An Artist's Update

"into the unknowable, uncomfortable, vulnerable place where the root of creativity lies"

--Terri Windling

photo credit Shia Yang

A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters

IN THIS ISSUE

YULEMART

ART ABILITY (in PA)

NORWAY HOUSE

TEACHING

RECAP (2)

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As the weather shifts in Minnesota, my attention too has moved from actively weaving willow and pounding fresh indigo leaves onto tea towels to the disciplined, quiet focus of computer work. What am I working on?

• Tying up the activities and monies of 2 grants I was awarded for 2022

• documenting and editing images of my recently created artwork

• learning how to use Adobe's photoshop and lightroom

• writing a grant to continue my teaching at Vail Place

• submitting for an upcoming exhibit opportunity

• applying for a residency

I'll never forget sitting in a Springboard for the Art's Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists class years ago when the instructor mentioned that working as an artist involved an 80/20 ratio. 80% of your time time will be spent on the business/behind-the-scenes aspects of being an artist and 20% will be creating art. I remember thinking "No way, that will never happen to me. Art is where it is at!" And here I am 5 years later, definitely in an 80/20 split and living the challenge of the inevitable yearning/self doubt that rises up when I'm not doing hands on creating. Luckily, I enjoy the many aspects of being and working as an artist.

As we move towards the time of year that holds more hours of darkness than light, may it be a time of fruitful rest and restoration until the light begins to return again.

Warmly,

Martha 

Yulemart: extended holiday market exhibition

November 11 - December 23, 2022

Join us this Friday from 6-8 pm for the

Opening Reception!!

This over-the-top, gallery-turned-gift shop will feature petite handmade art and gifts for the holiday season!!

My pieces juried into the mart will include a variety of Indigo Print Tea Towels, Willow Wall Art/Serving Trays, Brigid's Cross with Blessing for your home, Willow Stars and Dancing Tree Women.

This will be an exciting sale and exhibition of 50+ local artists including:

atelier mamaku, Alison Bergblom Johnson, Martha Bird, Marrie Bottelson, Mandel Cameron, The Crone's Apprentice, Rhiannon Davis, Danielle Day, Deja Day, Ben DiNino, Philipo Dyauli, VCKSZ - Victoria Eidelsztein, Cory Farve, Chloe Geraty, Peter Giebink, Claire Goldstein, Madison K Gondreau, Will Gonzalez, Betsey Hodson, Roxana Kian, Kimberly A. Laudert, Leather and Velvet, nina martine robinson, Erin Maurelli, Kelly McNamara, Lynda Mullan, Sophia Munic, Van Nguyen, Ian Nystrom, Nathaniel Quenzer, Tami Reeves, Jonelle Salemi, Stacie Sampson, JobyLynn Sassily-James (sassijams), Katherine Schimmel, Paige Schrachta, Spacedoutlulu, stace of spades, Dan Stallsworth, Dorinda Tveit, Eddie Twait, Laura Wennstrom, CJ Weydert, Amy Wilderson, You’re the Party, and more!

Plus their gift shop artists: 

Katie Blanchard, Cow Tipping Press, Nancy Cummins, Grainy Brain Coasters, Emma Eubanks, Fox & Fables, Frau Meow, Lynda Grafito, Kayla Koerner, Kari Lee Art, Genessis Lopez, Lena Osman, Sky Rios, Roseline’s Candles, Suyao Tian, Twin Cities Collage Collective, Soon-Wai Wong, Bekah Worley, and more!

Please join me at the OPENING RECEPTION!

When: Friday, November 11, 2022 from 6-8 pm

Where: Fresh Eye Gallery, 4238 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Pennsylvania's Art Ability Exhibit

 November 6, 2022 - January 29, 2023

This exciting exhibition features more than 400 pieces of art, sculpture and jewelry by 200 artists living with disability from around the globe.*

*Although the same name this is a different exhibit than the MN Artability mentioned later.

