A Visit from Carmencita

One of the nice things about staying at Cindy's place in North Carolina is her colorful servant, Carmencita Suarez. Carmencita's specialty is Las Bisquitas, delivered with verve and plenty of butter. They are also known as Pocos Ataques del Corazon Redondos, or Little Round Heart Attacks.

Pathway to Art

Original Oil, 5x7

This is the plein air painting I did on Grandfather Mountain. The wee figure at the top of the path is Mary, who was painting a vista of the mountains.

In spite of the clouds hanging over the mountain that day, we had a wonderful time and never got rained on. What an exhilarating place!

posted by Carmen

Homage to Clarice Cliff

The Pieces are just back from their yearly "art retreat" full of new ideas and enthusiasm. We saw weavers, painters, potters and wonderful art that has no description, it is just art. The museum in Boone was small but very interesting, especially the exhibit of Polish artists who seemed to have such a unique outlook. We also had the chance to visit a local oil painter Kevin Beck. He was very gracious and spent lots of time showing us his work and art studio.

After being home for a few days, unpacking and finishing up a few oils I had started before I left I felt like doing something different. I decided to do some experimenting with acrylics and also to take out my collage materials again and maybe try some mixed media.
I found this little collage I had done awhile ago as a homage to Clarice Cliff a wonderful English ceramic artist from the Arts and Crafts movement. Clarice was known for her Tea Pots and innovative china patterns and designs.

I love the childlike simplicity of her designs and her use of colors. I feel like playing more than painting and I think Clarice is good inspiration.
donna

                         

 

               

Painters in the Mountains

It's that time of year again--our annual artists' retreat to North Carolina. We were at Seven Devils, in the Boone area, hosted by Cindy, and it was a great time! We hiked, painted, shopped, painted, ate, painted, explored, painted...well, maybe I exaggerate. But we did come back with some nice paintings. The Pleininators ride again!

Kathy and Carol a mile high, on top of Grandfather Mountain

Kathy, Donna, Cindy, and Mary at our on-site picnic

Donna painting

One of the incredible views that greeted us each day at Cindy's

Mary painting on Grandfather Mountain

Posted by Carmen

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Create Your Own Shoe Fashion Statement!

My husband and I are spending the summer in Colorado.  We are staying in a home close to our children and grand girls.  It has been such a pleasure to be able to just drop in for a few hours or minutes to say hello.  Our children are in the military and often have to travel as part of their jobs.  We are luck enough to be able to stay with our grand girls while their parents travel.  If you are a grandparent then you know that it is important to have special projects for your special little people.  My good friend Carmen, who does fantastic collages, had collaged a pair of her shoes. They turned out so cute, and when I saw them I knew that they would be the perfect project for Sara and Brynn, my grand girls.  Sara, who is 13, cut out words and sayings from her teen magazine.  She covered all of her shoes except for the black edging around the top edge.  Since she is 13 and a typical teenager, I was not sure how she would take to the project, but she loved it and has worn her shoes to school.  How about that for a grannie score!  Brynn, our seven year old, took to the project like a duck to water.  She cut images from lots of different magazines. Notice that Brynn only partially covered the inside facing part of her shoes.  I think the dark contrast and visual break  that the solid black gives is very pleasing.  I had trouble keeping her shoes off her feet long enough for the medium to dry.  Warning!  The playground at school is not the best place to wear collaged shoes.  However,  it is very easy to just collage on another layer when a boo boo happens. A new look every time.  So drag out an old pair of your shoes and have fun.  Who knows you may create your favorite pair of shoes ever! We are thinking of collaging purses next.  GOOD FUN!
SMILES!
Phillis