Hurray! for the 2011 Santa's!!!!

As promised, I have finished about 2 dozen new santas for 2011!! I've had a busy time getting them done, and it feels good to have a start on this year's 'family'. It is nice and cool where I put them together and paint the body colors. Then I bring them up to my painting "nook" to do the detail painting, and tag them, add bells and usually hand made baskets with greenery tucked in.

I'm adding a photo of a grouping of this year's santas, as well as the first one finished this year.

I expect to have more in the next couple of weeks. I expect to make some blue as well as some forest green ones. I'm always happy to consider painting a santa with your choice of color.

Please enjoy these---and you are free to request information on any of the ones pictured, by calling me at 515-276-6170.

My email address is mwmfolkart@raccoon.com.

Hope you will enjoy these first "fruits of the year"!!

Till later.........

Marge

Iowa Stubborn!!

Forty some years ago, when we were waiting to move from NYS to Iowa, we played Meredith Wilson's "Music Man" over and over. One of my favorite songs was "Iowa Stubborn". Often, the last line resonates: .... "But we'll give you our shirt, and our back to go with it, if your crops should happen to fail......." And in the long run, that's how it's been. When those bumps have come along, there have been friends to help smooth them.

Quite often I recall the support we had with the 29 good years we had in our "FOLKART SHOP" in Valley Junction. It was a good Iowa experience to meet real Iowans. Through the years many lasting friendships have been formed: lots of folks who would "give you the shirt off their back"!

I've started to create my 2011 Santas, and will soon post some of them when they're done. It's a great time to work on them in the cool basement with our now + 90º days forecast for the next week. That's part of Iowa too!

My rotator cuff shoulder surgery continues to improve with Physical Therapy, and I'm thankful it's working so well! The therapy has helped a lot!

So.............

Till later...........

Marge

Wildash Words: By George, I think she got it!

Wildash Words: By George, I think she got it!: "Step one, blog created. Needs a lot of tweaking but for now at least I have something . Just one step at a time."
My friend has become a blogger, and I'm happy to know her activity as she heads westward!

Just before July starts!

As I looked back at some of my older bogs, I found that usually I have posted a blog to celebrate JULY! So here's a short end of June post .... on an extremely hot Iowa day. The last few days have made me nostalgic for my boat, which I sold in early Spring, after enjoying it for 25 years. It will take some adapting to do the summer things I do, without the boat to use for driftwood gathering, doing hand work in the sun on the deck, enjoying the water, and having the kayak handy to jump in for a peaceful paddle!

I have found some good driftwood stored in the garage and basement, so there's no emergency about getting more. It's just that the gathering is part of the motivation to create.

I'm adding this blog, mostly to speak to a new community of friends who have just learned about the driftwood pieces, and the variety there is every season.

Today it's important to get to the red, white and blue of the season! So I have taken a photo (tho'' a poor and very small one!) of the first Sam to leave home in 2011. I've finished several to date, but have posted photos of older Uncle Sam's which are similar to the newest ones created.

So I will close with a wish to one and all for a Happy July 4th, with lots of parade fun, friends, and fireworks that symbolize our freedom!

'till later...........

Marge

On the Mend!

In Early April I had Rotator Cuff surgery on my right shoulder, and that has slowed down all that I would like to be doing!
But I'm very glad to report that with the care from my family and friends, and regular Physical Therapy, I'm seeing improvement. I even started a small painting yesterday! !It felt good to touch the canvas with paint!!

All is in order for the Art on the Prairie show in November (11,12,13) Their first show was held last year, and was a quality show, with many good artists. I was honored to be part of it, and am looking forward to getting ready for this year. See their website by googling . It includes each artist included in the show and their story.

This is just a quickie post to say I'm still creating, and hoping to have some new pieces to share very soon.

The photo of 8, 8x8 paintings at the top, is a grouping of a wrapped canvas series I call the" barn series". As a grouping, they make a strong wall statement, but one or two together stand on their own, too.

Good to be back, and so........
'Till later.........
Marge

Spring in it's glory!!

This has been a beautiful sunny Iowa day--warm and sometimes sunny! ( I just heard our high was 86º!). The trees are beginning to look a little "pregnant" with their buds expanding. It's good here, but I'm sorry some other parts of the country are having bad weather.

