Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Fall Foliage Open Studio

NEW for 2011!

If you are not participating in
Statewide FALL OPEN STUDIO,
please support your local artists!

Stop by Artists' Mediums Inc.
AFTER September 6th- to pick up an
OPEN STUDIO Map,
(or click here for a map) and then
visit artists studios during the weekend of

Saturday, October 1st and Sunday October 2nd, 10 :00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.



http://www.vermontcrafts.com/OSW/maps-directions.html

Ways to help

Artists' Mediums Inc was very lucky to be completely unscathed by the recent flooding here in Vermont.

This was part of my drive to work monday -chels

Many others were not nearly so lucky, as several towns are still unaccessable, and many are still without power.

There are lots of ways to help:



Today, (wed. Aug 31st) a family in Pittsfield reported that they bought the last loaf of bread at the market. IF YOU ARE IN OR AROUND RUTLAND, PLEASE DROP OFF SUPPLIES AT Restoring Rutland ~ 34 STRONGS AVENUE FROM 9AM-9PM. These supplies will be delivered to Mendon, Killington, and Pittsfield. Families are eager to get more water, baby food and formula, diapers, dog food, cleaning supplies, etc. Any help is appreciated. Thank you all.




This would be a lovely photo of a lake, if it weren't a  farmer's field.

You can also help through the Red cross:

Another way to help:
Vermont's Largest Hunger-Relief Organization - Vermont Foodbank
http://www.vtfoodbank.org/


 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Have you seen our Framing Lately?

Our Professional Picture Framing Department continues to produce excellent custom picture framing finished work to suit every possible taste, and archival requirement.



We can show you all the options: parts to do it yourself, a shadow-box or float frame, even needlepoint mounting or museum glass, because we want your art to last generations.

Artists' Mediums has recently expanded Kristin's framing department's capabilities.

 Kristin always could cut multiple opening mats...
...but now she can cut just about any shape you'd like to see!

Gelatin Monotype Printing Class


Gelatin Monotype Printing Class
with Carol Boucher
Saturday November 5th
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a break for lunch.
Ages 15 and up, $80.00 per student. Sign ups required by October 24th.

Gelatin monotype printing is a fun and easy way to access the monotype process without using a press. Textures appear sharp and colors stay vivid as the artist pulls beautiful, “painterly,”one-of-a-kind prints.

We will be using water-based inks and paints; feel free to bring your favorites. Carol will demonstrate techniques using brayers and tools to achieve the images. Gelatin printing is versatile way to make art and a unique way to create beautiful holiday greeting cards or gifts. Your cost for the class includes the gelatin printing plate, which you get to keep. Experience is helpful but not necessary. Some materials and tools provided.




Why take the Gelatin Monotype
 Printing Class?
Hand-pulled Gelatin Monotype


Printmaking vs Etching press monotype printmaking

1. No etching press needed. If you already have an etching press, it's a way you can print when you away from home. It's a great way to work on serious art and explore monotype techniques and tools without the expense and bother of a press(space, maintenance, limitations).

2. Non-toxic and safe. If you like working with water-based, non-toxic media, this gets you away from any toxic solvents. If you have children in the house and a studio in it, here's a way to safely work around them.

3. Versatile. The plate can be made any size or any shape you wish. It is reuseable for weeks. When the surface gets "tired", you can cut the plate into pieces, melt it in the microwave, let it set up in the fridge and start fresh in a day.

4. Fast set-up. Since you store the plate in the fridge, you just need to get it out and start working. With zinc and plexiglas, you need to clean and dry the plates after working to preserve them. To clean the gelatin plate, you need only spray it with water and blot away any remaining ink and paint. Let it stay damp, cover with plastic and refrigerate; ready to use next time.

5. Rainy day adult/child activity. Make your own greeting cards, bookmarks, etc., just pull out of fridge and get out those water-soluble paints/inks...a fun afternoon.

6. Small studio activity. All you need is a refrigerator, a spray bottle, and the kitchen table.

7. The plate is the press. This is useful when working in groups. Usually, there is a line to get to the etching press, but in this case, everyone has a plate and can work at their own pace.

8. Ease of use, unique surface from other types of plates. You adapt to pressing the paper very gently on the surface. The gelatin has a useful property of bonding the damp paper to itself. The give of the gelatin surface is responsive. Surface offers superior texture and color saturation, for example, you see the tiny veins in a leaf, not just the big ones. Colors transfers are vivid on paper; if you applied heavily saturated color on the plate, you will get it on the paper. Sometimes on zinc or plexi, ink resists transfer...so that is an added bonus of gelatin.



Please Remember Pre-paid Sign ups are required by October 24th.
Gelatin Monotype Printing Class with Carol Boucher
Saturday November 5th 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a break for lunch.
Ages 15 and up, $80.00 per student.

Materials needed and can be purchased at Artists Mediums include:
printmaking paper (Stonehenge)
brayers for rolling ink and paint
spray bottle for water
your favorite water-based paints (acrylic inks, liquid acrylic paints, water based monotype inks)
palette knives, trowel style preferred(stainless steel or plastic are fine) for stamping shapes and mixing colors
disposable latex gloves (if you have latex allergies, please bring non-latex if needed)
scrap glass and cardboard backing to make a palette (at least 16" x 20")
stencil paper/plastic(Yupo and film papers are sturdy)

Other items to bring (some you may already have) include:
scissors, tweezers, forceps, rags
scrap fabrics and papers for creating textures(grocery net bags, plastic or paper doilies, small craft stencils, etc.)
rubber stamps can work, but not letters, which will come out backwards.

