THE WEATHER
As you may be aware, a winter storm warning has been issued for Delaware. At this time, Drop Off and Hanging is still scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, March 5 from 10 AM to 2 PM at The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. Should weather conditions cause closures or dangerous conditions, we will notify you of alternate plans.
Updates regarding possible delays in drop off times or facility closures will be provided via email, our Facebook page and posted on our Blog.
THE SPACE
We are excited to hang all of your work and share in the celebration with you on Friday! We have a different space this year (due to double booking of the room). Work will be hung on movable walls within the main area of the building as well as on the magnetic walls.
The cool news is that, thanks to all you awesome donors, we were able to purchase magnets ($180 worth of magnets, to be exact) to hang the work. We still encourage you to bring hanging supplies of your own, if you are able.
Speaking of fundraising, we will have a donation box at the DCCA to help us continue to cover the cost of this event!
Thanks, y'all! Stay warm and (hopefully) we will be seeing you tomorrow.
Kati, Val, Colleen, Sarah and Sheila
Make Art Every Day!
We're Almost There!
Hope you are all feeling totally awesome and excited about all the work you've been doing! With under a week until the show, we wanted to update everyone on a few things:
SIZE RESTRICTIONS
It is critical that everyone abide by our size restrictions to ensure that we can hang the work of all 90+ artists. As a reminder, size limits are:
- Photos, illustrations, paintings: Not to exceed 5x7 or 6x6 inches.
- Sculpture, jewelry, crafts & A/V: You should've received an email from us. Please reply to this email with details on your project.
If your project exceeds these limits, we will only be able to hang a selection of your work.
ARTWORK DROP OFFS
This year, we have a few times to drop off artwork before and after work! The dates and locations are:
- March 3
7:30 AM - 1 PM - Brew HaHa Concord Pike // 6:30 - 8PM - Bear Library - March 4
7:30 AM - 1 PM - Brew HaHa Concord Pike // 4PM - 8PM - Brandywine Library - March 5
10 AM - 2PM DCCA
There will be no drop offs the day of the show so please make sure you can meet us on one of the above days.
Please make sure all items include the following:
- Name tag
- Pricing
- Hanging Supplies
- Instructions (if applicable)
PROJECT PICK UP
Project Pick up is on March 12th (Thursday) from 10 - 4 at the DCCA. If you cannot pick up from DCCA, you must arrange to pick up your work within 10 days.
As always, your donations make Fun-A-Day possible. Please click here to help support this event!
SHOW OPENING
The show is free to the public, with a cash bar for persons 21+ on opening night. RSVP on Facebook
Delaware Fun-A-Day Show
March 6, 2015
6PM - 9PM
DCCA
200 South Madison St.
Wilmington, DE
The show can also be viewed during the DCCA's standard hours:
- Sunday, March 8th
- Tuesday, March 10th
- Wednesday, March 11th
TRUNK SHOW
The DCCA has very kindly extended an offer to Delaware Fun-A-Day artists to sell their work at their 2nd Wednesday Art Lounge as part of a trunk show on March 11th from 5-7 PM.
In order to participate in the trunk show:
- Artwork must be priced
- You must be present at the event to take orders
- You must be able to process sales
If you would like to sell your artwork at the 2nd Wednesday Art Lounge and will not be able to attend, please email kati.driscoll@gmail.com.
Artist Interview: Alyssa Molin-Graves
Interview by Amanda Thiel
It is that time again people! Want find out what makes the ultra colorful print artist, Alyssa Molin-Graves, tick? Read on!
Let’s talk Delaware! Are you a local Delawarean? If not, what’s your connection?
Yes! Born and raised. Growing up in Delaware you get your fair share of first state nay-sayers, but there are cool little things popping up all the time around here! I might try and explore somewhere else someday, but for right now I like the comforts of home.
How did you get introduced to Delaware Fun-A-Day? What or who inspired you to participate?
I became aware of Delaware Fun-A-Day two years ago when my friend Stephanie got involved and did a "Dance A Day" it was the neatest little video project and it was equally as fun to participate in! Because I have always been dipped in the arts I thought it would be a good way to get myself out of a recent art drought I had been experiencing, and it did exactly that! It was so challenging and exciting, and I finally got an insect print made, something I had aspired to for many months prior.
