Artists' Studio Tour.
Our home is a temporary art gallery this weekend and next. In our city, the month of February is designated "Love of Art Month", and many venues around the city display the work of local artists. Joanna is displaying her gourd art in several museums.
The local Arts Council, wanting more art displayed, has urged artists to participate in a Studio Tour, these two weekends. Artists who work from their homes are asked to open a portion of their home to display their work.
Joanna agreed to participate this year, and the above shots are views of our living room for the tour. In the bottom pix, I had to close the blind for the photo because the bright sun made silhouettes of the display.
On the right side of the sideboard is some of Joanna's newest endeavor, wood carving. Here is a closer look:
Loosely patterned after Hopi Kachina Dolls, the figures are all carving and wood burning. The wood is from roots of cottonwood trees. It is found where very old cottonwoods grow along stream banks. In time the water washed away the soil, exposing the old roots.
The wood is very light, very soft. The exception is the feathers. She carved them from popcicle sticks!
Wow! Looks terrific! Joanna must be feeling much better, or you must be completely exhausted from getting it all put together.
ReplyDeleteCan people buy things on the tour, or is it just a parade of gawkers? Seems only fair that you should have at least a chance of getting paid for all the hard work.
The "Kachina" dolls are awesome. I've always been fascinated with carving - I think it goes back to Grandpa's acorn baskets - and would love to do something like that. Tell Joanna I'm jealous.
Let me know how it all works out, and if it's worth all the trouble.
Joanna's work is incredible! Beautiful colors and impeccable detail! I love the birds on the end table in the second pic! Where does she get her inspiration? How long has she been creating the gourd art? I'm a feather-lover, too, so I really admire her creative use of the feathers. Please provide an update of this artists' studio tour. Hope Joanna's displays are successful and that she will receive some monetary remuneration.
ReplyDeletePam (Pinky)