Category Archives for "archived"

0 Elementary Students Create Art Together Across Globe

The art exchange program helps raise funds for charities around the globe. The Evansville elementary school’s art teacher, Alice Work, helps to develop several collections that sponsor different causes.

“We have these art collections that we want to share with other people, and we also want to continue to support some organizations and charities,” Work said. “This was kind of a natural thing to follow through because the kids like to publish, and people like to display children’s art. So it was very natural for this to come about, for them to get their art on the road, and we can continue to help charity and the can feel like they’re a part of the community and helping out.”

The fifth-graders enjoy creating art with their Chinese counterparts, as well.

Read the entire Evansville Courier & Press article at http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/sep/20/cp/

“I just come in here and draw forever,” student Andrew Storms said. “It’s cool to add my own touch, but a little different because I didn’t know what they (the Chinese student) wanted it to look like.”

In one project, the Chinese students draw a vase and the American students draw the flowers.

“They are much better drawers than I am, but it was kind of cool mixing our different cultures into one art piece,” student Paige Carter said. “Kind of through the drawings, you can kind of figure out more of their culture.”

Sign your child up for a drawing class today. Through careful instruction, they can learn about different cultures through art.

0 Artist Talks Inspiration, Process

From their Butler began to work in clay before moving forward into assemblage art. One of her assemblage pieces, entitled “Rolling at Last,” incorporates a shoe covered with colorful paper and attached to wheels.

“I used to work with more standard materials (clay and glass),” Butler said. “But moving forward I have become more interested in representing the spirit through totems and also focus on more abstract print work with the emphasis on color/texture and incorporation of found objects and ‘tras’ printed material.”

Butler has a routine when it comes to completing her artwork. She also works on several pieces at a time in case she gets “stuck” on one.

http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/?p=20916

 “I work in silence,” she said. “There are times when the phone doesn’t ring and it seems to make everything come together more easily. Allowing creative juices to flow without interruptions is a blessing.”

 The artist agrees that art has an important role in society.

“Sharing ideas is necessary for human growth,” Butler said. “What more vibrant and exciting way to share than through art?”

Start sharing your own artistic ideas by signing up to take an assemblage art class today. Assemblage art is both accessible and effective. Artists can easily find items to incorporate and repurpose into artwork. Class instruction will cover different ways to find inspiration in every day items and techniques to appropriate objects into new works of art.

0 Mural Reflects Artist’s Memories of Region

McNamara’s artwork is a part of a public art project commissioned for the Marcoola-Surfair shopping strip.

“As a child, I have recollections of ‘the big drive’ along the sandtrack behind the dunes we now know as Marcoola, and the unlikely construction of the Surfair,” McNamara said.

The large mural was funded by traders and the Marcoola community. Measuring 3 meters by 4 meters, the piece is a vivid tribute to the culture of the coastal region.

“For this mural, I portray a local narrative as a beach tableaux and have drawn inspiration from the site itself and its contemporary history,” McNamara said. “The entire area was originally an exposed, open plain of incredible wild flowers with the David Low Way running parallel to the open beach and around the airport runway.”

http://www.ipswichadvertiser.com.au/news/mural-paints-a-picture-of-perfection-in-marcoola/1820180/

The mural is an explosion of color. A large manta ray cruises the sky alongside a plane and helicopter. A slice of nightlife, including dancing and music, cuts into an idyllic beach scene comprised of waves and figures of surfers.

“I took a look back into my past and have recalled what the area was about during the 1970s and ’80s,” McNamara said.

Murals are an important testament to history and place, preserving the sights and feelings certain establishments elicited. Take a class on mural painting today to further explore this essential and accessible artistic genre. Put your mark on history and culture by finding out how you can create a mural in your community..

0 Inmates Thrive While Painting Murals

Keller and Bloom are now artistic partners who are giving back to the society that once persecuted them. Keller and Bloom have both had several run-ins with the law regarding graffiti charges.

“The first night we met we painted together,” Bloom said. “We’ve painted every single day together except for the weeks when Ben was in jail.”

Now, they’ve paired up to paint murals all around town. Graffiti no longer tempts them.

“We don’t want to do that anymore,” Bloom said. “And we’re too busy.”

