April Showers

April showers are bringing flowers….just in time to my yard.  The bleeding hearts which had started to bloom last week before the “spring snow” are toast but the rhododendrons has sprung forth in a beautiful display of hot pink.  The bleeding hearts may come back.  They multiply like weeds in the bed and I usually have to thin them out.  I vow that next fall I will plant the daffodils and tulips that I crave in spring and have never gotten to pop up.  

My FFFC groups latest challenge uses the art of Andy Goldsworthy.  I read the challenge and as has happened before, my brain took off in its own direction.  I made a piece with my “different background”  and undulating line.  Then I researched his work.  I am planning a new piece now.  Stay tuned for it.  But this is the piece I made originally.  I intend to post it and get critique.  

It's wool blend scraps with wool fibers and synthetics needle felted to the background.  Felt balls were hand stitched on to add yet another texture,  I love it when my brain designs a fully finished project and then I'm able to actually construct my vision.  Doesn't happen often but is such a joy when it does.

Members from our SAQA NE group came to see Grand Island last Friday to see the Gallery our show will be in next March and April, during the Crane Migration.  Our little community really brings in visitors for the galleries that are also here for the migration.  Cranes and crane art are very prevalent during the migration but our focus is on Nebraska shown in square formats.  A one foot, two foot and three foot square format. 

We also got to go to one of the local quilt shops, my favorite, Material Girl.  Deb’s shop did not disappoint.  Only one of the four had been here before and they loved it, of course...

An Artist's Gym

I have an idea....I get so many....It's implementing them that is difficult.  I want to start an Arist's Gym, a place to stretch your "creative" muscles.  I want to teach there as well as offer space to other artist's for creative studio space and teaching opportunities.  I have been doing research online and reading about studio coops.

The Artist's Gym in Brooklyn, NY is really my dream in reality.  But this is Nebraska, not NYC.  Don't get me wrong, we have many artist's here who need space for a studio and would like to teach.   I don't know if there are enough people who would pay their share of the rent on this type of space or enough people that could teach or would take classes to "cash flow" this idea.

I want a large studio area with classroom space and lockers for each artist's supplies.  I want classes happening and childrens sessions in summer and adult sessions in the winter.  I want all media types used and taught.  I would love a gallery area and a lounge and library area for research and inspiration.  I think I need an old building in downtown area near parking areas that I can afford.

I've been planning this idea in my head for 5 years.  It's not going away.  I want to work with adults and children teaching what I love as well as giving people a chance to really "play" and see where their own ideas and creativity can take them.  We don't get enough of this stretching in our schools and colleges today.  People work in straight lines and don't think in creative ways as much as we need today.  I want like minded people around me that make me stretch my creative mind too.

There...I've "put it out there."  Now what?