Sample Sale!

Sample Sale this week at John Robshaw Textiles! Come brighten up

your home/apartment with beautiful prints

If you're in need of a(n affordable!) pick me up for your apartment,

want to get Christmas shopping done early,

just in the neighborhood

or can find an excuse to be in the neighborhood-

drop by!!

Melrose Artwalk

The Melrose Arts & Cultural Association is putting forth their second much anticipated Melrose Window Artwalk along Main Street & have kindly taken me aboard!

My paintings will be going up in the window of Klippings at 444 Main Street in Melrose, Ma, so if you're in the neighborhood, grab a coffee & take a stroll to see my work along side many other fabulous Melrose artists from October 10-24th! 

Many thanks to Lorrie of Hourglass Gallery & Sarah & her crew at Klippings for their interest, support & dedication in putting such a great event together in the city I grew up in!

Cyprus mornings...

As I sit in my Astoria apartment looking through images, sketches & books from Cyprus, I'm finding myself wishing I had day after day to draw..to paint..to bask in my memories & get them all out before they start to fade. Even in the humidity of a September night I still feel the breeze. The laughs are still ringing, & the colors are so vivid.

I have a busy week ahead, then I will be settled with my art table set up for late nights & weekends...

I do miss my Cyprus mornings..

Journey to Cyprus- Going home...

As it has it, all good things (especially vacations) must come to an end.

 

Yesterday was filled with visitors & a table set for kings in the evening, while everyone joined us for dinner & goodbyes. The bats swarmed through the sky, a tarantula ( I took a photograph, but was truely freaked out by such a thing...Theo Naki came along to step on it for me..) wandered through the yard & an orange & white cat creeped in over & over again, hoping for scraps. A lazy white moth fluttered around, lingering on the faces, flingers, shirts & finally shoe of Yiayia. And as Yiayia & I packed the last of our clothes, gifts, hallumi & sudjuko, a family of owls sang their songs from the Turkish house beside us.

 

I'm convinced Pyla itself said her goodbyes that evening.

 

Thea Maroulla & Yonas, Anna & Naki and  Yiayia & I sat outside until 2.30in the morning before all gathering in the cars for the ride to the Larnaca airport. Saying goodbye was a little difficult, as I don't think it will be a trip that Yiayia does again, but I'm so glad we had the opportunity to do it now.

 

Now, we sit in the London airport- one flight down, one to go, wondering where the last month went......

 

I'll write again with links to pictures, but alas, until the next journey, and hopefully some of your own, that is all.

Journey to Cyprus- 5 days to go...

Who thought it would be a countdown to home so quickly?? A month is long enough to no longer be a vacation. I've gotten used to the lifestyle here...not to mention that having people take care of you with home cooking, frappes & fruit, laundry, transportation & adventures for SO long is enough to spoil anyone...

I went parasailing above the Mediterranean Sea yesterday (but didn't tell Yiayia..)....it was such a peaceful rush...if such an oxy-moron exists.

The women in the village are trying to marry me off to a Cypriot so I can travel back & forth more often. My cousin informed me I'm just not going home. Nitsa wants to adopt me, & everyone else has offered homes & beds for the next visit.....

We did a trip to Ayia Napa, one to Lefkosia, & today I'm in Larnaka. I'm in need of a few more days at the beach so people believe I was here for a month. I can't even wrap my head around everything I have done & seen on this trip....

Life keeps moving on in the village & will continue to do so when we leave, but there are so many images, words & moments that will come back to New York.

Journey to Cyprus- 2 weeks in..

In the mountains there is plenty of water....& too many mountains to go up, down & around for hours...there are all sorts of wild flowers, blackberries (that havent grown much due to the lack of rain even there), pine cones galore, & everything else nature entails...including the lack of internet.

So forgive me if my memories seem scattered (& forgive the typos as well, I`m on a tiny computer!)..the days are so full & passing so quickly!

We spent the last week in the mountains. I took a few good long hikes to walk off all this delicious home cooking- Yiayia didn`t believe Cyprus had waterfalls so I needed photographic proof! We stayed with her friend from childhood, Nita, who is a sweet woman with lots of memories of Greek dances, a father who used to tease my grandmother & traditions that are beyond what you'd imagine. Her & her husband took us to visit some of the oldest churches in Cyprus. One dating back at least 500 years. Few are no longer left unlocked due to theft, but I was told not to worry- we stopped into the village Butches Shop across the street to get the church key!!! I found it comical...legs of lamb & a key about 6-inches long. The design work in the churches is unbelievable..especially knowing how long ago it was done. We also took a drive up, down & around all those mountains to visit Kykkos Monastery- which was founded by a Byzantine Emperor & is now one of the richest monastery's in the world. The entire alter is covered in GOLD, & outside the walls are covered in mossaics of the most beautiful color combinations. It really is a sight to see.

