Art is…two special men

Thomas Mann has been a mover and shaker in the art-jewelry field for 25 years. In fact, the first exhibition that Keith’s work was in (in 1990) was alongside Tom's - it was an exhibition entitled "A Collector's Choice - Jewelry For The Next Decade." Thomas coined a term for his work: 'Techno-Romantic' - which succinctly sums up his blend of high-tech metals and antique found imagery and elements.

Besides being a terrific metalsmith, Thomas has a serious head for the business side of art-making, and he has done many workshops geared toward making it financially in the world of jewelry. Not only does he have a large staff working for him to help him produce his production jewelry, he owns a gallery right in the heart of New Orleans. He has done a lot in the jewelry field to dispel the myth of the 'starving artist'.

There are many good metalsmiths out there. But just being good at your craft does not mean that you are able to effectively teach what you know. The single most common feedback heard from Thomas' workshops has been the sheer ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM he has for communicating his talents and techniques. He seems right at home in a bustle of activity, and prides himself on being there and available for every student, no matter how much or how little experience they may have.

Keith and Thomas share that quality - both of them encourage those who have never tried anything like this to jump in and see what magic results.

So the collaborative class they are teaching looks to be a lot of fun. Tom comes about the world of found objects from a very different perspective than Keith, which will definitely round out the experience of learning from the both of them.

Keith’s approach to object making has landed him a solid position in the pantheon of found object artists.  Additionally he enjoys an incredible reputation for delivering a lush workshop experience.

They will combine forces after four days of individual workshops in a two day intensive called "Found to Finish".  In it they will share with students their parallel but diverse attacks on the design and fabrication of found object OBJECTS.

With Keith living in Australia this combined workshop represents a very small window of opportunity for them to work together and for you to share in the result.   

Join us for a unique and special weekend with these two lovely and talented guys.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Wickedly Good Workshops

Art is...Wickedly Good

Art is...a special & safe environment where artists, come together to share in their passion for creativity. Columbus Weekend come discover why artists are escaping to The East Coast Art Retreat Danbury, CT. 45 minutes from NYC, close to airports, & rail. Single/double - $109* includes hot Breakfast & manager's drink special each evening. Choose from over 80 workshops. Full day fees include lunches & Mrs. Pom’s morning creative heart & soul starters. Join the Art Is…You family in October. Participate in the Charity Challenge or attend our new monthly Metro Meet Ups in Connecticut and New York.

 

Image - left to right
Michael de Meng, JoAnnA Pierotti, Taryn Reece, Pamela Huntington, Kecia Deveney, Elin Waterston, Lillian Alberti, Pamela Hastings

ART IS…A CREATIVE FORCE

There is nothing more powerful than the creative force.  It is truly all there is and the more we share it and help other women claim it, the better the world becomes.

Margot Potter

Dear Friends,
The new year is underway and we have been working hard behind the scenes to bring to our Art Is...You family and friends some exciting events, community activities and charity challenges.

In the last three years Art Is...You has grown tremendously. We were humbled recently by faculty who told us that those attending love the attention given to them as individuals and that our ability to keep everyone connected not only to each other but to the two of us is unique! Another faculty member claimed that "...our event is a real gem and I'll be singing your praises up and down the circuit". 

Importantly though we know that we have created a special and safe environment where artists, whether they be faculty or students, can come together to share in their passion for creativity.

We have moved to Danbury, CT which is literally a hop, skip, or jump from airports, metro rail and NYC. We have negotiated a single/double rate of $109 (plus taxes) and this includes a hot american breakfast and a manager's drink special each evening.

All full day workshop fees include our fabulous buffet lunches and in October Mrs. Pom is back by popular demand, conducting her morning creative heart and soul starters....another inclusive (on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings).

We hope you will consider joining us in 2010. 

In March for the first time, international found-object pioneers Thomas Mann and Keith Lo Bue combine forces to bring students deep into the nuts-and-bolts of selection, design and connection of their own multi-media creations. 

Columbus Day Weekend discover why artists are escaping to Art Is...You - The East Coast Art Retreat and choose from over 70 workshops, taught by our treasured line up of faculty.

There are opportunities online through our special 2010 Charity Challenge or in person at our very new monthly Metro Meet Ups in Connecticut and New York, to be a part of the Art Is...You family.

Yours in art,
Ellen and Sallianne
Wicked and Good!

Photo Quilt: Elin Waterson
Photoshop: Pamela Huntington
Treasure Box: Taryn Reece
Wickedly Good: Lillian Alberti
Angels & Demons: Michael de Meng
Felt Witch Hat: Nicole Chazaud Telaar

Running in Circles with Margot and getting a Wax job by Suze!

