Discarded Ceramic Cut-Outs In Litchfield Connecticut Shop Inspiration For Mixed Media Art

Contemporary Art Is Found Everywhere: Mixed Media Artist C.Dianne Zweig Explores The Art of Possibility 
Why do Mixed Media artists always get excited about leftovers and unusual gargage. To be   totally accurate, sometimes discarded materials aren't really garbage as is the case with this pile of cut out clay which will actually be recycled and used to make new objects. But for the moment this growing pile of hardened clay cut outs sits in the back of a gorgeous custom made tile store in Litchfield, CT. I strolled into the store lured by a fabulous window display of glazed functional pottery and custom tiles. However, I was equally excited to explore this heap of broken and left over pieces in the back corner of the shop.  To a Mixed Media Artist who lives in possibility, the art is everywhere. So what would you do with these pieces?  Stencils, Assemblage art, jewelry ? Feel free to post your ideas please.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Creative Savers Can Get Overwhelmed In Their Mixed Media Art Studios Which Can Be Packed With Artsy Treasures Waiting To Be Re-Purposed Or Used As Art Tools

Downsizing Your Art Studio

I'm about to "downsize" my art studio which has become packed with really fabulous STUFF but is starting to cramp my style. I just know that so many of you who are reading this post understand the mind of the creative saver. I can remember thinking about the concept of re-purposing useful items way before the phrase got catchy. Let's be honest, it is hard for some of us to simply let go of potential art and craft treasures. We look at the world differently that other people. I can fondly remember strolling through Provincetown and seeing broken ceramic tiles being used as the ground cover in a trendly grocery store. I picked up a handful of these very interesting tileswith textured backs to stamp or print with in my Mixed Media work. Who am I kidding. I know that after I thin our some of my collections of artsy treasures, I will just replace them with new ones!  Feel free to comment on this post and share our experiences.

Visit my art website  http://www.cdiannezweig.com/     

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Setting Up Your Art Studio Or Craft Room Space

Discovering Your Art Studio Space Quirks

Once you have shlepped all your art supplies, products, materials, tables, easels etc into your new art space, where do you actually set up shop so you can work comfortably and productively? Each artist has to find out what their unique work vibe is.  Do you like working near windows? Are you an artist who prefers being "hidden" away from public view? "Do you want to paint near the air conditioner or further away? Are you storing paints to close to the sun? Take your time planning out where tables, paints, papers will go and respect the fact that your ideas about placement will keep changing as you begin to work more and more in a given space.

Tips About Art Studio Lighting

The long and the short of this blog is that you shouldn't get too bogged down with where things are going when you first move into a new art studio.  Additionally, be real careful about the kind and location of your lights. I'm still trying to remedy my overhead lighting. Talk to lighting experts and read up on this topic before setting up your lights. While I like the "warmth" of my track lighting in the in between season before the heat goes on,  it gets way too hot under all the lights I ambitiously installed. Yes I want  to be able to see what I  am doing and I also want to light up my gallery walls, but I so think I went way overboard.  So hot that you can fry a chicken is not the goal!  Explore your lighting very carefully.
               
Try hard to take some time to "live in" your space before declaring your interior design a done deal.

Visit my art studio website: http://www.cdiannezweig.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Using Retro 1950s Wire Magazine Racks In Your Art Studio Or Gallery To Display Small Artwork

Atomic Era Magazine Stands Used To Display Small Works Of Art In A Studio Or Gallery

In my Mid Century styled art studio at the Farminton Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT,  smaller works of art  that are not on my gallery wall are displayed in  vintage metal wire magazine racks from the 1950s. These  Atomic era magazine racks  can be found at flea markets, junk stores and antique shops.  So far I own three of these Atomic era magazine racks wh ich have been converted to showcase artwork now.  


These vintage racks work well for smaller pieces of artwork and are lower to the ground that store bought newer versisons. You could however prop these older magazine stands up on a window sill or table.

Antique dealers could also use this idea in a shop to display small vintage artwork or even old magazines.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Inside The Studio Of Lisa Ludwig A Whimsical, Vibrant Artist And Designer At The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT

Lisa Ludwig Brings An Exciting Collection Of Artwork To The Farmington Valleys Arts Center  

There is nothing like charging up the creative juices by having a new artist lease space next  door to your art studio. Several artists were eyeing Studio 8B on the second floor of The Farmington Valley Arts Center. But it is Avon, CT  artist Lisa Ludwig who is has just moved into this great studio which was the home to Bob Noreika for decades.

