Avant-Gourde

2011-09-04T14:54:00.000-04:00

Intro to Gourd Crafting at the Visual Arts Center
Just in time for Fall, gourd crafting is an autumn favorite among crafty gardeners. This class is designed to give gourd newbies their official induction into the wonderful world of gourds. Gourd lore and growing tips will be discussed as we spend studio time experimenting with 5 different techniques that are currently popular with contemporary gourd artists. Even the seasoned artist will gain a new appreciation from this investigative class, as I teach the steps needed to successfully prepare the gourd for each of the techniques we'll be using.
All Gourds, of various shapes and sizes, will be provided.
See class description for more details.
Hope to see you there!

2010-11-11T10:20:00.000-05:00

"SPLINTERS" on RVA TV

Glide Skateboards presents "Splinters"

2010-09-29T17:49:00.000-04:00

Friday, October 1 · 7:00pm - 11:30pm

212 W. Broad St. RVA

Here are my two contributions to the show, "Circus Balls" and "Gnome Angles"

Glide Skateboards presents "Splinters". A "first Friday" event taking place on October 1st at 7:00pm at 212 W. Broad St. RVA “Splinters” is a collaborative art show featuring local and regional artists’ paintings on Glide’s hand crafted skate decks created out of reclaimed Virginia State University basketball court floorboards. Blueberry Delight and Spaghetti Project designs will be on hand offering their unique products for sale. Participating artists will be creating a live art piece, collaborating their talents on one large canvas. The painting and a Glide Skateboard will be raffled off with proceeds benefiting local non-profit organization Art 180. Oh, there will be good music, good beverage, good people so bring a smile and prepare yourself for a good time!

Featured artists include:
Otto Wolff IV
Betsy Sayre
Hamilton Glass
Carly Jones
Melody Llewellyn
David Marion
Raymond Klecker
Daniel Johnson
Leigh Odem
Rob Burch
Tony Hitchcock
Tony Sementelli
Eric Mc Laurin
Jacqueline Pope
Julian Greene
Sean Donlon
Mathew Daimion Richie
Imani K Brown
Jonny Rule
Gabriel Pons
Jeff Gulick
Slic Is Nutz
Ross Trimmer
Brian Lopez
Mike Die
Montiel Crawley
Terence Slattery
Candice Miller
Itty Bitty Press
Russel Harrisl
And still growing...

2010-09-29T16:03:00.000-04:00

"Splinters" opens 10/01/10

Skates Up: Richmond artist and craftsman Brian Lopez officially launches his new line of skateboards – created from reclaimed Virginia State University basketball court floorboards – at “First Friday’s.” Take in and appreciate the artistry of Lopez’s sleek skateboard handicrafts, as well as the designs painted on the boards by local and regional artists. At Lopez's "Splinters” art show, as it is called, participating artists will also "Splinters" opens 10/01/10 "Splinters" opens 10/01/10collectively create a live art piece on one large canvas, which will be raffled off to benefit Art 180, a Richmond non-profit organization.

Obama in RVA: President Obama visits the capital city on September 29 to host a discussion with area
families and concerned citizens on the topic of the economy and “to listen to their concerns and to discuss specific ways to jumpstart job creation and strengthen the middle class,” according to a White House release. Before he lands in Richmond, Obama will have already visited Des Moines, Iowa earlier in the morning, where he is also scheduled to talk with locals about economic issues.

Sightings!

2010-07-08T16:31:00.001-04:00

A safe and friendly spot
for this little guy to land.
Surely he'll find a good
home among one of our
green-thumbed locals.

It's not easy to stay out of the

trees on this side of town.

Luckily this balloon landed

within reach and a rescue.

Somebody better find this one fast,

before he becomes a snack!

There's something in the air....

2010-07-06T20:20:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of all things small and hidden, I offer a glimpse of what is coming this way; the next 3 treasures being left for discovery, compliments of the Real Small Art League.

They should be landing sometime tomorrow, 7/7/10.
Stay tuned for clues to the final landing destinations!

THROWDOWN!

2010-07-06T19:48:00.001-04:00

Come out and show your support for the Real Small Art League in this friendly competition with the Richmond Craft Mafia, opening July 16, 7:00 pm at Crossroads Art Center.
The Throwdown is a competition between two marketing teams that are representing the Richmond Craft Mafia and the Real Small Art League.

It is modeled after Donald Trump’s television show “The Apprentice.”

Developed by Slash Coleman to inspire local artists to improve their platform, team members were required to take Slash's class "How to Make More Money with Your Art," and were then assigned a gallery to hang their work and a local non-profit to donate a portion of their sales to.

The teams will be judged by 3 celebrity judges on various criteria including: media coverage, overall sales, and the impact of the event on the artist’s platform.

*Twitter Hashtag = #artthrowdown
** Visit the Richmond Craft Mafia at http://www.richmondcraftmafia.com/
*** Visit the Real Small Art league at: http://www.realsmallart.com/

May 2010 - RHome Magazine

2010-05-09T10:44:00.000-04:00

Maggi Tinsley's diverse collections and unique home decor

are featured in this months RHome magazine.

In trade for a hearty batch of home grown gourds she had given me,

Maggi was given her choice from my Winter 2008 collection, featured here.

"Gourdaments"

2010-02-07T15:35:00.005-05:00

The "Gourdaments" were a huge hit this year - SOLD OUT! There were over 50, varying in size from 1" to 5", decorated with jewel tone pearl paint and hung with a decorative scrolled "S"hook. I will definitely be doing these again next year, and am the works with some Easter/Spring "cousins" of these little beauties!