I believe what makes a good workshop great, is when the teacher shows enthusiasm and the genuine desire to share there passion.

Combine this with a roomful of artists and their innate need to “escape and create” and you have one very full, happy and creative day.

I was surrounded by fabulous women all drawn to Suze’s studio by the desire to spend time with her, with the magical Madge and with each other.

  

Both artists were kind, generous and genuine.  Their creativity is unique and we all love and admire their work but it was spending time with them that made me feel like we were all just sitting on the lounge, eating cake, drinking coffee and putting wax, anywhere but on our legs!

P.S..looking for a great holiday gift for you or a friend? Grab Margot’s fabulous new book.

Market…the Lipstick Ranch Way

KC Willis is putting together is an on-line workshop that you can participate in at any time, whenever you want. She will cover every subject imaginable as it pertains to marketing your work to the public. And it will be delivered in such a way that there is info there for the novice, those working and selling some already and those in the full throes of their art career, but who still want to take it up a notch into wholesale or licensing.

There will be lots of videos by subject matter so you can pick and choose which ones you want to see based on the subjects that matter to you.

How about...
• Creating a cohesive, signature look
• Working in series
• Consignment vs. wholesale
• Pricing your work
• The differences between approaching a gallery, a shop, an on-line retailer or a catalog
• Using Social Networks
• PR-how to get written about in newspapers and magazines
• Marketing your work without leaving home
• The Pros and Cons of having an Artist's Rep.
• Researching your market
• Licensing your work and your name.
• Blogs vs. Websites
• Selling on-line
• Keeping motivated
• Becoming fearless
• And soooooo much more.

You will get unlimited access to the videos, discussion boards where I will answer your questions (along with other artists at the workshop) and scheduled live chats. And anyone who has participated in her on-line workshops or her in-person classes can tell you that she is as much about inspiration and motivation as she is technique. KC will encourage you and change your attitude about all things marketing.

A one-day art marketing workshop can be as much as $300 easily. For the time being access to my class (which will be a lot more than a one day thing) is $144. When the videos go live in December the class will be $244. If you get even one good idea that changes the way you think or do things...this class will pay for itself. It's even tax deductible. Not knowing where to go next has stopped many an artist in their tracks. You will also have the opportunity to work with me one-on-one through private phone consultations at an additional fee. Your own private art coach.

Sign Up HERE for a journey with like minded souls..

Aprons Aprons Aprons

It doesn’t matter if you are a great cook or a not so great cook.  It doesn’t matter if you are cooking the entire dinner or ordering in from Whole Foods or Stop n Shop and it certainly doesn’t matter if your contribution is dessert or the entire banquet…everyone should look great during the holiday season.

These aprons have been beautifully made by the very clever Australian artist, Karenne Crow.  Karenne resides in the beautiful Hunter Valley and created these and many more to sell so that she can cover her addiction to Costco Ribbons and Nashville Wrap cards.

Firetruck Fun

 

French Pastry

Firetruck Fun 2

  

Her use of antique laces and linens, together with lovely crisp and colorful fabrics, ensures each and every one of these aprons are unique.  Many of the antique laces are heirlooms from her Aunts and her own grandmother.

Blue Flowers

  

Pretty Yellow floral

Christmas Time

Vintage Kitchen

 

The aprons debuted at Art Is…You and were greeted with glee by many participants, some of who had pre-ordered with specific colors in mind.

Roses are Red

  

Newly Married

Each Apron is $35 including postage within continental USA.  On the side tool bar, state the apron that you wish to purchase, click to pay via paypal and we will package it up and send it to you in time for you to look smashing!

Delicious Differences

Among the mind’s powers is one that comes of itself to many children and artists. It need not be lost, to the end of his days, by anyone who has ever had it. This is the power of taking delight in a thing, or rather in anything, everything, not as a means to some other end, but just because it is what it is, and the lover dotes on whatever may be the traits of the beloved object. A child in the full health of his mind will put his hand flat on the summer turf, feel it, and give a little shiver of private glee at the elastic firmness of the globe. He is not thinking how well it will do for some game or to feed sheep upon. That would be the way of the wooer whose mind runs on his mistress’s money. The child’s is sheer affection, the true ecstatic sense of the thing’s inherent characteristics. No matter what the things may be, no matter what they are good or no good for, there they are, each with a thrilling unique look and feel of its own, like a face; the iron astringently cool under its paint, the painted wood familiarly warmer, the clod crumbling enchantingly down in the hands, with its little dry smell of the sun and of hot nettles; each common thing a personality marked by delicious differences.

by Charles Montague and kindly recited by Keith Lo Bue to his lucky class at Art is…You 2009