New face of The Studio in the Orchard        

 

 

Imagine With Art Newsletter

Issue No. 43

 
September, 2013    
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707-824-8163   

Table of Contents:
  Art Play
  Workshops
  ARTrails
  STUDIO book
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2550 Lewis Dr.

Sebastopol, California 95472

 

707-824-8163

 




 

My studio is now clothed in the exuberant colors of the natural world that surrounds it - the blue of sky, yellow of sun drenched blossoms and terra cotta red of clay soil and fall leaves.   Even the chicken coop out back received a new coat of paint!  

 

Definitely something to show off at ARTrails Open Studios coming up next month!  I hope you'll be able to join us for that. Each year as the autumn season rolls around my husband Bob and I start gearing up for all the events around open studios.  I'll fill you in on them here.

 

Last weekend's book launch and print show opening for Bob's STUDIO Book Project was a great success and we're both kind of reeling from all the event. 

 

My four hands painting partner Suzanne Edminster and I started working on a new series last week.  (Can we really call it work, when it feels like pure fun?!) 

 

The painting theme of the past month has definitely been SMOKE!  So get out a match and candle and try this month's Art Play technique.


Cheers,
Susan

       

ART PLAY:  Smoke Painting
  

    

 

 If you're yearning for greater simplicity in your art, as in life, you may want to try painting with smoke.  It's very Wabi-sabi, (a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the the acceptance of transience and imperfection). What could be more transient than smoke? 

 

In smoke painting we capture those wisps of smoke which are almost invisible and make them visible on paper.  Smoke captures the ineffable moment in visual poetry. And as the lovely soft edged smoke marks appear on the paper, the imagination takes hold of them and creates a pareidolia.

 

Pareidolia: the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not actually exist, as in considering the moon to have human features.

 

In other words, one imagines the smoke as something other than smoke and a theme for the piece is easily found!

 

Here's how:  Light a candle in a holder so it will be stable.  Lean your paper up against the flame (see picture) till it touches just long enough to make a smoke mark.  You can angle your paper in particular ways to make marks in a planned formation. The mark will be a shade of gray to black depending on how long you hold the paper against the flame.

 

 

If you want a brown mark, hold the paper flatly over the flame without touching to "toast it like a marshmallow".

 

We have been using 140 lb. watercolor paper which is sturdy and does not easily burn.  Results may be different with lighter weight papers.  Keep a spray bottle of water handy just in case.

 

You can smoke over an existing acrylic painting which has dried.  Just remember that the smoke mark is charcoal and can be washed or erased quite easily.  If you want to paint over it, be sure to use a spray fixative first.

 

You may just find yourself inspired to write a Haiku about it!

 

 

 
Painting Laboratories for Creative Expansion! 
 
Want to explore new ways to work with paint, to drip inks onto luscious textures, add words and image transfers and more? 
 
Join us for a fall series of Muse Groups.  At this writing there are still openings in the weekly and monthly groups.  Ask me about drop in spaces if you're interested in trying it out.
 

  


Learn to paint intuitively, capturing thoughts, feelings and intuitions in a playful setting.  Each session features a different mixed media painting technique which you can add to your repertoire - from textured collage to painting techniques with inks and acrylics.  Meditation and writing are added to the mix to evoke that powerful Muse energy!  

  

This Fall:

 

Monday Afternoon Muses (meets weekly)

Sep. 30, Oct. 7, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25

Time:  1:30-4:30pm

Cost: $280 for 8 week session, $45 for drop in class

 

Saturday Muses (meets monthly)

Oct 5, Nov 9, Dec 7, Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8

Time:  10am-2:30pm

Cost:  $300 for 6 months

 
For more information or to register email Susan or call 707-824-8163
 

  

     

ARTrails Open Studios

 

October 12, 13, 19,20  Studios will be open 10am-5pm all four days!

 

You are invited to my biggest showing of the year of mixed media paintings on paper and canvas, affordable prints, and my book Conversations with the Muse. Take time to peruse the Muse journals, ask about painting processes, find out more about classes and of course, take home some original art!  I will look forward to greeting you.  And you can also visit Bob's photography studio.  Always something new happening there!

 

The ARTrails catalogue is now out ,so you can start planning your tour of the studios. If you didn't get one in the mail, you can find all the information on the ARTrails website. Find me at studio # 114.  And check out my article in the catalogue "Creative Contagion" on page 27! 

 

If you'd like to get a better idea of the artists' work, the following exhibits and openings are coming up:

  • Preview Exhibition at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts This exhibition features art from all the participating artists. The Opening Reception is Friday, Sept. 20, 6 pm-9 pm. Exhibition dates are Sept. 20-Oct. 25, and the exhibition is open Wed.-Sun., 12pm-5 pm.

    50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7006, www.wellsfargocenterarts.org. 
  •  3-Dimensional Showcase Exhibit at Gallery One  Exhibition dates are September 1 - October 25th with an Opening Reception Saturday September 14th 5pm - 8pm.  Gallery One is open seven (7) days a week from 11am - 5:30pm.209 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707.778.8277, www.PetalumaGalleryOne.com.

  • ARTrails at Graton Gallery Exhibition: Sept. 25-Oct. 20 Opening Reception on Sun Oct. 6, 3 pm-6 pm.  Graton Galley is open Tues-Sun, 10:30-6:30 pm.  9048 Graton Road, 707-829-8912, www.gratongallery.com.

  • ARTrails at Corrick's  Sept.7th to Oct. 6th, Reception Sept 6th, 5-7pm with an ARTrails Kick Off Reception Fri.,Oct. 4th  5-7 pm  You can see ARTrails Artists  here all year long in the ARTrails gallery. 637 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-2424,www.corricks.com.

     

STUDIO Book Project

from the book STUDIO by Bob Cornelis
 
Over a period of about two years Bob visited the studios of fifty Sonoma County artists with the purpose of capturing that rare and idiosyncratic relationship between the artist has with his/her studio.  The project kept growing and he decided to add essays written by leaders of the arts community and offer it in book form. 
 
He then formed a partnership with the Arts Education (AEA) which, under the umbrella of the Arts Council of Sonoma County, advo�cates for arts education in our schools and commu�nity through collaboration, leadership, and a passion for the arts. All proceeds of the sales of this book are being donated to the AEA to fund their important efforts in our community.
 
To see more of the artist portraits and learn more about the project, read the Lenscratch article that just came out.  Soon the book will be available in local stores, and you can purchase your copy when you visit us at ARTrails! Visit the STUDIO website here.
Remember you don't have to wait til your next newsletter for more art fun, just visit my blog where I post new art at least once or twice a week!
 

 

Cheers,

 

-Susan Cornelis

 

 

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