I Love Santa Fe! (Part 2 of 3)

This is Part 2 of my tribute to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love it there! Here are two reasons why.

My two favorite things about Santa Fe are entirely entwined with each other: I love its food and its people. Of course Santa Fe's cuisine comes from its people--its strong Native American, Spanish, and Mexican populations.

Did you know that Santa Fe is literally America's oldest, official city? It was founded an entire decade before the British colonials even landed on Plymouth Rock. No offense intended, but the Spanish colonials got here first, and thank goodness.
With such a long and diverse (and yes, tumultuous) history, nearly every cafe, barista, pub, club, diner and restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, features the foods and spices of the city's past and present: Native American flat breads, Spanish tapas, French pastries, Mexican everything, and yes, even American food is here--and it's always fresh, tasty, and easy to find. No hunting in the phone book for ethnic food--just walk down the sidewalk, choose an eatery, and open the door. You'll find some of the best tasting food in the world. (In my last post I mentioned some of my travels. Having eaten on cruise ships and in Europe, I can tell you that Santa Fe beats them both.)


If you're a locavore like I am (you choose to eat locally produced food when possible), the best part of Santa Fe is the Santa Fe Farmer's Market, open year-round. You can buy everything from chile peppers (all varieties, from mild to 3-alarm) to standard and exotic fruits and vegetables. You can buy locally produced cheeses, wines, and even art at this market (yes, art!). And you will hear local street musicians, called buskers, too. The Santa Fe Farmer's Market is more than a market--it's a community event and gathering place.

My favorite breakfast place in Santa Fe is called the Horseman's Haven. We usually heard two or three languages spoken here each morning, and the huevos rancheros were the best we had all week (and large enough to share or save half for lunch). Speaking of lunch, we recommend Pasqual's, located on Santa Fe's famous Plaza (more on The Plaza in Part 3). For dinner you must go to Canyon Road (you'll be there anyway for its dozens of art galleries) and eat at El Farol's. It's pricey, but worth it. Save this restaurant for a special evening with a special someone. Andrew and I loved their tapas selection.

If you get hooked on Southwestern cuisine (I have always loved Mexican food, but the Southwest's flavors are even better), check out the Santa Fe School of Cooking. You can learn how to roast a chile and wrap a tamale, and then go home and repeat it in your own kitchen.

If you like to meet people who are different from you, go to Santa Fe. If you like foods that look and taste differently from what you normally eat, go to Santa Fe. If you love to learn and want to grow personally, go to Santa Fe and don't come back until you're a better person. It won't take long. Santa Fe will enrich you.


If you're in the Spooner area this month, stop in see us at Black Iris Gallery (located between the stop lights on Hwy 63). We are currently showing Paul Oman's new watercolor art show called Landscapes & Cityscapes: Paul Oman 2010. Several of his award-winning pieces are on display now through the end of June. It's an impressive show and just as good as what I saw in Santa Fe. See above for a sample of his work.

Above: A Day in Bayfield, original watecolor, Paul Oman, 2010

See you soon at Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing!

Sincerely,
JoAnn
Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
Spooner, WI
715-635-4548
http://www.blackirisframing.com/


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Meet Bill LaPorte, Photographer

Greetings, art lovers!

Please meet and greet local photographer Bill LaPorte (left) and welcome him to the Black Iris family.

Bill has worked here at Black Iris for nearly a year as my assistant framer. If you've had framing done in the last year, it was probably Bill who cut your mats and built your frame. He's very detail oriented and exact in his work, and I couldn't be happier to introduce you to one of his other passions--photography. Here is what Bill has to say about his camera work:

"I take pictures. I am always searching, questing, for the perfect photograph, and I hope I never get it. Once I do, I’ll be done, and I always want to be taking and sharing good photos.

Having lived in God's County all my life, I strive to capture the beautiful wildlife, flowers, and landscapes of northern Wisconsin and beyond. We live in heaven on earth, and that’s all anyone can ask for. Please visit my Web site for images of Zion National Park, Glacier National Park, the Rockys, the Smokeys, and more.