Studios become available at The Farmington Valley Arts Center in spurts and Lisa arrived just at the right time as Bob's old studio was now available clean and freshly painted.  The studio had great vibes and  was ready for new energy and ideas. Lisa brought exactly what every art center hopes for, enthusiasm, exciting work and a studio and collection of work which will attract lots of visitors.

Lisa Ludwig: Interior Redesign Industry Specialist

Lisa, a certified Interior Home Staging Specialist, graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Surface Pattern Design. She has spent many years in the home design industry and excels at creating attractive and affordable environments using found  objects,  antiques, collectibles and vibrant color combinations. Her design business goes under the name Double L Decor. She is also an accomplished painter and textile artist.

Mixing Vintage Furnishings And Storage With Contemporary Style In An Art Studio 

Lisa Ludwig's studio is a piece of artwork in of itself. She has successfully mixed vintage furnishings with contemporary styles to create a warm yet current setting for her whimsical and colorful paintings, collages and assemblages. Lisa enjoys painting abstracts especially florals as well as seascapes, landscapes and fantasy designs. When visiting her art studio you wil also find lots of still life props such as gorgeous fresh flower arrangements and colorful glass which accent her artwork.

Creative Ways To Store Art Supplies Decorate Your Art Studio Using Vintage Objects

Like many artists, Lisa, has come up with her own way to store paints, brushes ande art supplies.

An old wooden bar credenza  serves as a great storage unit  for supplies, books and magazines. Vintage industrial wooden drawers are used to keep paint tubes in. A glass high top patio table serves as her work table.  Ceiling to floor light weight decorative screens are used to establish different work centers creating room dividers.

An inviting sitting area in her front gallery space serves as a comfortable reception area for guests who visit her studio.

Visiting Lisa Ludwig's  Art Studio During Candle Opening Event, November 16th. 2012 

Be sure to visit Lisa's studio during the annual Candle Light 2012 opening event, Friday, November 16th from 6-9 pm at The Farmington Valley Arts Center. The Center will also be open the following day, Saturday, November 17th.  Lisa Ludwig is in studio 8b on the second floor of The Center which is home to two galleries, a gift shop, art classes and  twenty artist studios.

Candle Light Season 2012 At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

The Candle Light season is when the FVAC extends open house days inviting members of the community to visit artists in their studios, take part in special event and  workshops, shop for the holidays and visit the two galleries on site. To learn more about The Farmington Valley Arts Center  and a  calendar of events visit   http://www.artistsfvac.org/

For more information about Lisa Ludwig visit: http://www.artistsfvac.org/lisa-ludwig


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

First Annual Juried Art Show Opens At Autumn Light Gallery, Avon, CT September 15th, 2012, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Autumn Light: An Upscale Gallery In Avon, CT Hosts   Local Artisans


I  wanted to be sure to encourage you to visit the opening reception at Autumn Light Gallery (Route 44), tomorrow night, Saturday September 15th , 2012, Avon, CT.

Sneak Preview Of Autumn Light Art Show

I got a chance to poke my head into the show and snap some photos for you. Chris and Jerry are really busy setting up this first annual juried art show , but they allowed the kitschy collector a glimpse.

 

Paintings,  Sculpture, Stained Glass, Textiles, Assemblage Art At Autumn Light Gallery

The show is in one portion of the gallery and will run from September 15th, 2012 through October 12th, 2012.
Refreshments will be served. Chris and Jerry are donating a portion of the profits of the show to Hartford  Camp Courant.

 Assemblage Art At Autumn Light Gallery

In addition to this special show, visitors will find a beautifully displayed gallery of pottery, paintings,   sculpture,  dolls, textiles, stained glass, abstracts, assemblage art,  functional objet d'art, jewelry, cards and more.

