Social Media Detox

Photo by: Gordon Plant

Hi Friends,

I've decided to detox from social media the rest of December. I'm sure with all the holiday hustle 'n' bustle nobody will even notice. But for my special blog friends, you are different. I'm promising you new work on the blog in 2011. I'm hoping I'll have gotten a good start on a new series--maybe paintings?...maybe not...could be another medium? I don't know what this time will bring. So, I'm off, retreating to my special studio space. I'll blog with you again in the New Year. Happy Holidays.

Peace & Love,
Angela

Thank You!

Still, in 2010, I am abundantly rich with blessings to be thankful for ( in no particular order )...

1) Supportive family and friends.
2) My revitalized attitude towards health, exercise, and nutrition.
3) Collectors of my work.
4) Discovering what I am passionate about and learning more about myself so that I can put it on canvas.
5) Incredibly convenient and affordable studio space.
6) Being able to do what I love.
7) Lastly and most important, my amazing husband.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday.  Thank you, as always, for reading.

Diapers for Triplets

Photo by: Funky Shapes'

Yesterday I received a email from my mother-in-law, Trudy, it's a request for triplets' diapers. She writes: 

"Dear Friends and Family,

Some weeks ago as Andrew and I were leaving his doctor's office I met a nice lady toting 3 beautiful identical triplet girls - quite a handful !  I admired them as we walked by but as I was climbing into the car I was impressed to go back and speak further with her.  I discovered that she was the grandmother and the guardian and that the babies were nearly 10 months old.  They received assistance for formula and were well fed and growing.   Furthering questioning revealed that  in spite of county assistance, keeping up with their needs was a tremendous challenge for this grandmother.  "Although I don't have a lot, I'd like to help in some way," I said.

 "The Lord must have sent you!" was her response.  I discovered that many people had helped at first and provided plenty of summer clothing, but now as it grew colder they had nearly nothing warmer to wear for the winter months.  Someone had recently provided two snowsuits, another person had sent a coat but it had no pants.  They would still need mittens, hats, and daily outfits with legs and long sleeves.

However, their greatest need was for diapers .   At ten months, the babies use about 10 diapers per day.  Do the math and we are talking about 900 diapers per month!  That is 3 large boxes of diapers per baby or 9 large boxes of diapers for all three babies per month!  They are wearing the size 3 diapers for babies 16-28 lbs.  Walmart sells that size online, Parent's Choice seemed the best buy,  in a large box of 96 diapers, delivered free to your door for $13.97 or 3 boxes for $41.91.    For $125.73 we could provide a month's worth of diapers.  I'd like to take her two months worth or 18 large boxes.  With my daughter Rachel's help we have 5 boxes right now.  I need 13 more.  Would you like to help me?

If you feel able, perhaps you and two friends could purchase 3 clothing outfits in a size 9-12 months.  I'm going to go shopping this week and get the first set of three sleepers.  Also,if you know of anyone who would be willing to donate girls clothing that their baby has outgrown, we could add that, too.  Wouldn't hurt to include some toys, either!  Maybe I can also think of something nice for the grandmother who has taken on this trifecta challenge.   A nice scarf, some holiday treats.  Any suggestions?

Times are tight, I know.  May the Lord richly bless and multiply your resources as you share whatever you are able...

Love, Trudy"

If you'd like to help, please contact her via email at, teachertrudy(at)hotmail(dot)com.  

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Cell Photo by Pulmonary Pathology

The more I learn about genetic factors and cancer, well, it scares me. I don't eat near enough fruit and veggies as I should. Here's a link that gives some brief info about pancreatic cancer (what my dad died from) and prevention tips.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month / The Cancer Project

Work in Progress

I started this painting 5 years ago, never liked it, and hid it behind other paintings. I decided to play with it and resolve my issues with it. It's probably bigger than just an aesthetic reason. But that's a topic for another day.

The photo above is when I delved back into it a couple weeks ago.

New Painting: Cancer Cell No. 19

Cancer Cell No. 19, Acrylic on Canvas with Crochet Circles and String, 10 x 10 inches

I've always like the idea and look of combining sewing with paint. Since canvas is material it seems like a perfect marriage. This painting is an attempt at combining both mediums. Thoughts, opinions, and critiques are always welcome. Leave your comments below...

Painting Donated to the Larimer Humane Society

I created this specifically for the Humane Society's Fundraiser. I have a soft spot in my heart for animals.

Day of the Dead

Time Flies, 10 x 12", Acrylic on Canvas by A. Canada Hopkins

Little to do with Halloween, this day is really a celebration--celebrating a life lived. There are lively festivals, colorful parades, and fun parties. Family and friends gather at the grave with offerings in remembrance and a belief that the soul of the loved-one can be communicated with.

The Day of the Dead originates in Mexico. It has been a ritual for thousands of years to celebrate an ancestors death, to remember them, or honor their reincarnated soul. The imagery, customs, and beliefs of the holiday are a blend of diverse cultures giving unique meaning to the celebrations.

