CozInk

From Maine #8

2011-01-26T12:21:00.003-05:00

Stay warm!

Upcoming Artsy Stuff

2010-11-07T10:50:00.004-05:00

There are two art shows coming up that include my work - woohoo! Just in time, too; my life needed something other than college class essays and crises from my four-year-old.

Coming up on November 19th is the opening of Creative Maine: The Works of Local Artists. Monkitree in Gardiner, Maine will be featuring the works of 30 Maine artists throughout the holiday season. Pieces are available for immediate purchase (as in, you can grab it right off the wall and walk out with it - no waiting 'til the end of the show!). With pieces coming and going as work is purchased and replaced, Creative Maine will be a dynamic show right through to its closing. My photograph, Junkyard, is included in the show. The opening is November 19th (a Friday night) and runs from 5:30pm to 9:00pm at Monkitree, which is located at 263 Water Street in beautiful downtown Gardiner.

The same weekend, The Higher Grounds in Hallowell is hosting what is shaping up to be an awesome and eclectic Artisans' Trunk Show. The trunk show will feature work from six amazingly creative endeavors of local artists (including yours truly, with CozInk Printed Goods). This is going to be a cozy little holiday shopping event, where you can grab a drink, listen to some live music by Harold Bailey, and do a little shopping for local art! Available goods will include hand-printed cards and totes (from me); pottery; handcrafted fine jewelry; original art; bath and body products; homemade jellies and goodies; and scarves. The show is Sunday, November 21st, from 11am-5pm at The Higher Grounds, located at 119 Water Street in Hallowell.

Help fund Arborea's next record!

2010-11-06T08:24:00.004-04:00

A message from Arborea about their current Kickstarter.org project:

Hello, This is Buck and Shanti of the Indie folk duo Arborea.

Thanks so much for visiting our project page! Shanti and I have been working extremely hard since our debut cd in 2006...writing, recording, touring as much as possible throughout the US, UK, and Europe. If you aren't familiar with our music here are a few press quotes we've received for our past releases.

"Shanti and Buck Curran get it right, with memorable songs that linger in the ether long after the last track ends." - NPR

"Maine folk duo Arborea creates timeless music" - Dirty Linen Magazine

"Arborea's brand of folk music is ethereal, bone-chilling, and beautiful all at once!" - Performing Songwriter Magazine

"Husband and wife team, Buck and Shanti Curran, construct a fragile, resonant world with a lingering Americana after-taste, shimmering with the same wide-open spaces Ry Cooder’s
captured so well on Paris, Texas." - BBC

"Singer/banjo player Shanti Curran has an ethereal, frequently otherworldly voice that reminds of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, but with considerably more gravitas and soul" - Lucid Culture

"A Magical Mystery Tour" - Boston Globe

"Singularly breathtaking" - Portland Phoenix

...Each year we've had a little more success...becoming more independent along the way, leading us to our current project. We've spent the past year writing and recording, and now we are working hard to finish up the record but we need help, so we're reaching out to fans to help make this the most successful and creative release possible!

We are asking you to help raise money so that we can complete the final stages of producing and pressing the record...that includes mastering and manufacturing the cd. If we raise $2000 over our goal we'd also love to master and press vinyl...which is something we always wanted to do and also something a lot of fans have been asking about. Even a $1 to $5 dollar pledge would make a huge difference and helping us achieve our goal.

The other important reason for doing a Kickstarter project is the Best part...hitting the road and bringing the music to you guys! Shanti and I love sharing the intimate part of making the music come alive through performance and we are committed to traveling in America, Ireland, the UK, and Europe...but we'll need extra pledge funds to help us all get there. We also need to purchase some microphones to improve the 'acoustic' presentation of our live performances. Also, on tour we hope to make a special video to document our journey. All of this takes an incredible amount of hard work and resources!

We are also the parents of two great kids who are home-schooled, so they'll be traveling with us on tour and that will also be a major part of their lessons (think Road-schooling!). We traveled with them across the U.S. last spring and it was a wonderful experience as a family.

We've set our goal to the bare minimum of $2,500, but we can certainly use as much help as possible beyond that...because mastering, and pressing a cd can be expensive enough, add to that all the funds needed to help press vinyl, promotion, and go on tour (motels, food, fuel, oil changes, etc) and it can add up to well over $10,000!

For those of you not familiar with Kickstarter, here's how it works:
We've set a minimum goal of $2,500, and you can pledge any amount you'd like! In return for your contribution, you'll get great rewards like an advance signed copy of the cds, concert tickets, a tour dvd, your name in the liner notes of our CD, or in some cases a special performance just for you (the rewards are listed to your right). The catch with Kickstarter is it's an all or nothing project...so unless we raise At Least $2,500 by the project deadline...the project won't happen and all our hard work over the past year will not see fruition.

Thanks in advance for all your support and faith in our music, film, and art!

Note: The film used for our project page is one of Shanti's creations (with some filming done by me). We hope to get a better video camera to make ever better films! (It was shot with a small Sony Bloggie)
Also, the song is from our third record 'House of Sticks' and is called 'In the Tall Grass'

Project location: Lewiston, ME

Upcoming Show for Arborea

2010-09-14T12:16:00.005-04:00

Arborea, recently back from their UK tour, will be playing a show this Saturday at the University of Maine at Farmington. The show will take place at 8pm in The Landing (found in the Olsen Student Center).

from Maine #7

2010-08-31T14:30:00.004-04:00

Jan Mayes & Jerry Joe Carrier - video of Friday's gig

2010-08-29T17:22:00.003-04:00

Video of Friday's gig at Holly's Own Deli in Auburn, Maine (fyi - we had dinner there as well and it was sooo good). Sitting in with Jan and Jerry is Mark Pendleton on flute and soprano sax. This was the first time Mark had played along with Jan & Jerry, so I believe most of his playing was on-the-spot improvisation, making it all the more impressive.

Knockin' On Heaven's Door:

Since the Beginning (original song written by Jan Mayes):

Pay Me My Money Down:

There are a few more videos from the performance, which can all be seen at the CozInk Collective YouTube channel, along with videos from past performances of Jan, Arborea, and Old Man Forest.

Buck and Shanti left Maine today and set out on Arborea's UK tour - wishing them happy travels and good crowds.

Careless Love

2010-08-23T13:19:00.004-04:00

A new track from Arborea today, available for listening on SoundCloud - "Careless Love"

etsy updates

2010-08-15T20:29:00.001-04:00

Handcrafts Trunk Show - Aug. 14th, Augusta, Maine

2010-07-29T15:51:00.006-04:00

Come and join us on Saturday, August 14th at Chase Farm Bakery! From 8am to noon, the bakery will play host to a Handcrafts Trunk Show, featuring three small Maine art/craft businesses. The artists behind these creations will be present to chat with, and their work will be on display and available for sale all morning.

Come check out original handcrafted creations from the following:

Sweet Mojo Apothecary: Specializing in "indulgence for the body and soul," the girls at Sweet Mojo work together to create bath and body products that are "meant to leave your skin soft and pretty, your soul soothed, and your senses revived." Stop by to pick up some of their wonderfully scented perfume oils, emulsified sugar scrubs, hot oil hair treatments, and more!

Littleput Land: Wearable art! Littleput Land's Scrabble tile pendants are unique, affordable, and beautiful pieces of jewelry. Using rich washi, chiyogami, or Italian papers, Casie creates each pendant by hand using reclaimed Scrabble tiles. Each pendant comes on an 18" organza necklace and in a coordinating tin. Littleput Land also makes Scrabble tile magnets and other goods that can be found at the trunk show!

CozInk Printed Goods: Grace of CozInk uses real Maine plants, flowers, and leaves to create one-of-a-kind usable art in the form of handmade note cards, bookplates, and more. In the past year, she has also branched out and begun creating unique tote bags and fabric goods, which are also each created with real pieces of nature. Each piece is carefully hand printed using a monotype printmaking technique, making each card truly one-of-a-kind. Each one is an affordable, original, and MAILABLE piece of original art!

And while you're browsing the work of these talented crafters, take a moment to enjoy Chase Farm Bakery's delicious menu. Specialties include homemade doughnuts, pies, breads, and more. Each bakery item is made carefully from scratch, NEVER with pre-packaged mixes or store-bought fillings!

Everyone is encouraged to stop by during the trunk show and enter our raffle - we will be raffling off a gift basket at noon that includes items from all three of the shops above! Also taking place on August 14th, Stacy's Hallmark (just a few feet down Water Street from the bakery) is holding an artist signing with Hallmark Keepsake Ornament artist Tammy Haddix from 10am-noon and 1pm to 3pm.

We look forward to seeing you!

Handcrafts Trunk Show - 8am to noon

Chase Farm Bakery

295 Water Street

(Old Federal Building)

Augusta, Maine 04330

Arborea in the Portland Press Herald

2010-07-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

(Photo by Liam Curran)

There is a great piece about Arborea in today's Portland Press Herald, titled "Making Noise: Arborea's ethereal sound the fruit of rustic roots."

Mike Olcott writes: "Arborea's sound is just like dreams, only better. Despite the music's Celtic and Americana roots, to hear the husband-and-wife team of Buck and Shanti Curran is to be transported to another world.

The quiet vocals and rustic textures will fill the North Star Music Cafe at 8pm Saturday."

To read the rest of the article, please visit the Press Herald website here.

The next couple shows coming up are thus:
Friday, July 30th at 8pm: Arborea at The Starving Artist in Keene, NH.
Saturday, July 31st at 8pm: Arborea at the North Star Music Cafe in Portland, ME.

Shows coming up through 7/23 - 7/27

2010-07-21T17:11:00.003-04:00

Friday night, July 23, Arborea will be playing at the Mayo Street Arts Center in Portland, Maine. 8pm. $8-$10.

Saturday and Sunday, July 24 - 25, CozInk Printed Goods / Grace Kendall will be selling work at an Art & Vintage Market in Whitefield, Maine. 9am-3pm on Saturday, and 10am-3pm on Sunday. Goods at the CozInk table are priced from $2 to $40.

Tuesday, July 27, Old Man Forest will be playing at the SPACE Gallery in Portland, Maine. Show starts at 7pm (they go on second, following Charles Burst). $5 suggested donation.

More information about all of these shows can be found by clicking the appropriate link in the events list to the right of the page.

Updates on a couple shows next weekend will follow in a few days. Hope to see you at one of these events!

Littleput Land

2010-07-12T14:59:00.005-04:00

A few days ago, Casie from Littleput Land (and a member of the Etsy Maine Team) posted a contest on her Facebook fan page. It was to unveil her newest magnet set design, based on Maine lighthouses. The first person to name all four lighthouses included in the design would get a free magnet set. Having been married next to a Maine lighthouse, I guess I have a soft spot for them and for the Maine coast in general. I love the rockyness of it that is different than the sandy beaches that are traditionally associated with the ocean. I would rather climb over rocks in February than sit on a beach and cook myself in July. So I jumped at the chance to try naming them all. I managed to get them all right, and Casie must have mailed my set right out because I received them in my mailbox this morning.

If you want a set like this in particular, it can be found here. Casie's Etsy shop is full of other great magnet sets as well as scrabble tile necklaces and extras like organza ribbon necklaces. Visit her shop to see more.

sneak peek for the Art & Vintage Market this month

2010-07-12T12:29:00.017-04:00

Following up on the post about CozInk Paper Goods at an Art & Vintage Market later this month, here is a sneak peek at some of the things that will be available there. As I posted before, I'm trying to focus on affordable art, so these prices are lower than I've had at other venues or on Etsy (thanks to Jes for making these prices possible with a very affordable and laid-back venue!).

Bookmarks for $2 each or three for $5. (p.s. the lovely tumbler that these bookmarks are displayed in was created by Kim at claypatties.etsy.com - Kim will also be at the sale later this month!)

Hand-printed cards - set of 8 for $15.

Below, a hand printed scarf. Printed with three oak leaves. $15

Below, hand-printed tote bags. Prices will range from $5-$15 depending on size and fabric. The one shown below is a 15" x 16" lightweight cotton tote for $13.

Some original framed prints, $35 each.

I'll also have some of my photographs, matted and framed, available for sale for $35 - $40. Looking forward to this sale, and hope to see you there!

-Grace

from maine #6

2010-07-11T18:34:00.001-04:00

A short video of a stormy day in Maine, taken by Grace Kendall.

new event this month - art & vintage market

2010-07-08T12:24:00.004-04:00

Although the Etsy shop is closed for the time being, I've still been making stuff, and just haven't had the time/inclination to go about hawking it on the web. However, the perfect, laid-back opportunity to sell some stuff presented itself in the form of this casual "art & vintage market" being held at a friend's house on July 24 & 25. CozInk Paper Goods (Grace Kendall) will be there with everything from cards (singles and sets), bookmarks, printed tote bags & fabric goods, and original art. I'm focusing lately on usable and affordable art, so goods at my tables will range from $2-$40. Nothing (including framed original artwork) will go over the $40 mark.

There will be several other vendors there, including goods such as jewelry, tie-dye, pottery, art, vintage finds, etc. The promo poster (including directions) is below:

This event is being held on the same weekend as the Pittston Fair, and right along the same route to get to the fair, so you could always make a day of it by picking up some original pieces before heading to a horse pull!

monotype print simplicity

2010-07-05T18:35:00.003-04:00

Not very chatty lately, huh? Wordy posts will pick up again soon, I'm sure, but for now there's just another image.

Gelatin monotype print and digital post-processing by Grace Kendall, 2010.

works in progress

2010-06-28T12:06:00.002-04:00

A handful of cases for the new Old Man Forest self-titled release - hand-printed by Grace Kendall / CozInk Paper Goods.

from Maine #5

2010-06-26T09:00:00.003-04:00

Sunset in Mount Vernon, Maine, taken on June 24, 2010.

Photo by Grace Kendall.

Arborea - Ides of March

2010-06-24T10:58:00.003-04:00

Video for Arborea's song, Ides of March, filmed and edited by Buck and Shanti Curran. You can check out a few other videos that Buck and Shanti have created at their YouTube channel, and don't forget to check out the CozInk channel, too!

Old Man Forest from Valhalla Fest

2010-06-23T15:35:00.004-04:00

We had a great time at the 2010 Valhalla Fields Festival on Saturday! Here are a few moments from Old Man Forest's performance that afternoon:

Old Man Forest live on the radio [[right now]]

2010-06-13T11:12:00.001-04:00

http://portsmouthcommunityradio.org/listen

Old Man Forest is playing live for the next hour on The Red Telephone, Portsmouth Community Radio. Click above to listen to it streaming online.

Fern Knight video by Shanti Curran

2010-06-12T10:45:00.002-04:00

"Hawk Mountain" from Fern Knight's 2007 self-titled album. Video by Shanti Curran, using footage from Arborea's 2010 US tour.

from Maine #4

2010-06-04T11:36:00.003-04:00

"All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world." -- E.B. White

E.B. White was born in New York, but began visiting the Belgrade Lakes area of Maine as a boy. He bought a farm in Brooklin, Maine in 1933. He is quoted as saying "I would really rather feel bad in Maine than good anywhere else."

New Arborea show (next week!) and video

2010-06-03T10:45:00.004-04:00

Off to Belfast again! Arborea has a new show scheduled with our old friends at Roots & Tendrils in Belfast, Maine. Covered by the Bangor Daily News, the show is scheduled for Friday, June 11. The performance is scheduled for 7:30pm at Roots & Tendrils, 2 Cross Street, Belfast, Maine (view map) - cover charge is $5.

Also new is the official lo-fi video for Seadrift, from Arborea's 2008 self-titled album. Film by Shanti Curran. Footage from Arborea's 2010 US tour, specifically Oregon and Northern California.

Help get a youth center for Lewiston/Auburn!

2010-06-01T09:30:00.004-04:00

Please take a few moments to help support the youth of Lewiston/Auburn!

A local group known as YADA (Youth + Adults + Dialogue = Action) in Lewiston, Maine is working to establish a community youth center that will be accessible by foot from both downtown Lewiston and downtown Auburn. As many of you may know from news coverage, youth in L/A can expect a lot of upheaval in the next year or so as their schools go through drastic changes to qualify for Race to the Top federal funding. Support is very much needed for this reason and others. From Molly Ladd, YADA organizer:

"Lewiston was recently ranked as the city with the highest rate of childhood poverty in the State of Maine (41.68% of children under 18 reporterly live below national poverty standard.) There are very few after school programs available for teens, let alone free or low-cost programs. This is why a devoted group of youth and adults have been working since 2007 to plan and generate community support for a youth center.

Now, we are excited to announce that YADA successfully submitted an application to the Pepsi Refresh grant project for $50,000 to rent, staff, and outfit a youth center within walking distance of both Lewiston and Auburn downtown districts. We need YOU to help us win the grant! It's easy: all we need to do is get enough online votes in JUNE to rank in the top 10 out of approximately 400 grants in our category.

Voting is as easy as:

1. Go to www.refresheverything.com/YADA

2. Register to vote with your e-mail account (about 30 seconds) or sign in instantly with a pre-existing Facebook login and password

3. Vote for the YADA Center EVERY DAY in June!

It will only take a few seconds out of your day, but it will make a huge difference for hundreds of youth in the Lewiston-Auburn community! Please try to vote for the YADA Youth Center EVERY DAY in JUNE."

Please join Molly and L/A community is voicing support for YADA - please vote daily!

Watch the video below to hear from L/A youth about why this center is needed:

Lewistunning Dragapalooza

2010-05-02T14:51:00.002-04:00

A fabulous Lewiston drag show featuring local pros as well as amateurs is being held at Schaeffer Theater at Bates College. $5 for students/seniors, $10 general admission, with proceeds benefiting Outright L/A. For more information visit www.outrightla.org or call (207) 795-8956, OR visit the event page on facebook.

New Show Scheduled & U.K. Press

2010-04-25T09:41:00.004-04:00

I just added a new show for May to the events list. Jan Mayes and Jerry Joe Carrier will be performing live at Holly's Own Deli in Lewiston, Maine on Saturday, May 8th. The show starts at 6:30 and is expected to wrap up around 9:45; Jan and Jerry will be playing original music as well as some familiar covers. Holly's is a great local venue, offering a classic full deli menu, a cozy eat-in atmosphere, wine and local brews, and free wi-fi. Holly is an appreciated supporter of the local music, culture, and art scenes (check out weekly open mic nights on Wednesdays, and Holly's Deli hosting local belly dancers in the summer).