I have one more day to have the use of both arms until my right arm heals after the rotator cuff and bone spur surgery on Tuesday the 5th. I think I'm pretty well prepared, but there are obvious problems ahead as I deal with the use of my non-
dominant hand. I've had time to plan ahead a little about meal prep, and pre-signing checks, getting very large shirts, and my left-handed mouse practice is actually helpful!

My family has laid plans for helping me, including Katie arriving from PA!! I feel well looked after, and with a competent surgeon I trust all will be well.

A few of you have visited with me about Driftwood Rabbits, as Easter approaches. I just took a photo of the ones that are left as of today. Feel free to come over and check them out.

With thoughts of Easter coming, I was inspired this morning, to take a photo of the Cross and Spire at St. Andrew's which I'm happy to share with you.

Thank you all for your prayers and concern, and your offers of help!

I"ll check back with you soon.

So till later...........
Marge

Spring....You're here!! Come out, come out!

These chilly days, as we approach the end of March, are OK as long as we remember there have already been some warm days, and to remind ourselves that we have lots of nice days ahead. And......... the sun is shining on and off today to remind us it's still there waiting to come out !!!

I've been trying to finish up some folk art projects, and to get as much ready for next week after I have surgery on my RIGHT shoulder. I've heard enough stories about the healing process that I'm trying to prepare mentally as well as practically. I'm hoping I'll at least have my fingers to use for bracing or balancing against. I'm blessed with thoughtful children who will be here to help with my recovery. Katie is even coming from PA for a week of 'in-home' care!

This week I let my beloved LIBERTY pontoon boat go to a new owner after having 25 good years of work and play on her. There's a lot of up-keep that was about to get ahead of me. It seems that a quarter century is a good milestone time to let her go. I have lots of good.. even GREAT memories of times shared with friends and lugging driftwood home so I could keep creating! Friends have been understanding in helping me decide to let go. I'm sure her new owner will be tender with her. AND I will still have kayaking days to look forward to! It IS possible to gather driftwood from a kayak!! And lots of pieces yet to be made!

That's enough with words. I wanted to show you what has happened with the rabbit population since I last posted here. Note how the last group of driftwood rabbits has some new 'friends' in their midst! They are all up for adoption if you want to inquire, feel free to e mail me at .

Lets keep looking for those sunny days, and enjoy each day till then.

Till later.........
Marge

A Spring Break!

It's been a long Winter! Signs of Spring are in the air this week, and I'm moved to get back here with you!

February was a sad time for the family. The children were all here to say farewell to their Dad, Bob Mable. He was a
fine father, and left his mark on us all in many ways.

The time for creating Driftwood Rabbits has begun, and I've made a few of them to date. I'm soon going to be
one-armed for awhile, with Rotator Cuff Surgery in April. It's my right arm, so I've been practicing doing such things
as using the mouse, combing my hair, writing, etc, with my left hand. Not good!! But I expect to survive the
"immobilization" and re-hab and be better than I have been for awhile.

So, I may decide to use lower case fonts and do less on the computer for awhile. I may even try painting
left-handed!! But I'm counting on kayaking this summer! And by the way. I'm about ready to put my pontoon boat, LIBERTY
on Craig's list, if you know anyone who needs a much loved boat!

The Spring Valley Junction Art Market will have be on hold for me this year in May, but I hope to do the Fall Show and the
Art on the Prairie Show in Perry in November. I also hope to have some pieces in The Peterson's Perry Art Galley on and off.
We artist's don't retire!!

Thanks for being patient and "stay tuned" for the next entry soon!!

Till Later.......
Marge

Another good year ahead!

Resolution # ?? for 2011 ? Spend more time here!

This is a good way to keep in touch, and I've been remiss
in keeping it up as I'd hoped.

Usually I spend part of winter by getting back to
paint and canvas. Not that I need any more paintings to
add to the years of paintings I've done and stored though
the years!!
My dream would be to frame and/or mat them all and
put them out there to be shared ....... seems like an over-
whelming project! Meanwhile I'll keep painting on paper,
canvas and driftwood or whatever is beneath my loaded
brush!

