Maine workshop

If there's ever been a pretty area to hold a workshop in Oct....it's Maine.
A couple of weeks ago I gave a Torn Paper Paintings workshop in Bath, Maine. It's such a charming town. I've always enjoyed visits there....and I get to do that on a regular basis since I have a friend who doesn't live very far from town.
How nice it was to have a "Sold Out" class at the Centre St Arts Gallery. Love the two day classes since that gives everyone a good chance to complete a great piece of art!

The gallery was a terrific host for the weekend and they provided us all with a great space as well as some yummy baked goods & coffee!! Thanks to all!
The class was a fun group filled with students at all levels in their creativity!! As a result..there was much fun and laughter as well as a wide range of subjects chosen for their art.


 The pics here are just a sampling of the terrific artwork everyone created that weekend.
They all left very proud of what they accomplished and I certainly don't blame them!!

The gallery is looking to set a date for a spring weekend class next.
Since we had a sellout for the first one....if you're thinking of going to the next...I'd advise booking your spot early.

See you in the springtime!!

Already??

Seriously....is it the end of Aug already???
I'm amazed at how quickly the summer has flown by. I'm sure some of it had to do with the extremely long cold winter that we had here in New England. Seemed as if spring was never going to come.
Now....we're headed into Labor Day this weekend!!! Yikes! I can only cross my fingers for a long mild fall season to enjoy! Crisp temps and beautiful autumn colors!
It has been a fun and busy month. Had our family fun evening at a PawSox game. Mark & I also went to Sag Harbor.
Also been very busy with Torn Paper Paintings.
Finished another Whale Tail. They seem to be quite a popular subject. Two of them already sold from The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis as well as another that is in one of the locations of the Boston Children's Hospital now. Not always easy to change up a subject like that....but this one is a bit different in movement.
Also paid a visit to our friends in Maine and while we were there I popped in to visit the Centre St Arts Gallery in Bath where I'll be conducting a two day workshop in Oct.




The space was lovely and the people delightful. I'm sure we'll have a great time.
If you're interested in the workshop....space is limited...so give the gallery a call (207-442-0300) and book your spot ASAP!!
Hope to see you there during what I hope will be a couple of outstanding fall days in Maine!

Getting close...

click to enlarge

Just a gentle reminder that there is still a little bit of time left to sign up for the next Torn Paper Paintings workshop in Peace Dale, RI.
We're getting close....so if you'd like to have a fun filled day of messy art making and a chance to return home with your very own masterpiece.....call them now and get your name in.
Hope to see you there!!!

Always inspired

That's how I feel after a day of giving a new Torn Paper Paintings workshop.
The students who come in, not really sure what they are getting into but leave with such joy and excitement (and great piece of art) become a true inspiration to me as well.
This past weekend was another of these fun days. I did a day long workshop at the Wickford Art Assoc. in RI.
I think my favorite comment of the day came after only 15mins of beginning the class when Carol announced, "Wow...I think I've learned more than enough new stuff already...not sure my brain can retain anything more!"  Gotta tell you...as the person doing the teaching, you really can't ask for more....lol  Luckily we got Carol to hang in there for the day without having her head explode...and she left a happy gal :)
It wasn't a huge class, but they certainly were a productive one. They painted up a batch of beautiful rice papers which they were excited to use in their art pieces.
                                                             Here is a sampling of some of the great work that came from the day!

I think you'll be quite inspired as well. Think about it.....these folks had never done this technique before that day.

The next workshop is in a couple of weeks at the Westport Art Group in MA. Registration information is on their website...so if you feel like having a great day of art inspiration....hurry up and sign up now.  Hope to see you!

Time flies!!

Wow....you can always tell when it's the busy season around here.
I can't believe I haven't posted in soooo long. With all that's been going on with art making, art shows, and commissions....I feel like I haven't been here in ages.
To catch up....yes...the local shows have been going on...and I was delighted to have sold one of my pieces on the first day out on one of them!
It's also busy season at The Little Beach Gallery...so dropped new work off to them as well.
In other news...I was contacted about being part of another corporate collection...for a medical facility. Nice!
One of the four pieces they are getting is this little guy I just finished.
Will tell you more about that when the details are set.
Soo...for now..sorry to have been a bit MIA. Will try to do better...but being busy is actually a pretty good sign!!

Be sure to keep in mind that there is an upcoming Torn Paper Paintings workshop in Peace Dale, RI for Aug. 9th.
Still a few spaces left...so if you hurry you may be able to join the fun!
See you then!

