Bring on the Love

I've been busy today making a sample for a Date Night vase. Saturday January 30 you can sign up to create a vase like the one below (or your own design) with your loved one. You will each decorate/carve/stamp/etc. your side that is devoted to the other person.  It will be fired, glazed, refired and filled with flowers and ready to pick up on Feb. 13th!

You could also put names of your children, your anniversary date, a limerick or anything you like.

 

 

The Heart of Art

I am sitting upon my hard stool (bum numbing) avoiding updating my quickbooks while reading about my favorite topic - art. The articles that struck me today were the "keep on trucking" themes. My truck has been parked filling up with ideas but no gas. I've fallen prey a few times to negative thoughts and frustration but with the new year fast approaching and Valentine's quick on its heels, I need to get my truck moving. What does my truck need to be packed with? A vacation. Art supplies. Positivity. Cute shoes and last but not least a well formed plan.

The articles I read talked about prioritizing, however, each item on my list is equally important to me.  Mopping my dirty floors ranks right up there with creating a clever vase for an upcoming class. I did get motivated by the article when it mentioned determination. If you get started and you are determined to reach your goals, sidetracks and dead ends accepted, you will reach them. So with renewed determination ( found it packed in the truck with some caffeine and chocolate) I am excited to begin the steps needed to reach my goals. I've already started my marketing workbook and some art project samples. No need for a resolution this New Year - I will just keep on trucking next year and the year after that.


The Heart of Art is Determination.

The Process (sometimes)

I was working on a painting for a donation last week and photographed my process in order to share. I don't always work this way but I thought it might inspire some of you (fingers crossed someone is reading this :).  I started by looking through my boxes of inspiration I have here in the store. Mind you I don't look through things looking for images to copy or recreate. Sometimes I use an image of an animal or person as reference - when left to my own imagination they end up looking like fat cartoon people.  Here is what struck my fancy that particular frigid snow covered day...

A clip art bicycle (one of the images I'm always drawn to - others include silverware, chairs and wagons) I blew it up on the copier and tiled it together with careful trimming and tape on the back.

 

The top picture here was the back of a swirly I had cut out a long time ago, I liked the colors and that little bit of red. I painted my whole canvas the cream color and let it dry.  The second image is from an illustration in a graphic design magazine (sorry I don't have the artist name). I liked the scribbles and dotted lines and the area around her left eye. Here is where I went with it...

I decided it was blah with the original color choices so I added some yellow ochre. Then spent some time with the image transfer of the bike.

Still wasn't feeling finished. It felt two sided, as if I could cut off the bike and make it its own painting and the other 2/3rd a different painting. So, after a little more time standing back and staring at it, answering the phone and paying bills I came back and did this...

Just a little yellow ochre to tie in and some text that I can read but no one else can. That was my point though. It has meaning but since it is a donation piece I didn't want it to be so personal that someone might not connect with the piece. Essentially it is about passing moments in time and the fleeting nature of life and the mundane things in life (ie the bike) and how they might change shape over time but the original is always an influence in our lives. Or something like that.

I hope you enjoyed that little glimpse into my brain waves. I'd love to see or hear how other people find inspiration or work through a creative project so I might share it with others.. Here is another request for people to send images or links that I can share.  Calling all artists!!!!!

Oh that reminds me, I am trying to put together an art show. Please visit this part of the Art Mill website for more information on what I am looking for.

Kids Crafty Santa

Here is an easy kids project to do before Santa gets here. I invented this guy today in preparation for a kids class tomorrow. Here is what you need:

Ping pong ball

flesh color acrylic paint

googly eyes (2)

3 cotton balls (regular size)

1 5"x6" piece of paper  ( I used a scrapbooking paper but you can use red craft paper or anything else)

4 small pom poms (1 white - 3 any color you like)

Glue

Hole punch

Awl or sharp poking device

Red and Tan Felt

1 chenille pipe cleaner (white used here)

Instructions: 1. Cut paper to size and roll into a tube, Glue overlapping ends or staple. I stapled here because I didn't want to take the time to hold the paper until the glue dried. You can also glue and hold it in place with paper clips until dried. Glue or staple top side of tube so the edges are flat together.

2. Paint ping pong ball with flesh colored paint. Once paint is dry punch two small holes with your awl. They should be exactly opposite each other.  Take your pipe cleaner and insert into your ball and push it through the other side. Pull enough through to bend and push back into the hole a good inch or so. Doesn't need to come back out the other side but make sure you leave about an inch on the side opposite your loop you just made.

3. Punch a small hole in the top center of the paper tube you made in step 1. Put the pipe cleaner through this hole (not the loop side) and wrap it around itself until your "head" is on good. You should be able to hold the loop and they should hang together without slipping.

NOW THE FUN PART!!!

