Holiday Artists’ Market at Lakeland Community College

For my "northern" friends :) check out the Holiday Artists Market at Lakeland Community College on November 28-29.

Two dozen of us artists will have jewelry, clay, wearables, accessories, mixed media, textile design, wall art, and other gifty goodies.

The market is held at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, Ohio 44094, in the “A” building Atrium.

HOURS: November 28-29:
10 AM – 3 PM

Proceeds from the market will benefit Lakeland’s Visual Arts Student Exhibition Awards Fund.

Be sure to also visit for more info http://www.lakelandcc.edu/gallery or https://www.facebook.com/events/1684472978529686/

Kickin' It With Kenny

Kenny Crumpton of Fox 8’s Kickin’ It With Kenny came to visit our studios last week. We gave him a quick tour of the place, then we he interviewed us LIVE on air!

It was a really enjoyable experience - he's easy to talk to and is gifted at making us introverts sound good on camera.

He visted 4 places in Hudson: the Fire Museum at Town Hall, Peachtree Southern Kitchen, and Gwendolyn Elizabeth, and us at Uncommon Art.

Watch our interview here:
http://www.artstudioinhudson.com/2016/11/12/kickin-it-with-kenny-comes-to-uncommon-art/

All the videos from his Hudson visit are here:
http://fox8.com/2016/11/10/kickin-it-with-kenny-hudsons-own/

Uncommon Art is an art studio, gallery, and classroom in the heart of historic Hudson Ohio. Visit our website at:
http://www.artstudioinhudson.com/news/

East Shore Art Show

This weekend, I'll have artwork at the East Shore Art Show, hosted by the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland.  About 45 artists are participating, and from what I could see of their artwork, it looks to be a spectacular show.

If you have a chance this weekend, stop by and take a look around. The church’s address is 10848 Chillicothe Road (Rt. 306) in Kirtland.

Hours:

Saturday, Nov. 12, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, Nov. 13, 1 – 5pm

For details, visit their website at http://www.eastshoreartshow.com/

Discover Hudson 2016

Imagine my surprise when I opened my Hudson Hub Times recently and found the Discover Hudson 2016 magazine inside – with my artwork on the cover!

The magazine has a well-written and beautifully designed article titled “Art On The Green” about the artists in town. Check it out on page 26.

The image on the cover is my painting of the Hudson Clock Tower in the style of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. It’s part of my series that depicts the clock tower in the style of famous artists, a lighthearted take on our beloved icon.

Here's more about my clocktower series:
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/blog/what-if-famous-artists-were-inspired-by-our-clock-tower/

Read the article in Discover Hudson 2016 at https://issuu.com/dixcom/docs/discover_hudson_2016_export

More Art Classes And Events For Fall

This fall, I’m offering several classes as well as plenty of events.

Collage Class, Session 2: Begins Tuesday, Nov. 15th and runs 4 weeks. We’ll work in a series and learn more collage techniques. Attending session 1 is helpful but not mandatory. You won’t be lost if you start with this session.

Limited to 6 students. Register at
https://squareup.com/store/uncommon-art-llc/item/collage-class


Night of Unfinished Projects: Thursday, Nov. 10th, 7-9pm. We all have unfinished projects at home that we WANT to finish, but can never quite find the time for. Well, this is the time! Bring your project – anything from knitting to painting to scrapbooking to writing  to whatever – and work on it that evening. We’ll have a creative, relaxing atmosphere to inspire you. It will be fun; come give it a try!

Register at https://squareup.com/store/uncommon-art-llc/item/night-of-unfinished-projects

Sunday Art Parties: Sundays at 1pm. Skip the Sunday football game and come on out to the studio! We’ll make a different mixed-media project each week. Cost is $20 and all supplies are included.

Register at https://squareup.com/store/uncommon-art-llc/item/art-class-for-football-widows-sunday-pm

Painting Parties: Call me to schedule a painting party for you and your friends! I have lots of fun holiday-themed projects we can do. We can hold them at the studio, at your house, or at a restaurant. Your choice! Cost is $33 per person.

The full schedule of classes is online here http://www.artstudioinhudson.com/events/


All classes are held at Uncommon Art, 178 1/2 N. Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236. (We are on the 2nd floor.)

www.uncommonarthudson.com

Wine Tasting and Art Show, Nov. 3

For one night only, join us at Viva Bene Gourmet for a wine tasting and art show!

Thursday, November 3rd, from 6-8pm, sample a lovely selection of wines while you browse my art along with Dana Giel-Ray and Mary McKee Distefano.