I am honored to not only have a Creel Purse of my own design selected for this international exhibit, but also to receive a Third Place Award in the Jewelry and Fine Craft category.  Art Ability offers a unique and accessible venue for artists with disabilities to display and sell their work. In addition to supporting Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s vision and mission to advocate for those with disabilities in their community while advancing the artistic and financial success of artists with disabilities, the art in the exhibition is used daily to motivate and treat patients at the Hospital.

As a nurse myself, I find it especially rewarding to show in medical settings!
 

Art Ability is dedicated to creating community awareness of people with disabilities, and encouraging people with disabilities to reach beyond their limitations and find fulfillment and inspiration through art. Exhibition features more than 400 pieces of art, sculpture and jewelry by 200 artists from around the globe.

COMPETITION & EXHIBIT

Gingerbread Wonderland 2022

November 22, 2022 - January 8, 2023

 Minneapolis's Norway House is joining cities and towns all over the country by coming together to build their own miniature cookie cities! 

Embracing my Norwegian heritage, I joined in with my Plymouth Drop-In Center "Art with Dawn" group to create a gingerbread submission for this juried annual edible exhibit!

Gingerbread (or in Norwegian, 'pepperkake') is a quintessential feature of the Norwegian holiday season. Towns all over the country come together to build their own miniature cookie cities, bringing families, schools, businesses, nursing homes, and friends all together during the holiday season.  In fact, the world's largest annual Gingerbread City is exhibited in Bergen, with more than 2000 structures!

Our Norway House wanted Minnesota to get in on the fun, too! In 2015, they kicked off their first Gingerbread Wonderland. Since then, it’s grown above 250 structures! You will find a few hundred familiar buildings and landmarks created by our community, including structures by professional bakers and gingerbread enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

While at the Norway House enjoy Ingebretsen's cozy, Norwegian-centric gift boutique and the Kaffebar featuring lefse hotdogs (surprisingly AMAZING!!), soup, baked goods, warm and cold coffee drinks with Ingebretsen’s Biking Viking Blend by Peace Coffee, mead, wine and beer, cider, and other snacks and specialties.

RSVP required to reserve your 30 minute time slot.

Tickets: $10 can be purchased here.

Norway House

913 East Franklin Avenue

Minneapolis MN 55404

Teaching at the Library

Winter Wellness: Basketry

photo credit: Lanesboro Arts

I'm excited to be teaching as part of the Adult Art + Wellness Program at East Lake Library in Minneapolis.

Learn how to turn sticks into form with Martha Bird, local artist, willow sculptor, nurse, and mental health advocate. Bird will guide participants through the process of making their very own Brigid’s Cross. Participants will learn and practice the required techniques with pipe cleaners, before graduating to working with willow, the artist’s preferred medium.

Bird spent a month of study in Ireland, where she learned to make this symbol. In Ireland, Brigid’s cross has associations with protection and shelter, however the shape has the potential for broader symbolic emanations personal to each maker. Come try your hand with a basketry technique (although not a basket) and learn and experience how your health is benefited. No experience necessary.

When: Sunday, February 5, 2023

Time: 1 - 4 pm

Where: East Lake Library, 2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN

Registration opens December 1 through the Hennepin County Libraries.

RECAP

Artability Art Show & Sale

First Place Award in Drawing

RECAP

2022 Prints of Artwork Sold 

through a Cause-Based Art Program

to a large national healthcare provider!

I've had long term partnerships with several local Project Collaborator organizations that work with businesses around the country to create aesthetically pleasing montages of artwork for their staff and clientele.  Below are a sampling of my pieces in several Florida, Indiana, and New Jersey locations (circled in red).  The plaque next to them state:

Our Cause Based Art program is a collection of art created by a diverse group of individuals with physical or mental health challenges, or who face challenges in their everyday life keeping them from a healthy lifestyle. The artwork generated by the artists helps to build healthier communities by aiding in the healing process and promoting inclusion and diversity. The creative process serves as both an opportunity for the artist for self-expression and storytelling, and to be seen for their unique gifts. This experience and the ability to create art is often life changing. The engagement of the artists with you, the viewer, has enormous potential to influence each person’s life in a positive way. Art Heals.

Thank you for sharing in my life!