How long have you enjoyed making art?
I have enjoyed making arts for eons!! I found a paper I wrote around the age of 4 that asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and my answers were "Artist or Actress" only- entirely misspelled. I have always enjoyed expressing myself through artful avenues, whether it be doodling, painting, personal style, or in the case, as a child ruining my mother's entire book collection with my illustrations and fake library cards taped to the back (that did not go over so well.) Art just feels like my nature, it's in everything I do and wear and dream, I have a hard time not embellishing everyday objects or letting anything be without that "little something extra".
Do you have a favorite Delaware activity? Any fun places we should check out?
Oh, yes! There are so many cool spots, and luckily I get to work at or are otherwise somehow involved with a lot of them! Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn is a great place to learn more about the arts and they have so many cool classes ranging from pottery to illustration to Theatre, I grew up in Yorklyn so this place is pretty close to my heart. You get to take classes in an old school that was recycled into an arts center and every room is a different color- what's not to love? I am as equally active outdoors as I am in Art, so I have say that Ashland Nature Center, Coverdale Farm and DEEC on the riverfront are amazing places with beautiful outdoor spaces. You can take an organic cooking class on the farm, hike the trails at Ashland and catch tadpoles at DEEC, they are all such awesome places to connect with nature. I am also a huge fan of Oddity Bar in Wilmington, and Homegrown Cafe in Newark. Goodness, I could probably go on and on, but there are so many great little places in this state if you just go out there and look around!
What inspired you to do your Special Moment-A-Day project for 2014?
Through my love of adventure and creativity I found a passion for photography, and that burned bright for many years. I took pictures of bugs, forests and fields, dilapidated buildings, interesting people and places. After college ended and my course work with photography was over, I took a little break and headed more in the illustration direction, so last Fun-A-Day I brought photography back and did Moment-A-Day using my camera to capture special moments. It was really incredible seeing the entire collection together at the end, I could remember the context and feel of each image, they were truly moments frozen in time. I also knew that that month my husband Daniel and I would be flying out to meet his newly discovered half siblings for the very first time, it was pretty life changing and I knew that photography would be the best way to capture it. I took a photo of our tiny room in the "Microtel" the night before our flight, photos with his brother and sister, a picture of a friend getting married, and a photo of my mom on Mother's Day. But there were also less than stellar moments to capture; a photo of my bedroom light the day I had a terrible migraine, raindrops on my windshield when I attempted a walk at the Park, it really came together to show that life is full of the good and the bad, the exciting and the blah, it was a true look at life and I really enjoyed that.
Do you enjoy working in other mediums?
I have probably already answered that question, but yes! I cross into other mediums quite frequently and don't like to limit myself with one particular medium or another, if I am feeling 3D I go for it, if I want to make textile Art I go for that, photography is always in my life in one way or another, even if I am just using my phone or taking outfit photos for my blog. Right now I am riding the wave of illustration and really enjoying it, so that is what I am working on! In the same way, I am really loving making my illustrations into wearable and practical objects like bags, jewelry and clothing, and being a personal style guru the collaboration between the two mediums is a no-brainer.
What types of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
My favorite theme by far is insects. They are my huge passion in life besides art, so naturally I like to merge the two. I really started brainstorming a project for an insect print because I could not find a cute and affordable insect printed garment out there in the world. I went to work in 2013 for my insect-a-day project and ended up with a series of paintings that together made a cute moth-themed print. Since then I have converted the print into fabric, bags, skirts and necklaces. I am still working on the collection so that I can share more of it with the world, but I am really excited with what I have gotten done so far and hope to expand it further! Another theme in my art then would be colorful patterns and prints! Looking forward, it seems like clothing and accessories is where I am headed so prints are my favorite thing to create right now. I like novelty prints like fruits and desserts, and hope to start working on florals, and more BUGS!
What artists influence you?