Handmade Holiday 2009

2010-02-07T15:26:00.005-05:00

Even though my focus this holiday season was on the "Gourdaments", I was able to crank out a few larger pieces. I like where the yellow apple is going... (Look for more of the same this Spring!)

Lunch & Learn at Capital One

2010-02-07T15:07:00.008-05:00

The "From Seed to Centerpiece" show packed up after the morning demo at VisArts and headed up to the West Creek Campus of Capital One to give another presentation for their "Lunch and Learn" series. Some new gourd growers were in attendance and there were lots of questions and information shared while during the painting session.
Lots of fun being present in the "culture" I had been immersed in back in the early 2000's. I miss those days of milk and cookies, and all that neat stuff they would do for their associates. On second thought, I'd rather paint gourds and buy my own cookies.
Many thanks to Anne and her L&L group for inviting me!

Art & Coffee at The Visual Arts Center

2010-02-07T14:59:00.004-05:00

Lots of folks turned out on 10/27 to hear about crafting with gourds and to take a look at some of my successes (and failures!) I've already made lots of mistakes when it comes to experimenting with different techniques in cultivating, drying, and decorating gourds and am always happy to pass on tips and warnings.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and to VisArts for hosting this fun event.

2009-11-28T08:49:00.000-05:00

Save the date~ New gourds debuting at this year's Handmade Holiday at The Visual Arts Center 12/11-12!

Art & Coffee at The Visual Arts Center

2009-10-24T18:16:00.005-04:00

My presentation "From Seed to Centerpiece" will take place Tuesday, 10/27/09.
All are welcome! Your gourd is waiting.....

Belle Magazine feature - July 09

2009-07-19T18:51:00.002-04:00

The July issue of Belle Magazine, (Style's monthly publication for women) features an article about "Avant-Gourde" in their "Style & Substance" section! Big thanks to Katherine Houstoun for this great exposure!

2009-07-06T22:14:00.003-04:00

2009-07-06T21:59:00.001-04:00

2009-07-06T21:54:00.004-04:00

2009-07-06T21:50:00.004-04:00

2009-07-06T21:47:00.004-04:00

2009-05-15T07:45:00.005-04:00

Come by the Visual Arts Center on Saturday, 5/16 to be part of Art:24!
I'll be there with lots of other indie craft vendors who focus on recycling, repurposing, upcycling and reusing materials to make their art! Check out the lineup of events and all the cool hour-long workshops!

2009-03-31T11:34:00.001-04:00

Delicious!

2009-03-31T11:29:00.002-04:00

These itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny gourds are just scrumptious!

Oh My Gourd!

2009-03-13T19:20:00.008-04:00

The pups didn't know what to think when the big box from the Welburn Gourd Farm arrived today!
It was a mass invasion of both super large and very tiny gourd specimens, making it here just in time to get gussied up for the Bizarre Bazaar on 4/3 - 4/5.

Gourd Honors Bestowed Upon Teacher

2009-03-09T11:05:00.006-04:00

My niece Amy and her fellow classmates decided to honor their teacher on her last day with a gourd decorated with their school's colors and logo.

After securing a prominent leadership role in a new school, the Connecticut educator featured here, poses with her class during her farewell festivities.
“I will miss you!” were the words so often heard during the days leading up to this final farewell, as these children and their parents had searched for a way to honor this very special teacher; a woman who had inspired all her students in so many wonderful ways.
Congratulations, Ms. "M"! We wish you all the best!

Miro Inspiration

2009-03-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

I was recently wow-ed by these 2 vessels I stumbled upon in a very old book I had on Joan Miro. Both pieces are housed at the Galerie Maeght in Paris.
How gourd-like are these?!
Amazing.....

Save the date!

2009-01-30T06:40:00.003-05:00

Friday, April 3rd, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 4th, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 5th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Winter '08 Series

2009-01-04T23:13:00.008-05:00

The Handmade Holiday Show last month was a huge success ~ I sold 6 pieces!
Some of these featured here are still available. Please stop by and visit EcoLogic to see them in person!

2008-11-23T21:11:00.001-05:00

http://www.richmondhandmadeholiday.com
The latest series from Avant-gourde will debut at the
Handmade Holiday Craft Show hosted by
The Visual Arts Center and The Richmond Craft Mafia

Off to EcoLogic!

2008-11-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that Avant-gourde is now featured at EcoLogic!
Stop by the hottest new source in Richmond for eco-friendly remodeling and redecorating products at 1606 W. Main St.

Teal and Copper

2008-11-23T19:52:00.000-05:00

Striped Curl

2008-11-23T19:51:00.001-05:00

Small Gourd Trio

2008-11-23T19:50:00.001-05:00

Pale Earth Pear House

2008-11-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

Long Neck

2008-11-23T19:47:00.001-05:00

Little Red Hat

2008-11-23T19:45:00.000-05:00

Large Pear

2008-11-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

Fish Gourd

2008-11-23T19:43:00.002-05:00

2008-11-23T19:43:00.001-05:00

2008-11-23T19:42:00.000-05:00

2008-11-23T19:41:00.000-05:00

2008-11-23T19:40:00.000-05:00

2008-11-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

Dragon

2008-11-23T19:38:00.003-05:00

Coral and Paisley

2008-11-23T19:38:00.001-05:00

Blue and Brown Big Neck

2008-11-23T19:37:00.001-05:00

Baby Blue Dot

2008-11-23T19:36:00.001-05:00

The Life of the Gourds!

2008-11-23T18:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome!

2008-11-20T22:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Avant-Gourde! This website showcases not only Betsy Sayre's painted gourds, but the unique process behind them. Enjoy!