fyi

This chick is amazing!
These are photos of people that are painted

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/hyperrealistic-acrylic-body

inspiration

I've decided to design my own t-shirts alongside my design students
Rather than just do some random designs I've decided to look at adornment from other cultures
for some inspiration - http://petergasser.info/a_visual_journey/index.html
I'm not making any promises for the outcome but these pics are where I'm going to begin my design process.

Time to get back to work!

Our bank loan has been approved and we will be able to start construction on our studio and hopefully the renovation of this house which will be located in front of the studio - we could break ground any day now!

This coming October is going to be a busy month for us with lots of professional opportunities like
A collection of work due to Lede Gallery in Wake Forest NC
(check them out here:
http://www.ledestudiogallery.com/

I'm showing a collection of earrings at the Quirk Gallery in Richmond VA for the 6th annual Sparkle Plenty show
www.quirkgallery.com
I teach a cold connection workshop at Arrowmont this October
www.arrowmont.org
Mitch has been invited to exhibit work in Chicago - opening Oct 8th.
He and I will also be featured artists at the Princton Arts Council for the month October
The University of Southern Mississippi Art Department has invited us to put work in the alumni show in the Woods Gallery in October.

Having all of these artistic opportunities is awesome but clearly my time management will need some improvement.
Its time for me to start hitting the studio hard-core and making lots of new work!

These earrings are what I've been working on for Sparkle Plenty

Looks like its time for me to start planning some more pieces like this?

I am not the best blogger

Clearly this has been a futile effort.

I resolve to improve my blogging efforts for the sake of my students.

I shall blog or I shall fail.

For my AP students and for my artistic health; I blog.

Arrowmont Workshop

I will be teaching a cold connection workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

October 17-19.

Its a great beginning skills class- perfect for all artists interested in putting things together in a permanent way without using glue! I will also discuss the necessary steps to take for setting up an inexpensive studio in your home.

I hope I see you there!

http://arrowmont.org/registration/commerce.pl?page=2010-shandstamper.html&cart_id=7661501_2863

Paducah Quilt Museum

Mitch and I went out for an adventure this Valentine's Day weekend.

We went to the Quilt Museum first. Admission is $8 a person for adults and it was well worth the money spent. There are lots of quilts. LOTS! Antiques, modern, minis, and student work from the quilt block challenge.

The large gallery is expansive and all of the quilts are exhibited individually - visually pleasing that they aren't crowded. Many of the antiques are exhibited with a history and sometimes pics of the makers. An especially sweet extra for me. The modern national winners are exhibited with information about the artist or the design of the quilt. I felt both inspired and humbled by the artistry of these monumental collages and lessons in color theory and basic design principles. The hand stitching on the mini quits is truly perfection.

There were two docents available to give tours and answer questions. They also host groups. I can't wait to take my art club kids over for a tour. Educational groups get in free and we are even going to get to do a hands on activity (hello fabric printing!)

I highly recommend anyone check out the Quilt Museum. It was well worth the money.

above water

I have been getting really good about keeping my head above water. There are several shows that I would like to apply to. Lots of other things out in the distance that I want to do - need to do - hope that I have the energy to do. Currently I feel like I am only able to accomplish what is necessary to keep my head above water but not enough to move forward. Summer seems like it will bring relief and with it an opportunity to finish unpacking and settling into my office, a must for me. I spent long and good quality hours in my studio over break and have recently enjoyed some acrylic painting - a first for me. I miss having these creative times more often although in some ways they are much richer as they are more prized and harder won.