Sesame Street

By Linda Graham

I had forgotten that I love Sesame Street. The show for children (but one from which many adults could learn) is about love and acceptance of everyone no matter what the differences are.

Acceptance, a concept so needed in today’s world. I was reminded of this after watching the creators of Sesame Street received one of  the Kennedy Center Awards. During the tribute honoring the creators, many of the familiar Sesame Street characters were present on stage. At one point, those puppets and their puppeteers came out from behind props and sang, “Sing a Song”.  It was evident that the audience, as well as myself, were singing along to this catchy tune.

For me, the song became an “ear worm “... you know, that tune that gets stuck in your head. I continually repeated  the lyrics, “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough For anyone else to hear, Just sing, Sing a song.” I then had an “aha” moment.  

YES! This lyric can be applied to art!

I have had many people tell me that they would love to paint or draw but they believe they are just not creative and can or can’t even draw that familiar “stick figure”. Now here comes the song adaptation to art,

“Don’t worry that it’s not good enough, For anyone else to see, Create, Create some art”.

Grab some paper or an art journal, some paints, some colored pencils or some crayons and just create. Your work doesn’t have to look like or be something specific. Just make marks and have fun.  Only YOU need to see your creations.  These pictures are from a couple pages in one of my art journals.  I use left over paints to create backgrounds and then just doodle and make marks on the backgrounds. So remember, “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough For anyone else to see...”. Go ahead, get started on your new journey of creating. 

FYI That ear worm was a creation by The Carpenters!



Wabi Sabi Inspiration

Wabi Sabi

By Susan Nash

Something I find inspiring and fascinating is the Japanese concept of Wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is all about finding and appreciating the beauty in thing that are imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. Think simple and unpolished. Think of the patina that age bestows, or beauty that treasures the passage of time……Here are a few of my works that were inspired with this concept in mind:

Guest Artist Lynda Berman

Lynda Berman

Artist

We are so excited to introduce you to our featured artist for the September First Friday Art Walk, Lynda Berman. Come to The Art Loft this Friday, September 6th from 5-8 to meet her and enjoy her beautiful artwork. Below, please enjoy her biography, art journey and philosophy in her own words:

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Teaching Journey: I began teaching art at age 17 in Orrville’s Summer Recreation Program. Fifty years later, I’m still at it. I love teaching art mostly to children but also adults in public school (over 30 years) and private art lessons, in Ohio, Alaska, Ponape, (a Pacific island,) China, and Taiwan. I was very active in my professional association serving as President of the Ohio Art Education Association 1989-1990. I am an OAEA Distinguished Fellow and I am currently coordinating the 2020 Summer Symposium which will provide two days of hands-on workshop opportunities here in Athens to art teachers from across the state.

Education: I have a BS in Art Education from BGSU and a Masters from Ohio University. My training is in print-making, watercolor, oil painting, silver-smithing, glass-blowing, sculpture, kite-making, drawing, etc. My abiding joy is working in the paper arts, primarily cut and torn paper collage but also book-making, and paper engineering.

Exhibitions: I exhibited fiber and calligraphic artwork occasionally in the 1980’s but since 2003 I have exhibited paper collages consistently at the Zanesville Art Center, Athens Public Library, Dairy Barn Arts Center, ArtsWest in Athens, Parkersburg Art Center, and eight additional sites. I exhibit annually at Lilyfest in the Hocking Hills and sell my collage cards at The Village Bakery in Athens.  My collages are in collections in: Germany, France, Israel, Taiwan, Indonesia, Iraq and Mexico.  

Lynda’s Philosophy: I find joy in observing nature closely and I am ready to pluck and press buds, leaves, and flowers as they appear. It is a very rich part of my life. I have always been enthralled with the unfolding of  plants in their season. To capture this magic, I design small-format paper collages featuring these pressed botanicals. I try to accentuate nature’s order and beauty by layering and selecting fitting papers to create a stage for my botanical beauties.

