Girls Night Out - SUCCESS

The First Annual Girls Night Out
last Wednesday - Success!
So, all the girlfriends were out last Wednesday, great savings on shopping by local merchants, thank you and girlfriends did shopping!
Then girlfriends did partying!!! Do we have to wait another whole year for another Girls Night Out?
There was lots of great FREE art around. Let us know what you found and where and how much fun.
And come back next week for a new blog and more great FREE art!

Hey, that is a great necklace Sharon is wearing. Hey that is great art Sharon is holding. This is a great piece of hand created pottery by Jana Fisher . You can find both the one of a kind piece of pottery and the necklace at Sharon's Consignment and Spa. You'll find lots more at Sharon's too. Last time that great purse was on the blog...somebody came and got it....YEA! If Jana's potter is gone from Sharon's, you're still in luck cause Jana is having a great holiday on Nov. 20 and 21. Give Jana a call at 253-853-5390 for more information on her sale....great hand created pottery!

This is a beautiful piece of artistic basketry from Sherry Mayfarth and a beautiful cross stitch bookmark from Sherry Webber. If you are very lucky, you will find both of these FREE pieces of art at For Ark Sake in the Filmholm District.
Information on both Sherry's can be found on the Participating Artist page of the blog. Sherry Mayfarth is one of the featured artists this week on the blog and can also be found at the Ebb Tide Gallery.
So, stop in For Art Sake, take a look at the beautiful photograph that was censored by a minority of one, from the PAL show in City Hall. (I have great admiration for the Second Amendment of our Constitution)

Who is your favorite independent bookstore in the harbor? Most friendly and always happy to order if they do not have on hand. Mostly they have a lot of Books. But you'll just have to guess the location.

Could this turtle be Adelaide? It is one of Kathy Thurston's art cards, you know the ones with the stores behind all the paints. Kathy is one of the featured artist of the week. Read more below!!! If you miss Kathy's beautiful card at the book place, just walk on over to Ebb Tide Gallery to find more of Kathy's wonderful art!

Don't you just love walking in Simply Charmed and visiting and shopping. Great yoga pants, great purses, great accessories and yes...can it be....a great piece of original art from Rebecca Westeren
So, get on over to Simply Charmed and pick yourself up a little something special and perhaps you will find this original painting. Now, if you do not find the painting at Simply Charmed, then walk down to the Filholm area to For Ark Sake and find lots more of Rebecca's paintings.

"She Loves to Dance" by Laura Bethke. After a fine wine or two at this lovely wine bar, you may love to dance as well..... Special beverages, raffles Wed 7-8 at Morso and Anthony's celebrating Girls Night Out.

If you miss this wonderful art by Laura, just head on over to the Ebb Tide Gallery and you will find more of her creativity!!!

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPONSORS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN GIG HARBOR!!!!
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS OF THE WEEK!!
Two participating artists of this week and they are both featured artists at Ebb Tide Gallery the entire month of November.

Meet Cathy Thurston. You've seen her art here on the blog and if you've been really lucky, you have found her donated art to the FeelGoodFreeArtProject. Kathy begain painting when she retired and she paints in various mediums. Her paintings are always titled, that's because they each tell a story. Perhaps it is a story about a turtle, or another animal. Get on over to Ebb Tide Gallery, pick up a piece of Cathy's art, read the title and figure out the story.

Meet Sherry Mayfarth. Sherry, Joyful Basketry, is a basketry artisan. Sherry's baskets are an expression of effort, creativity and love. She has only been creating these beautiful pieces since 2006 and when she is on duty in the gallery, she is usually creating a basket. Go in a watch and ask her questions, cause she loves to talk about her work.

Art+Art= Lots of Fun!!

Celebrating the Peninsular Art League Open Juried Show!!

