The Wax Drum

"Trust Your Heart"acrylic, 12 x 12 inches, ©laura gaffke (available)

Dear Tina & dear friends,

I have always had a difficult time making decisions. I tend to question everything, carefully weighing my options. This can be quite stifling and can really hold you back and keep you from moving forward. Would it really be the end of the world to make the “wrong” decision?

I have been pretty focused on my word for the year, taking action, letting go of things as I work towards living a more organized life. For the most part I have centered my attention on physical things like addressing my clothes closet, but recently started thinking about how I could release things in other areas of my life. It is interesting to assess what no longer serves, inspires, or helps you grow. This comes with decision making which as we have learned I am not very good at! I am working towards trusting  my heart and following my “inner voice” (you know the one that whispers to you when you get still and listen), which isn’t easy! 

I lost a friend this past week which certainly makes you pause and put things in perspective. You see, we have this one precious life and for the most part we get to choose how we wish to live it. It is time to release things that no longer serve me so I can make room for new experiences to come into my life.

I just finished this painting titled, “Trust your Heart”. It is a reminder to do just that~TRUST in ourselves.

xoLaura

 p.s. This is a favorite poem and a blessing to remember my friend. May it inspire you in some way.

         (Steve Conn~You are thought of  & loved!)

©laura gaffke

A BLESSING

May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.

May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.

May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.

May the flame of anger free you from falsity.

May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.

May your outer dignity mirror and inner dignity of soul.

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.

~ John O’Donohue ~

(Ana Cara)

Vision

laura gaffke, Vision 91

Tina Vision 91

 

ReVision

Laura's ReVision 91

Hello Sweet T~

I have been thinking a lot about how things grow (both literally and metaphorically) and I enjoyed seeing your Vision this week of the shadows. They made me think of how things grow and how there is so much going on all the time that we don’t always see change. My sweet friend, Kathy gifted me a vase with begonia cuttings before Christmas and I have enjoyed watching their roots emerge in the studio. It seemed like they sprouted them overnight! It is time for me to take them home to be planted and I will enjoy watching them grow. Isn’t nature amazing?

xoLaura

ReVision 91 Tina

 

Dear Laura,  I thought your Vision this week fit right in with my studio work (and upcoming Working Table post) so I thought I would post an image of a work in progress.  I will be writing more about this process this week, so wanted to just focus on the photograph.  This photograph has a price tag on the back that says it is one penny.  I have stacks of antique photographs and often wonder who the people are.   One of my favorite poets, Naomi Shihab Nye, said it better than I would in her poem “Famous”……”The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.”

Here is her poem in it’s entirety.  Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorite poets Laura!   Tina

Famous

By Naomi Shihab Nye

The river is famous to the fish. The loud voice is famous to silence, which knew it would inherit the earth before anybody said so.

 

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds watching him from the birdhouse.

 

The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.

 

The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom.

 

The boot is famous to the earth, more famous than the dress shoe, which is famous only to floors.

 

The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.

 

I want to be famous to shuffling men who smile while crossing streets, sticky children in grocery lines, famous as the one who smiled back.

 

I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forgot what it could do.

laura gaffke, Vision 91

Tina Vision 91

 

Visions for the week…

Vision 90 Tina

Laura's Vision 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ReVisions for the week:

Tina's ReVision 90

Dear Laura,

Your Vision this week directly relates to the work I have been doing in my studio lately.  I have written about my ‘root’ series HERE and continue with this work today.  I have started adding objects and abstract drawing elements to the drawings.  I realized that drawing is more than just the traditional sense of pencil on paper.  Drawing for me is arranging my thoughts, with whatever material works in the moment, on a two-dimensional page.  I will be writing more about this in a future post, but for now just wanted to mention how parallel our thinking has been this week.

Tina

Laura's Gaffke, ReVision 90

Dear Sweet t~

I remember your book sculptures greeting me when I visited you for the first time and I must say they make quite an impact all grouped together. Someday I will make a grouping of my own and have been on the lookout for the perfect books. Lisa Occipinti, a favorite artist of mine wrote a lovely book called, The Repurposed Library that I just love. It is filled with wonderful inspiration on repurposing old books. I find myself a bit nostalgic lately. My mother gifted me with a visit a few weeks ago and brought with her some old photographs of my grammy. They are the really cool ones with the deckled edges and tiny little squares with the white borders. I always had a deep bond with my gram and still feel her in my heart even though her physical self is no longer with us. I have spent some time pooling over them, sorting them and dreaming of what it may have been like to grow up in her generation. I have a bunch of transfers ready to go for some experimental new work that I am excited about. I am not entirely sure where I am going with it all just yet, but I feel warm in my heart being embraced by my memories.

xoLaura

p.s. In case you are in the New London area, the opening reception to the Hygienic’s Salon Des Independants is TONIGHT at 8 pm! I was there hanging my work this morning and I must say it is going to be one CRAZY, AWESOME SHOW! If you have been before, you know what I am talking about!

