Spencer List

BookCrossing.com

2009-05-26T17:53:00.004-05:00

One website that I'm a huge fan of is BookCrossing.com. I love not only the idea of recycling books, but that once a book is registered, it can be followed on it's journey. (Each book that is registered has it's own BookCrossing ID--BCID--with release notes and journal entries associated with it.)

Even though I heard of the website years ago, I signed up when I found (or "caught") a book that was registered on the site when in Nelson, New Zealand. I myself have "caught" two books, and released several. Often times it may not get journalled when it's caught, but when it is, it's fun to see where it goes and what people think of it. I'm finally reading some books I've had for a long time, and since this bibliophile has far too many books to keep, I'm hoping to release some in the Spencer area.

I've already left one at Shaky Tree and plan on leaving some more as I read them. I'm hoping to spread the BookCrossing word and get some more people involved. The more books there are to "hunt" for the more fun it will be!

Fluff

2009-02-22T22:19:00.004-06:00

There's this little store that I've been hearing about called Fluff. It's in the same building as Southern Archery down on Hwy 18 heading east. It's an antique/vintage store where you can pick up anything from a dining room table to a pair of gloves. The best part is the first room that's sort of like a boutique filled with all sorts of glam/Hollywood little items: jewelry, delicate clutch purses, fur shrugs, etc., etc. It certainly is fun to look.

I picked up this little teacup, 'cause, hey, I'm a sucker for souvenirs bought way after the fact:

And this, a small make-up bag made of soft eelskin:

Hours are limited: Thursday 10-6, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-4.

"Valentines for your Sweetie"

2009-02-08T12:40:00.003-06:00

Available at Shaky Tree Coffee! Handmade Valentines, one-of-a-kind! Made by me (yeah, me). $2.50 each.

I am not a particularly romantic person, nor have I had a "sweetie" on Valentine's Day to celebrate with, but Valentine's Day is the day after my birthday, so I sort of consider it a "bonus" birthday. I get really excited about hearts and candy and Valentines and for the last several years I've been crafting my own Valentines.

In progress, in the studio.

Chad Elliott at Shaky Tree

2009-02-04T13:48:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow (Thursday) night, starting at 7:30!

"This Thursday is a last minute performance we scheduled to raise funds for his newest album Redemption Man. He is nearly finished with the mixing of the tracks and can't wait to share it with you. This is just one way you can be a part of making this album a success so we hope to see you all!"

the facebook event page.

What warms you on a cold day?

2009-01-29T17:33:00.002-06:00

I don't know if you noticed, but it is darn cold up here in winter. On days like today, one gets a craving for a hot drink. Shaky Tree Coffee (5 W. 2nd St, Spencer) serves not only coffee and tea, but a darn tasty hot chocolate.

Theirs is made with chocolate syrup and steamed milk (or soymilk or water if you prefer) and can be topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate. Yummmmm.

Barista Levi Lillie drinks a mini-hot chocolate.

Vintage Valentines

2009-01-29T17:21:00.002-06:00

I love shopping at antique stores because I like finding things that no one else has. Mainstreet Mall Antiques (303 Grand Ave, Spencer) has two booths where you can find vintage Valentines for $1 to $3 or so. Very charming! Good for collecting or giving to your sweetie. There is writing on the back of most of them ("To Ivan From Mary Ann") but that just adds to the charm.

"Puss in Boots brings this Valentine that says if you'll be mine than I'll be thine"

Snowshoeing Along the Little Sioux

2009-01-14T14:00:00.004-06:00

Snowshoeing yesterday along the Little Sioux River, right here in town. It was ridiculously cold, and a bit windy, but with the right clothes on it wasn't too awful. And the sun was even out for a little while!

All Fired Up

2008-12-13T18:56:00.005-06:00

Hello Spencer List readers! I am a new blogger for Spencer list, having recently returned to town from an extended trip abroad. Even though I miss the sun and surf of my "adopted" country of New Zealand, I'm excited to be in Spencer, where there is almost always something going on.

Unfortunately, Grand Meander was cancelled last Monday due to weather. This would have been my first, and I was disappointed to not be able to see what it was all about. However, this last Thursday was a reception for the current exhibit at Arts on Grand, called All Fired Up. It consists of various clay pieces by a number of local artists who work in the medium. There are a range of pieces in style and design. Some of my personal favorites where some pieces with photo transferred images by Anita Gilbert and Anthony Vadroska. But no matter your taste, I'm sure you would be able to find something there to enjoy, so go check it out. The exhibit is open until January 10. (And while you're there, don't forget to check out the gift shop! There are even more works by many more local artists, including photography by yours truly. But local, and support local art!)

In addition to the reception for the exhibit was the lighting for the new fixture, delayed from Monday. Designed by local artist Holly Kellogg, and put together with the assitance of Cycle Country and Bogenreif Studios, the light will be the centerpiece of the new front entrance to Arts on Grand when it has been redesigned. The new light was part of a grant, and design of the new light was a contest open to all local artists. There were three entries, and Holly's was the winning design. Until the new front is done, the light is now hanging in the corner just inside the gallery, on the right of the entrance. It's worth checking that out, as well!

Clouds

2008-06-11T18:36:00.001-05:00

We are in a tornado warning right now, yes, but did you see the clouds this morning? It was beautiful! This photo was taken at about 5:40 a.m. and I could hardly believe it wasn't much later, it was so bright.

2008-06-11T18:33:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for the Memorial Day parade.

Oneota Park.

The Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend

2008-06-11T18:29:00.002-05:00

Did you know the Grotto is only an hour away? This place combines several of my favorite things, including installation, rocks, and religious art--all in one place! It's free, too.

See the Grotto's website.

Briefs

2008-05-01T18:58:00.003-05:00

-A Piece of Work, Inc. Emporium of Original Art opens this month (today) in Spirit Lake! I stopped by to peek in the window a few days ago and it looks very impressive inside. At this point, only a few spaces are filled and there is plenty more room for more artists to display and sell their things. I look forward to what this gallery will add to our area.

-Rocking M Pottery I recently met Beth Cathcart at an Artist Gathering and purchased one of her pieces. She is a potter from Linn Grove and she creates beautiful organic bowls and wall hangings and other things. Her "rocking M" signature is derived from her family's brand. I find her work inspiring.

