Jingle Rails!

‘Tis the season for…well, some holiday inspired pics!

“jingle rails” photo, 2012, Lynne Medsker

I went with a friend to the Eiteljorg Museum to view a wonderful photo exhibit a few weeks ago. While we were there we also made a stop at their annual “Jingle Rails” exhibit. What fun!!

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

The entire (large!) room was full of miniature buildings and different model train set ups.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

Since the museum focusing on the art of the western United States most of the lovely buildings were small replicas of lodges and other gorgeous sites from that region.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

I hadn’t anticipated taking any photos on our excursion and was caught at a rare time I didn’t have one of my cameras on hand.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

Thank goodness for cell phones! I especially enjoy taking photos on it using some of the “alternate” cameras you can download so these all have some different effects or sizing to them to make them even more “magical”. 🙂

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

Along with the wonderful western scenes they also had a section that represented Indianapolis. One section showed the state fair midway – which you don’t usually get to see in the wintertime!

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

It was fun to see our town in a small scale! There was a larger section featuring downtown buildings and landmarks.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

They even had a small version of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of our Colt’s football team.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

I think my favorite had to be the miniature “Christmas Tree” that is constructed each year by stringing lights on the monument in the circular center of Indy.

“Jingle rails” image, 2012, Lynne Medsker

I hope you enjoyed this wintery tour of the exhibit and that you are enjoying the holiday season!

Blessings,

Lynne

Busy-ness

Today was set aside to prepare for the upcoming art show at the Eiteljorg Museum on Saturday.  I always forget how much work & details there are to take care of prior to a show.  And this one is easier than many, it’s indoors and they take care of all the payments and money handling.  But even without packing up the outdoor tent and accessories, digging out the manual credit card machine or making a run to the bank for change there is still plenty to do.  Choosing which artwork to bring (I was juried into two different media so I have a wider selection to choose from), printing labels and filling them out, making sure I have an ample supply of business cards, postcards and promotional materials and, of course, finishing up last minute creations all filled up the day.  Tomorrow they are having early set up in the afternoon so I can pack everything in the morning and (with the help of my wonderful “volunteer” & son, Josh) get my space set up in the afternoon.  It means an extra trip but it is so much easier on my achy body to do it in two different days instead of packing, setting up, being on my feet all day, tearing down, repacking and bringing everything home to unpack and put away, all in one day.  Makes me tired just writing about it!  Which I guess is one reason I have drastically reduced the number of art shows that I participate in.  As a matter of fact this is my first of the year, with only a few weeks left before a new year begins!  I finished the other “mini” art pieces that were underway in my last blog.  Here are a few samples:

“mini” art, 5×7 mixed media

“Mini” art

As I am in the midst of holiday art season I decided to do smaller, portable, more affordable pieces of artwork to take to galleries & shows.  I have about 15 in various stages of progress, with eight that are complete. 

 

These are small (5×7 inch) versions of the larger mixed media pieces I have been making this year.  Each piece is framed in a black shadow box. When I first started working in mixed media everything I made was small so it’s kind of fun to return to the smaller format for a while.  They will be available at the Winter Market show at the Eiteljorg Museum on Saturday, December 6th (see my website for more details) and also at the Ho Ho Holiday Gallery on the square in Danville through December 20th (location & hours are listed on my site as well).  In addition to the mixed media pieces I have been creating tree ornaments using the embossed metal, wire & beads. 

The first batch is hanging at the gallery in Danville and I plan to have a selection of them ready for the Winter Market show too.  I even bought a little “Charlie Brown” tree to sit on the table at the show and hang them on! 

If I don’t get a chance to blog again before Thursday I would like to wish each of you a happy Thanksgiving.  We all have so much to be thankful for, no matter what our circumstances!

Blessings,

Lynne