diana d darden: My Constant Quest.........
I love being an artist...: My Constant Quest......... I love being an artist. I love being in my studio with my studio mate, Flora Adora ( she is so helpful!) a...
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
My Constant Quest.........
I love being an artist. I love being in my studio with my studio mate, Flora Adora ( she is so helpful!)
and all of my stuff. I have collected a lot of stuff... a lot, and most of it is small. Beads, charms, bits of this and that.
If you have read any of my other blogs, you know that I am easily distracted. My mind feels like it is in constant motion, and the feeling is amplified with all of the bits and pieces on my work table. Shiny. Old mushy papers. Pieces of chain. And on and on.
My constant quest has been to find the perfect thing to store all of my goods, and to have easy access to them.
EUREKA!!!
I saw a picture of a beautiful turquoise hardware store cabinet on the PORCH AND atelier Facebook page.
This is a wonderful shop in Buffalo, Mn. I started bombarding the owner, Teresa DeJarlais (I had not met her....yet!) with questions about the piece. I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, when Steve and I were on are vacation in July, we went to Buffalo, and went to meet Teresa.And now I wonder, how could I have gone so long without meeting her?? What a treat and a treasure to meet her.
And then the beautiful piece , with close to 300 drawers !!
I was obsessed with it and it was there screaming to be mine. I had a feeling of giddiness that I hadn't felt for a long time. Now, pondering how to get this....
I rarely ask for or want anything, but I felt like I really needed this. Agreement made.
Then, how to get it home????
The most logical thing would have been to hire a mover to get it...oh no!! Logic went out the door when my friend, Anne who owns Mixed Up Designs (and understands) said that it would fit in her car.
Road trip.
Crown on dash.
Starbucks.
Drive.
We arrive and thankfully Teresa is there with help! Beautiful new possession loaded in the car, and I tried not to look at this huge heavy thing, and just kept telling myself that we could get it into the studio...no problem.
We were going to need nourishment to achieve this, and fortunately, we had spotted the happiest looking place on earth...PEPPERMINT TWIST in Delano. Pink and more pink. An old fashioned drive up restaurant !!
We finally decided what to order after studying the menu. But then I saw the sign..NO CARDS.
I had raised a teenager, and as we know, your role is an ATM. I learned not to carry cash, and now this. NO CARDS!! Anne starts digging because I only came up with one dollar, she managed to find what we needed, and then like our collage days, we were scouring for coins to tip our waitress!! We managed to find a respectable amount! Our lunch was yummy divine, and then it was time to continue our journey. The whole time, I was trying to shove the thought about getting my new treasure into the studio into the back of my mind.
Arrive..back in, and READYSETGO! We could not even push the thing an inch.
Determined.
I see our yard crew and wave them over and ask for help. Sure no problem, until they get to the entry and announce that is far as they are allowed to go. Rules. I go into super determination mode, while Anne who is the most logical of the two of us, is saying "this isn't going to happen."
I assure her that we can do it! So after an hour of pushing, pulling, balancing, making straps out of FLoras' leashes, it gets into place.
For some reason, during this process, I kept thinking I have super powers and could move that thing with nearly 300 drawers. I had multiple bruises, sore muscles, and am still tired and it has been a couple of weeks since we did this!!
I spent days painting labels, and sorting!
I have rearranged the studio and loving my work space. I can be at my table, and just spin my chair around, pull out a drawer to get what i need, and put the drawer back where it belongs. This is new and huge for me...to be organized. I still have more to do, things are far from perfect in my studio, but now it is busy time.
Shows booked, class to teach, Etsy shop to get ready for holiday season.. so much to do, but so gleefully giddy and happy when I get to sit at my work table and create! I am so inspired, while sorting and cleaning I was able to rediscover so many treasures that I had "put away"!!!!
So many things to make!!
back to work table now! thank you for taking the time to read this...
diana
I love being an artist. I love being in my studio with my studio mate, Flora Adora ( she is so helpful!)
If you have read any of my other blogs, you know that I am easily distracted. My mind feels like it is in constant motion, and the feeling is amplified with all of the bits and pieces on my work table. Shiny. Old mushy papers. Pieces of chain. And on and on.
My constant quest has been to find the perfect thing to store all of my goods, and to have easy access to them.
EUREKA!!!
I saw a picture of a beautiful turquoise hardware store cabinet on the PORCH AND atelier Facebook page.
And then the beautiful piece , with close to 300 drawers !!
I was obsessed with it and it was there screaming to be mine. I had a feeling of giddiness that I hadn't felt for a long time. Now, pondering how to get this....
I rarely ask for or want anything, but I felt like I really needed this. Agreement made.
Then, how to get it home????
