[07/03/08]6″ x 6″ and 24″ x 24″ Original Acrylic Paintings now available for purchase at Pony Express Photos and Frames located at 202 W. Exchange St, Owosso, MI 48867. A selection of mix and match matting and framing choices have been created exclusively for this line of paintings. Keep the same frames on the wall and easily swap paintings and/or mattings to create a new look for the season, month, occasion, mood etc. Must see to appreciate this new concept. Get excited! I am. Decorating is now easy and fun! Start your collection of Mix and Match Art by Jennifer JANSON today.
 Entering its 14th year, the Lansing JazzFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. JazzFest’s music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn’t been played at any other festival.This year’s festival will take place Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, 2008, in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors line the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques open their doors during festival hours.
Lansing JazzFest continues to grow thanks to the contributions of its sponsors and volunteers.
Location
The Lansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of Old Town Lansing, at the intersection of Turner St. and E. Grand River Ave.
Alison Vernon is a Palette Knife Painter from New Hampshire. She is amazingly talented. This 4 minute videos give instruction as well as entertainment. Give it a try. Press play. You know you want to.
 Today is my 39th Birthday. Not a mile stone birthday but one to give celebration to none-the-less. I started my day off a bit differently today. Instead of waking and sipping my coffee and going straight to the computer I went for a walk with my Dogs. The morning air is chilled, the birds are singing joys for new day and my Dogs are floppy eared bounce running down the path. This may become my new routine. It was great. After my walk I did go to the computer to check my e-mail to find my letter from Robert Genn which I subscribe to. His words always seem to provide food for my creative soul, today especially. Perhaps it was the walk, maybe the birthday. In this letter was an extra gift, videos of him plein-air painting. Plein air simply means in open air or outside. I did enjoy the videos and think you may too. I am such a visual person, as most artists are, watching a process is so much more rewarding and informative than reading about it. I hope you enjoy my Birthday Gifts as I pass them along to you.
Kiln update: The electrician is installing the 220 outlet for my kiln as I type this. My partner found a book for me at Barnes and Noble . The Complete Potter by Steve Mattison. The complete reference to tools, materials, and techniques for all potters and ceramicists.
 I’m so excited. I have a kiln now. It was delivered to the lower level of my studio Yesterday. I bought it used from a co-workers mother. I know nothing about using a kiln but will have fun learning. I envision experimenting with glass and firing some pottery. I can create sculptures, wall ornaments, cookie jars, cool mugs and plates. Oh my.. okay but first thing first - I need a 220 outlet installed. The electrician will be here in the morning to assess the situation. I probably should get a book on the subject- kilns and pottery that is. I’ll have to talk to Deidre Hunt with the Artisan’s Circle in Lansing as well. She holds classes as do a couple others through the Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso. Oh I could make jewelry. Do hear hear the wheels in my head spinning?
The woman I bought it from warned me on the phone numerous times, “It’s ugly!” I had to laugh. As long as it works that’s all that matters to me. I bought it sight unseen. She was right it is ugly but I’m so excited it awesome to me. It stands about hip height. She said it’s big enough to do a good amount but not so big you feel like yo can’t fire it up because you don’t have enough to fill it. Click here to see more about my new kiln.
Art in the Park is the Shiawassee Art Center’s annual event that takes place during the Owosso Curwood Festival the first full weekend in June.
Art in the Park is comprised of activities for children, face painting, funny photos, sales of popcorn, pop, candy, book signings by Michigan authors, and other events.
Saturday 10am-6pm ,
Sunday 11am-4pm
Volunteers Needed! Call (989) 723.8354
Become one of the many thousands of people each year who look forward to the second weekend in June for one of the premier events the community has to offer.
Listen to local music by some of our areas best musicians. Stop by our concessions tent to enjoy a soda or bratwurst. For those 21 or older quench your thirst with an “adult” beverage at the Sidewalk Cafe.
 It Happens RAIN OR SHINE
6/13/2008 - 6 PM - 10 PM
6/14/2008 - 10 AM - 6 PM
6/15/2008 - 11 AM - 5 PM
Friday Night 6/13/2008
Go Friday evening from 6-10pm
for a FREE evening of Pre-Fair music.
The Flint Art Fair is located on the grounds of the Institute of Arts.
