Word Out Wednesday-Hershberger & Huff Studios

Hello Ms Hershberger & Huff Studios, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.

H&H Please, my friends call me H & H.

Alright, H & H, um, can you tell us a little about your background, where were you born, did you always want to be an art studio, etc.?

H & H: Well, I was born here in Ocala and have always been a part of BJ Trophies on NE Jacksonville Rd. It took several different jobs before I was able to really find myself. I once was a photography studio and then a thrift store. And both of those were fun and good experience, but I always felt that something was missing. I became a studio/gallery when I met Carlynne and Kelli and felt that I had really found my true calling. I will always be grateful to them for that.

How did you hook up with your current owners? And whose idea was it to open the studio?

H & H: I think we make a great team and have an interesting history. Kelli actually came across Carlynne's artwork in a book, the Best of Colored Pencil while she was living in Tennessee. To make a long story short, Kelli moved here, they met at Red Swan, eventually started teaching classes and workshops together and then wrote a book, the Creative Colored Pencil Workshop. But enough about them, back to me. I connected with them when the owners of BJ Trophies who happen to be Carlynne's in-laws, asked if she would be interested in a rental space that had been empty for awhile. They knew that Red Swan was closing permanently and that Carlynne and Kelli needed a place to teach.

Do I detect resentment or some jealousy on your part toward your partners?

H & H: No, I don't really think so. You know how it is, when you have partners and one or more gets all the credit and attention. I feel at times that they could appreciate me a little more or at least show it. If not for me, they might not have the success that they do.

Do you think that they might answer differently, that you are lucky to have them, and that they made you what you are today?

H & H: Well, I don't know, maybe. You'd have to ask them that question. Anyway, above you see a few photos of my entrance and my favorite wall. I am pretty proud of these areas and of course, Kelli and Carlynne had a lot of input as well. I do think we have done a good job of turning a relatively small space into a multipurpose gallery and studio. We have tried to make it pleasant, well decorated as well as very functional and I believe we have succeeded quite well.

I would agree. I understand you recently had a very successful grand opening.

H & H: Oh, yes, it was wonderful, a very good turnout and a great chance to celebrate with friends and family. Above you see a shot of our banner that the guys at BJ Trophies made for the reception. They have always been very good to me. Below is a photo of the table before the party began. (Just between you and me, food is very important to Kelli and Carlynne.)

As it is to many of us. So you had a good turnout and has the studio been well received?

H & H: Most definitely. Our first Friday Night Painting Party/Workshop was completely sold out and everyone had great fun while making a painting. Our next one is scheduled for July 29. Here are a few more shots of the Grand Opening Reception.

So have you discussed any long range goals with Carlynne and Kelli?

H & H: Well, um truthfully, they do not include me as much as I would like into their planning. However, I see and hear a lot about what's going on. They are working on more artwork, obviously and jewelry making as well as making plans for some more books and maybe some online tutorials. They're testing different ways to make maximum and best use of my space and try many different and sometimes new activities in the arts field to see what suits them. They have said that having me, the studio, has changed everything for them and opened up endless new possibilities.

Well, that sounds to me like they really do appreciate you.

H & H: Uh, yeah, I guess you're right. Yeah, you're right!

So what's next for you?

H & H: Well, I am really enjoying this and feel that it makes the best use of my talents, so I guess I will continue the collaboration. We do seem to work well together.

Thank you for your time and good luck.

H & H:

Thank you.

Peace and creativity.

Last Night

Last night was our second Friday Night Painting Party - good times :)

 We did a gold leaf sky landscape painting. Here we're getting the studio ready. Yes, it's a little weird to have a life size horse in the middle of a workshop but no one seemed to mind. Anyway, we prepped the canvases by painting them magenta and drawing in the tree line. If we expected people to paint a landscape in 3 hours we figured we'd better give them at least a bit of a head start.

 Playing with gold.

 Looking so good.....

Everybody's smiling - our job is done.

What I love about doing this kind of class is seeing the same painting done so many different ways. Every painter puts their own hand into the subject. Now if I had remembered to take pictures of the finished pieces I could have shown you that but we were having such a good time I forgot to pick up the camera again. Maybe  at the next one I'll get a line up of finished paintings.

Hope you're having a good weekend,
Carlynne

Hold Your Horses!

