Connecticut Abstract Painter C. Dianne Zweig Introduces Art Schmooze Blog On Contemporary Mixed Media and Painting

Art Schmooze Blog Designed For Abstract Artists    

Is it not hard enough keeping up with one blog? Now I have launched a second blog called "Art Schmooze" which is integrated into my newly revamped website  C. Dianne Zweig.com . My son built my art website on the Squarespace.com platform so that I could easily navigate and update content. Relatively computer illiterate, I am working my way through yet another tech maze. I will have to report back to you later on just how well the blog is reaching out on the web.

My new blog "Art Schmooze" will cover Contemporary Mixed Media Art topics and tips. I will also also use this section of my C. Dianne Zweig website to talk about my upcoming events and art shows and other artsy matters. I would love for my followers to stop by "Art Schmooze" and leave some comments so I get the schmooze thing going, thanks.  


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

Exploring Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media Art: C. Dianne Zweig Artist, Connecticut Abstract Artist

What Is Abstract Mixed Media Art?

I remember pitching a book to a well known publisher a few years ago on the subject of making mixed media abstract art. The editor told me that the title couldn't contain the words
"mixed media" because that was a dead zone. I couldn't grasp that viewpoint since I was emersed in making mixed media art and all my friends were speaking the "mixed media language".

Mixed Media Art Is More Than Collage Art

Lo and behold, not too long after my introduction into the publishing maze I began to see an

explosion of titles released on just that subject matter....mixed media art. Many people think of the   mixed media boom as the result of the renewed popularity of scrapbooking and associate this form of art with collage art.

Visual Artists Use Mixed Media In Their Work All The Time

Visual artists however refer to mixed media in many forms of art making, not necessarily limited to collage. When you add pastel marks to an acrylic painting, you are using mixed media. The same is true when you are adding black ink to a water color painting.

The Art of Connecticut Artist C. Dianne Zweig

I describe my work as mixed media abstract art. I use all types of products, materials and surfaces when making art. I switch back and forth from creating a piece that is primarily painted with acrylics (painting) on a sheet of heavy watercolor color paper to painting on drawing paper and then tearing the paper to form a new piece of work (collage).  In both forms I will introduce other media (products) such as crayons, pastels, inks and processes such as printimaking, rubbings, resistance etc.
     
 To see more of my artwork view my 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

Mixus Celebrates 10th Anniversary At TheatreWorks With A Special Mixed Media Show, May 31- July 19, 2013

MIXUS Mixed Media Show Opening Reception: June 13th, 2013, 5:30-7:00pm. 

This is a very interesting post for me. Ten years ago I helped form a group of Mixed Media artists who named themselves "Mixus". Now to be correct Mixus was really mixus ( the first letter "m" was intended to be lower case).  But mixus is always promoted as Mixus, no matter how hard the group tries to be true to their original identity.

Mixed Media Art Show Runs Through July, 19th, 2013 At TheatreWorks 

Whether mixus is spelled with a capitol "M" or not, mixus will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in Connecticut's capital city, Hartford with a special show at Theatreworks from May 31- July 19, 2013. The public is invited to an opening reception Thursday June 13th, 2013, 5:30-7:00 pm.

Ten members of mixus will be presenting their Mixed Media artwork including Judy Cantwell, Elaine Edelberg, Joy Floyd, Betty Friedman, Vi Joshua, Hannah Libman, Jill Henderson Pasanen, Caroln Q Tertes and Gretchen Wohlgemuth.

The mixus show coincides with the current Theatreworks performance "Becoming Dr Ruth" .
  
Everyone knows Dr. Ruth from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a scout and sniper, to her struggles to succeed as a single mother coming to America, Becoming Dr. Ruth is filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became America's most famous sex therapist
   
For more information about Mixus or the current production visit www.theaterworkshartford.org

Photo credits:

Top image: Mixus artist Carolyn Q Tertes
Middle image: Mixus artist Jill Henderson Pasanen
Bottom image: Mixus artist Gretchen Wohlgemuth

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

Decorating Your Christmas Tree With Handmade Bird Ornaments Made With Painted Papers

Handmade Christmas Bird Ornaments Made By Collage Artist Lynn Gall Using Painted Papers 

Collage artist Lynn Gall is used to decorating papers with inks, paints and textures to use in her attractive Mixed Media collages. But now she has cut the left over papers she has accumulated into birds which she embellishes for Christmas Tree ornaments. 

To make hand decorated papers, you can use crayons, inks, acrylic paints, markers etc in a variety of color palettes and designs.  Simply take drawing paper and cover the papers with your paint and other media. To create different unique designs, you can scrape into a wt painted paper, stamp, fold, layer, use resist (paint over wax) etc. Try laying down plastic wrap on your wet painted paper or drizzling inks on top of the dried painted paper. 

Metallic paints and glitter are fun to use.

My best advice is to play for your art materials and you will discover so many different ways to decorate papers for your bird ornaments.

