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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Cindy Saadeh Fine Art

Not only is Cindy the building and current gallery owner, she is also a fellow Etsian! I thought I would feature her work on our blog today. Here is a little bit about Cindy from her web site http://www.cindysaadeh.com/ take a moment to visit her web site and see additional works by her.

Saadeh is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. She had the fortunate opportunity to study with artist Richard Palomino in Montpellier, France for 2 ½ years. Palomino is self-taught in the Dutch Master technique. He made all materials by hand, including grinding and mixing pigments, stretching canvas with rabbit skin glue, and making mediums out of copal and amber. She learned the technique of painting with “glassis”, or thin layers of paint to achieve depth in the painting. During this period she painted mostly still lifes set up with one light source as the Masters did. These early works were extremely realistic. Upon her return to the US, she moved to Charleston, SC for it’s rich abundance of subjects to paint, from historical architecture to beautiful marshes. After painting for many years, she has developed a softer, less realistic and more interpretive style. She currently resides in Kingsport, Tennessee with her husband and son and continues to search for the light in the southern sky.

Visit us in person at 128 E. Market St., Downtown Kingsport, TN Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-4.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

We Were Featured in a Blog Monday!

A special thanks to Elle Custom Jewelry and Laura for the Home Decor feature! Michael's boards look lovely, and I notice by chance that they coordinate well with the blog's background. Elle Custom Jewelry has a gorgeous Etsy shop! This Romancing Necklace is just one of my favorites...

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Monday, April 27, 2009

Michael is "Setting Up Shop"

He has been in his studio for a week now (since we got our occupancy certificate, aka OC) getting his wood equipment cleaned up and running, organizing his tools, and even managing to design and cut some mahogany knives! He is even working on displays for my crochet chokers. I love my baby! He is such a hard worker! I have been leaving the gallery at 2, to go to my job as a nurse, and it is then he takes over the gallery and entertains Quinn. Considering the actual hours he is been in his wood shop/art studio, it is AMAZING the work he has gotten done! He took these pictures:





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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Thankful for our FIRST SALE

We celebrated our first sale at Cindy Saadeh Fine Art (brick and mortar art gallery) opening week! Paul and Amber Vachon were our first official customers. We'd like to say thank you and link to their Downtown Kingsport business Appalachian Medical Massage Associates. They purchased the cutting board pictured. See more of Michael's cutting boards in the gallery located at 128 E. Market St., Downtown Kingsport, or online at http://ripperarts.etsy.com/.

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

How to Write a Press Release (what I learned this week)

This week, I learned the CORRECT way to write a press release. I followed step by step instructions on http://advertising.about.com/od/pressreleases/ss/prlayout.htm. I then submitted my press release to two sites:



I received a Google Alert from http://www.your-story.org/ the next day, but I have yet to see any results from openpr. Another thing I have learned along the lines of FREE advertising. Other merchants are a great resource. We have opened in Downtown Kingsport. Meeting other downtown merchants has been most beneficial, and they truly share in our excitement! The shop across the street The Barefoot Chameleon has been sending shoppers our way all week. Thanks Gwenn!

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Friday, April 24, 2009

New Product Feature FRIDAY!

Last weekend, I crocheted, and crocheted, and, well, you get the picture. I made several chokers, each in a different color. I also have designed ANOTHER crochet piece, but you'll have to wait for a later post debuting it. Anyway, back to the chokers. They are fun to make and definitely fun to wear! You can dress them up or down. They are a simple, handmade, piece of art. Most of them are mercerized cotton with a few exceptions. Check them out!


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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Thursday's Photo Feature

Well, I've taken a lot of pictures in the last 24 hours... Over 300 in fact! We are re-vamping or "Spring cleaning" our Etsy shop. So, here is a product pic I was very happy with. It is of a cherry cutting board Michael made. I also played with it a bit in Photoshop and made it black and white. I just love the contrast of the wood and brick.



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Monday, April 20, 2009

We Are Open for Business!!!

Official Press Release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Talina Ripper, 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660, 423.737.0445, ripperarts [!at] gmail.com http://www.ripperarts.com/


MORE ART COMING TO DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT, TN
Artists Cindy Saadeh and Michael Ripper open studios on Commerce Street

Kingsport, TN, April 21, 2009

Saadeh is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. She had the fortunate opportunity to study with artist Richard Palomino in Montpellier, France for 2 ½ years. Palomino is self-taught in the Dutch Master technique. He made all materials by hand, including grinding and mixing pigments, stretching canvas with rabbit skin glue, and making mediums out of copal and amber. She learned the technique of painting with “glassis”, or thin layers of paint to achieve depth in the painting. During this period she painted mostly still lifes set up with one light source as the Masters did. These early works were extremely realistic. Upon Cindy’s return to the US, she moved to Charleston, SC for its rich abundance of subjects to paint, from historical architecture to beautiful marshes. After painting for many years, she has developed a softer, less realistic and more interpretive style. Cindy now resides in Kingsport, with her husband, Kris, and their son. She is excited about bringing more fine art to the area and providing opportunities for interactive learning through painting classes.

Ripper recently moved to the Tri-Cities from Avery County, NC. He has a formal education in the arts with a BFA in wood design and a BFA in ceramics, both from East Carolina University. Michael has always found an amazing beauty in nature, especially right here in the heart of the Blue Ridge. This is where most of his inspiration comes from. With his woodwork, in particular, Michael designs and arranges the grain of every species of wood so the viewer can see the real beauty and uniqueness of each piece. Whenever possible, Michael uses native Appalachian hardwood (Cherry, Maple, Walnut, and Poplar). Some of the wood is lumber that has been cleaned up from the many wind storms and floods. By using this wood and other recycled wood, he is helping to clean up our beautiful mountains and prevent forest fires. Through his art, Michael wants to share with other people the beauty that he sees, in just one very small piece of these glorious Appalachian Mountains. Michael, along with his wife Talina, their small son and her three sons, are thrilled about moving into their downtown loft and living their art in downtown Kingsport.
Both Cindy’s and Michael’s Studio are located at 210 Commerce Street, Downtown Kingsport. Art is on display and for sale at Cindy Saadeh Fine Art 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660 Additional contacts Cindy Saadeh 423.782.9451 or Michael Ripper 828.406.1317.www.cindysaadeh.com
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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Touched by Kari

On Sundays I blog about things I am grateful for. This week I was touched by the short-lived life of Kari. She was the daughter of a local cardiologist who works for the same health system that I do. Please visit Kari's site http://www.karisheartfoundation.org/

Here are some recent pictures of my family, which I am ALWAYS grateful for!

On Easter:




Celebrating Michael's 40th birthday:


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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Something I've Learned... 3/50




Have you heard about the 3/50 Project? A very cool, innovative way to promote local businesses. Go to their web site http://www.the350project.net/

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Red Crochet Choker Necklace Small Scale


This isn't a new item, but it is one I have not featured here on my blog. I can make this in various colors. Fun, fashionable and affordable! Etsy description:

"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life." --John Lubbock

Perfect for Mother's Day!

This is an original piece by Talina. Crochet with a 2.25mm hook and a red 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It is meant to be snug fitting with some give. Measures 13 1/2" including the clasp, 11 3/4" without. The "clasp" is actually a crochet circle that is pulled through a crochet loop.

No pattern is used, designed by Talina (me). I can do this choker in any size or color, just send me a convo!

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Friend on Flickr

Tonya and I go way back, not that we have ever met in person, but we have worked together online for years. Although, we no longer have that online co-worker relationship, I still follow her on Twitter and Flickr. I occasionally visit her web site too. Here are a few {there are so many!} of her pics I just LOVE... Check out her work! You'll be wowed for sure! I also love her digital art/scrapbooking--see last photo below...

Oh, and just click on the photo to go the the Flickr photo page! Enjoy!










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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Recent Purchase from a Local Etsy Seller


I purchased some handmade soap on clearance from Metime, but what caught my eye initially, and I bought it too... Was handmade laundry soap. Now, I have yet to use the laundry soap, so I cannot give an honest review, but the bath soap... WOW! I just love it. It seems to last longer than other handmade soaps I've purchased. And the scent, it is DELICIOUS!!! It was pumpkin pie, on clearance, I guess due to the seasonal scent, but I don't mind at all. It is fabulous with a great lather. I just had to tell you all about it! Metime (Margaret) is a local Etsian from a local street team (Tri-Cities/Northeast TN/Southwest VA) I have joined. Check out her Etsy shop!

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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Today, I Am Thankful Because...

He is risen!

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Saturday, April 11, 2009

April is Donate Life Month


This is what I learned this week: {well, it is ONE of the MANY things I have learned this week} IT IS DONATE LIFE MONTH. I am an organ donor. I hope that you will consider this yourself. Please, if you choose to donate life, let your wishes be known to your family, fill out an organ donor card, and identify that you are an organ donor on your driver's license.

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Friday, April 10, 2009

Pretty in Pink


I just love this hat. I love the movie. I love the quote from the movie. Check out the product page on Etsy here. If you purchase and leave a note to seller stating you first saw this on my blog, I will give you $5 via PayPal refund! That covers shipping PLUS some!


