sumo buoy

Georgie Davis' buoy is heavy.

Really heavy.

This buoy is absolutely covered with sea glass. Somehow, she managed to make it look like organic, oceanic shapes that curve and swell.

Georgie's use of color is fantastic, and her design whimsical. I love the little touches of an odd shape here or there that give the piece even more intrigue.

There's a surprise at every turn...including one more - an absolutely stunning pendant that hangs from the bottom...but I guess you'll have to see it for yourself in person tomorrow night!

the zen of lobstering

Amy Smith's buoy, "The Zen of Lobstering" uses an interesting medium - tattoo ink.

With just a touch of red in the buoys, the rest is black ink that stands out in stark contrast to the background.

Simple yet innovative, exactly what we'd expect from a Vinalhaven graduate who attended MECA.

zentangle buoy

How cool is this buoy?

Designed by Jenn Gehnrich, I think she really captured the spirit of the auction - and of Vinalhaven.

It was impossible to capture all the detail in this buoy - I've tried to give a view from every angle, but I know I've missed a lot. My favorite part is the buoys that are part of the design - I counted and think I know how many there are...

The nautical theme, which I think balances well with the intricacy of the design....

the personalized features that give a little nod to Vinalhaven - the compass rose, the wind turbines, the buoys, the anchor.

Zentangles are a concept that Heather White was using in her Art classes this year, and I'm pretty sure that's what inspired this creation (am I right, Jenn?).

a "lobster" buoy

Oh, hi.

This guy seriously needs a name. I'm thinking Larry. 

But wait, what if it's a girl? 

Lulu?

Angie Olson is the owner of Island Home, the island's one-stop shop for all your fiber needs, and I think you can see why.

Angie has really outdone herself here - completely handmade, this felt covers the entire buoy and is made with an enormous degree of care and attention.

Not to mention humor.

I literally spent half an hour trying to figure out where to take these photos because this is such a special piece.

Angie is such an unbelievable talent - to see her handiwork in person, stop by the Haven!

twilight time

I hadn't realized how many daytime landscapes there were until Pam Grumach dropped off her twilight buoy, which made me catch my breath...

Pam's buoy stands in stark contrast to the multitude of gorgeous daytime buoys. She said she had many ideas and finally settled on this one.

...and boy, I'm glad she did.

I've spent a lot of time with these buoys over the past few months and have gotten to know them all intimately.

Many times I've wondered how, with all the choices in the world, an artist comes up with one particular design over all the others. 

I think that's what makes this auction (and this island) so special - it may sound trite, but as similar as we all are, we all have a different - and valuable - way of seeing the world.

I feel humbled to have been able to have been a part of this process...yes, this is a fundraiser for a very worthy non-profit, but just the same, it's a way to stir the creative juices and realize the talent and imagination that is all around us.

I know I've said it before, but thank you - to Pam and everyone else - for sharing your unique view with us.

the cuddliest buoys

Does everyone remember Meg (AKA Miss Lyons?) 

Well, she remembers us!

A fun, squishy package arrived just the other day with a bevy of buoys inside

First, there's a string of four...

and their big brother (or sister?)

Thanks, Meg! (oh, and can't wait to see you at the wedding next week!)

faux granite buoy

Wanatha Garner's buoy is wooden, but it doesn't look that way. 

The buoy has been altered in a series of ways, first changing the shape, then the finish.

Cleverly disguised as granite, Garner's buoy has a finish on it that makes it look like polished stone.

Wanatha's buoy joins a cast of characters in the old 64 building. Choose your favorite to bid on 

THIS FRIDAY!

mirror image buoy

Francois Deschamps surprised me with a buoy last week.

Unassuming and understated like most of his art, this authentic buoy is a canvas for it's own mirror image. Francois is a photographer who takes a step further and incorporates his images into larger pieces of art, creating almost mini-installations.

Simple, elegant, with a touch of whimsy, you can see this buoy at the old 64 building!

the youngest buoy

This is the buoy I'd been looking forward to more than any other...I was very excited to see what Isa Raven would come up with for our buoy auction and I was not disappointed.

What a lovely buoy covered in my very favorite summer flower, lupines. 

Isa was almost completely responsible for the design apart from a few assists from her mom, Susan.

My absolute favorite part is that you can see her fingerprints in the petals of the lupines. Isa said she started with her thumbs first to make the petals at the bottom of the lupines and used smaller fingers as she went up, finishing with her pinky.

I have a feeling there will only be more exciting things to come out of this young artist in the upcoming years - surely this buoy is an early work and worthy investment in the future.

Thank you so much, Susan and Isa! This is definitely one of my very favorite buoys!

To see this buoy in person, stop by the old 64 building!