finishing School -Wildflowers and mosaic

I finished up at camp today (tears and relief) and after a fun afternoon of strolling around Hingham square at the sidewalk sale (the weather is glorious today!) and seeing friends and artists at work I came home and finished up my weed panel. My brother pointed out that wildflowers were really a nicer way to refer to them - he is so right. Weeds are just flowers in the wrong place.
I didn't plan the orientation of how they would be on the panel- it was spontaneous and somewhat accidental- so it is what it is!
And here is the installed mosaic in the lobby of Derby Academy -it looks great in it's new home. This makes the number of mosaics I've put  there up to 8!

I am always happy to leave behind the summer group mosaics and hope the students who return in the fall enjoy the new installations.

It feels so great to finish stuff!

2 posts-set up day and weed painting

WOW- i cant believe I am even breathing- it took all day to get my classroom cleaned and assembled and ready to be a gallery.
I realize that if i was more organized and started earlier I could avoid the long set up- but hey- its just the way it is.

I let the kids create and help them right up to the last minute. These are the camper mosaics and  paintings.

I ended the day by watching the camp musical "Little Shop of Horrors"

The kids were amazing- such talent! I have goosebumps.

FRIDAY

OOPS- yesterdays post never got published! Today was our festival day at camp- it is always great to meet the parents of the kids I have spent the last 5 weeks with,

Here is one of my all time favorite mosaics done by a 15 year old camper

A toaster I salvaged from the dump! Complete with wooden toast!

I painted on my weed panel when i got home - I planned on doing a lot more on it but my daughter Markie said she liked the graphic quality so I stopped ( then worked on my secret painting!)

camp fun

Only two more days of camp!
I am so sad and yet- it will be kind of nice to get my life back.
Camp is a hotbed of creativity- it is contageous.

Here is a mosaic I did  with campers a few years ago- it is a 16"x20" stained glass window mosaic...thought it was worth revisiting.
Here are the ungrouted mosaic panels- installation tomorrow!

And here is my fantastic nieces amazing quilt- unbelievable- the quilt class is just incredible!

And hers is the BEST of course

This is my flower painting-I walked around and asked kids to draw funny people on my canvas- then I painted them in- it got caught in the sprinkler even!

this is the beginning of my painting-inspired by Kelly Moore.

Lastly- a photo of my mosaic class- all the kids helping these campers finish grouting-one mosaicked a toaster and the other a toy box- all will be in display this friday at Festival Day!

OTB

I can't show you what I painted today because its a secret! Come to the North River Arts Society on August 7 and see the "Out of the Box" show- lots of great art- silent auction-fun time! and the best part is no one knows who's is who's.

 Check out this link for more info.

Mine has flowers in it - I promise....

eyeball plant

This is a watercolor from the deck of my friends amazing beach house at Humarock beach.

Everything in it has been remodeled to a mid century modern  design.

SO cool- it inspired me to paint this way.

She actually has a plant that is called an eyeball plant- to me it looked like green olives!

flip and flop

I LOVE SUMMER!

graduation party

This is a watercolor from one of the bouquets on the table in our yard at the party for my daughter Maddie's graduation today.

Right now it's going on and I am still blogging. Well, they are all having a blast and all the preparations are done so why not!

I think I have about 51 days left of this challenge. Can't stop now.

According to my calculations it will be September 14.

mosaic bracelet and campers stained glass

I paper mached this bracelet ( lower left) and mosaicked it today- its an experiment to see if mosaics can be wearable art! I will grout it on Monday.

The elephant piece is by a camper- she finished it today- AMAZING!

Next Friday is "festival day"- the culmination of  the 5 weeks of camp where the parents come and see all the art, music, photography, theatre, film and more! It is open to the public- let me know if you are interested and I will give you the info..

I'm always sad to see it end- it is so much fun.

more fun from camp

Tonight I am at the camp at the annual CIT sleepover.Its late and the kids art on the stage singing and dancing and some are in the gym playing games.
It's great for these kids to be together- tomorrow they will perform their show for the camp.
Here is my grouted mosaic.. and one of the camper's stained glass mosaic underneath.

super hero day and my foamie doorhanger

• I am pushing it here posting this- but it IS a flower and I WAS at camp and my time is SO smooshed up- I love being at this arts camp and soaking up the talents of all those around me.

I played with 7 year olds today making these fun foam doorknob hangers. I love listening to the boys when they were designing theirs- they were all like "keep out!" and NO SISTERS!" and of course, the inevitable bathroom talk. Oh how I love these kids....

Today was "Superhero day"

 Okay, this one was a bit disturbing..

Here is a mosaic I did with the kids a few years ago. It's in the lobby of Derby Academy.

rose of sharon 8"x10" acrylic on panel

Did this one at camp -there is a lovely tree blooming right outside the classroom.

I did it fast and loose!

I worked on this tee shirt design today to get ready to send to the farm-SO BEHIND on this! Still not sure- think I need to simplify the foreground.
Fixed the crooked barn a little- helps to see it on the computer to fix it.

Demo At Michaels

I did this at Michael's  Art Store today from a fake strawberry pot- under harsh florescent light with soft rock playing in the background.

People could not have cared less that I was there-one person stopped but thought I worked there ( I did have the red apron on!) and asked me where the gimp was.

I thought of this funny thing

( Martha Stewart)

 But it was still fun.

I got to paint.