 

Laura's Working Table: Jan. 2012

Dear Tina & friends~

I feel like I am finally getting my groove back in the studio. Before the holidays I had great rhythm with my work. I was connecting with my thoughts and had clarified my intentions with the new body of work I had started….THEN BAM! I was derailed by other obligations. It was REALLY hard to stop working and although I tried to do SOMETHING creatively every day I lacked the blocks of time I needed to get back to that “space”.

The past two weeks have been really good. It has taken me some time to reconnect with myself but I have been getting up early every morning to write, which has really helped (although I do admit to crawling back in bed with my coffee and comforter to do this~it’s FREEZING up here!). I have also been diligent with my gratitude journal. It is amazing how life changing they can be! (Do any of you keep one? If so, how has it affected your life?) I find that all of these things are a necessary part of my work. When I don’t make reflection a priority it hinders my artwork. I find it especially helpful to write now that it is too cold for me to get motivated for my daily walks which have always been a time for reflection. Tina has often mentioned that my artwork changes in the winter and although I am not always conscious of it, I think she is probably right.

Upon returning to the studio I allowed myself to paint over two larger paintings I had started before my hiatus. They are still works in progress but I find that as I let go and release what is not serving me, I stretch myself and new ideas form. I have also been working on a series of small paintings which have “loosened me up” and allowed me to experiment a bit with my color palette. Here are two of these paintings. They are part of a series titled, ”Above & Below the Surface”.

©laura gaffke 2012, "A compassionate Eye", acrylic, 4 x 6 inches

 

©laura gaffke 2012 " Hidden Beneath" acrylic, 4 x 5 inches

This series relates to my inquiry into the human spirit. The abstracted landscape has become a metaphor for what we choose to reveal to each other and what we keep tucked away. “A Compassionate Eye” started off as a mediative painting and revealed itself as a reminder to always seek the goodness in people, even when it is hard. You never know what is going on in someone’s life and why they do or react to things the way they do. It is meant to celebrate of the best parts in each of us and trust that there will always be someone to watch over you. At the end of the day, I believe we all wish to be recognized, celebrated and loved.

Just in case you need to hear it~ YOU ARE CELEBRATED, recognized & LOVED!

xoLaura

*Original Painting can be purchased HERE

 

We have decided to leave out our written reflections on our Monday Vision post as we have done for the past 89 posts and simply post a visual image.  On Friday we will open up a written reflection to one another if we choose to do so.   We are curious how this may change the direction of this project and expand our interpretations of one another’s work.

The Vision/ReVision project will remain the same for the most part, but we thought we would mention this small shift that could bring big gains for our collaborative work.

 

Tina’s Vision

Vision 90 Tina

 

Laura’s Vision

Laura's Vision 90

 

Dear Friends,

Ali Edwards has developed a simple project that we would like to hop on board and ride.  It is called “One Little Word”. She has been doing this project and actively engaging her readers since 2007.  As quoted from her website:

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. From my own personal experience, it can be a catalyst for enriching your life.

Last year Tina’s word was ‘steadfast’ and Laura’s was ‘mindfully aware’.

Below are our thoughts & “one little WORD” for  2012.

Dear Tina,

I really thought my WORD for 2012 was going to be LISTEN but as I started to journal more (which I had not been making the time for lately by the way) I realized that in order to truly listen I need to make room in my life and clear the mental and physical clutter that holds me back and keeps my mind weighed down. Alyson Stanfield calls these things “tolerations”, meaning anything that holds you back and keeps you from moving forward.

I have so many unfinished projects around my house as well as belongings that no longer serve me which are cluttering up my life. This is the year to release them! My hope is that by doing this I create room for new things to come into my life. What I visualize is a thriving art business, abundance, joy, time with family and friends as well as an inspired home. If you haven’t guessed it yet, my WORD for this year is ORGANIZE. I plan to share my progress with you and hopefully we can all inspire each other. Here is to a FABULOSO start of the new year!

love, Laura

Dear Laura,

Last year  I did stay true to my ‘steadfast’ word.  I remained steadfast with my convictions in my art practice, trained, tried-out, and made the roller derby team, continued honing my teaching practice at the college level, and consistently held my children and spouse as my primary priority through a busy year of work.