----------------------------------------------

Folk Radio UK recently blogged about Arborea's newest recording, a cover of Tim Buckley's Phantasmagoria in Two. Folk Radio UK created a lovely write-up about the duo and their recent projects, and also included some great videos of Arborea's live performance in Paris from their European tour this Jan./Feb. There are several videos included, one can be seen below:

Remember, there is an Old Man Forest show NEXT Saturday (May 1st). It's a daytime show, at a local bakery, so feel free to bring kiddos and enjoy some locally baked goodies.

from Maine #3

2010-04-23T08:10:00.002-04:00

our family camp (photo by Jessy Kendall)

We are all one, in the sun.

2010-04-23T07:30:00.003-04:00

Following up the last compilation Arborea curated, Leaves of Life, Buck Curran has curated another compilation album called We are All One, In the Sun. This album is a tribute to the late Robbie Basho, American guitarist, musician, composer, and one of the early pioneers of the acoustic steel string guitar in the US.

From the album's info page at Important Records:

"We are All One, In the Sun: a Tribute to Robbie Basho, represents a humble tribute to this truly original and passionate American guitarist, musician and composer.This labor of love curated and realized by musician, producer, and acoustic guitar maker Buck Curran (along with his wife Shanti performs as the duo Arborea) who after first hearing Basho, many moons ago, instantaneously felt Kindred Spirit to his music. This tribute (a collection of both original compositions and new interpretations of Basho songs) befittingly begins and ends with German guitarist and painter Steffen Basho Junghans, who has devoted almost 20 years to composing guitar music in the spirit of Robbie Basho, and who's own compositions reflect a spiraling poetic universe like Basho's, creations of majestic musical vistas"

Also appearing on the album are Arborea themselves, Glenn Jones, Fern Knight, Meg Baird, Helena Espvall, Cian Nugent, and Rahim AlHaj. The digital version of the album will include bonus tracks from Joseba Irazoki and Israeli Yair Yona, and young and promising English guitarist Cam Deaz.

"Robbie Basho was a true American Original, a free thinking passionate intellectual and a musical pioneer whose body of works deserves the kind of recognition and glorious platform that will enable generations of young musicians from around the world to draw inspiration from. We are All One, In the Sun represents the first of hopefully many tributes and works inspired by the life and music of Robbie Basho. In Basho's own words "Don't be afraid to feel anything" and his credo "Soul first, technique later." We arrive at simple Zen like mantras by which all of us can live."

The album is due to be released on May 11, 2010. Visiting the album's page will offer more information, a track listing, as well as audio samples of some of the tracks.

New Old Man Forest show scheduled for Augusta!

2010-04-10T10:36:00.006-04:00

Details have just been hammered out for an intimate Old Man Forest show at a lovely local bakery in Augusta, Maine.

Chase Farm Bakery is run by some of my husband's very talented family and is located at 295 Water Street in Augusta. It is a real, honest-to-goodness bakery, where everything is homemade from scratch with no mixes, no buckets of filling, no preservatives, and no additives. Bakery specialties include homemade whoopie pies, doughnuts, breads and rolls, cookies, and the very popular pot pies. They also stock raw organic milk from their dairy farm in Whitefield, Maine, and Maine maple syrup from Hilton Head Farm (also in Whitefield, and also family). This is another perfect opportunity to support your local music scene, as well as local business and local agriculture!

The show is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st at 10:00AM. Please join us and enjoy live music and some locally baked goodies! This is a FREE show, but it's worth noting if you plan on grabbing some treats that Chase Farm Bakery only accepts cash or check for the time being, and no debit/credit cards. Go to the ATM- it's worth it! :-)

greetings from the road

2010-03-28T13:46:00.004-04:00

So far so good on Buck & Shanti's US tour. Shanti said it's going great and they're having a wonderful time.

Somehow even with all the traveling, playing shows, and caring for the children, they still managed to set aside some time while they were in Austin, TX for SXSW, and recorded a new song! It's a cover of Tim Buckley's Phantasmagoria in Two, and can be heard on their website. It's the first song on the playlist, and it's beautiful.

Arborea returns to Maine on April 30th, when they'll be playing a show at North Star Cafe in Portland. North Star Music Cafe is an awesome little venue, and an excellent place to support the local economy (not to mention one of those rare places to find tasty vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options). They use local products, local food, and local talent to make their cafe a truly unique Maine experience. For more shows at North Star, take a look at their calender.

from Maine #2

2010-03-19T20:39:00.002-04:00

(Photo by Grace Kendall)

New music from Denise Dill

2010-03-19T20:11:00.003-04:00

Buck and Shanti of Arborea are in the midst of their US tour, and are currently playing SXSW in Austin, Texas. Here's hoping for continuously smooth sailing as they travel!

The blog has been a bit quieter than normal, perhaps we're in an early Spring lull. The weather has been so beautiful up here in Maine that no one is much inclined to sit in front of the computer for long. However, we're all still up to stuff- plans for new music shows are in the works, and will be updated as they firm up. The biggest reason for lack of news is that I started college in January, and I'm busy as hell, so I'm not as good as I used to be about tracking down news and sharing it. Hopefully I will strike a balance here pretty soon and be able to keep up on CozInk as well as homework and writing papers.

For today, I'll leave you with some new CDs from various projects that Denise Dill has been working on. Denise has several projects at any given time, and there are CDs from three of them available now. The first two are available for download through CDbaby, or if you would like a hard copy, leave a comment here and I will get back to you asap with Denise's info (hard copies can be mailed for $8). The first of these two CDs is a solo album called "City Cemeteries," and is available here. The second is a duo called The Shady Paw Paws, with Denise Dill and Sy Blumenthal, available here, and includes the song Make Love Like Slugs, that I posted last year (it's the second video in that post). Also available now is a CD from Old Man Forest. This one isn't available digitally, but if you'd like to purchase one for $8, but they're mailable! Just leave a comment here and I'll get back to you asap.

-Grace

Photos from Arborea's European Tour

2010-02-27T16:47:00.002-05:00

Buck and Shanti made it home safe and sound after a tiring whirlwind European tour in January and February. They are home for a short time before starting out on their spring U.S. tour, which will take them across the entire country.

Visit Arborea's blog for some beautiful photos they've shared from their time in Europe.

Old Man Forest this Friday in Portland!

2010-02-03T16:59:00.006-05:00

Old Man Forest has a pretty busy month in Feb. The next show is THIS Friday- Feb. 5th, in Portland, ME. This will be at the Sylvia Kania Gallery, at 148 High Street, starting at 6pm. Click on the link to read the gallery's kick ass manifesto.

And in case you needed a reminder of just why you'd want to make it out to this show, here is a video of Old Man Forest performing at Guthrie's back in November.

This show is a great opportunity to support local music, art, and business!

Shows coming up this weekend!

2010-01-28T19:45:00.005-05:00

Just a quickie blog post to remind folks of two great shows coming up this Saturday, January 30th.

Saturday at 8:00PM, Old Man Forest will be performing at Roots & Tendrils in Belfast, Maine. Also performing at R&T that evening is Alexis Pastuhov. It also just *happens* to be the last day of the 30//30//30 exhibit at Roots, which includes my photograph, "Quiet Movement."

In central Maine on Saturday, you can also check out Jan Mayes and Jerry Joe Carrier playing live at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's on Middle Street in Lewiston. Joining them that night are Drew Heinonen and Jason Moreau. Super talented musicians, all of them!

Have a great weekend!
-Grace

from Maine #1

2010-01-14T14:33:00.003-05:00

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who was born in Portland, Maine in 1807

Curran 'Butterfly' Model Guitar For Sale

2010-01-11T20:01:00.007-05:00

For Sale 2006 Curran 'Butterfly' Model Acoustic Guitar. Pre-Owned in Excellent Plus Condition. German Spruce top, Gorgeous Australian Black Acacia Back and Sides, Custom Black Acacia 'Radial' pattern rosette, with gold Waverly tuners. This guitar is light weight and very responsive, with a gorgeous complex voice. Great for fingerstyle or flatpicking. Please contact Buck at arboreamusic@gmail.com for further details.

*I mentioned in a previous blog that Buck is a talented luthier. You can read more about his craft here- in the meantime, if you're in the market for a stunning guitar, contact Buck at the above email. I saw this guitar in person last week- it's friggin' beautiful. Really, really stunning craftsmanship.
-Grace

New Shows Added

2010-01-09T08:21:00.006-05:00

Just a quick post to draw your attention to the events list at the right hand side of the blog. I keep the list as up-t0-date as possible, so even if there hasn't been a recent blog post, that list will get updated if I hear of a new show.

This week I've added two upcoming shows. There is a new show added for Old Man Forest; they're scheduled to play at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's in Lewiston on February 20th. The second new show leaves a bit of a choice to be made, because it's the same night as another CozInk performance (Old Man Forest at Roots & Tendrils). A new January 30th show has been added for Jan Mayes and Jerry Joe Carrier, who are also playing at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's.