Celebrating 1st Saturday ArtWalk in Gig Harbor!
This Saturday, Nov. 5th is Gig Harbor Art Walk and we all need to be out and about, checking out the Galleries, investigating great art that is in Gig Harbor. Better stop in For Art Sake and check out the most controversial painting that got tossed out of the PAL Art Show at the Civic Center. Then better ask why?
Getting ready for Girls Night Out!!
As you are doing the Art Walk this Saturday, be on the look out for the Girls Night Out Poster. Pink and black, girl, shopping bag..... Here's how it works. Reserve your shopping bag for $10.00 at participating Gig Harbor merchants. You'll know the merchants cause they will have a poster and be listed on my GNO sidebar link. After you have reserved your shopping bag, return to that merchant on Nov. 10th, and begin shopping. Get started after noon. For every $10.00 you spend, there is another free raffle ticket for you. At 7 - 8 pm Morso and Anthony's will be drawing the lucky raffle winners.
Oh, and did I mention that at every merchant location there will be a piece of FREE art...did I say that? If not, here I am saying be on the lookout for FREE art at the Ladies Night Out!!!
Shopping and contributing to our Gig Harbor merchants, shopping and saving big bucks for you.....check it all out!
Check out FeelGoodFreeArt...where will you find yours?

Welcome to Jana Fisher as a participating artist. This is a beautiful clay tile and you will wish you found it. Jana is having an open studio and sale on Nov. 20th. Check back at the blog next week for more info. You will also wish you were shopping in Clarks Jewelers because they have great purses, great find jewelry and beautiful colored stone jewelry and if you are a Drusi girl, you'd better get to Clarks quickly.

We all know about the beautiful paintings by Kathy Thurston. But, where you gonna find one? Go ahead, just name one of yourfavorite restaurants in the Filholm District in town.....If you miss her art there, just get over to Ebb Tide Gallery, where you will find Kathy to be one of the featured artists of the month at Ebb Tide Gallery...go on...get there soon!
"A best friend will tell you when you have spinach stuck in your teeth" OK, well it may not be pretty, but this has happened to me more than I would like to admit.
However, more than I would like to admit is how often I want to visit this shoe and clothing store in UPTOWN. Great looking shoes...great comfortable shoes...great shoes to fit your feet...just love these shoes!
Maybe Indigo Plum.....check it out...hurry.
Everybody loves Ty's original paintings...and you will too. Yep, this is an original by Ty Cline and if you are looking for something a little more moderner, well Ty is fun and funky and a little bit bold and every time you see his work you can see at least 3 different things. #1 is.....

Ok, so you've been to Kimball Coffee....well you'd better get there again. You will find this little collectible poster from Girls Night Out.....Collect them all and keep them all....you just never know when there will be a FreeGoodFreeArtProject Gallery showing....HUM!!! Pick up this poster, turn it over and read all about Girls Night Out in Gig Harbor....posters all over town....be on the look out!

This is by one of our participating artist, Robin Peterson....and she is also an award winner at the Pal Show in the Civic Center. So, get to the Civic Center and see more of her wonderful art....or get yourself to the Tides, but better be quick!!!!!

"Girlfriends know the song in your heart and sing it to you when you memory fails!"
Thank goodness for Girlfriends and thank goodness for Girls Night Out...and really thank goodness for Simply Charmed, one of the most fun places in the harbor to shop...Fun and great gifts!!! Going to be very popular on Girls Night Out!!

