May Newsletter

On the Move

In this issue...

  • On the Move
  • Instructor Spotlight
  • Upcoming Events
  • Upcoming Workshops
  • Creativity Circles

I’m currently reading a book called Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee. In the second chapter, Lee describes visiting an apartment where every surface is a different color, pattern, and texture—including the floor!

 

Picture a sand dune blown by gusty winds so that it banks this way and that, and then imagine hard little lumps all over the surface, like goose bumps on the skin of a giant. It wasn’t a floor you walked on so much as one that you clambered over, finding and refinding your balance with each movement (48).

 

She goes on to explain how the “abundance aesthetic,” of which the apartment is a perfect example, serves a higher purpose: feeling a little off-balance and overwhelmed teaches one’s body “how not to die.”

 

The same is true for change in general. Although it’s usually uncomfortable until you get used to it, it reminds you that you’re still alive. As I write this, I’m preparing for two big changes in my life.

 

First, my husband and I will be walking the Camino Way later this month. We’ll be doing the Original Way, a mere 200 miles, as compared to the 500-mile French Way popularized in 2010’s Hollywood movie The Way, but it will still present considerable challenge and change.

 

We’ll be walking about 15 miles a day, and the first couple of weeks will be through the mountains. As many of you know, I walk a few miles a day, most days of the week, but it’s a far cry from walking 15 miles every day! I will also be eating and drinking differently. Though the Spaniards love their churros, I suspect chocolate won’t be quite as easy to come by on the trail! And, of course, I will be surrounded by a different geography, a different language, and a different culture.

 

Later in her “Abundance” chapter, Lee notes that “vacations [are] a way to soak in sensations that are different from those at home” (59). I anticipate soaking up so much sensation that I may turn into a prune!

 

When I get back home, I will immediate take-on a second big change: Purple Crayon is moving to Reynold’s Village (50 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 111) on July 1st! Unlike our current location, the new location will provide easy access to restaurants (Chupacabra and  Baked Pie Company are next door), more parking, a bus stop, better security at night, and walking and other exercise options (we’ll be just up the block from the Woodfin YMCA).

 

Like walking the Camino, moving will be both scary and exciting—and I’m already noticing the changes both of these “awakenings” have had on my energy and my art: I’ve been far more drawn to color and experimentation in the last few weeks.

 

While I wouldn’t encourage anyone to take on two big changes simultaneously—and it wasn’t my intention either—if you're noticing your life, or your art, stagnating, I would encourage you to shake things up a bit; move to something different. Try a new hair style; take a different route to work; go for a “Sunday drive.” Anything that gets you out of your routine will do!

 

If you still need suggestions, Purple Crayon has lots of stimulating workshops coming up this summer. While there's not much going on this month because of my vacation, Deana Murchison's Fluid Art: Basics and Beyond on 6/15 and Pamela Shook's Goddess Doll on 6/21 will be well worth the wait! I hope you'll join us for those, as well as all the other great classes we've got scheduled after the move! 

 

I look forward to playing with you! 

 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Instructor Spotlight

 

Deana Murchison

Deana is truly an "artist extraordinaire!" She enjoys dyeing fabric, painting on fabric, watercolor, fluid art, alcohol inks, pyrography, beading, jewelry making, book art, and just about anything that lets her express her creative self. And she's a great teacher to boot! She's taught many Purple Crayon workshops, and her students always give her rave reviews. This summer, Deana is teaching: Fluid Art: Basics and Beyond on 6/15, Introduction to Alcohol Inks on 7/13, Folded Book Art: Butterfly on 8/10, and Introduction to Fluid Art on 8/31.

 
More Info
 

Pamela Shook

While our Goddess Doll workshop on 6/21 is Pamela's first teaching experience at Purple Crayon, she's certainly not new to "the stage!" She and her husband owned Blue Moon Puppets in Atlanta and, later, Charlotte, for 24 years, making puppets, writing scripts, building sets, and touring the Southeast. They were chosen as "Best of Charlotte in Children's Entertainment" and awarded numerous grants and fellowships. Since retiring in 2016, Pamela has pursued her passions of doll making in new media and teaching creativity workshops.

