the beauty of being double-booked

Is that you only have to pick one engagement to go to....ba-bam.

This weekend is jam-packed with appointments, art events, record release shows, art installations, coffee dates, and hopefully some sleep and nice surprises. Maybe I'll be able to see the boyfriend. Maybe.

On the list of events I'll miss:

Tonight:
A house-gallery art opening in West Philly ladies' house. Preoccupation: sleep and fear of biking in the rain on a Friday night. And a going-away party at a friend of a friends that is MUCH closer to home...

Tomorrow:
Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby (see link) Meet-n-Greet at PBC. Preoccupation: Installation date with Darla Jackson at The Art Shop. If they were geographically closer, I'd make it to both.

Also tomorrow: Sexy (toy) party in the Northeast. Preoccupation: My brother's record release party at his house in West Philly. And, when I get intimidated by all the youthful adrenaline surging through the house, a nice imperial stout will be waiting for me down the street at Fiume, my favorite under-the-radar bar. I'll need that to handle the long ride home to Kensington.

Sunday: Plastic at the Plastic Club (an art opening). Preoccupation: Installation date with Darla Jackson, part II. Yes, it's gonna be so good, that we need two days to install.

Also Sunday: Date with my 6 studio comrades at the Last Drop. Preoccupation: none. Unless we actually get the keys to our space that day....then we'll be in North Philly saving the previous tenant's abandoned goods from the dumpster.

Oh, didn't I mention? We signed a lease last weekend for an absolutely HUGE studio space in North Philly, to be shared between 7 alumnae from Moore, all 2007 fine art ladies. Private studios, a communal print shop and tool shop, and studio cat coming soon. If anyone is especially gifted at building walls, and salvaging the materials to built said walls at minimal cost, please see me asap...maybe it's time to rekindle that relationship with the dumpster divers and Please Take Materials Exchange.

On the radar: deciding on a studio name, so we can register for POST as one entity. Deadline: May 1, 2009

FLOCK...this Monday at The Art Shop

Introducing ( and yet she needs no introduction):

the amazing Darla Jackson

FLOCK- Darla Jackson '03

First Mondays @ Moore -March 2009

Please join us on Monday, March 2nd as we kick off Women's History Month and March alumnae celebrations with The Art Shop's First Mondays @ Moore!

Darla Jackson, a CFEVA fellowship fellow, has exhibited all over the Philadelphia area and beyond. She is a founding member of the all women art collective, The Other Woman. She also is the sculptor responsible for the giant boot (that perhaps you've seen around town), Moore's 160th Anniversary city-wide public sculpture project; Footsteps.

March 2-30, 2009 at
The Art Shop @ Moore College of Art & Design
20th Street & The Parkway, Philadelphia.
215.965.8586

Opening reception: Monday, February 2, 5-7 pm.

Come by for hot coffee and tea and tasty snacks! Perfect for that 'pick me up' at the end of your Monday!

Find VanStudio on etsy!

I've finally done it. I have an Etsy shop. Currently, I have the Mutabor etching series from 2007 listed, and one reductive woodcut, an homage to Queen Anne and birth control that I printed by hand before I bought the etching press. Makes a girl really appreciate Japanese printmakers, who print infinite layers of color, making beautiful hand-printed woodcuts.

I'll be adding the found metal necklaces that I had for sale at the V-Day Arts & Crafts Affair. And etched lockets. Email me for a custom locket! Right now, I've been wearing (showing off) a brass locket that I etched a drawing of a bee onto.

Small sculptures, a highly curated collection of vintage/antique parts, and more works on paper to come.

Trenton Avenue Arts Festival 2009-Call for Artists!

It's that time of year again....it's time for all those freelance artists and craftspersons to start booking the summer festival schedule. First on the list, this year's Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, on the border of fair Fishtown & East Kensington neighborhoods, in Philadelphia. I will be doing the artists' coordination again this year, and am looking forward to an awesome festival!

Registration is now open, and early registration ends April 1st, 2009. Contact me for more details, or visit EKNA.org.

This Saturday! Vday arts fair at Studio 33

A St. Valentines Day Art & Crafts Affair
(a place for buying tokens of love)

3237 Amber Street~Studio 33A, Philadelphia, PA 19134
www.studio33a.blogspot.com

This Saturday I've been invited to show/sell/peddle art and wares at Studio 33, the studio of some of the members of The Other Woman Collective.

Aside from myself, a large group of ladies and gents will be offering up their dear creations to the public, friends, and other passers by. Also present: North Port Fishington Cookie Factory! Vegan treats for all! This guy makes the BEST vegan donuts.

I'll be bringing lots of prints by yours truly and a book of woodcuts by my housemate, David S. Aponte, who unfortunately can't be there himself. I've also been working on a series of necklaces that collage vintage copper, brass, and metal parts. Also available on a made-to-order basis: etched copper and brass lockets. I'll have samples at the fair to give ideas...

This will be a great place to bring your sweetie for some sweets!

Bubbles...

Bubbles: the Effervescent lives of the Hippocampus Laura Marta '08

Laura Marta uses printmaking processes to create unique works on paper. Inspired by marine life, her images usually take on a colorful and whimsical aesthetic.

February 2-27, 2009.