... at Ladies Night Out - Warwick, NYIt was such a joy to meet so many wonderful people at Ladies Night Out in Warwick! Thank you to everyone who bought cards, shared a laugh and encouraged me to keep doing what I love to do. My Little Guy hung out to help set up the FoxFern Studios booth! Here he is arranging greeting cards and card packs. He did a wonderful job. <3 Ladies Night was also the debut of our HUGE, and beautiful, FoxFern Studios banner; designed by me but printed by "Giant Copy" in Warwick. Angela and her son jumped through hoops to have it ready for the big day. I cannot thank them enough for the kindness, skill and courtesy; beyond my expectations. giantcopyshop.com I also have to thank Peck's Wine and Spirits, Corrine and Deb, for putting together a lovely, bonding event for all the ladies that came out to celebrate. It's a joy to be part of this community.
peckswineandspirits.com Lastly, but not leastly, THANK YOU to my Sweatheart Dav; he stayed nearby "just in case", did last minute supply runs, kept Kiddo out of trouble and cheered me on when I got a little bit lonely after dark. Thanks to all of you who stopped by to say hello, and said such nice things; the love goes a LONG way. Namaste. - FERN
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What does one DO at the 19th Annual Ladies Night Out?
Late Night Shopping * Street Vendors * Dance Performances * Fitness Demonstrations * Henna Tattoos & Eyebrow Threading * In-Store Wine Tasting and Food Sampling * Belly Dancing & Pole Fitness Demonstration That's right... POLE FITNESS. And MODEST drinks. And noshing. You know what I will be doing?? I'll be there, smiling, preening my beautiful art works and hiding a beer under the table at my booth. Please stop by and say "Hello". A few paintings will be joining me and many of my latest pieces of Art Jewelry. Our booth is on Main Street at 40 Main St, Warwick, NY 10990. Hope to see you there! XO - Fern I set up this BLOG and website to share my creative explorations and the last two years have been a great lesson in self marketing in a digital age. It's difficult to talk about myself, as I don't think I'm that interesting. However, you know what IS interesting? Other people. Amazing artists, philanthropists, musicians, explorers and business people; I like them, they are interesting.
If you don't mind, I think my blog should include stories about OTHER people that I admire. I firmly believe that strongest step toward change will come from supporting each other as artists and small business owners. I applaud people doing the right thing and making contributions to a better world. My emails and blog will be showcase for people I admire, upcoming events and interesting nuggets of information. Please join my email list to the right ----> if you would like an occasional bit of information about someone interesting, talented or making a difference in the world. I'll still let you know of anything remotely interesting that I do. <3 - Jennifern Remember that movie, 'Field of Dreams'; "If you build it, they will come."?
That's what I kept thinking while I was a presenter at the Goshen Art Walk on Friday, the 10th of June, because the Chamber of Commerce and the Goshen Art League are trying to build something even better than we already have. They created a wonderful evening and the people came; all types of people gathered under the lights to bond over books, art and great music. www.facebook.com/Goshen-Art-Walk-1587955714803416/ On the second Friday of June, 2016, the town of Goshen, NY hosted a very unique event to bring artists, and the community in which we live, together. This event took months of planning, and a last minute change in dates due to rain certainly did not give this particular date an easy start. Originally scheduled for the first Friday in June, it was rained out and the artists scheduled to appear were scattered into their busy summer schedules. I didn't even have an easy go; my spot was occupied by a dump truck for most of the set-up time. While my fellow artists and their helpers were nearly done setting up amazing displays, I paced nervously, hoping I wouldn't be scrambling when the first perusers arrived. The tensions were high, and feathers ruffled, but magic was about to happen. My table was simple, and my display was VERY open. I wanted people to come in and enjoy what I do; to look for a long time, stay and chat. That's exactly what happened. The tight grimaces of nervous artists softened to genuine and welcome smiles. People gasped, awed and laughed while enjoying the art. Children played, young people were inspired and the secrets to building a community began to hum in the streets. A band played the entire time, making a classic mix of '70's and 80's sound like thier own; it became a balance of sentimental and newly relevant all at the same time. People danced in the streets. Hudson Valley is famous, for art, wine, hiking, culture, being family friendly and a wealth of fantastic day trips. Not a weekend will pass in this fertile valley that does not offer a stimulating, and memorable activity. At the show, I talked to as many people as I could and the more conversations I had, the more people stepped forward to share with me. Many of us agreed that the Goshen Art Walk rebuilds connections we once had with neighbors; and recreated the thread of familiarity and hospitality that ran down every street in the towns of memory. This type of event is exactly what we need more of. When you dream of a place to live, a wonderful notion of a town like Mayberry with the zest of of New York City may come to mind. It is events like this, and "Music on the Green" in Warwick, NY that rebuild the much needed connections for our communities to be thier best. Young, aspiring, artists who were intimated by art school prices and the judgement