I also book photography sessions for individual portraits, family portraits, weddings, corporate photography, pet photos, and of course senior pictures for graduates of high school and college. If you need a professional photograph for personal or business use, please call me.

One of my specialties is using PhotoShop CS3 to restore vintage photographs. If you need an heirloom photo repaired or retouched, please let me know. I can reproduce your image, good as new, in several sizes on your choice of cotton, matte, glossy, or plain paper and even canvas.

I look forward to hearing from you. To learn more, please visit my Web site at http://www.billlaportephotography.com/ or call 715-520-2203.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Bill LaPorte, Spooner, WI
http://www.billlaportephotography.com/
715-520-2203"

Please note: Bill's photography is now on display at Black Iris Gallery. You can buy his framed images, matted prints, and greeting cards at very reasonable prices. See you soon at Black Iris!

Yours in Art,
JoAnn Martin
Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
Hwy 63 * 410 N River Street
Spooner, WI 54801
Free Parking on Oak Street
715-635-4548
http://www.blackirisframing.com

The Framed Signature Mat - Not Just for Weddings

Hello, everyone! Today's post is about a new product I'm selling called the Engravable Signature Mat (see photos).

It's designed especially for brides and grooms, and it's called "The New Guestbook." It's a beautiful way to capture your wedding guests' signatures forever. You'll be able to enjoy your framed and signed wedding photograph in a way that you'll actually get to see and enjoy for years to come.

If someone you know is getting married this year, the Framed Engravable Signature Mat makes a very thoughtful gift.

What makes this Engravable Signature Mat so special is that it's made from a highly-polished metal alloy, not cardboard. The signatures will never smudge or fade, ever.

As a picture framer, I've framed many cardboard mats (you've seen them--white mats signed with black or red magic marker), and they often arrive in my frame shop in pretty bad shape. Not only do they sometimes smell like cigarette smoke, they are usually smudged or worse--they are water (beer?) stained. And within a couple of years, the signatures are usually quite faded.

The Engravable Signature Mat eliminates all those problems while giving the guest(s) of honor a very beautiful remembrance of their very special day.

But let's think beyond weddings--the Engravable Signature Mat is also a thoughtful way to capture the moment of a birthday, graduation, bat/bar mitzvah, retirement, baby shower, and more. Just pop in a photograph of the guest of honor, and everyone will know what to do.

The Engravable Signature Mat arrives at your door as a complete kit--framed and ready to display on an easel or table. It includes a free polishing cloth to wipe away finger prints, a free diamond-tipped scribe for your guests to sign their names (works much like a regular pen, just push a little harder), a free instruction card, and hanging hardware so you can hang your finished piece either horizontally or vertically. Voila!

Prices start at $195 for the 20 x 24 Framed Engravable Signature Mat and go down from there. If you've ever had custom framing done, you know what a good value this is.

To learn more or to place an order, please visit my Web site at http://www.blackirisframing.com/ where you can download an order form. You may also call me at 715-635-4548. I can take your credit card info right over the phone.

See (and sign!) the Engravable Signature Mat in person at Black Iris Gallery on Hwy 63 in Spooner, WI. I'll also be at the Rice Lake Bridal Show on Sunday, February 7, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

Happy Party Planning, everyone.

Sincerely,
JoAnn

4th Annual 2009 Black Iris Fine Arts Show - Coming Soon!

Greetings, Art Lovers ~ It's that time of year again!

It's October so it's time for my annual fine arts show. What was once called the Heartwood Fine Arts Show is now called the Black Iris Fine Arts Show. We have a new date (third Saturday in October) and a brand new location in the Upper Ballroom at the NW Sports Complex in downtown Spooner!

Above: Masa Lake
Sister Kristie Haugen
Mt. Carmel Hermitage
Amery, WI

This year's show is on October 17, 2009, which is also Spooner's 100th birthday AND the debut of Spooner's new Jack O' Lantern Fest!

