Wood Signs for Woodland Nephews

One of my very favorite friends is going to be Aunt Mel for the second time (this May), and I did a carve+stain+sand on this tree truck cross-section for her to take all the way back to her nephew's nursery, in Sandpoint, ID. 

Mosaic Wall Opening and Dedication | Rebecca Hoffberger | Juvenile Services Program

The young men of the Schaefer House (Juvenile Services group home for boys) were a huge contributing factor to the 2000 sq. foot mosaic that was installed and dedicated in October.

Watch the "DJS TV" short video about it here, hear interviews with the guys, and see them working in our studio. See some of their personal work from our program this past year.

Above: Installing the last ceremonial panel.

Artist Mari Gardner, and (below) AVAM founder Rebecca Hoffberger during presentations with the Schaefer House guys, and crew.

Studio crew: (Photos courtesy of Maryann Baker)

A really lovely day for a crowd. Below: poem taken from  museum's annual literature.

Alexander Peters

A new merch display case for my friend and Annapolis musician Alex Peters. A relief carving of his existing symbol, with several stain coats poured in.  A light distressing all over and a heavy sanding (on parts raised), to darken up that rooster. Where it fell short on stain, I used a little gunpowder to fill in light areas. The current album is exceptional, it was my ipod alarm clock setting for months. Buy a copy here!

The Cape, Boston, and the Mapparium

Last month I took Forrest to Boston for his 30th birthday. One of the most unique and outstanding features was unexpectedly the Mapparium. This is a multi-story, stained glass globe that was built in 1935, and correct politically to the world map at that time. You aren't allowed to take photos; so that's why I'm attaching this link "Mapparium". Not to mention that this whole thing is in the Mary Baker Eddy Library, which taking the time to read the tour signs, I found there to be a more complex rise of a religious movement than expected. The acoustics on the glass bridge of the globe were also surprising; you can hear yourself whisper in surround sound. 

While in Boston, we stopped at the site and love abounding memorial to the Marathon victims. On the 6th, Forrest was king of champagne and lobster. We stayed with the lovely Heather Falardeau, my roommate while in Savannah (and half of Two Girls Making Stuff)! I wish I had a photo of her very accurate studio. We also made it to CAPE COD. Warm enough to swim, smelled good like blankets of seaweed, awesome coffee shops. That last photo is some type of metals studio/renegade apocalypse shelter outside of the Cape. *ALSO* I was working on The Sketchbook Project during this trip-  more posts on that to come.

(instagram by Heather)

Sugar Farm Productions

A few photos by my friend Alison Harbaugh: photographer, videographer and the girl behind Sugar Farm Productions and Freckle Photography. Her work is fantastic and worth checking on often to see what new things are coming out of that Sugar Farm. Recently Alison shot a short bio/intro film for Makeup artist Rachel Leight (Rachel McKnew) of DaintyArtistry (Redding, CA). As part of the trio, I had my makeup professionally done for a day, and we all got to bask in the beauty of this woodland pond, though it was deceptively cold out.

Robin Lea Pope

Robin Lea Pope 1961-2013, forever adored.

Robin on her wedding day. Acrylic on canvas 18"x24". 

 Detail

 Detail

Forrest in turquoise

Currently proceeding forward with my 12"x12" gouache "quick" line drawings; I don't really have the broad spectrum of colors I want to use in gouache. A little acrylic gets mixed in, I have to keep the sheen down. As always, so pleased to be an artist alongside of Forrest Anderson! Our studio and practice sessions should coincide more often. Below: four attempts at one desired color. Lightest on the left wins.

Brooklyn and the #giftfair

Ps I'm not truthfully a hashtagger. New York over the weekend was nothing more than short and sweet. I was able to make it to the NY International Gift Fair- more fun than expected!

Jonathan Adler was the only land I felt comfortable taking any photos in, much thanks to Melissa Cromwell, and JA did look great. I was also able to locate an old favorite company now under the new name of Moksha, Indian goods and handmade wares (from Texas) and old family friends.  Moksha- "Liberation". Also check out Lusty Letters for a change of pace in your greeting card and gift-giving life. A lot of colorful inspiration, all in all. Meanwhile back in Brooklyn there is a new mural up in the courtyard of Soda Bar, courtesy of 'MissBoombox', not to mention the new chalkboard wall over at St. Johns Place...woah! 

James Esposito

Several things that were made during James Esposito's stay last month. If you get the notion, just look him up. Bold strong lines, and an art-minded mind.

All the renditions of Forrest

And then began the game of folding a big sheet of sketch pad paper into sixths, passing it around and trying not to take too much from the one before you. Obviously successful...

"We are [good] vegetarians"

What started out as wine glasses, filled.

A runner-up in the favorite segments.

Still my little favorite.

Something Better Than Nothing

Another polycrylic gem. This unfortunately dried transparent!
Blue Orchid- The White Stripes
Something better than nothing.

Barcanard

This is an old charcoal and water drawing from 2002. Jonathan was nice enough to drop by my class in high school to model for us. He wore a suit. Jonathan Morrissey, 5/2/88 to 5/11/11. I remember him sometimes crying tears of happiness "for no reason at all"... He was music, passion and love.