Category: Art

MACKLEMORE LIVE at Best Buy Theatre

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Macklemore Wanz -2 ©Kim Smith 2013A whirlwind 20 hours in New York City to see the extraordinary Macklemore and Company perform at Best Buy Theatre left me spellbound and so not wanting the concert to be over!

Macklemore Wanz -1 ©Kim Smith 2013 copyWanz singing Thrift Shop

Macklemore Wanz ©Kim Smith 2013I was a guest of my daughter Liv, who is the events manager at Best Buy Theatre. How proud I am of her and the fantastic job she does! I followed her around the theatre and observed as she managed 80 plus employees including 45 security guards, and as many bartenders, waitresses, hatcheck girls, and barbacks. The Xbox event was particularly complex and she had been at the theatre since 6am that morning and wasn’t going to be leaving until 6am the following morning. I had to laugh (with admiration) because if you’ve ever met my daughter, you know she is a petite blonde, and she is managing the likes of hurly burly security guards aptly nicknamaed “House.” Most of the employees are young aspiring actors and actresses, or a bit older with families to support, and everyone was super, super sweet and fun to meet.Ryan Lewis -1 ©Kim Smith 2013jpg copy

macklemore -3©Kim Smith 2013 jpgI found Macklemore awhile back and by accident one day while googling around looking for interesting and beautiful music videos, which then led to entering their video competition for the song BomBom. Liv knows that I am a huge, huge fan of Macklemores and I was on cloud nine when she asked if I would like to attend the event. Their music and their message are beautiful and delivered with heart and humor.  The concert was fabulous and fun in every way–really simply beyond fabulous!!!

Mary Lambert ©Kim Smith 2013Mary Lambert singing the tender and heartfelt Same Love

macklemore -1 ©Kim Smith 2013jpg jpgRyan lewis bl-wh ©Kim smith 2013Macklemore -4 Kim Smith 2013 jpgRyan Lewis ©Kim Smith 2013 copyMacklemore ©Kim Smith 2013I didn’t have my interchangeable lens camera with me, as they are often times not allowed, and had to rely on my iPhone for video. I had never  shot anything longer than a Vine with my iPhone and discovered that the iPhone shoots in 1080p, which is wonderful and ideal for editing.

See my live recording of Macklemore performing “Can’t Hold Us” on my blogs at Kim Smith Designs or Butterfly Films.

Times Square ©Kim Smith 2013Times Square

Liv found a great little hotel in midtown, within walking distance of Penn Station and Best Buy Theatre. The following morning, before heading back to Gloucester (and she to bed for some much needed rest), we walked around Bryant Park in the rain and had a late breakfast at a charming French pâtissier.  ~ Thanks to my darling daughter Liv for the wonderfully fun 20-hour New York City whirlwind!

Carousel Liv Bryant park ©Kim Smith 2013Bryant Park Carousel

See a live recording of Macklemore performing “Can’t Hold Us” on my blogs at Kim Smith Designs or Butterfly Films.

See more posts related to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ~

Same Love Marriage

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Win THREE Awards at the VMAs!!!

BomBom Butterflies Video

Artist Spotlight Series – Jen Moltoni

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_Jen Moltoni

Spotlight on Jen Moltoni

Originally from Maine and now settled in Melrose, Jen Moltoni is a collage artist whose images are created using hand-painted paper and photographs. Jen loves color and the ocean, and is inspired by both. She makes a point of traveling to the North Shore at least once a week to take a walk on one of the many lovely beaches and to find inspiration for her work. Jen is a relatively new member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, and this will be her first Holiday Art and Fine Craft Festival.

Although never formally trained, Jen has always enjoyed painting, and would create collages for fun when she was in High School. “I remember being obsessed with perfume bottles. I didn’t actually own any fancy perfume, and I didn’t wish that I had some. It was more about the different shapes and colors of the bottles themselves. I would look through magazines, and every time there was a new perfume ad, I would cut out the picture and attach it to one of the walls in my bedroom. By the time I went off to college, I had a space on my wall that was about 3’x3’, and it was covered with tiny pictures of perfume bottles. I loved figuring out how they would fit together best. My rule was that I could not use the same perfume bottle picture twice.”