304 west Main Street
Avon CT,  06001
(860) 674 - 9869Summer Hours 
Sunday , Monday Closed
Tuesday   10 - 6:00
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday   10 - 6
Saturday  10 - 5   

http://www.autumnlightstudio.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Autumn Light Gallery Avon, Connecticut Getting Ready For First Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition, September 15-October 12, 2012

Beautiful Exhibits At Autumn Light Gallery  

While Chris and Jerry, owners of Autumn Light Studio And  Gallery were busy getting ready for their First Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition, September 15-October 12, 2012, I was buzzing around their amazing gallery photographing gorgeous vignettes and objets d'art. These works of art are continuously  changing making for some very exciting installations. The gallery represents ove 50 local artists.


Autumn Light Gallery Located On Route 44, Avon, Connecticut

Located on Route 44 in Avon, Connecticut just  across from the Marshalls shopping plaza, "Autumn Light" has become one of the best multi media galleries in the region. Collections include pottery, stained glass, blown glass, fused glass, original artwork, woodworking, metal craft, sculpture, textile art, jewelry, wall decor, assemblages, dolls, functional art, holiday decor and more.

Take Classes At Autumn Light Gallery

Recently, the gallery has added classes conducted by some of the artists who exhibit their work at "Autumn Light". Mary Beth Sasso is giving a class called "portrait in Charcoal or Pastel" on September 10th, 2012. Chris and  Jerry planned out the gallery well with a classroom on the lower level.  Stained Glass classes start September 18, 2012.

Full Service Stained Glass Studio At Autumn Light 

 Chris, a very accomplished stained class artist, offers a full service stained class studio including stained glass, supplies, tools, restoration, repair and custom design projects.

First Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition, September 15-October 12, 2012 

The upcoming juried art show will open with a reception and award ceremony on Saturday September 15th, 2012 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. For more information visit:  http://www.autumnlightstudio.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Using A Vintage Putty Knife In Mixed Media Artwork

Applying Acrylic Paint With An Old Putty Knife

Mixed media collage artists like to paint papers with acrylic paint and then tear up the papers to reassemble them in other works of art.  One way to apply the paint is to use a palette knife or putty knife instead of  multiple  brushes.My dream tool is the putty knife.  An old putty knife is cheap, very easy to use and much easier than brushes to clean.  Even artists who do not work in a collage style, enjoy using a putty knife or palette knife directly onto a canvas.  

 I especially like the way you can smear on paint in layers with a putty knife wiping the older color with a new color and getting all kinds of terrific patterns. As you fool around with the putty knife you will see that you form  ridges with each application. You can of course smooth out these ridges or keep them in your work for added interest and texture. 

So the next time you are at a tag sale or flea market keep your eye open for old putty knifes. And be sure to keep on hand a collection of different sizes.  

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixed Media Artists Painting Papers With Your Old Junk

Sometimes you just have to move away from junking for antiques and collectibles and concentrate on junking with art. In my art studio junk is what I use to make art! Nothing gets thrown out and everything that is hanging around can be grabbed and converted as an art tool.

Saving Junk In Plastic Boxes

For example I have plastic boxes filled with bubble wrap, old game parts, broken toys, sewing notions, vintage kitchen tools, expired plastic credit cards, candy box inserts and more. These objects can be used to draw with or create fabulous designs and textures.

Making Marks On Paper

Recently, I offered a small workshop in my studio at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT on how to loosen up with mixed media techniques. Our group started off by making marks on papers with all kinds of  tools and media and than added acrylic paints and inks.

Tearing Up Papers For Mixed Media Art Collages

Later these papers will be torn up and re-assembled as  abstract mixed media art work . The images shown are the painted papers before they get torn up. As you can see, some of these "raw" papers look good just the way they are.

Participants  arrived to my studio with drawing paper, inks, acrylic paints, oil pastels, chalks, dry media, brushes and  JUNK.

Unconventional Art Materials And Tools

It is the junk part that is what I am focusing on in this post. While traditional art materials are key supplies for making collages and mixed media art, it is the unconventional tools that really add something special to abstract mixed media. One fella I  know uses pastry knives and window squeegees to smear his paint. My friend folds pieces of heavy cardboard and prefers to paint with the edge of the cardboard instead of using a brush. I love my sacred putty knife.