Of course, I'm fascinated with all the imagery and it's symbolism. I've never gone to Mexico or a Mexican-American community to celebrate this occasion. But I imagine it would be wonderfully healing to build an altar of tangible remains, a time to speak and remember the loved one with happiness and celebration.

Dulce Catrina, Photograph by Greg Hero

I came across this poem, by Henry Scott Holland, shortly after my dad passed away in 2001. I think it exemplifies how he'd like me to remember him.

Death is Nothing at All

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

By Henry Scott Holland

Start of a Painting

I started a new painting today. This is as far as I've gotten. Not sure where it's going--just assessing as I go. Thinking I'll integrate a more detailed drawing of an organ...maybe a heart....into the abstract brush strokes. But who knows, at this stage anything can happen.

Website Update

I made some changes to the website over the weekend. Let me know your thoughts. www.CanadaHopkins.com

It is a website hosted through Artspan. Like other hosted sites, I do have to stay within their template options. But I've been really happy with them. Their tech support has been amazing because they are really fast about getting back to me or just fixing the problem. Even though I haven't chosen to do it (I'm using my website as more of a portfolio), they do have a shopping cart option. Plus they have a "Prints on Demand" feature where on-line shoppers can order prints straight from your website. I've used this company for about 3 years now. One of these days maybe I'll be able to afford one of those fancy-designed just for me websites, but for now, this works just great.

Painting Lesson

A couple weeks ago I gave an art lesson to my friend Tiffany Blackden. I met her at the store and talked about which supplies would be best for her project. Tiffany wanted a fun play-time to experiment with abstract painting. She worked at my studio while I gave her some tips and suggestions as she created. She did absolutely fabulous (see her beautiful art work below). In our short time together she worked on 3 different pieces--a natural. It was SUCH a blast! It has spurred me to do more classes at the studio.

New Painting

Today at the Studio

Painted with Holly Voget (fellow Loveland artist and graphic designer).

Loveland Art Studio Tour: Proceeds From Art Sales Benefit Poudre Valley Hospital Cancer Center

Written By Beth Buczynski
  This past weekend, the Loveland Art Studio Tour provided a rare opportunity for the public to gain a rare glimpse into the private studios and galleries of over 50 different community artists.
  This year marked the second anniversary of the self-guided event, which allows people to buy directly from local artists while learning the story behind their creations.
  Angela Canada-Hopkins’ “Cancerous Art” was one of the highlights of the tour, and all proceeds from its sale during the Tour will be donated to the ongoing efforts to build the Poudre Valley Hospital Cancer Center in Fort Collins.
  In addition to her interpretations of cancerous cells, Canada-Hopkins displayed messages of prevention, health, encouragement, and hope on the walls of her studio for people to view alongside the art. This combination provided a surprising opening for conversation and connections between complete strangers who have been impacted by this disease.
  “The art had a powerful effect on some people who attended the tour,” Canada-Hopkins said. “One family had recently lost their 17 year-old son and grandson to cancer. They started talking to me about it and we were all in tears by the end of the conversation.”

  Sales of Canada-Hopkins’ prints and art work from the weekend generated $300 for the future Poudre Valley Hospital Cancer Center. 

R Rated for Strong Language

You've been warned, so look away if you can't handle it. Don't read on. Cover the kids eyes 'cause these are strong sentiments.


I'm making preparations for the studio tour. One of those tasks included making postcard prints from my linocut. If your not sure what the heck a linocut is, click on the word. Or click, HERE, to see my previous post on how I made the stamp or relief.

Don't worry, this isn't all I'm going to have to choose from during the tour. I'll have prints of my paintings, the originals, and other fun stuff too.

Loveland Art Studio Tour: Oct. 16 & 17

Last year was such a blast. So many people came through the studio to view art and ask questions. It was a great opportunity to have a dialogue about art. I especially enjoyed talking with the child who were excited about art and it was cool to see their parents supporting them.

This year will be even bigger and better with almost double the amount of artists: over 50 participating. My studio is in Downtown Loveland at, 411 N. Cleveland Ave (in the back of Teraza's Not Just Gyros on the corner of 4th and Cleveland). Map on-line, http://www.lovelandartstudiotour.com/

October 16 & 17, Saturday & Sunday, 10 to 5.

Shots from last year.

2010 Loveland Transformations Project: Video

I know, your probably tired of hearing about the transformer after I blogged on about it this summer. But I just now, finally, got around to the time lapsed video I wanted to put together. Head on over to Vimeo to watch it or watch the smaller version here. http://vimeo.com/15373142


2010 Loveland Transformations Project from Angela Canada Hopkins on Vimeo.
This year 20 artists were selected from a pool of about 65 submissions to "transform" those ugly green boxes around Loveland, CO. If they didn't stand out before, well, now they do with awesome murals. Mine was in the same vein as my fine art paintings: cancer cells. I painted one on either side of the box with tentacle like projections wrapping around the transformer/electrical box.

