Monday, May 10, 2010

Market Friends

I've been doing the downtown monthly art market for a year now, since it's very first day. This art market was the brain child of a couple of gallery owners who are commited to bringing life back into our down town area. This weekend was our first aniversary!



I've only lived here for 5 years and getting settled into the community and finding my niche has had it's ups and downs. But the art market has been one of those things that has enriched my life beyond words. We are a little bit of a family here. It's not all about selling. It's about community and my life feels quite blessed for having made the friends I would probably never have met were it not for the market. There's the intrepid core of us who've been there from the beginning. But there is also that extra special element of the people who come down to see us every month. We chat, we laugh.


One of those people who've been there from the beginning is Melissa. She dislikes having her photo taken, possibly even more than I do. But isn't she a gorgeous little thing. She makes these 'dragon eggs' from gourds. I must admit that I didn't really get it until I started watching her work on them. She's a little dynamo of energy. When she's not talking to customers, she's making her art. Each of these little beauties is drawn free hand with special markers, then laquered to preserve the finish. All born of her imagination.

The gourds are just a wee bit of what she makes. She's also a very accomplised textile artist. I just don't have any photos to show you.


I've made a commitment and next month one of these will be mine. Did I tell you they rattle? Yes, I do indeed need one of these.

13 comments:

Pearl and Pebble said...

Very cool LeAnn! And I agree with you, I think you need the one with the orange butterfly on the right:)

Unknown said...

Yes, 'need' would be the appropriate word for one of her little dragon's egg gourds. What fun LeAnn!

Judy said...

Melissa does such a wonderful job with the gourds and I also love the fact that they rattle...way cool!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oh Gosh LeAnn,

You have some of the coolest,gifted friends!!! Melissa's dragon eggs are simply incredible. Her drawings are perfect to add just a bit of mystical aura that all dragon eggs must certainly have!!

I'm so glad that you have found a group of artists that you can comfortably bond with. It just makes the artist part of your life that much richer!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Vintage Blue Studio said...

Those are very cool looking! I've never seen anything quite like them.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful little treasures.

Marie Cramp said...

How will you pick!! They are amazing!! I love things that are original and unique, that has to be the most unique thing I have seen in a long time :)

stregata said...

They are absolutely wonderful! Gee, I would love to visit your art market!

Kella said...

Lucky you be able to hook up with like minded people on such a regular time scale.

love those dragon eggs, they are certainly unique.

sharon said...

It is so great that you can connect to people with similar thoughts and interests. It really makes for a creative enviroment! Melissa's gourds are beauties!

Liz Revit said...

Wow! Melissa's gourds are fantastic. Does she have a blog or a Web site? I'd love to know what kind of markers work best on gourds. Thanks for sharing her wonderful work with us.

Barbara Lewis said...

Yay for artists to make you feel welcomed! Melissa does absolutely beautiful work. I hate to have my picture taken, too. Today my son got a new phone, a Droid, which I insisted he use to take my picture ... which is so unlike me! As soon as he did it, I said to him with glee, "Does it look like me?!!" He couldn't stop laughing. He said, "Who do you think it would look like?!" Smart ass!

Cindy said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary at the market...with such a wonderful group of art friends. The gourds are incredible little works of art... I am truly amazed at the different details on each...really wonderful!
Cindy