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

Mixus Mixed Media Artists Opening, November 29th, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m, Charter Oak Cultural Center

Mixus Mixed Media Collage Art Show At Charter Oak Cultural Center November 29th - January 4, 2012

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

Making Christmas Ornaments From Old Dictionary Pages

Handmade Sparkling Christmas Ornaments Made From Vintage Dictionary Pages By Abbey Road Designs 

If you  take a close up look at this holiday tree ornament, you will  discover that it is made using the pages  of an old dictionary. Mixed Media artist Leslie Rottner who sells on Etsy.com  paints pages from a vintage dictionary. These pastel colored strips are then applied with adhesive to plastic balls. Ribbons, glitter and embellishments are added. For those of you in Connecticut, Leslie has just opened a small shop in the new SoNo Market Place in South Norwalk, CT.

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

Framing Vintage Christmas Cards In Altered Art Painted Wooden Frames

Retro Inspired Polka Dot Altered Art Christmas Frame Project



This attractive laser-cut wooden frame was found at Michaels   and then dressed up with paint and ribbon to display old Christmas cards. The circles were created by taking ordinary circle stickers and adhering them to the frame. Red paint was applied and the stickers were removed leaving the  exposed wood. You could also do this project with a coat of white paint first, then add the circles and paint over with red paint.

If you prefer stripes, you can mask off some diagonal stripes using craft masking tape.
And of course you can add glitter or other embellishments to your frame.

The full  tutorial for this adorable Christmas holiday project can be found at http://www.chicaandjo.com/2012/08/25/christmas-card-art/

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

Make Colorful Holiday Garland Using Recycled Plastic Lids And Bottles

Making Art From Recycled Plastic Lids And Bottles 

I loved this idea of slicing up plastic bottles and reusing plastic lids to make colorful holiday garland.  

I believe this recycled art was photographed at a flea market in Cape Town, South Africa. I'm inspired to try this project and will never look at old plastic bottles and lids the same way anymore.

If you are like me, you probably have closets filled with containers of orphaned lids and bottoms. Or maybe even a box or two in the basement of plastic storage containers that are somewhat deformed after they melted in the dishwasher  or on the stove top. Now is your chance to give them a new beginning.

I wish I had the details on  how to slice the old plastic bottles or punch holes in these plastics to be able to thread them onto the wire or string that creates the garland.  If any of my readers would like to offer some ideas, please post a comment.


Photos courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/vilseskogen/3022165610/in/photostream

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

Christmas Holiday Gifts Made From Old Game Boards And Book Covers

Making Your Own Journal/Scrap Book From Old Game Boards Or Book Covers


Over the Thanksgiving holidays, my sister opened up the trunk to her car to show me a load of flea market finds she wasn't sure what to do with.  In the pile of collectible junk she was giving me first dibs at, were some beat up board games from the 60s and 70s.

Making Handmade Journal Books From Old Game Boards

In the past I have given old game pieces to a friend of mine who makes assemblage art using found objects. But recently she has moved away from  toy and game parts onto tea bags and other mixed media. So I passed on my sister's games only to regret my decision to send her back home, game parts and all.

Abbey Road Designs Opens At Sono Market In Norwalk, CT 

Two days later, I visited a shop called "Abbey Road Designs" which has just opened in the brand new "Sono Market Place" in Norwalk, CT. Lo and behold, the owner, a mixed media artist had up- cycled old game boards and book covers into colorful and useful notebooks or diary/journal books. Now I was sorry I sent my sister home games still in the trunk. I would have to wait until the next stash of old books and game boards came my way.

Instructions For Making Journal/Scrapbooks From Old Game Boards Or Book Covers

Cut up old heavy cardboard game boards or book covers using a Jigsaw in two pieces of the same size. Next punch two holes in the newly made covers and adds binder rings and paper.  These charming books would be a wonderful way to tailor a special book for a young child or to use a theme cover such as an old scrabble board for a scrabble lover. If you arre not the craft type person,  you can buy these wonderful up cycled books at http://www.etsy.com/listing/103324013/scrabble-game-board-recycled-art-journal


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

Seeing Abstract Art In The Spirit Of The Season

Studio 9B Farmington Valley Arts Center Welcomes Visitors November 16th, 2012 For Candlelight Season Opening 6:00-9:00 p.m.   

The days leading up to the Candlelight Opening (November 16th, 2012 6:00-9:00 p.m. ) at the Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) are very exciting.  Artists are coming and going all day long and even throughout the evenings getting ready for the big event which draws crowds of visitors to  FVAC.

I can attest to  just how busy FVAC gets on Candlelight Night because my studio was packed with guests last year for this festive event.   I am one of the newer artists at FVAC and I really had a great time listening to people comment on my work and realizing that taste and meaning  in art is a very personal  experience.

Interpreting Abstract Art Is Contextual

One of my pieces had always reminded me of a faucet dripping water. It was really an abstract done in pastel and paint. It really didn't look like a faucet, but in my head I called it my faucet painting. Then (last year) a "jolly" group of folks stepped into my studio after sampling the wine and cheese and other sweets and goodies offered in the open studios and declared that Santa Claus was making an appearance in my painting. And that my "faucet" was a young boy sitting on a chair wearing boots. 

