August has been a fun and busy month, filled with road-tripping, packing and unpacking, making prints, sketching, and not a lot of cooking. I had the pleasure of getting away on a couple of weekends with my good friend, Maresa, of Dusty Rose VIntage to participate in the Phoenicia Flea, a traveling makers' market organized by James Anthony and Paul Lowe, of Sweet Paul. The first weekend we hit Accord, NY where we set up shop at the beautiful Westwind Orchard, an organic apple farm where, if you come on the right weekend, you can get beautiful, zucchini blossom-topped wood-fired pizzas. Weekend two took us to Asbury Park, NJ, right on the boardwalk next to the amazing Market at 5th Ave. , a really interesting makers' market in its own right. On the way home from Jersey, we paid a visit to Seven Arrows Organic Farm, where Farmer Meg gave us a tour of the farm and introduced us to all her hard working animal companions. This month I met so many wonderful people all doing what they love, weathering the inconsistencies of small business ownership, smiling at the little victories, and laughing at the unpredictability of it all. Made me happy. Here are some silly pics from the months happenings.
Good Friday
Yes, it is. I drew pretty ladies in vintage clothing all day, so I can't complain! Just wrapped up this sweet, and a little strange, one of Grandma Bette with my Aunts-- Julie and Susan. Thinking about ham and deviled eggs. I think I should make something old-fashioned like that on Sunday.
on collections
When I was a kid, I was fascinated by my grandma Carrie's collection of tiny frog sculptures. One day I asked her why she started collecting them, and her answer was a shrug. She couldn't quite recall how she came into her fleet of froggies. Sometimes these things just happen. I always mean to start a collection, but never commit. I have three vintage yardsticks yearning for more companions. I had three pretty plates that I was planning to stagger across a kitchen wall one day, but I broke one, and so I'm now down to two, and can't see this collection flourishing any time soon. Not too long ago, I learned about my friend Betsy's impressive cardigan collection, currently numbering in upwards of 50 specimens. I started asking her to elaborate on how this happened. And so we started a little project. And that's all I'm going to say, for now.
Opening tonight at Brouwerij Lane, Greenpoint
Hey friends! I hope you can join me tonight at Brouwerij Lane in Greenpoint for some fresh, new paintings and rare beers. Here are the details:
HARD TO GET
On the Walls: Art of Libby VanderPloeg
On Tap: Rare and sour beers, such as Zymatore Cuvvee Angelique, Aecht Schenkerla Eiche, Artista Zynergia: Solaris, Dupont Cidre Bouche, Schneider Aventinus Cuvee Barrique. Just in time for the holidays.
Where: Brouwerij Lane, 78 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222
When: 7 pm til close
Hope you can stop by!
Etsy "Source Small" Pop-Up for Small Business Saturday
Coming up next week, I'll be a featured vendor at Dusty Rose's Etsy Source Small Pop-Up for Small Business Saturday. Hope you can make it out, and get some of your holiday shopping done early!
Happy Halloween
...to all the plain janes out there. I will always love Mary Janes. I was also thinking back on some of my best/worst Halloween costumes, and recalled the dreaded Turn-of-the-Century Girl.
Greenpoint Open Studios (and more) all weekend long!
Hey everybody! I know it's gonna be a rainy day, but put on your raincoat and make some studio visits. Get the map here. My friend Matt Coats will be showing some of his work. Look at these awesome portraits he shot!
And if you are in Manhattan this weekend, you need to go see Mike Hambouz's new show "Factory Made." It's an amazing series inspired by French Paper Company, located in Niles, Michigan.
And if I haven't said Dusty Rose enough already, you gotta go there to! 251 Manhattan Ave. The lovely Tessa of Afroista has put together a remarkable vintage capsule collection to check out. Plus she's such a beauty that you need to meet her.