Fire Threatens Local Art Gallery 
and STUDIO

It's been a while since I have blogged but over the past few months the studio has been undergoing a metamorphosis.  Actually, I guess it could be compared to a Phoenix rising out of the ashes......literally.  Most people who have visited the studio and gallery know that we have an apartment above us.  On March 15th, 2015, the apartment above A Creative Art STUDIO had a kitchen fire.  No one was home that day but I was told that the electric burner had been left on and a fire broke out in the kitchen.  We were lucky in so many ways in that we were open and were able to discover the fire, the fire department arrived very quickly and our damage was limited to some smoke, soot and water from the hoses.  All the water came down the middle of the building instead of down the walls which were covered with Denton's beautiful artwork.  In the beginning it was thought that we would only be closed a few days for repairs. but now a few days have turned into a few months.  My son was able to put together this video taken on the day of the fire.  Check it out.
Video:  Fire Threatens to destroy part of the Historic Denton Downtown area

We are extremely grateful to our wonderful Denton Fire Department and their quick response and measures that saved our art.

Old Arty

Who the heck is "Old Arty" you might ask?  Two years ago I felt that I needed something that would help people find the studio so during a hot August week I decided to create a flag.  At first I wanted to do a complicated triangle pattern but it was soon abandoned for a flag that could resemble the look of stained glass and was a little easier to sew.  Using rip-stop nylon and my trusted sewing machine, "Old Arty" was born.  Feeling a little like Betsy Ross, my flag flew proudly in front of the studio.  Unfortunately a rip-stop nylon flag out in the Texas heat and winter cold....should I mention rain and hail.... doesn't last more than a year.  Once again the holes are patched, the rips are repaired and my flag is happily flying again.

First Friday Denton "Girl Power"

July brought a fantastic First Friday Denton.  One of my favorite artist, Mick Burson, was the featured artist of the month.  His work is fresh and clean with a focus on the home.  Many of his works are done on wood panels with paint and stain and often looks like wood inlay.  Most of the work on exhibit is from his series "I should have stayed Home".   Our "Girl Power" Music was provided by Cassie Kidder and Julia Runge.  This was the first time they had performed at the studio.  Singer/songwriters are soulful performers and the crowd was not disappointed.  For our community art project we took to the sidewalks for chalk art.  Music, art and friends make a great combination for a Friday evening.

Music and Art Collide

On March 9th, 2013 we had an "On the Shoulders of 35", a music happening featuring the incredible music of local Denton.  Fritz Schwalm, leader of the group Uver, led the way creating a wonderful day of music and art.  We had nine bands play at the studio.  Did you miss this event?  Check out our photos of the fun evening.

Wassailfest and Holiday Lighting Festival, 2012

In Denton, Texas the holiday season is kicked off by the Holiday Lighting Festival which is held in the Downtown area.  The studio is located just off the square on Oak Street and nothing is more fun than to  deck the halls in the studio, make a large vat of Wassail and celebrate the season.  At this festival we featured the Denton High School orchestra  Ensemble.  Music filled the Gallery with the sound of the holidays and delicious Wassail was had by all.  What's my secret ingredient in my Wassail?  I'm not telling.

 

First Friday Denton, July 6th, 2012

July 4th was a very busy holiday week.  After a very special July 4th and Twilight Tunes community art project on July 5th on the historic downtown square, we had a wonderful First Friday event at A Creative Art STUDIO.   Music was kicked off by Unon Y Mous, a local guitar duo that features Will Frenkel and Andrew Wahlert.  Following Will and Andrew, Kylee Pannel, singer-songwriter, impressed the crowd with her beautiful voice.  Richard Haskins sung from the heart and wowed the crowd.  We had several artists demonstrating art techniques that they will be teaching in upcoming classes.  Ava Dunlap showed studio visitors how versatile hand built clay techniques could be.  Tina Alvarez, who is a trained touch drawing facilitor, demonstrated the technique that she will be teaching in August and Crystal Nelson took gelatin and showed how you could use it to make beautiful prints.  I love Volkswagons and so to continue the VW community painting theme, we painted a VW van using acrylic paints and sponges.  Both the bug painting and VW van painting will be used for the Main Street event, Arts, Autos and Antiques which is held on the Denton square in September.  Check out our photos!

First Friday with Lisa Markley and Bruce Balmer, May, 2012

 


First Friday Denton began in February, 2010.  On the first Friday of each month, A Creative Art STUDIO sponsors a free music and art evening for the community.  In May, 2012 songstress Lisa Markley and singer/songwriter and amazing guitarist, Bruce Balmer performed at the studio.  The weather was great so they performed out of doors in the back.  As the sun set, an incredible golden light filled the sky which did make for some interesting photos.  Storms surrounded the area and the crowd was able to see quite a light show from the lightning during the performance.  The great evening was  filled with art, nature, music and friends.

Industrial Street Bash

A Creative Art STUDIO had a booth at the Industrial Street Bash in Denton in early June. The weather was hot, Hot, HOT but the day was still enjoyable. I took a sampling of art to the Bash so that people could become familiar with some of the items at the studio. The music was great. Boxcar Bandits kicked off the celebration, but I was glad to get some air conditioning at the end of the day. My secret to survival on this hot day: a scarf filled with ice around my neck and lots of water!

Beautiful Stained Glass

Recently I did a commission job for a couple that lives in a log cabin near the Oklahoma Border. This stained glass was to be installed in a home bar that would be backlit and the design was to have a Native American flair. The stained glass took about three weeks to complete and is now in it's new home. I loved working on this window and found such joy each day looking at the beautiful colors.

Time Flies When you are having fun!

Wow, I just looked at my last blog entry and I can't believe it has been so long since I have written. Since the last blog so much has gone on at the studio. On March 26 we had a wonderful art opening. We are now up to 40 local artists in the gallery and the new art show does look incredible. Drew Zaremba and Brian Ward opened the show with wonderful Jazz which was perfect for the spring show. As people viewed the art one of my favorite groups Baloney Moon set up in the back for an incredible evening set. They played outdoors, as you can see by the photo. I am hoping that we get to have more events that include the outdoors. Thanks to everyone who attended.......Robin

Tiffany Stained Glass Class projects

In the late fall I taught a Tiffany stained glass class on Monday evenings. The students first made a small suncatcher during which they learned the basic skills of cutting glass and soldering. Their second project in the class was a larger window which took the remainder of the class to complete. The small windows have a metal frame around the outside and are ready to hang when the class is complete. Two of the students even did original designs which is quite challenging when you first start out. Their projects turned out great and I wanted to share them with you.

Birth of a Stained Glass Window

When making a stained glass window you must first plan out your design and then draw a pattern or "cartoon" in order to have a guide as you cut the glass and construct the panel. Once the zinc frame has been cut you begin to cut the glass and solder the foiled pieces of glass into place. I decided to do a photo journal of this stained glass panel as it grew to completion. I didn't get a final photo and the window is already shining brightly in it's new home, but you can get a good idea from the final photos of the final product. There is something very satisfying about taking raw materials and creating a beautiful piece of art...... Robin

Happy New Year, 2011

Happy New Year everyone. The studio had it's own new year celebration on January 7th. As you can see by the photos, top hats were required. Fritz Schwalm performed at the studio for the very first "First Friday" of the New Year. What a wonderful evening. Fritz's has a wonderful voice and played music enjoyed by all. Linka Behn and Kerry Boutell demonstrated their amazing art techniques and we had the most wonderful crowd in attendance. Good food, great music and wonderful conversations. Can't beat that!

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.