I'm on YouTube! and I sold a painting!

Wow! This is really awesome! One of the teachers at Yoga Matrika, Elsie Escobar, really liked my paintings and put a video of them up on YouTube! Check out Elsie's YouTube channel and her website where she features free online yoga podcast classes!

Also I sold my Tree Pose painting to Sharon who owns the studio, so it will stay at Yoga Matrika! I've got to give Sharon a shout-out because I'm so grateful for the opportunity to show my art in a yoga studio and she's been so kind to me. Thank you Sharon and thank you Elsie for promoting me!

Right now I am working on a commission, which I will post on here soon because it is just about done. It's a painting of a bunny, no yoga this time.

Vote for Amy!

One of my students from a few years ago, Amy Colalella, emailed me about a month ago to tell me that she was in a singing contest. Not just any contest - Miley Cyrus' singing contest and not only that she was one of six finalists. Now Amy is in the FINAL FOUR!! She will get a recording contract if she wins and let me tell you - she should win - she is an awesome singer!





Check out Amy's YouTube station and hear her sing. Then go vote for her anytime from 9 pm tonight until Sunday at MileyCyrus Be a Star Contest!!





Good luck Amy! You are already a star and I hope that you win!!

Round the Rain-bow

Yay! I finally finished another painting! This one is called Round the Rain-Bow, because obviously it is round, and it was inspired by rainbows and bow pose. This is actually my favorite painting that I've made so far. Maybe it's the square canvas or the composition, I'm not sure. The flower design is a metallic white color. The photograph doesn't capture the colors exactly.

"Round the Rain-Bow" and four of my other yoga paintings are currently for sale at Yoga Matrika, which is located in Squirrel Hill. Yoga Matrika is a beautiful studio that offers a wide range of different yoga classes, workshops, and massages. Yoga Matrika is hosting a hand-made holiday and celebration featuring handmade herbals and aromatherapy, eco-friendly yoga equipment, locally made crafts and special classes and events. The boutique is open extra hours for shoppers:

Saturday, December 5 from 2:00 - 7:00 pm,
Saturday, December 12 from 2:00 - 7:00 pm,
and December 13 from 12:00 - 3:30 pm.

For more details check out Yoga Matrika's website. It's definitely worth checking out for the yoga classes and your first class is only $5! Hope to see you there!


One last bit of news - a new set of classes is starting at Le Bella's Studio in Springdale. I'll be teaching a six week drawing class for ages 11 - 14 starting Monday, December 7. If you know any young adults looking to learn or improve their drawing skills, you can still sign up. Call (724) 274-6330. Don't forget that Le Bella is a great place to shop for local handmade crafts!

Another Painting Finished!!

Painting number 5 in my Namaste Series:

This one is called Purple Daize. I haven't had much time for painting or blogging since school started up, but I am determined to continue, even if I don't make much progress. I think I am going to be painting cats soon.

Rally Team Arm Warmers Pattern

I realized I designed this pattern after modifying other patterns A LOT, so here it is:

Rally Team Arm Warmers

Materials:

Size 8 DPNs

2 colors worsted weight yarn

Directions: (Make two)

Cast on 30 stitches, spread out among three needles. Join in the round, being sure not to twist the cast on stitches. Place marker.

Begin cuff:

Round 1: Knit 3, Purl 3 around.

Rounds 2-8: Knit 3, Purl 3 around.

Switch colors.

Knit all around for desired amount of rows. Since I only found gold yarn in a lighter weight, I did 10 rounds of gold, 8 of black.

Continue pattern until you have six stripes, switch to final color for the last section.

Round 1: Knit all.

Round 2: Knit 3, Purl 3 around.

Make Thumb hole:

Round 3: Continue in K3, P3 pattern, except bind off stitches 7 - 12 for left arm warmer (or stitches 22 - 27 for right arm warmer). Continue K3, P3 for the rest of the round.

Round 4: K3, P3. When you get to the bound off stitches, cast on six new stitches, then continue K3, P3 pattern.

Rounds 5 - 8: K3, P3 around.

Round 9: Bind off.

This is my first pattern, so any feedback would help me!

Go Steelers!!!

