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.