Guthrie's is a nice pub-type atmosphere with great food, beer and wine, and really, really good hot cocoa. You can find them online at www.myspace.com/guthriesplace and in Lewiston, Maine at 115 Middle Street. You can also read some foodie reviews for Guthrie's at Urban Spoon. And thanks go out to Guthrie's for their consistent support of local indie music (particularly my family members! Thanks guys!).

drumming/dancing

2010-01-05T03:35:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks ago several local cooperatives organized and held a Solidarity Supper to raise money for Outright L/A and the Treatment Action Campaign. At the event, Jessy Kendall did some drumming for an interpretive dancer. Here they are:

Video recorded by Craig Saddlemire, and you can see more of Craig's stuff on his youtube channel.

first shows of 2010

2010-01-02T12:23:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! Here's hoping everyone had a safe and happy New Year's Eve. I would add "warm", but that's asking for a bit much for Maine in January.

What better way to kick off a new decade than supporting some awesome indie art/music? There are several CozInk shows coming up in the next few weeks, so here's a rundown:

Firstly, the 30//30//30 exhibit at Roots & Tendrils is showing through January, and includes my photograph, 'Quiet Movement'. The show ends on Jan. 30th (Jan. 30th is a good day to visit Roots & Tendrils, by the way... keep reading...).

On January 8th, Arborea is playing at the Solidarity Center in Brewer, Maine. See the Events list at right for more details. This is Arborea's last local show before they embark on their latest European tour, which kicks off with a radio appearance Jan. 20th in Paris. Visit their website to see all their European dates/locations.

On January 30th we head back to Belfast and our friends Meg and Bub at Roots & Tendrils, where Old Man Forest will be playing live along with Alex Pastuhov. A showtime for this event is TBA. Check back for updates.

February 5th Old Man Forest will be playing in Portland, Maine. I know this, but not much more. More info will come asap! Keep checking the events listing at right for updates on this show.

And finally, February 11th, Old Man Forest will be playing live at North Star Cafe in Portland, Maine at 7pm. North Star Cafe is a cozy cafe/coffee house and live music venue, and have played hosts to some great local indie music. Come out and thank them for supporting local musicians!

That's not everything, but you get the idea- you can see more shows on the events list, and I'm sure more will be added. On a side note, I'm going back to college in a couple weeks, and depending on how I do juggling school, a kiddo, and home, I don't know if my Etsy shop will stay open. I hope it will, but if you've been eying anything at CozInk Paper Goods, it might be a good idea to snag it now before I am too overwhelmed to keep up with the shop. Here's a small idea of what's in the shop right now:

Have a great 2010!
-Grace

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T11:47:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays from some starving artists! CozInk will be whoopin' it up tonight in Woodstock. Be safe, and make merry!

Mucho Arborea News!

2009-12-14T08:40:00.002-05:00

Arborea has been BUSY! I have three bits of awesome news to share about stuff going on in the musical endeavors of Buck & Shanti.

The first is the inclusion of Arborea on a beautiful tribute album, produced by Wears the Trousers magazine. Wears the Trousers is a print and online magazine centered around women in music. The album is "Beautiful Star: The songs of Odetta" and is a tribute to folk musician / civil rights activist Odetta Holmes. Sales from the album will help the Fawcett Society and the Women's Resource Centre. Arborea's contribution to this album is a calmly powerful cover of "This Little Light of Mine", which you can download from Amazon or iTunes and hear below.

Which leads to the second bit of news; the Maine Video Activists Network and Craig Saddlemire produced a 40th episode music video that features Arborea's recording "This Little Light of Mine." The video gathers clips from the previous 39 episodes that MVAN has produced, and follows the organization from its start in 2006. The video can be seen below.

And the third and last bit of news is that Arborea will soon be kicking off their month-long European tour. Leaving in mid-January, Buck and Shanti will kick off the tour with an appearance on the Planet Claire radio show ( 93.1FM) in Paris on January 20th. From there they will tour France, Spain, and Italy before ending the tour with a show in Brussels, Belgium. For more information and specific dates/locations, see Arborea's website.

the Solid Supper

2009-12-12T20:13:00.004-05:00

We're just emerging from Flu-Hell, and I'm finally clear headed enough to start blogging again. So for my first blog back, I thought I would point you to an upcoming event that deserves your support!

In the wake of Maine voters' veto of the law allowing same-sex marriage in the state, there could easily be a desire to give up and step back, because you might not know what else you can do. One thing that is incredibly important is supporting Maine's queer youth, through programs like high school Gay/Straight Alliances, and Outright L/A, the last remining Outright organization in the state.

This upcoming Saturday, December 19th, several cooperatives from central Maine are hosting a Solidarity Supper at the Turner Grange. The Faire-Op housing co-op, the Bangarang House, and the JED Collective are teaming up to raise money for Outright L/A and the Treatment Action Campaign.

Both are incredibly deserving organizations. Outright L/A provides a safe space and a vital support system for LGBTQ youth in the Lewiston/Auburn area, with resources including counseling, networking, and community. The Treatment Action Campaign is a South African AIDS activist organization. The group works in S. Africa to ensure that people living with AIDS/HIV have access to the health care and community support they need.

The supper starts at 5:30, with music/entertainment starting at 6:30. Admission is a sliding scale donation, and for more information or contact info, please visit the JED Collective site.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

There will be more blogging coming up soon, including some very cool news from Arborea. For now, be healthy!
-Grace

Upoming art show- Friday, Dec. 4th!

2009-11-28T20:58:00.004-05:00

What: Opening reception of 30//30//30 exhibit
When: Friday, December 4th from 5pm-8pm
Where: Roots & Tendrils; a multi-use arts space which can be found at 2 Cross Street, Belfast, Maine.

Currently my entire household (save for the canine and feline members) is laid up with the flu (swine or otherwise, all we really know is that we are tired, achy, whiny, and it sucks), so I'm going to keep this short and to the point.

This Friday, December 4th there is an opening reception for the 30//30//30 exhibit at Roots & Tendrils in Belfast, Maine. The exhibit features 30 works, by 30 artists, all under the age 30, including one piece by yours truly. The gallery has kindly included my photograph, Quiet Movement, in this show.

The opening reception runs from 5pm to 8pm, in the super charming little city of Belfast. Come early to check out the downtown area! I'll be there- I hope to see you!

-Grace

"a celebration"- they weren't kiddin'!

2009-11-22T08:01:00.004-05:00

The organizers of Alive in Lewiston pulled off a beautiful family event on Friday night. Good music, good food, and even better vibes from all the attendees and hosts.

A few pictures from the night:

Thank you to the Lots to Gardens organization for hosting such a great event!

The CozInk Collective is (finally) on YouTube

2009-11-16T14:03:00.002-05:00

I don't really know why it took me so long to create a YouTube channel for us. You know how sometimes you have a reason for doing, or not doing, something and then as time goes on you forget what your reason was? I think at some point I had a reason not to make one, but I don't remember anymore, and it seems silly for the collective not to have a presence there.

So, I give you the CozInk Collective YouTube Channel!

It currently has 10 videos, comprising past shows from Old Man Forest and Arborea. I'm working on uploading more videos, from Jan Mayes and from the L/A Comp release party in 2008, and of course I'll continue to update it with NEW stuff as it happens and I can be there to take video.

Old Man Forest at Guthrie's, Nov. 14th

2009-11-15T08:59:00.003-05:00

There is more video to upload, so there will probably be another post tomorrow sometime. In the meantime, check out the brand spanking new CozInk Collective YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/CozInkCollective

(pictures & video by grace)

Alive in Lewiston! A celebration of local food, music, and art

2009-11-12T14:14:00.005-05:00

CozInk peeps Old Man Forest will be playing at the Alive in Lewiston event, and CozInk Paper Goods will be present as well, with note cards out for sale, and some Lewiston-inspired photography on display!

About Lots to Gardens: Lots to Gardens is a youth and community driven organization that uses sustainable urban agriculture to create access to fresh food, and to nurture healthy youth and a healthy community. We teach people how to grow their own food, provide affordable access to fresh food, and involve youth as leaders. We help families and youth develop skills and build power for lifelong and community-wide change.

Come out and enjoy some local flavor while supporting a great organization!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Join neighbors and friends for a night of delicious food, colorful art, and toe-tapping tunes at
Alive in Lewiston: A Celebration of
Local Food, Music, and Art.
Friday, November 20th 6:30 pm
Each season Lots to Gardens invites community members, friends, and partners, for an evening of live and local music, locally made art, and a delicious homegrown meal prepared with food grown in community gardens and farms found throughout Lewiston and Maine. This years featured meal will be prepared by our Chef in Residence, Scott Johnson, from the Blair Hill Inn in Greenville ME, and will be made with
hearty autumn fruits and veggies.
Come celebrate la vida local at this fun, family event!

Tickets will be available at the door. They will be sold on a sliding scale from $5-$50 with a suggested minimum donation of $10 for individuals and $25 for families. Please pay what you can.

Proceeds from the event will go to support Lots to Gardens' Programs.

If you think you'd like to attend or would like more information about the event and the work of Lots to Gardens' and the Nutrition Center please contact us at
lotstogardens@gmail.com or 207 513 3844.

Leaves of Life

2009-11-08T08:01:00.004-05:00

Artwork by Hanna Tuulikki

June 23rd was the official release date for 'Leaves of Life'.

Leaves of Life is the essential collection of songs by some of today’s most creative Indie Folk musicians. This record brings together unique and contemporary artistic voices to create an evocative and stunning collaboration; with all proceeds from the sales of this record going to benefit important relief programs in Africa, and other communities in great need around the world.

