So Who Made the Swan?

The Swan has quickly become the store mascot.  And when I first discovered the "bones" (the form holding this piece together), I never thought it would receive the attention it has.  The most common question from our customers - So who made the swan?

My gal pal Mis and I were scrounging through antique shops, flea markets and barns at the end of last summer (I love anything vintage).  We walked into an antique shop in Searsport, and there it was; a wire topiary filled with moss.  My first words... "I have to have it".  Mis, who is also my master negotiator wheeled and dealed with the owner and soon it was in the back of my car.  At that time, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but knew it would be something fabulous.  How could it not; it was huge (as I would have told my grandmother - "it makes a statement").  It wasn't until December, and needing a great window display, did the idea come to me.  I am glad the month was mild temperature wise as I collected mussel shells for hours on the beach.  Armed with a glue gun and hundreds of shells...well you see where I am going with this.  There have been many offers to buy it, hundreds of photos snapped of it, but for now, it is the first thing you see as you walk in the door - our beloved store mascot.

Just Wipe 'Em Down...

Why it has taken me this long to finally paint on floor cloths - not sure.  My medium of choice for 20 plus years was oils.  And my canvas, well the bigger the better has always been my motto.  My grandmother always asked me "why do you paint on these huge canvases?"  My response - "it makes a statement."  So the fact that I have been solely focused on textiles for the past 2 years moving from wall covering paintings to 20"x20" pillows - well I know my grandmother would have approved (more economical)  But now I have found the floor cloth - I just can't seem to get away from my "roots".  These are functional art - just wipe em down.  This one is being shipped to California on Monday.  Safe travels giant Humpback Whale!   

Vintage...Already?

My first "real" camera was a Nikon 35mm;  that was back in the early 80's.  I have it faithfully stored in my closet, in its original camera bag.  Hidden in its various pockets are a few programs from events I would attend and photograph.  Today, I am not even sure if I can get film for my treasured piece.  How can it be vintage already?  It seems like yesterday I was mailing my rolls of film and impatiently waiting for their return to see the final shots.  The anticipation of the unknown!  This is my Ode to My Nikon 35mm.  My how time flies...