New Newsletter from the Desk of Laura’s HEArt Studio: 2009

As a student of LHS (Laura’s HEArt Studio), even adult students, your art will be uploaded onto Artsonia.com under Laura’s Home Education Art Studio. Go to Artsonia.com, type Hastings zip code into the search bar to see us.
You’ll have your own student portfolio space on line! Sell your artwork from the Gift Shop at Artsonia.com.
A portion (10% of the sales) comes back to Laura’s HEArt Studio to help this place to keep running.
If you ever sell so much that it shows up as more than $10 under your name in one month, that $10 goes directly to credit your tuition or materials fee!
Build a fan club on Artsonia.com Invite your family & friends to visit us, to comment on your work & win awards!
The more comments from your fans, the more awards & sales- the higher we rate as an online School of Art!
Adult students (age 18 and up) you also have this option to upload your art here at Artsonia.com, and to Zazzle.com and I will place a link from my website to your Zazzle.com page as soon as you email it to me.

Planning Committee Members, (Parents and Students Grade 7 and up)
Ticket Sales Helpers (High School Students & Parents of Attending Students)
Silent Auction Helpers
T-shirt Drawing Designs for: Volunteers, Servers, Ticket Takers, & Student Shirts (see call for all artists contest rules)

Decoration Committee,
Reception Attendants of: the Guest Book, Refreshment Table, and Tour stations.

Public Relations & Communications Committee
Servers,
Movie-for-the-Kids Attendants,
Popcorn Sales,
Stairway Attendants, etc,
This Anniversary event is a family geared, non-alcoholic event with a view into the Art History of Mardi Gras.
Sign up sheets and schedule of meetings is on the registration desk, or just ask to sign up on my answering machine.
Musicians: SOME of you have other talents in music or performing arts. We need you too!
If you would like to audition for a solo instrumental jazz performance or vocal jazz performance at this event, please see me before the 20th of January.
Behind the scenes at Laura’s HEArt Studio.
Many of you are long time attendees and know this. Some of you are new and may not know these things.
I do not have a hired janitor, I do not have an accountant, nor an inventory & re-order supplies aid, nor do I have a Paid Photographer, nor a website manager, nor a Pottery Assistant, nor a secretary, nor a receptionist with which I am able to share this entire load of work.
I am always here, doing all the above by myself, or with the help from one or two very dedicated volunteers, from 8 am or 10 am till at least 10 pm, sometimes till 2 am on Monday - Saturday.
For the last nine months I rarely have taken a regular evening meal with my family, and most often, I rarely get a lunch break, so I am growing accustomed to supper at 11 pm and breakfast at 7 am. Understand, When School is out, I need a break too.
Many have told me I need help, and I have to admit, I have always known that. J However, I love my job. This is my dream, to run an Art Atelier, since I was very, very young. I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars. Well, If any of you have a million dollars, I could use a few equipment items on that needs list, like a slab roller, a printing press, a computerized kiln so I can set it and go home while it‘s firing!
I do all this (as a normal person who puts her shoes on one at a time) because I believe in your art talents, that they need a place to be cultivated and publicly promoted, and I believe in the need for this Art Atelier to be open here in Hastings that much. I am always trying and I am always human, and I am always doing my best, and usually I am always expecting that of everyone here.
I will be applying for non-profit status for the education portion of business, so advertising will not be a financial hurdle.
When I fire the kiln, I am here for a usual 36 hours to fire, just because it is the old fashioned cone-sitter kiln, that needs constant monitoring. It is not to be done at a time when my attention must be called elsewhere. I have to be available to make adjustments in the temperatures as they climb to COAL HOT YELLOW-ORANGE temperatures of 1828 F -1971 F, then to be sure nothing blows up, to be alert and rational enough to shut it down safely. I’m saving for a computerized kiln!
A short glaze firing takes three hours on low, two hours on medium, and two hours on High for a total of SEVEN HOURS in the kiln, just to fire your pots and melt that glaze (a solution of water & powdered glass & elements of earth) until it’s all shiny. Then it takes 2 X(hours fired 7)= another 14 hours to cool down from that temperature.
A Bisque fire is much longer, a total of 9-11 hours to fire, and 2 times that to cool for roughly 22 hours of cooling, and a total of 33 hours in the kiln. That is because the clay is raw, never fired before, and the climb to bisque temp, 1971 F, has to be very gradual and slow --or the pots will blow up. Rushing things is not an option. Some Potters like to hear the twinkling sounds. That is a bad sound, like when the catalytic converter is cooling too fast -- and it cracks. So too does the Rapid cooling of pots - it causes the pots to crack, craze, or look like antique crackle glazes were used, even when you didn’t want that. There is a risk to the entire class and customer base to take a chance on doing it incorrectly for one person‘s deadline. I spend 48 hours up in a row sometimes, just to be sure your works get fired properly in respect to all works. Many times I am here on Sundays just to take the quiet time to load the kiln and make sure nothing is touching anything else or it fuses together. To get everyone’s projects in -to puzzle-fit an entire rack of pottery & beads into 7 cu. feet, it takes anywhere from 4 -10 hours of Zen time.
A New Director announced for Thornapple Arts Council.

