Gardening, Drawing, Working in the studio

Working on the 2010 Dolphin Studio Calendar. Making color separations and learning ALOT

Eating salads from the garden most nights.

Irish Inspiration

This post is to inspire you - my readers to check out these pictures taken on my Irish travels, and join in the flower making fun on June 26-28 at my flower making workshop. I still have room on all three days -

This post if also for my friend Diane who takes AMAZING pictures of flowers, morphs them into art and helps me at the workshops.

The details on the workshops are:

• They are held in my studio in Pittsfield, MA.
• 10-4 each day
• $150 per day
• Come one, two or all three days
• One and two day students can come on any day/s that work/s.
  

Scroll down to see what the flowers I have made look like and email me at www.crispinaffrench@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to register.

Alchemy Initiative

So my husband and I bought the buildings shown in the top two pictures here in 2006. Shown first is the rectory to the church shown second. The rectory is 7000 sq ft, built 1905, it has a huge yard and is morphing into 6 separate living spaces.
We live on the top floor in the biggest unit, about 1400 sq ft with three bedrooms. On April 1 a third unit will be occupied so we are nearly half way there!

The church is truly exquisite. a nearly 6000 sq ft footprint. Full of amazing stained glass and details of 1895 craftsmanship not normally seen in today's construction. There are two floors now. The lower level where 400 patrons were seated at the weekly Bingo events for the church. We have been using this space since we made the purchase, most recently for workshops.

The upper level is still full of pews and the remnants of an altar etc. We envision a third level dividing the upper level space to make it possible to heat and accommodate our plan.

The third, photo is of the convent, built in the early 1900s for the Notre Dame property. It is unoccupied, has fallen into disrepair and is on the market for CHEAP. Chris put an extra low bid in for it yesterday. If we get it, it will not be torn down to give us a clear shot view of our 24 hr Stop and Rob across the way. It will become an integral part of the plan we are conjuring.



Alchemy Initiative is the name we are using and for our intention, there is a multi faceted business plan is coming together now. It includes, an urban farm garden, workshop space, a public reading room, commercial kitchen, music venue, coffee/tea house, and hotel/hostel all done with green renovations and systems. Rainwater catchment, alternative energy, native species plants, filter plants, organic food plants, and a seed bank are in the plans. My dream is to power the whole thing with a wind turbine on the steeple!

An intensive internship program is in development stages.

There is a blog devoted to the process depicting the journey of the project's development. There is not a lot to see right now but you can get more information about our plans at www.alchemyinitiative.blogspot.com. Check back in a week or two when there will be more to it. Events are coming together for April and June already!

Harvest

This past weekend was a welcomed introduction to a circle of surreal magic that seemed to be on every corner. Route 9 from Pittsfield to Twist Fair in Northampton is not to be missed. Check out the eyecandy! This is just a sample!

Prospect of Free Time

While the tables are turning in the business I founded 20 years ago, there are exciting options presenting themselves as the chapter unfolds.
For the first time since I was 13 years old I will have the summer to focus on things other than the design and production of 100% post consumer recycled wares.

My husband and I bought a church and rectory in the heart of Pittsfield two years ago. We are nearing completion of the rectory renovation. It now is configured as 6 separate living spaces for rent or sale. We are moving into the third floor unit at the end of the month with our three kids. The prospect of unpacking boxes for the first time nearly 2 years is exciting! I will get some pictures to show the space and finishing touches as they come about.

My first desire is to get a garden in at the rectory next door to the studio. I am making a lasagne garden. The process is new to me but so far I love how easy it is! This picture was taken last summer of Lucy who is now 2. She loves to garden as much as her mother.