NPAA Member Publishes Book for a Great Cause

North Penn Arts Alliance member, Mike Darr has been involved with the organization for many years He served as the organization's president, was involved in assembling many of the shows and has exhibited throughout the North Penn area. Below is Mike's words about his new book.

"For many years, I had a nagging itch to take a grand road trip, one that involved living out of a motor home and staying wherever I pleased as long as I needed to enjoy and photograph the scenic wonders of this country.

In October 2010, I had the glorious opportunity to scratch that itch. That's when my canine roomie Riley and I left Pennsylvania in a 24-foot 1988 Ford RV with no particular destination in mind. We didn't return until July 2012.

This book includes my favorite photographs from our odyssey. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

All profits made from the sale of this book will go to the Sophie Jane Darr Children's Foundation, which was formed to honor the memory of my granddaughter who passed away from brain cancer on December 23, 2007. The foundation, created by Sophie's other grandparents Jane and Phil Rapone, raises money to help families of children with cancer and other devastating illnesses."

www.sophiejanedarrchildrensfoundation.org

Orders will be taken at the November 7, 2012 NPAA meeting or you can contact Mike Darr via email at rexroaddog@gmail.com.

As Mike says;

"Don't ride the highways to make great time,

Ride the backroads to have a great time..."

The North Penn Arts Alliance meets on the first Wednesday at 521 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA at 7:00p.m.

We’re Celebrating 25 years with Arts & Festivities

Twenty Five years ago a group of artists and lovers of the arts gathered at North Penn Art Supply in Lansdale and formed the North Penn Arts Alliance. Their mission was and is today, to offer artists and arts enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network and grow in a supportive environment. This November, the members of the North Penn Arts Alliance will be celebrating their accomplishments in many ways. First we will gather on November 7th at 521 W. Main Street in Lansdale at 7 p.m. for a presentation by Alan Fetterman and we will learn about his art and the Bucks County Impressionist movement. We will continue our classes with the North Penn School district as we help the students grow in their personal art journey. Then on November 16th we will have a “meet the artists” reception at our 25th Anniversary show at North Penn Art and Custom Framing (formerly North Penn Art Supply) located at 720 S. Broad St., Lansdale. The exhibit will run from November 16th to the 24th. There you will be able to view what our artist members create for the show and you will be able to network with the artists. Finally if you wish to join us, you can attend the Anniversary Dinner, being held at the Sumney Restaurant on November 30th. Tickets for the dinner are $25.00 per person and can be reserved through the North Penn Arts Alliance Office.


Over these past 25 years the North Penn Arts Alliance has done many art shows, individual exhibits, participated in community events such as the International Spring Festival and several of our members participated in the Arts in the Park festival this past August. We continue with classes at the North Penn High School and are working with the Lansdale Borough department of Parks & Recreation to provide classes during the spring months. However we could not do this without the help of our sponsors. Our sponsors range from large to small and their contributions help us to provide the supportive environment to keep the arts alive in the North Penn community and for this we are very grateful. Many of our sponsors such as Moyer Indoor/Outdoor sponsoring our “Best of Show” award for our annual Spring Art exhibit at the Elm Terrace Gardens, along with many other area businesses that have provided award monies for the many different awards for that show or prizes for our raffle table. Other sponsors such as Rapunzel’s have provided space for our members to provide a rotating exhibit. We have collaborated with the Morgan Log House to rotate exhibits throughout the summer months. This has helped raise visitation at the Morgan this past summer. We have participated in the Arcadia College “Empty Bowls” project by working with the Mud Shack to create several bowls for that event for the past several years. So help us celebrate 25 years and support us so that we can continue to offer artists and arts enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive community. The one we call North Penn.

For more information about the North Penn Arts Alliance and our upcoming events, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org or email us with questions at info@northpennarts.org. Finally if you want to speak to someone at the North Penn Arts Alliance you can call us at 215-393-9110 or if you wish to be a sponsor, please send your contribution to the North Penn Arts Alliance P.O. Box 947, Lansdale, PA 19446.


Thank you and we hope to see you at the celebrations.

