Rain ~ Dancing ~ Answering Prayers ~ Prayers Answered!

It is a lovely rainy sky day, thunder rolling in the distance, gray skies getting closer, and coffee freshly brewed keeping me happy. The rains have just begun falling and we are dancing with gratitude for the much needed moisture and the forecast for more!

Yvonne O'Brien's fine art photography graces the gallery now. We are getting ready for you to join us to see this new show. I'd love for you to come to the artist's reception to meet Yvonne Friday May 22nd from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Coffee will be flowing as well as iced mint tea, along with other goodies we've got to share. I hope you will make time to come celebrate with us. Purchase one of Yvonne's framed prints this weekend, May 22 - 24, and you'll receive a 10% discount.

I'm feeling really good about the way the energy is flowing in the gallery and want to thank Sasha for helping me with displays and other painterly tasks. I'm open, to remind you, Thursdays - Saturdays 10:00 am until 6:00 and Sundays noon - 4:00 pm. 

In the community news: A Community Yard Sale happens on Saturday May 23rd from 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at the corner of Clayton Hwy 87 & Folsom Hwy 325 in Des Moines. It's a great opportunity to buy, sell or trade your trash, treasures & goods. Call Jalane Osborn @ 575-278-3402 for more information. There will be a concession stand with BBQ, hot dogs, drinks & snacks so you can come out, show your wares, buy others wares and get to know your neighbors. Vital Roads is a sponsor of this event which will happen annually from now on.

The other thing you can do this Saturday is to take the Dry Cimarron Scenic Byways Tour. Sponsored by the Folsom Museum in association with the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Month. You'll meet at the Folsom Museum at 8:00 am. Bring water, good walking shoes, a light jacket, sunscreen and a hat. (Do I sound motherly?) The tour will take all day so make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Lunch will be BBQ at the Cross L Ranch.... donations are always appreciated. Call 575-278-2122 for more information.

Live @ Studio C! is next Saturday May 30th. We start at 5:30 with the open mike which now has three people signed up. Karen Anderson will be here to play her Celtic harp which leads nicely into Russ Ballew's original songs. Get out your creativity and take up this challenge: write. Write about anything... or if you prefer... draw, dance, sing, or play your instrument. If you can't think of anything to inspire your creation I have a suggestion: Share your experience with compassion. Then sign up for open mike and share it on the 30th with our audience here in Des Moines New Mexico.

So, there it is!

May the Rains fall gently and generously all across our parched lands.

Christina

Dream Time Coming

I've been inspired by the Garden Club ladies and the rows of new plantings ready to put into the ground with fresh smiling faces. As I rode my bike by the school earlier today Janet & Janice had me determined to be outside on this beautiful spring day.... now, late afternoon and I am finally here to share the news.

I'm just about to begin hanging the next featured artist's show: light, structure, space. Yvonne O'Brien's fine art photography will be featured in the gallery from May 21st through June 21st. Yvonne lives in Cimarron, New Mexico. Her work is dramatic and her connection to nature is deeply felt. Her images will be a joy to have in the gallery. Join us next Friday from 3:00 - 6:00 when we host a a reception for the artist. Come celebrate and have an opportunity to visit with Yvonne. Plan to return several times to be with her work. I hope you'll let one of her framed archival pigment prints work its way into your heart. We have made blank art gift cards for purchase... and of course we have lots of wonderful art and crafts for your shopping delight.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow because it is my mom's 75th birthday! She is such an amazing person and I am so very blessed to have her in my life. Her visit two Sunday's ago, when she came up here with my sister to attend the 3rd annual CreativiTea!, was a gift. Her faith in me keeps me buoyant as I continue to work on how to make this gallery out here in the middle of nowhere work.

Last Sunday we had a fabulous meal at the Capulin Country Store during their annual Mothers' Day brunch. The chicken alfredo was perfect. The buffet table was laden with abundant and delicious fare. We'll definitely plan to be there next year as well as holding the 4th CreativiTea! here the Sunday before.... so, for you advance planners out there May 9 & 16 are the dates to save for Studio C & Capulin Country Store. In the meantime keep your eyes peeled for great arts venues, experiences, and ideas. Share them here if you can't wait for next year's CreativiTea!

Live @ Studio C! is just up ahead. May's show features Russ Ballew, local singer & songwriter from Clayton. He's got a new cd out titled Recovery Music Vol. 3. Check him out at his website.  In the spotlight will be Karen Anderson with her celtic harp. Two friends have already signed up for the open mike list. Tom and Linda will be traveling though and will join in the fun. The date is Saturday May 30th and it all starts at 5:30. Send me an email and I'll put your name on the open mike list too.

This weekend, Saturday May 16th, is your opportunity to join the annual Folsom Archaeological Tour. Two times are available, the morning trip leaves at 8:00 a.m. from the Folsom Museum and the afternoon trip leaves at 1:00 p.m.. A free chuck-wagon lunch is available at the museum. Your donations will be gratefully accepted. All donations will support the Folsom Museum. This tour is amazing! Call 575-278-3664 or 575-278-2122 for more information.

Tim's review of the Des Moines Elementary School's spring program I wrote of two posts ago can be read here and here. (It's two pages so be sure to click both to read the full story) I'm beginning to upload photos from sessions we've had this semester at my Art Plays Its Part! photo gallery here. You can tell I'm proud and excited about working with the school to develop this program.

I'm also excited by the future. Studio C is a work in progress. There is a lot to do before I can call it "done" but I offer my artists a lovely space to show and I offer art appreciators a place to stop and visit and take home something special from the heart of an artist. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays I'm open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sundays I'm open noon to 4:00 p.m. I am happy to open by appointment Monday - Wednesday. Call the gallery at 575-278-3517 to set up an appointment... or plan on coming by Thursday - Sunday. Let me know you read this blog with a comment and I'll give you 10% off your purchase over $10.00. I've got free wireless internet for my customers. I appreciate your business and look forward to growing into a must stop destination ArtSpace here in Des Moines, NM.

