Oh My Gourd

Lookin' Gourd!

She began her story with how she got started in gourd and other nature-based arts: a trip to Frankenmuth when she was a kid, where she saw Fairyhouses like the one pictured below that Robb brought in as part of her demonstration. "I was visiting Frankenmuth and loved all of the fairy gardens I saw up there,” she said. “I started creating fairy gardens after that, but didn't like the mass-produced, manufactured, store-bought things I was seeing. Wouldn't a fairy want to live out of something natural?”*

Robb then went on to talk about the classification of gourds and how she preserves and decorates them to make her art. "I incorporate a lot of fractal woodburning. It’s a process that combines high-voltage electricity with a solution of water and baking soda (for the salt content) to create these very organic lightning strike-like burn patterns into the surface of the gourd. Yes, it can be dangerous, but I take lots of safety precautions," Robb said.* 

The entire demonstration was facisnating and a wonderful look into a different genre of art; one that left standing-room only at the United Way Building!
We sincerely would like to thank Michele Robb for stopping by and giving us all such a fantastic take away from her imaginitive, nature-based art (and for bringing her sexy gourds too!). Personally, this blog writer loved the little apple bird house...much to Robb's want of not wanting to make gourd bird houses, lol. (It's not because it's a bird house that I like it, I swear! It's because it looks like an apple. And I am always a lover of things that look like other things. Like play food! I am weirdly obsessed with playfood.) And, as always, thanks to our Vice President Nancy Abb for finding Michele Robb to be May's Demonstrator!

Next up, we've got some updates concerning League happenings...

1. The MAL Archives at the Ellis Library & Reference Center are coming along very nicely! Most of the things needed for the archives have been sorted through! However, more things keep coming in that need to be sorted and filed away, and Lou (the head Reference Librarian and Geneologist there) has asked that all members of the Monroe Art League submit some geneology history to be placed in the records (think: your name, your birthday, and a handful of your maternal and paternal parents, grandparents, etc.). If you have any questions about the MAL Archieves, feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll get back to you faster than it takes paint to dry! If, however, you have basic geneology questions (i.e. "what is geneology? I want to learn more about my family history! Is THAT what Reference Librarains spend a good chunk of time doing with their fancy degrees?" please feel free to call up the Ellis Library and asked to be sent upstairs (p.s. the answer to that third questions is: yes and no. A good chunk of what Reference Librarians do with their time is answering questions on the phone with people, helping people on computers, and pulling out reference materials to sort them. Also, fun fact, the people you see in most of the Monroe County Library System are just Library Clerks, which does not require your Masters in Library Science degree. It does, however, require a lot of patience and communication skills. Be kind to your library staff!).
2. The Open Air Market is on Saturday, June 10th! We're still in need of volunteers, so don't forget to sign up here!
   If you're wondering how much stock you should bring for the potential for it to be sold, we think between 2-6 paintings/projects/photographs would work (also feel free to bring prints! Prints usually sell faster to the average person, too! Prints can be anywhere from 1-20 if you want). We'll also be pushing for cash payments, but will have a Square reader for cards, and the League's Paypal account ready for those who have access to Paypal to use. (Don't worry, Paypal is secure and you will get your money once it gets transfered into the League's bank account. Paypal is the only thing I use when purchasing online if possible, because they are really good at getting you your money back if something goes wrong. This is also where I say, "I promise I am working on getting my technology class together. I haven't forgotten it--I have a bright pink sticky note on my Reminders Board that sits above my work computer that says I need to get it set up--I have just been extremely busy with other things like my actual job, running this website, my weekend social life so I don't spiral into depression, dealing with weather-related migraines, and sleeping. Not an excuse...just an explination lol.)
3. The MAL is now officially licensed to run auctions and other charity events! This is wonderful news, as this means we can generate income to help improve the League while keeping our nonprofit status. This money can help us with things like demonstrators, members-only judged shows, membership prices, and this very website! It's a good thing!
4. We also now have our very own QR code, which people can use their cameras to scan and click a link that takes them directly to our website! This is completely free and will help spread a sort of "word of mouth" about the fact that Monroe has an Art League! (The amount of people that don't know Monroe has an Art League would probably surprise you.) This QR code can go on business cards, stickers...heck, if you want to paint it on the back pocket of your jeans and walk around town with it, you can! I've even seen people put it on rocks they've painted! It's a really cool thing and a step in the right direction to get people more interested in the League!
5. Starting on June 1st, the Dorsch branch library will be allowing us to showcase some members art for the public to look at, and, if you wish, buy! If you are not already on the list to do this, and would like to participate, please contact us so we can add your name.
   Somethings you need to know if you are planning on showcasing your work:
   
6. You can submit 2 pieces of art.
7. Please have your name and a price if you wish to sell; NFS if you only want to display the work and not sell.
8. You need to drop your art off at the Dorsch library (18 E 1st St) on Tuesday, May 30th (between 10am - 7pm) or Wednesday, May 31st (between 10am - 5pm).
9. When the show is over, you can pick up your pieces on Saturday, July 1st (between 10am - 4pm) or Monday, July 3rd (between 10am - 7pm). Alternatively, you can pick up your pieces on June 10th for the Open Air if you want to have them in your tent to sell and return them after the show. The library is a short distance from the tents for the Open Air Market.
10. Make sure you have wires on them for hanging (no sawtooth).

Finally, here comes the part of the narrative where I have no other choice but to deliever the bad news.

Our beloved friend and League member, Jimmy Tidwell, passed away on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Jimmy was a bright, cheerful artist that could light any room he walked into with a smile and make you laugh with one of his delightful colloquialisms (the one I hear most often being "happier than a pig in mud"). His works were unique and he was known for his painting of people in record-breaking time--especially at Jazz concerts.

He will be unequivocally missed by friends and family and especially this league. And next week, I plan on dedicating the entire blog post to him; his life and work. In the meantime, if you've got a memory or story about Jimmy that you'd like to share and have up on the blog, feel free to email me with it (sweathe23@gmail.com) and I'll include it in my blog post. Ideally, if you could submit your words to me before Thursday, June 1st at 9pm, I'd be eternally grateful.

For more information about Jimmy's service, please get in touch with the league officers.

Rest in Paint, Jimmy.

And thank you for all that you've done to brighten up this world.