Grace McKee - Artist

Studying Gyotaku

2011-10-04T06:10:00.002-04:00

My fellow artist Margaret Morley and I recently attended the Nature Printing Society's National Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado. We spent HOURS rubbing fish!

One day was spent in a class based on the direct method. Inks are applied directly to the fish and paper is placed on the fish.

The second day was spent on the basics of the indirect method. After preparing the fish, fabric is carefully placed on the fish. Tampos are used to apply inks--many tampos and many, many, many taps.

The highlight of the trip, the reason we went to Colorado, was two days of study with Japanese gyotaku master Mineo Ryuka Yamamoto of the International Fish Print Studio, Saitama, Japan . I had planned to go to Japan, but the tsunami disrupted that plan. So I was thrilled to find that Mineo Sensai would be in Colorado.

These were intense days with HOURS AND HOURS of tapping tampos on our fishes, but the resulting artwork was unbelievable!

Interested in a workshop? Email Grace at grace.mckee@live.com.

Acrylics Class at The Art Studio at Arianna's, July 28, 2011

2011-07-28T17:59:00.000-04:00

We had such a fun time this morning at The Art Studio at Arianna's! Now that I have settled into my studio there, I am beginning to teach classes again.

These two young ladies, Julie and Julie, joined Margaret and me for an acrylics adventure. You can tell from their faces that they are happy with their beginnings.

We are planning to get together again and invite others to join us.

Here's the plan:

We are meeting at my studio at The Art Studio at Arianna's (across from MiraBay) on Monday evening, August 8, at 6 pm. Bring a canvas, gel medium (your choice of matte or glossy), a palette, acrylic paints, brushes and a palette knife. That wonderful Golden's Retarder will help to keep your paints wet.

Bring multiple photos of your favorite subject, whether person, place or thing. Bring laser printer copies in black and white (grayscale) in various sizes to arrange on your canvas to help with your composition. We will wet these and attach them with the gel medium. Then, we will paint over them to create a multi-media piece of art.

It promises to be a great time with creative juices flowing.

To join Margaret, Meg, Julie, and Julie, give me a call at 813-766-5040 or email me at grace.mckee@live.com. The cost is $35 for a two-hour class. (And plan to stay longer as it seems we always get caught up and continue until we reach a good stopping place.)

NOTE: Margaret and I are headed to the Nature Printing Society National Conference in Colorado on Sunday and will return the following Saturday so emails will probably not be read during that week.

Essence of Ybor Art Show - June 4, 2011

2011-06-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

Planning My Display Beforehand in The Art Studio at Arianna's

Inside the Chapel at Ybor Square across from Spahetti Warehouse

Essence of Ybor Art Show in Ybor Square

Loose Woman Who is not Afraid of the Dark

2011-05-30T14:03:00.001-04:00

I have been working on two aspects of my painting: getting looser and using dark darks. I have become a "loose woman who is not afraid of the dark." lol

Not finished, but moving right along....

More Tendrils and Growing....

2011-05-24T20:13:00.002-04:00

Painting in My New Studio at The Art Studio at Arianna's

2011-05-23T15:53:00.000-04:00

FEELING WONDERFUL! I have painted four mornings out of the last five. My new studio space in The Art Studio at Arianna's is so quiet, cool, comfortable, secure. I go there in the mornings before Arianna's opens for the day and stay until about lunchtime. Fantastic!

Here is the 30" x 40" version of Banyan Cathedral I have been working on. It certainly is not finished, but it is coming along well.

You may have seen the smaller version. It is 16" x 20" and was juried into a show at Art Center Sarasota. I had it printed on small notecards as well. Our friends Vicki and Ross Elsberry used these notecards along with ones with Mullet Couple gyotaku for their son's rehearsal dinner at Little Gasparilla Island. Happy life together, Sam and Melissa!

So you can see that the larger one needs lots and lots more "tendrils" to come anywhere close.

I am have such fun "growing" those tendrils...with paint, brush and palette knife.

Check back later for the finished painting.

Grace

WYNF Tropical Heatwave Art Show in the Cuban Club

2011-05-15T11:39:00.005-04:00

I was honored to be invited to exhibit with fellow Ybor Art Association members during the WYNF 30th Annual Tropical Heatwave event. About eleven of us showed on the second floor of the Cuban Club from 4 pm until midnight thanks to Moira Shiver who headed up this event.

The photos aren't wonderful; I took them with my phone. The lighting was not very bright. However, I am so glad to share a few of these wonderful artists with you. I wish I could have photographed all, but my phone was dying. Sorry.

First, my exhibit:

I sold the "South of Rocky Point' acrylic painting - Whoo Hoo!

Crowds slow at first due to rain; then, the floodgates opened!

Jason Shiver with his "Low Country"

Craig Stephen Todd - Self-Portrait to the right

Clyde McLaughlin with "Random Thoughts"

Samantha Churchill with "Grab Ass"

Nicholae with "Grace"

Great exposure. New friends. Lots of laughs. AND we plan to do this AGAIN!

Thanks again, Moira!

Beginning Gyotaku at the Big Draw Studio

2011-04-27T22:01:00.001-04:00

This group of "fish rubbers" was delightful! What a great time we all had. Check out the smiles.

Vickie

Marie

Jim

Marcia

Mariella

Go to http://www.ruskinbigdraw.org/ to sign up for Big Draw Classes. Search on http://www.teachstreet.com/ for Grace McKee in Apollo Beach, FL to see what and where she is teaching.

Sunday's Restaurant in Ybor City

2011-04-26T19:33:00.004-04:00

Cory paints large oils of orchids. Pete paints oils on wood with the grain often showing through.

The other eleven are mine: 5 acrylics, 4 gyotakus, and 2 mixed media.

Thanks, Gina, David and Donna! We loved the artists' reception on April 14.

Our friends who stayed for dinner LOVED the food!

INTERMEDIATE GYOTAKU APRIL 30 AT THE BIG DRAW STUDIO!

2011-04-03T09:09:00.001-04:00

I have recently studied with an outstanding gyotaku artist in Sarasota and am ready to share.

All who have completed Beginning Gyotaku with me are eligible for this workshop.

Hawaiian-Style Gyotaku for those who want to eat their fish after rubbing:

Using all natural items for cleaning and printing, we will do a QUICK PRINT in order to keep the fish cold. Simply wash the fish afterwards and eat 'em up!

Once the quick prints are dry, we will colorize them using various mediums.

To register, go to http://www.teachstreet.com/ and search for Grace McKee in Apollo Beach, FL.

Haven't taken Beginning Gyotaku yet? I am offering it on Tuesday, April 6, 1 - 3 pm, and Wednesday, April 27, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, at the Big Draw Studios. Go to http://www.ruskinbigdraw.com/ to register and pay online.

Beginning Gyotaku--Japanese for Fish Rubbing

2011-04-03T09:02:00.000-04:00

On March 4 we again rubbed some fish at MiraBay. Here are a few of the proud artists:

Judi

Charlotte

Liz

This was fun day! What an enthusiastic group! And thanks for all your help getting me packed up and out of there.