Be sure to RSVP for the wine tasting, if you want to participate, by TUESDAY, November 1, to 330-653-9800 or erin@vivabenegourmet.com .

The art show has no admission fee.

Viva Bene Gourmet is located at 219 N. Main Street (behind All Brides Beautiful). It’s a wonderful shop with an irresistible selection of wines and gourmet foods.

http://vivabenegourmet.com/

Trees I Have Known, And A Few Shrubs

One of the joys of sharing a studio with other artists is having the opportunity to work together. As we have come to know each other’s styles and inspiration, we discovered that we have a common love of nature, and that inspiration takes many forms in our work.

With that common ground, plus a nod to the 100th anniversary of our national parks, we have collaborated on an exhibit called “Trees I Have Known, And A Few Shrubs”.

Several of my Roots and Roads series will be on display, plus I have made some new tree-themed collage pieces. Dana has been working on tree-inspired jewelry with designs of acorns, leaves, and branches. Shannon’s paintings and drawings of local trees round out the exhibit.

The exhibit runs October 21 - November 12.

The exhibit is on display at Uncommon Art, in Hudson.



Also visit www.uncommonarthudson.com or www.facebook.com/uncommonarthudson.

Fall Art Classes

This fall, I’m offering a collage class as well as a couple of open studio events. For a change, I’m posting all of my classes over on the Uncommon Art website: http://www.artstudioinhudson.com/events/ . It’s a place to put all of my classes, plus Shannon’s and Dana’s, too.

Beginning September 27, I am offering a 4-week collage class that will cover the basics, altering and transferring images, using text, and maybe even a scavenger hunt (weather permitting).

Plus, check out our procrastination busting evening on October 7th. The idea is that we all have unfinished projects at home that we WANT to finish, but can never quite find the time for. Well, this is the time! Bring your project – anything from knitting to painting to scrapbooking to writing to whatever as long as it fits up the stairs – and work on it that evening. We’ll give you time and space, plus a creative atmosphere and occasional friendly nudge to get you going. It will be fun, relaxing, and productive. Come give it a try.

Painting parties are always fun. Just give me a call or email and we'll find a time that fits your schedule.

Keep an eye on the calendar for the most up-to-date info: http://www.artstudioinhudson.com/events/. Our schedule is filling up and changing pretty quickly, so the calendar is the best place to know what’s happening.

Kent Art In The Park, Sept. 10-11

New to my show roster this year is Kent's Art In The Park. I've attended the show as a guest many times, but this is the first year I've had a booth there.

Held in Kent’s Fred Fuller Park on Middlebury Rd., the location is beautiful and shaded. The festival has plenty of artists, food, music on 2 stages, plus activities for the entire family. Parking and admission are free. Hours are:

Sept 10, 10a.m. – 6p.m.
Sept 11, 11a.m. – 5p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.kentparksandrec.com/annual-events/art-in-the-park

Art on the Green 2016

This year's Art on the Green was another lovely event. The weather was hot and sunny, and brought out the crowds.

I love this show (it's around the corner from my studio, after all) but it's a bit bittersweet. Because it's held on the last weekend before Labor Day, it's a signal that summer is coming to an end.

This year's show was held:

Saturday, August 27: 10am – 5pm
Sunday, August 28: 11am – 5pm

Art On The Green attracts 150 local and regional artists, showing art, woodcarving, glass, metal, sculpture, fiber, jewelry, enamel, and more. It is consistently one of the nicest shows around.

The show is presented by Hudson Society of Artists. Be sure to visit their page and give them a like: https://www.facebook.com/groups/148018308548353/

Also visit: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/art-on-the-green-2016/

Coming Soon To An Art-o-Mat Near You

It’s been a while since my last series of artwork for Art-o-mat, and I’ve missed making them. I really enjoy working on these series, and love seeing these little guys come together.

My larger artwork has been exploring envelopes. They’re a dying art – who sends letters anymore? Envelopes (at the root, “envelop”) are meant to wrap and contain things, and then to be opened and the contents released. I’m interested in the contrast between open and closed, hidden and visible, and the emotions they evoke.

The current Art-o-mat series plays on the theme with a little handmade envelope with an unexpected surprise peeking out, attached to a wooden block covered in vintage map or book page. The surprise might be flowers or pets, people or sayings. They are light and humorous, and hopefully will give patrons a chuckle.

Insufficiently Wrapped, a collage

“Insufficiently Wrapped” plays on the envelope theme with an image that couldn’t be contained.

I liked the idea of a neat and tidy envelope spilling messy contents all over the place.