Happy Birthday Mom! 

Blessings of Health, Longevity and Prosperity to all~

Christina

Making Wings

Last Sunday Studio C was the site of nurturing and guidance during our 3rd annual CreativiTea! I'd like to thank everyone who gave of their time and heart right here for all the world to hear: Thank you very much for your kind words of support and wise ideas for growth and continued improvements. Your presence is felt as I plan out the Summer Art! calendar and the shows for the rest of the year. We all enjoyed the green chile stew that Kelly taught me to make. Thank you!

Mark your calendars for next year: May 9th which is, again, the Sunday before Mother's Day. We do that because the Capulin Country Store opens their Summer restaurant season with a Mothers' Day brunch and we want to eat there. Mothers' Day is tomorrow and we'll be at The Capulin Country Store enjoying a wonderful brunch buffet. Maybe we'll see you there!

We will be hanging our next featured artist soon! Yvonne O'Brien's photography show: light, structure, space will hang May 21 - June 21. We will be having a reception for the artist on Friday May 22 from 3:00 - 6:00. Mark your calendars and join us for a festive event. Refreshments will be served.

Classes for this year's Summer Art! season: Mask-making, Pastel on Paper, Mural Painting on Canvas, Painted T-Shirts, Papier-mache Sculpture, and something new: ShowTime! ~Putting it All Together. This class will be for the few, the brave, the proud who take more than two classes during the season. We'll be creating a show, a performance showcase, with artwork created by participants. What we come up with no one knows...... yet! Does this sound like fun to you? Let me know in the comments.... I'll be creating my brochure this week so your input may be included. Those who've participated in Summer Art! in the past know that classes are mixed. Youth and adults are equals at the art table and we all have a lot of fun learning together benefitting from the freedom of the innocent and the wisdom of experience. I'm planning on holding morning and afternoon sessions (9:00 - 11:30 in the am and 2:00 - 4:30 in the pm). Yes, I'm shortening them to two and a half hours. Each class will meet three days in a row for a total of seven and a half hours of instructed time per session. I am happy to have students enroll in both sessions if they want to have more time to explore their artwork. Tuition is based on $10.00/hour and there is no materials fee. I am excited about this year's class offerings and look forward to a great season of learning and growing together.

It was my pleasure to drive to Trinidad yesterday to see Tim Keller's photography at the A.R. Mitchell Museum. I car-pooled with Kelly who also wanted to see the show. You can take a virtual trip of the show. It is thrilling to see an artist really take off. Read Laura Brewer's preview of the show here.

Speaking of taking off, read Tim's article about the recent school clean-up (p1 & p2) sponsored by the Des Moines School Rural Revitalization Initiative. Kelly is on the steering committee and helped organize the event.

So, having taken an art break to go see Man of La Mancha at The Schuler Theatre in Raton, I can say good night with a smile on my face and a glow in my heart... I love art and the creative life!

Dream Good Things~

Christina

The Art of Conversation

Welcome to this place of sharing! Our picture this week is of Kathryn Engel during her performance at last Saturday's Live @ Studio C!

She was captivating as she portrayed Blanche DuBois, Amanda Wingfield, and a narrator in the show she has written. Read all about it at Tim Keller's website.

Tomorrow is the third annual CreativiTea! From 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. the gallery will be a place of ArtFull conversation. I am excited about the circle gathering and these last hours in preparation.... the house smells rich with the pork roast I started last night.... my friend Kelly makes a delicious green chile stew that she is teaching me how to make.... step 1: slow roast a pork shoulder roast. After the gallery closes she'll show me the rest of her technique.

Today I am enjoying a busy day here at Studio C. Abbie is here taking advantage of the high-speed connection free to all of my customers, updating her computer's software and enjoying a bottomless cup of Bolivia Caranavi coffee.

I've been up to happy ears working for Des Moines School's new curriculum-based art program Art Plays It's Part! Inge Bobek and Martin Montoya just finished mini-residencies in the high school and elementary respectively and now the whole elementary is working on their annual spring program which happens Tuesday May 5th. The show is called Spring Flowers for Skinny Horse and is a "performance showcase" bringing together dancing, singing, and performance. I invite you to come out to see the students' and teachers' great work. Show time is 7:00 but come early to see the artwork on display.

I am not able to be in Raton tonight to see the final show of the Raton Arts & Humanities Council's 2008/2009 performance season, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra... so, if any of you local readers would like to see the show with my tickets then please do post a message and I'll give you two seats. Show time is 7:30 p.m.. Call me at 575-278-3517 if you want immediate gratification. Speaking of immediate gratification.... how about patience and persistance? Did you see the video of Susan Boyle's performance on British television? Her story is a great example of faith and patience rewarded. It also has had the effect of reminding all of us not to judge a person by their appearance. I hope that this wonderful story helps all of us to listen to what our friends, neighbors and strangers too have to share and that as a global community we strive to work together in harmony.

I've posted some pictures on my flickr site from the recent goings on which you might want to take a look at... and now that I have a camera again and am beginning to know how it works I'll be posting more. 

In the mean time I know you are all fully engaged in wonderfully diverse pursuits and offer you my wishes for your happiness.

Happy May Day!

Christina

Listening is an Art!

Live Poetry has changed to Live @ Studio C! and is getting started this weekend! 

Join us for an exciting twist of theatre as Kathryn Engel, from Raton, NM, presents her one-woman show: Two Women of Tennessee Williams right here on Broadway Avenue in Des Moines!

