NJ Arts Need your Help!

NJ is in a serious state and because of it, the arts are suffering. And, in Sussex County, NJ, where we've been trying to stimulate the arts, they are getting cut greatly. This week Governor Corzine froze state funding that was promised to state arts organizations, without warning, giving organizations no time for a plan "B." Both the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council and Peters Valley Craft Center, two organizations that have been instrumental in my career, are facing a grim future.

SCA&HC has developed exhibition opportunities for me early in my career as well as nurture some key relationships that have helped me grow as an artist. Additionally, Peters Valley, along with a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation partnership, provided me a one month residency in which to focus on my painting, giving me the realization to seek out studio space. I can credit these two organizations as the stepping stones to opening TraillWorks. They helped nurture an artist to think big and open a gallery and studio in a town on the verge of redevelopment. TraillWorks is helping the local economy and it was through the help of two prominent NJ arts organizations. Beyond me, these two groups do a lot for other arts organizations and provide many opportunities to many communities. It would be a disaster for our state and for our local economy to lose these organizations.

Here are some facts about the economic boost that arts provide (from the NJ State Council on the Arts, ):
• stimulate over $1.5 billion in economic activity
• return $36 Million in state tax revenues
• support 17,000 businesses and 82,000 jobs
• annually produce 34,000 events and attract 18 million attendees who spend over $400 million in the local economy

To learn more about the importance of the arts beyond the economic, visit http://www.njartscouncil.org.


HOW YOU CAN HELP:

The Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council needs to raise $20,000 within two weeks to remain in operation. To help them, visit www.scahc.org or call 973-383-1307.

Peters Valley has restructured and let go most of its teachers and staff in an effort to stay afloat. To help Peters Valley, you can make a donation by visiting their web site, www.petersvalley.org or call 973-948-5200.

At this time of year many organizations are seeking money. Even if you can offer a dollar it will mean the world to many organizations.

National Tie One on Day

Here's something that I think is soooo cool and a great way to re-frame Thanksgiving. It's called National Tie One on Day and the idea is to wrap up a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tucked with a note of encouragement or prayer, and present it to someone you know who is need of support of some kind of spiritual or physical uplift. As a lover of aprons, I stumbled upon EllynAnne Geisel when a friend sent me a link to her exhibition, The Apron Chronicles, since painting some of my husband's grandmother's aprons. National Tie One on Day was Geisel's response to her observation that the day before Thanksgiving, which traditionally was an occasion to celebrate family and prepare a bounty of food to give thanks, was becoming more linked with stress than joy.

I am going to make a point to pick someone to present something to, wrapped in an apron. I've gotten my husband involved and we decided this is something we will do every year with our son as a way to give back and teach him the joy of giving. Now we just need to think about what we're going to bake. Share this with your friends, participate in National Tie One on Day, and have a joyous Thanksgiving!

You can view my paintings which feature or incorporate aprons on my Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/traillworks.

3:30pm Coffee Fix

Saved at Three - Thirty, Mixed Media on Arches, 10 1/2" x 7 1/4", ©2009 Jennie Traill Schaeffer. $269 (unframed)

I completed this about two weeks ago, in a tizzy one day not certain what to work on and feeling very unfocused. Rather than work on commissions I felt it was important to channel my frustration into something for myself. I was about to make myself a pot of coffee and rather than throw away the used filter I decided to collage it onto a drawing of my wedding cake which had been sitting around the studio for a long time. Once I started gluing, the piece just evolved. After completing my painting, Homage to Julia, I have a need to collage. It incorporates watercolor, several coffee filters, and this gorgeous deep blue green paper with copper screen-printed circle motifs. Of course, the ever-present percolator is incorporated.

Bookmaking on 2nd Saturday, Newton

"Make a Book from a Grocery Bag?! Yes, it CAN be done... Amaze your friends, Mystify your family! Be the first one on your block to master the ancient art of bookmaking using the humble yet elegant grocery bag," says Sussex County's premier bookmaking artist, Renie Garlick.

Stop by TraillWorks on Newton's 2nd Saturday from 2 - 3pm to watch Renie give an engaging demo. While you're there, you can enter to win a copy of my first hand made book for sale. It's a collaboration with Renie; she constructed it and I designed it with her. The book features Japanese Hosho paper, Nepalese Lama Li Lokta paper and a giclée on Arches of my recent painting, Homage to Julia, a collage personifying Julia Child and her beloved mixers. Only 50 copies will be made and I will sign and number all of them.

Interior

Exterior

Measures 5” x 5” square, 160 pages, covered in printed acid-free Japanese Hosho paper
and lined with Nepalese-made and air-dried garnet Lama Li Lokta paper. Signed and numbered limited edition of 50 books.
$40, buy now on Etsy.

There's always so much to do on Spring Street on 2nd Saturday. So come by TraillWorks to savor your day and then linger awhile. Visit TraillWorks.com to download the press release listing more of what's going on throughout the day.

2010 is a Reason to Follow TraillWorks

2010 Calendars
8.5" x 11" opened
80# Glossy Stock
28 pages, 12 months

$14.95 (regular price)*
tax / shipping additional

Are you a fan of TraillWorks on Facebook or a subscriber to the TraillWorks' E-Newsletter? If not, now's the time to become one. As a TraillWorks fan or E-Newsletter subscriber you are kept up to date on all things happening at the studio / gallery from openings to the release of new works and what students are up to.

And, while the 2010 Calendar Pre-order Event is going on, TraillWorks fans and subscribers will get special pricing for ordering more than one calendar, now through October 31st.* So, become a fan or subscribe to the e-newsletter.

Calendars Just Went to Press

2009 TraillWorks Calendar Cover

I just sent my 4th annual calendar to the printer. It should be available by the end of the month. This year has been the toughest and probably most productive year ever. As I write in the calendar, adjusting to life with a new baby has shifted my focus and work. My painting time in the beginning of the year was shortened and it forced me to paint smaller, and quicker pieces. The work in this year’s calendar ranges from a few plein air paintings of my son and landscapes, to Wedding Cake Portrait commissions and of course more appliances.

I have considered increasing the size of the calendar, but because so many people have expressed how much they love it as is, I've decided to continue with what works. I've added new holidays to the calendar including two major Muslim holidays and a popular Hindu holiday.

While my web site is being redesigned, you can order calendars here. Or, if you become a fan of my TraillWorks facebook page or subscribe to my email newsletter you will have access to special pricing on the calendars through October 31st.

2010 Calendars
8.5" x 11" opened
28 pages, 12 months

$14.95
tax / shipping additional

Hilltop Art Show - This Weekend

I'm scrambling to finish a new piece to be included in this weekend's Hilltop Country Day School in Sparta. A premier event bringing talented artists from all over the region and beyond for a one weekend show to benefit the school. This will be my fifth year participating; each year has brought sales and great networking. I'm so pleased that this will be the first year I'm producing a piece which will not have been seen prior to the exhibit. Additionally I will be including a variety of oils, tiles, and some new giclées at the exhibit. For a sneak preview at what I've been working on visit www.facebook.com/traillworks.