Mud Ranch’s Real Dirt

Last Saturday I attended my Reception for the Artists at the Highland Art Center in the Big Town.  We had fun mingling and being able to really look at all the photos that were accepted in to the show.  There were some that were awarded and I was kind of surprised, they were certainly not something I would have picked but I know the Juror has his own tastes and reasoning — which, for the most part, made sense.

Here’s the photo titled, “Serenity,” thanks to my mom.

And the one titled, “The Next Adventure,” thanks to Hubby.

And a blurry picture of me next to my photos, thanks to my mom.  So, the biggest thing I learned is to frame with a black frame and mat with a white mat, that way the focus is on the photos — makes perfect sense, hanging in the gallery.  I was trying to make the pictures pop better so they’d look good in a home but that shouldn’t be my objective.

Anyway, we then walked around to the other galleries on main street to see what else was on display during our monthly “Art Cruise.”  Here is some favorite pottery I saw at one gallery.

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The two photos above are of some pieces done by the same lady who lives locally.  I instantly fell in love with her work though my favorite, the pot above, was a bit high in price.  I’m sure the price reflects a large percentage that the gallery has commissioned from the artist.  I noticed her work in the gallery my photos were in and the prices were more reasonable — I’m thinking I may have to consider a couple as Christmas presents.

These three were also done by a local artist whom has his own pottery shop there on main street as well.  I have quite a few pieces of his and it is a shop we often take people to so they can take home a small piece of our county.  I love his pottery and have it in different forms throughout the house: vases, salt & pepper shakers, soup bowls, creamer & sugar, serving bowl, pie plates and the like.  I think most people around here has something of his, it just wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.

Speaking of Christmas, I’ve just had these Christmas cards printed up at moo.com.  They are really nice!  I’ve done the barn in the snow scene taken up in Lakeview, Oregon about a month ago now.  They come with a nice brown or natural envelope and feature a quote inside.

It is a quote by Helen Steiner Rice, “Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.”

In case you’re looking for a few Christmas cards, I’ll be listing these for sale in my Etsy shop.