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