Lighthouse Harbor

We're painting another delightful design from Betty Caithness of a harbor with houses and lighthouses. If you like Betty's designs you'll enjoy painting this one. Lots of wonderful houses and water. Click on the photo for a larger view.

This class starts March 18 at 10am - 12:30p as soon as we finish the Carolina Wren. To check out the wren just scroll down.

Plan to join us!

Another Snow!

What a beautiful snow yesterday. A nice day to stay inside and enjoy the warm.

I will be at the studio for class today, Tue morning. If the school delay has you delayed, just come in a little later as you can. I can extend the class time until 1:30p today if you need to arrive late. Be sure to drive carefully and don't take risks on the road.

Liz

Carolina Wren

We found a delightful wren design by Willow Wolf in the latest issue of Paint Works and just had to add it to our schedule. The first class will start painting this cute fellow on Wed March 4 at 10am. The surface that I painted him on is a great metal piece that I have just discovered.

Don't miss this opportunity to paint the Carolina Wren.

Butterfly Batik: Variegated Fritillary Class

Last Friday we had a great time painting the Butterfly Batik and the creations were outstanding. It was so much fun to see the finished product unveiled after we ironed out the wax. Be sure to check out some of the student's paintings on the student's blog page.

I've had individuals interested in painting the Butterfly but couldn't come during the day class. So, if you are interested in painting this batik at night, please email to let me know. If we get enough interest in a night class we'll schedule on. I have an interest list started.

Artful Endeavors Schedule

Our latest, revised, reorganized Winter Class Schedule is on our blog. Wait. You don't see it? That's right. I've added a new page where you can find the schedule easier. Any time that you would like to check the latest schedule, go to www.artfuleducation.blogspot.com or easier than that just click on the Schedule link on this page. You'll find photos and the latest schedule updates.

If you would like to know when the schedule is updated so that you don't miss anything new, like a new date or added class, just register for the updates on the schedule page and the info will come right to your computer and you can check to see what we have adjusted this time.

Be sure to check out the schedule page and watch as it developes. That's Artful Endeavors making life a little easier for you.

See you in class!

Jo Sonja's Potting Shed Class

Artful Endeavors News!

I’m teaching Jo Sonja’s Potting Shed again by popular demand!

The class is scheduled to start next Wed, Feb 18^th at 2p – 4:30p. This is a five week class.

We’ll have lots of options for colors, flowers, and pots so that you can customize. I have prep ready you and I’ll be at the studio Friday, Feb 13 and back next Monday. I’m expecting some new tin surfaces to arrive too!

Let me know if you would like to join us for this class starting next week. It’s one of my all time favorites and I’m looking forward to painting it again.

Decorative Painting Certification

As most of you know the Society of Decorative Painting offers two levels of certification. I have passed my Certified Decorative Artist entry with the board that you will see on the right.

This program is great for anyone who wants to further their skill in and understanding of art and painting. I learned so much through this program where you are critiqued on a painting you created to the best of your ability. You are given a line drawing and come up with your own color scheme, and using the theory and skills that you have learned, create your own unique painting. I didn't pass the first time or even the first several times I submitted. It took me six submissions to pass but I sure did learn.

The society has lots of information available to help with certification painting. Each issue of the Decorative Painter has an informative article on some element of painting plus photos of the year's passing boards. CDs of certification articles and samples are also available.

Even if you don't want to submit and entry this year these articles and CD's are wonderful learning tools. Here is the e-zine that the certification committee publishes with lots of great information. Check it out. Certification Happenings

Butterfly Batik: Variegated Fritillary

Rick caught this beautiful butterfly, a variegated fritillary, in our yard at the marjoram bush in our herb garden. I couldn't "resist" painting this wonderful butterfly as our upcoming batik so this one of my original designs.

You can paint the batik butterfly with us on Fri, Feb 13, 10am - 4p. You'll love painting him if you are a batik appreciator or if you have never tried batik before. No experience is needed and all supplies are included.

Another Snow Day

Here are a few photos of the beautiful snow at our house. It was a wonderful day at home watching it snow, and now I ready for it to melt and go back to normal activities.

I've finished the Vase of Roses today and am working on the Sea Turtle Batik. Those of you who plan to paint it on the Wed after we finish the Poppy, be sure to order your pattern from Kathie George.

