Saturday on the Square:) Meet the Artists Preview Night For Empty Bowls At the Cove

“You know what you call a large room full of talented artists? Amazing… you just call them AMAZING.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

**************************

I swear, every year the auction and collectors bowls created by the awesome local artists and artisans gets more amazing each year. I use the words amazing and awesome so much when I describe these talented folks because there are no better words available.

Today was the preview night, and the weather was just perfect, sunshine and about 80°. I’ll just get right down to showing off my awesome friends’ and other artists’ work.

I have three different bowls donated this year. Sid and Helene joined me this evening. There were so many awesome bowls, and I got to see some dear artist friends that I haven’t seen in ages.

And who did we run into first thing when we arrived? The Murphy dynamic duo. Sherri’s bowl is so cute.

So many friends, so little time.

There were quite a few more beautiful pieces, but I didn’t photograph them all. I’ll have to wait till May 12th to see them all again. It will be the best year ever, I’m sure.

Friday:) From The Cove~Meet the Artists of Empty Bowls

“When artists get together and collaborate, magic happens.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

**************************

Friday and Saturday, the community has the opportunity to meet many of the artists and potters who collaborated to create dozens of beautiful hand-crafted bowls that will be auctioned off on May 16.

I was honored to have three bowls featured at the pre-view event. Instead of just standing around and mingling and nibbling, I decided to take my paints, brushes and a few white bowls to paint and demonstrate my signature bluebonnets. I got a chance to chat with other artists, potters, and visitors while I painted.

Alex Macias was home for Spring Break and was at The Cove throwing several beautiful clay bowls.

The large bluebonnet bowl that I under glazed last month was thrown by the talented Steve Macias. Lynne Weinberger’s cute bird and Marybeth Jagger’s hearts and birds were a lovely addition to the display.

If you missed the pre-view today, you still have a chance to visit The Cove Saturday evening, 6:30-9 pm, and meet some very talented artists, sip a little wine, and nibble some snacks. (I took some of my signature brownies, too)

Tuesday:) Two Talented McKinney Artists~ Wayne & Valerie Batchelder

“Happiness [is] only real when shared”

― Jon Krakauer

*************

Last night, we had such a wonderful potluck gathering at The Cove for our monthly McKinney Creative Community meeting. There was great food, friendship, conversation, sharing, and a presentation by local artists Wayne and Valerie Batchelder.

The main focus wasn’t as much on the creativity and craftsmanship of the couple, but more about how do two artists manage to work independently, stay focused, and stay married. The summary from both Valerie and Wayne was that they both admired each other’s talent, never criticized or critiqued, but most importantly, that they both understood that inner drive and need to create, no matter how long it takes or the time it takes away from other things. They both “get it.” How cool is that!

Valerie loves to create her whimsical portraits, but also enjoys stylized or realistic landscapes and florals.

Wayne is a gifted potter who spends endless hours forming lumps of clay into beautiful works of art.

It was fascinating how he described with such excitement how an old twisted piece of wood was destined to become a handle for an organic platter or coffee mug.

And the best part of our wonderful McKinney Creative Community is that everyone and anyone is welcome. Everyone learns and shares. Everyone is inspired and everyone knows that art is a part of all of us.

If you’re interested in joining us, check Facebook or Google McKinney Creative Community.

Thursday:) The Art Club of McKinney

“When people tell me that they can’t even draw a stickman, I tell them that the secret isn’t being born a great artist, the secret is having a great art teacher.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

**************************

This morning was our November meeting of the Art Club of McKinney. The early agenda and discussion was busy reporting minutes, upcoming events, the artist of the month contest, a raffle and a wonderful break for refreshments before the artist demonstration.

Our guest artist today was Magda Dia, who is also a club member, a fine potter, lives in and has a teaching studio in the historic district, and is also a sweet friend.

Magda demonstrated all the steps to throwing small clay bowls on the wheel, along with tips and tricks for creative throwing. (A little throwing of clay splatters did occur on the front row spectators)

Volunteer, Gena Roberson, tried her hand at making a bowl. She did a great job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0I2UgIIXUA

We had a very fun and informative meeting and demonstration today.

Magda’s classes and studio can be found on Facebook at Jump Into Art.

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom

“The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become.” ~ Jim Rohn***********

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of joining a few local artists at SPARC. Artist/potter, Laura Canfield has been hosting clay pot throwing and creative glazing in preparation for next year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser. I enjoy the impromptu process of decorating a bowl with glaze, knowing that it will find its way to good home, and the money raised will help,feed the hungry.

  
Laura has been donating her time and talents to the community for many years, as have dozens of local artists. I feel blessed to know these fine folks and be part of this creative and sharing community. They all love what they do and always happy to share.

   
 
These bowls will be bold, beautiful, and shiny once they have been kiln fired. 

Here’s one that I glazed last month.

   
 
I love being an artist and a writer. I get to create beautiful works of art, then I get to write about it. Doubley blessed. 

  
“The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become.” ~ Jim Rohn

What have you become?

Friday: Friends Who Play Together Stay Together and Throw Clay at Each Other

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
*********************
You know what’s even more fun than playing all day? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s playing with your good friends, sharing food, ideas, chatting, and learning new things.

Yesterday was a fun play day for me. It started out with an exhilarating Zumba class with Diane, a long walk in the chilly afternoon, dinner with my friend, Lynne, and a fun clay class in the evening with friends.

(L to R) Wendolin, Sherry, instructor Laura, Terree and Lynne.
Several girlfriends met at SPARC, a fantastic artist facility that offers pottery and many other art classes in the historic district of McKinney. Laura Canfield guided us through several clay hand building, glazing, carving, and playing with clay techniques. We are all artists, but none of us experienced in clay or pottery. It’s always fun to create something new and broaden our horizons. And no, we really didn’t throw clay at each other. Maybe next time.

What I love about the art community in McKinney is that so many talented people offer to share their talents and experience with others. We learn so much from each other, but most importantly, we have so much fun. We have become good friends.

Here are some of our playing with clay photos. Thanks Laura.

My 3 tiles on the left and Sherry’s trees on the right.

We all worked on some larger projects. I forgot to take pictures of them all, but here is the cross I made. It has to dry and be fired. Now, how to glaze???

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday Fire and Brimstone

“There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.”
― Vincent van Gogh
*****************
I’m not sure what brimstone is, but if it is anything as spectacular as the fabulous raku pottery that was being fired this evening at SPARC (St. Peter’s Artist Run Community), then you can see that “there may be a great fire in our soul.”

SPARC celebrated their grand opening this evening with guest potters, including Kym Owens from Sunset Canyon Pottery, Steve Macias, Laura Canfield, and other local potters.

Steve, with the help of other potters, demonstrated outdoor raku firing all evening, while inside, beautiful pottery was on display, and potters were on hand to share their creative expertise.

It was a warm McKinney night, the kiln was crazy hot, the company warm and friendly, but the artists, potters and friends enjoyed a wonderful evening of creativity.

SPARC is located at 405 N. Sherman Street, McKinney, TX 75069 and can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sparc405. There offer weekly hand-building, private wheel and pottery classes, workshops, parties, date nights and girls night out.

Steve Macias is an amazing potter.

Local artists display their work.