I have to admit that I’m surprised it’s June already.  I got used to the slow pace of pandemic time.  Suddenly, things are opening up and I’m busy again!

I will be participating in my first outdoor art fair in over 20 years!  I’d love to say that I’m ready, but I suspect that the next two weeks will hold many long nights in the studio – which is a lot of fun!  Having a deadline does wonders for my motivation.  I’m looking forward to it.  The show is called Artspire and is held in La Crosse, WI, on June 12th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.  It’s held outside the Pumphouse, which is a lovely, small art gallery and theater.  During this past quiet season they have completely renovated their theater.  I can’t wait to attend a show there.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to be accepted into a new art gallery in La Crosse – River City Gallery!  They are quite large and have an amazing assortment of talented artists, from the experienced to the emerging.

I’m also a member of the VIVA Gallery artist cooperative in my hometown of Viroqua, WI, as well as having work at Oh! Arts Gallery in Mauston, WI.

All of the above means that I have been spending a lot of time in my studio.  As I make my pieces, each of one is unique and requires different skills and construction techniques.  While working, I have been reflecting on what it means to own a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.  I particularly enjoy going to art fairs and studio tours where I get a chance to chat with the artists about their work.  Sometimes I just listen to them talking to other people.  It gives me a sense of who they are and the amount of work that goes into creating each piece.  It adds value to any work I purchase from them.

I’m still new to metalworking and jewelry designing.  Each piece I make comes with challenges to bring it to reality.  How am I going to attach the pin back without ruining the piece?  What’s the best way to connect to pieces?  Why did it look so good lying on the table but not as I’ve put it together?  How do I recover from accidentally cutting off the wrong piece?  Why won’t the bezel go down?  What can I use instead of that wire I’ve run out of?

I’m sure everyone has had to answer these questions, and over time, perhaps, the answers will become easier.  But when most pieces are different from all the others, the questions will always remain.  I enjoy the challenge of trying to come up with new things each time.  Certainly there is some repetition, but most of my pieces are entirely unique.  Here are a few I’m working on now!

I’m looking forward to being in an art fair where I will be able to meet the people who are interested in my work and to be able to share some of the challenges and joys of producing these unique and individual miniature sculptures that I create.  I also look forward to the joy on people’s faces when they find a piece that expresses an aspect of themselves perfectly.

Happy June to All!