“I do the same thing with the collages that I do now. The difference is that I don’t start off with a specific shape or color or texture. I figure that out as I go. I also make rules with the photographs that I cut up sometimes, just to make it interesting. For example, if I want to have the ocean in one of my collages, I can’t use cut up pieces of a photograph of the ocean to re-create that. I can use anything –pieces of a sky or tree photo, painted paper, but NOT a picture of the ocean. Silly (sometimes broken) rules. It’s fun.” As a busy mom who works full time at a local university, it can be difficult to carve out time for being creative, but Jen has worked hard to make her artwork a priority. “As a parent I’ve found that it can be difficult to find time for myself. However, once I committed to having certain times during the week that were dedicated to giving myself permission to be creative, I found that overall the quality of my life improved noticeably. Painting and doing collages is something that makes me happy, and being happy is making me a better parent.”

You can follow Jen’s work on her blog: http://jenmoltoni.blogspot.com/, and look for more of her 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

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Time to order your 2014 Cape Ann calendars! BY SHARON

Posted on by Joanne

sharon lowe Cape Ann calendars make a great gift for those who used to live here, someone in the service, or for friends who would love to live here someday! They can be mailed directly or you can pick them up at Present, 33 Main St here in Gloucester. Here’s where you can order: http://slowephoto.com/?p=6864

These calendars have become favorites for people all over the country! Year after year folks re-order for gift-giving or to keep for themselves. I love the notes I get from those who                                                         have received calendars during the holiday season.

The calendars make great holiday gifts for:

-Your kids’ teachers
-The dog groomer
-Your hairdresser
-Friends who have moved away
-An elderly person
-Mail delivery person
-Babysitter
-Your favorite waitress
-Party host(ess)
-Newspaper delivery person
-Your mother-in-law
Just about anybody! (Even your therapist!!)

sharon calendar set up

This calendar comes in a unique cd-type case which flips into a stand for the monthly pages. s 1

Good Harbor Beach desk calendar:

s2 gh-back-front-copy And the 8.5 x11 Cape Ann  wall calendar : cover-copy back-big

Marty Morgan Open House

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

My open house is coming up soon. Perfect for the holidays are small bowls made up with stones and narcissus bulbs, ready to grow indoors; extra-large mugs; and bud vases in bright colored glazes. Stop by to enjoy home made cookies and choose a free piece of pottery from my special basket (while they last). My 20 % off all pottery sale extends through the month of December. Call ahead for hours beyond the open  house: 978-281-3347www.martymorganpots.com.  I’d love to see you over on this side of Cape Ann!

image

Snapshots from Jeff Weaver’s New Works Show

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Jeff Weaver ©Kim Smith 2013

I took a little break from work this afternoon and ran over to Jeff’s studio to have a look at his new work. I urge to go; you will not be disappointed. Jeff captures the beauty of Gloucester’s waterfront and neighborhoods with matchless skill and inimitable eye. The show runs from now through December 21st. Ricardo Diana Fernandez ©Kim Smith 2013Perfect timing–while there, I met Beverly residents Ricardo and Diana Fernandez, the proud new owners of Jeff’s Cape Pond Ice painting.

Scott and Marie Memhard ©Kim Smith 2013Scott Memhard, owner of Cape Pond Ice, with his lovely daughter Marie.

Jim Holscher ©Kim Smith 2013Jim Holscher, collector of Jeff Weaver paintings, perusing the bins.

SIMPLY STUNNING~ Gorgeous New Works from Jeff Weaver

For more information, visit Jeff’s website.

Tomorrow night look for my latest mini film ~ Macklemore LIVE performing “Can’t Hold Us,” which I filmed at the Xbox Release Party at Best Buy Theatre in New York City this past Thursday Night!

Artist Spotlight Series – Kathy Gerdon Archer

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_Kathy Archer

Spotlight on Kathy Gerdon Archer

Kathy owned and operated White Bird Gallery on Rocky Neck for many years where she sold her fine art photographs. Separate from her gallery, she also sells her work commercially to hospitals and hotels.

Above are some of the work she will have at the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Show.  Her images of flowers are typically produced on a very large scale but for this event she plans to produce them smaller, making them a more affordable gift possibility.

Kathy is on the Board of The Rocky Neck Art Colony and The Goetemann Residency Program here in Gloucester.  She is also a member of The Copley Society of Boston, The Cambridge Art Association and The Kingston Gallery in Boston’s South End, where she will have a show in February of 2014. http://www.Kathleengerdonarcher.com

You can see more of Kathy’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

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Salt Water: Paintings by Hartley Ferguson

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

The opening of Hatley Ferguson’s Salt Water: Paintings by Hartley Ferguson was held November 22 at a new showcase for local artists. Essen’s Bakery owner Toby Gado is showcasing Harley Ferguson’s work following the opening reception “Art After Dark”.  The artist  has always lived by the sea from summers on Fisher’s Island to more than 30 years living in Gloucester and now her present location in the Basque Country in Northern Spain.

