Sunday, November 8, 2015

Fun with Christmas Trees Pt. 1

I had a great group last night for the "adults only" Christmas Tree canvas class! I even had my first guy join us! I love how everyone's turned out so different & all seemed to have a great time!
















Part 2: Next Saturday morning I will do the same class but with Mom's & kids! Should be fun!
(There's still a few seats left too! You can register HERE.)
I may try to do another one in December for those that couldn't make this one. Leave a comment if you're interested in coming!

Saturday, October 31, 2015

UPCOMING CLASS!!

There's still time & still room to join me for this whimsical Christmas Tree Canvas!


NOVEMBER 7TH, 2015
6:00pm-10:00pm
(Adults Only Class)
Oh Christmas Tree
Mixed Media Canvas
$40

Come create a unique 6x18 Christmas Tree canvas from paper & paint! All art supplies, a light snack & non-alcoholic beverages supplied.
Feel free to BYOB, but you must be 21 or older to drink alcohol.
Class size is limited to 20 painters! So sign up early to save your spot!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

A Successful Art Fest

I can't believe I haven't posted about what a wonderful 2-day event the 4th Annual Larkspur Harvest & Craft Fest was a couple of weeks back in September until now! 
That's just craziness!

Set-up on Saturday was a huge success thanks to the help of my parents & sister's family! I couldn't have gotten 2 tents set up in time without them! Especially in the crazy wind we had that day! Thank god for sandbag weights on the tents!

Yes, I said tents! I had so many large pieces this year, that I had to borrow a 2nd tent from a friend! (Thanks Kathleen!)
Last year, at the same event, I sold several pieces to friends & family with only one, what I call my first "Stranger Sale!" (Thanks to Lisa Douris for that! LOL)
This year, I only sold 5 pieces to friends! The other dozen or so pieces went to "strangers or acquaintances" & I even have an appointment with one of those couples tomorrow to look at more of my work! 
In addition to selling my work, I had a ton of interest in my party plans & class schedules! I really hope to turn my passion for sharing & teach art into a sustainable career some day very soon! It was wonderful to meet so many people interested in learning from me!
I feel so blessed to have had such a successful event!

It was an absolutely beautiful weekend & I thank everyone that stopped by, bought something or just said hello! It was wonderful to chat with all of you & I hope to see you at a future party or class!

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Painting Like an Artist

I am so stinking excited!
The hubby has graciously allowed me to sign up for another class!
I know what you're thinking...I take classes all the time! But this one is different! Those others are all online. This one is AT the ARTIST'S STUDIO in North Carolina!! I get to meet & learn IN PERSON from this lovely lady...

That's Donna Downey (and her cool hubby Bill), in her studio in Charlotte, NC & I get to go there in late August to take a class called "Paint Like an Artist." 
I know it's going to be AMAZING, as I have taken so many online classes from her & loved every one of them. She's funny, sweet & so very talented! I can't wait for August to roll around!! LOL

Even when I am not taking a class from her, her work inspires me...
I started this piece a few days ago & hope to finish it up by next week. But it was inspired by Donna's piece here:
You can buy this poster here
I don't know if I will blend my colors as much as hers, but I thought it was very cool & I had just ordered the stencil of the woman from her while we were on vacation - a huge one perfect for canvases like this one!
So wish me luck in finishing this piece & continuing to to find inspiration from all around, especially from this talented lady!
Cheers,

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Finding Inspiration

I haven't been feeling very inspired to spend time in my studio lately & I think this photo is the reason why...
My corner is a disaster & you don't even want to see the rest of the studio! UGH! 
While I have managed to get in there & play a little bit, I find myself getting started on something & then setting it aside to start on something else. Only to set that aside & start another project! What does this lead to? A bunch of "works in progress!" LOL 
When I struggle like this, I turn to artists I admire, home catalogs & magazines or Etsy & Pinterest to find my inspiration!
Inspired by Prismatic Art on Etsy
I started this one 3-4 months ago & just put another layer on it this morning! Luckily it needs to dry before I add any more, so that gave the opportunity to start this one...
Loosely inspired by artist on Pinterest, Stricher Gerard
I saw this color palette in an abstract on Pinterest & decided to give it a go. Kind-of cool. Not sure if it's my style yet...
Grandinroad catalog
This one was inspired by a piece of metal art I saw in a catalog. It had a vase of flowers popping off the canvas. I might do that with some tissue paper I think. I really like how the background has turned out & might see if I can duplicate it for a class.
And lastly, when I feel like I'm in a slump, I sign up for yet another online class with one of my favorite artists, Donna Downey! This class is all about working in a series by doing 10 canvases in 10 days. I started the first one last week, but haven't done the next one...
Donna Downey class
I had a great time with this one & it reminded me how much I enjoy collage as one of my layers on canvas!
Do you ever get in a creative slump? If so, how do you get out of it?
That's it for today...hoping to get in my studio this afternoon & clean it up! for some reason that always inspires me to create!
Cheers,
 





