Category Archives: Blogger post

:: Ampers& Website Review

Ampers& Website Home Page (2009)

MY SITE SCORES 17.5 OUT OF 20 — NOT BAD!

This past weekend, I ran into some friends I hadn’t seen in quite some time, and they congratulated me on my recent website award. My confused reply, “What are you talking about?”

Needless to say, I was curious, and they didn’t have much more info, as they had heard it from another mutual friend of ours…. So, when I got back to the office this morning, I did a Google search, to see what I could find. (I didn’t find any mention of an award, so if someone knows more about that, please share.) What I did find though, was that, apparently, back in February of this year, the Ampers& website was reviewed in a local e-newspaper, seacoastonline.com [article link removed]), and scored a respectable 17.5 out of 20. (Who knew?!?)

Anyway, thank you John Shore, for your kind words regarding Ampers&’s website. It’s always nice to be recognized and to hear that someone notices and appreciates your design efforts. Cheers!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

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: : Ode to Purple Lilacs

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S STATE FLOWER

New Hampshire Lilacs

Who doesn’t love the wonderfully fragrant bouquet of lilacs, wafting on the breezes across New Hampshire, in the month of May? Always one of my favorite flowers (so lacy and delicate, in varying shades of one of my favorite colors!), each spring I eagerly await the budding of the lilac bush outside our home. It was transplanted from a neighbor’s yard —24 years ago — in celebration of our first home and the birth of our first son.

There’s nothing quite like sitting out on the porch on a sunny day, and taking in that familiar fragrance carried on the warm spring breeze. My whole family looks forward to this small window of time (two weeks at most — and early this year!) when we can throw open the windows and let the heady lilac fragrance in; so we hack off a few glorious bunches for good measure, and bring them inside, allowing their luscious scent to seep from room to room. It’s a comfort, and a reminder — of family, of home, and of childhood memories.

NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIVES

I’m a New Hampshire girl (born and raised and forever true). When I was young, we used to sing a happy song about NH and lilacs at summer camp, which captures the feeling perfectly:

I want to wake up, in the morning,
where the purple lilacs grow;
where the sun comes a peepin'
into where I'm a sleepin'
and the songbirds say, "hello!"

I want to wander, through the wild woods,
where the fragrant breezes blow,
and drift back, through New Hampshire,
where the purple lilacs grow.

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

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::  High Flying Flags

High Flying Flags at Ampers&

WATCH FOR THE FLUTTER FLAGS!

Even though it’s situated on Main Street — in the heart of downtown Newmarket — my studio/gallery is located in the lower level of a huge mill building, below street level. Which, quite frankly, proves to be a real challenge when trying to attract patrons to our frequent LACA events [link removed].

Recently, we purchased some royal blue “flutter flags” on 20 foot poles to post outside my shop windows. The flags are tall enough to see from the street above, stand out nicely against the red brick, and attract the eye with their motion, too. A smaller, matching “open” flag was also purchased, for posting at street level, near the Rivermoor Landing Condominium sign.

OH SAY CAN YOU SEE (US NOW)?

Because the tall flags will only be put out during events, people won’t get overly accustomed to seeing them, day in and day out. So, hopefully, when they do notice the brightly colored flags, fluttering in the breeze, they’ll know instantly that something is happening in the gallery at Ampers&.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

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::  Arrangement(s) in Grey and Black

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1

Did You Know…?
Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1 was painted by American artist James M. Whistler in 1871. However, its Victorian-era viewing audience simply could not accept what was apparently a portrait being referred to as a mere “arrangement”—particularly as it was of his own mother! So, to appease the masses, Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Artist’s Mother became the new official title. And, it was from this revised title that the work acquired its popular (albeit incorrect) colloquial name, Whistler’s Mother.

CELEBRATE MOM … ART … SPRING!

There’s been a flurry of activity at the gallery this week, in preparation for an upcoming special exhibition, our own “Arrangements in Grey and Black,” featuring a collection of black & white photography by Seacoast Camera Club members, alongside a selection of colorful floral shots by Russ Simon. The exhibit, in honor of Whistler’s mother—and moms everywhere — is the anchor show for the Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance’s 4th annual Mothers Day ArtWalk celebration (Sat & Sun, May 9 & 10, 2009) in downtown Newmarket, NH.

