marigolds in May

 

One of my fondest memories from childhood all the way through high school is gardening with my mom. Every spring I think of her. Spring means waking up on weekend mornings to my mom blasting her Carol King "Tapestry" album loudly, soft pink bandana tied around her head, cleaning or making breakfast with the windows open. I think of lawn mowers buzzing, laundry on the line, and planning a flower bed with mom. My favorite part was going to the nursery to pick out the plants. We almost always got marigolds, petunias, pansies, and snapdragons (my favorite!) I remember filling the back of her mini van with pallets of color and getting home to feel like after all the money we spent, there wasn't much to show for it.

  At our new house we have a covered patio. After not having a yard of any kind for the last two years, I was pretty excited to fix up our patio this spring for a relaxing hang out spot to have coffee in the morning, read, and host BBQs with friends. So on Saturday I bought a few flowers to add some color to the space. The entire time I was thinking of my mom, especially when I got home and it didn't look like much. Now I can't wait to add some seating and make a few plant hangers. I wish she could come for another visit. Afterall, the scent of the orange marigolds smelled like her and took me right back to our tiny house on Parkview Ave. in Duncan, OK., eating shaved ice on the porch swing after a long day of pulling weeds and playing in the dirt. Those were the days.

a year ago today

A year ago today, I was driving through western Oklahoma with Scott in a bright red rental car. Destination: Durango, CO. 754 miles away. My legs were sore, aching from the 13.1 miles I ran a few days before in my first 1/2 marathon. In the near future was a stop to get a Braums cheeseburger and a chocolate malt. In the horizon were fields and fields of neon yellow Canola flowers. The kind of yellow that stops you in your tracks. The kind of yellow that makes you take your shirt off, leaving nothing but your your skin warmed by sunshine from the vast Oklahoma sky.

CSArt Durango

You guys, I'm going to be on the radio this morning !! (That's Monday 4/14/2014 at 9:00 A.M. on KDUR)  I say this with excitement because I'm so ready to share with the community everything I can about CSArt Durango, but truly I'm nervous to be live on air! (Listen online HERE)

What is CSArt Durango?

CSArt Durango is a somewhat new concept in the art world. You've all probably heard of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), right? You buy a share from your local farmer, and for the entire growing season you and your family receive a box of vegetables every week. There is usually a "pick-up" day to receive your veggies, and at that time you get a chance to either go to the farm, or meet someone in town to get your produce. Either way, you are not only buying your vegetables for a good price (usually discounted from what you'd spend every Saturday at the Farmer's Market), but you're purchasing directly from the people who grow your food, and you can meet the farmers! It's a win win situation.

CSArt Durango works in a very similar way, except instead of buying into a share of food, you get art. And instead of meeting your local farmer, you get to meet the artists that are creating your art, talk to them about their creative process, and meet other people from the community at the pick-up parties throughout the season. Shares cost only $300 and you get eight pieces of art from eight unique artist. There are four pick-up events and at each event you get to meet 2 of the artists. I got chosen to be one of the eight artist for 2014 and I couldn't be more excited! In the running this year are a variety of artists: photographers, print makers, illustrators, sculptors, jewelers, and painters.

Visit the Studio& website for more detailed information and to purchase a share. And if you're on the fence about the price, consider buying a share with a group of four or eight friends. Each one of you could get one or two pieces of art for well under $100! And, the CSA is not limited to those living in Durango. We can ship art anywhere in the country!

Here are some photos from last year's CSArt pick-up parties, each one held at different locations all over town. And here is a recent article about the 2014 CSArt featured in the Durango Herald. And this article from the Telegraph for last year's first annual CSArt Durango.

TUNE IN to KDUR on 91.9 or 93.9 Monday April 14th from 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. to hear more! Or, LISTEN ONLINE HERE!

To purchase a share, go to the Studio& website.  There are only a limited number of shares available and the last day to buy is May 1st!