"My Blue Heaven" mixed media artwork on 33 1/3 album, $95 © Lynne Medsker

Earlier this week I posted about the last “Open Studio” class I held where we created artwork on old 33 1/3 albums. Since one of my students wasn’t able to attend I couldn’t resist joining in and playing a bit too. I’ve been playing with some other collage piece using old sheet music recently, so I decided to incorporate it into this artwork as well. It sure makes naming the piece easy when the music has a title! And it gave me some color inspiration as well.

work in progress © lynne medsker

This ended up having lots of cuts & layers of paper, followed by charcoal, more layers, acrylic ink and some embellishments. One of my students mentioned how it looked almost three-dimensional, that was all it took for me to make it that way! I’m not sure how well it showed up in the straight-on photo at the top of the page so I took a second one of the finished piece from the side to show the pieces that rise off of the background.

"My Blue Heaven" finished artwork, side view © Lynne Medsker

I enjoyed just making some art for the fun of it! I have a lot of fun projects I’d like to play with – along with some new commissions and artwork for upcoming shows. Trying to keep it balanced, along with the rest of life!

"dragonfly" watercolor on Yupo paper © Lynne Medsker

One week from today, on February 29th 2012, is the next Wednesday edition of the “Open Studio” classes I am holding here at my studio. We are going to go back to watercolors and explore creating art on Yupo paper a little more in depth. Yupo is a synthetic type of material (not a true “paper”) that resists absorbing paint. That means you can spend lots of time manipulating the paint on the smooth surface before your image dries. If you feel you’ve overworked your image or you just plain aren’t satisfied with it you can even “erase” your watercolor from the surface of you paper and start fresh.

"sea" watercolor on Yupo © Lynne Medsker

It’s a fun, rather unpredictable, material to play with and explore. No wonder I like it so much – you can have some wonderful “happy accidents” with it and create awesome images you didn’t even know you were trying to create until they appear.

"yellow" watercolor on Yupo © Lynne Medsker

So be sure and sign up soon before all the spaces are taken for this fun afternoon! The session runs from noon until 2:30 p.m. The cost for the class is $30 and includes all the materials. If you’d like to pre-pay for three classes you can do so at a discounted rate of $75 for all three. Please  email (info@lynnemedsker.com) to reserve your place as class size is limited!

Future “Open Studio” classes include:

Wednesday, March 14th – “Wall Sculpture” part 1 – the beginning of a two-part class, we’ll use wood, metal and other materials to create an abstract wall sculpture. The second part of this class will be held on Wednesday, March 28th.

Saturday, March 24th – “Crreative Collage” – an encore of the February 1st class, you’ll design and create an 8×10 collage on a ready-to-hang wood panel. You can view images and a recap of that class by clicking here.

Wednesday, March 28th – “Wall Sculpture” part 2 – Continuing from the March 14th class we will complete the assembly and final details on our mixed media wall sculptures.

Wednesday, April 11th – “Art from Nature” celebrating Earth Day 2012 a little early (April 22nd is the date) we will create mixed media art that includes natural elements (rocks, wood, etc.) Feel free to bring your own “treasures” to include in your art!

Wednesday, April 25th – “Recycled Journals” - continuing to celebrate the earth we will create small, decorative journals from recycled materials!

Saturday, April 28th – “Art from Nature” an encore of the the April 11th class, we may even hold this class outdoors if weather permits!

We are also hosting the upcoming “design your own” metal sculpture workshop the first weekend of March. Read all the details here!

student work in progress, just beginning

student work, laying out possible designs

Creating art on 33 1/3 records last week was fun! The class was small enough I was even able to joined in and play a little. I had a variety of records ready….several spray painted various colors and some left as they were made. Each of us picked a different type and everyone went in a different direction. I always find it fascinating to see how a group of people can all be given the same materials to choose from and yet each piece that is created is so different from the others.

student work in progress

student work in progress

We got busy chatting toward the end of class so I don’t have any images of the finished products this time. Ooops! This piece was close to finished.

Student work in progress

It’s creator is a calligrapher so she was going to design a quote or saying to attach in the center of the record. I’ll be anxious to see it when it’s complete! I’m saving the images of my piece for another post, look for it soon!

student artwork, watercolor class 1/11/12

I’ve been having a lot of fun with the “Open Studio” classes this year but thus far they’ve all been weekday/daytime. Obviously that doesn’t work for everyone! So I’m adding one Saturday a month to the schedule. This coming Saturday, February 25th, will be the first session. It runs from 9:30 to noon and we’ll be playing with watercolors! Using a variety of techniques and surfaces we’ll playfully explore this fun media. This is an encore of the class held in January – click here to read the recap.

The cost for the class is $30 and includes all the materials. If you’d like to pre-pay for three classes you can do so at a discounted rate of $75 for all three. Please  email (info@lynnemedsker.com) to reserve your place as class size is limited! Future “Open Studio” classes include:

Wednesday, Feb. 29th – “Yupo Play” – watercolor on this fabulous paper can take you to places you’d never imagine!

