Heather Green Studios

Stitches and Folds

2012-02-12T16:52:00.001-07:00

Down to the wire, and missing a page or two, I finished and shipped my Art House Coop 2012 Sketchbook Project on the postmark due date -- nothing like waiting until the last minute! The theme I chose was "Stitches and Folds." As many of you know, I have a series of dress drawings, done mostly in pastel. I have been wanting to sew on the paper with a sewing machine, but Stonehenge Rising paper is too soft, despite the thickness. The sewing needle just shreds the paper. This sketchbook allowed me to experiment a bit with different papers, and with the sewing machine itself, using thread as a drawing medium.

I jammed up my machine quite a bit, but I have some ideas on how to avoid some of that. I'm also excited to see how this process influences my artwork!

I'm also excited for friends and family to be able to physically "check out" my work without having to be in Arizona. Starting in April, my book will go on tour around the country. Afterwards, it will be catalogued and housed permanently in the Brooklyn Art Library. It's really fun to be part of such a project!

Supporting Bisbee's Young Artists

2011-12-23T19:15:00.001-07:00

Did you know that creating art helps children read better, score higher on tests, and perform better in math and science? Art in schools is so important! In Bisbee, the elementary and junior high schools have a visual arts program, but no funding for supplies. Thus, the Art Department relies on donations from individuals and organizations to keep a quality program.

During the Bisbee After 5 artwalk on January 14th between 3 and 8 pm, Heather Green Studios will be collecting items for the art department. Here are some easy ways to support Bisbee's K-8 artists without spending money!

Electronic Device Recycling

Did you receive a new cell phone or camera over the holidays and not sure what to do with the old one(s)? Have empty ink cartridges lying around? The Art Department recycles these and other items on the list below, receiving money for art supplies!

These electronic items do not have to be in working order. Just be sure to remove all personal information before donating! DVDs must have the original case. By donating old electronics, you have cleared clutter, help minimize landfill waste, and have supported the arts all in one fell swoop!

Clean Out Your Closets (or your offices, craft rooms, studios, garages, attics, etc.)

Is your New Year's Resolution to clear out the clutter, or at least to find the floor in the guest bedroom again? Before throwing out items, consider their art-project potential! Here is a list of items to get you started:

Old Calendars
scissors
packing peanuts (s-shape)
scrapbooking papers, wallpaper samples, wrapping paper, etc.
the Sunday comics (in color)
scrap wood pieces
wire
glue sticks
Sharpies
aluminum foil
pencils, erasers (large)
nuts, bolts, springs, odds and ends
fabric, ribbon, buttons, beads
craft supplies (ex: googley eyes, pipe cleaners, feathers, etc.)
colored pencils and markers
hand tools
paint (all kinds)
matboard, posterboard, foamcore, etc.
old (but functioning) clothing iron, blenders, electric skillets, double boilers

Purchase Supplies on Art Room Aid

Perhaps you are free of all clutter and extraneous electronic devices and crafting materials, or you live far away but would still like to help. You can purchase art materials from Blick Art materials via Art Room Aid! It is set up like a wedding or baby registry, where specific items are linked for purchase online! You can purchase items outright, or donate money towards items (like a gift card) for the teacher to choose! The lists are for general supplies, some with specific projects in mind. All supplies will be sent to the schools directly. Links to the supply lists are below:

Greenway Elementary School
Lowell Junior High School

Feel free to contact Heather Wiechert, the art teacher, at hwiechert@busd.k12.az.us if you have any questions.

My Paper Anniversary

2011-11-07T12:53:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited for the opening reception of my "Paper Anniversary" exhibit! To celebrate one year at 27 Subway Street in Bisbee, Arizona, I had an open call to Arizona artists to enter work that included a paper element and measured 11" x 11." So many wonderful artists that I admire and respect have entered work into the show! I am also amazed by the creativity of these artists. One chose to print her images on wallpaper. Another artist painted and collaged on a circular tin tray edged in a rubber tire to measure 11" in diameter. A local artist pushed his work into the third dimension by creating an 11" x 11" x 11" cube. Some artists made their own paper, used paper-mache, paper clay, or created their own frames. Some made their own wooden panels. An old door panel was even upcycled into a piece that framed a traingular monoprint.

The energy of all of the artists has been so inspiring. I love that they chose to solve the problem they were given with their own unique methods, materials, and styles. Most artists created new pieces for this exhibit, which is also exciting. I can't wait to curate the work. I have the task of making seemingly disparate pieces work together collectively, as if created to be shown with each other.