For those of you with little ones I would do these first few steps yourself (except maybe the head painting step)

4. Glue on your cotton ball beard and create a red felt hat out of a half circle shape. Glue this on leaving a gap for your hanging loop. Fold the top of the hat over and tack with glue (mine didn't hold)

5. Glue pom poms on the end of the hat and down the front of his body.

6. Cut hand or mitten shapes out of the tan felt and glue on the paper on the sides.

7. Glue googly eyes on  (or paint if you prefer)

8. Create a message or drawing on a separate piece of paper and place inside paper tube. You could also put a gift card in here too. Glue or staple the open end pinching it together in the opposite direction, creating a sort of triangle shape.

Give as a gift from your little creator.

I hope I didn't forget any steps.... Enjoy!

B'Claus I Love you.

 

 

These lovelies were created by a couple other lovelies a few Saturday's ago during our Paperclay Elves (santas or snowmen) class. They are cute and hilarious just like their creators. I don't know how they will split them up. They were made by sisters so maybe they will have joint custody. Once they leave the Art Mill they are no longer protected by the "system".

I've had a few people tearful after missing out on the class so I think I might have an Easter Bunny version of them coming round the bend. There is always next year. I'll get them out early so people have a heads up on the class schedule.

I plan to have photos of future projects so you won't have to come into the store to see all the samples. Hopefully this will help. But for now feel free to call and say "tell me more about this class" and I will do my best to describe them. Check the online schedule for more classes left in December.

You've already missed out on a few good ones. Like last night's batik stockings. Look how great they turned out.

Thanks Carolyn, Nancy and Megan for letting me photograph your beauties. Tonight is another night of fun with wax and wonder. We are doing encaustics with Christmas decor for some added Christmas funkiness.  I'll try to post some photos of those later but you really can't get the full joy out of just seeing what others do. You must experience it first hand and smell the hot wax and burn your fingers out of excitement (and inability to wait to touch your pieces - maybe that's just my problem). No worries we have aloe and it really isn't that dangerous.

How gorgeous is this?!

I'm blog hopping while "working" from home during our lovely blizzard. I came across this loveliness through looking at a blog that belongs to the wonderful Ms. Corinne who left a comment on my blog, then I hopped on over to one of her listed blogs that she follows and saw this beauty.  See what all can come from leaving a simple comment.  Thank you Corinne. Here is a link to her blog to see her fab stitching work. I go cross eyed after a few minutes of a running stitch so I am impressed by all you do.

Click here to see where I ended up with the tutorial.  Looks so classic and simple - very Audrey Hepburn. I can just imagine it attached to the front of her hat in Breakfast at Tiffany's.  She wore some ridiculous hats. I just want it on my door - maybe three of them hanging together at the top of the stairs. Hmmm... maybe with a little collaged/stitched piece of art hanging in the center.  Ohh the ideas.

Back to my multi-tasking. I am watching a movie with the Hubs, cutting out letters for a party on Friday, getting ready to make Taco soup and planning the classes for Jan. and Feb.  Obviously getting distracted by pretty things along the way. Although I could make the version I'm imagining in my head with the art in the center and turn it into a little Winter class.

Changes to come

I can't sit still very long when big projects get completed. I'm on to planning the next undertaking and how to accomplish it as quick as I can. On the agenda this week... (ok really next week, because I'm in a wedding of my good friend this Sat. and have gifts to paint) is to revamp the class schedule and process for January. I'll be offering the same project multiple times to avoid having people miss out on a great class because I picked a date that doesn't work with busy busy schedules.

We really need to do less in a day - each and everyone of us. I suggest instituting siestas and milk and cookie hour. Hmmm... maybe I can offer that here at the store. Lay out sleep mats like in Kindergarden and blankies. Maybe someday, too much "work" to be done.  (see, just can't get away from it!)

I've also been given a great opportunity by Mr. Loveland to offer free art classes for kids to create music boxes out of cigar boxes and painting classes. The painting class students will also receive an art kit to take home from the generous Mr. Loveland as well.  I am beginning to put together the plan and materials to get the word out to Big Brothers, Big Sisters and also Nebraska Children's Home Society. If you know of other great organizations that might like to share an art experience for kids let me know.

In addition to these projects for kids I am also rethinking my kids classes. I am going to have scheduled sessions instead of the one-on-one classes. For my scheduling needs and also so the kids can get together with other kids and not just this boring old person. This picture below is a wonderful art piece made by Avery (age 6) in one of our classes. Soooo cute!

I have a billion other ideas to get moving on so this is only the beginning. Other things in the works include but are not limited to...
an etsy shop,
quarterly art shows with opening receptions
prizes for art contests
earth day recycled art contest
art swaps here at the store (ie. ATC card swap or similar)
getting class sample photos on the web calendar (before the class!!)
more guest artist classes/workshops
week long retreats with instructors/field trips - maybe a summer plein air class in rural NE
get the ceiling "motor" fixed
this "motor" is winter wind noise that the landlords can't seem to figure out - sounds like a motorcycle at times - come stay awhile and you will get to hear it too!

the list goes on and on with ideas. Any feedback on favorites is always appreciated.

To sum up this post I'll leave you with a few images of the Christmas items I have out on display.