Saturday, July 18, 2015

Treasure

Although I just posted this on my illustration blog this morning, I would like to share it again as these sorts of family histories are so very important to me and I think all of us. I didn't want anyone interested in my work to miss it.

The timing of this topic speaking to the content I addressed in it. Yesterday I received 4 stuffed to capacity boxes full of nothing short of treasure. My mother was visiting her parents, my grandparents home in Minnesota. I asked her to send me some of the massive archive of photographs, slides, negatives of my late grandfather. He passed in 2008 at 93 after what was nothing short of an incredibly rich life.

There are many amazing stories in my family history, but today I want to tell you about him. He was born in Podlesie, Belarus in 1915. He grew up, married my grandmother and had my mother in that area. They as a family survived the war, concentration camp, shrapnel from a bombing, and made the move to America in 1949-50. My grandfather had been a doctor in Europe, but upon entering the US had to again earn that status. He worked as a house painter until he was able to do that. 

He helped establish the Monticello-Big Lake (Minnesota) Hospital and Nursing Home, and he served as Medical Director of the nursing home for many years. He was a kind doctor, a rural doctor, trading food and banjo music for his services at times. He was an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota involved in research on the heart. He also did medical transcriptions for other physicians at the U of M as he was fluent in several languages (I think our count was 8?) . He was also an Honorary Staff Physician at the St Cloud Hospital. 

His fluency in many languages allowed him to research and translate bibles and other texts, and he secretly was a published poet under a pen name in Belarus. He served as Chairman of the School board for 13 years, there was also the fact that he nearly accompanied the US hockey team to Russia for the Olympics.. The list of his professional accomplishments is huge. 

There was a whole other side to him as well. He told horribly cheesy jokes, that he would repeat over and over again laughing so infectiously at himself that you could not help but join in. And he had "Hobbies" for lack of a better word.  He sailed, taught us to sail, played chess and earned the title of master chess player. He was a HAM radio operator. He dabbled in electronics, collected, built, repaired radios, cameras, phonographs, and built the family's first television set. Later in life in his 70's and 80's he dissected and repaired Apple computers to send back to those without in Belarus. 
This leads me back to my treasure, through out his entire life, there was a camera around his neck or in his hand. He photographed nearly every thing, but some of his favorite subjects were Minnesota landscape, flora, my grandmother (who was beautiful) and people in his life which ranged from us his family to those at the nursing home, to vendors at the flea markets he faithfully attended and supported. Had a dark room in the house where he developed almost all of his own photos too. I am including a self portrait he took with my grandmother here when they first settled in Minnesota and another self portrait from later in his life (looking very stern which was not a natural expression as his smile was huge. I am beyond excited to begin to make my way through the thousands of photos I now have, my treasure.



Thursday, July 9, 2015

Cards and Select Boxes avaible online!



ok, I know you have seen this image before but I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!!

FINALLY!!! Many of you who live in various parts of the country have been asking for a way to purchase my handmade archival greeting cards. Well, I have a few of them up (close to 80!) phew! 
Still debating if I want to break them up into categories (and what those might be, opinions welcome:) But for now its official they are ready to go and shipping is free.

So go forth and send art one stamp at a time!
http://mkt.com/aliciagorecki



Order Online
Please help me spread the word!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

My booth at Jackalope last month

Wow, this last few months has felt like a marathon. From art fair prep, to the fair last month, set design, creation and installation, photobooth prep and events, Reid learning lines for the largest role he has ever had in the shortest time, me teaching three classes two of which were portfolio, with portfolio reviews, volunteering, meetings, oh and all the regular life stuff like homework and managing to eat (we mostly left out the cleaning part. But this gorgeous gray morning I am managing to finally go through some of the pics from Jacakalope so I can send out a thank you to folks who stopped by. Sharing these with you.











Sunday, April 19, 2015

You're invited! Jackalope Art Fair • April 25+26 • Old Pasadena



​Hello Everyone!

I have exciting news! In less than a week a brand new Art and Craft fair is coming to Central Park in Old Town Pasadena. I am thrilled to tell you, I was chosen to be a part of this inaugural event!  I would love to see you there!

The Jackalope Art Fair! 

Date:
Weekend of April 25th & 26th 2015 - 11:00am to 6:00pm (that's less than a week away! Mark your calendars now:)

Jackalope is a weekend shopping destination at Central Park in the heart of Old Pasadena, featuring over 200 local, curated and hand-selected artisans, crafters, and DIY enthusiasts.  Shoppers can expect to find trendsetting indie goods including original fashion and jewelry design, ceramics and paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art and photography, plus much more.  



  
Location: 

Central Park, Old Pasadena
275 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA 91105
This location is open to all ages and is handicap friendly

Details:

The Jackalope Art & Craft Fair is FREE to attend, and open to the public.  See the full list of participating vendors HERE! In addition to the 200+ vendors, a series of free to the community workshops will take place throughout the weekend at the fair: including natural dye demonstrations, sewing lessons, art classes, and more.  More details on workshops available HERE! And all else Jackalope Pasadena Here!

With this event, I am stepping out of my primarily fine artist role and have been experimenting to design and make functional objects. Pieces that I will be selling are along the lines of what I shared with you at the ra-di-ant pop up shop this past December. (Thank you again most sincerely to all those who stopped by! That was such a fun weekend)

My Functional and Fine Art Objects available at Jackalope Pasadena include:
• NEW limited quantity hand-painted ornaments (previous versions sold out)
• NEW limited edition screen printed tote bags
• NEW archival art boxes (combining prints and hand drawing and painting)
• NEW fine art and illustration work.
• Handmade archival greeting cards. (NEW designs!)
• As well as NEW business cards and stickers!

You can preview many of the pieces via instagram @aliciagorecki or my blogs aliciagorecki.com and aliciasillustration.blogspot.com.





I am in booth #90 (highlighted on the map), not far from the workshop area, just above the northwest corner of the croquet court. 

To RSVP, click on the the event page link, JACKALOPE ART FAIR EVENT PAGE. I love seeing your name pop up on the attendee list.



Sunday, March 1, 2015

Jackalope Art Fair: Pasadena April 25+26

Yesterday I got the news, I was selected by the jury to be included in the upcoming inaugural Jackalope Arts Fair in Old Town Pasadena. This event promises to bring together more than 200 local artisans running the gamut from fine art to hand crafted goods.

This week also brought the Illustration Friday Topic: Reflection
So in honor of both I combined in this illustration.

More info on what I will include in my showing at the event coming as I work all that out. 

10x14 watercolor/gouache and ink on arches
Detail of "reflection"























There is a facebook event page set up  https://www.facebook.com/events/1488165881455014 for more information or if you would like to rsvp.