Psychoanalyst Dr. Norman Doidge's remarkable book, The Brain That Changes Itself is full of stories showing how the human brain can be rewired. Doidge is of the "neuroplasticity" school of brain science. He doesn't think, for example, that there is one part of the brain that masters drawing and keeps it there. Like a giant hard drive on a computer that's capable of filing stuff randomly, any part of the brain, including left and right hemispheres, can learn and unlearn.

In one story, after a devastating stroke a man was able to gradually regain the use of a paralyzed leg. During his recovery he had come to rely more and more on his good leg. It was part of his process to mentally disable the good leg so the bad leg could begin again.

Psychiatrists note that during the sticky business of lovers parting, it's necessary for them to "disable" the forsaken one in order to begin to love someone else. This doesn't mean trashing the other, but the old has to be properly archived before new love-data can be entered. It's thought that those who don't need to do this didn't love in the first place.

Disabled neural paths can be difficult to regenerate--particularly as you grow older. But it does happen, and it's no miracle. It takes character and focus. You can teach old dogs new tricks--and get them to relearn old tricks they've forgotten. Artists frequently report the loss of drawing ability when they neglect drawing for even short periods of time. Since my heady, distracted days in art school, I've noticed a decline in my drawing ability. Just another case of "use it or lose it"?

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Neuroplasticity contributes to both the constrained and unconstrained aspects of our nature. It renders our brains not only more resourceful, but also more vulnerable to outside influences." (Norman Doidge)

Esoterica: Canadian painter John Newman suffered a stroke that caused Transverse Myelitus, permanently disabling the right side of his body. His right-handedness appeared to condemn him to no more painting. But with application and focus John was able to gain nearly similar dexterity with his left hand and has subsequently had lefty sell-out shows. FYI, we've put a selection of John Newman's left- and right-handed work at the top of the current clickback.

Robert Genn has given ARTAZINE permission to post from his twice-weekly newsletter. Thank you Robert! For more of his artistic insights, visit Robert's blot at www.painterspost.com!

When we started our pledge drive in February 2012, we didn’t know how whether the Main Street Gallery would survive. It all depended on community support…how much Trinity County (and our neighboring counties) valued the Main Street Gallery. Due to a severe downturn in funding, the Trinity County Arts Council could no longer support the gallery.  The doors of the gallery were due to close July 1 unless someone stepped up to the plate.

Ten of us, all women artists, decided that we needed to make the effort to save the gallery. We launched a pledge drive to assess community support. Within a month, pledged support was more than the $15,000 needed to pay a year’s rent for the gallery.

The pledge drive begins; (from left to right) Gay Butler, Karen Hammer, Evelyn Ward, Pam Yearout, Beth Bauer

Donors, members, and businesses came through with the needed funding for us to take ownership and start business. We decided we the ten of us directors would base our management on a democratic model. We each put up significant money of our own and volunteer a major amount of our time to making the gallery run well.

In the three months before we opened the doors under our management, we worked hard to establish our business plan and bylaws, refurbish the gallery, line up exciting shows, and enlist and train our volunteer docents.

Viewers enjoy Roby Baer’s beautiful paintings , our first show at our refurbished gallery

Our grand opening show on July 1 featured a nationally renowned pastel artist, Roby Baer, whose work is commissioned by wildlife organizations.  After the show opened, the directors put on a Thank You Community barbeque luncheon in the gallery…our Grand Opening Party.

Community members enjoy a lavish BBQ thank-you party for supporting the gallery effort.

Subsequent shows have been stellar and notable: Ry Smith, nationally famous Palo Alto artist in August; Elizabeth Berrien, internationally renowned wire artist, with Regina Case’s wonderful acrylic paintings, in September; superb watercolors and acrylic paintings by Sharon McElvie and Gloria Trinidad in October; and in November, the talented group of Lewiston watercolorists, Kim Burditt, Maria Cargill, Terri Hazeleur, and Ann Jordan.  The gallery thrives, and the community regularly voices its appreciation for our efforts. And we appreciate the communities continuing support in keeping the Main Street Gallery alive and vibrant.

Reserve your space for $10 by registering online for 1-day to 8 weeks of great summer art classes!
Classes fill up quickly.

