Upcoming Art Classes in the Northern Illinois Area

Don't you think it's about time for an art class? Of course it is, and if you are in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area I have just the class (or classes) for you.

The Antioch Fine Arts Organization has announced its Fall Class Schedule, with a variety of classes sure to interest just about evryone. Classes include fused glass workshops, airbrushing, various drawing and painting classes, calligraphy, stained glass, as well as an animal art class for children.

I will also be offering my "Totally Green" paper making workshop on Saturday October 3rd, at the AFAF Gallery. We'll spend an entire morning making a number of different types of beautiful handmade papers by recycling unwanted paper. Going Green Paper Making Kits will be available to purchase for those who are interested, but are by no means required.

Here is a complete listing of the art classes available from The Antioch Fine Arts Foundation.

I really, really should be doing anything but surfing the web this morning...I'm not even sure how I got here but wanted to share an intriguing artist's site with you.
Bonnie Ferrill Roman creates the most amazing works of art out of handmade paper, branches, leaves, seedpods, etc.

In her artist statement, she shares. "...it is my hope that viewers will discover with in these abstracts something resonates with a remembered experience or inspires an insight. They are intended to communicate at a deeper level than what is possible with language."

Wow. That's exactly what her work did - in me. Check out her site, and see what you think. She is definitely someone I would like to learn more about.

Ocean Art

Today's post has nothing to do with plants, for once!
My friend Bonnie from the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation
(the gallery I belong to) has been accepted into the prestigious Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10 Holiday Art Show to be held this coming weekend.

Bonnie loves diving (even with sharks, which concerns me) and her passion for the hidden beauty under the surface of the sea really shines through in her ocean art.

Bonnie and I are both trying to find our way in the world of marketing our art, and we enjoy bouncing our ideas off of each other. Lately we've been discussing a very interesting CD called "Dynamic Sales and Customer Service Techniques - for Artists" by Bruce Baker. Some of his ideas are very basic, but as an artist who has sold his work for many years, he shares some very valuable and even surprising insights. I'm looking forward to hearing how Bonnie puts some of these techniques into practice at her show this weekend. Good luck Bonnie!

Getting Serious With Your Art

Luann Udell of Durable Goods has begun an interesting series called “Getting Started” in regards to getting serious with your art. She’s giving us a generous glimpse into her art pathways, and will be sharing her experiences with many of her first attempts at truly pursuing her art.

I’ve been an admirer of her work and a regular reader of her blog for a number of months now, and have gleaned much from her witty, down to earth, no nonsense, yet very professional and wise approach to her craft. She is also a wonderful motivator, and many times I find myself delving into my work with renewed purpose and eagerness after reading one of her articles.

If you are an art minded person, pour yourself a cup of tea and spend some time with her. You’ll be better off because of it. Your art will be too!