Enjoy the holidays in Occoquan VA

November 20th - Annual Occoquan Holiday Open House

If you live near Historic Occoquan, VA. don't forget to make your calendars for the annual Christmas tree lightening... its a must!  Its beautiful to see after dark.  It is truly an old fashion Christmas in a town over 250 years old.  Santa and carolers will be roaming the streets on Friday Nov 20th. and the tree will light up at 8:00.  The Loft will be all decked out for the holidays so please make sure you stop in and say hello and enjoy hot cider and other treats.  The Loft's trees, counters and tables will be adorned in original miniature paintings for our annual "minis" event.  

 

There will be drawings at 8:00 with prizes totally $2000. 

helping celebrate

I found this post from last year that somehow never got published.  Since it was a fun event I thought I'd go ahead and post it because doing cutouts for any type of children's event will be a hit. 

The Springfield Art Guild (SAG) has our monthly meetings at the Richard Byrd Library in Springfield VA.  The library celebrated its 55 anniversary and asked groups affiliated with the library to help with the celebration.  Explorer Richard Byrd's penguins were the theme.  SAG members volunteered to do both cut-out penguins and face painting. SAG members made and painted large wooden cutouts of penguins so everyone could have their photos taken. There were 2 different cutouts.  It wasn't until we started taking pictures that we realized if you got your picture take in the cutout on the right, someone pointed out they could have been a penguin or a nun!  It was a lot of fun for both the SAG members and the kids (well as you can see even the adults got into getting their pictures taken & a few even had their faces painted).

It was my first adventure into face painting.  I did learn that for a beginner like myself, limiting the painting choices and keeping them simple was a very smart thing to do!  I also learned little hands and faces need little brushes when painting on them!

Stephanie Bianco trying on a penguin. 

Me painting one of those itty-bitty hands. 

Robert Burridge's BobBlasts & Artsy Fartsy Newsletters

Are Distractions Slowing You Down When You Paint? Fear of Painting?

Robert Burridge’s Tips to Help You Create Better Art

We are so lucky to be living in a time where art and art tips are at our fingertips.  One of the places many artists share their art and ideas are newsletters and there are many excellent ones online.  One of my favorites is  Bob Burridge's “ArtsyFartsy newsletters, (don't you love the name!)  Bob is a mixed media artist and instructor. He also send out engaging shorter versions with videos he calls “BobBlasts.”  To view his achieved newsletters Click HERE.  I also recommend checking out his YouTube videos.  

“Action Overcomes Fear…just show up."  I'd never thought approaching my art this this way, but Bob points out that if you have fears at the beginning of a painting you’ve already started to set yourself up for failure makes sense.  He recommends stating your goals before you get started with the simple question, “What do I hope to accomplish?”  It doesn’t have to be profound, just a starting point to get you into your studio/art space. 

”BobBlast” #68 suggests you organize/simplify your area & supplies

before you start painting.

Bob Burridge - Circus Series

“Preparation is a big deal for me. Before I start a painting, I assemble everything I am going to need. First of all, I make a decision - Paper or canvas. Then, I get out only the tubes of color and the few brushes that I need for that painting, and I put everything else away. I keep a water bucket, spray bottle for isopropyl alcohol and paper towels close by - within arm's reach. The only other thing I keep on my painting table is my sketchbook with my written goals and ideas for this painting.” Bob Burridge   

Click HERE to view Bob's #68’s short video on organization

Bob Burridge- Floral Series