Tuesday, November 11, 2014

ARTS IN PUB - Book and Paper Arts Series



HART Rock's ARTS IN PUB Book and Paper Arts Series

Join me at Holiday House Craft and Gift Show 2014 co-sponsored by CASA and celebrating their 30th Anniversary! Co-sponsored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  Fri, Nov 21 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Sat, Nov 22 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bloomington, Indiana - Monroe County Convention Center
302 S. College Avenue - Corner 3rd and College.  

I am ready for the next book arts workshop on Saturday, November 29th. 

Now that I have gotten my feet wet hosting a class in the Pub, and the positive response to the evening and toward future evenings,  I offer something in the Contemplative Fold Series in the Pub twice each month.

This evening is Lotus Fold Book night in the Player's Pub.    We will explore a  lovely fold that has a number of different names, including, Star and Serpent.  The Lotus fold can be used alone, in multiples, incorporated into other book forms and as a building block in developing paper engineering forms.  Join us for the folding fun in the back room of the Player's Pub.

From the Contemplative Fold Series.  

 If you cannot make this date, you can still make reservations for private book and other arts classes with the Wellness Arts Cafe.

For Registration information contact quilterscomfort@gmail.com

All materials included.  $22

6:00pm to 8:00 pm. - Limited workshop seating.

For more on book arts  visit http://www.hartrock.net

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There is a high probability that there will be live blues music playing on the stage!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Support Funding the Arts



Congress has begun its work on the FY 2015 funding bills, starting with House action first, and then Senate consideration later in the year. Your input is critical.

On Wednesday, July 9, the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved its FY 2015 spending bill and made a 5% cut, or $8 million, to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). A 5% cut would threaten the ability to support the arts in all communities and would set back federal support to the level last seen in 2007.

As you may know, Congress passed a spending package for FY 2014 this January that included all 12 appropriations bills rolled together. Passing by large margins, the legislation helps to restore previous cuts caused by the sequester. When the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee began consideration of the FY 2014 funding bill last time, they called for a 49% cut to the NEA which would have brought funding of the NEA down to $75 million, a level not seen since 1974!

The NEA funds grants in every congressional district in the country. The NEA supports funding in dance, design, folk & traditional arts, literature, local arts agencies, media arts, multidisciplinary, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting, theater, and visual arts.

Please take a few minutes to write to your Members of Congress to urge them to support the NEA in widening citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts, and advancing creativity and innovation in communities across the United States.

Sign the petition here


To learn more about the programs of the National Endowment for the Arts, click here.

Friday, June 20, 2014

MOVING! Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe and Quilter's Comfort!





Dear Readers,

Thank you for being part of the Wellness Arts Café Community on Kirkwood!  It has been both a pleasure and honor to meet with you and to share my creations and those of other local artist and craftspeople visiting 725 West Kirkwood Avenue. 

Our last day to be open at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue will be Saturday, July 26th, 2014.

The Café page at www.hartrock.net/cafe.htm will in time change to reflect new link connections.

Work is being done to streamline the Quilter’s Comfort website so when complete, it will make purchasing on line easier.  The web changes may not be evident until after the move. 

As you can imagine this is an exciting and extremely busy time, as are most endings and beginnings.  It is a time of many transitions unfolding within my life and the lives of around me.  Fortunately there is much JOY and BIRTHING WILD energy gathering, rising and moving through as all blessing work expands.

We will keep in touch so you will know what is birthing out of this move.

Again, thank you, your support and presence will always be a delicious part of my community memories.

Blessings of wellness to you and yours,

Patricia





Thursday, June 5, 2014

Love in Action, Paintings by Patricia Kaler opens Friday, June 6th update

Greetings All,

We are looking forward to Patricia Kaler's opening tomorrow evening and hope to see you in the Wellness Arts Gallery.  See previous entry for more information.

This exhibit will be our final exhibit in the 725 West Kirkwood Avenue space.  We will keep you posted as to our current transformation. 

There is movement everywhere and by choice, we are a part of it.  When things settle, we will be ready to explore the new terrain.

Regards and thanks for your being here and hope to continue to share art experiences with you!

Blessings,

Patricia

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Love in Action, paintings by Patricia Kaler Opens in the Wellness Arts Gallery - Bloomington, IN






Love in Action, paintings by Patricia Kaler in the Wellness Arts Gallery, opening reception June 6th, 2014, 5:00 – 8:00 PM; the exhibit runs through July 25th, 2014.     


Patricia Kaler Statement 


Painting is, for me, an expression of prayer.    Typically, I hold a theme, a person, place or a season quietly in mind and heart. Most all of my work embodies using chakra colors...  red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white… along with turquoise for high heart, pink for love and gold for alchemy.    My painting evolves through feelings, and colors associated with my thoughts during the process of paint to canvas.   When the painting is complete I then evaluate and the story unfolds.  The story is told not in words but in color and form; connecting me with the creative spirit and the feelings of the intended theme.    I received a BFA in Fine Art and during class time usually felt frustrated because I could absolutely not paint 'realistically' as I noticed in other students.    I felt my work to be childish.    It was suggested to me that if putting this aspect into the work was spontaneous and not deliberated, then it held authentic qualities.      Over time I've become used to this idea well enough to feel freer in composition.   

Love in Action is the last exhibit for the Wellness Arts Cafe in the 725 West  Kirkwood Avenue St. Address.  We hope you will join us.   Most  Quilter's Comfort items will be available through the website, my arts, through HART RockIchiyo Dharma Meditation cushions an supplies , if not, and interested, look for media announcements to see what is steeping with Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe.  Interested in HART Rock's Arts In the Pub, email me.
  