Santa still appears in the painting and so does the boy. It's amazing what people will see in the  "spirit" of the season.

What do you see when you look ast this artwork?  


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

Avis Turner: Illustrator, Mixed Media Painter, Sculptor Of Butterflies, Nature, Spiritual Figures: Studio 5B Farmington Valley Arts Center Candlelight Opening, November 16th, 2012

Butterflies In Mixed Media Art  

Artist Avis Turner Farmington Valley Arts Center

Prelude 

When one of my adored art friends and mentors left the area to spend time abroad, she gifted me a beautiful collage of a butterfly. This piece had  more meaning to me than she probably had intended. I looked at it as a torch that she was passing on to me.  As if she was saying, " here, I am leaving but you can now soar to new heights on your own".


Butterflies And Metamorphosis

The mixed media collage sat in my closet for awhile, awaiting the time when I would frame up a few pieces of artwork ready for hanging. That special day arrived, when the butterfly collage was released from  the dark closet and it was matted and framed . It's new home is in my living room in a spot that I can look at easily each evening. The artwork reminds me of transition and change.

The Meaning Of Butterflies 

Artist Avis Turner Farmington Valley Arts Center

Butterfies are not only special to me, they are special to others as well.  A close friend talks to the butterflies that surround her patio deck. To her they represent her mom who left this earth a few years ago. But my friend  looks to the butterflies that linger on her deck's plants as a sign that mom is nearby and watching over her.

Catching Butterflies As Children

As children, many of us remember owning butterfly nets.  We playfully pranced around our yards trying to catch these colorful insects  so that we could pop them into an old peanut butter jar with a punched hole lid and blades of grass for nourishment.  For many of us it was our first  experience with nature and bringing the natural beauty into our homes.

Butterflies Represent Solace, Wonderment, Hope, Spirituality, Freedom, Rebirth, Energy

The butterfly has represented  solace, wonderment, hope and change to people for generations  all over the globe. Each culture has understood the butterfly in special ways from a symbol of the soul to the secret wish of our inner spirit waiting to be released.

Avis Turner: An Artist Who Draws And Paints Butterflies

 Artist Avis Turner Farmington Valley Arts Center

One artist who is most associated with drawings and mixed media paintings of butterflies and other winged beings and Nike figures is Avis Turner, a Farmington Valley, CT artist and educator. Avis maintains an art studio at The Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) in Avon, CT, a perfect place for an artist who studies and paints "botanical hybrids" , seed pods and moth orchids.

Farmington Valley Arts Center: Natural Campus For  
Artists, Painters, Sculptors 

Nestled in the woods in a lovely country setting, The Farmington Valley Arts Center is a special campus where artists like Avis Turner can let loose in their artwork and get lost in "translucent layers of science, mystical geometry and doses of quantum physics". Avis is also known for her bronze figurative creations which can be viewed as angels or "materializations of natural spirits"

 Sculptor-Artis Avis Turner

Avis Brings Energy To FVAC  

Avis is herself a high spirited, enthusiastic, exciting artist  with a effervescent personality who has been making art and sharing her talents with students for three decades. She has a strong influence on the other artists at the FVAC and has been able to bring a great deal of energy to FVAC.

Candlelight Opening Event

 Avis even found butterfly wine.

This weekend and for many coming weeks  during the holiday season  Avis and 20 plus other artists at the Farmington Valley Arts Center will open their studios to the public .This Friday night, November 16th, 2012, you can visit Avis in her studio 5B for the opening of the Candlelight Season Event 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.


There is a real festival atmosphere during Candlelight Opening as complimentary refreshments are served in all studios and the two galleries are open with holiday gifts  and artwork from local and regional artists.

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

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

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

"Summer Conversations", Nostalgic And Collectible Contemporary Collages By Connecticut Artist Mark Keigwin

Mixed Media Collages Called "Story Boards"

"Summer Conversations" is East Haven, CT's artist Mark Keigwin's latest exhibit which I caught while visiting the fabulous Guildford Art Center Craft Expo 2011. He calls some of his new work " Story Boards"s. I was lured into Mark's outdoor booth at the Craft Expo by the exciting pastel colors which anchor his mixed media graphic style collages.

Collages Using Updated Nostalgic Elements

At first I assumed that Mark was a talented graphic artist who was carefully composing collages from computer generated graphics. No, I couldn't have been more incorrect. Mark, a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League has a long history as a painter and Fire Artist. Upon a closer look at Mark's work and after a long discussion or "Summer Conversation" with the artist, I learned that all of the elements in his collages are created by his own hand and not reproduced.

Even the lettering shown in these wonderful examples of his nostalgic yet contemporary styled work is done with his own hand. Yes, I'll say it again, Mark did the lettering by hand....no computer.

Using Old Family Photos In Artwork

The photograph images are originals from a family member's collection. All of the blocks of color are painted onto the wood support. Perhaps you thought that they were paper? No, Mark is a master of carefully ruled and composed pieces.

You can reach Mark Keigwin at 203-469-0872

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