Cathy Minerva Calls for Art & talks about The Somer Thompson Foundation

Stormy Sea by Cathy Minerva

Hello All. My name is Cathy Minerva and I am an encaustic artist in GA.  Next month is the 1st Annual Purple Sunshine Motorcycle Ride and Somer Concert in Grove Springs, Florida.   I am honored be in charge of this event's silent auction. The ride, concert, and auction will be held the last weekend of April, 2011.

The event proceeds will go to the Somer Thompson Foundation. I encourage you to check out their website: http://www.somerthompsonfoundation.org. From their site - "The Somer Thompson Foundation was formed in March 2010 after the abduction and murder of 7 year old Somer Thompson. The Foundation is dedicated to providing education, resources and help to victims of crimes against children...."  (Click here for the Foundation's complete mission statement)

This project is near and dear to all of our hearts as no family should every have to bear the tragedy of what happened to Somer.   I have been working with Bobby Ingram, lead guitarist for the band, Molly Hatchet for some time to make this happen.  He is also the board president and faithful lobbyer for stronger laws regarding child safety laws and stricter reporting of sex offenders.

 
We are accepting any type of art or handmade item to be auctioned at this event.  This is a family/child friendly event!  If you or someone you know would like to participate, please email me at minervasmadness@gmail.com  Donations need to be to me by April 20th.  Artisans are encouraged to put contact info on their donation.  

I am pleased to announce that my artisan and handmade website, EarthGaia, will be opening a perpetual shop called Artisans and Musicians for JUSTICE with proceeds going to the foundation. Any items not sold at the event will be placed in the perpetual shop for sale.

All donations are tax deductible through the 501(c)3 foundation laws.  If you wish a tax receipt, please include a brief note with your name, address and fair market value
 

Event flyers can be seen at http://www.bikerslove2ride4kids.com and http://www.earthgaia.com. EarthGaia  will be posting a donation button on the front page very soon for monetary donations.  No item or dollar donation is every too small to make a difference! You can also find event updates on the Bikefest Florida 2011 Facebook Page

Let's show people how big the heart of the art community always is with our support of this very worthy cause.  Thank you!

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Hello all, Stacey here. When Cathy first mentioned this silent auction for such a worthy cause, I knew I needed to help spread the word. Please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested in donating to or attending this weekend-long event! 

Cathy & I have talked about featuring her art on for this blog. We'll pull something together soon. In the meantime, here are a few more thoughts she had to share:

How did you get involved with the Somer Thompson foundation? 
 
CM: Actually, I had read a post on FaceBook on the Molly Hatchet page that they were doing a benefit concert for Somer in 2009.  Knowing the guys, I knew it would be a worthwhile cause so I checked it out. Later, I had the idea then to open a perpetual shop where all proceeds went directly to the STF via paypal.  I sent a message to Bobby,  and we started the plan from there.  I invited them for dinner out here but time constraints were too tight for them when they were going to be close to us, so we burned up the phone lines for quite a while making plans and throwing out ideas.  Molly Hatchet released their newest cd with a tribute song to Somer.  It is a wonderful song guaranteed to bring out the kleenex.  You can hear it on the STF website.

How did you meet Bobby Ingram? 

CM: I met Bobby and the Molly Hatchet band members on our first Simple Man Cruise in 2009.  Then renewed the friendship, especially with Phil McCormack, lead singer on the Simple Man Cruise,  Jan. 2010.  He called us after the cruise and said to be sure to come to any Hatchet concert around us and let them know we were going to be there.  So, when Hatchet came close to us in Oct., 2010, we went, visited with the band and had a blast.  

I then threw out the idea of EarthGaia doing a perpetual shop for the Somer Thompson Foundation since I knew Bobby could help get that approved.  He is the board president.  He was intrigued and asked me to do a proposal/business plan and he would present it to the board.  My heart just went out to the cause thinking of all the families who have had this type of unspeakable crime committed against them.