The ArtWalk features business specials for all mothers on offer by ten downtown merchants (all of whom will be displaying student artwork in their establishments); live music by the BrandyLeif Quartet at the bandstand on Saturday (12-3); free mimosas & pastries (while they last) at the gallery at Ampers&—and 10% off all merchandise (12-3 both days); and, weather permitting, easel artists set up along Main Street.

If you’re in the area, swing on in to town and check it out!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf, 12/22/18

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::  Winter, fare thee well

Welcome Spring: Winter Beds Awaken

WELCOME, SPRING

Tired gray piles
of granular snow
sit slumped by the roadside
waiting to melt
in the warm noonday sun.

Beneath them
the slender
and varicose
leaves of crocus
tentatively, cautiously,
poke their heads up
through the soil.

With each day,
the piles recede
and the grass-like blades
grow taller.

Eventually
(finally!)
the snow does melt
and the crocus do
pop out
to welcome Spring.

I was inspired by April’s being National Poetry Month, and by the crocus photos I took recently, and the unseasonably warm & sunny weather we’ve been having of late, to write and post this poem today — Welcome, Spring!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in April 2009.  : :  kf, 7/25/19

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::  Happy National Poetry Month

LACA logo

FORGOTTEN MEMORY

LACA’s Spoken Word
Last week I planned to attend the April installment of the Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance’s Spoken Word, and to take a photo or two for both mine and LACA’s blogs while I was there.

As you’ll notice, there are no poetry reading photos posted here. That’s because I’d been at work on a design project (totally immersed, in what I call “the zone”) and completely lost track of time—again. Fortunately, I finally remembered where I was supposed to be, closed up shop, and dashed across the street; arriving in time—camera in hand, even!—to enjoy the last hour or so of readings. Not so fortunately, I forgot to bring along the camera’s memory stick.

How ironic (and pathetic at the same time)—yeesh!

The poetry reading, however, was awesome. Such a talented (and fun) group of individuals! And the surprising thing is, if you happened upon most of them on the street, you’d never guess that they wrote poetry. So if you find yourself with some free time on the second Thursday night of the month, make your way to  Crackskull’s in downtown Newmarket, NH, grab yourself a chai tea, pull up a chair and have a listen. You’ll be in for a treat. Better still, bring along one of your own written creations—or a favorite poem by another poet; everyone is welcome and encouraged to share.

POETRY ON THE FLY
So, since I didn’t get to put up photos from our Spoken Word, check out this wonderful “street poems” video shot in Dublin—what fun!

street poems :: dublin 2009 from ze frank on Vimeo.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in April 2009.  : :  kf, 3/21/19

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::  Bella vita: paintings from Ascoli Piceno

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 3

Only one more week before Bella Vita, the current show in my gallery, comes to an end.

Meet Jason Bombaci* and Kathi Smith
With all works created in the plein air style, by University of New Hampshire Fine Art Graduates Jason Bombaci [link removed] (BFA ’07) and Kathi Smith (MFA ’08), the show is a wonderful combination of works from an art history/art study class they attended in Italy during the summer of 2008.

Detail of Georgia's Window by Jason Bombaci

Detail of Georgia’s Window by Jason Bombaci

Pink Balcony by Kathi Smith

Pink Balcony by Kathi Smith

In addition to the 28 yummy paintings on display, visitors have also been treated to glimpses inside Smith’s journals, which are works of art unto themselves.

A spread from one of Smith's art journals

A spread from one of Smith’s art journals

It seems no one can resist the juxtaposition of Bombaci’s warm and cool color palettes and his uncanny ability to portray light and shadow in his works. Or Smith’s seemingly effortless and spontaneous brush work in response to changing light. Both artists have sold paintings from the show, six in total, which is remarkable given the current economy. As always, our little non-profit gallery is grateful for the public’s show of support for the arts in our community.

*UPDATE: It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Jason Bombaci passed away, on November 28, 2020, of cancer. He left us way too soon. His life & works truly touched so many. His obituary is posted here. RIP, Jason. ~ kf/&, 2/5/21

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in April 2009.  : :  kf, 1/4/19

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::  Welcome, Spring

MY CROCUS ARE UP!

