Elgin Studio Tour Blast Off

It's been a crazy few weeks, aren't they all though lol. I've been putting the finishing touches on the Elgin Studio Tour, and teaching workshops, so between the two I'm afraid I've neglected you, poor reader.

I don't normally book so much for such a short period of time, but as more than one person has lamented-especially lately- everything always happens at once!
Our Culture Days Workshop at the Art Emporium was good, in retrospect we should have had people register so I had a better idea of how many to buy supplies for...I seriously over bought. Oh well, live and learn, and the goodies won't go to waste, I'll be taking them to my nursing homes for my clients to use.
The Studio Tour kick off coincides with the Art Emporium's 'For Art Sake' show and sale, so we're having one big combined Gala Opening Oct 12th (Friday) 7-10 pm.
David Jolly and his acoustic jazz guitar will be playing, and of course there will be all of the usual opening refreshments.  The focus though will be on the Art and Artists. 
We have over 100 Artists and Artisans work in the Emporium, all of whom have been invited to show one 'never before seen, spectacular work'. You know it's going to be amazing!
The Show and Sale and Studio Tour both continue all weekend long, 11-5pm.
Maps for the tour
The Art Emporium of Port Stanley

Monoprinting Workshops

Candy and I had a wonderful time today doing a Monoprinting workshop at a corrections facility.

The youth were so receptive and enthusiastic that I was almost superfluous to their process.

The work they developed was amazing. I'll be doing this workshop again twice next week, and I can hardly wait.

I think I'm going through Art Emporium withdrawal I haven't been to our gallery since Monday...I love my job in horticulture, but I love the AE&BG more!

The last day I was there was Monday, which was an incredibly busy day in Port Stanley. We had 1/2 dozen artists in to hang/arrange their art, and over 30 'lookers' who saw the sign and came in. We gave the 'lookers' tours and invariably when they rounded the corner and stepped into the gallery they stopped and said "WOW" it never gets old.

We'll be in the Art Emporium straight through now until our official open date, the 1st of March, so if you have work to bring down, or would like a tour, come on by.

I had and Epiphany this week. I've been slogging my way through this business plan that I have to have done by Oct 4, and not really happy about some of what I felt I had to put into it. My 'income streams' are 1-Murals and Faux finishes, 2- teaching, and 3- portraits, 4 is the secret (soon-soon, the papers are at the lawyers, then we can make our announcement!!!!) with 5 being licensing, AKA a Zazzle store (print on demand, very cool)

Number four has all of us wound, but the rest was not making me particularly happy. I put the murals in because it was strongly suggested that I should, so I was focusing most of my energy on enhancing that part of the B.P. because I felt I 'had to'.

Then came the moment of realization... other than good 'ol number four (I sooooo can't wait to tell you) the thing that has me the most jazzed with this whole biz plan thingy, is the teaching. Specifically something I'm calling pARTy's - yes I know it's and ie, not a y's, but bear with me.

So someone ask... what's a pARTy?....

A pARTy is when you invite a bunch of friends over. They all bring some ink jet photo's and a few things that are related to the photo's like- wedding pic's and dried flowers from the wedding, and an invitation... etc

I bring the art supplies and we play. There would be a smallish fee per person, and everyone would go home with a very personal and special piece of art. Way more fun than a Tupperware party!

Now if I can just make it work!

textile art with Vivian

Vivian is a fabulous textile artist, her work is in Galleries all over Ontario and beyond. This is an exceptional opportunity to study with her.

Hi, this is Vivian Tserotas with a textile art update.

I wanted to inform you of my new course that I will be teaching at Fanshawe College. If anyone is interested in learning some textile sewing techniques please join me.

Students will incorporate the basic elements of design, composition and colour theory with traditional and contemporary techniques of textile arts. This includes, drawing with your sewing machine, surface design using threads, gold leafing, stamp making and stamping your design into your art cloth. This introductory course uses very basic sewing skills to teach you how to draw with your sewing machine and to create stunning surface design. The course focuses on three finished projects using three different
methods for each project.

To register you can call 519-452-4444

The course begins October the 5th and will run for eight weeks.

If you know anyone who would be interested in learning more on textile arts please feel free to pass this email along. This course in designed for everyone.

You do need your own sewing machines.

Take care,

Vivian Tserotas

Port Stanley Display

'Thank a Pollinator' is steaming along, I've decided on a layout, and am working on the back board. The effect I'm after for the back board is very subtle, I'm not sure that you'll be able to see it on the Internet, but once I'm happy with it I will post it, and we'll see.
I hung 7 pieces in the Port Stanley Library on Monday, one of them is 'In Praise of Weeds', along with 'Emergence', 'Stitching The Moon To The Sky', 'Small Frog-Big Noise', 'Gran's garden', 'Dancer in Green', and 'Trance Dancer'.

A couple of friends, Joe and Moe are having a show April 4th and 5th, 12 noon to 7 pm each day at 225 Gray St. London. contact joe_pruim@yahoo.ca for details. These young men are very talented, rising stars, go check 'em out! Also
The Art of Collage – is opening Sunday March 1st to March 22nd at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre featuring the art of Pat Gibson, Anne Hamilton, Heather MacIntosh, Linda Rapai, and Susan Shurish.
Meet me at the Station – is opening Friday March 13th and running through until April 10th a Station Arts Centre in Tillsonburg – solo show by Richard Hodges.

Joe Preston’s Office (M.P. for Elgin)– is currently displaying the art of Diane Dobson – the office is open weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

There is a Workshop put on by the Port Stanley Guild:
Hilda Markson Gray – watercolour/collage techniques: May 16th. Please contact Mary Louise White to sign up for this workshop! mary_louise_white@yahoo.ca

And a workshop by Diane Dobson 6-week painting workshop (medium of your choice) at Portside Gallery on Wednesday afternoons (1:30 am – 3:30 am) from March 25th – April 29th. The cost is $80.00.

Watercolour Workshop – Heather Keating is offering a one-day watercolour workshop March 28th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at STEPAC. The fee is $30.00 and there is a limit of 12 people

Whew!!! lots going on!

Catherine and I are also getting the Belmont Art In The Park set up, it looks like Sunday June 28th is the day to mark on your calendar, Dorchester and Area Artist Network will also, hopefully be adding a spring show and sale to our yearly agenda, more details to follow.