What is an Arts Alliance?

The North Penn Arts Alliance is a group that offers artists and arts enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment. What does this mean? Is it just for visual artists or is it for all artists? We strive to work with all of the arts, and several of our members are involved in music, dance, and acting, but many of our members are involved in the many disciplines of the visual arts. That does not mean that the other arts are left by the wayside. We have several members that will play music for us at our shows and exhibitions. Last season we had a presentation on Belly Dancing and this season we will involve music and theatre. Yes we will have photographers and watercolorists, illustrators and others that practice drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry making, but it is that blending of the talents and mind sets that make us an alliance. We are a group of people that are interested in working towards encouraging the arts and the education of the arts in the North Penn Community.

How do we do this when we do not have a permanent facility? We do it through the generosity of our supporters such as Univest who allows us to use their community room at 521 W. Main Street in Lansdale to hold our monthly meetings and presentations on the first Wednesday of each month. We do it through sponsors of our annual art shows, such as Moyer Indoor/Outdoor who sponsors the “Best of Show” award for our spring show which is held at the Elm Terrace Gardens. North Penn Art and Custom Framing provide us the use of their store for our Anniversary show (coming up in November). We do it by working with the School District and the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Department to provide art classes and workshops for children and adults. Finally we do it through the support of our members. Our members are artists, musicians, dancers, and actors either working in the field professionally or providing education through various school systems. Several of our members have exhibited throughout the state and others have exhibited their talents across the country.

But the key here is support. Support of the Arts, support of each member and what they do as an artist or lover of art, and support of the North Penn Arts Alliance.

This year as we celebrate 25 years of offering artists and art enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment, we encourage you to come along and join us on this fantastic journey of ART. With our continuing support and the support of others in our community that we call North Penn, we can continue to support all of the arts in our own back yard. There are many talented people in the community involved in the arts and we welcome them to join us for the love of art.

For more information about the North Penn Arts Alliance, our calendar of events and where members are showing, visit us at www.northpennarts.org

Art Classes Abound this Fall

Did you ever wonder how a painting was done? Or how did the artist get the details in that drawing?
Did you ever want to learn how to create a painting or a drawing? Are you interested in cartooning, ceramics, drawing, painting in oil/acrylics or watercolor? If you are the North Penn Arts Alliance will be providing instruction through the North Penn School District's Community Education Program which will start the last weekend of September.  Registration information will be posted soon.

Classes are provided for school age students on Saturdays, while classes for adults are scheduled Mondays through Thursdays.  All classes are at the North Penn High School, Lansdale, PA.

Below is a brief description of the classes that our teachers offer for more information  and the fees, visit us at www.northpennarts.org

FOR KIDS:

OIL/ACRYLIC PAINTING FOR CHILDREN AGE 10 - ADULT

Beginning & skilled artists will learn basic oil painting techniques, color theory, composition & rules of perspective. Parents are required to attend the first class with school-aged children to get information regarding materials needed. Fee includes one canvas board.

INSTRUCTOR: WILLIAM LETVENKO, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Saturday, 9/29/2012—12/8/2012  10 Sessions) *No class: 11/24/2012  *11 a.m -1 p.m.


BEGINNING CARTOONING FOR KIDS (GRADES K-3)

Learn basic cartooning, penciling & designing characters. Learn to draw cartoons in pencil using basic shapes. Fee includes materials. .

INSTRUCTOR: CAROLINE NIESLEY, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Saturday, 9/29/2012—11/17/2012  (8 Sessions)  *9-10:30 a.m.

CARTOONING FOR KIDS (GRADES 4-7) NEW!

Portray characters in action & perspective. Learn basic animation, basic proportions of the human figure, penciling & inking techniques. Fee includes materials.

INSTRUCTOR: CAROLINE NIESLEY, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Saturday, 9/29/2012—11/17/2012 (8 Sessions) *11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

DRAWING (GRADES 2-4)

Learn the basics of drawing including line, form, contrast & perspective. Media will include pencil, charcoal, pastel & more. Recommended: at least one prior class in multimedia art. Fee includes materials fee.