MiraBay Acrylics Class for March Ended Today

2011-03-22T19:18:00.004-04:00

Our series of four acrylics classes for the month of March ended today on a highly successful note.

Karen who is new to our group had never painted before this session. Look at her fabulous painting of Chihuly glass! She is proud and we are all proud of her.

We had a drop-in student who was on vacation and staying at Little Harbor with his lovely wife. He came to the last three classes. Meet Jim from Troy, Michigan, and check out his cool painting. Good job, Jim!

Margaret, Martha and Marie (the 3M company) are still working on their creations so weren't ready for photos.

I will be out of town for ten days in April so I cannot commit to every Tuesday as before.
So we will meet at the Big Draw Studios in April for a three-day workshop on using the wipe-out method. Anyone want to join us?

Ruskin Community Art Project Saturday, March 19, 2010

2011-03-19T19:07:00.007-04:00

Dina led us in an exercise to show us how to mix colors and fill in squares to create an enlarged mural.

How?

We each had icing in the primary and secondary colors plus white and a bag of square cookies. We were also given one square of a pixelated poster that had been cut into 20 squares.

Our challenge: To mix the colors we saw in the pixelated square and ice our cookies. We then attached our iced cookies to a 12" x 12" square of cardboard.

Upon completion of the squares, they were placed on the floor in order to create an enlargement of the original poster.

My pixelated square - 1/20th of the poster

My iced cookies

Pixelated poster cut into 20 squares

So...what is it? Why, Betty White eating a hot dog and Mike Tyson eating an avocado, of course!

I'm proud of my cookies; see my square on the left; my cookies on the right.

Fun way of learning to mix colors and to enlarge the original. THANKS, DINA AND MIKE!

Thank You to all My Friends Who Stopped by Booth 46 Today!

2011-03-13T17:58:00.004-04:00

Had a wonderful time participating in the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. Sold a painting and lots of notecards. Made lots of contacts and recruited lots of folks for my art classes--especially gyotaku--at both my Big Draw Studio and at MiraBay. Visited with many old and news friends.

Thank you, Margaret for helping me set up. Thank you, Mike, for transporting all my things from the studio and ESPECIALLY for the tear-down and returning stuff to the studio. And thank you to Sandy for helping.

Thank you, Nancy, for the company and the lunch. And to Lee for the breaks. And to Grace and friends for the water deliveries.

And always to Archie for his constant support.

View of Booth 46 from the front. End of the row allowed lots of access and views from three sides.

Left side of my display

Right side--VERY fishy!

Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts

2011-03-05T20:33:00.000-05:00

After swearing that I would never do another outdoor art show, I will be showing this coming weekend at the

Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts

Be sure to stop by for a visit and a look at my latest work if you are so inclined.

Oh, and I have a few free tickets; I'll reward anyone who actually reads this blog and emails me of this offer: grace.mckee@live.com.

BTW some of you are aware that I have moved into studio space at the BIG DRAW STUDIO in Ruskin. How wonderful to have a place where I can make a mess and leave it out. Of course, Archie will tell you I did that in our home! lol I still have a studio at home for those middle-of-the-night inspirations. But now we can actually have guests over again!

SOUTHERN GRACE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW Feb 19, 10 am - 3 pm

2011-01-31T11:20:00.026-05:00

Artist Grace McKee presenting $460.60 to Denise Downey of Tampa Crossroads
for the Athena House transitional housing for female veterans

As a result of the SOUTHERN GRACE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW, the SouthShore Arts Council received $120 for the Firehouse Cultural Arts Center and the Tampa Crossroads received $460.60 in donations earmarked for the Athena House, transitional housing for female veterans.

We had truly magnificent weather and a constant crowd. This FIRST ANNUAL show was such a success, there should definitely be a SECOND ANNUAL. Contact Frances Hereford at 813-645-0004 if you want to be on her list.

POST:

A friend of mine, Frances Hereford, owns Southern Grace Inc. in Ruskin. She is having an art show with proceeds to charity and has asked me to invite creative friends to participate. Not just 2D artists; writers, sculptors, singers, dancers, all the arts.

SOUTHERN GRACE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Southern Grace Inc.
301 Hwy 41 South, Ruskin, Florida
Saturday, February 19, 10 am - 3 pm

$20 entry fee for a 10' x 10' space will go to SouthShore Arts Council earmarked for the Firehouse Cultural Arts Center
Must bring your own tent, table, et cetera.

20% of sales will go to the Athena House for homeless female vets in this area

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Facts-About-Homeless-Veterans-Video

New Legislation covers homeless female vets and children:

http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=809

If you have questions, call me, Grace, at 813-766-5040 or Frances at 641-0004.

You will be in good company. Here are a few early bird entrants:

Fred Rothenbush - Oil Painter

Oil Painting by Fred Rothenbush

Grace McKee - Acrylics, Gyotaku, Giclees and Prints

"Banyan Cathedral" by Grace McKee

Enhanced Gyotaku Print by Grace McKee

Tammy Franco of Beautiful Walls and More - Faux Finishes and Murals

Tammy Franco

Gwen Rollings - Author, WE BAND OF SISTERS - Book Signing

Gwen Rollings - Book Signing

Cynthia Atkins - Fish Lips Hand-Painted Items

Sandy Z. Duran - FireflyHalu Stained Glass Art

Monica Gutierrez - Jewelry

Che Gray - Acrylic Paintings; Tile Paintings

Debby Martin-Cohen - Quilts

Nadine Cooley - Watercolor, Oil and Acrylic paintings

Nancy Coon - Jewelry

Maryanne Wexler - Watercolors and Jewelry

Thanks to reporter Kathy Collins of The Osprey Observer Apollo Beach/Riverview Edition:

Click on the link below, go to page 46, and click on the page to enlarge it for easier reading.

http://www.ospreyobserver.com/digital-archives/2011/2011-02-Riverview/pageflip.html

Look for the ad coming out in The Observer.

Gyotaku at The Art Studio at Arianna's

2011-01-27T14:31:00.001-05:00

Gyotaku at
The Art Studio at Arianna's
Thursday, January 27, 10 am - Noon

We had five participating artists: Vicki Elsberry and Iris Mixon (photo to the left), Judy Coleman and Linda Huebert of Apollo Beach Woman's Club and Arianna's co-owner Cynthia Atkins.

Everyone got a fantastic print on fabric to mat and frame or to sew on something like a pillow, shirt, whatever. A really fun day!

Photo of Grace below rubbing Elvis. We decided to name the fish so we could say, once the oderiferous one was gone, "Elvis has left the buidling."

January 22 Gyotaku at MiraBay

2011-01-23T09:50:00.001-05:00

Had to share the photo of my HAPPY ARTISTS yesterday.

Sue had to leave early; Megan and her mom arrived late. So they are not pictured.

Scheduled again at MiraBay in late February.

Gyotaku workshop also being offered at The Art Studio at Arianna's this coming Thursday, Jan 27, 10 am - noon. If you want to join us, visit Arianna's Rugs and Decor by Tuesday to sign up. Located across from MiraBay behind the M & I Bank.

