I wanted to share this painting I won from local artist Carolyn McNeil at a home show I attended. This is my paint supply box. I gave her the box and a very general idea of what I wanted, purposely not getting any specific ideas in my head (which was against my artist nature) because I wanted it to be her own. I was very happy with the results! The significance of the nest is that she knew I hadn’t had a lot of time to paint so in the mean time, a bird made a nest in my paint box. =) I better get painting!

Become a fan of Carolyn McNeil on facebook here! Check out her facebook page to see more of her murals and portraits!

I wanted to share a couple things made by my great-grandfather, Willis S. Swanson, which I found both thought-provoking and inspiring. I wish I had more time with him than I did, as my great-grandfather passed away when I was only 9. At the young age that I was, I never thought to ask about his life and learn from his experiences. Even though I missed the opportunity to learn directly from him, I took it upon myself now to learn more about him and his life. I only wish he was here to see what kind of influence he has on me now.

It all began when my grandma gave me an old “filing cabinet” that her father made of plywood, cigar box drawers and duct tape handles. I found his ingenuity very inspiring to use the resources around me. I think the filing cabinet is pretty cool, and I now use it in my office. =)

My great-great-grandfather father died when my great-grandfather was only 8 years old – as the only son, he had to become the man of the house at a young age and help around the house with his mother and 2 sisters and never went to high school. He lived through the Depression, so he learned to be resourceful with what he had. I think his being resourceful didn’t necessarily have everything to do with the Depression, but also had to do with his creativity. I see that trait in myself as well – I like to find a use for everything…even when it was not it’s intended use. I also see that trait in some of my other relatives as well (Yes, Kristin and Mike…I’m talking about you). =) I never knew that creative side of my great grandpa, and have learned more since I sat down with my grandma. We also have the interest of photography in common. He loved to take pictures and apparently loved to sit the family down for his slideshows that went on and on and on… =) If only we could sit through another one of those slideshow. I guarantee I would appreciate it now.

Willis S. Swanson

1908-1995

In his early years, my great grandfather raised poultry and owned and operated Mansfield City Garage – he was very mechanical and a very hands-on type of man. He spent some time as a superviser of a garage at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT and worked as a seasonal truck driver for Agway. He then started working at the state Department of Mental Retardation’s Mansfield Training School. It was here that he combined his mechanical abilities with his creativity and got the nickname “Creative Genius” which was even printed on a tshirt for him. Here he modified and repaired wheelchairs and other medical equipment. If someone had a specific disability, he would figure out how to make that wheelchair work for their specific needs.

As my grandma and I continued to talk she remembered a “picture frame” that my great grandpa made out of a car gauge bevel. The photo he put in it was so fitting, as it was one of my grandmother, Judith Gadbois as a little girl “helping” him while he worked.

This has sparked an interest in finding out more of my relatives gone by and the ones still here. I’m sure each one has wisdom to pass on and some even have traits that they have passed on to me. I want to continue to discover the creativity in my family, and I love how many forms that creativity comes in. Don’t waste the time that you have with your loved ones…I’m sure they all have wisdom to pass on. Whether they are older or younger, don’t miss your chance to learn something from them.

For those that have further interest, here is an interview my cousin when he was young and my great grandfather . He shared it with me when he found out I was going to do this blog posting and I would like to share it with you. Enjoy…

Interview with Great Grampa

Acrobat Li Liu’s website, designed by myself and developed by my brother, John Gadbois, has gone live! Please take a moment to check it out at www.acrobat-liliu.com.

Beginning her acrobatic career at 6 years old, Li Liu grew up performing in circuses and theaters in China. She does a wide variety of shows from corporate events and variety shows to NBA and WNBA halftime shows and cruise ship shows. You will see photos and videos of her performance on her site.

Interested in getting a site of your own? If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at Rachel.crafton@gmail.com or (860)917-0622 and I would be happy to answer any questions or to give you a quote.

The website for Coney Island Chris is launched! I did the graphic design and my brother, John Gadbois, did the development. Some of the final photos and events are still being added, so be sure to visit again in the future to find out where Coney Island Chris will be next!

Some of the features of his website are:

• “Old Sideshow Photo of the Day” that automatically changes so it does not have to be manually updated.

• A calendar to show upcoming events. When an event is clicked, all the details, as well as a map to the location appear within the website window.