There are so many wonderful and inspiring works of arts out there and of course artists, I am really inspired by my friends and fellow local artists, among them illustrator Kristen Margiotta and seamstress and clothing designer Nicole Rae Styer. Their accomplishments, passion, and desire to follow their dreams is so wonderfully inspiring and encouraging to me! I also draw a lot of inspiration from original textile artist Armi Ratia of Marimekko and Andy Warhol. Fashionably speaking, there is a whole host of gorgeous bloggers I follow, amazing small vintage boutique owners in Philly, ModCloth.com, and Hel-looks with street fashion from Finland.
Are you planning to participate this year? If so, what made you want to come back and what can we expect to see?
Yes, yes and yes; I just cannot get enough of Delaware Fun-A-Day! My theme comes as no surprise, Moth-A-Day. I have been raising butterflies and moths since around five years old when I discovered my first Luna Moth. I can credit my semi-rural upbringing for that discovery, and the years that followed cultivated an unwavering passion for finding caterpillars in the woods, raising them and watching them change into beautiful moths and butterflies. For a few years it was everything from that "random caterpillar that no one can identify" to tent caterpillars and Tiger Swallowtails. When I got older and started staying up late I noticed big shadows coming in my windows at night, I ran outside to discover a plethora of mammoth moths beating against the wood siding attracted to our outdoor lights, and the obsession heightened. Giant Silkmoths became my passion. I am fully grown up and that passion is going nowhere; I am still crazy about moths! Although I have worked on a lot of moths already, this project will push me to pump out new pieces and challenge me to find new subjects each day!
What advice can you pass on for this year’s first timers?
The advice I would give is to push through no matter what, and if you run out of time just make your piece for that day small and simple, even unfinished! There is beauty in that kind of honesty. It can be really hard to create pieces when you've had a bad day or when you're really tired, but you'll find that it changes your state of mind and makes your time feel purposeful. It may even give you extra momentum to push through your day. And don't worry about perfection; art is in the process, not just the end result!
Is there a place we can check out more of your work?
Yea! My fashion blog has tidbits of my art here and there, and displays a lot of my wearable items and [I have an] etsy shop. I am working on big things over here, so stay tuned and watch out!
Are there any other projects or events you are working on this year?
I will be selling pieces at Oddity Bar's Oddball Arthall on February 19th, along with a whole bunch of really amazing local artists, come check it out!! I am also in the works of a new print collection, and will hopefully have that stuff up on my Etsy store come spring! :) Thank you for the opportunity to share my story, I am looking forward to the March show!!!
What a rad chick! Raising moths and butterflies?! Churning out mind blowing art?! Treating her friends and family like the precious gems that they are?! I can’t get enough! It is definitely worth stopping by to check out her work up for sale at the Oddity Bar’s Oddball Arthall on the 19th!
Continue to support Alyssa, and all of our amazing artists, by sharing her interview and donating on our page to help keep the Delaware Fun-A-Day event going!
Please Help Us Make Fun-A-Day Possible!
First and foremost, we would like to send a big THANK YOU to everyone that has donated, this year and previous years. This event would not happen without your generosity.
Now on to the pleas. We still need help from donations. As you know, we are not an organization, not an LLC, not a non-profit. We are made up of a few friends that have decided to donate our time and efforts to keep the show going. But we are not rich, many of us are struggling artists as well. In order for us to make the event happen this year, and in the years to come, we need the support of the community. To date, we have only raised 45% of the costs of 2015.
With that said, please take a moment to donate online. It is a secure payment process and all proceeds go to the event. If we have any left over this year, it will go towards the down payment for the event location next year. We would love to make this a sustainable annual event!
- If you cannot afford to donate, we understand. But, if you can, please encourage the people in your lives to donate on your behalf. If every artist donated $10 - $25, it would cover all of our 2015 costs.
- If you have already donated, thank you again! We would love your help encouraging others to make a donation!
- For those of you that are not comfortable donating online, we will be taking CASH donations at the opening event in the DE Fun-A-Day donation box. It will be clearly labeled, not to be confused with the DCCA's donation box (which happened last year).
Thank you! We appreciate all of you and all of your efforts!!! Wake up, make art!!!!
