123 Days, Day 2 - Guidance

Sometimes when you begin something, there is a glitch that slows you down. And, you find yourself having to ask for help, for some kind of Guidance. That was the case yesterday after I posted my first Blog Post on my new WordPress website. I asked my friend, who has his own WordPress Blog, "Where is the button to create another Post?" He looked at me like "What??", and then looked at my site, and we figured out that my Blog was just a Webpage, and it wasn't functioning as a regular Blog. He and my web guy are making a few adjustments, and it will eventually be fixed. But, in the meantime in case you're wondering why my Blog might look different than yesterday morning, I'm Posting on Blogger, and I just may keep doing this...

Every morning I like to read and hear inspirational things for Guidance, and to get my creative juices flowing. I've been taking a Dreambuilder Course by Mary Morrissey who never fails to inspire. This morning's "Morning Mentor" was about knowing you're on the right path when you treat the work you're doing as "Sacred". What does that mean? It is Important, and even to be done with Reverence. There is a purpose for whatever you do. Julia Cameron, well-known for writing The Artist's Way, talks about creativity being a "spiritual path", and that "the word God", when used in her book stands for "good orderly direction". Almost every spiritual practice has some form of Seeking from Source or Higher Power. The Christ said to "Seek first the kingdom of God". And, where is the Kingdom? It's in You and Me. It's that vast realm of possibility and ideas in You and Me when we Be Still and Connect with whatever you want to call "good orderly direction".
     Had to switch my table in the artroom (my dining room) from this

    to this.  I like looking into the Living Room. (painting above TV coming soon)

Since it's now night when I'm writing, Today, my Guidance was to complete what was due Today...
Sunflowers, Acrylic on wood, 8" x 10".

This is how I was inspired...a photo taken at City Roots a couple of years ago.

And, this is how I set up my table in the kitchen using Golden Fluid Acrylics (available at City Art in Columbia, SC)

I actually finished another piece of art today! Yay!  Working on the details...

And it was Sacred work, a small piece to help raise money for Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter in South Carolina. The fundraiser is First Thursday, Sept. 4th.  

 
My friend, Susan did one, too. Sometimes life is so synchronistic! Susan and I found each other on facebook after not having seen each other in 30 years! We worked together in a small gift shop called "Pizzazz" in another town, and now we are sharing artistic ideas again!

She also makes delicious Plum Jelly!

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie            

"Seek First the Kingdom of God..." Matt. 6:33
      

123 Days, An OPENING in Time, Day 1

It’s September 1st, Labor Day in the US, and I have “An OPENING in Time”. My daughter, Faith, who up until now has lived with me, has just gone to realize her dream of studying abroad in Seoul for 4 months and I am HOME ALONE! And, after having moved 2 times in the past 2 years, everything looks unfinished…

My Art – Yes, Cousin Donna, I will finish your piece this year…MANY more unseen unfinished pieces

My Artroom – Still has boxes laying around…

My Office – filled with art supplies that are still in boxes…

My Porch – where I write because the office feels crowded and I hate khaki walls…

My Carport – where I set things until I can arrange my storage shed and office shelves (my neighbors love me)

My Storage Shed -need to patch holes, set up shelves and kill spiders (ewe)…

And, we’ll save my Studio at Tapp’s Arts Center for another day :/

If some of you artists and artist wannabees are less than perfect like myself, i.e., a mess who has trouble organizing and finishing things, then follow me on my journey for the next 123 days. Why 123 days? It looks orderly. And, the real reason–my daughter will be home December 23rd. You do the math. Well, okay, so I’m an Artist and NOT a Mathematician…it’s actually only 113 days, but 123 sounds so much better, don’t you agree? During that time, it’s my intention to share my daily journey of (1)How I’ll organize my space and supplies, (2)My artistic process and class preparation, and (3)How to reach my goal of making $100 a day (or something better) on my art. (I know, how do I live on that?–We’ll figure it out together).

Oh yeah, I like quotes. Goethe, my fav person to quote, has that great quote about magic in beginning, but I really like this one as my quote of the day:  “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.”  But, I just did! …today… and this day forward!

