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...

Trinkets' Art Reception at MAG

Trinkets' Jewelry Making and Mixed Media Class culminated in an Art Reception on Friday.
Students were able to show off their work, have refreshments, and enjoy the show in the main gallery with featured artist, Donna England.

                              Lilly and mom looking at her collage,"Phantom of the Opera"

                                               Alyssa and Clara's dad enjoying the reception

                                             Broolynn was a great assistant

                                          Dee, Maggie, and Lily enjoying the punch

                            Bryan, the director of MAG, talking with a parent

Trinkets' Jewelry-Making and Mixed Media Class at Monroe Art Guild

We had a wonderful week at the Monroe Art Guild. The students made color boards, jewelry from Ugandan recycled paper beads, wool flower llama beads from Town & Country Farm, & mood-changing beads. They also designed collages around the theme of their favorite interest or hobby using pictures, ribbon, 3-D symbols...then completed a short bio telling about themselves and why they chose their subject.

                                           Students working on one of the jewelry projects

                                         Girls with their folders, jewelry, & collages

                                        Students' Color Boards...we worked with their favorite colors
                                   

Herb Class

Herbs...
The herb class I took yesterday was so much fun and very informative. Not only did we learn about the different herbs, but we were served a fabulous luncheon so we could experience some of the herbs in different dishes...thank you, Judy!

Some of the highlights...
If you mix vanilla, lemon slice, rosemary, and water...you get a great room freshener.
Marigolds and water...fountain of youth
Lemon Verbena...called the "Scarlet O'Hara" herb..used in the South by the ladies
when they suffered the "vapors"...also great in tea and water.
Sage...American Indians used it for spiritual cleansing and to get rid of evil spirits
Hyssop was used to spread the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost for Passover

Also, just learned another trick this morning...to ripen advocados in 24 hours...put a
banana in the brown paper bag with them!

Freshwater Pearl Mother & Child Bracelet by Trinkets

Trinkets is pleased to offer this Limited Edition design for Mother's Day. Freshwater pearl
bracelet with a hand-made pewter heart charm engraved with mother and child on the
front of the charm and "Love you, Forever" on the back. There are only five of this design
available. To read about the inspiration for this bracelet or to order one, go to
www.trinketsjewelry.etsy.com
Happy Mother's Day!

                                               Freshwater Pearl "Mother/Child" Bracelet
                    

                                       Back of Heart inspired by well-known children's book,
                                             "Love you, Forever"

St. Simon's Island, GA

I finally got away for a week-end to visit one of my favorite places...St. Simon's Island. 
There was a wonderful art festival sponsored by the Glynn Art Association in the Village. 
I visited theshop of one of my favorite jewelry designers, Gogo Ferguson. Her designs
from rattlesnake bones, armadillo shells, and barnacles cast in gold and silver are stunning!

I bought a wild boar's tusk cuff bracelet made of alpaca...a combination of metals...
of course, I couldn't leave without her book, "Gogo Nature Transformed"...from her
recent exhibit at The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA

                                 Gogo's Shop in Redfern Village at St. Simon's Island, GA

                                  Friends...Elizabeth Collins and Chuck Haney from Madison

                        Local Artists...Cathie Parmelee and Traci DeForge teach fun art for kids!
                                            Get your Muse On...Is that cute or what?