The ROCKSTAR Framer

Glitter makes everything better!

2011-05-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

New shoes....unbelievable buy...equals= LOVE!
These shoes have been on display since they walked into my life Sunday morning...sigh!

That's right......I mean, isn't everything better in a glitter color?
These shoes are not made for walking, anywhere...but they are an amazing sight to behold.
Well, I guess I can walk in them for a short distance...

When a Plan comes together.

2011-05-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile...back at The Shoeman's house....

Your favorite Rockstar "Paintergrrl" finally got to pimp out the Diningroom in this pad.

Here's what it looked like when we walked in.

Not good, right? The chandelier was verdigris green, and there was a dreadful wallpaper border (which should be illegal) around the room.

We decided that the room, right off the main foyer, needed some pattern to really rock.
A quick base coat of "Satchel", appropro for The Shoeman's crib.

Then your loyal Warrior Princess worked her magic. An all-over stencil pattern of "Iron Gate". Yes...it's true, that is all paint. (Even The Fabulous Wallpaper-Hanger was impressed...* More about him later...) Everyone was thrilled!

Wow! THat was FUN!!! Thanks to my little Paintergrrl who assisted...ayou know who you are! <3

The Houseboat Project.

2011-05-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

Day One of Houseboat S.S. "Charisma"....nee. "Queen of Hearts" renovation.
This is the Houseboat bequeathed to me by The Pirate of Centerport. This fine vessel is hard aground...from the late 60's, and in dire need of a gentle, helpful Rockstar hand.
The Bridge, as it is today, May 1, 2011...

I quickly set up command central on the Fore Deck...handbag, Mother's old cushions, blackberry, and trusty iced tea.

I immediately made the Pirate move the creepy mannequin out of the head...

Then I attacked all the closetes and drawers, moved furniture, and tossed a lot of gross stuff...the view down into the livingroom...

Wondering about how this this 32' ship stays afloat? This is the "cradle of the sea" for my Miss Charisma....*jazzhands**

Wall colors have been chosen, windows have been measured...a meeting took place about how to proceed with certain repairs, and cleaning issues...Over all, a brilliant day!

Lillian Dodson...kind of a big deal around here.

2011-04-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

Your Humble Rockstar Framer is truly honored that Lil would even consider showing in my little gallery...truly. But she didn't even have to consider when I got the courage to bring a show, here at Ripe, up to her. Lil is amazing...aka. Dame Billian. I won't disclose her true age here, but this sister is rockin' it! Lil is the real deal...she's a well-respected artist from right here in Huntington. Married to Stanley Twardowicz...collected by museums...faculty at Hofstra U...kind of a big deal!

This piece, "StickUp" is dated 1970. It looks amazing here...

And this piece, "January", is from 1/2011. Loose and free...very moody...feels like this January to me.

Lil's friends braved a rainy day to come hang out here at Ripe...chairs and all...
That's Mary the Painter,...very well known in this area...and Linda the Potter...from Huntington.

And here are Jeanne the Art League, (big deal...) and Norm the Jeweler, and his sweet Swedish wife. These people are all important in the art education scene here on LI.

So lucky to have a "Grande Dame" like Lil in my life, who brings amazing insight, humor, and understanding to this thing we can "The Art World".

The Circus is leaving town...

2011-04-15T15:35:00.001-07:00

Well...I guess it's time to talk about it...Ripe also helps people paint and decorate their home...
we call it "Feathering the Nest"...

Together, with my fearless PainterGrrls, Ripe transforms spaces into amazing living environments. What we're looking at today is the home of The Shoeman. We transformed everything that was white (which was everything...) into a cool, sophisticated home for a pimpin' Shoeman.

We had great furniture to work around...and a blank slate. The whole job encompassed a cathedral living room/foyer,...dining room, stairwell,...

hallway, and master bedroom. We'll be continuing Rockstar style with an awesome accent wall in the dining room...

and a funky finish in a powder room...
See...This is how Ripe Art got started. Your Loyal Warrior Princess was a Paintergrrl herself. Walking around in painter's whites, hanging around Aboff's, doing awesome faux finishes in people's homes, and living in the circus...That's what I call spending time on contraptions called scaffolding and ladders...
Such dangerous work also, realistically, has a shelf life. And I had given myself (optimistically) until 45 to be climbing scaffolding...Luckly, the business has gotten me off the tightrope a few years early, and the universe brought me an amazing company of Paintergrrls to boss around...just kidding girls!...

