TraillWorks: The Blog: June 2008

Saturday, June 28, 2008

June is for Weddings

As June nears its end, wedding season is in full bloom. This year I only had one wedding memorial day weekend and I'm done for the year. But I know many of you have summers chocked full of wedding events.

Wedding Day I
6.25" x 4.5" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Wedding Day II
6.25" x 4.5" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Monday, June 23, 2008

Second Saturday

Main Street Newton, Inc. announces Second Saturdays on Spring Street with Painted Prose & Poetry. Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, TraillWorks and Gallery By The Green, Newton’s three visual arts venues, will be hosting book signings throughout the afternoon and evening of July 12.

With Painted Prose & Poetry Main Street Newton , Inc. marks the inauguration of Second Saturdays on Spring Street. The second Saturday of each month July through December Spring Street galleries, shops and restaurants will remain open late allowing customers new and old alike the opportunity to savor the unique shopping and dining experiences downtown Newton has to offer.

Beginning at TraillWorks from 3 - 4 pm local chef and author Andre deWaal will be signing copies of his publication My Dinner at Andre’s. In addition to meeting the chef, a sampling of hors d’ oeuvres prepared by Andre along with wine provided by TraillWorks will be on hand. Andre’s cookbook pairs well with TraillWorks’ paintings by artist, Jennie Traill Schaeffer, of retro kitchen appliances.

From 4 - 7pm Geoffrey Leckie’s images of Venice will surround Francesca De Stefano at Gallery By The Green while she reads selections from her short story Living on Venetian Time, which is included in the anthology Best Women’s Travel Writing 2007. Her work, always about language, pictures, and communication, has also appeared in the anthology 30 Days in Italy. She recently received Honorable Mention in the 2008 Solas Awards for travel writing.

The Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council will be featuring local author and poet Jean LeBlanc from 5:30-6:30. Jean will be doing a series of readings from her published book of tanka, haiku and haiban titled Just Passing Through, and other poetry from her forthcoming book, At Any Moment. The readings will be complimenting the councils group exhibit Birds, Bugs, Beasts and Botanicals. Jean LeBlanc teaches writing and literature at SCCC and is the Director of the Betty June Silconas Poetry Center. She has led numerous haiku and tanka workshops.

Warren Westura for The New York Times

In addition to Painted Prose and Poetry, this first Second Saturday on Spring Street will also feature a Youth Concert organized by Youths on Main Street from 6-9PM on the Newton Green in downtown Newton. The concert will feature six bands playing various genres of music and one or more poets/spoken word artists.

For more information on this and other upcoming Second Saturday events, contact Main Street Newton, Inc. at 973-940-3178 or www.mainstreetnewton.com.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Change in Hours & 4th of July

Starting tomorrow, I will only be open on Sundays through 4pm. I've found there is very little traffic after 4pm on a Sunday and no one but the restaurants are open. Additionally, starting in July I will no longer be open late on Thursdays, but rather on Fridays. The Main Street Newton organization has determined that Fridays are a better night to remain open, so I will join them. Thanks for your understanding.

And, in honor of Independence Day I will be closing TraillWorks from July 4th - July 6th. This was a tough decision to make, I am always one of the steadfast business owners on Spring Street who thinks we should be open just about 24 - 7 and need to be open holidays. At this point due partly to my pregnancy, the stress of running a new business location, and not yet determining how to hire an employee I need a weekend off. So I've decided to close my doors and take a relaxing weekend to rejuvenate myself.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

New Works

Homage to Fran's Taffeta Apron, 5" x 7",

Homage to Fran's Taffeta Apron, 5" x 7",
Oil on Canvas, © 2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

$100

Homage to Fran's Pink Apron, 5" x 7",
Oil on Canvas, © 2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

$100

The first two paintings depict my husband's grandmother's aprons that she probably made by hand in the 40s and 50s. I'm fascinated not only in the fabrics and colors, but by the historical / sociological significance of aprons.

A recent NY Times article When Mom and Dad Share it All, brings new meaning to the apron. No more are the days of the frilly hostess aprons that Fran made and wore, but men are now donning them equally in taking a more active role in household chores and child rearing.

But, there also has been a return to the frilly retro aprons of old for women. We now want our cake and eat it too. We choose to do the cooking or have hubby do the cooking, look good while cooking or entertaining, and all after a day's work.

The contemporary apron hearkens back to a time where we were bound to the kitchen, but is not quite so binding. These small paintings are both an homage to the aprons and Fran, and a depiction of our freedom as 21st century women.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Photos from Grand Opening

Thank you to everyone who joined in celebrating my grand opening. The entire weekend was a big success with over 60 people attending on Saturday evening for a private party. Despite the boiling temperatures, a great crowd came out to see the new space.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Dog Days of Summer

It's a little early for the dog days of summer, but with temps we had in New Jersey over the weekend, it may have been August. During this utterly oppressive heat this past weekend, I held my grand opening, part of which was devoted to drawing live pets.

Based on the reaction people had to my invitation and announcement of free pet portraits, I thought I would have 25 dogs lined up at my door Sunday morning.

However, I'll chalk up the smaller turnout of only 3 dogs to the blistering temperatures. It did turn out to be a great time; I drew three dogs, two together. Each pet owner was gracious enough to help keep their dogs focused and calm, with the help of a few treats I had on hand.

I would definitely do this again and hope for a cooler day. Thanks to Kalee, Porter and Amber for their genteel behavior and smashing looks!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

And the winner is . . .

Jennifer Liebeskind!

Over the weekend as part of my grand opening celebration I raffled an original giclée of one of my paintings. The catch to participate in the raffle was to sign up for my mailing list. Unfortunately of the 65 people who attended my opening, only about 10 entered the raffle. I realized after the fact, most of the people were already on my mailing list; I should have just asked people to enter the raffle without signing up for my mailing list. Ah, you live and learn!

Many congratulations to Jennifer who will be receiving #2/75 limited edition giclée of Stainless Steel Cooker of Eggs.