I have 2 paintings in the group show Dirty Pop which takes place tomorrow night at Box Studios. The artist list has some of my favorite names on it, so I know it will be a fun night. You can RSVP on the Facebook event page here.

BOX STUDIOS + FRANKLIN ROOM

by Rheanna Fancypants

by Kristen Ferma

Click here to see the other pieces or place a bid!

See you on Saturday!

ShareThis

In light of how little time I have left this summer, I’m really glad that I decided to take 4 out of the 6 days I had in between markets last week to head down to Washington & visit with friends. It was a lot of travel time (stupid border line ups & stupider ferries booked solid) for only 2 days of relaxation, but I’m glad we did it. Highlights:

Since the clock is still ticking on summer, I’m making a list of the things I really want to do before we’re back to raincoats & rubber boots:

• ride rides at the PNE
• swim in the Stanley Park pool (overlooking the ocean – awesome!)
• take the dogs to the leash free swimming area of Buntzen Lake
• eat yummy food stuffs at Richmond Night Market
• ride my bike along the sea wall to Go Fish – one of the best spots for fish & chips in Vancouver
• have at least one lazy summer day where I do nothing but read, doodle in my sketchbook & drink iced tea (or sangria)

That makes for a couple of very busy weeks & since I still have a boatload of work to do, I’m thinking a lot of iced coffees may be in my future. Which is just fine. I can sleep in October.

ShareThis

I’m back at Harmony Arts Fest this weekend (Friday 4 to 8 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am to 8 pm), which means I’ve been a busy bee trying to re-stock the Cagey table with goodies after a wonderfully busy few days. It is such a beautiful spot along the water in West Vancouver.

I got to listen to great music all day, meet some lovely customers & fellow vendors, do a little shopping of my own plus strategize about how I’m going to become friends with people who own boats. Spending the day by the shore was nice, but I was a little envious of all the folks launching their boats into the water for the day. Got room for one more?

Highlight of the festival so far: overhearing 2 wee ones argue over which one of my paintings was “the awesomest.” Nope, not a bad way to spend a sunny afternoon at all! hehe

ShareThis

Harmony Arts Festival kicks off this Friday, July 30th in West Vancouver & I can’t wait! I’ve been up to my eyeballs in resin for the last couple of weeks, so I’m delighted to see the weather forecast is calling for sunshine & hopefully lots of folks out wandering around. If you’ve never been before, it’s a great festival with a big craft market right along the beach at Ambleside Landing, tons of concerts & bands playing (I think 84 performances in total – wow!), group art shows, artist studio tours, a wine garden, children’s programs, cinema in the park…seriously, tons of stuff to do!

The festival runs from July 30th through August 8th. You can check out the full schedule on the Harmony website here.

Want to find me? I’ll be at the:

Delany’s Coffee House Craft Market
Ambleside Landing
Friday, July 30th to Monday, August 2nd

And then back again next weekend too!

Friday, August 6th to Sunday, August 8th

Fridays 4:00pm – 8:00 pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Monday: 10:00am – 8:00 pm

ShareThis

Ruh roh! Apparently the geese were out celebrating Canada Day a little early!

On my way home from art class yesterday I ran into this gaggle of geese (yes, I did have to Google “What is a flock of geese called?”) blocking the sea wall. This is a perfect example of why I love taking classes at Emily Carr on Granville Island. I get to ride my bike along the sea wall & there is always something interesting to make me smile.

These particular geese didn’t seem too concerned about us pedestrians. Or cyclists. Or people walking their dogs. They were just hanging out & if you got too close or if certain ones got too close to each other, they started hissing. I have a mild fear of birds at the best of times, so being surrounded by geese that seemed none too pleased was quite the achievement for me. If one had actually lunged at me & snapped at my leg? I think I would’ve fainted on the spot!

For my non-Canuck friends, July 1st is Canada Day & I am taking a little holiday. My best friend is moving to California in a few weeks, so we’re hopping on the ferry tomorrow morning & heading out to the island for a couple of days. I’m going to miss her terribly, but I’m really glad we’re getting a chance to spend time together before she leaves. I’ve only lived in Vancouver for 3 years & though I’ve been blessed with meeting some really wonderful people, it takes a lot of time to build close friendships. She is definitely one of those good eggs who I feel totally comfortable with, can tell anything & know I could count on when times are rough. Needless to say, I’m sad.

The upside is – now I have an excuse to escape the rainy Vancouver winters & visit California! First stop: Disneyland.

