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• Hibernation 2024

  We’re going dark for the cold months, so look here for updates in the spring. Happy Holidays and we’ll see you in 2025!

  Team B and ABC

• Amana Plein Air 2024

  I stepped out of my comfort zone this weekend to put myself out there and compete in the Amana Art Guild’s Fresh Paint Plein Air Juried Competition.

  I knew I wasn’t going to be on the same level as the more experienced and disciplined artists, but I did not anticipate my brain to go into full panic mode every time I took out my paints. OI VAY!

  Once I realized I did not want to set up my table at ALL the lovely spots I wanted to paint, and I am not a fan of Easels, We inquired at Catiri’s Art Oasis about a place to purchase clipboards for easier sketching, and will be forever grateful to the lovely shopkeep that was kind enough to have her husband deliver her 2 personal artist’s boards for Bill and I to use on Friday. I am surprised that with all the focus on art in Amana that they don’t have a little art supply shop or a even a small local grocery store with at least eggs, milk and butter etc lol (now I am wondering if we could have asked the bakery for those items), just gift shops and Casey’s….sigh.

  We managed a few sketches in our traversing of Amana’s lush countryside on Friday, but the paint just was not happening. So we took a little trip to Cedar Rapids in search of artist’s boards of our own.

  I was so overwhelmed with all the natural beauty of Amana and discovering where to setup, that I did not successfully put paint on paper until Saturday morning on the beautiful patio of Millstream Brewing before they opened. We did indulge in a variety of their offered ales later and I tell ya what… they have the best lineup of beer that we have encountered in some time. They did not disppoint! Just as good as 2 years ago!

  Overall it was a good weekend and a lot of fun chatting with our flatmates, thank you Jane and Karen! We had a lovely meal at Millstream Brau Haus before the awards show with Jane. The awards show was a neat experience with local wine that was quite delicious. All 3 of their wineries and Millstream Brewing had really good varieties to offer and we will be visiting Amana as often as possible to indulge ourselves in such finery! We took lots of source photos to practice our craft over the next year in preparation for next year’s Amana Plein Air!

  Thank you again to our hosts Suzanne and Jeff who are also the Organizers of the event!

  And a special thank you to the Amana Visitor Center’s Apple tree and the generous local who encouraged us to pick some apples. Truly organic, just growing naturally around town, they are hands down the best apples I have ever cooked with!

  With just Organic Maple syrup, some margarine(no butter available) and a dash of Sea salt and they were so simple and as delicious as my own mother’s homemade applesauce from my childhood. Once home I made some apple pancakes and a lovely puree of my cooked apples and some coconut milk for a smear that brought a tear of joy to my eye and inspired a happy dance. Talk about divine dining! Absolute heaven in every bite!

  Miss Riverwright

  3 September 2024

• What is art to you?

  To me art is therapy, but it is not created during negative energy moments.
  I want to grow as an artist and refine my skills, but I will never lose my individuality. I shouldn’t have to sacrifice myself to make the drones happy.
  I create portals of whimsy and delight when I feel good, happy, positive. When I am a glum chum I don’t want to create, I don’t have the energy, I am struggling to survive the day.
  Mental Health Matters. Not everyone’s brain functions the same way. Some of us are struggling to breathe, to think, to survive. Life is not all cut and dry.
  So I say this to the people who feel the need to make anyone feel less than….think about a time when someone made you feel that way. I know I have experienced it more often than is necessary in my own life. I am too old and too tired to rent space in my head to what people said….or how they said it. Tone matters.
  I am a happy bubbly person……despite being slightly cursed.
  Stop shaking your head in response to my being slightly cursed…I am being serious here…well…as serious as I get that is.
  How would you label the fact that I am not able to order the same meal at a restaurant twice? Somehow the quality declines with repetition. It is hard enough to find good places to eat as is….imagine falling in love with something then trying it again and wondering if it is even the same dish. LOL
  It makes me sad. I hate paying good money for sad food, but I honestly think part of that is the mood of the person preparing the meal. People are overworked and underpaid. That fuels the negative vibes into everyone’s daily lives.
  I don’t understand people wanting SAD FOOD or SAD ART or watching drama filled shows full of negativity and discord. I am sick and tired of all the negativity around me, so I try to create whimsical, bright portals of happiness to encourage myself and others to smile with a warmth in our souls. Some days that really is too much to ask of myself, let alone others…I know.
  I did not start creating art with the intention of selling it in 2020, but here we are 4 years and 500+ pieces later, wheeeee!

  Miss Riverwright

  11 August 2024

• Better days on the horizon!

  I am so thankful for the opportunities being laid out before me!

  Last weekend we attended a Brews and Brushes at Capt. Roy’s with local artist Siricasso who teamed up with the City of Des Moines for the event and I gave them an Adventures Beyond Canvas business card and the city has contacted me about collaborating on events!

  When asked about my availability for a job at Backpocket Pin and Pixel I included my Adventures Beyond Canvas scheduled events and tossed in that I am open to doing painting or Zen Garden events there as well and they are open to the possibility!

  This Saturday we are attending The Gabriel House Sessions with so many other awesome artists.

  On August 30th I will be in the Amana Colonies for a Plein Air Juried Art Competition. There is an Awards party on Sunday September 1st where they will present the awards and the pieces painted that weekend will be available for purchase at that time. Come out and enjoy German foods and Millstream brews while the artists paint throughout the town and countryside!

  September 21st will be Art on the Lake at Copper Creek Lake park. Live painting and other crafty fun for all ages! Join us!

  I have applied to have 20 pieces on display at 515 Brewing in September and October. Fingers crossed I get picked for such a great opportunity!

  Miss Riverwright

  8 August 2024

• Gathered in Gilman

  The folk at TBG Community Center are generously hosting a variety of vendors today at their craft and antique fair!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Many thanks to Andrew and Keri for having us and continuing to support local vendors! Their collected donations are doing a lot of good for the community, and we’re glad to be part of the team at today’s sale.

  Team B

  20 July 2024