Summer workshops

Just completed teaching the first of the summer workshops I've had booked. This one was held at the Fall River Art Assoc.
As is usually the case with new students...they are not quite sure what to expect when they start and try taking in as much information as possible as they begin the process with caution. However, by the end of the class they have fully let go and can't seem to get enough. When that happens....you know it's been a good class..lol
The range of students this time varied from having a repeat student to a jewelry maker, to someone who'd never had an art lesson at all before. Everyone gave the process their own special twist!
Here are some of their results. Some very linear to another with an added dimension. One bird piece wasn't completed in class since the student got off to a late start and put quite a bit of time into her fab background...but I'm sure she'll not quit till it's done!!

 Teaching this process can be both fun as well as a challenge. The biggest "challenge" can be in just having people understand what the class actually is. There aren't that many people doing this technique...so it's sometimes a bit harder to understand just what Torn Paper Paintings actually is.

Next...not everyone is willing to get out of their comfort zone and try something that they've never done before. This holds true for artists as well others who simply don't consider themselves creative.
I have to say....everyone who has stepped into that uncertain place and taken the chance...has left with a smile and the feeling of actually having learned something new and had fun doing it!!
Soo....let's hope that word gets out that there really is a good time to be had!!
With that said....here's the info for the next summer workshop. Let's fill it up!

Forgot

I do forget sometimes that not everyone is actually on FaceBook....it only seems that way.
Even I had to be talked into becoming a part of that world by my daughter. I actually went kicking and screaming all the way...not convinced by her that this would be a good thing for promoting my art. Well...thank you Sarah....it's been a very good thing.
I've been there and enjoying the interaction of art making/loving people for over three years now!! Hard to believe.

I was however reminded by an artist friend that not everyone is there....and not planning to join...but still very interested in keeping up with what's going on. Well....I suddenly realized that the place they usually go...this blog...has certainly not gotten the attention it has in the past....and for that...I'm sorry.
Yes...I've been off in many directions these days...and summer only seems to make it harder to keep up with everything.
Tis the season of busy galleries, art shows, and family/friend activities.
Sooo...here's a bit of an up date. I'm happy to say that for the moment...I'm keeping up with things. Lots of art has been done both in prep for gallery needs as well as shows, and who knows, maybe some new galleries down the line. One can only hope. Here's a pic of the latest two pieces. I just love the way they work together and certainly hope they sell as a pair. Feels good to be ahead with the larger pieces, notecards, minis, and more!!
The other thing I've been doing is something I've wanted to do more of....workshops.
Last month I gave an evening talk/demo at the Taunton Art Assoc.  This month I've got a two day workshop scheduled at the Fall River Art Assoc.  I've now just finished scheduling a long one day workshop in Peace Dale, RI for Aug and another in Wickford, RI in Oct.
So, there it is....my quick update.
Yes...I'll try to be a bit more attentive to the blog in the future. It's always a bit of a juggling act.
I'll also be sure to come back with links and reminders of the upcoming workshops as things progress. This will give me an opportunity to maybe meet some of my FB fans as students down the line. Yes...it's the best of both worlds.

Save the Dates

Summer is on it's way and that means lots of extra activities.
The first one on my list of Torn Paper Paintings extras is an instructional talk & demo at the
Taunton Art Associaton. I was honored by having them contact me with the request and look forward to the evening.
This will be held on May 15th at 7pm.
The next event will be a two day workshop at the Greater Fall River Art Association. 
The workshop will be held on June 15 & 16th. from 10 to 2pm each day.
Space is limited at this venue....so if you're interested...register early!! You can contact me via email....or leave a message here and I'll get back to you.
I hope to be able to do more of the workshops both locally and beyond. If you have an art association or art venue in your area that might be interested in sponsoring a visiting artist for a worksshop of 2 to 3 days....please pass my info along.

Workshop

   Still time and spaces available for the next workshop.
Class starts 11-11-11  What an easy date to remember!!!

Be sure to register...Now!!!

Workshop Complete!!

Just finished a two day workshop on Torn Paper Paintings. It was held at the Fall River Art Assoc.  I had a lovely group of students all eager to learn the process.

The subject I decided to assign was for them to pick a "simple subject" of their own choice. Well...as we discovered...."simple" has a different definition to everyone....lol We spent much of the first day going over details of the process and creating some of the painted paper they would each need for the personal subjects. Everyone still managed to get a good start on their piece before that day was over. The second day they all jumped back into their creations and we worked until well past the "planned" end of the class...lol

 Love how everyone's work came out.....but to view them all....you'll have to go the Torn Paper Paintings FaceBook FanPage! 
You won't be disappointed. Go...check them out!!!Enjoy!!

First Workshop

I had been asked a few times in the past if I would do a Torn Paper Painting workshop. Not feeling quite ready to do that at those times I kept turning down the idea.
Well....yes...it's time. My very first Torn Paper Painting Workshop will be held May 20 & 21 at the Fall River Art Association.
If you're in the area at this time....book a spot. I'd love to meet you :)