Saturday, April 25, 2015

To donate or not to donate...

Over the last couple of  years, I have been asked to donate a piece or class to local fundraisers & 
I have always said yes.

The other day, I was working at the local gallery & I asked one of the other artists there if she'd ever donated her work to fundraising events & she said no. She said that she feels that "auctions de-value the work. That pieces never go for what they are worth." 

I found this perception interesting & while I agree with her point about pieces never selling for what we, the artists, feel they are worth; I feel that the opportunity to gain exposure for my art is of greater value than the actual sales price of my donated work.
I think that if people are excited enough to bid against each other for one of my pieces, even for a fraction of the price, then maybe they will contact me for a commissioned piece or a class in the future.

Here are just a few pieces I have donated in the past:
2015
Donating to Larkspur Elementary School's Boot Scootin' Boogie on May 2, 2015
2014
Donated to Bradley International Elementary School Auction
Donated to The Stars for Douglas County Gala
2013
Donated to Bradley International Elementary School's Auction
Donated to Larkspur Elementary School's Boot Scootin' Boogie
 I love to share my passion with others & will continue to donate pieces & 
classes for as long as I am able to do so!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Courage, Perseverance & a GIVEAWAY!!

cour·age
ˈkərij/
noun
the ability to do something that frightens one.

per·se·ver·ance
ˌpərsəˈvirəns/
noun
  1. steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.


I have decided that these are my words for 2015.
So far, they have been a good choice for me.
How, you ask?
These words have helped me in at least two areas in my life already this year: my art & being on the Board of my daughter's elementary school PTO.

Let's start with the PTO aspect of my daily life…
Springtime is just around the corner & while for some that means warmer weather, flowers & longer days, for those of us on the PTO Board, it's time to focus on our biggest school fundraiser: The Boot Scootin' Boogie. We are going into our 18th year this May & we are chalk full of new & exciting ideas! But introducing new ideas to an event entrenched with tradition takes courage & perseverance because some of these parents that have older children, have been coming to these events forever & some don't like change! But we are soldiering on & so far, the feedback is positive.
On top of the new ideas aspect, I am also the "leader" of a fabulous group of parents who have stepped up to represent their classrooms & gather items for their live auction baskets at our Boot Scoot. They too are showing courage & perseverance in asking for donations all over the place! Kudos to them! I have to be a strong voice for them & continue to keep a positive attitude in helping them achieve their goals. It's been quite fun & rewarding so far! If you're local & would like to come & support our school, it's going to be quite the shin-dig!!


Now on to the art in my life…
As you may have seen in my last post, I am gearing up for a Spring Enrichment art class at my daughter's school beginning in a couple of weeks. I absolutely love teaching my passion, but I still get nervous about it - even with kiddos! I think I worry that I won't teach the steps clearly enough & it'll be a disaster! But so far, in you year or so of teaching at school & my home, things have worked out splendidly! Just gotta have courage that the kids will be able to do all the steps!

Clips from the 3 canvases the kids will do in class
Then, last week, I was having lunch at the local bar & grill (The Spur of the Moment) & was lucky enough to be there when the owner was checking in. So, I mustered that courage & asked her about using the restaurant's large back room for a "Paint & Sip." I was shocked to find out that she has had several patrons asking for such an event! YAY!!! We are hopefully going to sit down in the next couple of weeks & plan it all out! I am so excited for this venture as it will benefit us both! My students will hopefully enjoy the project, while spending money at the bar & then maybe they will want to come to more such classes there or at my home studio. A win, win, I believe!

