Category: Art

Everyone Was A Winner

Posted on by God's Morning

cookie competition copy

at yesterday’s Season’s Best Cookie Competition and Solstice Party coordinated so exquisitely by Gigi Mederos and Stevie Black during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck.  Attendees got to taste the incredible and diverse array of cookies entered into the competition, and enjoy the antics of the serious but fun loving panel of judges made up of Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Ed Collard and Sister Felicia.  Many attendees shopped and got to enjoy the wonderful selection of art and craft items available while checking some people off their lists.  The artists got to enjoy selling their creations and knowing that they have made some money this holiday season.  We got to enjoy the beautiful sound of Eva DiLascio’s singing group that unexpectedly appeared for an impromptu round of Christmas carols.  Mayor Kirk had fun on her birthday and went home with a beautiful birthday cake baked by Karen Tibbetts.  There were many new faces at the event, so the Cultural Center wins some new appreciators of the beauty of the space and the great things we have going on there.

The winners of the Season’s Best Cookie Competition (drum roll please) were:

1st place Salted Caramel Cookies by Alison Darnell and Heather Ahearn – winner of the coveted “Got Milk?” hand painted silk cookie scarf by Gigi Mederos
2nd place Savory Cookie by Sydney and Kaleigh Cirafice
3rd place Cranberry Turtle Bars by Diane Stringer
Classic Chocolate Candy Cane Bars by Jessica McGovern
Best presentation  Cranberry Cardamom Shortbread Icycles by Two Time Winner, Jessica McGovern

but all entrants were winners because they get to have a group cookie baking class with Sister Felicia!

The Holiday Festival is open today from noon to 4:00pm with the final weekend of the festival being held Saturday and Sunday, December 28 & 29 from noon to 4:00PM with a Pre New Years Party on the 29th from 2:00-4:00PM.

E.J. Lefavour

WINTER SOLSTICE SALUTATIONS FROM THOMAS PHILBROOK

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greetings to you!

Winter began with the solstice at 12:11 PM , December 21 (EST) — the shortest day of the year. 

Wishing for you a warm and cozy holiday season.

Tom Philbrook

www.thomasphilbrook.com

www.facebook.com/PhilbrookDigitalArt

4 Days til Christmas Song ~ Louis Prima Recording of “What Will Santa Claus Say”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Louis Prima, “The King of Swing,” was a New Orleans born son of Sicilian immigrants. Primo’s career spanned five decades and he was a trumpeter, singer, songwriter, and actor. Prima was also the voice of the orangutan in Disney’s the Jungle Book, performing the song “I Wanna be Like You.”

I am curious to know if any GMG readers ever saw Louis Prima play during his long career.

Louis prima trumpet

Kudos To David Brooks, Bex Borden The Staff and Kids At The Hive

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

If you don’t know by now that The Hive is just an incredible gift to our community and positive force than you just aren’t living breathing and opening your eyes enough to realize what positive juju is being pumped out there daily.

It’s a testament to Founder David Brooks, his staff and the teens that make the place hum.

http://thehivecenter.org/

Thank you for this gift.

5 Days til Christmas Song ~ “Pretty Paper

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Submitted by GMG FOB Jeff. I was familiar with Roy Orbison’s version Of “Pretty Paper” but had never heard Willie Nelson’s. Thank you Jeff for your sharing!

The Best Christmas Decoration EVER! (Not to Overstate it)

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

This year I was lucky enough to acquire one of the limited-run wall hangings created in printer Julia Garrison’s studio & shop, The Sarah Elizabeth Shop, in Rockport. The piece hangs near our dinner table and I stare at it during every meal, surprised every time by the beauty and the level of detail in the design.

The wall hanging was printed from a block carved in 1950 by local artist Delores Rapp, who was trained by Virginia Lee Burton, the founding member of the Folly Cove Designers, so it is only fitting that over six decades later, prints are being made from the block using the same Acorn Press that was used by the Folly Cove Design Collective, which Julia uses in printing both archival and her own original designs.

Julia prints this piece in a few different colors. Mine is printed in red ink on a natural linen background.
Julia prints this piece in a few different colors. Mine is printed in red ink on a natural linen background.