New Painting I Whipped Up

Lighthouse, Holland MI

Acrylic on Canvas

Don't think I've changed my painting style. I created this the other day for a specific exhibit. It wasn't something I wanted to do so I dragged my feet on completing it. So much so that I painted it the day it was due and turned it in by 4:59 PM (a minute before the doors were locked). I'm such a procrastinator! But, none the less, it is a new painting so I'm documenting it.

Letterpress

Just got back from a letterpress workshop at Art Lab. Take a looksie at what I printed.


(Art Lab, in both Fort Collins and Loveland, turns an empty run down store-front into a fun hip art-space. It is not a gallery--it's better.  It's a place for artists' to temporarily create and hang work, also offer workshops/classes).

Photo by: CJ Romberger

  

Home Decor

We are just starting to get settled since our move over the summer. I wanted to show off the sweet paintings hanging in my entry way by my college friend and artist Alex Halsey. They are oil on canvas paintings.

I really hate hanging my own work in my home. So I'm really excited about continuing to collect other artists' work.

Support artists! Yeah! I'll jump off my soap box now.

Loveland Artsteps 2010: Plein Air

ArtSteps is a collaborative project of the Loveland Museum/Gallery and the Thompson School District.  It brings the community and young artists together to create art outside of a classroom setting.

On a cold and rainy Saturday, September 18, Thompson School District students, local artists, teachers and community volunteers came together at Fairgrounds Park for the “Plein Air” community art project.

 

Four students from grades 4—12, each from an area school were eligible to participate and applied to be apart of the program. Students were placed into groups where they were mentored by an artist and a teacher. I had the privilege of working with 10 awesome middle school children. Unlike past projects, this was a individual piece of artwork instead of a group piece. Once the art work was complete, a judging panel selected 30 pieces of student artwork to be in a six-week exhibition at the Loveland Museum/Gallery. Some of the students got to take their artwork home at the end of the event. The students chosen for the exhibition will take their work home in November.

To the students, congrats to the artists' that were chosen to be apart of the exhibition at the Museum. If you didn't get selected, don't be discouraged, the museum has a limited amount of space to exhibit art.  The important thing is that you continue to make art. I had so much fun working with each of you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at canadahopkins@gmail.com.

To the volunteers, THANK YOU for your time and efforts.

How to Organize an Art Studio

I'm lucky enough to have some, well alot, of space in our new digs for me to work.  I still have my old studio at 411 Cleveland.  I'll be using 411 for it's awesome window exposure to downtown Loveland.  Plus it's a great location for the yearly studio tour.

Studio at 411 N Cleveland

So now I'm working on unpacking and organizing the new home studio.  I've posted some pictures below of how it currently looks.  Yikes, what a disaster!  The pictures are pre-organization but I'll keep you updated on the post organization when I'm settled.

How does one organize an art studio?  

That's the question I've been kicking around.  I've been planning furniture/storage placement and figuring out a budget for it all. 

Lighting

For most artists this is a huge concern and cost.  A valid point, but for me I'm not concerned about exact color--I like any color in any shade.  In fact, I just watched a video on Hulu about an artist that moved from NY to the West and wanted to recreate the harsh florescent light she was used to.  So if lighting isn't your concern, your probably a minority but don't feel like you HAVE to have super expensive full spectrum/natural/daylight bulbs to be an artist.  Although with all this said, they can be kinda nice on dull winter days.

Work Space

Depending on your medium this will be different for each artist.  I'm a painter.  So I'm leaving a portion of the studio fairly open where I can hang my paintings on the wall or have an easel.  I'll most likely use a rug or drop cloth plus plastic to protect the walls.  I'm renting my space so I do have to be concerned about getting my deposit back.  Not to mention, a build up of paint on the walls is hard to remove in the future.  I'll also have a rolling cart or table that will hold my paints, brushes, and water (I use acrylic).  Think about a place to clean-up.  Will you need to have a sink handy?  Or will some old rags and work clothes be enough?

Ventilation

I really don't have a concern about this for my area because I'm not working with super harmful materials.  A fan will suit my purposes.  But if you're spray painting and working with chemicals it is important to think about.  

Flexibility

I'm putting almost everything (besides some storage shelves that will remain against the wall) on wheels. I want to be able to easily change the space to meet my needs.  Plus having the same space day after day doesn't feed my creative nature.  A divider could be useful too.

Storage/Furniture

Shelving for all my stuff (my husband just doesn't get why I have so much of it) is a must.  You need space to store or have readily available tools, materials, and things that inspire you.  Beside shelving, I'm also thinking about a peg board or mounting a rod with "S" shaped hooks to hang my supplies.  I'll be using baskets, boxes, and jars to organized my materials into groups on the shelves.

Your furniture will depend on your craft too.  I'm wanting to offer art classes so I'm looking into buying a table and chairs for the center of the room.  The table can double as work space.  Another good idea is a table or counter top that is standing height.  A drafting table with a top that raises at an angle is great if your doing alot of drawing.

Have any ideas on ways to organize a studio?  Or clever multi-use solutions for small spaces.  I'd love to hear any suggestions you have on how I could use my space.  

Thanks for reading,

Angela