Santas, Elves, and Kings

We're painting for the holidays. Santa's are always some of our favorite subjects. Here are some of the wonderful designs from Jo Sonja Jansen and Bobbie Takashima that we're enjoying this season.

We have more snow scenes, snowmen, and even some nonholiday projects coming up.
Join us for some painting fun.

Be sure to check out the wonderful new painting by our students on Students Artful Endeavors.

Explore your Creativity

My wonderfully creative friend, Gail is a wonderful writer. When she writes, you can almost visualize her thoughts. I have her permission to post an article she wrote on creativity that hit home with me. Here is Gail Schmidt. You can find more about Gail's creative thoughts, on line business, and on line classes at Shabby Cottage Studio.

A Fragment of Thought on Creativity Posted: 16 Oct 2008 10:47 AM CDT It has long been a belief of mine that each and every one of us is creative. And that the hardest thing is to convince people that yes they are creative...they just haven't given themselves a chance, or as many of us, are to hard on themselves. Sometimes we have a tendency to think that if something doesn't come easily or quickly...if we try our hand at something new and we "don't get it", on the first few tries, well then we're just not creative and can't do that. We give up, move on, all the while telling ourselves and others...oh I don't have a creative bone in my body. Sometimes this belief that you are not creative is more a matter of preconceived ideas of what is considered being "creative". It's interesting that children never have this fear. Watch them at play as they invent imaginary friends or invent games that only they know how to play. Hand them a box of crayons and a piece of paper. Soon they will be telling you a wonderful enthusiastic story about what their drawing is all about. Even if all you see are scribbles. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. Creativity is a mind-set. And attitude. More so than skill or talent. Creativity comes in many shapes and forms. When it comes to being creative so many of us, as we grow older, seem to lose our child like spontaneity and sense of fun. We become more concerned about our notions of, is it right or wrong, or feeling embarrassed or frustrated if we try something new and don't achieve perfection on the first few tries. Be gentle on yourself....if there is something you truly want to learn to do, don't give up on it after a few tries with the familiar, "Oh I don't have a creative bone in my body". Give yourself a chance. Embrace each mistake as a moment of learning. I do not remember where I heard this but many years ago I heard about spirit points. The conversation was about mistakes and perfection. A spirit point is a mistake purposely put into a piece of work to keep us humble and remind us that only God is perfect. Perfection is not the elimination of imperfection but the ability to learn to incorporate imperfection into our life. I know I myself am still learning this. Want to try something creative? Then set youself one rule on whatever you choose to attempt. No negativity. Allow youself to feel free to explore, to experiment, to make mistakes with no fear of ridicule or feelings of failure. Embrace your mistakes! :-) xoxo Gail

Forest Elf

Here is the Forest Elf, a Bobbi Takashima design that we'll paint on Nov 1. Register now!

Good King Wenceslas

I've added another painting to my Christmas plate collection, JoSonja Jansen's wonderfully whimsical Good King Wenceslas. You have a choice between two times of day to paint Good King Wenceslas, beginning Oct 29 at 2p or at 6:30p. I have prep ready at the studio. Let me know if you would like to join us.

I'm working on the Woodland Santa a fun Bobbi Takashima design that we'll begin painting on Nov 5, at 10am. I'll have a photo of him soon.


I'll be in the studio Wed all day and Thurs afternoon this week before leaving for my fall vacation. We have to go see all the wonderful colors in the mountains. I'll return on Mon, Oct 27. Liz

Students Artful Endeavors

Our painters have been working on their holiday designs and have completed some delightful paintings. Check out some their work on the students blog.


Our students are entering their paintings in the NC State Fair Crafts and Hobbies exhibit! Be sure to check out this wonderful sampling of their paintings. You will find them in the Hobbies and Handicrafts building next to the Village of YesterYears. This is a great way to show others the quality of our paintings.

Another Mirror for ALTA

I finished my mirror for The Assistance League of the Triangle Area thrift shop! How are you coming with yours?

I have heard from our ALTA member that the mirrors have sold great at the A to Z Thrift shop bringing in money for ALTA's programs to benefit triangle women and children in need. They sent us a nice thank you note for the mirrors that have been completed so far and are very supportive of our painting.

Kathie George Seminar 2008

We had such a wonderful time with Kathie. The Heart of Carolina Tolers chapter of the SDP hosted Kathie at Artful Endeavors for three days and then Artful Endeavors hosted Kathie for two more fun days. Kathie creates such exciting paintings with her innovative techniques.


Take a look at some of our days with Kathie. We hope to have her return soon.

Ginger Edwards seminar 2009!

Here is the beautiful rose design that Ginger will teach for us in our upcoming March seminar! She calls this a different rose and it's a gorgeous different rose.

Our 2 other seminar projects will be new designs that Ginger is designing just for us. I'll have photos as soon as I receive them from Ginger.

For more seminar information see our seminar page on ArtfulEndeavors.net

Photos of Upcoming Classes

A photo of the Bobbi Takashima Woodland Santa that we will paint can be found at http://bobbieartstudio.com/woodland_elf_ho_ho_ho_pc020_.html.

The Ronnie Bringle pumpkins that start next week on Tue evening in Cary can be seen at http://www.ronniebringle.com/products.php?cat=23. Scroll down to Autumn Splendor.

I’m working on samples of the other designs and they will be out of the bottle soon. Keep watching the blog and web site for updates.

You can see the One Horse Sleigh photo on http://www.tolehouse.com/packets/cb/bettycaithnessonehorsesleigh.htm

Liz

Ros' Sunflowers

Here is a photo of the Sunflowers that I painted with Ros last July and that I will teach on Oct 4, Sat. We'll paint the sunflowers, crocks, and background flowers.

Call to register!

Art On LIne

I've just discovered another wonderful Canadian artist, Shelley Prior. If you appreciate animal art you'll love her painting especially although she paints flowers and scenes also. I've ordered some of her packets and you'll just have to wait to see my painting for them. But, you can check out Shelley's web site at www.shelleyprior.com.

Also, a wonderful art education site from a talented group of artists/instructors is http://artapprenticeonline.com/howelcome.html.

Be sure to check out Ronnie Bringle's web site for more information on her seminar at Artful Endeavors next Aug. Five Days In Focus. www.ronniebringle.com

Watercolor Stargazer Lily

We've added a watercolor class taught by Lynn Strickland. Lynn painted this beautiful lily at HOOT this year and our students are wanting to paint it with her. The paints will be provided in this class so it's a good chance to try watercolors. And Lynn is a great instructor. Watercolor Stargazer Lily, Oct 22, 10a - 4:30p. Register now!

A Play Day at Artful Endeavors!

On Sun afternoon, Oct 5th, from 1p - 4p, we'll have
A Play Day at Artful Endeavors.

We'll have lots of ornaments and designs for you to paint or just come by to say hello.

Bring your general painting supplies and bring a friend. If you missed one of our ornaments like the cardinal, chickadee, witch, or snowman, or if you're looking for a new design, we'll have one of those too. And our designs can be painted by friends with no experience or children 8 and up.

You'll also have a chance to see our artwork and purchase a gift for someone special or yorself.

And we'll have some delicious goodies and drinks.

More New Classes!

We have added new clases to our schedule! Our evening schedule is now filled out throught the end of the year with a variety of exciting paintings waiting to be enjoyed. In all the classes we're working on some of our holiday projects now and have more fun designs coming up. For those or you who are painting for shows and holiday gifts we have lots of smaller, quicker painted projects, as well as some elegant gift items for family and friends.

Since fall is such a abusy time of year, I have rescheduled the Secret Garden Bunnies for after the first of the year. Watch for this class in Jan.

We still have a Sat class planned for Oct 4 when we'll paint Ros' wonderful sunflowers. Register now!

Remember to check our new students' blog at www.studentsartfulendeavors.blogspot.com.

Upcoming classes at Artful Endeavors

Tue 10am - 12:30p Open class

Wed 10am - 12:30p
Oct 8, 15, & 29 Apple Orchard, a Betty Caithness design
Nov 5, 12, & 19 Woodland Santa, a Bobbie Takashima design
Nov 19, 10am - 4:30 One Horse Sleigh, a Betty Caithness design
Dec 3, 10, & 17 Bikers, a Lynn Snyder design

Wed 2p - 4:30p
Sept 24, 10/1, & 8 Anemones, a Susan Abdella design
Oct 29, 11/5, & 12 Good King Wenceslas, a Jo Sonja Jansen design
Dec 3, 10, & 17 Oriental Poppy, a Peggy Harris design

Wed 6:30p - 9p
Oct 8, & 7 Witchy Treats, a Holly Hanley design
Oct 29, 11/5, 12, & 19 Good King Wenceslas, a JoSonja Jansen design
Dec 3, 10, &17 Snowmen by Holly Hanley

Cary, Tue 6:15p - 8:30p
Oct 7, 14, 28, & 11/4 Pumpkin floor cloth, a Ronnie Bringle design
Nov 11, 18, & 25 Vase of Rose Buds, a Sue Pruitt design
Dec 2, 9, & 16 Peggy Harris' Oriental Poppy

Saturday Workshops
Oct 4 10a - 5p Ros' Sunflowers! From our summer seminar.
Nov 1 10a - 5p Bobbie Takashima's Forest Elf

Holiday Painting

Here are a couple of our upcoming painting projects. Cookies for Santa will begin Sept 17, 10am. A Bobbie Campbell design.


Cheri Rol's Peppermints design begins Sept 17 at 6:30p. See the photo below.