Laura Valentine
Works of Fine Art, Multi-Media Art works, Public Murals
Hastings Michigan

Hello! Welcome!

Drawing and Painting students, K-7 here are your sketchbook journal assignments for this whole week:

Draw things that are green and are living. Fill up the whole page.

Draw things that are red and can be opened. Fill up the whole page.

Draw one place from your memory, make it a big imagination. It can fill up the whole page, or two pages!

Draw one building, from observation in real life, that you like to go to a lot.

Have fun with a variety of lines, values, patterns, and shapes! See you tomorrow!

April 10 Update:

So sorry about my sudden hit with the flu. Today I feel much better, and hope to be opening my doors at 4:00 as usual. Those of you with a week's worth of Open Studio visits for Spring Break, I will make it up to you!

Here is this week's Drawing challenges:

Tell the viewer what you see and how you see it with your pencils, erasers and shading or cross hatching.

Using variety in line (straight, squiggly, curly, wavy), values (light, medium & darks), and volume (huge, big, medium, small, tiny) and overlapping. Take at least 15-20 minutes for completing each drawing. Do not rush.

Draw a spring flower as it comes through the leaves

Draw a bell pepper or a fresh vegetable.

Draw a dead twig with all it's details.

Draw the tree outside your window, include the window frame.

Draw a cup and a glass and a jar in one composition. Overlap objects for interest.

April 17 Update: Wowzers, the Jazz Fest is upon us tomorrow! I will be open my usual hours, 8am-9pm. But sad to say, somehow my over the phone request to TAC for a performance in my Studio back in March was not taken down onto paper ...or something, and I will have no scheduled musical performance in my Studio.

That doesn't prevent me from welcoming any musician(s) who want to stop in and doodle off a few tunes, though! I will be teaching a class from 1-3, but we love jazz and would love to have some live stuff to draw and paint to then too! There's a space for you in front of my window to set up and play. Please do!

Here are the drawing challenges for this week. Use at least 20 minutes to do each one. Do one a day. Do not rush, but record as much as you possibly can in that 20 minutes:

Using three values of shading (dark, medium, light) and your good observation skills; draw your shoe, your hat, and your glove or mitten all together in one composition.

Using cross hatching and three different values of line, draw a flower and it's surroundings.

Using 5 values of shading (black, darker, dark, medium, light) and your best observation skills; draw a dime or quarter - but make them the size of a softball. Blow the coin up really big, but do keep it in one piece on your paper, :) Samuel...

Find something in your keepsakes collection and draw it along side with something you want to throw out. Spend as much time on each item as you take to draw the other. Write about your pieces into your drawing. Use the outer lines or the background lines in your drawing to write along. Write small and neatly.

Draw your favorite thing to do in the Summer. Use many lines, shapes, colors, and textures of line to fill in the spaces. Instead of coloring in solid spaces, fill in those spaces with textures of line. Choose cross hatching, patterns, or repeating designs to fill in spaces.

April 22 Update:

I have had a lot fun in the clay this week, but today I really enjoyed watching my first sculpture student, Caleb, make the beginnings of a Bear out of clay. He has all the form ready to build next time he comes in. I can't wait to see this bear in it's walking stride pose. Sculpture is so much fun!

May 1 Update:

First on my list: Thank you to my special drop-in helping hands, you all know who you are, if you helped with my window or the bathroom, or with cleaning some dirty floors, or yes, some barn straw off of a couple of donated kilns, THANK YOU! I would be buried under a pile of to-do lists by now if it weren't for you. Wow, today two of my new pottery wheels were delivered, I have two Paragon Kilns that a kind lady donated to the Studio, and the carpet is finally out of the west gallery.

2ndly: I am Happy to say I have two new after school students in Sculpture on Tuesdays, one new student on Wednesdays, and two new adult pottery students on Thursday evenings! There are only two spaces left in that adult pottery class, so first come first serve. It begins on the 8th, but that night is the night before the Grand Opening, and I will be busy hanging the exhibit, also it is Lady's night out on the town, so I may have another activity for Ladies that night if the exhibit is already hung. So that pottery class will actually meet for the first time on Tuesday May15th.