This is what my new horse looked like going down the road yesterday. In a lightening storm no less. My husband, (he goes by the alias Boris) is a master at loading, securing and moving all kinds of odd shaped things. I could not possibly have gotten through the requirements of the last few weeks without his help. This unusual load drew lots of surprised looks and no doubt many people said, "They must be doing Horse Fever again!"

Here is Hubble Horse looking around my studio at his new neighhhhhh-bors. (Couldn't resist). I am pretty excited about sharing a working space with him for awhile.

As Carlynne said yesterday on this very same blog, we are painting horses once again for a community art project. Carlynne, her husband, Mark and I are all painting one this year. Between the three of us, this time around brings our combined total to 8 horses, 3 giant butterflies and one full size dog. We are up to our ears in naked horses now and will keep you posted on how their coats of paint are progressing.

Have a peaceful and creative day,

Kelli

My day got a little sunnier

So my husband and I were both chosen to paint a horse for the new herd of Horse Fever horses in honor of the 10th anniversary of the original Horse Fever. This morning we went to pick up our fiberglass forms. Here's Amazing Hubby Mark at the Signature Brands warehouse checking out the horse he's going to paint. AND, even better news..... Kelli was chosen also. We're ALL painting horses! I love it. :)

 We actually got both horses in Dad's pick-up. I wasn't sure how that was going to work but work it did.

 Now here's my horse "Sunny" sitting outside the studio waiting for class to be over so he could be moved inside.

The students have gone home and Sunny gets to find a spot in the middle of the tables. So far I've sanded and done the first layer of gesso. Tomorrow he gets another sanding and another coat of gesso and then it's time for laying out the design. This is the part I'm not crazy about - the prep work. It's like the prep you have to do before painting a room - hate it! I just want to get to the fun part, the color.

I don't have pictures of Kelli's horse because she's on her way to pick it up as I write this. I'll have to let her take photos. Her horse will reside at her house for the duration. I wish we had the room to paint both of them here at the studio but unfortunately, to do that we'd have to kick the students out - don't think they'd appreciate it.

Kelli and I will keep you updated on how things are going. We'll have to do more talking about it than showing pics of the progress though since the finished designs are under wraps. You'll just have to wait til September to see what we've done.

I hope you're happy and creating something,
Carlynne

Painting Party/ Gold Sky Workshop

What are you doing Friday evening? If you'd like to create this Gold Sky painting yourself, sign up for our Friday Painting Party with Gold Sky Workshop! Do you work on Friday? Good news, just bring yourself (and some wine if you want to) and show up. We do all the rest!!!

$50 buys all your materials and snacks, entry into our door prize, art instruction and lots and lots of laughter and fun. And you go home with a finished painting. Friday, June 24 from 7-10 PM. 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd in Ocala. Space limited, only 4 seats left! RSVP-ASAP! Hope to see you!!

Peace and creativity,
Kelli

We're celebrating, so you get a discount!

To celebrate the opening of our new studio and gallery we're having a sale in the Etsy Shop tomorrow, June 15th. Everything in the shop will be 20% OFF from 9AM until 9PM. It's a one day event so don't miss out! When you go shopping use the coupon code: studioopeningsale 

Hope to see you at the opening Thursday.
Peace,
Carlynne

See What's New at the Studio

We have lots of new things at the studio and not just the artwork. Here is our fabulous new sink, purchased and installed by my fabulous husband, Greg, (thanks honey, you're the greatest!). If you are an artist, you know how really fabulous a utility sink is!!!!

And this is our wonderful refrigerator, donated by our student Lea and wrapped in artwork. The stick on wrap was printed by Carlynne's husband Mark( she thinks he's wonderful, too) at his family business, BJ Trophies. thanks so much, this is really cool, one of a kind.

If you are in the area, you should join us for our Grand Opening Reception this Thursday, June 16 from 5 to 8 PM. You can see our fridge, our sink and other creative wonders. Please join us to celebrate.

Peace, love and creativity,

Kelli

Save the Date

GRAND OPENING RECEPTION

Please Join Us On

June 16, 2011

from 5 until 8 PM

at

Hershberger & Huff Studios

1735 NE Jacksonville Rd, Suite 3

in Ocala, FL

Word Out Wednesday - Kelli Money Huff

"Treat your friends as you do your pictures, and place them in their best light."

 ~ Jennie Jerome Churchill

This week I thought I'd give some attention to someone who is my BFF, my painting partner, my teaching partner and my co-author on our book and blog. You see.... today is her birthday and she deserves to be honored. She is someone who spends much of her time taking care of others and when she does so much for family and friends I think she needs a bit of a shout out.

