July 2009 Archive
July 31st, 2009
Ahh, finally some rain! I think has rained only four times this summer and I have been at an art fair for three of these four rainy days. Hence, I’m happy I can enjoy the rain for once.
I have the next few weekends free of art fairs and frankly I’m a bit relieved. I’ve come to the realization that my years of bar-tending prepared me quite well for working art fairs.
For the most part, art fair people are lovely, thoughtful and full of interest and compliments. Unfortunately, I had a silly delusion that all art fair patrons would be more tactful than bar patrons. It seems I’ve learned that no matter the level of education or sophistication, there are always people out there who have the gall to say thoughtless, pompous and rude things to strangers.
One plus, however, is that art fairs have less drunk people.
Here are some of the funny (and irritating) things I have heard so far at these fairs.
- “Did you make all these?” This question is asked as I sit alone in a tent with my name plastered everywhere while wearing a huge name tag that says JILL VAN SICKLE – ARTIST.
- “Is 950.00 the price?” Me: “Yup.” “In dollars?” I wish I would have told this guy: “No, pesos.”
- “You should be more daring in your paintings.” My paintings aren’t about daring.
- ”You should paint pheasants or ducks so the pheasants forever and ducks unlimited people will buy your work.” Really, a guy said this to me.
- “I have a great idea for a painting, it is a vintage truck on a beach under a palm tree…of course, I’ll probably just paint it myself.” Wow! What a great idea!
Ah well, gotta laugh it off, eh?
July 21st, 2009
This self-guided annual tour features some of the Twin Cities’ best gardens, local art, and galleries. Wine tasting in the gardens is generously provided by Solo Vino of Saint Paul with other refreshments supplied by Tangletown Gardens. Proceeds from the tour help fund public art, charities, and garden projects throughout the Twin Cities’ area. Every year the event gains more recognition and has fostered a loyal following.
Mark your calendar! The 2009 Garden and Art Tour will be held Saturday, July 25th, 9:00-4:00, rain or shine. Tentative plans are to highlight gardens in the Minneapolis neighborhoods of Lowry Hill, Kenwood, and a few closer to Tangletown. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the tour and are available May through July at Tangletown Gardens.
Featured Artists for Tangletown’s 2009 Garden and Art tour include: Felice Amato, Bock Andersen, Allen Brewer, Mike Carina, Diana Darden, Jim Dryden, Emily Dyer, Mary Esch, Norma Hanlon, Dewey James, Bethany Kalk, Bill Kelly, Gib Krohn, Anita Martin, Andy McCue, Joel Pieper, Jim Proctor, Dick Simonsen, Cynde Randall, Clinton Rost, Ellen Thomson, Kate Van Cleve, Jill Van Sickle, Dale Vanden Houten, Kristen Walstead, Maureen Welter, Sarah Wieben and Fred Yerich.
(I will be lounging with my artwork in the backyard of a home on Upton near Lake of the Isles.)
July 10th, 2009
Below are a few of my newest pieces. I will have them all for sale at the Hopkins Raspberry Art Festival this Saturday and Sunday!
Three of these paintings are the smallest I have ever done! I’ll be curious to see if a painting this small appeals to buyers.
Diving Loon, 5”x7”
Shining Through 8”x8”
Fish 5”x7”
Gold and Purple Branches - 16”x16”
Chives - 12”x16”
Abstract #4 - 16”x20”
Raven - 16”x20”
July 9th, 2009
I have two pieces in a group show at Gallery 13 opening in Downtown Minneapolis on July 17th. When I dropped off my pieces I got to see the other work in the show at it is very, very cool stuff. Sculpture, painting, photo, performance art, digital stuff and interactive works.
I played with one piece that was a digital projection of a pond with fish swimming in it and you could touch the picture and ripples would go through the water where your finger touched (water rippling sounds included). I couldn’t help but giggle while playing with it.
Below is the show’s postcard. Looks like a fun opening!
