Fun with Michael deMeng

We had an art filled weekend with Michael deMeng!

Lots of happy artists creating & laughing all weekend!

I was not able to get pictures of the Weird Wonderful Window workshop. But Tejae has some up on her blog

Here are some pictures from the 2 day workshop Stories of the Discarded: Assem-blooks

It was nice to have two days to create a piece of artwork.

Here is Michael & I

Ok, the only reason this is posted is that I wanted a picture for my blog profile.

After messing around with it, I finally got one to upload. The directions said I could then delete the post but when I did, It took it off the profile!

I give up! You will just have to see this lovely picture of me until it moves along.

Homework with my Second Grader!

Braden is in second grade.

No, Archery was not the assignment! This was him on the beach on the Oregon coast this summer's vacation!



I am sharing this moment of homework with you so you don't make my mistake!



The assignment was to create several different addition problems for a given number.



Like 19, 1 + 18 = 19, 5 + 14= 19 and so on.



He was working very hard and finally said, "Mom, I need cubes." They use counting cubes in school.



So I looked around to see what we had a lot of!

Pennies, No I did not have enough of these........ What else, then across the room I find a great answer..........Lego's!
Oh, boy do we have lots of those!



"Use Lego's" I said....



He looks at me strange..... NO not the ones you have built, the pieces.



So off he goes to find 19 Lego pieces. I go back to making dinner.



Before, I know it, I look back to see how he is doing on his homework and he and his brother are playing with the pieces.



Stop, Those are for homework, Stop Playing with them!!!!



All in All, We got through the homework with Lego's as our Counting Cubes.

With several times of me reminding him to get back to homework and stop playing.



Note to self: Never use toys as counting cubes for Homework!

Creative Jump Starts! Week One

Ok, I know I promised my next post from the Creative Stumbling Blocks posted last week would be Creative Jump Starts but I got a little Blog happy!
The Current Newsletter for The Artists' Nook with workshop info through November is posted on the website

Creative Jump Starts! Week One!

We all need Jump Starts! Sometimes, to do something just so we can move onto the next thing!

I will present this first series of Jump Starts then next week we will add something else to the base pieces we started this week.

Take The Challenge:

For one week, spend 10 minutes each day doing the techniques listed below!

You don't have to start on a Monday- Just start!

If you want to spend more than 10 minutes go ahead. But at least 10 minutes.

Try for every day but don't worry if you skip a day or only get one day in. The more days during the week you can put aside 10 minutes to do these Creative Jump Starts the better.

Consider it your 10 minutes of fun break in life you so deserve!

Preparation:

Decide what size you want to work on. No smaller than 2" x 3" and no larger than 4" x 6". Cut heavy weight paper (something that can with stand wet) like watercolor paper, chipboard, mat board. Don't run out and buy something. Look around your art supplies you already have!

You will be doing several each day so cut about 20 or so. If you use, something like chipboard you may want to Gesso or cover with white paint. I know the blank white canvas! Don't worry, it will all turn out fine!

The reason for adding the white base is so when you add color, the colors are true and don't interfere with the color of the board. With that being said, if you don't care and want to see what happens keeping the board the original color then Go for it!

Here we go:

Do as many base pieces (watercolor paper, matboard, etc) as you can of that technique/layer in 10 minutes. Remember, it is not a race.

Day #1

Paint one color of acrylic paint on the base piece. It can be craft acrylic paint or your Golden paints. Whatever you use. Try different colors but one color for each base piece.

Day #2

Paint with an acrylic paint wash. Put a small dab of acrylic paint on a palette (disposable plastic lid works great) then get your brush wet, pick up some paint and paint a plain base piece. Do several base pieces and put aside to dry. Experiment with more or less water and see what happens. It is fun to leave puddles and see how it dries.

Day #3

Take a dye ink pad, and rub the pad directly to the base piece. Use one color for each base piece. You don't have to completely cover the base piece. Leave streaks, play!

Day #4

Take a pigment ink pad and rub the pad directly to the base piece. Use one color for each base piece. You don't have to completely cover the base piece. Leave streaks, play!

Day #5

Glue tissue paper to the base piece. It is best to apply the glue to the base piece then stick the tissue paper down. Use whatever your favorite glue for gluing paper. Gel Medium, PVA, Mod Podge. Use any color of tissue paper including white. Create wrinkles in the tissue paper before gluing down. Try not to get glue on the surface of the tissue paper because we will be doing more to this piece next week. And the glue may do weird things.

Day #6

Tear and glue down a variety of decorative papers. The cool handmade papers, scrapbook papers, or even some papers from other projects. When gluing down the papers try strips going across horizonally or vertically, small pieces randomly glued down, or just cover a portion of the base piece with the torn papers.

Day #7

Tear and glue down pages from a magazine. DO NOT cut out pictures. You are creating a background so just randomly tear and glue bits and pieces.

Next, week we will be adding to these pieces. We don't need to know where we are going just have fun getting there!

When you have done your pieces, post a comment to this post that your pieces can be seen on your blog (if you have one)

It will be great to see the variety and the way the pieces will evolve over the weeks!

Happy Birthday, Ian!

Today is my husband's 45th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Ian!

Birthdays are so different when we grow up! Today, Ian will be working all day then off to a Cub Scout Info night he will be putting on at the school.

Honey, Meet me in the Gazebo at 9 pm! I will have a cold beer waiting for you!

This picture was taken while on vacation in Idaho. That is my youngest, Braden, 8 years old.

Ian took all 4 boys on a 2 week plus road trip this summer for vacation. They went to Northern California up the coast to Oregon then onto Idaho. Visiting family along the way!

Here is one more from the trip! What a hunk! I am a lucky girl!

Support Small Businesses

Carolina Moon is a stamp store in Chicago. I am on her Yahoo Group and found out that she was closing.

And today there was a post of Why are so many small businessess closing?

I needed to post!

So here is my 2 cents:

This really hits close to home with me so I had to comment.

First of all, Carolyn, It was sad to hear the news that you are closing. For me, as a store owner myself, The news when stores in the same business as mine really are hard to take.

We love what we do and what we allow others to do, create and grow as an artist. This is what keeps me going.

So the question, Why are so many stores closing?

The economy has something to do with it. We are being more selective on our purchases and It is hard to compete with the big box stores on prices.


What the small stores offer is customer service, learning opportunities and people who share the same interests not only staff but those who come to workshops, classes and shop at the small stores. It is the whole package that the small stores offer.

Yes, you may be able to get an item a little cheaper at the big box stores but if you spend your money with them you are taking away from your small store that really relies on that sale to keep the doors open. Remember, that when you are clipping out your coupons this Sunday!

As for small stores offering discounts.......... It is really hard to do that. The larger stores get items sooo much less than we do that they can offer discounts and it is does not cut as much as into their profits as it would a small store.

I have to laugh at the word profits. To a small store that really means, money to pay the rent & expenses.

So, Shop small business and know your money is supporting the stores that really matter.

This goes for any type of business: art gallery, gift boutique, clothing store, insurance, whatever.



And Carolyn,
This is the beginning of the next phase of your life! We thank you for all that you have given to the Chicago community! And know you are appreciated!

Michael deMeng's Missoulian Newspaper Article

First, I want to make sure you all know why I would be possibly posting something about Assemblage Artist Michael deMeng.

No, I am not a crazed, stalking fan!

Michael & I are business partners in all the Non-Original Artwork. So like, Exclusive Autographed w/Artist Card "Secrets of Rusty Things", Prints, Aprons, Paint Kits, blah blah blah..... I won't bored you with all that.

And I wanted to let you know about this great article about him and book reveiw the Missoulian did....

Finders Keepers Article

Secrets of Rusty Things Book Review

And if you are in the Montana area, Michael will be doing a book signing at:

Liquid Planet in Missoula Friday Night September 14th!

