Merry Christmas dear artistic friends.

Since no one seems to be writing on this blog, I thought I would put my new Christmas socks with their full glory on the site.
Here is hoping my dear friends and fellow artists a joyous, safe, warm Christmas Celebration. Happiness and Health for the New Year, and looking forward to a rewarding, prosperous, 2011. And above all the continuation of the fantastic friendship that has grown over the last year. Hugs, and love, to all,, vivian

Water, Source of Life

Hey, Next time I need one or more of the Sisters Seven to make me laugh when having a photo taken.. Ralph is taking the photo, and I can see my thoughts as, "just push the button, honey"! It was a beautiful show.. nice crowd and enjoyable evening.. It is still hanging at Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst. The variety of art is amazing.. Stop by if you have a chance. Oh, forgot to tell which are my pieces,,,, the skull head, "35 Cows" and the Mixed Media Art Quilt, "Fish and Game", this was a juried show.

Where do the Weeks GO?

I'm not sure where the summer and now the fall have disappeared to. I thought when I retired four years ago, time would "slow down" and things would happen in slow motion. But such is NOT the case. I am busier than ever, but it is by choice. I sometimes feel like shrieking "Stop the world--I wanna get OFF! But just for a bit, until I catch my breath." It's a whole different feeling, doing what you want to do instead of what you have to do.

One of the ways we can "cultivate" collectors--send them "snail" mail!

Sisters 7 came together as a "salon marketing group" formed around a study of Alyson Stanfield's book, "I'd Rather Be In the Studio". We studied, conversed, practiced, changed our ways, and became friends in the process. I learned so much from the first course that I've gone on to take 2 online courses from Alyson. The first was called "Cultivate Collectors" and the one I'm taking now is called "Getting Organized" and that's what I am currently working on. It's all about making my office area more useful, efficient, and productive as well as establishing a process for task management. Check out her website and her blog if such a thing interests you. And keep on keepin' on, making art and enjoying life.

You Missed it !

Great fun, lots of chatter, painting, creating and friendship. A house full of ladies, but as you can see I took the photos when no one was looking.

Kathleen has a natural wooded yard, full of areas for excellent photos, and Fri. I took full advantage of it..

Where was everyone??? Eating a delicious lunch.. The studio is so inspiring, as is the rest of the house, you will have to check my blog to see more photos.. Amazing day... Thank you Kathleen!!!!

Vivian Helena, Sierra Art Trails

Sierra Art Trails was a exhilarating experience again. I have participated in all but 2 years. This year I was at Julie Michell's Home Studio, in Coarsegold, with 2 other fantastic artists. I am mainly a Mixed Media Fiber Artist. I love working with gourds, paint, jewelry and yarns.

I quilted a series of wall kites, the larger one is hand painted, beaded, appliqued, with ribbon streamers, named "Texas Rose". The smaller one in the corner called "Floral Kite". I displayed "Shrine to Land and Sky", which is in the book 1000 Artisan Textiles. Sometimes I frame my pieces, other times they hang so that you can see the fine stitching and texture. I displayed my hand dyed scarves, jewelry and miniature gourd necklaces. It was a delightful day of friends, and new friends being welcomed to our site.

Sierra Art Trails

Sierra Art Trails has come and gone and we were able to greet many visitors at Julie Mitchell's home studio in Coarsegold. 

The things to be grateful for during the weekend:

1. Wonderful people!
2. Fabulous cool weather on Sunday!
3. Julie's hospitality
4. Sales!
5. Fun with the artists
6. Teamwork
7. New friends and collectors
8. Opportunity  to meet the artists and watch them work
9. Being part of a large and well-organized Open Studio event
10. A spectacular lightning show on Saturday evening
11. Surviving the storm with no permanent damage
12. Looking back and laughing about the weather challenges

It was all a lot of work, but well worth it. Will we do it again? Next year, SAT 2011!

Front Page- Sierra Star

Congrats Joan, Front Page of the Sierra Star!

Want to know more about Joan's mural? Be sure to contact her directly, or you might see her visiting with the artists on Sierra Art Trails, on Oct. 2 & 3rd.

Tropical Breeze, Mixed Media Fiber Art, Sierra Art Trails

Sierra art Trails is just around the corner Oct. 2 & 3. We will be at Julie's Studio in Coarsegold #'s 65 -69, Kathleen, Ellen, Gretchen and me, Vivian. We are looking forward to chatting and explaining how we create our pieces.. There will be a variety of techniques.. Julie has her Spirit Figures, Kathleen, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Ellen, creates in Ceramics, and Mixed Media, Gretchen is Fiber art, Sculpture, and Mixed Media.. and I will be showing my gourds, jewelry, and Mixed Media Fiber Art. Also some of my hand dyed scarves, and fabric will be available.

Anita Stoll will be at her own Home Studio and is # 78 in the catalog. Come and enjoy the week end, with art, food, and I think you might be able to even stop at a tasting room or two.