I am also really ecstatic that Cafe Roka will be catering the opening reception. Their food is such a treat, that I highly recommend eating there should one have the money to spend. Of course, you can try some of their salads and appetizers at the reception this Friday, November 11th (11-11-11) from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

All work in this juried exhibition is priced at $110, including tax.

The work will be on display beginning this Friday, November 11 from 6 to 9 pm through November 26th.

Gallery Hours:

Fridays Noon to 5 pm

Saturdays Noon to 8 pm

By Appointment

Celebrating My Paper Anniversary

2011-09-18T16:45:00.003-07:00

Collagraph 2"x2"

In November, Heather Green Studios will commemorate one year of being open at 27 Subway St. in Bisbee, Arizona with a special juried exhibition! I'm proud to announce a Call to Arizona Artists for this exhibit (Go to http://bit.ly/PaperAnniversary for the prospectus & entry forms), on view November 11 through 26, 2011. The show is titled Paper Anniversary, a play on the idea that paper gifts are traditionally given to couples for one-year wedding anniversaries. Since I have my own love affair with art on paper, all art included in the exhibit must have a paper element in it. All media are welcome.

To extend the significance of one-year, I'm holding the Opening Reception on 11-11-11, and all work must measure 11" x 11", including framed pieces. Because of the strange dimensions, work does not need a frame. Paper clay reliefs, gallery-stretched canvas, and framed pieces must be properly wired to hang. Paper-based work that is not framed should be mounted on acid-free foam core**, to be hung with removable, double-sided adhesive foam squares. For $2 per piece, I can mount work on acid-free foamcore for you.

Artwork does not have to be for sale. However, all art that is for sale will be priced at $110 (basically $100 per piece, plus $10 to include sales tax). I would have priced it at $111 to continue the theme, but it's an odd price to ask people to pay. Heather Green Studios will take a $20 commission on each sale. Artists will receive a check for $90 within a week after the close of the exhibit -- the artists are responsible for paying tax on their work (Bisbee and Cochise Co. are currently at 9.6%). Heather Green Studios is equipped to take debit/credit cards securely through Square, Inc. via an Android phone platform.

The jurying and curation of the show will be done by me, Heather Green. For Paper Anniversary, I'm looking for quality work that meets the show requirements in a wide variety of styles and media. Each artist may enter up to 3 pieces, with an entry fee of $10 for the first, $5 for each additional piece. Please include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) for notification of acceptance. You can either mail in the actual work, or drop it off to be juried. Mailed entries must be sent to Heather Green Studios, 27 Subway St., Box 644, Bisbee AZ 85603 with return postage and postmarked by Tuesday, November 1st. Local artists can drop off their work at the studio Friday, November 4th between 1 and 5 pm.

The exhibit will be open Fridays and Saturdays, November 11 through 26th from Noon to 5 pm. The opening artists' reception will be from 6-9 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011. The next evening is the Bisbee After 5 artwalk, held on the Second Saturday of each month where Bisbee's galleries and shops are open late, until 8pm. Heather Green Studios is a participating Bisbee After 5 member, which means additional advertising in the local newspapers, radio, in the Tucson Guide, online, and on local printed materials. The final weekend of the exhibit is over the Thanksgiving holiday, when lots of visitors are in town for the Home Tour. Bisbee After 5 is sponsoring free carriage rides and will be placing luminarias along Subway and Main Streets, beginning a new tradition to kick off our "Small Town Holiday" weekend.

Please feel free to contact me at 520-678-1134 or heathergreenstudios@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about entering the show. "Like" Heather Green Studios on Facebook to receive updates about the show. While you are at it, "Like" Bisbee After 5 as well.

**If you have other suggestions for hanging work without a frame, I am open to it, as long as it is professional. For instance, you might not want to adhere a print on foamcore to show the plate impression, etc. . . . Once I receive a clearer description from a fellow printmaker, I will post info about a nail head/magnet option. ** -- Heather 9-19-11

Pinteresting Dresses and Art Concepts

2011-08-19T15:19:00.002-07:00

Do you Pinterest? It's a virtual corkboard where you can pin images from anywhere on the internet. You can organize your pin boards, title them, and, like other social media sites, follow boards, leave comments, and share by repinning to your boards, or posting to other social media.