Something Fishy Is Going On in Apollo Beach!

2011-01-14T09:04:00.006-05:00

What? GYOTAKU.

What is "gyotaku"? It is Japanese for "fish rubbing." Japanese fishermen used fish rubbing to record the size and number of their catch. Gyotaku has become one type of nature printing.

The direct method calls for ink or paint to be applied directly to the fish. Fabric, watercolor paper, or Japanese paper is then pressed onto the painted fish to make a print. Messy? Yes! Fun? Absolutely!

When and where can you get a "taste" (pun intended)? SouthShore artist Grace McKee will be the instructor for the following events:

Thursday, January 27, 10 am to noon --The Art Studio at Arianna's (across Hwy 41 from MiraBay in Apollo Beach behind the M & I Bank) will host a Gyotaku session . Stop by Arianna's Rugs and Decor by January 24 to sign up. Art supplies and one piece of fabric furnished. $35

Saturday, February 26--MiraBay residents* will be rubbing fish at the clubhouse at 10 am. Hurry and sign up as the class will fill quickly! Residents can have a non-resident friend sign up with them on a space-available basis. Art supplies and one piece of fabric furnished. $35

*Residents should sign up by February 22. Non-residents will be admitted after that.

Hope to see you there!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-02T08:18:00.003-05:00

It is 2011! Can you believe it?

MiraBay Art Classes resume this week:

Acrylics - All levels
Tuesdays, 2 - 4 pm or 6:15 - 8:15 pm

Drawing with graphite, conte crayon, and charcoal
Fridays, 2 - 4 pm

Gyotaku
Saturday, January 22, 10 am - 12 noon

Sign up by calling the fitness center.

Not a MiraBay resident? Maybe you have a friend who is a resident and is taking the class that interests you. Give me a call and I'll run interference to help with the signing up process.

Hope to see you soon!

Grace

2011 Ruskin Center for the Arts Fundraiser Calendar - $10

2010-12-16T12:43:00.003-05:00

I have a few of these calendars for sale. Let me know if you are interested.

Filled with photos of children's artwork created during the Big Draw. MiraBay resident Timothy Delgado was the instructor for some of the classes.

Newspaper article: Tells all about the proposal to make the old Ruskin Fire Station into a center for the arts.

Gyotaku Results - Ten Happy Artists

2010-12-11T18:25:00.008-05:00

Photos of gyotaku artists with their products say more than I ever could with words:

MANDY

RENATE

LEA

WANDA

KATHY

CHRIS

CHIP

MARGARET

MARTHA

MICHELLE

Painting Stopping in a More Interesting Place

2010-12-05T12:33:00.005-05:00

"A painting is never finished; it simply stops in interesting places."--Paul Gardner

Several months ago I did a painting that continued to bother me. I am sharing this to show my students that a painting can be improved as you learn more and more. My husband the scientist thinks I should keep the painting as it was and do another...and another...and another. Who needs all those paintings around to haunt us? To prove that we are improving? We artists know that we will continue to learn and grow as long as we keep applying newer and better techniques, experiment with new mediums, introduce new colors to our palettes. But just redoing the same painting without knowing what we are doing to change is futile.

He suggested taking photos to show myself I am growing. No thanks. Not a science project. However if you want to see this painting as it was in April, click here.

This is where it has stopped today. And who knows? Maybe it isn't finished yet. I can see that the frond is "kissing" the horizon. And I am always saying, "No kissing!" Also the focus is too close to dead center. And the horizon is cutting the painting in half.

But this is where it is today. And I may fix those things tomorrow.

New Idea - Memory Boards

2010-11-22T10:08:00.001-05:00

Check out the latest offering by clicking on the LATEST ART OFFERING page to the right.

Call to Artists--Two Good Causes

2010-11-17T20:33:00.007-05:00

NOTE: Event postponed as we don't want to take away from Camp Bayou's event that day--February 19, Rain Date--February 26.

A friend of mine, Frances Hereford, owns Southern Grace Inc. in Ruskin. She is having an art show with proceeds to charity and asked me invite artists that I know to participate.

ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW
Southern Grace Inc.
301 Hwy 41 South, Ruskin, Florida
Saturday, 10 - 3, TBA

$25 entry fee for a 10' x 10' space will go to SouthShore Arts Council (SAC is also sending out a Call to Artists.)
Must bring your own tent, table, et cetera.
30% of sales will go to the Homeless Female Vets in this area
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Facts-About-Homeless-Veterans-Video

New Legislation covers homeless female vets and children:
http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=809

How to donate nationally:
http://www.nchv.org/donate.cfm

But our question is how to earmark the monies for our homeless female veterans locally.

If you have information or questions, call me at 813-766-5040 or Frances at 641-0004.

MiraBay Drinks and Drawing Event Nov 13--Great Fun!

2010-11-13T19:33:00.003-05:00

Did you wonder what was happening

around the MiraBay fountain Saturday morning?

We started in the MiraBay clubhouse lounge at 10 am, sharing mimosas

while getting our art supplies for the class.

Karen and Mike are really concentrating.

Judy, Linda and Diane moved to the shade as the day warmed up.

Grace shares her drawing with Margaret and Kathy.

Everyone created a wonderful work of art and left happy.

THE ART STUDIO at ARIANNA's

2010-11-11T09:08:00.001-05:00

I am the Art Specialist at MiraBay, but all classes and events are for MiraBay residents. Cynthia Atkins and Doti Devane have asked me to hold art classes and events at Arianna's Rugs and Decor across from MiraBay which will be open to all.

First event:

Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1 – 3:30 pm

1-1:30 pm Tea in the Drawing Room
1:30-3:30 pm Drawing with graphite pencil, charcoal and conte crayon.

$35/person Minimum: 4 participants Maximum: 8 participants

All art supplies included.

Examples of artwork from my previous classes:

What could be more enjoyable than getting together with other creative people, sipping a cup of tea, and producing your very own work of art?

I will lead you through the process of planning your composition and sketching your plan. Don’t know how to draw? Then, this class is perfect for YOU!

Each participant will leave with a completed drawing ready to be framed.

Gyotaku (Fish Rubbing) by the MiraBay Lagoon Dec 11

2010-11-05T18:23:00.006-04:00

MiraBay Residents: The maximum of 12 has been reached!

Participants--Remember to bring one of the following:

Watercolor paper
Japanese art paper
Half yard of fabric - Should be absorbent. Avoid polyesters.

Art supplies and fish will be furnished for you.

Not one of the lucky twelve? You can call the MB Fitness Center and get on a waiting list.

MiraBay Mixed Media Workshop Nov 20

2010-11-05T18:22:00.003-04:00

Even though MiraBay photos were suggested, you may follow whatever theme you wish.

The following will be furnished for you:

11" x 14" canvas board, gel medium, water pans for dipping copies, some liquid paint, gesso

NOTE: If you prefer foam core board or wood supports, please bring with you--no larger than 11 x 14. I will bring gesso or you can gesso beforehand.