Hi everyone…I’m sorry I’ve been MIA lately. I’ve had a slight distraction…we’re soon to be CLOSING ON A HOUSE! More details when the keys are in hand. =) Even though you haven’t heard much from me, I’ve been quite busy! Here is my latest accomplishment. An oil painting of my sister Kelly in her wedding dress with her childhood horse. Pardon the sheen on the photos…the varnish made it hard to take a photo without getting a reflection, but I did the best I could.

“Kelly and Addy”

oil on canvas

18″x24″

Here is the story behind this painting…

Kelly was obsessed with horses when we were growing up…and I mean obsessed. =) She had everything – you name it – the clothes, the books, even the gear…but no horse. Finally, she got her Arabian mare named Addy when she was 12 years old. When she was 16, life was changing and she didn’t have as much time to devote to her horse, and she sold her. Addy found a new home at Tiffany Farms in Old Lyme, CT.

So life went on…Kelly went to college in South Carolina, met her husband-to-be and they got engaged. When Kelly came up to Connecticut to visit, she got the idea of having me to take photos of her in her wedding dress with her horse Addy, if she could get permission to do so. Addy’s owners were so excited to have her come out. It was the coolest moment to see Kelly and “her horse” reunited. As soon as Addy saw Kelly, her current owners said, “She remembers you!” Addy’s recognition of her was obvious…even after all those years.

We had a great time taking the photos. After the photoshoot, you should have seen Kelly riding Addy around the farm in her shorts and tank top with her veil still on…it was so cute. =) When I started to think about my next painting I started looking through these photos and decided this would be it. It was a slow process with a lot of new things going on at that point in my life, but I finished it! And that’s what matters.

I decided I would and I must get this painting done for her birthday (April 22nd) and before the closing of our house…and I did! It’s funny how the time that you “just don’t have” appears when you’re determined to do something. Now on to the next one…

I wanted to share with you a business card, brochure and posters for a trade show display I designed for Scribners Kitchen and Bath Design located in Quaker Hill, Connecticut.

Scribners will design, color coordinate, and completely remodel kitchens and bathrooms; including the necessary renovation work, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, backsplashes and floor covering.

They design using the latest computer CAD software allowing them to create photo quality renderings and virtual tours that show their customers exactly what their new kitchen or bath would look like. They pride themselves in being knowledgeable about the latest design trends, materials and techniques. They offer exciting and innovative design ideas that maximize efficiency.

They welcome an opportunity to show you what they can do with a no-cost, in-home survey.

Scribner’s Kitchen & Bath Design
44 Route 32
Quaker Hill, Ct 06375

Showroom Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
Evenings by Appointment

Phone: 860.444.7144
Fax: 860.443.7143

Tom Clark is an independent violin maker in New London, Connecticut. I wanted to share some photos I recently took of Tom, his workshop and his instruments. I especially enjoyed this photo shoot, since I’ve played violin almost all of my life. It was fascinating to watch as he expertly carved and varnished the violin. I had no idea I was going to learn as much as I did while I was there. Tom took the time to explain everything from how he makes his own varnish to how a bow is rehaired. I really enjoyed learning about each step of the process.

I believe my love for the details and beauty of this instrument is apparent in the photos I’ve taken. I’ve always loved the violin – even as little girl. I remember sitting in our old station wagon listening to music with my mom when I was 5 or 6 years old. I heard a violin and told my mom how pretty I thought it was. I never asked for a violin…it never even occurred to me to ask for one, but my parents surprised me that Christmas. I remember the case was only half wrapped (I guess my mom ran out of wrapping paper), but even so, I still had no idea what it was…I remember thinking it was a guitar. But it wasn’t…it was my first violin and it was one of the most exciting Christmases I ever had.

My first violin on Christmas morning!

Look at that concentration. =)

Even before I started lessons I was able to play a few songs by ear – of course my technique was all wrong, but it was recognizable. I started taking lessons in 1st grade all the way up until 10th grade. Even though I stopped taking lessons, I never put it down and continue to learn new music and enjoy every minute that I play.  But enough about me…

Tom Clark offers a full violin shop and repair services with a reputation for honest craftmanship at an afforable price. Clark Instruments also has quality violins, violas, cellos and basses from other selected makers.

The instruments are made from selected woods aged and seasoned in his wood loft. Each violin, viola or cello is entirely hand made using the same gouges, planes, and chisels used by the 17th century Italian masters. Each part of the building process is carefully adjusted to the nuances of the individual instrument.

