This is my BLAH, BLAH, BLAH BLOG……..
Listen to my Podcast Interview on Willa Wanders Podcast!
In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik speaks with mixed media artist Dori Patrick about her creative life, which includes owning a make-and-take art studio in Marion, Iowa, and moving on to focus on her personal artistic endeavors. Dori shares her childhood experiences growing up in Iowa, her artistic influences, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career, such as her inspirational trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. They delve into Dori's approach to making art, her distinctive colorful style, and how she navigates highs and lows as an artist. Dori offers insight into her business model, her process for creating and selling art, and her teaching experiences, including her role in Fodder School. The episode concludes with a discussion about Dori's upcoming lessons in Fodder School 5.
THANK YOU, MARION ARTS FESTIVAL!
It was WINDY last weekend for the Marion Arts Festival! I’m talking WIN. DEE. The only thing I could think of that rivaled it was a few summers ago when we set up on the lake in Duluth, MN. Hubby disagreed. He said there was an event in West Des Moines that almost killed us. Hahahaha!
We almost blew away while setting up on Friday evening. While I hung on for dear life, he ran out to the hardware store for reinforcements: ratcheting straps, paver blocks (one for each corner) and extra sandbags to weigh down the frame. Lordie! But somehow the tent survived the night. My “askew” tablecloths in this photo are driving me crazy, but truly, it was the least of our problems, and we had an amazing day on Saturday! I was set up around the corner from my old Dreaming Bear shop space, and it was so much fun! It felt like a big reunion for us…..we saw so many wonderful past customers! Many of them kiddos when I knew them, and now they are taller than me. How does that even happen? I guess time is marching on for us all.
Big thanks to the staff and volunteers who made this show a success, and to everyone who came out and supported handmade, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
THAT’S A WRAP ON MY SHOW, FEELS LIKE FLYING!
Well, that’s a wrap on my show, “Feels Like Flying!” It’s Friday morning before Easter, and it's been a while since I've checked in via blog! I hope you are all doing well, or at least hanging in there. This morning when hubby and I headed to the gym, it was the first time in a long while that we could step outside without putting on another layer. I. Love. That. Coats and layers are a hassle. Ha!
First off, THANK YOU EVERYONE so much for your support and enthusiasm surrounding my show, "Feels Like Flying", on view through Saturday at CSPS Hall here in Cedar Rapids! I mean, really!!! It makes my heart burst with happy gooey feelings. As many of you know, the year started off rough for me, with what seemed like one illness after another. There was a lot of crud going around, and it felt like I was catching every round! Ugh. So the fact that I even had a show to hang up felt like a small miracle. Ha! (There's nothing like a deadline to spur you on, am I right?)
It was down to the wire.....but I really had a good time bringing these little beings and paintings to life, and I'm so tickled that you enjoyed them too! Thank you for sharing your happy pics and messages from visiting the show! It's been fun to witness your joyful response! I'm going to head down there this afternoon and do a video tour of the show before it comes down, so my out of town friends can get a peek! I promise that will come soon!
CREATIVE CROSSROADS PODCAST INTERVIEW!
Hey friends! I had an amazing time being interviewed by Catherine and Ellyn of the Creative Crossroads podcast! We covered all sorts of topics, such as developing your creative voice, navigating creative blocks, working on multiple projects, and the changing seasons of an artistic career.
I’VE BEEN PUBLISHED IN UPPERCASE MAGAZINE!
I was so delighted to find out my work was published in issue #61 of Uppercase Magazine! I absolutely love this publication! It’s so full of color and creativity! A major theme of this particular issue was “revise and refresh." When I thought about submitting my work with this theme, I immediately thought of my “half and half” flowers. These were a product of a frustrating time I was having with some floral sketches that were feeling too precious, too precise. In a moment of desperation, I tore a couple of those drawing in half. I ended up piecing mismatched bits back together for a whole new look! It was so much fun, I created an entire series based on this concept. You never know where or when inspiration will strike!
