Apostles of Beauty

Yesterday a group of PAQA/SAQAILWI gals gathered at the Art Institute in Chicago for a mind expanding adventure.

Sue, Linda, Pat, Laura, Judy, Stephanie myself and Trish Williams gathered at the entrance to the new Contemporary Wing of the Art Institute to explore and experience ART. One of the gals from the group had never even been to the Art Institute? We are so lucky to have such a great gift close to us.

We toured the exhibit “Apostles of Beauty” Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago. We saw drawings, photography, furniture, metal work and several pieces of gorgeous textiles from the era.

We gathered for food and then shopping. One of my favorite aspects of any museum visit is shopping at the gift shops. I bought the catalog of the show and a small book of William Morris’s textile prints.

While in the new gift shop in the Contemporary Wing I saw many fun and useful objects like

This trivet made of industrial felt. Love the color.

Frisbee like pillows made of industrial felt.

Felted bowls, or hats depending on how you want to use them.

and of course what everyone needs

felted rocks.

Some interesting books

I definitely wanted to stick my babies in a nest sometimes and hope the squirrels would take care of them. Motherhood not being all it is cracked up to be.

And the ever necessary water purifying system, as clean water is becoming more and more precious. We will not share our Lake Michigan water with the rest of the world!!

This system uses charcoal and natural rocks to remove the impurities from the water - $128.00, I’m going to see if I can’t find it on Ebay. A fun filled day was had by all until the Rockford people had to drive home in the sleet. Art is worth a little bad weather.

I'D RATHER BE IN THE STUDIO!

Artists: How would you like to sell more art?

If you could use some fresh and practical ideas for marketing your art,
check this out.

Alyson B. Stanfield, author of “I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The
Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion,” is coming to Wisconsin in
early March to help us get a groove on our marketing.

I’D RATHER BE IN THE STUDIO

A NO-EXCUSES ART MARKETING WORKSHOP FOR ALL ARTISTS!

March 9-10, 2010

Siena Center, Racine, WI

**Sign up by February 12 and get a bonus gift from Alyson!

During these two days, you’ll learn

• How to write a better artist statement that connects with your audience

• How to organize and expand your mailing list

• The tragic mistakes artists make on websites and blogs (and how to
fix them)

• Email secrets that produce results

• How to increase traffic to your website and blog

• How to build your online presence with Facebook and Twitter without
becoming a slave to your computer

And it’s only $100! Alyson says this is a crazy low price, so you should
probably grab it while you can.

Two full days of ideas, examples, and motivation to help you get your
art out of the studio and in front of people who can see it and buy it.
AND, you’re going to leave with an action plan.

Get the details and register (by February 12 to get the bonus!)

And help us fill the room by sharing this information with other
artists. We’re already at 2/3 capacity!


The accommodations at the Siena Center are a down right bargain too, so this is an amazing opportunity to fit our tight recession budgets, too.

FABRIC to DYE For

My new book just arrived!!! If you haven’t already ordered a copy, now is the time to do so.

Young Forest by Laura Wasilowski

Regional Gathering
We'd like to invite all the SAQA members in our region to join us at the Art Institute of Chicago on Wednesday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m. to attend the Apostles of Beauty  exhibit. It's an opportunity to see some great art and to visit with other artists in our region. There is a cafeteria in the Art Institute where we can meet for lunch after viewing the exhibit and a gift shop for shopping as well.
Please join us. We'd love to see you!
Frieda, Trish, and Laura