I discovered it in a design blog that came across my Twitter feed this June. I really love the concept, and have found it to be useful (really, it's not just a time vortex to redecorate your house with things you could never afford anyway). It's a place to keep things you want to look at again without inundating your "favorites" bar with links or taking up hard drive space with images, and saves on printer ink. For example, I am pinning inspiring dresses that may become fodder for my pastel dress drawing series.

I have also used it to compare paper samples, image concepts, and pricing for wedding invitations. Friends and family across the country were able to access invitation possibilities in a straightforward way, without having to click through a bunch of links in an e-mail. I am also using it to store art concepts and favorite artists, as well as art project ideas for my students. I imagine it would be a great place to keep recipes, gift registries, a log of books you've read, vision boards, etc. If you'd like an invite, let me know. Feel free to follow!

How to Print a Linoleum Block

2011-07-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

The other day, I invited people into the studio to view a printmaking demonstration on my small proof press. I was printing a linoleum block that I had carved for the cover of my brother's wedding invitations. Here is the quick "how to" video recorded that day on my phone (all in one "take").

I printed 80 images that day, and am happy with the results. The words were printed with a copy machine, then the paper cut to size. Here is what they look like up close:

Stay tuned for other "how to" videos, and maybe some printing classes too!

The Great Title Search

2011-06-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

After many discussions, suggestions, and research, I now have a list of title choices for my new series of blogposts in which I design a room, starting with a piece of my art. Others are encouraged to share how they have styled their rooms and show off how my art "lives" in their homes and offices as well.

Please help me choose a Title by taking this uber-short survey (one one question!). You can click on this Blog's title, or click on the link below. Thank you in advance for your time and help!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LNBJXPQ

Book Signing w/ Local Author

2011-06-27T16:50:00.001-07:00

I didn’t feel like the savior of the universe. I was afraid of tiny cliff sides and dead animals. But I didn’t have a choice; people depended on me-- millions of people. My life was no longer my own. Just as the Mangitor de Sangue’s was not their own.

You've just read an excerpt from the book Propheticus: The Migliao by local author Emma Daley. The first novel in the series, The Mangitori de Sangue is a story of romance and mystery. This book offers readers more action and adventure, venturing into an ancient world that follows the characters on a dangerous journey to find out about the prophecy of The Dark Angeli (book 3 of the series, scheduled to debut in 2012).

Emma will be at my studio on Saturday, July 9th from 5 to 8 pm to autograph and discuss "Propheticus" her new Sci-Fi Romance series. Be the first to grab a copy of this just-released book and speak to the author herself!

Congratulations! Drawing Winner & 100 FB Fans

2011-06-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to BRIDGET ROSE SHANAHAN who was randomly chosen as the winner of the small print on the Heather Green Studios Facebook page. In honor of reaching 100 "likes" on the page rather organically, I decided to do a giveaway of a small collagraphic print, matted to 5"x7". I used the true random number generator, which kicked out 87. Bridget was the 87th person to "like" the page (not including myself and my married self, who are listed as page administrators), so she was the lucky duck!

Since Bridget lives in Bisbee, she is able to come to the studio and choose a print for herself. Here is what she chose:

If you would like to keep up-to-date on events and giveaways like this one, please "like" my Facebook Page www.facebook.com/heathergreenstudio

Paper Quilts

2011-04-30T18:04:00.001-07:00

I just sold the only paper quilt that I had, which I LOVE... So, I made some more! They are from collagraphs (texture prints), which were made from different kinds of tape--you know, masking, scotch, strapping, etc.Here they are:

COACHELLA!!!!

2011-04-16T10:42:00.002-07:00

Going on this wekend . . . here's a playlist for listening pleasure:

http://www.playlist.com/playlist/21482973963/standalone

Listen to this playlist: Catawampus

2011-04-09T07:50:00.007-07:00

Click on the title to go to the playlist. (I removed the automatic player, as catawampus music can sometimes be a lot.) Good, clean fun.

Help Pick the Catawampus Soundtrack!

2011-03-31T23:46:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I have had a lot of fun thinking of things to complement our off-kilter art show happening next Saturday (click here for more info). I think we are going to do some kind of wacky rice krispy treat creature among other goofy food items. (We are open to suggestions!) We are perhaps most excited about creating a soundtrack for the evening. We over-brainstormed, and need YOUR HELP to narrow down the playlist. Please take this survey to select and suggest music for the evening: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SV6S85C

catawompus: (adj.) askew; off-kilter or unexpected

2011-03-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

What do a hang-gliding bear, a robot fashion show, and a penguin on a cell phone all have in common? They are all part of the fun at CATAWOMPUS (a show of slightly off-kilter artwork) at Heather Green Studios in Old Bisbee.

