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.