When Life Hands You a Shed....Name Her Frida

"I paint flowers so they will not die." 

— Frida Kahlo

    It has been a busy summer (actually year, of not blogging). But a lot of projects were conquered. This the last one started and finished is a little shed I like to call: Frida. If you have known me long you will know that I have a bit of a fascination with flora and fauna, oh, and wings.  My beautiful friend presented her quandary that she wanted an artist to paint her shed. I racked my brain and thought, why not, why should the fact that I've never painted a mural stop me?  So without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen: Frida.



    The idea was scribbled out on a notepad and folded into sections when the time came to draw it out on the wall. (Here is a link showing you long hand how to do this:) http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-grid-to-enlarge-an-image-while-drawing--cms-20593 
    I used chalk to show up on the wall that I painted first. I wish I could say that I'm the type of artist that freehand draws but mostly I work from several pictures. (I mostly prefer realistic looking things, the easier to "cheat" with pictures.)
    Once I finished painting I cut mirror bits to glue onto the dragonfly wings. Mosaic is my first love and I wanted to reflection close to the water.



 Here is the design that I fit the glass into. I loved mixing the mediums and will most likely do it in the future.

 Here is the finished lakeside. What a blast having boaters pull up close enough to throw out a few "hoorays"!   I knew I wanted a sunflower on the street facing side and to surprise the client, I added in a portrait of her adorable kitty, Sneetches.  Here is the initial layout. I ended up changing the background color to the same blue-green on the other side to make the flower pop.

 I thought this was the finished deal until I woke up the next day and decided to write some beloved quotes all over the flower, the cat even got to wear one or two. And here is Miss Sneetches inspecting her portrait. She would not sit still long enough so I had to work from pictures:)

 Here are a few closeups of some quotes.

 The final final shed picture. What a blast! I put a few coats of marine varnish on it to save it from our harsh Michigan winters. It could probably use a couple more just to be safe. So thankful for the opportunity to create such fun artwork (thanking the divine thoughts that inspire me as well:)

Bored of winter? Come into A Work of Art Studio for an art class!

What a great and fun class making #laundrysoap! A new class to add to our roster if you want to learn.

 Upcoming classes this week: Crocheting a slouch hat/ infinity scarf starts Thursday, February 6, 6-9 and continues next Thursday as well. 

This Saturday, learn how to sculpt with window screen, wire, and plaster gauze! This is such a great way to expand your 2-D brain cells. 

After completing your initial sculpture you can join our Tuesday or Thursday night Studio times from 6-9 pm to cover it with cement and mosaic, if you wish, to make it garden worthy!

Studio cost is $10.- month if you have your own materials; studio materials have an extra cost if not included with a class.

Then next Tuesday we have a brand new class with a Peg Loom!

Learn to weave with a peg loom, I can't wait for this one!

 So, check out all the classes on http://www.aworkofartstudio.com/about.html and reserve your spot today!

Getting Busy!

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em,

'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."

~Theodore Roosevelt

New Art Class Schedule for A Work of Art Studio

all in one place for your convenience!

RSVP today to reserve your seat either by dropping your

$10.- deposit at the studio or $10.60 with PayPal at
www.aworkofartstudio.com

January 2015

• 1/22 Pottery Painting: 6-9pm. $15.-Choose a piece of bisque ware to paint. includes all glazes and firing; additional cost is piece you choose to paint.
• 1/24 Sewing Saturday: 11-4pm. $10.-Bring a sewing project to finish (with help from talented seamstresses) or make project of the month (jeans apron). Bring your own materials and machine. (We have a few machines, first come RSVP). May also bring snack and beverage (Potluck, baby!)
• 1/24 Life Expressions Sign Painting: 1-3pm.$15.- per sign. Create a make-n-take sign & find out what Life Expressions is all about!
• 1/29 Arm Knitting: 6-9p $10.-Learn how to arm knit a cowl. Bring 2 skeins size 6/super bulky yarn, approximately 100 yards each color. (Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease Thick & Quick).
• 1/31 Homemade Laundry Soap: 11-1pm $10.- if bring own materials (Box of Borax, box Washing Soda, one bar of Fels Naptha or Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille soap) or $20 if you use ours. Learn to make your own laundry soap. Bring a grater & 2 large closable containers. Rest of materials included. Will leave with a small batch of powder & liquid & recipe to make @ home.