I'm really excited to feature paintings by Jeff Henley, one of the profs at Cochise College. His work is often ironic, is sometimes whimsical and sweet, but is always interesting. It's kind of like getting a glimpse of what's inside Jeff's head (but not so far down the rabbit hole).

To compliment his sense of humor, I will have my "pinguin" sculptures on display. Created from actual bowling pins, the penguins are mischievous, sometimes cruel, and will surely tickle a funny bone or two. You will not want to miss this show, as a few penguins have already been sold (meaning this event will be the last time to see some of them in public)!

CATAWOMPUS is Saturday, April 9th from 5:00 to 9:30 pm, and is a free event open to the public. This reception will also have an interesting soundtrack and food spread for the evening . . . Bring some friends, and take in some culture (albeit slightly skewed). It will be a (bowling) ball!

MAKE Youth Arts Festival

2011-03-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

The Second Annual MAKE Youth Arts Festival is next weekend! Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 26th from 10 am to 4 pm to attend this fun, free, kid-oriented event.

Artwork by my art students from Greenway Elementary and Lowell Junior High will be on display, as will work from Bisbee High School art students. Guests are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt, in which one must scour the artwork to find all the hidden gems. Performances by Stories That Soar (dramatic rendering of stories written by kids) and Wall of Love (the BHS rock band) are sure to please, as are the many "Make & Take" activities. I will be stationed at the screenprinting table where you can screen your own MAKE fest or Wall of Love tee! Be sure to bring a plain t-shirt to participate.

I'm proud of all the hard work my kids have put in this year. Here are some samples:

March Calendar

2011-03-02T19:26:00.008-07:00

The "big" plans for the month . . . mark your calendars. :)
(for some reason, the calendar is only viewable after hitting the "back" button. Try it.)
You can click on each activity for more information.

Rockin' the Dress

2011-01-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here is my donation to the art auction during Rock for Rehab benefitting Verhelst Recovery House.

I wanted this dress to be a bit more rock-n-roll to fit the theme, but also wanted positive affirmations in the background because of whom it was benefitting. I think in order to rock a dress like this, one has to be confident, comfortable in one's own skin, and love oneself for who she is.

To help make it a bit edgier, I this dress is the first to utilize graphite rubbing underneath.

The side panels are a heavily textured fabric with skinny folds that made stripes and nubs.

The center panel is lace, and the breast panels are a tighter lace pattern.

I added pastel over top, and text in the background.

This dress is also the first that has a background value fade to a soft black border

around the outside edge.

Tomorrow is the 3rd Annual Rock for Rehab from 11-6 pm at Naco Country Club. There are 7 local bands playing, an Art Auction, and good food at this event. Self-touted as "The Grestest Cause on Earth," I may not exactly agree, but do believe it is a really great cause (c'mon, I know you've seen episodes of A&E's Intervention -- drug and alcohol addictions tear families apart).

If you would like to buy this piece, you have to be there!

Your Help: What Should HGS Do in 2011?

2011-01-18T21:57:00.005-07:00

This Friday, I am meeting with Mark at the Small Business Development Center to discuss business goals for my studio/gallery in 2011. I am to present 4 goals for the year, 2 of which Mark and his resources at the SBDC can help facilitate. Because my business is in its infancy, there are so many possibilities for things to work towards. I need help narrowing the field -- this is where you come in. Take the poll and leave comments -- think about what might be a priority, as well as what might make HGS stand out from the crowd. TAKE THE POLL -- CLICK HERE.

I do have some personal goals, such as designating time during the week for social media, advertising, etc. I would like to start taking proper photos of my artwork and set up a better system for inventory and pricing. It would also be helpful to have the gallery open more often, so that I would be more likely to offset the rent with sales. For personal growth, I want to submit work in local and state exhibitions, as well as take an art class or two this summer. If you have suggestions for any of these personal goals, please feel free to comment!

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Reflecting on the New Year

2011-01-02T11:42:00.001-07:00

Happy 2011!

