Amelia on line store NOW OPEN!!

It's been ages since I wrote a post.... I'm sorry I've been away from the site, but I have been working night and day on the new Amelia online store and brand new website.

I also have a new NEWS section there that will give the site a blog like section... aka, this site will be fading out. It's been fun but I have less time to keep it consistent.

In the mean time, check out two new posts on ameliapresents.com.

See you over there!!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Britt Bass

New artist spotlight.... 
Name(s): Britt Bass
Living where: Oxford, MS by way of Georgia
Medium of art: paper, paint, mixed media
What this body of work will bring to this year's motel art show:
fun slew of daily miniature collections. 
What song best describes your work, in general: um this is
tricky.... it's too hard to pick only one. However I'm currently
painting and listening to Hey Boy by The Blow.

Artwork is property of Britt Bass. Do not use without permission. 

*sidenote... The Blow is one of my favorites! I'm so excited to see the artists version of that song. 

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Bowerbird

Continuing the spotlight on this year's One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel,today I bring you Bowerbird. Clever, clever ladies. 

Names:  Bowerbird: Laura and Kate Roebuck

Where: Living in Oxford, MS and Chattanooga, TN

Medium: Painting, Drawing, Sewing, Printing, a little bit of everything

What: Our Bug Collection

Song that describes your work: Bugs by Pearl Jam.

"I got bugs
I got bugs in my room
Bugs in my bed
Bugs in my ears
Their eggs in my head
Bugs in my pockets
Bugs in my shoes
Bugs in the way I feel about you...

And now the questions:
Do I kill them?
Become their friend?
Do I eat them?
Raw or well done?
Do I trick them?
I don't think they're that dumb
Do I join them?
Looks like that's the one."

This year's show is next Saturday, October 29th. Please email motel.artshow@gmail.com for any questions. Thanks!! 

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Story

Just a few short days away, on Saturday the 29th, we welcome the 5th Annual One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel!! 
This year's show is going to be so cool! The artists are seriously talented. 
I'd like to introduce one of this year's artists to you, 
Sarah Story. Here is a brief bio...


Name(s): Sarah Story

Living where: Water Valley, MS

Medium of art: oil paint
What this body of work will bring to this year's motel art show: 

My current work explores the line between reality and abstraction. I make paintings that seem abstract, but after further observation the viewer will discover a new perspective of a familiar object. They are colorful, whimsical, obsessive, (hopefully) interesting, and will look great in any home (according to my mother).

What song best describes your work, in general: 

Beirut- Guyamas Sonora

     Paintings by Sarah Story. Do not use without permission.

Artist Spotlight: Maria Hughes

This year's The One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel is almost here! 

Leading up to the show, I'm going to be showing you a few spotlights on some of the artists that are in the show this year. 

Here's the first spotlight.... 

Name: Maria Hughes

Living in: North Mississippi Hill Country (Baldwyn)

Medium of art: Oil paintings on boards and a variety of drawings.

What this body of work will bring to this year's motel art show: A bright take on the Mississippi around us.

What song best describes your work, in general: The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth

Paintings by Maria Hughes. Do not use without permission. 

2011 Motel Art Show Artists Announced

With the 5th Annual "One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel" coming up on October 29th, 2011, I'm happy to announce this year's featured artists. 


This years artists are: 
Bowerbird 
Gara and Ramona Gillentine 
Brittany Bass 
Lou Haney 
Maria Hughes
Lo-Fi
Beka Larenze
Sarah Story
Michael Foose
Megan Patton and Coulter Fussell
Ellen Langford
and 
Lamar Sorrento


Thank you to the many, many entries that we had. It was hard to narrow it down to just twelve. 
Look for an artist spotlight on each artist leading up to this years show right here on Afterschool Oxford. 


For more information on the Motel Art Show Series, upcoming calls for work, dates for shows and more, follow @iheartmotelart  on twitter or visit ameliapresents.com 


See you at the show! 

Sneak Peek: House Guest- 1999-2009

Starting in January of 1999, I started to take a Polaroid of almost every house guest that came to visit. Moving from city to city, the project moved with me. Starting in Boston on January 1st of 1999, then to Seattle, San Francisco, Memphis, New York City, Water Valley, Los Angeles, and back to Water Valley, ending December 31st 2009. Ten full years. The photos aren't perfect. The writing is messy. I wanted it to feel natural and more like a snap shot. I think I captured that. It's friends, writers, musicians, new pets, family, actors, activists and the parties in between. 

Here's a little sample of what's to come...

