Trolls in the Woods -a guest blog

Blog follower and friend Kristin F wrote today sending photos of these giant Trolls sculptures in the North Carolina woods.

The artist is Thomas Dambo from Denmark.

…Large Outdoor park(Dorothea Dix• Park Raleigh North Carolina ) with wooden sculptures made with repurposed wood meant to fade with the passage of time.”

Kristin F. Says “I wanted to comment…they weren’t scary at all…on the contrary, they were all quite calming…especially finding them in the woods.”

*“Dorothea Lynde Dix was a 19th century reformer and advocate for the mentally ill and imprisoned. Her tireless efforts to expose inhumane conditions and champion humane standards led to the establishment of over 30 hospitals in the US and Europe.”

Mother Strong Tail
Dux
Daddy Bird Eye
Dax

Steel Town Girl Mural in Braddock

Artist Ashley Hodder painted this amazing mural. It’s on the building across the street from A.Boss Opticians. I was picking up my daughter-in law’s glasses Monday morning.

Responding to Apples. A Guest Blog

Ruth, your recent blog featuring apples made me think of my friend Mary Ann – a wonderful watercolor artist here in Florida.  She is headed to Washington DC in April to accept an award from the National League of American Pen Women, Inc, for her art submission representing the topic of “Apples”.

Founded in 1897, the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. (NLAPW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports and promotes professional women in arts, letters, music, and allied professions. For more information go to National League of American Pen Women, Inc. – NATIONAL LEAGUE OF AMERICAN PEN WOMEN, INC. — Linking creative women since 1897  

Mary Ann Miller is active in the local (Jacksonville) league and created quite an original take on the topic.  She painted “Joie des Pommes” (Joy of Apples) –four scenes influenced by 4 famous artists (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cezanne).  An apple hides somewhere in each scene …. pretty clever take on the subject. The scenes are created in 3D and framed in a shadowbox … lots of beautiful little details.

2025 Vinnie Ream Medal Winners – National League of American Pen Women, Inc.

Meet Lisa Seligman Nature Photographer

The day was wet and the ground a bit muddy but we braved the elements to check out the Spring Artists’ Market at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media .

Meet artist and nature photographer Lisa Seligman (click her name to see her Prints and Textile Galleries featuring scarves, shawls, kimonos, ponchos and bags)

Through my lens, I seek to highlight the infinite variety and beauty of nature. Whether I am exploring the details of a hosta leaf, or a delicate landscape on a foggy morning, I hope to share with you the poetry of nature.” Click quote to travel to ll a Lisa’s website

A headband of the Riot of Roses Collection

Keiko Fukazawa Exhibit at Society for Contemporary Craft

Keiko Fukazawa is a Ceramicist. My friend and neighbor Gail S. and I went to see her exhibit on Thursday. .

Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective:The Space in Between now at the Society for Contemporary Craft until May 16. Admission is free.

For those of you not in Pittsburgh, I asked if photography was allowed and was told, Yes.

Good Luck
Jingdezhen Plate #1
Jingdezhen Plate #2
Green Octopus
White Crackle Teapot

Vixens of Halloween

Come see my friend’s artwork

October 1-31.
140 Bradford Avenue
Crafton Public Library
Monday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM
Thursday | 10 AM – 6 PM
Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday | Closed
Meet the artist Gaye Hockenberry
Tracy putting the finishing touches on the show

Spider-Man in Johnstown PA

Comic book artist Steve Ditko is from Johnstown PA born in 1927.

He and Stan Lee co-created Spider-Man

Steve crosses the street to get a closer look at the mural

Personal Poem by Artist Iz Horgan in Response to a Loss

I follow the Instagram account of artist Iz Horgan. She posted this on her link and I filled out the form about an object I’d lost in the late eighties. I wrote and asked for permission to post about her project and she graciously agreed.

Click the above link if you want to participate

And then in my snail mail box I received a personal poem on a postcard in response to my describing my lost object -a gold necklace with a band of tiny pearls holding the two ropes strands together

Here the poem Iz write and mailed to me
The front of the postcard

What a day brightener. Thank you Iz for your thoughtful response and your beautiful art postcard.

One of my favorite posts

What Steve Put on the Mantel in Front of Still Life

Blog Post from 12/20/2009 14 years ago

Deborah McLaren’s still life pis one I purchased at the PERSAD Celebrate Life Celebrate Art auction at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh last May. The other day I sat at the table, looked up and saw Steve’s additions to the decor. He has been purchasing RITZ crackers frequently since I bought the painting, subliminal influence? I wrote to the artist for her permission to post the image of her painting along with his props. Steve’s fun additions- the unexpected sight of them in front of the still life- I laughed out loud! How to make life fun!

“Ritz Crackers With Norman”
Painting by artist Deborah McLaren Props by Steve

BLOOM at the Children’s Museum

What a fun time we had at the Children’s Museum Pittsburgh on a perfect summer Thursday evening. Artwork, live music, refreshments, vendors. Good friends. We even had our pictures taken by a professional in the lower floor.

With my friend Jen, posing with flowers by Alison Zapata

Artist Mia Marshall
Live Music -Joziah Council
Just below on the right
Getting an envelope with wildflower seeds
It’s a Burgh Thing Flour Sack Towel by Jeanine Murch
Founder and CEO Terrell Grayson had a wonderful display of sharp looking bow ties
Vendor Sam of 112 Juice Bar served me a sample of The Pink Lady Organic juice blend.
Thank you for a great time Pittsburgh Kids

“BLOOM is an event to create an open space for the artist community, including the museum staff and visitors, to let their creativity blossom. This event will include a variety of ways to appreciate and engage with local artists and their work + art-making opportunities for guests to explore their own creativity.”