Give Santa a Hand - Make Your Own Gifts!

I don't really know how old Santa Claus is but he looks like the same old jolly fella every year, never aging beyond the look of a centurion, despite the fact that he works 24/7 all year 'round. Managing a team of knee high employees and a number of antlered animals all working towards one special occasion - Christmas day!  Imagine being that guy, having to trust your pets without wings to fly you around while you deliver countless gifts to everyone around the world. Phew!

Let's save our Santa by choosing to make a few of our own gifts for family and friends! 

This Friday, December 1st, will be the first of my two holiday classes. As seen in the picture above, we will be making a charming keepsake - a Christmas tree made from buttons on top of a picture frame ready for display. The class begins at 6pm, costs $35 and includes all materials.

The second class will be on Saturday, December 2nd. In this class, we'll create wonderful wreaths like the red one above that you see peeking from under the button project or the white one below......or how about a gorgeous green wreath perfect to dress your door or tweak your tabletop! The class begins at 1pm, costs $35 and includes all materials.

Both classes will be held at Raquel Amaral's Gallery in 

Concord, CA - 1856 Colfax St., Suite 6.

Message me here or through my facebook page for registration information. 

Let's give Santa a little break this year. Join me for some fun, some friendship, and festive art!

Let's Make Something Together! Upcoming Holiday Craft Classes

The holidays are a perfect time to gather friends and family and get crafty! Handmade gifts are often the most cherished as nothing says love quite like 
"I made this just for you!".

I have a couple of upcoming classes that I will be teaching here in my hometown of Concord, California. Both are super fun to make with lovely results!

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The first project will be on Friday, December 1st beginning at 6pm. We will create a charming Christmas tree made from buttons. We'll center the button tree on a picture frame for easy display - it'll be the center of attention during your holiday gatherings!

One of the cool things about this craft is that any holiday is open game for button art. In February, our class made beautiful framed button hearts. We loved the project so much that we're trying our hand at the Christmas tree design.

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The second project will be on Saturday, December 2nd, beginning at 1pm. In this class, we'll make a gorgeous wreath using tulle fabric and embellishments. So many options here to make a unique door decor!

White tulle wreath - with removable poinsettia's - perfect for using at other occasions

Here are further class details:

WHERE:  Raquel Amaral Art Gallery – 1856 Colfax Street, 

                  Suite 6, Concord

COST:      $35 and includes all materials

PAYMENT DETAILS: advance payment is required to hold your place. Email me at kimlawson2000@gmail.com and I will send you a Paypal invoice.

                  

Let's make something together, make new friends, and start the holiday season with something beautiful made just by you!

See more of my artwork by clicking on the Etsy and Society6 tabs here. 

New Projects - New 2 Day Sale!

Amber Up!

Before Black Friday, there's what I'm calling "Early Bird's Best" sale. Sunday, 11/19 through midnight Monday, 11/20, find my latest photography projects on Society6 all at 25% off. 

I can't wait for you to see what I've been working on - I'm very pleased with my work and hope you will be too.

Shown here, all but the piano photo were taken on my latest trip to Oahu. Hawaii truly is paradise and I couldn't help but find beautiful subjects to take pictures of. 

Take advantage of this sale and keep your eyes open for more of my artwork coming soon!

Pop-up Art Show in September

  

An exciting event is coming your way September 17th - an art show featuring 12 local artists!

Mark your calendar to see various artworks for sale, including my photography on notecards and framed prints.

This is a one day show at a gallery in Pleasant Hill and is open from 11am - 5pm.

The location for this event:
                 I Heart Art Studio
                 15 Vivian Drive, Pleasant Hill

For more details, contact me via my blog or go to this link:

                                         September Art Show

Come support your local artists, buy something unique, and sample the free refreshments!

2017: A Creative Year Ahead with New Classes and Inspiration

According to the Chinese calendar, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster - the rooster being the sign of dawn and awakening, when triumph and success can be achieved through hard work and patience.

With the dawn of a new year comes new and wonder filled possibilities. I will be continuing to teach my art class series, introducing exciting projects for both art journalists and crafters.

Beginning Thursday, January 5th and Saturday, January 7th, learn weekly projects in "Art Journaling" and "Exploring Crafts". (Thursday projects are repeated on Saturdays). We'll create new projects each week, none that we've done in previous sessions!

The cost is $20 for each 2 hour class and may include some supplies.

Art Journaling classes on Thursdays run from 5:30pm - 7:30pm with projects repeated on Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:30am.

Exploring Crafts classes on Thursdays go from 7:30pm - 9:30pm with projects repeated on Saturdays from 11:30am - 1:30pm.

