Moe's Ache rolling out some new pieces for the UU show this Friday and Saturday

 Moe's Ache Studio along with 30 other artists will be at the Unitarian Universalist Art Fair and Bazaar this Friday and Saturday.  Known as the "UU" among artists, this is NOT your typical church bazaar.
While it does have a great book and white elephant sale,  the highlight is the work of 30 artists who would not normally do a "church bazaar".

Why do so many talented artists jury to be included?  Maybe it's the Friday night lasagna and wine dinner.  All the shoppers seem to enjoy this one as well as the homemade soups, breads and cookies.

I think a lot has to do with the fact that it seems like the first holiday show of the season.  Often chilly and blustery outside, warm smiles and holiday cheer inside.

This 52 year old event just gets better each year.  Although a small show,  the variety and quality of the artwork available is remarkable.  If you are in the holiday shopping mood or mode, plan to attend.
 No fee to get in or park!   Save your $$ for art and soup!

Christmas comes early!

There is nothing more exciting for me than opening a box of mosaic tesserae.  The latest shipment from Maryland Mosaics was exceptionally rewarding.  Not only did I get some wonderful tiles (at special sale prices), the whole shipment came wrapped in COLORED bubble wrap!  I carefully unwrapped each bundle of tiles, preserving the bubble for future use, when the light bulb bubble came on!  This will be the new booth!  I will make my walls, floor and pedestals for 2011 out of colored bubble!  When I tire of it, or it gets "unbubbled" I will use it as packaging, but in the meantime it will be re-purposed for the display.  Thank you, Maryland Mosaics!  I'm am "bubbling" over with excitement!  Look for the new booth  at the Indiana Artisans Show in March!

New pieces for the Deja Vu show!

I love this show!  It's not a huge art fair, you don't have to pay to park or get in, and if offers original, fun work from twenty three artist who creatively recycle and reinvent.  Work includes collage, mosaics, assemblage, jewelry, metal sculpture, furniture, leather goods, woodworking, and fiber arts.
It's always fun to discover new uses for old "stuff".  'Hope you can join us this Saturday at the Yes Cinema in downtown Columbus, IN.  The show runs from 10 a.m to 4p.m.

We're putting the finishing touches on some "upcycled" animal sculptures like "Rabbit Redux" pictured here.  'Hoping to finish a few assemblage clocks and mirrors using recycled and found objects if I can ever get off the computer, and back in the studio.

                                                       Tutti Fruiti Rooster Clock  ©2010

Deja Vu, Again!

Moe's Ache Studio will (again) be part of the Deja Vu show coming up November 6 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. at the Yes Cinema and Conference center in Columbus, Indiana.

This show features artists who creatively reuse and recycle materials in their work.  Next week's blog posting will feature some of the pieces we've been working on for the show......stay tuned for "Pork with Fork" and the "Recycled Rabbit".....

Cloudy Days Upon Us

The Cloudcrest sign is finally coming together.  My first commission using Wedi, a lightweight  substrate comprised of styrofoam encased in mesh and cement.   This "wonderboard" enables mosaic artists to create large works while holding down the weight.   Hmmm...'wish it were that easy to hold down my weight....

The hand carved trout on the sign is a piece I acquired years ago from an wood worker who gave up his day job to be a missionary in South America.  I have lost contact with him, but the last I heard he was creating large scale sand sculptures on the beach in Brazil, with contributions from admirers earmarked to those in need.    The fish a little hard to part with, but the fact is it works perfectly on this piece and it's keeping with our up-cycling, re-cycling mission here in the studio.

Next step is to remove all the glass pieces, and re-lay them using thinset to insure the tiles will hold during freeze/thaw cycles the sign will be subjected to outdoors.

Grouting, sealing and more photos to follow!

FANTASY FISH FINALLY FINISHED....Say that fast four times!

Patient clients are wonderful!  It's taken awhile, but the latest Fantasy Fish is headed for a new home pond.

Pequeños bolsos de ganchillo, decorados con arcilla polimérica y fieltro

Pequeños bolsos de ganchillo, decorados con arcilla polimérica y fieltro
Originally uploaded by fperezajates

Circles of color are calling out to me!

Penrod! September 11!

There is never enough time between the Fourth Street Festival and Penrod, so this post will be short and to the point!  Our lives have been hectic and hurried as we attempt to fill two booths with new work.  Here's a sample of pieces we offered at Fourth Street:
Goodies from Moe's Ache Studio at Fourth Street.  (Take two deep breaths and wait for the video to start).
Join us this Saturday in Indianapolis at the Penrod Arts Fair (booth Green 86) to see more!

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts this weekend in Bloomington!

Our favorite, hometown show finally arrives this weekend!  Join us on beautiful tree lined, Fourth Street along with 120 artists from all over the country.   Due to an overwhelming number of applicants jurying for the show this year, almost half the artists will be new, which should make for an exciting show.  We are so happy to be back again in our usual spot, #89 between Grant and Dunn.  Come check out our new work!
Cappi and Bud

Awesome Artist Yard Sale Is Almost Here!

                                                         Moe's Ache Studio will be there!!

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts T Shirts

Each year the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts invites their members to submit designs for the annual festival t shirt. This year's submission by Cappi Phillips, a mixed media mosaic artist, is actually a collaborative effort.
In keeping with current recycling trends, the winner is actually an "upcycled" version of a shirt originally designed in the 80's by local clay artist, Nell Devitt. With the help of graphic designer, Michael Redman, the 2010 Fourth Street shirt comes to life with festive colors and an updated look.
Shirts are available now at Bloomingfoods,The Venue and By Hand Gallery for $15.
Patrons can also purchase shirts at the Fourth Street Festival information booth located at Dunn and Fourth during the show September 4-5.