The hikes to the waterfalls were nice...the first I did alone- after taking a few wrong paths I found the correct one & made my way down. I learned that my favorite purple mountain flowers are prickly!! The second, Nita walked partway with me & I continued on my own. It was a bit tough but well worth it. It trickled all the way down so you were walking along & sometimes crossing the water.

I attempted a walk around the village before the mountains but was being called from across the way by the old Turkish men in the coffeeshop, so the village walks will need some re-routing! I was told if I was with someone who was obviously Cypriot they wouldn^t have said anything, but that wasn^t the case...& it was midday. Only tourists take walks in the midday sun! The Cypriot-Turkish mix here isn´t so much a spoken thing amongst the two..but something always feels a little off.

What else...we had RAIN in Pyla!!! It wasnt much, but is unheard of in the summer. After all the rain in New York who would think I would be SO happy to see more!! Yonas ((the 2 year old)) & I played in it.

We also have new baby chicks! They are yellow & fluffy & make the sweetest chirping noises....they were a day old when the arrived & have probably grown to twice the size while we were in the mountains.

Theo Naki took us to his trees recently as well!! Figs, pistactios, grapes, & funny shapped squash type things that I have been drawing on....all right from the trees. I had the most delicious fig Ive ever tasted...then I had one that was better.. & well...it went on. We all drove down in his charming two person truck that is the littlest thing....Yiayia & I sat on each others laps...

The 15th of August was quite a specktacle. The church was packed, inside & out. The bishop of Cyprus was there...! How he wore that hat & cothing in the heat I don't know. It is the day of the Virgin Mary...at the end of the service they carried the icon around the outside of the hurch & everyone walked underneath. The icon is always drapped with layers of lace, for you never see her face. Afterwards Yiayia & I took walk through the cemetary...we were looking for her sister but ended up saying hello from afar, as the hot heat of the sun & bumpy rocks didnt make for an easy route. Everyone was at Thea Maroulla's house after for lunch- so so so much food all cooked in the big stone oven outside.

The days are hot....hotter than what it is in Boston/New York (so Im told), but we're hanging in there. The mountains were refreshing- a ittle cooler, I even wore jeans & a sweater in the evening (it was exciting to be cold, but more thrilling to know that my jeans still fit the same way!!).

I finally did the 6.15am wakeup again this morning to go to the beach (I had been slacking..) with Yonas. I walked quite a ways & saw the old man I had gone swimming with the other mornings over a week ago. He kept asking my uncle when I would come again, & today he brought fresh figs off his tree for me in case I was there! Maria, Paraskeva, Myrianthi & Marina met me at the beach & now we´re back for a shower before doing some shopping in Larnaka.

In less than two weeks I will be back to my crazy life in New York & this will all feel like a dream....

In the meantime, I hope you are all well & dreaming of your own vacations......

Journey to Cyprus- Day 7?

Greetings again!!

Thank goodness for wonderful relatives!! Everyone has been so accomidating in the kindest of ways. From driving me ALL over the island- through the mountains (ot is so much cooler up there!) & the cities & the villages, to having us for dinner & coffee & fruit & sweets....

After visiting the cultural museum I didn't feel much desire to visit Turkey this time around. The workshop was incredible- the shops were all built around a garden, each for a seperate thing- woodworking, silver, pottery, weaving, & Lefkada lace- each room having someone in there crafting away. I saw the most beautiful traditional costumes, old looms, cacoon art, etc etc etc, Made our way around Nicosia- the old and new village. It keeps amazing me here...many villages have both the old & new. The culture stays alive, then the children build beautiful new homes close by.... There was a museum with old Byzantine icons..Downstairs there was a photo exhibit of all the old churches that have been destroyed on the Turkish occipied land. Upstairs were icons that had been torn from the churches & sold in the illegal art market. Some have been recovered, and are there on display, but the pain in the writings, in the stories & in the images from all of the Cypriots here...it is still so raw for them...

The girls are lovely. My third cousins (or I'm their 2nd aunt?? We've all lost track..)) Myrianthi, Marina & I have been working on gimp! Little had I known, gimp AND laughter would be the universal languages! Myrianthia has a birthday coming up tihs week as well. She's not doing a party the day of, as everyone here is on holiday, but she wanted me to join her & her family to celebrate for the day...so I'm touched! I wish I could communicate with them better, but we're making do.