I'm going to post a painting or 2 here, to get me started.

Thanks for this visit!

Till later............
Marge

Advent: Nine Days and counting!

Today I was called on the carpet for letting so much time go by since writing on my blog. (And I deserved it!!!) So I would like to say hi and explain a little about the delay.

I enjoyed a couple of weeks visiting my family in MA and Vermont. They all managed to take time to get together one weekend, and we had such a good time. My Niece and Nephews, Bother and Sister-in Law are all leading interesting things and are great fun to be with.

When I got home, I had the Art on the Prairie show in Perry to prepare for. It was such a great show!! It was fun to visit with friend, old and new.

Artist-Daughter Betsy Peterson and her husband officially had the Grand Opening of their shop, just east of Perry on 141 on Nov, 20th, and I was with them to welcome folks Some of my Santas are in the shop. (First place after the radio station, going east)

I've been busy creating and have had folks come to the house to get their driftwood Santa. )Maybe I should have a Christmas Open House next year!??)

I have a "driftwood folkart" site on facebook, and that's had some activity recently.

In order to keep connected to you, I'm going to close for now, and promise to be back soon!

I hope all your Christmas preparations.......... in ALL areas of your life!!.......... are accomplishing what you HOPE for!

Till later...........
Marge

Sun Shine!

What a beautiful week we've had!!! It's been warm and sunny-- a welcome change from the very wet summer we've had!

The Valley Junction Art Market was mostly fun. Setting up and taking down is the hard part. The drizzly rain slowed down everyone. One of the best parts was seeing folks we hadn't seen since closing the FOLKART shop! Jill, Leyria and Jackie were so much help and moral support!! I would have had a difficult time trying to do the show alone, and was/am grateful for their help. It was an invigorating day!

After a much looked-forward to trip to visit family in New England, I look forward to doing a show at the HOTEL PATTEE, in Perry on November 13-14. The show,"Art on the Prairie", (see their website www.destination33.com/artonthe prairie ) promises to be special, with an interesting variety of artists. This is their first annual show, and I look forward meeting other artists, and hopefully meeting new and old friends and customers.

I also have santas, and lots of other pieces in Betsy and Eric's Perry shop, on Rt, 141, east of Perry. They are planning 2 open houses around each side of Thanksgiving, and they will have their newly and beautifully built shop open for these weekends.

These days of dry weather have given me time to get the boat ready to float again, and it's all snuggly covered, ready for Winter and perhaps, a new life with a new owner in the spring!??

Your inquiries are welcome, and I hope you will contact me by email or phone if you have special requests or ideas.

So till later........
Marge

Jumping into Fall!

It's been a busy, wet summer, and I've left this spot without writing for quite a while.
I sense Fall in the air today, as the leaves begin to cover the patio and trees turn a little color.
I've been keeping up with Santa-creating, but have added some new Fall pieces:
some driftwood scarecrows, as well as pumpkins, witches, loons and jack 0'lanterns.

Gathering driftwood has been difficult this year. The lake has been too high to get to
the wood, and I'm almost ashamed to admit, that I had enough collected from other years to get
by. Except for the wonderful opportunity I had early in the summer. A wedding reception
on the shore of the lake, provided a beautiful batch of wood, and I was blessed to have a
group of faithful friends help me fill the bags FULL!

Last week the Marina called to say my boat was listing to the starboard, and
investigating, proved there was a leak in the pontoon. It took 2 days to get it to the trailer,
drained, and back on dry land. And the generosity of a good friend who helped at every stage.
Boating is over for this year, and maybe for a long time. I may decide it's time to pass the
boat, LIBERTY, to a new owner. It's been part of my routine and pleasure and work for 25 years.

Facebook has provided a spot for setting up a sort of website. I"m using it these days
to let folks see what I will have at the Fall Valley Junction Art Market on September 19th, 10-5.
Maybe someone who hadn't known, would like to come and see all that will be there. I'm looking
forward to being on 5th Street again!

Please check out the spots set up to share the 2010 folkart pieces I've created to brighten
the busy days ahead.

Till later........
Marge

Red-White and Blue all over the place!