This hasn't been an easy job, and those sweet monkey girls have been in this home for three, 3!... weeks! They ROCKED it out,..and now your Loyal Rockstar Framer is going back in solo to lux this sweet crib out. This is a house I painted in when I first started about 7 years ago...I did the family room/kitchen and the kid's rooms all fauxed out.

So this will be a cool showcase of what I can do with color and pattern. We might even have a hand in the master bath renovation!
Will keep you posted with some finished pix soon. xoxo!

Ethel Camhi- Brown

2011-04-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Ethel Camhi-Brown...

is my friend. She's 83 this year. And she's hilarious.
But she had a stroke this past weekend, and is in the hospital.
Her son called me to let me know...apparently I'm on the list...
He said she loves me. Which caught me up. Because I love Ethel too.
She's one of the oldest friends I've ever had. I literally do anything for Ethel.
I come to her house to pick up and deliver framing, and drop her off in town.
She's totally cool. And a badass in her 83 year old body...that's giving up on her.
So in-case you read this and know Ethel, she's in Huntington Hospital. Her family is moving her up to Ithaca, to a rehab. But it's not good.
I'm going to say goodbye to her tomorrow am.

Niko Pix Surface!

2011-04-07T10:43:00.001-07:00

So...Here's some photos from...... Niko's Opening...
THis show comes down this weekend...I for one am not over it yet.
Which is highly un-usual,since I'm usually over it once I hang it.
It may be because this show, I hung with Niko himself...Which Rarely happens.
I like to hang show's by myself. It's easier for me to work alone.
But this one Niko helped hang the "Rhino" and the Dragon Surfboard.

Oh so what's with the camera?

That's your loyal Rockstar Framer, fulfilling my Rockstar duties, signing a release form for my interview on that camera (photo credit...Karl the Brit)...seem Niko showed up with his own camera crew, and they interviewed me, and Mrs Niko...the Amazing Mistress V. Von Twistern.
And I don't know who else...

Photo shows Mzzz Von Twistern, in glorious pink, (my favorite color)...
with the Intriguing Maxine...our favorite lady...she'll be showing here in May...all BLACK...........Fabulous!
Another successful show of great, fun art!.....whew...........

Trixie!...

2011-04-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

So, this is Trixie...the gallery dog...Miss Trixie Loo....the not-so mysterious voice from the backroom...my best friend.

Trix comes to work with me everyday, we're rarely out of each ear-shot. She has a seat belt in the car, and a bed in the backroom with her "Manager" sign on top. I think that she thinks she owns the place, and that I'm an employee. She doesn't really care for other dogs. She much prefers to hang out with kids, and select adults. If you meet her and she lets you touch her, she'll probably make a "Yip" and run away. She's very dramatic...You didn't hurt her, she's just very cautious about her ears, and being handled by first time visitors. I like the cautious nature of Trixie, she's a great manager, always letting me know when someone has arrived, or at the backdoor, and in a few cases, if you're a creep.

This photo by good friend, The Pet Photographer.

Baby Trixie...about 13 weeks old...7 pounds.

Surreal Surrealism

2011-03-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

So...we've been living with the artwork of Edward Joseph for the past week and we're really enjoying it. Most of the time I'm "Over" a show by the time that the opening is over, but Edward's work is really enjoyable.

Edward was one of Elaine Benson's "discoveries"...she made him into a a landscape painter, but the combination of the landscapes with the surreal is, well...sublime.
My favorite piece is the "Baby Doll"...if I had a bigger house it would be mine. But since I could see it anywhere in my cottage from my bedroom, there's not a chance.

The added bonus is that Tall Edward is one of the easiest, most pleasant artists I've even had the pleasure of working with! So talented, and easy going, he even produce a series of prints of his digital collages exclusive to Ripe! Wait till you see our new and improved website...Edward will be majorly featured.

True RockStars...

2011-03-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

I mean, really... Joan, Deb, Joey...? Who was cooler as I grew up than the three above.
Very important to how I express myself fashion wise. True rockstar... I needed white keds with no laces because of Joey.