Artists’ Mediums will provide:
extra tables or drying racks or space for each student's finished works and works in progress,
Plain newsprint sheets or old newspapers for testing and as a background for rolling ink onto stencils and for laying prints on while working on them.
buckets for water (and the water)

Monday, August 22, 2011

WHAT DO WE CARRY? Take a peek...


Holbein  Matt Acrylics


Watersoluble Oils, Oil Paintstiks, and Encaustics

Artists’ Mediums Inc. carries – the widest selection of fine art materials in the State of Vermont.


A huge Selection of GOLDEN Acrylics

Brushes and storage containers

Printing Supplies
Glues, knives, and Blank Greeting cards













We carry some of the finest lines available to suit the distinctive artist’s tastes.

Pens and Pencils
   


Drawing, sketching and drafting papers
We have nearly 200 vendors, so if we don’t stock it, we can get almost anything you need into our store with our regular order, without any extra shipping costs.




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Jaquard Fabric Paints strike footwear again!

I like Kristin's version a bit better, but I am biased!
Check out a great new article in the current
Aug/Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Altered Couture Magazine by own Annette Pierson.
Lumiere Cowboy Boots process

Featuring Jacquard's Piñata Colors &; Lumiere paints, the article, "These Boots are made for Dancin''," (page #102) describes the easy transformation of plain cowboy boots into glamorus dancing footwear! Pick up a copy of the magazine today, and use the article as inspiration for your own demo/workshop/project ideas.





Tuesday, August 16, 2011

At least it wasn't Stop, Drop, and Roll!

Contemplative browsing was interrupted today at the shop when the fire alarm went off, and WOW is it loud.  Nice to know it works the way it's supposed to!  As I escorted our customers out, we found ourselves congregating on the walkway with clients of the day spa next door in their smocks and bathrobes (what a day to have picked for a massage or hair coloring...)

Thanks to all the patient ladies who waited outside with me, especially to June for her good humor...we were able to finish our transaction on the front steps, my cousin Victoria for her patience as her framing order was interrupted multiple times, and to Karen Lloyd and all the folks who came in after the all clear was sounded, you were great!  (especially as we had to endure the fire alarm being reset...)


And of course, a big thank you to the Williston Fire Department (our nearby neighbors) who came out in force and investigated.  I'm not sure what the actual cause for the alarm was, but we're all glad it wasn't serious.

Next time I want to get fresh air during the day, though, I think I'll just open the window.

--Kristin

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Davis Studio, Burlington VT

Davis Studio has some excellent classes going on year round. 
Everything from kiln-fired-glass to felting to painting, printing on fabric, etc.
http://davisstudiovt.blogspot.com/

"I have heard from a parent who had wonderful praise for Davis Studio.
Her child took some classes there, and she said they were amazing
about making sure to bring out HER child's creativity,
rather than trying to fit her into a mold."- Chelsea , manager Artists Mediums Inc.



Monday, August 8, 2011

Altered Book Class

Back By Popular Demand!

with Lorraine Reynolds
Saturday, August 20th
from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. with a break for lunch. $60.00 per student. Ages 16 and up.
Pre-pay sign ups required by Wed. August 17th

This workshop will have you gluing, cutting, painting and tearing up old books to create 3 dimensional works of art.We will break all rules set into place by librarians and school teachers who told you books were meant to be kept on shelves. This class will offer you a space to freely develop your own personal narrative with found objects; transforming ordinary pages of text into something mythical and profound, using something as simple as an old book as your base. We will bravely enter into creative new territories in this process oriented class.

If you'd like to see what these wonderful pieces of art look like, feel free to come into the store, we have two samples here at Artists' Mediums Inc.
Materials List available upon sign up.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorraine-Reynolds-Glimmering-Prize/55961283750

Yupo Workshop with Nancy Stone

You have been asking for a while now...
Artists' Mediums Inc. is proud to offer a workshop by Nancy Stone Watercolor on Yupo Paper Saturday, November 12th from 11-3 p.m. $75.00 per student, beginner to advanced, ages 16 and up. Prepayed sign-ups required by October 15th.
Maybe you’ve heard of it but never tried it! Here’s your chance to discover the creative possibilities of YUPO, the “first ever erasable watercolor paper” that never needs soaking, stretching or taping and can be “erased” down to the original flawless white. The material is PH neutral and 100% recyclable & tree/pulp free.

The class will start with demonstrations and a mini-art show of Nancy’s YUPO paintings. Then, class members will move to different stations to playfully explore tools and techniques, followed by work-time for one or two paintings that will incorporate the varied possibilities just tried. The session will conclude with Show-and-Tell so we can learn from one another’s’ discoveries.

Nancy Stone is a Signature Member of the Vermont Watercolor Society. She has taught art in Minnesota, the VT Commons School, the Community College of Vermont and Williston Central School, where she was honored as Vermont’s Outstanding Art Educator. Her paintings on YUPO have been in numerous juried shows, winning several awards. In 2009, she was invited to speak on the wonders of YUPO to the VT Watercolor Society.
 This Class fee will cover supplies for the initial expiriments, Please bring your own watercolor paints, brushes and a pallette for the work time session.