New Class! Batik Art on Paper

Here are the details about a new class I’m going to present here in the studio. Both sessions are the same, just giving people more options to fit in their schedule. I’ve been exploring this technique for several months now and feel like I am prepared to help YOU explore it as well! I hope you can join me.

Creatively,

Lynne

Batik class, aug 2015 LMAP

Studio Snippets

A while back I took a little time and went around the studio with my camera, just catching bits and pieces of it that make me happy. Today I thought I’d share those with you! (click images to enlarge)

Does your space have “happy spots” that keep you smiling?

Lynne

Name That Workshop!

Tuesday I announced the first workshop I’ll be holding in the new studio space. Today I’m asking for your input for a second workshop to be held on October 18th 2014. SO, what do YOU want to learn? Even if you aren’t able to attend I’d appreciate the feedback on what topic(s) interest you…either from the list I have available on my website or from the pages of art shown there. I’m open for anything! I’ve set aside the entire day so it can be a quick morning class or an all-day workshop.  I’ll announce the topic by September 15th to allow time for sign-ups.

Waiting patiently….

Lynne

I’ve renamed this summer…

I’ve decided that this summer needs a title to sum it up, a long awkward title. The best one I’ve come up with to describe it’s effect on this blog is “The Summer in Which a Sudden Move was Decided Upon and The Artist’s Blog was Left to Die”.  Eh, not too catchy but VERY appropriate. 🙂

Yes, we are still in the midst of it…hope to sign on the dotted lines yet this month then follow that with a month of labor-intensive relocation and settling in. After that? Then the building begins…which includes a new studio space for ME. Happiness! I’m guessing that to be a many-month long process. In the interm I will be creating art when and however I can…be it outdoors, at the kitchen table or spread out on the bedroom floor!

Recently I’ve been experimenting with using spray paint as a medium. I’ve used it with metal and wood before but not as a painting medium. It’s been fun, and I’ve also emptied several cans that won’t need to be packed & moved (multi-tasking at it’s best). The background material was all re-purposed and donated so I’ll be able to show these pieces at the new upcycled/recycled show I’m participating in! Here’s a section of one piece that I’ve been adding pencil & pen details too:

Work in progress, spray paint, pencil & pen
Work in progress, spray paint, pencil & pen

I still need to edit and share all the images from my last show…I just can’t seem to make myself sit down at the computer and do anything right now. But you WILL get to see them sometime, I promise! In the meantime I will try to at least touch base here once a week so the poor blog doesn’t feel so neglected.

If you’d like to visit my home studio before it’s totally dismantled then stop by THIS Saturday, August 10th. It will be open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. as part of the Second Saturday Gallery Tour – my last one until the new studio is up & running!

Hugs,

L.

Exploring: Shaving Cream?

So I’ve really begun different ways to explore art, techniques, etc. and one of the recent projects I tried was to create background papers using shaving cream as a medium for transfering acrylic inks onto the paper in interesting patterns. Sounded like fun and not too technical so I gave it a whirl!

The first attempt didn’t really fall in the “successful” category but it was a learning experience, anyhow. 🙂 As I continued I did more mixing in of the ink before applying the paper & peeling it off, which worked much better and got more of a “marble” effect.

The cream could be used several times before it turned “muddy” and had to be replaced. Here is an image of my  favorite pieces from the session.

Selection of designed papers
Selection of designed papers

If nothing else it was a fun sensory experience with lime scented cream and brilliant colors. Would I do it again? Yup…but first I need to use these papers up. I’ve already started on one, look for it soon!

Lynne

Visit, Help & Win!

I’m am enjoying being on the “Rural Routes to Main Streets” cultural trail that spans Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana! (Click the link above to download the 2013 brochure and see all the details.)

The trail includes 24 “full time” sites as well as 8 “Second Saturday” sites. My studio is included in that eight and will be open for visitors the second Saturday of each month from 11 am to 3 pm.

blog, studio, free goodies

In January the first three visitors through the doors received a free piece of art from the selection shown above and created a “Make & Take” magnet. In February one lucky winner recieved a free two-hour art lesson and visitors designed their own “Make & Take” greeting cards using simple printmaking techniques.

For March 9th? Stop in a we will make some small “Make & Take” collage art pieces from old magazines.

collageI’ve already got some pieces cut & ready or you are welcome to leaf through some old magazines and select your own.

I’m collecting things for a few recycled art project!

lids

Bring in plastic lids (from water or pop bottles, detergent, milk jugs – any size, type, color – as long as they are plastic) and/or bring in some of your broken/unused jewelry (any pieces are fine but I’d be really excited to get pieces with beads on them) and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a custom draw piece of abstract art. You choose the colors you love and I’ll create it just for you!

Hope to see you there…

Lynne

Fresh Starts

So to kick off the year I (again) re-arranged, re-organized and re-thought my studio space.

This seems to be a recurring theme with me and I’m learning to accept it as part of my creative process. 🙂 Here are some images from the space as it looks now.

