Deck the Walls (or the Windows!)

Since my trip to New York City 5 years ago, I LOVE window displays, and have wanted to do my own. I now have two small street level display windows at my studio, so I'm excited to make things interesting! Here's my first crack at it:

I had painted the whole window box white when I repainted the rest of the studio to give it a fresh feel. However, the white can be glaring when the sun hits it, so I decided to go for a sohpisticated wood flooring look. In order to do this, I stained garden stakes ebony and cut off the ends . . . it took 100 stakes to cover the bottoms of both display windows!

The first picture shows 5 "wallpaper" panels (actually just gift wrap stuck to foamcore with spray adhesive), each with a framed word that collectively reads"Deck the Walls with Art." The large bulbs reference Christmas, but give the window a sense of theatricality and stage presence.

The next picture is a scan of my initial sketch -- I was going to hang strips of ribbon in the background, but found that the panels took up plenty of visual space, and are blocking natural
light in the studio. I will save the ribbons for later.

The third photo is my favorite part of the window display, although the photo doesn't do it justice. It is the middle of the second window (after the google Maps app barcode and magnets display), showcasing my Christmas cards. I am glad I have this mini pedastal to create some height and interest.

The next picture was an in-progress photo (you can see the white floor), but is the best photo of the Wordle I used to reiterate the theme. (What's a wordle? See the last post.) I framed it, used a mini wooden easel, and stuck the back of my business card to the
glass for a personal touch. I now have a sign in between the frame and my sticker that has business hours.

The final photo is the very first panoramic I've taken with my camera phone. As you can see, the displays really "glow" at night.

Overall, I wanted to showcase the season, and identify artwork as an awesome gift, but didn't want to be cliche with seasonal decorations. I hope it stands out!

What's YOUR Wordle?

I stumbled upon this fun app for creating your own word art called a "wordle." Above, you are seeing the wordle my blog made! I am using the app to make a signs for my studio. I'm also thinking it could have interesting uses for teachers (e.e. cummings poetry, vocab review, synonyms practice, etc.), which could make learning fun . . . Try it out!

Panorama Fun

Matt took panoramic photos of the new gallery/studio space with his camera phone. You can click on the blog title -- it's a link -- to view all four!

Menu for the Private Opening 11-13-10

Yesterday's opening fete was yummy (oh yeah, and fun!). Here's the rundown of the menu:

1. brie and havarti cheeses


2. a variety of fancy crackers


3. veggie tray


4. apple slices and dried apricots


5. dark chocolate squares


6. delicious Swedish meatballs in a crockpot (chef Matt's specialty)


7. garlic stuffed olives


8. Bogle merlot*


9. apricot walnut brie dip in the mini crockpot (received rave reviews from guests) -- recipe below!

Apricot Walnut Brie Dip:

1 large round of brie (13- 15 oz.)

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp water

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Put brie in a mini crockpot (cut off the rind if thick). In a small bowl, mix apricots, sugar, water, vinegar, and rosemary. Pour mixture on top of the brie. Sprinkle on the chopped walnuts. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours, or low for 3. Serve with crackers and/or apple slices.

*Special thanks to Brian Wimmer, Matt's cousin for suggesting the wine choice. I now have a new, affordable favorite.

Look Ma, I'm on Google Places!

Have you ever searched for a service in your area on Google (i.e. "hair salons near Glendale AZ") and a map with red tabs indicating the names and locations of different businesses appears? It's part of a feature called Google Places. Google also has an app for Smartphones called "Places" allowing users to search for bars, restaurants, attractions, stores, and other local businesses near their current location. The same information shows up on their phones! Businesses can also post their individual barcode (see mine??) for passers-by to scan into their smartphones to view business info and reviews. Customers can also download coupons for these businesses on their phones, or print them out at home ahead of time.

I am excited to say that Heather Green Studios is now on Google maps/places in Bisbee! Currently, I only have a red dot, not a tab/flag because I am a new business. (Search "art gallery in Bisbee AZ" to try it out! You will have to click on the map of Bisbee and zoom in to find it . . . near the Coppoer Queen Hotel.) I'm sure that the more others view the listing and leave reviews, i will eventually earn my flag on the map! Click on this blog's title for a direct link to my Google places site.

If you click on my listing and scroll down to the bottom, there is a coupon for the grand opening of my new studio! The coupon is for a FREE marble magnet with any $10 purchase, good only November 13th, 2010 from 3 to 8 pm. If you are unable to find the information, please contact me at heathergreenstudios@gmail.com so I can e-mail you the link! The imagery for the magnets are unique, original, hand-pulled prints made by me.

2010 AAG Scholarship Winners' Exhibition @ Paulina Miller Gallery

I am very proud of how this show came together -- it's my last year curating the AAG Scholarship Exhibition, as it is my last season as the Arizona Artists Guild (AAG) Scholarship Chair. Check out the slideshow (above) or click on the pictures to view the album in Photobucket. Better yet, go and see the exhibit yourself -- it's up through May 15th!

Work on view at the Paulina Miller Gallery:
817 N. 1st Street, Phoenix 85004
Gallery Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 1-5pm
First Friday, May 7, 6-10 pm
or by apointment: 602.881.0848

This is also Paulina Miller's LAST EXHIBIT . . . http://www.paulinamillergallery.com/
In the main gallery is phenomenal work by Angela Cazel-Jahn http://www.cazel-jahn.net/ She has a 2-part exhibit. The first explores the nature of "thought" through painting/collages and sculptures. The other exhibit is called "Ball Chain," an interactive installation that has so many different ways to experience it . . . you really should see it!


AAG Scholarship Winners:

Ruth Magadini Award in painting -- Andrea Jensen http://www.andrearaejensen.com/ (U of A)

Gerry Grout Award -- printmaking -- Angela Young http://www.angelayoungart.com/ (ASU)

Gerry Grout Award -- ceramics -- Chad Gunderson http://www.chadgundersonart.com/ (ASU)

AAG Award -- painting -- Judd Schiffman http://www.gatelessgatedesigns,org/ (Yavapia CC)

www.arisonaartistsguild.net/scholarship

Scholarship Exhibit Postcard

9th Annual Ceramics Studio Tour!

Hooray! A New Home for the Guild

After ten long years of planning and raising money, the Arizona Artists Guild will finally be able to have a place to call home! In addition to monthly meetings and weekly open studio sessions, the new building will host monthly exhibitions and events for valley arts organizations.

During the Opening Celebration & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony I will be stationed at the scholarship table to talk about one of the best things the Guild does (supports Arizona's young artists through an annual scholarship competition)! Olivia Timmons, a 2009 winner, will also be there to talk about why this scholarship is so important. Hopefully, people will open their pocketbooks and donate to the Scholarship Fund!

THIS Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10:00am-12:00pm at 18411 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix, AZ 85023



Here is the info from ShowUp.com:
Arizona Artists Guild - Opening Celebration - Arizona Artists Guild - Arizona Artists Guild Building - ShowUp.com

For Fun

I sniped this from a friend's Facebook page . . . try it out! Here's mine:




1 - BAND NAME Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random article” or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - ALBUM TITLE Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - COVER ART Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

I would love to see yours!!!!