Julie Vecchio, rennaissance woman

My sister Julie Vecchio owns and operates a storefront in Norwood, MA. It would be too easy to call it "just a frame shop" when it is truly an arts community outreach center. Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 offers live art classes and demos. this is such a vital community service, especially nowadays when there seems to be less and less community outlets for arts education and involvement.

As well, this summer she has been hosting an outdoor artist craft fair on weekends, right outside the shop. What a great way to get more local artists involved and increase interest in arts and commerce on a local level. And, last but not least, Julie hosts art openings every month at the gallery/shop called  First Fridays. The first Friday of every month is reserved for this fun art opening/social from 6-8 pm. Open to all, First Fridays are a fun, free and are a great ice-breaker to sip, gaze, munch and mingle with others in the local arts community.

This week, I'm very excited to report that Julie received a great write-up in the local paper, Norwood Bulletin. I could not be more proud of my sister for all she does and this is a great testimonial to her talents and accomplishments. I'd be sorely amiss if I also did not mention her effervescent and dynamic personality. Julie is a master custom framer whose work and framing methods have been featured in national trade magazines... And, she is also a talented artist in her own right!
Are you out of breath yet??  I don't know if she ever sleeps.

I really think of Julie as "Norwood's unofficial Mayor of the Arts". I bet I'm not the only one..

Visit Julie and Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9 on the web:

web site: customartframing.com
gallery 9 online: gallery9online.com
blog: customartframingandgallery.blogspot.com
podcasts: customartframing.com/Custom_Art_Framing/podcast/podcast.html
twitter: @gallery9norwood
Band Gig: band-gig.com

Continue reading ...

Pet Portrait Trade: Complete!

About a year or so ago, I did a pet portrait trade with Christine Throckmorton of I Heart Dogs Studio.

I had only ever done one other pet portrait trade. (Here is my portrait of Daisy from ArtPaw, and here is the portrait I did for ArtPaw of Pixel). At the time that Christine approached me about the trade, I'd just made the decision to hang up pet portraits. But I decided to do it. Why? This would be my last portrait. I thought, who better to receive it than another pet portrait artist?  I would complete my tenure of this 5-year pet portrait adventure (as I knew it) on a high-note. Plus, I really liked Christine and her work (and her blog). So, I was happy to oblige, and I completed Christine's portrait of Rosie in January 2010.

Well, today, my day has finally come. I received my portrait of Daisy and Ruby. Oh boy!

Biodegradable packing peanuts :)

...what's this?

A nice personal note and a biz card accompanied my portrait...

 Here is my beautiful Christine Throckmorton original oil painting of Daisy and Ruby. Can you say "WOW"? Here I'll say it for both of us. WOW.

Daisy (left and far right) smiles while posing with her portrait. (Ruby was too excited to sit still.)

Thank you, Christine. The portrait is unique and beautiful! It is already displayed in a prominent place in my home! I love it!

Continue reading ...

My Little Big Book

For my PBJ blog post this week, I am talking about this cool iPad/iPhone App called My Little Big Book. Check out the post here.

Continue reading ...