Don't Throw Out Broken Dishes

For those of you who like to make art, you can find lots of great art stuff in local junk stores and thrift shops. Also be sure to check your garage and basement . And for antique dealers reading this article, don't be so quick to throw out broken objects. Many artists are interested in your broken tiles, dishes and even glassware.And old kitchen tools may be in lousy condition to sell for very much as a collectible, but they may make a mixed media artist very happy.  

For more information about The Farmington Valley Arts Center see http://www.artsfvac.org/.

 Also visit my Pinterest,com board on this topic http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/art-classes-at-fvac/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Printing With Vintage Potato Mashers At The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT

Joan Shackford Demo's The Art Of The Potato Masher At FVAC

I was so excited yesterday to visit a children's summer program class at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT  and find the instructor Joan Shackford  teaching her students how to print with old kitchen tools including whisks, potato mashers, handled sponges and more.


 Printing With Vintage Potato Mashers

As the kitschy collector who loves vintage kitchen utensils, I adored the retro potato mashers. My, my I had no idea that they made so many different kinds of potato mashers and that each one was capable of creating a unique pattern when dipped in acrylic paint.

Old Kitchen Whisks Make Cool Designs

But the potato mashers had some competition. The old kitchen whisks were also very cool.  Joan showed the kids how to dip the utensils into acrylic paint and experiment with overlapping patterns, thickened textures and watered down backgrounds. Leave it to school age children to come up with some very engaging artwork.

Thrifty Kitschy Art

 I have visited many of Joan's classes and she really is the master of kitchen art. There is nothing that Joan doesn't recycle for art projects. You'd be amazed  at how thrifty and kitschy Joan's projects are!


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

A Look At Inside Out Book Collages "Weekend Mixed Media Workshops At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

Making Art From Old Books

 Artist C. Dianne Zweig "doodles" on a book page

Collectors of old books, stay calm, I am about to tell you how I "de-constructed an old book" while attending a weekend art workshop at the Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon by New York artist Lynn Gall. The two day workshop conducted at FVAC was titled "Inside Out Book Collages". I'm not sure exactly what I had in my mind when I considered taking this class, but by the end of the workshop, I had explored this topic not only "inside/out" but from every angle, perspective and medium one could work in.


Mixed Media Art And Old Books

Artist C. Dianne Zweig reconstructs an old book 

Book collectors will probably snarl at the idea of  pulling apart a lovely old book to re-purpose into a work of art, but mixed media enthusiasts operate like surgeons with precision and skill. o.k., let me   back up a bit.....skill?   O.k. maybe skill is not the key word. I would substitute enthusiasm for ripping things apart. By the way...in case "Mixed Media" is not a term you are familiar with, think collage, paints, inks, embellishments etc. In other words...mixed media is working with the kitsch n sink!

Armed With A Sharpie Pen

 Class participants during a critique session.

So back to the workshop at hand. No pun intended. We had a nice group of gals who  participated in Lynn's workshop. Each one of us working in our own unique style. For me, a doodler at heart, I approached this challenge armed with my Sharpie pen I brought along with me to the workshop, I began doodling on the pages of this old book at the very beginning of the class while I was listening to Lynn talk abut the various approaches to deconstructing books.

 Artist Candace Abbott

Using Painted Papers In Mixed Media

Other attending this weekend workshop, brought along hand painted papers they had made previously  or images that they cut out from other books . The idea was to pull apart the pages of  an old book and re-use the components of the book such as the pages, illustrations, book cover, book board etc.


Reconstructing Old Books Into Collage Art 

After the book was taken apart, the pages and parts are reassembled in a collage like style as a new piece of work. Lynn Gall is an accomplished Mixed Media artist who resides in Manhattan and comes to the Farmington Valley Arts Center several times a year to conduct wonderful Mixed Media classes and workshops.

About The Farmington Valley Arts Center

Bunny Milan busy at work 

The campus of the Farmington Valley Arts Center is in a park like setting right off Route 44 in Avon, CT. The center houses artist studios, two galleries and offers year round classes for adults, teens and children. In the artist studios which are on two levels, you will find a lovely collection of landscapes, abstracts. Mixed Media, photography, textiles, pottery, illustrations,  cartoons, paper cuttings, etchings,  printmaking,

Visit  http://artsfvac.org/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Chocol'Art Holiday Exhibit And Open Art Studios At The Farmington Valley Art Center, Avon, CT. December 10th, 2011, 10-4

Don't Miss Chocol'Art at The Farmington Valley Arts Center!