I took a walk through the village, Pyla, with Yiayia the other day. We walked to the store that a cousin owns to pick up some odds & ends. On the way there she pointed out where her sisters & brothers used to live...the house ((that has now been DRASTICALLY remodelled)) that I stayed at during my last visit, where my 94-year old great uncle used to live, the road to the church & fig trees that I remember so well, and all sorts of tidbits from her memory.... There is a building behind my aunts house that her sister used to live in, then it was the school house for some time, then where the Turks had meetings. Now the door is locked & it is abandoned, but to think of it's life... She also showed me where her brother used to keep the cow, & where the hole in the ground used to be. My plan is to do the route again one day with the video camera.... On the way back from the store we were invited in to a Yiayia's house...they were all so thrilled to see us. They say I look like my grandmother. She has been so cute....this trip is a little harder for her than it used to be, but she's hanging in there & still doing & seeing what she can.

The mountains here have me in awe. I hadn't realized they existed like so!! They are just breathtaking...

My cousin Yota invited me to dinner last night with a friend of hers who speaks English. We went to this trendy, but quiet little restaraunt right on the ocean in Larnaka called Kudeta. After we walked along the Finigulas (palm trees). It was the perfect way to spend the Saturday night, & a wonderful break with some younger people! Today they took me to Lefkada- we walked around & had freshly made loukmades from the most charming little truck on the hill!!

Yiayia & I will spend a few days with her friends in the mountains soon. They collect antiques from all over the world..their home is like a museum! I am looking forward to the 15th of August as well..... it is a largely celebrated holiday here....


Tis all for now....I hope you are all well...

Journey to Cyprus- Day 4

Cyprus is....well, not easily described in one word. I woke up this morning at 5.50am. Yiayia & I, every morning so far, wake to wonder aloud why the pigeons, chickens & roosters must have such loud meetings/arguments at such an hour. At 6.15 I'm in the truck, off to the beach with Theo (uncle) Yonas & Yota. We walk the length of the first beach for the first 30 minutes, & swim for the next 50. It's a morning ritual for them that I'm gladly taking part in. I return to visit the gotas (chickens!) & gather the first bunch of eggs. Ten this morning! They've been busy. I end up needing to shoo the wandering ones back into the coop....this morning they spared me the pecking at my toes though, so I can complain. Then for breakfast- a big bowl of just picked siga (figs), hallumi (cheese), toast, melon, cafe.....All before 9am..Never have my mornings been so full.

Yesterday Theo Naki, Thea Maroulla, Yiayia, Yoti & I went to Pafos(Paphos). It's on the other side of the island, about an hour & a half away (the island is small, after all... The town is filled with tourists. I believe I saw every mossaic there..& there were quite a few. The midday sun is HOT & HUMID. Everyone was dripping...it was slightly unbearable, but the things I saw......Naki was a good sport...he kept on going & wanted me to see EVERYTHING. All from the 3-5th century....I've never seem anything that even compares. & the design work! I think I have material for years to come!! The Tombs of the Kings are there as well...up & down stone stairs in the heat...but to think these people carved out such spaces in ground....rooms & rooms within rooms & passageways & colums...all below ground level for the kings & queens (though really just the rich). I took photos until my camera battrery died, then proceeded to scribble down colors, shapes & notes.

Walking through Pafos were the most beautiful plants...fresh licorice (who knew it was yellow...), rosemary, & some strange tree with black pod like things on them. Thea Maroulla took a large branch to this tree, knocking some down. They tasted like honey! People here are so resourceful.

I'm being spoiled by the food. I fill my plate & the Cypriot ladies shake their heads & put more food on it, asking why I eat so little...while I think I'm eating so much! Freshly grown vegetables, apples, oranges, grapes, figs, pomegranites,filter nuts & almonds....

My relatives have been wonderful..they are more than willing to take me ANYWHERE, & now that they understand how interested I am in the art, books, furnature, laces etc are coming out from everywhere. Every day is a history lesson that no amount of research would ever tell me.

I've decided against Turkey, as they don't recognize Cyprus, so travel directly between the two is impossible, & anything my older relatives feel comfortable with requires 8-day long tour groups all spoken in Greek. Luckily, there is more than enough on this island alone, so while it would have been incredible, beggars can't be choosers.

The old Cypriots are funny...they tell me to learn Greek but have no patience for translating, so it's been interesting. My 5 year old third cousin (or niece?? who knows anymore..)) helped me out quite a bit, then tried to confuse me telling me black was violet, & white was green. She has been glued to my side all day & is greatly amused by the language barrier!

