Meet the Instructor - Mairin Egge

Did you ever want to make a floor mat or runner? Well you will get the chance with two new workshops taught by one of our newest members, Mairin Egge.  Mairin will instruct you about design, use of vocabulary and materials/tools to create Canvas rugs. Canvas rugs are practical, durable and customizable alternative to rugs. You can decorate your home in a more personal way with the ability to create for any style or any season.  We will be offering two work shops. One is to create a runner or small mat. The second is creating an area rug.

She will also teach two 4 week mosaic workshops  Mosaics are about using smaller pieces of materials such as tiles or stones, to create a larger image. Students will create their own mosaic, whether it is a functional or decorative piece and will be involved with the entire process which covers design, vocabulary and materials/tools. You will have the opportunity to be assisted individually with developing your project throughout the four week session.

Mairin will also be instructing one of our Media Mash up or Multi-Media classes for grades 4 - 7. Here Students will learn various art techniques to express creativity through the use of a variety of art mediums, which may include: paints, clay, printmaking and more. Seasonal projects may be included. Classes are geared to all levels.

Mairin states; I have gained much knowledge and confidence in teaching art (BS in Art Education from Miami University).  Working with a wide range of ages and abilities, from age two through adult, has broadened my perspective.  Also I have worked with an array of individuals including special needs, as well as gifted and talented individuals.  A majority of my experiences with children, kindergarten through twelfth grade, were at both upper-middle and lower class public institutions.  Having observed in a variety of public school locations and working in their communities has given me the opportunity to experience several diverse school settings and cultures.

I feel passionate about art.  Special individuals shaped my love for art and I in turn would like to impart that same love of art to others.

A large part of my identity, ever since my first art class, involves my love for art.  As it continues to grow, I take much pride in creating art and could not imagine doing anything else.  I want to teach art because I want to build that type of atmosphere and take pride in it.  Being able to provide students with opportunities and experiences they may never encounter again is very rewarding.
Art in the curriculum is an essential part of the learning and developmental process.  I aspire as an art teacher to provide an appreciation for, and the process of, art for any student who walks in my path.  I do not just want to impact those inside a school, but also in the broader community.

Mairin brings a lot of energy and excitement to her classes for more information in the various classes/workshops that Mairin will be teaching please go to www.northpennarts.org/images/Spring2014.pdf

To register for the classes, please go to http://www.northpenncep.org

Meet the Instructor - Dan Fione

As we start the registration for our classes at the North Penn School Districts Continuing Education Program, we thought you might like to Meet The Instructor. Today we focus on our Drawing Class Instructor, Mr. Dan Fione. Dan has been a freelance Illustrator for over 35 years. after High School he attended York Academy of Arts and his major was Illustration. After active duty with the U.S. Army. his first job was with Philco Ford as their staff illustrator while he attended classes at the Philadelphia College of Art, once again majoring in Illustration. Since then Dan has held a staff illustration at Research for Better Schools, Lit Brothers Department Store, and IAI Advertising. Leaving the last staff illustrator position he began his own freelance illustration career, starting out by creating pen and ink illustrations for advertising and publishing clients.

During his career as a freelance illustrator he has created many color illustrations using a variety of medium; pen and ink with color washes, pastel, airbrush and gouache, and acrylic paint. These mediums were used in a variety of techniques covering a myriad of subject matters and clients. Such a paleo art (dinosaur art) for National Geographic Books, poster art for the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., Limited edition art for the Hello Columbus Foundation; a 25 foot mural for the Gold Star Mothers of Philadelphia and military historical projects for the National Parks Services in New York and Georgia. Dan has created other color work as cover art and text illustration for publishers, industry and pharmaceutical companies. His drawings and paintings have been published through out the United States, Japan, Australia, India and Europe.

Dan has been teaching drawing classes since he was an assistant instructor at York Academy. Since then he has been teaching drawing and illustration courses at Hussian School of Art,  the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Antonelli Institute and Continuing Education classes at Souderton and North Penn school districts.

Dan will be instructing a total of three different classes. One is held for students 18 and up on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The other two are on Saturdays starting with grades 2-4 where you will learn the basics of drawing including line, form, contrast, and perspective. Media will include pencil, charcoal, pastel and more. Recommended at least one prior class in multi-media art. The second class is for grades 5 - 12 where you will review basic drawing concepts, then learn to develop and refine these skills using pencil, charcoal, pastel and more. Recommended at least one prior class in multi-media art.

For more information on the Drawing Classes or other art classes offered by the North Penn Arts Alliance, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org/images/spring2014.pdf

To register for the classes please visit www.northpenncep.org

We will be introducing our other instructors throughout the month of February.

Art & Power

Most of us suffered for some time with the recent power outages of the Ice Storm that hit our area. After I made sure the generator was running and the sump pump was doing what it should, I took a moment and thought about those of us that depend upon electricity to create our art. Besides the lights and heat, some of us use computers (not only for blogging) to enhance digital images that we have stored. Others use the computers to create their art. What do they do then?  Laptops and devices that work on battery power are fine until the cell runs down. That got me to wondering, how do they create their art? Those that are use to drawing with pencil, pen or painting with the brush or pastel would simply resort to these methods to rough out ideas or finish some work. Those using the camera would shoot their visions and print them once the power comes back on, unless you are still shooting film.  Whatever your medium is, whether it be modern or old school, deal with the emergency first then take the time to create. After all your art (although it may not run a generator and such) is very powerful!