It’s on the corner of Kearsley St. and Crapo St.
The official address would be 1120 E. Kearsley, Flint 48503.
Phone: 810.234.1695
Artists can register online
Click here for information
on fees & services.
The deadline for submitting applications for the 2008 Fair was March 10, 2008.
For more information visit http://www.flintartfair.org/
We are constantly erasing the Dogs never ending abstract creations from this front window. I haven’t had the heart to erase their newest creation, an impressionistic masterpiece. Ale looks quite proud of it don’t you think?
Make a Junky Birdhouse or better yet an entire White Trash Park for the Birds!
THE HOME: Think of all those holiday tins collecting dust. Put them to good use. Any thin metal container will work for your birds home.
MAKING YOUR HOLE: You can start the hole for your birdhouse with an ice pick or large nail and a hammer or a drill with a metal drill bit. The trick here is to get a some support on the inside so your house doesn’t collapse while your starting the hole. Use a piece of wood that’s close in size to the interior diameter of your house. Make small starter holes larger by inserting a large screwdriver and or chisel. Manipulate it against the sides and strike it with a hammer until you get the shape and size you want for your entry. Keep the sides as smooth as you can so little tweeters don’t get cut.
PERCHES: Bird perches are easy to make using eating utensils. They are easily bent to shape and inserted directly into the hole. A not so easy perch was had by using the business end of a coke bottle. I had to carefully brake off pieces of glass to fit the shape of the wood at the base of this Coca Cola house. It was tapped into the wood somewhat then secured with hot glue.
SECURITY: Give your home weight to withstand winds and secure utensil perches in place by pouring one inch of Quick Crete inside your container.
ROOFS: I found used 4″ x 4″ fence post caps at a garage sale for a dollar piece. They already had that weathered patina I was looking for. You can buy them new if you need to for a few dollars each. Paint with a light coat of Latex then sand off the high spots for an aged look. Protect with Polyurethane Sealer for longevity. The Saltine Tin was the perfect fit for my roof. The Roof slides on and off like a lid. For the Coke Tin I used hinges.
CHIMNEYS: A Reeses Peanut Butter Spreader slides into a slender hole I made by drilling multiple holes side by side. The Pop Bottle Chimney was made the same way the Perch was (described above).
ACCESSORIES: Dots of melted solder were glued to the front of the tins for decoration. I recommend using Super Glue.
Okay this was your starting point. The rest is up to you. Have fun and let me know how it turns out.
The 44th Annual MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show will take place
May 17th, 9 am - 6 pm, and May 18th, 10 am - 5 pm!
 329 booths of unique, hand-made items from artists and crafters around the country will be displayed on the grounds of the MSU Union.
You won’t want to miss this final UAB event of the semester!
Please contact UAB at 517-355-3354 for more information about the show.
The University Activities Board annually sponsors two major regional arts and crafts shows at the MSU Union. The Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is held the first weekend in December. The Spring Arts and Crafts Show is held the third weekend in May in conjunction with the East Lansing Art Festival. Please call the UAB Office at (517) 355-3354 for more information. Both shows are free for the public to attend.
The Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is one of the state’s largest indoor holiday shows with over 200 exhibitors. This Saturday/Sunday show is held throughout the four floors of the MSU Union building with attendance figures regularly exceeding 30,000. Please call the UAB Office for current booth fees.
The Spring Arts and Crafts Show is held outside on the grounds of the MSU Union. This show is held on Saturday and Sunday with over 300 exhibitors displaying items in a park-like setting on the MSU campus.
Most exhibitors utilize portable structures for their displays. The UAB Office can provide current booth fee prices. The East Lansing Art Festival is staged one block north of campus with over 225 exhibitors. More than 60,000 people annually attend these two outdoor shows.
To participate as an exhibitor, interested parties must first apply online to be placed on the mailing list. Please click on the link below and select “New Patron Request” from the Arts and Crafts Show Main Menu. Complete the new patron request form, and select mailing list(s) you would like to participate in (the annual holiday show, the annual spring show, or both). Once placed on the mailing list, exhibitors will receive a Patron ID Number (required to apply for the shows), and application date reminders (postcards) for upcoming shows. Once the new patron request is completed, patrons may edit their information at any time by selecting “Edit Patron Information,” also on the Arts and Crafts Show Main Menu.