"If somebody doesn't believe in me, I can't believe in them." from Pretty in Pink


Fun, flirty, and fashionable! Hat pictured is the one for sale. OOAK piece, ready for immediate shipment, that will leave you pretty in pink! Perfect for Spring or Easter for yourself or to give as a gift. This 100% cotton hat was handmade by Talina. It has a fun brim and band featuring a handmade maple button made by Michael. Button is securely fastened with pink ribbon. Perfect for Spring or cool Summer nights.




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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Another Favorite Picture

Candid shots are my favorite. Gosh, I haven't paid for a portrait photo/professional shoot since 2005! Anyway, this is an old photo. 2006 maybe? I'd have to find the original photo to be sure of the date. This photo was cropped square. What I CAN tell you for sure is that this was taken at sunset on Flat Rock, off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. We hiked it last weekend, as a matter of fact, me, Michael, Aaron, Jacob, and Quinn in his backpack riding upon Michael's back. This location has special meaning to us. It is Michael's favorite hiking spot. He used to do a lot of trail running here. It was where Michael proposed to me. We have many fond and profound memories upon Flat Rock, hiking with the boys, hiking with Guinness (our dog who has passed), celebrating our anniversary, hiking and contemplating life's mysteries in difficult times. It is a gorgeous, short hike. Perfect for the boys. Okay, back to the photo... I just love the sweetness seen in Aaron and Jacob; the brotherly love this photo exhibits (rarely seen these days, let alone captured on film, lol); the warm dusk sunlight reflecting in their eyes...

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Promised Pictures

Well, still no good news about inspection or permanent power hook up, so as far as opening, we don't know when that will happen. Yesterday, we did a lot of cleaning. More cleaning still needs to be done! Where does all of the dust come from? Today, we are running to Lowes to check out some additional wood equipment. We'll probably come back to the studio/gallery to work some more, or at least Michael will. I have to work 3-11 as a nurse today. So goes another day in the life of the Rippers, and the adventure of living our art!


These pictures are of us yesterday: in front of the gallery, Quinn in pack-n-play, Cindy's studio, which we did most of the cleaning in...










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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Today is THE Day!

Michael and I are here! Working in the studio/gallery. It's not like we are making art as of yet. Heck, we are still operating on temporary power and waiting for final inspection to get our occupancy permit. But, we are both off today, and officially made it our first day working together in the studio/gallery. Granted, we are just sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, organizing, but we are working, HERE! It's official! It is SO exciting! I will post more pictures later today, so stay tuned.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

We aren't really MIA...

Just very, very busy with the brick and mortar (B&M) store. It's a good thing! I promise to post more tomorrow. Just bear with us! Thanks.
Also, setting up a makerspot.com site.

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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Mother and Sleeping Baby

Today is photography day... I dug this one out of my Flickr uploads. Michael took the picture of me and Quinn last year with my Canon Digital Rebel XT. It was night time, with crummy indoor lighting. Michael actually softened the flash by putting his hand in front of it. Everything in the photo was mis-matched: my brown blanket, purple pillowcase, Quinn's white, blue and green sleeper, green and white polka dotted blanket, crib in the background. So, I edited this color photo in Photoshop to change it to black and white. I played with my layers, blending modes and such... This was the final result. I just love, love, LOVE it!!! One of my favorite photos. Check back every Thursday for different "photo faves."

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

In Awe


I first met Krystyna81 in the forums. I visited her Etsy shop, started a convo, and have since become a customer. I am in awe of her talent. What impresses me the most is her figurative art. I just love the style, the colors, and even the textures. She has an impressive blog as well. I know we all have God given talents and should be grateful for what we've been given, but I can't help to be envious! Oh, if I could sketch/draw/paint like that!!! She not only does portraits, nudes, but also has some other beautiful nature pieces. If you cannot afford an original, I highly recommend her prints. Gorgeous and affordable. My recent acquisitions were Time of Passage and They Come Before and After.


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The Basics

Michael and Talina Ripper met online and when they met in person, they knew they had found something special, a once in a lifetime love. Michael obtained BFAs in both Wood Design and Ceramics from ECU. Talina has always been a creative/artistic spirit, but has her BSN from ETSU and still works as an RN. Talina has three sons, Seth (17), Aaron (8), and Jacob (7). Michael and Talina have a son together, Quinn, who is 17 months. They are getting settled in their downtown loft just around the corner from Michael's studio and the gallery. Their dream of living their art is coming true!

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