-Little Sioux River

-The Market Natural Foods & Global Deli, Hill Ave, Spirit Lake. I found three things I have been wanting but have been without: frozen vegetable egg rolls, alfalfa sprouts, and organic (and no high fructose corn syrup) Blue Sky soda pop! You win, the Market!!

-Adirondacks! Look for (21 of) them in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet Counties. A project of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation and ArtsLIVE, these chairs are sponsored by businesses and recreated by local artists. Some can be found outdoors, some indoors through September 28th. An auction will occur in conjunction with Artoberfest. Look out for brochures soon to list the locations, sponsors, and artists. Try to check 'em all out. I have seen a couple already and it's amazing the different, imaginative things people have come up with.

Movie Gallery: Selection Highlights

2008-04-14T11:49:00.005-05:00

A few DVDs available for rent at Movie Gallery:

Paris, je t'aime Eighteen five minute films about (different kinds of) love in the city of love. Each film takes place in a different neighborhood of Paris. Among the many directors are Gurinder Chada (Bend it Like Beckham), the Coen brothers, Alfonso Cuarón (Y tu mamá también, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Wes Craven, and so on. The cast is absolutely star-studded, with Gerard Depardieu, Natalie Portman, Miranda Richardson, Juliette Binoche, Elijah Wood, and many international stars. I love this film because it's very French and I love French cinema, it's about Paris, my favorite city, and you get to see so many parts of it. One of the films that stands out to me is "Père-Lachaise" (the cemetary). This one stars Emily Mortimer and Rufus Sewell playing a British couple vacationing in Paris, looking for famous peoples' graves. The reason I like this one so much is that what happens is something I have always wished would happen whenever I visit the grave of Oscar Wilde--he appears. Only in the film, he gives romantic advice and disappears, whereas in my fantasy, we become BFFs.

Like the woman felt sitting in the park bench in the "14ème Arrondissement," this film leaves you feeling both joy and sadness--but more joy than sadness.

Deadwood Season 3 I wouldn't recommend watching this HBO drama without first watching seasons 1 and 2. Set in the gold mining camp Deadwood in the 1870s. Features a large cast including Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, and Powers Boothe, with many of the characters being actual historical figures. The third season is very intense, as gold tyrant George Hearst (Gerald McRaney) has got the whole camp, pardon the expression, by the balls. It seems that at any moment, someone is going to get killed. Be warned--this show is full of cussing, nudity, violence, etc., etc. Especially cussing.

30 Rock Season 1 Hilaaaaaarious sitcom created by Tina Fey (you know, the first female head writer for Saturday Night Live), staring Fey, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, etc. Fey plays Liz Lemon, head writer of NBC's The Girlie Show, a weekly live sketch comedy show, when she gets a new boss (Baldwin), who changes her show to TGS with Tracy Jordan, giving her a new star, the semi-lunatic Jordan (played by Morgan). The best episode: Tracy Does Conan.

House Concert: Chad Elliott

2008-03-30T10:54:00.005-05:00

Before I moved to Spencer some nine months ago, I knew very little of it. I'd been before, but those experiences existed only as vague memories of the odd Labor Day gathering from my youth, or the RAGBRAI visit that I can't really distingish from all the other RAGBRAI towns (sorry). So when I moved here, one the the first people that I met was Chad Elliott--at a reception at Arts on Grand. And then he was everywhere! (I was at the library the other day and there on the bulletin board were fliers for two different events in town and he's playing at both of them.) Chad Elliott has been a fixture of this town in my experience of it. He's there at the Tree (if not there in person, he's there through his art), he's there are Arts on Grand, he's there in Buddy Holly, he's there where everybody's talking about him. And it's good because Chad is extremely talented and an extremely warm person.

And now he's leaving. He's got a great job at Sticks in Des Moines. When I first heard, I was very disappointed. What is the town going to be without Chad? What's going to happen to me? I'll never get to work with him at the AOG ceramic studio again. I'll never see his friendly, musical face.

I went to the house concert at Martin Arthur's last night. Despite having seen him play before, I'd never actually been to a proper Chad Elliott concert before. He's funny, did you know that? Top quality musician, too. So many songs about wandering and changing weather. I realized--I don't have to be sad that he's gone. As he says, it's just part of the changing weather.

The concert last night was a wonderful experience. There were maybe 125 people in attendance. There was such a buzz. Just top, top quality like you wouldn't expect to find in a town this size but there it is. It's really a blessing that we've got this going on. And it's not going to stop just because Chad's going away--check out Spencer Concert Association for the upcoming schedule.

Chad--thanks for everything, and we'll be seeing you again.

SPL - Jane Austen

2008-03-28T14:04:00.003-05:00

Last summer I read Jane Austen for the first time after watching Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice (you know, the one with Keira Knightly). Starting with Pride, I devoured every single Austen book the library had. They didn't have Northanger Abbey. Shame. The past couple of months, PBS has been showing a series of Jane Austen films--pretty much every Jane Austen film made, it seems like. Two versions of Emma--the one with Gwyneth Paltrow and the one with Kate Beckinsale (unrelated, she plays a meddling character in Cold Comfort Farm as well--I highly recommend it). Early on in the series, they showed Northanger Abbey--truly a delight. A story about a girl who reads too many gothic novels. Usually I try to read the book before seeing a movie, so having seen it (and having bought the DVD, actually), I'm required to read the book, ASAP. So today I went to the library to interlibrary loan it (not realizing until writing this that the text is actually available for free online: Project Gutenberg, and other places easily found by a quick Google search). I did a quick check of the catalogue just to make sure it really wasn't there, and guess what. They do have it. In the large print section. Hurrah. It's the size of a small textbook. Thank you, Spencer Public Library!

Comments

2008-03-28T13:52:00.006-05:00

I'm an avid blog reader. I follow several blogs, among them the very popular Boing Boing ("A Directory of Wonderful Things") and The Sartorialist (the inspiration of this blog's title). One of my favorite things about blogs is the discussions in the comments. It can be a lot more fun and a lot more interesting when readers share their input. I want to encourage you, readers (are there any of you?), to comment. You don't have to register--you can always leave your comments "anonymously" and just sign them at the end. No need to create an account. Blogger is with Google, so if you have a Google account (such as gmail) you are already in. Or, use your Livejournal, Wordpress, Typepad, or AIM ID by selecting the Open ID option.

