Trinkets at Canavan Arts

Trinkets is now at Canavan Arts in Madison, GA...stop by today to see some of the wonderful items...right off the downtown square from Perk Avenue Coffee Shop on West Jefferson Street.

"Sangria with Santa" Athens Interiors Market Holiday Open House

"Sangria with Santa" was the theme of our holiday open house at Athens Interiors Market this year. Wonderful food, friends, and drink made for a memorable evening. Take a peek at some of the pictures from this year's event.

Tribal Jewelry by Trinkets

Tribal and statement jewelry are hot for the holidays! These are some of the pieces that are so popular this holiday season.  To purchase, go to www.trinketsjewelry.etsy.com

Trinkets Jewelry Trunk Show at MCAAM

Trinkets' Jewelry Trunk show at the MCAAM was a success! I was so honored to be the featured artist at the show.  I was also proud of my 21st Century jewelry-making classes at Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools in Athens, Georgia. The students have been studying Africa and working on their portfolios of tribal and statement jewelry.  Many of their pieces were sold at the show.  The classes have partnered with the Museum to do two more shows in February and May.

                                        Tri-fold display showing students working on jewelry

                                               Jewelry displays with tribal jewelry sets

                           Sophia Dalton, coordinator of the Cedar Shoals 21st Century program,
                            and I showing art work of Adilene Padilla, a Clarke Central student

21st Century Jewelry Making Poster designed by Adilene Padilla

Look at this wonderful poster Adilene made to publicize the Trinkets' 21st Century Jewelry Making classes at Clarke Central High School in Athens, GA...she is so talented, and she also has made some fabulous pieces for the Jewelry Trunk Show in November.

Trinkets' 21st Century Jewelry-Making Class in Partnership with Morgan Co. Museum

  The Trinkets' 21st Century jewelry-making classes at Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools in Athens, Ga are partnering with the Morgan County African-American Museum for a Jewelry Trunk Show. The event is planned for November 16 from 3:00-6:00 at the Museum beside Madison Markets in downtown Madison, GA. There will be tribal jewelry that students have made while studying Africa and its people and culture. There will also be jewelry made from the recycled paper beads made by the women and children of Uganda. The funds from their beads provide housing and medical care for their families. This is a wonderful opportunity to start your holiday shopping!

                                         Raven, Mia, and Adeline making Tribal Necklaces

                                            

                                           Ms. Knight at Cedar Shoals modeling the earrings

A Group Effort at MAG...working together on an Intuitive Painting

For the past few weeks, I have been getting together with a group of ladies for Open Studio at the Monroe Art Guild. We decided to work on a group project...an intuitive painting. Sue Grilli and I had submitted this type of art for the MAG Summer Members' Show. Susan Pelham had two large canvases so we jumped right in with paint, tools, paper, sponges, and anything else that came to mind. The paintings are still evolving...but, I had so much fun working on these. I am going back to teaching and won't be able to finish them, but I have a feeling they will find a permanent place in the MAG lobby.
Stop by MAG and see the finished products...

                                              First layers of the first canvas...love the colors!

                                        

                                           Sue Grilli & Susan Pelham working on painting (Middle photo)
                                       Some of the group working on individual projects (Bottom photo)

Rita Knight Fine Art

I am so excited to launch a new web site for my art...Intuitive, Collage, Abstract, & Whimsical. Step inside and take a look...www.ritaknightart.org

Trinkets' Bracelets at Athens Interiors Market

Trinkets is so excited about the new designs in the 18K Gold-Plated Collection. The new earrings will arrive the first of September. The Collection will be at Athens Interiors Market, The Artisan, and Frames on Main on Lake Oconee. This has been a popular collection because the earrings have the look of 18K gold without the price...they are also lightweight. For the month of August, all bracelets at Athens Interiors Market (next to Hilltop Grille) are buy one and get a second of equal or lesser value for 50% off...great time to stock up for birthday or Christmas gifts!