Happy news, Congratulations to Janet Koan on your new JOB!!! I am delighted to have yet another good connection with Artmania. I am going to miss you on your work nights, but I will be there to visit and shop too.

May 3 Update:

Today I closed up the Studio early, so I could do some major remodeling jobs (new vinyl flooring in the Bathroom, Pour the wedging table, install Picture Railing in the gallery) and take the pottery to my very good friend, Insoon Felch's Studio, to bisc fire. Thank you Insoon, you save me again. Thank you to the Steiner's for donating the kilns to my studio! I am so grateful. My kiln electrician is not available to install it until Monday, so the bisc fire had to be done out of house. Fired Pots will be back here on Tuesday to glaze by 4pm! I hope to be able to glaze fire for the first time in my studio by Wednesday night. That means everybody who made an empty bowl must glaze (not paint) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Girls Night Out is Thursday, May 8- but the bowls must be firing on Wednesday to be ready for display on Thursday night. Rather than do bisc glazing on Thursday, I will have an Open Studio activity in Still Life and Drawing from Live Models for Girls Night Out.

Wanted: Life Drawing Posers. Stop in and sign up.

May 24 Update:

A great way to Support our Troops is to participate in the Make a Mug for a Soldier event! Come on into the studio after the parade on Monday-- and this event continues for anyone who wants to make two mugs up till June 5th. But that's not including the glazing! You'll need to come in and glaze your mugs on the dates of June 9-12. Last Glaze firing deadline is June 11th to ship by Flag Day June 14, to be at the posts by the 4th of July.

Oh now, don't tell me you don't know where we are, or how to get here! Come on, just park across from the Moose and stroll across the street. We're right in the same building that the old Commission on Aging used to be. Just make it here! Get your inspiration from your table mates and Laura! No artistic experience necessary.

Make a mug to keep and one to send with your hand print in the handle, messages of inspiration & gratitude on the sides, and a level of moral support that never ends.

Corporate Sponsors needed: to sponsor costs of clay, glaze, firing and shipping postage. That would be for 100 lbs of clay, utilities for 2-4 firing schedules, and about 10 boxes to ship.

Anyone wishing to sponsor costs of this effort must contact Laura as soon as possible, no later than June 11.

Your $10 pays for the clay and glazes and firing costs, but if enough sponsors come forward to donate for that and for Shipping Postage, then your $10 will be donated to support the American Veterans.

Laura's fund raising goal for the American Veterans is now more than for Empty Bowls, $800. By the way, I still have empty bowls for sale, and we're nearly to the $200 mark on that! That means I need 40 participants making two mugs each by the 5th of June.

If June 5th is the soonest you can make it in, then please understand this is a three day project. Building your mugs and imprinting your handles is day one. Attaching your handles is day two. Checking your work for cracks is your commitment to a mug that is drinkworthy, so pop in to inspect/repair/clean rough edges your mugs as they dry slowly to be ready for bisque firing. Then glazing your mugs is day three. If you'd like to pack your own mug for shipping I do need pack & ship volunteers!

There are no Open Studio fees for participating in this effort! You are a volunteer artist in this make a mug effort.

Come in on any day from 4-9pm, or Mondays/Fridays & Saturdays from 10 am -9 pm to make your mugs!

It doesn't sound like much of a goal, but it's a small start in the right direction. I am pretty sure I can fit at least 80 mugs into my kiln. All participants will be responsible to come in and check their work for cracks frequently, and finish with their own choice of glazing, doing their own glazing by the final firing date. Any un-glazed pieces cannot be shipped.

June 10 Update: Wow, it's been two and a half weeks since I've had time to login and update! I guess that means I am busy! There has been a good strong interest on this Make a Mug effort, and to date, we have a total of 30 mugs that are being dedicated to the soldiers in Iraq. Our goal was 40, but we came close. It may seem like I didn't advertise in the paper, and that is because I didn't, just by the fliers in the parade, and I am keeping my extraneous expenses down to be able to handle the extra firing utilities expenses.

If you didn't get to come in and make a mug for a soldier, don't fret. I am doing this again, starting now, and the next shipping date will be on Veterans Day this fall. So definitely come in and make a mug! I will be taking photos of the mugs made so far after they come out of the glaze fire, so you can get some idea of the level of gratitude that is being expressed to our service people over there. The recruiter in Battle Creek was so happy to hear of this project, and he couldn't wait to help me get shipping addresses.