Warmest Regards,
Colleen Master on behalf of the Delaware Fun-A-Day crew
Photo by Dave McGurgan // Artwork by Todd Purse & Meredith Keating
Artist Interview: Joy Smoker-Liedel
Interview by Amanda Thiel
Lets talk Delaware! Are you a local Delawarean?
Yes! I'm a native Delawarean. I have also lived in Boston, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania - but always found myself returning to my Delaware roots.
Do you have a favorite Delaware activity? Any fun places we should check out?
My husband, Kevin, and I really love going out to dinner every now and then. One of our favorite restaurants is La Fia on Market Street in Wilmington. Try the grilled octopus. It is TO DIE FOR! I also like to take classes at Delaware College of Art and Design - they have loads of great workshops. The Delaware Art Museum is another place where you can find me -- I am usually enrolled in their metalsmithing open studio. It's a great place where I can get a lot of work done as I'm slowing building my home studio.
How did you get introduced to Delaware Fun-A-Day? What or who inspired you to participate?
Well, I know the organizers of Delaware Fun-A-Day as well as a lot of the participants. So for me, it's a fun social event to take part in. One of the things I love most about this event is how inclusive it is - you don't have to be an established artist to show your work. Anyone can do it! And that makes for a great show that engages the community and has a lot of variety.
How long have you been making art?
I've been making art since before I knew I was making art. As a child I could always be found drawing or making something. Then in my pre-teen/teen years I focused heavily on music - even attending Berklee College of Music for a time and working as a musician. But in 2002, I switched back to the visual arts by attending Delaware College of Art and Design, where I now teach Graphic Design and Typography in their Continuing Education department. I obtained my Associates Degree at DCAD - and then received my Bachelor of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute. I haven't looked back since. The visual arts are certainly my passion. I love making.
This is your second time participating in Delaware Fun-A-Day, what made you want to come back?
Fun-A-Day is just that. Fun every day. I think it's a great way to refresh and keep yourself motivated as an artist. It's easy for some of us art types to take too many days off from creating. Fun-A-Day gives you a creative jump-start that hopefully lasts throughout the year. It's also a great chance to see what other area artists are working on -- and I love getting to chat with everyone about their projects at the show.
What can we expect from you this year at Delaware Fun-A-Day 2015?
Lots. Of. Earrings. And everything I make will be in precious metals and semi-precious gemstones like amethyst, lab created rubies and sapphires, and (one of my favorites) black spinel. It's just as pretty as a black diamond, and even more rare!
Do you enjoy working in other mediums?
I love drawing. As a graphic designer I think it's imperative to have good hand skills - and practicing drawing is an important part of maintaining that skill set. This is lost on a lot of people these days - they think you can just sit down at a computer and just make graphic design happen. But that's not the case - the best design really starts by hand. But I'm finding that more and more - metalsmithing is becoming my real passion. I like working dimensionally and at a small scale. There's just something about creating a beautiful piece of jewelry from scratch.
What type of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
When I'm drawing - I tend to lean towards very cutesy, yet slightly weird imaginative creatures. I really love the kinds of things you'd find at Kid Robot. I'm also a HUGE fan of the art collective Friends With You.
When I'm thinking jewelry design - I think about a lot of things like: Architecture - I tend to lean towards very geometric shapes. The De Stijl movement has always been of interest to me (again more geometry) -- and I am in love with anything by Gustav Klimt. Especially the work he created during his "Golden Phase". I think of him not just as a painter - but also a graphic designer and as someone who was influential in fashion. The way he paints fabric is just amazing.
Will you be/are you working on any other projects or events this year?
I'm really focusing on metalsmithing this year - and growing my studio space and business. My talented father-in-law, Stan Liedel, just got me off to a good start by making me a jewelers bench. Now I finally have a decent place to work and store my equipment when I'm not at the Delaware Art Museum! I'm currently looking for more opportunities to showcase my work and am hoping to teach a few workshops by the end of 2015 -- location TBD.
Any pearls of wisdom you can offer for our first year participants?