Envelopes are meant to contain, but sometimes they just can’t hold it in anymore.

The envelope is made from a magazine image that I altered with solvent, then painted with transparent gold paint. The button is not real – it’s a sticker.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/insufficiently-wrapped/

Too Much To Contain

“Too Much To Contain” looks at what happens when the envelope is too full and the contents are released.

I love the mix of modern and vintage bits here: graphs from a 1950s physics book, vintage elements from the 1880s, mixed with modern snapshots and maps. It’s a wonderful, complex mix of items.

The envelope is made from a piece of paper that I painted, along with a vintage stamp. An odd view of it from the side is below, taken while I was holding a mat on it to check the progress.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/too-much-to-contain/

Remembrance, a collage

“Remembrance” uses a modern envelope paired with a vintage greeting card. I wanted to echo the greeting card with the other elements in the piece, so looked for papers with a similar feel.

As I have tried to do in other recent pieces, I tried to be somewhat spontaneous in my approach and not over analyze the selection and placement of elements. I wanted the overall effect to be loose and energetic, full of life, though the style of the vintage card hints at having been used to remember a life.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/remembrance/

Going Forth, a collage

Remember the excitement of finding a real envelope in the mail, one with a card or letter?

Envelopes are more than paper: their purpose lies equally in being able to wrap, contain, and conceal, as well as open and release. They are the messenger, so rarely (never?) are they the reason for the missive.

Yet being wrapped and opened, sent and delivered conjure up all kinds of emotions for us. In the Envelop/e series, I’ll explore those emotions.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/going-forth/

Walk In The Woods, a collage

“Walk In The Woods” continues my exploration with a collage process that is more free and intuitive.

No carefully analyzed plan, no agonizing over each piece. Instead, I tried to put pieces together because they felt like they belonged together.

Do vintage buttons, corrugated cardboard, and French knots really belong together? Who knows, but they seemed to belong together.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/walk-in-the-woods/

Waterfall, a collage

“Waterfall” began, as so many of my abstract paintings do, with quick and instinctive swatches of paint on paper. Quick and energetic, applied in an intuitive, physical way.

After the paint dried, I enhanced the paint with some machine stitching to draw attention to it and add texture, then added the puff of shredded black paper.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/waterfall/

Deep Blue Sea

“Deep Blue Sea” is a bit different for me.

Collage, the way I do it, is deliberate. I think about each piece before applying it to the artwork, weighing color, placement, size carefully. I’ll often look at a piece for several days before gluing anything down.

It’s a very different process than painting, which for me is energetic and spontaneous.

For this piece, however, I tried to be more free. I glued papers down without agonizing over the placement. After a while, I went over the whole piece with that rusty orange brown to unify the composition. Then I added more papers on top.

For more: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/deep-blue-sea/

The Dunes, a collage

“The Dunes” was an enjoyable collage to put together. Rather than raiding only my stash of papers and yarn, I took a walk outside and picked up plant materials (grasses, leaves, petals) that I included in the artwork.

So is it an exact place? No, it’s meant to just suggest seashore, dunes, beach grasses, rocks. I was going for a sunny, breezy feel that could be anywhere along a coastline.

more...

Roots and Roads #3, a collage

“Roots and Roads #3” picks up on cues from the first in this series. A little less realistic than #2, with added yarn – and even buttons!

A tree, along a rocky path, stands along save for bits of scrubby grasses. Buttons and yarn mark the path along with strewn flower petals.

More...

Roots and Roads #2

“Roots and Roads #2” is a continuation of a series of artwork that explores roots (where do we come from) and roads (where are we going).

Inspired by the idea that we need to be grounded in our past helps us grow toward our future, I made “Roots and Roads #2” from old book pages, maps, and printed images. No thread or yarn in this one; it didn’t need it.

More...

Shaker Heights Art and Music Festival, June 18-19

I am pleased to be part of the Shaker Heights Arts and Music Festival again this year. Hope you can stop by and say hi! I'll be in booth 128.

Saturday, June 18: 10 am-8 pm
Sunday, June 19: 11 am-5 pm

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/shaker-heights-art-and-music-festival-june-18-19/

Garden Gate, a collage

"Garden Gate” is the final piece in the Portals series. Based on “Garden Shrine” with hints of “Frosty Window”, it offers an arch in a cheerful, warm garden setting. As with some of the other pieces, I wanted an image that invite viewers to experience a portal, make the transition through it.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-garden-gate/

Garden Path, A Collage

“Garden Path” takes another view of an archway and the view from and through it. I wanted to indicate a sense of space and set up an inviting scene where you’d want to go from here to there.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/garden-path/

Garden Shrine

“Garden Shrine” looks at portals as a gateway. An imaginary scene, some views are off in the distance, others are close up. Made of bits of paper, it forms a peaceful, contemplative scene.

