364 Days to Halloween

We survived…and I just woke up from my coma. We received about 100 folks Thursday at our preview, 200 Friday and 1500 – 1800 guests by my counters estimates on the grand day. I myself was the recipient of many hugs from small children… large ones too. My costume allowed me to remain anonymous from folks that didn’t recognize me (he he he) although the feet had me walking like I had giant flippers on…
All leftovers were promptly delivered to the local Fire Station and CHOC Hospital for all the little trick-or-treaters that couldn’t go out and the dedicated folks who nurse them back to health. As always, I have many to thank. Jamie, with her sword, kept the “touchers” at bay. Loren, her husband of 105 years (and my dear friend) and their beautiful daughter Kari handled candy and toy patrol… and that folks… is only duty for the bravest of souls. Many heartfelt thanks to Jim (the photographer) for capturing all the kids, adults and dogs in costumes and to his 2 beautiful assistants Christie and Susan. You will be able to view those soon. I understand Jim took close to 1000 photos. Lastly, my utmost gigantic thanks to Micheal and Mitchell (the Brothers Grim)…whom without their knowledge (and yelling) this and every other Halloween would have never taken place… except in my head. I took a few very quick snaps in the blacklight before nodding off…

As Kweli says…a reinvention of the end

If you have to have an ending, ours was the best of the best. A large group of beautiful, supportive people came out to celebrate the work of two amazing women (Yumi and Kweli) and our little gallery at it’s finest moment. It was a bit like cat herding, but I finally got all the attending Artists huddled in one place for a group shot… or 2. (Thanks Justin) We’re a happy lot.

It was wonderful to see and talk with everyone, especially those who had never been to an Artist reception prior, but appeared to enjoy themselves tremendously. It makes me that much more convinced that people need a place to share in something positive..now more than ever…and it might as well be about something creative. I was amazed to find by the end of the evening, that through these generous people, we sold 7 paintings. It humbled me, still does, and makes me quite proud.

I had about an hour to myself (before people started arriving) to reflect on the past year and all the memories made. I paced back and forth from the Gallery to the Classroom and back inside the Gallery again, taking it all in, absorbing all I could hold on to. From here on out, I will remember those wonderful memories and of course, all of you who helped make them.

To each Artist, my heartfelt thanks for your contributions to the Gallery, making it unique and wonderful… and for your endless faith in me. Please know… I’ll be there ALWAYS for you.

Jamie (Young Rembrandts Teacher), Shiela (Mixed Media Artist), Jim (Photography), Susan (Intern), Jonathan (Digital Photography Teacher), Kweli (Mixed Media & Jewelry), Laura (Mixed Media), Yumi (Mixed Media), Leo (Dexter Sinister Custom Watches), MaryBeth (Mixed Media and custom Candles), Gina (Textiles), Cathy (Fused Glass), Cynthia ( Latin-Catholic Inspired Jeweley), Darcy (Custom Rosaries), Kara (Mixed Media), Vicki ( Recycled Art), Dominick ( Glass), Connie (Pottery), Liz (Jewelry from Haifa Israel), Klaas & Pia ( Tibetan Handicrafts), Tak (Mixed Media), Jamie II (B/W Acrylic Caricature Portraits), Karen ( Mixed Media), Michael ( Lazer Art), Jenny ( Food Artist), Marianne (Minimalist Jewelry), Lori (Mixed Media), Janet (Button Rings), Ivy (Bent Wire), Denise, (Glass), Deanna (Cuff Bracelets), Garland ( Totes), Kim (Day of the Dead Jewelry) and Jason (Glass).

To all the musicians who performed for us, Elleni, Megan, Katie, Cynthia and the Blue Lion Project, a big thanks!

For those behind the scenes HOOYA!, my very wonderful CPA Marty, my fabulous carpenter and friend Tim, my total pro sign maker Joe, my own Personal Printer (Dan), my magical electrician Alex and my lighting designer Damon.

And to Micheal…you just wait and see whats next! 😉

Photo444

The Waking Dream

Anuvue Studio proudly announces our final show, Saturday, April 18th from 7pm to 10pm. Please come join us to celebrate the work of Yumiko Yanone and Kweli Walker.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes 1902 – 1967

Opening Night…

Tonight is MaryBeth Leonard’s opening with 23 works in the main gallery (22 featured here minus one on easel) and 4 in the classroom. Joining her will be Elleni Maureas playing Classical and Jazz flute and bringing up the rear, best kinda “art” I know, food extroidinare…We are happy to welcome a brand new member, our food artist (Yeah!) Jenny Walker. Certainly hope to see all of you there. Well, maybe not ALL of you. I want to sample the food too! Good time guaranteed for all. See you at 7pm… And yes, shoes can be worn with or without socks, but please, no USC fight songs. 😉

We survived

Well, another year’s festivities have come…and gone 😦

Hard to guess the numbers we had for Halloween at our new location but it was a great turnout after all. At first, I was a bit worried…but the old saying…if you build it, they will come was “Dead on”. After the trick or treaters finished in the tracts they headed East, up the 19 steps to “Day of the Dead” with all the trimmings. My answering machine had 3 calls from the Los Angeles Times. Did I return them? Heck no! I didn’t get that much candy. 😉

Shout outs to all that helped. We had my dear bud Jamie tearing up the place with her famously popular caricatures. The line formed out the door with all the little darlings but no worries there… she’s a returning veteran at this stuff. She told me one young boy wanted to leave his dog mask on. Guess what his caricature looked like? Jim manned the costume photography with the skill of a seasoned Halloweener… even though this was his first year. He told me he had fun and I have to say, from what I saw, I believe him. The lovely Susan, our gallery intern (who actually knows the price of things) was able to get off work and assist both Jim in the photo department and me in the gallery. It was her first Halloween with us as well and she made it through and still had steam for another party…ahhh to be 25 again! Jamie’s son Scott and his good friend were the “candy watchers” and did a great deal to help in the clean up department. There was also James (my young neighbor) who has grown up with “my little hobby” (now 17) and came by to lend a hand. Thank you to all three young men.

I made one sale in particular that made me a proud, happy woman. We have a talented teenage girl named McKenzie taking Jamie’s art class. She drew a wonderful pastel of a girl’s face that reminds me of both the girl in Beetlejuice and the one from “a series of unfortunate adventures”. Jamie and I decided it was perfect for the gallery this month. A lady inquired and I sold it to her (with prior permission from the young artist). I can’t wait to hand her the cash and see her face! We also held a raffle for the photograph that’s on the invite. I need to locate the winner and deliver her the prize 😉

A special thanks to the fabulous band members of The Blue Lion Project. All the party goers enjoyed them (grandparent’s too) and they enjoyed themselves… which was great to see. I danced with my neighbor Steve (or rather tried to stay out of his foot loose way) to every Van Halen song they knew. Don’t ask me why Van Halen…I don’t even drink!

Mike (who doesn’t dance unless inebriated) got to speak with the police twice in one night and he did a magnificent job (as he always does) keeping things under control. After years of Halloween mania, I doubt I could surprise him now…well possibly…but you know I will certainly keep trying! 😉

I got to watch children dance and sing along with the band, parade in their wonderful costumes, shove candy, soda pop, chips and gigantic cupcakes down their throats and cry frantically because they didn’t want to leave.

I’d say my job is done for another year. Santa, you may release those darn reindeer…

Photos to come…