This year, my little word is HEALTH.  Now that I am training my body on a regular basis as an active skater on the Lowcountry Highrollers team (I just made the Allstar team) by skating competitively four times a week, weight training and cross training, I have recently realized that my body needs a different nutrition plan for fuel.  I am researching and changing my whole diet.  Actually, in a recent visit with my doctor, she advised me to look at the South Beach Diet for it’s nutritional guide.  She said it is one of the few diet plans that have been researched and proven for cardiovascular and overall long-term health (even Weight Watchers follows this diet). By including better nutrition I hope to build muscle, endurance, and energy.

I also see this word guiding me in my emotional, spiritual, and creative health as well.  I have worked out how HEALTH will factor into my physical body this year, but will continue pondering and revisiting these other aspects as the year progresses.

Tina

(aka TNTina when I skate)

My first bout December 2011

We encourage you too to go over to Ali’s website, read about the little word project, and leave your very own little word in her comment section.  If you did so and want to share it with us too, we would like to hear it.

 

Learn more about Laura & Tina’s Vision/ReVision Project

Vision’s for the week:

Vision 89, Tina

Vision 89, Laura

ReVisions for the week:

Laura's ReVision 89

Dear Tina,

I remember that day we laid out all of those squares. It seems like yesterday and yet another lifetime ago. I decided to share this picture taken of us at our Goddard Graduation. We were so alive with wonder and giddy with all we had accomplished. I know for certain that my life would not be the same without having met you.

I am REALLY PUMPED to work on our squares again! When I look back now at those squares I see how they always kept me thinking and exploring the world, inviting risks with my work, knowing you would never judge them and could see the “process”. It was something we did just for us as we tried to decipher our world. I am very excited about revisiting this endeavor with you and seeing the possibility of it all. At the end of the day I think we are always questioning, “What are we learning?” and “How are we growing?” both as artists and as beings in this world wanting to make it a better place for all. Don’t you think?

xoLaura

ReVision 89, Tina

Dear Laura,

“Timing is everything” as the old cliche says.  This ran through my head when I saw your photo of the lilies.  I see opportunities come and go (some with regret, some with relief, some with the joy of ‘I can’t believe that just happened to me’).  It is hard to make sense of it all on most days.  I just hope to be there fully in mind and body when those opportunities present themselves.  Maybe that is all we can control- showing up.

I took this photo at Caw Caw Nature Center, which is one of  my favorite places in Charleston.  My camera was actually cooperating and took a decent photo. This is also exactly the color palette I use in my own artwork.  Do you think our eye with the camera (how we make decisions to frame shots) is dictated by our individual color aesthetic?

Tina

 

Learn more about Laura & Tina’s Vision/ReVision Project

laura's Vision 89

Dear Tina,

Happy New Year once again! I bought a bunch of stargazer lilies for my New Year’s Eve party, hoping they would open up in time for my holiday decorating. In my mind they would be reminiscent of the burst of fireworks and would be festive for the party. They only started open in the past few days and I find my house filled with bursts of FUN! Although not the timeframe I had planned I am appreciating them now after all my company has gone home and I am left with the stillness of the winter. Nature is always a marvelous reminder that good things come in time. As I look at them I am slowing down, practicing patience and being still long enough to enjoy them. xoLaura

Vision 89

Dear Laura,

It is a new year and I wanted to remind us of our first collaborative project.  Do you remember lining these up at Goddard after a semester of sending them to one another.  I believe our next step was to make the book right? Last time we talked we had mentioned getting back into the habit of mailing small cards to one another again.  I can commit to doing this two times a month if that would work for you?  This was one of our most successful collaborations and why not circle round and see where it takes us this time.

Tina

The people our parents warned us about!

This pretty much sums up how I spent my holiday! Click on the tunes and dream a little with me…

Dear Tina & friends~

Happy Happy New YEAR to you!!! The beginning of each new year always fills me up inside. I get overwhelmed thinking of the possibility that it brings. My mind has been racing so much that I haven’t been able to sleep the past few nights. It’s like I have this “excitement buzz” going on.