Stuff to collect for your mixed media collage--just a few of these:

Xerox copies of your photographs--color and grayscale (black and white). Enlarge some; minimize some.NOTE: Copies should be with laser printer, not inkjet. To test, make a copy and drip water on it. IF THE INK RUNS, IT WON'T WORK FOR THIS!
Oriental papers--The sheets are large. You might want to share or save some for later projects.
Bas-relief items: Fabric, small wood pieces, buttons, jewelry, watch parts--Let your imagination run wild!
Tear out parts of old paintings or drawings on paper or yupo that you aren't pleased with. Save the "good" parts.
Scraps of miscellaneous papers you may have: Tissue paper, scraps of watercolor paper, drawing paper, whatever.
Greeting cards and magazines--PLEASE do not plan to use another artist's work in its entirety; tear out parts to use.
Old tickets or ticket stubs
Maps
Paper doilies
Paper bags
Old textbook pages, bills, receipts, diary pages, old letters and envelopes, sheet music, postcards
Small beads
Mesh or netting or cheesecloth
Programs
Dress patterns
Archival quality photo-safe glue
Paint--acrylic or watercolor This is a great way to use those ALMOST empty tubes. (Some acrylic will be furnished.)
Scissors
Rags for cleaning brushes, et cetera
Old brushes
Pencils
Candle for dripping wax
Egg carton, cottage cheese or yogurt cup
Paper towels
Hard brayer
Watercolor pencils
Crayons

MiraBay Drinks and Drawing Event Nov 13

2010-11-05T18:07:00.001-04:00

On Nov 13 participants will draw the MiraBay fountain and go away with a finished drawing just waiting for a frame. Really! The drawing for the Nov 13 will be this one of the MiraBay fountain. I drew this using graphite pencil, charcoal pencil, black and white conte crayons, and a variety of erasers. ERASERS ARE DRAWING TOOLS! It is drawn on blue paper. (Participants can choose blue or green.)

MiraBay residents can sign up for this fun drawing event by calling the fitness center at 649-1500, x21.

On Nov 13 at 10 am, the event will begin with shared mimosas and chat time for participants to get loosened up. At 10:30 am the instructor-led drawing event will take place. If the weather is good, we may even set up around the MiraBay fountain in front of the clubhouse rather than inside.

I will show the participants various photos of the fountain and show how I came up with this composition. I always preach, "Do not be a slave to your photo! Pick and choose the interesting elements and place them in your composition for maximum impact."

You say you can't draw? Well, you are a prime candidate for this event because drawing techniques will be taught as we create our individual drawings. You will be led by the hand, so to speak, but can still make changes as you see fit.

So be brave! Sign up asap!

All drawing tools and materials and one mimosa are included in the price.

Deadline: Nov 10 Minimum: 6 Maximum: 12

NOT A MIRABAY RESIDENT? I am offering a drawing class on Thursday, November 18, 1 - 3 pm, at The Art Studio at Arianna's across from MiraBay.

2nd Annual CREATIVE! MIRABAY Event

2010-10-23T19:30:00.000-04:00

A SouthShore Arts Council
BIG DRAW Event

Chip Barker, Marketing Coordinator and I, Grace McKee, a SouthShore Arts Council member, volunteered to chair this event at the MiraBay Welcome Center. The show is available to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22-24, 2010, from 10 am to 6 pm.

We invited MiraBay residents and special guests to an Artists' Reception to enjoy the work of our creative MiraBay resident artists and the sunset over the lagoon, and many certainly did! Thank you to the almost 100 who attended Friday evening!

Some residents shared their hobbies:

The fascinating ribbon art was created by Nancy Ripley.

Ed Stone writes about boating and presented several of his tales.

Karen Stone paints such interesting oils.

Kathie Demme paints with acrylics and created the beautiful geranium paintings while studying in France.

Ken Fink is a talented photographer.

Kathy Evans (above) and Linda Ellison (below) are first-time artists. They participated in an instructor-led drawing event and had such fun sharing their drawings in graphite pencil, conte crayon and charcoal.

Other participating residents are in the professional category:

Gwen Rollings is a published author. She shared WE BAND OF SISTERS and SEASONS OF A WOMAN and willingly signed copies during the reception.

Tammy Franco of Beautiful Walls & More—An Elegant Alternative to Flat Painted Walls displayed several of her many faux finishes.

Cory Wright paints in acrylics and is a muralist; she displayed her orchids and offered her portfolio. Displaying with her were her son Sam and daughter Anna.

Husband and wife, Richard and Sheila Weidel (above and below), share an artistic bent. Richard paints magnificent oils and is available for commissions. Sheila paints furniture, makes shell items and quilts. She displayed the elegant sofa table above, a shell mirror (pictured below), and a shell picture frame.

While Timothy Delgado has “kept his day job” as Assistant Principal at Wimauma Elementary School, he is a professional artist who paints in oils. About a dozen of his staff members attended the Artists' Reception to cheer him on.

I, Grace McKee, paint with acrylics. I am excited to be teaching classes here at the MiraBay clubhouse. I have recently become MiraBay’s Art Specialist and will be leading resort-style living events. In November watch for a drawing event and a mixed media workshop. In December there will be fish rubbing, gyotaku, beside the lagoon.

Debbie Wenz is away in California. Friends delivered her fun flamingo lamp for display. It is one of many items offered by California Clayworks—Unique Ceramic Accessories.

A special "thank you" to my husband Archie, shown here with our good friend Phyllis Elsberry, for tolerating my frequent absences over the past few days and for keeping me going. He is my biggest supporter.

Check out the photos below to see what fun everyone was having sharing the creativity of our MiraBay residents and enjoying the camaraderie that is inherent in MiraBay living. And, oh, those sunset views!

All Photos Copyright 2010 Grace McKee

A highly successful evening...and now to relax! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ART SUPPLIES TIPS

2010-09-20T12:41:00.000-04:00

I’ve been asked where I order my art supplies. Here are a few tips:

I prefer Golden’s Heavy Body Artists Acrylics, especially because they have a hand-painted sample at the top of each tube showing how transparent, transluscent, or opaque the color is.
Golden’s Paints controls their prices so they are the same everywhere. They do allow a 40% off sale by each distributor once or twice a year. Always look for these sales. (Dick Blick and Cheap Joe’s are both having this sale right now.) Golden’s has a special going right now; when you order six tubes of their paint, you will get a 5-oz. tube of Titanium White for FREE!

(No, I do not work for Golden Paints, but I would love to. lol)

I usually order online at http://www.dickblick.com. They carry the Golden Heavy Body Artist Acrylics that I love. Their store is in Atlanta (Roswell) and I’ve been there often. Their staff is very helpful online, on the phone, and in person.

You can order a Dick Blick catalog; I think this will give you a 10% discount.

Another site is http://www.cheapjoes.com. Prices for the Golden paints are the same as I have said. You should compare prices on other items.

I also buy supplies at Keeton’s in Bradenton. They carry Golden’s. In my opinion, their website is not too user friendly.

I avoid AOE in Tampa because they refused to replace defective canvas one time. The only way to send the message that a business has displeased you is to NOT give them money. (My personal little boycott. I'm sure they haven't felt my absence, but it makes me feel better. lol) They have somewhat of a captive audience with the university students nearby and seem a bit complacent to me.