 
More Info

Upcoming Events

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! 

 
More Info

Open House

Saturday, 5/4, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Every month, Purple Crayon opens its doors to the public. You can check out what our members are up to and see if the studio is a good fit for you. Come see what all the excitement is about!

Upcoming Workshops

 

Fluid Art: Basics and Beyond

Saturday, 6/15, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM

Fluid art is a form of abstract art that uses acrylic paints with a runny (fluid) consistency. In this workshop, Deana Murchison will show you several different ways to do acrylic pours—including a couple of more advanced options. This class is great for people who have never created fluid art, but it also gives “frequent flyers” opportunities to try new pouring methods and continue experimenting with color!

 
More Info
 

Goddess Doll

Friday, 6/21, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM

The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year—and has a long history of spiritual significance. What better day, then, to honor the Divine Feminine by creating a goddess doll? In this fun and fanciful workshop, puppet maker and doll artist, Pamela Shook, will guide you through the process.You’ll be amazed at what you can create in a few hours using just a handful of found objects and some imagination.

 
More Info
 

Introduction to Eco Printing

Friday, 7/5, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM

Did you know that leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and bark leave behind a unique “signature” when exposed to water and heat? If you’ve ever wanted to explore the wonders of “eco printing”—the all-natural process of transferring plant and leaf images onto fabric—Patricia Spangler's entry-level workshop is for you!

 
More Info
 

Introduction to Alcohol Inks

Saturday, 7/13, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the newest and most exciting media to hit the art community: alcohol inks. Their popularity is well-deserved! With very little effort or experience, you can create incredible textures, brilliant colors, and intricate patterns on a wide variety of surfaces. 

 
More Info
 

Altoid Tin Shadow Box

Saturday, 7/20, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Vacation season is in full swing, and an empty Altoid tin makes a perfect, miniature shadow box to capture the memories! Join “tinnovator” and mixed-media artist, Christy Ammerman, as she shows you how to turn these tiny treasures into works of art! For participants who wish to commemorate Asheville, vintage images of the city and surrounding areas will be provided.

 
More Info
 

Folded Book Art: Butterfly

Saturday, 8/10, 1:00-3:00 PM

Nothing warms up a room quite like a shelf of colorful books. Now you can use books to accessorize your home in a different way: turn them into folded book art! In this fun and easy, two-hour workshop, Deana Murchison will show you how to take a hardcover book and, with just a few simple folds, turn it into a unique piece of art—in this case, a butterfly. 

 
More Info
 

Needle Felted Mermaid

Sat, 8/16, 10-3, and Sun, 8/17, 1-4

As summer winds to an end, Anne Magrath, will show you how to create your own needle felted mermaid so you can return to the sea (or, at least your memories) anytime you'd like! In this fun, two-day workshop, you'll learn the basics of needle felting a human face and torso; then you'll give your mermaid a tail, hair, and her own whimsical personality! 

 
More Info
 

Introduction to Fluid Art

Saturday, 8/31, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

Have you ever wanted to create an abstract painting but weren’t sure how to start? If so, fluid art—also called [acrylic] pour painting, flow art, liquid art., etc.—might be just what you’re looking for! In this interesting workshop, Deana Murchison will show you several different ways to do acrylic pours. Then, you'll create your own unique works of art!

 
More Info

Creativity Circles & Other Members-Only Events

Collaging: Mon, 1-3 PM

Reading: 2nd Mon, 7:00-9:00 PM

19 in 2019: 2nd Tue, 9-11 AM

Stitching: Tue, 1-3 PM

Quilting: Thu, 1-3 PM

Game Night: 1st Thu, 7-9 PM

Drawing & Painting: 1st & 3rd Sat, 

10 AM-12 PM

Mosaicking: 2nd & 4th Sat, 10AM-12PM

 
More Info

Share on social

Share on Facebook

Back to the Purple Crayon website