Artful Adventures

Too much fun!

Don't you just love doing something arty & kind of messy all at the same time?  Well, I do!  We hauled out my grandfather's (maybe gr. grandfathers, can't remember) wallpaper table, set it up on the patio, and proceeded to attempt doing nature prints.  If you remember back a few months, I wrote about a book I had just gotten written by LK Ludwig.  Just by looking through Mixed Media Nature Journals, I knew this was something I was going to love doing-and I was right!  Check out some of what I got from my first attempts at this, can't wait to play around more with this technique.  The possibilities are endless!

Is this cool, or what!  LK is teaching a class in Sept. at my favorite place to be, Valley Ridge Art Studio.  I'd love to go to class and see what other tricks she has up her sleeve!  Will have to see what I can do to make that happen, not sure how yet, but the mind is whirling:)

Press Release, an introduction, and asking for help--

---but not necessarily in that order:)  This past spring I had the pleasure of meeting Roy Bedward, an artist from Madison who happens to be autistic.  I've been given permission to post a copy of a presentation that he gave at a recent conference for autism, you can find a link on the left sidebar, or just click here.  Now that may not sound very impressive in itself, but you have to understand that Roy can't talk, he's non verbal.   So go back & read, It's long, but well worth it to get a better understanding of Roy and his everyday challenges.  If you google his name, you'll find some of his art to see, like here for instance.

Now that you've had the introduction, here's where the call for help comes in.  Roy is limited as to what he can earn on his own and is always in need of money (I know, we all are) to buy art supplies.  If you've read his story, you'll know how important it is that he's able to create his art.  When asked what he could use, this is what I was told:  "I think we can utilize many materials.  What Roy uses the most currently is acrylic paint, heavy water color paper, canvas, brushes, glass jars for paint, and wood.  It would be great to use other material so what ever you may have to give, we will find use for it."  Jeremy helps with his care, but Alli is the supervisor & in charge of it all, so if you have any specific questions, or need an address to ship any extra supplies that you may be willing to part with, here's all the contact information:

Allison Kretschmer

Quality Assurance Coordinator

REM Wisconsin Inc.

1317 Applegate Road

Madison, WI 53713

Phone: 608-276-0102 #248

Fax: 608-276-0110

Allison.Kretschmer@thementornetwork.com

Now for the fun part, Roy is having his own show at The Flying Pig Gallery & Greenspace.  It's part of the Back Gallery Series offered, so he'll have his art on display and for sale there from June 28 through July 27, 2008.  Here's a copy of the press release that just went out that explains it all much better than I can:)  Thanks in advance for anyone who can help, please feel free to direct folks to this post, or put it on your blog, anything to get the word out to be able to help him.  This is exactly why I like to blog, there's such a sense of community and it's amazing how I've seen bloggers pull together, here's another chance to do just that!

For Immediate Release:

 

2008 Back Gallery Series Continues with the artwork of Roy Bedward.

 

In a life filled with shadows, he sees colors and is awakened by their beauty.   He communicates by typing on a simple paper keyboard, his helpers quickly deciphering the letters that soon become his words.  He may not be able to talk, but he most definitely understands – meet Roy Bedward, a Madison, WI, based artist whose work will be the on exhibit as part of The Back Gallery Series 2008 at The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace from June 28 through July 27. 

 

Although diagnosed with autism, Roy has captured the sense of magic and color that autism gives the real world – an endless supply of sensations with which to work.  For over ten years, he has been painting in self-made studios at his home in an assisted living residence in Madison.  Presented with a limited palate of colors and  materials to paint upon, Roy creates stunning abstract combinations of color and texture.

 

In addition to painting, Roy loves drawing, woodworking, and working with clay.  While in his studio, he has a support member assist him with his body if he becomes “stuck.”  Despite needing this support member, all of his creations are completely independent and original.

 

“When I'm painting I feel more normal and happy than any other time in my life.  I love color.  It can make me so much more alive when I have it in my life,” types Bedward.  “Just imagine how it would feel to not be able to talk.  If you can really imagine that, then you can begin to understand what my art means to me.” 

 

Bedward is the second of four artists to be featured at The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace this summer.  The remaining artists to be featured in the Back Gallery Series will be Melissa Jones of Birmingham, AL (August 2 – September 1) and Kim Wozniak of Pulaski, WI (September 6 – October 5).