The most logical thing would have been to hire a mover to get it...oh no!! Logic went out the door when my friend, Anne who owns Mixed Up Designs (and understands) said that it would fit in her car.
Road trip.
Crown on dash.
Starbucks.
Drive.
We arrive and thankfully Teresa is there with help! Beautiful new possession loaded in the car, and I tried not to look at this huge heavy thing, and just kept telling myself that we could get it into the studio...no problem.
We were going to need nourishment to achieve this, and fortunately, we had spotted the happiest looking place on earth...PEPPERMINT TWIST in Delano. Pink and more pink. An old fashioned drive up restaurant !!
I had raised a teenager, and as we know, your role is an ATM. I learned not to carry cash, and now this. NO CARDS!! Anne starts digging because I only came up with one dollar, she managed to find what we needed, and then like our collage days, we were scouring for coins to tip our waitress!! We managed to find a respectable amount! Our lunch was yummy divine, and then it was time to continue our journey. The whole time, I was trying to shove the thought about getting my new treasure into the studio into the back of my mind.
Arrive..back in, and READYSETGO! We could not even push the thing an inch.
Determined.
I see our yard crew and wave them over and ask for help. Sure no problem, until they get to the entry and announce that is far as they are allowed to go. Rules. I go into super determination mode, while Anne who is the most logical of the two of us, is saying "this isn't going to happen."
I assure her that we can do it! So after an hour of pushing, pulling, balancing, making straps out of FLoras' leashes, it gets into place.
For some reason, during this process, I kept thinking I have super powers and could move that thing with nearly 300 drawers. I had multiple bruises, sore muscles, and am still tired and it has been a couple of weeks since we did this!!
I spent days painting labels, and sorting!
I have rearranged the studio and loving my work space. I can be at my table, and just spin my chair around, pull out a drawer to get what i need, and put the drawer back where it belongs. This is new and huge for me...to be organized. I still have more to do, things are far from perfect in my studio, but now it is busy time.
Shows booked, class to teach, Etsy shop to get ready for holiday season.. so much to do, but so gleefully giddy and happy when I get to sit at my work table and create! I am so inspired, while sorting and cleaning I was able to rediscover so many treasures that I had "put away"!!!!
So many things to make!!
back to work table now! thank you for taking the time to read this...
diana
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
diana d darden: all these people.....
diana d darden: all these people.....: They kept coming... The first two came from Richmond, Va on different days, then one from Chicago, four from Tennessee, three more from Ch...
all these people.....
They kept coming...
The first two came from Richmond, Va on different days, then one from Chicago, four from Tennessee, three more from Chicago, three from Texas, and the 5 of us who live in Minneapolis and St Paul.
FAMILY
Some might call this a family reunion, it felt more like a perpetual food fest.
I have one sister and four brothers. Some of us hadn't seen each other in a long time. Only 2 of my nieces were not able to come to this gathering. There were spouses to meet (of nephews), and best of all... a new baby to squeeze!!
Growing up in a military family, we are equipt to make important decisions, and since we have Italian roots, most of those decisions are based around food...where we will eat, what we will eat, and who will be prepping it.
You need to have a good balance of diplomacy and patience figuring it out the logistics of where everyone is staying, who will eat what ( one vegan, one paleo, and a vegetarian), how people will get here and there, who wants to see this or that, and most importantly..who gets to hold the baby, and in our family, the baby is the youngest person, til a new one comes along, doesn't matter how old they are! (this finally happened for me when I nabbed him and took him in my room and we jumped on the bed.. the whole time telling him that I would be the auntie who could teach him shenanigans !).
This food fest went on for four days...Indian restaurant, cook out at Debs, bbq at our house (fortunately, Steve comes from a large family too, so he was not at all shaken by the commotion), back to Debs.. more food.
Day 3 at our house, 20 people here. The house was in order, food prepped and then this ..."we want to see your studio." Studio, as usual, not in order. Oh well. If anyone made any comments about the mess, I did not hear them...diplomacy at its finest.
The people in my family are all very different, but we all seem to share the same sense of humor. Lots of laughs those few days!
Last year, everyone from Steves' family was here, this year, my family, and like last year, when everyone went back to their own homes, Steve and I left town for a while. We went to a little lake house where it was blissfully calm and quiet. Steve fished, I slept, read, painted and slept and slept.
I had those quiet days to reflect (when i wasn't sleeping), about our family get together. The same thought kept reoccurring ...I was missing our dad, but knew that he was giddy in heaven, that we had all gotten together, and was laughing with us.
That was a lot of time for me to be away from my studio (the messy side of it), and just wanted to be back in it..working. My head is full of ideas and I have less than 2 months before shows start again.
Designing, making...and still laughing about family, and still full.
And Flora Adora finally got worn out from all the activity!!
diana
The first two came from Richmond, Va on different days, then one from Chicago, four from Tennessee, three more from Chicago, three from Texas, and the 5 of us who live in Minneapolis and St Paul.
FAMILY
Some might call this a family reunion, it felt more like a perpetual food fest.
I have one sister and four brothers. Some of us hadn't seen each other in a long time. Only 2 of my nieces were not able to come to this gathering. There were spouses to meet (of nephews), and best of all... a new baby to squeeze!!
Growing up in a military family, we are equipt to make important decisions, and since we have Italian roots, most of those decisions are based around food...where we will eat, what we will eat, and who will be prepping it.
You need to have a good balance of diplomacy and patience figuring it out the logistics of where everyone is staying, who will eat what ( one vegan, one paleo, and a vegetarian), how people will get here and there, who wants to see this or that, and most importantly..who gets to hold the baby, and in our family, the baby is the youngest person, til a new one comes along, doesn't matter how old they are! (this finally happened for me when I nabbed him and took him in my room and we jumped on the bed.. the whole time telling him that I would be the auntie who could teach him shenanigans !).
This food fest went on for four days...Indian restaurant, cook out at Debs, bbq at our house (fortunately, Steve comes from a large family too, so he was not at all shaken by the commotion), back to Debs.. more food.
Day 3 at our house, 20 people here. The house was in order, food prepped and then this ..."we want to see your studio." Studio, as usual, not in order. Oh well. If anyone made any comments about the mess, I did not hear them...diplomacy at its finest.
The people in my family are all very different, but we all seem to share the same sense of humor. Lots of laughs those few days!
Last year, everyone from Steves' family was here, this year, my family, and like last year, when everyone went back to their own homes, Steve and I left town for a while. We went to a little lake house where it was blissfully calm and quiet. Steve fished, I slept, read, painted and slept and slept.
I had those quiet days to reflect (when i wasn't sleeping), about our family get together. The same thought kept reoccurring ...I was missing our dad, but knew that he was giddy in heaven, that we had all gotten together, and was laughing with us.
That was a lot of time for me to be away from my studio (the messy side of it), and just wanted to be back in it..working. My head is full of ideas and I have less than 2 months before shows start again.
Designing, making...and still laughing about family, and still full.
And Flora Adora finally got worn out from all the activity!!
diana
Thursday, June 16, 2016
diana d darden: Something or is it someone new in the studio...
diana d darden: Something or is it someone new in the studio...: Last week my goal was to blog once a day for the week. I met my goal, really enjoyed writing, but was anxious to get back to my work table ...
Something or is it someone new in the studio...
Last week my goal was to blog once a day for the week. I met my goal, really enjoyed writing, but was anxious to get back to my work table because my latest Floras Adoras design had arrived from my metal cutter.
BUT...my weekend was booked with so many activities that i could barely sneak into my studio. ( I am usually one to stick close to home and my studio, but working hard on venturing out and playing...BALANCE).
Saturday, we celebrated my sisters' birthday by taking a Mississippi cruise. The temps were in the 90s, so it was a good day to be on the water. I have lived in Minneapolis for 40 years and actually learned more history about our beautiful city in the time we were on the river, than I had in the other years combined.
After the cruise, we went to lunch at a yummy divine Indian restaurant, then to a bookstore, because Nonnie needed to restock her reading materials (she reads about 5 books a week, it is true!).
The day ended at Whole Foods.....cookies!
When Steve and I got home - sun kissed, tired and hot, I thought that I could get into the studio for a few hours, but when I went up to change into studio clothes (a different blog someday), I actually gave in to being exhausted. I am not one to give in, but was in bed by 8:30, asleep by 8:32.
Sunday, I got up and thought that I would have a few hours in the studio. I finished my computer stuff, was ready to take the 5 steps to my work table to begin.....Ohhhh..I better go up and get another cup of coffee before I get all painty and gluey. Immediately got distracted in the kitchen. Steve was cooking breakfast !!! Then Flora time!
By now, it is getting close to the time when my friend of a zillion years, Chris will be arriving. We are both so busy, we commit to seeing each other every few weeks or so and get a pedi. I do not require a lot of maintaince ( if you have seen any pics of me, you know that!!!), but this is our ritual! First we go thru the drive thru at Starbucks, get to the nail place, pick our color of polish, get settled in the big massage chairs...and the blabathon begins! No phone interruptions, no pets, noone else. This is usually, an hour of pure laughter and even when we have sad news to share, we manage to find a piece of silliness in that situation. Better than therapy!