of others, walked away from Goshen intent to draw more. Artists were able to connect, open a dialog and share opportunities as well as new resources for stronger careers. By fostering the arts, we create a lasting impression and aesthetic that can bring growth to the community. The more we talk as neighbors, the more we come to respect and care about each others wellbeing. If you create a neighborhhood worth staying in on a Friday or Saturday night, that money stays in that community and the loyalty stays there too. I think this is what the Goshen Arts League is building; a lasting contribution to its residents and to Hudson Valley. I want to personally thank Julie Saltzberg of the Goshen Arts League for calling me to let me know if a last minute opening at the event. I also want to thank Gerry Hluchan of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce for helping support the event. You can "Like and Share" The Goshen Art League on Facebook:www.facebook.com/Goshen-Art-League-1086646174721698/ You can also show ME some love on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FoxFernCo/?ref=stream I'm a "white noise" kind of artsy person. I do my best work surrounded by subtle chaos, and I enjoy the connection of a disconnected conversation. I like hearing opinions, ideas and news all while making little or no eye contact, but still appreciating the value of others' insights. Thats why I draw in public places. If you like the same things, please join me... and others like us! Details below: Drink, draw, eat and be social. HV Social Draw will be held @tuscancafeny on Friday, 6/17. Free to attend, with free drawing paper available. Clothed model is present for reference, but feel free to work on any project you want. The food is awesome with vegan and gluten free on the reasonably priced menu, as well as not-so-veggie options. Beer selections mostly microbrew and 100% tasty. All ages welcome, but must be of age to order a beer. (Duh) ☕️✏️ (Socially awkward also welcome.) #hvsocialdraw
As you may know, I have been working on a new greeting card project with other artists.
After talking with fellow artists, a theme kept coming up: "How do we get more exposure and work as early career, or young artists?" and the other question "Without a huge social media following, or established work portfolio, reaching an audience is a challenge. Even print media is shrinking." There is a disparity between the countless (albeit amazing) outlets for artists to sell their artwork and any promotion to make sales. Often balancing classes, or careers, with families and limited time for art, many artists find themselves lacking time to promote or sell works. Time is further limited after investing precious hours of effort setting up online commerce platforms. What can you do to support artists? Well... I started buying art from several of my favorite and insanely talented artists, which quickly became costly, however rewarding. I also started promoting them on my personal social media outlets to help add to their following. I still wished I could do more to support the hard work and career path of the artists I admire and respect. I found myself wondering 'How do I help promote these people?' This is where I got the idea to make cards, and license art. What if I could pay artists to use their artwork, and I would use my lifetime of sales skills to sell the cards? Their work would reach more eyes in different areas, and more people would get to enjoy artwork they may have never seen before. I had the printing capacity already set up and stores selling my cards, why not do it for other artists?! Industry rumors murmur of a dramatic slump in sales for major card companies, resulting in closed locations, less purchasing from overseas manufacturers, and of course; not hiring new artists. There certainly is a huge swing in what the card market is doing, but it's not toward the end of greeting cards. Imagine the door closing on mass produced and commercial manufacturing, but a window opening to a more conscientious making process. Human feelings still exist and need to be shared. People that live further away than ever, need to be reached. The soul searches for a social connection outside of the computer. There are more reasons then ever to write a letter, or send a card. People are still buying and sharing cards today, but are far more aware of ecological and socioeconomic impact than card givers in the past. I am one of them; an aware consumer, and we have high standards. We want to know that money spent on a card will support a community, and those who are working hard to make a career. Protecting the environment is also an absolute necessity. The art on a card has to be different too, simply representative what the heart is feeling in a way that will clearly speak to the person who receives it. Lastly, a card just has to be... perfect, and feel REALLY nice in the hand. I decided to try this idea, just run with it. I made a few hundred test cards and to my delight, customers and retailers agreed wholeheartedly with my vision. Believing in these standards has lead me to doing all of the printing in house, using only 100% recycled paper with a wonderful texture and cut, folding and packaging by hand. The artwork on the cards is also SO amazing; you may even want to frame them. In a digital EVERYTHING age, I think it's time to reconnect; with our community, our environment and the people we love the most. My goal is that FoxFern cards will be a part of that. Please let my efforts in this project serve as a sincere "Thank you" for all your support, encouragement and for being aware of our world and our responsibilities to it. I still have a childlike excitement when I walk to the mailbox, don't you? I am excited to say that we will be introducing guest creators for our greeting cards.
