Enjoying the Hudson River

Living in small cities and towns along the Hudson River,

we're constantly reminded of it's ever changing beauty. Morning

to evening, day to day and season to season it never fails to 

intrigue and delight. However, the warm months allow me

to get close access to the shoreline as some access roads are

closed during the icy months. So a few times a week we

are spending delightful time there with our little grandson.

 He (and we) love to investigate the shore line to find what curiosity

 has appeared at low tide.

 

River glass and interesting stones seem to be the most intriguing.

 

A small family of Canadian Geese, so lovely to look at, but messy things......

 

The little man is getting really good at skipping stones!

 

If I lived in this house I would probably never move from the veranda!

 

I just have to be content with sitting here occasionally.....gorgeous isn't it?

The Dog Days of Summer

It's wonderful to be near water when the weather is so terribly hot. After lunch in NewPaltz we took a ride out to Tuthilltown Distillery and walked the grounds a bit. The restaurant there overlooks this stream running under the old mill.

Time spent by the beautiful Hudson River is always rejuvenating for me, this day the Sloop was out in all it's glory!

Lunch with two very dear friends at the Culinary Institute of America in the newly revamped Apple Pie Cafe was amazing! This fountain is out in front of the building and overlooks the river.

I am busy getting ready for the fall with some new artwork and ideas, thankfully my lower level studio is so nice and cool!

Art Prints and Springtime

This snowy cold winter is loathe to leave us here in the northeast. We awake to snow or frost on many days that should be warming the soil.

I haven't given up on spring, it's on the way, it has just been slowly awakening.

This little man had a wonderful time searching for eggs this Easter. With the 

spring comes his birthday, three already!

Many train rides to NYC for not so great reasons....but the marsh views are beginning to

perk up.

Most days I have been in production mode, there are quite a few steps to producing these art blocks. It's important to have the wood cut cleanly and straight and my husband does a wonderful job of this with his big table saw.
Sanding the edges and then covering with vintage paper is accomplished with the help of a very sweet dear friend.
I print on a Epson Artisan printer on a lovely satiny finished paper, then mount it on the wood block.

This batch of 5x5 Art Prints on Wood are heading to 

Arts Mid-Hudson's Dutchess Handmade Pop-up Shop

Starting April 27th until May 19th.

They are located at 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Suite E

Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

www.artsmidhudson.org

Hope to see you there!

A visit to Dia:Beacon.

A few weeks ago when my younger son was in for a visit, we spent a few hours at the Dia: Beacon. A contemporary art museum in Beacon, NY which is a small city along the Hudson River.

I love this pathway!

So many light filled areas.

The building itself was originally used as manufacturing plant producing Nabisco boxes.

 

The architecture is as amazing as the art within.

If you are in the Northeast and haven't visited yet, you should!
If you are planning a trip any time in the future, make sure to put this as a stop.

Sue
https://www.etsy.com/shop/digiliodesigns?show_panel=true

Garrison Riverside Craft Fair 2015

It is the most beautiful venue that I participate in. The Hudson River is one of the most majestic rivers in the world.

My booth never looks the same from fair to fair, but this setup is by far the prettiest setup for my booth yet!

The customers were a delight, very engaging and interesting to meet and talk to. My vendor neighbors were all sweet and fun to spend time with.

The weather, although sunny with no rain, was horribly hot, humid and  miserable! Lots of ice, water, wet towels and my latest obsession; cold brewed iced coffee!!!

This Year At the Fair!

 

I have had a whirlwind of a week! Actually The past three weeks have been so busy with preparation for this years Country Living Show in Rhinebeck, NY 

After all the creating (which is the fun part) comes all the packing. Boxes and boxes

stacked and ready.

I think that my booth looked really great this year. 

My husband assembled piping for me to

hold my walls up with. Since these spaces are very generous spaces, he was able

 to adapt to the correct size.

 

We are in the barns up on what they call livestock hill. They are very open

and airy. Filled with sawdust it is a very rustic look.

I met some very lovely people from all over the United States, Canada, England and some visitors from 

Australia! 

Friday and Saturday were beautiful but the heat came in on Sunday

and we all were melting. 

I felt so good to get home and put my feet up :)

On My Drawing Table....New Art.... Sheep Series

I am branching out a bit 

(not that I don't still love my birds)

and have been working on a series of sheep paintings.

Living here in the Hudson River Valley there are so many 

beautiful sheep farms scattered about.

 I love the contrast in this one between the blues and greens

of the sky and grass

and the blacks and grays of the sheep.

 And this guy just makes me smile, what a happy face!

They are done in acrylic on canvas, small paintings that are 8 x 10 inches.

I have the prints listed on my ETSY site.

We are still dealing with yet another Polar Vortex here in the northeast.

I am encouraged by the new month, we are closer to spring than to winter so it

can't be much longer now before we can open the windows!

Poet's Walk in Red Hook NY

A beautiful walk through a wooded glen opening up into sun light filled meadows.

When I think that Washington Irving strolled these same paths, I truly could understand how he was inspired by this landscape.

The first part of this walk is a very easy one and a woman ahead of us

pushed her baby in a stroller without any problems.

You can sit a bit in the shade in this lovely pavilion overlooking the river.

Of course I didn't take a picture there.....

This ancient stone bridge passes over the ravine that leads closer to the river.

 

The river and the Catskill Mountains peak through various spots like little framed pictures.

Another small gazebo to sit and rest before the trip back and out.

Overall it was a easy walk, but strollers would not make it past the first gazebo.

I do want to go back during the fall colors, it will be breath taking!

For more info please check out this website:

http://www.scenichudson.org/parks/poetswalk

Heart Lady Pincushions

 

I forgot to mention yesterday that the teacup mice are useful pincushions.

As are these lovely ladies.......

 

Each one is unique with a hand drawn face that surprisingly is different

on each one. She is a very helpful sewing companion or a willing

assistant on your dresser for pins and such.

 

Each one is also uniquely adorned with vintage buttons, ribbons and

other items.

I do hope that you will stop by my booth in Rhinebeck and visit!

The Tea Cup Mice are Ready!

 

As you can see, I have been busy.....

 

each little mouse is unique.

 

I do have too much fun with these guys!

 

I cut and stuff and sew each little mousie, then it is a

challenge to get just the right teacup.

Sometimes I find something other than a teacup that will work too.

This sweet little guy will be at the Country Living Fair in June.