This Saturday Chocolate lovers will be in heaven as The Farmington Valley Arts Center is featuring free chocolate treats in each of the open art studios. The Farmington Valley Arts Center, just off Route 44 in Avon, CT is a wonderful complex which features studio artists, an ongoing community art school and two terrific galleries.

Visiting The Main Gallery At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

During the holidays, the gallery is also a holiday gift shop featuring artisans from all over New England. The gallery is simply gorgeous an d packed with festive artisan designed holiday gifts including, jewelry, textiles, pottery, glassware, collage, sculpture, photography, holidays cards, decorative accessories, paintings, serving pieces and more.

FVAC Art Studios To Visit

In the studios which are on two levels, will will see a nice selection of landscapes, abstracts, still life, sculpture, nature and animal art, portraits, photography, illustrations, cartoons, paper cuttings, etchings, mobiles and more .
Be sure to visit my Mixed Media Abstract Art studio 9B (second level). There will plenty of chocolate to sample.

Farmington Valley Arts Center

25 Arts Center Lane
Avon, CT
860-678-1867

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes Dazzles Us With Vibrant Colors, Innovative Textures And Whimsical Interpretations Of Serious Topics

Visiting The Art Studio Of Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes At Open Studio Hartford


As a loyal fan of Open Studio Hartford, I made the rounds this past weekend, visiting all the studios and artists at Artspace Hartford. I started out on Saturday at Artspace, a residence across from the train station in Hartford which combines living space with artist studios and and then returning to to visit 56 Arbor Street ( Real Art Ways building) on Sunday.

Meet Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes

The fourth floor of 56 Arbor Street is not only the home of my first art studio (I am now at The Farmington Valley Art Center) , but it is the creative sanctuary for my Mixed media colleague and friend Carolyn Tertes. Carolyn, like many other artists, works in powerful bursts of intense creativity sessions followed by periods of rest, family, distractions and travel.

Whenever Carolyn returns to studio 414 at 56 Arbor (a building known for artists, photographers, graphic designers, artsy types) you can be sure that she is exploding with ideas.

Burst of Color At Carolyn Tertes's Art Studio

On Sunday, I walked into her studio and was dazzled with color, energy and excitement. No one uses pinks, oranges and West Coast colors like Carolyn. Maybe that is because Carolyn is bi-coastal, dividing her life between three pleasures, her art, her husband and family ( on the warmer coast). Carolyn also spends a lot of time in Mexico and you can clearly see how she is influenced by the bright, colorful designs and palettes of her travels.

Old Game Parts Tell A Story

While her collages appear whimsical and playful, if you look closer you will learn that often Carolyn is expressing much deeper topics in her work. The mixed media piece on top is about "young boys play at war". The old game parts and toy soldiers are mean't to remind us of the dangers of war games.

Improvising With Her Studio Space

Short on time, Carolyn needed to get her studio ready for Open Studio Hartford. So as clever as she is, she put her efforts into painting a dynamite wall mural which she used to showcase her smaller Encaustic (wax) and mixed media collages. The look was sensational, adding vibrant wow power to her studio and giving her older collage and mixed media pieces a new presentation. I have to say, visiting Carolyn's studio was the perfect ending to a art lover's weekend. Now I need to get to my own stdio and channel some of Carolyn's creativity!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Visiting Ray's Gallery: Stained Glass And Mixed Media Watercolors: Windsor Connecticut

Whimsical Art Studio in Windsor Connecticut Features Mixed Media And Stained Glass

Stained Glass Room Divider

What a treat visiting Rosalie and Ray Gustafson, both artists who have a whimsical gallery and Frame shop called "Ray's" at 53 Poqonock Avenue in Windsor, CT. Rosalie always shares lots of her art tips and makes you feel right at home in her showroom. The shop is small but carefully planned to make every nook and cranny count.

Windsor, CT Art Gallery

I am a frequent visitor to this wonderful art gallery. Recently, Ray had a room divider made with stained glass centered in the middle of the shop.

Rosalie was wrapping a watercolor of a winter scene of the Brooklyn bridge that she was sending to a relative. I loved that painting and was sad to see it leave the shop.

