Thursday, May 16, 2013

Brief Highlights

   This doesn't have anything to do with strolling around the shopping district, but I really would love to share how proud I felt when I watched my sister, Lucy, walk across the stage and collect her Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences from Macomb County Community College, last Friday.
   That's the kind of local phenomenon I love to spread around. Congrats, kid!

   Another highlight came on Mother's Day, when I could finally give my mom that uniquely beautiful glass flower that I was able to create with the help of  Philip Yamron and Robin Ochs at PYRO Art Glass, the weekend before. It turned out beautifully... and the smile on her face was really worth it. Being part of the creation process was so much more fulfilling than just going out and buying a knick-knack, since it is a one-of-a-kind gift with a personal touch.

   Tonight is Weirdsville Movie Night. The feature tonight will be Bubba Ho-Tep which, according to Davey Taylor's description should be just my kind of funny. If you've not experienced the Thursday night Weirdsville after-hours fun, you should get it in gear and come on down to 36 New Street in Downrown Mount Clemens at 8:00pm, tonight!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Art Attack

   You might notice that I've been adding links to the websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts of various local people and places to the right-hand sidebar of the blog. Among them is PYRO Art Glass, which is located just north of the Mount Clemens Post Office.
    These guys create some of the most beautiful hand-blown glass works that I've ever had a chance to personally regard... and I've seen a lot of good blown glass!
    They also do their best to get everybody into the act. For instance, this afternoon I have a 3:00pm slot to participate in a special event. They describe it this way: "Saturday, May 4th our glass artists will help you, and/or your special person, make a one of a kind glass flower. The cost is $25 per person and we can accommodate 2 people every half hour.". I couldn't pass that up!
    At last report, there only two time slots left for this pre-Mother's Day flower pull... that means 4 spots for people: 2 at 2:30, and 2 at 7:00. Call the studio to reserve your spot: 586-954-4994!
    I am so lucky that these artists are only a couple miles from me!

   I'm sure there will be some cool arts and crafts at the 2nd Annual "Made in Michigan" Show which will be going on downtown in Mount Clemens Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th, 2013.

   While I am on the subject of local artists... didja know that more than a few quality artists from our general neck of the woods will be having tables set up in the Artist's Alley, May 17th through May 19th, at the Motor City Comicon in Novi?
   I knew that my longtime friend and brother artist, Bill Bryan, would be there as a guest, and I was sure a few artists that belong to the Motor City Sketch Facebook Group were going to have tables (like Jay Fosgitt)... but beyond that, I wasn't sure. So, I struck up a conversation with Kelly O'Hara, who not only draws with the MCS group, but also happens to be a manager at the Rainyday Art Supply & Framing Company (another very cool small business that is not as close as I wish it was, being in Grosse Pointe Woods, as it is... but, as an artist myself, I have patronized the shop more than a few times). She was kind enough let me in on who she knew would be there from the group off the top of her head. The list includes Bruce Gerlach, Anne Garavaglia, Bill Pulkovski, Jason Westlake, and Alex Buechel. I'm sure there is going to be more local talent at the convention than we could come up with.
   You might want to check it out!

   In addition to all this, there is currently an exhibit entitled, "The Portrait" at the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, which runs until June 2nd. 
  

Friday, May 3, 2013

"Local" Means "Local to You"

   I live in Clinton Township, several hundred feet north of the Mount Clemens border. The closest concentrated small-business shopping district local to me is Downtown Mount Clemens.
   I can walk there.
   It is (almost literally) in my back yard. It is not so far from me that my visits must be infrequent due to time constraints or limitations on fuel economy. That's why I am able to get to know it so well... and how I manage to stumble over something new to me so delightfully often.
   What I am trying to do, is to get across the notion that what I have here, so close to me, is something that you, wherever you might be located, have near to you, too!
   It may well be that you are already familiar with the little places close by your home... but, if you are not, I think if you would just take the time to bop around and get to know the local shops and eateries in your area, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised!
   Know some little local place where you love to shop, eat, or just visit?
   I'd love to hear about it!