Just go for it! Don't be afraid that your artwork isn't good enough -- because it is good enough. All levels are welcome! And it's fun to see the artistic progress of those that return each year. It's a great opportunity for people to showcase what they've created in a months time, and like I said before, you don't have to be a super serious artist with a lot of cred to show your work. Just make some stuff, come out and have a blast!
The big question everyone was asking last year at the end of the show - is there a place we can check out more of your work?
More of my work can be found on my site, Arcus Atelier.
Artist Interview: Sara Duncan
For our latest interview, we're highlighting the work of Sara Duncan, who has participated in every Delaware Fun-A-Day event to date!
First things first: THE FIRST STATE. Have you always lived in Delaware?
I have lived in Delaware my entire life.
How long have you been making art?
When I was 6, my babysitter Betsy told me I drew the best leaves she had ever seen. I have been making art ever since.
What is your preferred medium? Any additional media you work with?
I enjoy trying my hands at any medium, and have many left to attempt. I love using natural materials like rocks and sticks. I like to paint on various surfaces including wood, walls, glass, and skin. Fine point Sharpies excite me, and I can still never resist a box of crayons.
What kind of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
The only theme I have tried to pursue with my pieces is the desire to touch or connect with something inside of those who see it.
You have a very heartfelt, exploratory style. What do you think influences your work?
That desire to connect or stimulate an emotion is a huge influence to me. My daughter is also a driving force in my creations in that she has taught me to look at things from a completely different perspective than I had before she came along. Nature inspires me on a daily basis, and I could sit in awe of fog for hours.
You've been in previous Delaware Fun-A-Day shows. How many have you been in thus far, what first interested you in the event, and what made you come back?
This will be my 4th year participating in the FAD show. I was first drawn to it by the sheer excitement of creating something every day. I was teaching preschool at the time, and had numerous scraps and bits of craft materials at my disposal. The following year I had gotten my daughter and I a rock tumbler, so each piece was created using rocks we tumbled, glued to things, painted, or made into jewelry. Last year I used Q-tips to stipple a painting each day.
What can we expect from you this year at F-A-D?
This year my project involves a pine needle and stick picture series titled Still Pining.
Any advice for first year participants?
My advice to first year participants is to enjoy the experience of sharing yourself. There are no critics. No judgment. Only love and beautiful things.
Are there any other projects or events that you are working on this year?
My projects this year include painting on skin at various events such as the Peoples Festival, The Veg Fest, The Delaware Burger Battle, birthday and holiday parties. I am also working on a piece called Twirly Twigs (which is just that), and I am currently stenciling our bathroom at work.
Also, I was just given an Ollo Clip for my birthday, so I will be crawling around hunting for tiny things to photograph.
Do you have a website or any other online outlet where the readers could check out more of your work?
I do not have a website, but I do have a facebook business page for face and bodypainting called Starbelly Skin Art.
Artist Interview: Alisha Jones
Interview by Amanda Thiel
You may recall her amazing project from last year: "May-A-Day", where Alisha Jones featured lesser-known May holidays. Learn how peer pressure can sometimes be a good thing when it urges you to create and find out what made Alisha want to come back for another round of Delaware Fun-A-Day!
Lets talk Delaware! Are you a local Delawarean? If not, what’s your connection?
Though I’m not a native Delawarean I’ve tied down many roots here. I attended high school in New Castle, ate plenty of Capriotti's and taken many walks around
Do you have a favorite Delaware activity? Any fun places we should check out?
I used to live in Delaware City and my favorite thing to do was take the ferry over to Pea Patch Island. There’s so much history there and it’s creepy and interesting at the same time.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year?
New Year’s Resolutions stress me out. As soon as I think of one, someone else tells me their new year's resolution and I think that I need to work on that too, so I add it to a list of New Year’s resolutions and put them in my file cabinet, under “NYR15” and never look at them again. If I had summarize from my long list of resolutions, I would say to live a better quality of life.
How did you get introduced to Delaware Fun-A-Day? What or who inspired you to participate?
Two years ago, I decided to attend the Show with my friend Katie Langshaw to support her boyfriend Steve Alawishus. I was soon taken by surprise when I discovered so many other people I knew were also participating. Everyone kept asking if I was going to participate the next year, so it’s safe to say I was peer pressured into joining the fun.
