Anahata Katkin

Sabrina Retreat In Mexico!

 Dia de los Muertos!  MEXICO!  Sabrina Ward Harrison!  A treat for sure...Let me know if you're going.

Heels in Hippyville

Yesterday I was walking through the sections of my storage unit alleys secretly parading in long lost shoes, trying to decide what gets to stay with me and what has to go back into hiding.  I was tempted to drag every basket out of there.  (What is it with me and baskets anyways?  Seriously.)  It's so funny the things we miss when we are away from our nest.  I starred at giant tubs full of paper bits in that familiar and manic way (must.do.something.with.you.).  I fondled my vintage library cabinet and tried to imagine the next place I'll get to roll out my guatemalan textiles.  A bucket-o-journals was a reminder of how temporary all these homes and adventures become.  There was a decade of places, stories, hurdles and remembered things.  Just fitting neatly into a corner.  I lost a childhood friend this week and he has been with me.  In the little tinkerings of my days.  Reminding me to look deeply at my son when he comes to tell me (ANOTHER!) video game detail.  My friend has been softly whispering to me that life is amazing and short and we have to go for it.  We have to get our favorite shoes out of storage!  Time to wear heels in hippyville & not turn the stereo down at stop lights. 

Art Center In Action...

One of our previous PAPAYA employee's and long time family friend, Julia Garrity is one of the masterminds behind a new non-profit arts center opening soon here on Main St. in Ashland, Oregon.  After PAPAYA Julia went headlong into a three floor building and a team of dreamers (and fundraisers!).  A year later they are close to opening.  The center will feature ceramic, stained glass, pottery, photo & art class spaces as well as artist-in-residence studio's (5 more left!), a fully stocked art supply store (Central Art Supply), local artisans gallery and more.  They have classrooms for rent as well as feature guest instructors in a huge array of mediums for all ages. There will be artwalk events, open studio's and beyond.  This space will serve not only Ashland but hopefully host mny of you who'd like to work with fabulous teachers from all over the country.   Hats off!  This is a big deal! 

PAPAYA! donated storage, tables and display fixtures.  And I'll be doing some volunteering to help with the centers fresh start.  (If there's one area that I can actually get into Volunteering it's for the arts!)  To meet their opening deadline they are welcoming more hands.  Anyone who is living in or near Ashland and would like to lend a helping hand to this fantastic undertaking and community resource please call Julia at 541-890-3752.  Or if you would like to visit Ashland to be a part of this exciting project get in touch as well.  So many skills can be put to use.

Can you sweep?  Want to donate web skills from afar?  Good at word documents?  Got strong teenagers?  Have a garage full of canvases?  Tired of your stain glass tools you never use?

They are also interested in all sorts of donations such as:

Storage Bins

Tables

Unwanted Art/Design books

Furniture/ fixtures

Art supplies

Etc, etc...

You can also contact Julia if you are a teacher who would like to be part of the first years program line up.  They are accepting new proposals for classes & retreats now.  I'll post more information about getting on their mailing list when they get closer to opening.  Giddy-up Y'all!

New Diggs!

PAPAYA! has been outgrowing it's previous warehouse and offices for quite some time now.  Last week we moved to our new diggs!  It's been a huge undertaking by everyone in our company and it as really paid off.  There's breathing room for storage AND for each of our design styles.  We all have our own offices and plenty of creative space!  (That's my office up there)

Here's a view from our cool mezanine.  We're hoping for warehouse parties with ghetto performances by staff and friends.  But this view only shows half the warehouse room!  So crazy.  If it's raining we can have a semi pull INTO the building and unload inside.  WHAT!  I know right!  (And please note my mom's obsession with chandeliers.  Yep- that's some over the shipping stations. Theirs now a pink one over the center desk too.  So now you know your orders are actually packed under twinkle lights!)

This is a sampling from our new designer Sarah's office (she also took these lovely photo's!) and Eli's space.

