A Mosaic of Ideas About Life, Art & Superfluous Adornment.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Make Some Art


"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." 




Upcoming Art Classes at A Work of Art Studio


 Beginning Mosaic Class Thursday, May 8: Learn the basics of mosaic design and direct application on a 12x12 wood board. Bring a basic design idea or drawing. Class starts Thursday, May 8, 6-9pm and continues every Thursday until finished. $75.- All materials included.

 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting Class: Thursday, May 15 + 22: Come and create with the talented artist, Charis Moblo, on an 8"x8" canvas with acrylic paints, papers, paint pens, etc. Thursday, May 15 (and 22nd, if necessary) 6-9pm. $30.- RSVP required by pre-payment.

Kids Art Saturdays-May 24, June 14, July 5, July 26, August 16, September 6: For kids 10 years and up (younger than 10 ok if parent stays to assist).1 -3 pm. Lots of different hands on activities. Six sessions every 3 weeks through September. $15.- per child, materials included. RSVP by pre-payment required (pay at shop, space is limited).

Watercolor/Mixed Media Class- 6-9 pm. Sessions: May 29, June 26, July 24, Aug 19, Sept 18 No experience necessary. Paint a watercolor picture in one 3 hour class. $20.- all materials provided. RSVP required by pre-payment at studio. 

Cement Leaf Class- Tuesday, June 3: Come and make a cement bowl from a rhubarb leaf. Tuesday, June 3, 6-9 pm. $25.- all materials included. Second night to unveil and clean leaves Tuesday, June 10, 6-9 pm.

Soap Making Class- Thursday, June 5: 6-9pm. $35., 


  all materials included. Limited to 6 students, RSVP required by pre-    payment. Learn the basics of lye soap making along with a bit of history of the craft by making about 2 pounds of soap. First week make and pour soap, second visit (to be determined) we will cut, finish and then let it finish curing (final curing about a month). We will use goat's milk or green tea for the base with the lye!

Square Wagon Wheel Rug Class- Tuesday, July 8:  Make a rug by weaving sheets around a square frame (as opposed to a hula hoop-round rug). 3 session class starting Tuesday,July 8, 6-9pm, $35.- Bring 2 full size sheets, color of your choice. RSVP by pre-payment required.

Wire Sculpture Base for Mosaic Class- Thursday, August 14: Learn how to make a basic sculpture wire frame, harden it with plaster gauze and cement, and cover with mosaic tesserae. Class will be extensive, as long as it takes to finish sculptures. Every Thursday night starting August 14, until we are finished. Materials included. Cost: $125.- RSVP required by pre-payment.

T-shirt Prodded Rag Rug Class- Tuesday, September 16: Learn to make a prodded t-shirt in burlap rug using your old t-shirts. Bring at least 10 or more medium to heavy weight t-shirts or mid-weight fleece. Bring shears. Think of basic design and colors and bring those with you. Finished rugs approximately 20" x 24". This will take 4-6 classes to complete. Rest of materials provided. $60.- RSVP by pre-payment required, class starts Tuesday, September 16 and continues every Tuesday until finished.

Free Quilting Bee- First Tuesday of every month

A Work of Art Studio Nights- every Tuesday & Thursday. Having trouble finishing existing projects? Come work and get support from fellow artists any Tuesday or Thursday night from 6-9 pm. $2.50 per night. No RSVP necessary.

Classes are regularly updated on www.aworkofartstudio.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Cheek to Cheek


"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not 

born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a 

new world is born." 


This entry continues from the last where I showed the indomitable Martin Cheek's and my installation of his mosaic "Danny the Dragon" at a charter school in Ann Arbor, MI.
He recently spent the weekend at A Work of Art Studio teaching a mosaic workshop.
 We started by getting reacquainted at dinner. Here is Martin settling in to our wonderful state (the state of graciousness & hospitality).  
On Friday, April 11 the weekend started with a "Meet & Greet" where Martin gave a very informative slide show introducing his town of Broadstairs, England and sharing his development of the use of fusions in his mosaics over 30 years.


One of Martin's beautiful mosaic creations "Jessie's Dream" and the making of it can be seen here: http://martincheek.net/my-working-method/



The catered food for the weekend by Kadren Grawburg was amazing!
Martin talking about his mosaic methods.






Thank you to everyone who came to support and learn from the "Mosaic Maestro".
 Here are some of Martin's handmade glass fusions, like being at a candy shop for a mosaic artist.














King Martin enjoys his second eve at a local pub in Lakeview.
Martin works tirelessly on new mosaic proposals and answering emails and keeping connected with his class patrons and students.



Martin showing the proper techniques for cutting smalti with a wheeled nipper and how to turn corners with cut glass.




 Martin is an exceptional teacher with years of experience in the many methods of mosaicing and creating fusions. He is most likely the first major mosaic artist to start using the fusion method in his mosaics.





 Here are the beginnings of a mosaic using Martin's wonderful glass fusions. I shall add an updated post when we are all finished.


The Martin Cheek Mosaic Workshop Crew of April 2014 at A Work of Art Studio in Lakeview, MI.





Martin celebrated a successful weekend with us by going to one of our favorite eateries in Howard City, MI. where I have a mixed media/mosaic sign hanging in the dining room.





Martin shall be found wherever there is a hefty internet connection which just happened to be my house, where he is always a welcome guest. Thank you, Martin, for visiting our humble abode and for an excellent weekend.
If you want to know more about Martin Cheek and read about his techniques and musings check out his blog:
http://martincheek.net/welcome-to-my-blog/ or his website: http://www.martincheek.co.uk