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie

www.BarbieMathis.com   (Calligraphy Quotes coming soon)

 Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/johann_wolfgang_von_goeth.html#durrL8xQUGX6rLiC.99

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2014 Fall Art Classes at Midlands Technical College taught by Barbie Mathis

Watercolor 1: Monday mornings,  10 am – 1 pm, 9/8 - 10/6 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus,  $139

Watercolor 1: Monday evenings,  6 pm – 9 pm, 9/8 - 10/6 (5 weeks, 15 hours)   Harbison Campus,  $139

Watercolor 2: Monday mornings, 10 am - 1 pm, 10/13 - 11/10 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus.  $139

Watercolor 2: Monday evenings,  6 pm – 9 pm, 10/13 - 11/10 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus.  $139

Acrylic Painting 1: Wednesday mornings  1 pm – 4 pm, 10/1- 10/29 (5 weeks, 15 hours)  Harbison Campus,  $139

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday mornings, 10 am -12 pm,   9/9 – 10/14, Harbison Campus,  $109

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm,   9/9 – 10/14, Northeast Campus,  $109

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm,   10/21 – 11/25, Beltline Campus,  $109

Calligraphy II: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday mornings, 10 am -12 pm,   10/21 – 11/25, Harbison Campus,  $109

Sign up now for Classes that I will be teaching in the Fall at Midlands Technical College!

http://www.midlandstech.edu/cce

New Fall Classes

As many of you know, I have been teaching Watercolor Painting for the past few years. But, did you know that I also teach Calligraphy? And, this past Spring, I got a fun part-time job teaching for Corks and Canvas.

Here is a class list:
Mondays: Watercolor-(ongoing--you may join at anytime), 12:30-2:45 pm, Village Artists Gallery in the Village at Sandhill,   http://www.thevillageartists.com/

Tuesdays: Watercolor II starting 10/15/13 at Midlands Tech, Beltline Campus, 6:30-9:00 pm
http://mtconline.midlandstech.edu/CeClassCatalog/schedule

Wednesdays: Calligraphy starting 10/16/13 at Midlands Tech, Harbison Campus, 6:30-8:30 pm
http://mtconline.midlandstech.edu/CeClassCatalog/schedule

Corks and Canvas Classes: These are fun, decorative acrylic painting classes that change every week. See the calendar for Classes. The next one coming up Oct. 3rd:
http://www.corksandcanvas.us.com/enroll/lighthouse-on-the-shore

Private Classes and Workshops: Available upon request for Watercolor, Acrylic, and Calligraphy. Contact me  to schedule a class.   Barbie Mathis, 803.261.3038

Watercolor Classes Taught by Barbie Mathis

Watercolor

Painting Classes

for Adults and Older Teens

3 Class Times:

Village Artists:  Monday, June 4th, 1-3:30 pm

Tapp's Arts Center:  Tuesday, June 5th, 1-3:30 pm or 6-8:30 pm

~ongoing class paid 6 weeks at a time~

*** $120 ***

with Barbie Mathis, Art Instructor

 

Description:

Beginners – Advanced Students Welcome

This class is for the student who wants to learn how to paint from their own photo references. Barbie will demonstrate various watercolor techniques and help students apply the elements of design to their own preferred subject matter. Attention will be given to each person to help them achieve their goals in creating a painting. Individuals will be encouraged to work at their own level and pace, and to develop their own style.    

Barbie Mathis has been a professional artist since 1980.

Her work has shown in exhibits, publications and advertisements across the country.

She is an award-winning member with excellence in the South Carolina Watermedia Society,

and locally a member of Trenholm Artists Guild. Her work may be seen in above photos and at

www.BarbieMathis.com

www.BarbieMathisStudio.blogspot.com

"Like " www.facebook.com/Barbie.Mathis.Studio

To Register: Email: Barbie@BarbieMathis.com

(I will email you back to let you know that I have registered you)

Payment : $120 for 6 weeks -Check or Cash preferred, but Paypal may be used. Must be paid on or by first class. Checks may be mailed to: Barbie Mathis, P.O. Box 84791, Lexington, SC 29073

Class Locations:

Tuesday Classes: Tapp's Arts Center, 1644 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201, http://www.tappsartscenter.com/

Monday Classes: Village Artists, at the Village at Sandhill, 631-8 Promenade Place, Columbia, SC 29229 (next to Panera) http://www.thevillageartists.com/classes_events.php
 

Conveniently across from S & S Art Supply where students get 15% off!

Barbie Mathis Studio will participate in Columbia Open Studios

In January 2012, Barbie Mathis Studio moved from my home in Lexington, SC to a studio space in the newly renovated Tapp's Arts Center located on 1644 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Studio 28. To celebrate my growing business as an artist and instructor, I am participating in Columbia Open Studios. Please come by and see my watercolor paintings and calligraphy works on the tour.

 

Saturday, April 21, 10am-6pm and Sunday, April 22, 12pm-6pm

During the 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios weekend April 21-22, 2012, thousands of people will venture out for a free tour of 69 artists’ studios in the Greater Columbia area (including all of Richland and Lexington Counties), with maps and artist info in hand.

Visitors can spend two full days hopping from studio to studio, with free admission for all.

For more info about the map and participating artists:

 http://www.701cca.org/programs-and-events-2/columbia_open_studios/