Sunrise at the Cottages

A couple weeks ago, I had a crazy idea to invite a few friends over for a day of art in my new hometown, Newburgh, Indiana.  Our waterfront town, with antique shops, boutiques, and historic homes would be the perfect setting for a day of arts and crafts over looking the river. The event is called Art at the Edge...because we're going to meet right at the edge of the Ohio River. 

 

 

I knew that out-of-town guests might be looking for lodging close to the event site, and come to find out, our town has historic cottages for rent overlooking the Ohio River.  I was really happy to hear from some friends who are coming that they'd already rented one of the cottages for their stay in Newburgh.  So...

 

 

I walked up the street today to get a sunrise view from the cottages...and...WOW...what a view.  The cottages are perched on a bluff over looking the water.  They were built in the 1920's for the lockmasters who tended to the system of locks and dams on the Ohio River.  Now, the cottages belong to the city and are made available for guests and out-of-towners who are visiting Newburgh.

 

 

 

There are two cottages, each cottage sleeps eight...and they are very reasonable. If you are planning to attend  Art at the Edge with 2-3 friends, the cottages are perfect.  They are within walking distance of the restaurants and shops, and they sit right on the town's greenway if you like to walk or run...

 

 

 

Both cottage have wide front porches to let you enjoy the river view. 

 

And the view will be especially beautiful, Art at the Edge is October 25th, at the height of the foliage season in our region. 

 

 If you are considering coming to Newburgh for Art at the Edge...you'll want to look at the cottages as a place to stay while you're here...you are going to love the view!

 

 

 

Here's a link where you get more information about the Lockmaster Cottages.  I kinda want to go stay there myself...and I live just down the street...Hope to see you in October!

 

Ken



Mixed Media Techniques for Art Journaling

This year, I'm involved in a really cool mixed media workshop...I'm teaching mixed media techniques for art journaling.  We meet once a month to learn a couple new techniques, to practice those techniques, and to share a little bit about what we've created since we last met. 

The premise is simple...let's get together and explore some new techniques using the vast array of products and tools we have at our disposal.  We started with a blank journal...

Then used stencils, spray mists, to add color and pattern to our pages...

 

 

I love this class because everyone's journal is a unique piece of personal art. 

 

We've even used vintage Tupperware doilies from the 60's to add some cool pattern...

 

Tonight we're going to work with some paints and mediums to mask out specific areas of pages we've already worked on....

 

We're also going to work with acrylic mediums to create interesting backgrounds...in this lesson we'll explore mixing color for energy and visual interest.

 

And we're going to use modeling paste to create some really cool texture with stencils...it's going to be a fun class. 

 

 

We're just getting started on our mixed media journey together...so up until now, we've been creating backgrounds and experimenting with color and texture...in a few weeks, we'll start stamping, adding collage pieces and using words as we continue our mixed media journey...

 

We meet once a month at Mary's Scrapden in Evansville Indiana...the class is basically full at 20 students and we're on a wait list for anyone else who wants to join in...depending upon availability...this is really a cool experience...

 

Art at the Edge in Newburgh Indiana

Would you like to see this project taught at your store or art event?  It's a beautiful A4 sized book...it's big.  The class will include everything you need to create the book...it's really a nice project that you will be proud of. 

 

I am planning to teach this book as one of the projects at an upcoming art event I holding in my hometown, Newburgh, Indiana. 

The event is called "Art at the Edge." It's a one day event that includes: 2 classes, lunch, some time to shop and explore the antique stores and trendy boutiques in town, and a little studio tour of where I live and work.  It's going to be a great day, and our event will be during Newburgh's Harvest Festival...there will be a parade and the town will be decked out in fall decorations...and I've already arranged some cooperative discounts with some of the nearby antique stores. 

Art on the Edge will be October 25th 2014, in Newburgh IN.  I'll be announcing more details soon...so check back here.  In the meantime...here's a little glimpse of the venue and some of the shops nearby.

 

This is the room where we'll have "Art at the Edge." This is the second floor event space at The Edgewater Grill (hence the name "Art on the Edge).  It's an amazing venue with views of the Ohio River on three sides.  And there's a veranda that wraps around the entire space...you can take a quick break outside to enjoy the crisp fall air and a close up view of the river.

 

Our downtown is as pretty as a Norman Rockwell painting.   

 

More views of our event space...the space and the waterfront views are inspiring in themselves. 

 

We have some of the best antique shopping in the Midwest.

 

The views are spectacular!

 

And the brick streets of our town are lined with stately 19th century homes...it's really quite beautiful. 

 

So, if you'd like to attend "Art on the Edge" or you'd like to see this book project taught at your  store at your next event,

 

 

 

Leave a comment below...I will be sharing more event details as soon as they are available.  I am really looking forward to "Art on the Edge."  I can't wait to share my quaint little river town with everybody. 

 

Let me know what you think!

 

thank you,

Ken