I love the start of a new year, as it is a season of hope and anticipation. We review the passing year in photos, funniest television commercials, and biggest headlines, while predictions are made about the economy, the political atmosphere, and who will battle it out at the Super Bowl. Furthermore, the new year is often viewed as a blessing, an opportunity to change, to make our collective world a better place by starting within. The making of resolutions is noble . . . perhaps because sticking with our goals is daunting, usually requiring some change in routine, attitude, or behavior. It's easier to wish for a better year than resolve through actions that it will be better, lest we be disappointed with ourselves.

"A new year's resolution is something that goes in one year, and out the other." -- Unknown

My resolutions are usually on-going battles with daily life. I will continually strive to be more organized (where do all of those papers come from anyway?), to find balance between work and play (work usually wins), and to finish things, whether it's to avoid spoilage in the fridge, or to stop the clutter of fifteen simultaneous "projects" from taking over the living room.

Although I have never actually followed through with any of my New Year's resolutions, I offer you this: remember that the opportunity to better ourselves is open all year long. As long as we try to be the best versions of ourselves, we will all be better for it, even if we fall short. World peace begins within.

This Blog has Traveled

2010-12-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

Since May, this blog has received traffic from all over the world (who knew?) . . . Below is a map and list of views from countries all over the world, listed from most views to fewest.

United States
Russia

United Kingdom

Germany

Canada

Netherlands

Saudi Arabia

Ukraine
South Korea
Latvia

I would like to post images of my artwork and where in the world it has ended up. More to come . . .

Sold! The New Spring Line

2010-12-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

This collage of dresses with wire hangers will finally have a new home! It was accepted in the Glendale Arts council show in 2005. Steve, who lives in Washington state, bought this piece for his daughter, to hang in her office. I can't wait to see (and post) where it "lives."

If you have a piece of my art, snap a photo of it (in its natural surroundings), and send it in an e-mail to heathergreenstudios@gmail.com. Include the city and state (or country!) where the work hangs, as well as anything anecdotal you would like to add.

I plan on blogging about where my work ends up, as well as getting a map for the studio with stickpins as to where my work is found. Bisbee has all kinds of travelers walk through, so it is only fitting to track where my work travels to . . .

Deck the Walls (or the Windows!)

2010-11-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Since my trip to New York City 5 years ago, I LOVE window displays, and have wanted to do my own. I now have two small street level display windows at my studio, so I'm excited to make things interesting! Here's my first crack at it:

I had painted the whole window box white when I repainted the rest of the studio to give it a fresh feel. However, the white can be glaring when the sun hits it, so I decided to go for a sohpisticated wood flooring look. In order to do this, I stained garden stakes ebony and cut off the ends . . . it took 100 stakes to cover the bottoms of both display windows!

The first picture shows 5 "wallpaper" panels (actually just gift wrap stuck to foamcore with spray adhesive), each with a framed word that collectively reads"Deck the Walls with Art." The large bulbs reference Christmas, but give the window a sense of theatricality and stage presence.

The next picture is a scan of my initial sketch -- I was going to hang strips of ribbon in the background, but found that the panels took up plenty of visual space, and are blocking natural
light in the studio. I will save the ribbons for later.

The third photo is my favorite part of the window display, although the photo doesn't do it justice. It is the middle of the second window (after the google Maps app barcode and magnets display), showcasing my Christmas cards. I am glad I have this mini pedastal to create some height and interest.

The next picture was an in-progress photo (you can see the white floor), but is the best photo of the Wordle I used to reiterate the theme. (What's a wordle? See the last post.) I framed it, used a mini wooden easel, and stuck the back of my business card to the
glass for a personal touch. I now have a sign in between the frame and my sticker that has business hours.

The final photo is the very first panoramic I've taken with my camera phone. As you can see, the displays really "glow" at night.

Overall, I wanted to showcase the season, and identify artwork as an awesome gift, but didn't want to be cliche with seasonal decorations. I hope it stands out!

What's YOUR Wordle?

2010-11-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this fun app for creating your own word art called a "wordle." Above, you are seeing the wordle my blog made! I am using the app to make a signs for my studio. I'm also thinking it could have interesting uses for teachers (e.e. cummings poetry, vocab review, synonyms practice, etc.), which could make learning fun . . . Try it out!

Panorama Fun

2010-11-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Matt took panoramic photos of the new gallery/studio space with his camera phone. You can click on the blog title -- it's a link -- to view all four!

