Community Art

Dear Community Art,

I love you.  I hate you.  You scare me.  You steal my control--which feel like power so it's hard to surrender.

Sincerely,

Brave Mim

I just finished coordinating a community art project.  In collaboration with Summit Artspace on Tusc and Barberton Better Block, I was gifted the privilege of inviting everyone to make some community art by painting picnic tables.

It was a huge project that took so many more hours that I could have ever anticipated.  It did not turn out in any way shape or form as I would have imagined, but it was a big success!

What is community art?  It is a creative journey in which one person coordinates in some crazy way the creative vision of all the other participants into some sort of cohesive vision and product.  Do you see how this might get complicated?!

Lots of little people and a few big people came out to make this experience a success.  HUGE gratitude to everyone who came out and shared their creativity and supported the creativity of others!  You can see all of these tables, and the tables created by professional local artists at Barberton Better Block on July 28, 5 - 10 p.m and July 29, all day.  After the event they will move to parks around Barberton.  Enjoy some photos below that will convey the spirit of the project!

Potterfest Wands

I am sooo excited to be part of Kent Potterfest this year!  And it's finally here--Saturday, July 29, noon - 9 p.m. in downtown Kent, Ohio.  I have been creating so many wands over the past few months.  Below is just a small sampling of wands, but I had to show them off!

If you can't wait, and you need one to take to the festival or you're worried I might sell out before you arrive.  {Last year I sold out in 2 hours!} then stop by my studio on Friday evening for Barberton 4th Friday.  My studio is in Summit Artspace on Tusc (formerly Art Center on Tusc), and I'm studio #102.  I will be there from 5-9 p.m.  If you want a specific wand you see, please email me, so that I'll be sure to have it waiting for you!

Here is a little sneak peak:

New this year--wands in house colors!  $10 each

Buy a set of all 4 house wands for a great price--$36

And then we come to the Super Powered Wands--already titled and ready to inspire magic making everyday life:

Creativity Wand--powered to inspire creativity in oneself and others $15

Royal and Regal Wand--powered to lead with confidence $15

Deep Waters Wand--pwered to move with strength through darkness toward light $15

Rainbow Wand--powered to unite around the promise of a better future $15

Phoenix Feather Wand--powered to rise from the ashes and find new life $15

Peace Wand--powered for serenity, calm, and focus $15

Dragonfly Wand--powers of enchantment and inspiring wisdom $15

Midnight Wand--powered to thrive through the darkest places in life $15

Black Rose Wand--powered to release and let go $15

Resistance Wand--powered to stand up and fight injustice $15

Hope Wand--powered for optimism and expectation of positive future outcomes $15

And of course there are loads of wands in browns and blacks with metallic accents that are just waiting for you and all other wizards and witches to start making your own magic for $10 each.

Wands are just for Potterfest!  They make great wands for special events or just because--stocking stuffers, you're going to survive this, college send offs and more!

Wonderful Watercolor Painting in Arts and Crafts Cabin

This Monday, July 10, is a very fun evening in the Arts and Crafts Cabin.  We will be trying out many different techniques for watercolor painting.  We will create a small book with all of our samples of different ways to use water, create texture, and mix colors.  If time permits we will try a still life or landscape.

If you know a child who wants to feel like a "real" artist, this is the week to join us!

Click HERE to register and pay.  Use the pull down menu for Wonderful Watercolor.  

Class is held from 6-7 p.m. at Summit Artspace on Tusc, 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton

Email me if you have any questions.

Early Morning Creating

I pushed myself to get out of bed, make coffee, throw on my painting apron, and get busy this morning.  Why is this so hard?  Why don't I do this more?

All I know is I'm so glad I did!  Here's what I have to show for the time:

2 paintings (6x6 inches) that I plan to offer at Lakeside Plein Air next weekend.  If either or both are calling you, email me.  $45 each

36 wands got a second coat of paint.  These still need metallic paint and a clear coat finish.  They will be offered at Kent Potterfest on July 29.  If you need one before the festival, email me.  $10 each

What do you like to create?  Are you a morning person?