Curated and produced by Buck Curran of the Alt-folk duo Arborea, Leaves of Life features 19 exclusive songs by artists Alela Diane, Devendra Banhart, Marissa Nadler and Black Hole Infinity, Fern Knight, Shanti Curran (Arborea), Rio en Medio, Larkin Grimm, Mi and L’au, Starless and Bible Black, Silver Summit, Micah Blue Smaldone, David Garland, Citay, Big Blood, Mica Jones, Eric Carbonara, Ora Cogan, Cursillistas, and Magic Leaves…along with the beautiful art work of musician Hanna Tuulikki. This project hopes to further inspire people around the world to join in vital artistic and social efforts to make a better life for all of us.

In addition the digital release of the compilation will include special bonus tracks by Jozef van Wissem, Laurent Brondel, Denise Dill, and Plains.

To purchase the cd in the U.S. please visit Darla Records

http://darla.com/index.php?fuseaction=e4_ecom.ecom_superitem_detail&item_cat_id=36667

For purchasing in Europe visit here

http://bornerecordings.bigcartel.com/product/various-artists-leaves-of-life

All proceeds from the sale of this record go to the World Food Program!

if you would like more information about the world food program please visit: www.friendsofwfp.org

Please help us get the word out about this record compilation- every cd that sells will help!!!

-Buck & Shanti

and the participating shops are.... !

2009-11-08T07:53:00.003-05:00

A few days ago, I told you that several Etsy Maine Team members have pledged 15% of their sales from 11/13-11/19 to Preble Street. "Several members" has now turned in to FORTY SIX shops! Here is my email below- feel free to copy and paste it and cross promote!

The Etsy Maine Team is a group of Maine artisans all selling their work on the online marketplace Etsy.com. The team supports, cross promotes, runs promotions, and often takes a few weeks a year to donate a portion of their sales to a worthy cause.
This month, 46 members of the Maine Team are taking one week and donating 15% of all their sales that week to Preble Street, in Portland. The Preble Street organization includes soup kitchens, drop-in shelters, a food pantry, social work services, supported housing, and many other resources for Maine people struggling with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty. You can learn more about them at www.preblestreet.org
Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might want to shop local and support a great cause at the same time. From 11/13 to 11/19, all of the below shops have pledged to donate 15% of their sales to Preble Street:

Jewelry
http://knitster23.etsy.com
http://junquerevival.etsy.com
http://littleputland.etsy.com
http://folkarttreefandangle.etsy.com
http://quenchmetalworks.etsy.com
http://dreabunny.etsy.com
http://lofteddesigns.etsy.com
http://karhumoon.etsy.com
http://willowandme.etsy.com
http://amaliarita.etsy.com
http://lindydesigns.etsy.com
http://cindyraspiller.etsy.com
http://seesoul.etsy.com
http://posystudio.etsy.com
http://glorijane.etsy.com
http://allsey.etsy.com
http://glassbeadedexpressions.etsy.com

Accessories/Bags/Purses
http://thebeadbag.etsy.com
http://bunnybaubles.etsy.com

Folk Art/Skrimshaw
http://folkarttree.etsy.com
http://rmiliken.etsy.com
http://lindalayden.etsy.com

Sewn/Knit/Crochet/Felted/Woven/Fibers/Clothing
http://constantgalore.etsy.com
http://beckyrose.etsy.com
http://louisiana1966.etsy.com
http://moondogfarm.etsy.com
http://lizzyoos.etsy.com
http://prettysneaky.etsy.com
http://torits.etsy.com

Vintage/Supplies/Digital Arts
http://vintagejunquerevival.etsy.com
http://vintagejewelry.etsy.com
http://paigemaxim.etsy.com
http://vintageimagemadness.etsy.com

Dolls & Miniatures/Plushies
http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com
http://sarajean.etsy.com

Paper Goods
http://cozink.etsy.com
http://sockmonkeycards.etsy.com
http://purplebeanbindery.etsy.com
http://forgottenhues.etsy.com

Paintings/Drawings/ACEO’s
http://jamieribisi.etsy.com
http://discardedtreasures.etsy.com
http://bluebirdiesinger.etsy.com
http://suzannedrown.etsy.com

Home Décor/Ceramics/Pottery
http://malloryalisabeth.etsy.com
http://LaurieSpugnardi.etsy.com

Thanks for reading!
-Grace

Joint CozInk Show at Guthrie's- Nov. 14th

2009-11-06T12:21:00.003-05:00

Arborea is staying busy close to home! Buck and Shanti are playing a show tonight (Nov. 6) at 7:00, at the North Star Cafe in Portland, ME. Portland is a busy town tonight, too, so if you want to head down early, this is the monthly First Friday Art Walk in P-town! Art walk starts at 5ish, and then finish off the night with some live music and good eats at the cafe. Find the cafe online here, and at 225 Congress Street, Portland, Maine.

Also this month, Arborea and Old Man Forest (the latest incarnation of Jessy, Denise, and Jordan's band- formerly known as Tight Light Flight and Sunwell... yes, they are very indecisive) are playing a joint show in their hometown! She Doesn't Like Guthrie's, at 115 Middle Street in Lewiston is hosting both bands live at 9pm on Saturday, Nov. 14th.

Come on out and support local music!

Etsy Maine Team Raises Funds for Local Shelter

2009-10-29T15:53:00.001-04:00

The good folks at the Etsy Maine Team will be donating 15% of all sales from participating seller's shops from 11/13 to 11/19 to a local shelter, Preble Street.

Preble Street is a Maine organization which provides accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty; and advocates for solutions to these problems. Watch their PSA here: http://www.preblestreet.org/home_for_good_video1.php

Help keep Maine women, men, children, & teens warm and empowered this winter! A complete list of participating sellers will be posted on our blog-- http://etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/

Newly planned printmaking workshop!

2009-10-11T22:32:00.002-04:00

Falling Into Craftiness- Leaf-Printing on Fabric
Saturday November 21st, 2pm - 3:30pm at Sweetland Retreat, in Manchester, Maine
Instructor: Grace Kendall of CozInk Paper Goods

Leaf-printing is a fun and easy printmaking method. Using fabric screen printing ink and real leaves, students will create unique, one-of-a-kind fabric art on tote bags, clothing, scarves, or whatever they would like to try! We will also try leaf-printing on paper to make some unique gift tags or cards.

There is NO experience necessary to jump right into this craft, so NO WORRIES! It is easy and fun and yields awesome results no matter what your printmaking experience is.

Kids welcome! This craft is suitable for ages 5 and up, but we do need a parent/guardian there to work with their child. For each parent who registers for the class, one child 10 and under can attend for free.

Upcoming shows!

2009-10-06T14:39:00.004-04:00

Jan & Jerry will be playing some kick ass live music this Saturday the 10th at Holly's Own Deli in Auburn. Stop by 84 Court Street, Auburn, Maine for music and good eats from 6:30 to 9:30! They also have another upcoming show on Oct. 24th at the Smilin' Moose in South Paris, Maine from about 6:30-9:30.

Jessy, Denise, and Jordan (previously Sunwell, and currently performing as Old Man Forest) are playing on Saturday the 17th at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's- 115 Middle Street, Lewiston, Maine.

Pass on the info!
-Grace

Buck Curran interview with guitarbench.com

2009-09-30T09:46:00.004-04:00

I don't think I've mentioned on the blog before that Buck, of Arborea, is also a luthier. Now, I'm probably the least musical person in the whole family, and I don't know anything about guitars, so I may be biased here. I find it completely amazing that Buck can hand craft an instrument that creates such beautiful music. Not only that, but they're just stunning to look at, too. His guitar crafting is truly is a whole artform in itself, apart from the music that is made with them. I can't get over it. To the right is one of Buck's (Curran Guitars) Butterfly Model guitars with a red spruce top, ebony fretboard, Brazilian headstock faceplate, and Brazilian rosewood radial style rosette. Photo (c) 2009 by Aaron Wiens.

This month, Buck was interviewed about his craft, and his guitars, by Terence Tan with www.guitarbench.com. Click here to read the full interview and see more photos of Buck's work.

Blog Feature and Upcoming Shows in Oct.!

2009-09-15T09:50:00.003-04:00

Fairly recently, I added a schedule to the blog layout to keep track of upcoming events featuring CozInk Collective folks. The schedule is right over to the right of this entry, underneath the images of two wonderful CozInk CDs.

As you'll notice, October is shaping up to be a very busy month! Sunwell, Arborea, and Jan Mayes are playing all over New England (and a little further!). In honor of their upcoming shows, I'm going to provide everyone with a few links to see or hear them play, and entice you to catch some of these shows.

Sunwell
Video from Sunwell's performance at Roots and Tendrils in August.
A couple tracks from Sunwell.

Arborea
Video from Arborea's performance at Roots and Tendrils in August.
Arborea's website.

Jan Mayes
Pictures and video from Jan's performance at Holly's Own back in April.
Jan's website.

So if you're going to be near any of these shows, take the chance to support some very talented local musicians!

As a side note, CozInk Paper Goods (me...) has just been featured on the Etsy Maine Team's blog. The Maine Team has been calling for team members to share their work spaces or studios with the blog, and since I just got my first real studio set up, I was only too happy to oblige... You can see the blog, and pictures of my studio here. You can see more work from more talented Mainers by going to Etsy.com and searching for the term "maineteam". That will bring up all sorts of awesome handmade goods that members of the Etsy Maine Team have been working on!