The Flag days of Spring and Summer reach a peak on July 4! I've posted photos reflecting that season.

Now, guess what! I'm going to show you the first of this year's Santa collection. Many of these santas
will be headed for B&E's Perry Shop in the next few days.

Their shop is on the South side of Rt.141 just east of Perry.
They've designed and built a quaint and delightful shop on their land, among the several white barns.
It's easy to spot as you drive along, about a mile east of town.

It's never been too early to have the santas featured, as they are collected all year long.
This year I have a new figure of St. Nicolas to bring to your notice.

I'm encouraged that I'll make it as I keep looking for new venues and find exciting new opportunities
showing up.

The boat is finally back in the lake, after a high-water scare, so I'll be doing some of my painting and weaving
out there for the next few months.

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you by phone and email mwmfolkart@raccoon.com or facebook!

So, till later.......
Marge

A New Beginning.......

It is with regret that the web site trAloola is 'signing off.' This site-and the developer- have afforded a great platform for me to display and sell my artwork. It was a dream that I hope will find a new way to be expressed by its creator!

So when that goes away after this month, I will try to use this site to share pieces of art you might like to see and/or have.

You may contact me by e mail at < mwmfolkart@raccoon.com >
I will attach here, some Fourth of July pieces. You can e mail me to learn more about any one piece, and others you would like to special order.

Thanks to all of you who have been regular visitors. Please check back often!

I will keep you alerted to any other changes

till later......
Marge Wedge Mable

Another wonderful day!

It's a great day to be outside doing some of the yard work that's calling to me. First, though I want to address this blog to fellow artists who may be trying to figure out how to find a market for our creations.

It's discouraging to keep creating and have no outlet, nor finding the right way to get it to our 'public'. For me, the labor of doing shows isn't possible, (The exception will be to do the September ART FEST in my old stomping grounds of Valley Junction, when I expect to have new Santas and angels, and fish and a booth full of what our FOLKART SHOP had.)

Many friends have made good suggestions on ways for me to market, but it isn't shows on a regular basis, and it doesn't seem to be working for me to be online. I think I've figured out that people want to see and touch the art, while talking to the creator.
I'm not convinced that it's just the "economy" now, either!

If anyone is is interested in getting together some sort of "art marketing guild", please let me know. I would hope for a group of creative minds to share our thoughts and come up with a workable way to keep in business. I've talked with several of you about this, but hope we can be more deliberate and successful at finding our way.

I hope you will get in touch with me, and that we can work out a strategy for getting to the public.

Hoping to hear from you........

Marge

I've posted my nephew's ICE AGE Scrat. because he has perseverved through three movies to find his acorn....... and I'm sure our acorn waits!

Another wonderful day!

What a day!

This warm sunny, breezy Spring day is close to perfection! It's the kind of day that calls me to get out the paints and camera, to try to capture the variety of greens in the landscape.

I'm very fortunate to live on a wooded spot, with Oaks, Walnuts,Maples, Pines, Cedars, and shrubs that are a fresh yellow green. I'm also keeping a close eye on my Red Bud tree. I don't want to miss any of its coloring.

It's been a good time to do a little transplanting of Lillies of the Valley. I wish I'd thought earlier, of starting some in a shady spot where the Hostas are. They spread so well that I probably could have good ground cover by now.

Summer plans progress as we await Jill and Tom's visit from their missions work in Romania. Jill enjoys kayaking, so we hope for some nice lake days to enjoy that together. One of the milestones of this summer is Lauren and Ben's wedding. It will be celebrated in PA. with family and friends. I finally have my outfit chosen, altered and ready to go. The final touch for it, is the "Barbara Bush pearl look", appropriate for the Grandmother of the bride !! There's a lot of creative scurrying around to insure that this be an elegantly simple day! It's hard to be so far away during the preparations, but we communicate on a pretty regular basis. I also will be getting the boat ready to put in the lake soon.

To return to the painting theme......... I've discovered a painter-teacher, David Dunlop on "Create TV". He has an interesting and motivating teaching method. This is a good day to take advantage of his motivation, and see if I can bring a Spring painting into being today.

So Please enjoy these wonderful Spring days with me!

Till later...........

