Monday, Monday

This is my third and final Monday night of OOB/Saco Adult Education Encaustic Painting tonight. The teacher, Chris Reed, graduated from Bowdoin with a degree in Visual Arts. Chris has exhibited in Portland Galleries and taught at The New School in Kennebunk.

If I thought that encaustics were anything like Batik (yeah, we did that in the 70's), I was wrong. But encaustics has been good, worth bundling up for on winter evenings for sure.

So what makes a Monday night worth going out for? Chris has a pleasant, relaxed teaching style and encourages a playful curiosity in his students. The tuition covers the use of encaustics, resin, pigment and chip brushes. Initially, Chris was going to have the students use fiber board but eventually decided on birch board.

Chris arrives early to set up the electric grills, heat gun and to make sure the wax is melted before students arrive. The class is small so the students can share what works (or doesn't) with each other as they test their new skills and enjoy the camaraderie. Someone realized in the course of this class that it is not a craft. Encaustics is an art.

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Saco River Yoga in Pepperell Square announced Beginner Yoga Classes: six classes for $60. Drop round and hear about the various styles of Yoga offered, the free drum circle evenings and the very qualified teachers. You will be happy you did.

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Busy artist Diane Bowie Zaitlin is exhibiting at the Toby Rosenberg Pottery Show "Some Like It Hot" now through February 28th at 293 Reed Street, Portland, Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday by appointment or chance. 878-4590

Diane is also exhibiting in a mixed media exhibition February 1-March 12th at 25 Exchange Street in Lynn, MA in the Lynn Arts Center.

If that wasn't enough, Diane is offering her Encaustic Workshops in her Saco Studio. The dates are March 27th and 28th, April 17th and 18th and May 15th and 16th. Call 282-7240 or email for details on how you can learn from one of Saco's finest artists.

Cool Things

Wandering through the shop with my dust-cloth in hand, this cool book jumped into my hand: "Rite-in-the-Rain Birder's Journal". The American company that manufactures it has the following slogan: "Outdoor writing products for outdoor writing people."

Field researchers call it a Birder's Journal as the paper is made so you can write or sketch on the pages in inclement weather. As it is a nearly indestructible little notebook, it would be excellent for any journaling outdoors. Apparently this company has been making these adorable recycled notebooks for recording field data worldwide for ages but the "Rite-in-the-Rain" all-weather writing paper is still new to me.

The inside front cover presents two distinct bird diagrams along with body parts and feathers carefully labeled. It is exciting to know the lesser coverts from the median or the greater coverts! Inside there is plenty of room for sketches, photos and notes (weather, location and time slots too). The back cover has a cheat sheet for the American Birding Association's Principles of Birding Ethics (think Geneva Convention with feathers). It is even covered in a cheery yellow so it's easy to find in the tall grass! Now that is wicked cool.

Restocking Sample Jars

We have restocked our California Paint Fres~Coat Eggshell Acrylic Sample Jars

These 4 oz beauties can cover an accent wall space of 4x4. They are great for doll houses, canvas work, birdhouses, etc

Our framer, Jim, says they are perfect acrylics for artists working in smaller mediums

Some colors to stock up on: Andover Cream (a creamy light yellow, so soothing on dark days), Pale Organza, Lady Banksia, Jonquil, Knightly Straw, Mountain Laurel, Whispering Willow (soft green), Yarmouth Oyster (calls up pilgrim thoughts) and Rain Barrel (the lightest of barks).

7 Questions with Artist Russel Whitten

Large Abstract #2, Russel Whitten

1. What do you do when you're not feeling creative? How do you get back in your groove?

Inspiration is everywhere, so this rarely happens to me. When it does happen, looking at other artists work will often trigger an emotion, or give me an idea I can jump off from to use in my own painting.

2. Do you think creativity is innate or learned or both?

There is no question that some people are born with a creative intuition. I don't think creativity is something one can learn, but rather the furthering of education will add to their creative spirit. The only other trick to being creative is the following through with the ideas and prevent from standing in your own way.

Self Portrait, Russel Whitten

3. What has been your biggest influence or inspiration in the past? Currently?

Other Artists and minds that think outside the box.

4. How do you feel living in Maine affects your work?

This is an interesting question, for it's something I never considered. I graduated from Old Orchard Beach and at that time I knew I was going to be an artistic painter. I always found myself looking elsewhere for something to paint. (New York, Italy, London...) I honestly had little appreciation for Maine until I returned from New York after a year studying at The Art Students League. I feel like I had a new perspective, and still do to some degree, on everyday life around me. As a result I am finding interest in painting subjects I never would had considered otherwise.