The University Activities Board requires that the exhibitor produce the majority of the item that is displayed. Commercial/Buy-Sell products and food items are not permitted and will be removed from the exhibit if found to be displayed.
Hundreds of artists from Michigan and beyond come to Downtown East Lansing to exhibit art of all kinds. Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Blown Glass, Wood, Metal, Photography and more fill the booths that line our downtown streets.
The Festival features a variety of activities, performances, and demonstrations as well as food from dozens of vendors with tastes from around the world!
Go to their website to learn more.
More About the East Lansing Art Festival
 Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. Known for featuring the highest caliber fine art and fine craft, this highly anticipated Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. Through the jury process approximately 230 artists from across the United States and Canada are invited to exhibit each year. Jurors also invite emerging artists to participate through a competitive selection process. Emerging artists must be affiliated with an institution of higher education within the last 2-3 years.
* 230 artist exhibitors from all over the U.S. and Canada
* 8 emerging artists affiliated with Michigan universities, colleges or art schools.
* Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music.
* Free arts activities for children and families.
* An international-style food court offering flavors from around the world.
 East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street. The East Lansing Art Festival is produced by the Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing.
The East Lansing Art Festival is held the weekend preceding Memorial Day weekend. The festival operates 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday.
This is also the same weekend on the MSU Campus is the Spring Arts and Crafts Show. This fair is separately organized and run by the University Activities Board Office.
May 22-June
Lansing Art Gallery Downtown
June 6 - June 28
1208 & 1210 Turner Street Old Town Lansing
Overview statement
Do we need art to survive? Given concerns with the bottom line and the globalization of businesses and business practices, art seems to have become trivial and insignificant. It is simply something to match our new furniture. It no longer matters if that piece over the new leather couch is an original piece of art or a print, and no one seems to be worried about the difference between Manet and Monet.
The question becomes, what would happen if all of the world’s artists, art galleries, and art museums to decided to close shop? If you had one last chance to see original art, would you want it to say something? The Lansing Art Gallery near the Capital Building, and the Banyan Gallery and Studio 1210 in Lansing’s Old Town, are providing just that opportunity. A World Without Art will offer some of Michigan’s finest artists taking on some of the most pressing and important social issues facing Michigan, the US, and the world. This show will include photography, paintings, sculpture, poetry, and essays from all around Michigan. This is a great opportunity to see how the Michigan art community sees Michigan’s past, present, and future. Do not let this be the last time you will see art in Michigan.
visit http://www.worldwithoutart.com/
  Paula as done an excellent job displaying my paintings and tiles. Thank you Paula. Take a look for yourself and say hello while you’re at it. I will be at the Artisan’s Circle from 9 to 6 today. I’d love to see ya.The Artisan’s Circle - 1236-B Turner Street, Lansing, MI 48906
View Larger Map
Once again perfect weather for a day of art in Mid-Michigan. Travels included stops in Downtown Lansing, Okemos and Williamston Michigan. Russ and I started our day two blocks from the Capital during the lunch rush. That was a new experience for me. I enjoyed the hustle on the streets and businesses. Our first stop was one we happened upon after parking, Grand Art Supply 107 N. Washington Sq.; Lansing, MI 48933. TOYS! Brushes, paints, inks, clay, shine, bulk, texture, colors, panels, canvases . . . TOYS! Can you tell I was excited. I was able to control my purchase down to a just a couple things knowing I had a whole day of shopping ahead. The gentleman working was knowledgeable and helpful in assisting us with our selections.
Just down the street was our first scheduled stop. The Lansing Art Gallery located at 113 S. Washington Sq.; Lansing MI 48933 ph: 517-374-6400. The open layout was inviting. Good lighting and art presentation. Talent burst from every piece. I was truly impressed with the standards kept throughout the Gallery regarding quality. The prices were fair. The selection of wall art was excellent. Upstairs is the Exhibit Area where High School Art was on display. Award ribbons next to many pieces. This is where The Social Discourse Exhibit will be held in July. I did find out that the pieces I submitted were not selected. Bummer. That’s okay . . . On to the next stop.