Spencer Antique Shops

2008-03-26T13:15:00.004-05:00

I come from a family of collectors. Not collectors of valuable things (besides my dad's antique fishing lures, some of which I suppose really are quite valuable), just things that we find interesting. Such as my dad's spread of interesting rocks, and shed antlers and skulls from various animals. My mom picks up junk off the street she finds while running and saves it for art projects. I'm the absolute worst one. I've got more stuff than I've got space. Besides my cheap plastic souvenir snowglobe collection (mostly from Paris) and postcards, I collect anything that I find interesting from bowls to books to found photographs to unidentifiable objects, especially things painted gold (gold praying hands salt and pepper shakers, horse head bookends with painted gold manes..). I don't care if it's valuable, as long as it looks interesting, and I generally keep it aaaaall on display, so my space is quite cluttered.

So naturally I love going to antique stores. I've most often frequented MainStreet Mall Antiques, 303 Grand Ave. They have wonderful ceramics from gorgeous art pottery vases to highly collectible press molded mixing bowls. They also have very nice cabinets and display cases, postcards, jewelry, salt and pepper shakers, and a whole section of scotty dog stuff. I love walking by and looking at everything in the window. A few things I have purchases there recently:

Autograph book from the 1940's, filled with rhyming messages of friendship. Was a gift for my friend Sarah, who really connects with that sort of thing, and it really relates to the kind of art she is planning to do for her thesis show in college next year. I also got a beautiful, small warm red cornucopia-shaped Shawnee pottery vase for my other friend Sarah, but I forgot to take a photo.

In accordance with my love of things painted gold--a small icon made in Italy. I'm guessing it's a cheap souvenir item. I have also bought vintage valetines, a "Hawaii" belt buckle from 1976 as a gift for a friend but somehow got lost in the mail, and probably many other things I've forgotten about from this store. It's great.

Anna's Antiques, just south a block or two from MainStreet Mall Antiques also has a nice collection. I've found (but didn't buy) a bright floral laquered coaster set from Japan, a pristine pillbox handbag, picture frames, jewelry, and a variety of other things I think are quite nice. The window display seems to usually be themed. I remember in February, it was maxed out pink and romantic. In the back room is a maze of furniture and odds and ends piled on each other--certainly some quirky items are to be found, including a large display of glass fairies. My first purchase there was this picture, a small print in a black wooden frame:

I know nothing about it but I find the scene intriguing. On my way out the door I spotted the following item:

A wooden hemisphere with a metal coil attached--I'm not sure if it's called a bookend because it is one piece. My mother has one that belonged to one of her grandparents, but hers is smooth black where this one is carved. I'd never seen any others anywhere. It was only $4, if you can believe that. I went right back in and bought it at once.

I used to think that it was Grantiques as in "granny", but finally realized it had more to do with being located on Grand Avenue (307 Grand Ave, to be precise). This is the one with ivy in the window that serves coffee and scrumptious looking sweets. With a high, tin tiled ceiling, this shop has got shelves upon shelves of beautiful things from spurs to light fixtures to fishing lures to books to shoes and so on. In the basement, you'll find rows of chairs and boxes of shoe trees among other things. I find that most things are out of my price range for the time being, but I did find this for $10:

A single owl bookend. Did I mention I collect owls and bookends?

While Goodwill is not an antique store, I'm just going to mention it for a moment because I always see horse toys in antique stores but I can never afford them because they go for $20 or $30. But a couple weeks ago I was in Goodwill and spotted a whole bunch of horse toys for 75 and 50 cents each! So I got two:

Dear readers, I would like to know what you collect, and where are your favorite places to find things?

Field Trip to the Gathering Place

2008-03-23T17:37:00.002-05:00

Field Trip to the Gathering Place, originally uploaded by TreeBed.

Chad Elliott had a show down in Cherokee at The Gathering Place... we (the Shaky Tree crew) had heard good things about what was going on down there... so we loaded up, and went.

What we found was a great venue, full of great people, ready for great live music... and I am pretty sure no one left disappointed. At one point I couldn't help but smile, because I was fully aware that this was what it is all about. It doesn't get much better than people gathering in community to enjoy being alive.

In the smaller context of NW Iowa... it was a chance for the "cross-pollination" of energy in the the growing music/art culture. I hope to see further collaboration between Spencer and The Gathering Place/Cherokee in the future.

Thank you to the Gathering Place for hosting, thank you Chad and crew for performing, and thanks to all the people who made their way to the show (many of whom came down from Spencer).

People Project: In case you missed it...

2008-03-11T13:23:00.007-05:00

People Project, originally uploaded by TreeBed.

Way back in January, during the hustle and bustle of the Okoboji Winter Games, there was a piece of art being created. It wasn't a brush stroke, or a sculpted mound of clay that local artist Chad Elliott used as a medium... no, it was people that Chad worked with to shape his artistic vision. Back in the fall of 2007, ArtsLive decided to join the fun of the Winter Games, and create a community art project. They enlisted the artistic talents of local artist/musician Chad Elliott, and the People Project was ready to be born.

To have a "people project" though... you need people. Everyone involved was a little nervous, but as the buses arrived it was clear that there would be a strong community of people to become the art. The actual form that Chad chose to facilitate was a turtle. The turtle design that was chosen came out of the location being habitat for nesting turtles (just below the Iowa Lakeside Lab on Miller's Bay). Turtles are also tied to Sioux legends of creation, rebuilding, as well as lending itself to ideas of community. All which came into play when trying to get over 170 people to form a design on a frozen lake. Although I think the real "art" of the whole thing was being a part of this short lived community (seeing everyone work together, laugh, listen, create)... the result of this ephemeral art, was the final fly-over photo revealing the design that Chad had laid out earlier in the day. It was a very cool thing to be a part of, and I hope it continues and grows larger each year.

The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions

2008-03-08T16:57:00.002-06:00

So, today I went to see the Lipizzaner stallions at the Clay County Regional Events Center. I managed to get a few decent shots mid-jump (I already forgot what all the moves are called).

