Tuesday, August 29, 2006



~ A collage of Digital Art
images currently on exhibit
at "Timo's Coffeehouse" in
San Antonio, Texas
(click on image for larger view)

All images available at "Art166.etsy.com"
or
Art166.com.

* * * *

"The BIG PROJECT" - Revealed!

Today's Guest Blogger is Neesie, W. J.'s sister and best friend

It was a sultry Thursday afternoon. W. J. had been readying a piece of art for donation to the San Antonio Advertising Federation's art auction. We had some time before the event so decided to stop at Timo's Coffeehouse. Timo's serves coffees, teas, a variety of delicious sandwiches, soups, salads and light lunches and dinners, and some of the yummiest desserts (all home-made) you'll ever eat! It's a favorite spot for business people, college students and professors and neighborhood regulars, and is getting busier all the time with positive write-ups in Texas Monthly and local papers. And Tim Guillen ("Timo"), the proprietor, is one of the hardest working people I've ever seen. He, and his partner, Peter Calpagno
are consummate professionals at customer service, and are super-nice! (We didn't know any of this at the time, but boy, do we know it now!)

W. J. said hi to Tim and found that he was, indeed, interested in displaying art. She asked him if he'd like to see her work, he said yes, and she, magically, produced two small portfolios (which just happened to be in her bag!)

The rest, as they say, is history! W. J. directed him to her website, Art166.com, he selected some favorite pieces (liked them ALL), and the more they talked, the bigger the exhibit got! Plans are for W. J. to be the "artist in residence" at Timo's and have rotating exhibits. How cool is that!?

ANYWAY - W. J. got busy. Very busy. I'll skip the details of all that, but you can imagine what it took to single-handedly put an exhibit together -- choosing and ordering the prints, cutting mats, framing, hanging, printing flyers, sending invitations, etc.

In Timo's main dining room there are two slat walls, one of which now holds five "Abstraction" pieces. On the other wall hangs a selection of seven "Yesterday's Trees" -- all 16"x20". At the cash register area is a group of four "You are Here" road shots (Timo's "travel wall"), and in the bar area are four more 16"x20" abstract pieces and seven pieces from W. J.'s "Small Works" Etsy Shop. Whew!

All leading up to "An Evening of Digital Dreams" which we celebrated with a reception on the evening of Saturday, August 19th. What an evening it was! Guests included local business people, university professors, other artists (including our Etsy-pal, Nancy), some of Timo's regulars, inspirational author Ralph Ransom, and family and friends. Believe me, it was SPECTACULAR. The "Wow" factor was high and the buzz is starting!

Our evening's photographer ran into some technical difficulties, but W. J. and I stopped by Timo's a few days ago (during the lunch rush!) to grab a few photos. See more of "The BIG PROJECT" at W. J.'s Flickr site, here.

I've got to run. This guest blogging was a blast! Now, I'm turning it back to W. J. to post in the blog.

~ ~ ~ ~

W. J. says:

Hi, guys! I'm ba-ackkkk!

Let's hear a round of applause for Neesie, today's "Guest Blogger!"

*W. J. pauses, waiting patiently for clapping and cheering to wane . . .*

I'd like to, very publicly, thank Neesie for her unflagging support throughout this entire process. Without her generous financial and emotional backup, this "Big Project" would still be 'just another good idea'.

Thank you, Neesie. I couldn't have done it without you.

Big thanks, also, to my sister, Sharon, for unexpectedly showing up at my house with an armload of frames (and my favorite Red Twizzlers) -- just when I needed them!

To our very own blog-pal, Lynette Clay -- you were with me on this from start to finish. Thanks for your friendship and encouragement!

Last, but certainly not least, many thanks to Tim Guillen ("Timo") for graciously trusting a virtual stranger with your time, space, and clientele. I'll try never to give you reason to look up at your walls and say, "Oh, no! What was I thinking?!?!"

Timo's Coffeehouse
2021-1 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX

That's it for today, guys! I'll be back Thursday with a "regular" post. You were all part of this "Big Project" in some way, and I appreciate, very much, having my "Peeps" along for the ride.

Have an amazing day!

30 comments:

  1. (()) (()) (()) ((((())))))
    ((((())))))

    clapping wildly for your guest blogger and for your show! That's terrific news. I wish you much success and hope this venture really takes off for you!!!!!