The inclusion of Husker Du to this important list is really based on Bob Mould and the songwriter/noisemaker he is. "Flip Your Wig", "Candy Apple Grey", and "Warehouse" were very important albums in the high school years. Now, Bob's solo work is very important to me. He can really say it the best...anything you'd ever have to say. The noise that comes from specifically "Last Dog & Pony Show" and his self title disk, ROCK my soul...

Ultimate RockStars!!!!
Bowie blew my mind...the way he looked, the way he sang, his words...*sigh*...
I Once couldn't listen to Bowie for a year or so because it reminded me of a boy...
But I got back together with David once I was over the boy.
He was Ziggy, and he's still so cool.

Iggy. Well.....HOT! is what i said/say. LOVE! And the way he writhes, that voice, and that hair...no shirt, he's SO cool...I'd so be Iggy's girl. Period.

Lou is a genius...gorgeous, troubled, mysterious...I love "Transformer" because you can hear Bowie all over it. Lou has never not rocked. And he hung out with Warhol...
The same boy that once spoiled Bowie, said to me, "I don't think I've ever listened to as much Lou Reed as I have with you!"....*sigh*...

That's a quick go-to list of music and musicians who influenced a lot of who I am.
Since I dare to use the term "rockstar", when referring to myself, I feel it is important to explain what "rockstar" means to me.

Visitors from...?

2011-03-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

We had a fun weekend...lots of visitors. Quite a few people didn't get enough of the "Rose Colored" show.

I did...two weeks and I was surely over it. "...And don't call me Shirley"...

Of note were the amazing pair of......... Tilles Bob and Debby Doll.

This wonder pair stopped in to catch Ripe's vibe, dig our scene, and check us out.
They are also the founders and organizers of the Long Island Fringe Festival.
You had my Rockstar heart at "fringe"...

What is the Fringe Festival?
Well it's an arts festival, that started in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is an unjuried festival – so any type of event is possible. Showcasing many different styles of creative arts, it formed around a formal festival, "around the fringe", when uninvited acts showed up to take advantage of the crowds to show their more alternative theater.

Here, on the Eyeland, it's a three day festival...the Best Kept Secret on Long Island. Bob and Deb are.....--------> "Fringe Force 3"
The Only fringe held on Our Long Island, at CW Post, where the fringe elements come out and show, dance, play, and frolic. It's theatre, dance, art, words, film, music....wow!
It seems to me that it is a festival of letting your freak flag fly...

I love that...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Long-Island-Fringe-Festival/193576527324475

Paid Off

2011-02-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

As we begin a day full of photography and framing...

The Shop is transformed into a large piece assembly line...
And all of this framing hilarity is for...

Your loyal Rockstar Framer had a HUGE bar bill to pay off over here at Oldfields...
Recently renovated and in the capable hands of Davey Gravey, the owner.

The Willing hands of Ripe Art helped David decorate this local watering hole with some fabulous framing around his cool, large reprints of old photos from the local historical assoc.

A view of the front dining room previous to our whirlwind of debt paying decorating...

A pause to think of the fun it was running up that enormous bar tab here in this nice restaurant...listening to rock n' roll music, never getting kicked out...*sigh*...

Finished front room- accomplished. Drinks- not on me this time.

NO Zombies...

2011-02-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

The cross-stitch pattern was a xmas gift from a friend...
...so once completed I HAD to frame it...and for myself no less!!!
Digging on the skully frame.
On display on my sales table right now!

The "Rose Colored" Party: photos surface.

2011-02-15T17:31:00.000-08:00

Rather like this over-the-top, "i'm taking this show on the road" outfit..

Dj Lombardo...

That's Jack Roman.
Photographer, sculptor.
New artist to Ripe.
Attracted a lot of females.

Feather fan sculpture
by Margaret Miller.

A heart shaped pizza!

No photos exist of the after "round of drinks"...at Ruvo. They remembered my last visit...

The Rose Colored Glasses are OFF.

2011-02-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well...just overwhelmed by last night's Valentine's Day party...great people, great art, love, and tunes from DJ Lombardo...**sigh** Very tired as well. Pixs will surface soon...