Although she has primarily been a figurative painter, the water and swimmers in this exhibit have been a recurring focus combining her love of the water and swimming with her love of the human form. While not self portraits, many of these paintings grew out of her experiences under, through and in the water.

Inquires may be made to and paintings purchased from the artist’s agent Sue Henderson, (978) 828-3826 or sueartistsagent@yahoo.com . A portion of the proceeds from painting sales will be donated to the Colleen Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund in Danvers.

Reminder: Jeff Weaver’s New Works Opening Reception is Saturday November 23rd, 2 ~ 6pm

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

See previous GMG post to read all the good things people are saying about Jeff Weaver ~

SIMPLY STUNNING~ Gorgeous New Works from Jeff Weaver

and visit Jeff’s website for more information about the opening.

Jeff Weaver

Artist Spotlight Series – Heidi Caswell Zander

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_heidi caswell zander

Spotlight on Heidi Caswell Zander

Picture a nine year old striding to catch up to a pack of adults through, for her, shoulder high meadow grass; going through the summer light to someplace unknown to paint, with adults. That was the first group workshop, in 1967, one of many to follow over the next few decades.  Cobalt and cerulean, the smell of horse glue as water hit paper. Marathon sessions of being by the shore and watching dozens of versions of the same place manifest on easels as the sun arced across the horizon.

After learning from Teralak and Schlemm and at Rhode Island School of Design, months of exploring Italy and years of exploring Europe followed. A buffet of Museum collections developed Zander’s personal style: a pinch of Sargent, a cup of German Expressionism, a gallon of energy and brushstrokes.

Blue is the best color, rich, close and distant, peaceful and exciting at the same time. Almost every painting is majoritively blue, and pulsates with the rhythm of stroke.  Jewelry employs the same palette and rhythm. Same combinations and signature, different mediums and functionality.

Zander recently discovered that her Cape Ann connection began decades before her birth with Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude Stuven Stanwood painted and etched from her home base in Lanesville with her contemporaries Teresa Bernstein and Myerwitz. The ladies sipped elderberry wine at her house with Woodrow Wilson’s relative, carrying on her fathers trade as a Rockport shopkeeper. Ironically, one of Gertrude’s paintings was painted from the base of Zander’s Wharf Road driveway decades earlier, with a second painting on the back of the same painting board of the church in which Zander was married. Stomping the same foot steps!

In 2005 Zander opened Tidal Edge Gallery carrying on her father’s occupation as a Rockport business owner. For all the world, Cape Ann is home.

You can see more of Heidi’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

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Throwback Thursday: “You Gotta Love Him!”

Posted on by capeannpainter

My contribution for Throwback Thursday.

I did this post below back in February 2010. I used to bust Joey’s Balls a lot back when I first started Posting for GMG. I used to wait until Late at Night or when Joey went on his Winter vacations. GMG was a little different back then. I think I quit GMG Three times my first year after Joey started censoring my posts and comments that the “readers” might find offensive. What a kill joy. Well stay tuned. Joey’s vacation times start in about a month.

 

You Gotta Love Him!

No Matter What He’s Doing,

Joey’s Always Working Hard To Bring You Great Content!

Thanks Joey!

Bound 2 ~ World’s Dumbest Music Video?

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Is it me? Am I missing a message, or is Kanye West’s and Kim Kardashian’s music video for “Bound 2” the worst you have ever seen?

I haven’t yet heard the comparison drawn, but think too that it is a mindless and course appropriation of Mariah Carey’s and Miguel’s evocatively filmed video for #Beautiful. What do you think?

Artist Spotlight Series – Bridgette Mathews

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_bridgette mathews

Spotlight on Bridgette Mathews

Bridgette feels so lucky to have been born and raised in the beautiful coastal community of Gloucester, and feels spoiled living next door to some of the most photographed surroundings in New England. Every time she goes “ova the bridge” to seek out bigger and better scenes to photograph, she always finds that there’s very little that compares to our breathtaking, ever-changing backyard.

