Monday, August 27, 2012

Camper is ready! Sublime Mobile Art Studio


Welcome to the Sublime Mobile Art Studio!





I want to thank all you that have been following the progress of my camper studio. It will have its debut this week at Art in the Park in Keene, NH. It won't be able to be in the show because of the delicate sprinkler system in the park, but it will be in the parking lot. If you would like a sneak peak you can view it from the outside and peak in the windows. :-)

Some more events you can see Sublime at are:

September 1-2 Art in the Park, Keene, NH Ashuelot River Park - The grand Debut of the Sublime Art Studio! Although the camper won't be allowed in the show - it can be viewed from the outside and you can peek through the windows. Come visit me at my tent in the ark for my artwork. 

October 6-7, Columbus Day Weekend, Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour, 271 Roxbury St, Keene, NH.


October 20th, Pumpkin Festival, Keene, NH. Location not set yet.

November 3rd & 4th, Keene Art Tour. 31 Trowbridge Rd Keene, NH. 

All the events so far are in Keene, but I am looking into festivals and farmer's markets before the season is over. If you know of any that would be good for a camper gallery - let me know! Also if you would like me to come to your event or rent it out for your own work, fashion trunk show etc - let me know! 603-685-4238 or email nicolecaulfield@gmail.com





Friday, August 24, 2012

Camper Update 8/24




More camper updates. I've made curtains to help with the overall color scheme of the camper which will now be green, red, yellow, and white. Its funny - with the addition of the curtains, the camper seems to be working its way to its own theme. I thought I would be doing a "campy" take on the girlscouts but after sampling and trying loads of fabrics on the windows (did you know you can return cut fabric?) I settled on this vintage looking lemon print from Joann Fabrics. I tried loads of woodsey prints and none worked as well as these sweet little curtains. SO what is the new theme? I'm not sure but the lemons work right with my food themed artwork!

The most exciting thing is the little green gallery/studio will be getting a new (old) door!

The other door was not in good condition - it is dented, leaking and missing parts. It looked like someone lost their key at some point too and pried it open. So I had someone come and take a look at what I could do for the door. My friend George Ponzini is a glass artist and can sometimes be talked into doing home repairs/kitchen remodels etc. http://www.georgeponzini.com/ You must look at his glass art it is amazing!

Well, we decided on getting on old door from Renew Salvage in Brattleboro VT and cut it to fit the frame. I went by myself and picked one. There really was only one that seemed like it would work and George is not coming until the weekend so I hope I am not jinxing this! I need the camper finished by September 1st! So I have no time for 2nd choices!




While I am waiting for the door it is on to the interior. My friend (& previous owner) painted the inside with a light grey/green which as she put it "is great for sleeping" but its kind of dark in the camper during the day sometimes so I need to lighten it up. I am going for a light lemony yellow and will be doing that today.

Also on the list before the 1st:


  • picture rails on the outside
  • carpeting in
  • furniture in (and some needs to be put together)
  • picture hangers/possible shelving in the inside
  • clean up tires

Wish me luck! Its back to school and therefore work next week for me! So I am getting a little nervous!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012




So it is painted! I chose #3, which is like a light jade green. I have some touch us to take care of and then its on to the fun stuff. Curtains, inside paint, furniture, hanging system, attach canopy, carpet. I am hoping it will be finished "enough" to drive to Art in the Park Sept 2nd! Wish me luck!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Color Pick


I can't believe how the votes here and on facebook were overwhelmingly the thirties camper. 

I made a palette of 30's greens from color picking in Photoshop various thirties items from jewelry, fashion, housewares, and vehicles. 

I like them all in a way - which do you prefer? 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Camper Art Gallery Designs

So I have the camper primed! If you are following along and want to paint the outside of a camper to make a mobile art gallery of your own, I'll let you know the process as it goes. I looked into what paint to use and after deciding not to use car paint (because it is expensive), and not to use rustoleum (because I was told its color fades fast) - I decided to use what a lot of websites said to: exterior house paint! I know I was surprised too. Since the aluminum had the factory finish on it all I had to do to prep was lightly sand and wash it. That is if you forget all the stickers to remove and caulking to fix. :-) 

The primer I used was Glidden Gripper for latex paint. It gave me some problems when it was sunny because it dried super fast, leaving some goopy stuff that I will need to sand off with a fine sandpaper. I wanted to spray the primer but it was too thick to squirt out the sprayer and it said not to thin it down. 





So the next step is sanding, like I said, and then paint job! I have two designs I like below that I sketched in thumbnail. I have already bought a vintage looking red and white striped canopy that will go IN FRONT of the camper over the door and the whole of that side. I am showing it on the side in my sketches so it doesn't block the design. 
The first design is a space age design that would go with the name my daughter came up with for the camper: Hover Craft. My camper is propped up really high so it can be dragged up a mountainside, so I was trying to come up with a name that went with that. The blue will probably be different but you get the idea. I also have a little tail fin thing at the top that a lot of campers have that would have to be made and attached.

This design I think goes with my kitsch art and has a fun feel. 


 My other design is thirties inspired. It has almost a jadeite green, but a little darker. I would have to beef up the red accents to go with the red and white awning (that again will be in front of the camper, not the side). It kind of reminds me of girl scouts and bright red and shiny camping gear.

The 30's design is clean and simple and much more traditional.

So let me know what you think!