INSTRUCTOR: AZELIA WETHERILL, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Saturday, 9/29/2012 –11/17/2012 (8 Sessions)  *9-10:30 a.m.


DRAWING (GRADES 5 AND UP)

You will review basic drawing concepts, then learn to develop & refine these skills using pencil, charcoal, pastel & more. Recommended: at least one prior class in multimedia art. Fee includes materials.

INSTRUCTOR: AZELIA WETHERILL, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Saturday, 9/29/2012 –11/17/2012 (8 Sessions)  *11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.


MULTIMEDIA ART: ART I (GRADES K-3)

Explore the world of art! Classes are multimedia & include drawing with different materials, painting, printmaking & sculpture. You will complete one fired clay project. Classes geared to all skill levels. Fee includes materials.

INSTRUCTOR: DEBBIE CELENZA, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Saturday, 9/29/2012—11/17/2012 (8 Sessions)  GRADES ARE AT DIFFERENT TIMES
*9-10:30 a.m.

*11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

*1-2:30 p.m.


MULTIMEDIA ART: ART II (GRADES 4-7)

Explore the world of art! Classes are multimedia & include drawing with different materials, painting, printmaking & sculpture. You will complete one fired clay project. Classes geared to all skill levels. Fee includes materials.

INSTRUCTOR: SALLY NEIDERHISER, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Saturday, 9/29/2012—11/17/2012 (8 Sessions) GRADES ARE AT DIFFERENT TIMES


*9-10:30 a.m.
*11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

*1-2:30 p.m.

FOR ADULTS:

WATERCOLOR

Learn color theory & composition basics. Experience the fluidity of the medium & experiment with various painting techniques, while blending personal preference & interpretation. Class will use a variety of subject
matter. Bring sketch paper & pencils to class. This class is for all skill levels. A materials fee will be payable to the instructor & will include all supplies required for this class.

Returning students will be given a list of suggested supplies to add for more advanced work.

INSTRUCTOR: BARBARA MOSS BUSCHER, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Monday, 10/1/2012—12/17/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 10/8/2012, 11/5/2012 *7-9 p.m.


MODERN/POST MODERN PAINTING
The class will explore the point of view as a springboard for each individual student to strengthen
their work. Different examples of various work will be talked about each week. There will be handouts
& a final critique at the end of the session. Any & all painting mediums, styles & contents are encouraged.
Suggested supplies: apron, hand  cleaner (for oils), boxes for wet paintings during transport, brushes, palette, paints, water container (for water based paints) & paint rags.

This class is for intermediate to advanced students

INSTRUCTOR: WILLIAM LETVENKO,  NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Tuesday, 10/2/2012—12/11/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 11/6/2012 *7-9 p.m.


DRAWING

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you will learn composition, use of lines & shading from a professional illustrator. Drawings will be of real objects, photos & your imagination & will use both
black & white and color media.

INSTRUCTOR: DAN FIONE, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE

*Monday, 10/1/2012—12/17/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 10/8/2012, 11/5/2012  7 *7-9 p.m.


CERAMICS/POTTERY

This class is an introduction to hand-building, pinch, coil & slab methods. All levels welcome.
 Open studio time for experienced students. A basic potter’s wheel will be available for experienced
students & an additional materials fee will be payable to the instructor.

INSTRUCTOR: JULIANNA LANGE,  NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Thursday, 10/4/2012—12/13/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 11/22/2012  *7-9 p.m.


ILLUSTRATION FOR BEGINNERS

Enhance your drawing skills by learning the techniques used by traditional illustrators. In this course, each student will produce one black & white and one full color illustration using illustration history, principles of composition, drawing procedures & reference systems commonly used by freelance illustrators. Students will be expected to provide their own personal drawing and painting materials & supplies.

INSTRUCTOR: DAN FIONE, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Tuesday, 10/2/2012—12/11/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 11/6/2012 *7-9 p.m.


