Update on Zendoodle

OK--most people must be still in the post-holiday recovery mode, as not enough people signed up for the Zendoodle 101 Playshop by Monday, my deadline to pull the plug.  Soooooooo--I will reschedule the class to see if more of the folks who have been asking will be able to make it.  Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, I AM still doing the Zendoodle 201 Playshop on January 19 from 10 to 1 (bring your lunch) at my SpiritBird Studio, to teach more complicated designs.  There are still a few slots left, so call or email today, if you think you would like to participate.  If you have never done Zendoodle before, it might be better to take the first class before this one.  But if you are familiar with the process or have been "doodling all your life", you could easily pick this up and have a blast with these fun tangle designs!  Here is one of the designs that we will learn shown three different ways:

We are sure to have a relaxing and FUN "Playshop"!  Remember, there is no "right" way to do these--only YOUR way.  They become as individual as handwriting--one mark at a time.

Sign up at sarajchambers@yahoo.com or call 575-430-6148.

Also, a heads-up that I will be teaching a two-day workshop (playshop) for the New Mexico Watercolor Society, Southern Chapter, in Las Cruces on April 30 and May 1.  The subject will be water soluble pencils/media.  This hummingbird that I also have at the top of my blog is created with this approach. This should be way too much fun!  Contact me for more information.

Happy New Year

Happy 2013!

I am always amazed when a new year comes around.  We think of a new year as a new beginning, but I believe it is merely a reminder for us to focus on positives, recognize and receive our blessings, and renew our resolve to use our time in the very best way.

One of the best ways that an artist can renew her resolve is to take a short class to jump-start her creative juices.  I am offering two classes ("Playshops") in Zendoodle at my SpiritBird Studio in January.  Neither class requires any ability to draw and materials are provided:

Jan. 12 (Sat.), 10-1, Zendoodle 101 "Playshop"--Art for the Artless or Doodling Becomes Art. $40--materials and tax included. Have you always wanted to do art, but didn't think you could "draw a stick figure?"  This class is for anyone who wants to create art one mark at a time.  No ability to draw is necessary.  The results are both beautiful and meditative.  There is no right or wrong way to create these pieces of art.  Everyone has his/her own style and signature marks.  Create two to four pieces of art to take home from the class, plus take home methods, ideas and materials for creating more and more.

Jan. 19 (Sat.), 10-1, Zendoodle 102 or 201 (can't remember which!) "Playshop"--Advanced Designs in Zendoodle, $40--materials and tax included.  A continuation of the 101 Playshop.  We will learn six to 10 advanced designs and explore ways of designing to further stretch your creativity. Bring your kit from the 101 class.  I will add more paper and materials. (Yes, we will learn how to create the elements of the design above!)

Space in either class is limited, so call early (575-430-6148) or reserve your place by e-mail (sarajchambers@yahoo.com)

Also, remember that I teach an ongoing drawing class, geared to individual needs, on most Tuesdays.  See the info on the "Classes and Workshops" page (on the blog tab).

Another fun note--my paintings will remain at the Amaro Winery Tasting Room until the end of January at least!  This is a great place to take friends to enjoy wonderful wine and art together.  They are located at 402 S Melendres, open 1-5 every day, and 6-10 on most Fridays (with live music!!).

You can sign up to receive my blog by email by filling in the info at the top right of my blog site.  Thanks for your comments!

ZenDoodle Fun This Saturday!

This Saturday, Nov. 17th (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), we will be having fabulous fun learning about ways to create artwork using different designs in my "Zendoodling for Fun & Meditation"!  The sample design at the right looks complicated, but it's very easy to create, one stroke at a time.  Zendoodling is a fun but calming process of combining strokes of the pen into amazing designs to create art.

You will learn the basics of the zendoodle process, plus lots of different designs and create lovely artwork to take home.  You take home the pen, multiple pre-cut pieces of the lovely watercolor paper that we use, plus some ways to collect the designs for future use.

It is so much fun to put these patterns together in an intentional manner to make fabulous artwork that can be used for cards, decorations, or framed art.  I will also teach you how to incorporate watercolor or other colored media into your designs.

I still have a couple of slots open for the class.  If interested, call me to sign up: 575-430-6148.  Come join the fun at SpiritBird Studio, 221 Karr Canyon, High Rolls, NM.  Get directions HERE.  Cost is only $40 for the materials, ideas and completed artwork.  You take home plenty of materials to do many more pieces.