It will be a fabulous time.

Michael will be posting the details on his blog as soon as he returns from Texas!

Great Article, Michael! Have fun at the book signing! I know you will!

One more deMeng note:

We've decided that 10% of the Tarot Card Print sales will go to support the Hunger Project. It is a great organization that is highly rated by charity watch groups. This is an organization that helps fight poverty through some very innovative ways.

Our way of giving back!

Life Makes Me Laugh!

I love it when Life makes me Laugh!

Yesterday, I was running my errands before coming to the store and as I got back in my car at the post office, I decided to put on some lipstick.

Ok, For those of you who don't know me, I am not a girly girl. God, knew what he was doing when he gave me 4 boys! With that being said, lipstick is not my normal thing.

But, I was talking to Susan Lenart-Kazmer at Art Unraveled and we were discussing how right now she wants to dress more like a boy, tom-boyish (Yeah, Right Susan try and pull that off you hot mama) And I was saying how I want to be more girlish.

With this in mind, I was putting on lipstick as a start to my girliness. So here I am using my rearview mirror so I can color in the lines, I was not driving still parked, I promise!

And this gentleman was walking up to the post office on the sidewalk in front of my car. I noticed him staring at me so I looked at him...... And gives me a thumbs up!

I love it! People are so fun!

Enjoy each and every moment! Mostly, take time to notice those small moments and appreciate them.

Creative Stumbling Blocks

Tuesday Sept 4, 2007

I am going to use my blog more like a blog than store announcements.

If you wish to know the News of what's new at The Artists' Nook then visit the website or to have the info delivered to your email in-box, Sign up for my email newsletters in the side bar of this Blog!

I enjoy inspiring artists that come visit me at the store with ideas, suggestions and problem solving the projects they are working on.

So I want to reach out online, help with those of you who maybe having a

Creative Stumbling Block

I call it a Creative Stumbling Block as opposed to a Creative Block because stumbling block seems more like a brief moment in time. Not as permanent sounding as a creative block!

We all have this happen to us at some time or another. Usually, when we are working on a specific project, trying to get it done the way we think we need it to be......... Ok, this is where we get into trouble. Pushing our artwork into the direction that we want it to be......instead of letting it evolve into what it wants to be!

This phenomenon happens very subtly as we work and before we know it, we are frustrated.
How do we get past this?

Here are some things to try:

1. Walk away- Some will beg to differ on this. Some will say work through it! But I find by walking away then coming back to the project later that day or the next day, I can see it with fresh eyes.
2. Evaluate- What is not working...... Are the colors to strong, busy, or just not going together? Does the very large rusty gear you want to attach with only one tiny piece of wire keep falling off? Can you see your focal point or is there too much going on that you need to eliminate somethings? Talk yourself through it and follow your gut!
3. Look at the items you are working with- I find that if I have too many things to choose from ...... I cannot make a descision! Or It starts to get too busy, too much stuff. It is better for me choose items from my vast selection with the gut feeling of what I want in the piece. I will then bring those items to my work area and try and work with those. Too many times I would find myself so busy looking, looking & looking that the creative process cannot happen!
4. Pick up, look at your choosen items- Once you have those choosen items for your project, Spend some time with them. No, not lots of time, but just pick them up and place them with each other in different layouts on your canvas, box or whatever your base. This goes for 2-d work too. Place your images, papers around to see what goes together.
5. Most of all......Listen to your heart, gut instinct Whatever you want to call it. Trust your instincts.

Next Post, I will talk about Creative Jump Starts........................................

A Summer of Learning

I cannot ignore the circumstances that have presented themselves to me this summer.

It is about seeing the positive in what bad news we may get!

What has been presented to me many times in the past 4 months in different ways is that we only have a limited time on this earth!

Sad, I know but really more than that is the appreciation for what we do have, and what is presented to us each and every day!

I have always been good about seeing every positive, loving thing in each person who pass my path each and every day. But we still need to be reminded.