More info about the horses at the show's website.

Tonight: Go see this show at 7:30 (call 580-3000 for info), or head on over to Shaky Tree to see musician Matt d at 8:00 pm.

Grand Avenue Shop Windows

2008-02-23T21:42:00.004-06:00

"Hi! I'm the cutest shop window in Spencer, Iowa!" --Music Connection

Arts on Grand, window by Holly Kellogg (paintings by Holly Kellogg, sculpture by...er..me). That one in the middle looks like and floral explosion to me right now. What do you think?

I stop and look at how cool this pitcher is every time I go by Mainstreet Mall Antiques.

I have never been in this shop but it looks very charming.

Warner Monuments.

Mike Blackwell @ Shaky Tree Tonight

2008-02-23T20:54:00.003-06:00

Mike Blackwell (Americana folk musician) is playing at Shaky Tree tonight. It's a good show. I know because I walked by a few times.

The thing is--I don't do "punctual." This has been a problem for me and Shaky Tree events because I also don't do "entering a facility through a door adjacent to a stage during a live show." I mean, I've seen other people do it, but it's not for me. It doesn't help that I know that when I walk in, I'm going to have to find a seat while everyone is looking in my direction, and if I find one, I'll be sitting by myself (because I don't know a soul), and I'm either too scared to get up and get a drink, otherwise I don't happen to have any cash on me if I want to, and therefore I'm sitting by myself with nothing to do with my hands. And that's very awkward. It's easy to see how my track record with these shows doesn't look good.

I really like Spencer a lot (obviously, it inspired me to start a blog about it), and people are really nice, but I don't have any friends. I mean, I literally have not "hung out" with another person on my own without any of my family members present in eight months of living here. I have moved about four times in the last six years and I have never not made friends right away. Part of it is that this is the first time I am not in school, and I guess the older you get, the busier you are. Even with that understaning, it's frustrating. It's no wonder that, yet again, I am chilling at home with the cats instead of enjoying a good show at the neighborhood Tree.

"A Geometry of Space and Time"

2008-02-23T14:06:00.006-06:00

Joanne Alberda's current show at Arts on Grand is magnificent. Over-the-top stunning. When, several weeks ago, I was told that the next AOG show was going to me quilts, I have to admit that my first thought was "meh," but the show is far from "meh." The color and shape is great, and I love how she plays with our idea of the medium by matting and framing pieces as if they were paintings. There are also very textural B&W photographs, and big, spare charcoal drawings of seed pods (I am seriously thinking about buying one) that really tie in with some of the shapes found in her quilts.

Show runs till March 24. Artist talk at some point... For more info, call Arts on Grand, 262-4307.

A small quilt on display in the window.

One of these simple charcoal drawings (I guesstimate they're like 2' x 3' but I'm bad with that kind of thing).

My Goodness, My Guinness

2008-02-15T12:36:00.003-06:00

Wednesday night brought the return of Irish band Gaelic Storm to the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji--a sold out show. They'd been there last year and a lot of people came back for more. I've never scene such a buzz in the lobby--people wearing their wellies and Gaelic Storm t-shirts. Myself, I'd been a fan since 1997 when the movie Titanic came out (Gaelic Storm played the party band in the steerage scene). I hadn't heard much of them since then (not that they weren't out there, I just wasn't paying attention), but when I heard they were coming to the area, on my BIRTHDAY, no less, I knew how I was celebrating my __th!

After an excellent meal at Minerva's, followed by turtle cheesecake and crème brûlée, my party enjoyed 3rd row seats to the lively show. Gaelic Storm is made up of five very talented musicians from Ireland, England, Canada, and New Jersey. Frontman Patrick Murphy (accordian, harmonica, as well as lead vocals) is part musican and part comic and introduced the audience to the "Irish moonwalk" (the kind you take after a night of drinking). Bagpipe player Peter Purvis brought out an electric bagpipe toward the end, which I thought was really interesting as I'd never thought about them existing. It's pretty much just the chanter, a wire, and a footpedal (no blowpipe or drones).

I good time was had by all, and the show ended with plenty of audience screaming, singing, and jazz hands. I hope they come back next year!

Check out upcoming show schedule at PLAC.

Buddy Holly and Barb Ryman

2008-02-06T15:47:00.001-06:00

When Neal Conover is excited about something, he'll make sure to tell you. You and everyone else he runs into. This time it's Spencer Community Theater's "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." The performance was fabulous, he said, Chad Elliott was, naturally, fantastic in the part of Buddy Holly, and not just him! Neal raved about Ritchie Valens (played by Dylan Dykstra) as well. I personally find Neal's excitement infectious, and if I wasn't already planning to go, I would have made plans. This weekend is its second of three weekends. Tickets $16. Times this weekend: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. matinee $15. Call 262-7336 for tickets or go to 518 1st Ave. E., Spencer, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. More info on the Community Theater website.

We're lucky here in Spencer to have our pick of musical entertainment. The House Concert series continues this Friday with Barb Ryman. According to the flier, "Barb Ryman is a nationally touring, award-winning singer-songwriter who expects music to be more than entertaining. Her music is lyric-driven, emotional, heart-opening. With a clear winsome voice and skillfully played guitar, she delivers a rich mosaic of contemporary folk, country blues, Celtic flavored ballads, old-time gospel, and bits of folk-rock." Concert at 8 p.m., doors at 7:30, at Martin Arthur's home (323 E 4th St). Suggeted donation of $10-$15, with proceeds going to the artist. Please RSVP (262-4500). More info at Spencer Area Concert Association's website. Check out Barb Ryman's website.

"Make Your Own Tiles" Class rescheduled

2008-02-04T14:32:00.000-06:00

My tile sculpting class is being rescheduled due to, well, only having one person signed up. It'll be on the 12th, 19th, and 26th, same time.

"Make Your Own Tiles" Class at AOG

2008-01-31T19:11:00.000-06:00

Arts on Grand offers all sorts of classes for children and adults in a variety of media. Somehow I got bold enough to propose one of my own, but now that it looms closer, I'm getting more than a little nervous. I've never taught anything before! But I'll go on ahead with it, as long as someone signs up, that is.

