All packed up and ready to go!

I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful show! Only 5 more sleeps :)

To see prices and descriptions of the pieces pictured below visit my

Before the Rush 2014 Facebook Album

 

 

BEFORE THE RUSH

Showcasing creative excellence in the 1000 Islands region

Nov 7th 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Opening night with complimentary appetizers, music and a $100.00 draw

Nov 8th & 9th 11:00 – 6:00

The Ivy Lea Club, 61 Shipman’s Lane (off the 1000 Islands Pkwy)
 

Free Admission

Organizers, John Sorensen and Betty Matthews, are proud to present their third annual art show, Before the Rush, this year at the Ivy Lea Club. Meet a select group artists and artisans offering an exciting mix of art and fine crafts representing a broad spectrum of the best from Eastern Ontario.  Take a break "before the rush" of the Christmas season, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow art lovers and special appetizers in the elegant surroundings of the Ivy Lea Restaurant.

We are very pleased to have with us this year:

Jennifer Lawton – oil paintings

Andrea Dowd – Buells Creek Chic

Lea Hamblett – wearable art jewelry

Mary Louise Scappticci – paintings

Larry Thompson - book binding and wood block prints

Holly Dean – mixed media paintings and book art

Laura Starkey and Jamie Carter - Rusty Nail Design

Teri Wing – oil and acrylic paintings

Monica Viola (Monsky Creations Gallery) – art pottery and fused glass

Kevin Juckers (Wood Sparrow) – fine woodworking

Margot Miller – fabric art, silk screened clothing

Heather Snow – mixed media, metal work

Michael Doxy – pottery

Betty Matthews – water colour and acrylic paintings

John Sorensen – oil paintings and “found art”

For more information:
      Blog / Facebook 

John Sorensen: jmsorensen@xplornet.com / 613-659-3874

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Off to be juried.

Painting wedged in MINI. Off to be juried and, hopefully, hung!

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Creating Muse Journals workshop.

On September 14 and 15, another wonderful weekend of workshop creativity took place at my studio. Six eager participants made beautiful Muse Journals... take a look at how awesome they are!

As ususal, I was blown away by the diverse, fabulous work that came out of this workshop. It inspires me to see what everyone is capable of and their willingness to explore and play.

Heather's Muse Journal

Sian's Muse Journal

Elaine's Muse Journal

Joyce's Muse Journal

Stasia's Muse Journal

Marg's Muse Journal

 Thank you Sian, Heather, Joyce, Stasia, Marg & Elaine for a weekend full of laughter and camaraderie. It was such a pleasure to create with all of you and congratulations on making such original, fabulous Muse Journals!

There you go... more insight into what a Holly Dean workshop is like. You get lots of demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, sheets of very cool collage ephemera to use and keep AND a full-colour, multi-page handout crammed with information and pictures!

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Collage Creativity.

It was another wonderful day in the studio yesterday as four keen, creative people gathered to take part in the Creating Mixed Media Collage workshop.

We worked on 18" x 14" gallery canvases, beginning by laying down a layer of collage elements to create a background.

Next? A layer of paint, blending and scrubbing with brushes... dark and light areas for contrast.

I am constantly amazed and excited to see how every person expresses themselves in such different ways. Everyone created a unique piece while using the same techniques.

Cheryl

Linda

Nora

Spike

 It was a day full of play, creative energy and exploration. Well done, everyone!

THERE ARE STILL SPOTS LEFT FOR NEXT WEEKEND'S WORKSHOP.  JOIN US!

The next Fabulous Workshop happens on Aug 3 & 4 - Creating Stamps, Stencils & Collage Papers.
Do you love painted and patterned collage papers? Do you want to create original papers with your own hand-cut stamps, stencils and everyday objects? Join mixed me for this two day workshop - absolutely no experience required!

You will: transfer patterns onto softoleum; hand cut your own stamps; hand cut stencils from plastic stencil blanks; explore the use of everyday objects for pattern-making; use your newly made stamps and stencils to print fabulous collage papers with acrylic paint; discover imagery resources; play with brayer printing techniques.

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Beautiful Art Indeed.

The Creating Mixed Media Layers workshop here at the studio yesterday was fantastic! Everyone was on fire and they made beautiful art.

 
The workshop started at 10 am, with information and demonstrations on acrylic paints and mediums. Lots to take in and lots of great questions! Before lunch, everyone went to work on laying down some collage elements from the provided ephemera and their own stash. A layer of gel medium was also laid down for texture. Then it was time for lunch to give the paintings some drying time and all of us a chance to get to know each other better.

After lunch there were more demonstrations. Everyone chose their paint palette and got down to some serious paint "scrubbing". It was a lovely sound as they blended their paint over the canvas, obscuring some of their collage elements and leaving some more visible. The layering continued throughout the afternoon, with more collage, paint, stamps and stencils.

The most challenging part of painting is finding a way to "bring it all together" - I like to think of it as alchemy :) Everyone took a step back to look at their piece from a different perspective. Areas were made stronger or pushed back and glazes were applied to unify the overall look. The results were wonderful.

I am always inspired by the thoughtful way everyone interacts with each other and their enthusiasm to learn, explore and share ideas. Thank you Lin, Judy, Christine, Geneviève, Marion, Beryl, Joyce and Heather for such an exhilarating day. You made beautiful art!

Beryl

Christine

Geneviève

Marion

Lin

Heather

Joyce

Judy

So now you have some insight into what goes on in a Holly Dean workshop. There are still some spots left for "Creating Mixed Media Paintings", July 6 & 7. We will be creating two paintings, learning even more about acrylic paints and mediums, preparing a painting surface with gesso and getting more deeply into texture. I hope you can join us :)

See the Mixed Media Paintings video here.
Sign up for Mixed Media Paintings workshop here.

As always, there will be demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, sheets of very cool collage ephemera to use and keep AND full-colour, multi-page handouts crammed with information and pictures!

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The Fabulous Workshops are back!

June, July and August's Fabulous Workshops are back at my Merrickville Studio.

Registration for all workshops is now through Eventbrite.

7 spots are available for each workshop on a first come - first served basis.

Click here for workshop details and registration.

Cick on the Eventbrite links in the sidebar to go to a specific workshop :)

Register now to reserve your spot. They are already filling up fast!

More Fabulous Workshops start Labour Day Weekend...

stay tuned for more information.

Better yet, sign up for my Mixed Media Musings

art newsletter and get notified!

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And the Winner is...

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last blog post "Acrylic Solutions" Book Review + Giveaway!" To read my review and an overview of this gorgeous book, click here.

This morning I used a Random Number Generator to choose the winner of the giveaway. And now, without further ado... DRUM ROLL...

The winner of the signed copy of Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen's book, Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer is BERYL GREEN. Congratulations, Beryl!!!

This book is a "Must Have" for your mixed media library. You can find it here on Amazon.com.

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Dreams into action.

Happy Easter everyone!

I am spending the day reading and writing. Art, book art, photography, calligraphy, video, studio & online workshops, mentoring - all are in the mix.

My new creative offerings will appear soon.

And in the spirit of adventure, I will be painting a BMW race car this Friday with Rena Upitis! Calligraphic racing quotes are floating through my mind. This event will be documented in photos and video, so I will be able to share the experience with you.

A new chapter indeed.

What adventure will you invite into your life?

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It's Back. Creating Muse Journals.

In fact, all of the FIVE FABULOUS WORKSHOPS are back. Starting with Creating Muse Journals on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14, 2012 at my studio here in Merrickville.

Learn techniques and develop your artist's eye to enhance your own work. For the artistically experienced or the curious beginner. There are only 3 spots left, so sign up quickly :)

Make a rare book of your own where you can spill your thoughts & ideas, hopes & fears, dreams & desires. Write, sketch, doodle & paint...

Mixed media art on canvas panels become front & back covers. Each signature is wrapped with decorative paper. A sturdy Coptic binding allows the journal to lie flat when open. 192 pages, 75 lb. white, acid free paper

 

Create small mixed media paintings on canvas board; drill holes for sewing & adhere decorated papers to inside covers

 

Cut & fold signatures, punch for sewing; cut decorative spine papers

Sew your book with waxed linen thread using the Coptic binding technique

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