Catherine Moore

Les Puces (the fleas) of Mt. Dora

Barbara Smith and I journeyed to Mt. Dora this past weekend to treasure hunt.  I have been extensively researching the flea markets of Paris, and found our visit to the fleas (aka Antiques Extravaganza) reminiscent of the famous marches of Paris, including some colorful characters who would be right at home among those storied rag and bone men.  These colorful gypsy nomads were having a good day under the Florida sun and I watched as Barbara expertly worked some nice bargains.  Everyone was enjoying the the perfect weather and "the new prices for the new economy."   There was lots of treasure to be had. Barbara and I found ourselves wondering if there just wasn't a whole lot more good "stuff" up north as most of the merchants we met seemed to be New Englanders or New Yorkers and they had an abundance of very fairly priced objects for our art.  

We also brought our cameras along and looked for interesting textures to share, so please join us for a stroll down the isles of the Mt. Dora marche, and some lovely warm Florida sunshine.  No sunscreen necessary.

 

Some of the merchants arranged artistic vignettes.

 

This little market cul-de-sac was a favorite niche where we unearthed a few treasures.  I found three petite dolls among the the junk, ranging in price from $1 to $3.

 

Barbara is more patient than I am and also knows how to negotiate a bargain.  Here she is sifting through a table of junk that yielded some of the best finds of the day.  Actually the best single find of the day was a small photo album, in near perfect condition, filled with tiny tin types for $19.

A closeup view of one of the junk tables.

I wanted some of these colorful ceramic balls, but decided not to risk squeezing them into my suitcase.   Maybe I can find some on the internet .  .  .

 

This was one of my favorite cases at the fleas, and I came home with the tiniest bisque dolls ever and a few glass santa ornaments.

 

We encountered some larger dolls too,
 

and a few teddies,
 

and many many other vintage and antique toys.
 

   

Oh, and the button ladies!  I came home with a cards of tiny buttons, just the right size for paper dolls in French blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for joining the treasure hunt!

       
    

    
 
 
 

 

Valentine's

I had just a few more Valentine's I wanted to share, some new and some from Valentine's Days past.  

 

 

Starting on the left, the male pantin doll is wearing a quilted & filled Valentine paper doll by Linda Warlyn.  The cage doll in the middle is wearing a Love Letter Dress Valentine by Nancy Gene Armstrong, and just below find another one of Nancy Gene's innovative dolls which are articulated but none of the hardware is visible, and the dolls are detachable from their cards.   The tall angelic mannquin on the far left is wearing a natural history Valentine by Elizabeth Shea, and the Valentine Garland is also by Elizabeth Shea.  In the foreground, is a folder style Valentine by Jackie Peters.  

 

This Valentine, inspired by the movies Julia & Julie, as well as It's Complicated, is entitled The Village Bakery, and was created by Steffanie Gee.  The bakery is constructed inside a bakery box.  My apologies to Steffanie, this was difficult to photograph and my photography does not really do it justice.  But if you click on the photos, you can zoom in to get a closer look at all the breath-taking details!  In fact, my apologies to all the artists, and please take a minute to zoom in to appreciate all their fine detailed work too.

 

I also want to say that I just received the latest issue of Somerset Studio, March/April 2010.  Linda Warlyn's Artist Portfolio is on page 45 through 53 and it is  s-u-m-p-t-u-o-u-s.  You are going to want to keep this issue in your private libraries.  Linda's intricately layered collages and mixed media art work are thoughtful and introspective, with roots in the figure and nature.  Don't miss an opportunity to take in some really uniquely beautiful work by a talented artist and friend.  (I'd share a little peek but Linda hasn't seen it yet and I don't want to spoil it for her by posting here.)  

I have a little something to share as well.  The itinerary for Bonjour Madame, my Fall 2011 Paris Workshop & Retreat, is still underway.  I have a waiting list in place until I can actually complete my itinerary, so please be patient with me as I carefully research the options.  I want you to know exactly what you are signing on for!  I also found a pocket of time to continue developing journal pages.  Everything is still in transition (no actual collage medium yet), but I am liking the feel of it so far. 

 

I tried to obliterate the funky green mat on my work table but ended up photoshopping out some of my background, so here is the unedited version.  It's actually not easy for me to work in black, white and neutrals (have a color palette that keeps trying to inject itself), but I am staying true to my vision and I am liking it so far.  I have tons of ideas I need to act on, but need another 14 hours each day to get it all done.  I saw that Barbara Smith posted that same sentiment on Jackie Peter's blog, and I am so there.  Barbara and I are off to Antiques Extravaganza in Mt. Dora this weekend to do a little treasure hunting.  I will return with some photos to share.  Until then, thank you for stopping by and au revoir.

Bonjour Madame!

 Bonjour Madame!  This is my third or possibly fourth title change for the 2011 Paris workshop & retreat.  This title works for me for two reasons, one we will no doubt want to be very familiar with this greeting as we visit various marches and shops throughout the Paris, and two it appeals to my illustration sensibilities and sense of whimsy.  I think this one just might stick!