I have seriously been “unplugged” both mentally and physically from social media of any kind for the past week and half. After having a wonderful New England Christmas with my family in New Hampshire Brett & I set sail for the Caribbean to meet up with his mom & stepfather. They gave us the most generous gift of their time, relaxation, adventure and wonderment all rolled up on one “little” ship holding over 4,0000 people! I am still in awe of how this boat floats!

Our ship, "Freedom of the Seas"

 

"Christmas Island"

Not having access to the internet literally forced me to be away from my “normal” life in all ways imaginable. I think this may be why people enjoy cruising so much. There is no escape from listening to your hearts desire, whether that be relaxing and indulging in a massage, poolside cocktails, passes through the casino, catching a show in the huge theatre, meeting new friends, visiting the amazing islands of Labadee, Grande Cayman, Jamaica & Cozumel, excursions to exotic places or having indulgent dinners and thoughtful conversations. It was wonderful to give my mind a rest from my everyday life.

Jamaica

Brett & I on our balcony ready for dinner. Not often I can get my husband to wear a tie!

The food was not only delicious it was artfully displayed!

Shocking that we all would be at the bar!

Our favorite bartender, Sergio. Remind you of anyone? I wish we had caught a picture of him with his infectious smile!

Our other favorite bartender, Chris

We had a lovely cabin with a deck overlooking the ocean, room service every morning, cocktails every day (a few days even before noon! hey, “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” right?). I must admit to having “morning margaritas” at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville before our excursion to stingray city on Grand Cayman! In fact, I convinced Brett take me to Margaritaville in Jamaica and Cozumel! We probably would have hit Labadee too had there been one. The margarita’s were delightful at each port! “What would Jimmy Buffett do,” right?

Ahhhh bliss!

My heart is filled and grateful for having two very different but special Christmas’s. All gifts and indulgences aside what matters the most to me and always will is the gift of time spent with the people I love. Wishing you all the most magical new year! Lot’s of love your way….Laura

©laura gaffke

As Laura and I talked on the phone yesterday we began a conversation about all that we have accomplished for 2011 as well as thoughts about moving forward for 2012.

©laura gaffke

I am always glad that there is vacation time at the end of the year because it allows for this type of reflection when otherwise I probably would be caught in my daily to-dos, work obligations, and family life.   Honestly, I have not made enough room lately for much reflection given my incredible overload of work over the past five months.  I have been a bit absent on the blog because I have been giving my teaching practice a lot of effort to gain experience at the college level.  This past semester I taught four undergraduate Drawing I classes and one Graphic Design.  One of my main goals for 2012 is to find a permanent teaching job, but more on that later.   I DO really miss this work with Laura and yesterday we talked about how to redirect our work so that we both can make the blog a seamless part of what we do as artists rather than another thing on the to-do list.

©laura gaffke

One main thing we noticed about our break from our collaborative work over the past few months was an increased attention to our own studio practice.  Laura’s paintings have become very strong in composition, layering, color palette, and voice.  Yep- voice.  She has really honed her ‘voice’ as an artist in what she is communicating to her audience.  Check out her brand new WEBSITE because she is really articulating her practice well there.   I have been deepening my drawing practice in a way I have not in previous years.  The last four years I have been focusing on my mixed-media sculpture practice through extensive research (I based my graduate studies on this work), attending artist workshops (Keith LoBue was my favorite), and exploring various methods of assemblage, image transfers, and construction with wood boxes.  This past year I felt an urge to go back to the basics of drawing and see where that might take me.  Really, drawing is all I had time for so it was a practical decision too.  I have developed a series of about twelve new pieces that I feel pretty good about. I created many more, but these are actually passing my expectations of what is worthy of being seen by the public (makes you wonder about all the rejected works in all the artist studios out there).  I will have these twelve photographed in January and share then.

©laura gaffke

If you are still with me after that long reflection, I want to summarize (brag) 2011 for Laura Two Tina……

• Radio interview with Cassie Premo Steele (which ended up being the most listened to interview for the past two years of her show)
• Vision/ReVision #62-88
• Numerous Working Tables for both of us
• Laura’s extensive exhibition at the end of 2011
• Tina’s extensive teaching at the college level
• New collaborative L2T on paper (more on this in 2012)
• Completion of 4 T.A.O.S. and 2 started
• Numerous postcards sent to one another & our readers through the mail
• Laura’s open studios (Spring and Winter)
• Tina’s series of posts on mother/artist (annual)
• Laura’s first outdoor exhibition
• Laura’s defining trip to California to experience Flora Bowley’s workshop and visit with good friend Marlene
• Adding Creative Commons to our blog
• Artful Blogging Magazine – winter of ’11 issue (six page spread on our work)
• L2T’s Etsy shop open and active
• Laura’s Etsy shop
• Laura’s visit to see Tina in Charleston SC in January
• Tina gaining gallery representation in Greenville, SC

After the new year begins we will write a post about our wishes for 2012.  We both decided to dream and write a bit over our holiday vacation.  Most likely we will have another one of our epic phone conversations to make plans for the new year, so come back after January 1 to read all about it.   In the meantime, we both wish you a warm and happy holiday.

~Tina

the dynamic duo

Vision 88

 

Tina Vision 88

Laura's Vision 88

ReVision 88

Learn more about Laura & Tina’s Vision/ReVision Project

Laura's ReVision 88

Dear Tina~

Your Vision 88 reminded me of one of the last boat rides Brett & I took before we put the little boat away. The way the light found it’s way through the clouds was really spectacular! It makes me miss those hot summer days! Luckily we have been having some mild weather here in New England.

xoLaura

ReVision88

Dear Laura,

You have met my mischievious dog, El Segundo.  He was very annoyed that I woke him from his tenth nap to take this photo.  You can see it in his ears.  He puts up with us as much as we put up with him.  His latest antic was to steal a whole box of Wheat Chex, drag it into the back yard through his dog door and scarf it down.  The chex  got clumped together on the roof of his mouth (probably because he was eating it so fast so he would not get caught) which he couldn’t get off the roof of his mouth so continued to howl and stick his paws in his mouth.  I could write a book about his thievery.  You can see it in his eyes that he is plotting his next food theft. This is more of a mug shot than a loving pet photo.

Tina

Holiday Cheer!

Dear Tina & friends~

Even though it is after midnight and I am just arriving home from a long day in the studio I am too hyped  up and giddy to sleep! As you know we are getting ready for our annual Good Tidings, Great Art Open studio Extravaganza and things could not be coming together any better! The studio looks beautiful, not only with all the thoughtfully placed holiday decorations but all of the indescribably fabulous artwork everyone has created for this show! All of our artists are top notch and have prepared some wonderful new work just for us! The attention to detail is incredible and I could not feel more proud of our little studio at Above Elite. Here is a little sneak peek at what promises to be a memorable weekend:

Some of my new work. Can you guess which piece Tina & I did together?

My new joyful moments calendars!

I just love them and can’t wait to give some as gifts~shhh!

This year I have packaged cards that I think would make a cute hostess or teacher’s gift. Don’t you love the colorful baker’s twine? I am always on the lookout for

environmentally friendly packaging and was delighted to have found this twine which is biodegradable~love that! The cards come in a plastic sleeve that also is eco friendly.

Let me know if you have any other interesting packaging ideas of this nature. I am always on the lookout!

I painted the backgrounds on these journals and hand stamped the sentiments with my vintage stamps that I found a few years ago at the Brimfield Antique show.

This is one of my most favorite things in my studio right now (it looks a little different since this picture was taken). Juli Mancini, one of our AMAZING guest artists was kind enough to bring it to me from her woods. It just makes me smile every time I look at it! It is “decorated” with an assortment of hand painted cards. Many of them are little watercolor abstractions. Often I will start my day off in the studio with my own kind of “meditation.”  I  focus on putting positive energy into the world as a small gift. I am often overwhelmed, wanting to help every cause and person in need which I know I can’t do. I realize this is a small gesture but hopefully  cumulatively over time it will provide some good. Imagine what we could all do together if we focused on the good in the world instead of the bad.

This is a work in progress I will have on view along with a few other pieces. I want to show how I build up layers with paint. Even my larger paintings begin as a meditation like I described above, only here I am using acrylic paint and they are on wood panels. This painting is part of my wine series.

 Some of Juli Mancini’s artwork striking, don’t you think?

A little snippet of Diana Sartor’s wonderful mixed media work. You will have to see the detail and texture in person~SPECTACULAR!!

Millie Donovan, my wonderful studio mate has been busy with new work as well. I just love her new collages! She is also equally talented as a “radio personality” and did a wonderful interview with our AWESOME musical guest Evan St. Martin who will kick off the festivities TONIGHT!

As if things couldn’t get any better, we have a special exhibit from the Residents of the Neuro Restorative of Rhode Island. Sarah Martin, another one of our wonderful guest artists worked tirelessly for months with her students to put together this show. Each work of art has a description of their thought process to enlighten you and fill you with inspiration and admiration for their achievements.

The rest you will have to wait to see! Hope to see you! If you can’t make it send some positive energy our way and do me the honor of forwarding this on.

Happy Holidays!

Love & cheer your way…Laura

 ***All photographs were taken by the fabulous Juli Mancini

My new cards!!!

Dear Tina & Friends~

Although still not at 100% I am feeling SO much better since the last time I talked with you! This cold I have going on has been a serious drag and couldn’t have come at a more challenging time of year. I guess that is always the way, right? Thank you all for the well wishes I received. It really meant a lot to me.

I was back in NH this week  for a few days which set me back in my studio work. I finally was able to get in yesterday and started working on some new prints for an upcoming show with the Stonington Printmaker’s Society. Ironically, the show opens the same day as our Open Studio~December 10th! So much goodness in one day! Luckily the reception runs from 5-7pm which should give me enough time to clean up from our festivities and head over to the LaGrua Center. It will be a long but spectacular day and I would love it of you could make one or both of the events!

Can you guess which print on this card is mine?

The Printmaking Society is a wonderful community of artists who get together regularly to share techniques and ideas. I have learned SO much from them and am grateful to be a part of this special group. The show is called, “Winter Relief” and I just love the play on words. Please note the special gelatin plate demo given by the fabulous Sarah Martin. Sarah also happens to be one of our guest artists at Above Elite Studios and the fabulous designer of the new cards you see at the top of this post!!! I am SUPER CHARGED to share them with you along with my new calendars which many of you have purchased through my etsy shop! I actually sold out of the first batch of calendars and ordered a limited edition run so let me know if you would like me to put one aside for you! More pictures and goodness to come!

I am off to get an early start at the studio. Our artists are coming today to set up their beautiful artwork so we can be ready for our special “preview party” on Monday. If you are unable to attend next weekend or want a sneak peek before the crowds arrive we will open our doors from 5:30-8pm Dec. 5th. There is so much to be done before the Festival of Trees fundraiser Gala tonight. Jackie, of Luniac Style  is another one of our fabulous guest artists at Above Elite. She graciously donated a tree for this event which she decked out with her beautiful creations. Everything she does is fabulous and I can’t wait to see it along with more of her glorious style at our studio! I am overwhelmingly blessed to be surrounded by such thoughtful, caring, talented, generous friends! It sets the bar high and inspires me on so many levels!

Let the festivities begin! Happy day to you all!

love, Laura

 

I hope everyone had a really nice Thanksgiving!

I had the most lovely time in NH visiting my family. My niece and nephew are growing up before my eyes and I felt a little sad that I miss so much of their lives living so far away. I guess this just makes every moment I have with them extra special. I also got to spend time with my good friend Michelle who was able to join us for Thanksgiving dinner~what a treat! As if things couldn’t get better I had the EXTRA SPECIAL gift of seeing my friends Enid & Adrian from London! Brett & I joined them for an impromptu lunch before we headed out of town yesterday. We got to hear about their trip around the world, reminisce and just enjoy our time together. I truly am truly blessed in this world to have such wonderful people in my life! Even though we don’t see each other often, it was like no time had passed. There is something very special about the ease of old friends and family.

Unfortunately I have been fighting a cold for the past few days and just don’t seem to feel any better. I keep telling myself  ”I am on the upswing” as there is NO amount of energy I would like to give this bug. I have decided I will embrace being sick as a “gift” and take some time to rest but I am finding it quite difficult as my insides are just bursting with excitement thinking about my upcoming Open Studio!!! Last week I spent quite a bit of time rearranging my studio, cleaning and just being filled up with the anticipation of it all! I have SO much to share with you but this will have to wait as Brett is forcing me to take today to rest and heal. With any luck I will feel better tomorrow. Until then, I will leave you with your “official” invitation to our Open Studio. Please help us in spreading the word and joining us for all the festivities! (it’s easy with the share button at the bottom of this post) Looking forward to seeing YOU! Until then, lots of love and holiday cheer your way…laura

Laura's Vision 88

Dear Friends~ Tina & I have been a little behind in our Vision/ReVision posts. I thought I would “trick” you by posting this. It somehow got overlooked on Halloween and I am a big fan of the holiday so I am posting it anyway as I feel most holidays are too rushed.

