2011 Ruskin Center for the Arts Fundraiser Calendar - $10

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

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

"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

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

Call to Artists--Two Good Causes

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!



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

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

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

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

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

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!

All Photos Copyright 2010 Grace McKee

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!