Family and Friends Night

This week we did something different and really fun. We had a friends and family night. One of the children said "this is better than game night." I have to agree. I think this will definitely be something we add to our schedule.

Darkwell's Asylum Weekend 2

It is amazing how parents, kids, communities, teachers, and coaches can come together and do an awesomely cool fundraiser. This group of teenagers and a couple of preteens have done an outstanding job. The majority shows up on time, and is pretty excited about dressing up in gruesome and gory costumes. These costumes are complete with latex scars, fake blood, and crazy scary clowns. I am really proud to be apart of something this cool. I hope you get a chance to go through the asylum this year.

The Van Gogh Project

The first artist we studied this school year was Vincent Van Gogh. The kids really enjoyed learning about Van Gogh and his artwork. Their favorite part was painting a painting similar to his.

DHS Darkwell's Asylum

Every year I try to throw myself into some artistic endeavor. Last year, I was involved in doing the set for the Miss Walker County Pageant, set pieces for Faye Whittemore's Pumpkin Patch, and a couple other fun projects. This year, I was able to help with putting together Dora High School's 1st haunted house. The Asylum is one of the coolest projects that I have been involved in.

This is one of the largest joint ventures that included an awesome group of hardworking parents, students, and faculty. I am so thankful to be apart of this outstanding group! I did not get to participate as much as I would like to have, but there is always next year;-)

If you get a chance to visit The Asylum visiting hours are from 6-? On Saturday the 20, 6-9 on Sunday the 21, and on Saturday 27, Sunday 28, and open nightly at 6- Halloween night!!!

See you there;-)

Getting Ready to Open the Doors!!

For the last two months, I have been anxious, nervous, teetering on self-doubt, and concerned about whether the studio will make it or not. Well, all of that aside, I can only move forward. I am determined to give it my best shot! Our community needs a place where people can have creative birthday parties, social gatherings, get-togethers, and a nice colorful place to relax and de-stress.
Get ready Jasper, Walker County, and Central Alabama. Here we go!!!

Frog Festival Sumiton, Alabama

Rain or shine people in Central Alabama know how to put on a festival. With the weather gloomy and the bottom falling out at least twice, it did not stop festival goers.

After School Van Gogh Art Class

After School art classes are so much fun for me. It is truly the first time teaching all day, where all of the students want to learn. I have been doing after school art off and on over the last 10 years, consecutively the last 3. Traditionally, I did the fun stuff and let the kids decide. This year I have changed things up a bit. I have found an excellent curriculum which is age and grade compatible from ages 5- adult. Our trial lesson began with Van Gogh. We learned why Van Gogh painted the paintings he did, studied and practiced his techniques, then we began painting our very own starry night. Here is our work in progress...

Bird House Fever

I have a few crafty friends who are getting ready to set up at a couple of local festivals. The nearest one is the Frog Festival in Sumiton, Al. Each year a couple thousand people attend looking for interesting arts and crafts, festival foods, and local musicians. My crafty friends have decided that they are going to build and paint birdhouses and wood planters.

I love to paint funky stuff, and I thought to myself- "hmmm I wonder what a funky birdhouse would look like?" Well here is my funky birdhouse!

Mule Day 2012

One of the coolest places to see awesome arts and crafts is at Winfield's Mule Day in Winfield Alabama. Today I spotted some super cute metal work, flying pigs, metal and wood crosses, and lots of burlap crafts. If you ever get a chance, Mule Day is once a year in September!

New Paintings

I have serious bouts of creativity. I can sit for hours when I am inspired to paint or draw. Last night I finished about 8 projects and 2 new paintings!! Whew!!!


To be continued:-)

Another Beginning!

It's funny how you think things will work out one way, then everything takes a drastic turn. I have been so blessed on this journey of artistic self-discovery. All of this began as a way to make extra money. I needed to figure a way to pay some serious student loan debt. My regular teacher's salary was not getting it. This money needed to be in addition to our regular budget. I applied for jobs at every level. I took on tutoring after school. I did some mystery shopping, I took a part-time job stocking books for a local Kmart. No other minimum wage payers would hire me because I was over-qualified. I knew that I had to do something.