The Empty Bowls are still selling from our Empty Bowls event in May. To date we are at $150, just $50 below our fundraiser goal for the Food Bank of Southwest Michigan! The remaining bowls are on display in the Studio Window, and more are being thrown daily, so come in and buy a bowl for $5!

Schedule Change Note: There is a 4th - 6th Drawing class added to the Sculpture Class on Tuesdays in June! It should be fun, some will be drawing and some will be Sculpting in paper mach.

June 25th update: Can you believe it? It's two days to Art Hop already! Thank you Flexfab for sponsoring the shipping costs for the first shipment of mugs to Iraq! We have raised $200 for the Disabled American Veterans so far. As I say, Art Hop is just this Friday, so be sure to visit and check out all the Photography exhibit by Sunshine's Studio, the jewelry by Jana Johnson, the remaining empty bowls for sale $5, student art, prints and notecard sets on sale. There may be another silent auction too. It will be a wonderful evening, so come join us and have fun.

These After School & Evening Adult Classes Open for registration, and run to June 30.

We still have openings for the weeks of June 16-30th and a you pay only the 2 week rate of $28. Please call and sign up for June soon!

If you Join in mid-month, you can the make up dates missed by pre arranging your times or as mentioned above, your tuition will be adjusted accordingly. These classes will run to the week of June 30.

...or See Schedule on Class Schedule tab.

After School K-3rd Art SculptureTuesdays 4-6 pm w/snack break

This class starts with one hour of instruction in drawing skills and challenges, there is a running sketchbook journal the students are to keep daily. This week, they are to draw the animal they are sculpting from front, side and back views in their sketch book. Then there is a short 5 minute snack break and the next hour is painting in tempera and sometimes acrylic. Students should wear old clothes. Aprons are provided.

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$15 materials fee. 2 spaces left.

After School 4th-6th Sculpture Wednesdays 4-6 pm w/snack break

This class starts with a20 minutes of sketch book exercises, a quick snack break and then the remaining time is spent in sculpture with paper, clay and found objects, including paint or collage. Students should wear old clothes, Aprons are provided.

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$20 materials fee. 5 spaces left.

After School 6th-12th Pottery I & II Thursdays 4-6 pm w/snack break

This class is much like the Saturday Pottery class, but for the younger ages.

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$25 materials fee. All seats open at this time.

Evening Adult Oil Painting Tuesdays 7-9 pm

Paint in Oils for Adults 18 and up. Learn to sharpen your drawing skills as you Paint from observation of a floral or a still life that you set up and store in your cabinet. Subject matter will be chosen for this 4 weeks by the students. If you are 65 or older, you get a discount of $2 off per week, so a 4 week class is only $48

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$20 materials fee. All seats open at this time.

Evening Adult Line Drawing Wednesdays 7-9 pm

Draw in graphite, sharpies and brush & ink. All classes begin with warm up activities, progress to exercises in technique and line control, and then projects will be given for the 2nd hour of class. We may go out on the river to draw, so dress accordingly. Open Studio hours are included for maintaining sketchbook assignments, completing projects, and guidance on increasing drawing skills.

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$10 materials fee. All seats open at this time

Evening Adult Pottery I Handbuilding Thursdays 7-9 pm

runs for 4 Weeks $56 +$25 materials fee. One space left! Can make room for two more, but sign up before May 30 to get in for June classes!

Sculpture for Adults (16 & up)3:30-5:30 pm

This class is a class to polish up drawing skills in study sketches of your sculpture to use as reference drawings, while learning to sculpt in the classical old master techniques using clay. Bring in an assortment of photo references to choose from for the two sculptures you would like to do, in the subject of: Animals we love. You may want to make a set of sculptures for your mantel, a garden sculpture, or two entirely seperate sculptures. The class includes Open Studio hours just for maintaining your piece from cracking or drying too fast, and finishing up assignments.