This year, the current owner of the vintage block (Delores Rapp passed away a few years ago) came to Julia and they worked out an arrangement that allows Julia to print a limited run of wall hangings from the block. All the wall hangings are hand-printed and sewn locally, using archival ink on linen, which lasts forever, so your descendents will still be enjoying this pieces many Christmas moons from now.

You can purchase the hanging (and see other options for ink/background colors) directly from Julia online HERE. Or better yet, go see her in her studio/shop this weekend at 5 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport to see the wall hangings — and her other wares — in person.

This piece is bound to be an heirloom in our own family — I am already attached to it more than pretty much any other holiday item I have — and will no doubt be equally as meaningful in the homes of every one else who gets their hands on one. It is beautiful both for the amazing design (when you consider that every detail was hand carved!) and for its connection to our local and current artistic heritage.

I’m sorry my photos don’t do it justice. Check it out at Julia’s online shop or in person to get the full effect of these limited-run pieces.

Just some of the detail of the design.
Just some of the detail of the design.

 

Shopping Local ~ Again and Again

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Again and Again ©Kim Smith 2013Again and Again -2 ©Kim Smith 2013Looking for a last minute gift idea? Again and Again, located in East Gloucester Square at 195 East Main Street, has a fantastic selection of bags in every size and shape, including totes, messenger bags, and handbags. My daughter Liv can attest to the fact that Again and Again bags never die. She has used her tote countless times in her travels and whenever I see it in use, hers is stuffed to the gills. Stop in and say hello to Frieda, Beth, and Regina and do some local, and locally-made, Christmas shopping!

Frieda Grotjahn Again and Again ©Kim Smith 2013Frieda Grotjahn

Beth Chiancola Again and Again ©Kim Smith 2013Beth Chiancola

Regina Loiacano Again and Again ©Kim Smith 2013Regina Loiacano

Again and Again -4 ©Kim Smith 2013Visit Again and Again’s website for more information on their recycled sails repurposed into memorable bags and gifts.

Previous GMG posts about Again and Again:

Again and Again GMG Messenger Bag Slide Show

Again and Again 2010 Sailbag Auction To Benefit GHS Sailing Pics

Again and Again -3 ©Kim Smith 2013

6 Days til Christmas Song ~ “All I Want for Christmas is You”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Mariah Carey, Jimmy Fallon, and the awesome Roots

Mariah Carey’s 19-year old holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas” (released in 1994) is at the top of Billboard’s chart!

Artist Spotlight Series – Marty Swanson

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_marty swanson

Spotlight on Marty Swanson

Martha Swanson is an award winning artist who works in watercolor, color pencil, acrylics, oils and mixed media. Before moving to Santa Fe in the late 80’s she enjoyed working in her studio at the Fenway Studios and was Board president of the Cambridge Art Association. She has exhibited in the Boston area and Santa Fe, NM with several one person and small group shows and was chosen for a “New Mexico ‘ 93” a juried exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe. Her work is in many private collections nationwide.

Marty has extensive experience in non-profit management, exhibition installations and has designed many books and publications including Art New England, and the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. Now living in Rockport and soaking up inspiration while wandering the woods and beaches of Cape Ann with her canine friend, she works out of her Rockport studio and with the folks at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck where she was recently elected Artistic Director of the Art Colony.

You can see her work at the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival, which we co-coordinated. I have really enjoyed working with and getting to know Marty.

Stop by this weekend for our Solstice Party and Season’s Best Cookie Competition, and check out Marty’s work.  It is exceptional, and very reasonably priced.

E.J. Lefavour

Community Stuff 12/18/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey.

I have a perfectly good (22 year old) standard size, tan Magic Chef refrigerator.

(Someone from Gloucester Housing Authority was going to take it, but they haven’t shown up to get it and may be having trouble finding someone to help them.)

if someone has a truck and some big strong men that can take it to the woman in need of it, that would be great!!! It would make a great Christmas present for this family. If anyone can help with this- email me info@dreamtimewellness.com or call- 978-283-4258. OR- If one of your readers needs it/wants, it has to be picked up between 7 and 8 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday 12/17.) (otherwise the appliance people are taking it away!)

