"For The Nest"

I recently completed the following collage, which is inspired by a good friend of my loved one.  At a friend's wedding this past fall, he talked to me for hours about his spirit animal: the osprey.  I so admired his conviction that the osprey is the best, most stately and graceful animal on the planet, and I had already been thinking of doing a piece on an osprey.  So, after several months of letting my mind work with that inspiration, here is the art!

This piece is about commitment: to the pursuit of one's own goals and desires, to holding onto those achievements once they're attained, to others (particularly family), and also the commitment of others to oneself.

"For The Nest"
5"x7" cut paper on wood panel
© Nicolette Callaway 2014

I also currently have a piece in a juried group show, "Small Works," at the Shirt Factory Gallery in Glens Falls, NY through the month of April.  If you're around, check it out, but otherwise, please feel free to view online.

"One"
5"x5" cut paper on canvas
© Nicolette Callaway 2013

Daily Grind, new Website

I have artwork currently on display through the month of August at The Daily Grind in Troy, NY. Definitely check it out if you're over that way.

Also, I have launched my new website: www.nicolettecallaway.com. Woohoo! Take a look! 

Happenings

This past holiday time I ventured to Nantucket for my first encounter with this island... A beautiful place it is, magical and filled with delicious-smelling flowers and salty sea air. During my stay, I was pleased to have another summer moth encounter. This moth did not fly at my head, and was slightly smaller and more traditionally brown-colored, though not to mistake the brilliant orange when it opened its wings. Remark how you will upon that... And it has been quite a while since I have traveled on a boat, on the ocean, and never that I can recall with white-crested waves rippling on top of blue. Always it had been dirty brown. Without further detail, I experienced much for art inspiration. 

Tonight, I return to Albany, for 1st Friday art openings, and I hope you come out. I will still have work at Mingle, but I will also have artwork at The Cheese Traveler, and in the "Midsummer Night's Dream" show at Upstate Artists Guild. I'm excited for the shows.

Tomorrow morning I'll be back in Delmar, selling cards, prints and stickers at the Delmar Farmers Market, and I hope you'll join me in the sun.

Monday I turn 30.

Troy Night Out, Delmar

It's that time again! Troy Night out tomorrow night-- my piece, "Keeper of Secrets," depicting a lynx, will be exhibited in the Fence Select show at the Arts Center. 

Then on Saturday, from 9am to 1pm, I'll be at the Delmar Farmers Market at Bethlehem Central Middle School, selling prints, cards, stickers, and original collages. 

As a reminder, you can purchase my prints and cards online at Etsy.com, or at The Cheese Traveler in Albany or T and J Soaps in Troy. Or just email me.

Upcoming: First Friday in Albany (7/5), I'll have collages exhibited at The Cheese Traveler, at Mingle restaurant, and at the Upstate Artists Guild gallery on Lark Street, in their "Midsummer Night's Dream" show. Don't miss it!

Troy River Fest

It's tomorrow! Saturday, June 15th, 10-5. Come check it out! Art, crafts, food, music, and other fun!

Art on Lark

Don't forget Art on Lark this Saturday! There will be tons of art, music, and food vendors. I'll be there selling prints, cards and stickers! Come on out!

Also, remember 1st Friday this Friday. I've got new work up at Mingle (540 Delaware Ave) for the month. Yes, it is my work, not artwork by Nicolette Sheridan, as the 1st Friday printed maps incorrectly indicate. 

Look forward to seeing you there!

"Seeing Green: Environmentally Conscious Art" - New Exhibit

May's 1st Friday is a big one.

Just last evening I hung a show at the Stage 1 Gallery of the Albany Barn (46-48 N. Swan St., Albany).  "Seeing Green: Environmentally Conscious Art" will feature seven pieces of mine, as well as works by four other artists.  As you may know, all of my artwork is created from very small pieces of paper cut from celebrity gossip and fashion magazines, transforming the magazines into collages focused on the four natural elements and totem animals, that make a larger statement about how we live in our natural world and how we connect with each other.  My art is dually environmentally conscious.

Three of my new pieces are on display; one is a triptych I created when I was away in Austin, TX for three weeks.  The piece is called "The Path" and features five vultures, two hawks and a gryphon.  Really, it's about purification, a movement away from a stage of innocence, through a self-awakening and on toward spiritual enlightenment.  (A picture is below, but unfortunately it came out a bit blurry, so you'll really just have to get on out to the show.)