Our guest artists are early, new, or second career artists, that have created a presence within the visual art field and are committed building on thier passions, skills and portfolios. It is my intention to help talented and skilled creatives find a broader audience, financial support and a lasting relationship with the arts community. These artists are incredibly talented and inspirational in what they do, I personally enjoy thier work and hope you will too. Please watch for upcoming additions. Fern
A Devoted Doll; Bindi
Once in a while, you meet people that genuinely inspire you. I have a pen-pal who is such an inspiration; Bindi. Bindi is a successful alternative model, often posing in retro and pin-up styles and rocking her amazing smile everywhere she goes. Her beauty goes beyond what you see, because much of her free time is devoted to charity events for a group called "Devoted Dolls". "Devoted Dolls is a group of women who want to better their community through fundraising for charities and helping those in need. We work with several military and veterans organizations as well as children's organizations and animal rescues. Please feel free to email us with any questions at devoted.dolls@gmail.com" From the Devoted Dolls Blog : http://devoteddolls.blogspot.com.
For the months of January and February, 10% of all FoxFern Studios profits will be donated to help Devoted Dolls continue thier efforts in the community. Some of thier philanthropic efforts include supporting our Veterans and organizing Millitary Care Packages, as well as supporting military families. They have also played a valuable part in healing through happiness at local hospitals, including children at the Arizona Burn Center.
Their beauty, kindness, and love, know no bounds. Please show our girls some love by following on Facebook.
You may think that painting is easy, and to many artists it is. Easy, as in, "I am so passionate about (insert activity), that everything makes sense and I get lost for hours in an incredible journey.". Many people can say the same thing about knitting, engineering, reading or brain surgery. All of the aforementioned activities are incredibly taxing for me, so, "easy" is relative. Give me something to make marks with, and it's like flipping the switch to an automaton; sometimes even I sit back and watch the magic machine "go".
The "back story" of art is however convoluted, and confusing. Going from a canvas in my studio, to something everyone else can see in person, to making prints, and then sharing them, is arduous and challenging. I had to schlep this canvas to several printers, carefully repacking between locations, all of whom offered large format of some capacity but lacked in another key area. "I can scan it, but you have to take it off the frame." "I can print it, but I can't scan it." "You have to go to a professional photographer, have it photographed and bring me the file. Then I can print it." "I can scan, and print it, but the ink is not UV stable. It could fade in a few years." Albiet frustrating, I would't do anything differently THIS TIME, because I met some wonderful small businesses in New York and New Jersey. Good people, who would bend over backwards to help. After three weeks of being lost in a "toner and rag" circus, I found myself on a single lane, dirt road, in Cold Spring NY; one way in and one way out. 'Is this it?' I wondered, switching the truck into 4-Wheel drive, 'This is where I find a state-of-the-art, fine art printer and custom framer?' "Really?" I asked Julian (my toddler), he just looked on down the road in anticipation of the "bump-ies". Indeed! Over the bumps, passed beautiful shrubs and a charming house or two, there is a Holy place for artists; two floors of industry expertise, focused on refined print making and exceptional framing. It was called "The Highland Studio" and my heart sighed; my journey was over. Lisa Deibboll and Joe took painstaking care of my work, and created amazing replicas of the painting. Their guidance was invaluable. We chose a textured paper, which accentuates every tone on the original. When I went to sign the limited edition prints, I fought back tears, because it was "real" and my work looked beautiful. Please contact Lisa at Highland Studio if you ever need your own art prints made. lisa@thehighlandstudio.com Lisa Diebboll The Highland Studio 31 Stephanie Lane Cold Spring, NY 10516 845-809-5174 www.thehighlandstudio.com If you are interested in buying a print of "EGRET", please visit our "Paintings" section above.
http://www.foxfern.com/paintings
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AuthorOur blog author is Jennifern; her thoughts on work, events, adventures and other amazing people. Archives
November 2019
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