The show opens with our open mike where we give anyone brave enough 1-3 minutes to share their talent. I have a young sax player signed up already so don't be shy. I've invited Tim Keller to give us a short reading of some of his recent works. He's been writing almost daily for the Trinidad Chronicle as he's also writing another article for Western Horseman and preparing for his second photography exhibit at The A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad, Colorado in May.

Spring has sprung here in full force... Tulips are gloriously bright harbingers of the coming green; butterflies of all sorts of colors and patterns have begun to flutter all about and one of my strawberry transplants here at the studio is already blooming!

May is almost here and that means our annual CreativiTea! is near at hand. This year it moves from Mothers' Day to the Sunday before: May 3rd. We meet in circle to brainstorm and review the state of the arts @ Studio C ~ ArtSpace & Gallery on the 3rd. I'll have green-chili stew and corn bread to nourish and sustain the idea exchange. This event is another opportunity for me to say thank you to all the wonderful people who really care about the success of Studio C. All supporters are hereby cordially invited. Please RSVP so we have plenty of stew to go around. Wear your spring hats and bring a sweater... sometimes the gallery is still a bit chilly in May. By having our CreativiTea! a week early we support the Capulin Country Store in their annual Mothers' Day Buffet which opens their summer season of delicious lunches available from 11:00 - 2:00.

Where have I been? 

I know, I've been remiss in keeping the blog current... but, like a dog on a bone and happy too, I've been working with with Des Moines Schools to develop a curriculum-based arts program. We've been working tirelessly to make several projects happen and with the end of the current school year at hand I've been "submerged" in the business of arts program management and teaching... so much so that I've let my blog suffer... even the gallery at Studio C has been feeling neglected (if galleries can feel?! :-))

It's all about art and it all ties together though: I've completed a mask-making class with the 3rd & 4th grades who have been studying a unit on "Self". Dino Cornay has been working with 5th & 6th grade classes on pencil drawings of President Lincoln. Inge Bobek is currently artist in residence and working on a mural project the 7th grade science class. They have been studying plant life and seed germination. Next week Tecolote, NM artist Martin Montoya, will be teaching K, 1st & 2nd grade students painting. They will work with spring flowers and Mothers' day pictures. We've been working with the elementary teachers on their annual Spring Program. Their students have been practicing songs, square dances and the lines for an original production which brings it all together: Spring Flowers for Skinny Horse. Parents and community members are volunteering their time and talent in support of the show which will be on Tuesday May 5th at 7:pm at Des Moines Schools.

So, there it all is... and I'll update you next week with more news.

Hope to see or hear from you soon. Leave a comment here or send me an email and let us know what is springing up in your life.

Joyfully Yours,

Christina

Aware of Many Blessings

We've had a blizzard! Our highway was closed Thursday evening at 6:pm as the blizzard blew in with a fearsome speed... stranding friends at friends and travelers here in town.

Temperatures dropped to the teens and visibility to 3 feet, no further than the hood of your car....

Now the highway is open again, traffic is flowing, and I am happy to have heat in the studio... even if it has not prevented my water pipes from freezing.

Our featured act is unable to make it tonight and with the frozen pipes to deal with I've decided to cancel tonight's Live @ Studio C! I'll miss all of your wonderful poetry and smiling faces. Thanks for calling in to check on tonight... it's been bittersweet to turn you away!

So, thanks to Mother Nature we will start our 2009 season for Live @ Studio C! on Saturday April 25th with Katherine Engel as our featured act. She will be performing her one-woman show: Two Women of Tennessee Williams. It will be an exciting night of live entertainment here. $3.00 cover charge gets you in the door. Proceeds from the door will go to support Art Plays Its Part! at Des Moines School. Show your appreciation for the entertainment when we pass the hat.

I'll let you know when we'll have Colfax Reunion here as soon as the band confirms the date... we've decided to make a Sunday afternoon event just for them so keep in touch.

In the meantime I've been working on the floor in the studio with the help of my Vital Roads friends who came over Wednesday evening and got me started with 80 minutes of concentrated effort and I'm anxious to get back to it.

My husband, Tim Keller, has been busy writing up a feature story about the travelers who ended up stranded in Des Moines, safely housed in the school while the blizzard raged on. So many wonderful people here in northeastern New Mexico taking care of strangers and keeping the roads safe even in the worst of conditions.

The snow has brought much needed moisture to our dry land and the sun shines brightly on it all now. There is so much to be grateful for.

Let's keep that strong in our hearts.

Blessed Be!

Christina

Learning About New Mexico

On Saturdays I come in and listen to NPR radio, which has been airing an amazing program about New Mexico's history, culture and land called: The Shift of Land. The project is funded in part by the New Mexico Humanities Council. It has been fascinating to listen to each weekend. It's so deep in its inquiry of New Mexico that I cannot turn it off or even down while the program airs. I wanted to share it with you all. I know you too will enjoy learning more about New Mexico and/or knowing that this information is being documented and made available to a global audience.

Today, Saturday March 14th, is my one year anniversary of opening Studio C with regular hours. Wow! I actually remember the anticipation and excitement I had on that day last year.

I can't contain my thrill at having made this mark in the work-in-progress that is Studio C and my own journey in building an arts business in this beautiful area of New Mexico. Thank you all for making this possible.

Blessings~

Christina

P.S. This is a special entry to celebrate the day so be sure to read on through the next post: One Year Anniversary. ~ Christina

One Year Anniversary!

Studio C celebrates its one year anniversary this weekend!

Last year on March 14th, I opened Studio C with regular hours. I have been blessed with wonderful customers ever since. It's so good that I've added Thursdays to the regular hours. Studio C is open Thursdays through Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. Thank you to everyone who supports the gallery. I really appreciate your business and your spreading the word about Studio C.

Out here in Des Moines, New Mexico, some think that opening an art gallery & artspace is a nutty idea. I have found that there are so many artisans and artists here in our quiet corner of the state that it is a brilliant idea. When you visit Studio C you will see local and regional talent as well as artists I have met in this blessed life. I'm always looking for new art, gifts and treasures.