                            All Trinkets' bracelets included in sale...beaded, cross, pearl, locket, etc.

                                       Hammered and Plain Silver Cross Bracelets

                                                 Trinkets' earrings priced from $18 up

Sgraffito...a technique used in painting

Sgraffito is a new technique that I am using in my painting. It is Italian for "scraping on your piece of art". The first time I used this technique was in the painting entitled, "Little Black Dress". The color that I wanted to show through was the red...a nice contrast with the black in the painting. The first color I added was the orange red to cover the canvas...then I applied the color of citron which gave the background an old-world look. Then I used the technique to make the orange red show through in different areas. You can see it better when you hold it up to the light. This technique can also be used with matte or gloss medium.

                                                               "Little Black Dress"

MAG Summer Members' Show

The opening reception for the MAG Summer Members' Show was July 27, 2013. I was so pleased to have one of my intuitive paintings to receive an Honorable Mention Award from 114 entries in the show. Here are some of the pictures from the opening reception.

            Bryan Hardeman, Director of MAG with Lisa Connor & Karen Strelecki

                                         

Intuitive Painting...what is it?

Intuitive painting is "painting in the moment"...it will awaken your sense of creativity and allow you to paint intuitively without thinking, without judgements, and without "mistakes". There are no mistakes...you are layering and from the layers comes what is in your heart. You will be provided with tools and techniques to move through and beyond.  Below is one of my intuitive paintings...

                                      "Birds of a Feather", Intuitive Painting in Acrylic
                                            MAG  Summer Members' Show--- July, 2013
                                                                Honorable Mention

Intuitive Painting Receives Honors at MAG Summer Members' Show

I am so pleased to announce that my intuitive painting, "Birds of a Feather" received "Honorable Mention" from 114 entries at the MAG Summer Members' Show on Saturday, July 27, 2013. I  will be teaching a class this fall...locations will be posted August 1, 2013.

                                               "Birds of a Feather", Acrylic

                                          

Many elements of nature in painting...birds, dragonfly flying from tall grass, raindrops

Spontaneity and Intuition in Art

Spontaneity and Intuition are the two most important concepts to me in painting. In intuition painting, you are layering...the underlayers give way to an image that appears intuitively. The paint is messy...but, order comes from the chaos. This type of painting is "freeing" because there are no mistakes and no expectations. You are painting "in the moment"...in some situations, it can be  therapeutic. At this point, there will be three classes offered in the fall...locations will be announced later.

Intuitive Painting Class-Have you always wanted to express yourself even if you have never held a brush? This class is for you...it will awaken and free your creativity...you will discover the magical bliss of color on canvas & become aware of your "inner voice". You will be provided with tools and techniques to move beyond fear and judgment.    3 hour class,  (All materials included)
Minimum: 4 students   Max: 12 students

"Little Girl's Dress"-Do you have a daughter, granddaughter or special friend? This painting makes a wonderful gift for that special one.  2 1/2 hour class,  (All materials included) Minimum:4 Max: 8 There will be an adult class and a children's class (Ages 6-11)

Tribal Jewelry-Learn the "Art of Jewelry Design" and make a wonderful set...necklace, earrings, and bracelet...that you will enjoy wearing or to give as a gift.  (All materials included) Min: 4 Max: 8

                                                             "Little Girl's Dress"

Art...Good for the Heart?

Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the developed world. Heart disease is affected by emotion, and art deals with emotion. "Positive physiological and psychological changes occur in the individual who is creatively engaged."  Joshua Smyth, Ph.D.
The Arts & the Heart Roundtable was a ground-breaking discussion group of 12 prominent thought-leaders in medicine, the arts, and community/public health. The participants agreed...Art needs to be considered in all facets as it applies to medicine...as treatment, as a facilitator of treatment, and as a modifier of mood. (The Foundation for Art & Healing founded by Jeremy Nobel, MD in 2003)
Montefiore Medical Center in New York has a wonderful, established  program coordinating three channels of creative engagement...involvement in creative activities including classes in the arts, temporary and permanent installations of art, and the hospital initiative enhancing the health of hospital employees.
Athens Regional Medical Center has a Mind Body Center...treating the whole person...look into their wonderful programs!