Make a Donation and help Arborea define their independent spirit!

2009-08-28T09:17:00.001-04:00

Please visit Arborea's blog here, and click on the paypal button to donate!

Hi everybody, This is Buck and Shanti calling out to anyone that might be interested in helping to make a special once in a lifetime project become a reality. Arborea has evolved far past our current means, our imaginations are exploding with creativity, and we have many new songs to record. Sadly though, our once faithful old recording machine has finally kicked the bucket! So here we are with loads of music and no way to record it. Our goal is to make the ultimate ‘Arborea’ record without limitations of any kind and document it on film. We plan to invite some amazing musicians and artists (drums, cellos, and walls of guitar and banjo) from around the world to be involved to help us realize this vision. We will also be pressing a special limited run of the recording on Vinyl. When the record is finished Shanti and I, along with our two children will embark on a tour across America…from our home in Maine to the golden shores of California and up to the grand mountains of the Pacific Northwest (this tour will include private house concerts for folks who end up helping us achieve our goal). After touring America we will fly across the Pond to play shows in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England…and finish up our World Tour in Europe. Of course we would absolutely love to perform in Australia and Japan, if there is anyone that wants to bring us over!

On the road we will also be helping to promote the hunger relief benefit compilation cd that we have curated titled ‘Leaves of Life’. All proceeds from the sales of Leaves of Life will be going to support vital hunger relief efforts run by the UN World Food Program.

Thanks in advance for being a part of this album! Here is list of what you will receive for your level of donation:

$9 – Seed Level: A free digital download of the album, when it's released.
$25 – Root Level: An advance signed copy of the CD- Weeks before the release date.
$50 – Seedling Level: An advance signed copy and a signed T-shirt.

$100 – Sapling Level: All the above, plus a special T-shirt saying you're a junior executive producer on the album.

$200 to $400- Birch Level: All the above, plus free admission to our shows for a 5-year period.

$500 to $900 – Maple Level: All of the above, plus a signed copy of the Limited vinyl pressing of the record, and a special Thank You in the liner notes of the cd.

$1,000 - Oak: We’ll write and record a song dedicated to you!

$2,500 – Red Spruce Level: All the above, and be mentioned as an executive producer of the album in the cd liner notes!

$5,000 – Redwood Level: We’ll come and do a house concert for you. Invite your friends, and we’ll put on the show of a lifetime. We’ll also invite some special musician guests to perform with us, and also record this unique event and give you a cdr copy for your archives

$10,000 – Forest Level: You get to come and sing or play your instrument on our CD, and you will get mention in the liner notes as performer and executive producer. Free copies of any of our future releases (including special live recordings), Free entries to our shows for life, and we’ll design a unique Arborea T-shirt just for you.

Our goal is to come up with $85,000 for recording, filming, touring and living expenses. We are dedicated to making an Epic record and look forward to including you in our experience! We are also seeking business minded people looking for an investment opportunity. If you are interested in investing a significant amount towards our project please send us an email and we will discuss ways to make this a joint venture.

CozInk Cards for sale in Minneapolis!

2009-08-12T10:39:00.005-04:00

You lucky Minnesotans, you.

CozInk cards are now available in a fabulous brick and mortar store just outside of Minneapolis. Artsy Tartsy is an arts and crafts store in Savage, MN, and as of yesterday when the cards arrived at the store, is officially carrying CozInk cards. I'm happy to be working with Julia, the owner, and hope Minnesotans are pleased with their little piece of Maine art. :)

Artsy Tartsy is located at 14115 Hwy 13 S in Savage, MN 55378.

Roots & Tendrils show (Part 2)

2009-08-10T12:59:00.005-04:00

Part 2 (which actually came first... I just uploaded files backwards) of the Roots & Tendrils show on Saturday night was Sunwell. This was their first show outside their native Lewiston. Sunwell is made up (from left to right) of Denise, Jordan, and Jessy:

Watch Sunwell's performance of Denise's original song, "Fiction"

an old traditional folk song, "Lazarus"

another traditional, "Cripple Creek" (Buffy St. Marie also recorded versions of both Lazarus and Cripple creek- check them out!)

a song that Jessy wrote, "Dallas"

So there it is. I have more video, but I'm gearing up for the printmaking workshop tomorrow. I have 5 gelatin plates to make, paper to cut, supplies to gather, nerves to calm...

Roots & Tendrils, Belfast Maine

2009-08-10T10:18:00.007-04:00

I posted about the show, and I'll post more about the show later, but I didn't really talk about the venue much.

"Roots & Tendrils is a multi-use arts venue run by husband and wife team Bub and Meg Fournier" so their website's "about" page starts. It's an informative little page, but it could never really get across how nice the people and the space are. Meg & Bub are both super nice people, who make folks (customer, artists, and musicians alike) feel relaxed and right at home in their gallery.

The gallery itself it in a beautiful old red building on Cross Street. Parking is easy, either on the street or at the city of Belfast's public lot (take a left at the "Public Parking" sign on your way down Main street), which is less than a block away from R&T. Look for the big red building, with an installment of carvings by artist Ron Cowan out front (two are shown in the first picture).

Roots & Tendrils is made up of a gallery space (currently showing "Little Epiphanies", a beautiful collage exibit by artist Nitasia S. Timms), a retail component selling hand made crafts by Maine artisans (many of whom can also be found on the Etsy Maine Team!), and a live music venue (with what all the performers on Saturday night agreed was a GREAT sound set up).

As if that wasn't enough- the drive there on Route 3 is one of those classic drives that make you so glad you live in Maine (or so glad you're visiting, as the case may be...). The little town of Belfast is well worth showing up a couple hours early for any Roots & Tendrils show, to give you time to visit the harbor and explore the cool shops along Main Street.

Put it on your list.

Roots & Tendrils Show (Part 1)

2009-08-09T18:38:00.004-04:00

These video files are HUGE, so I'm going to post this in two parts, and the second part ain't coming 'til tomorrow, folks. Those are going to have to upload overnight.
Last night, Roots & Tendrils (an awesome little music venue and gallery that, in addition to hosting music performances, also houses some beautiful art and handmade crafts from Maine artisans) hosted an all-ages double show featuring two CozInk-affiliated groups: Arborea and Sunwell, both out of Lewiston.
The first part of this intimate little show is Arborea:

Arborea performing "Beirut"

and "Seadrift"

You can read more about Arborea, hear more tracks, and find upcoming shows at www.myspace.com/Arborea2

The second post from last night will be pictures from Belfast on the night of the show, and pictures/video from Sunwell's performance, and will be coming tomorrow...

-Grace

camp weekend

2009-07-27T10:46:00.002-04:00

CozInk Cards in a new brick and mortor

2009-07-23T18:09:00.003-04:00

Hashed out some details today, and shipping cards off tomorrow. You will soon be able to purchase CozInk Cards at Dalton Heritage Arts, which part of the Maine Heritage Village in Wiscasset, Maine.

newness

2009-07-20T10:36:00.004-04:00

There are changes in the works for CozInk. Right now, it looks like CozInk, the name only, will morph into just my stuff, and it will cover my Etsy shop and my printmaking. The collective is movingmorphinggrowing and right now it appears the new name will be the Tryall Artistic Collective, and there will be all sorts of cool stuff like a new blog and a website and hopefully even an online marketplace. More to come...

For now, though, the upcoming events are thus:
August 1st, I'll be at the Augusta Art Walk, on the nature trails of the UMA campus. Jamie from Sweetland Retreat offered to share her space, and since I'm teaching a printmaking workshop there in August, it seemed a good opportunity to show some prints, and printmaking crafts, and maybe even do some crafting demos at the event.

August 8th is going to be an awesome show at Roots & Tendrils in Belfast. An all-Tryall/CozInk pairing of Buck and Shanti's Arborea, and Jessy and Denise's Sunwell starts at 8:00pm. This is going to be an all ages show in a great little venue. Tickets are $7 at the door.

August 11th I am teaching a printmaking workshop at Sweetland Retreat, in Manchester, Maine. Class size is limited to 8 students, and sign-up deadline is August 5th. See here for more details.

August 22nd, I am super happy to be sharing a space with fellow Etsy Maine Team member moondogfarm, at the Rock & Art Shop in Ellsworth, Maine.

August is shaping up to be a pretty fun month!
-Grace

CozInk featured on a Maine craft blog!

2009-07-14T08:07:00.003-04:00

Peggy, who owns Three Bridges Sewing Co. also runs a great Maine craft blog called The Fabric of Time. Every Tuesday she does a Twos-Day Morning Artist Feature, where she features two artists from the Maine Etsy Team.
I'm totally flattered that this week Peggy featured my Etsy shop along side Paige/Knitster.

Blog feature is here, take a peek!

New Items on Etsy

2009-07-10T17:18:00.001-04:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
CozInk

printmaking

2009-07-09T18:51:00.004-04:00

The printmaking process yielded some pretty photography this time, too:

For anyone stumbling upon this blog- above are pictures of my usual set up for gel printmaking. I use real leaves, ferns, flowers, and other plants to make the cards and stuff that I sell in my Etsy shop. Printmaking with a gelatin plate allows me to pick up a LOT of the detail in my plants, and transfer that to one-of-a-kind cards and other paper goods.

