These two sweeties just picked for group show in Damariscotta . . . ovines getting some fresh air!

River Arts Opening Reception for 

“Faces & Figures” Exhibition 

River Arts in Damariscotta is inviting the public to the opening reception of its newest exhibition “Faces and Figures (animals included)” Friday, February 19th  from 5-7. The exhibition includes 120 works in a wide variety of media by 70 artists from all over Maine and runs through March 26.

The juror for the exhibition is John Lorence. Lorence attended Case Western, the Parsons School of Design, Cambridge School of Design and the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he earned his BFA and MFA. He has been the recipient of fellowships at YADDO, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, and the McDowell colony.  He has exhibited both his paintings and sculpture extensively in solo and group exhibitions in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S as part of the Art-in Embassy program.  Lorence’s professional interests include painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, art history, conservation and archeology as well as short films. He has taught at the Layton School of Art, Portland School of Art and the University of Wisconsin. He has had gallery representation in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and recently exhibited at the Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth. Lorence now lives in Newcastle, but did have a house and studio on Great Cranberry Isle for over 20 years where he was one of the island group’s 14 artists.

Fun in the snow south of us

Thank you so much to several entities for an especially delightful day yesterday in midcoast Maine.

Dandelion Spring Farm/Straw Farm in Newcastle. We've been buying produce, meat and eggs, and wool fleece from Beth for three years. At the weekly Rockland farmers market on Thursdays, She and her crew set up a tempting and bountiful stall, and it's become a must-do favorite. The farm(s) are situated on a rolling stretch of countryside, close to route 1 but enough away to be truly pastoral.

Tamworth is the breed name of these red russet piggies.

Lovely Jersey cows all, so soft and inquisitive.

Yesterday's visit was fortuitous -- weather, light and animals all cooperated, coming together to create a joyful experience for me (sorely needed) . I think the proof is in the porcine, bovine, and ovine faces.

Multi purpose sheep flock associated with a PenBay island flock the farmers also tend to. Their lovely white and chocolate wool has made it into our studio projects, including the raw fleece as well as the beautifully spun 2-ply hanks.

Prior to this pastoral pleasure, I attended a talk by Black Dinah Chocolatier founder Kate Shaffer at the Damariscotta Public Library. She is lovely! And, her words and tastes exquisite. Brought home a Valentine's gift box of heart shaped truffles for my own sweet Valentine, who ultimately agreed to share them. And popped into two art supply shops on Main Street: Attic Heirlooms and ABOCA Beads. All  in all, a very inspiring day.

Wool Walking out the door . . . shipping day at WW.

Packing up a couple of special packages today. One to London . . . a Nursing Shawl knit with hand spun chocolate Merino wool sourced from historic Gore Place in Waltham MA. They host a fiber fest every spring, and I acquired this fleece on my first visit there, along with capturing some of my most favorite sheep portraits.

 

 

And, a special gift for Hanukkah -- sister to sister -- of four hanks of hand spun (and some hand dyed too) yarn: Swamp Flowers, Grey Skies-Touch of Clearing, Kiwi Grey, and Starry Skies Maine. Thank you so much AL for gift giving through WalkingWool. Hope your Sis has fun. 

May fun at the Windsor Fairgrounds

A Lincoln flock

A Boer Goat billy

A Boar Goat nanny

Mystery breed piglets.

Sheep School Summary

I had a fun, full day at Sheep School in North Grafton MA. The staff of Tufts and the organizer (New Entry Sustainable Farm Project) were terrific and so informative. I got to tip a ewe and a ram lamb, examine hooves, udders, and testicles, learn about bio safety, parasites, nutrition, fencing and predator control, and take photos, of course. Thanks to all responsible for the very good day.