Menu for the Private Opening 11-13-10

2010-11-14T15:57:00.001-07:00

Yesterday's opening fete was yummy (oh yeah, and fun!). Here's the rundown of the menu:

brie and havarti cheeses

a variety of fancy crackers

veggie tray

apple slices and dried apricots

dark chocolate squares

delicious Swedish meatballs in a crockpot (chef Matt's specialty)

garlic stuffed olives

Bogle merlot*

apricot walnut brie dip in the mini crockpot (received rave reviews from guests) -- recipe below!

Apricot Walnut Brie Dip:

1 large round of brie (13- 15 oz.)

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp water

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Put brie in a mini crockpot (cut off the rind if thick). In a small bowl, mix apricots, sugar, water, vinegar, and rosemary. Pour mixture on top of the brie. Sprinkle on the chopped walnuts. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours, or low for 3. Serve with crackers and/or apple slices.

*Special thanks to Brian Wimmer, Matt's cousin for suggesting the wine choice. I now have a new, affordable favorite.

Look Ma, I'm on Google Places!

2010-10-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever searched for a service in your area on Google (i.e. "hair salons near Glendale AZ") and a map with red tabs indicating the names and locations of different businesses appears? It's part of a feature called Google Places. Google also has an app for Smartphones called "Places" allowing users to search for bars, restaurants, attractions, stores, and other local businesses near their current location. The same information shows up on their phones! Businesses can also post their individual barcode (see mine??) for passers-by to scan into their smartphones to view business info and reviews. Customers can also download coupons for these businesses on their phones, or print them out at home ahead of time.

I am excited to say that Heather Green Studios is now on Google maps/places in Bisbee! Currently, I only have a red dot, not a tab/flag because I am a new business. (Search "art gallery in Bisbee AZ" to try it out! You will have to click on the map of Bisbee and zoom in to find it . . . near the Coppoer Queen Hotel.) I'm sure that the more others view the listing and leave reviews, i will eventually earn my flag on the map! Click on this blog's title for a direct link to my Google places site.

If you click on my listing and scroll down to the bottom, there is a coupon for the grand opening of my new studio! The coupon is for a FREE marble magnet with any $10 purchase, good only November 13th, 2010 from 3 to 8 pm. If you are unable to find the information, please contact me at heathergreenstudios@gmail.com so I can e-mail you the link! The imagery for the magnets are unique, original, hand-pulled prints made by me.

2010 AAG Scholarship Winners' Exhibition @ Paulina Miller Gallery

2010-04-18T20:48:00.001-07:00

I am very proud of how this show came together -- it's my last year curating the AAG Scholarship Exhibition, as it is my last season as the Arizona Artists Guild (AAG) Scholarship Chair. Check out the slideshow (above) or click on the pictures to view the album in Photobucket. Better yet, go and see the exhibit yourself -- it's up through May 15th!

Work on view at the Paulina Miller Gallery:
817 N. 1st Street, Phoenix 85004
Gallery Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 1-5pm
First Friday, May 7, 6-10 pm
or by apointment: 602.881.0848

This is also Paulina Miller's LAST EXHIBIT . . . http://www.paulinamillergallery.com/
In the main gallery is phenomenal work by Angela Cazel-Jahn http://www.cazel-jahn.net/ She has a 2-part exhibit. The first explores the nature of "thought" through painting/collages and sculptures. The other exhibit is called "Ball Chain," an interactive installation that has so many different ways to experience it . . . you really should see it!

AAG Scholarship Winners:

Ruth Magadini Award in painting -- Andrea Jensen http://www.andrearaejensen.com/ (U of A)

Gerry Grout Award -- printmaking -- Angela Young http://www.angelayoungart.com/ (ASU)

Gerry Grout Award -- ceramics -- Chad Gunderson http://www.chadgundersonart.com/ (ASU)

AAG Award -- painting -- Judd Schiffman http://www.gatelessgatedesigns,org/ (Yavapia CC)

www.arisonaartistsguild.net/scholarship

Scholarship Exhibit Postcard

2010-04-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

9th Annual Ceramics Studio Tour!

2010-02-21T18:17:00.001-07:00

Hooray! A New Home for the Guild

2009-11-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

After ten long years of planning and raising money, the Arizona Artists Guild will finally be able to have a place to call home! In addition to monthly meetings and weekly open studio sessions, the new building will host monthly exhibitions and events for valley arts organizations.

During the Opening Celebration & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony I will be stationed at the scholarship table to talk about one of the best things the Guild does (supports Arizona's young artists through an annual scholarship competition)! Olivia Timmons, a 2009 winner, will also be there to talk about why this scholarship is so important. Hopefully, people will open their pocketbooks and donate to the Scholarship Fund!

