Thank You Slotin Folk Fest !..............................

WOW!!!!

What an amazing weekend 

at the

 21st annual

 Slotin Folk Fest

Atlanta, GA

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to all that made it an incredible weekend for us!

Yep, these are my little "jug heads"

They had a blast at the show being inspired by all the art and socializing with wonderful people.

My hubby was along too(apparently camera shy) and was a big help! I couldn't do the shows without him.

I met so many wonderful artist, collectors and fair folk!

I was amazed and honored to be amongst so many talented and fabulous artist

 from all over the United States. 

I got to meet Louise Grenell in person at the show. She made the journey with her hubby to take in all the folk art. I have followed her blog and it was great to meet her in person. Check out her talents at www.shuttlehookandneedle.blogspot.com
I also got to meet the super talented Carol Roll  www.nostalgicfolkart.blogspot.com
 She is a sweetheart and I have admired her whimsical folk art sculptures on Etsy but to see the real thing in person did not disappoint! if you visit her link, you can see lots of great pictures from the show. Another artist with bigger than life amazing mixed media works is Andy Saczynski. His wife took some great pics at the show. You can check out more about the show highlights and this Florida artist at  http://www.artbyandyski.com/blog/

Other amazing folks to check out:

-Marian Baker - Blockhead arts  http://blockheadarts.blogspot.com/

-S.D. Meadows - Folk Art Gallery - https://www.facebook.com/pages/SD-Meadows-Folk-Art-Gallery/254331081247295 ***** I'm nuts about his work! I bought an awesome fish at the show. I wanted to box him up and bring him home with me too. Sweetest man ever!!!

-Lucky Stradley - amazing fun pottery http://somethinglucky.com/

-Cher Shaffer - outsider artist - visionary painter  http://www.chershaffer.com/

-Debra Mager - Mosaic wonders - www.cinderellamosaics.com

-Betsy Kendrick - Whimsical Folk art -  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Betsy-Kendrick-Arts/331366118638

ah! the list could go on and on...............................

I wish I had photos to share, but unfortunately I was so absorbed into it all that I forgot to snap pictures of the rows and rows of fabulous artists.
Well, stay tuned.....................
 kids go back to school on Monday and I will begin
 to list Halloween characters in my Etsy shop!
Cheers,
Lurena

Sneak Peek for Folk Fest..................

Just a sneak peek of some of my works

 I'll have in my booth at

 Slotin Folk Fest!

Folk Dolls

 Halloween Works

 Mixed Media dolls

&

Collage

We hit the road Thurs.

 - see you in Atlanta

Working - What's on the table today..............................

Full of Whimsy and Sas! 

 Slotin Folk Fest

 is coming up

 Fast!!

Welcoming August........................

 

Yes, I am welcoming August as July comes to a close. I have been a busy bee making lots-n-lots of mermaids and other various characters but August brings the time for my all time favorites...................... Halloween! Yes, I am gearing up with bodies and pumpkin heads floating about the studio. Stay tuned for more updates.  Next stop - Slotin Folk Fest - Aug. 15-17th in Atlanta, Georgia. Woo Hooo



Working on Mermaids for the Slotin Folk Fest

The Slotin Folk Fest is just around the corner!

Mermaids in the works

 Ahoy!

Oh My!..................

Oh My! Oh My!

 It has been so warm here in our mountain town the past few days.

 Expected to be around 85 again today.

 What happened to spring? Let's not rush into summer please!!

 Sweet Petra looks just a surprised as I am.

 Us redheads don't fare well in the heat.

 Tee Hee

I just finished her and took her outside for a moment to spread her wings.

Enjoy the day!

Lurena

 

Collage Works Inspired by Garden delights and Things of Olde

Taking a break from doll making and dabbling again in collage and mixed media. I finished this sweetie on Earth Day. My muse of old papers, my love for vintage shoes, and interest in Fraktur (Pennsylvania German Folk Art), all came together and delivered this.

 

A little paint, antique faux ivory carved beads, glass beads, fabric yo-yos, cloth petals

 and vintage papers.

All arranged on a stained canvas.

Adding just a little carefully prepared stain to it all helps give it a soft vintage look

 

  I love the color pallet and dimensional/ textured look.

 (that little rabbit Miss Willow I made is fond of it too)

Sweet springtime wished

 to all!

Mixed Media Materials, Inspired by Bugs, and things that go Zoom........................

Today's table is a mess of rusty, dirty goodness!

Scrapes of tatted trims, old nails, wire, vintage papers and rusty found objects

all swirling together in my mind and hands

feverishly becoming little creatures of my imagination

Some with antenna - others with wings 

some even riding things thru the breeze.......................

Oh the magic is alive today!

Blessed Be

Spring

is

here!

Happy Spring!

Spring is in the air!

 The birds are busy and chatting away -

Our bunnies are skipping and hopping about in their little yard today.

The grass is turning green, Crocus and Tulips are popping up-

I'm painting in the studio today

Joy to all!

Lurena

Finshed...................... Miss Willow

 I'm finally getting around to posting pics of my finished rabbit - Miss Willow. She stands on an old wooden bobbin and it made from fabulous vintage wool fabric. I was inspired by my real pet rabbit named Alice featured in my previous post. It has been so difficult to get things done recently with all the snow. When the kids have a week at home with no school, it seems I can't get much of anything done. It's silly time, messes, fifty - million- questions and chaos! I am trying to get back into a routine again now- kids are back in school, snow has melted away, and hints of spring are beginning to show.

Happy Springtime thoughts to all.

Cheers

Lurena
Miss Willow is Sold. Thank You

Winter Blues...... WIP.........Inspired by Rabbits - Sweet Alice

Working hard at battling the winter blues.................. it seems like ever since I moved to the East Coast the winter month of January and February are tough ones. The buzz of the holidays is over and it just becomes the great wait for Spring. Bitter cold temps and bare trees (although beautiful in there own right) just leave me feeling empty. I have been trying to get working and focus on the seasons ahead, which brings me to my current WIP (work in progress) It kinda looks like a snow lady at this point but oh no! This little gal is going to be a sweet winter rabbit. 

 Rabbits you say! Oh My!!!! Where did that idea come from...... well, I have been smitten by my kids pet rabbits. I have never had rabbits before and I will say they can be rather a pain when it comes to chewing, digging and performing "Houdini Acts" of disappearances but oh Lordy! they are cute and sweet!!!! We have three now - Knuffle, Opal and Sweet Alice. Alice (pictured below) came into our life rather by accident back in October. We rescued her as she was running the streets of downtown and finally caught her in a Thai food restaurant parking lot. She was clearly someone's pet and very stressed and happy to come into a home with love, food and warmth. I am just so shocked that no one came forward at the SPCA or shelters in the area looking for her. No missing bunny signs either.

 Hmmmmm

 She has proven to be the sweetest in the lot and full of personality. I truly adore her.

So yes, Alice (that surely fell down the rabbit hole from somewhere) is my inspiration for my winter rabbit doll. I will post pics when it is complete.

Meanwhile, stay warm and blessed

Cheers,

Lurena

Tattered Moon

Opal (black) Knuffle (spotted) Alice (white)
enjoying some locally grown greenhouse Kale in there rabbit yard.

 

Odd Little Wall Bugs

Had fun making these fun and odd little buggie wall décor plaques.

More Mermaid dolls will be underway this next week.

Happy Friday!