Wednesday, March 14th – “Wall Sculpture” part 1 – the beginning of a two-part class, we’ll use wood, metal and other materials to create an abstract wall sculpture. The second part of this class will be held on Wednesday, March 28th.

Saturday, March 24th – “Creative Collage” – an encore of the February 1st class, you’ll design and create an 8×10 collage on a ready-to-hang wood panel. You can view images and a recap of that class by clicking here.

Wednesday, March 28th – “Wall Sculpture” part 2 – Continuing from the March 14th class we will complete the assembly and final details on our mixed media wall sculptures.

Wednesday, April 11th – “Art from Nature” celebrating Earth Day 2012 a little early (April 22nd is the date) we will create mixed media art that includes natural elements (rocks, wood, etc.) Feel free to bring your own “treasures” to include in your art!

Wednesday, April 25th – “Recycled Journals” - continuing to celebrate the earth we will create small, decorative journals from recycled materials!

Saturday, April 28th – “Art from Nature” an encore of the the April 11th class, we may even hold this class outdoors if weather permits!

ALSO! Don’t forget about the upcoming “design your own” metal sculpture workshop coming the first weekend of March. Read all the details here!

Can’t wait to see you at one, three, or all these events!

Lynne

"layers & lattes" creative workshop at Artistic Designs Gallery

How much fun is it to be able to use an image like this to advertise a class? You are invited to join me for an evening of fun, creativity and, YES, lattes! I’ll be presenting this class at Artistic Designs Gallery (152 E. Northfield Drive)  in Brownsburg, Indiana on March 9th, 2012 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

collage work in progress image © lynne medsker

The three-hour class begins with a quick demo and then it will be time for you to jump in and get your hands into your own project! Layer a variety of papers, found objects and embellishments as you build your own unique piece of art to treasure. All supplies are included in the playful class, although you are welcome to bring small objects, papers or other treasures you would like to include in your creations if you desire. And to top off this fun evening? The lattes are included, provided by the wonderful coffee-creators at the Literate Bean!

student work in progress © lynne medsker

The cost for this fun evening out is $30 and you can reserve your place in the class by contacting Artistic Designs Gallery at 317-852-0252. See you there!

wall sculpture #23 © medsker metal art

On Friday March 2nd (6 to 8 p.m.) and again Saturday March 3rd (9:30-11:30 a.m.) Mark & I are going to host a “Create your own Metal Sculpture” workshop! We’ll have a variety of different types, shapes and sizes of metal for you to select from. Once you’ve made your selection we will help you as you design your very own metal wall sculpture!

miscellaneous metal parts

After you’ve created your unique design it will then be prepared, welded and polished for you and available to pick up in two weeks. The size of the sculptures can be up to 11×14. Sculpture this size that we design & create cost $125. For this special workshop your cost will be only $75!

wall sculpture #35 © medsker metal art

Your design session will last approximately 1 hour and reservations are required. Contact us via email(info@lynnemedsker.com) or by phone (317-852-3541) to reserve your session!

© Lynne Medsker

Don’t forget that in FIVE days the fabulously fun “Art on Record” class will be held at the studio of Lynne Medsker Art & Photography in Brownsburg, Indiana.

© Lynne Medsker

Come try your hand at creating some “round” art on a 33 1/3 album. There’s no limit to what we might explore! For more details read this blog post, to sign up  email me at info@lynnemedsker.com!  The class fee is $30, or you can sign up for two additional classes and pay a discounted rate of $75 for all three.

© Lynne Medsker

© Lynne Medsker

Whatcha waiting for?

kaliedoscope #4, photo/digital art © lynne medsker

I’ve been having fun playing with a couple of new computer programs lately! One of them has a kaleidoscope feature that’s I’ve enjoyed exploring. If you’ve read my blog over the last year you know my fondness for mandala-type images, no wonder I am enjoying these! Kaleidoscope #4 (above) was created using an image of stained glass windows.  This image had an extra layer added to the top with a curly effect in it:

kaleidoscope #1, photo/digital artwork © lynne medsker

Here’s a sample of before and after images that shows the original photo used:

kaleidoscope #2, original photo © lynne medsker

kaleidoscope #2, photo/digital artwork © lynne medsker

This last image was created by using two images (both created from the same photo) that were then layered together:

kaleidoscope #3, photo/digital artwork © lynne medsker

Do you have a favorite?

"dream" mixed media on 33 1/3 album @ lynne medsker

Join me on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 from noon to 2:30 p.m. for “Art on Record” a creative artwork class where you’ll make art in a circle format  - using a 33 1/3 album!

"explore" mixed media on 33 1/3 album © lynne medsker

"art on record #5" mixed media on 33 1/3 album © Lynne Medsker

Currently there are four openings for this class.  Email me at info@lynnemedsker.com to join in the fun, I anticipate it will fill quickly, be sure to sign up soon!