Busyness

"Wherever I am, the world comes after me.

It offers me its busyness. It does not believe

that I do not want it. Now I understand

why the old poets of China went so far and high

into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist."
— Mary Oliver

Where have I been, you may ask? Well...

Running the salon is my "full-time" job which takes the biggest portion of my time. Pedicures with essential oils, up do's...

My oldest daughter was a Senior in high school this year and so...

Do the math... Here we are getting ready for prom.

My great friend and neighbor, Jack Johnson, took some great prom pictures of the kids. Check it out and many of his other amazing pictures at: http://jackbjohnsonstudio.com/emily_prom2012/index.html.

The next adventure was attending my niece's wedding in Florida. The reception was at my sister's beautiful house in St. Cloud.

This is a custom mosaic I made for this niche with a mirror over the table and vase of hydrangeas. It looks great hanging over the "Mickey Mantle".

Of course, I had the pleasure of doing the wedding hair and doing a final floral decorative touch on this groomsman cake from my sister's magnolia tree in the front yard.

These are the resident Sand Hill Cranes that grace the yard. They have no qualms about taking bread from your hands.

These are some mosaics I had done for MarySue and her husband, John that they have decorating their house.

Even in May, Florida was in need of rain. Lake Toho where they live is so low, their dock is surrounded by grass. But one can still enjoy the breath taking sunsets.

Next was Senior Stuff!  Emily receiving scholarships at Senior Award's Ceremony, and wearing an awesome velcro suit before flinging herself at a velcro wall on Senior Lock-in night at the high school.

And in between our sedate life in Lakeview we attended my father-in-law's funeral in New Jersey. What a beautiful bunch of Perusse's there to honor a great man. We also visited Grandma and Auntie's mausoleum in Fort Lee.

One can't be in Fort Lee and pass up visiting the actual "Fort", which is right next to the George Washington Bridge.

Back in Michigan Emily received her cap and gown, which, unfortunately didn't come with ironing instructions. Did you know that they melt under high heat? Would have been nice to know ahead of time. Ah well, I sewed it together and none knew.

She used her beautiful voice to sing at her Baccalaureate. 

 Graduation Day!!!

So proud of my Sweetie!

In the meantime at the shop, I finished a prodded rag rug, check that out here: http://aworkofartstudio.blogspot.com/2012/06/rag-rug-to-finish.html. And I started a Sculptural Mosaic Class which will need its own post, to come later.

Next was Emily's graduation party which I held at my shop. It has great accommodations and attracted a great crowd. Thanks, everyone who came and supported us!

Amazing how quickly they get taller than Grandma.

One of my clients introduced me to this sweet Boston terrier who was lost the weekend of the party. I helped to post a lost message and picture on Facebook and her owner quickly found her:)

Back to the Hair! Here is Marchelle who needed a smart "do" for her American Idol audition. Unfortunately, she didn't make it, but I think she has a most excellent voice and has a beautiful spirit and will go far in life in whatever she chooses. Great job, Marchelle!

 Now here is my sculptural mosaic flower that I have started in the class. I have since completely covered it in plaster gauze and it is ready for a layer of cement before I start adding mosaic bits.

 It has been such a hot, humid summer here in Michigan and we had a few storms last week that took several trees down in our area. This is just one of the about 8 that went down right on our property line into this woods. I did wish for more light in my garden, guess I need to be more careful what I wish for?

Meeting Tiny Tim @Isla Morada in the Keys.

Actually, this was around 1987; just thought it was a fun add.

My next post will be about the Sculptural Mosaic Class taking place at the shop right now. So much fun and creativity, the students are surprising themselves with their genius:)

Rag Rug To The Finish!

"When someone beats a rug,

the blows are not against the rug, 

but against the dust in it."
— Rumi

Here is my t-shirt/fleece strips rag rug from start to finish. I did a past post on prodded rag rugs:

http://aworkofartstudio.blogspot.com/2012/03/prodding-design.html

But here is a quick look at the progress:)

 It got so thick and heavy as I continued to add more and more strips, that I gave up using the frame, actually, the frame cracked when I man-handled it one day, and I decided it was easier to maneuver without it. Here is the finished prodded rug.

 At this point, we add a bit of carpet adhesive to the edge where we then fold the edge over and "whip-stitch" it together with an upholstery needle and strong thread.

 This is before whip-stitching is completed.

 And, here it is after being sewn and wiping a layer of carpet adhesive to the whole back; this gives it a non-slip backing and keeps the strips from being pulled out. Let dry overnight.

To clean, lay in bath tub with mild soap and rinse well afterward.

My tired feet can't wait to step on this in the bathroom! It is so cushy. I am off to make one for my mom's bathroom:) Happy prodding! More rag rug classes will be planned for later summer/early fall.

Make Your Love Felt

“The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass

 through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape

 parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. 

But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are

 scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come

 along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique

 talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because

 we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we

 underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a

 listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of 

caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It’s

 overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there

 are to make our love felt.” 