Home...have a gathering at Rachel Awes. (but, I actually managed to get in the studio, and paint the base of my newest design before getting ready to go out). Rachel happens to live very close to my sister, so back in my car, Saint Paul bound. I might as well stop and see my sister and nonnie. Deb was baking a cake, and that is always motivation to visit! Well, cake not done, but had a nice visit.
Time to go to Rachels! Rachel Awes has a new book out...THE GREAT GREEN OKAYNESS, and the gathering was to celebrate this! It was so much fun.
Saw old friends, met new ones, great food, so much laughter, and a common thread that kept running thru the evening was art, color, and other joyful things. All of this art and color talk made me think that I could get into the studo for a few hours when I got home, the new piece was calling to me!!!
But, once again, I was so tired..up to bed for me!
Monday morning arrives. I was excited, knowing that I would spend the day in the studio...Steve off to work, Flora sleeping.
Readysetgo!!!!
I was giddy to be painting, layering papers, looking at the elements that I would be adding...but, time to get Flora up, adore her for a bit, feed her...
...... and get back to the studio....loving my job. Spent the day, trying to focus, not rushing the process, and holding needy Flora now and then..my toddler pup!
I worked through the day, with the normal interruptions and distractions - watching the rain, looking at my messy table that I really am still cleaning and organizing, but had to take a slight detour in that plan to make something new!!
Ta Da.....she is finished and photographed.
Her opportunity to be so many different things are endless; angel, santo, or become anyone she tells me to make her be!!!
Onward....more to make!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Grateful always.
diana
p.s. this girl will be heading to Gallery 360, in Minneapolis this afternoon!
 |
| hmmm..what is it? |
Saturday, we celebrated my sisters' birthday by taking a Mississippi cruise. The temps were in the 90s, so it was a good day to be on the water. I have lived in Minneapolis for 40 years and actually learned more history about our beautiful city in the time we were on the river, than I had in the other years combined.
 |
| nonnie and deb |
After the cruise, we went to lunch at a yummy divine Indian restaurant, then to a bookstore, because Nonnie needed to restock her reading materials (she reads about 5 books a week, it is true!).
The day ended at Whole Foods.....cookies!
When Steve and I got home - sun kissed, tired and hot, I thought that I could get into the studio for a few hours, but when I went up to change into studio clothes (a different blog someday), I actually gave in to being exhausted. I am not one to give in, but was in bed by 8:30, asleep by 8:32.
Sunday, I got up and thought that I would have a few hours in the studio. I finished my computer stuff, was ready to take the 5 steps to my work table to begin.....Ohhhh..I better go up and get another cup of coffee before I get all painty and gluey. Immediately got distracted in the kitchen. Steve was cooking breakfast !!! Then Flora time!
By now, it is getting close to the time when my friend of a zillion years, Chris will be arriving. We are both so busy, we commit to seeing each other every few weeks or so and get a pedi. I do not require a lot of maintaince ( if you have seen any pics of me, you know that!!!), but this is our ritual! First we go thru the drive thru at Starbucks, get to the nail place, pick our color of polish, get settled in the big massage chairs...and the blabathon begins! No phone interruptions, no pets, noone else. This is usually, an hour of pure laughter and even when we have sad news to share, we manage to find a piece of silliness in that situation. Better than therapy!
Home...have a gathering at Rachel Awes. (but, I actually managed to get in the studio, and paint the base of my newest design before getting ready to go out). Rachel happens to live very close to my sister, so back in my car, Saint Paul bound. I might as well stop and see my sister and nonnie. Deb was baking a cake, and that is always motivation to visit! Well, cake not done, but had a nice visit.
Time to go to Rachels! Rachel Awes has a new book out...THE GREAT GREEN OKAYNESS, and the gathering was to celebrate this! It was so much fun.
gathering!!!
But, once again, I was so tired..up to bed for me!
Monday morning arrives. I was excited, knowing that I would spend the day in the studio...Steve off to work, Flora sleeping.
Readysetgo!!!!
I was giddy to be painting, layering papers, looking at the elements that I would be adding...but, time to get Flora up, adore her for a bit, feed her...
 |
| flora adora |
I worked through the day, with the normal interruptions and distractions - watching the rain, looking at my messy table that I really am still cleaning and organizing, but had to take a slight detour in that plan to make something new!!
Ta Da.....she is finished and photographed.
 |
| LOVE ALL |
Onward....more to make!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Grateful always.
diana
p.s. this girl will be heading to Gallery 360, in Minneapolis this afternoon!
Friday, June 10, 2016
diana d darden: hooray...its friday!! and studio follow up!
diana d darden: hooray...its friday!! and studio follow up!: Ok...this is it for the daily blog...maybe! But when I post this, I will have met my goal of doing one a day this week! Today, I will shar...
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