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Thursday, October 9, 2014

Pumpkins , Geraniumns and Eastside Artists

Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  Today my studio is open for you to come in while I share with you our Eastside Art Group meeting at my studio.  Our group is made up of 8 very talented and diverse artists who get together once a month to teach and share their talents with each other.  I  geared my October class to "getting on our Fall whimsy" by painting Fall or various subjects on small canvases.

Bentley, my Studio Assistant, is in the studio waiting to greet you.



The studio is all set up and ready to start painting and creating.


Examples of Fall paintings were set for inspiration for anyone who wanted to paint Fall. 





We enjoyed breakfast treats and tea while visiting and getting caught up with each other before we started painting.  Jacki Long shared with us a beautiful true story about being compared to a Geranium flower by her mentor and long time  martial arts instructor Demura Semsei.  Among her many talents, she is an artist, designer, teacher, and long time martial arts artist. "One day she walked into Sensei's office and he said "you're like that flower and pointed to a Geranium."  She said but that is a Geranium with the same intonation as if a weed."  " Yes you are like a Geranium he said"  She said " Sensei can't I be a Rose or Orchid or Tulip?" " No you are like a Geranium - she was crushed as she wanted to   be something elegant or beautiful.  Then Sensei said "no"  they are good - they don't need a lot of attention and they bloom easy."  And so she was a Geranium.

I loved Jacki's story about how she became a Geranium and how she ended up loving being compared to a Geranium. I felt it was ironic that I planned to demonstrate painting a Geranium and also used Geranium napkins with our breakfast snacks.  I mentioned this to Jacki and told her how I loved Geraniums and have lots of them in my garden and that they are Bentley's favorite flower to sniff in the garden.



Creating and Painting!








Jacki decided to create mixed media collages on her mini canvases and used a piece of one of the Geranium napkins on her collage. She blogged about  being a Geranium on her blog www.jackilong.blogspot.com where you can read all about it.

I borrowed some of her photos of her collages - "Geranium Girl" to share with you.








Libby Williamson shared  some of her beautiful fabric and free motion stitching art with us.  Libby is owner of Blue Denim Designs and is an artist and teacher.  She sells her scarves and home accessories and  teaches at Dragonfly Shops & Gardens.  She can be reached at www.dragonflyshopsandgardens.com

Unfortunately I did not take photos of all of her beautiful art.  I took the photos below off her Facebook page to share with you!

I pulled this picture off Libby's  Facebook page to share with you.


Marilyn Gallas is a fabulous photographer, artist, mixed media and collage artist and is an expert in Photoshop and Lightroom. She also created a "Geranium Girl" using a tear of the napkin and painted the face with a credit card. She has a wonderful creative blog and you can see more of her art work and stunning photographs at www.hrt2hrt4mike.blogspot.com

Marilyn and I both painted  whimsical crows wearing  their party finery.  Marilyn's is the one with a turquoise background.


I experimented with adding texture to my mini canvases by painting on burlap on the one in the middle and the right to create the look of an old fashion tapestry.


Rooster painted on burlap.







Our group was smaller than usual as two members were on a trip to Paris and two were unable to attend.  Usually we don't take time for a relaxing lunch, however, with a smaller group we  decided to eat lunch and relax in my garden where Geraniums are still blooming along side of the pumpkins and Fall flowers. 




Bentley was eager to join us for lunch in the garden and spent most of the day in the studio trying to get up onto everyone's lap!



Thank you for stopping by.  I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, e-mails, comments and those who follow my blog.

Have a lovely week.  Blessings,  Erin


"The effect of righteousness will be peace."  Isaiah 32:17



8 comments:

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh how beautiful all the art works is. Sounds like you ladies had a lovely day painting and setting in the garden. Bentley wanted to get in on the action also.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mary

Marilyn said...

Erin, what a lovely post. Thank you so much for a marvelous day. I sent your material fee which I promptly forgot yesterday. Discovered it on the way home! I love coming to your darling cottage and enjoying lunch in the garden. Bentley is such a sweetheart.

Art and Sand said...

Lovely paintings . . . in a lovely setting . . . with wonderful stories being shared, I am sure.

I have a sister in law named Jackie Long.

My Cozy Casita said...

So many lovely painting look like you have nice time as we'll Bentley
I love his face so cute!
Blessing
Isora

Mary said...

Looks like so much fun. Wish I lived closer as I'd love to join you.

ShirleyC said...

I love looking at your displays as much as your art, and Bentley, of course!

Mary said...

Hi Erin……..Bentley, more handsome than ever if that's possible, and you must have so much fun with your very talented friends. Such a gorgeous colorful post as always - thanks for sharing everything as you enjoy the beauty of autumn together.

NC is still warm today but rain arriving and it will bring cooler weather tomorrow. I need to get back down to the coast but it won't be until late Nov.

Think of you and Bentley often and always love it when you post here.
Hugs - Mary

Rhondi said...

Hi Erin
What a talented group of artists you get to paint with. I love to visit you because It is such a happy place. Hope you have a great week. Happy painting