Art and more for sale at Le Bella's

Le Bella's Studio is expanding to include an Art Emporium. The emporium features arts and crafts from local artists. My paintings and some of my handmade knitted items are going to be sold there, as well as a wide range of goods! Some examples are skateboards, handmade copper jewelry, handmade chocolates, comics, old LPs, upcycled and recycled jewelry, handspun yarn (I bought some of that - it's awesome!), patches, handmade organic baby clothing, and handmade cards. That's just some of what was already at the shop. The rest will be set up by the grand opening of the emporium on Saturday. I can't wait to see it all finished!

Le Bella's still offers art classes. I'll be teaching a young adult art class (ages 8 and up), Art Time Machine, Mondays starting August 14th, and continue teaching knitting circle Tuesdays, which is held during the 4-7 year old class. And... Jackson Pollock pumpkins! We'll be splatter painting pumpkins on October 24th for Le Bella's Harvest Day! Sounds fun doesn't it???

Le Bella's Hours are:
Mondays 11-3pm and 5-7pm
Tuesday 11-3pm and 5-7pm
Wednesdays 11am-6pm
Thursdays 11am - 7pm
Fridays 11am-6pm
Saturdays 11am-4pm

Two cool events coming up...

First, on August 22nd, my sister, Jennie McCulloch is one of at least 11 fashion designers showing in Synergy Fashion Show and Multi-media Event.



Participants include:

Fashion: iroNiece by Kari Kramer, Marmalade by Marissa Miskanin, MMG by Mindy Miller, GregoryArtful by Virginia Phillips, Eltamia by Angelica Joyt, vuseeme by e.p. baker, Suz Pisano, Vivifie by Jennie McCulloch, Brian David, Zoe Collins, Sew Addicted by Angela Fec

Hair and Makeup by Luxx & others

Visual Art: Johnross, Merissa Lombardo, Jesse Reismeyer, Katherine Young

Music: Ishtar, Nadina, Kellee Maize, DJ Mad Tom Brown, Teagarden Sound

Performances: Pillow Project, Sadiga Bellydance

Email synergyfashionshow@yahoo.com with any questions.


The second cool event is the Crafts N'At show, hosted by the Pittsburgh Craft Collective, which I recently became a member of.



Saturday, September 5, 2009{Labor Day Weekend}10am to 6pm
at The Union Project 801 North Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

Crafts N’At is an opportunity for independent crafters to show and sell their wares, establish their business, and to celebrate creativity. It features over 50 vendors, make & take crafts for children and adults, craft demonstrations, live performances, a Chinese auction and raffle, and an outdoor BBQ.

The PCC will work each year to raise money for a charity in conjunction with this event. This year’s show will benefit [ gravity + grace ] and the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania (PFWPA). [ gravity + grace ], a contemporary opera written by Frank Ferraro, reveals his struggles with Parkinson’s Disease and will premier Sept 25th at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts. All net proceeds of [ gravity + grace ] will be used to support the PFWPA programs and services for people with Parkinson disease, their families and caregivers.

New painting - Crane

I've finished another painting! This one is called Crane, it features crane pose and the flowers are birds of paradise (also called crane flowers). The picture is not the greatest. The pictures really don't do any justice, especially with the metallic paint. I have two of my paintings on display right now at Le Bella Studio in Springdale, if you are in the neighborhood you can check them out!

Crane

More paintings to come soon!

Namaste Painting Series

Here are the first three acrylic paintings in my Namaste series, which feature different yoga poses, flowers, and metallic colors. I am planning on creating a series of about 15 different poses. I would love to have a show and sell some of these paintings, or do commisions. If you are interested in buying or showing my art, please contact my agent Debbie at 724-274-6330 or email me at missfeight@hotmail.com. I will be posting more of these as I finish them!


Tree Pose


Upward Facing Dog



Namaste

Finished Artwork!

Yesterday I completed Portrait of Rocco and Star, an acrylic painting. Rocco is my dog and Star is my cat. This is a good example of the style I have been using - a sort of cubist background divided into geometric planes, a floral design in the foreground, and incorporating metallic paints. I have three pictures taken in different lighting.

Topsy Turvy update!

My topsy tuvy has TOMATOES!!!!! I haven't killed it yet! It's a miracle!

Sign up for two summer art classes at Le Bella Studio

I will be teaching two classes at Le Bella Studio Center For the Fine Arts in Springdale starting in July. For more information, hopefully it will be posted on their website soon, but you can contact them via their website.

