Back when I first started reviving my art practice while living in nyc, I wanted to make art while also needing to make money. That’s when I created an online shop (which lasted 2 years, RIP) to sell handmade items along print-on-demand artwork. Now, in the current stage of my independent art practice, I feel the pull toward having some kind of commercial operation, again. This time, though, I’m intentionally focusing on making in-person connections at vendor events. Making sales would be great, obviously, but having learned from the previous shop project where I nearly lost my creative direction while catering to an imagined commercial audience, I’m going to try to not put so much pressure on myself in that respect. Instead, I’m honestly just curious about what happens when I put everything I’ve been working on out on a table for all kinds of people to interact with. I may even do some live painting…
Upcoming events - keeping it local - come say hi!
Soulstice Music Festival - Clinton, NJ - July 31-August 2nd
Friday FREE, Sat & Sunday day-pass admission ($35)
Art on the Lawn - Morristown, NJ - August 13th, 5-8pm
Free event
Summer Stage Series - Madison, NJ - August 21st, 6-8pm
Free event
Setting up shop
So what’s in store? I’ve been learning that my best work really can’t be rushed, and that in order to bring my grander visions to life, I need to practice with smaller scale explorations. That means I have smaller works that I probably wouldn’t intentionally make more of, but that I still treasure as part of my process. Also, as opposed to “branding” and distilling my work into one eye-catching style, I prefer to remind people that artists don’t tend to produce one type of thing in their practice, and aren’t meant to fit in any box or “brand”.
Small wood panel landscapes
(Pictured up top) I painted these to practice moving from realism to impressionism. The left three pieces are based on photos from New Jersey and Brooklyn, and the right two are based on photos from Chamonix, France (top) and Lahinch, Ireland (bottom).
“Love is Abundant” - prints, stickers, keychains
Earlier this month, I posted a few posters/cards graphics that demonstrated the kind of “abundant love” that felt natural to me. It was an exercise in verbalizing something that has become intrinsic to who I am, as I move toward creating work that is more representative of my values. I decided to make these into greeting cards, stickers and keychains and I think they’re pretty cute!
Beaded Earrings
These were purely a hyperfixation project since I had so much jewelry making materials leftover from old projects and I happened to stumble upon discounted stone beads at Michael’s a few weeks ago. I spent as much time as I could on them for a week and ended up with 40-something pairs + a display frame…
Painted glass pieces
One of these items is not like the others… Once I had acquired a collection of enamel paints years ago, I’ve used them on various surfaces (such as my mandolin), including collected jars and other glass vessels. Honestly, at this point I’m just trying to clear out my studio of these somewhat delicate pieces… Note: if anyone wants to claim the bong I painted before it hits the markets, please email me and I can ship it to you! Price negotiable.
Print reproductions
I started with 5x7in postcards, and now am moving towards slightly bigger prints —8x10in, 8x8in, 6x12in—of selected work I consider my best (so far). Same high quality recycled card stock that can be hung directly on the wall or framed.
Just leaving these in the packaging so that I don’t have to package them up again for the festival
I honestly love that I really don’t know what to expect from each market—I’ll try to document all I can and report back. Hope you’re all having a good summer—enjoy the rest before autumn!
Thanks for reading!
Grace, your are work and jewelry are beautiful and creative. Wishing you sales and recognition at all of the venues. Thanks for the peak into your process.
Lois