Between the Vines - Acrylic Abstract 11/9/2014

 

Between the Vines

If you look carefully you will see human torsos (a few belly buttons, too) interlocking  - "vine-like" .

I've been trying to update my web site www.Karens-Studio.com which is "run by" Word Press. I've decided that using blogger.com will be a better "venue" for sharing my paintings - a place where I will be able to provide further information about each painting - it's inspiration - it's history - it's "provenance".

During the past several weeks I've been choosing to expand my art endeavors by adding a thousand dollar full-page ad to "Blink" a catalog produced by Art Design Consultants that will go out to 10,000 people - interior designers and artists across the country. The target date for distribution of  "Blink" will be January, 2015.

I am also having prints and greeting cards made from original works. Robin Imaging was recommended to me by an artist in the studio next to mine at Essex Studios. It's an old company - that I wish I had known about years ago. I figure I'm learning about it now because I'm finding I want to make good reproductions of my work to display and sell.

Robin Imaging took my framed painting and photographed it through glass to "get back to" the original painting. I was amazed by the result! It has inspired me to select more works for duplication.

The first painting (here) that I'm sharing is on French Arches watercolor heavy weight paper, measurements 30" H x 22 1/2 wide. It's done with acrylic paints, brushes and some sponge work, too. I was working at a drawing board in the basement - where daylight was "not". This painting is one of several "jungle" paintings - paintings that had to produce their own light from within. Coming up with a name is often difficult - so now at last I'm calling it "Between the Vines".



Oct. 9, 2014 Class Progress

We just finished up another ten-week session with The Recovery Center 2-3 p.m. Wednesday class at Karen's Studio 125. The attendance averaged about 10 each week.

A variety of works were produced and some are still in progress. It's interesting to see each person's growth or observing those who are "stymied" by their own personal limitations and possible choices. Those who "go for it" without criticizing themselves too much show more self-acceptance and enjoyment of their own style, their own natural creativity.

Bennett's Watercolor Acrylic Painting - in progress

Afternoon students - attending anytime between 3 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. continue "doing". Paintings are painting - drawings drawn. Finished works are framed often by Willie's Framecare Studios or self-framed. The finished works are sometimes exhibited on the outer hall walls of Karen's Studio 125. Karen's works fill both inside and outside hall walls.

Lynn's Watercolor - in progress

This past weekend we participated in the Oct. 3/4 Essex Studios Art Walks. We "mixed it up" in the studio with vintage items, blacksmith works, photography and our own work. We moved the "buffet" to a square table and put the "drinks" - water, soft drinks & tea/coffee making area on the north wall close to the microwave oven and fridge.

Sophia

Four photographers exhibited a lot of work on the outside hall walls. Connie, Sophia, Priscila and Jerry had an amazing display of their photographic talent. Jerry also displayed paintings and prints.
Some items were sold, too.

Priscila

 I made "a point of" shopping for items from other artists/craftspeople and will do so in the future. I think it's important to buy from our fellow artists.

More photos of students work can be seen on my Karen's Studio 125 Facebook group. Hope some of you will join my group on FB.

Tom's Beautiful Forged Works

 

Cards from Albert Andrews, Alien Pets, Luggage Tag, Coin Purse, Ribbon Scarf

Artists' Meeting - Ideas!

I've been renting my studio at Essex Studios for more than ten years (maybe twelve). Karen's Studio 125 (my studio) is a large room with a wall of windows covered with roll blinds, sheets and a few canvases to block out the bright light of the afternoon sun.

Within the walls of Essex Studios are many other artists - some "working" artists - those who make a living at selling their product - art. Others, like myself, (if they are totally honest) are not making a living at selling art or teaching classes - the result of which becomes a no-tax issue - because the activity within the walls of my studio (and others' studios) is considered a HOBBY! Heavens forbid!

I've considered myself a serious artist, but now that description doesn't really apply to me. I'm an artist who enjoys art-related activities - painting, drawing and teaching adult beginners to do art. And, I also enjoy meeting and working with "fellow-artists" - have done so in the past and am doing-so now.

The latest art project is to boost the interest and attendance at our Essex Studios Art Walks. There are various reasons attendance has dropped for recent shows - weather, competition with other art venues throughout the Greater Cincinnati community and a general "malaise" - a weariness from doing the same thing over and over (redundancy) - being bored with it all.

We've met several times together - recently. There is an executive committee of 5 or 6. I've volunteered to serve on the Executive Committee. We are to meet and decide the direction that Essex Studios will go - doing 4 or 5 shows a year within a budget of a couple thousand dollars provided by our landlord and income from guest artists who show their work in the hallways of the building.

