Saturday, June 30, 2007

Svasara Test Party (two): 7 year old birthday party

We had our second test party last week (Sydney's 7th birthday party) and the theme was 'fashion'. So there were about 15 girls between the ages of 5 and 8 who were the designers/design directors. Each girl got to pick out a tank baby doll style top and then had the choice of designing it herself or tell me how to design it. It was really cool seeing their faces light up when they saw the what they had done...Really priceless and filled me with such joy - validating again why we chose to setup the design business as structure for people to create beautiful items themselves.
You can see the photos of the shirts that each girl designed.

Now we are working hard on fine tuning the product and structure...stay tuned...


Svasara Test Party (one): baby shower

Earlier this month we had a baby shower for a friend and we decided to make it the first unofficial test/focus group for Svasara,Inc. After all the guests arrived we told them that they would be designers for the new baby. We gave each of the them two baby clothing items and then showed them how to design using the tools that we had created. I was really surprised at how besutiful everything came out, how each person really enjoyed and liked the idea a lot. It was really very good feedback and surpassed my expectations.

In addition, people loved the designs (patterns) that I had developed for them to use and the most amazing part was seeing how each person used them on the clothes - ways that I would not think of & truly depicting how everyone has an unique creative sensibility. It was great to see how when given the tools and techniques how creative each person is - the best items were designed by people who said that they did not have a creative bone in their body.

The mother-to-be was really happy as well and now she has unique pieces designed by her friends and family.

You can see the photos of each individual item that each guest designed for the new baby
(with some close-ups)(all designers are adults except for one 7 year old and one 8 1/2 year old).

Svasara, Inc.

Bare your design sense...

Svasara meaning the essence of you the name of the design company that Doris and I are building together. It provides a platform for people to create their own personal and home fashions. We provide the tools and techniques in an non-intimidating and fun setting for each person to be a designer and truly create items that represent themselves.

(more to come...)

The Pink Door

When I was a vendor at the Country Day Fair at the Kingsbury School last month, I met Juie Durham of the The Pink Door. The goal of The Pink Door is to be able to provide funds for screening mammography for the uninsured and underserved. On July 10, 2007, there will be a golf outing fundraiser for The Pink Door. I will be de donating a painting for the event to help raise money for mammographies.

Julie really liked my work and is looking to also sell my notecards and hire me to do designs in the store as well.

I hope my works out and brings more people in to raise awareness and funds. UPDATE: Met with Julie this week and there is much more she would like me to involved in - as we figure out the details I will post the new relationship and work to come from it (involves both my art/design & food)- It is very exciting!

In addition, I am thinking that the women of the Pink Door might really enjoy having a designing party - where they get to embellish & style their own clothing. So perhaps as we build Svasara, Inc. (the design company Doris & I are building together) - we can have these women have a party - fun and creative times together...

UPDATE: Donated painting ----

Untitled 40; 16" x 12"

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

100 Wall Street: Art on Loan 2007

I found out yesterday that three of my pieces have been selected to be displayed for one year in the Garvey Schubert Barer Law offices at 100 Wall Street (so excited! - one of 12 artists selected). It is part of the 2007 New York Art Expo.

It is really nice to know that it will be on display and seen! (I also have photographs that are on display in one of the lobbies of the NYSE that they bought two years ago - photos of the fall in Central Park). It also feels good to have my work out there in NYC even though I no longer officially live there...

The opportunity was provided by Robin Wilson Home - who coordinated the art selection process. (She is a fellow Ladies Who Launch Incubatress) They will be on display until June 1, 2008 and they are still all for sale.


Untitled 31

Untitled 29

Untitled 23



My work on view...

I have some of my paintings on view at the McEntire Method Pilates Studio in downtown Rochester, MI.


I will rotation different work over time. We talked about showing my plexiglass pieces in the windows of the studio - which I am very excited about - I think the style and the changes will go really well with the atmosphere in the space. The light coming through the window changing over the course of the day will really show off the pieces. Yo ucan see more of the images on my flickr site.


It is a really beautiful space and the owner, Trent McEntire, is very passionate and has created a comfortable environment to really pay attention and train his clients. My meeting with him turned out to be a great synergy-filled time and it looks like it will be positive (I will update as more things happen). I hope also to have a show of new art in September this year at the space.

New Paintings: Untitled 40 to Untitled 44


I have some new art work on my etsy shop. These five below are of similar style and could go well together as a series. Some of the work I have incorporated flower petals and leaves. The color is spare but dense and really has some nice effects as the light changes:

Untitled 44; 12" x 12"
$175

Untitled 41; 16" x 12"
$175

Untitled 42; 16" x 12"
$175

Untitled 43; 16" x 12"
$175

Untitled 40; 16" x 12"
SOLD