Beginning June 13, 2011
Tuesdays-Fridays 9am-12pm
Queen Bee Studio
8367 Placer Road, Redding CA 96001

Session 1 Explorations In Drawing & Painting
Explore different drawing and painting techniques. Ages 5 -9
$80.00 includes materials per week or day rate of $30.00.

Session 2 Collage
Learn different drawing and painting techniques to
create original collages. on a variety of surfaces. We will also learn how to transfer images on to Sculpey.
Ages 7- 14.
$80.00 per week includes materials,  or day rate of $30.00.

Session 3 Explorations in Clay, and Plaster Gauze
Create sculpture, masks and creatures inspired from nature, and the elements.
Ages 5 - 8.
$80.00 per week includes materials, or day rate of $30.00.

Session 4 Acrylic Painting & Watercolor Techniques
Learn different painting techniques using acrylics and watercolors on canvas, canvas panels and paper.
Ages 7 - 14.
$80.00 per week or day rate of $30.00.

Session 5 Art & Crafts
We will explore different crafts from around the world including jewelry, tie-dye and fabric painting. All materials included except tee shirts.
Ages 7 - 14.
$80.00 per week or day rate of $30.00.

Session 6 Create with Clay, Balsa Wood and Plaster Gauze
Form and carve balsa wood, clay and plaster gauze into sculpture or creatures that are painted and sealed with acrylics. All materials included.
Ages 8 - 14. $80.00 per week or day rate of $30.00.

Session 7 Paper Making & Painting on Glass
Experiment and learn how to make your own paper. Using recycled paper, plants,  yarn, thread and perhaps the kitchen sink?
The rest of the week we will paint on glass objects and a framed sheet of glass.
Ages 8 -14
$80.00 per week, includes materials or day rate of $30.00.

Session 8 Advance Drawing & Painting
Build upon your drawing and painting skills through exercises  using pencil, charcoal, pen & ink, acrylic and water colors.
All supplies included.
Ages 9 - 14 or by instructor permission.
$80.00 per week or day rate of $30.00.

View Class Schedules for dates, and to reserve your space!
$10 registration fee is non-refundable and will be applied to tuition. Remaining balance is due payable to instructor on first day of class.

Yesterday, Grey Darden of Valley Head, West Virginia wrote, "Do you ever just fool around experimenting with your paints, paper and tools? Just for fun? Not trying to stay on style? Would you ever ask subscribers if they might show their experimental work on the Painter's Keys site? Does anybody take time out for fun stuff?"

Thanks, Grey. I have to admit to a particular deviation. Let me explain. Anyone familiar with the miracle of acrylic has tried throwing in texture-enhancing items like muslin, doilies and leaves. Things I haven't resisted include confetti, streamers and sparkle. My sparkle period lasted a full summer. While it added body and a crumbly texture and seemed like a good idea at the time, it also added an undesirable tartiness, like a girl with "George" tattooed across her front, especially when your name isn't George. I didn't feel guilty. The misguided nature of my sorties is not to be disparaged. For an artist, play is both necessary and unavoidable. Unlike the girl's tattoo, creative play doesn't have to be permanent.

Other items I've added to my acrylics include spaghetti, tortellini, vermicelli, the internal workings of clocks, radios, cameras, toys, nuts, screws, nails, bones, shells, pebbles, sand, bark mulch, crockery, springs, bathroom and toilet implements, human prosthetics, cellphone parts, computer motherboards, old automobile accessories and vintage engine parts. It's inexcusable, I know, but I can't help it. Maybe I've got a bad gene.

FYI, acrylics lock down this sort of stuff in perpetuity and seal away the bugs that eat the biodegradable bits. Practically all the "great ones" have mentioned the value of play.

"Play is the exultation of the possible," said Martin Buber. "Play is the essential feature in productive thought," said Albert Einstein. The American conceptual artist and minimalist Sol LeWitt declared, "Your work isn't a high stakes, nail-biting professional challenge. It's a form of play.

