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Archive for the ‘Serendipity’ Category

 

Two years ago today, August 1st, we opened The Studio on Main Street in Front Royal.  Happy Birthday!  I was asked why we celebrate the opening as a birthday instead  of anniversary.  It is because for many of us The Studio is like a living thing!  It’s been a “friend” to many as it has provided a place to gather and learn.  And learn we have over the past two years.

We have had classes and workshops featuring painting (of course) and jewelry making, yard totems, wreathes, holiday gifts, tennis shoe painting, kids classes, cupcake and cookie decorating, felting, drawing, crocheting, knitting, quilting, Pet Portraits, coloring, flower arranging, collage, painted trays and buckets, Gelli printing, tee-shirt remakes, team building, trips to museums and so much more!!!

Last year on  our “Birthday” we had a wonderful Birthday Party with lots of free projects for everyone to try.  (See more here.)  And we are planning to do it again.  We invite you to help us celebrate on Monday, August 29th from 5-7 pm with another evening of great cake and fun projects for adults and kids.  Please  mark your calendar now and come celebrate The Studio with us!

We can’t wait to see  what happens in our 3rd year!!!!  We hope you will be a part of the fun and learning.

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Best of Ribbon 16-1WOW!  Every year the Northern Virginia Daily has a poll where the community votes for the “Best of”  businesses in the area. We are thrilled that The Studio has been nominated in several categories and we can use your help.  Please take a minute to vote for us in the following categories:

#3 Activities for Kids

#29 Business Owner

#49 Customer Service

#97 Kids Party Venue

# 105 Local Artist/Drawing.

There are many other great businesses in Front Royal to vote for too. We would really appreciate the support.  Just click here to vote and you can vote every day on your phone, laptop and desktop.  This type of publicity really helps a small  business like mine so your votes are MUCH APPRECIATED!

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Fielding Archer 1

Fielding Archer Demonstrating at Nimod

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Fielding Archer 1st demo painting..not complete

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Fielding Archer Sunday morning Demo in process

Just returned from Nimrod Hall and a weekend of study with Fielding Archer, an amazing artist from Richmond who shared his unique style with the group painting there.  We learned so much by observing Fielding’s demonstrations and asking questions about how he works.

It was a terrific weekend of art at a beautiful place.  Can’t wait for next time.

Check out more about Fielding Archer here.

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A great Breakfast to start the day

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First Painting of the day

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A second choice set-up to paint

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Studio Row

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The Blue Chair is just waiting to be included in a painting

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Late afternoon light on Set-up

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The Tree Swing

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Afternoon painting with Palette Knife

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Sunset

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Moon over Square House…my Home away from Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I’m back at Nimrod for a weekend of art.  This place is magical in that there are so many beautiful sights to paint plus the minute you drive through the gate your troubles and worries melt away.  Everyone is here to learn and create.  The atmosphere is terrific.  Today we’ll be working with Fielding Archer.  Can’t wait to try something new.   Enjoy these scenes from around Nimrod and I’ll share more tomorrow….image

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We have a group of ten ladies at Whippoorwhil Farm on a creative retreat. It’s lovely here with loads of inspiration.  We’ll share more in the next few days.

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Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude, were a married couple who created environmental works of art. Christo and Jeanne-Claude were born on the same day, June 13, 1935; Christo in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, and Jeanne-Claude in Morocco. (Jean-Claude died in November 2009.)  Together they created outdoor works and large indoor installations. Many criticized their work and won’t classify it as art.  To his critics Christo replied, “I am an artist, and I have to have courage … Do you know that I don’t have any artworks that exist? They all go away when they’re finished. Only the preparatory drawings, and collages are left, giving my works an almost legendary character. I think it takes much greater courage to create things to be gone than to create things that will remain.” (Read more about them here.)  

While in New York City in 2005 I saw their work, The Gates.  “The Gates” was open to the public from 12 February until 27 February 2005. A total of 7,503 gates made of saffron color fabric were placed on paths in Central Park. They were five meters high and you could walk through.  It was pretty amazing.

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Fallingwater 5Happy Birthday Frank Lloyd Wright!  “He was an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures, 532 of which were completed. Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. This philosophy was best exemplified by Fallingwater (1935), which has been called “the best all-time work of American architecture”. Wright was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture. His creative period spanned more than 70 years.”  You can see more here about my 2011 visit to Fallingwater here.

Read more about Wright here.  And take a look here at what is listed as his 20 most beautiful houses.  

He designed furniture as well as stain glass that were all works of art.

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Today we celebrate the birthday of Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin  (7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903)  considered one of the most well-known Post-Impressionist painters. His bold, colorful and design oriented paintings significantly influenced Modern art.

See more of his works  here.

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WB Bldg 2WB Bldg Interior 1WB Bldg Store Interior 1WB Sew Shop 2WB Garden 1WB Garden 2WB Garden 3WB Garden 4We spent yesterday walking around Colonial Williamsburg.  Beautiful photo opportunities that will turn into paintings one day.  Scenes of the town, gardens, and shop interiors….love it!

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