Many residents in town have commissioned murals from Keller and Bloom.

“We want to put our two cents onto the community,” Keller said.

Now, the community of Willimantic, Conn., is getting brighter thanks to inmates who create art in the area.

“Inmates with artistic skills have been painting murals all over the city,” said Jerome Paun, the attorney who represented Keller during a graffiti charge. “There are hundreds of murals. It lets them give back to society.”

Bloom agrees and is eager to continue to create.

“I see a really big vision in this town,” Bloom said. “There are so many blank canvases.”

Painting murals is an excellent outlet for creative energy that contributes to the beauty of a community. Enroll today in a class on mural painting to find out how you can complete projects that will brighten up your hometown. Classes will be tailored to students of all artistic levels from beginning to advanced. Professional teachers will offer valuable insight and knowledge on mural paintings.

Read the entire Courant article at http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts/hc-willimantic-muralists-0728-20130726,0,4290791.story.

0 Painting Gives Retired Woman New Passion

Eisen had always loved art, but her busy lifestyle didn’t allow for much time to create paintings.

“I was a very busy, focused mom, wife, engineer and teacher,” Eisen said. “I only did about a dozen paintings between my teens and mid-20s, but started back up in retirement.”

After Eisen gave up engineering and teaching, she found she had more time to hone her creative techniques. She began experimenting with different mediums of paints before settling on a favorite one — oil.

http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=107785

“I don’t like having to rush with my art,” Eisen said. “The oils give me time. I love the color and the buttery feel of the oils. Using them gives me a rush of excitement.”

Eisen is a self-taught talent whose work was recently featured at an art gallery.

“I know it sounds corny, but I hope they get the same thrill that I did with each brush stroke as I created it,” Eisen said of those art lovers who may see her work at the gallery. “To me, it’s just like Christmas. You get to open that package Christmas morning, but until then, you’re just creating the package.”

Enroll today in a class on oil painting to practice your artistic skills. You don’t have to wait until retirement to find time to pursue your creative passions. Oil painting classes will focus on every level of the craft, including such basics as color mixing to achieving a smooth look on your canvas.

0 Tourism, Initiatives Help Boost Folk Art

In the past, preserving the many different cultures in the region was difficult.

“These folk arts were used by local people to pass down their cultures and history,” said Hou Huizhe, deputy secretary-general of China Arts and Crafts Association.

“With the development of the tourism industry, production of handicrafts as souvenirs is also an important way for locals to boost their income,” she added.

In the Qiandongnan prefecture, silver making used to only be a part-time activity for the people. Now, however, increased tourism and marketing of the product have increased the local residents’ livelihood.

“Talent training and brand building are also crucial for helping promote folk arts and the handicraft industry to domestic and international markets,” said Hou Huizhe of China Arts and Crafts Association.

Practicing folk art is an excellent way to embrace culture and history. Enroll today in a folk art class to explore many different artistic practices. Students will get a broad education in several unique projects, including jewelry, embroidery, batik, and more. You will be sure to find a specific handicraft that you will enjoy working on. Folk art made by your own hands make meaningful gifts that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Read the entire China Daily article at http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2013-07/27/content_16840678.htm.

0 Women Gather to Create Art Together

These weekly meetings take place in the art center. Any woman is free to come and bring whatever project she is working on. Some bring needlepoint. Others bring paintings are chalk pastel pieces.

“People come and go,” Nancy Shoenewe said. “They can bring any type of artwork.”

Shoenewe is a retired English teacher. “I’m still teaching, but I have more time for art,” she said.

Read the entire Daily Reporter article at http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1981556.html.

The art gatherings provide an outlet for women and a great excuse to create.

“It’s a community gathering,” Shoenewe said. “They let us come here and sit in the natural light. They really encourage local talent; it’s very pleasant.”

Shoenewe points to the importance of having a set place and time to work on art.

“It’s good to have a time committed to art,” she added. “We always make excuses in favor of something else, like housework. It’s good to have a time specifically set aside for art.”

Enroll today in an art class of your choosing with a focus on a genre you’re particularly interested in. Pick from painting, pastels, figure drawing, murals, sewing, and more. Taking an art class will help encourage you to set aside enough time to be creative. With regular meeting times and reasonable schedules, art classes will help you embrace and improve upon your creative talent. Classes may even become a fun community to gather with like-minded creative individuals.