So this is my reminder:

It has been 13 years at least that someone close to me has passed on...... In this past 4 months, I have had 3 people I have known pass on......

3 people diagonosed with illness that could take their lives, 2 will be fine, one it is just a matter of time.

Ok, I just now see the patterns of 3's.

No matter how busy we get, what needs to get done, We must continue to enjoy the small things, the big things and the annoying things that come across our paths each and every moment of every day!

Seize the day! More importantly, Seize the moment!

Love you all,

Christine

August 23, 2007

Just in at the Nook-

Heidi Swap's Masks Finally!
These are great but hard to get!!! Like stencils but the reverse. They are made of vinyl with repositional adhesive on the back.
Just place down on your surface & spray: Glimmer Mists, Color Wash, Spray paint or just acrylic paint over them.

Then lift of and the image will be the color of your base surface! Wow!

Cool New Trims........
A Must see in person! They are from far off lands and nothing like I have ever seen before. Come check them out!

Body of Art Exhibit Results of the Art Challenge on Display But Ending SOON!

This show will end August 31st. Come by and see them before they are gone!

We had a couple come by today from Wales! They get my emails and planned their visit to the states so they could see this show!

September Featured Artist

Tiffini Elektra X

Art Opening Friday Sept 7th 6 pm - 8:30 pm

Take a stroll into the sepia toned, vintage styled, narrative world of classic books & artists of old. A world when Fairy Tales were true stories, Mermaids were swimming buddies, and Omens foretold the future.

Community Happenings

SILVERSMITHING classes offered by Artist Chad Parker
I met Chad at New West Fest this past weekend.
email him for more info cvpark@comcast.net

*************************************************************************

POLAROID IMAGE TRANSFER WORKSHOP

Class at the Bellvue Store:
This Saturday the 25th and/or Sunday the 26th,

Bev Perina will have a Polaroid Image Transfer Class from 10:00am to 4:00pm, the cost is $95 and
she will have everything you need to make the image and emulsion transfers. If you have slides bring them however everything else will be provided. Please contact Bev at 556-0887 to sign up, classes are limited to 6 so let her know soon.

**********************************************************************
ENCAUSTIC PAINTING WORKSHOP
Join Merrick Bonewitz and Susan McGoldrick (her assistant) for an exciting workshop on encaustic painting. Explore and create contemporary expressions through this ancient medium of pigmented wax.Dates & Times: Aug. 29 (Wednesday) from 6-9 p.m.Aug. 30 (Thursday) from 6-9 p.m.Sept. 1 (Saturday) 10-1 p.m.Sept. 2 (Sunday) 2-5 p.m. More info: email susan@craigspooner.com or call Merrick directly at 979-421-0439 by Friday, August 24.
********************************************************************
CHINESE CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

Friday August 24th 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm at The Poudre River Arts Center 400 N. CollegeFull Dinner will be served @ 6:00 pmCost $8 for adults or Children 12 & under $4Limited tickets available at the door or contact Josh Hart (970) 663-2239
Expand your knowledge & experience China through Authentic Homemade Cuisine, Art Exhibit, Demonstraion, Chinese Calligraphy, Music, Tai Chi presentation & more.

Body of Art Display up for August

BODY OF ART CHALLENGE

JUST A FEW .....SEE MORE AT THE ARTISTS' NOOK

Long time No Post

Hi all!

I have been having fun with my new emailing program that I have been neglecting the blog....

Sign up for my cool new emails on the side bar------that-a way!>>>>>>

Here is what I have been up to.........

CHA at the end of July.... a smaller trade show for us but had a great time and could spend time more talkng to people........Great new stuff in at the store.......

Great Workshops with Karen Michel......Everybody had a great time

I was very tempted to lock the doors and participate..............................

That Friday Night we had a HUGE art opening for The Body of Art Challenge

I will post picture next............................................... But you must come see for yourself.