Michael’s in Brandon carries some Golden products, but no way near the full line. I feel that they cater more to craft people than to artists.

Hope this helps.

Grace

09.20.2010

WAGS Drink 'n' Draw

2010-09-15T10:06:00.000-04:00

The exuberant ladies who call themselves the WAGS (Wine Appreciation Girls Society) were my first Drink 'n' Draw instructor-led drawing experience. What a fun evening! After the "liquid courage" I described as necessary for apprehensive budding artists, we got down to business. Check out the photos below:

Art supplies, mats and backboards, photos, handouts, apron, easel...it takes a lot of stuff to create art.

This is the artist's version of what we were going for from the photos taken of a wine bottle, a beer bottle and a wine glass.

After the sharing of appetizers, wine and quite a few laughs, the artists, with all their supplies laid out, are chomping at the bit.

Hard at work following instructions....

Here are Debbie, Linda, Chris, Theresa, Margaret and Kathy PROUDLY displaying their finished drawings.

And each lady went home with a matted drawing, their art supplies and another sheet of acid-free paper so they can create another drawing using their new techniques.

Thank you, WAGS, for such a fun evening filled with my favorite things: laughter and art.

DRINK 'n' DRAW--First Event

2010-09-12T19:19:00.000-04:00

A group of ladies in MiraBay asked that I do an instructor-led drawing event.

This is the plan for a FUN evening:

The group organizer invited friends and collected the fees. Fees included drawing materials and instruction.

I created a grayscale drawing that I thought this group would especially appreciate. Also, I created a graphic reminder for her to send out by email or print. I am blanking out her name; you can see the picture we will be drawing.

Each lady was asked by their hostess to bring either a bottle of wine or an appetizer. Upon arrival at her home, they will have time to enjoy each other's company and indulge in a bit of "liquid courage" before the creative time.

My goal is that the ladies have a lot of FUN and actually learn some drawing techniques. Each lady will take home her drawing plus her art supplies and another sheet of paper on which to create another piece of artwork.

I'll let you know how things go....

Paintings for the SouthShore Arts Council Show

2010-07-24T11:34:00.000-04:00

I plan to submit these two acrylic paintings to the SouthShore Arts Council Show at the SouthShore Regional Library. Submission date is August 1.

You are invited to the Artists' Reception on August 5 at 6:30 pm.

Orchid Basket

16 x 20

Banyan Cathedral

16 x 20

Redo of Painting "Outrunning the Storm"

2010-07-05T13:48:00.000-04:00

ne wonderful aspect of acrylic painting is if you don't like something, paint over it. Just wait until the first version is dry. This is essentially the same composition, but color, simplicity and subtlety make it quite different. And negative painting has improved the shapes.

Softening the overall painting makes the scene more tranquil, emphasizing the ensuing storm.
Enlarging the boat and heading it more to shore better communicates "outrunning the storm."
The simplification of the sky puts more emphasis on the focal point.
Reworking the palm tree also softens the scene. The trunk is smooth and gray; the leaves no longer form a lollypop tree.
The lightening of the hammock's color and the reshaping are more indicative of an empty hammock indicating the person who had been there is also outrunning the storm.
The shadows are more interesting shapes and point to the focal point as do the hammock and rope.
Removal of the seagrapes on the water's edge allow the soft laciness of the waves on the sand.

I like it a lot better. Do you? Click on Comments and let me know.

New Approach to Painting

2010-06-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

We are learning a new approach to creating an acrylic painting. The background is painted FIRST! Yep, that's right! And preferably with your reference photo UPSIDE-DOWN!

My painting of the Golden Gate Bridge from Seal Rock was my first attempt. (Scroll down to see.)

Here is my second attempt at painting using this approach. Steps 1 and 2 were done in class. I continued Step 2 and added Step 3 this morning.

STEP 1: Painted background with canvas upside-down;painted; from my black and white sketch holding it upside-down even though I am showing it rightside-up in this photo:

Step 2: Turned canvas rightside-up and began painting the objects in the sketch:

STEP 3: This morning I continued painting the objects for a while and then painted more background using my colored pencil sketch.

Art Center of Manatee Bloomers Show

2010-06-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

Yippee! Both paintings that I submitted were accepted into the Bloomers Show at the Art Center of Manatee.

The show will be up from June 22 through July 16. The Opening Reception is 5 - 7 pm this coming Friday, June 25, at the center at 209 Ninth Street West in Bradenton. Map

The public is invited to the reception and to the show. The suggested donation is $5 per person.

Palm Tree with Bird is Closer to Being Finished

2010-06-18T14:14:00.000-04:00

My painting is closer to being ready for submission and a good thing it is! TOMORROW is the day!

So I will submit this, "Palm Tree with Bird," and "Bird of Paradise." Wish me luck!

Bloomers Show at Art Center of Manatee

2010-06-17T15:09:00.000-04:00

I plan to finish this painting and submit it and "Bird of Paradise" to the Bloomers Show at the Art Center of Manatee.

Golden Gate Bridge - Seal Rock Perspective

2010-06-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

(Double-click on Image to Enlarge.)

Here a painting done in about five hours using a technique offered by my art instructor. Painted really quickly from a postcard. Painted air or the "empty spaces" first paying lots of attention to shape and filled objects into the blanks afterward.

LOVED DOING THIS!

What's next? Same process painting UPSIDE-DOWN! Can't wait!

Grace

Kingspoint Art Expo

2010-06-14T00:48:00.000-04:00

Don't Be Koi - Acrylic on Canvas

Thanks to the Kingspoint Arts Council and the SouthShore Arts Council, members were allowed to show 2D art as part of the Kingspoint Art Expo.

Since we just returned from California Wednesday evening, I did not have time to pick up a painting from one of the shops where I show. So I took "Don't Be Koi" off our wall and ran it down Saturday morning.

"A Painting is Never Finished; It Simply Stops in Interesting Places"--Paul Gardner

2010-04-13T18:12:00.001-04:00

Here is my latest painting. Not completely finished, but getting closer still.

Those of us from Florida have often seen the rain in the distance with a perfectly beautiful day around us. The name of this painting is "Outrunning the Storm." Just as we do in our lives, this sailboat is enjoying the beauty around it while attempting to stay ahead of the rain that is coming.

Close-Up:

MiraBay Welcome Center

2010-04-12T14:35:00.000-04:00

So proud to have my artwork displayed as part of the exhibit in the MiraBay Welcome Center:

My Work is Available in These Places

2010-04-04T15:02:00.000-04:00

I have accomplished several goals during the past few months. I have shown my work in multiple places:

Ruskin Seafood Festival
Creative MiraBay!
Hillsborough Community College South Shore Campus
Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts

For the next few months (while assisting with our younger daughter's wedding), I plan to sketch, paint, and read in order to come up with a new series. While getting back to hands-on work, my artwork will be placed in multiple outlets:

My giclees (on canvas and on archival paper) and my notecards are available at Arianna's Rugs and Decor, Hwy 41 North in Apollo Beach, Florida, just across from MiraBay. Go by and get to know Cynthia Atkins and Doti DeVane and browse through their gorgeous offerings.
And my original acrylic painting entitled, "Bird of Paradise" is available at South Shore Gallery, Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach, Florida. I have known Beth Howard since she was in high school. And we have magnificent furniture created by Richard Chill Cott, her gifted uncle.
All work is available on my Website, http://www.gracemckee.com/.
And I am on both http://www.artistsregistry.com/ and http://www.artslant.com/.
I am a member of Art Center Manatee and a link to my Website appears on their Website. And we have joined Art Center Sarasota and hope that I will soon have a link there as well.

We are members of and are constantly inspired by programs by Ringling Museum's Friends of Asian Art. There is so much beauty in the world. We are constantly enjoying the creativity of others as well as being creative ourselves.

"Support a living artist; the dead ones don't need it."

Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts

2010-03-15T12:22:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who came by my booth at the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts this past weekend. Here's a photo of my booth if you were unable to attend.

Thanks, MiraBay, for the Honor!

2010-03-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

My painting entitled "Bird in Paradise" will be part of the display in the MiraBay Welcome Center soon. It will be accompanied by my photo and quote. Please stop by and comment if you have a moment.

Featured Artist on ArtistsRegistry.com!

2010-03-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

So excited that I am the Featured Artist on artistsregistry.com. Please have a look!

Stop by my Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts Booth

2010-03-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Now that our daughter's engagement party is over (WHEW!), I can get back to my art.

Next weekend, March 13 and 14, I will be showing my work at the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. Please stop by and say hello.

Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Art Exhibit Has Ended

2010-02-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

The HCC SouthShore Exhibit is now down. It was a wonderful opportunity and I truly appreciate Dr. Witt's invitation to show and to Dean Steve Stancil for his support.

Next opportunity to view my work will be at the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts on March 13-14. Please come by and say hello.

In the meantime my artwork is available online at http://www.gracemckee.com/ and at Arianna's Rugs and Decor, just across Highway 41 North from MiraBay in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Thanks to all who attended my Artist's Reception and who visited the exhibit during the past month. A special thanks to our daughter Jen and her family for visiting and for helping to take down the exhibit.

And thank you, Michael Johnson, HCC SouthShore Librarian, for all his help.

Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Art Exhibit to End Soon

2010-02-08T10:09:00.000-05:00

Just want to let you know that my art exhibit at Hillsborough Community College SouthShore will be ending this weekend. So...if you want to visit but haven't as yet, please do so soon. Hours are as follows:

Monday through Thursday, 8 am - 8 pm
Friday, 8 am - 2 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday

So Friday will be the last chance.

I will be exhibiting at the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, March 13 and 14. Come by and say, "Hello." Be sure to mention that you saw this info on my blog.

In the meantime, my giclees and notecards are available at Arianna's Rugs and Decor across from MiraBay.

Grace

My HCC SouthShore Artist's Reception

2010-01-24T07:12:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful time Friday night! About 50 people visited the Artist’s Reception between 5 and 7 pm. I truly enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. The reaction of the group was so positive; I feel encouraged!

Thank you to Dr. Alan Witt, Dean Steve Stancil, and Librarian Michael Johnson (photo above) for offering me this opportunity to show my work. Thank you also to Priscilla Mixon, Christa Jerome and Vicki Elsberry for being hostesses for the reception. And a HUGE thank-you goes to my husband Archie for his help and moral support throughout the set-up and show.

The photos below show the exhibit and many of the wonderful people who attended. I even saw one friend I probably haven’t seen in 20 years! She is now the new Academic Dean of HCC SouthShore! My fellow artist and long-time friend, Susan Corbett, attended; her fantastic watercolors are on display at SouthShore Regional Library. Thanks, Sue, for being mutually supportive.

Sue evidently agrees with my motto (taken from an artist’s apron): “Support a living artist; the dead ones don’t need it.”

Did you see yourself in the photos? No? Well, you can still visit the art exhibit Mondays through Thursdays, 8 am – 8 pm, and Fridays, 8 am – 2 pm, from now until February 15.

Directions to HCC SouthShore

From the parking lot, enter through the passageway towards the right end of the building. Walk through the tables to the rear of the building. There are stairs and an elevator up to the Learning Resource Center (library) on the second floor.

I hope you enjoy viewing my artwork. Click on the Comment link below to express your reaction.

Thanks, Grace

Showing My Work - Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Center

2010-01-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

I am very excited to announce that my artwork is now hanging in the Student Resource Center, Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Center. The college is located in Ruskin at 551 - 24th Street NE south of 19th Avenue just across from Earl Lennard High School. Directions

Artist's Reception: Friday, January 22, 5- 7 pm. You are invited!

Thank you to the members of the Friends of HCC SouthShore who have agreed to serve as hostesses at the reception. So far Priscilla Mixon, Vicki Elsberry and Christa Jerome have agreed to serve. Anyone else?

Can't make it to the reception? You can view the show between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Thursday from now through mid-February.
Thank you to Dr. Alan Witt, President, who invited me to show, and to Dean Steve Stancil and Librarian Michael Johnson, who have been so helpful.

As I said, EXCITED!!!!

Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts

2010-01-16T19:43:00.000-05:00

Today I received notification that my work has been accepted into the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. Hope to see you all there on March 13 - 14!

Birds in and of Paradise

2010-01-08T09:55:00.000-05:00

Both of these paintings were done from photos I took around MiraBay where we live. It is a beautiful place. I look at the bridges every time we enter or exit our home. And the bird of paradise was in bloom just at the main entrance. I walk to the bird of paradise and rest; then I walk home passed the bridge.

They are both painted around the edges so no frame is necessary even though they, of course, can be framed. The colors are the same and they are the same size so they can be hung as a dyptic.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed painting them.

Grace

Starting 2010 Off Right!

2010-01-01T17:36:00.000-05:00

I've heard it said that what you do on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day set the tone for the rest of the new year. So I am glad I painted both days. And that I completed my application for the Manatee Festival of the Arts yesterday. But not glad about the continuation of sinusitis and antibiotics. Ugh!

I have just about finished a dyptic: Bird IN Paradise and Bird OF Paradise. I will upload the OF now and add the IN later. They are each 16" wide and 20" tall and done in the same colors. Both are from photos taken where we live here in Florida.

Let me know what you think.

December Hiatus

2010-01-01T17:31:00.000-05:00

WOW! I know December was busy, but didn't realize I had not blogged one time all month!

Our youngest daughter is engaged. I stayed in Atlanta after Thanksgiving to help her buy THE DRESS! And it is gorgeous on her! Teary-eyed.

Then, came the Christmas holidays. She came home for about four days before Christmas so we could find the bridesmaid dresses which we did. Also designed the Save the Date card and nailed down the ceremony and reception location.

So I can breathe again. Uh, except for those 150 hand-calligraphied Save the Date addresses....

Over Coffee

2009-11-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

Penny Fletcher writes "Over Coffee" that appears in The Observer News, The SCC Observer, and The Riverview Current newspapers. She visited with Cynthia Atkins and me on November 19 to see what The Artist's Corner at Arianna's Rugs and Decor is all about. Be sure to pick up one of these papers later this week.