You did a super successful photo project for DE Fun-A-Day 2014, Lost Sock Day was a personal favorite for me. Do you enjoy working in other mediums?
I’m kind of a closet craft person. I really love working with paper. Though it’s not something that often show; it’s therapeutic. I also dabble in video and slideshows. Family and friends often request that I create and edit slideshows for their memories. I even get a request or two from a cousin to shoot a music video to help his aspiring rap career. Don't believe me? Check it out.
How long have you enjoyed making art?
Making art is second nature to me. I never thought I would do anything else. I always had a pen in my hand and a crazy idea in my mind. The first time I decided to really focus on it, was in high school. I watched this documentary on industrial design I was completely intrigued with the creative process. Collaboration and experimentation is exciting to me. I believe no idea is stupid; it’s just a valley on your way to the next peak.
What type of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
I typically pursue tongue and cheek themes when I work. if it makes me (or you) laugh, I’m inspired. You could say it comes from my happy place.
Are there any artists that influence you?
Jill Greenberg - love her photographs, her portraiture is so beautiful, and often her subject matter is playful and fun. Paula Scher is another huge influence for me. Her funky, bold, fun type is loud and in your face and she’s doesn't apologize for it. I love it.
You are planning to participate this year, what made you want to come back and what can we expect to see?
What’s making me want to do this again, is just simply how fun it was. The commitment to create something every day for 1 month made me feel accomplished in the end. This year, I plan to continue working with photography, but I’m considering playing with typography as well.
Have any advice for our first year participants?
My advice to other participants. Don’t think small, go with your gut and have fun making stuff.
Is there a place we can check out more of your work?
I have a website: www.alishagraphicdesign.com
And I post creative stuff on instagram as well: @alishajonesdesign
I know you've enjoyed getting to know this creative young woman and participating Delaware Fun-A-Day Artist, Alisha Jones, so don't forget to stop by and see our upcoming interviews with Sara Duncan, Joy Smoker, Alyssa Molin-Graves and Dylan Durrant!
You can help make Delaware Fun-A-Day possible for all by making a donation to support the location and other costs of the event. It will make you feel awesome, I promise!
Call for Artists - Delaware Fun-A-Day 2015
Call for Art – March Art Project & Show at The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts
This January, a group of friends will once again put on Delaware Fun-A-Day - an art project which will culminate in an art show during the March Art on the Town series (Wilmington Art Loop). The art show will be held at The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts on March 6th. The work can be in any medium (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, film, music, poetry, textiles, etc.) and can be anything related to a themed project-a-day. Some of the projects from previous years included: beard-a-day, triangle-a-day, frown-a-day, apple-a-day, silent-film-a-day and handmade flower-marble-a-day – among many, many others!
Submissions should be no larger than 5" x 7" or 6" x 6" each to allow enough room for anticipated projects. If you are interested in creating larger pieces, we ask that you contact us to discuss options. Should your work require audio/visual support, please let us know in advance so we can secure the appropriate equipment. Likewise for 3D or suspended materials, which we also welcome! Please have work ready to hang or display and include your name, project title, and (optionally) a short description and pricing. Because of the volume of work created for the show, we are asking that everything be dropped off prior to the show - we will have drop-off times and locations announced in February.
To help us keep track of participants and plan for space we ask that you register by February 1st. Participants can register on the website here.
Thanks for your interest; we can’t wait to see what you make!
Kati, Val, Amanda, Colleen Sheila & Sarah
Artist Interview: Colleen Master
Interview by Amanda Thiel
As some of our organizers are also participating artists, we decided to switch things up to kick off a new year of making and focus on some of the people behind the scenes. You know you want to take a moment and get to know Colleen Master! A print maker, mixed media artist, second year participant, and a first time organizer with Delaware Fun-A-Day.
How did you get introduced to Delaware Fun-A-Day?
My sister, Sheila, and I are both artists and went to college together. She was a participant and then became a volunteer organizer. I decided last year to be a participating artist.
What drove you to become an organizer this year?