And speaking of cruises, Molly Hatchet will be on the Rock Legends Cruise this December with an unbelievable lineup.  Should be a rockin' good time! 

Music had a strong influence on your art. Could you tell us a bit about that?

CM: Music is most definitely my muse.  I almost always have the cd player on in the studio when I am working and most of the time there is music playing in our home.  One of the joys of working from home is you get to play your music when you want!  I thoroughly enjoy seeing album cover art, too.  That is also inspiring to me.  I can definitely tell what type of music I was listening to according to the feel of my work.  Thank goodness I have lots of variety!
 

Thanks for stopping by, Cathy, with the Call To Artists and information about The Somer Thompson Foundation and BikeFest Florida 2011. I look forward to taking with you soon about your encaustic artwork and EarthGaia website.

And thanks to any of you who have taken the time to visit with us today. Please spread the word about the call for art and associated events. If you would like to donate handmade items +/or artwork please contact Cathy at minervasmadness@gmail.com.

Dragon's for Nathan - will you help?

Dragon Music - ACEO

Nathan loves dragons. Nathan also has cancer. 

You can read this 7 year old's  story at http://www.nathanlev.com.  (He also has an etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NathanLev - Please stop by & give it a "fave" if you are so inclined.)

Artist (& generous soul) Kimberly Wlassak put a call out on facebook last week for small dragon art for Nathan. She is seeking art small enough for him to enjoy from bed, preferably ACEOs (2.5" x 3.5"). She will be collecting the artworks over the next few weeks.

Red Fire Breathing Dragon & Castle by the little dude

Little Dude & I made some pieces for Nathan today. Will you join us and send some cheer to this brave boy?

If you want to make a dragon for Nathan or have any questions about this project, please contact Kimberly at gerushiasworld@aol.com.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Count your blessings & have a wonderful week.

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Oops, I forgot to thank the sources that went into the digital ACEO on the top. Thank yous to:

Kimmie at DigitalWhisper.ning.com for use of logo

 

 

 

 

AshenSorrow on DevaintArt for Premade Background 1158

Rivendell-Photosock on DeviantArt for Sleeping Dragon

The model is nicked from Anthropologie catalog - shhhh... I won't tell if you don't. And I'll have to get back to you on the music source- it has  been on my computer for ages & I've misplaced the owner.

You should answer Seth Apter's Call to Artists

Hey there. How are you today? 

Today's featured artist had a sudden change of plans &, silly me, I don't have the back-up schedule going yet. But I do have a two part post I'd like to share with you. 

Part 1 is an exciting call for entries from one of my favorite artists & bloggers, Seth Apter.

Soteria by Seth Apter

Seth creates amazing assemblages, altered books & other mixed media pieces. His art is often filled with striking colors, textures and something almost primeval. Check some of it out at TheAlteredPage.etsy.com. You can also view Seth's creations in various galleries, as well as a number of books and magazines. Find links to these venues & publications on his fantastic blog, TheAlteredPage.blogspot.com. (By the way, all images in this post are courtesy of Seth Apter. Click on the captions for more details.)

Finders Keepers by Seth Apter

The Altered Page blog is one of my top 10 favorite places on the web. There is always something artsy & exciting going on over there. You never know what you might will find, but you know it will be good! Perhaps you'll enjoy updates on a collaborative disintegration project, or gorgeous photographs of Prague.  Or maybe some intriguing work-in-progress shots which leave you wanting more. 

Elemental lll by Seth Apter

One of my favorite regular features is the ongoing series, The Pulse. Seth presents questions to artists and then shares their replies in a succession of posts. These artists have responded with book reviews, favorite materials, samples of their work, studio photos & other intriguing answers. You can find links to these posts on the right side of his blog.

from the TheAlteredPage.Blogspot.com

And now is your chance to play along! The Pulse is now going to be published as a book. Seth has put out a Call for Entries. There are two opportunities, one is a series of thought provoking questions & the other is a call for artwork. But the deadlines are right around the corner, so don't wait.  Click Here to read all about the new book and how you might be a part of it.

