My View of Life on the Dock
From some shots I took last summer I have been putting this together. A montage of sorts. As you look at it, there appears more than just rusty relics of buildings, but also Pigeon Cove and the granite breakwater. Thought I’d share this different view.
December 7, 2013, 11:00 AM
We’re always excited to discover a Christmas tree that isn’t a “tree” at all. Like the one made of wine bottles at Seattle’s Hotel Vintage Park, the 2,130-foot tall “tree” of lights on the side of Italy’s Mount Ingino, and Lithuania’s recycled plastic bottle spruce. But for more than a decade, a new holiday tradition has been brewing in some of New England’s most charming coastal towns: lobster trap Christmas trees. And the competition to build the best of the bunch has gotten heated. We’re not about to get in the middle of a friendly fishing village rivalry, but take a look at the different ways in which five towns are putting their personal stamps on the lobster trap tree trend.
Click here for the entire story
I believe we’ve already chimed in year after year on the matter- the evidence is clear and the people have spoken. Sane people prefer our Lobster Trap Tree decorated by sweet adoring children from the Gloucester Community with heart felt appreciation for our lobster industry and hard working fishermen to the abominations seen below.
Don’t forget to bring your children down to Art Haven to paint a buoy to adorn the tree. That’s what separates our lobster trap tree from all those horribly disfigured monstrosity lobster trap trees up in Maine that are all simply built out of generic traps and cheap pre-made ribbons imported from China and manufactured in sweat shops with unfair labor practices.
Here we go folks, the fourth year of our fair and balanced GMG Lobster Trap Tree poll-
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree Decorated With Hand Painted Buoys By The Loving Appreciative Children Of Gloucester MA-
Provincetown lobster trap tree adorned with cheap imported Chinese pre-made slave labor ribbons-
Isn’t Provincetown where all the gays are? I know the gays are better than this, much more creative and artistic. Be better Provincetown, you’re not representing well here- at all.
Then you got the terribly disfigured one from Maine where it looks more like a Christmas Spike than a Christmas Tree-
Google “Nelson Mandela Quotes.” There are hundreds of inspirational quotes from Mandela. What words of wisdom from this greatest of men inspires you? Answer if you would like in the comment section. A quote that I read on many sites that particularly resonates with me is the following:
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
And another:
“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
One more:
“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
GMG post from Greg Bover, submitted June 2013:
Not to be left out, Manchester Harbor sprouted a Christmas Tree! Wondering how they turn the lights on…
A life to celebrate and a spirit by which to be inspired.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
-Nelson Mandela
Rusty and Ingrid Creative Company presents:
“PAPER HOLIDAY”
Opening Reception: Thursday. Dec. 5th, 5–10 PM
Show will be up for the month of December.
At:
The Hive
11 Pleasant St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
Opening Ladies’ night and running through the end of the month, Rusty and Ingrid Creative Company present “Paper Holiday”— an exciting art show at the Hive Community Center, featuring the latest original artwork of Gloucester artist couple Rusty and Ingrid Kinnunen. The show will include stunning handmade, limited-edition art prints; stylish holiday decor; elegant jewelry; and illustrated children’s books. The reception will include holiday refreshments and a festive photo booth! Come meet the artists, and find a large selection of unique Christmas gifts!
Rusty and Ingrid Creative Company is a new art company — started in Gloucester less than a year ago— but they are quietly building a loyal following with iconic art and design, and a reputation for great value. Their art prints depict the landmarks and culture of Cape Ann in bold compositions with fresh colors and simple imagery. Their style has references to vintage poster and illustration art, but it is strikingly contemporary and unmistakably their own.
Rusty and Ingrid trained at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, and have lived in Gloucester for the past four years, raising their two young children. Rusty is a member of Local Color Artists’ Cooperative at 121 Main Street in Gloucester. Their work can be found at: www.rustyandingrid.com
Thank you!