Drawing Class, Russel Whitten

5. Who is/who are your favorite artist/artists? What do you love about them or their art?

To me, the thing that makes a good artist is they inspire you to take up that craft and try it yourself. I think when we hear music that moves us, we want to sing or play along. When I see a Degas, I want to work in Pastel. When I see a Rembrandt or an Anders Zorn, I want to etch in copper. Artists that inspire me are Lucian Freud, Andrew Wyeth and William de Kooning.

Now as of this week, I have a new favorite artist and it's my 2 year old daughter Adora. For a number of months she has been playing with watercolor media and enjoying the mix of colors and water on all shapes and sizes of paper I have provided her with. Seeing that she has the honesty and pleasure that can be found in all good art making makes her by far my most inspirational source.

6. If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would go and what would you do?

Florence or Giza. I would spend time in Museums and temples if I could, and start each day with a painting.

7. What's your best advice to beginning artists?

To be an artist is to be inspired. I find it important to take time for it everyday. I tell my students that taking 5 minutes a day to sketch out an idea is better then a 3 hour class once a week. Follow it through, for once you have it, it will never let you down.

The Crash, Russel Whitten

Thanks for playing Russ! We hope to continue with Artist interviews so check back!

Russ teaches adult education classes and has a drawing class starting in February. Contact Saco/OOB Adult Ed or check out our past blog for more information.

-Jenna

What's Going On?

The Southern Maine Potter's Guild is having a show, dates to be determined. They are going to participate in the Empty Bowls event in February or March, at the York Art Association. More details to follow.

Thursday, January 28th, the Second Congregational Church will host the Biddeford Adult Poetry Project featuring biker poet K. Peddlar Bridge's "Ever Changing Line" lecture. All are encouraged to bring their own work for peer review, followed by a performance. All are welcome and the fun begins at 3:45pm.

The Dyer Library is pleased to announce award winning artist Timothy Parks will be teaching Pastels and Drawing, in the Deering Room of the Dyer Library on Tuesdays from 1-4pm. Classes begin February 2nd. Cost is $40 for the four-week session.

by Timothy Parks

The Biddeford Art Walk will be housed at the North Dam Mill during the months of January, February, March and April to avoid dancing with Old Man Winter. There will be food vendors, artisans and other interesting things happening. Would-be participants are encouraged to contact info@biddefordartwalk.com or call 229-3560 to get involved. The deadline is January 24th and it's free. This month's art walk is Friday, January 29th from 5-8pm.

Check out lovinganvil and Hog Farm Studio for other fun things to do like the Lovefest 2010 on February 13th. There will be champaign and treats at lovinganvil at 5pm followed by a parade over to hog farm studio down the street for some music by The David Wax Museum and Friends at 6pm. Sounds like a lot of Saint Valentines Day fun!

-Kathryn

From the Saco Community Garden to Manatees

The human mind is an interesting thing. You can start out thinking about the Saco Community Garden, which can lead you to thoughts of how lovely and lively the color green looks, in the dead of snowy winter, which can bring up general musings on the color green. From there it's a simple jump to California Paint's Colors of America. As your eyes wander over the historical green shades, your hand chooses coral springs. Before you know it, you are remembering the name of a place in Florida the Weather Channel mentioned: Homasassa Springs, where manatees graze on soft green river grass. Now this grass image leads you to think of green lovely things in general, that you can grow this Spring in the Saco Community Garden!

The mind is an interesting thing!

Editor's note: Trivia ---> Kathryn's favorite animal is the manatee!

Practice What We Preach

Red Barn - Gilsland by Diane Noble

The Saco Museum will present "Practice What We Preach: Work by Maine Art Teachers" January 16th-March 19th. There will be an opening reception Saturday, January 23 from 1-3pm.

More than 45 teacher-artists will show their work including Deb DiGregoria of CK Burns, Diane Noble of Young & Fairfield, Jodi Thomas of Thornton Academy, Judy Pulia of Saco Middle School and Piper Bolduc of Loranger, Old Orchard Beach. This exhibition will celebrate drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and fiber arts. It is part of a bigger program of school tours, art-making workshops and artist talks.

Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall by Piper Bolduc

Having been fortunate enough to see many of the works of these talented artists at other shows, it will be a delight to revisit them and see new works too! The Saco Museum just gets better and better.

Contact Camille Smalley, education and program manager, at 283-3861 x 115 if you have any questions.

-Kathryn