Views from the top of Sugar

Came up to Sugar Mountain yesterday with my son Nathan to do some skiing. Slipped and slid the last few turns at the condo. Looks like we might be here for a few days. It's been snowing like crazy and the wind is gusting. We may have to ski down to the main building. We can catch a shuttle there to take us to the slopes. No way we can drive. The Sugar Mountain site said 20" fell last night and 4" more will fall today. It is so beautiful! Haven't seen snow like this in years. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Carolina Multi Media Arts Guild

The CMMAG sponsored a "make and take" table for visitors to Jerry's trade show. Lots of folks stopped by to make some ATC's. They were also responsible for getting me the demonstration with Strathmore. Thanks ladies!

ATC Demo At The Strathmore Booth

Got the opportunity to do a demo on ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) this past Saturday at Jerry's Artarama Trade Show in Raleigh. I was partnered with the Strathmore booth who donated ATC blanks for me to demo with. I had a great time and got to make several cards. I am holding one up in the photo. Hope to get to do this again!

My National Art Honor Society Chapter at Randleman High School has published a calendar to help raise money for our art program and also to fund a $300 scholarship for a student pursuing art as a career. It starts in Nov. 09 and runs through Dec. 2010. The size is 11x17". These are the images that are included. If you would like to purchase one or more of these calendars to support our program, please send a check made out to RHS to: Melissa Walker/ 4396 Tigers Den Rd. / Randleman, NC 27317. These make great Christmas gifts! Thanks!!!

Has It Been This Long?

Wow, did't realize it has been this long since my last post. Weddings will do that to you. Everything went well and all was beautiful. I am still recovering, but making headway on other things. This Saturday I will be doing a demo on ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh. Can't wait! Jerry's trade show is great. I can never get out without buying more art stuff, as if I don't have enough now. Look for me at the Strathmore booth between 11 and 12 noon. Here are some images of recent ATC's. They are great fun and a good way to get your creative juices flowing. My students love them!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This has been a crazy month. Wedding plans proceed. 2 sets of portraits have been done, one in the studio and one at the Grandover. Some of those outside on a VERY cold and windy Sunday morning! Sage was a real trooper, posing without complaints.

This weekend is my Art Education conference. I have 2 presentations to give and a meeting to preside over. I am looking forward to it, but sad that I don't have time to stay the whole weekend.

My National Art Honor Society has just published their 2nd annual calendar. This year it is in full color and costs just $10. All proceeds go to our chapter and the art department to buy supplies for the kids and to fund a $300 scholarship for a senior art student. With the state budget cuts this year, I don't plan on getting ANY money to support our program so we really need to sell lots of calendars. I'll try to get pictures up soon!

Guess that's all for now.

Click 3 Times

Longtime executive director of the Randolph Arts Guild, Philip Shore, has decided to retire to pursue other things of interest in his life. Though we will miss Phil immensely, we all wish him the best. Phil has been a great asset to downtown Asheboro as well as the Arts Guild. As an artist and art educator, I can't thank him enough for all he has done for me personally. Phil, if you ever forget how to get home, just remember to put on those ruby red slippers and click 3 times. We'll be waiting for you.

Mama With Babys

Finally got a chance to upload these images from this past weekend. I'm always amazed at the creatures that wander through our yard. I've seen cows, horses, deer, guinea hens, fox and even a quick glimpse of a coyote. Unfortunately, I don't usually have my camera handy. Not so this past Saturday. Hope you enjoy these shots as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Tyler D Studio

Found their web address: Tyler D Studios

Sage's Wedding Shower

We had lots of fun last week at my daughter's wedding shower. Many of our family were able to attend. Sage was especially glad that both Grandmas could make it. The food was good and there were lots of gifts! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Angela, for hosting it. We are all getting excited about the upcoming ceremony.

