Thursday, November 19, 2009

November Member Interview: Roberta Morgan

Roberta Morgan
Email:  RLM@nc.rr.com

1.  What inspires you to create?
I have recently been inspired by trips to the Goodwill. I can find things: shoes, small tables, purses and clothing that call out to me to do something more to them. I take them home and paint them or cut them up and make new clothing.

2. When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?
I guess this comes from my childhood when we weren't rich enough to buy new and had to make do with hand-me- downs. My real passion is wearable art. I can spend a lot of time creating garments, entering contests, and then putting them away and moving on to the next creation. I hardly wear the stuff I make, to me the fun is in the creating. I cannot remember a time when I didn't draw or doodle. I started making my clothes in high school so that I'd have enough to wear. It started out of necessity and it's now an addiction.  I even dream of my next entry. I also like painting in a "folk arty" way on shoes, train cases, purses and jewelry. I am especially fond of woman's faces.
I started quilting in the 70's and quickly got bored with the traditional methods and patterns, but art quilts with lots of embellishments appeal to me. I can't picture life without some creative outlet.

3. At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first? 
In an art store I'll go to the paint section and try to find a new color or process. I do shop in fabric stores, but I'd rather get what I can from thrift stores. It is exciting to be able to recycle some cast off into "art".

And, it's exciting to see what she'll create next!  Congratulations on your many first and second place ribbons at this year's North Carolina State Fair, and thanks for the interview, Roberta. 

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Art of the Carolinas 2009

The Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild will be out in full force at Jerry's Artarama's Art of the Carolinas (AoC).  Scheduled to take place in Raleigh between Friday, November 13 and Sunday, November 15, it promises to be a fantastic event!  Here's a preview:
  • Guild members will assist with classroom preparation, maintenance and breakdown, supporting the outstanding staff at Jerry's (including Guild members Christina and Sharon shown here)
  • Our members will host a "Make and Take" event, encouraging everyone attending AoC to create Artist Trading Cards (ATC) to keep or trade.  Kudos and tremendous thanks go to Strathmore, Ampersand, Winsor & Newton, and Jerry's, for donating supplies for our Make and Take activities, including papers of various kinds; stampboards and clayboards; paints; pastels and glues.  Some of the ATC created during AoC 2008 are shown below. 
  • Members' work in the World of Art Challenge will be exhibited in a boardroom in the workshop area. We encourage you to visit to see where it all began, with a canvas showing all the components of the kit, then to explore the vision of 25 artists confronted with the challenge of design with those components.  You'll be amazed at the innovation, diversity and creativity! 
  • Guild members will also be demonstrating various art techniques throughout the weekend.  Check the schedule when you arrive to see who will be doing which demos including painting, stamping, clay and much more.
  • And of course, there's the trade show area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where we'll shop till we drop! 
So, plan to join us for all the fun, art-filled activities...it'll be a great time!  For more information, visit the AoC site here.  See you there!