Check it out!

See some of the amazing students and their creations on my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrazyRavensStudio/119370388073501

Like me on facebook!

Floor Quilts

You don't sew them, you glue patches of fabric onto canvas and then coat with a layer or two of watered down glue followed by polycrylic and bam! Floor quilt! This could have turned out nicer if I had designed and actually measured but I was so excited by the concept I just jumped in and started patching and gluing. I'm still rather pleased with it. The final step is to give it a coat of wax (minwax) to keep it somewhat supple. It will probably go in the dining room where the durable, ugly grey thing is now.

There is a very good book about the process. Just google floor quilts or look on amazon.

Proportions

 

My elegant art friend Faye sent me a link about proportions.

http://thefashioncode.com/before-and-afters

 I am going to try some of their ideas with a little tailoring

Check out Not Dead Yet's Visible Monday.
http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/visible-monday-56-full-over-full.html

And art

 Canasta


and finally I prefer this

 to this

I really like O'Keeffe and Cher, but I prefer O'Keeffe's strong, weathered, natural face to Cher's overly manipulated plastic surgery. Women shouldn't look like they have been left in the micro-wave.

Canasta

 Canasta    24x24 acrylic collage

This might be done....I'm thinking about it. This is my new swimsuit favorite.

 Besides the photo, I was inspired by my Mom's canasta group. They would get together a couple of time a month and play cards. Children were excluded from this event, so naturally I was intrigued. Mom would always buy Brach's chocolate mix for the occasion, which neither Dad nor I were allowed to touch. She would dress up, put on her RED lipstick and her Tweed perfume. I thought she was terribly sophisticated and wonderful. I was seldom apart from her so this time of separation was very worrying and mysterious. I hope her and her cronies are having a ball in the afterlife.

Monday night paint out

A beautiful Monday night....

some

friendly

painters.

Ok, I never claimed that my painting attire was pretty.

A good start..

Most important, painting and having a good time. Next time, bring wine.

Rising Stars

 Spent the afternoon

 with four artful

 young ladies.

I am impressed with what they create!

Saddle Shoes

I love saddle shoes and just bought myself a new pair. Sorry, I am not a better photographer! 

Check out other stylist at Not Dead Yet Style:  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/visible-monday-55-fabulous-fair-trade.html

Fresh Paint--hot off the easel

"Polka Dot Bikini"

I wanted to call it "Exercise in Futility" but unless you are pale-skinned and have worked all summer trying to get a "tan" you might not get it.

Still chugging away

Ugh! That blue has to go. It demands far too much attention and breaks the picture plane in half. Paint and learn!

I'm in Black Star studio for Friday and Saturday. Drop by and see me.

Fifteen years!

Then

Now. 

Still laughing. I think that's a good sign.

Support your local artists and bellydancer!

Be sure to head down to Tony's wonderful greek grill and support our local bellydance group on Wednesday evenings. Great food AND great entertainment.

If you are in town for the Farmer's market, be sure to invstigate the new ART market near the Heritage House. It is local behind O'toogle's and Dr. Sullivan's dentristry. Check it out!

STAR Students!

I am currently teaching workshops at Black Star Gallery in Invermere. Today I had a terrific mother and daughter duo, Cathy and Megan show up. We spent three hours exploring collage.

 

Cathy paints

Megan sticks

 Dueling collagers

Fantastic outcome! 

Thanks for being such wonderful students.

If you are interested in taking courses, Call or visit Black Star Gallery. Go on Saturday and you can take in the fabulous farmer's market too!

Bring back high waist pants!!

 I haven't bought pants for the last five years because I couldn't find a pair that fit me. This pair from Northern Reflections is not bad although I would still have liked the waist about an inch higher. A long rise and a round caboose make it IMPOSSIBLE for me to wear most of the pants being offered out there.

 I had the hot pink t-shirt and the pants, so when I found the silk scarf at the thift store that combined the two colors...well, it had to come home with me.

I tried the pants long and cuffed to puddle jumping length. I am interested in hearing which way you think I should wear them. I generally wear my pants long because I have been operating under the theory that short pants shorten the leg making the body look blockier. But, it is finally hot now and I am open to suggestions.

This is a personal thank you to all the women out there that ARE NOT stick thin but still work at looking fashionable.  You inspire me no end!

Check out style at Visible Monday

http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/visible-monday-54-florals-brighten-day.html

And finally, this week's painting (assemblage):

I was very excited when this conceptual painting was chosen for the Sooke fine Arts show (several years ago). Only 25% of entries are accepted, so just getting in was encouraging. It was my interpretation of the water front. I was fascinated by the little boat cleats and all the ropes, knots, rust and tar that is down by the working ships. 

The gentleman who signed it in was terribly surprised that a woman had made it. He seemed to think only a man could tie knots!

Art Fair Season

Art fair season is upon us. Check out the blurb for the Headwaters Art Society at the CBT website:  

http://www.cbculturetour.com/artists_2012/artist-62.html

We are looking for people who want to show with us.

The Headwaters Art Society is holding an art show and sale in conjunction with the Columbia Basin Trust Culture Tour August 11 and 12 from 10am to 5 pm in the Canal Flats Community Centre. Tables are available to rent for $20/day (or $15/day if you become a member). There will be refreshments available, you are inside and there are washrooms. We aren’t allowed to hang work on the walls but there is room to set up easels behind your table.

People can rent a table for one or both days. We expect you to be present for the hours we are open. Tables will be selected by the luck of the draw. We expect your prices to remain current while you are selling with us (no dickering please). We do allow reproductive work:  prints and art cards for example.

We are trying hard to establish our presence in the valley and would welcome your participation in our event.

You can email me if you are interested in joining us.Click on about me.

Still tinkering

This one is taking longer than I ever suspected. Just realized last night I must be ready for my show at the end of the month!! Dang. Where did the time go?

Simone

 "End of the Day"

This is a painting that has been around a couple of years. I like it but it never seemed to garner much attention. Time for a makeover.

"Simone"  18x24

I lightened the background and her expression (just a little). It was "End of the Day". Now it is "Simone".

Suspenders

I made this skirt to wear to the Farm Chicks show in Spokane a couple of years back. Then I found the suspenders. Done!

Check out Visible Monday at:  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/visible-monday-53-neutrals-are-cool.html

I just had to  mention, after viewing some of the posts over at Not Dead, that I learn something new and interesting about style every Monday.... a new color combo, putting together garments in ways I would never have thought of. Thanks to Patti and all that participate. You inspire me every week!!

 

Art for the day...Buffy the mountain goat.