Some of the things that are different are that I added a “gallery” wall to display my art and info on. That really helped define that “reception” end of the studio vs. the “work space”. I also purchased two new sets of shelves (a five-tier and a three-tier) and MORE storage box/tubs. I really do enjoy having all my creative resources organized and labeled, even if I don’t always enjoy the process of getting them that way!

Have you done any redefining of your space or life as the new year begins?

Be My Guest

I’m excited to be joining the “Rural Routes to Main Streets” cultural trail that spans Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana! (Click the link above to download the 2013 brochure and see all the details.)

738292_10151335588454547_1971864865_o

The trail includes 24 “full time” sites as well as 8 “Second Saturday” sites. My studio is included in that eight and will be open for visitors the second Saturday of each month from 11 am to 3 pm. Do you know what that means?

THIS Saturday, the 12th of January, will be my first Open Studio for 2013!  I plan to have something different on tap each month, to kick off the year the first three visitors through the doors will receive a free piece of art!  I’ve select an assortment of different types of creations for you to choose from (see image below) so there should be the perfect piece of art just waiting for you to come claim it!

blog, studio, free goodies

I will also have a “make & take” activity for visitors of all ages, this month you are welcome to create a round magnet with various materials.

Hope to see you there…

Lynne

Industrial Art Duo – Workshop Saturday, November 10th!

We had such a great response (and some great fun) during the first of these workshops I’ve decided to squeeze one more in before the weather gets too cold! Here are all the details:

“Industrial Art Duo” ~ Two Exciting Projects, One Industrious Day!

miscellaneous metal parts

Don’t let the title (or the image!) scare you – I’ll be there to guide you through using any of the materials or equipment that may seem intimidating. I’ve also recruited my favorite collaborator, my husband Mark, to assist us with some of the work. Especially the welding!

work in progress 3 (c) lynne medsker
work in progress (c) lynne medsker

I’ve had several people mention how much fun it looked like it would be to create art using concrete as a textured underlayer (by the way – it IS fun) but I couldn’t figure out how to make that work in a one day class since there is a fairly long gap of time for the concrete to dry. Then it occured to me I could add a second project during that drying time that would keep us all busy.  Compared to just staring at the concrete as it dried it seems like a perfect solution. But what other project goes with concrete? Steel, of course!

student work, Industrial Duo Workshop, August 2012
student work, Industrial Duo Workshop, August 2012

We will start and finish the day working on our concrete creations! You can choose if you’d like to create that work on one large wood panel or several smaller ones. Then, using various tools (and most likely your fingers!) you’ll make marks, lines, texture – or even embed items – on the surface. Once you’ve satisfied your yearnings to texture concrete, it’s time for metal!  To begin that project you will select different pieces and layout the design for your metal wall sculpture (approximately 12″ x 18″) as the concrete dries. You’ll get instructions on how to prep the metal materials and then Mark will work his welding magic to construct it for you.  After it has cooled from the welding process it can be spray painted, wrapped in wire or further embellished in a variety of ways. Although we have quite a selection of parts and metal to choose from you are welcome to bring in any items you’d like to include in your sculpture and we will help you find a way to incorporate it. At some point there will be lunch and snack breaks as well, keeping you busy until your wood panel is ready for more attention. Finishing the concrete artwork includes sealing it and then covering it with layers of acrylic, adding, subtracting and blending until it makes you smile. That could be just one or two layer, or many, many more!

student work in progress, Industrial Art Duo workshop, August 2012
student work in progress, Industrial Art Duo workshop, August 2012

Gloves will be provided for the concrete work plus there are gloves and safety glasses available for you to use when working with the metal. Although not neccessarily needed for the concrete work you will need to bring a long sleeve shirt, long pants and full cover shoes when working in the shop creating your sculpture. Most work will be done outdoors but we will have the studio and the shop nearby & warm if the day is chilly. Coffee, bottled water and afternoon snacks are provided, please pack a sack lunch for your noon meal. Detailed information and a release form will be emailed to you once you have signed up. Be prepared to get dirty and happy during this creative day!

Date: Saturday, November 10th, 2012

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more or less!)

Cost: $145 – includes all materials & instruction for creating two unique pieces of art (if you wish to bring a spouse, family member or friend to collaborate with the fee for creating both pieces is $175 per couple.)

Minimum 2 participants/Maximum 8 participants

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 7th!

I can’t wait to help you explore these mediums…it is going to be so much fun!

Lynne

P.S. To see more samples of mixed media and metal artwork, visit my website!

A Peek In the Studio (Part Two)

Continuing from my post last week, here are more images from around my studio.

map image, waiting to be collaged
gel pens!
cut wooden shapes for mixed media art
rocks…lots of rocks around here
work in progress, concrete with glass, on wood
brushes and such
wood panels, from last year….I’m still using them!
Now THAT’s some texture!
cleaning towels, I can’t stand to throw the pretty ones away!
office filing/printing/storage area
close up of mixed media artwork
20+ canvases/wood panels, textured, painted white and waiting…
where I spend WAY too much of my time…the computer desk

So now when you see my art or read my posts you can picture me in my “natural habitat” working away….

Lynne