THIS Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10:00am-12:00pm at 18411 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix, AZ 85023

Here is the info from ShowUp.com:
Arizona Artists Guild - Opening Celebration - Arizona Artists Guild - Arizona Artists Guild Building - ShowUp.com

For Fun

2009-07-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

I sniped this from a friend's Facebook page . . . try it out! Here's mine:

1 - BAND NAME Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random article” or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - ALBUM TITLE Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - COVER ART Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

I would love to see yours!!!!

How Did I Miss This???

2009-07-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

I attended an AP Studio Art Summer Institute this past week put on by the College Board (basically, I received training to teach Advanced Placement Studio Art for my high school) . . . one of the discussions was how to push students beyond cliche or trite subject matter in their concentration (or focus) pieces . . . The instructor pulled out a book called Skulls -- which started as a blog, in which this guy literally created a skull everyday, often from ordinary, everyday things.

Love the concept!

Great Reference for Artists Books

2009-06-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Cover-to-Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals, and Albums by Shereen LaPlantz is a great reference for artists in the paper arts. Actually, not all the books are made of paper, opening up amazing possibilities. I've referenced this book quite often, and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in creating artists' books.

Museum Curatorial Debut!

2009-06-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

As the Scholarship Chair of the Arizona Artists' Guild, I have the wonderful opportunity to "curate" the scholarship exhibition. This year, it is at the West Valley Art Museum -- so I now have museum curatorship to add to my resume!

The show opens tonight, from 5-8 pm.

I will be giving out the awards to four scholarship recipients around 6:30. Each winner received a $1,000 scholarship towards continuing her art education. This year, artists from each of Arizona's three universities are represented.

Here are some pictures of the show:

Summer Arts Camps for Kids

2009-05-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

This summer, I will be teaching arts day camps for 6-12 year olds . . . so I will get my fill of the little guys before going back to hormonal 15 year olds. I'm excited about the classes -- they are all themed, and will run for 2 hours every day for a week. Here are a couple of examples:

Pop Art Party will be a class where all the artwork made will have a party theme and will celebrate the Pop Art movement . . . think Andy Warhol wigs and Keith Haring's dancing dogs!

Diagnosis: Sculpture-itis is all about using everyday objects and transforming them into art. I did this one two summers ago, and had a blast!

These classes will be held at the West Valley Art Museum located in Surprise, Arizona. For more information, visit this site: http://www.wvam.org/youth.html

Pop Art Party will be held at Palm Valley Elementary in Litchfield Park through the West Valley Arts Council.

http://www.westvalleyarts.org/programs/camps.html

Blueberry Girls

2009-05-04T12:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day -- to mothers of daughters . . . Here is a beautiful little poem/wish that should be shared:

http://webcontent.harpercollins.com/images/om/sz/blueberrygirl-mothersday.htm

Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman, with illustrations by Charles Vess

Sunnyslope Raffle Winner!

2009-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Nancy Ausdahl, who won this linoleum print in a free raffle I held at the Sunnyslope Artwalk April 18th! Nancy proudly lives in the Sunnyslope area.

The lino-cut image is based on a cherub water fountain statue in the backyard of Andrew Mellon's former home (of Carnegie-Mellon University, and Mellon Bank/Financial) in Pittsburgh. The grounds of the Mellon estate were designed in the 1930s, and are now maintained as part of an arboretum. The mansion is now an administrative building for the all-women's Chatham College. It still houses America's very first indoor swimming pool in America in the basement, which I swam in several times. :)

New Dresses

2009-03-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

Newest work in my studio . . . Spring Break was productive.

I have been playing with paper dolls in my studio . . . They are a theme I have played with before (Not Your Doll series), and have a million new ideas for new work, variations on this theme. I am playing with text, and with dresses. I LOVE that one of the women who came through the studio during Art Detour said my work is beautiful . . . "with teeth."

The paper doll dresses will intentionally be clothing that is representative of women's roles (wedding gown = wife, nurse's oufit = caregiver, etc.) . . . Right now, I am evolving the concept to have text that states "I am not the dress," and would like to push it into the positive realm with "I am . . ." (I am a welder, I am a nurse, I am a size 2, I am a size 18, I am a sister, I am a feminist, I am a dog-lover, I am an optimist, I am a pessimist, I am an independent thinker, and on and on and on . . .) I'm excited to see these develop!