Studio C is a dream come true. I'm amazed that it's been a year! I'm thrilled about the day and the years ahead. To share my gratefulness I invite you to come by the gallery. Receive a 10% discount on your purchases for the month of March. It's my way of saying thank you!

I've added more bookings to our Live @ Studio C! calendar and I've finalized the gallery show schedule. Scroll down to the Keeping the Faith entry to get the update for Live @ Studio C! and scroll down to the First Spring Rain entry to get the updated gallery schedule.

It helps my blog's statistics if you spend time on my blog... thanks for scrolling down to see the updated schedules. I appreciate you reading my blog, posting comments and sending email to me directly!

Under the heading of community news we find our recent efforts to bring recycling to Des Moines making steps forward. You can help our volunteer efforts by sending an email to Recycle Des Moines. Tell us that you want to recycle. Let us know what recycling you currently do. If you don't recycle now, what would you need to start recycling? Be sure to include your name and address so we can keep you informed as we make progress. Come into Studio C to sign a supporters list. We've also made a grant application for $10,000.00 with the Green Heroes Grant program. Beginning March 16th you can vote for our grant to win that money. You'll have to register your email address and I hope, for recycling in our area's sake, that you will do so. You can read more info about the grant program here. Vote for our grant to win March 16th - April 10th.

The annual Local Health Fair is coming up on April 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the EMS building in Des Moines. For more information or to request a screening "menu" email Tami.

Enjoy the oncoming spring weather, the new green that is poking out of the ground and your own creative pursuits! Be inspired with pictures from the blessing ceremony we held for Studio C even before we opened with regular hours. Inspire us by sharing your stories in the comments to this entry.

Don't forget that the coffee just arrived so now is the perfect time to stop by and pick up our fabulous organic fair-trade whole bean coffee. (10% discount this month... now's the time!)

See you soon!

Be Well!

Christina

First Spring Rain

We had our first rain today... the weather forecast had 0 chance of precipitation even as it first rained and then snowed. Just goes to prove that your own eyes are better than any weather prediction.

Coffee lovers come on by. I just received a new order of coffee which was roasted the morning it shipped to Studio C.

I've been out in the world searching for items to outfit the gallery and am thrilled to have found the glass display case of my dreams. Finally I can bring in wonderful things to fill the case. I'll be working on this in the coming months so be sure to stop in and see what is new. I also brought in some wonderful vintage and antique treasures... this business adventure is expanding even as I work to contain certain aspects of it.

I'm so excited about Live @ Studio C!

March 28th is our first show of 2009. Kathryn Engel shines in the spotlight and Dino Cornay is the featured act, bringing his band Colfax Reunion - Unplugged to entertain us for the evening. We start each evening off with our open mike so be sure to sign up and share your inspiration with us! Thrive in creativity, sharing and discovery.

I've booked harpist Karen Anderson to feature for our November Show of Gratitude and as a spotlight act for the upcoming May show.

2009 GALLERY SCHEDULE ~This is a work in progress so check back for updates

MAY - JUNE
Sunday May 5th: 3rd Annual CreativiTea!
May 21 - June 21: Featured in the gallery: Cimarron photographer Yvonne O'Brien.
Artist reception for Ms. O'Brien will be Friday May 22, 2:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.

JULY - AUGUST
Farmer's Market begins in July
June 25 - August 30: Featured in the gallery: Local artist Nathanial Franklin.
Artist reception for Nathanial Franklin TBA

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
September 26th: September Fall Harvest Arts Street Fair:
Saturday 9:00 - 4:00 *sponsored by Vital Roads
October 8 - November 8: Student Artists' Show featuring the work of students in
Summer Art!, Places of Wonder & Des Moines Schools
Artists' reception will be Sunday October 11, 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
November 27 - December 27: Holiday Show: Miracles ~ Small Works/Local Flavors
Reception for the artists will be Friday November 27, 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.

I'm working on the Summer Art! and Places of Wonder schedules and will be posting them soon. Thanks for keeping in touch and sending me email. I love to hear from you and am looking forward to visiting with you soon.

Blessings!

Christina

Feeling New

What a lovely day today has become!

I have a free ticket to Post Comedy Theater, playing this coming Sunday afternoon at The Shuler Theatre in Raton New Mexico.

Send me a joke and be the first to make me laugh and I will give it to you. See how easy that is? Come on, make me laugh!

That said, I promised that I would give you the show schedule in this post but I've still got work to do on it... so I'll keep this entry short so I can get to it.

We have some beautiful glass jewelry in the gallery and more on the way and I am getting closer to being at the shawl factory. Thanks to Elissa for showing off some samples for us!

Tim Keller, photographer, writer, and now journalist has been expanding his horizons even further with his review of the Raton Youth Theater's latest performance. Check out his blog for the latest details.

Avery Christy, Union County Leader reporter, stopped into the gallery this afternoon looking for stories. He said that his door is "always open" for your stories. Send him an email with your news.

Are you feeling the spring in the air and seeing the green popping up from the earth? If not I encourage you to put on a jacket and go outside to peek at all the new growth beginning to show. I've noticed that there are tulips on the way.

Would you like a little inspiration? Check this out for cool, as in, "Cool as a cucumber."

Keep checking back this weekend since I'll decide the schedule and update this post rather than wait till next week.

Cheers for now,

Christina

Keeping the Faith~

Cold weather has come back to Des Moines and my gallery is chilly so wear a big fuzzy sweater when you stop in this weekend.

I've been really busy during the week working for Art Plays It's Part! at Des Moines School and am in the midst of forming an ArtsTeam to help build the program. Several people are already committed to help and we are still looking for more arts lovers to rock art! We will meet next Wednesday @ 3:30 at the school. If you want to support the arts for our students you are welcome. Send me an email and I'll give you details.

