Inspiration in New Orleans

As the snow drifts down softening the earth with shades of white here in Vermont, I can't help but think back to last week where the bright textured colors of New Orleans infuse the city, where the azaleas are abloom already and where the breeze flows through open windows and trolleys.

We rented a small shotgun home around the quaint Magazine area, full of boutiques, cafes and the most wonderfully unique architecture. As a teen, we'd sneak away and drive from Little Rock to New Orleans to throw beads and flirt with cute boys, sloshing our pink hurricane drinks onto the streets, into the crowds and all over each other. Although we missed Mardi Gras this time, I was excited to share this beautiful, romantic, and often a little twisted city with my daughter. We caught up with some good friends, visited family, and I did a little research for my new project which I haven't officially announced :)

City Park, NOLA

Our little Nest was the one on the right, with the bright pink door~

I've never seen so many chandeliers

Royal St, The French Quarter

Visiting New Orleans gave me a burst of energy and inspiration that will have to carry me through these snow filled days in Vermont. Soon enough the first crocus will burst through the frozen earth offering hints of color that will soon explode and bring back that familiar pleasure. Until then, the warm colors, gritty textures and elegant southern charm of New Orleans will keep me company.

Do You Think I Should Win a B School Scholarship w/ Marie Forleo?

Hi dear ones, I believe we can all live in our Sweet Spots- a self defined place of success. It's up to us to create the life we want, and it IS possible! If you believe this to be true, support me by liking this video on Youtube so I win a scholarship to Marie Forleo's B School- Online Business School for Modern Entrepreneurs. Great possibilities exist for us all!  xo Desha

From Me To You

Hope your day is full of  love.
xo Desha

See you on the Red Carpet Baby!

Yes, it's February and it's cold, but it won't stop us from donning our best frocks and having some fun on Feb 24 at the Latchis! Join Suzanne Kingsbury, Alfred Hughes and I on the RED CARPET where it's YOUR night to shine!  Walk down the red carpet in style, smile for the paparazzi and then be prepared to see yourself on the big screen while Suzanne and I get all the details about your designer wear. Who's wearing Experienced Goods? Suzanne might even give you a smack on the lips (if you're nice). 

*Hollywood’s Biggest Awards Ceremony Live at the Latchis*

a benefit for Latchis Arts

See the Glamour: On the Latchis Big Screen!

Be the Glamour: Strut the Red Carpet Like The Stars!

************   Drink Cocktails- Win Prizes!   ************          

HOLLYWOOD BRATTLEBORO – Wondering where to wear your killer couture this winter? Brattleboro’s finest will be out in full force February 24, 2013, at the Latchis Theatre’s See the Glamour, Be the Glamour red carpet gala in celebration of – what else? – the world’s most famous film awards ceremony.  (For trademark reasons, we can’t call it by its rightful name, but let’s just say, “We’d like to thank The Academy…”)

Come watch Hollywood’s glitterati strut their stuff on the Latchis Theatre’s big screen, where it will broadcast the 85^th year of this awards ceremony live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Sashay down the red carpet, cast your vote for Best Picture, Best Actor or Best Actress, nibble a crudité, quaff a cocktail, sit back, and enjoy the show!

The Latchis will bring all the action to you, from the pre-ceremony’s grand entries and star interviews to those “special category” awards (remember the one for sound-mixing?). Watch the stars arrive with E! straight from the West Coast and see the entire show, hosted by comedian Seth MacFarlane.

As it is a milestone year for the Latchis, this is the first annual Latchis Arts benefit screening of this world famous awards celebration.  Admission to the screening is free, but there will be fund raising opportunities to support Latchis Arts throughout the night.

Don’t forget…dress your absolute best. The Latchis – just like the Academy – will be recognizing a winner at the end of the night in the category of Best Costume!

Check the Latchis Web site for updates and sneak-previews of what’s to come.

See you on the Red Carpet Baby!

Embrace

Last night I spent  hours searching airfare to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, and then turned domestic. Florida? Anywhere I can replace the snow with sand, but it is kind of pretty, isn't it?

View from my window. Inspired by wood bird.

One Thousand Love Letters

This project is about love and love letters.
Love letters are an endangered species and it’s one that we can save.
Let’s write our hearts out… 

One Thousand Love Letters
Project by Brattleboro Area Artists, Spearheaded by Dalia Shevin

Hello fine folks! This post is directed at all you LOVERS in Brattleboro, Vermont. Are you out there?? 

I found this amazing event via a friend on Facebook and was impressed by two things. ONE, we've had some pretty bad stuff happen in our town, we've had floods, murders and most recently threats of possible violence in our sweet schools, BUT this project focuses on LOVE. Aren't you ready for a little news related to LOVE?

