A cute Christmas photo from one of my customers. It’s a very creative use of one of my ikebana vases during the non-flower days of Winter. I also appreciate the red wax “slip-trailing” on the candle itself. Very cute. Very festive. Thanks Pam!

So much fun tonight wandering around Lincoln Park Zoo with my friend Nancy. Extra fun without the hustle & bustle of those pre-Christmas days. Brights lights everywhere you look… and even more fun if you squiggle the camera!!!

Loved the peppermint-striped trees…

The orange & green trees aren’t too shabby either!!!

So. what do you get when you arrange 66,000 cups of colored water?
Something truly amazing… by artist Belo!!!

“66,000 cups with as many wishes for a world where the lack of access to clean water
will be a thing of the past”.     – Belo

According to their YouTube video information…
To raise awareness among the general public about the global clean water crisis, the artist Belo created an image composed of 66,000 cups of colored rainwater simulating levels of impurities found in water all over the planet. This major work of 3,600 square feet, representing a fetus in the maternal womb, emphasizes the necessity of water, even before birth, for each living person. The goals of 66,000 were many: taking up the artistic and material challenges inherent to this monumental production, and informing the public of the dramatic consequences of a lack of drinkable water.

Fun Facts: 66,000 compostable and biodegradable cups, 15,000 liters of colored rainwater, 1 kg of vegetable dye, more than 100 volunteers, 62 hours of work, placed end to end the 66,000 cups would measure 5.2 km long.

A large single photo print of this ephemeral work, was one of a few artworks selected for the online auction organized as part of One Night for ONE DROP. This exclusive fundraising event for the benefit of ONE DROP was held on World Water Day, March 22, 2013 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Those interested could raise the stakes on this exclusive photo by Belo, by biding on the online auction site. ONE DROP is charitable foundation created by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté.

Click here to see the full YouTube video.

As seen on Art Soup - Visual Arts Magazine. Click here for their Facebook page.

C’mon now, so who DOESN’T love a good doughnut?
Well, there’s a great installation of “glazed” doughnuts currently in The Gallery of Lillstreet Art Center. The non-edible treats were created by Jae Yong Kim. Each one more yummy than the next!!! My Beginning Wheel class got a little “sneak peek” at them as Gallery Director Brian was installing the collection. My stomach has been grumbling over them ever since!

Some even have “sprinkles” which are REAL Swarovski crystals!!!

If you would like to see them in person, there is a Closing Reception tomorrow evening in the Gallery. And then sadly, the doughnuts will most likely be packed up and shipped off this weekend. So you’ve only got a few days left to see them. Be sure to swing by after seeing all of the crazy-cool art at SOFA Chicago this weekend!!!

Another great clay creature on the student “Brag Shelf” at Lillstreet last night.
Someone is making adorable little monsters!

More rusty “gear curtain” fun on my back porch…
this time from the other side with fun shadows bouncing off the walls!

Loved this instructional control panel I saw this morning on the side of a huge construction vehicle. It’s like we have 6-year olds fixing our streets in Chicago… and chasing Pac-Man at the same time?!!

I have some wonderful customers.
Always supportive. Always sharing. Always collecting.

Especially this family who have decided to create a “special place” in their kitchen to house their Fire When Ready Pottery mug collection. From what I’ve heard, there were a couple “false steps” along the way… but it looks like the installation this time was a success! And it looks like it was a full family project with both Dennis & Ann climbing in to get the project done… and Allison presumably behind the camera!!!

They came to ART IN THE BARN on Saturday, bought a few more mugs, and apparently tackled this “little” project yesterday.

Good thing Dennis is a chiropractor… I’m just sayin’.
And it looks pretty great. Easy access shelving for all of their favorite mugs!
Three sections “floating” above the counter-top. Right within arm’s distance.

And now they’ve been filled with mugs!!!

Okay, so I see a few “imposters” along the way… we’ll need to work on that. I might give a little slack to my friend Cory McCrory’s dotted lime green mug, but the others have got to go. Maybe relegated back into the cabinet from whence they came?! Sure, that crystalline mug looks pretty sweet too… but really?… back in the cabinet!!!

Thanks so much for sharing these photos…
and for giving my mugs such a place of honor in your kitchen!!! Love you guys!!!