ART IS YOU October 2010

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

"ART IS YOU - The East Coast Art Retreat" celebrated it's 4th anniversary this year.
The philosophy of "Art Is You" is to create a moment in time where artists, whether they be faculty or students, can come together to share in their passion for creativity. To create, self nourish, replenish personal creative resources and to nurture not only individual souls but the souls of those around them.

This year's theme was "Wizard of Oz", and so we arrived to follow the yellow brick road, and were immediately caught up in the tornado that is "Art Is".

THURSDAY

Thursday morning found me at New Britain Hospital with my husband while he underwent a successful cardio version. After he was home and settled, I joined my daughter, Marcy, in Danbury for our first day of workshops.


I had given Marcy Diana Trout's book, Journal Spilling, for Christmas so it was an easy choice for her when selecting a workshop. She took Diana Trout's "Rescue Book Journal" workshop. Marcy was excited about the workshop and was thrilled with all she learned and the results.

I decided to choose all metal workshops. After taking a couple of metal workshops at previous Art Is retreats, I thought I would like to do more. And besides, I had a bag of all these cool tools that I needed to learn more about using.
I started with Di Russel-Horne's "Patina" workshop. I didn't arrive until after lunch, and Di graciously caught me up with the group. Using household ingredients for patina we created one of a kind pieces.

Salianne came to visit our workshop and posed for photo with us.

FRIDAY

Friday morning I was back with Di "Twisting Metal"

After workshops on Friday, we gathered for the launching of Pamela Hasting's new book,
Hot Flash. Merrilee and Marlene honored Pamela with stories as an introduction to her and her book.

Each year Art Is...You has recognized and supported a charity or group that has touched the hearts of the Art Is You Family. The proceeds from this year's annual auction was donated to this year's charity of choice, the "Little Baby Face Foundation"

Salianne announced that in 2011 Art Is You has chosen to support Marlene Haveron and her
“BEElieve ~ hONeY cOmB cOTtaGe”

Friends supported Marlene as the announcement is made.

Salianne and ellen, co founders of "Art Is You" presented Marlene with a "Cottage Collage".

I had been commuting to Danbury each day, and my daughters thought it would be nice to spend at least one night in the hotel together. They both planned to be at the retreat on Saturday, so we reserved a room for Friday night. They planned to leave after work and with traffic taken into consideration would join me around 7 and we would hang out for the evening.
Their one hour trip turned into four hours, and because of an incident on I84, they didn't arrive at the hotel until 10, a little frazzled, but still excited to be there.

While waiting for the girls to arrive, I joined the Michael Albert workshop where he shared his story and his art, and then lead us in a collage workshop using our imaginations and cereal boxes.

Michael showed us his first collage.

$drews collage.

My collage.
Can you tell I was getting tired or as Christy said, lazy.
But if I was lazy, it would have been because I was tired.
I think it needs more brown.

SATURDAY

Mrs. Pom lead the group in morning journaling.

My workshop on Saturday was "Souvenirs de ma Vie" with Kecia Deveney.
We learned soldering techniques to create a unique, personal necklace.

Kecia demonstrated the proper way to solder.

I used photos of my granddaughter and her art work to create my
"Souvenir de ma Vie".

Christy spent Saturday with Colleen Atheens in her "The Lullaby League-Creating The Doll" workshop.

This was Christy's first attempt at doll making.
Christy worked on sculpting her doll's head with paper clay.

Colleen assisted those in her workshop.

Christy was happy to show her accomplishment.

On Sunday the dolls have been assembled, the faces painted, sealed, and they are hanging to dry.

Almost done!

Saturday evening was Art Trunk (vendor's night), and the Annual Auction to benefit the "Little Baby Face Foundation". Michael Albert worked on his donation to the auction during his Friday evening workshop using a list of words related to the cause and created by those in the workshop.

SUNDAY

The early birds got the antique tools, sewing baskets, wicker baskets, and many other treasures when they traveled a few miles to the Elephant Trunk, a local flea market. I instead decided to sleep in.

I chose to spend the next 3 days with Keith Lobue. I was in his "Chain Gang" workshop on Sunday learning to make links and split rings.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY

Monday and Tuesday were spent learning to etch on metal and use the jeweler's saw.

Keith demonstrated how to suspend your piece in the etching solution.

My first etching.

Our work table, creative chaos.

My finished piece.

LUNCH

Delicious lunches were served each day.

After lunch, I visited Michael DeMeng's "Angels and Demons" workshop.

Tuesday evening Keith taught a "Learning to Saw" workshop.
Keith demonstrated how to turn a corner when sawing on metal.

And then it was time to say "Good bye" until next year.

Now, I'm home, unpacking, and organizing, and anxious to continue working on my unfinished projects, and dreaming up new projects using the techniques that I learned.
Salianne and ellen have again created an atmosphere of caring and sharing. It was great to spend creative time with my daughters, both exception artists in their chosen media, greet old friends, meet new friends, and learn from the best. I had wickedly wonderful time from beginning to end.

To see more photos visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/art-is-you2010/ .

