STARK RAVIN' MAD

I am so excited to finally have a giclee print of my original work! I have come to the decision that these high quality art prints are the answer for me. Because my work is so labor intensive, it is entirely impractical for me to produce and sell original pieces 100% of the time. Unfortunately at this stage in my life, I am not able to work solely in my studio. I have the dreaded "day job" that every starving artist wishes they could manage without. But I am a firm believer in never giving up what you truly want to do. For me, that is to create and I am constantly at it! This particular piece, titled "Raven Mad", is an original mixed-media fiber art quilt. The "mockpiestudio" across the image, DOES NOT appear in the print. Click on my "THIS WEEK ON EBAY..." pic to bid on the signed print!

BINGHAMTON'S VAN GOGH

I am very thankful that this past weekend I was able to visit my grandfather's exhibit at the Roberson Museum & Science Center in my hometown of Binghamton, NY. His name is Armondo Dellasanta (he usually goes by Del) and he's a bit of a celebrity there. He has been dubbed "Binghamton's Van Gogh", he has a star on Binghamton's Walk of Fame, and his paintings are all over town. Many can be found inside Little Venice Restaurant (one of my favorite places to eat!) amid a flurry of artwork decorating the interior. He's in his 90's now and just as content to feed the squirrels and birds as he is to paint. I'm pleased that renown has come to him during his lifetime. He is quite an inspiration to me.

This exhibit at Roberson features work depicting Susquehanna, PA. This was one of my favorite paintings at the show. Granpa paints in oil using a palette knife and I love the Impressionistic results. To see more of my granpa's work and his very own PBS special, visit the first two links under my listing of "Artists".

VINTAGE DUCKIE RACE

I began this baby quilt about a year ago. It began as a shower gift for my girlfriend, Tonia. I had all the green squares done for the shower. At the party, Tonia's guests signed them with well-wishes for the little one. Then, I guess life just sort of got in the way. We had to leave a crazy rental situation, moved in with my husband's parents, waited out the summer, then moved into our first home. We had heat all winter! (Looong story!) When I started this quilt, we didn't know the sex of the baby, so I needed to come up with something gender-neutral. The vintage yellow duckies were the perfect solution to avoiding the whole "blue for boy, pink for girl" scenario. But now, they are in the ultimate duckie race to the finish line...Paige's first birthday party!

TALL DECAF CAPPUCCINO

Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino. Candy canes? These fiber canes are baking in the sun drenched in the caffeine candy! Not to mention the cinnamon and vanilla crusting on their surfaces. It's almost Christmas in July and I can hardly wait! In the meantime, I couldn't resist snapping a shot of these 70-some ornies drying on my line. Wonder what the neighbors think?