0 Fairytale Mural Brightens Area Beneath Bridge

Artist Sandra Fabara has been partnering with Frank Sinatra School for the Arts in Astoria and the New York Anti-Crime Agency for the past decade to help brighten the city and unleash creativity in young minds.

The area where the new mural now shines was the site of a mural Fabara and students painted seven years ago. Time and the elements — as well as graffiti and obscenities — had marred the old mural.

Now, however, imaginative characters, animals, and ideas decorate the space beneath a bridge.

Read the entire Queens Chronicle article at http://www.qchron.com/editions/western/fairy-tale-mural-adds-to-astoria/article_5e324c7f-dec4-5ebd-8435-1da4070ccaa8.html.

“Initially I had the idea to paint my brick lady and have the kids add to it,” Fabara said. “It’s a loose theme and the kids just dove in.”

The mural features fairies, butterflies grown on trees, and many more fantasy creatures.

“Aliens always make their way in,” Anti- Crime Director Tony Meloni said. “It’s all really beautiful.”

Fabara knows that the fanciful subjects are typical for creative minds.

“An imaginary world is where artists live,” Fabara said.

Enroll today in a class on mural painting to help unleash your creative minds. Instruction is available for students of all levels and abilities, ensuring tailored lessons to suit your personal needs. Pupils will explore how to create murals based on theme, size, location, and medium. Murals serve a variety of purposes from brightening a hard scrabble area to becoming a learning tool for young students discovering their own artistic talents.

0 Artist Takes on Challenge of Portrait Painting

Van Roy has a love for art that dates back to his days in preschool. Now, he completes portraits through commissions and works at a shared studio space with other artists.

“Painting for me has more to do with a lack of impulse control,” Van Roy said. “I see beauty in a face or in a particular quality of light and I feel compelled to paint it. I see painting as a challenge. I’m always trying to bring to the canvas what I picture in my mind.”

Van Roy hasn’t always worked as an artist, though. He has been everything from a chef to a nurse’s assistant while art wasn’t paying the bills. It was during his time working at a hospital that he gained a unique understanding of portrait painting.

Read the entire Spokesman-Review article at http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jun/27/capturing-expression-emotion/.

“In the hospital setting you meet people from all imaginable backgrounds, often as they are going through a very intense experience in their lives when they need a lot of support,” Van Roy said. “That’s what makes portrait painting unique from other types of art. People have such an amazing response to a portrait. You don’t often get tears and hugs from a person who purchases a painting of a landscape, but with a portrait that is nearly always the case.”

Enroll today in a class on portrait painting to hone your techniques. Instruction will center around how to accurately reproduce a face from everything from photographs to live models. Tutorials are available for portrait painters of all skill sets.

0 Seamstress Brings Grandmother Back to Life with Sewing

Needles, stitches and fabric came easily for Nelson. The physical act of sewing is what bonded her with her grandmother.

“She sewed very fine baby clothes,” Nelson said. “Because she loved to sew, I learned to sew.”

Despite their bond over spools of thread and different techniques, Nelson felt like she didn’t know her grandmother very well. She was excited when she received a box of correspondence from her grandmother — until she read the contents.

“Every single letter was about clothes her mother and aunt were making,” Nelson said.

As sewing was such a big part of her grandmother’s life, Nelson paid tribute to the woman she knew in stitches — by deconstructing the baby clothes that her grandmother made for her and other family members.

“It was a real experience to take out those tiny, tiny stitches she had put in,” Nelson said. “I think she kept her personality in those things, those stitches.”

http://www.thetimesnews.com/lifestyles/lifestyles-home/sewing-her-way-into-a-world-of-art-1.99355

Nelson used the fabrics in art installations and an exhibition entitled “Embedded.”

“It was a way of sort of bringing them back to life,” she said of using the baby clothes as her medium. “I knew that they would never be worn again.”

Take a class on sewing today to learn more about this tactile art form. Even if you’ve never sewn before, instruction will range from beginner techniques to advanced practices. Learn to sew tailored, personalized clothes or engage in textile art — a genre that is rapidly expanding.