Lighten up and have fun with it." Using the above authorities as backup, I'm sticking to my deviation. By the way, nail-bitings go nicely into acrylics too. Anyway, don't say anything about this. I pretty well keep these things between me and my counselor. But if you feel you want to share your own ideas of fun and games, please do.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Whoever wants to understand much must play much." (Gottfried Benn)

Robert Genn has given ARTAZINE permission to post from his twice-weekly newsletter. For more of his twice-weekly newsletter, visit his blog at www.painterspost.com

Guidelines:
Works must include more than one medium. Please list media that you used to create your piece.  
Send your digital images to contests@artazine.org, include artist name, artwork title and dimensions, media used, and a 50-word or less artist biography/statement.
Please keep digital images under 1 megabyte (mb).
Artwork must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
Contest is open to all visual artists residing in the USA.

Voting will be closed on February 14, 2011

Processing Fee: $5.00 per entry
once image(s) have been received, you will be sent an invoice by email. We will use the email address that you used when submitting image(s) unless otherwise specified by you.

Prizes:
First Place winner receives a free 30-day "fixed picasso" ad on the main page of ARTAZINE.org
When clicked upon, your ad will direct the viewer to your email address or website.
Winner will also be interviewed for anewscafe.com!

Once your image(s) have been received, you will receive an invoice by email.
Images will be posted on ARTAZINE.org for voting within 24 hours of receipt of payment.

Good Luck and Happy Creating!

What is your interpretation of "Celebrate!"?

Guidelines:
Paintings in all media accepted, including multimedia, encaustic, acrylic, watercolor, pastel.
Send your digital images to contests@artazine.org
Images must be under 1mb each.
Artwork must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
Please include a 50 word or less artist biography with your submission.

Cost: $5 per entry
(use paypal link below or send checks payable to ARTAZINE to P.O. Box 991044, Redding CA 96099)

Prizes: First Place Prize is a free one-month "picasso" ad on the main page of ARTAZINE.org
When clicked upon your ad will direct the viewer to your email address or website. Winner will also be interviewed for anewscafe.com.

Good Luck and Happy Painting!

1. submit image(s) and artist biography to contests@artazine.org
2. pay with paypal (below) or send a check to ARTAZINE - P.O. Box 991044 - Redding, CA - 96099

email questions to contests@artazine.org

Ornaments - by Rodney Thompson

We had the opportunity to visit Rodney in his encaustic studio.
His interview will be posted on anewscafe.com. Here is a link to the article: http://anewscafe.com/2010/12/30/a-master-of-the-melt-explains-encaustics/
Click on Rodney's ad below to learn more about his work:

We at ARTAZINE are all about creativity, so we hit the pavement in search of the best treasure boutiques around. What we found was 8 stores, all within a three mile radius that are brimming with handmade, one of a kind gifts, and all at very reasonable prices!
Below is your treasure map of local galleries and studios that feature regional fine, handmade art and treasures for that special person on your list, and they have regular hours! 
Below is a preview of some of the fabulous work we saw on the road, and below that is your shopping itinerary!
Have a very Merry Christmas from ARTAZINE! - Stay Creative!

Day 1
Artistic Endeavors
491 Lake Boulevard, Redding CA 96003  

530-242-0173
we recommend calling first
handmade dolls, pottery, paintings, quilting, jewelry, handmade clothing, ornaments, toys 

All items handmade by artists with disabilities 

Day 2
North Valley Art League
48 Quartz Hill Road, Redding CA 96003
530-243-1023
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

40+ Artists:
wood craft, hot glass, jewelry, hand painted jewelry, quilting, paintings, handmade dolls, seed-beaded jewelry, silk paintings, knitted scarves, hats, marquetry, raku pottery, knitted toys 

40+ artists, including:
Jack Rowe – Featured Artist, Diane Eastman, Dee Hubbard, Jim Hughes , Miriam Weissberg, Jerry Cousins, Ann Myers, Sharon Collins, Stephanie Myers, Tamara Kain, , Palul, Loyd Walter, Lynda Nolte, and more!  

