Heads Up

Golden Leaves

11x14

Acrylic

I wanted to give you a heads up so you can pencil this in on your calendar. The next Friday Night Painting Party will be January 27, 2012. We'll be doing  this colorful acrylic landscape in our 3 hour workshop. I know things are crazy right now with everyone getting ready for the holidays but when the dust settles be sure to let us know if you plan on coming. These painting parties fill up and space is limited! We'll get the details out soon but in the meantime you can post a comment here or send an email to hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com if you're interested.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Original ideas for original gifts

Christmas is almost here so this is the last week to shop! Today through Thursday will be your last chance to pick up truly original and artsy gifts for the holidays. Stop in and see trees, flowers, beaches, necklaces and more. Gift certificates are available too. We're open Monday through Thursday 11-3. 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd in Ocala.

I hope your Thanksgiving day was full of love and good food. Kelli and I both had a wonderful time with our families. Now the shopping season begins. I'm not out there battling the crowds and traffic, I'm here at home, nice and cozy, sitting at my computer and talking to you. I've never done the "black Friday camping outside in the wee hours, standing in line" thing. Maybe I'm missing out on a lot of fun but for right now this is exactly where I want to be and what I wanted to tell you is that everything in our Etsy shop is 30% OFF today through Monday. All you have to do is use the coupon code HOLIDAYDEALS to get the discount. There's a variety of one of a kind items so poke around and see what you can find. Happy shopping, where ever you are :)

Word Out Wednesday Carlynne Hershberger

If you want to see sensational abstracts derived from nature as well as fabulous landscapes by a skilled and multi-faceted artist, you must see Carlynne Hershberger's exhibit at the Brick City Center for the Arts, downtown Ocala, FL.

I could tell you how beautifully the work combines into a display of color and shapes that make you feel like you are walking in the woods, listening to birds chirp.

I could go on and on about the light coming through the trees making the colors seem luminous.

I could describe the perceived textures created with a brush that make you think you could reach out and touch the leaves.

But I think I will just let the work speak for itself.

Prairie Walk

18x14

Acrylic

I could tell you about the use of gold leafing in some of the skies, but better yet, you really need to see this exhibition for yourself to appreciate the exquisite work.

Brick City Center for the Arts

23 SW Broadway

Ocala, FL

Through the month of November

Peace,

Kelli

Green Art

This is a shot of one wall of the current exhibit at the Marion Cultural Alliance at Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala at 23 SW Broadway. The show features local artists and their interpretation of "going green" in the art world. Visitors will see artwork created with recycled materials.

My personal favorite is this piece titled "Paul's Pants" by Nancy Ihasz. This is a portrait, in a sense, of her husband Paul and illustrates how he always has a lot of keys and other odds and ends in his pockets. It is made with real denim jeans and real keys, etc. Nancy is a good friend and one of our star students. You also might know her as a Horse Fever Artist who created "Wildfire."

My Mom's fave (sorry Nancy) is titled "Quill Scape" by David D'Alessandri. He use recycled paper attached to canvas for this creation. David is another Horse Fever Artist who painted Forest King. You can vote for your favorite piece of recycled art at the exhibit.

Please try to visit this fun and inspirational show which runs through the month of November. And see the next post for photos of Carlynne's exhibit running concurrently in the same space.

Peace,

Kelli

Where will you be?

Where will you be on November 18 and 19? We hope you'll be at Hershberger & Huff Studios for our Holiday Open House. We have never before discounted all artwork and jewelry as we will for this event! Everyone gets a discount from 20, 25 and 30% off your entire order to 40% off any one item. This could be a huge savings for you, just in time before the holidays!

BE ORIGINAL BUY ORIGINAL GIVE ORIGINAL

Keep your shopping local and hand made. Support local artists and give one of a kind gifts.

Join us on November 18 and 19

from 11:00 to 3:00

Hershberger & Huff Studios

1735 NE Jacksonville Rd

Ocala, FL

I need more pencils!

Yes, I do. I need more colored pencils even though I have many hundreds of them - literally. I even have some full sets that haven't been disturbed yet. They look so pretty in their metal tins, all the colors of the rainbow lined up shiny and new, the beautiful sharp points just waiting there with so much potential. I have to confess, I am a colored pencil hoarder. Although I've been working in acrylic and mixed media more than anything else these last few years, I do still have my love for the humble pencil. After all, it was my first love and only love for over 2 decades. So what is the point (pun intended) of this post you ask? Prismacolor is coming out with new colors!!!! I need them, I want them, I must have them. Some of the colors are new and some are old colors being revived.

Check out  Prismacolor's blog post to see the list of 18 colors that they added to the line. They brought back 3 of the deco colors - yay! They also brought back 3 of the neon colors. Personally I would rather they left out the neons and brought back the rest of the deco colors, especially since they left out my favorite - deco orange, but hey, I'll deal. It's just fun to have some new colors to look for in the store, another reason excuse to buy more pencils.

While you're on Prismacolor's blog post I noticed they also have links to their lightfast ratings along with a link for tools, tips, and techniques so check those out if you're interested.

Peace,
Carlynne

Field Trip!

One of our students (we'll call her Diane), has been asking (constantly nagging) us to go on a field trip to see a museum. So, given the fact that we like to give our students a well rounded education, (and like to have fun) one day we just said ROAD TRIP!!! And that is how we ended up in Deland last Wednesday instead of the usual class room. Our first stop was the Florida Museum for Women Artists (FMWA). Above you see Nancy looking at one of my personal faves, by Libby Ware titled Atlantis. You can't tell from this photo, that it's entirely made of clay. I love the white on white and the opposing shapes and textures of this piece.

Below is a detail of a painting called Daybreak. I am showing you one portion of it (apologies to the artist Chris Kling) so that you could better see the exquisite rendering of the palm trees. When you've lived in Florida as long as I have, palm trees are a dime a dozen. Carlynne and I both zeroed in on the loose but lovely quality of these.

This is another that was love at first sight for both Carlynne and I. Called Distance, this painting by Laura Varich is the most perfect blend of loose brush strokes, color, and shapes. Kudos.

Here you see one of our students, Johnie (aka Mom to me) viewing her favorite piece by Karlene McConnell titled Intersections. The artist may or may not have intended it to feel like flowers, but that is the way my Mom interpreted it. (Notice the flowers in her blouse.) I like the colors and the mix of straight and curvilinear elements.

Part of our group, Johnie, Diane (yes that one) and Cindy.

Diane, hiding.

Another fave of both Carlynne and myself. Grace Leal, the artist of this piece called Weeds, gave the curators license to arrange these small encaustic pieces any way they wanted and this is what they came up with. See closer view of individual pieces below.

Encaustic (painting with pigmented wax) is another thing that I would love to do if it didn't involve new materials and tools that I do not have. I am already crowding myself out of two studios. If only there was enough time, money and space to do everything I want to do!

Our second stop after a really nice lunch at the Mainstreet Grill (they had to put us in a separate room on the lower level so we didn't disturb other patrons), we headed to the Museum of Florida Art. Here you see Cindy playing curator in the M & M Exhibit by John Wilton. It's a wonderful interactive display of canvases all same shape in various sizes that the viewer is encouraged to arrange any way they want. Where else do they allow you to touch the artwork, (I've come close to being arrested for this)? And below you see the arrangement that Cindy and Nancy felt was just right.

I think we are fortunate in our fairly rural part of Central Florida to have as many high quality museums as we do. We have all decided that there are more field trips in our future. Hope you can join us next time!

Make art, not war.

Kelli

Paint This Landscape Yourself!

Can you believe it's October already? And almost time for our October painting party/workshop. This painting is the Trinity River in California and we will be doing it in acrylic paint on Studio wrapped canvas. We supply everything and for $50 you get tools, supplies, and everything needed to create this yourself. Oh, did I mention the food, the fun and you can bring wine if you wish?!

October 28, 2011 from 7-10 PM

at Hershberger & Huff Studios in Ocala, FL.

Save the date and give us your reservation by Oct.21. Hope to see you there!

Don't miss the fun!!

We have so much fun in our workshops and classes!! There's just as much laughter as there is creativity. We still have a few seats left for this Friday's painting party/workshop. Create an original abstract 12 x 12 inch studio wrapped canvas with textures in acrylic. We provide everything, you just show up. Oh, and you can bring your own wine if you like! We paint, we party, we learn, we have fun!!

Friday 7-10 PM, Hershberger and Huff Studios at 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd. in Ocala, FL. Email today to reserve your seat.

And don't forget to save the date for October's painting party. Trinity River landscape, October 28, from 7-10. Just bring yourself, we have everything else.

Peace,
Kelli

Time is running out!

Time is running out to sign up for our Acrylic Texture Workshop. Paint your own abstract beach piece. Enjoy fun, food and creating with lots of guidance. No need to bring anything, unless you want to bring your own wine! $50 fee provides all materials and tools to finish a 12 X 12 inch abstract beach piece with real shells and lots of sand texture. Feel the beach, remember your summer fun, decorate your home with a natural piece that you made yourself. We have tons of fun too!

Others are doing evening painting party/workshops but not like ours!! We pride ourselves on teaching only top quality creative work that you will be proud to hang in your home when you are finished. Workshop is at Hershberger & Huff Studios on September 30, 2011 from 7-10 PM. Contact us today to reserve your seat by the deadline of September 23.

Peace and creativity,

Kelli

We're So Proud

This photo shows Charles Mays, one of our star students (Chuck to us) at the opening reception for the new exhibit at Gateway Bank, beside his wife, Judy. His work is displayed along with the work of Diane Laws.