Some time ago, I decided to make some decorative sculpted tiles. I wanted to do some art nouveau style work, but I don't throw (pots), so I didn't have anything to put it on--but tiles are easy. My first one was (loosely) based on a design I took from a silver art nouveau cup. A year or so later, I made some tiles again, starting off the same pattern I'd used before. This time my main influence came from the enigmatic writer and illustrator (we think of him as an illustrator, but he considered himself a writer) Edward Gorey, known for his gothic/Edwardian style drawings of people and monsters (and elephants!). I made a series of Gorey-style creatures, some direct from his illustrations, some of my own invention. Of course, the result is a lot more gothic than art nouveau. An example is this set of birds (unglazed in these images):

This one is also unglazed in the photo. Finished, it looked amazing, stained dark, reminiscent of a tree or roots, but I also thought of veins:

Looks way cooler in real life, but I sold it (a mistake) and I'm not sure if I have any other photos.

The class is for adults, will be Tuesday evenings February 5, 12, and 19 at 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the clay studio at Arts on Grand (262-4307). We'll be carving into and building up on our tiles. I'll try not to be too lousy a teacher...

Artist Profile: Holly Kellogg

2008-01-24T15:25:00.000-06:00

This is the first in what I intend to become a series of artist profiles.

Artist Holly Kellogg is a recent transplant to Spencer, Iowa. Though she has a degree in Painting, she has in her recent years explored the mixed-media genre of assemblage, creating art out of found objects (esp. things found in the road while running) and discarded blue jeans (waste-not-want-not), while also incorporating paint. Pattern and geometric shapes also characterize these works. At the same time, she shows her more traditional side through her colored pencil still life drawings and the occasional still life painting. She's been known to dabble in clay.

Things Found While Running

River Rocks in a Bowl

An Oklahoma native, she graduated from Ames High, started out at Cornell College, and ultimately received her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute. Art has always been a fixture of Holly's life. She is the daughter of two artists (father a retired ISU professor of architecture and painter/sculptor, mother a painter/ceramist/paper sculptor), and grand daughter of an artist/architect. It was during her time as a student at Ames High that she decided that art was important to her (the art program there is on par with many colleges).

Her formal training was in painting. She says, "I enjoyed that [painting from life], but in time felt a desire to work more conceptually. I began dismantling used blue jeans to create a canvas and exploring the use of various materials and ways of applying paint in my work. A reoccurring theme that has developed from these explorations consists of a layering of form or materials, with part of the image being hidden, which suggests to me that our understanding and view of life, ourselves, one-another is partial. That there is more to be seen or discovered. Exploration is key for me."

She is currently working on building a body of work that began with a mop: "I had some cotton cord that came from a mop head (unused). I had the idea of laying the cord on a jean canvas painted red. I lay the cord in curving lines that resemble the lines on a geological map. It took many hours to sew the thread on. I liked what was happening, but wanted to do some work more quickly." The current work (as shown in examples here) sprung from this--2-D paintings using the line of the mop cords. "I began laying the cord down to created shape, drawing along those lines and painting from there. When working, I seek to bring in elements of composition to the work. I hope to created depth through the layering of shape and through color. I play around with various combinations and keep trying things."

Amoeba

Riverwalk

She currently works in a studio in her home. Her work is available at Arts on Grand here in Spencer, at the Octagon in Ames, and by appointment.

The artist in her studio.

One of my personal favorite pieces entitled Are You Awake is an example of Holly's work that uses layers of plexiglass in a shadowbox, spraypaint and stencils, and a photograph of her eldest daughter.:

More on "Together"

2008-01-17T17:51:00.000-06:00

I finally got a chance to see the exhibit at AOG, "Together, and Artistic Journey," today. I'd half forgotten about it and I was going anyway to unwrap a pot I'm working on (it's a slow drying process), and I was very excited when I remembered what else I would find there. First off, when you approach the front entrance of Arts on Grand, you see two things. On the left side are some of Gilbert and Vodraska's works. My eyes were immediately drawn to the white sculptures in the center--matte white organic shapes. They're buglike and I immediately thought of fossils. Also in this window are other ceramics and paintings. In the OTHER window, lined by a Pollock-esque background, stands a lone Chad Elliot sculpture. OK, so I can't remember what the title was, but it was very romantic (you know, "Romantic," not "lovey-dovey"), and the work itself is a column of extremely Chad Elliot-esque ocean waves, and at the top, a storm-tossed boat. It's got rich color and, as I said, romance, adventure, and great MOVEMENT.

Moving on... upon entering, I was faced with a feast--a visual feast. As a potter, I'm biased (I notice ceramics more than anything else), and I spent most of my time examining the pottery and sculpture. The front area of the show features works from their collection (not for sale). My favorites were the whitish sculptures emerging from African sand. I believe that Marta (AOG Director) was telling me that these works were inspired by the drought and dryness in Africa (the Vodraska's spent much time there), but everyone approaches art from their own experience, and I just kept thinking of fossils. I really like rocks and everything having to do with rocks, so that includes canyons, caves, potholes, and fossils.

Towards the back, their are works for sale. Many of them are smallish enclosed pots (little round pods), some sculpted, some smooth. FLAWLESS glazes. I am rarely interested in glazes and even more rarely impressed with their execution, but these are just perfect. One of my favorites was a coppery/goldish, sleek metallic glaze that was used in several pieces. BTW, these little pods I'm talking about are all very affordable (around $40-$60), for any of you who would like to own original art but aren't made of money.

I'm sorry I'm not very good at describing things. I am pretty sure that no one is going to be able to read this and come away with any idea of what it's really like. Unfortunately I am unable to include photos, but even those wouldn't do justice. This is why it is so important for everyone to go look for themselves. Not only would it enrich and inspire you, it would help out AOG (become a member! buy something in the gift shop!), and AOG is not something we want to lose.

Not to turn this blog entry into more of a ramble than it already is, I'd like to say that Arts on Grand is a really great place to buy gifts. Not only can you buy a work from the "Together" show, you can browse through all sorts of works, from prints, to original drawings and paintings, to scarves and bags, to greeting cards, photography books, ceramics, jewelry, glass works, etc., etc. Things I have bought recently: a print of a pencil drawing, wooden bookmarks, a wooden box, glass icicles, and handmade earrings. There really is something for everyone!