I've also been working with a group of citizens and students to bring a recycling program to our community. We've been making the rounds to our village and the school board to generate support and partnerships.

Then too, I've been thinking about Studio C's Summer Art! classes and the Places of Wonder program which partners Studio C with Rainbow Ranch in Folsom. Please send your suggestions for classes so I can know what you are interested in before the schedule gets set.

Now, last week I promised to let you know our line-up for Live! @ Studio C so here it is:

Our open mike starts each night so bring your contribution and give us an opportunity to shower you with applause. The sound in the gallery is so good we've dispensed with the microphone but I'm still calling it an "open-mike". Ideas to rename it are welcome!

March 28: Features Dino Cornay with his new acoustic group with a Spotlight: Kathryn Engel
April 25: Features Kathryn Engel & her one woman show: The Women of Tennessee Williams
May 30: Features Russ Ballew with a Spotlight: Karen Anderson
June 27: Features Karyna Cragin with a Spotlight: Tim Keller
July 25: Features Tim Keller
August 29: Features Gabrielle Louise
September 27: Feature and Spotlight TBA
October 31: Features Peter Burg
November 22: 3rd Annual Show of Gratitude: Features Karen Anderson

I'm keeping the cover charge at $3.00. We'll also be passing the hat for our featured acts. I'll ask you to consider the price of live entertainment and give generously. Let's build Live! @ Studio C into a great gig that entertainers love to come to. Think of the gas money you're saving! We can look forward to years of wonderful entertainment coming direct to downtown Des Moines, New Mexico as we show our appreciation generously.

Now do you see why I'm so exited about the upcoming Live! @ Studio C? I'm working on the Spotlights and September - November so let me know if you want to be an act or know a great act that I should know about!

Did you know: Studio C carries Western Horseman now! Stop in for a copy and a cup of coffee and I'll let you in on the gallery shows I've got planned. (I'm saving that for next week!)

Till then, or till we meet here, Walk in Joyful Song!

Christina

The Artist is In!

Welcome!

I've been away from my blog for a while so let me thank you for returning and welcome you to my new year. I appreciate all the wonderful support I have coming in for Studio C's ongoing growth.

While on winter break I was able to travel to Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado on January 25th & 26th to take a course from Allan McConnell called No More Starving Artists about the business behind being an artist. Wow! Did I get an amazing amount of useful information.... all geared towards helping artists make a good living with their art.

Now here's the thing: I've found that I'm learning how to be an artspace owner and there is a lot to learn! I opened the gallery & ArtSpace thinking I could do my art while waiting for visitors to come through the door. Naive, I know now, but this journey is one I am blessed to be on.

I've been working on the schedule of events for 2009 and see that I will have to cut some of the plans down so that I have time to work on my art. I am challenged to create a thriving ArtSpace and work on my own style and vision. Some think it cannot be done and that I have to choose. Their opinions have been duly considered and I'm committed to seeing my vision become reality. I've had this dream that both are going to happen and I intend to follow it to the end.

So, welcome to this glorious new year! I look forward to your visit. I'm working hard to create an exciting and welcoming space for lots of local, regional and friend artists to show their art, grow their style, develop their artistic voice and share their talents and to grow myself as an artist. Studio C is a perfect place for both to be happening! All are welcome to share ideas, visions and fun. Come by, see what we've got and join in the going!

Next week I'll give you a listing of the upcoming events, classes and show opportunities. In the meantime, mark your calendars for our monthly performance event now called Live! @ Studio C. We resume in March, on the 28th, at 5:30 with Dino Cornay's new acoustic group! Featured acts are booked through July and we have a GREAT line up for you. Don't forget our open mike starts the show... why not get out a pen & paper and put down some new poems, songs, stories, ideas and plan on sharing this year!

Till next week,

Walk in Grace, with Joy!

Christina

P.S. While I'm thinking about it, leave me a comment and let me know what kind of classes you would love to take this summer. Thanks! Mucho!

Happy New Year!

Quite the holiday... Tim & I went home to Mom's where we patiently waited til New Year's day to open gifts when all could be present. We all ended up loving it. Something about opening gifts on New Year's day seemed like we'd discovered ourselves in a new paradigm. We even got a little whacky while Tim took some family portrait shots.

Today I opened Studio C by appointment for my friend Sunny Hill so she could buy some of Tim's photo art cards and Sharon Niederman's book Return to Abo.

Tomorrow I'll be at my studio to work on some art! I have been looking for time to commit to making my art. Mondays will start my weeks off on a satisfying note. Tomorrow I'll be opening the gallery to sell coffee to a neighbor who called this evening. I love to open the gallery and will be happy to do so for you too. Send me an email and we can schedule an appointment.

Here's hoping you are enjoying a wonderful start to your new year too!

Cheers!

Christina

Weekend Slice!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Blessed Yule, Merry Merry!

Anyway you slice it, the warmth and joy in your heart that this time of year brings is a great feeling to have. Here's hoping all of you have had some wonderful quality time with your family, friends and community.

I've got a great sale going on here at the gallery! Everything in the gallery is 20% off for this weekend only. Over 30 artists are represented in the gallery. All the artists at Studio C are known to me either locally, regionally or by way of my friends' or my own travels.

We have local landscape art cards, JR Gilstrap prints and the memorial 18 month calendar(2009-2010), leather gift tags, natural goat milk soaps, naturally scented soy based candles, stained glass mobiles, wind chimes, a gorgeous stained glass window, antique bottle ornaments, fused glass earrings & window hangings, slumped glass candle screens, hand blown glass ornaments, and vases, bead bracelets, necklaces and earrings, pottery, poetry, books, music, pastels, imported hand-batiqued t-shirts, star flowers, archival photo prints, fresh-roasted, freshly ground fair-trade gourmet coffee beans and chocolate, Father Christmas dolls, accent pillows, incense(Nag Champa), sweet grass braids, watercolors, landscape prints on canvas, and…more!

