The Little Engine That..... ???

It's been a loonnngggg time since I've mentioned 'The Shop.'

'The Shop' being that little artists co-op which came together on a wing and a prayer last November. "You mean that place is still up and running?" you ask. Hell Yeah!... Well, in a manner of speaking.

"In a manner of speaking?" you say. Well, let's just say it's been a long, hard road. At times, one might consider 'The Shop' wildly successful. I mean, what other business comes together in just 2 weeks time, manages to stay afloat without the use of credit card capabilities or even a phone line. What other business manages to draw people in even though the roof leaks and there's an odor along the line of old shoes wafting through the air. (by the way, it's August now and sure, maybe it's due to the lack of rain, but I think the leaks and odor problem are under control.)

So yeah, leaky roof and Master Card/Visa issues aside, we're still managing to plod along and my husband will tell you that this experience has been huge a character builder for me.

It's probably no secret that artists are unique people with their own distinct ideas about 'What IS and ISN'T Art.' And when ideas and visions collide, things tend to get rather complicated. So yes, as Manager/Facilitator/Grand PooBah (whatever title you want to give it) of this endeavor, dealing with complications has been a monthly, weekly, daily, sometimes hourly event... And why do I continue to do it? Well, despite the fact I often feel like a fly caught in a web or maybe more aptly, the captain of the Titanic*... I DO have a reason, a goal if you will, to make this work.

*Just an aside here but were any of you aware they're coming out with a Titanic II? No joke, actually yes, it is a lot like a joke that apparently the producers of the film are the only ones oblivious to... See the preview here and try not to laugh.

This is where I could go into my 'I have a dream' speech but I'll just whittle it down to one sentence. I'd like to replace EVERY, okay at least HALF of the bail bonds offices with Artist Studios... Well now, seeing that staring back at me, in black and white... It even LOOKS stupid! But the truth is, our town needs something positive to build on and if the powers that be, all work together, I believe that positive 'thing' is ART.

Last night we had a First Friday event which included 2 visiting artists, live music and fresh fruit and vegetables donated by a local grower, for refreshments. We greeted 40 people or so, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves but alas, sales were low. You see, that's are one problem, despite the fact we have beautiful one of a kind pieces of art, jewelry, purses, skin care products and low priced gently used books, we're just not making the sales we need to stay viable (ECONOMY). This is such a tragedy since our goals are so lofty. In fact, here's our vision and mission statement:

Vision:

The arts are a vital component of any community. They foster pride, spur growth and contribute to the happiness and well being of the people who live there. In order to promote the arts in _________, we will establish commercially viable venues for artists and artisans to create, showcase, and sell their work to others. In addition, these venues will allow artists from this and other communities to meet and get to know one another, and to share their knowledge and their talents with others in our community.

Mission Statement:

• To establish a commercially viable venue in __________ for local artists and artisans to assemble.
• To provide artists with the opportunity to create, to showcase, and to sell their work.
• To foster a co-operative environment for the purpose of attracting business and sharing the artists talents with others.
• To advance the arts district in __________, and give back to the community with special events and other promotions.

It's funny, I read through this again and the unity I felt last night came to mind. Customers were stopping in before or after they explored the art show opening at the nearby Arts Council, friends and acquaintances mingling, viewing and discussing the artwork and enjoying the delicious bounty of fresh organic fruits and vegetables by the local grower. Later in the evening my daughter and I took part in a collaborative art project at the studio of some fellow downtown artists. My daughter and myself were thrilled to find such a friendly and talented clutch of people with whom we could take part in creating art. It's all a part of what I've been hoping we'd achieve downtown but without the sales, our little shop isn't going to last... And I don't know, maybe it doesn't matter, maybe we got the ball rolling.

But, do me a favor if you will? Keep your fingers crossed that this little engine is going to see a successful Fall season.... And with the continued effort by all the artists involved... which entails copious amounts of Inspiration and Perspiration, we'll eventually make it wildly successful in ALL aspects!

Sexy Fairies

Now that I'm one of the Member Artists at The Main St. Art Bazaar - Artists Co-Op, I've stepped up my game a little bit and started branching out from the card making and I'm trying some new things.