I looked to my talents. I am a decent teacher. I love art. I began talking to a local gallery owner and an art teacher friend of mine. I began painting more and doing some crafts. I knew I could do some crafts. The problem with trying to market and sell crafts is that most people do not appreciate the time, energy, and effort that goes into a crafty work of art or a painting. I took an art class in a nearby city. Then it hit me. I can teach people to paint. Not just people, but children. My 7 year old son was my first guinea pig.

Through trial and error, I have developed a way to use my talent to help others celebrate with paint. This is my fourth year of hosting paint parties for children and adults. My business began with the name Celebrate with Paint, evolved into Ginn's Art, combined with The Color Palette Studio and finally has become  It's Sooo Easel!!!

This has been a fantastic ride. I have made many new friends and professional aquaintances for whom I will always be grateful.
Thank you for the support, advice, and above and beyond all else encouragement!!

Josh and Amy Boshell                               
Lisa Brown   
Toka Harris/Lady Bug's Bakery and Deli                      
Terra H arbison /Marilyn Inman/Bama Girlz Kreations
Athletic Arts / Maria Ross                 
Angie Lewis                                 
Myra Blackston
A and E Fun Center/Mike and Miranda Walker   
Melissa Williams
and especially my family!Michael, Logan, Garrett, Drake, and Chelsea

I am down to 15 day on my indiegogo fundraiser. I am not doing so well. Anyone out there have any ideas to raise funds without stepping on toes or going into massive debt. Please share.

Please forward this to anyone who may want to help.
http://www.indiegogo.com/Ginns?a=454623

Art and ADD/ADHD

In Central Alabama art programs in our schools are nearly non-existent. Most teachers incorprorate some type of creative activity in their lesson plans or some schools are actually prosperous enough to have an art teacher that is shared among many grade levels. The rise of students with ADHD is on the rise. As a diagnosed adult with ADD, I know how important art and painting are to help discipline my attention or focus for other endeavors that I am involved.

I found one article that spoke to this.




Creative Cure: Treating My ADHD With Art

It’s too easy to push creative endeavors to the side when daily stresses and obligations pile up. But art – as an alternative therapy or simply a daily joy – is worth my attention.

ADHD Coach Blog
posted by Beth Main
Thursday March 8th – 8:32pm

 
Can anyone else point me to further information on art and add?

Houndstooth wall!! Latest project!

I just updated my website with new classes and pictures of paintings. Please go to my facebook page www.facebook.com/ginnsart and like my page. Your names will be put in a drawing for a coupon for 50% off a paint class.

Scheduling Paint Parties for Children and Adults

I am so excited about the next few months for Ginn's Art. I have partnered with A & E Fun Center in Jasper to bring more family fun to Central Alabama. Ginn's Art will be hosting children's Birthday Paint Parties, Paint and Play (Inflatables) Birthday Parties, Adult Paint Parties, Children's After School Classes, A Teens only art class, Mom/Dad and Me Paint Class, and Summer Art Camps for the kiddos this summer. The really great thing about this new partnership is that we can seat 20-30 people comfortably. Also, an added feature is that if you can't find a baby sitter for children 2 and up-Ginn will provide one for you at the Fun Center! How's that for service!


With this new exciting stuff going on at A & E Fun Center, Ginn's Art Studio at Bama Girlz Kreations is still there. So for the parties of 5-8 people, we can still paint there too! So with that said, two great places to paint in Jasper!

As if you couldn't tell by the last few blogs, I am experimenting. I have managed to set up my blog. I can text from my phone to my blog. Now I have to figure out how to add pictures that are not too large, and add my Google Calendar. Wish me luck!

Yes success!!!

This is my first cell blog! Let's see if it works:-)