Bayou City Art Festival

Last Saturday, the fabulous Kym K and I (and a critter or two) went to the Bayou City Art Festival, in Memorial Park. This major Houston art event is held twice each year, during the spring in Memorial Park, and during the fall in downtown Houston. I've been too busy making critters during the last few years to go, so it was nice to be an attendee for a change, and not to be the person sitting in the tent, smiling and waving at passers-by! It was extremely encouraging to see the thousands of attendees, and the only truly irksome tidbit of the day was that you had to purchase food and drink "tickets" and that you could not pay cash for these items... and... you could only buy a minimum of ten at a time. Ok, so they also ran out of vanilla ice cream!

Alright... let's talk about the good stuff...

Of the 300 artists, here are a few of my absolute favorites:

Fred Conlon
Sugarpost Metal Art
www.sugarpost.com

Harold Siefert
www.hsartonline.com

Clayworks by Pat & Ken Larson
www.larsonclayworks.com

Laurel Peterson Gregory
www.LaurelPetersonGregory.com

Mistura Watches
www.mistura.com

Jeffrey Cannon Fine Art Studio
http://www.jeffreycannon.com/


I've been a fan of Fred Conlon's work for several years now- his whimsical metal critters make the perfect gifts for pretty much anyone you know, including yourself!

(Photography by Fred Conlon)


I absolutely fell in love with Harold Siefert's bronze bunny sculptures! There were many to choose from and my favorite was the bunny on a swing- and it swung! I wish I had a photo to post, but here is another one of his wonderful creations:

(Photography by Harold Siefert)


Ken Larson's clay work was so humorous! I loved his Stacked Primitive, an interpretation of the Tikis on Easter Island displaying their dismay for art critics! It even had a removable tongue that stuck out!

(Photography by Ken and Pat Larson)


Laurel Peterson Gregory's bronze animal sculptures were just beautiful and whimsical. Dancing dogs, a waltzing bull and bear... what more could you ask for?

I love a wide watch, and the Mistura designs were very interesting. It's nice to know that they are made 90% natural- made of exotic woods from the South America. If you go on the website, there are many interchangeable options you can select when purchasing a watch from them. Cool!

Finally, Jeffrey Cannon's pastel pieces were amazing! His skies and water were so realistic, they looked like photographs!

So does this all make you want to go next year?

Uglydog had a great time:

Shopping for the Japanese Relief Effort: Part I

You know you want to pick up a couple of these for others or even for yourself... Have a nice weekend everyone!

Aisu the Ice Pop
Dan Goodsell

All proceeds from the sale of Aisu will be going to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support

You can purchase Aisu through Dan's Webstore

Nekoneko Japan Earthquake Relief Series Print
Luli Bunny

75% of profits from these prints go to support Doctors Without Borders earthquake and disaster relief efforts in Japan

You can purchase this print through the Poster Cause Project Webstore

I Love Japan Button
artfulbadger

100% of the profits will go to the Canadian Red Cross relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami

You can purchase this button in the artfulbadger's Etsy Shop

All Natural and Organic Cookies Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Scrumptulicious by inkandpaperarts

$10 per order will be donated to Direct Relief International

You can purchase these cookies in the Scrumptulicious Etsy Shop

Etsy-Dave Comes to Houston!

Last Friday at Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar, there was an Etsy meetup with Dave, Etsy's Social Media Coordinator and the gals from H-town Etsy!

We did have lots of questions for Dave regarding our shops on Etsy... We discussed the different ways to photograph our shop items, also that we can register for shop critiques in the Etsy Labs! I also learned about AlternaCraft, an event organized at Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar by Galina, one of the H-town Etsy members. The first AlternaCraft took place this past February, and was apparently a great success, so she is planning to host another one, on 15 May 2011 from 12-6pm. Submissions are due by April 1st!

We all had a great time- hopefully they will send Dave back sometime, and maybe some more Etsy peeps as well!

Off to L.A.!

Today I mailed off three critters to Crewest Gallery, in Los Angeles, for the Above the Radar exhibit, which opens 2 April 2011:

Xiong Mao (2010)

Fortune Rabbit (2011)

Oliver (2010)

At least they don't have to go through the humiliation of TSA screening...

Please wish them well on their adventure and send lots of good thoughts that they will arrive safely:

Bon voyage mes amis!

JoMar Visions Spring Group Show

Tomorrow the critters (and some of my paintings) will make an appearance at the JoMar Visions Spring Group Show, at the Hardy and Nance Studios, from 1-5 pm. 20% of my sales at this show and in my etsy shop during the month of March will be combined and donated to the Red Cross to assist with the relief effort in Japan. Some other artists in this show have pledged similar donations as well, so come pick up some great art AND help Japan! There will be sculptures, paintings, photography- a little bit of everything...

The artists Include:

JOY BECKLER
STEPHANIE DARLING
JENNIFER ELI
JOANA ESTEVES
CLIFF FRANKS
VALERIE G.
LORRAINE MARTIN
P.A. MUELLER
APRIL MURPHY
MARK RODEN
SALLY STUBBS
DUNE TENCER
DIANNE WEBB
MICHAEL WOOTEN

This event is in conjunction with the Hardy and Nance Studios 3rd Saturday Open House. Several Studios will also open doors to show their works of art as well. There's a lot going on so come on over!

JoMar Visions Studios:
(In Hardy & Nance St. Studios)
902 Hardy St., Houston TX, 77020
832.474.3116

-Free and open to the public
-Street parking
-Great refreshments!

Artist Help for Japan

There are several generous individuals and organizations in our community helping with the relief effort in Japan. Please take a minute to click on the links and think of making a donation or a purchase. If you are an artist, there still may be time for you to donate work to one of the shows taking place within the next few weeks. Thanks!

The Poster Cause Project

#Pray for Japan

Shin Tanaka

Martin Hsu

Kaiju for Japan

Secret Serpents

Etsy

Giant Robot and Unicef

We Heart Japan

Rotofugi

Gargamel

MoMA

Help for our Friends in Japan

Just a short post today...

I am so upset as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Throughout my life in art and music, I have met so many wonderful people from this country, and I am terribly worried about them and their families. We are deeply indebted to them for many things, especially those of us involved with the urban vinyl toy community.

I've included a link from our local NBC station with information as to ways you can help: http://www.click2houston.com/japan-earthquake/27162022/detail.html

In addition, 20% from all Cultured Critter Collective sales during the month of March (at local Houston shows and in my etsy shop) will be combined and donated to the Red Cross to help with their relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.