As I said in my last post, about fifteen of my pieces are currently on display at Mingle (540 Delaware Ave., Albany).  Though I do not have new pieces there, likely there are pieces you have not seen, so I recommend getting out there, having drinks/dinner, and checking out some artwork.  Support local business and local artists at the same time!

"The Path"
8"x10" (triptych)
cut paper
© Nicolette Callaway 2013

Show at Mingle

Many of my collages are currently on display at Mingle, a fantastic restaurant at 540 Delaware Ave in Albany, and will be up throughout the month of May. Definitely go have dinner or a drink there and check it out!

Craft fairs

It looks as though until the summer I will be presenting my wares once a month at the Albany JCC monthly craft fair. Today it's 11-3, and you should definitely come check it out.

Additionally, please note that I have cards, prints, originals, and tote bags at The Cheese Traveler shop on Delaware Ave. in Albany, and cards at T&J Soaps on River St. in Troy. You may go buy them anytime the shops are open!

In Art We Trust - Show

Come check out First Friday tonight in Albany! My piece "Falcon Says To Crows" is in the show at Upstate Artists Guild, "In Art We Trust," throughout the month.

Art on Lark

Come check out Art on Lark 2012 this Saturday, June 9th, 10am-5pm (tomorrow!).  There will be music, food, and of course, lots of art!  I'll be hawking my wares closer to Madison Ave, offering fine art prints, card prints, original artwork, handmade jewelry, hand sewn fabric bags, and, of course, sock monsters! 

I'm looking forward to the weather getting rain completely out of its system today so that tomorrow is bright and calm and balmy, with nonexistent wind action.  Let's see the power of positive thinking!

Craft Fairs, Sock Monsters, and More!

Come check out my upcoming craft fairs!  I'll be at the Delmar Farmer's Market (www.delmarmarket.org) every Saturday through Dec. 17th, 9am-1pm, and this coming weekend I'll be at the Congregation Beth Emeth "Walking in a Winter Shopping Land" craft fair, Sunday Dec. 5th, 10am-4pm.

I mentioned before that I've added Sock Monsters to my product line.  Now, I've had some "Ugly Doll" comparisons/comments come up in the last few weeks, and I'd like to dispel any myths and associations with those fine products... my Sock Monsters are made from repurposed/recycled/"upcycled" materials.  They are hand-made.  They have unique postures and personalities.  They do not have names.  They are yours to name when you give them a home.

Some of these "monsters" are like the monsters you live with -- your pets, parents, children, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents -- you name it.  These little guys become family.  They are monsters in the most loveable sense.  Sometimes bordering on adorable.  And sometimes they have a special meaning.  Recently I sold my "Say No To Sweatshops" monster, who had a "Made in Macau" emblem sewn on his belly.  He was not made in Macau by tiny impoverished and underpaid hands.  Rather, he was made by a loving, thinking artist who is still slightly impoverished and underpaid.  But I will admit that my opportunities are greater, my choice pool is broader, and my quality of life is higher.  So support local artists, not money-grubbing conglomerate corporations who outsource their jobs to starving people who they do not adequately pay, and rather feed off of their deprivations like parasites.

I didn't get a picture of this sock monster before he was bought by people who will love him.


I will also be featured in a group art show at the Howe Library this 1st Friday, December 4th, 6:30-8:30pm.  Reception, refreshments, and live music will accompany.  I wouldn't miss it.

Delmar Farmers Market, Albany Fall Craft Beer Festival

This past Saturday I hocked my wares at the Delmar Farmers Market for the first time.  In the winter time it moves inside Bethlehem Middle School, and goes from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.  This coming weekend I'll be at the FUUSA Holiday Bazaar in Albany (see previous post), but then I'll be back to Delmar every Saturday through Dec. 17th, so definitely come check it out. 

I also teamed up to lend a hand to The Cheese Traveler on Saturday evening at the Albany Fall Craft Beer Festival at the Armory.  The Cheese Traveler is a premier purveyor of fine, hand-crafted local artisan cheeses, and they can also be found at the Delmar Farmers Market every Saturday.  They do cheese plates for parties, events, dinners and holidays, and they sell cheese on special order, too.  Email them at thecheesetraveler@earthlink.net and like them on Facebook!  (You can like me on Facebook, too.)

Current Show - Moon & River Cafe

I hung a show yesterday. I've got 11 original pieces up at the Moon & River Cafe in Schenectady (115 Ferry St.). Go check it out!

The exhibit will run throughout the month of November, and a reception will be held Friday, Nov. 19th at 6pm, with live music by Mike Popoulopoulous. Should be fun!