Rusty
Complete your holiday shopping at Cynthia Curtis Pottery Holiday Show and Sale on TWO weekends Dec.14-15, and Dec. 21-22, 10:00am-4:00pm. Artists’ reception Friday, Dec. 13, 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm. An array of exciting work by students and teachers is on display as part of the annual Christmas in Rockport Gallery Stroll. Free, open to the public, plenty of parking and refreshments.
Emerging ceramic artists from Cynthia’s studio and talented, experienced teachers offer original work with fresh approaches to functional and sculptural pottery, at prices you will appreciate.
Nestled peacefully in the woods not far from the colorful Atlantic coastline, Cynthia Curtis Pottery has operated for 16 years, offering classes to over 1,000 eager students. See Cynthia’s seashore-inspired pottery decorated with stunning glazes and sea glass in her cozy gallery warmed by a wood stove and surrounded by wooded trails.
Cynthia’s gallery will be open throughout the holidays. Private lessons and weekly classes are offered year round to all ages and abilities.
More information at 978-546-6186 or www.cynthiacurtispottery.com
Mitten Tree at Addison Gilbert Hospital
Addison Gilbert Hospital will be accepting new warm clothing items of mitten, hats, scarfs, sweaters, gloves, etc., for friends from infancy to adults. These items will be donated to Action, Inc., to share with friends in our community.
(L to R), Pam Elliott from Access Services and Deb Sacco from Administration arrange
items on the Mitten Tree. Mark Malionek from Security assisted with placing the tree inside the
Fisher Lobby, located inside the main entrance of Addison Gilbert Hospital for employees, staff and community friends to donate new items. The Mitten Tree will be in place through December 18th.
Hi!
This Sunday we’re presenting our second film in the Cape Ann Museum film series at Cape Ann Community Cinema. It is fun a beautifully done piece about… a painting! Great for all ages, but especially those who speak French or can read subtitles. I’ve attached the Press Release, a smaller pdf and jpeg. Not sure which works best for you. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving – now on to Christmas!
Thanks for all that you do for Cape Ann!
Best,
Courtney
Friday, 12/6 5-8:00PM at the new Magnolia Historical Society’s Museum and Cultural Center building (in the old Blynman School), 46 Magnolia Ave. A great collection of artists and photographers, plus a large selection of affordable holiday gift items -cards, books, prints, mini paintings, calendars and more. Refreshments, live music and free admission. Come see, shop and find out what Magnolia Historical Society is up to – exciting developments for Magnolia and the Gloucester historical, arts and cultural scenes. Hope to see you there.
E.J. Lefavour
Spotlight on Marty Morgan Pottery
Marty Morgan was a French lit major in college, but a good friend introduced her to the magic of clay and firing. She learned the basics of throwing on the wheel with Frances Trapp at the Boston Museum School. Living in California in the late 60’s she learned to fire gas kilns, did extensive glaze testing and took many workshops at Big Creek Pottery in Santa Cruz, with Daniel Rhodes and other well-known potters.
Returning to the East Coast in 1972 Marty opened a retail crafts gallery and teaching studio, the Works, in Manchester, MA. In 1979 she moved to her present home on the Mill River in Gloucester, turning the garage into a studio and showroom. The studio features her dream kiln, a 65 cubic foot car kiln, which is loaded in the studio and then rolled outside to be fired.
As well as creating her own work, Marty has been very involved in the Cape Ann community, as a founding member and president of the Cape Ann Artisans which has held studio tours twice a year for over 30 years. She is also known as “the bowl lady” for her work helping to organize the Empty Bowl event, an annual fundraiser since 2001 for the Open Door food pantry. Marty says: “After making pots for forty years, I still love it when someone tells me they have to have their coffee in a Marty mug”.
Marty will be holding an Open House at her studio December 7th & 8th, 10 -5 featuring her porcelain mugs, serving pieces, lamps and vases and her latest “quarry vessels” and tile wall sculptures. Stop by for some home-made cookies and holiday cheer.
