Consider: A Child's Christmas in Wales or an Art Lover's Christmas in Eau Gallie?? by Fay Picardi

      "A picture's worth a thousand words" is an often heard truism. Dylan's Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales may be an exception, as he creates so many pictures in just over a thousand words. I reread his classic work every year about this time just for the pure joy of his descriptions. Here is a passage from it.

"Our snow was not only shaken from white wash buckets down the sky, it came shawling out of the ground and swam and drifted out of the arms and hands and bodies of the trees; snow grew overnight on the roofs of the houses like a pure and grandfather moss, minutely-ivied the walls and settled on the postman, opening the gate, like a dumb, numb thunder-storm of white, torn Christmas cards."

      In reading these words, you have probably created an image in your minds that is complex and moving and vivid. Perhaps as moving, complex and vivid as the extraordinary art produced by the Pieces of Eight. And no need to get out the snow scraper. The event is right here in Eau Gallie. Our sale begins next Friday, December 5! Please give yourself a treat and come once, come twice to Ralph's Art Supply for a plethora of artistic pleasures. See details below.

     

Finding Time

Art is not just about going into a studio and creating.  There has to be inspiration, enthusiasm and most of all time. Of course it never seems like you have all three at the same time but you can try and be in tune with your artistic side while you are doing other things.
I am in the middle of getting my house ready for repainting.  I am clearing away photos, taking down paintings, putting away knick-knacks, while grousing constantly about the whole process.  As I was filling another box with "stuff" I realized this could be a great opportunity re-arrange and freshen up.
I started taking  photos of my groupings when another thought occurred to me.  Why not paint some of my arrangements?  Or if not the whole arrangement some of the pieces.  I have so many fun little "things" I have collected along the way but I see them every day, which means I don't see them anymore. 
Here is a photo of  my "Fun Wall" in my kitchen.  I realized on this one shelf alone I had several set ups if I wanted to use them.
Hmmm what would you paint?

Donna Vines

My Fun Wall



Does the word chicken come to mind?

Colors of San Miguel

Since I am working on a larger painting, I have no artwork ready to post, so I will share some of my photos from San Miguel de Allende. Above are Aztec dancers having a big celebration of their conversion to Christianity. I painted "Tiny Dancer," posted on March 23rd, from one of my photos of this scene.

I love this photo because she makes me look tall. This is the lady who owns San Miguel Shoes, and she is always dressed up in a hat.

One night at the villa we had a fiesta with a Mariachi band, and they were wonderful. Six violinists as well as five other members. The younger men decorated their guitars with those big white apple stickers you get when you buy an Apple device. Tradition meets Tech.

San Miguel dates back to the 1500s, which is really old for the New World. Or any World. I love the ancient-looking buildings with their beautiful doors and windows, and inside you may find a beautiful courtyard with flowers and trees. It's the Spanish influence, which in turn was influenced by the Moors when they occupied Spain. It's one of the things that makes San Miguel so appealing to artists.

Posted by Carmen Beecher

Steampunk

I know I am probably behind the times but  I  have to mention and art movement called "Steampunk" that I just love and am fascinated by.  It has been around for a few years and it incorporates the Victorian/Edwardian era, so think about 1870's on to about 1890's. 
It's main thrust is mechanical, involving lots of Jules Vernes, H.G. Wells type of inventions.  The dawn of the industrial age.  The dress is very eclectic and in most cases the men look much more interesting than the ladies.  To be authentic Steampunk you have to use old machinery and the cogs and wheels have to turn.
I was in Mt. Dora this week-end for a Steam punk show and it was wonderful.  I just loved looking at all the old beautiful but functional "machinery".  They even had a "Time Machine".  The costumes were pretty good too.  If you get a chance to see any Steampunk go for it and remember "art" can make anything beautiful.
Donna Vines



Getting into the spirit of things



Hmm, but looks good!!

Raffle winner!!

The lucky winner of the raffle was Kim Zelna of Melbourne.  When I emailed her to tell her she had won, she replied that she was really surprised and very happy.  I stopped by today to deliver her gift basket and as you can see she was not the only one who was excited, in fact her furry friend was so excited that posing was out of the question and Kim was very gracious to let me snap this photo and post it

Kim Zelna
 

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and made the day so much fun.  For many of us this is the only chance we get to chat with old and new friends.  Your input and support is so important to all of us.


 


From poured to collaged

No matter how you like your art - Maybe on the rocks? Seascapes, roaring rivers;  A tall one? Mountains, flamingos;  An old fashioned? Anything from Archs to Zebras;  Poured? Ahh, lava lamps on canvas.
Come sate your thirst Saturday.  We have something for everyone.
Donna Vines



Poured and rubbed painting, very cosmic

Tea Collage

 

When is a birdhouse not a birdhouse?

I know many of you have asked yourself this very, same question and now you don't  have to wait until our annual sale, Dec. 7 to find out. The answer is "When it is a birdbarn".
 Now who says a bird has to live in a house? You might run across a real country bird who remembers seeing those wonderful old barns along those wonderful old back roads as he was flying south. How would anyone way out in farm country have ever known when the circus was in town or about all the wonderful sights, natural and man made along magical, mythical Route 66?
I know you will all enjoy our wonderful, unique birdhouse projects but there is much more than that at our sale. There is something for everyone from something to sit on to something to wear.
See you Saturday Dec. 7, 9-4 at Carol Schiff's house.  See the website for a map.
Donna Vines

Annual Holiday Sale December 7th!

Gift Shopping at its finest! December 7th, 9 to 4


The Pieces of Eight sale will be bigger than ever this year! As an event within an event, my husband made birdhouses for each of us and we each decorated ours, without anyone seeing the others. On Sunday we had a big reveal, and I am so thrilled with the creativity shown by every member. These birdhouses are amazing!

There will be deep discounts on paintings like my Coconut Palm, above left; painted furniture; handmade jewelry and many more lovely gift items. Here's my birdhouse and my jewelry:

Posted by Carmen Beecher

Drying Off, 6x6 Oil Painting

I returned to my Everglades photos for this one. We were on the Anhinga Trail, and there was this Anhinga. There are a zillion paintings of these birds with their wings spread, letting their feathers dry. I thought this was much more interesting and funny, with all those unruly feathers sticking out. I would have named it "Ready for My Closeup," but that is the name of another painting I'm working on, which will be in the Pieces of 8 upcoming show, "Black and White and Red All Over."

PURCHASE

posted by Carmen

Sketching Downtown

On Monday the Pieces of Eight took to the streets--some painting en plein aire (outside) and others sketching in our journals. The weather was perfect and it was so peaceful. On the left side you can see the 905 Cafe, where Denette and I get the Brie Apple Nut Melt every time. Yum. The giraffes were in the window of the store Go Fish.

My journal so far has various places in Virginia, the Natchez Trace, Memphis, the Everglades, Clinton, Iowa and locations here in Brevard County, Florida. I recommend a travel journal for every artist. Fun!

Carmen

Mary Warnick Exhibit

Ballard Park

The Palm Bay Library is showing paintings by Mary Warnick during the month of April.  The Library is off of Port Malabar Blvd., on Santiago Ave. It is next to the Turtle Creek Santuary, in a lovely wooded section. The Library is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and Wednesdays from 9 am to 8 pm.