You teach your students everything you know and you hope for the best and sometimes they go out into the world and make you proud!! The colored pencil drawing above is a piece by Chuck Just a sampling of the lovely work that he and Diane Laws have currently on display at Gateway Bank on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, FL.


This is one of Diane's pieces, her specialty is horses with an occasional dog or landscape. Chuck draws a lot of florals and birds as well as other subjects. They have both been with us (star students) for many many years and their work shows their extensive experience.

The exhibit will be on display through September 20 at Gateway Bank. Please try to see it before it's gone. Well worth the trip!! Congratulations Chuck and Diane, we are very proud of you.

Peace and love to you,
Kelli

Do you want to learn how to do fabulous texture like this?

Do you love the beach?

Put them together in the next Friday Night Painting Party.

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!!!!

The next Friday Night
Painting Party/Workshop
At Hershberger & Huff Studios
Is set for
September 30, 2011
And we’re going back to the beach!

Come as you are, no need to bring anything,
We provide it all!
You leave with a 12x12 inch completed
Textured acrylic painting reminiscent of the beach!
For application/flyer reply to this email
Space is limited—act now! 

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

Mark the October calendar

So, you already know about the Friday Night Painting Party that's happening on Sept. 30. Of course it's on your calendar and you're ready to paint the really cool beach piece. Just to get a little jump ahead we thought we'd also show you what we're planning for the Oct. 28th Painting Party. We're doing this lovely little landscape. This is one of my favorite scenes from the Trinity River in CA. It's 8x10 acrylic on canvas and I'll take you through it step by step. More details to come later.

I hope you're doing something creative,
Carlynne

 Yep, Amazing Hubby is underneath the get up. He's getting ready to go outside and deal with the fiberglass form that is to become one of the herd known as Horse Fever.

 Here he is out in the backyard working with all sorts of tools. No, you can't see more than that because it's a big secret! Sept. 29 is the big reveal.

And, here we have my horse Sunny, all wrapped up and ready to go. He was picked up last Wednesday, wrapped in blankets along with 2 of his buddies, off they went to get their clear coats. It was a feeling of relief to have him finished but at the same time I was sad to see him go. He's now out of my hands. Our students are probably relieved to have the classroom back though. They've spent a few weeks just hearing voices from the other side of the horse. Now they actually get to see who's talking at the other table during class.

Moving on.......
Peace and happy painting,
Carlynne

My Painting

You know how you raise your kids and you send them out into the world and you hope they will do something to make you proud? Well this one did. Here is my piece hanging at Artful Gifts in the Circle Square Commons in Ocala, FL with my First Place Blue Ribbon beside it. Visit the Life at the Beach Exhibition while it's there if you can.

Make art, not war.

Peace,

Kelli

Save the Date!!

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!!!!

The next Friday Night
Painting Party/Workshop
At Hershberger & Huff Studios
Is set for
September 30, 2011
And we’re going back to the beach!

Come as you are, no need to bring anything,
We provide it all!
You leave with a 12x12 inch completed
Textured acrylic painting reminiscent of the beach!
For application/flyer reply to this email
Space is limited—act now!

Open House and Networking Event

Our neighbor and landlord BJ Trophies is hosting an Open House this Thursday evening and we are participating! The event, which is sponsored by Ocala Business Leaders, takes place from 5-7 PM on Thursday the 11th of August. We will both be open and available for questions and networking.

BJ Trophies will be highlighting "the machine," the Roland VersaCamm printer that does the most amazing things. We are the lucky recipients of a Grand Opening sign made on the machine and are in the process of having some high quality digital art reproductions done. If you are an artist you might want to see what this printer can do with your artwork.

If you come on Thursday you will see our newest artwork and jewelry on display. Come for food, fun, networking and information.


Make art,
not war.
Peace,

Kelli

Art History

Here is a piece from my new line of pendants in our Etsy shop. These are cave paintings,......well simulated cave paintings. And I think they look amazingly real. Well, OK, I've never been to Europe or seen any of the real cave paintings, but have studied them for years. I have always been fascinated by very early artwork, soooo Egyptian hieroglyphics as well as prehistoric paintings in caves have been a focus of interest for me. I have wanted to recreate them in jewelry for years and now I think I have done a pretty good job of depicting the textures, colors and the images.

This is the back of one of the pendants. They are approximately 2 inches and are on cords that are about 36 inches long. The best part is that although they look like they are done on pieces of stone, they are incredibly light weight as I started with art board. They are sold in our Etsy shop for $19 and free shipping!!!

I have used acrylic texture gels to recreate the feel of the cave and acrylic paint to simulate the colors. I seriously think that any artist worth her salt will want to wear her very own piece of Art History.

Peace and love,

Kelli