Featured Artist of the Week

Meet George Milliken. George's painting "Saddlin Up" took Best of Show in the Peninsular Art League show at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. George is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and one of his favorite places to paint is in Montana, thus the cowboy theme. Another love is boating and water. Check out his "Lost and Alone" also in the show. George shows his paintings at Waters Edge Gallery in Gig Harbor, so stop in there to see more of his beautiful watercolors, or send him an email at gbmill2@comcast.net.
Now, about the PAL show at the Civic Center, on display Oct. 20 - Nov. 19th. Be sure to stop in and see the beautiful works of art.
Award Winners are: Best of Show; George Milliken "Saddlin Up"; First Place - Kari Tirrell "Idle Moments; Second Place - Patsy Surh O'Connell "Visit from the Past"; Third Place - Charlie Meacham "Barter, Sale or Trade;PAL Board Award - Daphne Wynne Nixon "Hardboiled Lemon & Egg Squeezer; Honorable Mentions - Linda Jacobus "Boat on Monterey Bay"; LaDonna Druger "Plein Air"; Framer's Donor Award - Robin Peterson "Flying Start"; Blick Art Donor Award - Michele Sleight "Fantasy Fish"; FastFrame Donor Award - Mary McInnis "Leno Lake Trail Shadows"
It is a great show and you need to get there and enjoy all the beautiful art!! Below is only a sampling of the great art you will see.
This is First Place by Kari Terrell, "Idle Moments"


Here is the Framer's Workshop Award - Robin Peterson "Flying Start"




PS. Yes, there is a piece of art missing at the Civic Center. You can read all about it on last week's blog. The city council did not even get to vote on removing that beautiful piece of art; just one person. Not sure what that bullying was about. Obviously, this person does not even go to Puyallup as there is a totally naked woman in their outdoor sculpture collection-----YIKES!!!!!

Fall...a busy time in Gig Habor!

What a week!!!

Great happenings and get ready for a great fall......
lots of great things to do,
places to go
and
voices to be heard .....
right here in Gig Harbor.....
So many places, so little time...where will you find your FREE art this week?

Are you looking for a place to relax with you buds and have a sip of wine after a long days work? Get on over to the Wine Studio for a sip or a wine tasting. Have a seat on the couch, sink in and just relax while chatting with your friends...or just go for great wine deals and great information on wine....get there for FREE art!

Tis that special time of year...when ghosts and witches and bumps in the night cause us to turn and look and wonder....

"Best friends are not always alike"
One of my favorite places for fresh bagles, or soup, or salades or, just a lot of wonderful food can be found at Panera....if you are quick, will find FREE art there, too!!!


"Do Zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?" Ah ha...the answer can only be found on the reverse side of this little piece of FREE art....check out Panera again!!!


Sometimes here in Gig Harbor, we can look at the sky and just imagine a beautiful sunset or glorious sunrise...reds and purples...and yellows....and blue. As beautiful as the sky, that is what Xochi Madrea Hughes has painted for you...in this piece of FeelGoodFreeArt. Golly, wonder where you will find this one?

Where are you gonna be on Nov. 10th? Well, Girls Night Out, that's where!! Sometime before Now. 10th get yourself down to one of the participating retailers (click on the Girls Night Out link to find out everthing!!)...and reserve a shopping bag for $10.00. Did I tell you there is about $100.00 worth of FREE treasures in this little shopping bag? On Nov. 10th, shop and save from 12- 7pm Then, at 7pm head to either Morso or The Tides for raffle drawing and beverages and food specials. Shop and Save in Gig Harbor. Did I happen to mention that every participating retailer will have FeelGoodFreeArt in their stores...did I say that??????? Me, me and my girlfriends...we're gonna be there..better see you there!!! Until then, what is the name on the nail polish???

What is more beautiful than a Gig Harbor sunset? NOTHING!!
PS. No better photographer than Mark Ritchey. This is one of Mark's art cards and you will love it. More of Mark's photography can be found at Morso Wine Bar. If you miss Marks' photography at Morso, just go to Ebb Tide Gallery and you will find more of his beautiful photography.
Have you heard what is happening at Morso Wine Bar? Lots and lots. Better get to their facebook page for new and growing information about music and art at Morso. Their 1st live music event is with Kevin Montgomery of 50 States in 50 Days, great music and a great cause of My Orange Duffel Bag by Sam Bracken... Soon to follow with a special art opening.....stay tuned.