AAHHHhhhh......... Spring!

The calendar says "Spring", and the weather is cooperating today to make it believable! I just came back from my daily walk, all energized to do something. I guess this is the first 'something' I will get to.

This being the day after Palm Sunday, will bring Lent to a close, after the journey through this week will come the "Alleluia!!!" day! Easter is such a wonderful day of daffodils, and lillies, and family and joyous celebration!

There are no Grandchildren who are young enough to dream about the Easter Bunny, but we've devised a clever 'hunt and shop' plan that works well and doesn't overload with sugar. (The oldest 2 of 11 grandchildren are married, and the youngest will be 10 soon.)

I've made a few driftwood rabbits, but my driftwood supply badly needs refreshing. I've taken the boating steps to help with collecting a new supply . The boat, "LIBERTY" is now registered, and the slip at Big Creek is locked in. I'm working on making a table top to replace the one lost in a storm last summer, and will aim to get it launched around the first of May. Hope this week is an omen of the kind of summer we have ahead. Sunny and in the 70º's all week.

Wednesday I'm looking forward to giving a talk on Folk Art in Urbandale. It's been fun to prepare what to say and what to take to display to encourage audience questions . Writing a 'script' went easily, and I've organized about a dozen areas of what I consider folk art, and will display pieces in each catagory........... including "decorative pieces" so I will take some driftwood Santas, and Sams, and rabbits, etc. Maybe it's even time to re-introduce the all-season-necklace!

I look forward to being among folks who will have come to listen because they're interested in the Arts. I already know several friends who will be there, and it will be fun to visit with them.

I wish everyone a Happy Easter !!
I've enjoyed our visit.

Till later..........

Marge

A touch of Spring!

This is one of the nicest days we've had here in ages, and it feels so good to see a hint of what Spring holds for us. (I'm avoiding thinking about tornado season!)

I've had a quiet winter, but glad not to have to get to the shop on some of those snowy days.

It's been really hard, after our 29 years of having the FOLKART SHOP not to be in touch with all the folks we came to call friends. I stop in the old shop occassionally (which is in the process of being sold, and the reason we felt it was time to move last year, before it became a 'rush- get-out" kind of move.)

Betsy and Eric will be opening their Perry shop in a few months and have asked me to have some of my work there. I will plan on helping out some...... maybe a day a week. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm taking a break from working on a couple of small paintings now. Looking out on the back yard isn't very colorful yet, but it's provided subject matter enough to get my brush moving!

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring!

Till later..........

Marge

Winter White!

Iowa has had a very consistent landscape this season. We've enjoyed...mostly!!!... having the ground covered with a blanket of snow since early December. I recall trudging to school in Vermont, along a path made on top of the plowed snow piles. The snow this year, in Iowa, is taking me back to Eastern winters of sledding and skiing and happy snow times of childhood.

This morning I've shoveled enough snow to get in and out of my driveway, I've worked on two paintings, and vacuumed... a little! I've put final touches on writing a talk I'm giving next month on the subject of folk art. Usually, I don't enjoy "speaking" to groups, but this is fun to prepare for, and to plan what pieces of folk art I will take to share with the group, the folk art I've been creating for the shop and web sites.

I'm so looking forward to attending the Thursday (2,25) evening debut of a magazine Dave and Dee have been building, called "Iowa Momentum Endurance Sports". All has seemed to fall into place for their interests and talents to combine in this venue. They are active bikers, runners, and swimmers, and have many athletic friends whose stories will be able to be told in the magazine. For local's it will be free on racks all over Iowa. And can be subscribed to from their site. So keep your eyes pealed for it's public debut . March 1, 2010!

Today I sent in my boat registration, committing to another year on the lake in my 25 year old pontoon boat, "Liberty". I look forward to having Jill home for the summer, so we can do some kayaking together.

But before that, starts, we have a wedding in PA. to celebrate! My first Grandaughter is being married to a special young man. It will be a fun family time! Some of us are flying, and some driving.... but all of us looking forward to being together for such a special event.

I'm getting way ahead of myself, and better get back to painting! It's been fun to share with you. I hope you're each finding pleasure in the snows of this winter.

till later........

Marge