Thank you Joey!     Karen Pischke

Extended hours for the Sarah Elizabeth Shop

Christmas Hanging close up red whiteIMG_2018IMG_2064JuliaSarahElizShop2

Hi Joey,

I’ve been printing like crazy and for those who don’t know, The Sarah Elizabeth Shop has awesome old fashioned cards that are all hand printed on the Acorn Press right in the shop. If people come down they are likely to find me printing out orders, which is a great opportunity to see the old girl in action (meaning the press-its from 1850)

This Christmas Ive printed limited editions of two local artists. One is Delores Rapp, who’s 20″x30″ linoleum block was bought recently at a church fair by Christina Rhodes and brought to me to be printed. Although it took two people to handle printing it, it looks great! With a copyright 1950, signed by the artist, it is Christmas nostalgia personified and a masterpiece of carving and design. If anyone has any other information about how she learned to carve so well or any other Delores Rapp prints, come in to the shop.

The other artist who’s work I printed is Mahlon Hoagland. His son Jay asked to do a special edition on the Acorn Press. He said that it was an honor to have them reprinted on the press that the Folly Cove Designers all used. The name of the blocks are “Cruising I” and Cruising II” and I have a few for sale in the shop for Christmas for those who can’t afford originals.

Some people ask me why I print other people’s work and I tell them, it’s to get people interested in the shop and to keep the shop going. No one ever got rich block printing on fabric but the more people realize the history and see it’s relevance, the more it can contribute to the quality of life on Cape Ann. It’s always a pleasure for me to enlighten people about the Folly Cove Designers, so if you don’t know much about them, come on by.
My shop has extended hours for December. Wednesday December 18- Tuesday, December 24, I will be open 10-5. Call (978)546-1037 to make an appointment for another time to shop or go to the website and place an order www.sarah-elizabeth-shop.com

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Julia Garrison

owner and printer

The Sarah Elizabeth Shop

5 Whistlestop Mall

Rockport, MA

image

Final Weekend for Art in the Schoolhouse

Posted on by God's Morning

magnolia historical society art show poster2

If you haven’t had a chance to stop by yet, this weekend will be your last chance to see the Art in the Schoolhouse holiday show at Magnolia Historical Society, 46 Magnolia Ave.  There is a great collection of over 90 pieces of work, as well as a great selection of affordable holiday gift items.  A great opportunity to check out the new home of the Magnolia Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center.  Free admission and plenty of free parking.

E.J. Lefavour

9 Days Before Christmas Song ~ The Killers “A Great Big Sled”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

“A Great Big Sled” is an original song released by The Killers in 2006.

Verse 1:
The snowman is shaping up to be an eight,
but not out of ten
The robots awake to find out they’ve been taped down
wondering when
They’ll break through these chains, but
little boys have action toys for brains
I’m living proof it can last a long time
Now the girls up the street are in scents sweet
well they’re all in bed
They got their makeup and dreams, wonderland
sprinkled inside their heads
Soon they will change,
but tonight Hollywood has never seemed so strange
Their mother’s praying it’ll last a long time

Chorus 1:
I wanna roll around like a kid in the snow
I wanna relearn what I already know
Just let me take flight
dressed in red through the night on a great big sled
I wanna wish you Merry Christmas… Ho Ho Ho Continue reading “9 Days Before Christmas Song ~ The Killers “A Great Big Sled”” →

10 Days Before Christmas Songs ~ What is Your Favorite Chritmas Song?

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A New Favorite ~ Mary J Blige and Jessie J “Do You Hear What I Hear” from Blige’s new Christmas album A Mary Christmas, released October 15, 2013. You have to get through all the adds first, but worth it!

*    *    *

Are you the type of person who actually LOVES Christmas songs? I am, and find it really keeps my spirits lifted during the holiday season. I enjoy playing it throughout our home and when in the car (to the dismay of my husband) and adore Christmas music of all genres; traditional carols and standards, spirituals, and most especially, pop and rock and roll Christmas songs.  My list is quickly growing too long as I write this–The Pretender’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” U2’s “Baby Please Come Home,” Brenda Lee’s “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus,” Eartha Kit’s “Santa Baby,” and a new favorite, Michael Buble’s version of “All I Want for Christmas is You,” to name only a very few. If you have a favorite Christmas song, or two, or three, or more, I would love to know yours.

Here’ is of one of my favorites to keep your spirits up and to get you through the holiday madness, “Christmas All Over Again,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I think you’ll enjoy the funny and sweet lyrics.