I am good friends with the new TAC Director. Actually, he is one of my adult Pottery students! His name is Andre Wiegand. I am very glad and excited that he is the new TAC Director. Welcome him Happily. We are working together on getting a partnership grant in the making, on making things more in tune with the needs of the public, the students, and on communicating what this Atelier is about. Seven years ago, the Thornapple Arts Council would not even consider trying what I am attempting to run here all solo. So bear with me, I have never done this before. Nobody in Barry County has, Nor, to my search knowledge, in Michigan. If you find someone who is, connect me to this person so I can trade notes and network. Andre and I will definitely be working on expanding Public awareness of LHS- Laura’s HEArt Studio.

Finally, I have been struggling with a better way to communicate the following on a more personal note.

I have a close Sister who is battling stage 4 cancer, and that is a family need that I simply cannot, and will not be setting aside for my Art Studio business. She is my Sister. I love her -and if things go from bad to worse, off I go to her side at a moment‘s notice. Not one work of art in the world can match what she means to me.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, there might be a note taped on the entry door when you get here, stating briefly where I am, and why there is no class. Most times, there will be no note, no phone call or no email.
It is sad to not get an Art Class or have me show up late, I know... Please just know this:
I do not intentionally disregard your art needs, your travel time or intentionally skirt my responsibilities here. I have a sister with stage 4 cancer. In any instant, I may not have a sister. So I am sorry to have to say that I can only do what I can do.
If I miss teaching your class, due to this or any other unexpected reason on my part, You will get a make up class at no further charge. At this point, that is the best I can do.

I sincerely wish I could afford a receptionist to call all of you to let you know my latest situation in that respect. That is the business goal to get to Hiring Status = 45 Students a month. That is only five full classes! Then I will be able to hire Tawny. Tawny is my Costume Designer & Custom Tiles Artist-in-residence. She works out of the back room across the hall from my office. She is very qualified to Help in the Art room, she helps with most of the Art Hops, and she can teach fiber arts and textiles -probably better than I can. She is the Lunch Lady at Northeastern Elementary. She has Home Schooled her daughters, and she is a cosmetologist. She has a fairy Godmother up her sleeve and a sleigh full of talents that would turn the Grinch Green with envy. I hope you enjoy creating with her as much as I do. She will be teaching the Costume classes for the Mardi Gras in January and February. Tawny occasionally helps take on my days when my life is calling me elsewhere, but she also has two other jobs as well, so please note…

If ever I am not here by 10 minutes past the hour:

Check the front door/front window for a note of details,
Call my Home number 948-3622 to see if I am actually on my way to my Sister’s, and leave your message,
Call the studio and leave your “reschedule me” message on my answering machine 948-3602.

If there is inclement weather the night before your Class/Open Studio day:
Go online and check my website for the Snow Cancellations tab on Lauras-Heartstudio.com before you come into town.
Or call the studio. If there are cancellations, usually I am here, and I will re-schedule your class time over the phone.

Visit Artsonia.com at Laura’s Home Education Art Studio and upload your photos of you art there often over the Holiday break!
Start and Grow your own Fan Club on Artsonia.com! Invite your friends to see & comment on it! Comment on your classmates artwork! Upload more art from home and watch your portfolio grow!
Check out the Call to All Artists of Laura’s HEArt Studio contests and enter, enter, enter!

Planning Committee Members, (Parents and Students Grade 7 and up)
Ticket Sales Helpers (High School Students & Parents of Attending Students)
Silent Auction Helpers
T-shirt Drawing Designs for: Volunteers, Servers, Ticket Takers, & Student Shirts (see call for all artists contest rules)

Decoration Committee,
Reception Attendants of: the Guest Book, Refreshment Table, and Tour stations.

Public Relations & Communications Committee
Servers,
Movie-for-the-Kids Attendants,
Popcorn Sales,
Stairway Attendants, etc,

Sign up sheets and schedule of meetings is on the registration desk, or just ask to sign up on my answering machine.
Musicians: SOME of you have other talents in music or performing arts. We need you too!
If you would like to audition for a solo instrumental jazz performance or vocal jazz performance at this event, please see me before the 20th of January.
Behind the scenes at Laura’s HEArt Studio.
Many of you are long time attendees and know this. Some of you are new and may not know these things.
I am good friends with the new TAC Director. Actually, he is one of my adult Pottery students! His name is Andre Wiegand. I am very glad and excited that he is the new TAC Director. Welcome him Happily. We are working together on getting a partnership grant in the making, on making things more in tune with the needs of the public, the students, and on communicating what this Atelier is about. Seven years ago, the Thornapple Arts Council would not even consider trying what I am attempting to run here all solo. So bear with me, I have never done this before. Nobody in Barry County has, Nor, to my search knowledge, in Michigan. If you find someone who is, connect me to this person so I can trade notes and network. Andre and I will definitely be working on expanding Public awareness of LHS- Laura’s HEArt Studio.

Finally, I have been struggling with a better way to communicate the following on a more personal note.

