"Dear Diary..."

latest Fairfield newsletter article

Dear Friends,
As my summer at the Fairfield comes to an end, I have been reflecting on my many varied experiences as an intern and docent. I now know how Brett Favre must have felt; it's time to go, but I still want to play the game...

I'd like to share with you the top 10 things I learned while working at the Fairfield this summer:

#10 Spackling can be very zen.

#9 There's no such thing as "just a little touch-up painting" in an art gallery.

#8 As one visitor recently exclaimed, "Oh, that Henry Moore!"

#7 Plexiglas is deceptively heavy. (I have the bruises to prove it.)

#6 There really is a huge difference between flat and satin paint, even if they're both "Fairfield White."

#5 No matter how many times you proofread, or how much you plan, there's always an error that slips through. (Should "proofread" be hyphenated?) It should be embraced, not feared!

#4 "Not for profit" is just another way of saying, "W e need more money to do that." (Should "not for profit" be hyphenated? Did I spell "hyphenated" correctly?)

#3 Most children will stand still and look at contemporary art, if given the right incentive (see above article about "Find It!").

#2 Volunteers rule!

And the #1 thing I learned while working at the Fairfield (drum roll, please):

When one bridge closes, another one opens.

All joking aside, I have truly enjoyed my summer here. I also learned just how much work is involved in operating an art center like this one, how lucky we are to have the staff and volunteers that we do, and how special it is to have this art center in Sturgeon Bay. As we approach our fall season, we will once again be in need of volunteers, especially docents, and I hope you will consider giving a couple hours of your time to welcome visitors through the doors of the Fairfield

Best wishes,

Patty O'Rourke
Summer Docent

news from the Fairfield

thought I would share my article in the Fairfield Museum's latest newsletter, along with my "docent diary" collage, as it progresses:

Dear Friends,

Because of its not-for-profit status, the Fairfield Art Center relies on the generosity of its members and friends to help support our mission. And let's face it, times are tough. No matter what your income bracket, you've noticed that it takes more money to fill the gas tank, buy groceries and just live day to day.

But that should not stop any of us from giving to the causes and organizations we care about. We just need to get a bit creative.

One of the easiest ways I have found to give a little on a regular basis is through an internet search engine called GoodSearch. You may designate the Fairfield Art Center as the organization "you search for," and then each time you do a search on your computer, a penny is donated to the Fairfield. That may not seem like much, but if we had 100 supporters that averaged two searches per day, the estimated revenue per year would be $730. If you do a lot of shopping online, you also may use the "GoodShop" sites such as Amazon and Target to shop for us, and an average of 3% of the sales will be donated.

Another way to give while you shop is by registering your Piggly Wiggly "Greenbax" or your Pick 'n Save or Copps "We Care" program points to be donated to the Fairfield. Just stop at the customer service counter the next time you go for groceries and sign up. A percentage of the total spent at participating stores is given back to each not-for-profit organization. It's an easy way to make that extra money that you're now spending every week count toward something else.

When you are planning cash contributions, check with your employer to see if the company will match your donation. Many companies already have such programs in place, and if not, you may just be the person to get things started.

Speaking of planning, have you made out your will? I know, estate planning is one of the last things most people really want to think about. But as someone who has been left behind to deal with such matters, believe me when I say it is one of the kindest things you can do for your loved ones. And making sure the things that you have come to appreciate in your lifetime carry on for future generations is a wonderful gift.

Time is something else you might consider giving. We're always looking for volunteers for a variety of events and tasks. Call us, and we will put you on our volunteer list. When we need someone for something, we'll send an e-mail to this group; if you're available, let us know.

Finally, have you considered recycling as a form of giving? Perhaps there is something taking up space in your closet/garage/attic that could be put to good use by someone else. The Fairfield now has a "Wish List" that will be posted on our Web site, on our blog and in the e-newsletter, so please check it from time to time. Does anyone have a coffee maker they would like to re-gift? The one in the office occasionally leaks, and I fear for the safety of the fax machine!

Best wishes,

Patty O'Rourke
Summer Docent

docent diary (collage, in progress)

things have been hectic around here, and I had hoped to post more this past week about some of it, but I just don't know where the time goes!
but, I'm getting lots of things done, in several "categories" of my life, and will share soon.
later,
Patty

good mail

actually, I've had fantastic mail in the past few days, so I thought I would share.
I ordered a deck of Tracy Roos' Artist Playing Cards from her etsy shop, and when she says you get free goodies with your order, she means it!
along with my deck of cards (which I ordered as a gift and will have a hard time parting with!), she wrote a lovely note, enclosed her moo card, and a pair of earrings made on blank scrabble tiles!
what a lovely package of fun stuff!
so, thank you, Tracy, and hope you will be blogging again soon.
hers was actually one of the first artists' blogs that I discovered, began visiting on a regular basis, and because of that, I decided to start my own.

will post more goodies tomorrow.
later,
Patty

vernal equinox

it has been quite the week, but I wanted to make sure I acknowledged the First Day of Spring!
(yesterday, that is.)
and it was so beautiful!
I was glad to have dog-walking duty for both our neighbors' dog, Chamois, and my own sweet Snickers.
we've had the three sure-signs of better weather ahead - singing robins, the return of red-winged blackbirds and sandhill cranes, and the almost constant running of the sump pump!
today, unfortunately, it turned cold, and there's talk of snow in parts of the state.
crap.
but it's Friday, Patrick is home, dinner is in the oven - life is good.
and I'm hopeful that spring will eventually come to stay.
have to go work on my IF submission on the topic of "pet peeves."
this should be good...
later,
Patty

in the pink

Jo Anne of Paper Cat's Page is hosting a very cool collaborative book project, and I'm participating.
she's putting together of book of entries by artists from all over, with PINK as the theme, and pretty much, anything goes!
for all the details, size restriction, etc., go HERE.
I don't "do" a lot of pink, so it took me awhile to decide how to approach this challenge.
but I was going through my materials for the "going postal" class that I teach, and decided a pink postcard would be perfect.