 

The Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace is located at N6975 Hwy 42, 2 miles south of Algoma. The gallery is open daily 9am-6pm. For gallery and event information, please call (920) 487-9902 or visit www.theflyingpig.biz.

 

Sharing some new necklaces

Ok, this will be the third attempt at making this post today.  If I can get the photos up, there may be few words rather than tempt fate again!  Sure wish typepad would get this new format figured out!

This is totally whacked out tonight, the last 2 photos didn't size right, so click on them to see them as intended-geez, can't win tonight!  The first necklace is made of stick pearls, yellow freshwater & white coin freshwater pearls, citrine, chinese charoite, and an antique trade bead.  The second necklace was made with the intention of being able to wear it with the first one shown, using coral, lava stone, antique trade beads, a couple of Lake Michigan stones, and a wonderful hammered sterling chain.  Last but not least, this one is made using a reconstructed vintage necklace, the most gorgeous labradorite that I've ever seen, prehinite, and white pearls.  Wish you could see this one in person!  So far so good, the computer hasn't come crashing down yet, so I'll post tomorow-hope you all had a lovely week end! 

Celebration of Life on the Lake

 

Gary participated in a community based project recently, Celebration of Life on the Lake, and here's the clay tile that he made.  I'm so proud of him for trying something new and doing it so well-good job!  The reception was this past Saturday where everybody got to see them all together for the first time, I didn't know what to expect since I wsn't a part of this one, and was blown away with what I saw.  And to see all the kids with their parents, showing off their art work, well that was just precious!  The following text is from a press release (making sure I get the facts straight!), and photos from Gary.  This will be the 3rd attempt, for some reason Typepad keeps eating my posts tonight!

Through the months of April and May students from Kewaunee and Algoma schools, as well as home school children and adult community members, have gathered at Clay on Steele in Algoma to create works of art celebrating life here in Northeast Wisconsin on the Lake Michigan shore.  Nearly 150 participants designed, created and glazed clay tiles that depict scenes of local plant and wildlife, recreational activities, family farms, historical buildings and endangered and invasive species.  The project, designed and implemented by local artists Kirsten Christianson and Stephanie St. John, was partially funded with a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board.  The artists were able to receive this grant by partnering up with ArtBeet, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the arts in Kewaunee County.  Additional support was provided by local businesses, individuals and over a dozen volunteers from the community.

 This project was created to bring the community together and to help us appreciate the beauty, history and culture of Kewaunee County.  We are thrilled with the exciting response we have received from all the participants, volunteers and donors.  The quality of art work and the excitement generated from the project participants was astounding and far surpassed what we had anticipated.  All the artists and families should be extremely proud of this body of work.  Celebration of Life on the Lake has truly been a community project, we are thankful for all your support and hope to continue to organize future community art projects.  A selection of tiles will kept on display at The Flying Pig through Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

New Art

Who would have thought I'd have as much fun as I am working on these larger canvases, another 2'x3', but I really am!  This one will be varnished and framed in a simple black wooden frame, same as the first one.  Just a quickie post for now, will be back later with more, but for now I'm heading on back into the studio and start #3:)

Good news!!

You know the saying "there's a first time for everything"?  Well here goes another "first" for me-drawing and painting a face on the biggest canvas that I've ever worked on (that's 2 "firsts"-lol), it's a 2'x3' canvas, so she's huge!  Just have to varnish her & put her into a very simple, black wooden frame which just sets her off & finishes it off nicely.  I have to say that I learned a lot through this process, and realize just how much I still have to learn.  But it was fun, I enjoyed the process, and I'll do it again. 

