With October come and gone, there is a distinct chill in the air but things are still going strong in my new studio, The Sweet Retreat.  Perfectly named by my October "Name My Studio" contest winner, Stacey Merrill (click her name to visit her blog).  Stacey won 2 of my 6x6 Sweet HeARTs to enjoy in her own studio :)  Congrats Stacey!


October and November have turned out to be full of events for me, to the point it had my head spinning just keeping up!
Mid October you found me and several energized students playing with stamps, ink, and more, creating fun Artsy Tags over at Swank:


Here are some of the cool tags featured for the class:

October 17th was the rainy but fun Holly Arts Festival in Pinehurst:

Art & Craft festivals are a lot of work, did I ever mention that?  I am still on the fence on whether or not I truly want to do them often but I'm almost addicted in the sense that I hate to miss an opportunity to meet  new people, develop new skills, network, and of course to have the honor of customers purchasing my wares.  Either way that you look at it, one thing a show does for you is to increase your inventory of sell-able items.


The following week I took a trip up to the Circa Gallery in Asheboro, NC to drop off a bit of my latest art at there new gallery on Sunset Blvd.  If you haven't been there yet, be sure to stop in or get on their mailing list. Amy and Mandy are constantly having cool shows and events!  Next event not to be missed the Holiday Hoopla, December 5th.  Enjoy a full day of arts, crafts, food and music from 9-4pm.


November 8th, my team of assistants (Josh pictured in the background and Zack) and I, headed back to Swank to teach a class on Image Transfer techniques.  The students found themselves surrounded by gel medium, gesso, tape and more as they delved into the alluring technique of copying an ink jet or laser copy image onto a variety of substrates.  Did you know packing tape can be one of the easiest mediums to accept a photo transfer? No?  Well try it!


If you are looking for more artsy goodness for a crazy great price, check out my next class "Merry Mixed Media Ornaments"
December 6th from 1-3pm. Price is $25.00 and that includes supplies to make 3 ornamental canvas board holiday wall hangings.  Come play in paint and get your glitter on with us!


Email Jessica or Petra at swankgirls@gmail.com  for more information!


Last week was definitely a highlight of the year with the annual "Art of the Carolina's", sponsored by Jerry's Artarama and held at the North Raleigh Hilton.  Between checking out the vendors,  taking an art class or two during the four full days of work shops, breaking with theCMMAGmembers at the ATC make and take area, or just plain visiting and networking with the multitude of talented artists mulling around, there was something for everyone!
I did two demos over the weekend:

Distress ATC backgrounds featuring Tim Holtz's distress ink pads

and "Just Doodle It" featuring a fun and quirky 'Zentangle' like doodle using simple illustrations.
Jerry's sponsored a creative challenge posed the CMMAG members.  We had to take these items and interpret their them of the "World of Art".

I'm excited to say that I won 2nd place!! The first time I have placed in any competition!!

"Connections" inspired by how art connects us all, no matter the language we speak or the color of our skin, Art connects us all.
 I do want to say a special thanks to Sharon DiGulio, event coordinator  for Jerry's Artarama and fellow CMMAG member,  for all the hard work she and her staff put in to make this event happen. It truly is amazing.  I also want to thank her for allowing the members of the Carolina Mixed Media Guild to participate in so many ways during the 4 day event. To just be a part of the show is an experience!    Last but not least, I have to tip my hat off to the board members of our guild for the countless hours spent organizing our members and our roles for the event. Not to mention the 4 days of volunteering they and several members put  in order to make sure that the classes went smoothly, aspiring artists were taught all sorts of techniques, manning our World of Art Challenge exhibit, and hosting our guild table during the event. OH and they made sure all the volunteers ate well and had a comfortable place to sit down during breaks.  What an experience!  Don't miss out next November!
 

Last but not least, it wouldn't be right if I didn't close this newsletter update out by saying how eternally grateful I am to my many family and friends I have who have encouraged me thus far in my artistic endeavors, to you and to all of my new customers, art admirers, and readers--you truly do inspire me to continue on this journey. I have been blesed with great abundance of kindness and friendship in this journey. All of which I am forever thankful for.   Happy Thanksgiving to all. I will see you again, in December!

Lots of new work NOW available over at my Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe
This month's special coupon:
Buy $20 dollars worth of merchandise and get a FREE 5x7 of your choice
*offer good at Swank or in my Etsy shop

Use coupon code Thanksgiving09
*To redeem coupon, simply pick out your item  from my Etsy shop, check out and send a message to buyer  before paying so I can send a revised invoice. Offer ends December 15th
  Prints and originals available!

My new ON LINE workshop, "Fun With Faux En caustics" is  ON GOING over at Creative Workshops.  It's an informative mixed media art class that walks the students through easy to follow techniques  to achieve a mock en caustic look with mixed media painting.


For only $45.00 you will have access to over 15 step out videos, still pictures, written directions and a forum to ask
questions and discuss techniques.  Stop by Creative Workshops for more information!
 

johl3@windstream.net