I've always enjoyed drawing fairies but I came up with the idea of making them more dimensional by creating their wings out of vellum, glittering 'em up a bit and extending them past the confines of the mat board. Dressing them in flirty little undergarments just seemed fitting. My husband likes to refer to them as 'Fairy Erotica.' I just call 'em 'Sexy Fairies.'

Without further adieu... Presenting my very own version of 'Sexy Fairies'
(My apologies for the blurry photos)

A Gardner or A Sailor

I haven't posted a whole lot lately because this job I've taken on as 'Facilitator' of the 'Artists Co-op' has been pretty damn all consuming.

Let's see, what exactly HAVE I been doing?
Writing Contracts
Designing A Logo
Creating Business Cards
Working Hours at the Shop
Organizing Meetings
Writing Agendas
Attending Meetings
Acquiring Licenses
Painting Walls
Tearing down walls - Actually that was my husband (thanks sweetie!)
Cleaning Carpet - (thanks for your help Bill!)
Managing leaks - As in, climbing ladders and placing buckets in the ceiling to keep it from falling in.

And when this is all done:
I create art in what my husband likes to refer to as my 'rubber room.'

Who knows where all this activity is going? I hope towards creating a sustainable artist community... That IS the ultimate goal anyway.

So, some days I feel like the Gardner, carefully nurturing the tiny seed we've planted:Other days, I feel like I'm on the deck of the Titanic, the band is playing and the ship is going down:The highs and the lows have been both amazing and character building. I'm learning a LOT but damn am I tired!

*Where DO I find the time to play with my crappy 'Paint' program? The shop doesn't have an internet connection, pffffttt!

Pushing

It's like I'm pushing a boulder uphill, through deep snow, with the wind in my face. I'm frustrated so I drew a picture... I really rock that paint program.

What does one do when they're giving 110% and it feels like the people around them... The very people one is trying to help... Quite simply don't give a shit! Should one just throw their hands up in the air, walk away and have all the hard work they've already invested be for naught?

Last night we were watching the last installment of the Lord of the Rings saga and even though I've seen the entire trilogy, I really can't keep it all straight (is it Narnia they're fighting for, is that Dumbledore, where's Willow?) I've mentioned before how that whole back and forth struggle to get that damn ring to the fires of Mordor is just too frustrating for me to bear. But last night while I was busy working on this stuff, this stuff that sometimes feels so pointless, I find myself wondering if I'm just wasting my time... Anyway, while I was working away, I asked my husband, "What's with that guy, that king guy, why does he want to burn the body of his son when his son isn't even dead, what's that guys problem anyway?" To which my husband replied: "He's given up, he's a giver upper, he's a big wuss!" Meanwhile, I'm watching poor Gandalf (who's no longer grey but all white now), ride hither and yon, putting (quite literally) fires out everywhere. I mean, how many battles can one guy fight, am I right? And then when one of the hobbits (Mary, Pippen, Lucy... whoever) starts talking about dying, Gandalf makes even the end sound so wonderfully wonderous (and he should know, he's white afterall) that he convinces that little hobbit to be brave and well, just happy to be a part of it all (you know, because Peter Jackson is going to make a killing on this whole franchise along with anyone associated with it.)

So, long story short. I have to ask myself, am I a big wussy quiter like that king with the itchy torch? Or am I like Gandalf, ready to fight each battle as it arises, keeping my eye trained on the big picture?

Nope, I'm just a huge geek, working hard, looking for answers and pushing... Always pushing.

3 Days More

You know, an answer would be nice!

I'm still managing the Artist Co-op I mentioned a while ago.

You see, it goes like this...
In November the owners of the shop conceded to giving several artists a 'cut rate' for the opportunity to sell items out of their building for a 2 month period... A building they've been trying to sell for the past 2 years and would otherwise be empty and a complete drain of money without the Co-op.

The owners originally agreed to a 2 month lease, facilitated by the local Chamber & Alliance. In 3 more days the lease will be up. However, 2 weeks ago I submitted a letter to the owners asking that we might sit down to negotiate staying at the shop and possibly moving forward with a month to month agreement. As of yet the answers I've received have been vague and non-committal.

3 days... In 3 DAYS!!!

We need answers people... ANSWERS!!!

I'm not very good at living with frustration and unanswered questions.