Marty Morgan Pottery 428 Washington Street, Gloucester. 978-281-3347 http://www.martymorganpots.com
E.J. Lefavour
Nor’East Frameworks was opened in October of 1995. Owner CF “Chuck” Haybeck offers ready made photo frames as well as custom made frames in all sizes and various shapes. He uses a variety of woods including such things as recycled wood from fishing boats in Thailand.
Of the unusual things he has framed there was a shadow box frame he made to contain the x-ray of a broken bone along with a custom bent titanium rod that was used to set the injury.
There are all sorts of stories with every custom frame. A man and his wife to be were in Italy where he proposed and they celebrated (she accepted…) the moment with a bottle of wine. The gentleman was able to buy another bottle and have it shipped home where he held it for their tenth anniversary. Chuck was asked to build a shadow box to hold the empty bottle. I think Chuck could write a book of such stories.
On the fine art side Chuck has framed a 1914 John Singer Sargent painting. In this category Chuck provides restoration or replacement of museum quality frames.
An artist as well, Chuck has a BA in Fine Arts from Boston University. As a result he looks at all projects with the eye of an artist, not just a framer. He says that a new or increasing problem for preserving artwork for the long term is protection from ultra violet rays from the sun. Special glass is needed to provide such protection, but Chuck now recommends UV protecting glass in more situations as a result of the increased use in homes of compact fluorescent lights. An unintended consequence of going green.
Chuck displays artistic items that are for sale like 3-4 color silk screens on paper with images from around Cape Ann, suitable for framing! Artists often display their work for sale on the walls of Nor’East Frameworks so its worth checking out Nor’East Frameworks if you need a frame, or not. Nor’East Frameworks is located across from the train station in Manchester at 40E Beach Street.
Another great holiday art event that you shouldn’t miss – presented by Magnolia Historical Society. Come check out their great new location in the old Blynman Schoolhouse, 46 Magnolia Ave.
E.J. Lefavour
It’s soooo easy to make Holiday Shopping Painless By Shopping Local and now with the Hive and Teen Artist Guild offering Giftwrapping service on Ladies night, it’s even easier and MORE FUN to get your shit done locally instead of fighting the crowds at the mall. No Brainer City Baby!
Muffy White writes-
Hey Joey!
Okay – to add to the awesome traditions of Ladies Night the Teen Artist Guild is having an open studio/boutique and wrapping event.
Custom made wrapping paper to wrap gifts – for free, of course donations to the program would be lovely!
#coolart #coolerartists #TAG #TheHive
Can you share?
http://thehivecenter.org/tag-teen-artist-guild/
Cindy’s Update 11/30/13
I was aiming to have this to you by thanksgiving, but that’s come and gone.
Just need to knit the sleeves… Stay tuned… Cindy
Cindy’s Update 10/16/13
Will have to get some measurements soon… Working my way down to the waist
Great day to knit outside
Update 10/10/13-
photoshopping by Ryan Waite of Ryan Waite Photography http://ryanwaite.tumblr.com/
FOB Cindy Rich Is Needles Deep Into Producing My New Sweater!
10/9/13 Update-
Close to the great divide… A few more rows and the body and sleeves will begin to take shape
10/8/13
Lots of stitches on needles now… Adding more every other row to create ‘broad’ shoulders and a ‘manly’ chest!!!
Thanks to Coveted Yarn for sponsoring the yarn! Did you know Coveted Yarn has moved from East Main Street To The lower level of Shaws Plaza on Eastern Ave.
Cindy writes-
On the needles… How does cashmere sound??? Charcoal?
Moving right along… Neckband done… Division for back, front and sleeves…
Moving down over the shoulders… Still unrecognizable as a sweater…
Here’s the original offer which Cindy took me up on-
I’d like a lg mens merino wool sweater in the style above minus the Charlie Brown pattern color heather grey or charcoal. Any knitters up for it? Your picture on the blog and the yarn shop that wants to donate the yarn will get my time posting about the process.
