Podcasting Workshop in Pittsburgh

The Adventurous Art Teacher is off on her next Adventure...

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is holding its annual Educator's Conference, and I'm taking the Podcasting and Video workshop.
I'm very excited it is something I can use both in the classroom and on my blog.

High Falls Art Gallery

High Falls Art Gallery

60 Browns Race

My favorite artist next to our friend, Kurt Pfeiffer's work

Seek Alternate Routes

The Gallery

Three Abstraction's by Lyn Parson

No Winter Coat by Alicia Taylor

The crazy guy in the reflect is my hubby...

Love the clay pieces, they were on the street before Browns Race.

Just Love these Vessels!

Today was the opening for Abstraction at the High Falls Art Gallery.

If any of my students are checking the Blog... Please check it out. It is a very nice show.

Of course Kurt Pfeiffer is one of my favorites, make sure you check out his website. I also enjoyed Alicia Taylor's work, Check out her large painting hanging in the center of the exhibit. Its hand painted paper that she has stitched together. Very cool.

Summer Book Club Reading Update

Two books that I really enjoyed reading are;

Geraldine Brooks, People of the Book

A wonderful story about a 15th century illuminated Haggadah that survived five centuries against all odds.

I can only imagine what the illumations must have looked like. Karen, of Artsortments recently posted about a current exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum. Medieval drawings and illuminated manuscripts from the 14 century. Oh how I wish I could see the exhibit, it must be amazing.

Nancy Horans, Loving Frank

A novel about the long-lived affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Two people that shared creative aspirations that are not very different from today's way of thinking.

Boyhood to Manhood in a Few Weeks

"That's it Gian." "Put the diploma behind your back so they can't take it back."

The Three Amigos.
Gian (on the right) with his best friends Kevin and John

The traditional family portrait .

Freshman orientation at Johnson & Wales in Providence, RI.
Gian couldn't get away from us quick enough.

Signing in. As it turns out, Gian became orientation buddies with Mike standing behind him.

*As proof that the world truly is small, Mike lives in Pt. Pleasant, NJ where our good friends live.

Stayed at NYLO. A very hip and chic loft hotel. It was a recently convereted warehouse.

For all you history buffs, Abe Lincoln once spoke at this Fruit of the Loom factory in the 1860's.

The Adventurers of Lync

This is my cousin, Champ.

He's taking me to his Favorite place, the lake.

I've never been to a lake.

Hey, How come Champ doesn't have to wear his leash.

PLEASE... Aunt Jane / Mom, I promise I'll be good.

Yippee! Catch me if you can. I LOVE this place

It was a good run while it lasted .
Do you think they will take us tomorrow?

Lync sit up and smile. Don't stick your tongue out they'll never take us again.

The Belated Birthday Apron

"I can't believe it took my mom 4 months to make this apron."

"I just KNOW anything I make wearing this apron will be de-lic-ious."

"Cookbook-check, vegetables-check, looking the part-check."Now, if only I could create meals like the ones featured on Once in a Blue Moon Iris"

Ever since my daughter visited Cambridge, England last summer we have embraced our English heritage. Her apron is inspired by English style found in our favorite UK magazine Country Living. After a little digging, I discovered that my ancestors on my mother's side were from London. They came to the United States in the mid 1600s and settled in Boston, MA. On an exciting note, my great great + grandfather owned a prominent rope making business. We think he may have taken part in the "Bloody Massacre" which helped launch the Revolutionary War. My daughter Jessie (featured in that lovely apron) will be visiting Boston next weekend in hopes of reliving our family's exciting past.

Mom is Home for the Summer!

"Man, am I good-looking."

"Hey! Its time to play."

"Wait are you to busy?" "Can we play in a few minutes?"

"Ok, I'll just wait over here." "Call me when you're ready."

"Mom being home isn't as fun as I thought it would be."

NYC Central Park Paint-out

I'm sending this information to all my blogger friends that live near New York City, in hopes that someone goes to the event and posts pictures.
If I lived closer to Manhattan my pastels would be packed and ready to go.

NYC Central Park Paint-out
Saturday, July 18, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Cost is FREE...

The master artists featured on the new public television series Passport & Palette, Kevin
Macpherson, Joanna Arnett, Kenn Backhaus and James Asher, will be painting in areas between the Bethesda Fountain and the lake.
All artists and art enthusiasts alike are invited to paint, sketch along with the master artists or simply observe them at work.

Wish I could be there..

A New Niche!

My maternal grandmother was a master seamstress, in fact she made all my clothing when I was a little girl. I was sewing clothes for my barbies before I ever walked into an art room.

This past week while painting a watercolor I decided to try adding texture to the background using my sewing machine and thread. It was so much fun... I've found a new niche!

I'm off on another art journey stay tuned for new posts of my process.

Step Three Creative Process

Here's the third phase. The stitching and beads were added. Really had fun with the free motion technique and sewing on the beads. I realized the flower images were missing on the mug so I created a flower stamp. Thinking the piece needed more white I stamped on watercolor paper and attached that to the mug. It still needs something... will sleep on it and take a look with fresh eyes tomorrow.

I also finished reading "The Alchemist". Very nice story about a young boy that listened to his heart and followed his dreams. Quotes I will remember from the story. "There is only one way to learn, It's through action", Have courage & enthusiasm while accomplishing your dreams, and the fear of failure is the only thing that will keep you from obtaining them.