February 22, 2011

Artist Feature: Deborah Maris Lader!

In her studio - Deborah Maris Lader holding "A Bird in the Hand" - also wearing the "Sun" and "I have Found the One in whom my Soul Delights"
WOW -  Deborah Maris Lader - artist, musician, powerhouse of creation.  Founder and director of Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, and member of the indie Alt Folk group "Sons of the Never Wrong".  She is the center and force, inspiration and soul, a driving energy in Chicago's art and music scenes.

Deborah's art is shown and collected internationally. "Sons of the Never Wrong" tours to sold out crowds, and plays the coolest, most prestigious venues in the country.  After meeting her, the term "self-actualized" had a picture to go with it.

I met Deb several years ago when I was a printmaker at CPC's first location. It was in a rough space in the pre-gentrified raggedy East Village neighborhood. I loved everything about the place.  She created an oasis of artistic productivity and community, there was nothing else like it.  The newer Lincoln Square space is beautiful, more accessible and expansive in it's draw. It's become a beloved, important institution in the city's art culture - not an easy thing to make happen and sustain.

Back in December I was part of the CPC annual "Small Prints Show", selling my jewelry for the opening weekend event. Over the course of the heavily attended opening, Deb slowly acquired my work. In this pic, layering all her MarLa studio pieces, she's holding her "Bird in the Hand" pendant while the bird in her large etching peers behind her. I love this image.

As a serious admirer of Deborah and her work for many years, it is the greatest honor to see her wearing mine.

February 14, 2011

V-Day Special! Heidi Meredith Listens

Heidi Meredith wearing a Dendritic Agate One-Of-A-Kind piece, and her "shema" tatt!
Heidi Meredith. Psychiatrist, Mom extraordinaire, partner, musician, Burning Man babe, total woman of valor.... and so, so much more. Heidi listens, for a living and for life - a full, adventurous life.

A graduate of Northwestern's Six Year Med Program, she started professional training when most are still figuring out what to do with their first degree. Medicine however, wasn't this young doctor's singular passion. While teaching herself guitar, she picked up the bass, put on Nirvana, and had every bass line down within minutes. She played nights with her band and spent her days.... well, listening, and treating, and steadily building what's now her own practice.

The word for listen in Hebrew is "shema". It's also the first word of the most recited and important prayer in Judaism. After Heidi saw my "shema" pendant she decided to commit - in a seriously permanent way - to a tattoo! WOW!

In these pics she's wearing a magnificent Dendritic Agate one-of-a-kind piece (her then fiance, now husband) Kurt gave her as a birthday present a couple years ago. For this Valentines day he bought Heidi a combination of pendants she's eyed for some time - "I Have Found the One in whom my Soul Delights" with the copper/silver "Keepsake Heart" . Yes! He also listens. 

Happy, happy Valentines Day!

"I have found the one in whom my Soul Delights" with the "Keepsake Heart" in copper/silver

February 01, 2011

The Thing About Snowpants

In preparation for shoveling out of what will most likely be the Mama of all Snowstorms, I bought SNOWPANTS!  Now, to give a brief history, I've tried to find great snowpants for the past five years. I've attempted the boys route at Target (where I get my boys most everything) and no good.  Not a good fit. Not a good look. Not even in the heart of darkness, the grayest, snowiest and coldest Chicago's got to give - nope.  As cold as I was, I had to just say no. I've actively, and passively searched for years.  It's been lonesome.

AND THEN! TODAY! In a mad search for gloves (Target had none) -  I ended up at the Shred Shop in Skokie - a skateboarders/snowbaorders mecca!

Now, why is it, that snowpants for adults can't be this cool everywhere? Isn't there a huge "cool adult snowpants market" just waiting for exploitation? Why are they reserved for a specialty niche? I love that form follows function  - that cool snowpants come from (literally) a cool sport, but why can't this be the norm?  Why isn't walking around in groovy "winter pants" just what we do here in a cold but groovy city? Are you with me? Why aren't fantastic snowpants (or shall I dub them "very cool pants"?) readily available for people over 12?

Well, at 30% off, today was my lucky pre-megastorm, cold, gray, menacing day. Well designed, very cool pants, SNOWPANTS are now mine.  Let the winter games begin... and by games I mean, shoveling.