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!!).

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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.

Amaro Winery Art Show Reception

We had a fun time on Friday night at the Amaro Winery reception for my art show!  I neglected to take pics at the reception but have a couple showing a bit of the show.  Lots of folks came to enjoy the art, the music by Soulshine, and, of course, the WINE!  I am truly pleased and grateful to have this opportunity to display my artwork at this lovely venue.

 The show looks really great in this light, airy space, with some super colored walls, too.

If you missed the reception, you can view the show from now until January 2.  Tasting room hours are 1-6 every day but Sunday (1-5).  They often have live music on Fridays from 7-10.  What a marvelous opportunity to enjoy wine and art at the same time!
Thanks, Amaro Winery and Kelly (owner)!

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!!

Resources for Gesture Drawing

I have been teaching gesture drawing in my drawing class lately.  I have found that doing this exercise is ADDICTING!  Below are some excellent online resources for gesture drawing.  The Pixielovely site is especially amazing.  How generous!  I expect to make a contribution to keep this one going.

http://www.terryvision.com/pages/previousBlogs/Blog_17Jan07-Tips.html 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ctkRwRDdajo 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmiwGm32dXU&feature=related  explanation and demo plus great references!

Pixielovely Figure Drawing Training Tool:  http://pixelovely.com/gesture/figuredrawing.php  FREE!

Come join us for drawing class challenges on most Tuesdays, 9-12.  Cost is only $31.78 per class or $105.94 for 4 classes, prepaid.

Painting in Open Acrylics

I have been training myself to paint in acrylics, in preparation for our trip to Peru  I have acquired a 6x8 Thumbox Guerilla Easel.  It's very fun to use.

I am combining Golden Open Acrylics with regular ones to get blending with fast drying.  I got a couple of sample sets that have 22 ml tubes--just right for travel.  So far, I still battle the regular acrylics drying too fast in the New Mexico dryness, but I am learning to tweak them in combo with the Opens.  Here's hoping--we are leaving soon!

I painted this 8x6 experiment of Yarrow on linen today in not too much time. I am getting faster!:

I find I like using a palette knife, as the texture seems better, after putting in an underpainting.  Let me know what you think.