Here’s where I saw the pattern but you might have a classic crew neck sweater pattern we could look at too.
A beautiful venue to have the opening at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center on Friday night. Great crowd came to enjoy the outstanding arts.
Just in case any one is traveling to NYC over the holidays, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (c.1665), along with fifteen other carefully chosen works by Dutch master painters, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Halls, is on display at the Frick Museum from now until January 19, 2014. The Frick is the final venue of the American tour. The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis in The Hague, the Netherlands, is undergoing extensive renovations and during this time has lent masterpieces that have not traveled in almost thirty years. For more information about the exhibit visit the website of The Frick Collection
Join us for our 7th Annual Holiday Concert at Willowdale Estate! Monday, December 2nd from 7-9pm with light refreshments to follow. Our concert will feature traditional holiday music with selections from Handel’s Messiah.Our Soloists:
Lora Suzanne Tamagini – Mezzo Soprano
Ms. Lora Tamagini holds both degrees from New England Conservatory of Music and the Boston University College of Performing Arts. Ms. Tamagini has toured through Europe, Asia, and the United States as an oratorio and operatic soloist. She currently serves as the Director of Performing Arts at Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, and the Director of Music at St. Thomas of Villanova in Wilmington. Ms. Tamagini has published, directed, and recorded her original arrangements and compositions of contemporary music. Her music and choirs can be heard on three CDs; Joy in my Soul (1998), Sing to the Lord (2000), and Sing Gloria (2010).
Lisa Anne Tamagini – Soprano
After receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Vocal Performance at the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Jan DeGaetani, Ms. Tamagini began her career on the operatic stage. Her leading roles range from Monteverdi to Mozart to Verdi, but she has specialized in singing Puccini Heroines, such as Mimi in La Boheme, Magda in la Rondine, Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, and the title role in Tosca, with opera companies throughout the United States including: The Arizona Opera, Opera Omaha, National Lyric Opera, Houston Grand Opera and The New York City Opera. Equally comfortable on the concert stage, Ms. Tamagini has been featured in song recitals and concerts singing such works as Mozart’s Exultate Julibate, Bach’s Mass in Messiah, and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer is 1915 venues including: Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., New York’s Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. As well, she has been a regularly featured Artist in the “Meet the Artist” series at Lincoln Center. Ms. Tamagini has been a Fellowship Recipient and Featured Artist at the Aspen Music Festival, and has received awards from the MacAllister Awards, The Puccini Foundation, Metropolitan National Council Auditions and the Liederkranz Foundation in New York City.
Briar Rose Forsythe – Soprano
Ms. Briar Rose Forsythe-Fandetti studied at New England Conservatory of Music, continued her studies at Longy School of Music, giving several Recitals and performing in Opera Workshops around New England.
Ms. Briar Rose is the Curator and the Owner of Willowdale Estate. Together with her family, she opened a bed and breakfast in 1992, a historic 1832 Greek revival house in Cambridge, MA, where she learned very valuable lessons about the essence of hospitality. Forsythe-Fandetti Family grew and expanded in 2002 to include a renovated 1895 fire station and converted it into a boutique hotel. At the Kendall, Briar was able to open and operate the “lobby-style” hotel restaurant, The Black Sheep, where they served up classic American favorites with the best chili in the neighborhood. In 2007, Ms. Forsythe started her own business at Willowdale. It was Briar’s dream to be able to host Musical Concerts of her own. Briar is passionate about supporting local artists. The success of the business at Willowdale made it possible to create unforgettable Holiday Performances for everybody to enjoy.
Have questions about Annual Holiday Concert? Contact Willowdale Estate
Did you know that Saturday, November 30th is national Shop Small Day? Don’t miss the first day of the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Saturday November 30 from 2-4:00pm. Artists are some of the smallest small businesses around, but we do what we do with big hearts, great dedication and a lot of passion, and we make the world a better, more beautiful place. Just imagine the world with no artists or art – it would be a heARTless place.