She has raised three grown daughters on this island and is now enjoying her recent empty-nest status with her husband Neil, living life one adventure at a time. She has been taking “pictures” all her life but in the past few years has been able to slow down and use her creativity to create “Photographs”. As a Photo-hobbyist, landscapes are her favorite subjects and she’s a sucker for a stunning cloud filled sunset! She enjoys the process of capturing an image and finds that the most rewarding part of photography is the discovery and knowledge behind each subject that she photographs, as well as the many people she meets along the way.

You can see more of Bridgette’s stunning photography 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

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Magnolia Historical Society Presents Art in the Schoolhouse

Posted on by God's Morning

magnolia historical society art show poster3

The Magnolia Historical Society, 46 Magnolia Ave. in Magnolia is presenting Art in the Schoolhouse a holiday art show and sale in the lovely old Blynman Schoolhouse, with proceeds to benefit the Magnolia Historical Society’s restoration of the Blynman School into the Magnolia Historical Museum and Cultural Center.   It will take place Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm daily.  There will be a Preview Opening Reception Party on Friday, December 6 from 5-8:00 pm with Refreshments and Live Music.  Free admission.  The show will feature works by Donna Ardizzoni, Lauren Asaro, Charlie Carroll, Joey Ciaramitaro, Terry DelPercio, Thom Falzarano, Marion Hall, Audi Lane, EJ Lefavour, Laureen Maher, Carol McKenna, John Nesta, Sinikka Nogelo, David Piedmonte and Deb Schradieck.

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Deborah Way

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_Deborah Way2

Spotlight on Deborah Way

Deborah learned her craft from a jeweler in the ‘70s on Cape Cod, beginning with sterling silver. She soon expanded her repertoire to include gold and gems. Working for 12 years on the other Cape, she was further inspired by a master craftsman who taught her the finer points of hammering, as well as other advanced techniques.

Deborah counts herself very lucky to have landed in Gloucester in 2000; a perfect way to start a new century in an environment that encourages such a variety of expression. She settled in, set up her bench, adopted her shelter dog, Hope, and takes her daily walks on the Boulevard; all the while marveling at how much of the coast line is open to residents and visitors, which is not the case on Cape Cod.

After spending many years in business, Deborah is grateful to be back at her bench creating jewelry from sterling and gold, and taking some metal courses to explore new methods to extend her field of work. She just loves being able to live in this artistic environment, which encourages her to work better instead of harder.

Presently, she is finding new inspiration from the curves she sees in nature, and her next step is to create new designs for her jewelry based on these curves. As a result of her recent metal course, she is also looking at the possibility of working iron for garden ornamentation.

Look for more of Deborah’s beautiful jewelry 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

Viva Verde – Celebrating Verdi’s 200th Birthday

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

Thanksgiving week starts with “Viva Verdi!” Saturday, November 23 at Crowell Chapel

Check Other Upcoming Events Below

The Diva and the Fiddler
The Diva and the Fiddler

Thanksgiving week starts this Saturday with American Soprano Diana Jacklin, and leading Austrian violinist Hartmut Ometzberger throwing a 200th birthday celebration for Giuseppe Verdi at Manchester’s Crowell Chapel at 7:30. They will be performing Ometzberger’s beautiful arrangements of Verdi, Mozart and Turn-of-the-Century songs in Manchester’s visually stunning 1903 chapel.

See the program, bios of the performers and other Holiday Music events at the Crowell web site (thecrowellchapel.com). And while you’re on the web, help with historic preservation by “sharing” this event with your friends through the Crowell Chapel Facebook page.

The Concert Series is sponsored by the Historic Manchester Trust which helps care and advocate for the maintenance of Manchester’s historic structures. Tickets are $25, and $15 for students and children under 12. Purchase them online, at local stores in Manchester-by-the-Sea including Nor’East Frameworks, North Coast Too! or by calling Woody Kelly at 617-755-9299.

The Manchester Council on Aging is offering Seniors special $10 tickets and transportation to the event. For information or tickets please call them at (978) 526-7500.

Free street parking at the edges of the Rosedale Cemetery. Parking directions are on the website: www.thecrowellchapel.com.

 

Viva Verdi 250x200 copy

 

Artist Spotlight Series – Guatopo

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_Guatopo copy

Spotlight on Guatopo – Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black

Gigi Mederos, originally from Venezuela, is known for her Rocky Neck gallery, Aquatro, and its island blue floors and warm, inviting atmosphere. This past year was Gigi’s third season running a gallery and making art on the Neck. She was also the Artistic Director for the Rocky Neck Art Colony this past year.

