Sculpture in The Garden Show

The Sculpture in The Garden Show is almost here!
Mark down Saturday, June 11th and Sunday June 12th in your calendars. I'm introducing three new artists who, relying almost entirely on recycled materials, have created some remarkable works of art. And the regular crew, whom you've come to expect, will be bringing tantalizing new pieces.

William Brock will be returning from Tennessee, and his birds, seen above, were one of the highlights of the show last year. Wait till you see what I've collected for this year!

Birds, fish, masks, stone sculpture, robots, musicians, and horses by the brilliant sculptor, Joe DeMarco, whirligigs by Sonny Cardinelli, odd birdhouses, and even handmade and quite quirky dolls by Sandy Mastroni will be offered. You will now be able to order handcrafted metal stands for the popular stone heads, should you want to bring them inside. Mine stay out all year and give the garden interest even in the winter. (We won't always get 64 inches of snow!)

This year, to mix things up a bit, Maishe Dickman is showing his elegant redware pottery, which has made the cover of Ceramics Monthly.

This is a fun visit for the whole family and it opens the children's eyes to all the possibilities of recycling materials,.

9am to 4pm each day

See you there!

Bev

New Bedford Whaling Museum

With fascinating films depicting the history of whaling, as well as huge skeletons of whales hanging overhead, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, in Massachusetts, is a splendid destination for parents and their curious kids. The cobblestone streets downtown lead to an ancient harbor and best of all, the Museum itself. From Sailors Valentines constructed from a myriad of shells to the best collection of Scrimshaw ever, this museum will delight the whole family and give a wonderful opportunity to discuss life aboard a whaling ship. Have art supplies ready because this trip will fire up imaginations and lead to some wonderful projects. The kids can collect shells from the seashore (or buy a small bag of more exotic shells in the gift shop) and cover small boxes. For an overnight stay, there are wonderful B&B's in the area in whaling mansions, as well as hotels with pools. Now I sound like a travel agent, but this is an exciting stopover for all.

A New World of Curiouser and Curiouser for Your Kids

Sandy Mastroni worked for years as a decorative painter, often turning old, unappreciated furniture into stunning pieces garlanded with wisteria and hydrangea. But in private she had notebook upon notebook which she filled with images that haunted her, danced in her head and intrigued her. Finally she put aside the decorative painting and attended to her fantasies, to the delight of a growing audience. Although her paintings are in major collections, galleries and museums, they are still affordable, and are appreciated by adults and children alike. My own grandchildren cherish their Mastroni paintings and yours would as well. Check out other Mastroni works of art here under the New Artists button.

Photography is Art

Why not hang family photographs in a child's room as an introduction to the art world? A casual, as well as a more formal, image can work beautifully. The kids can be involved in choosing the picture, as well as picking an appropriate mat and/or frame. My four year old grandson makes marvelous photographs......his eye view is just right for capturing unique angles. His father took fantastic photos of Pompeii when he was the same age. No one had quite captured the ruins from such a low, but powerful angle before! Photography is art, after all, and now is a great time to make wonderful memories, as well as honing your young photographer's eye.

Wear a Peg Wednesday! What a great Idea!

Pegs are clothespins, and the deal is to decorate one with your kids, and wear it on Wednesday, December 23rd, to remind the world to be a nicer place. The poster from Well H. Teddy explains it all.

Mr. X is Gerald Thornton

Gerald Thornton is a man who deeply cares about history, equality, his family and art. When he lived nearby, he was always working on an art project of some kind. He signed his work "X" to align himself with the nameless slaves who were ripped from their families and their culture and brought to a new world. Mr. Thornton used materials which were at hand and many of his most magical works had elements of collage worked into the art. Gold and silver foil was used for the medals of Haile Selassie, a powerful painting that I still cannot get out of my mind after not seeing it for decades!

But if you ask your parents to take you to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, you can see his "Flag Funeral", which proudly takes it's place among other masterpieces in the show, Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness, curated by Roger Manley. The somber widow and her child fall in step behind the flag draped coffin, while an invisible jazz group leads the way to the cemetery. Mr. Thornton is a man who continues to celebrates life, and he now lives in a new town with his new wife, and continues to make wonderful art. This lovely painting is available for sale and will be released in a year when the show comes down.

Real Art for Real Kids!!!!!

Bird houses equal art in England! A Challenge....

In exploring the bird houses created by genius designer, sculptor, painter and " inky wings" herself, Judith McNicol, kids can learn that art can be found anywhere. They might even be motivated to try it themselves, which is a splendid reaction to this whimsical and refreshing sculpture by one of England's most imaginative artists. And the birds which approach such houses, well they too poke at the imagination of kids and parents alike. Could you, would you Sam I am? Try making houses out of twisted grapevines, bittersweet, sunflowers, or what have you. And send me pictures at Beverlyskaye@aol.com. I'll post the best on this blog!