But I couldn’t let it go without sharing the good news …. Our annual calendar promotions have arrived and there are a limited number still available. This year’s features are pretty hot! If you’d like one, just send me an email with your name and address and I’ll get one out to you asap, (while supplies last of course!).

can you guess what month I’m featured in?

clue no.1 :

“It is the month of ____?                                                                                        The month of leaves and roses,                                                                                  When pleasant sights salute the eyes,                                                                        And pleasant scents the noses.”

                                                    - Nathaniel Parker Willis

highlights from the Buck’s County Chocolate Show in New Hope, Pennsylvania

… and oh what a show it was!

The word Chocolate alone draws in a crowd. So I wasn’t surprised how the line wrapped around the building as early as 10am. But what did surprise me was how many people, (all hunting for the best chocolate they can find), found such a genuine interested in the exhibit. They asked all sorts of questions; Did I make everything by hand? Was the packaging real? and most curiously, how was I able to design a poster from all these individual handmade parts?  

The beauty of it was that I met people for whom the concept of constructing an original piece of art digitally from handmade elements was a bit foreign. (Quickly making it clear that this was a gifted opportunity to share some insight on how the computer can be used just as simply as a paintbrush to achieve an artist’s vision.)

 The exchange was exhilarating. What I walked away with was a better understanding of the unique moment in time the art world is moving. 

Looking forward to see what happens next year!

-Michele 

p.s.  The question is often debated what constitutes an original piece of art. In my mind’s eye an original is a piece that is created directly from thought to craft and there is no other combination of elements put together that precede it’s existence in an identical fashion. 

The Journey of the Pod, 2008  

A few weeks back I received an email announcing a call for an open submission to a poster contest. Ordinarily I would’ve passed on it figuring I didn’t have the time. But something about this peaked my interest.                                                                                                       It was the word, chocolate.                                                                                                     Those of you who know me would not be surprised why this word is so special. I’ve spent years studying and exploring the history of this magnificent commodity that is so richly woven into our culture.

After Godiva and FarCoast, once again the call for art was knocking and I wasn’t about to pass up the chance to experience another journey with this little pod. My mentor always said do what you love and it finds you. So I designed a poster and sent it off. (I must admit just doing art for art’s sake was amazing.) 

About 2 weeks later I received an email notifying me that indeed I was being considered for the winning entry, and would be granted the privilege if I agreed to exhibit the original pieces that made up the components of the digital collage at the chocolate show. Who could resist the offer? …. getting to spend time with two of my passions, art and chocolate.                                                                                                     Hope you’ll join me in the fun. If not, check back in for the highlights.                                                                                                                                                                                     Ciao,                                                                                                                                  Michele 

Buck’s County Chocolate Show – June 1, 2008 

  A portion of the poster proceeds will go to Rainforest Alliance