Photos of the piece in progress are at http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-garden-shrine/

Beyond

“Beyond” explores the idea of Portals as a window or opening, but shows only the view. I was thinking more about transition – going from there to there, looking at one place from another – rather than the structure that you go through. It’s more about wanting to go than how you get there.

The scene is ... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-beyond/

Foggy Bridge 2

I thoroughly enjoyed painting the first Foggy Bridge painting, and wanted to explore the subject further.

This version is lighter and brighter. The collaged paper along the bottom edge has cheerful tulips. The bridge is less distinct than in the first painting, making this more about the colors than the structure.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/foggy-bridge-2/

Foggy Bridge 1

Continuing the Portals series is a small painting done about a bridge.

I had vacationed in California several years ago with friends. We flew to San Francisco, spent a weekend, then drove to Napa. On the way home, we drove across the Golden Gate bridge. Beautiful, sunny day, typical of that area. As we approached the bridge, the fog rolled in. By “rolled”, I mean rolled like a freight train! One minute it was sunny; the next it was so foggy we could hardly see the car in front of us.

Read more: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-foggy-bridge-1/

Frosty Window

Frosty Window, part of my Portals series, was inspired by that crazy polar vortex weather we’ve had the past couple of winters. Awful cold, miserable stuff – but also beautiful.

The frost patterns on my windows were really pretty. Tiny delicate crystals dancing across the panes.

Read more: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/frosty-window/

Distant Memories 2

“Distant Memories 2” continues exploring that moment of transition between being present and being lost in memories.
It is part of my Portal series.

The design is simpler than Distant Memories 1, yet it has more complexity as well.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/distant-memories-2/

Distant Memories 1

Distant Memories 1 is a small piece from my Portals series. I was testing the idea of memories as a portal to the past, to our history. That moment of reminiscing, as one transitions from being in the present to lost in thought. It has a contemplative feel.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/distant-memories-1/

Tropical Arch

“Tropical Arch” is another piece from my Portals series. It takes a more literal view of the portals concept by depicting an archway.

The scene is made of pieces of magazine images, tissue paper, maps, and some acrylic paint. I attached all the pieces to watercolor paper, then ran the whole thing through the sewing machine. The stitches, in both black and white, add texture and line detail.

See in-progress pics: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/tropical-arch/

Portal 2

Portals 2 was inspired by Portals 1, a small acrylic painting for my Portals series. Larger, of course, and similar in layout and colors, it has more detail in the circular form.

For more information about the show and our inspiration, visit An Exploration of Portals, April 1-May 28, 2014

Portal 1

This painting was one of the first in my Portals series.

Jan Noden and I made separate series of paintings and collages exploring the theme of portals: both real portals (gateways, arches, doorways) and imaginary (transitions, memories).

This painting was of the more imaginary sort.

Read more about the Portals series: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/an-exploration-of-portals-april-1-may-28-2014/

New Orleans, a collage

“New Orleans” is a collage inspired by a vacation to that city in 2014. Walking through the French Quarter, I ran across a wonderful building with a colorful first level contrasted against rough upper levels contrasted against bright blue shutters. In the sunlight, the effect was stunning.

Later, walking along the river, I was taken with the trees and landscaping and repetition of round shapes.

So, I combined the two images into this one scene.

For photos of the original scenery taken in New Orleans, visit http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/new-orleans/

Art by the Falls, June 11-12

For the first time, I am pleased to have been accepted into Art by the Falls! Held in the heart of Chagrin Falls alongside the river, it’s a gorgeous spot for a festival.

The dates for this year's festival are:

Saturday, June 11th: 10am-7pm
Sunday, June 12th: 11am-5pm
Riverside Park, Downtown Chagrin Falls, Ohio

I’ll be in booth 28. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

http://www.valleyartcenter.org/abf-2016.html

Spring Art Classes in Hudson Ohio

Spring showers bring April art classes – or something like that! If the snow and cold has you down, get out and flex your creativity to warm up.

My Spring classes are held either at my new studio (Uncommon Art, 178 1/2 N. Main Street in Hudson) while others are held elsewhere. If you have any questions, just give me a call or send an email.

Please note that space is limited for all classes so pre-registration is suggested.