I am not your paper doll

I am not the dress

I am an artist . . .

DOs and DONTs of Collecting Artists' Prints

2009-03-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a REALLY good article on Phoenix Art Space about collecting prints . . . If you are interested in building your collection, you should make note of their list of DOs and DONTs:

http://www.phoenixartspace.com/articles/180

In addition to galleries that specialize in the sale of famous artists' prints, and local printmakers (like myself), your local museums, colleges, and universities are sometimes a great source of original fine art prints. The West Valley Art Museum had several original artists prints for sale last summer (or the one before?) as a fundraiser for the museum. The prices were VERY reasonable . . . if I would have had the money, I would be the owner of a Victor Vasarely (sometimes thought of as the "Father of Op Art" -- google him if you are not familiar). My alma-mater, Allegheny College, was also auctioning some of their acquisitions a few years ago to pay for renovations to the art department wing of the campus center.

Date Night: Bisbee After 5

2009-03-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Matt and I went to Bisbee, Arizona 's 2nd Saturday Artwalk known as "Bisbee After 5" to check out the arts scene. Bisbee is an old (copper) mining town that is now home to many artists, bed & breakfasts, hippie-types, and an annual run up a large set of stairs. (My favorite Bisbee t-shirt: "Keep Bisbee Wierd.")

Bisbee galleries are attempting to create a monthly event (like First Fridays here in Phoenix) to draw tourists and locals alike. What makes Bisbee's art walk different? Besides the charming buildings and interesting people (Matt people-watched while I perused the art), one can actually visit all the spaces within the three hour time frame.

My favorite space, hands-down, is SAMPOE Gallery . . . a dynamic husband-wife couple whose individual work is very different, yet play off of each other very well. Poe Dismuke creates kinetic sculptures from found objects (mostly wood and metal) that remind me of marbleworks (a toy my youngest brother used to play with). His sketches are quite wonderful too. Sam Woolcott paints in bright colors with bold strokes, working in both pastel and acrylic. Her pieces include some plein-aire work from the beautiful surrounding landscape.

Here is an example of Poe's kinetic sculptures intersecting with his sketches. He was makes me want to create sculptures from found objects again . . . I am in love with the materials, and how they are arranged. Someday our home will be filled with works by the likes of this duo.

http://www.sampoegallery.com/

Another highlight on the tour . . . TWIST gallery. TWIST is kind of etsy-like . . . I might see if my prints/cards will sell there, as the owner is fantastic. She was asking if I am represented by any galleries (which I am not) . . . I am excited by the prospect, and will have to make sure I follow up.

Matt and I plan to make this artwalk a "Date Night" again, perhaps with other couples (our cousins live in town with their spouses, so it could be some fun bonding time) . . . You should go, even if you end up going stag. I totally would! :)

Coachella Widget

2009-03-11T22:37:00.001-07:00

Oh, Coachella, how I miss you!

Talk about inspiring . . . the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival grows every year. Just look at the amazing line-up of musicians! Also, Sheppard Fairey (the artist that is under fire for copyright infringement with regard to painting an Associated Press photo of Barack Obama without permission, also known for his "OBEY" series) is one of the featured artists! Although I am unable to partake in the festivities this year, I am keeping a close watch on the happenings with this Coachella Widget. :)

http://www.coachella.com/

Original Art for Little Scratch

2009-02-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

Looking to beef up your art collection with original art, for little money? Try purchasing artists' prints. An original "print" is one that is created by an artist on a plate or block that often produces multiples of the same image. The set of multiple images is known as an "edition," the same as in bronze casting. The image is original, but because there are multiple copies, the price is usually less than other media, such as painting. These items include, but are not limited to, etchings, woodcuts, linoleum cuts, serigraphs (screenprinting), monoprints, and collographs.

These prints should not be confused with giclee "prints" (somewhat of a misnomer), as giclees are fine art reproductions, created by printing the image from the computer. Giclees are also a great way to build a collection; however, be aware that computer printer inks can not hold up to the lightfastness that artists' prints do. Printmaking inks are created from pigments, or crushed minerals -- they will last longer than the paper they will printed on. In contrast, giclees will fade if explosed to direct sunlight because the ink is dye-based.

Below is a link to Utrecht's site about collecting prints . . . the comments are also informative!

http://www.utrechtart.com/community/index.cfm?commentID=175