MAKING CARTOON FACES

Create Expressive faces on people and animals. Design your characters by studying famous cartoons in different genres from comics to graphic novels, abstract to realistic, superheroes or super villians, comedy and drama. Facial features and proportions, foreshortening, gestures, costumes, and how to use a photo reference will be discussed. Learn how to make a character recognizable from frame to frame. Students will learn penciling and inking a cartoon. Bring sketch pad and pencils.
INSTRUCTOR: CAROLINE NIESLEY, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Tuesday, 10/2/2012—12/11/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 11/6/2012  *7-9 p.m.


OIL/ACRYLIC PAINTING FOR TEENS AND ADULTS

Beginning & skilled artists will learn basic oil painting techniques, color theory, composition & rules of perspective. Parents are required to attend the first class with teens to get information regarding materials
needed. Fee includes one canvas board.

INSTRUCTOR: WILLIAM LETVENKO, NORTH PENN ARTS ALLIANCE


*Wednesday, 10/3/2012—12/12/2012 (10 Sessions) *No class: 11/21/2012  *7-9 p.m.


So get inspired, learn and get creative. Take a class and enjoy learning about and creating art.

WE WILL ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL CLASSES AT THE LANSDALE BOROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITY. INFORMATION ON THESE ADDITIONAL CLASSES WILL BE COMING SOON.

Art Journeys Abound During the Summer

As always the North Penn Arts Alliance members take a break from their monthly meetings in June and return again in September. During that time, many of us go on Art Journeys with our sketchbooks, canvasses, paints, pencils, cameras, or whatever medium we can fit into a day pack. We will sketch, draw or paint scenes in our travels, faces of people along the way or just doodle and make notes for future reference. Some of these paintings or drawings will be completed on the spot and others will be brought back to the studio and refined or used on a larger foundation.


The question is did you take an art journey this summer? Most of us do and don’t realize it. Today when we travel, many of us have a camera with us all of the time. It is your cell phone. Although this author uses a small point & click digital camera, we are all creating a small piece of art. Whether it is a shot of a lovely landscape you stopped to admire, or a photo at the family reunion, you have created a piece of art for yourself and to share with others. You may download your photographs to a computer and enhance them through any one of the several photo enhancing software packages on the market today. You may even use them as reference to make a drawing or painting.

Well this season when the North Penn Arts Alliance meets on September 5, 2012, artists and lovers of art will share what art journeys they took this summer. In addition we will also have a monoprint workshop. A monoprint is a one of a kind print. There can be similar prints but no two are alike. Come and learn about this fun printing method and enjoy the many journeys that were traveled over the summer in art.

We invite all to join us for an interesting evening of Art.
Mission:

The North Penn Arts Alliance (NPAA) offers artists and art enthusiasts' opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment.

Purpose:

The North Penn Arts Alliance takes pride in providing an outlet for preserving and promoting artistic growth and culture in our community.


Means:

This is done by drawing on Years of Education, Participation, and Appreciation.

From encouraging art shows in public spaces to teaching popular local art classes to arranging trips and other special events, the North Penn Arts Alliance (NPAA) offers artists and art enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment.



We meet at 521 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA, downstairs in the community room. Doors open at 6:30p.m. and the presentation and workshops will start at 7:00 p.m.

Please visit us at www.northpennarts.org or contact us at info@northpennarts.org

When History and Art work together.

