First Challenge!!!

As promised the first Challenge.

These simple little dance slippers evoke images for me of being a little girl and reading the little mermaid. Anderson's little mermaid dances on glass, an exchange for legs, feet and love. I see her dancing in pink toes shoes that are speckled with blood, as she endures the pain of her choice, tears and first kisses mingle together.

I was a strange and dark little girl, no ballerina dreams for me.

Last week I came across some beautiful toe shoes that came from a dance school that used them for many years before retiring them. They are tattered, well loved, and some have the names of dancers written inside. I also found cotton, sheepskin pockets, and tape meant to protect little toes. They hold the history of hundreds of dances, like the little mermaid the pain endured was a willing exchange for the pleasure of a performance under beautiful lights with loved ones looking on as the performer revealed her soul.

I know we all have a story, a memory or a dream that ballet slippers bring to the surface. My challenge to those of you who wish to participate will be to transform these slippers into a work of art that reveals a little bit of your soul. If you are not a three dimensional artist feel free to paint, collage, sketch, or draw.

I have a limited number of slippers I would love to share with those of you who wish to use them in your art. You can pick them up at Tangerine, just send me an email to reserve a pair.

There are no rules, there are no limitations.

The deadline will be October 1st so you have plenty of time. I will announce the opening date for the show as we near the deadline. All projects will be photographed and displayed on the website and blog with full credit to each artist.

There will be a small 10.00 to participate. Artists will be responsible for dropping artwork off, or having delivered to Tangerine.

Our opening will be for artists, family and friends. Ribbons will be awarded, and refreshments will be available.

Hangin out at the T

It has been a wild and wonderful week at Tangerine. One of the things I love most about this shop is all the visiting. I have the handful of terrific customers (and you know who you are) that I can count on to visit once a week. I love sitting at the table listening to news about art, families, and silly gossip. Nothing brightens a day like good friends.

This week I had a lot more email and a few more visitors than usual. It seems there is some worry about my decision to not host classes like I have in the past. I would like to take the opportunity to alleviate any worries.

A. I will still host some special workshops.
B. Yes, I will still teach the Jewelry Class.
C. Yes, Michael Demeng will still be here in October!
D. Tangerine is doing well, I am not going anywhere, and the decision to stop doing
so many classes was to free up time to bring other events to the shop.
E. The new changes will be about new merchandise and a space that is even more fun.
F. Everything is Great, Promise!!!

I feel blessed to have so many people who love the shop and who are so concerned. Sarah (my SIL) said to me "You don't wait for things to get difficult before you make changes, the best time to make them are when things are going well" I am staying a step ahead and always thinking about how to keep us all inspired. There are many teaching venues and many instructors are teaching home workshops that are actually quite wonderful and can be a fun way to share a day with friends.

If you have not registered for Michael's workshops you need to call or email and get that done. I have a list of people who asked for me to save space and I am happy to do it but as we get closer I will need your deposit to save the space. I want to make sure everyone who has been waiting is able to take a class with him.

There will be some informal play dates at Tangerine if you would like to be on the list drop me an email that includes you phone number.

I am working on a video series if you are an artist that might be interested in being a guest drop me an email.

I promise to do some website updating soon. Thank you to those who have sent studio photos, they are beautiful and I am hoping to get them posted in a month or two.

There is plenty of news out there, plenty of sad stories, plenty of worries. It has historically been times like these that inspire artists. It is our job to lift people up, to help them see the beautiful that still surrounds us, it is the creative soul that knows that there is always more light than there is dark.

Make Art= Be Happy

Changes

I just informally announced to a few people yesterday that I would not be focusing on classes at Tangerine. I love having the shop full of creative people, laughter, and community but I have found that it takes a lot of work to to keep that big wheel turning; web-site updates, scheduling, blogging, emails, phone calls, prep, registration, paperwork, extra hours at the shop, days off lost. This is a one girl show.

There are also so many shops that surround us that are offering classes. It feels like the need will be met. I will still be teaching a few classes and I will host exclusive workshops taught by traveling artists. I would really like to refocus some energy on finishing the book, keeping the shop fresh and fun, and doing regular art challenges and openings.

Art Challenges and openings you say? Oh yes, it has been on my mind for a while and I would really like to get it started. Here is how it goes...

Every couple months I am going to mass email the challenge to all of you (if I don't have your email address you need to send it to me) I will also post the Challenge to the website and the blog.

I will let you know what I need, when I need it and when we plan to show it to the world.

All work submitted will be shown at Tangerine on opening night. Photos, links and artist information will be available on the website. Art be blogged about, talked about, and available for purchase. Opening night will be at Tangerine will be an exciting event.

There is nothing like a room full of art that you can see and touch. I feel the challenges will help artists reach a little farther, express themselves in new and different ways, and inspire each other.

If you would like more information or bummed about the classes shoot me an email. If you have chocolate cake you better visit!

Michael Demeng will still be here in October, if you haven't registered yet you might want to, we have a few three day spots left and a handful of classes. He will be teaching:

Holy Rolling Hot Wheels. In this class you will be radically modifying this little iconic toy. I have seen some samples and they are mind blowing (The above photos are a few examples). At the end of the workshop there will be a race, yep a race tracks and all. The winner will receive one of Michael's creations. How cool is that?

Island of Demented Toys, one of Michael's more famous workshops. I am not sure how to explain it other than to say your imagination will be pushed to it's limits. Students will learn techniques that will change the way they work forever. Anyone who has ever taken this workshop leaves inspired, a head heavy with new ideas.

What a relief, a three dimensional piece using Michael's techniques again. He will guide you through a post-modern journey where parts and pieces, this and that, rusty and strange, turn into a new breathtaking object of art.

To learn about Michael and to see some of his fabulous pieces check him out at
michaeldemeng.com


Registration is easy. You send a deposit to Tangerine (to be held until class, then applied to your balance) I will send you a confirmation letter, and and information packet. Viola, in October we will meet for three days spraying, gluing, melting, cutting, painting, bending, nailing, assembling and getting messy.

Go to elevenmorningstangerine.com
For dates, times, and where to send the check.

I hope you are all enjoying these long summer days. Be sure to break out of that studio and swim, ride a bike, have a pic-nic. As artists we tend to hide-away, work too hard, and grow pale. Art is about life and life needs to be lived to make art. Get outside, get inspired, let your cheeks turn red, eat ice cream!

Make Art=Be Happy