Collage and Acrylic Techniques
Tuesday mornings, 9:30am-noon
5 weeks, begins May 17
Held at Cuyahoga Valley Art Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Call 330-928-8092 to register.http://cvartcenter.org/classesworkshops.html
Beginning students as well as experienced artists will enjoy this class. Try new textures, media, and materials plus combine collage and painting techniques. Learn to about these media and express yourself in your own unique way.

Painting Parties
$33 per person
Gather your friends and have some creative fun!
No art skill needed – we make it easy and guide you step by step.
We provide paint, canvas, brushes – you provide the refreshments.

April 14, 7-9pm: Vino! – FULL
Register online: https://squareup.com/store/life-needs-art/item/painting-party-vino

April 21, 7-9pm: Monet’s Garden
Register online: https://squareup.com/store/life-needs-art/item/painting-party-monet-s-garden

May 12, 7-9pm: Vino!Register online: https://squareup.com/store/life-needs-art/item/painting-party-vino

Want to schedule a painting party on another date? Just call me at 216 789 2751!

Meander JournalsTuesday, April 19, 2-4pm
$25.
A meander journal is made from a single piece of paper that is cut and folded so that the pages twist and turn (“meander”) inside the book. We’ll decorate the pages and create colorful covers. Meander journals are wonderful travel journals and are lovely as gifts.
Register online: https://squareup.com/store/life-needs-art/item/meander-journal-class

Handmade Paper Bowls
Friday, April 22, 6-8pm
Held at The Red Twig in Hudson. Call (330) 842-1849 to register.
$35 per person, or $60 per couple
Celebrate Earth Day with a clever art project that makes the most of recycled and reused materials! Spend a fun evening making handcrafted bowls that can be used to hold jewelry, trinkets, ornaments, candy, keys, or other small objects. No experience needed, and all ages are welcome.

UNCOMMON ART
Main St., Hudson, OH 44236
www.uncommonarthudson.com

2nd Friday Art Hop on April 8, 2016

The 2nd Friday Art Hops in Hudson kick off with an Arty Scavenger Hunt on April 8th.

Visit galleries, studios, and shops for clues about art. Pick up an Art Hop Trading Card at each location, solve the artsy clue, and get the trading card stamped. The more clues you solve, the more entries you have for raffle prizes.

Uncommon Art will be one of the locations on the hop, and all 3 of our studios will be have clues ready for solving.

It will be a fun night, so gather your friends and get ready to search!

For more information and a map, visit http://www.hudsonarthop.com/blog/april-8th-is-a-scavenger-hunt/

Ohio Collage Society’s 10th Annual Members Show

The Ohio Collage Society’s 10th Annual Members Show opened April 2nd during the Downtown Akron Art Walk, and ran through April 30.

About four dozen pieces of collage and assemblage art were displayed at Art Walls at 43 Furnace Street Gallery above Zeber-Martell Gallery in Akron’s Northside. It was really a strong show.

I’m thrilled to have 2 of my collages in the show: “Love’s Locked But Not Lost” and “Deep Blue Sea”, pictured here: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/ohio-collage-societys-10th-annual-members-show/ .

I was delighted to learn that “Love’s Locked But Not Lost” was given a Judge’s Award on opening night!

Regional Juried Show at Group Ten Gallery

Group Ten Gallery's Regional Juried Show features almost 50 artworks by local and regional artists. The show is a really nice representation of art happening in this area.

I was pleased to learn that both of my entries were accepted, and that “Going Forth” won Honorable Mention!

My entries are collages completed this year.

The show runs April 1 – May 7. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 12-5pm. Please call 330-678-7890 for more information.

Group Ten Gallery
138 Burbick Way, Kent, Ohio 44240
330-678-7890
www.grouptengallery.com

2016 Art Shows, Exhibits, Classes

I am looking forward to sharing my art with you in 2016! The year promises to bring a mix of gallery shows, outdoor art fairs, events, and classes. Keep an eye on my website, as I will add to it all year long as my schedule evolves. http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/2016-shows-exhibits-classes/

April 1 – May 7
Regional Juried Show, Group Ten Gallery, Kent, OH

April 2
Grand Opening of Uncommon Art, noon – 5pm

April 2-30
Ohio Collage Society Members Show, ART WALLS at 43 Furnace St., Akron OH

April 8
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH

May 13
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH

June 10
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH

June 11-12
Art by the Falls, Chagrin Falls, OH

June 18-19
Shaker Heights Arts & Music Festival, Shaker Hts, OH

July 8
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH

August 12
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH

August 27-28
Art on the Green, Hudson, OH

December 9
2nd Friday Art Hop, 5-8pm, Hudson, OH