Reblogged from 2012

Artist Spotlight Series – Nina Goodick

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_nina goodick

Spotlight on Nina Goodick.

Nina was born and raised in Gloucester and comes from a hardworking family of Sicilian Italian and Portugese Gloucester Fisherman. Her great grandfathers, grandfathers, father, uncles, and brother were all fisherman and she spent summers on the family fishing boat the “Linda B”. From them and the women of the family, she learned hard work, love of family, faith, and of course food. Nina says: “In an Italian family, food is love, and we feed everything.” Family has always, and will always be the most important thing in her life.

Relatively new to the pottery world, Nina has been taking classes for the past few years with Cynthia Curtis and has enjoyed the company of her new fellow potter friends. In 2012 Nina was nominated as a seArts emerging artist, and from there decided to emerge herself into learning more about pottery. Her husband Stephen, who constantly encourages her, built her a studio to work from in their home. Then came the kiln, and lots of clay and learning. Her dear friend Marty Morgan, encouraged her to explore glazes, throwing technique, and to embrace the opening of the kiln – something any potter will tell you is both exciting and terrifying.

Nina enjoys throwing functional pottery, bowls, mugs, platters, things you can use. In addition to these, she recently has been creating wall pieces – Codfish, Haddock and Redfish – which connect her to her family heritage. She has also been making wall crosses which she was inspired to create through her work with a medical mission group from the Holy Family Parish, helping the poor in the Dominican Republic. Most of her inspiration comes from her family, friends, faith, and her sister Theresa who is an artist. Nina has always looked up to her creativity and abilities to capture feelings in her artwork. Nina does not consider herself an artist, but just a person who like to make pots.

This past year Nina was a participant in the Cape Ann Ceramics Festival at Rocky neck, and the Pottery Trail. Having people visit her studio and home gallery was a great experience for her, which she truly enjoyed. She is a member of seArts, and the Rocky Neck Art Colony. Her work can be seen at the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Craft Festival weekends through December 29th, seArts Wearable Art & Home Décor Show, December 14th & 15th, and Flatrocks Gallery Feast Exhibit through December 28th.

If you’ve finished shoveling out and want to have some fun, come by the Center for Happy Hour from 3-5:00 today and see some of Nina’s work, which is being exhibited alongside some of her sister, Theresa’s work.

E.J. Lefavour

11 Days Before Christmas Song ~ “The Season’s Upon Us”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

If you aren’t already, to get us  in the mood for the holidays ~

I am patting myself on the back as all my gift boxes to friends and family far and wide are in the mail a few days earlier than usual. Hooray! Next hurdle is wrapping up design projects for client’s homes before Christmas, and then family time! I love getting together with loved ones during the holidays, but sometimes it can be a challenge. Then the thought of having a Dropkick Murphy’s kind of Christmas makes me laugh and I realize that, in comparison, nothing is unnavigable! 

“The Season’s Upon Us” was submitted last year by GMG FOB Kathy. What is our favorite holiday song?

 

Everyone Loves Happy Hour, Especially when it is Two and Free

Posted on by God's Morning

happy hour

This weekend the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts festival continues Sat. & Sun. from noon to 4:00, with a Happy Hour Party on Sunday, 12/15 from 3-5:00pm.  Typical Happy Hour fare, beer, wine and a special festive holiday concoction that will warm the cockles of your heart, fingers, toes and other parts that might need warming.

The festival features over 2,500 items by Rocky Neck Art Colony members, many ranging in price from $4 to $50, for a relaxing, unique and fun local shopping and party experience.

E.J. Lefavour

Art in the Schoolhouse – Holiday Art Sale Presented by The Magnolia Historical Society

Posted on by Thom Falzarano

magnolia historical society art show poster3

 

 

ART SALE  – Saturday Dec 14th & Sunday Dec 15th from 10am till 2pm

A great turnout of Artist and shoppers during last weekends opening, with over 16 artists participating and 150 plus pieces of work on display, the Blynman School once again fill with joy, laughter and creativity.

Stop in next weekend Saturday Dec 14th & Sunday Dec 15th from 10am till 2pm, and take your time to enjoy some great Art work and see the revitalization of the Blynman Schoolhouse, the home of The Magnolia Historical Society, 46 Magnolia Ave  Gloucester, MA.