Sorry I've been missing again (I know I've been doing this frequently, lately. Having two young children, a new business, and other projects leave me little blog time anymore. I'll work on it though. You can always find me at Red Bow Studio.)
Above is a peek at the month of May for my 2011 calendar (my most current project).
I am so proud to have my first interview with Jen of Painted Fish Studio. We met via a craft swap years ago and then kept up with each other's blogs until she visited NYC and I was able to meet up with her IN PERSON. I don't know if it's because we both like to guzzle red wine, or if it's because we're the same age, or even because we're both creative people, but whenever I see Jen, I have a blast!
Jen will be back in NYC in October, and I'm so pleased to say that she will be hosting 2 bookmaking workshops at Red Bow Studio. If you're near Long Island, please join us! You can find more information at Red Bow Studio. Most momentous moment in your life?
there have been so many! the most recent: being invited to participate in a local artist gift mart at the walker art center. they found me, which is very cool, and the event was so much fun – i sold some of my work, i met other artists, and felt like a true artist. i wish every day was like that!
Ocean or mountains?
both are fascinating: i grew up (and still live) in the Midwest, so seeing either is a treat for me.
Sweet or salty?
oh boy. both. not at the same time, but both.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
chocolate chip with those little candy pieces in it.
An instance of blind faith?
i’m slowly learning to let go of fear of failure and just jump right in! in the last few months i’ve decided to do everything i can to see where my creative career (painted fish studio) will lead me. if i fail, i fail -- it’s a lot better than not trying.
What did you dream of doing when you were younger?
being an artist, and opening my own store where i’d sell the stuff i make.
Something you recommend doing before you die?
travel to a different country! and learn to like yourself.
What do you wish you were doing less of?
i do wish i wasn’t working full-time!
What do you wish you were doing more of?
i wish i was creating more, and exploring the possibilities...
When you’re walking down a city street, what makes you stop in awe?
if i’m in a city, that probably means i am out of my usual routine, and i am actually in the present, which is rare. being in the present really makes me stop and realize “i am HERE. i am in this amazing city.”. i feel that way when i’m traveling, and when i’m exploring downtown Minneapolis.
You are well known for the pARTys that you host for your friends...how did they start, and how do you feel that they have evolved over the years?
pARTy’s started after i took a stained glass course through community education in 2003, and i went a little bonkers and bought lots and lots of glass. so i asked my friends if they wanted to come over and make stuff from what i learned, and to help me get rid of the glass i bought. we all drank wine, we had a blast, and only one soldering iron incident. the evening then became a monthly event. i’m constantly trying new things, and trying to think of new projects for us to play with. the core group has remained pretty much the same over the last 7 (7!) years, and while we haven’t evolved much from the original format (project, cheese, wine), it’s so amazing to see what my friends create!
I for one can say that you are an inspiration for many people. I love your Polaroids and the many other wonderful goodies you create. Which is your favorite?
thank you! it’s such an honor to be called an inspiration. i’m just doing what makes me feel productive/creative. usually my favorite projects are my most recent: i really love the punch cards, and am excited to see how those evolve. and Polaroid film will continue to play a role in my creativity. i love the little magnets!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years?
in 5 years, i really hope my IT career has taken a lesser role than it has now. i’m not sure i’ll ever fully be able to support myself with my creative pursuits, but i’m going to do my damnedest to try. hopefully in 5 years i’m either working part-time or consulting and setting my schedule. in 10 years? who knows! i don’t like planning that far ahead, because i think having “a plan” can make it difficult to see potential in different opportunities that are right in front of you.
It's been more than ten years since I've visited the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and it's quite amazing what they've done in their renovation. From the colors to the green building to all the living and once living things- it's all quite amazing.
I don't usually frame my art unless it's going to be in a show because it can be expensive. It's only when you hang it up on a wall and see it that you realize that it's worth it because it makes the art look even nicer than it already did (even if it's slightly askew...oops-due to lack of sleep last night,my mind wouldn't stop racing)!
Here is a watercolor of my house that I painted for "The Beauty of Sea Cliff" show at our local library. I had such a great time working on this, and would love to paint more houses. If you would like a watercolor of your house painted by me, please get in touch. (Yes, I'm shamelessly promoting myself;)
One of the things I love about walking through cities in Europe is all of the fountains you find in out of the way places. Last fall at an end of the season nursery sale I found a perfect little fountain for our little backyard. I bought this baby for a steal, and although my husband rolled his eyes while making the purchase we took it home and stuck it in the...garage. (Yep, stone can't always handle the cold New York winters.) A couple of weeks ago we brought the fountain out, filled it with water, and plugged it in. Voila! We now have a very soothing tinkling (I am at loss for a better word) sound in our backyard and when I close my eyes I can pretend I'm in Europe!
