Parts of Art

            Why is it that our children have turned out so innovative?     Recently our son Daniel was awarded with the Innovation award at his workplace where he serves as Technology Director. It was a recognition for being creative, but specifically for creativity in problem solving. The presenter noted that Daniel is not only great at coming up with ideas, but also at knowing which ideas are worthwhile, and then questioning what the best solutions should be. He also noted that this past year Daniel designed the foundation for a project that in turn has brought the greatest increase in revenue in the history of the company. Kudos, Daniel!       So it makes me wonder, where did this innovative mind set originate? Not that my husband and I are taking all the credit!! But still....     Could it have to do with his upbringing, being raised by two self employed artists who had to think outside the box simply to pursue our chosen artistic careers?  We have often thought our three adu

         In this lively workshop we will focus on designing and producing the components of mixed media art jewelry. By the end of the day, guests will be able to take home several pieces of wearable art of their own design.  Components include but are not limited to handmade textured paper, acrylic paint skins, canvas remnants, polymer clay beads, paper beads, and various painted and textured surfaces. All materials will be provided to guests. Yummy snacks, drinks and lunch are also provided. Parts of Parts of Art workshop will take place on Saturday, March 3 Schedule for the workshop:  10 AM       introduction and demonstration of techniques 10:30-12   design and build components 12                lunch 1-3               put all the parts together 3                  toast to our creative energy and wrap up The workshop will take place in my inspiring and peaceful country studio outside Alexandria Indiana. To register for the workshop go

     “We need to come up with something catchy, so people will remember your name.”        I was set up at an art show, if you really want to call it that. It was hot, dry and dusty and there were no customers. It was more like a desert than an art show. So, as often happens, my neighbor and I began to talk. She was selling collapsible hats, and had travelled over the country doing so. Over the course of the long two day affair, she surprised me by becoming the self appointed advisor for my brand.      At the time my brand was Paint Chip Jewelry. It was an apt description of my work. I peel the acrylic paint from an artist palette and upcycle it into jewelry. But that day as the hat lady perused my booth and offered her unsolicited but appreciated advice, I realized that which I had not seen.       "Your name makes your jewelry sound cheap, like some leftover throwaway paint. We need to find a name that gives it perceived value. Preferably something that rhymes. Wh

Know what inspires me in this autumnal season? Copper!  Here’s a recipe from Bustanoby’s Color Manual, copyright 1939 (no, its not edible): Copper: Neutral tint of red-orange, typical of this ductile, metallic element. Copper is used in the arts, in electrical manufacture and in alloys.  Color matched from actual copper articles:  16 parts Zinc White 8 parts Yellow Ochre 1 part Venetian Red         So there you have it; the recipe for copper paint. And if you’re like me, and feel compelled to pull that dried copper paint off its palette, you might procure pieces such as these.         This might be just an ordinary old paint pan with layers of dried creamy caramel and burnt sienna paint to some.  To me it is a mouth watering concoction of harmonious blends that make me wanna exile to the studio, fire up the wood stove and make jewelry.  And yes, this is where it starts....        When I’m not really feeling the creative juices flowing, when I am in a gray s

       Many years ago when I did art shows in Del Ray Beach, Florida, one of my clients brought one of her favorite pair of earrings to show me.  The earrings from her collection were a fascinating combination of different shapes and colors of vintage glass, wood and lucite bits, suspended from a circular piece that covered the earlobe. I was so inspired by seeing these very unique and artfully designed earrings that I started making a similar style. I was also impressed by my gracious and stately client, Lorraine. She was quite fashion minded and carried herself with elegance. She was a lovely silver haired women who would always seek me out to find just the right piece for her collection.       The last time I was in a Del Ray Beach show, her husband came by to pick something out, and told me that Lorraine was now in a nursing home, and no longer able to get to the show. I love that even at the end of her life, she was so concerned with finding the right pieces of jewelry