Lastly, I have put myself out there again - my art that is.
There are two shows going on simultaneously here in Castle Rock…
The first one opens tonight at the art guild's gallery - Art on The Edge & the theme is "My Favorite Things." Artists were asked to submit their favorite work for the exhibit & while I love the pieces I entered, they are not my favorites because the gallery has a stipulation that you cannot show a piece that has been seen in the area before, so I wasn't able to enter my big blue "Beyond" piece since it was in the National Arts Program exhibit at the library late last year. It's all good though! I was just happy to be accepted with these three pieces:
($$ denotes that this piece is for sale. If interested, please email me at rvoth@estreet.com)

House in the Field 18x24 $$
House on the Hill #1 12x24 $$
Pavot (Poppy) 12x36 $$
The other show is a regional juried show called "Romancing the Arts". I was over the moon for getting accepted to this one & even more thrilled with the curator's words of encouragement: 

"I am very pleased to let you know that your 3 pieces, "From Within," "Aspens in  Fall" and "La Cathedrale," have been accepted into the 11th annual Romancing the Arts Exhibit. This is, by and large, a very creative and competitive show. I’ll be excited to see your work in person."

Wow! Who doesn't want to hear something like that?!! This show will hang at the library for the month of February with an opening reception on Feb. 2nd & I am so excited to see all the work side-by-side! If you are local, I hope that you will come either to the reception or stop into the
Phillip S. Miller Library at 100 S. Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO & browse the exhibit.


Aspens in Fall 36x48 $$
La Cathedrale 18x24 $$
From Within 16x20 NFS

So, in between fundraising & painting, my 2015 words have turned into somewhat of a mantra: "have courage & perseverance & dreams your will come true!"
**GIVEAWAY**
Do you have words or a mantra that get you through tough times? If so, I would love to hear what they are!
Leave a comment here or on my Facebook Page & if you are a local, I will giveaway "admission" to my next class - either at The Spur of the Moment or in my home studio!! 
(Giveaway closes on 2/7/15)

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Sharing the Fun!

Hello & Happy Tuesday to you all!


I just finished 3 projects for a 6 week class I am teaching at my daughter's elementary school starting next month! YAY! 
I can't wait to play with these kids! 
{See full images HERE!}
If you are interested in having your own class or party doing any of these projects (or others), please contact me at rvoth@estreet.com! 
I am always willing to work around your schedule 
for studio time!!
Have a fabulous day!!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Seeing the Forest for the Trees


Simply put, I love teaching! Though when I start off with my students, I worry that I might miss a step or not explain something clearly. But in the end, I am always pleasantly surprised by the end results & the smiles on my students' faces! Read on & see what I mean...
my class sample
The start of the day had me a little worried as the snow started falling around lunchtime & the last time they forecasted a "trace of snow," we got 6 inches & blizzard-like conditions! So I was afraid I'd have to cancel class! But I have some brave & determined students! All but 3 of them made it! YAY!

After trying to find just the right size canvas board for us to work with, I decided to hit the local Home Depot! I had some lumber cut down into 12x20 lengths for us to work on instead!

Then I set about gathering scrapbook papers from my stash, paints, stamps & inks. I have my moms old Cricut machine & borrowed my sisters so that everyone wouldn't have to hand-cut all their circles! What a life saver those things are! Cooked up some yummy food & we were ready to go!
I didn't snap any photos during class, but of course I got everyone's finished work…





And one of some happy students…
Throughout the evening, several ladies said that this was their favorite class so far. How sweet is that?!

Oh & here's the one I worked on in class…
I just love sharing my passion with people & I love that the work seems to make them happy. Art can be totally therapeutic  That said, I have to share with you all that one of my students is going through a rough patch right now. She brought along some images & mantra's to put into her tree. She's treating it a lot like a vision board while she tries to move past this hard time. She said that my class came along at just the right time for her & I hope that her tree helps her "grow" in new directions!
It's things like this that make teaching my little classes every now & then so worthwhile!

If you are on Pinterest & would like to help me come up with new ideas for future classes, I would like to invite you to pin to my "Class Inspiration" board! Let me know if you'd like an invite!

I can't wait to get to work on the next class!!
Cheers!