Jack O' Lantern Fest will feature a Fine Art Show, a Brew Fest at Kegler's right upstairs from Black Iris Gallery, a Childrent's Tent for fun and games, and pumpkin contests of all kinds. October 17 is Spooner's premier family-friendly festival--join us to celebrate fall and ALL THINGS PUMPKIN in Spooner on October 17!

Now back to the art...here's a sneak peek of what you can expect to see at the Black Iris Fine Arts Show on October 17.






Left: Rainwater
CJ Conner
Chetek, WI











Left: Abstract Iris
Carole A. Burval
Minong, WI/ Barrington, IL











Left: Vase
David & Carolyn Stone
Balsam Lake, WI



See you at the NW Sports Complex on Saturday, October 17, 2009, for the Black Iris Fine Arts Show, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with FREE shuttle bus service all day.

Yours in Art,
JoAnn Martin
Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
Framing for a Lifetime
715-635-4548
Hwy 63 Spooner, WI
http:/www.blackirisframing.com/artshow.php
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Call for Artists: Black Iris Fine Arts show, October 17

Greetings, Artists and Art Lovers!

My 4th annual art show is coming up, and I'm looking for a few more artists to fill booth spaces. Each year the show gets better, and this year....

Oil lamp
Hand carved by Ed Schmidt, Frederic, WI

...YOU are invited to participate!

Thanks to excellent feedback from both customers and artists, the Black Iris Fine Arts Show (formerly the Heartwood show) is now HELD IN DOWNTOWN SPOONER and is significantly earlier this year--on Saturday, October 17, 2009. This is the same day as Spooner's new Jack O' Lantern Fest, so between the leaf-lovers in the area and the Pumpkin Fest go-ers, foot traffic will be excellent.

For more details or to print an application, please visit http://www.blackirisframing.com/artshow.php (scroll down part way to open the application).

If you have questions, please call me at 715-635-4548. Of course there's always e-mail, too: JoAnn@BlackIrisFraming.com.

I look forward to having you join us at the 4th Annual Black Iris Fine Arts Show. So far we have over a dozen booths filled with mediums ranging from pottery, painting, and photography to hand-made knives, jewelry, and glass work.

It's best to sign up now--booths are filling fast and cost only $50; you don't want to miss out!

Sincerely,
JoAnn

Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
715-635-4548
Hwy 63
Spooner, WI
http:/www.blackirisframing.com/artshow.php

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Carole's Watercolor Class a Success!

Hello, Art Lovers!

As I type this, Carole A. Burval (shown left, green shirt) is teaching a watercolor class in the hallway just outside my gallery door. Students have come from as far away as Hudson to take Carole's class, and I've heard nothing but positive feedback!

Carole's teaching style is patience mixed with humor and a lot of technique. She shares tips and advice from her many years as a professional painter and teacher, so you don't have to learn the hard way. Carole also asks about your goals for your work, and then she helps you get there. Carole is a sparkling diamond in Spooner's local art scene--we're so lucky to have her here.

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As you may already know, Carole's specialty is transparent watercolor painting. While I don't know everything there is to know about this challenging technique, I do know that what Carole does with thin layers of watercolor paint is absolutely amazing. She can use just one tube of paint (that's just one color--see above left for an example) to create an entire scene with all its moods, textures, shadows, details, and emotions. By changing the value and tone of the pigment (by using more or less water), Carole's works come alive.

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Please come visit us TONIGHT, 6 - 8 PM, for Carole's Artist Reception here at Black Iris Gallery (Hwy 63, Spooner, WI). We'll have food, wine, and fabulous fine art, plus you'll get to meet Carole and her very handsome husband.

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If you've always wanted to learn watercolor painting in a workshop setting rather than from "how-to" books, Carole Burval's classes are an excellent choice. To take a class from Carole, please contact her at her Web site or call 847-840-7731 (that's her cell #, which is the best way to reach her). She can let you know her upcoming schedule.