I am teaching a 2 hour landscape painting workshop this thursday from 6-8

demo painting 30"x30" acrylic

I painted this in front of an audience today at my opening- it was totally spontaneous and fun. It is based on my beach walk this morning- and amazingly enough people liked it!

It will go to different  places for sure, and who knows where, but I love the beginning stages of these paintings. Thank you to all who attended the opening today- I really loved seeing so many of my friends and family there today!

last daylily- watercolor on paper 3"x5"

Took every last ounce of energy to do this today-another hot fun filled camp day.

2 more weeks! I love the daylilies, hate to see them go.

I will be cutting down the spent stalks this weekend- also have two demos to do, one at the Duxbury show ( opening Saturday from 2-4) as well as Sunday at Michael's art and craft in Hanover.

Weir Farm Tee Shirt Design

Started in on this one- quite a way to go.

The Barn looks crooked- might be the photo?

Joreen at the sink in Maine- acrylic on canvas 24" x 20"(Oldie)

Did this one from a photo from a trip to Maine 3 years ago, its been hiding ...

I didnt get to paint today- it was the annual camp staff party tonight at my brothers barn- ( my brother Chip is a big part of the camp - he does the website and video)

great time with the rock and roll band and dancin.

Nice to get the cool rain!

So, this might be cheating using and oldie, but I thought what the heck. 

Camp Mosaic

Every year at Derby I create a large installed mosaic mural with my kids to leave behind in the school. I love sitting around and doing these with the staff and campers- its like a big puzzle and we get into that silly mode people get into when doing a jigsaw puzzle together.

This year is a quote by Picasso, and it will be installed in the recessed panels built into the lobby's window seat. There's no real plan beyond the words, it will evolve, and you will see it as it does.

Bits of Cabo ( still in progress)

Still working on this- just swirling the color around- the heat is getting to me I think!

300th post giveaway

I am giving away this painting of peonies! I loved hearing from all of you and wanted all of you to win, but fair is fair.

Here is the official drawing of names...

AND THE WINNER IS.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

HELENE DICARLO!

Congratulations Helene !

bits of Cabo 24"x24" acrylic on canvas ( work in progress)

The other day I repainted an old acrylic  painting on canvas I didn't like and covered it with  charcoal sketches from my Mexican vacation . I LOVE to work this way- stream of conciousness- letting the colors go where they want. I will be working on this for a while- these take time to evolve. I never know when I'm really done- I asked Jane Filer when she knows when she's done- she says"when I love every little bit of it". Thanks Jane (not there yet)!

Thanks for all your messages- I will do the giveaway tomorrow- it will be a surprise- one of my flowers!

WO! 300!

I just counted my posts and realized- I am at 299!
I will do a giveaway tomorrow-and will announce the winner on Sunday. Just email me ( or comment) and I will put you in the hat!
Camp today was fun- we made"crazy stick people". I love making art like this- from branches and fabric and wire and random stuff.

I was in a great mood today until I drove past this street .

Come on!

Kate Painting 8'x10" acrylic on panel

This is a wonderful girl at camp that paints lovely soft paintings.

Needs a bit more work. These student acrylics are a challenge but I use what the kids use!

"heat wave" acrylic on canvas 9"x12"

It was so hot today at camp-this is the view from my window  of the field where the campers meet in the morning and afternoon. I painted this from the window of my HOT classroom. I have 3 fans are in there but it just blows the hot air around, but I kind of like the way the heat makes the kids slow down, They were painting and making mosaics sloooooowly, and were very quiet. 

I barely finished this- too hot.

Calla lilies 9"x12" acrylic on panel

Still inspired from my Mexico trip!

I did this one for an example to show at Michael's in Hanover- I am teaching a two hour workshop there a once a month. Its a new venture and I hope its fun....I did this from silk flowers ( I don't usually like to do that but this is what the class will be!) 

It will be on July 22 from 6-8 PM. Join me! I am not sure if its advertised yet but I will post the info ...

Hope everyone had a great 4th- it  could not have been a better weekend-filled with cook outs, fireworks, swimming and even a kayak ride out on the river! 

I'm tired but in a great sun kissed way.

A visit from Jane Filer

Me and Jane Filer by my pond- she and her husband John drove up from North Carolina up to deliver paintings to her Connecticut gallery and  then visited the Art Complex( where she will be showing next year!) and stayed  over night at our house.

She and John are delightful- friendly, warm, full of stories and humor.

Enchanting- just like her paintings!

I was so tired today- but I did this little rubber cut print of my "white trash" clothesline .

Not anything like I wanted it to look but I would have had to cut away a lot more to get white and I was to dang tired!

Cherries-used to be flowers! 8"x10" acrylic on panel

I did this one for my Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge group-the theme is summer desserts. I was at camp and went looking in search of watermelon- no luck-this is what was on the menu instead. But I love these cherries!

My Show is OPEN!

The Helen Bumpus Gallery

Presents

   “Mixed Media & More”

 artworks by

Sally Dean

 July - August 2010

Reception and Gallery Talk

Saturday July 17, 2010

2:00 – 4:00 pm.

  Duxbury Free Library

77 Alden Street, Duxbury

781-934-2721

Rt. 3 to exit 11 to Rt. 14 east

Right on Alden St. to Library

Hours:  Mon. 2-8pm

Tues, Wed, Thurs, 10am – 8pm

Fri. & Sat. 10am – 5pm