BEST IN SHOW "Art in the Gardens" 2010

©2010 Debra E. Riffe
"i learnt to sing a glad new song"

One week has passed and I haven't had much time to sit back and reflect on my BEST IN SHOW award. It was so unexpected. I was stunned. However, I must admit that I feel very proud that my artwork received top recognition.

Congratulations to all of the artists who participated in this year's Art Alfresco and, also, to those who received blue ribbons and/or certificates in their respective categories!

"Art in the Gardens" , June 5-6, 2010

Another Successful Art Festival

Thank you, to all who stopped by my booth and chatted or purchased last weekend at the 7th Annual Art in the Garden juried art show at Aldridge Gardens, Hoover.

I hope that you took a minute to stop and smell the roses. And weren't the hydrangeas beautiful?! Hydrangeas were blooming everywhere! Sales were brisk and the weather was beautiful. I received a First Place Award in the Printmaking category.

Look for my lino prints at the Bluff Park Art Preview Show at Hoover Library (August), however Aldridge closes out the spring/summer exhibitions for me, until the Bluff Park Art Show . . . always the first Saturday of October. The summer months will be dedicated to the completion of the linoleum blocks for my CAGB grant narrative: WALK, IN THE DIRECTION YOU GOIN' IN. September 30th will be here before I know it.

6th Annual Art in the Gardens

I'm in prep mode for the 6th Annual Juried Art Show at Aldridge Botanical Gardens, Hoover, Alabama.

Here's the announcement that I emailed to a few of my patrons and friends. The image, a linoleum block print, won a 1st Place Award last month, at the 19th Annual Southern Roots Exhibition. I wrote about this in an earlier blog. One day I'll share the story behind the title "Like a Martin to its Gourd."

My daughter celebrated her 26th birthday last week. You can read about her special day on her blog. My son has just reached the halfway mark towards his M.A. Such sweet babies!

I need to get you all updated on my kiln purchase, upcoming shows and the new lino blocks that I've cut but I have to get back to the printing press.

I Survived My First 3-Day Art Festival!

I suppose that you're wondering why I must always put an exclamation point behind every title that I post. Well, if you must know . . . I stay excited about all things art and art related (with the exception of my 9 to 5 job). I'm especially excited about the progress that I'm making with my block printing and needlepoint designs! If I knew 10 years ago what I know now, lordy, I'd be sooooo far ahead of the game. But all things in time, I suppose.

My display is very minimalistic because I'm still building inventory. But I'm told that the stark black and white imagery really stands out surrounded by rows and rows of color filled canopy tents. I'll post a corner of my booth. Yes, the framed prints are supported by chicken wire! Before I forget, much thanks to all who stopped by during the festival. I appreciate your support.

The Magic City Art Festival was a great venue for me. I met so many interesting people! You'll remember that this was just my second art festival. I'm now two for two. I've decided that I will continue to apply for future festivals but they will have to be juried and, for now, located within Alabama. I'm not quite ready to travel beyond the state line yet. I need a truck/van, a sturdier canopy tent, modular wall units, a reliable hands-on, can-do friend/helper, etc. Two gallery owners expressed interest in carrying my block prints. I'll drive to Decatur, Alabama, in a couple of weeks for a meeting.

It has taken me all week to recoup from last weekend. I took Monday off but still felt quite tired when I returned to work on Tuesday. I really need to get my tush in gear, again, and start cutting more designs. I have another festival coming up the first weekend in June. It'll be here before you know it. This one will be held at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. I still haven't figured out how to set up web links (even tho my daughter has explained the process to me twice), but just GOOGLE Aldridge Gardens Art Festival in Hoover and the info will appear. I'm participating in another juried event sponsored by the Academy of Fine Arts, Inc., the 18th Annual SOUTHERN ROOTS Exhibition. The opening day is May 14th. Also, I received notification that my work has been accepted for the 44th Bluff Park Festival which will take place the first weekend in October 2007. Yea!

The next couple of weeks will be busy for me. I'm preparing for my son's commencement. Family members and friends are gathering in ATL on graduation day to honor my Prince, it'll feel like a family reunion. Thankfully, I secured a banquet room at one of my favorite restaurants in ATL. One can't ever plan too early for commencement . . . or for an art festival.