Because we were so close we thought it would be fun to re-visit Impression Five Science Center located at 200 Museum Drive; Lansing, MI 48864. We hadn’t been there since we were kids. I remember it to be magical and was excited to experience a little of that again. However cool it was the magic no longer there. Replaced with wisdom I suppose. Harrumph!
A quick stop at Art Unlimited 4692 Okemos Rd.; Okemos, MI 48864 ph: 517- 349-8278, just long enough to realize it was indeed a place create your ceramic and fused glass masterpieces. This is a stop for other day. So off we went to The Framer’s Edge & Gallery located 1856 W. Grand River Ave; Okemos, MI 48864 ph: 517-347-7400 First off the bat you notice an spectacular display of frame styles. They are a work of art themselves but were not as spectacular as the selection of art already framed and for sale. The owner has excellent taste. She has many prints available, ready to be framed as well. The sales woman was genuine and friendly and was able to help Russ find a print he had been looking everywhere for. She took his information and call him back the very next day. Take a look. Hearts found naturally in nature.
Williamston was charming and fun. For such a small town we certainly had enough choices for shopping. We started at Kathy’s Kreme of the Kropp - 110 E. Grand River; Williamston, MI 48895 ph: 517-655-3732. A boutique of everything cute. Tons of small cute items for gifts. Upstairs was stuffed with 50% off bargains. Whoohoo. I bought garden accents, Russ bought a cement head! 
Around the corner was a Glass studio. Sadly it closes at 2pm and we were too late. We also missed a couple Antique shops due to weekend only hours. The coffee shop however was open as well as a nice book store.
My favorite in Williamston was our last stop of the day. The building located at 118 W. Grand River Ave. Williamston, MI 48895 is home to two businesses. Bloom by owner Aly Wendt 517-655-6800 and C A Concepts Studio by designer/artist Christine Freeman 517-803-4332. These two have go it goin’ on when it comes to home and garden accents and design. The store was filled with old and new items. Mixing the old with the new with creative re-assigning was carried out eloquently also. Old Windows hung sideways from the ceiling. Engine parts were welded together to create 3 foot tall metal flowers. Two planters stood as tall as I did. Their smoothly finished exterior disguised the fact that they were palm tree trunks! Holy Moly how cool is that!
Two antique “million drawer” dressers stole my heart. Christine took my name and will call me if she finds any more on her travels. We looked at two presentation books filled with her interior design work. WOW! She really should have her own show on HGTV. I was amazed to find this kind of talent tucked away into a small store in a small town in Williamston. She is AMAZING! If you are interested in a designer I highly recommend her.
4 Weekends Only
Starting Friday, April 25 and ending on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Store Hours:
Friday 12 Noon – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wrought Iron, Aluminum Wicker
Casual and Patio Furniture
Craftmade Fans and Lighting
• Custom Orders Available
• Factory Over-Runs
• One-of-a-Kinds
• Discontinued Items
Woodard
210 South Delaney Road
Owosso, Michigan 48867
Directions: M-52 to M-21 West, South quarter mile on Delaney Road
Cash, Check and Visa/MasterCard – All sales are final.
 The rhythm in the studio this past week has been reminiscent of the musical Stomp, “Scribe, Saw, Sand, Sweep, Scribe, Saw, Sand, Sweep,” just picture it a lot slower and dustier and with only one noisemaker person.  Okay a far cry from the musical I know. Not all Artists work is entertaining that’s for certain. I’ve been cutting boards for all the frames and windows I’ve collected in preparation for my upcoming painting spree. Pictured to the right are frames I’ve already cut boards for.
 I scribe a line on the panel, tracing the interior dimensions using each frame as a template. I find it easier and faster than using ruler measurements because I have so many different sizes. For the most part I prefer using a battery powered hand circular saw to cut the panel.  I’ll clean up the edges and take the sheen off the surface with 80 or 120 grit sandpaper. A finish sander works well for this also and is faster when finishing off many pieces like I am now. Cutting and sanding panel board produces a whole lot of superfine sawdust. Make sure to wear a dust mask and goggles if you do this yourself.
I’m taking a break tomorrow for a Day of Art in Lansing, Okemos and Williamston topped off with a visit to my sister who is in the process of home renovations which should prove interesting all by itself. lol.
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