Los Angles, CA 2007

Water Valley, MS 2008

(the first time my now husband, Sean, ever came to visit)

Check back for more sneak peeks from this project and the launch of House Guest. 

*Each photo is the property of Erin Austen Abbott. Please do not use without written permission. Thank you.

Awesome new relaunch!!

The girls of Bowerbird just went pro. They have an awesome redesign by James Kelleway of Confit Design and they are ready to somehow get more awesome than they already are. I'm such a fan of these two. 

I hope you will take the time to look through this really well curated blog and maybe even do a little shopping while you're there. Enjoy!! 

Recap of a busy week

This week has been a whirrrrrlwind. That's an understatement. 


Monday: I was pleasantly surprised to see a post on Design Sponge where our home was featured in one of my most favorite sections on that rad blog, Make It Yours. From our  Sneak Peak back in December, two rooms were used and you are given the resources to recreate it.  From the colors to the items in the room. Thank you Grace and Amy for having us back. 

Tuesday: It was the last days to vote in the Daily Candy, Start Small, Go Big contest where I was a finalist. 

Wednesday: Peace Out

Thursday: The new issue of Southern Flourish came out. I never expected to be on the cover. But I'm certainly honored that I was. I love this magazine. 

Friday: Today we find out who won in the Daily Candy contest. Wish me luck!! 

CRAZY BIG NEWS!!

Hello! It's been a summer since I wrote a post. I had a really busy summer, so I'm glad I took a break, but also glad to be back. Thanks for sticking with me. With that, I have crazy big news.

So awhile back, I entered a contest on Daily Candy called the Start Small, Go Big contest.
I entered it with Amelia in mind. I have all these designs in my mind that I'd like to create myself, so
that was the focus of my entry, to add my own brand into the store.
Well fast forward a few weeks/months (I can't really judge time anymore because it flies by so fast)
and I get a call last week from the sweet folks at Daily Candy telling me that I am one of the 12 finalist overall and only one of three in the home section. You have to understand my shock. I haven't won anything since the 2nd grade when I won an Atari, in a raffle. Although, in 1983, that was better than gold. I'm not complaining.  Well, I was at work at the time, so I threw the "Be Back in 5 Minutes" sign on the door and spent the next 4 1/2 minutes jumping up and down with excitement.

Here's where I need your help. To win now, it all comes down to votes. From now until September 16th, you can vote for me once a day, here. Please vote as much as you can and if you wouldn't mind asking your friends to vote as well, I would very, very much appreciate it.

If you tweet it, please @dailycandy and throw in the #ssgb.

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!

A kick start to your week

Hi there! I hope your summer is going great so far! 
I have been using this summer to get some projects done around the house, start some new work projects and just relax a little with some friends. 
I'll be back to regular blog posting at the start of August... 
But I couldn't stay away for too long. 


My dream yard....

via amble and ramble

via pinterest

via bonnie tsang on pinterest

via abbey hendrickson on pinterest

did I mention in the dream my house is on a lake?

Here are a few links to some great blog posts that I have been enjoying... 

Stunning photography of a winter Paris trip.
Kelly Oxford is just hilarious.
One of my favorite artists was given a whole week of praise. 


And here are some things I'd like to get that I pinned recently. 
I want to create a wall of vintage photos of people swimming... 
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

Weekly Picks: June 10th

I only have one Weekly Pick this week... 

The gallery opening for John Henry Toney at

Yalo Studios on Friday, the 10th. 

From 6PM until 9PM, come mingle, drink, and 

most importantly, just support the art scene in the area, 

even if you can't make it out, by spreading the word. 

Yalo Studio is one of those places that you will always 

find a special piece of art that is super special and unique. 

On top of that, affordable. 

Hope to see you in the Valley!! 

Backstory

It is amazing how busy I have already been this summer.... I have started on a few different projects and the store has been busy. All great news, but it hasn't allowed me much time to blog. I went back and forth with feeling really bad about that, but I've come to realize, it's ok. My whole adult life, I've always had a lot going on. Different projects that keep me going in different directions. Always pretty busy. I tell myself that I want to slow down. So I do. But when I do, I can't stop thinking of all the things I want to be doing. 
I just need to embrace it. That's who I am. I will always have a new project that I'm working on. Most of my ideas, I'll see all the way to the end. Others will fizzle out because I don't have the same drive to see it through that I thought I might in the beginning. They don't have the same jazz that others might. 
With that said.... I am hammering about a plan for myself to blog on a regular basis. I'm using the summer to figure out a plan. One that makes me want to get up and write. Take more pictures for the blog. 
I also want to change the layout. It might mean that I will be moving the blog to another place, but in the meantime, I'll stay here. 