The Vase of Roses, wonderful Sue Pruitt design, starts Wed, Feb 4, at 10am in Raleigh and Tue Feb 10, at 6:15pm in Cary.

Winter Quiet

I'd like to say that I was inspired by the beautiful snow, however, I finished this painting yesterday before it snowed. Be sure to go out and look at snow details such as how the snow collects on the side of a tree or how it coats plants, branches, weeds, fences, making everything soft and beautiful.


I'll teach this Dorothy Dent design in acrylics starting on Wed evenings after we get back from our snow break. Now that you are inspired, join us painting the exciting, quiet design.

It's a Snow Day!

I woke up this morning to a gorgeous white landscape outside my window. Fresh snow always makes everything look like a fantasy land, even the dead plants and weeds in my garden. And it's still snowing.

No classes today. Stay off the roads, stay warm, and enjoy the snow.

One nice advantage of living in our area of North Carolina is that we can get excited over a beautiful snow fall, enjoy the day, and look forward to a thaw very soon that allows us to return to our usual lives.

Mind Wide Open Challenge

I’ve entered a contest with a mixed media piece on Mind Wide Open! http://www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/

This is Gail’s web site where she host a monthly art challenge. The image that she offered as the key to the design was so beautiful that I just had to create with it. Some or you have seen the acrylic skins that I learned about at Jerry’s Art in the Carolinas. I created a skin with acrylic ground for pastels and added gold mica flakes to the shin. Then I printed the design which I though turned out beautiful. Since Gail’s word prompt was “forever”, I looked for flowers that signified something similar in the language of flowers and came up with the purple/blue violet and the dandelion. The background was one of Gail’s beautiful digitally designed papers over mat board. It was lots of fun coming up with the idea and creating the design while I played with some new products and techniques.

If you like the design I created please vote for me on the Mind Wide Open web site. http://www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com. If I win I’ll get interviewed and publicized on the web site.

Be sure to check out the links to Gail’s store, Shabby Cottage Studio, http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/Default.asp and Creative Workshops where interesting creative classes are offered, http://creativeworkshops.ning.com. If you are interested in Photoshop design work, Gail has a great basic class offered.

I have the original design at the studio so please come by to see it. We might even make it a class at Artful Endeavors. Let me know if you would like to play with skins and printing designs.

No Experience Needed

For our first Friday class for 2009 on Jan 16, I have designed a delightful Lilac Love Notes Book with Valentine's Day in mind. This is a great class for those of you with no experience although those with experience will find it lots of fun. We'll cover this little note book with some of Gail's Shabby Cottage Studio digital papers, paint our lilacs, and then embellish as you like.

Plan a fun day with family or friends and join us for our Lilac Love Notes. You can attend a 10a - 12:30p class or 6p - 8:30p class.

Oriental Poppy

I finished the Oriental Poppy!

Mary and I saw the original painting by Peggy Harris at SDP convention in Tampa this past June. Outstanding! It was so beautiful that I wanted to paint it for myself.

Our Oriental Poppy class starts next week on Wed afternoon or Tue evening in Cary. If you would like to join us please let me know. The surface is a 17 - 18" round.

Scroll down for the rest of our schedule and photos of other upcoming projects.

Starting a New Year

This holiday season has been especially meaningful, taking time to spend with my family and friends, and even some time for myself. My bff Gail and her husband Leon/ my wood man came down for several days of fun visiting and recharging that close friendship provide. Then I was off to Charlotte and Salisbury for Christmas with both sides of our family. Each year I grow more thankful for time with my family and appreciate them more. This year again my presents for family came from my paintings.

I finished the portraits of my grand nieces so that I could give them to the girls parents who were "wowed" and especially appreciative of the portraits that I had painted from photos that my husband, Rick had taken.

I also finished my Father's portrait which I gave to him and my sister. His big grin was plenty thanks and my sister is looking forward to hanging the portrait at her house after Daddy is finished showing it to his friends.

Both of my nephew's wives are pregnant and due in Feb and March, so painting for them centered around the new baby's rooms.

Giving paintings that I have created is so much fun. I hope they don't get tired of my paintings any time soon.

And now I am back to working of our upcoming projects for Jan. at the studio and having lots of fun painting. Liz