Wexford Girl

A New Shop

My dear talented husband has his own etsy shop. His prints were big sellers over the weekend, especially the robots and birds, so that's what he's starting with.

In other news, our second day of open studios was just as busy as the first, despite the building being locked. (The building's participating artists, three of us, chipped in to pay a doorman at the main door.)

Visitors included Evany, Marco, and their pretty friends, including Liz and Pilot the well-behaved dog, Dave and Craig P on their new bicycles, Melanie and Mark, Jenifer and Bob, Kate, Finn, and Cian, Shawn, George and Chris, Neil, Jack, Dana and many many more. Quite the party!

The ride home included picking up burritos at Pappalote, 60 Minutes, and very early bed, where I continued to read a bad Stephen King novel that I bought at a book sale at work for a dollar. It's really terrible and yet I keep reading.

Real Artists

Today was the first day of open studios at the studio. How far we've come. I remember 3 years ago when I was registering us for our first OS - out of the garage, I felt a bit insecure to be hanging our shingle out with other "real" artists, who had actual studios. Well, I think we've proved ourselves to be real artists. At least that's how I feel at the end of today.

We both sold a lot of work. In the first hour, Eric had sold two large paintings, so that set the tone. A lot of friends came by: Megan, Bob, John (with adorable toddlers Ailish and Norah), Dan, Brigid, Diana, Sarah, Steve, Dave and Gina with supercute dimpled Hersch. It was a great day.

Now we are going to eat German food at Suppenkuche because we were inspired by Rachael Ray this morning making a German meal.

Eric's take on the day.

Two Openings: A Rare Device Sandwich on Madrone Bread.

What a night. After work I got on my motorcycle and drove to Madrone Lounge. The work looks awesome all hung up. There are several photographers and 2 or 3 painters. Most people have 5 or so pieces in the show, but I have 16! That's because I gave Leila (the owner and curator) several they could choose from and because my pieces are mostly little and can fit into odd corners, she ended up using them all.

Eric joined me there and we enjoyed some free pizza and wine. Then, around 8:00, we popped on the motorcycle and went up and over the hill, dropping down into Market Street where we parked in front of Rare Device (that right there is reason enough to have a motorcycle in San Francisco).

The party was in full swing. Crammed with friends and well-wishers and people who are so darn happy to have another great store in San Francisco. Immediately I spotted lots of people I knew, Victoria, Diana, Charlie, Mati (who left before I got a chance to say hello), Dana, Elizabeth, Jenifer. I also spotted Allison from Splendora chatting to Meg Mateo Ilasco, who wrote the awesome book, Craft, Inc., (and who was also one of the speakers at Grace's SF Biz Ladies get together on Tuesday. That was a very inspiring evening!)

Lisa and Rena looked very happy, and maybe a little dazed. This is such an adventure for them, and I know RD is going to become an essential part of the San Francisco art and design scene. Kelly Lynn Jones's show that opened there last night looked great, but I have to return when it's less crowded to really check it out.

The store itself looked wonderful, but I didn't really get a chance to peruse and shop. It's a quick zip up Market street from work though, so I think I'll plan a field trip in the next few weeks with some girlie coworkers.

Then we left and popped back on the bike to go over the hill to Madrone again. It was a Rare Device sandwich on Madrone bread! It was more crowded and the DJ was spinning grooviness. We met Aaron B and caught up with him. Christian from work was also there with friends. After a drink, Eric got the car and I got the bike and we went home and watched The Office on Tivo.

Great night. Thanks for indulging me when I was chatting to everyone and sometimes being rude and not introducing you Eric!

This Family

Oh I just had a toasted bagel with almond butter. That has to be one of my favorite things ever.

Come on out this Thursday to Madrone Lounge for the opening of This Family, the group show I'm in. Free pizza and wine from 6:00 to 9:00, plus a great D.J. Madrone is at 500 Divisidero Street, at the corner of Fell, and it's an awesome bar.

And not too far away from the bar is the new Rare Device San Francisco, at 1845 Market Street, also opening that night with a show by the wonderful artist Kelly Lynn Jones.

On Sunday, Ashli and I visited a few studios in The Mission. I loved Mati's studio at Compound 21, with the little courtyard and lots of other artists. It had a really good feeling, and her work was gorgeous in person. We also went to the Art Explosion studios on Alabama St, and Workspace Limited, where Lily was. All these enormous buildings crammed with artists. It was pretty cool.

Then I fell and twisted my ankle, so that was the end of that. I hobbled around for a bit longer and then got a cab home. The end.

Ting's Joke

Q.   Why does Snoop Dogg have an umbrella?

A.  Fo' drizzle.

October Weekend

Yesterday, Eric and I had a lovely homey day. Lunch at the Part Chalet, then projects around the house, naps, hammock time, and laundry. We even cancelled our dinner reservations so we could stay home, make a delicious stew (OK, that was all Eric), and watch Knocked Up, which was good, but not half as awesome as The 40-year-old Virgin.

Today I'm meeting Gina and some girls for lunch, and then joining Ashli in The Mission to check out some Open Studios, including Lily Martine's and Mati Rose's

I love October weekends in this city.

Thursday

I love The Office and 30 Rock; they make me very happy. Here are some drawings from tonight. They may be part of the show "This Family" I'm hanging next week at The Madrone Lounge (my favorite bar - and I'm not just saying that because they invited me to be part of a show!) They call me Annie Wexford in the listing. A lot of people think that's my name I guess. I'm giving them a bunch of stuff and I don't know what they will choose.

The opening party next Thursday will be a blast. DJs, cocktails, and hot bartenders. Of course it's the same night as the long-awaited opening of Rare Device San Francisco. So I will be hitting both parties for sure. If I'm on the motorcycle, and only having a cocktail or two, I won't have to deal with parking in either neighborhood!

These drawings are perhaps a little too inspired by the uber-talented Matirose's latest work. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person this weekend at the Mission Open Studios.

New Scans

Some of the work I took down from The Salon last night. These will be at the next open studios, which is NEXT weekend, not this coming weekend.

Carnelian

It's too early for shitty weather! October is supposed to be nice!

Open Studios was so slow. It was surprising, because last year was a non-stop party and we sold tons of work. Maybe it's because we're having another Open Studio at our actual studio the weekend of 27/28. Perhaps this will be the first and only year we do both.

Some other things from the weekend. We went to Gina's 40th birthday party in Marin, and she rocked the house by performing with her siblings for the first time in 20 years. They had a band together as kids, and they were good. Lily Achatz sure can play some mean drums!

Last night, I took down my work in The Salon. Then I popped over to The Candy Store to drop off a painting for Talla. We did a trade and I got some of her awesome goodies. I also picked up the Lisa Congdon piece that Eric and I bought at her recent show there. I love it!

Then it was a tasty cocktail with Ashli in Andalu and home (stopping on the way to pick up a delicious fish burrito from Papalote). I had fresh Shield episodes waiting from Netflix, and I curled up on the couch and dived in. What a show! Forest Whitaker is such mesmerizing actor. I am so happy he finally got an Oscar.

Come On Out

It's Saturday morning, clear and sunny by the beach. We are all set up downstairs. I have 114 original paintings and drawings, and Eric has several gorgeous large paintings and tons of prints. Oh and we have wine, beer, and cookies. And later in the afternoon we'll probably order some pizza.

So what are you waiting for, Bay Area peeps? 47th and Fulton. We're waiting.

I would post a pic of downstairs, but we are having iPhoto issues.