Your patronage supports an array of artisans and artists and of course the dreamer who believes that an ArtSpace in the middle of nowhere is a great idea. That dreamer just happens to be an artist too. Thus, I'm building my model on an artisan/artist-first framework. What I'm building here, with the help of so many talented individuals is an oasis for the imagination. Can you think of a finer reason to choose to shop here? By shopping here you are making a stand for beauty, innovation, independence, freedom and creativity! You are actively engaged in community and economic development here in Union County New Mexico. Studio C is where creativity grows. Come on in and feel it yourself.

I'll be stoking my own creative fires in January. Studio C will be open by appointment only for the first 4 weeks of 2009. We are taking a winter break. That will give me a chance to work on some ideas I've had percolating for months now but haven't been able to attend to. It all feeds into the ongoing plans for creating a thriving business here in Des Moines, New Mexico, the place my husband Tim Keller and I have adopted as our home. We've been here over nine and a half years. Each new day is an affirmation of the rightness of our move.

Speaking of Tim, his gorgeous framed archival prints are currently hanging in the gallery. This would be a great weekend to come visit the gallery and take one home with you!

My friend Nancy the nurse stopped in on Tuesday and asked me how Tim & I ended up in Des Moines. She heard the whole story and the telling reminded me of the faith in dreams that brought us to this beautiful landscape. It comes as no surprise to me that so many of the people who live here are blessed with a deep respect for the land and its beauty. Nancy is a relative new-comer too and has been very successful in helping to bring a school-based health center to our town. There is so much opportunity here. It is great fun to be part of a new blooming that is happening in the area.

As you can imagine, part of the bloom involves the arts. The Raton Arts & Humanities Council is one of two local arts councils in our area. Drive 38 miles west of Des Moines to get to Raton, New Mexico, at the crossing of I-25 and highways 64/87. It is a small town of just over 6500 people. There is a bustling arts community which is striving to bring arts-based economic development to our area. They are currently engaged in application for Arts & Cultural District designation for the downtown area. Gaining this status will be a big step towards increased visibility on the arts map. I invite you to visit their gallery in Raton: The Old Pass Gallery. Then come on east to visit me here. I will be here all weekend after which I'll be happy to open by appointment during my winter break.

One last bit of news... I am expanding our regular hours! When we open on January 29th our regular hours will be Thursday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday's noon - 4:p.m. I'm always open by appointment if you are coming through town Monday through Wednesday.

I plan on keeping my blog updated weekly during my break so keep watching for news and cool links to follow... use your browser's back button to return to the post. I'll keep you updated with what I'm up to. Don't forget that I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment.

Blessings & Beauty,

Christina

Around the World at this Time

The biscochitos are here! A plate of fresh New Mexican anise cookies, made by my neighbor and friend awaits your visit.

I've been busy with customers and visitors all weekend long... have family visiting for Tim's birthday which is today! This explains the late update. Please forgive me.

I have lots to share though... first of all Studio C will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for your holiday shopping convenience. Now we are not normally open those days but with Christmas just days away I wanted to be open for all you last-minute shoppers.

My mom has a great saying, " If it weren't for the last minute a lot of things just wouldn't get done." So come on out to Des Moines, New Mexico to do some great shopping. I have hot coffee, cider, hot chocolate and biscochitos here for you to enjoy while you visit.

The gallery was a studio earlier today with Tim Keller (the birthday boy) shooting portrait and product photos for the website we will be developing over the next quarter. He brought light to Peter Burg's beautiful pottery, poetry and cd Dizzy Light.

I've also put out new items for your shopping pleasure. Fused-glass tree ornaments by Anne Norvell, antique glass bottle ornaments, more pottery, cd's and poetry books from Peter Burg and music by Russ Ballew . Much more is here waiting to go home with you as a special gift for someone you love... or a treat for you!

So! That's the big news. I'm here for you.

Come by, stay a while, enjoy the art on the walls and take home some great gifts.

Leave a comment so we know you were here.

Blessings of the season to all!

Christina

It's Here!

Tis the season to celebrate miracles, compassion, love and harmony.

This Yule ornament was created by glass blower Keith Stuart of San Jose, New Mexico. We have several still for sale this season.

The magic of sand turning into a translucent molten blob that you can blow into all kinds of shapes has always been one thing that mesmerized me as a child. We lived near a glass foundry when I was in second grade in Santa Fe. It was close enough that mom & dad allowed me to walk there after school. These beautiful ornaments remind me of those days.

What memories do your holidays bring up for you? Leave a comment and share your favorites.

The branches in the background are from the Piñon trees that are here for sale. If you haven't gotten yours yet stop by and pick one up. Call the number on the front door and seal the deal with my neighbor!

I have a beautiful array of holiday gifts for your shopping pleasure. All are hand crafted by wonderful people so you can feel three times joyful when you shop at Studio C in Des Moines, New Mexico.

Some of you have been waiting for JR Gilstrap's memorial calender. Wait no more. It is here. 18 months starting with January 2009. Images selected from JR's sketch books by his wife JJ and her children to commemorate JR's life. I am also pleased to announce that JJ is now one of Studio C's artists! She brought in some Christmas gift tags in leather and is expanding into making vests with leather. Soon she'll be bringing those in too!

The January issue of Western Horseman has just reached the newsstands with Tim Keller's photographs and article on a recent cattle drive, titled "Driving on Blacktop". Buy a copy here at the gallery. I've decided to carry the magazine in the shop so come by each month to pick up a copy. I'll be developing a reading area so you can come by the shop and enjoy a restful and inspiring visit with lots of interesting magazines and books to explore.

