February Newsletter So Many Projects; So Little Time! |
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In this issue... - So Many Projects; So Little Time!
- Upcoming Events
- Instructor Spotlight
- Upcoming Workshops
- Creativity Circles
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I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at the studio. There are so many projects I want to work on that I’m having problems focusing on just one. I just purchased fabric to sew two new quilts: one for myself and one for Purple Crayon; I’m starting a mosaic window that I plan to hang on my porch; and I’m crocheting a hat to practice what I learned in the last class I took at Purple Crayon. I also want to experiment with all of the other skills I learned last year—fluid art, alcohol inks, dot mandala painting, quilling, etc.—and I plan to learn more new crafts this year. While I feel like a kid in a candy store, with access to an endless supply of arts and crafts workshops, it's also a bit overwhelming. There are only so many hours in a day! I’ve mentioned my challenge to other Purple Crayon members, and many of them admitted that they, too, are struggling. We all realize that our “creative paralysis” is a First World problem, but it doesn’t negate its effect on our productivity—or anxiety. One member told me that she gets stuck every January, worrying that she won’t create any, or, at least, not enough, significant work in the next twelve months since so many things interest her. I asked members how they manage the stress, and most said that they just get through it, focusing as best they can. One member, however, offered a couple of interesting ideas. One thing she does is force herself to pick a project for a given period, say a month. Then, she puts away all of her tools and materials that don’t support that project so they don’t distract her. She said that getting reminders of other want-to-do’s out of her visual field really helps. She also said that, if she hasn’t worked on a particular project for a given period, say two or three years, she donates or discards all of her tools and materials that support that project. She figures that, if she hadn’t worked on the project by then, she clearly wants to work on other things more. And there’s no sense keeping those distractions—and reminders of unfinished projects—around. It sounds like good advice! I’m still trying to figure out a strategy that works for me. Right now, I’m committing to working on just quilting and mosaicking, and I’m ignoring all of the other projects vying for my attention. I’m also trying not to judge myself for prioritizing. It’s hard, but I know that I can’t do everything; I must choose what makes my heart sing the loudest—at least right now! If having too many creative interests is keeping you stuck, commiserating with, and getting support from, fellow creatives can help. I encourage you to consider joining PC or another studio. On the other hand, if you’re stuck because you have too few, not too many, projects calling to you, it may be time to learn a new craft. We’ve got lots of great workshops coming up to solve that challenge, too! I look forward to creating with you! —Pam Robbins, Owner |
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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! | | |
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Open House Saturday, 2/1, 10 AM-12 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! |
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Pop-Up Market Saturday, 2/1, 10 AM-1 PM @ PC Looking to buy a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one—or yourself—for Valentine's Day? You'll find beautiful, fine arts and crafts at this pop-up market featuring PC member creations. |
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| | Jo-Ann Jensen Jo-Ann is teaching our Silk Painting Using Resists workshop on February 8th. She has over 25 years of experience teaching creativity/art workshops for children and adults. Jo-Ann enjoys teaching and doing batik demonstrations in many venues, from museums, community centers, and galleries to the public school classroom. Over the past several years, she's taught both weekend and week-long workshops at the John C. Campbell Folk School, and she currently shows her work at ArtMob Studios in Hendersonville. | | |
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| | Camille Daunno Camille is teaching our Introduction to Wet Felting workshop on February 29th. Her experience as an artist and teacher spans over 40 years and includes: Fashion Illustrator, Textile Designer, Fiber Artist, College Adjunct Professor in Textile Design, Studio Artist, and High School Studio Art and Art History Teacher. She has a B.F.A. from Caldwell University in NJ and an M.A. from FIT and Parsons in NY. Camille absolutely loves teaching and gets excited when she sees the look of accomplishment on her students' faces after completing a challenging project. | | |
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Silk Painting Using Resists Saturday, 2/8, 1:00-4:00 PM If you’ve ever seen a tie-dye t-shirt—and who hasn’t if you live in Asheville?—you’ve seen the effect a “resist” can have on fabric. It can produce beautiful and complex art pieces. In this workshop, fiber artist, Jo-Ann Jensen, will teach you how to paint on silk using three different methods of resist: batik, serti, and shibori. No drawing or painting experience necessary! | | |
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| | Introduction to Mosaics Saturday, 2/15, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM If you like doing puzzles, you'll love doing mosaics! Just bring your imagination, and we'll supply everything else you need to get started! In this fun and easy workshop, you'll learn what a mosaic is, the materials and tools you need to create one, what to consider when designing a piece, and, finally, how to do it. By the end of the class, you’ll have created a lovely coaster to showcase your new craft! | | |
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| | Dot Mandala Painting Saturday, 2/22, 1:00-3:30 PM (FULL) In Buddhist culture, mandalas are said to transmit positive energy to the environment and to the people who view them. Learn how to create your own dot mandala painting with local artist, Deana Murchison. This new art craze is fun, easy, calming, and very addictive! You’ll leave with two completed stones or coasters and all the skills needed to continue dotting on your own. | | |
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| | Introduction to Wet Felting Saturday, 2/29, 1:00 PM-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.” (Only 1 seat left!) | | |
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| | Mixed Media Shadow Box Saturday, 3/14, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Mixed media is a fun way to combine the textures of collage with three-dimensional elements. In this workshop, you will use a small box to create a little world combining color, texture, and dimension. This workshop is great for people who have never created a mixed media piece, but it also gives more experienced artists an opportunity to explore new materials and techniques. | | |
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| | Alcohol Ink & Sharpie Scarves Saturday, 3/21, 12:30-5:00 PM Love wearing one-of-a-kind, handmade scarves but don't love their price tag? In this super fun workshop, Deana Murchison and Pam Robbins team up to show you two different ways to create beautiful, inexpensive silk scarves using just a little ink and alcohol. First, you'll experiment with using alcohol inks to dye one scarf. Then, you’ll play with using Sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol to dye your other scarf. No dyeing, drawing, or painting experience necessary! | | |
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| | Zentangle®: Beyond Basics Saturday, 3/28, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM Zentangle® is an easy-to-learn, relaxing way to turn structured patterns—called “tangles”—into tiny (3.5” x 3.5”) masterpieces that can, ultimately, be assembled into a larger mosaic. In this workshop, you will re-acquaint yourself with the basics of Zentangle®. Then, you will continue to build your knowledge by learning new, more complicated tangles*, adding shading and highlighting to your piece, and working with different colored squares and pens. | | |
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Creativity Circles are scheduled times each week when at least one other member has committed to being at the studio. They are held Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 PM, Tuesdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Starting Thursday, February 20th, we'll also be bringing back our Stitching Circle. It will be on Thursdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. All members are welcome! | | |
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