One of my most favorite places in the harbor for Halloween hats, and other stuff, too, is Elandon Gallery in Uptown. This store/gallery is great because what you purchase there, you will not see anywhere else. Go there, you will fall in love!!!
And, if you are really quick, you'll find some FREE art there also....quick, like a bunny!!


Don't you just love the art from Becci Crowe? Check out her website and find this little piece of Free art in the Harbor Mercantile. Of course, everyone knows if you are looking for something special for someone........the Harbor Mercantile has special gifts, for special people. Lots of nautical items, lots of other things as well...glass penguins...glass tucans...go there have fun!
If you miss Becci's art at the Mercantile...just walk next door to the Ebb Tide Gallery...you'll find more of Becci's beautiful art there. Ebb Tide has wonderful art by local artists. Go there, shop and buy local.

So, how lucky are you? We have another wonderful artist, Kathy Thurston, from Ebb Tide Gallery. Kathy is inspired by the natural world and can't you just feel the feathers in this beautiful owl? He's looking at you...you are not looking at him, isn't that what you feel? Maybe you feel something different....Find this beautiful piece of Kathy's art at the Tides and if you miss it there, just walk up the street to the Ebb Tide Gallery and find more of Kathy's work. This owl just has power and majesty, don't you just feel it?

Artist of the Week

Perhaps it is the creator of the human body...

Perhaps it is Michelangelo, who created the David sculpture...

Perhaps it is folks who change the channel, or
Perhaps it is all the Gig Harbor parents who take their children to see great art, to discuss art with their children....
Perhaps it is our founding fathers who believed in the right to free speech, artist expression...
Perhaps it is Malcolm Edwards and his photography and his photograph, which was tossed out of the Peninsula Art League Show by certain? Gig Harbor Council persons, who censored this photography from being in the Peninsula Art League Show at the Civic Center..would not allow this photograph to be hung with the rest of the PAL show.
Perhaps it is Rebecca Westeren, owner of For Art Sake, here in the harbor, that agreed to hang and display this piece of art.

Please go to For Art Sake Gallery, take a look at this beautiful photograph. If you like it, enjoy. If you don't like and think it is not appropriate to been seen in public, then why not use this as a teaching moment to explain your feelings to you children, or discuss it rather than censor the freedom. Everyone learns with reasonable discussion. No one learns in a censorship situation.
Censorship is never an answer. Hopefully there can be growth from the lack of this freedom.

TONIGHT!!!!

Yes, it is the Hotel Crawl tonight...THURSDAY

5 - 8pm

So, are you looking for a meeting place for your group?
Are you thinking about a reunion?
When was the last time you visited the Maritime Inn, Best Western or the
Inn in Gig Harbor???? Well, tonight is your lucky night!!!
Get out!!
Get going!!
Find out what
these places can offer to you......and find a little
FREE art at every location!!!

Yes, we are all lucky when we find note cards by Kathy Thurston, wonderful artist. Go to the Maritime Inn, look for these and have fun. If you miss this wonderful art by Kathy at the Maritime, just walk on over to the Ebb Tide Gallery and see more of her beautiful art.

On the way to Ebb Tide Gallery, be sure to stop in Java and Clay Cafe, for something good and warm and comfortable to sip and nibble....and perhaps you'll find a little Spooky FREE art.




If you are really, really lucky you'll find this beautiful glass container designed and decorated with beautiful pears and beads by Delaine Gately cfsgate@aol.com
A special gift on its own or to hold a little something special???

When you are 'crawling' to visit the Inn at Gig Harbor.....look around very carefully. Find some beautiful earrings by Ebb Tide artist, Chantelle Tracey. There's more gorgeous jewelry - think holiday presents- by Chantelle at the Ebb Tide Gallery so, go there!!!

BUT

Not before you find this wonderful BIG piece of FREE art by Ty Cline at the Inn at Gig Harbor. Might just have to stop in for a little snack or dinner at the Heritage Restaurant...when was the last time you enjoyed find food at this local restaurant?