Kelli and I have worked together for years. We push each other, help each other, critique each other and listen to each other. We share studio space, expenses, chores, art supplies, laughs and sometimes tears. We hardly ever argue (unless someone brings up "blending stumps"). I truly believe I've gotten as far as I have because of her. She makes my life richer and infinitely more fun.

Enjoy her work.

                                                    

 These 2 pieces are from Kelli's Beach series. I love the texture and drips!

 Here she's using copper and texture.

Fabulous florals.

This gorgeous sunset is in our book on the Acknowledgements page.

And this piece.... well, this one she did for me. It's called 4 Women and it's about 4 generations in my family. She had been through an incredible journey with me and felt compelled to put it on canvas in this mixed media form. It's an amazing thing to have a friend who cares so much.

To my dearest friend - Happy Birthday. Thanks for who you are and everything you do. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and others.
Love and peace,
Carlynne

Word Out Wednesday - Jessi Miller

I'd like to introduce you to a friend of ours. She is Jessi Miller and she is one of the kindest people I know. Her heart is gold and her talent is huge. She is a designer extraordinaire. I asked her if she would share a little bit about herself so below you'll see her work and what she had to say.

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The 3 paintings above are from the Digital Paint series, mixed media on canvas - using bits from old electronics.

Can you tell us a bit about your education and work experience?

I thought I was ready to be a professional artist right out of high school! I nearly didn't go on to college. Fortunately, one of my high school art teachers who had encouraged me so much, told me I didn't know what I was doing and needed to continue my education. I listened and I'm grateful. I went to the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, worked very hard and found out how little I knew. I decided on a "practical" path, which was to work in advertising until my art took off on the side. 20 years later I still haven't quit the advertising side of art. I have worked in advertising agencies, had my own magazine in South Florida, worked for publishers and freelanced and I worked at Ocala Magazine for over 5 years. Currently I have my own marketing/branding design company (Little Black Mask Marketing) and I work and paint out of my downtown Ocala studio (Studio 9), which I share with artist Mary Verrandeaux. 

 The Kiss III

Acrylic on canvas

 Puppy Love II

Acrylic on canvas

What was your first memory as an artist?

It took me a long time to consider myself a "real artist." While I have lots memories of drawing in my childhood, creating assignments in high school and college, and even painting, illustrating, selling and showing art as an adult – I still did it all on the side of something else. I think the first time I honestly felt like an artist was during a showing in a Ft. Myers gallery, talking with the guests about my art. Hearing their impressions, the stories they got from my paintings, the emotions that were evoked by my work, and the further thoughtfulness it provoked, made me feel that I had accomplished something with the art – as opposed to just having accomplished the art itself. 

 The Nurturing I - Zebra

Acrylic on canvas.

 This was the first painting I made, right after college.

What does success in the art world mean to you?

It means affecting people with my art and making a living at it. I'm half way there (still not earning a living from it).

Like many artists, you're involved in many projects. How do you balance them all?

Insanity. Sometimes I think I'm not completely sane because of everything I'm doing. After all these years I have finally embraced the fact that I am not going to cut back on work and find "balance." After a particularly stressful and taxing project, I always feel the best sense of accomplishment and I realize, if I weren't so overwhelmed... if I had a calm balance... then I wouldn't be accomplishing these things. It's a sacrifice that I think a lot of great creative, driven people have made. 

You have a very distinct painting style, have you always worked that way? Do you like to work in different styles?

I haven't always worked in the "square brush stroke" style that I have been doing for a few years, but I have always worked with color and composition in an unnatural and strong way. I believe that some of the boldness comes from being a graphic artist. You know, "make it pop!" Also graphic design is a way of telling a story and evoking a response with a visual, so I think that I do the same in my paintings, too. I even suspect that, the "square brush stroke" is a painted version of a pixel, further extending the graphic design concept onto the canvas. 

I do like to work in different styles, actually, but have to admit that I have not for a long time. Marketing your work as an artist, it's important to be identifiable and unique, so I have focused on one style for some years now and will continue to do so until I get it out of my system. A lot of the graphic design that I do can be considered art as well, so digital art would be another style of mine.

To contact Jessi.......

www.littleblackmask.com

www.jessimiller.com/fineArt.html

325-286-8249

Thanks for sharing Jessi.