Monthly Archives: June 2008

the mermaid parade

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Sarah Blank

Spent an amazing and completely colorful day at Brooklyn’s Coney Island. The atmosphere on the sand and boardwalk was indescribable….so many strange and whimsical sights. The Mermaid Parade honors the first day of summer and celebrates the sand, sun, and of course, historic Coney Island in all its kitchy wonderfulness!

I was a sailor! In front of a fancifully painted bus float…

Coney Island is the story of a tiny spit of land at the foot of Brooklyn that at the turn of the century became the most extravagant playground in the country. In scale, in variety, in sheer inventiveness, Coney Island was unlike anything anyone had ever seen, and sooner or later everyone came to see it. “Coney,” one man said in 1904, “is the most bewilderingly up-to-date place of amusement in the world.” Coney Island is a lively and absorbing portrait of the extraordinary amusement empire that astonished, delighted and shocked the nation — and took Americans from the Victorian age into the modern world.

Happy summer everyone!

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sad

Posted on June 20, 2008 by Sarah Blank

and what a beautiful and inspiring life she lived.

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entangled floating flying things

Posted on June 10, 2008 by Sarah Blank

I am so happy to have two of my paintings in the little ‘zine pictured above. I was feeling a bit under the weather last week and when it arrived in the mail it cheered me right up! There are some sweet artists in the mag and I love Julianna’s work on the cover (and juxtaposed with the twine binding it looks so nice!)

It’s absolutely sweltering here! The days when I can do some summer hybernating in my little air conditioned painting room are near… this thrills me to pieces! So I am trying to make the best of the heat by embracing summer early. The day started by eating a pint of the yummiest chilled blackberries. The humid, haze-filled mountain views during my morning commute made me daydream of early morning hikes and runs through the park. Many summer plans, a list is forthcoming!

My large blue hardcover watercolor book has been inspiring lately. It’s main use is for traveling around, sketching and playing with painting ideas but I came up with this finished painting, and a print will be up for sale very soon! The original is on a 13″ x 9″ page in my book and is watercolor and gouache with a piece of old lace.

After covering the paper with watercolor leaves and sticks I remembered these photos, taken early spring in the meadow. Red-windged black birds.

I was thinking about a flock of birds emerging from spaces within, from something woven or tangled or lace-like. I am going to develop this concept further. I think.

In addition to scribbles, snippets have been collecting in my book. On a treasure hunt last week I found a box of pretty paper cuts. Here’s another page….

I am longing for the early morning when I can get up and take my sketchbook in the field to work. There are so many things to draw!

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Summer is almost here…

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Sarah Blank

I am rejoicing! And I finally have time again to hunt for pretty things, hence this sweet treasure. A golden locket with a coral-colored cameo on the front. Lockets are like miniature doorways into secret worlds, aren’t they? Small passageways that are worn around the neck. This one is especially tops because it comes hanging from a dainty 14 KT gold chain and is tied with two marmalade ribbons. Inside is a mini print from one of my paintings “Fluttering Away”.

It can be yours, yes it can!

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