The finishing process he uses emulates the traditional Stradivari varnishing process and is done slowly so that the layers cure to a resonant and supple protective envelope. He make his own varnish using materials that recent research has shown were used by Stradivari and his contemporaries.

Tom Clark

Clark Instruments

New London, Conn

www.clarkinstruments.com

tom@clarkinstruments.com

860-608-1780

This is a coaster I painted at Get Fired Up to match my office. It’s no masterpiece, but I had so much fun painting it…and can you believe it only cost $3? When’s the last time you did something really fun for $3! Priced range from $2-$60, and there are some really cool things you could paint if you don’t mind paying a little extra. It is located in Pawcatuck, CT. If you are looking for something creative and different to do, this is great for all ages!

Stressed? Achy? Sore? Stiff? Tense?

It’s time for a MASSAGE!

I wanted to share with you a Massage for Women brochure I designed for Kristin Gadbois, a massage therapist in Salem, CT who specialized in Swedish and therapeutic massage.

Kristin has been using burgundy on all the materials she has done over the years. I wanted to keep the color associated with her as a massage therapist, but wanted to add to it as well. I chose an accent color with future design in mind. I plan to use a different accent color for each of her future pieces with a different subject matter. Keeping the burgundy will give her materials consistency, but the accent color will differentiate one piece from another.

Kristin Gadbois is a Connecticut licensed massage therapist and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She graduated from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, MA in November 1989, and has been practicing massage forover 20 years. She has worked with a physical therapist, a chiropractor, and at The Spa at Norwich Inn located in Norwich, CT.

No matter what you do, your daily life produces physical and mental stress. Although the pace of your life won’t change, the resulting stress can be reduced with massage therapy. Every woman has a different lifestyle; therefore every woman has different stress or tension levels and different aches and pains. Kristin strives to meet her clients’ specific needs  by adapting each massage to the individual.

Interested? Not sure? Have questions? Need a recommendation? (Ask me!)

Massages are by appointment only.

Contact Kristin Gadbois by phone or email with any questions or to request a brochure!

860-859-3743

kristingadbois@yahoo.com

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn!

Gift certificates are also available.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls…step right up and see one of the world’s most unusual comedic wonders…CONEY ISLAND CHRIS!

See below two flyers, a dvd cover and dvd label I designed for “Coney Island Chris” Allison. These were very fun pieces with a vintage circus theme.

See below a vintage print and vintage sideshow banners that were some of my inspiration. You can see more classic sideshow banners here.

Want to know more about this Coney Island Chris? Keep reading…

Mixing equal parts funny and freaky, “Coney Island Chris” Allison draws on a rich history of traditional sideshow feats of human strength and endurance, popularized on circus midways and along the boardwalk at Coney Island. Chris’ performances are as shocking as they are sidesplitting and are not recommended for the faint of heart. His unique brand of comedy chaos has become a popular attraction at nightclubs across the country and he was featured on the hit television show “America’s Got Talent” where he made it to the quarter-final round of the competition.

Sideshows were popular attractions at the turn of the century and were often associated with circuses or carnival midways. While P.T. Barnum is credited with popularizing the circus sideshow in America, it was a man named Samuel Gumpertz who established the “sideshow by the seashore” as a permanent fixture at New York’s Coney Island in the early 1900’s. These early sideshows featured medical anomalies as their main attractions – deformed humans – conjoined twins and the like. The performing acts, often known as geeks, were otherwise normal people who could perform dangerous and outrageous feats such as sword swallowing and fire breathing. Coney Island Chris learned many of his amazing sideshow skills from some of the original performers who popularized the acts on midways across the country. Chris has taken all of those amazing skills and put his own demented spin on them and created a comedy performance around nearly a dozen classic sideshow stunts.

Coney Island Chris will astound and entertain by demonstrating some of the most beloved and historical sideshow stunts ever presented including fire eating, placing his hand in various animal traps that will slam shut on his exposed fingers, lying on a bed of nails, driving a 10-inch spike up his nose, stomach stapling and many more.

Entertainment blogger and recent audience member Andrea Reiher described Chris as a “terrifying Jerry Lewis”. Reviewer Walt Hudson said that “Chris’ sideshow parody left the audience breathless and gasping with laughter”. Dramatic, daring, dangerous, droll and absolutely a 100% authentic and unique performance that you will not soon forget. Coney Island Chris crosses the line – wherever you draw it!

The photo above was taken by performing arts photographer, Jim Moore.

Become a fan of Coney Island Chris on facebook!

Check him out on youtube.

www.coneyislandchris.com