Together: An Artistic Journey

2008-01-08T18:18:00.001-06:00

The exhibit by Anita Gilbert and Anthony Vodraska opened at Arts on Grand yesterday. I haven't yet had a chance to see it, but based on the show postcard, it looks very interesting. It includes paintings, ceramics, and photographs. The couple has lived in Africa and it shows in the ceramic work that I have seen.

There will be an artist talk and reception on the 11th at 5:30.

I look forward to seeing their work myself because I've heard rave reviews from others who've been to their studio. Even my dad is impressed, and he isn't into art.

Tracks, towers

2008-01-08T18:11:00.001-06:00

Tracks of many kinds:

The bell tower of Grace United Methodist Church: graceful and strong.

You can't see it from this angle, but there are a dozen pigeons up there. They must be able to see forever.

Some winter photos

2008-01-06T19:12:00.000-06:00

The first three photos are from last week while the temperatures were below freezing. All the trees in town were covered with this layer of white:

It was a "winter wonderland."

This ice formation has been building up for weeks on the side of the police station:

This last photo if from yesterday when the sun was out.

In front of Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji.

Bright light

2008-01-05T13:18:00.000-06:00

This morning I drove north at nine o'clock. Once I passed the north edge of town, I entered a fog, but the sun was bright and there was no gloom about it. That frosty layer that's been on all our trees in town but is now gone remained on all the plant life within the fog. And everything was illuminated. The sun passed through the fog and caused all the buildings and fields and trees to shine as if lit from within--despite the mist. It was very beautiful.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T16:35:00.000-06:00

It's Christmas Eve. Life may be busy, but one ought to make time for simple pleasures--luminarias on your front walk.

Cool stuff in my basement.

2007-12-17T14:58:00.000-06:00

Spencer has some really beautiful historic homes. I've noticed a number of well-kept Craftsman style homes, including my own. My house was built in 1911 and has been well-maintained. (My only complaint is that the arched fireplace has been partially covered up.) One of the things I like about old houses is their history. Even if I never know the stories or who it was that once lived there, just knowing that people experienced the place decades ago is enough to create intrigue.

This is the first old house I've lived in. Among other things, here are a couple of interesting things in the basement:

How long since that's been used, do you think?

Evidence of a former radio enthusiast.

What sorts of interesting things have you found in your basement/attic? Got any interesting stories about your house?

Light behind PLAC

2007-12-16T13:16:00.000-06:00

Windows covered in ice:

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2007-12-08T19:18:00.000-06:00

It's really winter now. Our jack-o-lanterns sit half-rotten in the compost heap wearing jackets of snow.

This half-buried stone sculpture was created by a Japanese exchange student who didn't want to lug it on the plane home. It resembles some sort of temple.

Dormant raspberry bushes dusted in snow.

If it's wintry outside, I can't help but want to get Christmasy inside:

This photo isn't very clear (sorry), but that's mistletoe (artificial, about $10 at the Hen House) in the center. Glass icicles by Tony Curiel (available at Arts on Grand, $6.50 each). It's a bit dark, but at the top of the mistletoe is a feather bird with gorgeous, iridescent tail feathers ($3.95 at the Hen House). Gold glass balls from Menards.

I hung paper snowflakes from the dining room chandelier.

Put lights on the ficus (20-light strand from WalMart, under $2.00).

18-inch table-top tree from Menards for 99 cents. Red decos from WalMart, gold from Menards. Vintage red raindeer do-dad from my grandparents--received years ago on a Christmas package.

By the way, I would like to plug Arts on Grand as a (Christmas) gift shop. I've managed to find several beautiful gifts which I would love to post, but I wouldn't want to spoil any surprises. 10-percent discounts for members on purchases over $10!

Studio time at AOG

2007-12-05T19:35:00.000-06:00

Arts on Grand offers studio space for cheap. It would be difficult to find something this affordable in a bigger town. It gets even better the more people use it.

Levi, Chad

A little something I'm working on.

Grand Meander

2007-12-04T16:18:00.001-06:00

Seasonally appropriate ice sculpture by Jim Schooley.

Habitants of Santa's Barn.

Herod, his bloke, and some wise men. Check out the sweet beard on the man on the right! This window won first prize! Way to go, Grace UMC's Journey to Bethleham (Sun., Dec. 16th)!

Ballerina in progress by Chad Elliott in front of Arts on Grand. For some reason it makes me think of the Venus of Willendorf, though I don't think there is a good reason why.

The young Mr. Curiel arting his glass for SPACE in the window of Rudy Salem.

Grand Avenue.

On the way home, I saw Santa chillaxing in the window of Telco Triad.

AOG's Gathering of Wreaths Afternoon Tea

2007-12-02T18:19:00.000-06:00

Arts on Grand served a scrumptious tea this afternoon to open the Gathering of Wreaths holiday fundraiser. Through the 8th, you can bid on wreathes crafted by local artists and businesses.

Tea by Shaky Tree, sweets by .. I don't know, but they were decadent! Baclava, cheesecake bites, all sorts of rich goodness.

Bad day for sunshine

2007-12-01T14:21:00.000-06:00

Today was to be the 4th Annual Holiday Art Sale at the Pearson Lakes Art Center. This event has been postponed til next Saturday (10 a.m-4 p.m.) due to weather. Fortunate for me in that I'd forgotten to get a state sales tax number and now I have time to, but unfortunate because I won't be able to be there next week due to work. Still, I'll make sure my work is there. (By the way, did I mention there was a great article about me in the November 24th edition of Discover! magazine regarding this event?)

Another event that was postponed is the afternoon tea in association with the Gathering of Wreaths event at Arts on Grand. The tea will take place tomorrow at 3.

Frankly I'm glad I'm not out. I already had my eyeballs impaled by sleet just walking from the store to my car today. Is winter like this always in northeastern Iowa?

Let us escape from this dreariness for a moment and take a look at the weather on the OTHER side of the world:

*Sigh*

Photo blatantly ripped off from my photographer sister who currently resides in New Zealand, where summer is just beginning.

