new style?

I took a painting today to Art 634 for the Grand River Exhibit. It's a complete departure in style for me. It's a very abstract mixed media painting. I used painted papers and paper towel, watercolor, sharpie, acrylic, gel medium, and dried acrylic that I cut into shapes. It was super fun to do! I forgot to take a picture of it, and I forgot to sign it- oops! I will do those things after the exhibit I guess...

More paintings to Tibbits

Got back the roller skates and sent in the barn cat painting to Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater.

Skate got 1st Place People's Choice, yeah!!!!!

Art Prize

I signed up for Art Prize, but I need a venue! I need to hurry! http://www.artprize.org/artists
If you have any suggestions...

Art and Flowers- with Cara, Mary, and Grandma!

Thanks to all who came by to see us at Art and Flowers. We had a great day together. Really enjoyed doing a hometown event and seeing so many of our friends! Thanks to Joan Larsen for organizing the event, and to Van Thorre's Greenhouse for such a beautiful location. 

Cara, me, Grandma

Me, Cara, Mary - Grandpa sitting in the background.

Mary and I in the booth.  It took a little longer to set up than it should have. The ground was soft, so we had to put little blocks of wood under the legs. Every time we would get one block in place another would come out! Pam and her family came by and helped us... thanks Pam and fam!

Today is the Spring Arbor Art Fair at Art and Flowers!

Hope to see you at Van Thorre's greenhouse on King Rd.! I'll try to post pics later.

May 22nd

Art and Flowers next weekend! Cara is very busy preparing her pieces for this exhibit. She's also trying to get her website online! You go girl!!!

workshops

I have been to 2 wonderful workshops recently. They were sponsored by the Jackson Civic Art Association. One was about color with Vianna Szabo, she's an oil and pastel painter. The other workshop was portraits with Mary Rochelle Burnham. She demonstrated her process with pastels. She and her husband are shown in the above picture. He was a great model! She showed a picture she painted years ago of him, also with a cap on. I wish I would have taken a picture of him with both pictures :) She is so good at capturing a likeness. Both workshops were excellent and inspiring! I joined the JCAA last year, and have been pleasantly surprised at all they have to offer. It's on Tuesday nights at the Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson, Michigan. It might even be worth missing American Idol! :)

pics from fairy festival

I was very proud to have my field and flower paintings as the backdrop for the fairy festival at Art 634! It was an adorable event where all the little fairies in town gathered for tea, crafts, and activities. I even saw some little fairies that looked an awful lot like my art students! The Ann Arbor Fairy Doors were a main attraction. This is an annual event, so if you missed it this year, all fairies, elves, gnomes, and wee folk are invited back next year!

Current and Coming soon...

This pic is from my sketchbook- it's a building in Marquette MI. There are many beautiful buildings and scenic views in downtown Marquette!

Right now there is an exhibit at Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater that I have 2 pieces in. The show is titled "Kick Up Your Heels". I finished the roller skates and sent them over.

I am also in the Oakwood Heritage Hospital Exhibit. I have about 30 paintings in the hall on the way to the cafeteria. There are 7 artists featured in 4 hospitals. The exhibit will be up through June.

Coming soon...
On May 22nd I will be at Art and Flowers at Van Thorre's greenhouse in Spring Arbor. My daughter Cara, Mary and I will all be there.

July 21-24th mark your calendars for the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. I will be on Liberty St. My booth # is 259. I sure hope you will stop by- those are long hot days, and it's fun to have visitors.

Coming soon...

Spring Arbor’s Fine Arts Fair
Saturday ~ May 22, 2010
10 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Rain or Shine
Van Thorre’s Greenhouse & Gift Shop
7455 King Road
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
Directions: M-60 to Dearing Road, North on Dearing to King Road, West on King Road 1/2
mile. Between Dearing and Chapel Rds.
For more information call Joan Larsen @ 517-524-7185 E-mail: joan@joanlarsen.com
Featured Artists
The Concord Cafe (of Concord, MI)
will be on site with coffee, rolls, homemade goodies & more!
Lee Gibb-Felted Hats
Maureen Lochey-Clay
Martha O’Kennon-Paper/Wood/Clay
Mary Gallaway -Fine Beaded Jewelry
Mary Sprague- Acrylic & Pencil
Robin Van Thorre- Jewelery
Romelle Frey-Ceramics
Vivian Shilling -Paintings & Porcelain
Ann Hunter-Applique Clothing
Audrey Hostetler -Handwoven Baskets
Cara Garnett-Sculptures
Debbie Spring- Oil / Acrylic
Greg Summers -Metal Sculpture
Joan Larsen- Monotypes & Oil Pastels
Julia Garnett-Acrylics
Karren Cram-Clay