Tomorrow I am headed to Nicosia & Larnaca. There is a cultural museum with old textiles, costumes from all over the island, pottery & so on. People certainly get around on this island. I feel like I've been here much longer than I have. The language barrier is difficult, though I'm getting breaks ((I spend my 50-,min swim with an older man that speaks English..he too is at the beach every morning...neither of us want to go in the water too deep over our heads, so we tread water back & forth & he tells me some history of Cyprus, as well as stories about anything & everything. Yesterday I didn't go- & today was greeted with- I don't know if you like them, but I picked figs for you yesterday & you weren't here!!)) Regardless, reading emails from all of you is such a pleasant reminder that I am not in any way inadequate for not speaking this language/learning it in 2-days, so please do keep them coming!!

Yiayia says hello to everyone. She's hanging in there!! I'm glad she was able to come back & see everyone....Family is family, no matter where you are.

Cyprus Day-0

Hello All!!

I hope this post finds you well, as I welcome you aboard my journey to Cyprus! Yiayia & I will take off shortly...

& so I'm setting off for the hot, hot Cypriot sun..some Turkish adventures..& taking in bits of culture on a trip that was spoken of so often, yet always a lifetime away....


With some luck, photos will be posted so you, too can pretend you are elsewhere, if only for a moment... whether that be in the village in Pyla, basking in the sun at the Larnaca beaches, admiring the lace of Lefkada, or at the market in Istambul.. or laughing & eating with the many, many cousins, aunts & uncles...

I'll miss you all & will be wishing I had you with me...
Feel free to email!

All my love,
Stephanie

Because life is pretty incredible these days....

This is a non-art post but incredibly exciting none the less!!

I officially have a flight booked for August 1st - September 2nd to Cyprus! My mom has been AMAZING & worked with the travel agent for me.  I will be spending the month with Yiayia ((my grandmother, for the non-Greeks)) & all my relatives in the village, the city & the mountains. I'm using the trip as an investment in myself...I plan on doing visual & historical research to put together a portfolio I feel better about. And, of course, to experience my culture & enjoy a break after working so hard for five years!!

In the meantime, I'm slowly attempting to teach myself some Greek & keeping busy with life & work!!

I'm heading back to Boston this coming weekend, as well, so if you are there, I hope to see you!!

There are a few small projects in the works that will be posted in the near future as well.....need to step back up with my personal art work!

Hope the sometimes sunny days as treating you all well!! 

Spines & Vines

Cicades

Some images from the end of the year that never really made it anywhere ...

It's Electric..

Anyone remember the days when I was losing my mind due to severe sleep deprivation after combining a full work load & an internship that had me going to parts of New York I didn't know existed??

Well- the show I worked on with Sesame Workshop is on air & online if you feel like going back to those good old days of talking heads & phonetic-infused songs!!

The Days After..

Post-SVA life is treating me well! I'm spending [& loving] my days at John Robshaw Textiles, with some adorable little boys & in the company of friends that have kindly put up with my crazy schedule these last four years!

Made it to the ICFF last week at the Javitz, too! Met some amazingly talented designers from all over the world. Always inspiring to see where people began, where they are & where they're headed...

This camel came from the sample sale last week...Mrs. Washington has found a great companion ((that she mainly tries to sneak up on & knock over)).

wallpaper

Alas....

Myself & all the others who painted through endless all nighters have finally graduated!! Congrats to all in the class of 2009!! 

Just a few pictures. I obviously slacked on uploading art pictures, so I will have to get back to that.... the end of the semester left little time for anything..!

Spent a wonderful weekend with family & friends... now back to work!!

Almost there...4

One more week! Something simple for now..

Blake's Ice Cream

Here's a fun project I did for Blake's Creamery in Manchester, NH.

They were some quick logo drawings for the vendors to promote their new flavors, that sound delicious & had me craving ice cream for days!!

If you ever make your way up, pay them a visit & try for yourself! 

SIlkscreen Book.

I've been working on a book in my silkscreen class, much like a swatchbook, of printed patterns, overlaid, hand painted on, sewn.. 

I just wish there was more time in my schedule to use the print studio!

In the end

The starts of wallpaper designs for my gallery world class. 

The days & weeks are passing quickly with not enough hours, but I'm looking forward to May!

The Goat Girl

I took an amazing class about the history of fairy tales with Maria Manhattan the first half of this semester as part of the "Senior Series". Seven weeks was certainly not enough time, but we enjoyed ourselves, regardless.

The final week we all presented two of our own illustrations for tales we picked.   

((1 of 2page spread))

Seafoam Walls..

Our workspace!! Having an art area separate from your bedroom, without having to trek into the studios in the city is quite amazing.