Happy Belated Halloween & Happy Thanksgiving as well!

We are GRATEFUL for your kindness and support today and ALWAYS!

Dear Tina,

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

I don’t know if you know how much I LOVE HALLOWEEN?!?!? but I DO! I took this picture of Skye, my sweet little girl perched where she shouldn’t be on one of our tables. I thought she looked ghoulish with the ghosts behind her…whOOOoooaaaa haaa haaa! Don’t be scared! xoLaura

p.s. I altered this using the camera bag app~fun!

 

Tina Vision 88

Dear Laura,

This photograph was taken by my son Olin.  We were at the beach as the sun was setting.  I like the suggestion of the horizon line at the bottom of the photo with the subtle colors of the day ending.  There is something about the Fall that always seems to have amazing sunsets.

Tina

Laura & Joyita Neerkaje

Hello delightful ones!

WOWZA have I had a busy week! The Hartford Open Studios was FANTABULOSO! I had a truly wonderful experience for my first time doing the show! Joy and I made a great team. She has an amazing sense of organization and we managed to fit all of our artwork, display pieces AND tables in one car! It was great having someone to travel with and share the days events.

I have to admit last week when I first saw the hallway where my work was to be displayed my stomach kind of sank. It was REALLY DARK! Joy & I couldn’t find an outlet anywhere in our hallway and I became consumed with how I was going to remedy the problem, as I know how important good lighting is to showing artwork.

We managed to do wonders with a few extension cords, can lighting and twinkle lights! Although still not the best lighting ever, it made a HUGE difference. I was amazed at how people were able to transform these hallways into works of art. Many went all out bringing in huge ladders and hanging their lights from the ceiling and then intricately making the cords “disappear”. I admired all of their hard work.

Laura, Joy & Diane

I met some truly kind-spirited, lovely people including Kerry Lucier Jr. owner of Aruna Chocolates~THE BEST raw, organic chocolate I have ever tasted, Sarah Paolocci, illustrator extraordinaire, Jamierose DiScipio a fabulous potter AND painter and my “hallway buddies” Diane M (forgot how to spell Diane’s last name, will post soon) and Geoffrey Houghton of SteamFolkArt . Our little spot on the 2nd floor became known as the “HAPPY CORNER” not only because of the bold use of color in our work, but because that was how we felt. It truly was a HAPPY day!

Filled with gratitude….laura

p.s. Today I will be setting up my table at the Mystic Arts Center for their Artisan Gift Salon which will be on display for the month of December (another first for me!) You can also see my work in the main gallery along with many other fabulous artists. SO MUCH GOODNESS!!!

Hi Everyone,

We just got the news that our interview with Cassie Premo Steele was the number one interview listened to in the past two years on her BlogTalk Radio!   If you want to hear what we had to say in that interview click on the link in the right margin.  We talk about how our work began, projects we have done together, and plans for future collaborations.

I just received this postcard in the mail from Laura.  This is exactly how our work began together…a simple note sent to one another. Thanks Laura!

~Tina

affirmation—> I make the best use of my time

Hello friends!

I often wonder where my time goes. Like most people you can never seem to find enough hours in a day. At the beginning of the year I chose “I make the best use of my time” as one of my affirmations so I would be more mindful of how I was spending it. I am presently in what Tina & I would call the “sanding mode” with my work. We coined this term after watching a KiKi Smith video in grad school where she mentioned that there is always something to do when you are an artist, so even if you don’t have ideas there is always “sanding or filing” to do (she was referring to her sculptures).

Although I am luckily not at a lack of ideas, I have forced myself to stop, assess and reflect on what I am doing with my work, realizing this is a necessary use of my time. It has been good to lay things out and see everything together as well as add the finishing touches to some projects. I made a list of all the seemingly little things I had to do and realized that they added up to quite a bit of time. Although some of those tasks are not quite as fun as painting they are necessary to complete my projects and my craftsmanship and presentation is something I take pride in.

laura's working table

I have been carefully painting the sides of my paintings (something I procrastinate on) matching colors just so, hand stamping them, sealing them with UV protection, wiring, signing, photographing & inventorying my work. Phew! Now that I wrote that down I can see where my time goes!

When I stepped back to look at everything I was able to see just how much I had accomplished. I am really feverish to share it with you and get some feedback. Some of this work will be on view this weekend at the Hartford Open Studios (my first time participating!). I am curious, anxious and somewhat nervous to see how my artwork will be received outside of the Westerly/Mystic area. I have also spent some time working on my display and thought I would give you a sneak peek at how I think it will look:

*note the prints I have of some of my new work! HOT off the presses!