    (((((()))))) (((((()))))
    (still clapping)

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  2. I rejoice with and for you. I have missed you but it sounds like you have a great project going. Wow.

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  3. Wooohooo W.J. girl, you ROCK!! Now I'm off to enjoy looking at the pics of that spectacular evening!! I'm soo happy and excited for you! :D

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  4. I am clapping loudly also. Your guest blogger made me wish that I was in Texas.

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  5. Anonymous11:58 AM

    red twizzlers make the world go 'round...

    we are so excited for you!!!

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  6. Wow, that's awesome. Congratulations.

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  7. Anonymous2:03 PM

    That's fantastic, WJ!

    Soon you'll be too famous to talk to! :)

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  8. Anonymous4:37 PM

    Wonderful, !!!!! Congratulations W.J.
    So pleased for you :-)))))))))))
    Big round of applause all round, well done girls!

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  9. Thanks, Cynthia! Me too!

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  10. Thanks, very much, Dr. John! I've missed you guys, too. I hope this project goes as I envision it -- things seldom do, but I keep trying!

    You'll be glad to hear that I've schedule no "tree" postings this week!

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  11. You always are, Lynette. Again, thanks tons!

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  12. Oh, Betty, I wish you were here, too! I'm betting the heat would have you running for home soon enough, though. Thanks for the applause!

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  13. Betty, I really like your new avatar. The rose is gorgeous!

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  14. Hi, Karen! Thank you -- all that excitement just adds to the good vibe!

    Aren't Twizzlers great? Everyone I know hates them which just means more for me! I know you're waiting for tonight's premiere of "Justice." Hope it's great!

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  15. Thank you, Brian!

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  16. Thanks, TC.

    Don't worry; you'll still be able to talk to my Personal Assistant!

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  17. Thank you, Sandy!

    W. J. takes another quick bow and exits, stage left.

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  18. honey this is amazing and deserving happenings to you. i'm so delighted for you. you have been a busy bee i see...wonderful job done girl! three cheers for you!!!

    it pays to be nice to people, both ways for sure. it is something that has helped both you and Timo's excellent place, how wonderfully pleasing.

    keep on taking chances and putting yourself out there. only the world is at your feet..they must have the opportunity to be flabbergasted by you and your talent!

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  19. Omg thats super amazing awesome!! I knew you were fantastic and this just proves it! And the exhibition looks brilliant. Seriously well done. Don't forget us when your famous!

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  20. Anonymous7:32 AM

    What a rush! Shark baby is clapping, too. Isn't it great to have a sister who is your best friend?

    Excellent work, as always.

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  21. welcome back!!! you seem to have an exciting project! good luck!

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  22. Woooohoooo your flickr photos are awesome W.J.!! Hey I have some red twizzlers on the table and I'm gettin' ready to eat some right now! :D

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  23. Thank you, Chana, for that beautifully written sentiment. I really appreciate your support. You're so right, being "nice" is the easiest thing in the world and everyone benefits from it in one way or another.

    Flabbergasting the world has just become my newest goal! I hope you had a fabulous trip!

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  24. Snoo!! "Super amazing awesome," indeed! It was quite the event (especially for me, who rarely socializes these days), and I enjoyed every minute of it. Wouldn't it have been great if we (that being the blog "we") could have all celebrated together? Maybe next time!

    By the way, I don't think "fame" will become an issue for quite some time -- like, I might have to meet an untimely end for that to happen!

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  25. Thanks, Tammi (and hugs to Sharkbaby)! It is pretty exciting to finally have a couple of roomfuls of work out in the "real" world!

    Yep, that sister-as-friend thing is working out okay!

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  26. Thank you, Starbender!

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  27. Thank you, Jenny! I'd love for them to stop by -- warn them that Timo's makes a tall, wicked glass of lemonade! And, they'll be here for the "cold front"; on Sunday, the temp is expected to plummet into the mid-to-low 90s. Yay! If they make the exhibit, let me know what they think -- well, unless it's REALLY harsh!

    I enjoyed visiting your blog. You know, I can't reference my sleepwalking/talking just anywhere, and that Emma sounds like a real pistol!

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  28. Hi, Fenn -- "exciting" is my middle name! Except for when it isn't . . .

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  29. Thanks for the "Woooohoooo" Lynette, and for checking out the Flickrs.

    Twizzlers!!! I can be there in six hours!

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