Many of us in the North Penn community know of or have heard about the Morgan Log House. But how many of you have ever been inside? For a small house, it has a unique history. It was settled about 1708 by Edward Morgan; Daniel Boone’s Grandfather, stood during the time of our Declaration of Independence, may have been used as a hospital after the battle of Germantown and was used as the main house for many families for almost 250 years while at the same time it’s surrounding lands were used to raise crops and livestock. The Welsh Valley Preservation Society, who administers the now historic house museum, is presenting a new way for you to see inside this unique architectural wonder. This year the Welsh Valley Preservation Society will be working with the North Penn Arts Alliance. The different rooms of the Morgan Log House will be used to house artworks of the member artists of the North Penn Arts Alliance. Don’t worry they will be using display racks to hang their paintings and drawings and specific areas will be used for three dimensional displays. The Director of the Morgan Log House approached the North Penn Arts Alliance with the opportunity of collaborating and offering the space inside the Morgan Log House to highlight a local artist of the North Penn Arts Alliance on a monthly basis. Each month from April to October, with the exception of May, an artist member of the North Penn Arts Alliance will be displaying their works that tell the story of local history, depicting local scenes pertaining to life in the 18th and 19th centuries, or images of agriculture and animal husbandry. What better way to utilize this unique venue? By working together the North Penn Art Alliance and the Morgan Log House/The Welsh Valley Preservation Society will accomplish both of their missions. The Mission of the Welsh Valley Preservation Society is to educate the public about the history of Towamencin Township and its place in Pennsylvania history as demonstrated by the architecture of the Morgan Log House, the lives of its past residents and their material culture. At the same time, the North Penn Arts Alliance offers artists and art enthusiasts' opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment by providing an outlet for preserving and promoting artistic growth and culture in our community. By allowing the members of the North Penn Arts Alliance an opportunity to individually display their works, the Welsh Valley Preservation Society is providing the Alliance with the opportunity to promote artistic growth and culture in our community.

Other venues throughout the North Penn area, especially in the Lansdale area, can look at the cooperation between these two organizations as they meet their goals. The North Penn Arts Alliance has been a part of the community for 25 years, taking part in community events and provides art education through the North Penn School District and the Lansdale Recreation Department. Artist members have works on display at some of the local businesses and area churches.

The Morgan Log House has been a local historic museum since 1976 and continues as an historic house museum to educate the public about the history of Towamencin Township and its place in Pennsylvania history. The Morgan Log House is located at 850 Weikel Road, Lansdale, PA. For information about the Morgan Log House please call 215-368-2480. Or you can visit them on the web at

http://www.morganloghouse.org/

For information about the North Penn Arts Alliance and what they can do to help bring art to your community please call 215-393-9110 or visit us at http://www.northpennarts.org/
 
Artwork is courtesy of Ed Kane all rights belong to the artist.

A short demo of image processing possibilities

By the Roving North Penn Arts Alliance member - Mike Darr

First thing I will say is I am always available for advice and discussion. If anyone wants to talk photography, I am willing -- no, anxious -- to do so. Riding Rex (for those who do not know Rex is my motorcycle) is my life but photography is my passion.

A few people have said to me, “I wish I could take photos like you do.” I am very flattered but it does not take a genius or someone akin to Merlin casting magic spells to get great images. I take the same images that everyone else does. I do have some very good equipment, especially great lenses. The single most important item in the image capture mechanics is the glass. If you have poor glass you get poor images.

Other pieces of hardware are important but none as much as the lens. I thank the great lens designers/manufacturers and programmers at Adobe every day for giving me some great tools to work with (and for taking a lot of my money – HA). If you let the auto-everything camera make image decisions it will be hit or miss (mostly miss) as to what quality image you get.



Above: Image that most "Auto" cameras will record.



Here are three views of an image taken by me with the camera mounted on a tripod and one that records the setup using my cell phone camera. The captions will explain. So I guess that those many hours spent in geekdom, sitting in front of my computer over these many years have paid off.

Above: Manually setting the exposure will
result in a truer recording of the scene.

Above: The "setup" as recorded by "auto" cell phone camera.



Another very important thing is to be there when the light is right. Have you ever noticed that when you are in a beautiful scenic location early in the morning or later in the afternoon the view seems so much more beautiful? And when there in the midday the same scene looks flat and boring? Usually the best time for dramatic images is before 10am and after 3pm, but there are ALWAYS exceptions.

Above: My interpretation of the second image.
Converted to black and white, tree perspective corrected.
Sun slightly enlarged.

 

Regardless of brand, the camera makers as well as many publishing companies offer great guides to improve your photography. Get a book or DVD and study, then practice, practice, and practice some more.

To see more of Mike Darr's work and to follow him on his scenic travels go to
http://scratchin-the-itch.blogspot.com/
Enjoy the wonderful journey of creating art whether you use a camera, pen, pencil, brush or whatever medium you use; have fun and learn. And as Mike always says "Don't ride the highways to make great time,
Ride the backroads to have a great time..."