I love paper! To enlarge my broad palette of commercial, imported and “found” papers, I have made paper from plants- yucca, iris and corn husks. I have also created patterned papers using numerous surface design techniques. Each of my collages features a distinctively different mood and color scheme determined by the bontanical speciman. I prefer intimate scale and zen-like compositions

Never Too Old To Learn

Never too old to learn

By Linda Graham

In June of 2019, I was fortunate to take an encaustic art class in Seattle, Washington. The word encaustic means; “to burn in”. This is a process of applying molten wax colors to a surface.

The use of encaustics, by Greeks, dates back to the 5th century BC. The Greeks painted with encaustics in Egypt to create portraits to be placed over the head area of mummies as memorials. They also used encaustics to color marble and waterproof their ships.

In this process, beeswax based paint is kept molten on a heated palette. It is applied to a surface and then reheated to fuse the paint into a uniform “enamel-like” finish. While it’s unlikely that I will be using my encaustic art on mummies or waterproofing the Lorena (our local paddle boat), I am enjoying using this medium to create abstract landscapes and flowers.

The piece I created in my class.

Consider Our Earth

Consider Our Earth

By Susan Nash

By Susan Nash

With environmental issues looming larger, we need to be the ones paying attention. The land cannot defend itself nor can it speak. We need to be the ones to speak up. In the words attributed to Chief Seattle,

“We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.”

I have always considered Native Americans to be perfect examples of stewards of our Earth. I was inspired by a U.S. government photo that captured the image of Chief Sitting Bull, to create several screen prints to incorporate in my work as a metaphor for my concerns about our environment.In Gathering Storm, we see the image of Chief Sitting Bull as a talisman in the center of the world, with swirling change in the air.

Gathering Storm

In Consider Our Planet, Sitting Bull is adorned with war paint and is ready to do battle for our environment.

Consider our Planet

In Earth Reliquary, he is held captive but beyond the walls and bars, the earth is becoming green and flowering. There is hope.

Earth Reliquary

These works are just three in an ongoing series where I am expressing my concerns for our planet. My hope is to inspire more love, respect and concern for our home.

You Can Never Have Too Much...Well...

By Linda Graham

I have found that art supplies multiply secretly overnight. Yes, you heard correctly - they multiply!

I have been trying to do a little organizing in my studio at home as well as my space at The Art Loft. This task has been a little like Christmas. I’m finding supplies that I had forgotten about. You know the ones, they are the “I just had to have them” supplies. Those are the supplies I bought because I just knew they would make my art so much better. Well, I can’t tell if they made a difference in my art or not. Why? I have either used the supplies only once or never at all!

During my organizational efforts, I came to the conclusion that I have grow while on my art journey. Narrowing my interests to basically two mediums, in my mind, represents growth. My two mediums of choice are alcohol inks and encaustics (melted wax). While in Seattle this past June, I was privileged to be able to participate in a two day workshop with renowned encaustic artist, Alicia Tormey. What a great experience and she is an awesome instructor. And, guess what? Yep, more new art supplies!!! 🤣.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are times that I like to dig into my supplies and just play! Play is fun, freeing, and good for the soul. So, I guess I will just keep my bins and shelves full of supplies for when I feel the need to play. You never know when that one, special, had to have supply will come in handy!!!
Here’s a quote that I read and liked. (Sorry, but I don’t know the author.)

If someone tells you that you have enough art supplies and you don’t need anymore, stop talking to them. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life!

Below is a picture of my instructor Alicia Tormey and a picture of some of my supplies. Enjoy!

Paint Yourself Happy!!

By: Sandy Booth

Sometimes I go to the studio to work on something specific. And sometimes I struggle with finding inspiration or purpose for making art.

Last week I found myself really struggling to create anything that satisfied me. I put acrylic paint on paper, I dripped ink on Yupo, I got out some collage materials and absolutely nothing was working! The colors were all wrong, my mind was scattered and I was just not connecting to anything.