You will have an opportunity to find out how varied Mixed Media can be, since we all do our own version of it.

Adult Ed Class- 6 week course.

It is that wild time of year. Getting ready for Sierra Art Trails, and classes starting with Adult Ed.
The Black, Red and White Quilt was made by Kathy Millhollon. Kathy and I got together to design this wall hanging for the Adult Ed Class in Oakhurst, starting in Sept..

I used Batiks and Hand dyed fabrics for mine. We did not confer after we worked out the pattern. This way ladies can decide how they want to add to theirs to make it more personal. These quilts are about 32" X 32", great for a little table top, wall hanging, or gift for the Holiday Season.. try maybe Christmas colors. I am in the process of adding beads and buttons to mine.
We are teaching piecing, English Paper Piecing, and Applique.

Ralph and I just got home from having Office 2010 put in our computers, and wouldn't you know it, neither of us can get out on Outlook . At least I have Power Point now... But I need to get my messages sent in my Email.. So if there is any one out there I have not answered... Hopefully tomorrow it will be fixed, or I might be sending messages out through blogging! I could get to g-mail, but getting tired, and tomorrow is another day!

Saturday Art Hop at The Mindshop Bookstore in Oakhurst on August 14th

Sisters 7 currently has a group exhibit at Mind Shop Books and Gifts. The Mind Shop is located at 49269 Golden Oak Drive, across from the nursery in the Positive Living Center. Phone number is 642-4614 and you can call to check on when Kim Haley will have the shop open. For Art Hop on August 14th, the hours will be from 11 AM until 5 PM and at least Vivian and Joan  will be there. Please come by and see the show on Art Hop day or until the end of August. The shop is always open late Sunday mornings and usually a couple of other days during the week

I Feel like a Lion

Good morning everyone, well I finally got on after 3 days of being told that my password from Picasa was no good.. At least I got on this blog. I was at Camp Watch a Patcher, taking photos for Kerby Smiths, Digital class.. Most of the gals were taking photos of flowers. I fell in love with this lion, along with drains, chairs, patio tables, etc.. But will leave that for another time. Right now I am feeling like the lion.. Hear me roar, yeah !!!! I got on the blog.. Will try my own later!
vivian

Sheila Boyd's article in the Sierra Star

Sheila wrote a excellent article in the Sierra Star about Sisters 7. Be sure to click the link and read about it soon to learn more about the current show.

Last Saturday at Mind Shop Books and Gifts

We would like to thank Kim Haley for hosting the Saturday Art Hop at the Mind Shop book store in the Positive Living Center. She was there all day, along with Kathleen Mattox and Sheila Boyd of Sisters 7. We had a guest yellow lab, Libbey, who stayed inside much of the very hot day. We had some wonderful visitors, one of whom brought us all a delicious lunch of chicken tacos!. In the late afternoon, Joan Constable and her husband Frank (from North Fork) dropped by. It was a fun and
productive day.

Libbey expended as little energy 

as possible, just trying to stay cool!

Kathleen worked on a large collage
piece in the book store area and
Sheila started an air-brushed leather shield with images of 2 dogs on it in the refreshment table area. Visitors
enjoyed seeing the demonstrations
in progress and visiting with the artists as well as  Kim
and Libbey.

Even if you didn't make it to the Art Hop,
the "Tropical Breeze" Show will be hanging
at the Mind Shop bookstore for a while longer so drop by and see it when you can. It's always a good idea to call the shop at 642-4814 to be sure
someone is there before driving over.

Late Sunday morning (between 10:30 and noon)is
always a good time to visit!



The show looks beautiful in the book shop
setting. We'd love to hear from you what you
think about Sisters 7 art. You can also view our
window outside Met Too theater, also in
Oakhurst.

Art Hop at the Mind Shop Bookstore tomorrow!

Sisters 7 currently has a group exhibit at Mind Shop Books and Gifts. The Mind Shop is located at 49269 Golden Oak Drive, across from the nursery in the Positive Living Center. Phone number is 642-4614 and you can call to check on when Kim Haley will have the shop open. For Art Hop, the hours will be from 11 AM until 5 PM snd several of the artists will be there. Please come by and see the show during the month of July and possibly early August. The shop is always open late Sunday mornings and usually a couple of other days during the week.

Welcome to Sisters To The Seventh Power!

Hello to all, which includes members of Sisters 7 and visitors to our blog. We originally started this blog many months ago as a place to post information to the 7 of us. But we are now opening up the blog to the public, as a venue for us to write about our endeavors as a group of 7 women artists in the central valley of California.

Please join us here on Sisters 7 to read about us and our events and to contact us for information about the seven of us and our art! We'd love it if you would become a "Follower" and also if you would leave us feedback in the form of Comments to our posts. We hope you enjoy reading about us and that you'll return often and also recommend us to your friends.