And now I have a question for you, Dear Readers! Are there other workshops you'd like to take? Are you interested in oil painting, black and white photography, or weaving? What about glass work, metalwork, or wood carving? Do you want to learn how to capture people's faces in charicature drawings? I have several artists who are interested in teaching classes, but most don't have room for group sessions in their home studios.

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To help them and you, I am coordinating an art class schedule for the remainder of 2009...so let us know what medium you're interested in. Please respond by posting a comment, below.

Thanks!

Artfully,

JoAnn

Left: Layer, shadow, & Light Lesson

Carole A. Burval: Perfection on Paper

Greetings, Art Lovers!

Our next art show at Black Iris Gallery is now hanging, and it is absolutely stunning!

The artist is Carole A. Burval, TWSA, WHS, MWS, from Minong, WI and Barrington, IL. All those initials after her name mean that Carole is an award-winning watercolor artist with Signature Status in several Watercolor Societies.

Carole's work is normally showcased at national exhibits, making her show here at Black Iris a rare opportunity for art lovers in general and for watercolor fans in particular. Don't miss this show.

Samples of Carole's work are shown along the left side of this page. Top to bottom, the pieces are called Almost Spring, Fall on Washington Island, and Iris Abstract (click for larger images).

You can see how well Carole captures the shapes, colors, textures, moods, and emotions of a scene. My favorite is the middle piece. The wooden cart of pumpkins reminds me of late summer and fall, with all their smells and colors and quite moments. For me, Carole's artwork is perfection on paper.

Since Carole's works often hang in large cities like Chicago and Tuscon, her show at Black Iris Gallery is a chance to see nationally acclaimed work right here in Spooner--don't miss it!

Carole's Artist Reception will be Saturday, June 13, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, here at the Gallery. We're located at 410 North River Street (Hwy 63) in Spooner, with free parking on Oak Street.

See you on Saturday, June 13th for fine art, fine wine, and fine food!

To learn more about Carole and her work, please visit her Web site at http://www.caroleaburval.com/. You can also sign up for Carole's watercolor workshop, which will be held June 12 & 13 in Spooner.

See you Saturday, June 13, for Carole's Artist Reception!

Artfully,
JoAnn
Owner, Black Iris Gallery
JoAnn@BlackIrisFraming.com

And the winner is...! Our next Art Show...! (Plus, are you on Facebook?)

Hello, everyone!

I finally have a winner of the Blu-Ray Disk Player! I've been taking names for my drawing since before Christmas. In early January, I drew the winner's name and called her, but she was in Florida for the winter! Once I finally reached her (e-mail is amazing), I was able to give SALLY LINDSTROM of SPOONER, WI the good news!

When she came home in late February, Sally bounded on in to the frame shop to collect her prize. I think she was walking about 3 feet off the floor that day. As you can see, Sally looks very happy that she won the Blu-Ray player. "Out of 400 entries, JoAnn? Really?!" she kept asking me. Yes, really! :-)

Congratulations again, Sally!

Our next art show features artist and Lutheran pastor Paul Oman. The reception will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2 - 5 PM, and you'll get to see Paul paint an original work of art, right before your eyes. For more details and to see samples of Paul's beautiful work, click here: www.BlackIrisFraming.com/artshow.php.

And yes, I am finally on Facebook. After four of my girlfriends asked (within the same two weeks), "Are you on Facebook?" I decided it was time to join and see what FB is all about. It's actually very fun (and potentially addicting). If you're not on FB yet, you should definitely try it.

You can easily find people you know by joining groups (high school, college, jobs, interests, etc), by checking out the profiles of your "friends" (people you already know on FB), or by using the Search function (that's how I found my girlfriend Amanda!). And get this (to all you business Bloggers out there...), withing 24 hours of being on FB, I landed an $800 framing order. I had heard that FB can be a great way to make business connections...I guess that's true! Thank you, Holly P., for becoming my friend and my customer. It's been great getting to know you on-line and off. I can't wait to finish framing your beautiful artwork--you have impeccable taste.

Sincerely,
JoAnn