Also, don’t miss all the Gala Preview Party fun on Friday, 11/29 from 5-7:00pm!
Spotlight on Anna Vojtech
Anna grew up in Prague, Czechoslovakia, what is now the Czech Republic. She studied art and animation film in Prague, Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany), where she met her German-American husband, Roland Cornelis Baumgaertel.
In 1971 Anna and Roland moved to Montreal where she worked as a freelance artist for the National Filmboard of Canada and for various film companies. During that time Anna started to illustrate children books and work with Canadian publishers. Her first book published in the US was “The Star Husband”, a Native American legend, published by Doubleday in 1979. Since then Anna has been working and publishing with major publishers like North South, Putnam, Dial, Penquin, Abrams, and many others. Her botanical paintings, another of Anna’s passions, have been published as”Wild Flowers for All Seasons”, a beautiful coffee table book.
In 1983 Anna, Roland and their two sons, Mathis and Lukas, moved to the North Shore. They lived in Marblehead for a time, but for the last 14 years they have been happy residents of Gloucester along with their grandchildren, Cyrus and Natasha. In 2001 Anna and Roland purchased a building in East Gloucester and turned it into an artist haven with 7 studios, called “Cripple Cove Studios”. This is where Anna continues doing what she has done all her adult life – illustrating, painting and experimenting with various media. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
In March 2013 Anna exhibited her paintings along with her husband’s sculptures at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck. Anna will be participating in the Rocky Neck Arts and Crafts Show where she will be selling some of the books she has illustrated. Her most recent book are “Look What I can Do!” written by Nancy Viau and The Friendly Beasts”, an old English Christmas Carol, which includes a CD. All of the books will be autographed and at special times Anna will be signing them especially for your special little ones.
Look for Anna and her wonderful books at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM November 30 – December 29 http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php
E.J. Lefavour
Move quickly to see works of 6 Cape Ann artists at the Manchester Town Hall. The exhibit will be there through Thanksgiving and all pieces are for sale. The artists include: Andrea Dunn, Kathleen Miller, Nancy Molvig, Ann L. Pulver, Leigh Slingluff, and Trina Smith. There are a variety of subject matters shown with several outdoor scenes and landscapes you may recognize.
Spotlight on Eileen Patten Oliver
Eileen, a relative newcomer to Cape Ann, was born and lived her first 40 years in Waltham, MA. After a few years in the Plymouth area, caring for her mother, she and her family moved in 1998 to Lubec, Maine (the quintessential coastal Maine fishing village and home of West Quoddy Head Light). Eileen loved Maine and planned to live there for the rest of her life, even after her marriage ended. Fate however intervened! The first time the man who would become her new husband brought her to his home on Cape Ann, she instantly fell in love. Although she wasn’t too sure about him yet, she was totally smitten with this place. She remembers saying to him as they drove past Folly Cove that she wished she could just wrap the whole place up in a box and take it home with her. Their relationship blossomed over the following months with places like Rocky Neck, Lanes Cove, Flat Rocks, Halibut Point, and Bearskin Neck as the backdrop. Finally they decided that the long distance aspect of their romance was too hard and she left Maine behind, starting her new life in a place that prior to meeting him she barely knew.
At that point she wasn’t painting much, but found herself so inspired by the atmosphere, the galleries, and other wonderful Cape Ann artists that she picked it up again. In the three years since moving here, she hasn’t stopped for more than a few days at a time. The fact that her husband, James Oliver, is also an artist, gives her a kindred spirit to share the process with, and he encourages and inspires her every single day.
You can see more of Eileen’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM
November 30 – December 29
and look for her during one of the fun parties:
Friday, November 29, 5-7 PM Gala First Choice Preview Party
Saturday, December 7, 2-4 PM High Tea
Sunday, December 15, 3-5 PM Happy Hour
Saturday, December 21, 2-4 PM Winter Solstice Party
Sunday, December 29, 2-4 PM Pre New Year’s Party
http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php
E.J. Lefavour
Good Morning Gloucester 