Trying to find consistency - a specific calendar date - throughout the year is daunting. When we have a two-day show - the Saturday lands on Kentucky Derby Day, Yom Kippur, the Fourth of July (2015), etc. It seems we will eventually choose 4 shows - Oct., Nov., Dec. and April or May. Then for "fun" we may have a small "spontaneous" (party/show/happening) in the main entry-way of the building.

What used to be "so much fun" was the bright lights of the American Sign Museum that filled the entry hall. It was a sparkling carnival of blinking and twirling signs - a room of Neon! When the American Sign Museum grew beyond and away to it's new home, Essex Studios now became the lobby for a new church - a large church - Missio Deo.

Finding ways to transform the lobby area for a Friday art event - limited to that area plus the possibility of 5 or 6 artists opening their studios that evening will be our task for a Friday next year (2015). Three of us have volunteered to do this "Pop-Up" event. Thinking it best to keep it a "secret" for now - we'll do whatever we can to keep Essex Studios a place where people come to see and buy art from artists - working artists and even "hobby" artists. Mark your calendars for Oct. 3rd & 4th for Essex Studios Art Walk - Friday and Saturday- 6 to 10 p.m.

A Day at Karen's Studio

Wednesdays are class days at Karen's Studio 125 in the Essex Studios complex on Essex Place, Walnut Hill, Ohio. I have been meeting up with some of my Meetup friends for a leisurely lunch at Essencha Tea House or Coffee Please before heading to the studio.

Today I had some time to "putter" before students started arriving. Outside the studio there book stand that was left by a former craft person who shared my studio space for awhile. I use the stand as a "give-away stuff" table. I've been setting stuff outside the studio for several years now. I've rid myself of books, magazines, CD's, clothing, knick-knacks, food, seeds, picture frames, furniture and any other item that I think someone might take. In turn, other artists put out their "free" items, too.

I'm always amazed when I return the next week and find that most everything is gone. This week the hand-knitted golf sweater was carefully laid on the top shelf. I had displayed it on a hanger with a note on the paper part of the hanger - giving the size info. It's a sweater that someone back in the 70's may have worn. I don't play golf, but the owners of the building (whose offices are down the hall) are golf enthusiasts - so much so that they make the green jackets for the Masters play-offs. (Another story to be shared later).

I'm getting grid of a lot of cookbooks - don't need them. Bought "way too many" from an estate auction (Everything But the House) - about 200 cookbooks - a couple years ago. Each week I'm checking the shelves at home to see what I can take to the studio for "give-aways". (I'm getting there!)

There were four students from the Recovery Center - all focused upon their individual art projects. Some needed inspiration - so I guided them to the books that I have in the studio art library. I've collected many art books (for years) and they serve their purpose very well. Pam found a Christmas stocking design. Mary was working on a leaf design - watercolor. Weltha had a canvas on which she used a roller (brayer) to paint a sunset scene. Robin brought in a cigar box and sorted through the collage basket (overflowing with stuff). He needed a good paper cutter - which I did have - one that sliced with a razor blade - accurately. He used Modge-Podge and covered the box with bird pictures.

Other students arrive and sometimes overlap into the 2-3 p.m. time slot. Kathryn finished up a watercolor scene and Teri added the background color to her floral watercolor. Robin stayed on and worked on his cigar box. Gary arrived and brought in his next project, but needed something dark to use as a "gesso" - I had some Payne's Grey acrylic paint for him to use on his canvas. Lynn came in to work on a new watercolor.

Gary and I worked with an old computer and a WiFi antenna - trying to see if we could pull up some tutorials on You-Tube. It may be possible, but we finally quit that project for now. The rest of the time was spent discussing the "State of Everything". We stayed later than usual - 7:15 p.m. Robin continued to sort through collage basket and discarded a lot of junk. He also reconsidered giving away a lot of his paint stash - going to use it in his own class at the Recovery Center. I did a quick drawing of buildings - ink and pastel - figuring I wanted to create something, too.

October Update

Doing art each day is something I'm adding to my "Daily Do It" list. I write down a check-off list each morning in a small, square notebook and "tick off" each item as it is finished. Sometimes I give myself a "big star" (I draw a star). Sometimes I even add "sparkle lines" to emphasize that I'm really proud of my accomplishments.

I've had an art project attached to the drawing board for many months. I'm doing a painting of "The Symphony Hotel which is located on 14th & Elm Street in Over the Rhine area in Cincinnati. I had made good progress on it until I realized I had put windows in the "wrong place" on the drawing. I used White Out to block out my mistake - I already had painted in the lines with black India ink. So, it sat for months without my touching it again. I finally "got back on track" by putting myself "on the timer" for 15 minutes at a time. The door to the hotel is sketched in ink and now I'm putting lines on buildings for bricks.