TWO, I'm impressed because a lot of people are using Kickstarter to fund projects- some get funded and some don't. But, this one got super dooper OVER funded. Watch the video and you'll see what their original goal was and how much they actually got. AMAZING.

THE PROJECT
“One Thousand Love Letters” is a project conceived by local artists to create a participatory community art installation that is both an invitation and a challenge. Beginning during Gallery Walk on Friday, February 1st and culminating two weeks later on the Friday after Valentine’s Day, the public is invited to a temporary space in downtown Brattleboro, to write one thousand love letters. Participants can define a love letter as broadly as they like. Letters may be written to people living or dead, people known or unknown to them, to animals, places, or even objects—anyone or anything to whom they wish to express their love.

THE LETTERS
The letters will be written and some displayed in the Letter Lab, a studio and gallery located in the storefront of the former Sanel Auto Parts building at 47 Flat Street. The space has been transformed by local artists into a beautiful environment that will provide a warm spot to sit and relax into the tactile experience of handwriting or typing a love letter. Side by side with neighbors and strangers, participants will have the opportunity to write their hearts out. Visitors will also be able to view some of the love letters on display during the run of the project. Materials will be supplied, and writing prompts and ideas will be available to help you get started. All you need to bring is a desire to express your love.

THE ACTIVITIES
Following Gallery Walk night, the Letter Lab will be open daily from 12 pm to 7 pm, and hot tea and cocoa will be available to help warm participants’ hearts. There will also be a late night love letter writing marathon beginning at Noon on February 9th, and ending at 1 a.m. the next day. The One Thousand Love Letters project will end with an evening performance of letter reading and music on Friday, February 15th. 

Learn more on Facebook

Meet Artist Rob Cartelli

This week on My Little Brattleboro...

Do you know Rob Cartelli? If not, you should! I’m in love with his gorgeous porcelain pottery and siked to talk with him about how he manages his creative business with being a new daddy to the sweetest newborn babe. 

There’s an online explosion around the topic of work/life balance but it’s very geared towards mothers and their work. Today, we’ll hear from Rob about his love of pottery and how he makes each hour count.

What do you love about making pottery

1.  Lots. All the steps along the way, from throwing, trimming, decorating, firing, glazing and firing again.
2. The people in the clay community both locally and farther afield whom I call friends and respected colleagues.
3. The look of 25 freshly thrown mugs lined up on a board.
4. When I throw a pot, lift it off the wheel and get the feeling that I know it's going to be a great piece.
5. The way folk pottery looks sloppy at first glance, but after study you realize that what makes it "sloppy" is what makes it interesting.
6. The way a truly well designed factory produced pot can make me feel just as inspired as #5.
7. When a mistake or flaw turns into the thing I like most about a piece.
8. When a customer who bought a bowl of mine two years ago tells me they still use it everyday.
9. I honestly like the way the clay smells.

As a new daddy, how are you finding being a pop has affected your creative life, if at all?

I think it's made me more focused.  At the moment, my studio is not where I live so being in the studio requires physical distance from my family.  As a new dad, my time in the studio is precious but it has to be as productive as possible.  I love being at home with my wife and our baby Cooper so I have to make all the hours of the day count.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a marine biologist after reading a book about dolphins.  Then I read a book about baseball and decided I wanted to be a baseball player that researched marine biology in the off-season.  I still think that may have been the way to go!

What's been the most challenging part of making a living as an artist? Most rewarding?

Again, my biggest challenge right now is the 24-hour clock.  That's just not enough time.  We need to up that to like, 30 at least. I keep meaning to call Senator Bernie's office about introducing legislation for an increase. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I devote a great deal of energy to exploring and improving my designs. I work a lot. I'm not at a point where I can support my family on my pottery alone so I have a wonderful day job at Laura Zindel Design and I teach at the Brattleboro Clayworks. I have found teaching very rewarding.  I enjoyed seeing many of my students fall in love with making pottery and develop real skill in clay. In term of my own work, I love getting to use my brain and hands creatively. I enjoy interacting with my customers and hearing their appreciation for my work. Respect and encouragement from my peers and teachers always feels good, too.

Where can we find your work?

My work is for sale locally at The Brattleboro Clayworks showroom which is open Fridays and Saturdays 10-5 and at Pinch in Northampton.  I host a couple of sales at my home in South Newfane during the year, including on The Rock River Artist Tour. I exhibit at a number of craft shows in New England such as the Sunapee Craft Show and Craft Boston. I'm also quite honored to be part of the Smithsonian Craft Show this April in DC. There are more details at my website.