All photos (c) Grace Kendall, 2009

Gelatin Plate Printmaking at Sweetland Retreat

2009-06-19T12:51:00.004-04:00

Thanks to fellow Etsy Maine Team members Jamie and Joy, I'll be teaching a printmaking workshop at their artists' retreat in August.

Sweetland Retreat is playing host to "Gelatin Plate Printmaking", a one night workshop that will take place on August 11th from 6pm-8:30pm. I'll be teaching about making your gelatin plate and gathering materials, the basics of the printmaking process, storing and disposing of your gelatin, and we'll also try a few crafts that you can make with this process; everyone is going home at the end of the night with at least a couple note cards and post cards they've made themselves.

The cost is $50 ($40 class fee + $10 materials fee), and space is limited to 8 students so sign up fast! Visit Sweetland's workshop page here for more info or to register.

CozInk Photo on Maine.gov

2009-06-17T14:58:00.004-04:00

"Lightning Over Shagg Pond", by Grace Kendall (moi) has been selected as the "Honorable Mention" in a photography contest run by the State of Maine website.
Maine.gov runs photography contests four times a year; for spring, summer, fall, and winter. "Lightning Over Shagg Pond" was submitted for the summer contest, in the "Inland and Mountain Scenes" category. The photo will be displayed in the winners gallery on the Maine.gov website through the months of July, August, and September.

/horn tootin'

-Grace

CozInk at Valhalla Fields Festival this Saturday!

2009-06-16T13:50:00.004-04:00

This Saturday (June 20), there's a great little FREE festival in western Maine. In Poland, to be exact.

Valhalla Fields Farm is a second generation homestead, started in the 70s with the vision that one day the land would serve as a sanctuary of sorts; a place for artists and musicians to share their crafts in a relaxed, low key way. On the longest day of the year, the farm opens its land to the public for the Valhalla Fields Festival. The festival is free, full of great music and art, and a great way to spend a family-friendly afternoon. No one gets paid, and no one has to pay.

CozInk has some stuff going on in the art show part of the festival as well as the music part. I will have one photograph and one printmaking piece in the art show, and Jessy & Denise will be playing music around 2:30 that afternoon.

Speaking of Jessy and Denise, the name "Tight Like Flight" is out, and they are now going by "Sunwell". "Like a well. With a sun at the bottom." as Jessy explained.

I'll be at the festival with my daughter and my aunt, Jessy and Denise will be there for awhile around their set, and some of the other CozInk people may make the trek out to Poland, I'm not sure. Hope to see you there, though!

-Grace

Shows on Saturday- music, belly dancing, slam poetry, oh my!

2009-06-08T13:14:00.003-04:00

This Saturday (6/13) is shaping up to be an awesome night in Lewiston/Auburn!

First, decisions decisions, because the first two shows of the night run at the same time.

At the Faire-Op housing cooperative in Lewiston, there is a potluck at 6pm, followed by slam poetry and music performances at 7pm by Port Veritas, Snapdragon, and Denise Dill. Faire-Op is a private residence, so email or leave a comment if you want to check that out.

Also running from about 6pm to 9pm, you can stop by Holly's Own Deli at 84 Court Street in Auburn for Middle Eastern Night- belly dancing and Okbari Band. (I'll be hitting up this one- I'm supposed to take pictures there)

Annnnd after those, no decisions necessary, because you can come over to Guthrie's (115 Middle St., Lewiston) at 9pm for more slam poetry from the Faire-Op crowd, and music from Jessy Kendall and Denise Dill.

Arborea on BBC radio

2009-06-07T10:28:00.006-04:00

Last month, Buck and Shanti traveled to the UK, with stops in Ireland and then in London, where they recorded a session with Mary Ann Kennedy for her "World on 3" program.

Arborea plays 4 songs on the program (in 2 sets, starting at about 17 minutes in, and then again at 59 minutes in, if you're a little impatient), including one unreleased track; Son of the Moon, Daughter of the Sun, which was written for their two beautiful children. That track will be on the forthcoming "Leaves of Live" compilation album that Arborea has been curating. The album will be released later this month, through Bourne! Recordings, and all proceeds from the album will be donated to the World Food Programme and Not On Our Watch. For more information about the comp, visit Arborea's MySpace page.

To listen to the World on 3 session (which played live in the UK on Friday night), click here.

Upcoming Art Shows

2009-06-04T12:37:00.010-04:00

Tomorrow night is the grand opening of Roots & Tendrils, a new multipurpose art gallery in Belfast, Maine. For their first exhibit, they are hosting a great show called "Visions from Voices" which showcases the CD artwork from local (Maine, New England) music. This is a perfect first show for them, since the space is about drawing together art, music, and retail.

I'm psyched to announce that art from Arborea (CD above is their latest, House of Sticks- artwork by Buck and Shanti Curran) and L/A COMP (at right, artwork by Victoria Koldewyn) are both being included in this first exhibit, and also that Roots & Tendrils is carrying some of my paper goods in their retail side of things. Visit them at 2 Cross Street, Belfast, Maine to pick up Cozink cards, copies of L/A COMP, and copies of Arborea's Wayfaring Summer.

Show: Friday, June 5th from 5PM-8PM with live music following from 8PM-10PM.

And the next night...

Captive Elements Art House is having their opening reception for their June art exhibit on Saturday, June 6th, from 7PM-10PM. The exhibit includes three featured artists: acrylic painter Sarah Vorisek, photographer Abi Wellman, and me, photographer/printmaker Grace Kendall. They will also be displaying works from their house artists during the show, which runs June 6-26.
They will have up eight photographs of mine, along with eight or nine prints, and cards/bookmarks/postcards like what is in the Etsy shop. The show is free, and refreshments will be available as well. The show will be right at the gallery, Captive Elements Art House, 25 Landry Road, Lewiston, Maine.

-Grace

Jessy & Denise opening for Spoke Ensemble 5/29

2009-05-28T11:15:00.002-04:00

denise dill and i are opening for Spoke Ensemble this fri. at guthrie's
'round 9pm.... they have a myspace- it's americana, dutch 2-step music, i
think. they're good. you can check out and and dill's latest on rough ride
of crafts myspace.

see you then and there?

loven,
jessy

Show at Captive Elements

2009-05-23T18:26:00.005-04:00

Saturday, June 6 at 7pm- save the date!

Captive Elements Art House in Lewiston is hosting a 3-person show that includes some of my photography, as well as printmaking, and some of the cards/bookmarks that I usually sell on Etsy. Come out, eat food, drink booze, support the arts!

Also, LA COMP is on sale for $6 instead of the usual $7 up in the Etsy shop, through the long weekend.

-Grace

Guthrie's 04/17/09 photos & video

2009-04-20T07:55:00.013-04:00

On Friday night, She Doesn't Like Guthries hosted a showing of the Neighbor By Neighbor documentary and performances afterward from soundtrack artists Big Blood (out of Portland) and Jessy Kendall & Denise Dill (out of Lewiston).

Jessy & Denise

Denise Dill & Sherie Blumenthal

Big Blood

New tracks from Jessy & Denise

2009-04-19T16:39:00.003-04:00

Here are a couple new tracks that Jessy & Denise have been working on.

Yesterday:
http://www.box.net/shared/fxrjoccv0k

The bread makin' song (there is an actual title that I can't remember right now, and my disorganized self has already lost the track list Jessy gave me...):
http://www.box.net/shared/udxkgeczdz

The afore-mentioned name of Tight Like Flight is a work in progress at this point. It may change, so I'll be sure to update with a new name whenever it comes. A couple people have already asked about buying CDs; they don't have a CD out just yet, but they will, and I'll update when that's available.

Posting tomorrow: Pictures and video from the Neighbor By Neighbor showing & music at Guthrie's on Friday night.

Arborea nominated in Portland Phoenix! Vote!!

2009-04-17T08:57:00.003-04:00

Arborea have been nominated for "Best Category Defying/Indie Outsider" in the Portland Phoenix!

Follow this link to vote for them! Remember after you vote, you also have to submit your ballot to make it official-like. ;-)

Letter Founder #57

2009-04-15T17:18:00.005-04:00

The latest issue of Letter Founder is #57, and is available for freeeeee at a few select stores across Lewiston/Auburn. For more information about the 'zine, or any of the artists, please comment here or email Jessy at shirk@riseup.net

(Click this one for a larger, readable size)

Coming up this weekend!

2009-04-15T12:00:00.005-04:00

The Neighbor By Neighbor/live music from the soundtrack showing is Friday night at 7:00 at She Doesn't Like Guthrie's (115 Middle St., Lewiston). Arborea, Big Blood, Tight Like Flight (the newly partnered duo of Jessy Kendall & Denise Dill...), will all be performing. Perhaps others that I haven't heard about, too, I'm not positive.

Arborea is also playing a show in Mass. this weekend, if you are down there or can get down there for Saturday night. Shanti & Buck will be playing at the Montague Bookmill on Saturday at 8:00pm, along with Nuda Veritas.

Coming soon (!) to the blog: one or two new tracks from Tight Like Flight, and bits n pieces from the newest Letter Founder.

-Grace

Sat. 04/04/09 @ Holly's Own

2009-04-07T12:51:00.007-04:00

This past Saturday, Holly's Own Deli in Auburn hosted a two and a half hour performance by Jan Mayes. Jan was also accompanied on several songs by Jessy on hand drums, and Jerry on guitar.