Out of town? You can access these newspapers online at http://observernews.net/. Just click on one of the banners at the top of the home page. You can actually "turn the pages" of the papers! Fun!

THANK YOU, CYNTHIA AND DOTI!

2009-11-18T21:25:00.000-05:00

What a great time I had today! Being the featured artist at Meet the Artist was such fun!

We had about 25 visitors who viewed my art and learned about giclees. Hearing such positive comments and actually having inquiries about possible purchases reaffirms my commitment to my art. Thank you to all who attended and especially to Cynthia Atkins and Doti Devane of Arianna's Rugs and Decor and to the folks at Sava Cafe who allowed us all to stream into and out of their coffee shop. And of course to my husband Archie who is constantly supportive.

I am pleased to have my work on view until the end of the year. I encourage other SouthShore Arts Council members to consider this opportunity to show. How wonderful to have people who encourage artists and provide such an outstanding venue!

Artist's Corner - Arianna's Rugs and Decor - RemixMyHome.com

2009-11-18T05:55:00.000-05:00

You are invited to visit the new

Artist's Corner

Arianna's Rugs and Decor

5477 N US Highway 41

(across from MiraBay)

featuring the artwork of

Grace McKee

Meet the Artist

Wednesday, November 18, 3 - 5 pm

Sava Cafe

Can't make it to the Artist's Reception?

Arianna's Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 am - 5 pm

Ruskin Seafood Festival

2009-11-09T10:28:00.000-05:00

Art brings people together. Two MiraBay neighbors who had not previously met recently became acquainted. How? We were setting up an art exhibit, Creative MiraBay, a Big Draw event sponsored by the South Shore Arts Council and chaired by Paula Elliott.

Cynthia Atkins and I had such a great time that we decided to exhibit next to each other at the Ruskin Seafood Festival. Cynthia, owner of Remix My Home and partner in Arianna’s Rugs and Décor and its accompanying consignment shop, showcased her businesses by decorating both tents using items from

her consignment shop. I am an artist who creates paintings in acrylics and uses my computer background to create giclees of my work, so I hung my paintings and showed my giclees.

Other than the CRAZY winds from a tropical storm in the Gulf, we had beautiful weather. I talked to at least 50 people that I know and just as many that I had not met before. Great exposure for both us!

The two of us again had a great time. So much so that Cynthia is now setting up an Artist’s Corner in her consignment shop and I will be her first featured artist. Come by the shop at 5477 US Hwy 41 N just across from MiraBay. The shop is open 11 am – 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. We have tentively scheduled an artist’s reception to be held at Sava Café (next door) 3 to 5 pm, Wednesday, November 18. Come by to meet Grace and Cynthia. (FIRST check back to confirm the date and time!)

PhotoShop Creation - Big Draw Workshop

2009-10-27T15:35:00.000-04:00

I created this while assisting Dolores Coe at a Big Draw Workshop. What fun!

Back from China

2009-10-19T10:38:00.000-04:00

We had a fantastic trip. (China2009McKee.blogspot.com) Tried to help at the Big Draw In on Saturday, October 10; still jetlagged and tired so lasted about three hours. (SouthShoreArtsCouncil.org)

This past Saturday I co-chaired Creative! MiraBay, part of the Big Draw. We had a wonderful event: seven artists from MiraBay participated, over 50 people visited, and 31 were interested in knowing more about the SouthShore Arts Council. So a huge success! Thank you to Paula Elliott who chaired the event and Cynthia Atkins of Remix Your Home who was in charge of setting up the display. Also, we appreciate the support of Vaike O'Grady and Chip Barker of the MiraBay Welcome Center.

Off to China!

2009-09-02T12:58:00.000-04:00

We are off to San Francisco and on to China from there.

We will visit with Luo Ping at Xiamen University. This picture shows us at the Sarasota Sister Cities luncheon. We purchased this gorgeous watercolor of Suzhou from her. We will also visit Suzhou on our trip.

You can follow our travels at http://www.china2009mckee.blogspot.com/.

Don't Be Koi - Acrylics on Canvas

2009-08-19T10:32:00.000-04:00

I LOVED doing this painting!

My husband the scientist says the koi is eating algae off the back of the other koi. But I prefer to think she is kissing him.

Look closely and you will see the Chinese characters for "Don't," "Be" and "Koi."

Hope you like it. Click "Comments" to let me know what you think.

We are off to San Francisco in a couple of weeks and on to China for three weeks. Lots of opportunities to learn more about Asian art and for Archie to learn more about Chinese porcelian. Should be great fun!

Back in the Swing

2009-08-19T10:22:00.000-04:00

So much has happened in the past two months. Lots of traveling: San Francisco, Las Vegas, North Carolina Mountains, Atlanta.... And once home I had a pinched nerve in my neck so that limited my painting and my computer time.

BUT NOW! I am doing better and have been able to have some creative fun:

Submitted three paintings for the SouthShore Arts Council members' show at the Southshore Regional Library. Please go see before August 26.
Participation in the BIGDRAWRUSKIN.org plans: Archie and I attended the artist's reception for Josette Urso, and I attended the kick-off meeting for the mural project at the SouthShore campus of Hillsborough Community College and a creative workshop for the mural project. Also I'm assisting Paula Elliott in planning Creative MiraBay, an opportunity for my MiraBay neighbors to show off their creativity. Mark the date: October 17. (Incidentally, "Ruskin" in the Big Draw name refers to John Ruskin. All residents of SouthShore are encouraged to participate.)
Completed another painting--Don't Be Koi. Will post it next.

Feels so good!

West Lake Mural

2009-06-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

Xī Hú (西湖; literally "West Lake") is a famous fresh water lake located in the historic center of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province,China. With its beautiful pink lotuses and tranquil waters, it was once an emperial retreat. West Lake is now enjoyed by travelers from China and abroad.

I began this mural some time ago as a headboard for our bed. Recently I have returned to it.

The center panel of the three-panel screen is now complete.

My next step is to add values to the side panels to create a 3D effect and to complete the colorful panels.

The tranquility of the West Lake produces that same tranquil effect in this get-away bedroom.

Can You See Yourself?

2009-05-29T10:28:00.000-04:00

This piece was created for the Altered Functions Show at the Art Center of Manatee. The artists' reception is tonight, May 29, 2009. The pieces will be on exhibit from May 28 through June 27 in the galleries at Art Center of Manatee, Bradenton, Florida. Hope to see you there!

The acrylic painting is on plexiglass which was placed in the opening of this actual Porsche engine cover which I bought at Vortex in Tampa. (Thanks, Doug!) Adhered to the back of the plexiglass is a Florida map showing Melbourne to Clearwater, the route of the Porsche Club of America Sunrise/Sunset Rally. The sun is--appropriately--an antenna topper.

The original plate at the top of the cover reads, "Beach Racing Cars." The can contains the magnetic letters U and C. Screwed to the center is a 3D rearview mirror. This is followed by the letters N and A. The question mark is made up of small keys.