Studio C will be open extended hours during the holiday. Regular hours are Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. I will be open Monday December 22 through Wednesday December 24 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. so you can shop for gifts right up to the last minute! During those days I'll have biscochitos and hot chocolate in addition to coffee and tea for my visitors. My friend and neighbor Mrs. Bachicha will be making the biscochitos for us. Yum! So really, you simply must come in to visit.

I hope you have a moment and will leave a holiday memory in the comments.... We'd love to hear your stories.

Keep warm!

Christina

Seasonal Sensational

Wow! It was synchronicity to a spectacular degree! I was putting Anne Norvell's new earrings, just tagged and priced, into a lovely wide basket for display in the gallery when I heard the "you've got mail" blip on my computer. What a lovely surprise! K. Tompkins with news of her newest endeavor.... a day of play with the new pastels she credits me with inspiring her to buy. Well, let me tell you, this young woman, studying for her PhD in veterinary medicine is also a gifted artist. She was here in the summer helping out at Rainbow Ranch and made some gorgeous signs for our Fall Harvest Festivals. After returning home to take up her studies she painted a landscape to remind her of New Mexico which seems to have captured her heart. BTW: the photo above is K. wearing a pair of Anne Norvell's fused glass earrings. Aren't they lovely? I just put out 20 + pairs in a variety of styles and colors. Since the website to order from is not up yet you'll have to come by to see... or email me and I'll send you pictures!

Studio C ~ ArtSpace & Gallery
Where Creativity Grows! Thanks K. for sharing your testimony to the truth of the mission here at 517 Broadway Avenue in Des Moines, New Mexico.

Of course we are all thinking about the holidays and how we will handle gift giving. My friend Sally and her husband are doing a "materialism free" holiday. I applaud them. This is a great time to examine our spending habits and make commitments to live in sustainable ways. Sustainability is a factor in all aspects of our lives, home, community, nation, planet and spirit.

When you shop it is important to consider who and what your dollars are supporting. The coffee and chocolate we sell at Studio C is organic and fairly traded. All the art and the crafts are made by artisans and artists who are local, regional or met on my travels with my husband Tim Keller. When you choose to buy from Studio C you are supporting artists and a small business in the tiny town of Des Moines, New Mexico. You are helping to build our local economy. I am so proud of the artists represented by the gallery. I would love it if you come in and shop for your holiday gifts this year. I hope you will. Come on by and I'll give you 10% off your purchase of $30.00 or more if you mention this blog!

Tim has been keeping a blog at his new website where you can buy prints of his wonderful photographs. Check out the latest entry. It's quite interesting. :-)

More news on the sustainability front: the installation of the new radiant solar heat system is done and the system is now "charging". This requires 3 - 5 days of sunny weather which we have not been getting. Slowly but surely the thermal storage panels will gather heat from the hot water piped through them. Once they have a chance to really soak up some heat they will then radiate it back into the building slowly.

So, dark has come across the village and holiday lights are sparkeling here and there. Time to head home and enjoy some time with Tim and the pups, cat and kitten in the warmth of our woodstove heated house. Hope you are enjoying a lovely time with your favorite people.

Wishing everyone all around the world a glorious holiday season, no matter what tradition you celebrate. Let's every one of us work together to bring all the soldiers home, not just for the holidays but forever. We can do it. I know this in the very marrow of my bones.

Blessings on all~

Christina

Thank you!

Thank you! ~ Thank you to everyone who has had a part in growing Studio C! To all the artists, teachers, students, parents, visitors, customers, performers, suppliers,
advisers, student business consultants, interested professors, family, neighbors and especially this wonderful country where it is all possible! Studio C opened its doors to guests for the first time in May of 2007 to host a poetry book launch for Tim Keller. We've gathered together every month since then on the last Saturday for Live Poetry!, our open mike and performance event. We held Summer Art! classes during the summer months on my days off (I was still working full time for Baca Valley Telephone Company then). All this led us to take the step of creating a gift shop & gallery which previewed last year during the holiday season to great support from all our friends and neighbors here in Des Moines, New Mexico. Thanks to ongoing support for this ArtSpace in the middle of nowhere, I quit my job at the phone company and opened Studio C on March 14th three days a week, regular hours: Fridays, Saturdays 10:00 - 6:00, and Sundays 12:00 - 4:00. We expanded our Summer Art! class offerings and started a new arts and environment conservation summer class series: Places of Wonder. We've been "regular" for just 9 & 1/2 months now and it is a wonderful gift to know that we are headed towards a brilliant future for Studio C!

Last Saturday's Show of Gratitude was marvelous! Sharon Niederman's poetry painted vivid portraits of people she has known. Laughter and recognition spread through our audience as people recognized friends, family and even themselves in the poems. Roni Duran came out with her whole family to read her personalized version of the famous monologue from Shakespeare's Hamlet To Be or Not to Be. Her version is an amazing testament to difficult choices in our youths' lives these days. All of this was preceded by my sister Karyna Cragin's wonderful playing on the African balaphone which inspired a spontaneous standing ovation. Thank you everyone for coming out to Des Moines, bringing delicious food and sharing a meal together here in the gallery. We are all blessed to enjoy creativity, talent and community.

So, the holiday season has begun. What better time to receive and put out new wonderful arts for you to see in the gallery. The cute horse in the photo above made by Amy Caldwell "drinking" from the hand-blown glass bowl (made by her partner Keith Stuart) was here only a short time before going home today with a happy holiday shopper!

What is your gift giving pleasure? What are your holiday traditions? I invite you to share in the comments here. Let's strike up a conversation about this special season. All around the world people are engaged in honoring the great traditions of community and devotion. I love getting to know about the myriad cultural celebrations that are celebrated around the world!

We are thrilled to announce that Tim sold five of his framed archival prints from the gallery during his show. He has just launched his new website: www.timkellerphotography.com. You'll be able to buy prints directly from him. Be sure to visit it as you make up your holiday gift lists.