My latest in my SpiritBird Series is a commissioned 5"x7" oil on panel, "Spirit of Love." I love the feeling of light and flight!

Zendoodle "Playshop" Coming Up!

The SpiritBird Studio Holiday Gala was a great party!  Lots of folks came to enjoy art, wine, snacks and fall colors--and special holiday prices for the art.  Happy winners took home some fun small pieces of original art. Look for next year's dates in the near future.

My "Zendoodles for Fun and Meditation" Playshop is coming to SpiritBird Studio (High Rolls) on November 17th, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.  Cost is only $40, including materials and tax.  Space is limited, so sign up soon!  Contact me at 575-430-6148 or email at sarajchambers@yahoo.com.  I am calling this a "playshop" as there should be absolutely no work involved!  You will take home several pieces of completed artwork, materials, and lots of ideas.

Zendoodles are doodling with intent.  In this "playshop", you will learn the basics of combining patterns for fun artwork. The important thing to remember is that you do not have to be good at drawing to create a great piece of artwork!  We will be playing with designs to create art.  I will show you the simple steps involved in this fun process and share multiple patterns for you to take home to play with.  Create greeting cards, journal decorations, clothing items, stationery . . . the list is endless!

You can also embellish any drawing that you do for training or fun to take your piece to a higher level.

Directions to my studio are on my website:  www.SaraJChambers.com.

Busy October

I have been quite actively preparing for three upcoming exhibits.  Two of them are in October and I will send paintings for the third at the beginning of the month!

First, I am setting up an exhibit as featured artist at Amaro Winery in Las Cruces, which I will hang next Tuesday, September 25.  The reception for the exhibit is Friday, October 5th, 5-9 p.m.  Come and enjoy an evening of art, wine, live music by Soulshine, and food. 

You can visit  Amaro Winery to see the paintings (and enjoy the wine and company) from September 25-January 2 (2013) during regular tasting room hours, 1-6 p.m. M-Sat, 1-5 Sun, and, of course, on Fridays until 9 or 10 p.m.  Amaro is located at 402 S. Melendres St., Las Cruces, just south of Amador Ave.

Next, my annual studio event is coming!  Save the dates!

2012 Holiday Studio Gala

SpiritBird Studio

221 Karr Canyon Road, High Rolls

(directions at www.SaraJChambers.com)

Saturday & Sunday

October 20 & October 21, 2012

2-6 p.m. Saturday

2-5 p.m. Sunday

New paintings

Holiday Savings

Refreshments

Hourly drawings for art

Silent art auctions

This is happening the same weekend as the High Rolls Apple Festival.  The fall colors should still be great, so come on out and enjoy the art and the mountains!!

Last, I will have six paintings in the Artists Haven Gallery November show, which opens November 3rd in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  I am excited to have my paintings in this special exhibit for the third year in a row.  The gallery features six artists a month, plus they display two pieces of each artist's art year around.

Look for the postcards announcing each event.  See you at Amaro and SpiritBird Studio!!

Demo at Artisan Santa Fe

I feel like I've been off the planet, instead of on vacation--with Christmas coming on the heels of our two-week Caribbean cruise!

I am busy creating pieces in preparation for my free oil stick demonstration, "Oil Sticks: The Secret to Brushless Oil Paintings,"at Artisan Santa Fe on Feb. 4th (1:30 p.m.).  I do hope lots of artists will check out this lesser-known approach to oil.

I will also be offering a three-day class on using oil sticks at my SpiritBird Studio in High Rolls, April 18-20.  Cost is only $200 for the three days, and includes some supplies.  Space is limited, so register early!

This is my latest piece, "Canyon Maple," 12x12.  I love how the oil stick and palette knife application work together to bring different textures to the piece!

Class Schedule 2012:

March 24, 2012  Painting Floral Landscapes   SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 14, 2012    Small Jewels (3”x4” to 6”x6” paintings) SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 18-20         Brush-free Oil Painting     SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

May 11, 2012     Paintings Irises (on location)   Hondo Iris Farm, Hondo, NM

June 18-22, 2012 Creative Composition    SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

Gala Fun

We had a really fun time at the SpiritBird Studio Holiday Gala Event!  Over 90 people came to enjoy the artwork, wine, food, music and fun!  I now have at least 14 new collectors, some with multiple pieces.  Hooray!  Unfortunately, no one remembered to take pictures (!!) so all I have is a couple of pics of the walls as they were ready for the event.

These are two of my helpers, celebrating our progress!