Stevie Black is a native New Englander who has been on the North Shore for the past 10 years. Stevie is stepping down from his post as the Marketing Director for the Colony during the 2013 calendar year to devote more time to developing and promoting Guatopo’s product line and new collections. The limited-edition ties that were developed and designed by Stevie were a huge hit this summer. Bold and elegant, these ties were designed to reflect the wearer’s personality and put the finishing touch on their ensemble.

This holiday season, partners Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black, bring a collection of hand-crafted and hand-painted 100% silk scarves and compact mirrors along with their all-new for 2013 collection of men’s ties and trivets created under their Guatopo label. The name “Guatopo” comes from Guatopo National Park, about an hour south of Caracas, in Gigi’s native Venezuela. Pronounced “gwa-toe-poe,” the park is mostly tropical rainforest with many watersheds flowing from a central mountain range that rises to 5000 feet. A short, refined name, they chose Guatopo because it embraced the micro/macro subject matter in Gigi’s work and the authentic quality of her paintings, from which many of their patterns derive.

Keep up with all their events and happenings in 2014 by going to http://www.aquatrogallery.com and look for them 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

Artist Spotlight Series – Jenny Rangan

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_jenny rangan

Spotlight on Jenny Rangan

Jenny grew up in Northern New Mexico in an adobe house with a woodstove, an outhouse, and a well for water, so her first experience of clay was living in it, with all its colors and curves and glorious decay.

Jenny officially fell in love with clay in college and earned a degree in Fine Art from UNM with an emphasis on Ceramics. Following graduation she created outdoor sculpture from adobe, apprenticed with Avra Leodas (current owner of Santa Fe Clay) in Santa Fe, NM, and made pit-fired pots from micaceous clay with Felipe Ortega in La Madera, NM. She then spent 20 years as a Bodyworker and Counselor, barely touching clay.

Inspired by classes at Cynthia Curtis’ Studio in Rockport, she has re-emerged over the last four years with full passion. Jenny loves to work sculpturally, combining thrown and handbuilt elements, aspiring to a combination of spontaneity and grace. Currently she enjoys creating functional art that can bring beauty, pleasure and meaning to everyday life.

This past August Jenny co-created and co-curated the first Cape Ann Ceramics Festival with Susan Hershey and Seyrel Williams at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, an amazing and very successful event.

Over the holidays her work will be in the Rocky Neck Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Festival 11/30-12/29, in Feast at Flatrocks in Lanesville through 12/29, in the Wearable Art and Home Décor Show and Sale at the Sawyer Free Library 12/14-15, and at Cynthia Curtis Student and Studio Pottery Show 12/13-12/22. Jenny’s work can also be seen at Artitudes in West Newton, MA

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Man Supports the Arts With Statement to His Ex…

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

Amazing lengths some people will go to.. Perhaps this guy should have moved on long ago, but no. He buys a house next-door to his Ex and  installs a work of art for her to admire.. A very expensive hand gesture. Click the article to read more! Jeez, can you believe this?

Artist Spotlight Series – Susan Hershey

Posted on by God's Morning

spotlight_susan hershey

Artist Spotlight on Susan Hershey

Susan’s wood kiln is fired several times a year. Firings take anywhere from 15 to 25 hours to complete and require constant feeding of the fireboxes. A group of potters work together, and the firings are joyous events that can last late into the night or early morning. Before it can be opened, the kiln must cool for at least as long as it’s been hot. Some of the markings on the pots are a result of the ash and flames that swirl around inside during the firing.

Ben Ryterband, Susan’s first teacher at Mass College of Art & Design, introduced her to Japanese glazes. She feels very fortunate to have taken workshops and classes with Rockport potter/teacher, Cynthia Curtis, as well as Lanesville’s own potter par excellence Anni Melançon, Welsh potter Phil Rogers, Minnesota potter Linda Christainson, the Shino Warrior Malcolm Davis, North Carolina potter Michael Kline, wood fire guru Jack Troy, Tim Rowan, hand builder extraordinaire Hayne Bayless, Robert Briscoe, Ken Matsuzaki, Shoji Hamada’s grandson Tomoo Hamada, living legend Warren Mackenzie and New Hampshire wonder potter Karen Orsillo.

As Susan says: “Pots that look as though they’ve been dug up from the earth touch my soul; the Japanese aesthetic influences my work, as well as the powerful and beautiful ocean and granite that make living on Cape Ann so special and spiritual. I produce useful vessels and ceramics to please the eye and the heart in the belief that we all must give to the world love, honesty and beauty.”

You can see more of Susan’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

http://rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour