Getting Ready for the Holidays

I love the holidays. I guess I always have. I have always loved the smells of the special foods that are prepared, the bright colors of the decorations and lights and the change of the seasons from warm to cold. All this week I have been preparing for this busy week of activity. I have been working hard on custom orders of stained glass, and finally tonight I was able to begin to make some stained glass Christmas ornaments for the tree at the studio. I cut out a small forest of tree ornaments and hope to be able to get them made before Thursday's Holiday Lighting Festival in Denton. I've got my Wassail recipe in hand and am ready to make the spicy concoction. Polly Maynard and the Childbloom Ensemble will be performing in the studio from 6-7. The next day will be First Friday and Alex Riegelman will be in the studio. Two events in two days. This will be fun.

First Friday with Glen Farris

Glen Farris played at the studio for the November First Friday Denton. This is his encore performance in the studio and it was a treat to get to hear him play again. Glen plays the guitar and harmonica and does a wide array of music. His friend, Doug Burr, joined him for a song and they sounded amazing together. Great Music and Art and wonderful people to visit with.....what could be better. Check out the photos from the evening.

Leaded Stained Glass Class

Leaded Stained Glass construction uses the more traditional method of stain glass assembly in that the pieces of glass are joined with strips of lead came that have been soldered at the intersections. Traditionally leaded stained glass window designs are somewhat simpler in nature when compared to designs for Tiffany stained glass. When given the choice, I tend to prefer the Tiffany or copper-foil method but whenever I do make a leaded window, I enjoy the more physical nature of building. Recently the leaded stained glass class at the studio completed their projects. I have to say that they did a great job and the students in the class enjoyed getting to know each other while working in the studio. Check out their beautiful projects....Robin

Lots of fun in Acrylic and Collage Class

The Acrylic and Collage class has come to an end but the students had lots of fun. Acrylic painting is a quick dry paint and perfect to use as a medium when doing a collage. Collages are fun to make but can be quite the serious art. If you were unable to make it to this class, keep an eye on the class calendar because it will be offered again after the holiday season. Check out what the students did in this class!

Acrylic and Collage Painting

Kerry Boutell is teaching an Acrylic and collage painting class at the studio and the students are having a lot of fun. Acrylic paint is a fast drying paint containing pigment suspended in acrylic polymer or plastic. Many of Kerry's paintings are Acrylic with collage and I think it is helpful to get to see the finished artwork of the teacher. There is no place better to paint than in a studio gallery with beautiful paintings. Check out the pictures of the class. The next class Kerry will teach will be a Day of the Dead, dia de muertos that begins in October.

Tiffany Stained Glass

The Tiffany stained glass class began Monday night and the students learned some basic stained glass skills by making a small suncatcher. The first night of the class everyone learns to cut glass, use copperfoil and solder the pieces of glass together. The result this night is a small hummingbird suncatcher that can hang in the window or be used as an ornament this holiday season. Next week the students start their larger project which will take about 5 weeks to complete. I love stained glass.....Robin

First Friday Denton with Simone Nicole

Simone Nicole played at the studio on the First Friday in August. I would have to say that it was was an absolutely wonderful show. Simone has been singing since she was 14 and after performing with a band for a couple of years she decided to go solo and do some of her own music. We look forward to her coming back this fall and performing again in the studio. Be sure and check out her myspace and her website. www.simonenicole.com. Check out the photos of the evening........Robin

First Friday Denton, August, 2010

We are busy getting the studio ready for First Friday Denton. Back by popular demand, Gregory Conlin will be at the studio doing sketch portraits from 5-9 pm. The portrait requires a 30 minute sitting and the cost will be $30. Be sure and come hear the music of Singer-Songwriter Simone Nicole. She will be performing her own music at the studio starting at 7 pm and we look forward to having her appear. Want to hear a preview of her music. Check out her website http://www.simonenicole.com/ Music, art and friendly folks, I am ready for Friday to roll around.......Robin

Art Show

A Great time was had by all at the Sizzling Summer Art Show. We had a wonderful turnout and if you got to come, no doubt you got to enjoy the wonderful artwork from both our veteran and new artists. I think this is the best show yet. It was quite a spread with food provided by Sweet Basil, the artists and friends. Vanessa Helvey and David White kicked off the celebration with both cover songs and original songs written by Vanessa. The Boxcar Bandits then took the stage and performed an amazing set. Gotta love those Boxcar Bandits. A new addition to this opening was the opportunity to have your portrait done by Gregory Conlin and not only could you have your portrait done, but watch him in action. He will be back at our next First Friday in case you didn't get the opportunity to have your portrait sketched. Didn't get to come? Here are a few photos........Robin

Sizzling Summer Art Show

Wow, is all I have to say today about our Sizzling Summer Art Show. Yes, it is Sizzling somewhat outside. After all, it is Texas, but I have to admit our Summer Art Show is also a Sizzler. We are busy hanging our beautiful show and preparing for Saturday. Our artists have brought in beautiful works and we have added several new artists to our gallery since the last show and I think you will enjoy getting to see their work. Click HERE for a short article about our opening on Saturday. Since the information was given to the paper we have added several other new Artists. Crystal Nelson's beautiful collage works, the paintings of Mariko Frost who was featured in the Texas National, 2009, Jennifer Leigh Jones, who in 2009 was Awarded as being one of The New Dallas Nine Artist’s in D Magazine, and new artist Joshua Rackley. I am so looking forward to hearing Vanessa Helvey play and sing and tap my feet to the "have to love em " Boxcar Bandits.......Robin

Return from the Windy City

Recently I got to take a quick trip to the Windy City. I spent a lot of time visiting other art galleries, charming towns in Michigan as well as a quick trip to Wisconsin. On my final day in Chicago I got to ride the train into the city. Getting out at Union Station was quite the treat for me. Like an ant, I followed the stream of people to a street level. I had traveled with my parents to Union Station when I was very young on the Santa Fe Railroad and I remembered that as a child the station alone seemed like a small city. Walking very quickly, I made my way to The Art Institute of Chicago where I saw the incredible collection of masterpieces. Rooms filled with Monets, a huge hallway filled with Rembrants as well as getting to see Picassos and Van Goghs. Beautiful enamel works, sculptures and metalworks as well. What a treat to get to visit the Institute. Of course, one day was by no means enough to see everything there but I did see as much as I could until my brain was on total art overload. Just a few pictures to share some of the sights....Robin

Stained Glass Fun at the Studio

Check out the beautiful projects that my students have created. These projects were made in the evening Tiffany stained glass class. When taking the six week course, you first make a small suncatcher which gives you practice cutting glass, foiling and soldering. The second week you begin your larger project which takes the remaining 5 weeks in class to complete. The larger project is framed in zinc that you cut and solder together to make a finished stained glass panel ready to hang. I would say each of these students get an A+! .....Robin

Studio Fun!

The studio was filled with the sounds of creativity Tuesday night. You might ask the question “what does creativity sound like?” On this particular night it sounded like conversations about art, artists meeting other artists and the sounds created by the various tasks being done. During the Watercolor batik class, stained glass students stopped by to get ahead on their Glass Mosaic projects or finish up their Tiffany stained glass project. The studio was filled with activity and color and it was so enjoyable to have a large group of people working together in different mediums, sharing ideas and encouragement. Dreams do come true.......Robin

First Friday Denton, June 2010

My favorite day of the month is quickly becoming the First Friday of the month. At the studio, the work tables are pushed back to make room for the music and fun. Last first Friday Adam Cline and Joel Dreistadt performed for the biggest first Friday crowd that we have had. Also known as the group White Gorilla, these experienced musicians filled the studio with some rock, some folk and shared many of their original songs with the crowd. Adam and Joel had been playing together for four years and prior to forming their duo, were busy traveling around the midwest with another group. With Adam, singer-songwriter, on his guitar and Joel playing percussion, the crowd checked out the beautiful art, visited with friends and listened to some of Denton's local talent. What a great evening. If you missed it, you can check out the pictures and put First Friday Denton July on your calendar....Robin

Mosaic Class

Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. Did you know that the earliest known examples of mosaics made of different materials were found at a temple building in Ubaid, Mesopotamia, and are dated to the second half of 3nd millennium BC. Amazing. Actually, Mosaic work is still very popular and there are some really beautiful and extensive mosaic glassworks in Vegas at some of the hotels. I have always enjoyed working with mosaic and actually made my first mosaic before I was 11. I wasn't using glass then but working with small tiles. In the mosaic class at the studio we are working with glass and started out making mosaic coasters which are not only functional but also pretty. Each person in the class did their own design. The coaster takes three weeks to totally complete because of drying time for the glue, drying time for the group and then application of the grout sealant but don't think we are just standing around waiting for things to dry. The second week the class began their large project. Once again you could make the project of your choice and the projects varied from table top, mirror, to art tile. Check out the pictures of the Mosaic Class.

It's time to Bead!

Beading has always been one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy making jewelry using a variety of beads but of course, being a stained glass artist, I tend to gravitate to glass beads. Although metal, stone and ceramic all make beautiful beads, there is something about the sparkling surface of glass that I love. Attraction to how glass beads look is not the only magnet that pulls to toward them, but there is also something special about the way they feel in your hand and against your body. I am posting a picture of a small beaded bag necklace that I have made. It is made of glass delica beads, a very consistently sized seed bead from Japan, glass crystals and small silver beads. It is really one of my favorite things I have made and having recently sold it, I thought I would share it with the world one last time. I will be teaching some beading classes at the studio and soon will add beads and findings so beaders may purchase supplies. The second photo captures some of my new favorite beads that will be offered at the studio. I can't wait to make something out of those fish beads.........Robin