Even better, ((though this was taken late at night)), the light that comes in from the two windows & two skylights, in addition to the light that radiates off our crazy colored walls, is an instant pick me up:)

Memories of St. Martin

I'm trying to figure out if spring break actually occurred, but either way, it's back to the grind!

Less than two months now until graduation.

I am in dire need of a break from school.

.

((Gouache on paper))

Snow Day!

I woke up at 8am to the doorbell- a few guys were going around offering to shovel. 

I don't think I've EVER seen so much snow in New York City!! 

For the first time in four years- SVA called off everything.

I was looking forward to sitting in on Steve Gaffney's figure drawing class, but there's always next time, because I'm certainly not going to complain about the opportunity to sleep in.

Art has been funny lately. I've gone back to patterns mimicking objects . I'm not sure how I feel about things at the moment, but I need to have something tangible, not just in a computer screen, so this is satisfying me for now.

I also went to visit the showroom at Stark Carpet -Old World Weavers this past week. It was enlightening, inspiring & just such a pleasant experience. Everyone was so wonderfully kind & supportive.

((Gouache. 8x8in))

It's late....

or early...depending on which end you're on. Each week seems to be longer than the last.

Trying to get back on track....

Saturday Nights In.

I bought a strand of elephants made of shiny fabrics, ribbon & yarn pom poms when I was in St. Marteen last summer. Tonight I felt the need to remind myself that art is fun.

A small gouache painting. 

My roommate & I moved our desks out into the living room which is wonderful. Now, on my days off I wake up & am able to leave my bedroom until going back to sleep. It feels like a luxury! 

Fairy Tale illustrations coming soon!!

Sooner than I thought....1

My mom is great. She was super excited to be joining in on the music on 34th Street- Herald Square!!

& a little preview:)

Eros

My how time flies.

A whole lot is happening, none of which seemed to make it's way here. Trial & error. Some good has come. Some has gone off to a hidden file in my computer to most likely never be seen again. I suppose that's what learning is about...

In other news, my mom & my godmother came this past weekend, which was absolutely wonderful. We went to see the musical "Sessions" ((Charming & affordable with a student discount!!:) )) & made Baklava Sunday morning before they left! If I see you in the near future, remind me to bring you a piece!!

Silkscreened book will be up soon!! Perhaps some figure drawings too, just for fun. 

Alas!!

My actual website is finally up & running!!

S T E P H A N I E E V E A R T . C O M

So!

Take a look.

Share your thoughts.

Your opinions.

Your concerns!

& enjoy:)

"We Have Chosen Hope Over Fear."

The world has been buzzing!!

I rolled out of bed & onto the couch this morning to watch the inauguration. 

Coffee, english muffin, a warm blanket & the much anticipated new president!!

All is going well at John Robshaw ((so thinks I)). I'm trying to get better aquatinted with the fast pace- people complain about producing 8 sketches in a week, but in the real world, people do 10x that in a day. It keeps you on your toes, that's for sure! & I truely don't mind it:) Everyone is so kind & incredibly patient, so I'm quite grateful. The big textile fair is coming up- all the designers bring their new lines & the vendors come to peruse the goods for the stores. The wonderful people at John Robshaw have gotten me a pass. I don't know that I've ever been so eager for a 7am-10pm Moday!!

Printing on Thursday morning!! My mom kindly took a trip to the post office with my silkscreen, so it should be here just in time!

In the meantime, feeling slightly uninspired at home & need to get the ball rolling. Or step on the gas. Or find a mechanical carrot. But alas, I've finally gotten started & that is the hardest part. SVA honored Martin Luther King Day, so portfolio class will require two weeks worth of work by our next meeting. Slowly but surely...I'm okay with being locked up in the apartment/studio until then.

****& if you're in New York, I HIGHLY recommend you hit up the mOma. There is a great video installation filling three huge walls, complete with a round couch in the middle & music to zone out to. I'm headed back this week (fingers crossed). 

Something Wonderful.

I'm thrilled to say this coming semester has a new addition:)

I will be doing an independent study with John Robshaw & others at John Robshaw Textiles starting next week!! His creations are beautiful & I'm so honored to be allowed a part in such an environment.

I'm feeling a bit more optimistic about this semester & graduation.

In with the new & an ode to the old

A birthday commission for some fellow Astorians!


And, alas, I have FINALLY uploaded individual images of my Houdini Tarot cards from my thesis last year. Instead of adding all 22 here, I've made a folder on my other site so take a look if you'd like!!

One more week of vacation, then it's back to the grind that will wholeheartedly include figuring out what happens in May.
Until then, I've enjoyed family, friends & now more of New York. 

Amazing how quickly this season comes & goes...

Happy New Year, all :)