Now is the time to go to Ebb Tide Gallery.....
WHY?????

It could be for the FREE Halloween art....
that is, if you find it first.

It is really for all the other great, local, handmade art that you find at Ebb Tide Gallery.

ARTIST OF THE WEEK!!!!

A shout out to all our Retail 'artists'.

Those businesses located in Gig Harbor, run by Gig Harbor residents, your neighbors. Yes, our retail 'artist' friends are artists in displaying their stores, having items in their stores they believe you will like well enough to buy....having lodging that your visitors will want to call 'home' for a couple of days and beautiful, artistic food and beverages that we will all want to partake of.

"Tis the Season" is coming up...so make your list, get out and locate items you will need...may not need to purchase today, but find them now and you'll know where they are when you do need them.....

Let's remember that 'Girl's Nite Out' is happening Nov 10.
Be on the lookout for FREE art....
and my girlfriends...oh, we'll be there... be looking for YOU!!!!

Shop early...shop often....Right here in Gig Harbor!!!

We are all quite sad to realize that Sea Glass and Paisley will not be with us soon. We will miss you!!!

Now is the time!

So hey everybody I told you this week would be special,

hold on and here we go........

Where do you want to be and
who do you want to be with when we snap your photo with FREE art?
A very busy week and weekend in Gig Harbor....
Find some FREE art at the places listed below.
Find more FREE art when you follow us on facebook...click on the link!!! Every day there will be several more pieces of FREE art available for YOU to find!!! Go Forth..... Find....Enjoy!!!
By the way...let's remember that you will find LOTS MORE FREE ART on our facebook page this week....why?

Are you in need of a little something special for someone in October. Find this piece of FREE art at Elandan Gallery
Are you looking for the perfect Halloween hat? Are you looking for unique anything, this is a gallery where everything is unique and special and truly handmade one of a kind.
Oh...Oh...Oh...while you are there, find a little FREE art!!!

This little Halloween special you should have seen earlier today...why? Because there was a photo and location on our facebook page.

Need kitchen stuff in UPTOWN, find this FREE art there, quickly!!!
Lots more FREE art this week but only on facebook!

FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK!!!!
Well, after much consideration and much reading and much hearing....
The artist of the week is all the artists involved with the Gig Harbor Film Festival.

Why? First of all, because.... name your favorite director. Well, these young film festival directors and film makers of today will grow up and before you know will become your favorite director in 5, 8 years...see them this weekend..when they are purely involved with film as an art form, or story form. I met a young filmmaker last year and she told me she made films because it was breathing for her. Her film was an award winner and she will go far with her love. And I, and you, and, we all want to be there and question these young filmmakers on why and how, they did what they did; during their question and answer sessions...and during the panel discussion. You will escape and be entertained and puzzled and you will learn and grown and just enjoy the time.
Look how the Tuesday concerts have grown, look how many there were at the History Museum opening...continue this with the Gig Harbor Film Festival. Welcome Karen Black and Hal Linden to Gig Harbor. Welcome 30 filmmakers to Gig Harbor. All this encourages visitors to Gig Harbor and helps your restaurants, lodging and retail neighbors stay in business. We can all help.
We have film celebrities in town this week; we have filmmakers in town this week...buy a little ticket...gigharborfilmfestival.org...come see their art; smile an extra smile for someone you don't recognize.

Going to be a great weekend.
a perfect weekend to visit with a young filmmaker,
see a great film yourself, (I love shorts and documentaries)
take your young children to a film...at KidsFest,
so show your Gig Harbor welcoming spirit and love.

October 15,16,17. gigharborfilmfestival.org Click on film guide, full page program and synopsis of all the films. So many films you will want to see.
Be there!!!! Follow us on facebook for photos and FREE art every day this week!!!
MOST OF ALL: Celebrate your love for all things Gig Harbor!!! Celebrate great young artists coming to town....Have Fun!!