By the way being one who is old school  I usually reach for the candle lanterns in an emergency, but recent events have led me to get the tools needed to keep the studio safe from harm and water damages. For those still waiting for the lights to come back on, be safe and stay warm. 

The Colors of Snow

Wow!Another storm dumping 6 to 8 inches in the North Penn Area. What is really neat about this is that you can actually see the colors in the snow. As I was outside clearing the path for the second time I observed as I was piling the shovel full onto the lawn, shades of blue were seen as it landed on the untouched frozen precipitation that was accumulating naturally. I was fascinated with the variety between light and darker shades depending upon the shadows. The colors are created due to the temperature and the atmospheric surroundings, but all the same it was amazing to see color other than white. For those of you who are photographers take your cameras and see what the lens will reveal. I'm certain you will be astonished with your results.
 I visited freebigpictures.com and went to the winter category, here are some of the selections.

So let it snow and enjoy the beauty before it all melts away.

What happens at a monthly meeting of the North Penn Arts Alliance?

Usually anything can happen. Last month we had a presentation by Robert Walters and Tess Kissinger on Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Art. While we were trying to get the projector to speak to the laptop and vice versa. Robert did a Dino portrait of a T-Rex on the white board. They explained as to how they use research and science as they work with scientists, museum curators and directors to bring to life creatures and plant life that no longer exists.

This month, we will have a presentation by North Penn Art & Repro as they inform us of the process that will take an original piece of art and generate multiple copies or giclees. The giclee is a reproduction of your original piece of art that is printed on various surfaces for you to sell  online or at shows.

In March we are looking forward to having a dancer to discuss Art and the Dance. Hopefully the dance will also perform so that we can sketch as a group.

April, brings about our annual show and we will discuss what you need to do to prepare your work for the show.

Each monthly meeting has a presentation followed by a break for refreshments and concludes with a few minutes to discuss what is happening and how you can get into having fun with art. We also announce opportunities for artists to exhibit their works for the public.

During the break you can network with other artists or those that enjoy the arts. You will be surprised as to multiple levels of talented people that are members of the North Penn Arts Alliance.

The North Penn Arts Alliance meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 521 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA. The meetings get underway at 7:00p.m.

For more information visit us at www.northpennarts.org

Winter in Art

WINTER, blah! It's cold, dark, damp, dreary, dismal, snowy, cloudy, everything is covered in white. Yet winter scenes have been a mainstay in landscape paintings for centuries.

"Way Home"  by Ed Kane 2" x 3" 

Winter is a time of rest and restoration. A blanket of clean white is laid upon the country side. A peaceful tranquility is transmitted in the dawn of the day and again at dusk. The atmosphere has an effect on the lighting, and the reflection of light upon this crisp blanket.

"Autumn Hanging On"  by Ed Kane  9" x 12" watercolor

 I'm not a scientist so I'm not going to explain the scientific reasons as to what the causes and effects are. But if you go out at different times of the day after a snowfall (besides to shovel it) take a moment and look at the light changes, look into the shadows and see the cool shades. See how the sun reflects off the snow. Observe the color changes in the sky. Now look at several pieces of winter scenes that have been done by artists in the past. Here is a link to 10 pieces of winter scenes, http://voices.yahoo.com/10-artworks-winter-study-7572890.html

As you look and study these, consider what you can do in the warmth of your home studio. Yet if you want to venture out, dress in layers, take precautions, keep your feet warm & dry or paint in your car. I found too many articles pertaining to this subject for me to list here, just search for "plein air painting in winter" and your screen will be filled with tips from other artists. The most important thing is that you are safe, warm and having fun.

Keep warm and keep painting

Ed Kane

New Year, New Start

By Ed Kane of the North Penn Arts Alliance

 

Well the New Year has come and gone and so has many of our resolutions. Besides the usual, how many of you said, "I'm going to be more creative?" How many of you got stumped because you didn't know where to begin?  Well most of us fall into that pit, even those that have been creating for years.

How to get more creative or inspired to create?

1) READ

     Read the papers, read a book, read blogs. Stay on top of the current trends or what is happening in your community.

2) SEEK

     Seek what other artists have done or are doing. Visit a museum or a gallery.

3) LEARN

     As a creative person I learn something everyday. How to foreshorten an arm or a figure. How to make canvas or material appear three dimensional in a drawing or painting. When researching an old building, I learn how it was made along with the history of the structure and the surrounding territory.

4) SCRIBBLE

     That's right, scribble or doodle keep a notebook or journal. Scribble down ideas or doodle a few rough sketches.

5) PRACTICE

     Practice drawing, painting, sculpting, singing, dance, you get the picture.

     Practice helps you improve, helps you learn and helps keeping you inspired

6) PARTICIPATE

     Participate in a workshop, class, or join an arts group like the North Penn Arts Alliance.
     By participating, you network with other artists and those that enjoy the arts.
     Participate in an art show. See what others are doing and find out what inspires them.

These are a few steps that you can take. Remember, it doesn't happen overnight but it will happen. When it does you will know it.  

 

For more information on the North Penn Arts Alliance, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org