May Newsletter

Fragile Beginnings

In this issue...

  • Fragile Beginnings
  • Upcoming Workshops
  • Ongoing Events

Last month, my husband and I welcomed our fifth grandniece into the family. I’m not a big baby person, but I have to admit that Eliana (Elie) Gray Dyer is pretty darn cute!

 

She’s also pretty darn fragile. Everything about her is delicate, from her itty-bitty fingers to her tiny rosebud mouth. And, like all newborns, she’s totally helpless, leaving her 7 lb 1 oz body susceptible to pretty much everything. Thank goodness her parents and older sister are ready for battle!

 

Although few Purple Crayon members knew Elie’s birth was imminent, it seemed serendipitous that our new Mixed Media Circle selected “fragile beginnings” for its theme this month. I wasn’t in on the decision, so I can only guess why it was chosen.

 

Of course, there are a couple of obvious reasons: it’s spring, and everything is sprouting; and our country is slowly, but surely, emerging from the pandemic.

 

Seasonal and world events aside, “fragile beginnings” could also apply to mixed media projects—or, really, any art project—when one is first getting started. The heart is a fragile muscle, and, because all art springs from it, new ideas share its frailty. I imagine that that’s why so many artists hesitate to show their work before it’s finished.

 

It’s also why, at the studio, members are encouraged to ask permission before offering feedback on another member’s work. Even if one means well, critiquing someone’s art while it’s still emerging is like leaving tender plants out in a hard freeze: it's easy to squelch inspiration.

 

To protect yourself from "frost," I encourage you to keep these weapons on hand:

 

Courage. Courage will help you keep creating regardless of what other’s think. Your art is personal, and only you have the right to critique it.

 

Faith. Faith will help you listen to your gut and trust that your piece will lead you exactly where it needs to go. Hold on and enjoy the ride.

 

Curiosity. If you remain curious about where your artistic adventures take you, the outcome really doesn’t matter; it’s all about the process.

 

Kindness. Inevitably, some of your art won’t turn out the way you envisioned. Kindness helps you embrace your learnings and celebrate your efforts.

 

Much to her mom’s chagrin, Elie decided to wait an extra week before making her appearance—and she would have waited longer had she had the choice. And who can blame her? Everything is scary in the beginning, whether it’s starting a new life or beginning a new project.

 

It’s also really exciting! Elie has her whole life ahead of her, and who knows where it will lead? The same goes for your art. A blank canvas (or lump of clay, or piece of fabric, or...) holds all kinds of possibilities if you can just summon your courage, faith, and curiosity to birth it!

 

And, speaking of birthing, I've been busy scheduling lots of new IN-PERSON workshops starting this summer—including the return of Sharpie Silk Scarves! Note that this workshop sold out the last two times it was offered, so you may want to register sooner rather than later if you're interested.

 

And don't forget about Terrilynn Dubreuil's online Drawing for Absolute Beginners course in June. As I'm sure you've learned, not all events work well via Zoom delivery. This one, however, is an exception. Since I'm not sure when it will be offered again, I encourage you to take it now if learning to draw has been on your bucket list. As with all of our online workshops, this class will be recorded, so, even if you can't attend one (or any) of the sessions live, you can watch them at your convenience! 

 

I look forward to creating with you!

 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Upcoming Workshops

Intro to Barn Quilt Painting (Members Only; FULL)

Sunday, 5/23, 1:00-5:00 PM

Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted Electric Fan quilt block! These beautiful outdoor pieces are popping up everywhere—and typically cost upwards of $100-$150! Once you learn the process, however, you can make them for a whole lot less, as Barn Quilt Painting artist Nancy Grindstaff has discovered. Follow along as she teaches you her process.

 
More Info

Intro to Textile Collage (Members Only; FULL)

Friday, 6/11, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Do you enjoy creating paper collages but wish there were a way to add more texture to your work? Are you drawn to textiles but aren’t interested in creating garments or quilts? Do you find hand stitching—or watching someone hand stitch—relaxing? If so, this workshop is for you!

 
More Info

Drawing for Absolute Beginners (Online)

Wed, 6/16-7/7, 10 AM-12 PM EST

Drawing is not a talent; it’s a skill anyone can learn. Whether you’re an aspiring painter, graphic designer, illustrator, or any other kind of artist, veteran instructor Terrilynn Dubreuil will teach you everything you need to get started. You’ll leave the class with knowledge and techniques that can be applied to any object, landscape, or portrait!

 
More Info

Sharpie Silk Scarf

Saturday, 6/26, 1:30-4:00 PM

Not only are Sharpie silk scarves beautiful, but they’re super easy, economical (compared to dying with alcohol inks), and fun to make! You’ll be amazed at the beautiful colors and fluid patterns you can create using just some Sharpie markers and alcohol. If you can doodle, you can do this! PC Owner Pam Robbins is so excited to be teaching this first public in-person workshop since the pandemic! 

 
More Info

Copper Bangle Bracelet

Saturday, 7/10, 1:00-5:30 PM

Have you always wanted to make your own professional-looking jewelry? In this introductory wire wrapping workshop, Jewelry Designer Nadine Fidelman will show you how to create a beautiful copper bangle bracelet in just a few hours! No previous jewelry making experience required!

 
More Info

Introduction to Wet Felting

Saturday, 7/24, 1:00-4:00 PM

Wet felting, the process of applying water to layers of wool and repeatedly agitating them until the fibers weave together, has become very popular in the past few years. It’s fun, easy, and can be very useful! In just a few hours, Camille Daunno will teach you how to make a sheet of felt using only wool fibers, soap, water, and good old fashioned “elbow grease.”

 
More Info

Girls' Night (or Day) Out

Ongoing

Looking for something a little different for your next Girls' Night (or Day) Out? Consider scheduling a private arts and crafts party at Purple Crayon! We've got lots of great workshops to choose from, and, if you don't see what you're looking for, we'll be happy to try to find an instructor! (Scheduling in-person GNOs starting late June.)

 
More Info

Ongoing Events

Studio Tours

Are you looking for an affordable space to make art and connect with other women artists? Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended our Saturday Open Houses, but you can contact us to schedule a private tour and meet some of our amazing members. A limited number of memberships are still available.

Zentangle® Art Club (Online)

Fridays, 3:00-5:00 PM

If you love doing Zentangle®, but struggle to make time for a regular practice, this art club is for you! Each Friday, Zentangle artist Amanda Smith will take you on a new tangle adventure. It won’t take long before your mind settles, your to-do list melts away, and you get into the zone, weaving structured patterns into beautiful, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Basic tangling skills encouraged. The Club is open to the public for a nominal fee and free to PC members.

 
More Info

Creativity Circles

Creativity Circles, which are open to PC members only, are scheduled times each week when at least one other member has committed to being at the studio. Circles are currently scheduled for Tuesdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. We also have a Stitching Circle on Thursdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, and a Mixed Media Circle on the last Sunday of the month from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. 

Share on social

Share on Facebook

Back to the Purple Crayon website