This is the cover of my Paris journal, which I have now begun to develop for the workshop.  I am hunting and gathering daily, looking for interesting elements to compliment the concept for the journal cover, which will be black and white, with red accents, and interior pages which I want to have a Vintage Paris feel, very graphique, using lots of stamped type.   And, in addition to the collaged compositions I have planned, it will be a swatch book of sorts, with lots of papers, postcards, tags, notes, paint samples, etc., along the lines of the French Archive or Etcetera.  

Anyone recognize madame?  She bears a striking resemblance to one of the models from the Valentine photo shoot.  Adieu!

DREAMS can come true

   

Acouple of weeks ago I was reading some quotations on the subject of DREAMS, and found two that truly resonate with me.  

Anais Nin said that “dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.”

This quote reminded me of a little cup that I used to have on my desk back in my law firm days.  That cup is now on my son Ian’s desk at Georgia Tech (he just e-mailed the pics to me).  The cup was a gift from my husband Dale and our oldest son Adam.  I do not remember the occasion, but I do remember my response to it, I cried.  There on the face of the cup is this little figure sitting in a tiny row boat with a fishing pole hung over the side, and there in the water beneath the boat (out of sight) is a vast school of fish ready to bite, accompanied by the quote “Dreams Can Come True.”  

At the time, I hated my job and was dreaming of having another child but our young family was dependent on my income so I knew I would have to return to work quickly.   We took a leap of faith and got pregnant with Ian.  A couple months into the pregnancy I was at the Harvest craft festival in Miami and someone said something to me about working from home, which was still a fairly new concept at the time, but I decided to take another leap of faith and return to school.  By the time Ian arrived, I had completed all the necessary course work to start a medical transcription business, and had more work than I knew what to do with.  I would spend all day with Ian and Adam, and start transcription around 7 pm.  It wasn’t easy, especially when I worked through the night regularly, but I never minded because I was living my dream.  I was a full-time homemaker and mom, and I was my own boss.  I paid it forward, helping several of my friends set up businesses too.  I knew that this was only a short term occupation for me, not a career.  But I did it for seven years and when we moved here to Atlanta thirteen years ago I turned over all my accounts to friends. 

I never knew how much my job formed my self image.  It was oddly uncomfortable not working, and not having discretionary funds was not working for me.  The next business I started was Atlanta Workshop Oddysseys.  I invited my favorite artists from around the country and held weekend workshops here in Atlanta.  I did that for two years and loved every minute of it until 9/11.  The weekend following 9/11, I had 25 people scheduled to travel in for a workshop but everyone was justifiably afraid to board a plane.   So, I ended up with six, just the ones who could drive in from various parts around the south.  

It was fun and rewarding while it lasted, but I was ready for another challenge and right about that time, a collaborative I had organized was being memorialized in a book, The Art Doll Chronicles.  I was also teaching book & paper arts at the local paper shop here in Peachtree City and thought it might be fun to teach some paper doll classes to celebrate the release of the book, and viola Character Constructions was born!  I work more hours each day than I care to even count, seven days a week.  But, I’m not complaining.  I truly am living my dream.  It didn’t happen overnight, but one leap of faith led to another and another, and this is where I want to be.  

I have taught at venues all over the U.S., but leading a workshop in Italy made me realize this was something I could and would do again, the birth of a new challenge, a new dream.  I thought it was important to let you all know that I am not a spoiled little diva who just rented a Paris apartment.  Not me, I’m a worker bee and always have been. 

Which brings me to that second DREAM quote I found:  Dom Helder Camara says:  When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream.  When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.  

I hope you will drop by periodically and dream with me as I take another leap of faith, this time pointed in the direction of Paris, France.      

Free Tea Party Video

Back on February 1st of last year, I introduced you to Giusepi and his project, The Free Tea Party.  The Free Tea Party "cultivates community while encouraging dialogue about peace, environment, and health through actions like serving free tea from a converted school bus (Edna) which acts as a mobile free tea house powered by biodiesel in the tank and Mountain Rose Herbs in the teapot."    

At that time, Gus had written to ask for permission to use some of my tea illustrations on his web site.   I was surprised and delighted with his sense of whimsy and flare for design.  It made me smile and I like being able to lend a hand.  Gus just shared a video he made on the road.  If you have a minute, link to YouTube and vote please.  It just might help raise awareness.  Merci! 

Witch in the City

Greetings Art Friends!  

I have a special announcement today, I have to share a doll which is on loan for only a short time.  She is an homage to Sex in the City's Carrie Bradshaw.  Some of you have already mentioned seeing her in the current issue of Gallery magazine and have asked for more details, so without further adieaux, I present:

Witch in the City

a Fashionably Haunting Tale, by Steffanie Gee

"Cinderella is proof that a new pair of Shoes

 can change your life."

 Apartment, 245 E. 73rd, NY, NY 10021

(inside a box of Manolos)

flying the night sky with cocktail in hand,

 her makeup is perfect!

 velvet slippers, and lacy leggings.

her apartment is papered with the pages of Vogue Magazine. 

This has been a special announcement,  I hope you enjoyed the tale of the Witch in the City!

Thank you for sharing Steffanie.  

If you have questions for Steffanie, you can e-mail her at:  [email protected] and be sure to click on the photos for closer looks at all the amazing details.

~ Catherine ~