This is my piece for the show...another of my mirror pieces. Extremely personal, as usual. But it's also really about the amazing group of ran-over (run-over) glasses. Sunglasses, as well a regular. Amazement was over the thermostat in particular. The paddle ball game was in my xmas stocking.

I particularly mourn the baby blue cat-eyed glasses broken into 4 parts. And the big "airport" glasses I personally broke on an airplane trip. Above, is a security tag that I have no idea where it was procured from. The background color is "Cool Lava". The frame was left to me by a dear friend, she would think this piece was awesome.

Jungle Frame...and an Interview from the Jungle Room.

2011-02-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Cool frame for at rock poster...That's the Black Crows...Dude that framed this saw them for the 37th time on his 37th birthday...hmmmmmmmmm....

Anywhooo...http://spotonli.com/2011/02/ripe-art-gallerys-cherie-via/

THanks to Mick DuRussel for this informative interview...
That was fun. I talked to him on the phone Monday night.

Putting it Back Together...

2011-02-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Welll....things are looking much better here at Ripe Art!
I've been able to put back together the boutique..hang artwork...and take a breather...
Whew!...
I didn't think
that it would take so long!

My mind feels better...clearer...
And I know
that there are
people, fans, and beloved clients out there that love me, and all that Ripe Art is...
I've been told that my space is an OASIS!

We're back up to full production, and gladly accepting pieces for our
FAMOUS Annual Valentine's Day Show!
My FIRST phone interview happened tonight! for an article about the Rockstar Framer and Ripe Art on SPOT On Long Island. Should be out on Wednesday!!!!
Exciting things are happening!!!!!....
The Rose Colored Glasses may be OFF...but I still see LOVE, A FUTURE, and Success.
Thankful for all of it!!! xoxoxo

Gallery Renovation Continued...

2011-02-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

So....anywhooo....
We're still working on the Ripe Art Gallery transformation...to Lemon Lime!
These are shots of the during...

The way it looks in these shots is how my mind felt during the renovation. Scrambled!
I'm also going through, I hate to admit it... an awful breakup...
so this is a true metaphor for how I feel. Upended. Upset. Sad. Displaced. It's all taken apart...
The Backdoor Gallery, which is also my office space was full of Boutique items...
The only thing that felt good was having work by "Honey" Millmann and Nadine Bouler on the walls...Selfishly placed there for my own well being.

But...Here we are turning a corner....

Tomorrow the rest of the place goes back together. I will finish hanging all my press write-ups (which gives me a shot in the arm as I sift through all the articles written about Ripe in the past few years), re-hanging the boutique, and getting the shop back into full work mode.
WHew!....What doesn't KILL me,makes me STRONGER.

Gallery Transformation

2011-01-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

Re-doing the gallery...Here's a sneak peak of what is going on...
The BEFORE shot.

DURING...I know it looks ugly right now...

Trixie was not amused...

The Door Hardware totally shit the bed today...Broke my Elvis key in the lock. So... Here's the new lock and door handle.
Installed by your favorite Warrior Princess...*WHEW*
Much better...Whitebread helped pick it out.

These are my painting pants...
I used to look like this, like a painter girl all the time...
Some guys actually dig this look...*Wink Wink***

Here's what it looks like as I left tonight...It's getting there!!!!
That's a shiney green wall!

This "Facelift" is a transformational journey for your loyal Rockstar Framer...It's a new year, new phase, new color scheme, new look. We're going Lemon-Lime. It's way more RIPE. A new website is in the works as well...Steps One and Two in place for World Domination.

Awesome Framing.

2011-01-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

Well, here's a few pix of some of the cool custom framing I've done recently.
First is the Tiki God frame for this John Rafferty print of "Lady's Night at Trader Vic's".

Then we have some shots of the framing we've done for Miss D'jo at Lark Tattoo in Westbury. She's an amazingly talented tattoo artist, and a french Canadian, thus the Jersey. We also did the two collages of magazine articles about her, and the needlepoint above the mirror. It says-
"Why don't you put Hope in one hand, and shit in the other, and see which one fills up first"! We love her!Then we have an original mixed media piece by our buddy, Jimbo, also of Lark Tattoo.

It's so fun to frame shit for creative people...

Rockin' Frames

2011-01-19T12:37:00.001-08:00

Are these not Rockstar frames??

I'm tired...