Day 3
The Shasta County Arts Council  
1313 Market Street, Redding CA 96001

Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday 11 am - 2 pm (during exhibitions) 

Watercolors, photography, sculptural ceramics, knitted scarves, hats, metal/wood sculpture, turned wood, pottery, glass ware, hand blown glass, gourds, woodwork, furniture, dye sublimation, mosaics, jewelry, slump glass, pastels

48 Artists represented, including:  Debbi Hammond, Kathy Weaver, David Allred, Mike Webster, Nancy Reese, Sol Land, Bill Price, Gini Holmes, Colleen Barry, Bev Corford, Chryst’Al, Susan Emerson, Jim Hughes, Grandma Joyce Reyes, Dennis Halkides, Mark Greenleaf, and many more! 

Day 4
Haven Art Studio
1348 Market Street, Suite 101 

Hours:
Holiday Hours
12:00pm-9pm Tues-Saturday 
Paintings, jewelry, custom paintings, prints (embellished by hand) cards  

OOAK (Original One-of-A-Kind RT from the Randolph family: Greg, Victoria, Jonathan, Anna, Elizabeth, Timothy, and Evangela. 

Day 5
Oregon Street Antique Mall
1261 Oregon Street, Redding CA 96001 

Hours: 
Monday – Sunday (7 days a week) 10am-6pm 
Handmade gifts and antiques for everyone. This store is loaded with everything from antique, collectible, signed art to handmade jewelry. Amazing finds in here!  

Day 6
Enjoy The Store
1475 Placer, Suite D, Redding CA 96001 

Hours: 
Tuesday – Saturday 11am-6pm 

gourmet treats, lotions, handmade knitted scarves, hats, and scarves, metal sculpture, handmade furniture, handmade clothing for your pet, candles, jewelry, soaps, cork boxes, pottery  

Day 7
Gallery 833  

833 Mistletoe Lane Suite A4
(across Mistletoe Lane from Marie Calenders)
Redding, CA 96002 

Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8am – 11am and 12pm – 5pm. Closed 11am – Noon. 

 Photography, paintings, furniture, metal, wood, glass and bronze sculpture, raku ceramics 

Artists:
Dennis Halkides, Jan Scanlin, Dan Ferrarese, Lucius Upshaw, David Allred, John Martin Streeby  

Day 8
Bevies Fine Art Gallery and Studio
3402 Bechelli Lane, Suite C, Redding CA 96002

Hours:
Monday - Friday 11am-4pm
Saturdays, call for appointment 

decorative art glass, hand creams, handmade soaps, paintings, folk art, tole paintings, jewelry 

Artists:
Beverly Dearman, Nancy Sackett, Sondy Krick, Chuck Prudhomme, Mickey Theobald, Olga Alvarez, Linda McMahan, Bolandi soaps by Cindi Craddock

by Raette Meredith

Send us an email with the title of your favorite image in the subject line - Please vote only one time.
contest@artazine.org

Painting Contest - December 2010

Here's how it works:

Submission deadline: November 26, 2010. Send us a digital image of your best 2-D image representing your favorite HOLIDAY SYMBOL. This contest is for 2-D artists only - Mediums accepted: watercolor, oils, acrylic, gouache, mixed media, pastel, photographs, drawings. If your medium is not listed, email us at contest@artazine.org and ask!
Send image(s) to contest@artazine.org

Entry fee is $5.00 for each image submitted.

Prizes
First prize winner gets the cash, PLUS a one month fixed "Picasso" ad on the ARTAZINE post pages. The more entries, the more the prize. Who COULDN'T use a little cash right now?

First and Second runners-up receive a complimentary rotating "Picasso" ad on the ARTAZINE website. (we are now averaging 6,000 visitors per month!) You will be contacted for ad specifications if you are the winner.
Winning Ads run for one full month, starting when your ad image is received and approved.

Each month the contest theme is different, so be sure to check back for January's theme! It COULD be another medium

Image specifications
Send digital files only, 2mb or under. The winner MIGHT need to send a larger file if it does not "read well" online. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL ARTWORK.
Send image(s) by email to contest@artazine.org

use Paypal
---------

# images sent

1 image $5.00 2 images $5.00 3 images $5.00

-------------
or send a check to
ARTAZINE
P.O. Box 991044,
Redding, CA 96099You will receive a receipt by mail if you pay by check.
Payment and image must be received by November 26, 2010 for your work to be considered.Please submit questions to contest@artazine.orgThank you for keeping the ARTs ALIVE in the North State!