Future Art Journaling classes will include dream board designing, journal cover decorating, zentangles, magazine collage fantasies, adding color over black and white photos, using puzzle pieces, 3D image making, print making, and more.

Donna's Doodle

In Exploring Crafts we'll do canvas painting, jewelry making, fun with mason jars, fabric painting, mini book designing, garden art, light switch fabric covers, and other great projects!

Decorative bird house

All classes will be held at my in-home Concord studio - message me for location details and to be added to my weekly "create it" email list.

I'm looking forward to seeing you and getting our art on!

Pour Your Art Out - New Classes Are About To Begin!

Start the fall and winter seasons off right by taking art classes taught by your favorite teacher - me!

Beginning Thursday, October 20th and Saturday, October 22nd, learn exciting new weekly projects in "Art Journaling" and "Exploring Crafts". (Thursday projects are repeated on Saturdays). The cost is $20 for each 2 hour class and will include some supplies.

For the first week's projects, here's the plan:

ART JOURNALING
(Thursdays, 5:30pm - 7:30pm; Saturdays, 9:00am - 11:00am)

We will be creating background images and colors using paints, credit cards, string, crayons, various papers, saran wrap, and packing tape transfers.

• Bring your art journal (I use the 8 1/2" x 11" Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal, but bring whatever is your favorite)

EXPLORING CRAFTS
(Thursdays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm; Saturdays, 11:30am - 1:30pm)

With Halloween just around the corner, we will be making pumpkin vases and dioramas. Trust me - these are super cute!

• Bring 2-3 carvable/hollow pumpkins, any size. (I found 6" pumpkins at the Dollar Store and larger ones at Joann's)

Future Art Journaling classes will include zentangles, magazine collage fantasies, adding color over black and white photos, using puzzle pieces, 3D image making, print making, and more.

In Exploring Crafts we'll make seasonal burlap banners, fall wreaths, music sheet angel wings, fabric painting, popsicle stick bracelets, mason jar art, canvas painting...let me stop right there!

All classes will be held in Concord - message me for details.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and getting our art on!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

This weekend is the Contra Costa County Fair. I have never been to this fair before but when the call for artists came up to enter projects for display and judging, I jumped on the opportunity. I entered a number of my framed photographs, a watercolor mosaic, and a couple of my poems for the fun of it, and who knows, maybe I'd win something along the way.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to the opening day of this fair. We strolled along the grounds, watching kids ride ponies and roll around on water in giant gerbil-like plastic balls (I really wanted to do that but was afraid I'd sink the ball if I got inside). We toured one building and saw the floral and food judged entries, another building that displayed children's artwork and I loved that every piece won a prize. Kids' artwork is so very clever - no restraint, no fear, just beautiful outcome. As an adult artist, I would love to tune into that childlike passion and feel the freedom to create without inhibitions.  



Next, we moved on to the arts and crafts building. Beautiful displays of watercolor paintings and collage, sculptures, quilting, and poetry. We wandered from display to display in awe of the talent in the show. 

As we walked and gawked, we came upon 12 of my entries that were judged and on display. I felt such joy seeing my pieces on exhibit amongst all the other artists works. Of the 12 pieces, 4 of them won ribbons - 2 poems, one watercolor, and one photograph! Woohooo! It was so exciting and I felt very proud to have had this acknowlegement from the judges. 

  

The 2 poems, "Life - What A Party" and "Life's Badges" are posted here on my blog.

What next? These pieces and 16 others will be entered in the Marin County Fair which opens June 30th. I just can't stop! Wish me luck!

Tooting My Own Horn

In an upcoming art show presented by the Concord Community of Artists, I will be one of 14 featured artists in a gallery show called "sight/unseen". The show runs from May 21 - 26, at the Artists Den located at 1913 Salvio Street in Concord, and will be open to the public.


Every few days leading up to the show, one of the artists has a short article featured on the CCA blog. Today is my day! Read about the other artists involved in this show by going to the CCA site....then come see the wonderful works that we have been putting our heART into!

Here's my article - "Meet the Artist"

This month we are featuring interviews with the artists who are in our upcoming art show - "sight/unseen" - at The Artist's Den in Concord, May 21-26, 2016.



This is Kim Lawson - what do you like most about living in Concord?

I have lived in Concord since 1992. Although it's the largest city in Contra Costa County, there's still a small town vibe here. I like its proximity to San Francisco and other great locales in the Bay Area. I feel lucky to be able to hop in the car for a quick road trip to the many wonderful places within California. 