It will meet on Saturdays from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm for 4 weeks

The cost is $56 for tuition and $25 for materials-covers one sculpting tool kit, 5 lbs. of clay, glazes for final firing, and firing fee. If you like to work large, a seperate clay/glaze& firing fee may be added to accomodate the size of your piece. My kiln is only 7 cubic feet, so...

Materials to bring in for class: One empty Ice Cream 1 Gallon bucket with lid, container for your tool kit, and a sketch book with pencils, eraser, and photos/magazine pictures of the animal you want to sculpt.

Location: 118 North Michigan Avenue.

Park in City Lot 3 for hours and hours of creativity!

(Right next to the Fire Station, accross from the Superette and the Moose Lodge) :)

Home School K-12, After School K-12 & Adult Classes are offered in: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Pottery.

Registration:

$10 per student for Registration Fee, and $5 when you bring a friend with you to register for the class, Free Registration for anyone bringing in two or more people who sign up for class!

Student registering for multiple classes pay only one registration fee.

Returning Home School students get a discount of $2/person/per hour! For you that means that a 4 week $56 class costs only $40! An 8 week $112 class costs only $80! And you do not have a registration fee.

All students who have two or more siblings enrolling also get the same discount as returning students, and need only pay registration fee once.

Tuition is:

$56 for a 4 weeks class= 8 hours of instruction and 5 hours of Open Studio.

$84 for a 6 weeks class=12 hours of instruction and 8 hours Open Studio.

$112 for a 8 weeks class =16 hours of instruction and 12 hours Open Studio.

Materials fees:

Drawing = $10

Painting = $20

Sculpture=$20

Pottery = $25-$35 depending on size of works

How to Register:

JUST Call Laura to sign up on the phone. 269-948-3602

You may pick up a schedule of classes and registration form at State Grounds Coffee Shop, Jami's Crafts, Barry Chamber of Commerce, or stop in and sign up at the Studio!

Laura's Home Education Art Studio

e-mail: lauras_heartstudio@yahoo.com

Website: Lauras-Heartstudio.com

Materials fees as follows:

Drawing = $10

Painting = $20

Sculpture=$20

Pottery = $25-$35 depending on size of works

NEW Business Hours:

Monday 10 am - 9 pm

T-W-Th 4 pm - 9 pm

Friday 10 am - 9 pm

Saturday 10 am - 9 pm

Open Studio Hours are open to all ages 5 and up.

Children 5-17 should come before 4pm, best on a Monday, Friday/Saturday.

Children ages 5-15 should have a parent present per 1-5 children, especially while classes are running, as assistance is needed.

Only Parents may assist with their children during these hours. I take no volunteer assistants.

Adults 18 and up must come for open studio after 6 pm or by pre-arranged appointment only.

Cost: $2/hour for Open Studio.

There is a small materials fee if you use studio supplies, but if you bring your own, there's no charge.

One Open studio visit is usually two hours long. That's $4 for the 2 hour visit and $1 for materials = $5 a person

If you are looking for something more to do down town ... besides dinner and a movie, this is a seriously fun place to come!

Open Studio membership cards are available in 4 sizes:

3 visits = 6 Hours for $10

5 visits = 10 hours for $25

28 visits = 56 hours for $112

48 visits = 115 hours for $224

All Membership Cardholders during the course of their membership are priveliged to have:

one shelf in one cabinet to store their supplies,

one gallery shelf on which to display their work,

and free online gallery space for their work on Artsonia.com, through the Laura's Home Education Art Studio site there.

115 Hours of Open Studio Membership Card entitles:

all the above in addition to a choice of either

two weeks of solo exhibit in main gallery
or
5' x 5' x 7' feature sales display of personal artworks on sale

in main gallery for 30/70 commission for 4 weeks.

Please Email me and ask for a current Registration form and I will send it to you.

New News: the performing arts class that was going to be offered in May-June, with a play at the end of June, taught by a friend of mine who is very active in the TAC and Vermontville Theaters has gone into a long underwriting phase, so tune in for next summer all you youth theater enthusiasts! We may be forming a partnership with the TAC on this, so bear with us. Please stop in and sign in on the Theater interested list! There are Costume Designers and Set builders to find as well, so those lists are in need of names, so do stop in!

Laura will be teaching Fibers at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this Summer for a session.