More Gallery Photos

Here, in no particular order, are more photos from the Beyond the Borders gallery exhibit, currently showing at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery, 206 E. Mill St., Round Top, Texas.
http://geraldtobola.com/coppershadetree.htm


Above: Susan King


Above: Nancy Dickey


Above: Linda Minton


Above: Sara Sissenwein


Above: Connie Fahrion


Above: Sara Sissenwein


Above: Susan King


Above and below: Gerald Tobola, Coppersmith Extraordinaire and Gallery Owner, gives a little private demonstration of his skills.



Above: Linda Minton


Above: Mary Ann Littlejohn


Above: Mary Ann Littlejohn


Above: Nancy Dickey


Above: Susan King


Above: Nancy Dickey


Above: Susan King


Above: Mary Ann Littlejohn


Above: Linda Minton, Cathy Winter


Above: Liz Broussard, Linda Minton


Above: Debbie Tobola standing behind Linda Minton's work.


Above: Linda Minton


Above: Susan King, Linda Minton, Nancy Dickey


Above, L to R: Cathy Winter, Linda Minton, and Nancy Dickey, standing in front of Mary Ann Littlejohn's "Coastlines".


Above: Connie Fahrion


Above: Linda Minton


Above: Elaine Connelly


Above: Susan King, Connie Fahrion, Sara Sissenwein, Linda Minton.

Beyond the Borders - Gallery Show

If you've been wondering where I've been, I do have an excuse ... the dog ate my homework! (No wait, that was my 5th grade excuse ... oh, I've got it now ...)

My contemporary art-quilt group, Beyond the Borders, was asked to put together a group show for the new Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, Texas. http://geraldtobola.com/coppershadetree.htm The Opening Reception was held on Friday, February 2, 2007, hosted by the inimitable Gerald Tobola and his charming wife Debbie, owners of the gallery.

Since this was our first gallery show as a group, there was a rather steep learning curve for most of us (although a few had shown work publicly before). Nevertheless, we did make the deadline (whew!) and were very happy with the turnout and the warmth with which we and our work were received. Here are some pics from the opening, and a couple from the following day.

In the first picture is Liz Broussard's "Java Jeans", constructed of recycled coffee filters and bluejeans. In the second pic is her "Obliquity", flanked on all sides by smaller works by others in our group, as well as some amazing wood-working artists represented by Gerald and Debbie.

First is Mary Ann Littlejohn's "Coastlines", which hangs behind the counter, and second is my "Dragons Need Love Too", which Gerald generously highlighted in a special display, along with the book, "Creative Quilting: The Journal Quilt Project", in which it is pictured.

And here's the view behind the counter, with Mary Ann Littlejohn's "Coastline" and Susan King's astonishingly life-like butterflies and moths.

Here is Susan King with her "huntin' buddy", followed by Virginia Spiegel visiting with Nancy Dickey. Virginia drove over with Liz Berg from their temporary digs as Artists in Residence at Karey Bresenhan's Creativity Center nearby, to see our show and have dinner at the famous Royers' Cafe.

Susan King, Mary Ann Littlejohn, and Liz Broussard, dishin' the dirt. Then there are Connie Fahrion, Virginia Spiegel, Liz Berg with our beloved host Gerald Tobola, owner of the Copper Shade Tree Gallery.

What's wrong with this picture? Debbie is working the cash register while Gerald is having fun with the artists and visitors! Debbie is a doll, and tends to work tirelessly "behind the scenes". In the next picture, Liz Berg checks out the artwork.

Neighboring gallery owner Marilyn Barbour arrived in her adorable glove-covered vest and "fascinator" hat, which made her the belle of the ball. She's visiting here with Mary Ann Littlejohn and Nancy Dickey. The next pic just shows some of the art-appreciators cruising the gallery.

Above are most of us ... Beyond the Borders ... from left to right:

Susan King, Nancy Dickey, Cathy Winter, Elaine Connelly, Connie Fahrion, Linda Minton, Mary Ann Littlejohn, Liz Broussard, and Nivea Chislet.

The next day, some of us had lunch at ... what was the name of that little place? on the other side of the even tinier town of Warrenton. (Ah yes ... The Oaks ... thanks Cathy!) Here, we are taking our cue from Karey's luncheon, where they all decided to take the elegant "hide the double-chin" pose for the camera. Liz Broussard, Cathy Winter, Linda Sura, Zee-I'm-Sorry-I-Don't-Know-Her-Last-Name, followed by Connie Fahrion, Susan King, and Nancy Dickey.

Nancy Dickey, me (Linda Minton), Liz Broussard, and Cathy Winter. Still hiding our double chins! (Well, some of us have more chins than others!)

What a wonderful opening we had ... and the show continues during the month of February, so if you get a chance, go by the gallery ... Copper Shade Tree, 206 E. Mill St., Round Top, Texas. Phone 979-249-4127 (closed Mondays). (shameless self-promotion, but hey, it's my blog!)

The Possum Trot Orchestra

The Possum Trot Orchestra ... isn't that a great name for a folk/country/bluegrass/blues band? My stepson John Minton is a founding member, along with Susie and Rob Suraci, and they have released their latest CD, called "Harbor Road" (for which John wrote many of the lyrics and sings lead vocals). John plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, keyboards & lap steel in this band, plus who knows how many other instruments ... the boy is a musical wizard!

(OK, disclaimer here ... I may be a little bit prejudiced ... plus I guess I must admit that he can no longer be considered a "boy", being a tenured professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, Ft. Wayne, and having a wife and grown daughter!)

I received my copy of the CD yesterday, and have been playing it non-stop since then. The music is sometimes sweet, sometimes amusing, sometimes heartbreaking ... Americana all the way. If you want to hear it (shameless family-promotion follows!) go to www.possumtrotorchestra.com and click on the "Sample/Buy the Music" link to cdbaby.com. I really love this CD!

What planet are you from?

This is what you put on your blog when you don't have time to upload pictures of any new work!

I Am From Jupiter

You are exuberantly curious - and you love to explore newness. Enthusiastic and optimistic, you get a kick out of stimulating intellectual discussions. Foreign cultures and languages fascinate you. You love the outdoors, animals, and freedom. Chances are you tend to exaggerate, so try to keep a lid on that. If you do, you'll continue to be known for your confidence, generosity, and sense of justice.

What Planet Are You From?

Inge's beautiful fiberart postcard

Hiding amongst all the unpaid bills and unsolicited advertisements was this wonderful piece of fiber art from my friend Inge in Denmark ... it is just gorgeous! Thank you so much, Inge!

Update: OOPS! Inge very sweetly asked me to turn the card around ... I had it upside down! Turns out, it wasn't an abstract Christmas tree as I had thought, but a Danish-style heart! So here it is in its correct orientation. Even better this way!

A fun surprise in the mail

A mystery box arrived on my doorstep today ... all the way from Hawaii! A gift-box of macadamia nuts from my long-distance friend Diedra, for whom I did a little FFAC shopping during Quilt Festival. Here's a picture of her funny address label and, even better, the Happy New Year card. Thanks, Diedra! The nuts arrived just in time to rescue me from the Dreaded Post-Holiday Letdown.