By the way....probably find a little FREE art at the Gig Harbor Film Fesitval office tomorrow!!!

Are you getting ready!

It's coming.....Are you getting ready?????

Gonna be here next week!!!!

October 15,16,17 is the 3rd annual Gig Harbor Film Festival
Ok, Ok, Ok....so we've all been involved in the Gig Harbor Film Festival all year:
handing out flyers all over town!!!
Surely, you've gotten a flyer from one of the volunteers! Well, now the film festival is upon us and there are great award winning, independent films and you want to go to the website, click on film guide and check out the program! Program was in the Wed. Gateway as well or pick one up at the Film Festival office,next to the Galaxy.
gigharborfilmfestival.org
Click on our facebook page, become a fan cause their will be lots more FREE art all next week - where? Posted on facebook.
Now,
Where did you find FREE art this week? Get out there...waiting for you!

A great BIG welcome to a new participating artist, Xochi Hughes Madera. Xochi is also our featured artist this week, read more about her a little further down the page. This is a beautiful original painting that will transport you to a calm and beautiful place...probably will go real good with a glass of wine from Morso. Stop in for a FREE art, great wine and great food.

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing...adventure."
While you are out adventuring, be sure and stop in Java and Clay. Be normal with a great beverage...adventure with a great clay experience. What a fun idea for any special day!



We were all at the opening of the Harbor History Museum. Everyone was there, lots and lots. More fun today at the Harbor History Museum, cause no fighting for the hands on fun stuff!! Oh...while there, discover this beautiful original painting from Robin Peterson. You'll be lucky indeed.

"Eat, drink and be scary!" Find this cute little guy at Sharon's Consignment and Spa. Might also find just the perfect little something for yourself or your costume. There's a Mary Frances purse up on the shelf...check that out!!

Been to Panera's lately? Better get there in a hurry. Here are some art cards from Judy Buskirk. Beautiful wave art. Lots of the art today are making me feel calm and peaceful, a good way to feel....you can enjoy that feeling or give to someone who needs that feeling...I can tell you who!


Also at Panera's find this 2010 Gig Harbor Film Festival collectible poster. News about the film festival all over the Gateway yesterday. October 15,16,17. Karen Black, Hal Linden and ? will be in town. Special screening of Karen Black's new movie on Sunday at 11am. 30 filmmakers in town nextweek. Be nice, get discovered!! Kidsfest Oct. 17 1-3:30 good for 6-9years . 3:30 good for 9-14 years old

"It's not that today is the first day of the rest of my life, but that now is all there is of my life."

So, I'm thirsty, hungry, want a place in the harbor...on the water..hopefully, the 'tide' won't be too high. Go there! Find this wonderful art card by Laura Bethke. You all know Laura's great art and if you miss it at the above location (you have to find this one) then go to the Ebb Tide Gallery and find more of Laura's work there.

"I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween!"

How about a little pasta or pizza from Spiro's, downtown?
How about a beautiful handmade rest for a teabag, spoon, ring or that special something? Created with love and talent for you by Hanna Bellefontaine. If you miss this at Spiro's, go round the corner to Ebb Tide
Gallery and find more of Hanna's handmade art!

"Do Zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?"
The answer will only be found on the back of this piece of FREE art

FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK!

Meet Xochi Hughes Madera
Have you ever had a really busy day and needed to just calm down? Take a look at one of Xochi's paintings and you will dissolve into a meadow and peace and calm. Maybe, there are trees, perhaps a stream, or a mountain....you can feel the fog and the wetness of the grass and I think the water in the stream is a little cold. When you really look at a birch tree, it is amazing to me that Xochi sees the tree, paints the tree and I feel the bark. That's what you get from Xochi's paintings...and you can find more of them at the Birds Nest Gallery right here in Gig Harbor. Get there...now. By the way, when you remodel your kitchen, give her one of your cabinet doors and she recycles them as the material for her paintings!!