CMMAG Member Virtual Playdates/Studio Times

Our members are still working out the best way to create art and get together during the pandemic.  Recently, members have been logging on to Zoom for a 2-hour session to chat, get advice, share projects, etc. as they work on their own art pieces.  These have been so well received by the members, that two sessions per month will be added to the schedule for the foreseeable future.  The regular schedule will begin in February as outlined below.

• Remember: Regular business meetings are on the second Thursday of the month.
• The weekend Zoom Playdate will be held the Saturday before the meeting starting at 10AM.
• The weeknight Zoom session will be held on the Wednesday following the business meeting at 6PM.

Anyone interested in attending one of these events, email CMMAG for details.

September 2019: Member Playdate

Sharon DiGuilio from DiGuilio Studios graciously opened her studio to CMMAG to enjoy another playdate. (Thank you, Sharon!) As always, we had a lovely time!

Linda shared Random Acts of Guerilla Art Kindness, made from old stationery and monograms, and everyone took a turn to make some.

What could you turn the letter Z into? The letter V? The letter X?

What would you say to people, if you could hand them a small piece of art?

Alicia had a little fun with hers

Tiny Affirmations

Shannon demonstrated using recycled materials to make some metallic elements, and everyone had a little fun playing with fire.

Fire, paint, and glue for some lovely pieces!

Paint without fire, for a little sgraffito action!

Kyrie enjoying playing with fire

Maggie brought her air compressor and some lovely alcohol inks, to show us how to use air to blow the inks around and to give us the chance to play on a couple of different surfaces.

Maggie getting her compressor set up

And Jeanne brought a new quick-cure clay that she's been playing with--bringing a product that is a little different and more ceramic-like than polymer clay, that can be easily set with a heat gun!

Jeanne shows off the quick-cure clay

Paintable!

Carefully noted release agent tests

April 2019 Member Playday

Jeanne Rhea opened her studio and her home to the members for a playday that focused on nature and earth-friendly projects or, as Jeanne has deemed it, "au naturale."

Eco-Dying 

Susan and Maggi had everything set-up for members to start compiling the eco-dying layers, alternating watercolor and copy paper with layers of leaves, flowers, and grasses.  

Each member had a wire packet of papers and natural items.  These sandwiched items were then set into a large press to condense even tighter.  Then the whole batch goes into a pot of simmering water, vinegar, and iron oxide to stew for a couple of hours.  

It took a delicate hand to peal the paper layers out after their 2-hour simmer, but the results are beautiful!  

Haiga in Handmade Books

While everyone was waiting for the papers to boil, Amy showed the group how to make Blizzard Books out of upcycled brown paper bags and their favorite mixed media or watercolor papers.  

The pages of these books remove easily for easy painting, drawing, or doodling.  Amy also shared details of Haiga, the Japanese art of illustrating Haiku poetry.  

 

The project was inspired by Penny Arrowood's submittal for the Tiny Sketchbook Project.  

Garden Wishes/Prayer Flags 

Laurel introduced the group to the concept of wishes/prayer flags where you include good thoughts and hopes onto the flags and install them outside.  Your wishes are then carried off on the wind.  Laurel had some lovely examples of sizes and techniques in creating them.   

 

Love Laurel's teeny flag pin!  Everyone set to task with fabric paint markers, stencils, and embellishments.  

 

 

First Quarter Play Day: A Round-Robin of Creativity!

There was an excited, creative CMMAG buzz at DiGiulio Studios on Sunday, March 13th.  From the demos (card and nametag making with Linda; cool stencil techniques with Shannon; fabulous flower felting with Katherine, and creating cactus-themed canvases with Mimi's pulled paint), to the delicious food provided by members (we do know how to put on a great spread!), big fun was had by all.  Thanks to Sharon and Joe DiGiulio for opening their home and studio to us--we had a terrific time! 

Here are some shots from the Play Day: