Finished work......February 2014

Here we are....

Studio Sequence #5

Almost done.....

Studio Sequence #4

The pieces reveal themselves....

Studio Sequence # 3

The work begins to take shape:

and then more....

Studio Sequence #2

The next day, background colors are added:

and then, a little color:

Studio Sequence #1

Here is the start of a new series......

I've already painted the backs, and primed the fronts:

Working...

I'll be working non-stop between now and May.  I've got three big shows coming up:

The Baltimore Craft show

The Atlanta ACC Show

and The Smithsonian Craft Show

I'm pretty psyched.  I've got a lot of work to do, but I've also got a lot of ideas.

I'm doing a sort of weird quilt series, and my new "textures" series:

I'm going to start stretching canvas tomorrow, and intend to shoot my shop during the process.  I'm also planning on doing some workshops this summer.

Happy New Year!

OMG!! It's been a year since I posted anything, and I've vowed to be better at posting news.

Mare and I have a gallery together, The Tree of Life Gallery, in Chestertown.....here is a link to that page:

http://treeoflifegallery.wordpress.com/tree-of-life-gallery-of-american-craft/

I've had a busy week, mostly working on commissions.  I finished three pieces (one of which is too large to photograph, but I hope to post pictures once the customer has received them) for a couple in Michigan.  Here are photos of two of them:

I also made a piece for a nice lady in Boston:

I made a pretty cool one for these wonderful people in Chestertown, and a couple of other ones that I didn't photograph.

December, and the last show

Well, I have two back to back shows, the Philadelphia Museum Show, and the Washington Craft Show under my belt; and although I sold quite a lot of work, hardly any money to show for it.  I'm really wondering what it's all about, Alfie......

Was that a run-on sentence, or what?  Anyway, tomorrow, I head up to Boston for my last show of the year, Craft Boston Holiday, at Boston's historic Cyclorama, a really cool round building built after The Civil War, to hold a giant diorama of the Battle of Gettysburg (I think).

Been working non-stop since Washington to fill in some gaps.....we'll see........

and yes,

Chairman Mao......

he's bac

Post Northampton Report

The Northampton Show was very disappointing.  I barely made my expenses.  I really don't know what to do with my work.  This whole "craft show" thing really isn't working out.  Here is why:

1.  We have to pay an exhorbitant amount of money in order to show at these places.  The promoters make a real effort, but one of the things they do is get more and more artists to show.....they increase their bottom line, but there's only so much spendable money out there, so sales get spread pretty thing.  The fees to participate have not gone down to reflect the current economic downturn and the fact that they are fitting more artists in....they've actually gone up!  So artists are suffering.

2.  The main market for fine art/craft have long since been the "baby-boomer" generation....and they already have lots of stuff, they are downsizing.  Younger people would rather buy cheaper stuff to decorate their cribs, so they can afford electronic gear, and they don't recognize the value of collecting.

So.....

But also, I recognize that there is an issue with my work in particular.  People who who plonk down some big money for some (kind of bad) art to hang on their walls, won't pay to put it on their floors.....

I need help.

I really don't know what to do anymore........

(to be continued) 

A few days before the next show

Apples are beautiful, tasty and symbolic.....of lust of sin of knowledge....

Lately, I've been working hard, but mainly to escape from constantly obsessing over my poverty.  I know it's uncool to worry about anything as mundane as money, but I can't stop worrying and fretting and wondering.  It's probably unfair to Sparky, he's doing his best, and besides has this deep faith thing going on that keeps him from worry and despair, and occasionally I can put it aside and be in the moment, but mainly when I'm working.

I'm not "sharing" these thoughts on facebook......

Website redone

So after weeks of dithering, finally got my website redone.  Thank god it's over.....well at least for now....

Check it out:

http://www.faithwilsonart.com/

Later that month.....

I'm getting ready for the Paradise City Northampton Arts Festival.....AND  finally almost finished my new website!

http://www.faithwilsonart.com/

http://www.paradisecityarts.com/october/homeoct.html

Recipe for Disaster (Chicken)

Really Southern Fried Chicken

Separate the legs from the thighs; cut the breast into four pieces.  Remove the wings; cut off the small part of the wing.  Mix one cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow pan.

Coat Chicken in flour mixture; shake off excess.  Heat suffiecient shortening in a heavy, 10 inch fry pan to a depth of about 3/4 inch.  Heat over medium-high heat until very hot.  Add four pieces of chicken, or five, depending upon size.  Immediately turn heat to medium; cover pan.   Turn chicken often.  You may turn the heat back to medium high if the chicken seems to be browning slowly.  It takes about 15 minutes to cook a piece of chicken.  You may pierce the piece-thickest part with a toothpick.  If the juice runs clear, the chicken is done.  Also you will learn to “hear” that it is done-the frying sound quiets down as the chicken cooks.  Place the cooked pieces on paper towels, on a shallow pan.  When chicken is done, turn heat onto high.  Leave house, and sit outside on a blanket and eat your chicken.  When the firemen come, share the chicken with them.

September

Well, here it is, September, and back to work, getting ready for Fall Shows.  Fall shows include:

Northampton, Mass. - http://www.paradisecityarts.com/october/homeoct.html

Philadelphia, Pa. - http://pmacraftshow.org/

Washington, DC - http://www.craftsamericashows.com/WASH_main.htm

and

Boston, Mass. - http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbholiday/holidayinfo.asp


The piece above, is titled "family" and was inspired by a family gathering this summer.

End of summer

End of summer......now I'm getting ready for fall shows.  I haven't finished my website (dammit) and have to get back to work on it.  But I did finish 7 pieces this week, and am looking forward to the fall.

My biggest excitement is that I'll be doing the Philadelphia Museum Show!!

http://pmacraftshow.org/

So keep tuned.  Also, keep tuned to my other blog, faitheism, for other thoughts.

Floorcloth Workshop

Make your own floorcloth in an intensive 5 day workshop on Maryland’s Beautiful Eastern Shore

Award winning artist Faith Wilson has shown in America’s most prestigious Art/Craft Shows, including: American Craft Council shows, The Smithsonian Craft Show, The Washington Craft Show, and The American Craft Exposition.  To see more, visit: www.faithwilsonart.com

Enjoy the Farmstay Experience at Crow Farms’ Bed & Breakfast

You will be staying at Crow Farms B & B, a beautiful farm and winery just north of historic Chestertown.  Included in the five day workshop are four nights, breakfasts and lunches.  Supper is optional and an additional  nominal fee will be asked for this.  There are many wonderful eateries nearby. And we can order pizza to be delivered.

Although the workshop is intensive, there will be opportunities to tour the area, or just relax and enjoy your stay at the farm.  There is a pool, a wine tasting room, and a wonderful vegetable garden.  To learn more about Crow Farm, please visit the site:

http://www.crowfarmmd.com/

for more information:  email me at:

fai.wilson@gmail.com

Emily's Birdnest

I know, I know.....but, considering this took me 3 weeks.......
it was too hot to work in the studio.

Summer Trips...

This Summer I'll be exhibiting at the Guilford Art Expo in July
and the American Craft Exposition in August.......http://americancraftexpo.org/

Please make it car!!!

And Baltimore.....

Thanks, Wendy, for giving me the thing space and
for interstitial art......

And it's raining in Baltimore.....