So when I get frustrated I sometimes give myself a little pep talk. I told myself that I needed to paint myself happy. Sounds crazy, I know, but it works.

So, I looked through my paints and just randomly picked some of my favorite colors. I grabbed a gesso board and a pencil. I drew some big sweeping shapes, just to feel the space on the board. From those shapes I decided to choose the colors that seemed best for each space. Pretty soon I was in my happy place! I played with color and shape with no preconceived expectations. I just painted. It was heaven.

As you see the resulting piece is bright and cheerful with a balance of small details in the white highlights.

As in art, so is life. When you’re having a bad day - just paint yourself happy!!

Taking Care of Business!!

By Susan Stubbins

July 5th Art Walk was so much fun at The Art Loft. Kristi Somers was there with her ceramics. Her beautiful pottery will be on display until the end of the month.  We are open weekday afternoons. (I was able to get some early Christmas shopping done).

We are also here until 6:30 on Wednesday to support the Farmers Market held on 4th Street, also a good time shop and visit.

I want to thank Mr. Joe who brought two added guitarist and a following of people to hear great music.

August First Friday will be along the river for the 11th annual Y-Bridge Arts Festival. It is hard for me to believe it has been 11 years.

I’m working on the awards again this year. RoseMary Ludt has helped as co-chair, Becky Joseph and Nikki Slack have also pitched in. Anne Cornell, The Artistic Director of the Pomerene Center for the Arts in Coshocton, is our judge.

Friday night August 2, awards include:

The Best of Show: sponsored by Muskingum County Community Foundation.

First Place: Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Ann Parker.

Second Place: Sponsored by Mike Nelson Frames and Flames.

Third Place: Sponsor ArtCoz, The Artist Colony of Zanesville.

Thee Honorable Mentions Sponsored by ArtCoz.

Saturday the People’s Choice Sponsored by Zanesville Pottery and Carol Castor in memory of Carol Spragg and the Linda Regula Community Artist Award sponsored by ArtCoz will be announced.

I won’t have a booth this year but will definitely be around the Welcome Tent on Friday.

The Zanesville Museum of Art has an amazing lineup of art activities for children.

Hope to see you at the a Festival. You can get all of the info HERE

The Art of Collaboration By Susan Nash

I was recently approached by fellow artist Cathy White to collaborate on a piece of artwork. We discovered that we both love and admire Frieda Kahlo, so that would be the topic.  She sent me a photo of what she would be working from…an old photo of Frieda.

I said, “Sure!” We discussed a few rules and she got started. Cathy painted a lovely image of Frieda on canvas in beautiful sepia tones and delivered it to me. 

I decided that I would add color and flowers, buttons, beads and hand stitching and make her into an icon-type figure. 

I thought it might be fun to share some “Steps for Collaboration” with all of you, should you decide to jump into the game.

1. Decide on a project

2. Talk about rules, or guidelines. Agree on what to do with the piece after it is complete. Perhaps, agree ahead of time who will keep it, or will you sell it, and decide on a price.   So, Cathy and I agreed that, “anything goes”. If we sold the piece we would split the money evenly….you get the idea? The point here is that it is important to not have an attachment to your work, or a vision for its outcome, which leads to the next step:

3. Trust the process/give up control.  Be willing to “allow”. Be open to possibility. Giving up control won’t work unless you believe in the talent and vision of the artist you are co-creating with. It gave me the freedom and confidence to experiment and play.

4. Embrace surprise…..again, if you don’t have control and let go of a vision for the piece, you will probably be delighted with the results. Embrace it.

5. Most importantly: HAVE FUN! It may wind up not being an amazing work of art, but look at what you learned and felt along the way. 

Making art can be lonely, but collaborating with another artist is not only fun, but forces you to push yourself creatively…maybe even helping you to get out of a rut. Try it and HAVE FUN!

Cool Tools

By: Sandy Booth

As a mixed media artist I utilize some unusual tools in my work. I am always looking at interesting shapes, unusual textures and unexpected color combinations to create with. Anything I can do to keep things different and interesting is where I want to be.

Some of the tools I love to use are everyday items used in unintended ways. 

~ A jar lid covered in wet paint can be a great stamp.

~ Plastic wrap placed over wet paint creates interesting texture.

~ Make-up sponges are good for smudging paint around.

~ Q-Tips dipped in alcohol remove unwanted ink smears.

~ Drywall spackle can be used to create an old plaster surface.

~ Crushed eggshells give a vintage patina to a surface.

~ BOOK PAGES! I can never get enough book pages. I use them on most of my collage work, but also in my intuitive work.

~ Old credit cards are paint scrapers and perfect for lines through paint or ink.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding ways to create beautiful, expressive art. You can make art from virtually anything!

Create something everyday.

Benefits of Getting Away

By Linda Graham

I was blessed with the opportunity over the last two weeks to travel with my husband, Bob.  We traveled to the state of Washington, a destination that we had never before experienced.

To leave behind responsibilities, routines, unplug and break up stress is so cleansing and liberating. The requirements of new sleeping and eating schedules were just two ways of changing our at home routines. Traveling to these new places was an exercise for our minds as we had to navigate unfamiliar roads, trails, and cities. And, exercise for our bodies was had through hiking forests, long beach walks, and "hoofing" it many miles in the city.

My words and pictures are inadequate to describe the diverse beauty that Washington has to offer.  Rain, sunshine, fog, and snow met us as we traveled the road up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.  We were in awe at the forest trail that leads to Cape Flattery, the northern most point in the continental United States. This trail led us to awesome, rocky, views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The roaring sound of rushing water met us on our hike to Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls.   Moss covered trees on our Hall of Mosses hike through The Hoh Rainforest looked like mysterious characters from a movie that Disney could have created.  Eagles, huge boulders with evergreen trees inhabiting their tops, enormous bleached driftwood, and brilliantly colored sea life were along the Rialto and Ruby beaches. Fragrant lavender fields caused us a side trip to the city of Sequim. And lastly, our trip ended in Seattle, a city of diversity, great seafood, and for me a two day art class! Stay tuned for a showing of some art using the new technique I studied while in Seattle!!! 

With renewed minds and spirits we returned home.  And I leave you with a borrowed quote that nicely sums up my feelings, "No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his own, familiar pillow." - Lin Yutang 

Enjoy a few of my many pictures of our great northwestern adventure.

Finding Inspiration at the Grocery Store

By Susan J Stubbins

My husband’s hobby is cooking. So on a recent trip to Columbus he packed an empty cooler in the back of the car and and we stopped at Whole Foods. It was fairly early on a Sunday morning with a few shoppers wandering the aisles.  What was different were a large number of shoppers with giant carts shopping for Amazon. They were taking pictures and referring to lists on their phones. At the exit they were sealing packages with labels to move to the purchases to the next destination. 
While my husband shopped for dinner I took some pictures of my own. 

Guest Artist Todd Arnold

We are thrilled to feature the amazing work of artist Todd Arnold for this upcoming June First Friday. Come to the studio June 7th from 5-8 to check out more of his artwork. Continue reading to learn a little bit more about Todd.

Todd Arnold was born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio and currently resides in Granville, Ohio while teaching Visual Arts in the Dublin City School District. A graduate of Ohio University’s School of Art+Design, he mainly focuses on the human figure and objects around us. His paintings show how specific moments in time shape our experiences. 

“ Our experiences in life are what defines us and makes us who we are. Having artwork representing those deeply personal experiences hanging on your wall is a perfect way to have a constant reminder of those memories.”

Todd varies his artwork between acrylic or oil paint on canvas or panel. You can follow his art on Instagram at HERE

Inspiration, Affirmation and Art

By Susan Nash

I recently spent 3 days hiking the Appalachian Trail, in 4 different states with 10 other women, all members of The Forever Young Adventurers Facebook group. These ladies range in age from 62 to 71, and come from various backgrounds. Some are related to each other (sisters, even), some are classmates, neighbors, cancer survivors and some are brand new friends. But, no matter the variety, they came together as one big support group laughing, sharing, encouraging and watching out for each other, making sure no one was left behind.

Hiking the grueling Appalachian Trail is a big deal in and of itself, but doing it with a group of women was extremely affirming and inspirational. There was Debbie, whose hair was just barely growing back in after her chemo treatments…and MaryAnn, who deals daily with severe back pain and wore pain patches the entire hike. The inspiration I got from them was endless. The fact that we all tackled the challenges of the rocky, mountainous trail fearlessly as a group was affirming….WE DID IT!!

What does all this have to do with art, you ask? Art comes from life…as I said in an earlier post, we are inspired by….basically what we are inspired by….but more than that, we are inspired by what we love, or what makes our heart and soul sing. These ladies inspired me to keep hiking and climbing up and crawling down, even when I thought I was done. They made me laugh out loud. They are an affirmation that life is good and worth “going for the gusto”. Plus, did I mention how beautiful those rugged mountain trails were? Inspiration, affirmation and art all come together in that place where you are following the whispers of your heart. Do you agree? Be on the lookout for some newly inspired art.

Having Patience!

By Linda Graham

When I started creating art, I felt pressured to produce a piece that I felt was worthy for others to see or perhaps purchase. I wanted everyone to love it and I wanted the piece to be completed in one sitting!

Now I need to share with you that the pressure I felt was all self induced. Yep, have to do it right and do it right the first time!  Boy, did I have a lot to learn. Talk about "creating"!!!  Creating frustration was what I was creating and let me share… a frustrated artist is not a good thing! 

I have come a long way with the expectations that I have for myself. Sure I want my artwork to have a pleasing outcome, but guess what, it’s not going to happen every time I sit down at my art table. I've learned that I may not be satisfied with what I'm working on for a few days and even a few weeks. (And that's not fun!). I have learned that I need to walk away from some of my pieces for a while and return to them with fresh eyes and a fresh mind.

Sometimes I just add a little to a piece of work a little at a time. One of my pieces has been evolving over about six months and I still don't feel that it is quite right. Do you know what? I may just paint over it and start anew. If you could see the backs of some of my framed alcohol ink pictures one would find where I had a "do over" experience. I can sum all of this up in one word...are you ready? PATIENCE!!!  Yep, something that I am learning more about and am practicing. 

The Creative Process – Rule Follower vs Rebel

By Sandy Booth

Sometimes the creative process can be frustrating. Have you ever put your heart and soul into a project with all of the best intentions and positive feelings for it to be exactly as you had in your minds eye, and then realize it wasn’t as simple as it seemed?

Most of my art is intuitive in style. Which simply means I start with a color scheme, theme or texture that I love and build layer upon layer of those elements on my substrate. As I work I notice patterns and themes begin to emerge. Each layer informs the next and eventually my painting comes to life. Intuitive art is a bit rebellious in that there are no rules or parameters. It is a process of evolving. Not only the art, but the artist.

Example of intuitive art.

Occasionally I like to plan out my work. I sketch an outline or work on a specific color palette. I study the rules of perspective and scale. I use a color wheel and follow the rules of design. This method stretches me a bit in that it takes a little more patience and time.

Example of planned art

Both of these approaches can result in beautiful art. And both can be very frustrating getting there. But as my teachers have always stressed in any class I have taken, It’s the process that counts. Enjoy the process. Paint and create with abandon! It’s the fun of creating that is important, not the end result.

Create something every day.

Art Takes a Lifetime To Create

By~Susan Nash

A question I get asked often is:

"How long did it take you to make that?"

The simple answer would be that I like to work on several projects at the same time, each in a different stage, so I can bounce back and forth between them, as inspiration strikes. This makes it more difficult to put any sort of "timing" on it, and each project is different. So, in general, I say, I have been working off and on (a particular piece) for a month or so. 

 BUT, the truer, deeper answer is ....it has taken a lifetime. Everything along my path... all of my collective experiences go into the making of a piece. There are all of the hours spent trying out a new technique... or the time in 8th grade home economics class that I ripped out and re-sewed a zipper into a dress 7 times...or the hours I spend in the woods and fields....every class I've ever taken....the music I listen to....the food I enjoy....I think you get the idea?

We are inspired by... well....what we are inspired by! We absorb it and spit it back out in the form of our creativity, with our own spin on it. The hours or minutes spent creating are what is necessary for something to come to fruition, but it's all that background history that gives it spark and that "Susan Nash" style.  So, indeed, a lifetime goes into the making of each piece....do you agree?

With my finished piece.

Middle stages of finishing

Details

Finding Inspiration in Tara Funk Grim

By: Linda Graham

Can I just say that I LOVE bright colors! Because of that love, one of my favorite artists is Tara Funk Grim.  Tara is a mixed media and acrylic painting artist. I first saw Tara's artwork at an exhibit in Naples, Florida. I was immediately attracted to her intuitive, brightly colored paintings.  A year after my first encounter with Tara's work, I was fortunate enough to participate in a two day workshop that she led. 

Was I intimidated?  Sure was.  However, after a short period of time  I was able to lighten up and overcome my insecurities. I settled in to begin my mixed media creation.

I had the privilege and pleasure this past February to observe Tara's artwork at several locations while I was in Florida. Below is a picture of the two of us as we shared a moment at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival and one of my pictures inspired by Tara.  Thanks Tara for encouraging me and being an inspiration as I embrace my art adventure!

Lessons and Sketches

By: Susan J. Stubbins

It’s easy to learn something new when you hang out with Susan Nash. This very common plant is a teasel and is considered an invasive species. The plant reminds me of thistles in Scotland.

This little sketch was done wile sitting on the porch of a cabin at The Wilds with Sandy, Linda and Susan. Hints of red, yellow and green were starting to emerge in the trees. Birds were everywhere and a muskrat was swimming in the lake keeping us entertained.

Guest Artist Jeff Shackelford

We are excited to have this talented artist joining our studio for the Art Walk this coming Friday April 5th from 5-8. Continue reading to learn all about what makes Jeff so amazing.

Jeff Shackelford was born an artist. “I knew this was something I

wanted to do since I was five years old.” Many local business people

recognized his incredible talent early on in his life, providing him with many

opportunities growing up. A few of those opportunities where painting and

creating the bicentennial theme for John Adornetto of Maria Adornettos, a

wall mural in Secrest Auditorium and painting wall graphics around the

swimming pool at Burr Oak. In fact, there is still a painting of Jeff’s

(completed in the early 80’s) displayed on the outside wall of the Sunshine

Shop on Putnam Ave.

In 1986 he began his outdoor advertising career, working for Barnes

Advertising as their “sign painter”. He painted signs from 4’x8’ in size to

15’x85’. He painted many different designs for a variety of clients, including

a portrait of Emmet Smith for an advertisement for Larry Wade Ltd.

As technology progressed, the sign painting opportunities diminished,

leaving him without a creative outlet. It wasn’t until the summer of 2010

that he began to try his hand at oils. Most of Jeff’s early pieces were of

landscapes and seascapes, demonstrating his unique ability to capture

depth and lighting.

Today, he is drawn to scenes of New Orleans and other

streetscapes which allows him to try new techniques and styles.

Now retired from Barnes Advertising, he focuses his time on his four

passions… his wife Maryjane, golfing, painting and entertaining his six cats!