THE AFTER GLOW

It has been so enriching to reflect back on the fun we had during the weekend of our Artist Studio Sale with our fellow artists as we once again created a gallery like atmosphere in GreyBird Barn. The wonderful visiting crowds were numerous and wonderful despite the rain on Saturday that kept things a bit moist, but our spirits were high from all the generous words about our event. To quote Shane Miller, whose wonderful barn we inhabit every fall..."Over and over again we heard, "I never knew this little piece of paradise was down this road" ... "such a unique and talented group of artists" ... "I love your barn" ... "what an intimate setting for an art sale" ... "love the cookies." I was, and still am, overwhelmed by their generosity and kindness." The guests attendance and enthusiasm both days kept the barn warm and comfy.

All our efforts as a group go into preparing the grounds and barn to make it really shine. Then Saturday comes and it's time to throw open the barn doors to reveal our magical, creative space, in it's morphed glory.  We have been at this for 7 years now so each year makes the event even better than the last. We all gather one day prior to the sale where we expend time and energy grooming the grounds and transforming the barn. It is a group effort and we all work really well together sharing the load and chores. In the below photo we are taking a lunch break before we get back to stacking wood, weed eating, raking leaves and grass, hedge trimming, sweeping out the barn of saw dust and spider webs and staging the pathway to the barn with wonderful galvanized metal items collected by Shane and buckets of fresh picked apples off the generous King apple tree on sight, and enticing, colorful flags to lure in curious passersby. 

Loran with my Ruby, Diane and her Peaches, Lynn, me, and my sister, Wendy...

who gives her all to help us each year. We are so grateful to have her help and her giving spirit. 

Not pictured is Shane, taking the photo.

Once we load in our goods and set up the barn in our designated areas we transform GreyBird Barn's interior into a wondrous and enchanting space in hopes to delight the senses of our visiting guests.  As you can see the barn and it's surroundings takes on a whole new look once this gang is through with it. 

Our welcoming path to GreyBird Barn

Entering the barn

My space as you walk in, with Wendy, Bob and Shane shooting pics. That's her display in the back

My display and our "such a steal" bargain table on the right

Day 2 - empty wall spaces within my display

(As Martha would say, "that's a good thing") 

Shane Miller with her etched metal narrative boxes and jewelry

plus some new digital images not pictured. You can see them on her artist blog

Lynn Anju with her beautiful display of etched jewelry with beautiful stones

Loran Scruggs in her dazzling repurposed tin works of art 

and fun bottle cap creations

 

Diane Haddon showing her wonderful found object sculpture and fanciful collages

and big selection of post cards showing her images (Donna Snow and Diana Cronin looking on)

More images from the two day event...

Lynn

Diane and Peaches go for a walk-about on rainy day Saturday

 

Peaches! 

Our friend, Victoria Josslin, who is now retired from Bainbridge Arts 

and Crafts Gallery, visiting with Diane Saturday

Potter and good friend, Diana Cronin and Diane, posing it up on Sunday, day 2

An artistic environment within GreyBird Barn

The view from my vantage point within my booth

This is Rick Dennison, Lynn Anju's husband. He was our weekend warrior aka our super hero of the weekend...He gave us so much with a big heart. Before the weekend ever started, Rick came and helped Shane stack her firewood for a day ... and he also set up and picked up all our signs on the highway and along the route leading to our event... and to top it off, directed visitors as to where to park their cars for 2 days (even in the rain on Saturday!) ... all without any complaints. What a trooper! A HUGE THANK YOU to Rick for all his help and generous giving. 

 THE GANG OF ARTISTS

Diane, Shane, Wendy in the center (our other giving and mighty helper-THANK YOU again Wendy! Nearly every year she has come to assist us and help us in multiple ways for which we are forever grateful!), Lynn, me, and Loran

An additional special big thank you to Wendy...Besides many other chores, she helped with prep-work, refreshed our cookie supply and kept the warm cider dispenser full for us during the weekend.
  

Another big thanks to Libby Wennstrom for the big article in the PT Leader...Thank you Libby!

Thanks to those who were able to visit our event and perusing this post. 