Cityscape Sytrofoam Printing

Rosalie enjoys variety in her work and often mixes her media to create interesting textures. One of her favorite techniques is to cut a landscape or cityscape design into a piece of Styrofoam (the kind found in the meat section of the grocery store) and to coat with paint and print with. She has done many paintings with a city scape theme that she starts out with the technique just mentioned. Than she collages painted or printed papers onto the original painting.

Take Home Ideas And Art

Rosalie sent me home with a piece of Styrofoam and even began to draw into it with a pointed object. She wants me to give this style a try. I have been carrying the Styrofoam in my pocketbook for almost two weeks. But I am ready to give this idea a try. In fact I asked the butcher clerk at my local supermarket for some clean Styrofoam trays. He was very generous.

"Potted" Paint Brushes

When I was about to leave Roaslie and Ray , I spotted a "potted plant" of foam paint brushes. Rosalie dipped her foam brushes into paint to simulate flowers and arranged them in a painted flower pot. I wanted to buy the potted paint brushes but she said it was a store prop. In her usual giving way, she explained to me how to make one. Thanks Rosalie for sharing your art ideas.

Visit:
Ray's Gallery and Frame Shop
53 Poquonock Ave.
Windsor, CT.

860-688-0144

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Farmington Valley Art Center, Avon, CT. Hosted Mixed Media Weekend Workshop By Artist Lynn Gall

The Mixus Gals Were Back in Classroom 3A At The Farmington Valley Art Center, Avon, Ct.

It was great to be back in classroom 3A at the Farmington Valley Art Center with some of the gals of Mixus, a group of Connecticut Mixed media artists who originally met at FVAC a number of years ago while taking lots of classes together. Art (top) by C. Dianne Zweig

Lynn Gall
Returns to
FVAC

The Mixus mates, joined by another student and FVAC veteran, re-united with their friend and mixed media art instructor Lynn Gall for a busy Mixed media weekend workshop at The Farmington Valley Arts Center. Lynn returned to FVAC following a few years abroad and now residing in NYC.

Artwork (with letters) is by Jill Henderson Pasanen.

Weekend Challenge: Mixed Media Grid Design

Lynn showed workshop members examples of artwork with a grid design. With a little bit of inspiration.....we all got very industrious and down to work. As is usually the case, we only came up for air two times, lunch on Saturday and lunch on Sunday.

Artist Lynn Gall

Otherwise we were all knee deep in paint, papers and STUFF. Carolyn Tertes and Jill Henderson Pasanen (below) were tied for bringing with them the most boxes and bags filled with painted papers. Bunny Millan probably brought in as many mixed media materials as Carolyn and Jill but her very neat stash is deceptive. She conceals more.

Jill Pasanen
at the easle

Collage Medium
Verus
Glue Stick

I'm the outlaw, not digging messy stuff as much as the other Mixus gals , I brought a few glue sticks, my paint and pastels and begged Carolyn and Jill for a few pieces of their fabulous papers. Beverly Spence, a FVAC frequent flyer who loves collage and is an amazing artist, was new to working with all the mixed media STUFF. We are breaking her in.

Carolyn Tertes triptych

Critique Time

Beverly Spence & Carolyn Tertes

On Sunday after we cleaned up our work stations we reviewed our work in the critique session.This is a very exciting dimension of the weekend workshop when the group has a chance to take a look at how each of the members resolved their artistic challenges.

Deep in thought is Bunny Milan listening to the critique.

While the workshop is going on, we are all glued (no pun intended) to our own projects in progress and not really thoroughly involved with what's happening to the to the artist's work. Lynn is busy consulting with each and everyone of us, but it isn't until the end of the weekend session that all of the workshop participants sit back and get a chance to see what each artist has accomplished. I can tell you that it was a very productive weekend for all of us who attended this workshop...we produced a lot of successful pieces.

When Is Lynn Returning To FVAC ?

Rumor has it that Lynn will be back to The Farmington Valley Arts Center in January and in March.
For more information about Mixed Media workshops at FVAC or other wonderful classes and workshops, visit: http://artsfvac.org/ Visit C. Dianne Zweig's studio at FVAC

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists