My Studio Became a Gallery Today

Karen Heenan's Kids dresses
Karen Heenan’s Kids dresses

I spent the day moving art into my studio and moving furniture out.  But before I did any of that, I went through the kids dresses that Karen Heenan made and put them on hangers.  All of Karen’s work is beautifully and finely made.  I’m enchanted by these dresses, they look like the kind of clothes a character from a children’s book would wear.  Dresses for creative, individualistic girls.  They’re made from Vintage table cloths and sheets, rick rack and doilies.

Rachel and her magnets.
Rachel and her magnets.

Later in the afternoon Rachel dropped off her magnets and her stove pipe to hang them on.  Rachel made her magnets, each one by hand.   Each with one of her very funny cartoons on them.  She made (with her husband’s help) a smart display for her magnets from a stove pipe.  Which is appropriate since her wood stove pops up in so many of her cartoons.

Jack's small sculptures.  (Jon took this photo in Jack's Gallery and Antique shop. )
Jack’s small sculptures. (Jon took this photo in Jack’s Gallery and Antique shop. )

And Jack came by with all his Found Object Sculptures.  A group of whimsical pieces, all of which he found in the Battenkill River.  Jack is an antique collector and seller for many years.  He started making sculpture from some of the  odd pieces he’s collected over the years.  These small sculptures look like they’re going to get up and dance with each other.  He also dropped off some sculptures that can go outdoors.  I’ll be showing them just outside my studio along with Fran’s mini gardens.

Jack won’t be at the Open House this weekend.  He’ll be in his shop Jack’s Out Back on Main Street in Cambridge.  You can visit him there and talk about his art and see more of it and a magical display of antiques.  Jack has a story for each one.

What my School House Gallery looked like at the end of the day.
What my School House Gallery looked like at the end of the day.

This is as far as I got today.  I’m still waiting for Kim’s felted purses and a couple of pieces from Carol.  ( you can see her batiks on the wall). I have some wallhangings, potholders and pillows.  There’s still last minute changes to make and cleaning to do.  Then there’s labels to make and the money stuff to take care of.

But, enough for tonight. Two days till the Open House, plenty of time to finish it all.

14 thoughts on “My Studio Became a Gallery Today

  1. I wish I could come to your Open House but I will eagerly read all about it afterward. I can feel your excitement and anticipation as you fill your studio with even more creative energy and joy. Have a wonderful weekend!

  2. Looks beautiful, Maria!
    Good luck at the open house. I’m sure it will be a wonderful time for all. One of these years I’ll try and move heaven and earth, and make it out for one. Until then, I’ll be thinking of all of you.

  3. Oh my gosh, the little green bear, tiny kids dresses, Jack’s sculptures, the Batiks! (and everything else) I so wish I was only 20 minutes away so I could attend. 🙂

  4. Maria, I love it. Wish I were coming from TN to open house. Maybe someday when we are not preserving the harvest, ect.

  5. Your studio certainly has turned into a gallery. Wish I could come this weekend and purchase something. I’ll be googling and visiting some websites. Last spring, because of a reference you made on your blog, I did purchase an equine batik from carol for my daughter’s birthday. I love Karen’s children’s clothes. So cute and nostalgic. Rachel’s magnets look like they reflect you wonderful blog. And Jack’s sculpture are so whimsical.

    I wish you all a wonderful weekend–good friends, happy animals, good weather–I hope it all for you and Jon!
    Blessings,
    Susie

  6. Maria, I am continuously enchanted and delighted by your work. You are a true artist in every sense of the word!

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