They will be up through the end of August.... Store hours Tues- Sat 10 am - 6 pm

Then off to Art Unraveled in Phoenix.....................A Week Long venue of art workshops with all the Mixed Media Artists we know and love.

Many Colorado people were there.......Marcy Mckenzie, Tracey Kazimir-Cree, Lynn Henry, Libby Rhem, Nancy Brill, Kelly Jones, Claudia Roulier.....If they try to tell you stories about me, they are not true........

NOW the big drum roll.....

The Release of Michael deMeng Tarot Card Series Prints....................

We released them at Art Unraveled and they were the big hit!!!!

Now available online or at the store......We are the official store of deMeng products......New Stamp images too!!

July 4, 2007

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you all a safe & fun one!

I have been busy adding cool stuff to the online store

Filling orders and putting together Michael deMeng Paint kits for the store and online!

The paint kits came together quite nicely! Each kit contains 7 paints colors that Michael uses in his art, a brush, palette paper, Laminated wash technique cards (in color), all in a cigar box!

Tom & Romona Ashman's workshops are coming up quickly! They will be here July 13- 15th!

If you are wanting to take the workshops but have not registered yet, Please do so ASAP. There is prep time to create the kits and will need to have an accurate class count soon! The pictures are samples of the workshops they will be teaching while they are here.

Featured Artist for July is Sandy Vanderpool. Join us this Friday July 6th for Sandy's Art Opening 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Sandy is a tradional paperdoll artist who draws and watercolors amazing paperdoll artwork. She sells her books and prints throughout the paperdoll world.

Sandy has been creating some altered art paperdoll work that is in our Art Boutique. On display, will be Sandy's Orginal artwork that her Paperdoll collection has been created from.

June 22, 2007

JUST ARRIVED! In this House by Angela Cartwright & Sarah Fishburn

Which Showcases altered artwork by 12 mixed media artists who transformed a house shaped book into wonderful works of art. Artists include: Nina Bagley, Jill Haddaway, Kelly Kilmer, Susie LaFond, Celine Navarro, Jen Osborn, Lesley Riley, C. W. Slade, Erika Tysse, Tiffini Elektra X, Alice Scott-Morris

PLUS the current newsletter is available which has workshop registration opening for Guest Artists:

Tom & Romona Ashman, Karen Michel & Michael deMeng!

Plus, Several Precious Metal Clay workshops with Peggy Houchin including Level 1 PMC Certification.

June 8, 2007

Hi all,

Here is what I have been up to lately...........Massive shipping of "Secrets of Rusty Things"!!!!!

We received the large shipment of books (200) on Wednesday! We had received 100 last Friday which we started shipping early this week! So far we have shipped over 100 packages, over 20 people had come in to pick up books!

I want you to note, I use the word "we". For those who don't really know me & The Artists' Nook, it is ususally "me, myself & I" Recently, I have had Whitney coming in twice a week to help out. SHE HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER! I could not have done this huge project without her! Thank you, Whitney!

Last weekend, Michael deMeng was at a Book Expo in New York which is a trade show for book store owners. He was doing demonstrations in F & W Publications (his publisher) booth. Michael's book "Secrets of Rusty Things" is currently the #1 selling craft book in the U.S. today! Yeah! They have sold 10,000 copies of the book and are into their second printing! Congratulations, Michael!

Locally, Tiffini Elektra X, had a great article published in Sunday's Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/coloradosunday/ci_6041300

Tiffini has her artwork, Lighted Paper Assemblages, Bottle Cap & other resin jewelry here at The Artists' Nook. Congratulations, Tiffini!

Nancy Anderson's website is up and fabulous: www.sweetbirdstudio.com She does wonderful jewerly & Found Object art!

HAPPENINGS THIS WEEKEND:

Bellvue Store Fine Art & Antique Show Every second weekend of the month, Bev Perina hosts many artists at the Bellvue Store in Bellvue Colorado. North of Fort Collins, through Laporte Left at Vern's at the mouth of Rist Canyon. Stop in Friday June 8th 5 pm-8 pm & Saturday June 9th Sunday June 10th 10 am-5 pm!