Intuitive Painting...connection between mind and body?

Mind Body medicine is integrated and treats the whole person...drawing on the body's natural ability to heal. It makes use of the extraordinary interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit...and the ability of each to affect the others.

Intuitive painting is therapeutic...it takes the mind off yourself and allows you to live...or "paint" in the moment. Working in layers and with acrylic paint is forgiving and supports the belief, "There are no mistakes." Your feelings and heart will lead the way with the guidance of a facilitator. Painting from a place of clear intuition allows you to create freely and without fear or doubt. Your intuitive self is able to paint with spontaneity, passion, and courage.  Listen and respond...

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."     Albert Einstein

                                        

                                          

"Birds of a Feather...with Elements of Nature"...Birds, Flowers, Raindrops by Rita Knight

Look to Colors in Nature for Inspiration

Colors for inspiration are everywhere...in a painting, in a walk, on a hike, a visit to the coast...usually the palettes can be inspired through some aspect of nature. You can not always use your own favorite colors.  You have to be open...I just read an interesting blog entry from one of my favorite jewelry designers. To keep things fresh, she uses her Pantone color app on her smart phone...it allows her to make palettes from her favorite photos, mix and match colors, and save palettes to use later. If she is hiking in Colorado, she makes a picture...and everything takes off from there...allowing her to create in living color!

                               This mixed media bracelet I designed was based on a painting
                               I saw at the Glynn Art Association on a recent trip to St. Simon's
                             

A Studio in Transition...

Trinkets is growing, and I am pleased to say there are many wonderful changes right around the corner. I was honored to be in the spring, 2011 issue of "Studios" magazine. Ty Pennington was on the front cover and the exposure from that one issue was fabulous. At that point, my studio was also a teaching classroom...At this point, the studio has become a "working" studio not only for my jewelry-making, but also my painting. I have expanded my teaching...but, the classes are usually at another venue.
Take a look...

                                         Teaching Classroom for Jewelry-Making, 2011

                                      Works of Art in progress, Studio, 2013

                                  "Flower-Dots" done in the style of Matisse

                                          Tribal Jewelry displayed on "Milly"

                                              "Red Table" done in the style of Matisse

                                       Some of Trinkets' earrings

                              Found this when I started this journey and loved it!

                                                             Jewelry Corner

                                                  One of the tribal designs

              

A Joy To Teach...Intuitive Painting is Magical

I have spent two weeks at the Monroe Art Guild this summer. It has been a joy to watch students open up and express themselves when they realize their work will not be judged or critiqued. They are able to allow their painting to unfold with grace, ease, and joy. The students look forward to getting started every day...they are relaxed and excited!

This reaction also brought to mind my first experience in an art class. I was so concerned with "doing it right" and "not making mistakes". I felt this way and heard others in the class respond, " I'm frozen...I'm afraid to make the first stroke". I think all of us were afraid of judgement or not being able to "correct" what we considered a mistake. I finally "loosened up" and got started, but it took many classes to really "let go" and get past my expectations.

I do think my new interest in intuitive painting is part of this response. It is magical...you "stay in the moment".
I have been studying with Flora Bowley and others ...they each have different styles and techniques...but, in the process, you will  find your own style. I have found it is a celebration...connecting the body, mind, and spirit...allowing unique expressions to emerge naturally and authentically. It is not so much the learned technique...but it is in the process...it is "heart-centered".

Come join me in the fall on this wonderful journey as we explore together this unique style of painting!

MAG Art Camp Mixed Media Collages

Here are some of the mixed-media collages from the Monroe Art Guild Art Camp...