Today's mail brought the best surprise of all!  A while back I applied for a scholarship for a class at Peninsula Art School funded by the Broad Salon Scholarship Fund—In 2006, the women of the Broad Salon, a local women’s arts group, published a calendar with the proceeds from the sales funding a scholarship program at Peninsula Art School. The Broad Salon Scholarship Fund covers 100% of the tuition expenses for any Art School workshop. Participation in the program is limited to female full-time residents of Door and Kewaunee counties, Wisconsin.  And I got one of the scholarships, is that great or what?  So in July, I'll be heading up there for 5 days of Silver Jewelry for the New Metalsmith taught by Sylvia Youell!  It's something I've been wanting to learn more about and now I'll get my chance, it's still hard to believe:)  The class runs M-F from 9-noon, and then the studio is open to work in until 5pm each day.  The school also offers a series called Art History & Appreciation.  For now, I'm signed up for a lecture/demo of "USING GOLDEN ACRYLIC MEDIUMS, GELS AND PAINTS", which includes information packets and free samples.  It's being done by Bonnie Cutts, who is one of the artists that make up Golden's Working Artist Program.  She's also teaching a Mixed media in Painting & Collage class which is very tempting!  Oh, who am I kidding, all of the classes are tempting:)   So check out the class schedule-anyone want to join me? 

And the weather outside was frightful--

--seriously, it started snowing shortly after noon today and is still going strong, they're saying 8-11" of snow before it's over, and then it's turning to freezing rain on top of it.  We were planning on going to a 1/2 birthday party tonight, but not with this weather.  I was really looking forward to it, it seems like forever since we've been to a party, but there will be more, better to be safe.  But to brighten up the week end, I got this lovely piece of art in the mail from Heather Robinson.  She recently had a drawing on her blog for several art pieces, and my name was drawn for 1 of them.  Isn't it cool?  It's a "skinny" , and there's even a weekly challenge for them.  Speaking of challenges, Heather & Suzan host another weekly challenge site called  Fluffy Fatbottom's Twisted Tuesday , although I haven't participated yet, it looks like fun!  Thanks again Heather, this was a sweet treat and I love it!  If anyone reading this hasn't been on Heather's blog yet, go back & click on her name, you won't believe how prolific she is, just blows me away!  Keep warm everyone, I'll have photos of a winter wonderland tomorrow:)

What's Happening--

This past Sunday afternoon, at The Flying Pig, a closing reception was held for The Art Flow Project that I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in, you can read all about it on the new blog for The Flying Pig.  Leave it to Robyn to make sure Gary had his own name tag-sort of:)  It was great to be able to meet some of the other artists that were involved, good food, drinks, it was all good!  The high point was meeting the 2 little boys, brothers, that did a panel together, they had the biggest smiles & were so proud, as they should be! 

Tonight is Gallery Night in Green Bay, an event sponsored by Olde Main Street, the third Thursday of every month, a number of galleries are open from 5pm-8pm.  Teresa, a friend of mine who owns Weathered Goods will be participating in Gallery Night, as usual, and will have Shan Bryan-Hanson on hand, demonstrating her oil painting-Shan's paintings are soooo gorgeous that it will be a real treat to see her working on them!  And it's a chance to check out Teresa's new metal work, as well.  A couple of weeks ago she came out & gifted me with one of new designs, a tall lady on a stand-very cool!  She also brought over one of her jointed ladies for me, a trade we did for one of my collages.  It's now hanging on a wall in my studio, that wall is really yellow, but for some reason, it looks peachy/orange in the photo!  Anyway, it's the perfect addition to my "purse wall"!  Ok, that's it for the moment-now to decide what to do on this rainy, windy day!        

Numbers

If there's anyone out there reading this, that hasn't been reading & following the incredible piece of artwork by Judy Wilkenfeld called Numbers , drop what you're doing and go on over and take a look.  It's really pretty amazing, the size, the depth & emotion, and how she's incorporated things sent to her by other artists to complete this piece.  There really are no words to describe it, but take my word for it that you really need to see it.  If you can believe this one, I'm actually speechless after looking at it again, just go see.

YOu ever have one of those days-----

---------when art goes wrong?  The orignal plan was to go to the lake today, as long as my husband was working, and read a book & do some "arting " in my journal.  I got sidetracked & decided to stay here & prep a bunch of pages in my journal instead, be the good wife , & wait to go to the lake with Gary in the next day or 2, when we can spend the whole day there.  Sounds simple, prep pages, slam bam, done!  Wrong!  Didn't like a thing I did & kept painting over them.  That's crazy-it's my journal, I don't even have to show it to anyone if I don't want to, and yet I spent the day overthinking every move I made.  So, I'm calling it a night and try again tomorrow.  Someone please tell me that you have those days, too!