...is my middle name. I'm working on some pieces that I am creating for a show at Erawan Seafood & Steak in Bayside, Queens. They usually have a featured artist at their wine dinners and I will be the one on June 27th. The restaurant is a 2 story building with a bar in front, so there is a lot of space to decorate. Hence, my new middle name- BUSY, but very excited because other than my open studios, I've never had a solo show before. Excitement is in the air!
I have not been a star blogger recently and even worse at reading other blogs, so I was honored to catch up in person with two ladies from Minnesota who I met via swaps years ago!! We all went out to dinner in Fall of 2008, and a year and a half later I meet up with them again and it's even funner!! (Yes, I know that's not a word, but it suits the situation). How time flies. Jenn from The Write Ingredients and Jen from Painted Fish Studio were in town for a little NYC energy and food. Jenn's goal was to have at least five meals a day, and I was impressed with the food she found. I may be a good clothing/accessory shopper, but she is the food shopper. It was great to be a tag-along as opposed to leading the group. Jen was busy shooting pictures with her polaroid camera at it was great to see the results.
They did the research and showed me some new haunts that I've never heard of. I met up with them in Brooklyn where one of the highlights was Cog and Pearl, a treasure chest I had never visited. I found night lights by Happy Owl Glassworks which are so cool that I get excited for bedtime;) (well my daughter does). We then jumped on the train and went to the Hester Street Fair, another gem I had never heard of. Talk about goodies for the eyes- so many colorful things to look at and many young entrepreneurs. Great vibe, but the best find was the food. I had the most delicious lobster roll I've ever had outside of Maine from Luke's Lobster and a heavenly lemonade (with other flavors) by I forget:( Sorry, guess you'll just have to visit to find out for yourself.
We did a lot more walking and looking and a pit stop for this group involves wine- these are my kind of ladies.
Well, the Red Bow Studio doors are open and it is an exciting experience, but it is also a little scary. I opened my studio in a small town and the weather has been a little rainy, so not many people are walking around. I am busy with things to do, but opening a new business is quite an interesting task. Below is what the studio looks like. It's super cozy and has a lovely feel. I am opening up a Red Bow Studio shop on Etsy where I will sell hand made Patricia Kaegi Weiss originals. The first are my Tiger pillows which I have handmade using a painting that I made earlier in the year. Please feel free to stop by the Etsy shop- or even better, the real live Red Bow Studio!
About ten years ago I went to a wonderful exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco called Bouquets to Art. It was the most delightful art show I've ever seen- a group of floral artists design bouquets inspired by works of art in the museum. Since then I've moved to New York and haven't had the chance to go again until last Monday night. This time it was back at the DeYoung and again, it was wonderful. Here are a few of the bouquets.
....I'm starting a business! I have been dropping hints for awhile that I want to open up a studio/inspirational destination, and that is where I have been. Let me tell you, there are so many DETAILs involved in the organization of a business, and it's even tougher when there is NO FUNDING for a start-up business anywhere. You have to be in business for a year before any nonprofit funders will get involved and 3 years before a bank will even look your way to lend. (Opening a bank account wasn't difficult of course, they will take your money anytime). As you may have guessed it is called Red Bow Studio and is located in Sea Cliff New York. I will post more pictures, but this is the signage. So far I have painted the space and location, added a freestanding wall, bought furniture, ordered art supplies, hooked up phone service, found a credit card provider, opened a bank account, designed a logo and stationary....wow, it seems so simple when I put it in one sentence...I'm off to paint the furniture, but I will give updates soon!
...well not exactly, but close. For those of you who are familiar with my calendar, you might recognize the month of June in this photograph. The painting is of my parents backyard, and my mother loved it so much that she framed it and hung it above her bed. It is a real coup, because when I was growing up, most of the artwork I brought home ended up in the closet or the garage. I guess this means my artwork is moving up in the grand scheme of things!
I'm busy painting, so this will be short. I taught myself how to create a watermark in Photoshop this morning using this tutorial from About.com. It was fairly simple and about time that I learned how to do it!!
I've been looking through old sketchbooks, trying to organize my shelves and I often come across pages that look like this...the black ink is my hand and the colored ink is one of my dotters aka daughters (I can never catch them in the act, so I don't know who the culprit is...argh!!). Basically if I leave a sketchbook opened with a black ink line drawing, one of the dotters can't resist "coloring it in". They have both done this from an early age- 1, and it is so endearing, but at the same time I want to pull my hair out!! I know that the day will come when I open up an old sketchbook and see their scribbles and miss their younger years.
I was so excited to receive the Frida doll I won in the ADO OWOH giveaway. This beautiful doll was made by Ayala of Ayala Art Cards~Dolls. Be sure to check out Ayala's dolls and paintings- they are quite inspiring. I have such admiration for Frida, that it is wonderful to be able to hang her as inspiration in my creative space. Thank you Ayala!!