I hope that whatever direction I take it in, that you will go there with me. 


Thank you. 


PS.... I have lots of great news that I will be able to share with you in the next few weeks. Ideas that are taking shape and such that I can start talking about soon.... 

Weekly Pick... TONIGHT!

The wonderful local literary magazine, Kitty Snacks, is out now with a new release. 
Come celebrate issue number 4 tonight, Wednesday June 1st, at Southside Gallery. 
For only eight dollars, you get admission, a copy of the magazine, free beer and local band Gray Things will serenade you. 
Everything gets started at 8PM SHARP. 


For more information, click here. 

What will the cover look like for #4???

Happy Weekend...

I hope you are all having a great weekend!


This just made my morning and I wanted to share it. (via Secret Holiday)

Have a wonderful day! 

Scene Beat: Summertime

Hey there! Summertime is in full swing over here. I'm going to use this summer to line up some great interviews, mixtapes. photos and more....
So I won't be posting a new Scene Beat every Tuesday until the Fall rolls back around. 


Have a great summer and I'll check back with you soon. 

NYC National Stationery Show Review

Something you should know about me. I love stationery. I love buying cards but sometimes I hate to part with them, so I'll buy one to keep and one to send. When I was a kid, going to summer camp, one of my favorite parts of being away from home was writing letters and getting mail in return. As I grew older, I enjoyed sending postcards to friends from my travels from all over the world. When my grandmother was still alive, we always had a great letter writing relationship when I wasn't living near her. Sure we had our weekly phone call, but we also mailed a lot of letters to one another.
I recently joined a pen pal club as well. Letter writing continues for me. I also just enjoy sending cards to friends when they've gotten good news. Or bad news. Either way, who doesn't love getting mail? Real mail.
I went into the National Stationery Show with all of these feelings in mind. What would I love to send? What would I love to receive? I also love school supplies. Mechanical pencils, tape, folders, ect... I ordered a bit of that as well. With that, here are some lines that I picked up to carry in Amelia.
I hope you will be as excited as I am.... I'd love to hear what you think.

Printerette Press

Gold Teeth Brooklyn

Sweet Bella

Chewing The Cud

Wild Horse Press

Linda & Harriett

Carolyn Suzuki

Pistachio Press & Aesthetic Outburst

I also ordered new work from Yellow Owl Workshop and Rifle Paper Co. to add to the already awesome items that I already have by those two companies.

On deck to order:
One Canoe Two
Black Bird Letterpress
Anemone Letterpress
New work from Sycamore Street Press

*All images were taken by and are property of the individual companies listed. I simply used them to give you a preview of what's to come...

Weekly Picks... the summertime

So, I'm going to take a summertime Weekly Picks break. Of course I will still mention something going on if it's not to be missed... but it's slow this time of year... not as much going on to write about. 
With that said, I do have two things to mention for this week. 


PICK ONE:
Grace Potter with The Futurebirds at The Lyric Theatre 
Saturday, May 21st
Doors at 8:00pm

PICK TWO:
Girltalk at The Lyric Theatre
Tuesday, May 24th
Doors at 8:00pm

Both shows are sure to be really fun and the perfect way to start the summer!! 

Scene Beat: Make Me A Mixtape

Hey there! I'm back from NYC where I was attending the National Stationery Show and it was so awesome. I will post some pictures of new lines I'll be carrying in the store tomorrow. 
Today I have a guest DJ... 
Make Me A Mix Tape comes to you from Memphis painter, Lofi. You might have seen his work in a few of the Motel Art Shows, "The One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel"


Louvin Brothers- Hoping That You're Hoping
REM- Don't Go Back To Rockville
Ben Folds/Nick Hornby- Password
David Ruffin- I Miss You pt. 1
Rolling Stones- Worried About You
The Roots/Erykah Badu- You Got Me
Yo La Tengo- Stockholm Syndrome
Heatmiser- See You Later
Beth Orton- Concrete Sky
Reigning Sound- Since When
Elvis Presley- Good Time Charlie
Gram parsons- $1000 Wedding
Drive-By Truckers- My Sweet Annette

Enjoy the mix!! Thanks Lofi. 

Packed and ready to go!

Heading to the National Stationery Show tomorrow. I have a pretty exciting list of card lines I'm looking forward to checking out. And several lines I carry that I'm looking to meeting the folks behind.

I'll let you know how it goes.