First signs of spring (photo by kf/ampers&)

First signs of spring (©2009 kf/&)

Oh, sunny day! (photo by kf/Ampers&)

Oh, sunny day! (©2009 kf/&)

…and I saw a Robin the other day. Two telltale signs that spring has, indeed, arrived here in New Hampshire.*

Since our neighbors across the way (those who live on “the sunny side of the street”) already had daffodils in bloom while we still had two-foot snow piles, we sent our son out to rake the piles a bit, to help with the melting. And lo and behold! There were the crocus poking out to greet us—in all their purple and yellow glory.

After that, I was itching to get into all my gardens, clean out the beds, divide some overgrown perennials, put out the ornaments, spread the mulch, plant the annuals….

(SLOWLY) MAKING PROGRESS

On Monday morning, I raked and hauled leaves out of one half of one bed before the rain came. It was about all I could handle anyway, before being totally out of energy and breath (and having to get ready for work). At this rate, it’s looking like it could take me a while to get them all ready for spring planting, but that’s fine with me. It’s the simple act of being out there, puttering about, that’s the real joy of having a garden in the first place. So, welcome spring!

*I would be remiss not to add that winter is my favorite season and as much as I like playing in my garden, I, for one, am not happy to see the snow go. You see, I am an avid skier/snowboarder and, even though it’s spring on the NH Seacoast, there’s still plenty of snow up on the slopes. Cannon Mtn (aka “my happy place”) got four inches last weekend and their season is still going strong. Plus, next weekend is the annual Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf (always a good time!). So, even though I welcome spring on the one hand, I still say “let it snow!” :)

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in April 2009.  : :  kf/&, 7/25/19

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::  Patricia Kaufman, master of energy and light

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 2

Body of Water, by Patricia Kaufman

Body of Water by Patricia Kaufman

I’ve already posted one piece in this series, on an artist who inspires me (see Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire), and I have plenty of others to include on this list. (That’s one of the best things about running a local gallery: you get to meet so many wonderful and talented people!)

MEET PATRICIA KAUFMAN

The wonderfully talented person I’m focusing on today is Patricia Kaufman. Her painting, “body of water” (below), actually hangs above the desk in my studio. (Lucky me!) She surprised me with it one day—as a gift and a thank you—for opening and running the “first-gallery-ever” in our small New England mill town. I am honored to have it—and to have Patricia as a friend and neighbor, as well. And also, to be able to contemplate the truly amazing energy this painting evokes, each and every day.

One can almost meditate to Patricia’s works, and feel the universal energy that flows from her mind’s eye, through her brushes, and onto the canvas. (I often get goosebumps when I look at her paintings.)

HER WORK IS SPECIAL, AND SO IS SHE

Patricia gives freely (both of herself, and her time) to many causes within our community, and children have always held a special place in her heart. Recently, she has made two separate pilgrimages to remote mountain villages in South America, bringing much needed school supplies to the children there. We’ve also had special shows here in my gallery, with 100% of profits from sales of selected pieces going to such causes. Inspired by the people she meets and the colorful cultures she experiences, Kaufman uses this imagery in her art to create an amazing body of work.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Patricia’s most recent collection of paintings and collages (to which I and two other friends were specially treated to a private sneak preview, before it was exhibited publicly) can be found at the Bowersock Gallery in Provincetown, MA.

Be sure to check out her work, and see what I mean when I say her paintings show an incredible mastery of capturing energy and light. They are both radiant and humble at the same time—very much like the artist herself.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in December 2008.  : :  kf, 12/21/18

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::  Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire

INSPIRING WORKS BY INSPIRING ARTISTS, NO. 1

Hymn to the Masses by Lisa Reinke

Hymn to the Masses by Lisa Reinke

Here’s the first in a series of inspiring works by inspiring artists I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.

Meet Lisa Reinke, artist extraordinaire. I’m a huge fan of her paintings. I found this piece, entitled “Hymn to the Masses,” posted on her blog, and I hope she won’t mind me including it here. After all, Lisa was the very first Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance (LACA) member-artist offered a solo show at Ampers& (my non-profit gallery space), back in March of 2006. Seems only fitting that I begin the series with her.

Lisa’s work is bold and beautiful. Visit Sun Drenched Studio, her online art site, and see for yourself!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in December 2008.  : :  kf, 12/14/18

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