2010-12-23T14:25:00.000-08:00

and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. People got original art and custom framing for Christmas this year. No photos of anything exceptional...
However I do have photos the Tuesday evening's "Airing of the Grievances" Pub crawl.
This was early in the evening at Bar #1- Beaux's.
Bar #2- Healey's
Bar #3- Off Broadway
Bar #4- Greymeer's
I love how you can see the deterioration...

Bar #5- Oldfields

And then I don't have any photos of Bar #6- Ruvo. I was positively wrecked. I woke up on the little red velvet couch in the back room of the gallery at 5 am. Then drove home,to bed.
Angie came in at 11. and cleaned the place up.
Awsome

Fresh Start

2010-11-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

Ok...I'm giving this another shot. I'm in a place of transition right now...growing pains.
I've got big plans for this Ripe Art Gallery...
It's been a year since I've tried this blogging thing. I mean, really...who cares anyways? Right?
But I want to get famous for what I do, and reach a larger market. I want to reach my potential new clients and fans, so maybe this is one way to do it.
I promise to
1. Show cool framing designs like...(Painting by STANKO)

2. Fill you in on my coming's and going's. (Me...in front of Graceland)
3.Be as honest and entertaining as I can.

Aunt Barbara and Deviled Eggs

2009-10-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Yeah...that's right...Deviled Eggs.
I'm actually gonna try my hand at a real cooking adventure tonight, and make a platter of deviled eggs for my Tupperware party with Aunt Barbara.
Okay....stop laughing! I'm totally serious.
See I'm standing here, thinking about my dear Aunt, and I thought that what I really need for this party is the type of snacks my mom would have served at a Tupperware party. So...Here's the menu:
Deviled Eggs
Mixed Nuts
Chips and Onion Dip
and some kind of cookie, actually whatever cookie is on sale at the Stop & Shop.
Soda
and lots of Wine.
Any other suggestions gladly welcomed!

My sick photographer friends...

2009-10-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Being in this type of business all kinds of artistic talents, freaks, and weirdos find me. I am lucky enough to have some really interesting people that I can call my friends. Some of these friends are rather well known photographers...I'll illustrate my collection...
Photog #1- is a renowned free lance photographer who does some really beautiful stuff like...
But he also has this in his mind....

And a beautiful one of me....

Photog #2- is a very successful portrait photographer who does alot of work with animals. But he was also chosen to photograph the Howard Stern wedding this past year... He does beautiful work like this of me...
But if I was ever going to have someone killed, or needed a sick mind for an accomplice I'd be calling him first.

Photog #3- I saved the best for last...This guy is a very well known fetish photographer. He is also an amazing animal and underwater shooter, but it's the fetish subject matter that he's most well known for. He photographs under the name of Razor 7 will be featured here in the gallery for our Halloween show, and let me tell you, I'm admitting to being alittle nervous....
I'm not sure if Greenlawn is ready for this...They're all sick, but they're all some of the best people I've ever met. They would each do anything for me, they all make me laugh till it hurts, and they all appreciate me for the sick-minded, debaucherous, little diva that I am.

Welcome!

2009-10-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Awww... our very first blog....
Well, what to say, what to say...
Ok... we've got alot of plans for October!
First, Louise Millman's show is closing next weekend. This has been an incredible show. I totally LOVE Louise, and she's been a complete pleasure to work with. This has also been our best (in a financial way) show to date. We've sold 31 pieces of art to date. That's HUGE! Considering the economic climate we're in right now, and all. Plus Louise really was smart by pricing her work at really affordable prices. Buyers got some amazing original artwork at a total steal... I'm buying one too. I think this one...

I'm also working a Tupperware party for October 24th. That's right..., I said Tupperware. But not just any old Tupperware party...I'm having Aunt Barbara! come in to sell us some plastic crap.

Cash-strapped Robert Suchan from Long Island took a cue from his Aunt Barbara and is now the nation’s top-selling Tupperware consultant.

She will be here at 8pm on Saturday, 10/24/09...and we can hardly wait. The gallery is gonna be packed, Aunt Barbara is hilarious, and this is gonna be an event we'll all be talking about for a long time. Check out your Aunt Barbara on YouTube...
http://www.youtube.com/user/AuntBarbara.