Happy Canada Day!

ShareThis

Rocky Mountaineer Train Station
1755 Cottrell Street

Sunday, June 27th

noon to 6 pm

I’ve spent the last couple of days getting prepped for Portobello West on Sunday, June 27th, and though I’m usually busy working on new lockets or magnets for an upcoming market, this one has got me doing some extra dashing about because I’ll be in a booth instead of my usual table. I’ve had to completely rethink my set up & I don’t think I can be 100% sure I’m ready until I actually am there & setting up. eep! These are the moments where I’m grateful to have an excellent mister who doesn’t even complain when he has to drive back home because I forgot something. He’s also very good at bringing me coffee. *grin*

After Sunday’s market I’ll have two days of school (one of which includes a presentation – do you have any idea how long it’s been since I had to stand in front of a class? With, like, people LOOKING at me???) and then it’s vacation time. I’m heading out to my parents’ cabin for a few days of relaxation. Lots of sleep, hopefully lots of sunshine and lots of walking along the ocean sounds like heaven right about now. I’m tempted to not bring any work at all, just my sketchbook. But with the Folk Festival coming up in only a couple of weeks, I should probably at least make some Scrabble tile pendants while I’m there, right? Three days off, really off with very limited internet access, feels incredibly decadent to me.

What are your summer plans? Do you take real time off or mostly working holidays?

ShareThis

Grab your bike, your walking shoes or hop on a bus & come on down to the Car Free Festival on Sunday, June 20th! I’ll be hanging with the folks from Blim at 17th and Main Street (with an outdoor table – eep!), but festivities are popping up all over Vancouver, from Commercial Drive to Kits. Yay!

I wandered around the last couple of years as a participant? non-vendor? pedestrian? & always really enjoyed myself. It’s so lovely to be able to stroll the streets & there is plenty of entertainment. One year I settled into the drum circle (they provide the drums & promise not to laugh). Last year the mister and I mostly just ate yummy things, shopped for pretty things and listened to the local bands that were belting out tunes up and down Main Street. There are lots of activities for kids too, so don’t hesitate to make it a family ride. Those with fur babies don’t seem to be shy either!

I’ve spent most of today trying to figure out how exactly to set up my table so that gusts of wind won’t send my wares flying. If it rains…I don’t know. Most of my table display are old wood crates that are sturdy enough to haul my goodies around, but are hardly moisture-resistant. I’d really prefer they don’t get wet either. So…I’ve still got some puzzling to do, but hopefully the sun will be shining & it will be a non-issue.

I’ll be slathering myself with sunscreen, of course, but I suspect I may be harvesting some new freckles tomorrow anyway. Don’t you love summer?

ShareThis

I’m thrilled to announce my next big art show is right around the corner – Saturday, June 12th right here in Vancouver. It’s a one night only trip down the rabbit hole with 2 DJs, drinks and the incredible artwork of 35 different artists all inspired by Alice in Wonderland and the world of fairytale fantasies. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with! You can see a full artist list here.

Alice and the Caterpillar
acrylic on canvas, 16 X 20

The night kicks off at 9 pm at Box Studios, but with over 100 pieces of art, the party also continues next door at The Franklin Room. Hope to see you there!

Click here to RSVP on the Facebook event page.

Click here for the Google map.

ShareThis

Took the pooches to the dog beach today just as it was starting to cloud over. Still warm & muggy & great for exploring the rocks. TONS of tiny little crabs to watch as they scurried about!

The pug loves the water. He only goes in up to his belly, but he could spend hours running along the shore & pawing at all of the rocks (that he thinks are balls). So cute! And great exercise too. You may have noticed that pugs get a little…shall we say…portly? Ahem.

ShareThis

Got Craft is tomorrow here in Vancouver and after checking out the swag bag pics on their blog, I’m jealous that vendors can’t line up too! The first 30 people through the door get one of these bags filled with items donated by the vendors of Got Craft. I should qualify “through the door” with the more likely “waited in line for hours”. The bags are getting quite a reputation & I know there were a few people lined up before vendors even started arriving at the last one! Here’s my crafty donation:

I still have quite a bit of prep work to do before tomorrow, so I best hop to it. Hopefully I’ll see you there!

Got Craft? Spring Show

When: Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Where: Royal Canadian Legion 2205 Commercial Drive (@ E.6th Ave), Vancouver

Admission: $2.00 (kids under 10 are free)

ShareThis