We had a good time last week with our Prismacolor rep Diana Garrett. She came down to the Sunshine State to do some presentations so she came by the studio during our Monday class and shared some great info, some laughs and some really great prizes! Everyone left with a goodie.

It doesn't matter how long you've been painting, there's always something new to learn. I've been doing a lot of work in acrylic on canvas the last few years and very little with colored pencil but watching Diana got me fired up again for the pencil. Why did I practically abandon my old friend the colored pencil? Because of framing, framing, framing!! (and to be honest, it was also just time to do something different) I have a portfolio full of work on paper that could be in frames but unless it has someplace specific to go I just can't spend the money to frame it. Dealing with canvas is so much easier and less costly.

During Diana's presentation she brought out some of her own work - beautiful! She's not just a rep for Prismacolor but also a wonderful artist. What was so inspiring? Not just the wonderful work she does but the ideas she brought with her (and yes, if I had been thinking, I would've taken some pics of her work so you could see it). We talked about ideas like working with colored pencil on plexiglass and wood, ways of working with the pencil so it can be varnished and not have to be framed in the traditional way with glass and mat, working on skins made from pastel ground that were painted on glass, peeled off and applied to another surface. Some of these things I've done before but it's nice to have a refresher to the get the blood flowing again. Some of them I haven't tried and it's always exciting to have something new to look
forward to.

Tomorrow night I'm looking forward to showing some of our students how to make an altered book. It'll be brand new for them so hopefully they'll get fired up about doing something different. I'll be back with pics from the workshop.....

til then, peace and happy painting,

Carlynne

Party Pics

Aren't they pretty? They don't even have paint on them and they're so colorful. We had just gotten done with the workshop, washed the brushes, laid them out to dry and they looked so good to me I couldn't resist taking a photo.

Busy students working on their paintings.....

they look so serious. Don't be fooled....

Many laughs later here they are with their finished works. I really love doing these classes where everyone is doing the same piece. When the work is done I get to see the personality of each person come through in the work. Everyone did such a great job!

Thanks for the fun everybody, I'm looking forward to next month's party!

Carlynne

I'm having a work at home kind of day today. I've spent a lot of time down at our new studio since we opened and I love it but sometimes I just miss my home studio stuff. Yes I know.... I'm incredibly fortunate to have 2 locations to paint in. I count my blessings every day. Today I woke up with a bad headache and just feel kinda yucky so I'm enjoying the home space. As you can see it doesn't have to be kept quite so "picked up". It's loaded with supplies and it just feels good to me. It's kind of small in the photo but there's a clay pot sitting in front of the shelves. I use it to hold my wash brushes. My son made that coil pot when he was in middle school and I treasure it. I decided it needed to stay in here with my art stuff since my studio used to be his bedroom. I see it, I think of him and I smile.

Of course I had to make room in the studio for the movie collection. Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp keep me company when I paint.

There's no such thing as too many brushes. They can be a pain to store though so if you get a chance to snag a display rack from a store do it. Many times retail stores get new displays from manufacturers when new products come out. Ask them what they do with the old ones. Besides art suppliers try the craft stores, home decor places, even home improvement stores.

This is one of the handiest finds..... it's a lazy susan used for cake decorating. You can find them in the craft stores where you find Wilton products. I use it when I'm working on small canvases and want to work on the edges of the canvas without having to pick the canvas up or touch the edges. You could even do spin art with it :) Now I need to find one that will fit a 36x36 canvas!

Love and cherish your creative space,
Carlynne

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.

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

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