"Can you see yourself in a Porsche?" We hope so and we hope that you will join is in the Suncoast Porsche Club of America or the PCA of your local region.

"SUPPORT A LIVING ARTIST...

2009-05-09T19:51:00.000-04:00

THE DEAD ONES DON'T NEED IT."

Saw this on an artist's apron.

We are doing our part. Have purchased an original oil by Fred Rothenbush, a print of a pastel by Miriam Cassell, and an original watercolor by Luo Ping from Xiamen, China.

I am an artist, but we (my husband and I) are also art lovers. Surrounding ourselves with beautiful and meaningful art contributes greatly to our quality of life.

Spiffying Up the Playhouse

2009-04-28T11:39:00.001-04:00

One of the main reasons we bought our present house is that there was a closet under the stairs. Why? To make a playhouse for our grandkids a la Harry Potter.

The closet is tall enough in the front for adults to stand. It gets shorter in the middle and the roof slopes to the ground in the rear. We noticed that in other houses of our model the closet had been walled off and only the adult-height area was left. Soon the workmen tried to do the same to ours. Why? I can only guess that they wanted to save the carpet and labor necessary to leave the far-more-interesting configuration.

We insisted that the closet be finished out as in the model home!

Beth our youngest helped me paint a big blue house on the wall. (Our house is blue and the kids' favorite TV show was "Bear in the Big Blue House.) My husband Archie cut holes for windows with doors that open and close. (The lower door has been left off because the little ones are not ready to be closed up with no view of parents.) I painted a downstairs front door and another door and balcony above to mimic our house.

Archie added a doorbell that rings loudly. So loudly in fact that we resorted to removing the batteries when our grandson rang the bell often enough to make our granddaughter cry.

The house number is, of course, 5208 1/2 as ours is 5208.

We quickly painted trees and bushes and added a lamppost with a light that actually lights--quickly because our first two grandkids were soon to arrive for Christmas. I am now adding values to the trees, bushes and the lamppost to make them more dimensional.

Our Atlanta grandsons were here for my birthday and played in the playhouse. (You may have watched the puppet show they enjoyed in an earlier posting.) They are returning for the Fourth of July. So I am spiffying up the playhouse.

Art is for everyday living--to enhance our experiences on this planet.

Miriam's Blog

2009-04-13T08:39:00.000-04:00

I am helping our friend Miriam Cassell set up her blog. We are the proud owners of a print of one of her pastels in her Kimono Series.

http://www.miriamcassell.blogspot.com

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:22:00.001-04:00

No major artistic accomplishments to add yet. But I did hand-color these eggs for our Easter breakfast. If you wish to do something similar, I have two suggestions:

Be sure to take previously boiled eggs out of the refrigerator at least an hour ahead or let them cool for an hour if you have just boiled them. Either way, pat them dry if they are damp.
Be sure your markers are permanent (unless you are letting children color eggs with them).

Happy Easter!

NEW GRANDSON

2009-04-12T10:19:00.000-04:00

No postings for the last few days. Our newest grandson arrived on Thursday--Callan Michihira McKee. We are PROUD!

YUM! Cakes by Beth

2009-04-10T10:50:00.000-04:00

Our daughter Beth made this birthday cake for me. She is also an artist; her medium is a bit unusual--she expresses herself using fondant icing on bakery items.

She now has a blog, too. To see more of her creations, visit her blog at http://www.yumcakesbybeth.blogspot.com/. You will be amazed.

Rather than Artist....

2009-04-09T16:17:00.000-04:00

Archie says I will always do more than paint, so I should name my site something other than, "Grace McKee - Artist." He recommends, "Grace McKee - Artistic Leanings."

What do you think?

Latest Painting: Bromeliad - Potted

2009-04-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Finished another painting: Bromeliad - Potted.

This plant I love and I haven't managed to kill it yet. (Archie takes care of our plants is the only reason.) Just as I painted the cut flowers Archie brought me one day for no special occasion in order to "keep them," I've done the same with this bromeliad. Only way I can keep a garden! lol

I said I'd be painting waterscapes for a while, but needed to let the gesso dry before beginning the next one. This bromeliad painting had been started, but I just couldn't seem to get it to speak to me. Well, it has finally spoken. I really like it now and hope you do too. Let me know.

Waterscapes: South of Rocky Point

2009-04-04T09:55:00.000-04:00

I think I am ready to sign my first painting in my new series, Waterscapes. But I'd love to have your input first. What do you think? Is it finished?

Send me a quick email to artist@gracemckee.com and let me know what you think.

Thanks for looking!

New Series - Waterscapes

2009-04-03T10:39:00.000-04:00

Inspired by a Carmel coastline photo (taken by either my husband or me) and a painting requested by our daughter and her husband (see photo of it hanging in their dining room in Alpharetta, Georgia), I have decided to begin a new series - Waterscapes.

This will allow me to loosen up from the style I have been using in my Asian Motif series. The ceramics used in some of those paintings called for such detail (to challenge myself), but now I am ready to "get loose."

This painting (above left) is not quite finished. Once it is, I will put a Waterscapes page on my website, www.GraceMcKee.com, so visit there soon.

My Chop

2009-04-02T21:17:00.000-04:00

You might notice that my Asian motif acrylic paintings have a Chinese chop by my name. My Chinese name, Ma Cong Ci, is carved into the chop which is inked and then stamped onto the canvas.

Our son was in China in 1988-89 attending Zheng Zhou University. He was 19. He gave me this Chinese name: Ma for McKee (family name) and Cong Ci which means, "Wise Benevolence."

Many mothers of 19-year-olds would be as proud of such a gift!

Reinventing Myself Once Again - ARTIST

2009-04-01T07:41:00.000-04:00

FINALLY! I have the time, resources, and self belief (and hopefully the energy) to become the artist I have always aspired to be!

From an early age I was in awe of my big sis Fran Dillard who is an accomplished oil painter. One of my earliest memories is studying for hours a palette-knife painting by my Uncle Rab that hung in our family room all my growing up.

With a big thank-you to my husband for his support (financial as well as moral), I have been pursuing this new venture of being a professional artist for almost a year now.

Not that I am new at creating art. All my life I have kept my sanity (no comments, please!) by creating, whether watercolors, silver jewelry, home decor, multimedia art, websites, murals, even bulletin boards. The only reason for cooking for guests has always been presentation and table decor.

For many years I studied watercolor with Jo Tarabula, AWS, whenever I could squeeze out the time in a hectic schedule of being wife, mother of three, teacher, and club sponsor. I am so lucky to count Fred Rothenbush, a well-known fifth generation artist, as a dear friend; I'm a huge fan! Most recently I have studied acrylic painting and drawing with Joanna Coke, a greatly respected artist and instructor in Bradenton. Another artistic force in my life is Miriam Cassel, a passionate pastelist. Miriam is walking art!

My work is presented here for your inspection and comments. I hope that viewing it will motivate you to share your feelings with me.

I offer encouragement to all of you who have an artistic bent to CREATE! The first step in my journey was to complete the assignments in THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julie Cameron. This gave me the belief in myself as an artist to go forward. I highly recommend this to you.