Helllllloooooooo, 2012!

With the advent of a new year I am embarking on a journey toward the celebration of 50 years!  Wow!  it seems unreal and yet so right.  I have loved every age - but perhaps none better than my present age.  I am glad to be alive and consider myself blessed in so many ways.  Last year found me reading Ann Voscamp's book "One thousand Gifts" and I will never be the same.  So I am counting the "gifts" all of the blessings that come to me from God's ultimately loving hand... and "All truly is Grace." 

My husband, Dave, and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage this year.  For those of you who know us you are keenly aware that this has not come easy, and yet, what truly worthy feats are easy.  God is still in the "Miracle Business" and for this we are grateful. 

David Paul continues his work with his photography and working with Dave.  We are praying for that "Good Thing" from the Lord for him and look forward to the mysterious ways of God's Providence as He works in this area. 

My Art has gone through various stages in the past three years, from wildly colorful palms to Bird nests, to mixed media pieces about "Home," to oysters, of all things and now I have just completed a series of "Valentines" for fun.  I am having a lot of fun painting and am exited to say that my work can now be seen in five different locales:
The Gallery, Beaufort, SC

Eden Gallery, Walterboro, SC

Simple Gestures, St.Augustine, FL

Julienne's, Hampton, SC

Fletcher's Finds, Yemassee, SC

Here's to 2012!

ART CLASSES AT HAMPTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

Beginning Tuesday, February 7, 2012 I will be offering art classes at

HAMPTON COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS:

My classic 6-Week "Discover the Artist in You" instruction includes:

• Week 1:  Color Theory, Color mixing & Pre-Instruction painting
• Week 2: Monet History; Brush Strokes & 2nd Painting
• Week 3: Van Gogh History; Brush Strokes & 3rd Painting
• Week 4:  Cezanne History: Brush Strokes & 4th Painting; 
• Week 5:  O'Keeffe History: Brush Strokes & 5th Painting
• Week 6:  Personal Choice Painting

 All Classes include:

• Creative Prompts and Ideas for continuing inspiration  
• Artist Tools and philosophy
• Art Exhibition to Celebrate Accomplishments

Three class times will be available beginning Tuesday, February 7, 2012:

1:00 - 3:00  Adult Class 

4:00 - 5:30  Student Class (Ages 8-15)

6:00 - 9:00  Adult Class



Contact me at charlotte2911@yahoo.com

2011 FALL ART CLASSES SET TO BEGIN

Wow!  It was a gorgeous August Day here in the Lowcountry and I just wanted to let you know that I will be starting new art classes in September.  The Beginner "Discover the Artist in You" class will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 9 and the "Discover the Next Steps" Class will be held on Thursday evenings, also from 6 - 9.  These classes are six weeks with an art show reception at the end to celebrate your accomplishments. 

  If you need an art supply kit I will be ordering those next week (75.00)- so just let me know - if you have your own supplies email me and I can let you know what you will need to bring to class.  The classes include 11 x 14 canvases; if you would like larger ones, let me know and I can order them in bulk for better pricing.

I am still ironing out the exact start dates, and show dates, but let me know if you are "in".  Space is limited to 10 people per class for this six week session.  Call me at 843 384 9650 or send an email to charlotte2911@yahoo.com

More information coming soon!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

at 49

At "49" I found myself in St. Augustine rummaging through the neighbors trash and was rewarded with this massive antique frame... so, of course, I took it to the beach.  It was a great present for a great birthday.  Will share more of our adventures when I return from "The Week the Women Went"... yeah - I am actually going to take part in a "reality" tv series... who says old people can't change?

Comment Settings Back on!

Hi There, folks! I didn't realize it until this past week - but comments that have been posted to me on the website have not been getting to me. Got that fixed and hope that I will hear from some of you again soon... So sorry that I have not gotten messages from you...

In other news... The "Series" Class on Tuesdays is almost full but there are still plenty of spaces available for the basic class on Thursdays! Just let me know if you are interested!

2011 SPRING STUDENT ART SHOW & NEW CLASSES

WOW! March is here! The weather is beautiful and I am hoping you will be here!

March 17, 2011 7-9

This Week: March 17, 2011 7-9 pm is the First Student Art Show of the year. Nine students have been hard at work for six weeks and this Thursday they will be exhibiting their work! Please come out and enjoy an evening at STUDIO 2911

March 29, 2011 (TUESDAYS 6-9)
"Taking the Next Step" in the "Discover the Artist in You" Series. This is a new class that builds upon lessons learned in the basic class. Students will begin work on their own "series" of paintings to begin building their body of work. Six Paintings will be painted and will be exhibited at the Art Show on May 12. Cost: 30.00 / session

March 31, 2011 (THURSDAYS 6-9)
Discover the Artist in You Basic Class begins again March 31, 6-9 pm Classes run for 6 weeks (Mar 31, Apr 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5 with Art Show May 12). For more information please call me at 843 384 9650. Cost: 240.00 (Includes art supply kit)

Looking forward to seeing you!

PS
Our chickens are laying lots of eggs these days - So let me know if you would like some "homegrown" eggs!

I wasn't always Like this - Sometimes I was worse!

Okay, so I wasn't always this way... And this wasn't quite the angle I was going for ... Still they are nice Ruby Slippers ... but I was hoping to look more like Dorothy than the Wicked Witch of the East under a house ... But you gotta love what can happen when you are trying to take your own pictures ... And, no, this was NOT PLANNED. But it is a mighty good lesson. Now, If I can just think of what that lesson might be... No, nothing is coming to mind...
But the future is looking quite optimistic... I actually have Ruby Slippers. The other pictures turned out okay. I was not hurt in the fall. My camera still works. And I had a great laugh when I got up and got back to the camera... which was set on a timer. And it has inspired a whole new set of artwork based on chairs - namely ones that have not tipped over when I went to sit in them. :)
I say the future is optimistic because of Proverbs 31... Which I read on December 31 which tells us that a woman of courage can smile at the future - And I love that. And if I can't smile at the future I now have this nifty "self-portrait" that will always make me laugh. Because there was a day when if I fell down, I couldn't laugh; I couldn't smile; and I certainly didn't want a scrapbook style photo of the event. But I am different now. What a wonder the grace of God.
So back to the point of the my picture taking session in the first place: Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been paid for the original Ruby Slippers; there were only 6 made for the actual movie. One pair resides in the Smithsonian Institution and they say people stand and cry when they look at them. I totally understand this. I watch the movie just hoping for a glimpse of them. But I mostly just adore their message. You always have the power to go back home... and There's no place like home. It may take a round about journey of struggle, and humility, and fear, and forgiveness - And it make take a few friends: some courage, some heart and a sound mind, but there is no place like it...
And one day, we have the opportunity of standing before a Holy God who longs to have us join Him in His Home... He has prepared a place for us - What a glorious thought.
So as I stand here in the wee hours of a new year I am grateful for a home; the friends that helped me here along the journey and the fact that I can take a new picture - 'cause it's a new year after all - And I am looking forward to this new journey.

And by the way, Happy 2011!