it's made on an old BINGO card, with bits and pieces cut from a couple of magazines and catalogs.
I'll go to the post office tomorrow, and ask if they have some pink stamps to put on it!
thanks Jo Anne, hope it arrives in good condition.
later,
Patty

small projects

one of my "good intentions" for 2008 (I don't call them resolutions, it just doesn't work, and then I'm plagued with guilt, and I have enough of that now already) is to come up with new ways to use up scrap paper.
I have a card display thing that hangs in my dining room, and we put up all the greeting cards that we receive.
I emptied it before Christmas, to make room for the holiday cards, and realized that I have this huge stash of old greeting cards, and decided they should be the resource material of choice for awhile.
well, I've been making these 4/8 page mini-books-that-could-substitute-for-cards, and it's a lot of fun!
you can add pockets and tabs and any number of doo-dads to personalize them, and I've made them completely out of scrap paper and recycled junk mail, including the envelopes.

the birthday book is made completely from recycled birthday cards.
the Welcome to Today! is a little calendar book - last year's wall calendar had a page at the end with 2008, just the right size.
the Christmas one has all the return address labels from the holiday cards and packages we received, so I had them all in one place for thank-you notes, and a little reference thing for next year.
and the heart-shaped one will be mailed today to my friend, Carrie - a thank-you card for taking care of our critters while we were gone to Milwaukee on Monday.
the finished size is about 3" by 5" , give or take, depending on how you finish it off, so they could be mailed in a regular normal greeting card, as well.
maybe I should develop this into a class...
have to run to town, it's errand day.
stay warm, or dry, or whatever - this has been the strangest January, weather-wise!
later,
Patty

the Fort Wayne connection

a few years ago, we applied to a relatively new art show, held in Ft. Wayne, IN.
we were accepted, and made plans to spend Father's Day weekend doing the show, and visiting Patrick's father and step-mother, who live there.
business with pleasure, works for me.
and, although it was beastly hot, the Covington Fine Art Fair was the best show we did that year.
and it continues to be the best show for us, year after year.
and now, we have a contemporary art gallery there that has taken my work, for their annual holiday show.
Deb Washler, the executive director of Artlink, was a customer in the booth this past June, and e-mailed me last month, asking if I would participate in their "gift box" show, running now until Christmas.
we thought we might be able to make the trip down, to deliver stuff in person, but we just couldn't swing it, just now, and I had to ship my stuff to them.
so, to Deb and all my other customers in Indiana, I send my thanks.
and if you're near that part of the planet, please stop by Artlink, and then tell me about the place.
we'll definitely have to visit in June, if not before.
now, I have to get my donation piece to the Fairfield...
later,
Patty

"The sun. fish"

can't spend much time on the computer today, too many errands to run.
it's warm & sunny today, so I thought I'd post this little piece.
sure wish I was fishing today!

posted a few more books to sell through amazon ("BOOKS FOR SALE" on the right) last night, changed prices on a few others, so now all the paperbacks are $5 and all the hardcovers are $10.
simplifying my life, baby step by baby step!
have a great day,
later,
Patty

REAL mail

getting the mail is one of the highlights of my day.
my mailbox had the usual today - a couple of bills, a store flyer, some other junk - but it also had two wonderful examples of mail art, made by Tania, who participated in my "going postal" class at Assemblage last week!
and they're incredible!
a postcard, with a "renegade artist" on it, and a handmade envelope (made from a map of New Orleans, among other things) with a real, handwritten letter inside!

Tania, I hope you read this - it made my day!
it made my week!

and my e-mail wasn't bad today, either.
received my first two orders for checkbook covers.
back to work,
later,
Patty

going postal

this is one of the samples I've made for my "going postal" mail art class I'll be teaching at Assemblage on Aug. 23rd.
I love taking mail art to the post office in Sturgeon Bay - the two women who normally work the counter are really cool, and no longer look at me funny when I bring something in to be weighed, measured, and scrutinized for postal infractions.
but, as with everything, there has been a learning curve.
my niece called me last fall, after I mailed an embellished postcard to her at school, to tell me she thought it was really cool, but then asked me why I had put Scotch tape across the entire front of the card.
well, I hadn't.
some well-meaning but clueless postal worker had decided it just wouldn't be safe without a complete covering of tape.
so now, I always take these pieces INTO the post office, rather than just dropping them in the box outside.
and if there's any question, I'm right there to explain, or hear the problem explained, in person.
today, no problem.
it was an odd size, so it had to go as a letter. (I knew that.)
it was exactly one ounce, but there's also a surcharge for the odd size. (I knew that, too.)
the total was 58 cents.
and the two women at the counter wanted to know if I was going to teach the class anywhere in Door County!
wouldn't that be a hoot - a mail art class for postal employees!!
we may be on to something here...

oh - the show in Ephraim was, well, hot.
and tiring.
set-up was easy.
met some lovely people.
had lots of fun with my friend, Brenda.
but didn't sell much.
actually, if I'm honest about all the time and expense, I lost money by doing the show.
oh, well, it was worth a try.
Snickers is waiting for his walk, so I better go.
later,
Patty