― Leo Buscaglia

 Missing my dad and brother who both fulfilled these opportunities countless times...

And sending positive thoughts to my father-in-law, another compassionate fellow, who is in the hospital. Bless you, Pop.

Sweetest Days

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which 

anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but 

just those that bring simple little pleasures,

 following one another softly,

 like pearls slipping off a string." 

— L.M. Montgomery

So many wonderful things take place at A Work of Art Studio. It seems like the perfect, visually stimulating place for a gathering of creative ladies to play their weekly bridge game; one of which is my Mom. I can sense my dad's happy spirit in house on these Thursday's. Two of these amazing women are over 90 years in age. We should all be so lucky to have such active brains at that age.

 Here is a panoramic view of the game.

 Luminary watches over all the proceedings at the studio.

There is a picture puzzle in place for any who would take the time to put a few pieces together.

If you want to stimulate your brain with an art class, check out the "studio schedule" link @

www.aworkofartstudio.com.

Discover New Art Classes!

"The details make life holy.

 If you want a little happiness in life 

don’t forget to look at the little things. 

It is a poet’s work to see the incidental, pluck it, 

place an appropriate silence around both sides and see the profound in what passes for a passing moment. 

It is an artist’s job to as much discover art as create it. 

Prayer is a way of making the common profound by pausing, tying knots around a moment, turning our life into a string of pearls." 

— Noah Ben Shea

Monthly Kids’ Art Class with Molly Moblo Perusse

    Starting Tuesday, May 1st. 1st-5th grades from 3:30-4:30pm. $10. ea.

6th grade and up from 5-6:30pm. $12.- each. Will be working on a 

variety of mixed media projects.   This class: Nail and String Art!

  RSVP and payment ahead required.

    

Mosaic Fish Sculpture Class with Molly Moblo Perusse.

 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 May 10, until we are finished. 

Materials included. Cost: $85.- RSVP required.

Art Journaling/ Mixed Media Class with Molly Moblo Perusse:

see: http://www.arthousecoop.com/users/aWorkOfArtStudio for

 Molly’s latest journaling project.

Art journaling/ Mixed Media class with Molly Moblo Perusse. 

Explore your creative thought process by getting it down on paper, with your own thoughts or quotes. Class will be 2 sessions, Saturday, April 14, and Saturday, April 21, 11 am- 2 pm. $40.-, includes materials. RSVP required.

The Labor of Creation

"The artist seeks contact with his intuitive sense of the gods,

 but in order to create his work, 

he cannot stay in this seductive and incorporeal realm. 

He must return to the material world in order to do his work. 

It's the artist's responsibility to balance mystical communication and the labor of creation." 

— Patti Smith






Last week here in Lakeview was the school's Spring break and so I decided to try having kid's classes all week to give the kids something to do. It was very successful and fun, lots of spring and Easter activities. Our first project was a mixed media picture with a woven bird's nest, cut branch, painted egg and bird and springy quote. Here is Trent's masterpiece.

 "Hold fast to dreams, 

For if dreams die 

Life is a broken-winged bird, 

That cannot fly." 

— Langston Hughes

Here is Nathan's work.

"Early bird 

Oh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird 

And catch the worm for your breakfast plate. 

If you’re a bird, be an early bird— 

But if you’re a worm, sleep late." 

— Shel Silverstein

And Madison's.

She took several of the quote choices and made her own verse:) 

She also cut a heart in her branch; a very creative student.

Here is Amelia's work, she made her very own verse!

Madison used this verse:

"Thanks for this day, for all birds safe in their nests, for whatever this is, for life." 

— Barbara Kingsolver

Here are all the girls' with their great mixed media art!

These are eggs made from "gluing" tissue paper to clear contact paper with an egg frame, very pretty on the window.

Trent was so ahead of the game I decided to have him try his hand at making a mosaic. This was his first day and his own pattern. 

Here it is finished with gluing.

Here is his Mom waiting in the salon's comfy pedicure chair for him to finish grouting:)

Wiping clean after grouting.

Finished masterpiece!!! He did in 3 days what most clients take 4-8 days to complete.

Great job, Trent!

The last two days were spent creating a "Peeps" Topiary. We glued fabric to a terra-cotta pot, added cardboard circles and florist's foam to hold up the ball, painted the stick, and made the ears from a white  pipe cleaner and pink tissue paper centered between two layers of clear packing tape. They are fun to bend !

                                          Peeps are darn sticky! We used gumdrops for filler.

 Here is Kadren helping daughter Suzanne with her yummy job!

The last craft was a small egg mosaic where the kids used beads and glass (they had a quick lesson on how to cut bits of stained glass). Here is Gwen helping her son.

Cora's masterpiece, a bunny mosaic!

                                                                 Posing with topiaries!

What fun we all had! Thanks for attending and we shall see what next year's Spring Break classes will bring.

Future kids classes will be posted on the "Studio Schedule" section of my website:

www.aworkofartstudio.com.