Went to the opening of Bob Rankin's show, "Metamorphosis 2"at the Captain White House in Graham, NC this past Thursday evening. I know Bob through a weeklong workshop I took with him 2 summers ago. He is an excellent instructor and was a positive influence on my own artwork. He was an art teacher in the Wake Co. system for many years, and that has given us a great deal to talk about, not only art, but art education. Hope you get a chance to see the show. As always, excellent work.

Art Educators Visit Starworks

On Thursday of this past week, several Randolph Co. art teachers took the time to visit the Starworks glass and ceramics facility in Star, NC. We were treated to a tour of the facilities and a 30 minute glass blowing demo. The Starworks folks have a wonderful old building that they are renovating and offer tours and demos year round. If you haven't been, you should definitly make a trip. Here is a link to their website: http://www.starworksnc.org

Tyler D Opening in Burlington

Ed and I went to the grand opening of the Tyler D Studios in Burlington last night. Doug and Betty, the owners, put on quite an event with many art enthusists from the area showing up. The Alamance Jazz Band (hope I got that right) provided some great sounds. Several faculty members from Elon University had work on exhibit along with others. They have a wonderful space, with room for artist studios, classrooms and lots of exhibit space.Although they don't have a web page yet, here is some info about their studio: http://www.visitalamance.mobi/details.aspx?aid=1551 .
Looking forward to more exhibits in the future!

Spent a relaxing Labor Day weekend in Wilmington, NC with friends. It is always nice to get away on the water. I loved the palm tree and umbrella on the sandbar. What fun!

PAF Gallery Reception

It was a beautiful evening this past Friday at the 3rd Friday event in Siler City. There was a great crowd, good music and great coffee at the local coffee shop. I enjoyed meeting all the people that came to my show. The space has been recently renovated and is a wonderful location for an artist to exhibit. If you haven't been to downtown Siler City, you should definitely make a trip. There are several galleries and artists' studios open as well as the Central Carolina Community College sculpture and ceramics studios. Hope you get a chance to see my show!

New Work for Show

Here is one of the new pieces for the Arts Incubator Show

2 New Shows Coming Up!

I am busy today framing some new work for 2 new shows that I am having in the area. The first is at the Cancer Center of the Randolph Hospital in Asheboro. It will be up from Aug. 18-Nov. 5. The second show will be at the PAF Gallery of the Arts Incubator in Siler City. It runs from Aug 21 - Sept. 10 with an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 21 from 6-9 PM. Hope everyone can make it!

School will be starting on Monday as well. Our NAHS chapter will be selling calendars again this year. They feature B&W student artwork and cost $5. I will have more about this when I get them ready for sale.

Wearable Art at Randolph Arts Guild

Created this apron for the Wearable Art Show at the Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro, NC. It comes with a matching pair of earrings that I also made. It should be an interesting show. The opening will be this Tuesday evening. If you get a chance, go by and look at all the art!

Here is the link:

Randleman High School Talent

I am proud to say that 4 of my students had their artwork published in a new book about collaborative art journals. They took part in a workshop led by friends and fellow artists David Modler and Eric Scott 3 years ago. David left an art journal with me after the workshop and asked that my students and myself work in it, then return it to him. A number of us added our artwork to his journal and then sent it back to him for other artists to add to. About 1 1/2 years ago, I sent in our images to a call for artists from L. K. Ludwig. Four images were chosen for publication. You will find their images on pages 72 & 73. It is a beautiful book, filled with images from all types of collaborative art journals. I am thrilled that some of Randleman High School student work was included. It just proves to me how talented my students are! I am including their images so you can see for yourself as well as a link to amazon if you would like to purchase this book.

Just a few shots from our hike this morning off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although short, it is pretty steep. Great view from the top. Hubby is on the left and friends from Wilmington on the right. So little time, so much to see!

Mountain Trip

Up in the mountains near Blowing Rock for the weekend. Got some great shots of fungi on a stump. Hoping to get some more hiking again today.