Today I'll add more lines and move toward finishing the ink line drawing. Then comes the "fun part" oof painting. I use acrylic paints (light fast) watered down so that they are transparent, but permanent.
The final step of painting usuall goes quickly. Then I will take a picture of the final work and share it on Facebook and make Vistaprint postcards and greeting cards to share and sell. Maybe this will be this year's Christmas card - maybe not. That's another decision for "Pro/ConList.com". Onward!

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

It's been my goal to eventually "cover" the rent at Karen's Studio #125. The rent currently is $530 a month with heat, light included. My other expenses include insurance, transportation, advertising (Vistaprint postcards and business cards) supplies and groceries (snacks/tea, etc.). The students pay $5 per hour. If I have 10 students for an hour, this means I have $50. I have added more hours to help bring the total up to $100 for one afternoon of work 2-6:45 p.m. I've opted to allow some of the "old timers" to come in for free, because they contribute through donating their time to help out with the Essex Studios Art Walks, bring in refreshments and help to teach the "newbies" what they know - they are my "assistant" teachers.

All of my students are making progress! I've been uploading pictures of their work on Facebook and on my Meetup "Art, Music, Theater" site. Starting out with stick figures, ink scribbles and lessons from John Gnagy's Drawing Course (eBay purchase), the students move to watercolor postcards or trading cards, perspective drawings and then to painting on canvas. They come into the studio - pick up their own folder with their work in it and move to a place in the studio where they can set up their work area. The supplies are available on the table or supply table and shelves. I continue to provide most of the materials. Some work at a table easel, standing easel or portable drawing board.

Some of us go over to the "snack area" for soup, instant coffee, tea or chilled water from the water cooler. The fridge offers some snacks, too and is there for keeping food chilled.  A microwave oven is available, too.


The "Art Library" is an area where students can find instruction books. There is a large selection of vintage Walter Foster books and many books about art and famous artists. Nearby are two couches and comfortable chairs available for a relaxing retreat into the "Art World".

Easy music is supplied from WGUC's Classical Music Station or from my  own "painting music collection". The air conditioner works well. Three overhead fans and two floor fans move the air throughout the studio. Wide, tall windows let in plenty of daylight.

I "interview" each student to help me find out what they want to do or accomplish. Each student seems to find their own "niche" - choosing the media that they like best.  Some like to work in watercolor, others like doing colored pencil work, others work in pastels. There are those who are painting with acrylics and still others are working in oil - "each to their own" - unique and personalized.

Now, all I need are more hours and more students to break even! Onward!

Update from Karen's Studio 125: More students, more fun, more creativity! Earlier this year I started teaching students from The Recovery Center at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at my studio. I think at least 25 people have come and gone - some staying and growing. Others, other obligations and choices take them elsewhere. We're going to be starting the third session of 10 weeks next Wednesday.

It was a "big leap" for me to reach out and take a risk of expanding my teaching to more students. I had been accepting the fact that I had some "regulars" for years, some paying in cash others helping out with shows by bringing food, helping out, etc. - something of a "trade out". So now, I'm realizing some help with the rent, making it easier for me to accept that the "out-go" is more than "in-come".

Other people are coming into the studio just for company and companionship, others for some instruction and encouragement. Gradually, gradually I will finally have enough people to make it a "break-even" enterprise. I only charge $5.00 an hour "pay as you go", a bargain - designed to keep people coming into do their art for months and even years. It all "adds up".

Willie Evans of Framecare Studios comes in every other week to pick up art work to frame. He does an incredible job and is quite talented. He has a "traveling frame shop". He brings in his mats and frames. We show him what we want framed and he makes suggestions. We work together looking at all the various options - choices of double mats, acid-free mats, clear glass, interesting frames. Sometimes I just give him something I need to have framed and have him "choose". His choices are excellent and it saves me "all that decision-making"!

We've had two big Art Walks at Essex Studios (that's where my studio is located) with many other artists in the same building. Not only artists, but businesses, as well. The American Sign Museum was in Essex Studios for several years, but now has grown so large that it now has a new home! That location is now a church for "creative people". The Art Walks (Open House Events) are usually the first weekends - Fri., Sat. in Oct., Dec., Feb., and April. Many "outside artists" participate by "setting up shop" in the hallways. I like buying wonderful jewelry - inexpensive, nice. And, I love the food trucks that offer special food out in the parking lot. Being part of Essex Studios makes the whole "art experience" exciting and fun.

I list my classes on my Meetup.com group "Art, Music, Theater Meetup". Listing there helps me get more students and let my Meetup people know "What's Happening". Will update again, soon. Keep creating!