While hosting new art classes at the Fort Meade Arts and Crafts Center during the day, I have been working early morning and late nights on reopening the Shop. The products range from home goods-to-wearable goods-to hanging art, so there will be a little something for everyone. I'm so thrilled at the opportunity to reopen after our international move. To give a sneak peek...
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Next week... Suncatchers, bead-making and bubble-wrap prints! To register for a class, please call the Arts and Crafts Center at (301) 677-7809. To ensure your spot and materials, registration must be made one business day prior to the class.
The art center has been busy with young creativity this week! In the 6-11 year old class we made patriotic wind-catchers. Each wind-catcher was so unique and beautiful. For example, some children were very strict with their red and blue colors, others mixed their paint to make purple projects; some diluted their paint with water while others used unaltered pigment; some created stars by folding paper in half, while others explored different shapes, like flowers and hearts.
During the process, we walked around the room to see others creations and gain inspiration. There was much exploration and imagination. The goal of art projects at this age is not to achieve perfection in a project, but to push and congratulate experimentation, guide technique and process, encourage community building, and use the tools provided in a variety of ways. This art teacher is so proud!
A new opportunity has come to me and I'm accepting it with gratitude, courage, and flexibility. I hope to soon be teaching arts and crafts courses to the military community, from toddlers to adults, and I hope soon I'll be able to share more with you. Such an exciting opportunity to learn and grow in creativity with others! Stay tuned.
I'm getting involved with Coloricombo by the artist Esté MacLeod. I've done these challenges in the past, however with our recent move I've had to put art on the back burner. Cheers to restarting old habits in the new year!
I made this paper while at university, so it's likely 18 years-old. I have kept it all of these years, partially because it was painstakingly made from artichoke pulp that I cooked down in my studio apartment, but partially because I knew it would be a part of something more beautiful one day. Such as carefully slicing then weaving delicately to create a rough pattern. The fibers were so brittle, but the effect of the layering is lovely.
Swatches of these designs have been ordered and, if approved, will be available on Spoonflower. (Check them out here.)
Our moving process began one year prior to us departing and I have found it difficult to cultivate a creative energy. I have been busy snipping the small threads of our lives in England while simultaneously trying to re-sew them into America—all while ensuring the whole piece didn't unravel!
But last week I felt a wave of creative roll through and the citrus painting above is the result. The process was fluid and organic; pure emotional release pouring onto the canvas. While the piece is not completed (is any piece ever really done?) I wanted to share, because maybe it's just what you needed to get your creative energy flowing again, too. It's official – we have moved back to America! In 2015, my husband and I moved away from Washington, DC as two, and are now returning back as a family of four.
Some of my supplies is being shipped, so in the meantime I'll be sharing new inspiration on Pinterest. I'm making plans to re-engage the studio and my art practice now that this major hurdle of internationally moving has been cleared. Part of this will be reintroducing Instagram—my previous account was a personal account and has been made so again, so a new fresh art account has been created. |
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Images are ©Ashley Stuart. All reproduction or use of images is prohibited without written consent. If you see an artwork that you would like to own, but it's not in the shop, get in touch and I'll try to make it happen!
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