While I know they’re not “real” mugs… we’re still celebrating another MUGSHOT MONDAY with these fun paintings by Robert Sedestrom currently hanging in the Lillstreet 2nd Floor Gallery Annex. Robert’s studio is kinda across from mine… but it’s great to see what he’s been working on in there when they’re displayed properly on the white gallery walls.

Tonight I swung by FALL INTO DAMEN AT NIGHT near the studio to see two of my beginning pottery students who were participating in the event! Robert makes these great candles with witty names, metal containers & great fragrance combinations! After smelling almost all of them… I ended up coming home with a “Spruce Wayne”. Can’t wait to light it up!

Check out Robert’s soy candles on Instagram : @rapwaxcandles
… or click here for the website!

Remember a few days ago when I posted about the cool cement carvings along the lakefront?… well, apparently this is “a thing” here in Chicago…. who knew?! Thanks to Matthew for letting me know about this history of carved cement art along the lakefront in Chicago.

For more details… click here for the article & photos!

My studio neighbor Karen Patinkin has been working on cleaning up her studio lately, and has gathered this wonderful collection of test tiles. I’m loving all of her slip trailings & glaze combinations on these porcelain shards… and I’m sensing perhaps a really cool mosaic piece in the making?!

Looks like my pal Mary Foster is back making some more mini-paintings… now if only there was “someone” who could make some creative picture frames to go with them?… maybe out of clay?… maybe another collaboration?… hmmm, just thinking out loud…

Just one month from today!
Mark your calendars now… jewelry, fine art, paintings, candles, pottery & more… and possibly another fun collaboration project?!

I just had something new “pop-up” on my calendar…
and I’m hoping it will “pop-up” on yours too!!!
More details to come…

A beautiful bouquet of alstromeria in one of my stamped & glazed vases. Melissa shared the photo with me, along with the memory of when we met several years back at the Hinsdale Art Fair through her friend & stained glass artist Richard. Sadly, Richard is no longer with us, but this vase reminds her of him, as does the stained glass window in my condo!

While you’re at ART IN THE BARN today, be sure to stop by to see my friend Sandy’s beautiful botanicals captured with a wonderful patina! Fantastic pieces further down in the Lower Barn with “Of Nature Jewelry.”

One of the funniest collaborations at ART IN THE GARDEN last weekend were the funky chickens made by Cory McCrory & Jill Miller. As artists we love the chance to “play” with another artist to see what happens! I’m sure these two had a great time creating these fantastic creatures… with Jill dyeing the fabric & Cory making the ceramic body parts!!!