Two Reminders . . .

First, be sure to check the blog posting from January 25 and leave a comment if you'd like your name put into the drawing for a gift of artwork.  All the details are given in the post -- I hope you'll join in the fun!

Secondly, after you've shoveled yourself out of this last round of snow and ice, you're going to want to take a break and surround yourself with color and beauty.  The perfect place for that is the Broadway Art Center at 288 Broadway in Albany, where you'll find a fantastic exhibit of art by members of the Colonie Art League.  Amid the photographs, oil paintings, pastels, and sculptures, you'll find fiber art pieces, such as the one pictured above from my Ornamentals series.  Treat yourself to a gift of artistic creation -- brighten your home and your spirits at the same time.  

"It's My Party . . .

 . . . And I'll give, if I want to!"  Having recently reached my 60th birthday, I decided to celebrate by giving something away.   Borrowing an idea from artist Marilyn Rock (with her permission), I'm offering an opportunity to receive the 5" by 7" quilt, "Ornamentals #5," pictured at left, as my gift and a way of saying "thank you" for following my blog.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at Diane@DEsignedByDianeEvans.com  and let me know that you're interested in winning this piece.  On Friday, February 6, I'll enter all the names I've received into a drawing, and the winner will be announced on Sunday, February 8th.  I do hope you'll participate in the fun and help me celebrate this milestone ("If I had known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself . . .").

I've Got a New Attitude . . .

I read a wonderful article in the newspaper today, and it inspired me to adopt a new outlook on the season.  I shall no longer face the winter months with dread.  I shall embrace living in the Northeast and learn to love the chill of January as I do the changing leaves of October.  On days like today, when the sun is shining and it isn't sleeting, I'll pile on three layers of clothing, pull on my Kamiks (l-o-o-o-o-ve those boots), and take my four-legged assistant, Doyle, and HIS assistant, Heather, out for a walk.  I will suck in all the Vitamin D that I can through the few square inches of skin that are exposed, and tell myself that I'm getting healthier by the minute.  And, maybe, spring won't seem so far away after all.

But to help me remember what spring feels like, I'll continue to play with the brightest fabrics I can find in my stash and make something, however tiny, to brighten my day even more.  The little quilt above measures 5" by 7", and it's always so gratifying to finish a piece within hours of starting it.

A Jazzy Group of Artists . . .

I am fortunate to be a new member of Art-N-Soul, the exciting idea of artist Janet Tanguay, who publishes a web site dedicated to the promotion of the work of artists in many fields.  Pictured above are a number of friends and members of the group who gathered for a photo shoot at the Albany Art Room on Madison Avenue for an upcoming issue of Metroland.  They are:

Top Row (L to R): Leiah Bowden, Janet Tanguay, Eric Straus, Dave Koschnick

Bottom Row (L to R): Susan Rivers, Marilyn Rock, Pat Spillane, Marina Petro

These talented people are featured on the Art-N-Soul site and/or have their own web sites where you can see their work up close.   Janet has sponsored many workshops at the Art Room to help artists learn numerous aspects of the business of promoting their art work.  The people I've met through Janet are creative, fun-loving, and generous in their support and in sharing new ideas, and I'm learning something new with each experience.  Check out the web site, www.artnsoulinc.com and learn how to become a member or receive newsletters announcing upcoming events.

Be Sure to Check This Out . . .

Fellow artist Marilyn Rock is literally giving away a piece of her art -- really!  Go to her blog, wwwmarilyninmyroom.blogspot.com, and see what she's offering as a free gift to her readers.  And be sure to read my upcoming blogs, because I'm borrowing her idea (with her permission) to offer a gift to my readers, as well. 

On With The Show, This Is It!

(for those of you old enough to remember the Bugs Bunny Show . . .)

The exhibit of works by members of the Colonie Art League has opened at the Broadway Art Center, and it promises to be wonderful.  The center is located at 488 Broadway, on the corner of Pine Street and Maiden Lane in Albany.  Hours are as follows:

First Fridays (February 6, March 6): 11 AM - 9 PM

Winter Hours (January 14 - February 27): 

Wednesday - Friday  11 AM - 2 PM

Make it a point to stop by -- you'll find framed and gallery-wrapped original paintings, sculpture, fiber arts, pottery, art cards, art prints, and photography.  Pictured above is another piece in the exhibit from my Wallflower series. This one again uses fabric from the Caryl Fallert Gradations collection by Benartex, and I'm having so much fun playing with the placement of the templates to take advantage of the glow within the fabric.   

Hope to see you at the show!

This is for all of us . . .

I was so deeply affected by this video when I saw it, and I invite you to spend 6 minutes watching it. It was made for the artist in all of us, and I hope it touches you as it has me.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EaUb4zk0Ow