I really wanted to be an organizer. I saw in prior years that the organizers not only volunteered their time and talents, but one year, it was fully paid for by the volunteers as well. I donated last year, but wanted to do more this year. So, I took on the fundraising responsibilities with another organizer. I like the idea of a community show that is not run or juried by a gallery and that is open to all ages. I'd like to help make it sustainable. I want to do it again next year!
How long have you been making art? Do you remember what got you started?
A neighbor that took care of me after school was an artist and she brought me to lessons as a child. I think I was 4. Once I moved to DE, I kept making things on my own. I remember I was really into shaving crayons onto glue designs in 5th grade, ha-ha.
What is your preferred medium? Any additional media you like to work with?
Well, printmaking is preferred, but I do not have access to any presses. So, I do a lot of mixed media now, and some simple prints, mostly Lino cuts. I would like to work more with found objects.
What kind of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
I do enjoy portraits, and abstract work. I mostly explore mixing mediums and texture is always a big theme. I'm not sure why I am drawn to creating texture, and I'm ok with not knowing. I always loved collage, and use my prints as collage material, since there are always multiples!
What influences your work?
My past projects influence my work a great deal. My senior thesis and show was about this. I saw how past work and those concepts and techniques were popping up in my current work in some form or fashion. I tend use the same basis and play with the similar processes, always developing and refining it. I am really process oriented, the final product never holds much value to me. I'm over the piece by the time I'm done with it usually. For this reason, I tend to give my work away, or it sits in a closet,
This is your second year participating in Delaware Fun-A-Day, what first interested you in the event and what made you come back?
I was inspired by the work I had seen in prior years. The challenge of one thing per day appealed to me too. It's great motivation for me since I rarely make the time to create new work.
What can we expect to see from you this year at Delaware Fun-A-Day?
I am hoping to do the project I intended to do last year, but I may need to change it, due to size. It's a mixed media project that incorporates found objects. My back up project is a texture - a - day with paint.
What words of wisdom do you have for our first year participants?
Planning is important. Thinking about the display space and how you want your work displayed is key. Space is limited and the size restrictions are important. Last year I had photos, they were not matted and I ended up applying magnets to them to place on a metal wall. I spent money getting them printed professionally ( I'm not a photographer) and realized the photos would either get a pin pushed through them or magnets attached. I think I choose the lesser of two evils. But I wish I had planned better!
Did you run into any other challenges with your experience last year?
First I had to change my project. I had to have surgery and could not move around much for the first part of the month. I didn't want to drop out, so I took photos with my phone of my scar healing. The quality was not what I would have hoped for, and the subject matter was not something I ever thought to display, but I put it out there! Trying to make sure my work fit the size restrictions last year, was another challenge. Since it's a community show with a lot of participants, I tried to keep that in mind. That was a struggle for me since I was used to being free to create work in any size. As a printmaking major in college, my department was small, so our gallery shows allowed for no size restrictions. It was a rewarding challenge.
How can people help make Delaware Fun-A-Day a success this year and the years to come?
Others can help by making donations! Donate online and / or in the DE Fun-A-Day donation box at that will accompany the work this year!
A (Really Late) 2014 Recap & 2015 Update
Hey everyone! 2015 is quickly approaching and we're finalizing the details for the new show. Before we start kicking off a new year of Fun-A-Day, I wanted to thank everyone for such a smashing success of a show. We had over 375 people attend our opening show, with more traffic coming in to the DCCA over the weekend! That's kind of freaking amazing and it is because all of your talent, hard work and promotion that we had such a successful event.
We also managed to raise an additional $350, from food & drink ticket purchases, which we used to make a deposit on our 2015 show! So, with that being said, we're pleased to announce:
4th Annual Delaware Fun-A-Day
Registration Starts: Jan 1st, 2015
Projects Start: Feb 1st, 2015
Show Opening: March 6th, 2015 at the DCCA
SAVE THE DATE!
We will be emailing everyone about registration in the coming days as well as updating you on ways you can donate. We can't stress enough that donations are critical in making sure the event continues. We are just a small group of friends putting on a huge art show outside of our own jobs and lives. Your contributions ensure that we are able to host this accessible, all-ages, very unique event in our state.