       So here’s a new perspective on harmonious blends and other musings....        I have been eagerly anticipating my first batch of fresh salsa ever since planting my garden, with the help of my daughters in law back in late May. Here’s how it started in the Spring. And after several weeks, this.      During the time of my salsa garden growing, so much LIFE has happened: I have had three successful art shows I have celebrated another birthday with my friends My husband and I have celebrated our 39th anniversary My mother in law moved back in with us after a year in nursing care, then  became ill and went to the hospital I have now lost my mother in law I learned how to operate a Scag zero turn mower (which is fun) A dear friend in my bible study fellowship who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer four years ago  has announced that she is now cancer free!     By August my sturdy bamboo supports had become like

       I had arrived at my art show for the day, unpacked my vehicle and found a parking space. My vehicle is a compact Chevy, which you would think easy to slide right into that parallel parking space on the curb in the heart of downtown. But no, I am apparently parallel parking challenged. I line up next to the car in the space ahead, then slowly back up while turning the wheel. Sure enough my little car goes in to the space at the correct angle. It’s just not close enough to the curb and much too far from the car ahead of me. No problem, redo. Up, back, adjust the angle, back, back, okay now forward, okay back, back, then forward, turn wheel a little bit, no too much, now back, angle is off, adjust, okay forward, then back,  now tweek, adjust, check the mirror. Oh dang I am right on the curb and way too close to the guy behind me. Re-do. (Jeesh, good thing no one is watching.) Finally after about ten minutes of up, back, angle, up and back I manage to land my lit

To my loyal followers and future fans, here is where you can find me in the coming weeks.  After surviving strong wind gusts and damp chilly air in Palmer Park last weekend, I am happy to report that my booth as well as my inventory is intact and ready to do it again! I hope to see you soon at one of these venues:  May 20th          Brick Street Market, Zionsville IN June 3 & 4        Butchertown Art Fair, Louisville KY June 17 &18     Talbot Street Art Fair, Indianapolis (waitlist) July 7 -9           Art in the Park, Ft Wayne In  July 29 & 30      Glenview Art Fair, Glenview IL August 11-13     Salt Fork Art Festival (waitlist) Sept. 16 &17     Park Forest Art Fair, Park Forest, IL  Sept. 22- 24       Funky Ferndale, Ferndale, MI Oct. 7               Monument Circle Art Fair, Indianapolis IN Nov. 11              Deja Vu, Columbus, IN Feel free to visit my online shop , where I am offering 20% your purchase or order. Just type “ARTPARTS111”

     If you were to come to one of my shows, you may hear me refer to the jewelry pieces as collages of "all kinds of stuff from my studio.” And that is an accurate statement. After all, they are called Parts of Art, and they originated from the stuff in my studio.  Here is one of my favorite Parts parts, and the story behind it.       I occasionally make cards and frameable art pieces that involve hand stamped verbiage. The process is wonderful and fun, because the letter stamps have a uniqueness to them that adds to the one of a kind nature of my work. When I am stamping, I keep a piece of paper on hand to practice the stamp before applying it to the art. This paper becomes a story in itself, full of letters that spell nothing but look pleasing and random.     Because our art studio is out in the country, and because we had not yet plugged all the holes left from the years before we moved back here, sometimes unwanted visitors would venture in at night. One night, o

      Greenery is the Pantone color of the year for 2017. Why is this exciting? According to Pantone spokeswoman Beatrice Eiseman,  “Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate, revitalize and unite, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.” This Spring and Summer, Greenery will be showing up in fashion, jewelry and home decor. It is the must-have color for the season.        Here are some jewelry options for you: Forest Floor cuff bracelet Green earth dangles  Spring green dangles  All of these and more are available here Want to see more about Pantone?  Here’s a colorful trip down memory lane for those of you who have lived at least four decades PANTONE the Right Color: 40 Years of Color Pantone looks back at four decades of color and culture on the oc