My Other Blog

Hi there! My illustration blog is up and running. Check it out here.

You're Invited!

Come check out the "Inner and Outer Child" exhibit at the Gallery at 100 Market St., Portsmouth, NH. Opening reception is Friday August 1, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The exhibit runs through October. Four of my pieces will be exhibited as well as a other NH and MA illustrators such as Gina Perry and Vita Mechachionis

Hope you can make it!

By the way, I will soon have a separate illustration blog up and running. I will post here when it's ready.

Note that I use my maiden name, Ann Marie DiVecchia, for illustration. My married name is Piantedosi (both a mouthful, I know!) And sorry for the confusion!

New Mexico

This was my first time in New Mexico. I loved it! I loved learning about the culture and history of this laid back, arid, expansive, beautiful state.

Though this was not the first stop, I'll tell you about the Cradle Project exhibit. Here is the building in downtown Albuquerque.



The exhibit was on floors 7 and 8. There were over 500 cradles and cribs! Some of them are on the Cradle Project website. They photographed 60 of the works that arrived by an early deadline. These were in a beautiful catalog that was sold to raise money for the cause.

Here is the Friendship Cradle done by second graders I worked with:





There were artists of all ages and levels of accomplishment. In fact, Judy Chicago had a piece in this exhibit! Here is her submission. It was a 2-dimensional piece:


More cradles and cribs. A requirement was that they be constructed of recycled materials:







This piece was done by Ginger Quinn, an artist who was also one of the volunteers who helped to organize the exhibit. She was my contact person:


This crib is constructed of paint stirrers and swatches:
Here I am reminded of Frank Poor:

This one had beautiful details. See the two photos below:


A sixth grade class created this cradle. It is made of casts of students' hands:
Graduate art students created this interesting piece. See the other view below:


Here I am (R) with Naomi Natale (L), the inspiring, resourceful, and talented photo-journalist who initiated and oversaw this huge project. The Cradle Project raises funds to aid orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa. Thank you Naomi for your vision and leadership!

Work Submitted to Cradle Project

Here are some pictures of the crib in Mrs. L's art room before it was shipped to New Mexico. Thought I'd post these before I leave for Albuquerque. I'm hoping I can take some pictures of it in NM so that you can also see how the art looks in the exhibit space.

This shows only the work of one class, but all of the second graders' dolls were creative, expressive, and beautiful!

How to Make Papier Mache Dolls

This is my first blog post!!!

For anyone who would like directions for making papier mache dolls click here. You can download and print directions. There are also some pictures of dolls that were part of a crib made for the Cradle Project and a few other dolls.

I will be visiting the Cradle Project exhibit in New Mexico next week, so check back in a couple of weeks and I will tell you all about my trip! Have a great summer!!!!!