Book Signing Event

A SISTER'S SHAWL

The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion
37 patterns to embrace, inspire, and celebrate life
Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo
Founders of shawlminstry.com

On Wednesday, September 29, Janet and Vicky hosted a Book Signing Event.
My daughter, Christina, submitted and had an original pattern accepted into the book.
The pattern was dedicated to her sister, Marcy,
and the shawl was presented to Marcy at the event.



Here, Vicky and Janet discussed and read excerpts from the book.

Janet shows the "Tranquil Diamonds Shawl".

Janet shows her own "Granny Square-Edged Shawl.

Vicky shows a page in the book in which her son models the "Peaceful Waves Shawl".

The Princess is pointing the "Sister Shawl" that she will soon present to her "Auntie".

Christina reads her story from the book.

"Six years ago, my sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). I was with her the day that the doctor gave her the diagnosis, and I was blown away by how easily the words flowed from the doctor's mouth. "You have MS." That was it. There was no question in her voice. It was MS. We were not a religious family, but that day, in our own way, we all began "praying" for my sister. For me, it was more like hoping. Hoping that she would never have any symptoms, hoping that she would know how much we love, her, hoping that she would have a healthy life like the one that she is living. These day, she has good days and bad, ups and down, some days with symptoms and some that are symptom-free. That sounds a little like my life, and that is all I ever want for my sister, to live a "normal" life.

I created this shawl as a gift for her. The design evolved as the shawl grew. Purple is one of her favorite colors, which is why I chose it. As I created my pattern, I fell in love with the flowery design that it took on, which looked like violets, echoing the color of my birthstone, amethyst. Then I chose green for the border and realized that this color closely matches my sisters birthstone, peridot. This shawl was becoming a combination of two sister,with both of our colors combined into one comforting fabric. I hope she will think of me and my support whenever she enjoys it."


"A ministering angel shall my sister be." William Shakespeare

A kiss for a shawl.

Marcy, wearing her shawl, Vicky, Christina, and Janet.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

The Miracle of You Art Auction for The Little Baby Face Foundation

Art Trunk and The Miracle of Yo Auction
Saturday 6pm onwards is part of
Art Is...You is being held at the Danbury Plaza Hotel
which is located at 18 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury.

There will be a wonderful array of vendors including Absolutely
Everything, Collage Closet, Artistic Artifacts, The Weaving Edge,
Cheryl Strait, Sue Pelletier, Beverley Hanapole, Jeanne Garvey,
Flatwoods Folkart, Lemoncholy Studios, Navel Jelly Studios,
Paverpol, and many of the faculty will also be taking a table.
The Miracle of You Art Auction has truly risen to be an
event to remember. There will be over 30 magnificent pieces of
artwork and supplies donated by a fabulous mix of national
and international artists. You will have a chance to own one and be
a part of supporting the wonderful Little Baby Face Foundation.
The wonderful Diane Romo (wife of Dr Thomas Romo) will be present
on the night.

To learn more and see a list of artists visit http://artis4thesoul.blogspot.com/2010/09/miracle-of-you-art-auction-for-little.html

The Princess Paints En Plein Air

Joining our ranks the following day, Princess Buttercup, has her own
painting en plein air session.

Painting en Plein Air

After wanting to do this for a few summers now, my daughters and I finally got together and went to the Florence Griswold Museum, home of American Impressionism,
in Old Lyme CT to paint en plein air (in the open air).

Unused paint does not go to waste. It goes into "No Wasted Faces" painted by one of the staff members at the museum.

Here we are all ready to find our spot in the sun or shade
and begin our afternoon of painting outdoors.
The weather couldn't have been better. It was sunny, breezy and in the mid 70's.

This was my view as I painted.

The opportunity was appealing to many others who also enjoyed painting en plein air.

We were supplied with a palette loaded with red, blue, yellow and while acrylics,
brushes, clip board, canvas, a stool or rug, and a bucket of water.

Here we are in action, each of us having our own take and how and what we painted.

This is my oldest daughter with her finished painting,

and my youngest daughter with her painting.

A palette after painting.

And our final results, but more important than the results,
was the experience and the afternoon spent together.

Day With Dolls

5th Annual Day With Dolls
August 7, 2010

On Saturday, August 7, 2010 over 100 art doll makers gathered to share a creative and inspirational day with fellow doll makers at a "Day With Dolls". The event was sponsored by the 3D Cloth Doll Club and the Manhattan Doll Club. This year's event included demonstrations, workshops, goodie bags, raffles, door prizes and more.


Merrilee and me with "Dolls With An Attitude"

The event was begun by Diane Kearney five years ago when 13 women gathered at Diane's home
to enjoy creative time with fellow doll makers.

Maria Quinones demonstrated how to draw and color and face.

Gloria "Mimi" Winer demonstrated face overlay and sculpting the mouth.

George Washington was made by Sandy Nuhn of the Dolls with Attitude group from CT.

A highlight of the day was the Show and Tell table.
The talents of these creative souls are many and varied.

A special Anniversary cake was provided by Diane the founder of Day With Dolls.

In addition to the demonstrations, we made a Mojo Doll, and a wrist or finger pin cushion.
I wish I had more to show but I was too busy enjoying the friendship and creative spirit that was abundant throughout the day. This was the first time I attended "Day With Dolls", and I'm sure it won't be the last.