Now git! But be sure to pop back here later for Part 2 of today's post, the new Thursday Giveaway. I have to go feed some hungry boys, but I'll be back in few hours with the new prize & contest rules.

Monday's Muse: Jamie Ribisi-Braley wants YOUR story

Morning All - How're ya doin? Hope you're off to a good week

Over at Maternal Spark (where I sometimes get my dose of "weekly inspiration") Heather is feeling restless. Perhaps she'd be interested in artist Jamie Ribisi-Braley's new project.

I heard about Jamie's Call For Stories last week & thought (a) How cool is that?! & (b) That would make a great post for Monday's Muse. SO check it out - here's the post:

I need YOUR story for a new art project!

So, I'm working on a new art project. I'd like to have other people help me by sharing your stories and photos. This can be about you or you can enlist someone else to submit their info to me. ((Feel free to pass on this info!))

Here's a vague idea-- I don't want to taint it with details so I'm trying to keep it simple:

Tell me how you feel tied down and/or rooted to something/someone/place/whatever OR how you have felt knocked down.

It can be a good or a bad thing.
It can be sad, funny, plain, or grand.
A story of any length will work (one sentence or a long story).
This can be anonymous to the world or have your name and location attached, your choice.
I need a clear photograph of the participant which I will slightly alter to work with my project.

Email me the above and if I will send you a release form so that I can use your story & image. jamieribisi {at} gmail.com

Pretty cool, huh?

I've been a fan of Jamie's art since I stumbled onto her etsy shop

Reclining Figure by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

At first it was the quality of line & vibrant colors that caught my eye

Ghosts of the Past 1 by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

Then I noticed a fun touch of whimsy to certain pieces, like the Amount of Tea I Drink In A Week series created in encaustic, wood & tea.

The Amount of Tea I drink in a Week by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

I'd also like to mention that Jamie lives in Manchester, Maine where she runs an artists retreat Sweetland Retreat. Click on the link for more info. In addition to lists of classes, there are some pics of her renovations & even a live webcam. Beautiful part of the country (but I am biased, as I grew up nearby).

Back the project - I found the whole thing intriguing so I asked Jamie for a little more info to share:

photo by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: This project slowly started coming into my mind when I was collecting sawed off tree limbs from some dead trees in my yard. As I picked them up I began to think that they looked like people and I starting thinking of the stories that they could each tell me. How they were all so different and so old, yet they all were made of the same parts. I planned on transferring images of the people whose stories I'm collecting onto each piece of wood and then using mixed media to enhance the pieces. I'll be attaching tags to them with their stories and may even get some multi-media going in conjunction with my husband, who is a media artist. I'd like to try to introduce some video & audio into an installation gallery setting once it's all complete.

photo by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: I just opened up an Artist Retreat in Maine, Sweetland Retreat. I've heard so many stories from instructors, artists, and other visitors about their lives and their trials. This got me thinking that it would be interesting to tell their stories as part of my project. I've started collecting stories and would love to have some more from people that I know as well as people that I've never met.

Ghosts of the Past #4 by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: Part of the work will be made with encaustic paint, which I've been using as my primary medium of choice lately (because it's REALLY addicting!) Encaustic preserves and encapsulates what you put inside of it and, because of that, I thought it really lent itself well to my idea. There's a long way to go before realizing the project but it all starts right now with the collection of the stories....which may very well prove to be my favorite part!

Rainbow Party Pack Handmade Encaustic Wax Paint set of 9 Made by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

By the way, Jamie makes her own encaustic medium, which she uses in her art & also sells on etsy. Click the above photo for more info.

So, Doesn't that like a cool project? How about giving Jamie a hand & send an email to jamieribisi {at} gmail.com with your story & photo. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with, aren't you?

Want to find out more about Jamie's world & art? Check out these links:

http://jamieribisi.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jamieribisi
http://jamieribisi.blogspot.com
http://sweetlandretreat.com