GREYBIRD BARN TAKES FLIGHT PT Leader

 GreyBird Barn art sale 

takes flight this weekend

Interview and article by Libby Wennstrom

Five working artists – all women – have teamed up for the seventh GreyBird Barn’s Artist Studio Sale, set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 8-9.

The sale is located at the barn studio of etched-metal artist Shane Miller, 11 Carroll Ave., in Glenn Cove. Many of the artists represented have been selling in the show for years.

The GreyBird Barn artists, whose work runs the gamut from found-object sculpture to photo-etched jewelry to mixed-media painting, plan to be on hand both days to explain their processes and answer questions.

New to the barn sale this year is Suquamish artist Diane Haddon, who specializes in assemblage and found-object collage. Returning artists are Linda Jarvis, mixed-media, sculpture and assemblage utilizing found objects), Lynn Anju, metal etchings, sculpture and jewelry, Loran Scruggs colorful reused tin and bottle-cap creations and GreyBird Barn studio owner Shane Miller, photo-etched jewelry, narrative boxes and sculpture.

Miller has been a working artist for about 25 years, starting out in large-scale steel sculpture; over time, her work has evolved to include photo-etched metal boxes and three-dimensional opening frames. She is now branching out to paper and collage work – still using some of the same photo processes she uses in her etchings – gluing tiled gampi paper onto larger canvases to create large, composite images. In recent years, Miller has switched from using harsh chemicals for photo etching to a process which uses electricity – provided by a car battery – and a strong salt water solution. Miller says she’s happier with the results, and the process is far less toxic than using conventional photo etching chemicals.

A thread running through Miller's artwork, regardless of media, is narrative – every piece tells a story. Her "narrative boxes" hang on the wall and open up, inviting viewers to open each panel to find out what the rest of the story might be. Miller's work is available year around at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.

Miller came to Port Townsend in 1993 for the sea kayaking, and stayed, in part, because of the thriving regional arts scene. The barn – which serves as her studio space when it's not being pressed into service for the sale – has become a way for a group of what Miller calls "like-minded artists" to come together once a year and create an intimate, informative way of selling their work. All of the artists sell their work at regional galleries, but having "at home" time offers people a chance to talk with the artists about their processes, tools and intentions for a piece.

The barn is located in a quiet, semi-rural area in little-traveled Glenn Cove, just outside the Port Townsend city limits. From State Route 20, take Fredericks Street and follow the signs to the bottom of the hill. Sale hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Oct. 8-9. For more information, call Miller at 379-5421.

Thank you Libby for this article in the PT Leader Oct. 5, 2016. We so appreciate your willingness to showcase us and our event.

PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES

Click on the image for larger view.

ARTIST STUDIO BARN SALE HIGHLIGHTS

For those who did not make the 3rd Annual Artist Studio Sale last weekend, this is Gunther, our friendly crocodile sculpture (by Shane Miller) who greets our guests as they enter the magical world of GreyBird Barn Studio.

This year, with the help of my husband, I faced the wall with sound board for an easier hang.

The Artists...Beverly Saito, me, Linda Jarvis, Shirley Moss, Diane Gale and Shane Miller.

Many thanks go out again to my sister, Wendy, and friends Kristi, Carrie and Ari for all the help they offered to our efforts. Their generosity of spirit is so very much appreciated by all of us.

With such heartful team endeavors we brought to fruition our annual event once again. Thank you!

ARTIST STUDIO SALE at GreyBird Barn

June 25th and 26th is fast arriving. We are all hoping you will be able to stop by the charming GreyBird Barn in Port Townsend for our 3rd Annual Artist Studio Sale. Come visit a while, share news, have some refreshments, introduce yourself and even take home an artful acquisition!

The directions on the post card above are as follows: Look for our signs just outside Port Townsend. Off Sims Way/HWY 20 take Frederick St. east to Otto St. Turn left and follow the signs to bottom of the hill. A large crocodile sculpture will let you know you've arrived. We are located at 11 Carroll Ave. See you there!

Click on any image to enlarge it.

SAVE THIS DATE

Our Artist Studio Sale is coming up soon so please save these dates. We will open GreyBird Barn again with 5 of us showing our goods the weekend of June 25 & 26.

Please check back for more details, I promise I will update the information so you can find us easily.