswaldorf.org/news/school-calendar/events
Lots of fun activities for the family and kids! A celebration of Spring that’s enjoyable for everyone.
Aurora Art Walk
Sat. June 5th 2-7 pm
Ballydoyle’s – New York St. Aurora, IL
http://auroraartwalk.com/
Meet artists on this interactive tour around Aurora. I’ll be once again where the food is- two years ago I was in LaFrance Bakery. It’s a great event!