JUST ARRIVED.....................

Tom & Romona Ashman workshop samples!!!!!!!

Tom & Romona will be here teaching July 13-15th!!! I will get the information on the website this weekend!

Glimmer Mists- Just got in some more colors of this wonderful spray color with a little glimmer!

Junk to Jewelry- Book about found object jewelry! Great ideas!

That is all for now!

May 31, 2007

Hi all,

Lots happening here!

Where do I start, Secrets of Rusty Things by Michael deMeng has arrived! Michael's new book came sooner than the Publisher thought! Great Surprise! Of course, I have read it and it is really good reading, great inspiration & fabulous eye-candy! The artwork, not Michael! Ok, him too!

Each chapter is about a myth. Michael explains the myth & has a piece of artwork he created to go along with that myth. Also, He has his interpretation of the myth & the process of putting the artwork together to symbolize important parts of the myth. On the side of each page, he tells about how he acquired the finds that go into the artwork, Garage Sales, Second Hand stores, etc. It really makes you want to junking!

Our online store is up!

Michael deMeng & The Artists' Nook present an Assemblage Emporium

Right now, we have a few things on there like: Secrets of Rusty Things, deMeng Rubber Stamp line, deMeng Apron, Anatomy Man & some other books from some of our favorite artists. But pretty soon we'll have lots of other goodies including: signed and numbered prints, rusty things, found objects, paint kits, and perhaps even some cool power tools...oh, did I mention liquid nails.

Upcoming workshops:

Claudia Roulier's Workshop Fusing Techniques- has been rescheduled for the Fall. Claudia had hand surgery & is still re cooperating. Date to be announced!

Altered Board Book w/Cheri has been rescheduled for the Fall. Date to be announced.

Polymer Clay Beads w/ Peggy Houchin- We added a Tuesday Morning workshop Tuesday June 26th 10 am - 1 pm. Peggy has been published in several Magazines lately, Polymer Cafe is one of the recent ones.

Kelly Kilmer's workshop Early Registration Discount pricing ends Saturday June 2nd! Sign up soon and save $! Kelly will be here June 22-24th

I will be posting workshops for July & August soon! Which will include Guest Artists: Tom & Romona Ashman, Karen Michel. Just waiting on some final details.

Up Coming EVENTS

June Featured Artist: Nicole Honner
Nicole Honner started Moonwater Designs in 2001. Nicole’s first line of work included necklaces and sun catchers created from a bucket full of colorful stained glass scraps inherited from a stained glass artist. Nicole eventually incorporated her love of collage and fascination with all things vintage into her designs. Check out Nicole's Website
Art Opening Friday June 1st 6:30 pm—8:30 pm

K K Originals Rubber Stamp Company
Going out of Business Sale here at The Artists’ Nook
Friday June 15th & Saturday June 16th 10 am-6pm
Up to 90% off Mounted, Unmounted rubberstamps & more! Come Early for the best selection. When they are gone, They’re gone!

New, Just in:

Gallery issue of Somerset, Tiny canvases-1"x2", 2"x 2", 2"x 3", mini easel- 4" & 6", Wood Journals, & so much more!

That is all for now!

Secrets of Rusty Things is Here!

Hi all,

A Big Surprise this week when I got notice from the Publisher that Michael deMeng's long awaited Release of "Secrets of Rusty Things" was being Shipped!

His book will arrive to us this week and we will start shipping out the Exclusive Autographed Copy with Artist Card (Note: Change of terminology of the Artist Trading Card. We decided to make the Art Card 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" so not traditional ATC. Bigger is Better)

For those of you who are local, give us Sat June 2nd to get the books assembled with the goodies!

For all others, here is a link to make payment for the book. Then your book will be on it's way to you! http://www.theartistsnook.net/p-secretsofrustythings.shtml

Let me know if you have any questions!

Take Care,

Christine

The Artists' Nook

(970) 416-1148