February 2015

• 2/5 & 2/12 Crocheted Slouch Hat & Infinity Scarf: 6-9pm. $20.- Bring 2 skeins of yarn with 5 & 6 hooks and learn to crochet a slouch hat & infinity scarf over 2 Thursday  nights.
• 2/7 Wire & Cement Sculpture Workshop: 11-4pm. $60.- Make a basic sculpture wire frame & harden it with plaster gauze. Materials included. (Finish up cement on a studio night Tuesday or Thursday).
• 2/10 Peg Loom Weaving: 6-9pm. $25.-Learn to weave a scarf with a peg loom! We have yarn & torn fabrics to choose from or bring your own varied materials. The looms will be available to use or purchase. 
• 2/10 Acrylic Painting: 6-9pm. $20.- Learn different techniques with acrylic paint on canvas. 
• 2/17 Pottery Painting: 6-9pm. $15.-Choose a piece of bisque ware to paint. includes all glazes and firing; additional cost is piece you choose to paint. 
• 2/19 Mixed Media Clock Class: 6-9pm. $25.- Make a clock from a background that you design with studio varied materials.
• 2/21 Studio Saturday: Learn a Granny Square: 1-3pm. $5.- Bring your own crochet hook and yarn and learn a new granny square every third Saturday!
• 2/26 Primitive Rug Hooking: 6-9pm, $45.-Rug hooking is both an art & a craft where rugs are made by pulling loops of yarn or fabric through burlap. All materials included. Bring a 12” or 14” quilting hoop.
• 2/28 Sewing Saturday: 11-4pm. $10.-Bring a sewing project to finish (with help from talented seamstresses) or make project of the month (neck roll pillow). Bring your own materials and machine. (We have a few machines, first come RSVP). May also bring snack and beverage (Potluck, baby!)

March 2015

• 3/5 Silk Scarves: 6-9pm. $20.- Make your own beautiful silk scarf with Sharpie pens! All materials included

• 3/7 Soap Making Class-: 1-3 pm. $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! RSVP by pre-payment.
• 3/10 Painted Walking Sticks: 6-9pm. $15.-Make a decorated walking stick to get ready for Spring weather hiking! Bring a stick or pick one at the studio to decorate. All materials included.
• 3/19 Beginning Quilting 9 Patch Table Topper: 6-9pm. $35.-Learn the basics of quilting with a pattern. An excellent beginners class (with some basic sewing skills experience). All materials included.
• 3/24 Macrame’ Bracelets: 6-9pm. $15.- Learn the awesome ways to create knotted and beaded macrame’ bracelets. All materials included.
• 3/28 Sewing Saturday: Hobo Bag Class-: 11-4pm. $10.-

 Handmade hobo bags class. We have the machines, you bring 2 yards of fabric and

  matching thread. You will learn and leave with your very own stylized bag! 

• A Work of Art Studio Nights- every Tuesday & Thursday. 6-9pm. $2.50 per night or $15.- month. Having trouble finishing existing projects? Come work and get support from fellow artists any Tuesday or Thursday night from 6-9 pm. No RSVP necessary unless needing individual design advice.

• Lakeview Makers Group: Computers, Programming, Electronics, Robotics, CNC Cad-Cam- Studio time Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-7pm. 6th grade - 110 years old, younger with parent. Working with electronic components and creating projects from and learning to program them.  By donation (small fee for circuit boards). Upstairs at A Work of Art Studio.

We are never too old to learn something new! Come and take an art class today!