And the pink lair belongs to my Mother's office.  All the rooms are still a bit bare since we just got settled in.   But I'm sure it will get trashed soon enough.  I'll post the mayhem when it arrives too.  I'll share more from the design studio & Kathleen's hot pink cubby in the next post.  

New Website!

I've been doing some online housekeeping.  

My old website was in such a state I couldn't even have anyone over!  So all last week I took the time to clean things up and give the ol' place a proper makeover. 

I am proud to invite you back to my site for a little look around.  I only wish you could download a glass of wine and some good tunes to go with it.

I'll be tinkering with it all month.  Adding things here & there and hanging new artwork.  But for now it's "good enough" for an open house...www.anahataart.com

(Now we have to overhaul the PAPAYA! site to boot!  That's not going to be as easy. But stay tuned for more demolition.)

(Pics from Flickr Paris searches) I have never had the pleasure yet of visiting Paris.  But this September I'm hoping to have my first exposure to the city of...everthing!  I won't lie.  The idea of such a massive, urban and historical city has me a little intimidated.  So many things to see and do, so much turf to cover.  I like to just discover things slowly and let them sink in when I travel.  How would one do this in Paris? I'm not the cram-it-all-in kinda gal.  In fact I usually avoid landmarks the first time.  The world famous Maison & Object trade show will be my first order of business.  Seeing what the design world has rolling out for trend forecasting and showcasing.  Very exciting!  My brother and our designer, Kathleen went last year.  (Her gorgeous pics here) This year I have to take a spin too. But street markets, post card shows, espresso will be high on my list of prioities.  Those of you who have been and who have had the pleasure of knowing this wild place...I encourage you to leave me some tips and advice for a first timer.  

Art for Obama

Hey lookie! This will be a great keeper.

"Innovative portraits and graphic designs from artists around the country became a powerful symbol of the country's desire for change, and engaging artists-from the grassroots level to the international level-became a central strategy to inspire passion and win the presidential race. In ART FOR OBAMA, Fairey showcases 150 of those powerful images from the campaign, including works created by well-known artists such as, Ron English, David Choe, Kwaku Alston, Maya Hayuk, Justin Hampton, and Shel Starkman. The Manifest Hope art shows, which took place in Denver during the Democratic National Convention and Washington DC preceding the inauguration, featured artists who used their talents to motivate the grassroots movement that carried Barack Obama to victory. The shows were put on by Evolutionary Media Group, Obey Giant, MoveOn.org, Political Action, SEIU and Studio Number One. "  You can pre-orderer right here.

Flora S. Bowley

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Ms. Flora S. Bowley during Ashlands first Friday Artwalk.  She was decked with foot long feather earrings while making the rounds at Bohemia Gallery.

I was really taken by her bright and joyful style right away.

I imagine her painting away in her studio just moving freely with little reference material.  Ahhh freedom.  I always admire painters who can just get to it and let it flow.  I guess like her name she's part flower part flow!  Definitely check her out if she's showing in your city.  Otherwise she has a wonderful website- and YES- these bad boys are JUST as good in person as they are online.  And it sounds like she may be offering workshops sometime this year!  I'll definitely keep you posted about that if I hear more...I'm going!

TODAY!

I'm just sayin'...

Bollywood Wonderful

I have to admit that since being back in the US I am so thrilled to see the explosion of color and pattern in clothing for the masses.  I had a total freak out during a quick stop in NY.  It looked like vintage trunks and african garb had burst out all over the stores.  I was in heaven!!  Because I', possessed by a hippy hungry demon and she is hard to stop.

So the increasing interest in funky global mixy-mix is making me very happy.  Finally we can costume ourselves publicly the way we where born to!  Yay!  This is a mix from mostly India Fashion Week.  So very cool.  I love that India can just take it to that next level.  Thousands of years of textile opulence is a wonderful excuse for waving one's freak flag with pride.  These are also such good inspiration for painting textures and ideas...yummy yumm...Go get your moo-moo's on before the trends change people!