Life as we used to know it

A great week is wrapping up, and it has been a blast from the past. I had an opportunity to see a friend's new home in Terre Haute, Indiana. It is a mid century ranch in pristine condition with most of the wonderful 50's features still in the home. As we travelled the back roads, through lush corn fields, past barns and buildings from another era, we discovered the Glory Days Restaurant in Clay City, Indiana, the "Mayberry of the Midwest". Hey, that's their slogan, not mine. Clay City has a population of a little over a thousand, a great pottery that has been in business for 125 years, and Glory Days, a diner with some great food and even better Hoosier hospitality!
Speaking of hospitality, here's a pic of the the great guy who actually pumped our gas, cleaned the windshield and even offered to check the oil, all with a big smile and some Hoosier humor thrown in! Now that's a blast from the past!

Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff

We're not bluffing! We are returning to one of our favorite shows in one of the nicest settings.
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff located in St. Joe, Michigan has everything an art lover would want. As they say: "We are once again excited to have the top 216 artists line the bluff and have art lovers intrigued and delighted to see amazing art. The venue, atop the bluff of Silver Beach, provides one of the most spectacular views of Lake Michigan coupled with the high quality of artists, truly earns the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff its status as one of the top 100 art fairs in the nation."
Join us this weekend, July 9 and 10 in booth #182 (center of the show).
Along with "Diva Dolly", our baaaad A sheep (who looks as good coming or going) we have completed some great mosaic wall pieces, patio tables and goofy garden art.

Thank You Talbot Street Fans!

Thank you to all the fans who braved the elements and supported the show this weekend!

Now it's back to the studio to work on requests and new pieces.

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." - St. Francis of Assisi

I'm hoping to get busy using all three!

It's Talbot Street Time!

I almost hate to admit this, but I think I did my first Talbot Street show 30 years ago!!! Back in the 80's we would pack up a load of "Harries" (the whimsical clay creatures that started this whole career) in my Toyota Landcruiser and head to Indianapolis for an often rainy, but always worth-it weekend.

Eleven years ago we fired the last kiln, put away the clay and transformed the workspace into a glass/mosaic studio. While our work has changed, our love of Talbot Street still remains.

We've met thousands of loyal patrons and artists, and always look forward to reconnecting with them at the show. We hope to see you this weekend in Indianapolis at the 55th Annual Talbot Street Art Fair . Look for us in booth #248 (across from the former Heron School). As usual, we have unusual, wild and wacky work!

'Fishing you a great weekend!

The Mirror Kats are in their new home!

After months of work, the Mirror Kats are out of the studio and happily greeting patients at the dental office where they now reside. For the full story of the creation, progress and installation check out the video and photos at: Mirror Kats Story.

Now it's time to finish the final pieces for Cincinnati SummerFair next weekend. Join us in the "purple parkway", booth 5U, June 4-6th.

Jacaranda Flowers Everywhere

Jacaranda Flowers Everywhere
Originally uploaded by Remygem

No, this is not Gita with a winter coat. This sweetie belongs to another mosaic artist, Remygem. Her mosaic work is as wonderful as her photos! She says she awakened one morning to find a purple lawn of Jacaranda flowers.

Broad Ripple Art Fair This Weekend!

The rare Woop Woop Lizard can be spotted in our booth (#99) this weekend along with more of Moe's wacky menagerie. Join us at the Broad Ripple Art Fair, Indianapolis Art Center for a great weekend! Broad Ripple Art Fair

Cherokee Triangle Park Art Fair April 24-25

Join us this weekend for the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair in Louisville, Ky. This show is located in one of Louisville's nicest neighborhoods. Gardens and yards are exceptionally beautiful this time of year and the artists showcase their latest works. Southern hospitality, live entertainment, enthusiastic patrons and great arts and crafts make for a great weekend. 'Worth the trip!

See our new work for the home and garden in booth #707 (across from the dining tent). No Rain! No Rain!! No Rain!!!

http://www.cherokeetriangle.org/fair2010.htm

Our latest "Six Seasons" wall piece will be in Louisville. 'Hope to see you there!

Spring in Bloomington

A picture's worth a thousand words, or blossoms in this case.

They call it Bloomington for a reason......

All Birds All the Time

All Birds All the Time! New show featuring the wonderful work of Linda Meyer-Wright opening tonight at Gallery North on the Square.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106335542728927&ref=mf

Boxes, Boxes Everywhere

Is Orchard Gallery turning into a "big box" store? See for yourself during the Artful Box 2 show opening this Saturday, March 6. If you can't make the reception, the show will run through the end of the month. They will "box up" your favorite box to go!

Indiana Art Fair February 20-21

Looking for ways to find color during the blah winter months? Let the seventh annual Indiana Art Fair add some flavor to your season. The event features some of the best artists Indiana has to offer and this year, there will be even more to see. As in years past, guests are able to enjoy the museum while browsing the work of more than 93 artists representing 30 Indiana counties. Preview this year's event by checking out the list of artists on the museum website. This year's show promises to more than lighten your mood, but also heighten your senses! And don't miss a chance to check out the museum's Abraham Lincoln exhibitions. Visit the museum's website for more information.

January is a l-o-n-g month

It's almost over! What a cold, long month it's been. I've spent more time in the kitchen than in the studio. A very rare occurrence in this household, but it's been a time for making chicken soup, meatloaves, hot mochas and other comfort foods.

I know February will fly by. Coming up way too soon: Indiana State Museum Art Fair http://www.indianamuseum.org/visit/events/eventview.asp?eventid=207

and the Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo: http://www.garagesaleartfair.com/