I'm listening to Little Sharon's Country Cafe right now... another great afternoon of classic country music, history and storytelling on the best local radio station in our area: KRTN Enchanted Air @ 93.9 FM. Check out their morning show: This, That & the Other Monday - Saturday 8:am - 9:00 or longer depending on the visitors who stop in to share their news with the community. It is talk radio at it's best!

I am putting out a call for Holiday art to artists and artisans!

Small Works, Local Flavors ~ A Holiday Show of small works and holiday gifts.
Call or email for details.

Finally, a couple of announcements:

Live Poetry! is changing its name to Live @ Studio C!
It will also be going "off-line" for the next three months. December – February will be “dark” on the last Saturday of the month.
Dark is theatre-speak for: Let’s take a break.

It's time to honor the cycles of creativity. Give your muses permission to dance, play, nap, read, eat good food, experiment with new media, laugh, sleep, watch sad movies… enjoy the rest of a nice long winter sleep… Do whatever it takes to stay cozy and nurture your creativity. Come back in March full of wonderful “stuff” to share at our open mike. The New Year is packed with great entertainment for you. Mark your 2009 calendars' last Saturdays for Live @ Studio C! ~5:30 pm in the gallery starting March 25th.
I'll give you the line-up next week!

So, that wraps it up for this week... a whole lot of thanks and news.... thanks for your comments and for sending people to visit the blog.

Keeping it FRESH!

Christina

A Show of Thanks!

Thank you! That's a Tim Keller photograph of my rooster bell here at the studio. It crows my thanks and jubilation on a clear winter day.

I am so grateful for this wonderful life I have been blessed with. Studio C has been a dream I've held for a long time and it is coming true bit by bit. In fact it continues to grow thanks to everyone who stops in and finds something that delights and inspires.

Tomorrow is the big day! Join us for the 2nd annual Live Poetry! ~ A Show of Gratitude.

Sharon Niederman will be reading poems and excerpts from her books that will be available for sale. She will be happy to sign books of hers that you already own so bring them with you…. maybe mark a favorite passage and she can read it for us all! Sharon will share the Studio C stage with Roni Duran, her student at New Mexico Highlands University. Roni also studied with my husband Tim Keller at Raton High School. This makes her a star in our eyes and we look forward to hearing her work.

I am so thrilled to present my sister Karyna, a gifted musician, songwriter and vocalist who will bring her beautiful and heartfelt music to the studio.

I’m keeping it short today since I’m putting out some new items and have a lot to do to be ready for our big show tomorrow…. Come by and see what I’m up to!

See you soon~

And remember, being thankful for what you have is the best way to see just how blessed you are!

Christina

The Season of Gratitude

No longer can I deny that winter is upon us! Windy & snowy, today’s chilly air is dancing with bright sunshine… a typical New Mexico crazy weather day in the tiny village of Des Moines here in the northeastern corner of Union County in the enchanting state of New Mexico.

I’m keeping warm drinking delicious organic, fair-trade coffee as I sit here at the computer, which is next to the propane heater in the studio. The new radiant solar heating system is not yet installed, the process stalled by parts-on-order, so I am grateful to have the current heater now. I am looking forward to it becoming a back-up source rather than the main source and eventually not needing it at all. That’s years down the line but as sustainability is a goal for Studio C, bringing solar energy into the gallery is a step toward making the dream come true. In the mean time I am wearing warm sweaters and winter woollies rather than turning up the thermostat.

Mary Ann Louden will be here tomorrow to teach her StarFlower art. We have plenty of room so call me to sign up. She’ll be here 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and so too, I hope, will you.

Coming up next weekend is our second annual Live Poetry! ~ A Show of Gratitude. Sharon Niederman will be reading new poems and fiction and excerpts from her books, which will be available for sale. She will be happy to sign books of hers that you already own so bring them with you…. maybe mark a favorite passage and she can read it for us all! Sharon will share the Studio C stage with Roni Duran, her student at New Mexico Highlands University. Roni also studied with my husband Tim Keller at Raton High School. This makes her a star in our eyes and we look forward to hearing her work.

I am thrilled to present my sister Karyna Cragin, a gifted musician, songwriter and vocalist who will bring her beautiful and heartfelt music to the studio.

There will be door prizes too! You must be present to win so be sure you come out to Des Moines for this event.

Showing through November 23rd, The Upper Right Corner, Tim Keller’s show of photography; come by the gallery to witness his vision of stark, vibrant, compelling images taken from within a 50 mile radius of Studio C.

Coming up in the gallery:

Small Works, Local Flavors ~ A Holiday Show Small works and holiday gifts.

Coming up in the community:

The Des Moines School presents a Holly-Day Bazaar to raise funds for the school library Tuesday, December 2nd in the school gym from 3 pm to 8 pm during and after the Des Moines vs. Clayton Basketball Games. Individuals and groups are invited to participate by buying and/or selling goods and/or activities. Ten percent of proceeds go to the Des Moines School Library.
Studio C will be there with coffee and chocolate. Are you interested in setting up a booth or table? Send me an email and I'll forward it to Betty and Janet.

The Folsom Museum invites you to check out their new website for the new annual fund raising event: The Capulin Volcano marathon: 
www.capulinvolcanorun.com. The dates for the 2009 run will be published in the next couple of months so be sure to bookmark the site and check back frequently.

Studio C is the place to see the work of local, regional and guest artists and artisans. Curious about what we have in the gallery? Give me a call and I’ll be happy to give you directions to the gallery or give you a phone tour.

My mission for this blog? To keep you informed about goings on at the gallery and in our wonderful community. Why? Well, let’s just say I love to share our good news!

See you soon~ Send your friends and family ~ Shower your inner child with Love!

Christina