P.S. You can buy photos from her Alaskan salmon adventures at Arts on Grand.

Snow

2007-11-30T14:17:00.000-06:00

It snowed last night while I was at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.

Lovely, right? Until I realized that my car was also covered. And the roads. Ugh!

Grass

2007-11-29T15:06:00.000-06:00

Field north of West Lake Okoboji.

More films

2007-11-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

I should also like to point out that Arts on Grand has a small collection of foreign films available for checkout in their resource library. Titles include Il Postino, 8 1/2, and M. A full list can be found on their website: here. I currently have East/West checked out from two or three weeks ago and I still haven't watched it yet. Please respect due dates better than I do.

SPL - Films

2007-11-28T15:32:00.000-06:00

I've always been a library-goer. There were summers of my life that I visited a library every day. There were the Wizard of Oz books when I was little, the comic books when I was in college, the American folk and blues CDs, forever will be those young adult science fiction/fantasy novels, art books, Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, oh, and of course--FILM!

The last several years I have been privy to some excellent library film and TV DVD collections, including my college library (far more BBC drama series than necessary), the community college library at "home" (any collection containing all the films of the four Marx brothers is a winner with me), and the Iowa City Public Library, which of course has a collection (film and comic books) to die for. Even the public library in my former hometown for some reason has a fine growing film collection including many foreign, indie and "art house", and documentary flicks, as well as some TV shows (such as "Kids in the Hall").

Naturally, upon moving to Spencer this summer I obtained a library card and checked out the collection of Spencer Public Library...

..only to be disappointed. They didn't have any of my favorites, if they have CDs, I don't know where they are, and their DVDs only comprise two spinning displays in the middle of the (mostly educational) VHS tapes. But I realized that I had been spoiled and any library is a blessing. It didn't take me long to find something I liked. I read Jane Austen for the first time this summer, and I read every book they had. After watching the new Miss Marple for the last couple years on PBS's Mystery!, I decided to start reading the novels (the SPL has one and a half shelves of Christie). Also, I realized that while the DVD collection wasn't what I was used to, it wasn't bad. In fact, it does include a few of my favorites, such as Dark Crystal, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and, oh yes, 9 to 5.

While poor in the foreign and indie genres, the SPL is rich in what I would categorize as "Classics", with the king of them all, Citizen Kane among them. Loads of movies starring Cary Grant, Robert Redford, and Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face). Hitcock films include: North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder, and Rear Window. I also noticed they have Rocky one through five, Indiana Jones trilogy, a few Pink Panther's, and several westerns. They do possess a single Marx brother DVD: a two-disc collection of selected episodes from the Jack Benny show and Groucho's You Bet Your Life (complete with the original commercials).

There are probably several other gems that I overlooked. Definitely several films that have intended to see eventually.

So although I was a bit disappointed in the Spencer Public Library in the beginning, I've warmed up to it and I recognize that while it isn't as big as some other libraries I've used, it's still got a lot to offer and is quite nice for this community.

A little holiday consumerism:

2007-11-27T13:03:00.000-06:00

Black Friday ads reminded me that Christmas is coming and it's OK to start shopping now. I don't know yet what presents to get, but I'm ready in willing to spend money on whatever strikes my fancy, needed or not. It's the season to buy, and until I get those gift ideas, I will buy for myself. Here are a few (inexpensive) things I'd like to highlight:

Tea-light-candle-holder-fruit-carver.
This little tool cuts a precise, cylindrical, tea-light-sized hole into fruit. It's available at the Floral counter at Hy-Vee for $7.99. I used it to make granny-smith candle holders to adorn the table at Thanksgiving. Further holiday entertaining will provide opportunities to use this novelty. The package suggests that the tool can also be used to make fruit into dipping bowls, but you can't light dip on fire.

Merry Christmas candles
Found at Evie's Hallmark at Southpark Mall for $2.95. I love Christmas and I love stuff that lights up, and candles that say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" will add a delightful touch of kitsch to this year's Yule Log cake.

Tea filters
A tea-less tea bag. Shaky Tree is advertising (via MySpace Bulletin) gift ideas such as gift certificates, t-shirts, and gift baskets. But one product that caught my eye awhile ago is these tea bags for use with your own loose tea. Normally I would use a tea ball, but I do like to keep a tea bag in my wallet. This would be a way to do it. A box of 100 for around $5 at the Tree. I think this would be a great gift idea if you're putting together a gift basket of tea-related items.

Thanksgiving Eve

2007-11-21T21:31:00.000-06:00

How are you getting ready for Thanksgiving? I personally don't have to do any cooking, but I'm bringing...

...a pretty pomegranate.

(A House of Pomegranates)

P.S. Can you say luscious?!:

Pearson Lakes Art Center Holiday Silent Auction

2007-11-16T22:23:00.000-06:00

The PLAC in Okoboji opened their holiday silent auction today, featuring wreathes and trees decorated by local artists and businesses, as well as ceramic bowls, which were glazed by local artists and filled with goodies by individuals and businesses. All are on display in Weaver Lobby until December 2nd. (Don't forget the 4th Annual Holiday Art Sale downstairs in Pomerantz Hall December 1st! I'll be there...)

I decorated one of the wreathes. I made some cut paper Christmas-themed designs and spray painted them silver and attached them to the wreath along with red mini-ornaments and white lights. It's really not as great as it could have been. I think it's missing something.

Luckily I get a second chance at it because I'm teaming up with my mom to make a wreath for our own Arts on Grand's "Gathering of Wreathes" (Dec. 1-8). It's going to be a surprise!

Stolley Nature Area

2007-11-13T14:54:00.000-06:00

This summer, Stolley's was my favorite place to ride my bike to. It was lush and green and gorgeous. I hadn't been back for awhile (or on a bike), so today I went to check out the "fall version" of Stolley Park.

Went looking for deer and eventually saw a few across the river. The water is covered in geese. And it's still gorgeous.

