My Little Red Sketchbook

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my participation in the Sketchbook Project. The topic that I selected was "If You Lived Here". I felt that it would give me a good variety of things to sketch. I am not one of those artists that carries a sketchbook around. I usually just take photos that interest me and paint from that. I rarely sketch except on the paper or canvas that eventually becomes a painting. For this reason, I am finding this project more difficult than expected. I decided to use the first page to introduce my topic. You may not see clearly what the sketch shows, but it is all of the beautiful and crazy things that you find in Florida and that I may possibly sketch. Once I complete all of my sketches, the cover will be decorated.

My second sketch was inspired by the Grove Gallery Walk last month. The galleries were all exhibiting beautiful works of art. There was music all around. After walking around the Grove, we joined the drum circle. Beating those drums is therapeutic and the beat can be felt all over your body.

I am now in the process of sketching something happening this week. If you run into me these days, I will very likely be carrying my little red sketchbook!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h6aTyR3eEE
www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown

The art above is by: Carol Kingsley and Terry Mulrooney

Student Becomes Teacher

Having recently taken a workshop on mosaics, I was totally surprised when my husband asked me to teach him the basics. Me? I barely know the basics! What better way to see if I had been a good student than to teach someone what I know.

My husband felt this was something he could do. He would not share his design because he felt I might discourage him so he got his piece of wood, prepared it and we shopped for materials. Once he had all he needed, he revealed his design. He felt the process was easy, but it is tedious work. Patience should be on the supplies list.

I decided to do a piece and have him watch each step and then he followed. To my surprise, he made a piece that is functional and beautiful: house number for our house in Georgia.

Good job, Phil!

www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown

The National Arts Program in Miami Beach

My sister is one of my biggest fans. She attends all of my shows and encourages me to exhibit my art. A few weeks ago she told me about an art show taking place in the City of Miami Beach government offices. It was the 5th Annual Exhibit of The National Arts Program in Miami Beach. She emailed me the application and even delivered the art for me since most of my friends know that driving is not one of my talents.

Last week, I attended the opening reception at City Hall. I was pleasantly surprised when my name was called as the First Place winner in the professional category. The award was given to me by the City Manager, Jorge Gonzalez , and City of Miami Beach Mayor, Matti Herrera Bower (above). The piece I entered is a watercolor batik on rice paper (above). This is a process that I truly enjoy and apparently others do too. I want to thank my sister and her co-workers for their encouragement and the City of Miami Beach and the National Arts Program for the opportunity to exhibit and for the award.

www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown

Mosaics! Mosaics!

What else could I possibly get into doing now?? MOSAICS....that's what! A few friends from GroveHouse Artists Gallery took a workshop with our member mosaic artist, Mary Ponchio last month. At the time, I was busy painting silk scarves so I had to wait for the second one. We met at glass artist, Kathy Stults' house for the workshop. Mary brought what seemed like endless supplies and a completed bird house to inspire us. We spent the first day selecting our color scheme, designing our piece, cutting the glass and gluing them down. We could not believe what we had created in so short a time. Mary was right when she told us that our pieces would come alive when we grouted them the next day. To our amazement, we made something worth looking at. We not only had fun doing it, but we were very pleased with the end results. I truly believe this will be another way to create. Someone lock up the dishes at home..........I feel like breaking them all.

Mary was a wonderful teacher and Kathy a gracious hostess. Thank you both!

The Sketchbook Project

Many artists go around with a sketchbook to capture an image or situation that may end up becoming a piece of art. The Sketchbook Project works the same way, except it is the final product with the possibility of being viewed by hundreds of people across the nation. The project is described as a "concert tour, but with sketchbooks." The sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums across the country. They each have a bar code and, after the tour, will be available for viewing as part of the permanent collection at The Brooklyn Art Library.

Each artist selects the color of their sketchbook and a topic. After that, it is all left up to the creative hands and minds of thousands of artists. I selected a red sketchbook (pictured above) and the topic "If You Lived Here....".

I want to thank my artist friend Angeline Marie for introducing me to this project. I have shown you a picture of the book as it looks upon receipt. I will share with you some of my sketches along the way and the final product. Any suggestions of what you would sketch living here?

www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart

http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown