Playing in the Studio

Does it help to say I'm trying to post with consistency?  I start every year with good intentions, and so my ability to post for the third time this month should come as no surprise.  Talk to me in December!  Playing with Styrofoam in the Studio today and making lots of happy discoveries.  Here are some pictures...

 

Sandra's Open Studio Classes 2012

It's time to create art in 2012.  Sandra's Open Studio runs three days a week, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm.  It's a wonderful opportunity to create and play.  Each session costs $20 and includes materials and a treat!!  Registration is as simple as an email to sandra@fasm.ca a day or two before the class.  

For the next few months, we will be focusing on creating drawings to use in our art, painting, layering, printing, doodling and stitching.  Here's what's coming up in the Studio...

 

Jan 11, 12 & 14  We’ve used Styrofoam before, but not this way!  I love sessions where a few simple steps result in something fabulous.  This is one of those classes.  Printing our “carved” images on tissue and paper, we will layer them to create a wonderful finished piece.

                             Jan 18, 19 & 21  Join Donna and Sandra for this fantastic “mash up” as we create a sweet tea dyed canvas book together.  During this tag-team teaching, put together a layered fabric and paper journal with Donna and a beautiful waxed focal point with Sandra.  Stitch is optional.

Jan 25, 26 & 28  Time to paint something big and bold.  Bring along a previously painted canvas no larger than 16x20 inches, (one that your willing to paint over) or purchase a textured canvas for $5 here in the Studio.  This is a start to finish project guaranteed to please!

Feb 1, 2 & 4   Doodles are everywhere, even in the Studio.  This fun and funky doodle class comes with a twist of course!  This session is all about the pens, the paper (not what you’d expect) and the doodles.  But it doesn’t end there because these doodles will be used again and again.  Join me for this “not-to-be-missed” session.         

Feb 8, 9 & 11   Just in time for Valentine’s day, a piece with heart.  This sweet little layered piece is created on a 6x6 inch canvas with a surprise center.  Start and finish this during our 3 hour session.

Feb 15, 16 & 18  What do you get when you mix enlarged images, print, tape, and  tempera pucks—something irRESISTable.  Be sure and join us for this play-filled session where anything can happen.  You will create beautiful pages to be used again and again in your artwork.

Finding Balance in 2012

I slid softly into 2012, not sure that I was ready to start over.  Sometimes there is incredible pressure for us to be and do it all and truthfully, I was having none of it.  Those who know me well would think this uncharacteristic.  I love fresh starts, new beginnings.  I make lists and clean out closets, eager for the opportunity to recreate myself and my environment.  This year was different.  January brought with it a sense of uncertainty and fear.  Why you ask??  I guess we all have our limit.  The house is sold and so at this moment, the where and when and how of it all are somewhat unknown.  I’m okay with clean closets and organized supplies but not so okay with packing up house and deciding what comes next.  Have you ever been here, in this place of uncertainty and discomfort? 

After stewing a bit, I did the only thing I could do, I accepted it, all of it, for what it is and even for what it could not be and then I made art. 

Today my girls are back at school and I am back in my routine. It’s good, I missed it. It’s funny how we flip flop like fish out of water.  Yes, yes, yes and then no, no, no.  I was looking forward to a change, a new home, the girls being out of school for the holidays and then suddenly, I was yearning for familiarity and routine.  Maybe all I need in the end is a good balance of both.

This month in the Studio we will revisit some tried and true techniques with new eyes and play with materials we’ve never played with before in a search for the perfect balance of old and new. If you’ve never been, it’s a great deal at $20 for 3 hours, material included!  And if you’re coming back after what felt like a very long holiday, know that you’ve been missed and I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Until then, happy creating…