Across the Universe, Arts on Grand's "Films for the Cinematically Challenged"

2007-11-12T18:30:00.000-06:00

The Southpark 7 is a nice movie theater, but I prefer the Spencer 3. I like that it costs only $3, that I can walk to it, and that it often provides me with a second chance to see movies that I missed at the 7. Yesterday evening I went to see Across the Universe. It's a musical, all covered Beatles songs using actors' voices. It's a love story involving young people in the '60s, when New York erupts over race riots and turmoil over Vietnam. There are many STUNNING segments, most notably (in my opinion) the "Strawberry Fields" segment. Throughout is amazing color, music, and choreography. You must see this film. It runs through Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Arts on Grand began its foreign film series last week with the Spanish Pan's Labyrinth (2006). This film is known for it's fantastic imagerey, and is both beautiful and disturbing. (For days after seeing it last winter, any time anyone put their palms anywhere near their face, I suffered a fright.)

Tonight the film is Water, a Canadian film set in India about Hindu widows.
Next Monday: Au Revoir Les Enfants, 1987, French/German
Monday the 26th: Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, 2005, Japanese/Chinese

All show at 7:00 p.m. at Carey's, 220 Grand Ave. Popcorn provided. $5 suggested donation.

And if I were to line up my own foreign film series?
-On Connaît la Chanson (English title: Same Old Song), 1997, French
A story of chance meetings and relationships where the characters burst into lip syncs to popular (recognizable to the French) songs.
-Miyazaki's Spirited Away, 2001, Japanese
Fantastical animated story of a girl transported to a spirit world.
-The Price of Milk, New Zealand, 2001
A wild, colorful fairy tale love story involving dairy cows, a quilt, an Indian wedding, and the Jacksons.

What would you choose?

Veterans' Day Avenue of Flags

2007-11-11T13:56:00.000-06:00

At 7 a.m. today, volunteers gathered on the courthouse lawn to put up 300 flags in honor of our veterans. For the first hour, the flags hung in a grey fog. After awhile the sun came out and the wind started whipping them around. It's quite a sight.

If I was real cool, I would set it up so you can click on photos to see them bigger, but I am not there yet. Six photos is a bit much for one entry, but I couldn't resist.

Shaky Tree's 1st Birthday & Kent Fishburn Concert

2007-11-09T21:59:00.001-06:00

I walked in around 8:15 (15 minutes late), which I wouldn't recommend. To walk into a concert that's already begun at Shaky Tree is to walk in front of everybody's way. The place was packed. In fact, the only place I could sit without being in front of someone was so far back, the stage was no longer in my sight. The place suffers from an awkward floor plan (for a concert hall). There is no one large seating area, but two long narrow spaces that meet in the corner. They make up for it by having great music that no one else has.

Mr. Fishburn's music was very pleasant (he had a companion playing with him but I never saw her), but the stool I was sitting on was not. Around 9:10, intermission was announced and birthday cake was offered, but my fear of crowds kicked in and I darted out.

Overall I think the event went over excellently and I am really pleased that Shaky Tree is around to bring us musicians like Kent Fishburn and good darjeeling (sorry, I'm not a coffee drinker). Happy birthday, Shaky Tree!

Extreme Color

2007-11-09T18:41:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the sky just blows my mind. What's not beautiful about this landscape?

HWY 71 between Fostoria and Milford, 7:30 a.m. Tuesday the 6th.

Autumnal Drama

2007-11-05T20:30:00.000-06:00

Parking lot behind Spencer Chamber of Commerce

Tied to the Apron Strings

2007-11-05T19:36:00.000-06:00

Arts on Grand has brought us "Tied to the Apron Strings" (Nov. 1 - Nov. 30), featuring aprons from the collections of Kathy Barth and Elva Barglof and from members of the public. Most of these aprons are from a craftier era, many hand stitched and embellished. The Daily Reporter featured an article about the show, which can be read here.

Neon mannequins by Tony Curiel. Background painting of kitchen items by Holly Kellogg.

African Children's Choir

2007-11-05T19:19:00.000-06:00

Last night I was priviledged to attend the African Children's Choir concert at First English Lutheran.

The African Children's Choir is part of Music for Life Institute and raises funds to educate and take care of the basic needs of several thousand African children, especially in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, where need is dire. The choir is made up of children ages 7 to 11, specially chosen. Once they complete their tour, they will be sponsored through the college level, and will return to Africa to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, and so on.

Seriously, watching these kids is a delight. It's always delightful to watch a child perform, but these kids are amazing. FULL of energy, non-stop dancing and singing. It really is a joy to see them smiling, and knowing that their future is bright.

*Image borrowed from http://www.overturecenter.com/OnStage/perfs/children.htm

Cuttin' up stuff

2007-11-04T17:13:00.000-06:00

The best thing about Halloween: carving jack-o-lanterns. There's a great potential for creativity. I've seen great works of art reproduced on pumpkins. A couple years ago my sister carved the face of Amédée-David, the Marquis de Pastoret, as painted by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. I, however, favor a more classic jack-o-lantern style:

The actual day of Halloween, however, can disappoint. This year, after carving five pumkpins, putting out decorations, and waiting with a big bowl of candy and popcorn balls, our house got one trick-or-treater. So it went out without a bang.

Luckily we have some other holidays left on the calendar. Snowflakes might be premature, but making them out of paper is my other favorite activity involving putting holes in things:

Be alert, or you'll miss it.

2007-11-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

Some days ago I was flipping through channels and stopped on the Spencer Channel. I was intrigued by a well-dressed string band (unknown to me) playing in what appeared to be someone's living room. For several minutes I watched, studying the white drapes against red walls trying to imagine what this place was, enjoying the music, jealous that my living room wasn't chromatically-schemed so, and infuriated that I hadn't known this was happening and couldn't go back in time to be there myself.

I consulted the internet. TV listings informed me that I was watching the Boulder Acoustic Society, and further search lead me to this Daily Reporter article: Boulder Acoustic Society next in House Concert series. It turns out that this took place just down the street from me at the home of Martin Arthur.

I ended up watching the entire rest of the concert on TV (the name of the band and their website was eventually displayed on TV, albiet with an incorrect URL), meanwhile, I perused the band's website.

My thoughts:
1. I don't get the Daily Reporter. Clearly if I did I would have had the option of seeing the concert first hand.
a. What else am I missing because I don't get the paper?
b. How could publicity for cultural happenings be improved?
2. This Martin Arthur man has a sweet living room.
3. You gotta work to know what's up, or you'll miss it.