You can read more about Jan at her MySpace page here, where you'll also find future shows, more songs, photos, and a second video from Saturday's performance at Holly's Own.

(Photos & video taken by Grace)

About Face

2009-03-25T13:32:00.000-04:00

About Face Theatre, one of Chicago's leading LGBTQ institutions and the original home of Pulitzer Prize-winning I AM MY OWN WIFE, is in danger of closing. Please help us save this vital organization by participating in the national "FACE THE FUTURE" campaign. Visit http://aboutfacetheatre.com/ and click "DONATE" to help.

Letter Founder #56

2009-03-19T21:26:00.006-04:00

And finally...

events

2009-03-19T13:53:00.005-04:00

Buck & Shanti's new CD, House of Sticks came out in late February, and is available from Darla. They also uploaded some new songs to their MySpace page, if you want to take a listen. I'm kind of in love with their song, Alligator, from that record.

Also, Neighbor By Neighbor is being shown again in Lewiston. This time it'll be at Guthrie's, on April 17 from 7PM-9PM. BUT, this time there is the huge added bonus of artists from the soundtrack performing after the show. Right now, I know Jessy & Denise Dill will be there, I think Arborea will be as well, and if I remember correctly, Big Blood from Portland were trying to come up. All that is subject to change, of course, but that's the info I've got right now.

-Grace

p.s. excerpts and whatnot from Letter Founder #56 coming soon!

Neighbor By Neighbor Premier

2009-02-27T09:30:00.004-05:00

The premier of Neighbor By Neighbor was held last night, in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library. Played to a full house, Neighbor By Neighbor was emotional, funny, endearing, and empowering. The film was an inspiring portrayal of the differences a group of neighbors can make in the shaping of their own community. These residents saw a negative impact bearing down on their neighborhood, and rather than step aside and say "What a shame", the joined hands, stood up, and said "No." Their neighborhood was worth saving, and they saved it.

They worked, talked, organized, networked, and just plain walked the neighborhood to stop a road from being built. A road that would have displaced 850 low income residents from their homes. They got a member of their community elected to City Council to give them a voice on the council. They lobbied the city to replace a local park and playground that the city had taken down. The Visible Community meets every Tuesday, and is continuing its work to improve life for downtown Lewiston residents. For more info, please feel free to comment or email.

Neighbor By Neighbor

Jessy Kendall speaking last night about the film, and about The Visible Community.

Neighbor By Neighbor

2009-02-19T20:57:00.003-05:00

The full length documentary, Neighbor By Neighbor: Mobilizing an Invisible Community in Lewiston, Maine will premiere a week from today. The film is put out by Craig Saddlemire/Round Point Movies and The Visible Community. It follows a group of Lewiston residents as they organize themselves into a community action group dedicated to bettering the city for downtown residents.

The showing will be at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday on the 4th floor of the Lewiston Public Library. It runs about 2 hours and there will be a discussion afterward. It was made about local people, by a local filmmaker, is narrated by local youth, and the soundtrack is local music. It's awesome (and did I mention LOCAL?). Hope to see people there!

-Grace

Letter Founder #55

2009-01-30T08:57:00.003-05:00

Letter Founder #55, from Answer Shirker Press:
(Click pictures for larger versions)

Poem from the front cover:

Pay Stub
I found the discolored
rectangle of paper
while scavenging through
my mother's jewelry box

my father's pay stub
from the second week
of September
1980
some shit job, flopping a mop
for $5.05 an hour
1980
ten years later
he'd be dead of stomach cancer

I took the pay stub
and stuck it in my wallet

over the years
I'd lost everything
given to me
meant to keep him
close in heart and mind

rings pawned
trinkets misplaced
photographs trashed

this I would keep

I wonder
if years from now
when I'm gone
my children might find
one of my pay stubs
and realize
I, too, gave my life away
for almost nothing

-Karl Kowes

poem from page 5:

Thank you, Gay and Lesbian America!
We are finally winning
And you have been so cooperative

All those years
We hated you, we beat you

And you fought back
You stood up
You stood up for yourselves
For oppressed people everywhere

You fought us at Stonewall
You fought us in the streets
and worked to undo what we have done

You fought classism
You fought racism
You fought sexism

And you scared us
You were too loud, too strong
And you were getting stronger

But then, then you tackled marriage
And then we began to win
Because now the ball's in our court
You've been tamed

You concentrate on gay marriage as if nothing else exists
You have forgotten your strong roots
You have forgotten your anger
your open eyes, your compassion

Now you want to be just like us
Just like hte people who hate you so much
You are casting off the trannies,
the scared and bullied 8th grade queers,
the thousands dying of AIDS

You don't see them anymore
Your organizations don't support them anymore
There is no solidarity, only priorities:
Don't worry!!
They are not like us!
We are the new face of homosexuals:
Wedding bands!
Picket fences!
Throw pillows!

Please let us assimilate,
you say
Let us aspire to SUVs and soccer games
Let us decorate the interiors of your mansions

This will go on for years
We are winning
And you are whining
And all the while your fire, your defiance, your sharpness
It's withered to nothing

You don't scare us anymore
You want to be us
And we won't let you
But we will strong you along
and keep you occupied

You used to be everywhere
Fighting everywhere
Changing things, challenging things
But now, this isn't one issue
It's your only issue

And you've played right into our hands

Thank you

-Erin Reed

More in the hardcopy issue, which you can get (for freeeeeeee!) at various retailers around Lewiston/Auburn. Comment or email for more info...

a taste of Letter Founder #55

2009-01-27T08:13:00.003-05:00

More coming later, but for now I'll leave you with this beautiful expression of humanity...

Glass Kidney
the desk & the pull-out
leave very little space
& Manhattan surrounds me
yet often I prefer
to stay in here

sometimes on late trips
to the bathroom down the hall

I notice a jar beside the door
of an old man I once saw
trying to make it
to the plumbing himself

impossibly frail
he managed a step
every 12 seconds

his aluminum walker
creaking against the tile

his tie and fedora
declaring his aim
to go it alone

now his jar always contains
24 ounces of gold

& I never sleep well

until I've seen to
its emptiness

-Mark Wisniewski

From the last page of Letter Founder issue #55, which is available free at local (Lewiston/Auburn) stores. For more info or to submit work/play contact Jessy at shirk@riseup.net

Feb 14th Dance Party @ The Bangarang!

2009-01-15T12:49:00.001-05:00

the idea: hop til ya drop.

the goal- to screen print shirts with the logo 'lewiston is for lovers' and hand 'em out at the door as you come in. party favors!!

it's winter, we need some community, some body heat, some tunes!! come to the bang on valentine's day, alone or with your lovAH, we don't care- just dance-- (comment if you need the address)

when-ish? i dunno -- 6?

should there be food? i dunno.

but let's getogether and shake it like a polaroid picture..

loven,
-jessy k.

Earbait

2009-01-13T16:30:00.007-05:00

The most recent Earbait project that my brother put together is done and ready for play/distribution/purchase? This is Earbait 4, I think.

The project is that several artists are giving one set of lyrics, and all are asked to put it to their own music and vocals. So the compiled CD includes 12 different musical/vocal interpretations of the lyrics.

The lyrics to this Earbait project were:

"note found in a beer can in a parking lot on high st., portland, maine feb 09/00" music to original version: Kelly Nesbit / words: Karl Greenwald

I woke up with a turd on my tongue
The world was bitter to eyeballs and eardrums.
I wanted to spank someone.
I wanted to tell someone they were bad.
So, I spanked myself, 'cause I knew I'd be bad that day.

Bad like carry grant or frank sinatra. I had whores on the brain
And cocain, and cocktails, saxophoning.
Oh it hurts to be alive. It hurts to feel a need.
Is there anybody out there who knows the need I have?

And where were you when the mountains grew?
I'm stuck on the syllable of you.
And you're stuck on the syllable of me.

You've been made nervous by a star that's chosen to follow you, everywhere.
You've been made nervous by horoscopes assessing your situation, perfectly.
You no longer are interested by why. Has the world been by your side?
You have strange tangle things that whirl around your skin and bones.
And like all things it gets in the way.

The here and now is then and gone.
And beyond the waves a land awaits. Sparkling and warm.
Like bubble baths or esoteric stories.
Beyond the waves a land awaits.

Here is Track #2, "r.r.o.c. vs. lonergan" (r.r.o.c. is Rough Ride of Crafts; AKA Jessy)
(I apologize for the poor sound- it's crappy digital camera sound)

CD cover art designed and printed by Shara Dewitt of Nashville. This is a R.R.o.C. records release. For more information please contact Jessy at shirk@riseup.net

Beginning

2009-01-13T13:12:00.002-05:00

CozInk:

What: CozInk is a small(ish) group of artists in Maine, or with Maine roots, who collaborate, co-promote, and otherwise work together and support each other in various projects. The name is from: coz/cos = cousin and ink = writing/producing stuff, etc. so CozInk = cousins and family who produce art together.

Who: I'm Grace, I do the blogging and whatnot, and I formed CozInk as a way to organize all the different things our family members were doing. CozInk is made up of Jessy Kendall (music, publishing, writing), Jan Mayes (music), Myles Robert (art, music, writing, somuchmore), Grace Kendall (photography, art, organization), Sarah Kendall (photography), Shanti & Buck Curran (music), Gene Mayes (music, writing), and all manner of collaborators.