Vanity Takes A Back Seat

Life has been an absolute thrill ride over here at the Treehouse. I'm busier than ever and having the time of my life, doing EXACTLY what I love... Managing! And can I just say that, as a supreme control freak, I'm the best damn manager that ever managed anything EVER!

Last week was a freakin' whirlwind of activity. Throughout the week, the artists I've been working with got each of their sections decorated and stocked in preparation for Friday's Grand Opening. Tuesday I went down to the shop and painted a mural on the back wall, you know, to infuse an 'Artsy-ness' to the place and just as I was getting ready to start sketching out the mural, I got a call that the local paper was sending a photographer over to do a story on the place.

*blink* *blink* Photographer? Did I just say Photographer? Yep! And guess who didn't bother showering or putting on make-up that day because all 'she' had planned was painting a wall and then adding a mural to it? One doesn't 'need' to shower for such things.

"Well hello Vanity... Meet Free Publicity... Now shut up and climb in the back seat!"

Seeing as I was the only one at the shop at the time, I did my best to represent the place, t-shirt, sweat-pants and all. Did I care when on Wednesday morning I opened my morning paper to find my t-shirt & sweat-pants clad figure ON THE FRONT PAGE!!! Did I mention I hadn't had a shower? Not only that but there was a $250 size ad block on page 3 with a close-up of me sketching the mural.... Uh yeah, NO make-up! Did I care? HELL NO! Okay, well maybe a little... But we're talking FRONT PAGE, FREE Publicity here, on a Wednesday! The second biggest day of the week for newspaper sales!

And it was all TOTALLY worth it because the turn-out for our Grand Opening on Friday night was FABULOUS! We had over 70 people walk through the door and at times it was wall-to-wall people in the front of the shop. Sales were good and the energy of all involved was through the roof, up to the moon and back again.

I handed out four contracts on Friday, to other artists interested in a spot in the shop and gave out yet another contract today. It's all SO exciting, so busy and so mind boggling that this whole thing came about in just 3 weeks time and seems to be taking off like a hot match on a dry Southern California hillside, during a Santa Ana windstorm... But in a 'Good' way, ya know.

Like any proud new parent or 'control freak' manager, I'd like to share a couple of pics with y'all:

Our 'sweet' little store front.

Still in the midst of getting everything set up but here's a shot of the mural I created.

Sorry, no pics of the cover story because... Haven't I suffered enough humiliation?

Of Arts & Entertainment

A few years ago our town was designated an Arts & Entertainment District. What does this mean exactly? Well, I 'think' it means more tourism exposure for the town and a bit of financial aid for artists looking to start a small business here. However, the whole process of getting A&E thriving in our little corner of the world has been a slow going process.

You see, our small town is also the county seat. Meaning, all of the county services are here... Specifically social services, which send a lot of homeless folks our way, and the courthouse which means the upper side of East Main is littered with Bail Bonds offices. So the downtown district isn't exactly Shangri-la.

BUT! There are those of us who see the 'bones' of a lovely little place to shop, dine and simply enjoy the downtown atmosphere. I consider myself one of those people and as a volunteer, am doing what I can to help it be so.

Just 3 weeks ago, I was asked if I would be interested in getting an Artist Co-Op started downtown. This seemed like a GREAT stride in jump-starting the A&E 'ideal' so I jumped at the opportunity. It's been a whirlwind of activity ever since. The contract for the rental of the shop was signed last week and this week we've been cleaning, painting and scrubbing everything down as the place had been empty for a few years, just waiting for the perfect tenants.

There are currently 6 artists involved with the project and each needs pay only a minimal rent fee since they're all sharing the space. I was asked to take part in the co-op but since most of my work is of the commission variety, I really didn't have anything to 'fill' a space. So I've taken on the roll of managing the group and getting it up and running. HOLY MOLEY! What a BUSY job this has been but what a WORTHWHILE endeavor!

The Grand Opening is on Friday and there's still a sizeable laundry list of items to take care of but today our little 'gem' made FRONT PAGE of the local newspaper! This is a VERY good thing.

You know, some would say that in this economy, starting a new business is a fruitless task but I like to think of it in a more positive light... I like to think this is the beginning of the 'Phoenix rising from the ashes' and this small town of ours is destined to meet every potential of it's 'Arts & Entertainment District' moniker.