CreekFest 2011

The Cypress Creek Cultural District hosted an art festival last weekend, the event was the first in what will be an annual event themed Art and Soles. The concept of the shoe is a clever one. Local business sponsor a shoe and local artists get to paint them up or do whatever they want to them I suppose. The shoe represents the organized run for the event and the sole of the art community as well. What a grand way to involve all 'walks' of the lifeblood of our neighborhood.
Debra Reese from The Purple Elephant Gallery sponsored a shoe and invited me to work on it for the festival. It was great fun and I hope to see many other artists and business join me next year.

 Jeff Bernal and Marsha loaned their space at Creative Frame/Merlot to Masterpiece to get the project going. It was wonderful to be there and get to know Marsha and since the center was also part of the location for CreekFest the shoe didn't have to run very far to get to it's destination, (insert pun here). I had so many people stop in and check on the progress, kid's loved it. It felt like painting the shoe was an event itself! Debra popped in and added her hand to the job. Everyone knows her as a supporter of local artists but only a few know that she is a proficient artist herself. Folks the woman can paint, draw, collage......the secrets out now Debra!

 I added a nod to The Iron Butterfly on the toe. Art classes for adults and kid's, weekend workshops and private painting parties are held in the facility throughout the year. It is a very lively part of The Purple Elephant complex. Anyway back to CreekFest. The gallery had five booths all together representing several artists that are active there. It was all abuzz with activity. Andre Gandin, Sharon Isaacks, Tracy Harston-Dolezal and Dee, Jeremy Cruey and myself filled the place up to overflowing with art-sculpture, jewelry, painting, metalwork, woodwork, fiberarts, plus calligraphy were represented. We had information there about all the classes and workshops that happen at the complex too. You really couldn't miss us not with a giant inflatable Purple Elephant right there.

Debra Reese and Harmony the Clown

Part of my section of the booth

Andre Gandin's metal flower looks fantastic with the studio sign.

Jeremy Cruey had a very ingenious creation.

Sharon Isaacks aka Ms Sharon with two of her pieces behind her.

Andre and his wife Pam adding finishing touches to their space.

Wow look how super Tracy's jewelry looks with Sharon's painting

Nobody can say we don't know how to have a good time at The Elephant! Everyone pitched in and helped each other, it felt like one great big family sharing chores. The energy was way off the charts, it flowed right out into the patrons strolling by.



Almost ready for the show, Abby the monkey
 just has to give Jeremy one more little kiss before
patrons arrive. 

Grandsons Ethan and J.T. came out to
support Grammy's efforts.

What a Ride!

She's like a blank canvas.

I cannot believe how long it has been since I've posted here! ........heavy sigh....all those things I intend to do and never get around to. So I'll vow to myself again to pay attention to this much neglected Laughing Crow blog.

I must share the latest merry maker at my place. I have a new/old car!! Many thanks to my oldest son who discovered it on craigslist in Abilene, Texas. It is a 1982 postal jeep, a DJ-5 Dispatcher to be exact. I'm delighted with it and adore tootling around my neighborhood in the little thing. I think it's a she, cars do have a gender you know. It took a bit of getting used to steering on the other side but I've got the hang of it now. I finally figured out to turn around over the 'other' shoulder to back up. The thing drives like a little mule and there is NO air conditioning so I'm glad it's not my primary ride. I probably wouldn't be as enamoured.

My long term plan is to transform her into an art car, the mechanical aspects are in good order but it does need body work before I can begin making changes to the outer appearance.  The grandsons think it's cool just the way it is, thank you very much. Look at all the room for hauling art supplies! And grandsons too.  Ah, but first things first. There is absolutely no where for a spare tire and I don't want to use the space in the back for that so I'm shopping round for a safari rack-which has certain cool factor don't you think? And look at this vintage mailbox I found to mount on the dashboard for the owners manual and registration and such.

The little jeep has been with me for a couple months now and I recently had a light bulb moment about painting the body. Escher! 

One must have the appropriate accessories.

M. C. Escher

It's pretty satisfying to noodle around with fish and bird motifs and the studio is named Laughing Crow. While I'm waiting for the universe to send funds for the body work and spare parts I can work on diagrams for the tessellations. Of course the birds will be crows and funkified stylized fish. Nothing particularly inspiring in regards to color has presented itself.....well there's no rush really, I've wanted an old mail jeep for over a decade now. The right colors will show up at the right time.   At some point I can see her in the Houston Art Car Parade, now that would be a hoot. Anyone out there know of good references for tessellation lessons?

Cheers