The Young Adult Portrait Drawing class will be held Mondays, starting July 6th, from 5:30 - 7:15 pm. This class is for ages 8 - 14, and will run for six weeks. This class will teach students how to draw realistic faces using proportion. Students will draw from photographs and from life in a variety of media. Cost of class $80, includes materials.

The Beginners Knitting Class for ages 10 and up will be held Tuesdays, starting July 7th, from 10:00 - 11:30 am. This class is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of knitting - how to cast on, knit, purl, garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and how to cast off. Reading patterns, choosing yarn and needles will also be taught. The first project will be a cell phone/iPod case. Other projects include a wrist-band, a square for a Warm Up America blanket for charity and a washcloth project. The cost is $50 per person for four classes. A list of supplies will be given at the first class, all materials needed for the first class will be supplied. No experience necessary! Below are examples of the projects for the knitting class.

Times and prices are subject to change.

Please pass this on to anyone who might be interested and contact Le Bella if you wish to sign up.

Meeting Peter Max

Last Saturday I visited the Sirani Gallery in Squirrel Hill. The artwork of Peter Max was on display and for sale and you could meet the artist. I know a lot about Peter Max because many of many students choose him for their art projects. He has been well known and popular since the 60's, his art ranging from pop art to fauvism and expressionism. He most recently was in the news for his 44 Obama portraits.





















I was quite excited about meeting him. I brought a book for him to sign, and a Scholastic Art magazine and I had pictures of student art from the art show that were inspired by him on my iPod. I was surprised how reasonably priced his artwork was. Some of his original art was listed for $3000, which didn't seem too expensive to me considering how renowned an artist Peter Max is. Unfortunately, I still could not afford an original Peter Max, but I did stand in line and he signed my book and magazine and very nicely looked at my student artwork. He even said "cool" about one of them. I was not allowed to take pictures in the gallery, so my pictures are outside.





















He seems like a really cool, laid back guy. If you've never seen his artwork, you should check out his website - there is a video on there of him painting, and it is so neat to see. He uses cans of paint instead of a palette and paints very spontaneously. It was inspiring to meet him and see his art in person!!

Jimi Hendrix Squirrel!

In order to thank a friend of mine for giving me one of his guitars, I made him this Jimi Hendrix papier-mache squirrel. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I made his body out of newspaper and wallpaper paste, then painted it and clear-coated it. Then I glued on fabric and the other finishing touches. You should note that Jimi Hendrix played a right handed guitar left-handed. I might do more Squirrels of Rock in the future, this is my second one. My first one did not have a specific personality though.

It's a Topsy Turvy world!

I recently purchased two Topsy Turvy's at a flea market for $1.00. I was so excited! What a bargain! Everytime I saw a commercial on tv for Topsy Turvy's I wanted to buy them. Now I have them *joy*! Of course, I had no idea how to use them since it was just the containers that I bought. I found a great video online explaining step-by-step how to use them. So I bought two tomato plants, soil, and two shepherds hooks to hang them on. Here's what I have so far:

Look for updates on my tomato plants in future blogs!

So proud! So proud!

Tonight's the last night of our school's art show. I teach seventh grade and my colleague, Bill DePew teaches eighth grade.



Our curriculum is to have each student choose an artist. They have to research their artist and then design their own project that is inspired by their artist. We have gotten some outstanding results! Here are just a few examples:


7th grade papier-mache sculpture inspired by the pop artist Claes Oldenburg:

7th Grade pencil drawing inspired by the black and white photography of Linda McCartney:

7th Grade acrylic painting inspired by the pop artist Burton Morris:



















7th grade painted skateboard inspired by Jackson Pollock.

These are literally just a few examples. We have about 180 projects on display, all of this quality, some even better!

Dave McKean Inspired Project

One of my seventh grade students created this Dave McKean inspired project. He made this from newspaper, plaster, paint, then took photographs of it.

The First Blog!

Welcome to my very first blog here at Manda'N@! My cousin Sarah came up with this name, isn't it so Pittsburgh-ish? I didn't know what I should focus my blog on, so I finally decided to just make one and see where it goes. I might talk about my art or crafts. I might talk about tv shows or books I like. I might just put up pictures of my dog. Whatev! We'll see! Stay tuned yinz!