September 26,30 in 30

Day #26. 30 paintings in 30 days
hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful afternoon at Womanspace of Rockford with a alcohol ink sampler class. The grounds of Womanspace are just stunning. It's the perfect setting for the New Dimensions Studio. You just feel more peaceful by just being there.

I had three very talented women in my class, two who were totally new to alcohol inks. They did such a great job and I think pumpkins are a great subject. They really allow you to play with the inks and see what they can do.

Three Pumpkins

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo

8" x 10"

$105 + S&H

But Now

 

The Art Nook is Heating up with New Classes

Cristi and I are back at it, 
at The New Dimensions Studio.


We'll start with a wonderful class using polymer clay and glass globes. These will be great to hang with tea light candles or little plants in them.

You can have your choice of one of the following 3 sizes, and will get one large 8" ball, a tear drop globe or 2 smaller globes. Then, you'll take these home to back in a 250 degree oven to make them adhere to the glass.

The class this Wednesday, March 29th at 6 to 6:30.

For more info click here



On Wednesday April 5th, we'll paint subway tiles in alcohol inks. Join us for Tulip Tiles. See you at 6pm for a fun night decorating this Spring favorite.

For more info click here

Thursday, April 13th we'll be back painting Crab-apple blossoms 

on Yupo paper.

 Sorry we don't have a photo yet but one is coming.

The warm weather will be bringing the Garden Parties back! 

Stay tuned. 

New this year I am offering a 3 day 3 night Girl's Art Out 
on South Twin Lake in Conover Wisconsin July 18th through July 21st.

Details to follow soon.

An Update on Classes and Shows

It's official! I love teaching classes in series.

I just finished up my four week class of intermediate alcohol ink classes. It was wonderful! To see people apply what they've learned into their own styles is terrific.We had a variety of paintings; dogs, owls landscape, abstract, then we started coping a favorite.

              At first the swirls of Starry Night were really difficult. We all felt maybe we had made a mistake trying this painting in alcohol inks. But then, we were mesmerized, we couldn't stop.

 Some of us went on to try other Masters.Some had projects they wanted to try.

                
                                                                                                                                                          
 

Things are getting busy as we approach the warmer weather. I'm working on a show at Sinisnawa Mounds - a Dominican retreat and conference center. The show will run April 5th through the end of May.

 The next 4 week series of Alcohol Inks on Canvas starts on Tuesday, April 18th. 1-4pm Info and registration here

Spring Art Scene is April 21 & 22nd. I will be showing with the Rockford Art Guild at the Trinity Lutheran Activity Center, 215 N 1st St. It  will be include my first Art Installation in the parking lot. I admit that it is my first one and I don't have a lot of time to pull this off. I know I'll learn a lot.






Then, the 14th annual Unforgettable Art, an Affair for Alzheimer's is April 29th. If you have any suggestions for my canvas please let me know. I plan on doing a vertical canvas this year. For more info and tickets go here

 Looking for a more adventurous painting experience?
Fascinated by the performance art that's becoming so popular?

Well, grab a friend (or not, we'll be your friends ) and come for a night of fun and exploration. Each person will start with their own 11" x 14" canvas. You'll choose your own acrylic color palette, up to 5 colors and be asked to fill out a simple questionnaire about what you like. We'll all start off on our own canvasses by painting the background and a few details.  We'll give you a few pointers along the way. You'll have to be quick because in 15 minutes the music will stop and you'll move on to another canvas. After reviewing that person's likes you will use their palette to continue painting on THEIR canvas! We're sure to come up with some very original pieces by the end of the night!

Tuesday, March 21st
6:00 to 8:30pm
New Dimensions Studio
Womaspace
3333 Maria Linden Drive
Rockford, Illinois 61114

$35/person
Everything you need will be supplied. Feel free to bring your own adult beverage if you'd like.

Register here

Commissions and classes

Taking a bit of a break from blogging 
after doing the 30 in 30?

Yes, I guess so. But mostly I've been busy with some commission and classes. I keep on expecting things to slow down but they haven't. Who am I kidding, I don't want them to. Do I really want to clean out my closet anyway? No, believe me I don't no matter how badly it needs it. And it needs it! My goal of loosing 1000 pounds in 2016 is not going so well. Several cookbooks - probably 20 pounds and a very stuffed bag of clothing... 40 pounds? I also know that one very productive weekend in the basement could mean a lot of pounds.

Now that the show season has slowed down a bit, the commission season is picking up. I've been busy with pet portraits and house paintings for birthday presents and I'm starting to work on Christmas commissions. I never feel good about sharing these picks in a timely manor on the off chance that one of the recipients may come across the photo on social media.

If you are interested in commissioning your own piece

click here for more info. 

There are only 6 more weeks left for commissions that will be delivered in time for Christmas. If you mention this blog post I'll give you 

$10 off any commissioned piece.

 

Classes have been 

going wonderful. 

  

We've painted sunflowers on plates, irises, Gerbera daisies, witches and more.

My next class is with Cristi Kniess at 

the Art Nook on November the 7th 6 to 8:30pm.

We'll be painting pumpkin plates and we still have a few spots open. 

If you'd like to reserve a spot click here

September 14, Ready for Halloween

Day 14

30 by 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta,

This is a piece that was inspired 

by a piece I saw on the internet. 

It is a wonderful project for a painting party.

Ready For Halloween

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Canvass

8 x 8

Book a Private Party in your Home
$35/ person, 5 people min., host paints free, all materials supplied
If you are interested in booking a private party please contact me at goldrays910@gmail.com.
Or go  HERE

Or register at 317 Studio & Gallery for October 20th class. 
Go Here for 317 

Can you believe it's August already? 
Where did July go? 

Well I know. And even though I declared July my month off from art business and shows, it wasn't quite. But I did have a wonderful July full of classes, Art Camp, vacation and more.

The garden parties were a big hit.

We had wonderful weather for both of them. Everyone enjoyed painting together outside in the shade.

There is still room available in the August 31st party. 

Click here for more information

 

 

 

Rockford City Market on the 8th went well.

 

  I am always amazed from the benefits I get just by getting out in the community. I meet the most amazing people as well as get to catch up with some friends I haven't seen in awhile.




















My next night at City Market is August 19th.
Come on down and visit.

Art Camp started July 16th. 

It was a blast!

   Thanks Terri for joining us and making some pretty terrific meals. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

 Anne taught us some basket weaving techniques, Pam had us making friendship bracelets with some of the beads she's made.

We pounded the letters OFC on metal chips.
"Old Friends in ART Club" 

Cristi tried the Cherry Pie shot that we all shared. She said that hat would get us free drinks and I guess she was right. 

We still found time to do some alcohol inks.

Add some swimming, a few nights of game playing, some shopping and lots of food ... oh and a few drinks. We had a great time. 

Can't wait until next year! 




Then, I came home for a few days to shop with my daughters and some friends for Beth's wedding dress!

 She found a terrific dress that looks stunning on her.






Then it was beck Up North for the family vacation. 
I would add pics of that too but my program seems to be a bit overloaded. 

My cup runnith over. 

This week: Start a 4 part class at Womanspace. Then on to the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival this Saturday and Sunday.