Concord has been a great place to raise my family – we have lovely neighbors and have made many lifelong friends here. As an artist, there are numerous parks and places to sit and observe life - sketch, paint, photograph and ponder my favorite quote by Emily Dickinson...“I dwell in possibility.” 

I recently began teaching art journaling and general craft classes through the City of Concord’s Park and Recreation Department. I'm a member of the Concord Community of Artists and the Concord Art Association - two inspirational groups that I'm proud to be a part of. There are many talented artists living here - I would love the City of Concord to better promote and have more outlets for art and artists!

What medium(s) do you plan to use in your piece for this show?

Generally my work has focused on photography, acrylic and watercolor painting, as well as various forms of mixed media and crafts. For the sight/unseen show, I plan to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. Yikes! What I envision in my mind does not always present itself in the final stage, but I like to push my boundaries and see what happens. Sometimes the result is better than I anticipated! I will be creating a 3D piece exemplifying my heritage and its influence and translation to my artwork.

 Are there exciting mediums or techniques you've learned about recently?

Last year I began art journaling – a place for me to experiment and practice ideas. Whoa! I fell in love with this creative outlet so much, that I now teach this art form to others. I carry a small journal and pens with me at all times because inspiration can happen at any time. I have a large journal that I play in every day. Sleeping is difficult sometimes when ideas keep knocking on my brain!

How long have you been creating art?

I like to think that I was born an artist. It's strange for me to consider myself as an artist because I’m no Picasso...I just make what I think is fun and whatever comes naturally to me. Technically speaking, I have been labeling myself as a self-taught artist for ten years. Additionally, I think I am misplaced royalty – probably 201st in line for the English crown. I have no formal art education, but being Queen won’t require that. But I have always drawn and sketched - it's a great way to stay focused during boring class lectures and business meetings! I also adore creative writing, papercrafts, repurposing things, and using weird collections of objects I find to enhance my projects. I find inspiration from master artists, fellow artists, and a wealth of museums, nature, and friends whose style I admire.

What advice would you give a new artist?

The best advice I have for budding artists is to give into the passion and desire to create, don't give in to the fear of failure. You can always paint over it! 

“What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?"

         - Robert H. Schuller

4th Annual Art & Wine Walk - May 7th

This Saturday will be a great day to enjoy food, music, and art! Find me in front of Agave restaurant where I will be showcasing my photography - just in time to get a Mother's Day gift! 

Grab your glass and come say hello!

A sample of what you'll see at my booth:

This Just In...

Summer is calling and she wants you to answer her by getting outside and enjoying local events in your community! 

Here in Concord, the largest city in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County, we have so much goin' on!

The 28th annual Music and Market series begins Thursday evenings, May 19th through September 8th at Todos Santos Park. Free music, farm fresh food, friends - always fun!

Part of the same music series is the ever popular "Tuesday Night Blues", which begins on Wednesday (did I get ya?!) TUESDAY, July 5th through July 26th.

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Of course, I will be teaching my art journaling and craft classes throughout the summer and participating in a number of events including the Hope Walk, art shows, and the Contra Costa County Fair! See a list of my events and mark your calendar!

I hope to see you at one or more of these "happenings". Tell Summer hello!

Sight/Unseen Gallery Show

May 21 - 26, 2016
I will be included with 13 other talented local artists of the Concord Community of Artists as we showcase our work during a week-long gallery exhibition.

Each of the artists were asked to interpret and express an aspect of their identity. Some are exploring this concept through their ancestry, others are creating work that speaks to their ethnicity, culture or nationality. Each piece will include a written narrative about their inspiration, artistic approach and what they discovered about themselves during the process.

The event will be held at The Artist's Den - 1913 Salvio Street, Concord. 
Click on the link above for full details.

Mark Your Calendars!

May 7th is Concord's 4th annual "Art, Wine, (and Beer!) Walk". Come out and enjoy a stroll around the park, see local artist's works, and enjoy some liquid libations and food while supporting the American Association of University Women. Of course, I'll have a booth promoting my latest art! Details on the "My Events" page.

Consider Joining a Local Artists Group and Participate in Upcoming Events!

Concord, and it's neighboring cities, have so many talented artists and related activities sure to spark your own creative fire! Visit my "Events" label above to read about upcoming local art events and organizations that I participate in. See you there!

My 15 Minutes of Fame!

I was recently featured in an article in the Contra Costa Times! What a thrill it was to be contacted by the journalist, Janice De Jesus, where we spent some time talking about my artwork and classes. Read the full article here: 
 http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_29562548/portable-art-galleries-offer-opportunity-to-develop-skills-practice-techniques