(Sn)over the Top!

Looking out my window right now, it’s hard to believe that the first day of spring is just two days away. (For those of you not in Winnipeg, it’s a freaking winter wonderland out there!)

Usually, my first day of spring coincides with MAWA’s annual Over-the-Top art auction and cupcake party. Every year, we stand outside and enjoy the warm temps while munching cupcakes and waiting for the much-anticipated raffle.

This year, however, it was anything but warm. It was COLD. And SNOWING. And did I mention the cold? By the numbers, it was a full 36 degrees COLDER than last year. What the heck?

BUT, frigid temps aside; it was, as always, a lovely event. Undeterred by the cold, a bazillion people came out to bid on 153 pieces of art and eat dozens and dozens of cupcakes.

 

The two pieces that I had in the show, “An Extraordinary Woman” and “Three Little Houses”, sold for $90 and $110, respectively, and my Oreo cupcakes were a hit. (At least, I assume they were, as there were none left by the time I got there around 3:30pm.)

Our only disappointment was a silent-auction shut-out, but we can’t win every year, right?

I am already planning next year’s art… and next year’s cupcakes!

Over the Top 2012

For the past three years, I have attended the MAWA "Over the Top" cupcake party and art auction, both as a contributor and as a purchaser. This year, due to a little belt-tightening, I held off on bidding; however, I was more than happy to offer a piece of art and 4 dozen homemade cupcakes - cherry-almond and banana.

The piece that I donated to this year's auction is called "Elegance" and is part of my series of collages featuring vintage ladies and ephemera. The elegantly attired gal is set against a background of printed papers, a Tiffany and Co box and a page from an old book called, not surprisingly, "Elegance".

When you donate work to one of these things, there is always the chance that your piece won't sell and you'll have to take it home. Not that I would have minded having the original in my living room, I was happy to see it go to a good home for $50. (And I still get to have a copy of it...shh.)

My cupcakes, as well, were a hit, and not just with the mascot and my fella, who were obligated to try one of each kind. Other party-goers seemed to enjoy them, too! You can find the recipes for both kinds of cupcakes AND a tutorial for the wickedly good Swiss Meringue Buttercream on my food blog, Relish.

Cha-ching!

I am thrilled to report that the two pieces that I donated to MAWA raised $170 at the auction; "As the ocean..." went for $100 and "In Her Position" (oddly, the larger of the two) went for $70, both to the same lucky bider. I am so happy that they will be going to a good home!

My collage and ACEO were just two of over 150 artworks up for auction. Some of the works by better-known artists went for hundreds and hundreds of dollars and the bidding got to be quite frenzied on those. I got caught up in some of the excitement and bid on two paintings. I gave up on the first one when it hit $120, but won my second (and fave of the two) for only $60. It is an unmounted watercolour by local artist Jessica MacCormack and will add a charming, slightly-subversive touch to our living room.

In other news, if I never see another cupcake again...

;-)

Art or cupcakes? Yes, please!

This Sunday, for the third (third?!?!) year in a row, I will be participating in the MAWA “Over the Top” art auction and cupcake party, both as an artist and a baker. As in previous years, I have donated 2 collages for the sale; here’s a sneak peek:



The one on the left, “In Her New Position” is made up of several vintage elements and has a little piece of Winnipeg included. The basis of the collage is an old postcard depicting the now-defunct Portage Avenue Eaton’s department store as it appeared in the 40s/50s. I am hoping that that connection will make someone want to bid on the piece. I absolutely love it, but I just might be a little biased…

The second piece that I have donated is one of my altered playing cards, tarted up with a vintage map background and a shadowbox frame. The quote reads: “As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love.” I know, right? The card is actually one of two that were made. #1 went to my dear friend and ex-coworker (and mermaid fan), Tina.

As for the cupcakes, those are yet to be made. This year there will be over 1000 cupcakes at the party, so I am going to have to do something to stand out….like mocha cupcakes, topped with mocha buttercream and mini donuts. Get it? Coffee and a donut!

For more info on the “Over the Top” event, including how to purchase tickets, please visit MAWA’s website. The party is always a ton of fun, and it’s a great way to hob-nob with the artsy crowd, buy some fabulous art and, of course, eat your weight in cupcakes! There is a preview of all of the auction pieces tomorrow from 10-4, and then the bidding starts on Sunday at 2!

Beat the Clock

I have yet to meet an artist who doesn’t work right up to the deadline, including myself. There must be something about the added element of working against the clock that helps us squeeze out every last little bit of creativity. And, it can’t be denied that finishing a project under the wire feels just that much more satisfying. It’s almost the same sensation as finishing a race; you can’t tell if you’re happier for your accomplishment, or just happy to not be running anymore.

Last night I had one of those experiences. For the third year in a row, I found myself working on my submission for the MAWA annual fundraising art auction on the night before the due-date. I’ve known about it since last year, but that didn’t stop me from once again procrastinating myself into a night-before frenzy of cutting and gluing.

Thankfully, this year’s pieces came together surprisingly fast, thanks to a few well-chosen* bits of vintage ephemera and a last-minute burst of inspiration. Some collages have been known to put up a fight, but these ones just kinda fell into place. I was feeling so cocky, that I even had time to throw together a third.

I will post pics of my two MAWA pieces, plus the “bonus” one, later this week. Until then, here’s a sneak peek at one of them, taken at midnight in the abysmal lighting of my living room. One day, I will have a sun-drenched loft studio, but until then I will work at the coffee table while watching the telly and you will have to put up with grainy, low-light shots taken on my Blackberry.


Detail of "In Her New Position", vintage images and text.



* Oh, who am I kidding? I ran downstairs to my scary craft room on a commercial break and grabbed the first 5 things that caught my eye. Thank goodness the first 5 things were a vintage touch-typing book, 2 vintage postcards, vintage Mother’s Day card and a vintage pattern envelope. Had I looked to the left instead of the right, things could have gone horribly wrong.