Sleeping Dogs Studio

Owen knows how to relax.  I love this dog.

We are happy to announce a new partnership with Sagegrass Gallery in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine!

Sue Stanley, the Gallery owner and Sleeping Dogs Studio had been trying to get together for months – and finally the stars aligned and the timing was right for both of us.  As a result, a full array of our items will be for sale there starting in early July.

The whimsical and lovely exterior of Sagegrass is but a hint to the treasures you can find on the inside…can you say colorful?!?

The beauty continues on the inside with the eclectic mix of artisans that Sue has chosen to represent.  Here you will find a wide variety of lovely handmade items from all over the United States.

So if you happen to be in the Bar Harbor area, be sure to stop by…

…the array of options will literally leave you breathless!

You can see much more at their website:  www.sagegrassgallery.com!

As promised a week or so ago, all of our items on Etsy and Artfire are 20% off through Sunday, July 3rd.

You just need to know the “secret” coupon code, which is summersale1 (all one word). 

More items will be added daily, and most are new, so come check it out at:

Sleeping Dogs Studio Artfire Shop and at  Sleeping Dogs Studio Etsy Shop!

We are glad to welcome a new store to the Sleeping Dogs Studio family – and one from the Northern part of the US, where my family came from originally!

Patty Conlin is the effervescent owner and jeweler behind Stone’s Throw Gallery in Saint Peter, Minnesota.  Her Gallery is easy to find, given its other title as “The Big Blue House”!

I knew we were likely to be a fit with this store when I read part of their motto on their website - “Fine Art, No Attitude”.  What a great way to run a gallery!

Patty has brought together an eclectic and wonderful group of artists to showcase in her gallery, including everything from beautiful fiber work:

to Patty’s own gorgeous jewelry:

I don’t know for sure how we keep meeting such terrific store and gallery owners, but Patty is one of the best, and we feel fortunate to be working with her!

You can see more about them on their website below:

Stone’s Throw Gallery

I’m sorry to disappoint those that stopped by our booth at the Arts Fair on the Square today – the weather forecast had called for a sixty percent chance of severe storms, which doesn’t mix well with paper greeting cards, and our other paper-based items!  As a result, we sat on the front porch for awhile instead, while watching the hummingbirds trying to keep the rain at bay…

Eating and shaking off the rain...

Huddling on the hook...

We will be updating and expanding upon our items on Etsy and Artfire, and providing you with a sale coupon as an apology.  Thanks for your understanding!

I love this video, recently posted on one of my favorite blogs, Paper Whimsy.  This video, and a 60 Minutes article about her and her parents, contribute to the ongoing question of what is art?

Aelita Andre, Prodigy of Color

(For best results, watch at full screen size.)

Aelita is the daughter of 2 painters who live in Australia.  She has painted since she was six months old, and from the age of two on, has had several exhibitions (and sales) of her work.

I watched the 60 Minutes episode where Aelita’s parents were interviewed, and it’s clear that these are not stage parents.  And if you look closely at the attached video, you will see a child that not only genuinely loves to paint, but one who seems to think about what she is doing before making her next stroke, and clearly knows when the painting is “done”.  And frankly, I think some of her finished pieces are beautiful.

No matter what you think when you watch the video about any deeper meaning – I challenge you to enjoy her child’s enthusiasm for what she is doing – paint everywhere, totally focused.  THAT’s beautiful too.