Bloomington's own CandyLand

Yes, the U Hauls are circling and thousands of shower curtains,  desk lamps and mini refrigerators line the shelves of Target.   Landlords have been hauling out the old and installing the new.
Bloomington residents know this signals the start of the new school year.  The on-going cycle of young, eager-to-learn, and ready-to-party students return to our bucolic B-ton.  

This year, some lucky students will be signing a lease to live in "CandyLand", one of Bloomington's most colorful rentals owned by an equally colorful and cool landlord!

He can be seen here approving the installation of his new "CandyLand" mosaic.  

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!

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/

Have you seen these Missing Mosaic Panels?

On Wednesday, December 9th (a cold, windy, snowy night) someone took two mosaic panels from our yard and porch.

The Garbage' Mural (approx. 4.5' tall x 3' wide), my first attempt at an outdoor piece, had successfully hidden our garbage cans from view for almost 11 years. I guess I should be flattered that someone wanted it enough to steal it, but it is a treasured "friend" that will be missed by our family, visitors and neighbors.

The hanging piece (above) was done by an elderly man I met during a downtown Chicago art fair when I was first starting out in mosaics. Seymour Adelman approached my booth, shared a small tattered picture of his recent mosaic installation, (Dr. Martin Luther King in King Community Center), welcomed me to his studio and gave me encouragement. Years later, I purchased his "mirrored bird" piece at an auction. Shortly thereafter he passed away. It has great meaning for me, and it is a piece I would be grateful to see again. It is mainly done in mirror on plexi glass with a dark grey wooden frame. It measures approx. 36"x20".

We made a police report, and the officer encouraged us to notify other artists and friends. I sent an email to friends and posted pictures on Face Book. The response from the community has been unbelievable. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond and forward this information along.

While it's a long shot.....I still feel that someone may see these someday, and if so, please contact me or the Bloomington Police at (812)339-4477.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. May you, your family, friends (and artworks!) be safe and secure this new year!

Holiday Happenings

My favorite bizarre bazaar is coming up this Friday and Saturday, December 4th & 5th.

Join Moe's Ache Studio at the 51st Unitarian Universalist Church Art Fair and Bazaar this Friday

from 10-7 and Saturday from 9-4. Located at Fee Lane and the Bypass, Bloomington, IN.

Featuring over 50 great artists and craftsmen, this is more than an art fair. UU always has a fab white elephant sale (where I often find the weirdest "stuff" that inspires new pieces), as well as a great selection of books, and often plants for sale.

We'll be there with new mosaics like the "Giant Java" coffee cup. If you need holiday gifts, we'll

have a nice selection of one of a kind mosaic and "upcycled" gifts under $30!

If I'm not in my booth, I will probably be in the one across the aisle, doing my own holiday shopping, socializing and noshing on the delicious homemade soups and cookies.

Like I said, it's more than an art fair. The best way to shop for the holidays! Join us!

Awesome Artist Yard Sale A Success!

Beautiful, cool August temps. and crowds of people looking for art, bargains and "stuff" made for a great sale this past Friday and Saturday.  All the artists were tired, but happy to have cleared their studios and closets and put a few dollars in their pockets as a result.

Now it's back to the studio to get some pieces finished for the 34th Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts.  I only hope Labor Day weekend will be as beautiful as this past one.  What a crazy August! 

Indiana Art Fair February 21-22

The time has almost arrived. The Indiana Art Fair is right round the corner! And with that, the Signature Artist piece has been revealed and will be on display in the Indianapolis museum’s Frank O’Bannon Great Hall leading up to the event. Though plans for the event are pretty much finalized there is one last point of business – there is not title for the Signature Artist piece!
Here is your chance to get involved with a real piece of art. We are looking for a title for this year’s 2009 Indiana Art Fair Signature Piece by Bloomington, Indiana artist Cappi Phillips. To contribute, visit the Indiana Art Fair on Feb. 21 or 22 and visit Cappi’s booth (#1) to get an up close view of the piece and leave your title suggestions. The chosen title will be shared via the museum’s website by the end February. For more information about the Art Fair visit: http://www.in.gov/ism/PublicPrograms/SpecialEvents/inartfair.aspx

Moe's Ache Studio is honored to be able to create this year's signature piece for the Indiana Art Fair. Why a television you may ask? As a resident of Bloomington, Indiana which was once home to RCA whose televisions are featured in the museum’s collection the idea of a mosaic tv seemed like a perfect fit. We created glass tiles depicting iconic television programming. These tiles were incorporated with cut glass mosaic pieces and applied to a vintage television set that at one time was in the museum collection. Although the television is no longer receiving a signal, we hope it's still capable of transmitting signals and memories you'll find entertaining.

The television can be viewed at the Indiana State Museum's Indiana Art Fair February 21-22, 2009