I have a close Sister who is battling stage 4 cancer, and that is a family need that I simply cannot, and will not be setting aside for my Art Studio business. She is my Sister. I love her -and if things go from bad to worse, off I go to her side at a moment‘s notice. Not one work of art in the world can match what she means to me.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, there might be a note taped on the entry door when you get here, stating briefly where I am, and why there is no class. Most times, there will be no note, no phone call or no email.
It is sad to not get an Art Class or have me show up late, I know... Please just know this:
I do not intentionally disregard your art needs, your travel time or intentionally skirt my responsibilities here. I have a sister with stage 4 cancer. In any instant, I may not have a sister. So I am sorry to have to say that I can only do what I can do.
If I miss teaching your class, due to this or any other unexpected reason on my part, You will get a make up class at no further charge. At this point, that is the best I can do.

I sincerely wish I could afford a receptionist to call all of you to let you know my latest situation in that respect. That is the business goal to get to Hiring Status = 45 Students a month. That is only five full classes! Then I will be able to hire Tawny. Tawny is my Costume Designer & Custom Tiles Artist-in-residence. She works out of the back room across the hall from my office. She is very qualified to Help in the Art room, she helps with most of the Art Hops, and she can teach fiber arts and textiles -probably better than I can. She is the Lunch Lady at Northeastern Elementary. She has Home Schooled her daughters, and she is a cosmetologist. She has a fairy Godmother up her sleeve and a sleigh full of talents that would turn the Grinch Green with envy. I hope you enjoy creating with her as much as I do. She will be teaching the Costume classes for the Mardi Gras in January and February. Tawny occasionally helps take on my days when my life is calling me elsewhere, but she also has two other jobs as well, so please note…

If ever I am not here by 10 minutes past the hour:

Check the front door/front window for a note of details,
Call my Home number 948-3622 to see if I am actually on my way to my Sister’s, and leave your message,
Call the studio and leave your “reschedule me” message on my answering machine 948-3602.

If there is inclement weather the night before your Class/Open Studio day:
Go online and check my website for the Snow Cancellations tab on Lauras-Heartstudio.com before you come into town.
Or call the studio. If there are cancellations, usually I am here, and I will re-schedule your class time over the phone.

Atelier Artists: Keep recording the truth of your observations as you see them! Draw them daily in pencil, in crayon, in pastel, or in paint and in air dry clay or pottery clay, record, predict, test and measure your proportions.

Visit Artsonia.com at Laura’s Home Education Art Studio and upload your photos of you art there often over the Holiday break!
Start and Grow your own Fan Club on Artsonia.com! Invite your friends to see & comment on it! Comment on your classmates artwork! Upload more art from home and watch your portfolio grow!
Check out the Call to All Artists of Laura’s HEArt Studio contests and enter, enter, enter!

Draw & Paint or Color a portrait of Helga, the Dragon
Helga is the name of my kiln. We named her that because she is a touchy old German Dragon, and she loves Chocolate Glazed pots.
She always does a good firing when I fill her up with Chocolate glazed pottery, or at least three good sized pieces. I know she is touchy, because she seems to have a mind of her own when it comes to firing in day time hours. She is very unlikely to get up to temp during the day, but at night she blasts the heat like any nocturnal dragon would. Get creative, use line and pattern and lots of colors, and good flaming fire colors too. Drawing or painting can be no smaller than 11 x 14 and no larger than 18 x 24. Canvas, Gesso Board, Gesso Paper are all acceptable works. Pastel, or Colored Pencil, Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil paints, Digital manipulation, or Collage are all acceptable mediums. Take your time but not too much, Due Date is February 2, 2009 All LHS Student works will be accepted.

Winner receives an Open Studio card worth $25
Second runner up receives a set of paints.

Draw & Color your image of “SCORE & SLIP!” for a sporty t-shirt design
The images conjured up during sculpture and pottery of “SCORE & SLIP” has kept us babbling and giggling for weeks. I want to put them on T-Shirts!
The text in the artwork could read like this:
“There’s Score and Slip, and then there’s Score and Slip!(Draw both image meanings) My favorite sport is at Laura’s HEArt Studio!”

We at least have to get the winning one on a T-shirt to sell in the gallery, and upload the rest to Artsonia.com so they can be ordered as needed. Due Date is February 9, 2009 All LHS Student works will be accepted.

Winner receives an Open Studio card worth $15
Second runner up receives a set of markers.

Draw and Color your image of this slogan:
“There’s Wii Time, and then there’s WE Time! My favorite WE time is at Laura’s HEArt Studio!”
Or draw and Color your image of this slogan:
“There’s Wii Time, and then there’s WHEEL Time! Stop in and see who’s throwing at Laura’s HEArt Studio!”

Draw both images of the slogan. Use cartoon story blocking, or equal space split screen images. Divide your paper in half or diagonally. Be creative. I want to print the winning one on a T-shirt to sell in the gallery, and upload the rest to Artsonia.com so they can be ordered as needed. Due Date is February 9, 2009 All LHS Student works will be accepted.

Winner receives an Open Studio card worth $15
Second runner up receives a set of colored pastels.

 

Laura Valentine

Michigan Certified Teacher, K-8 all, K-12 Art, and K-9th Science and varied art.