My new sketch journals!

If you are in the area I would love to see you in Hartford! I will be there from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday at Artspace on the second floor along with my friend Joy. (Having her there makes me a little less nervous!)

Wish me luck!

~laura

 

Here are a few other places to see my work:

Etsy shop

The Slater Museum Gift Shop

October 2011-March 2012

 

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly

“Small Treasures”

Oct.27- Nov. 26

*Opening Reception

Nov.2 5-8 pm

 

Hartford Open Studios

*2 day event

Nov. 12 & 13, 11am-5pm

*Opening Reception  Nov. 3rd 6-8pm

 

Hygienic Gallery

Art=Gift

Nov, 19th – Dec.24th

*Opening Reception, Nov.19th 7-10pm

 

Expressiones Gallery

“Winter Lights”

Nov./Dec.2012

 

LaGrua Center

“Winter Relief”

with The Stonington Printmaker’s Society

Dec.10-Feb.15th

*Opening Reception* Dec.10, 5-7pm

*demo: gelatin plate-Sarah Martin

dec.18th, 2011* 10am-12pm

*Gallery Open for Special Viewing Jan.22, 2012 * 10am-12pm

 

Mystic Arts Center

Holiday Fine Art & Gift Salon (I will have work in the main gallery as well as my first table for the Art & gift salon!)

Nov. 18-Dec. 29th

*Winter Art Gala

Nov.18, 6-8 pm

 

Above Elite Open Studio

“Good Tidings, Great Art” 2-day event

Dec. 9 5-8pm

Dec.10 10am-4pm

Laura's working table 10/6/2011

I have to say I am a little in love with the new mixed media pieces I have been working on…

Probably since July I have been working on a complete website makeover (super pumped about this!). I am finding it VERY time consuming yet addictive and gratifying. It is a creative process all it’s own and an ongoing learning curve for me with technology. I have enjoyed not only “freshening it up” but looking back at my work with a critical eye, editing and making good choices about how I wish to represent myself and share my  current work. It has been fun to see where I have been and how much I have grown in the past few years. You can expect to see a more streamlined look, a lot of new paintings, a press page (I have press now!) and a few other surprises! It interests me how my color palette has exploded over the past few years, yet I continue to be preoccupied with the same themes and artistic intention~ joyful moments and paying attention to the simple beauty that surrounds me.

I am currently working on a series of six mixed media collages for the Hygienic Gallery’s “Art=Gift” show. The shows opening reception is the evening of Saturday, November 19th and runs through December 24th and you can consider yourself invited!

Here are three of the six mixed media pieces:

©Laura Gaffke, "Colorful Pear I", mixed media, 6 x 6 inches 2011

©Laura Gaffke, "Colorful Pear II", mixed media, 6 x 6 inches 2011

©Laura Gaffke, "Colorful Pear III", mixed media, 6 x 6 inches 2011

I started them by spending a few days painting old book pages with rich and funky patterns (of course there are plenty of tiny polka dots~ some things never change). I honestly had a hard time cutting up my papers as I loved them so much just on their own.

Laura's painted book pages

The papers were then used in the collages.

My inspiration came from looking back on the older work as I revamped my website. I painted “Conversation” (the painting below) some time ago. It was a transitional painting for me, painted at a time when I was struggling between a more traditional, representational style of painting and finding my own “voice” for my work.

©Laura Gaffke "Conversation" watercolor, 12" x 14"

I look back on this painting now and see where the “roots” of my landscape painting background took hold. For the first time I trusted myself and allowed the painting to be a bit more abstract.  As it turns out the print of this painting is one the most popular prints in my shop. This gives me the courage to follow my intuition and TRUST myself with the work I really want/need to create hoping that if I stay true to this that it will be well received in the world (fingers crossed!). These new pear collages are a reflection of my continuous experimentation with materials and showcase the playfulness of life I wish to share with you.

paintings on easels

side view of painting

Each painting was created on a deep set wood panel. I painted the sides of each one and hand stamped old script on top of that to give a little unexpected interest, texture and reflect a sense of nostalgia.

I have three more I just finished that I can’t wait to photograph and share with you! Which one is your favorite? I would love to know…xoLaura

p.s. Stay tuned for my NEW WEBSITE SOON~ WHooo Hooo! Can’t wait!!!