Blessings in all,

Patricia, Yuko ,B.J.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Joanne Shank and Ray Zdonek's Exhibit, Update and Upcoming Classes

Spring is here.

Joanne Shank's exhibit is lovely!  She definitely has a way with the iris flower.  I am enjoying re-reading Ray Zdonek's poems and the images Joanne has created for his forthcoming chapbook, "The Moon Speaks in Silver".  The exhibit can be seen in the Wellness Arts Cafe through May 31st.

The seasonings released this winter continue to be well received.  The seasoning list now includes:
L.A.O.'s - Herbal Seasoning,  Everything plus Popcorn Seasoning, Curry and Garam Masala.  There is some experimentation being done with rubs and when we get caught up with other things on the list, they will be released.  Click here to see one of Joanne's images on the Cafe Calendar

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UPCOMING CLASSES in
Patricia’s Wellness Arts Café
 725 West Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, 812-334-8155


~Earth Day Community Pitch-in Dinner and Conversation
April 22, 2014 - Earth Day Community Dinner and Conversation 2014 - Join us in a shared meal and conversation about local food and more. Earth Day Network invites people everywhere to gather this day to eat and discuss food. Details with registration. Limited Seating - reserve early. 7-9pm

~“One Sheet Wonders”
One Sheet Bookmaking Workshop!

Date: Tuesdays, April 29th, May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, June 3
Time:  7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
What? – One Sheet Wonders

Registration is due at least one week before classes begin.

All materials are included in fee. 

We have three ways you can register for this workshop
Register by calling the Café at 812-334-8155 and paying with your credit card
Pay in the Café
Mail in your check payment (call to reserve your space - payment due 7 days before first class).

In “One Sheet Wonders” you will have a fun and relaxing time as you learn to make a variety of one sheet books; accordions, tunnel, lotus fold, pop ups, and other mysterious books! These fun techniques easily incorporate into multi-page books.  We meet Tuesdays, April 29th, May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, June 3. In each session you will learn two or more techniques and create your own example book structures. These one page books fold up in magical ways and some reveal hidden pages when opened. Space limited to 6 students. 
Register with payment to hold your space. 7-9 PM - 6 classes
Cost - $155; college students - $139; seniors - $125

~“Visual Journaling in Small Spaces”
May 15th, Thursday - Visual Journaling in Small Spaces -Collage explorations through image and word. Collage is a great way to express your creativity. In this workshop you will create unique visual journal art pieces. We will play with color, composition, intention and focal point. Use as part of personal practice or create unique gifts. Space limited to 6 students. Register with payment no later than April 29th to hold your space. We must have three students to run this workshop. Some materials provided. Tools/Materials List sent with registration. 7-9pm. $25

Soon to be announced:
“Crafting as a Spiritual Practice”.  This workshop is for those who want to explore the creation of sacred space through intentional focus on crafting as meditation.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Updates on Web Calendar - Dolls and Wings!

Been working much behind the screen and my eyes have made it clear that I need to take more breaks.  I am always relieved when I get the bulk of pr task out of the way.  With the Cafe, there is always media to get out.

It has been somewhat quiet with the annual spring exodus of  students.

Good to have a few surprise visitors, stopping in while in town to get a little tea or to re-stock on the beer jelly.  Technology has kept me away from the kitchen, but I must get in there soon, or the jelly shelves will be pretty bare!

Sign up has begun for classes.  I will be adding other dates to the calendar.

*Sign up for Arts IN as soon as you can.  Do something different with your friends, family or date night!  These small group creative arts activities are surprising and fun.  Some people like them so much, they schedule in at least one Arts In session in a month.

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If you haven't had a chance to see Leslie Rodgers dolls, get in before the month ends.  If you are a lover of work with thread, or embroidery, these dolls are a real treat.  Each time I am with them, I notice a little bit more.  So much delicate, yet elaborate painting with thread!


Just updated the Cafe Calendar with information about upcoming "A Force of Nature" paintings by Joanne Shank


This exhibit plans to display a new expansiveness in Joanne's work, a blend of traditional Chinese ink painting techniques and the nature of watercolor.


Monday, March 10, 2014

Cafe News - Honey! Arts Abilities Month and Oracle Deck



Greetings All,

We are pleased to announce that we now have honey for sale.  On the shelves is Woody Hollow Farm, LLC from Ellettsville, Indiana!

Look for more information on these Indiana Beekeepers Association members on Local Food Bloomington - http://www.greendove.net/localfood.htm very soon!

There are a couple of articles in the current issue Local Food News.



Currently in the Wellness Arts Gallery "Surface Journeys" 
Surface Embroidered Dolls by Leslie Rodgers

 and two works Celebrating Abilities Arts Month 
by Bloomington Painter Cori Mitchell




Previously in the Wellness Arts Gallery

 ~ Obi Weavings by Chinami Ricketts
~Encaustics by Leslie Renee Wilson


We look forward to connecting with you in the Wellness Arts Cafe!


Happy Spring!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Surface Journeys - Hand embroidered dolls by Leslie Rodger's



 Thanks for stopping in. 



The Wellness Arts Gallery invites you to a reception of Leslie Rodger’s "Surface Journeys”, an exhibit of hand embroidered dolls March 7th 2014,    5:00pm to 8:00pm.  ”Surface Journey’s” opened on February 7th and runs through March 29th, 2014. The reception’s herbal table will feature hot seasonal savory soup with the tasting spotlight on one of Quilter’s Comfort, locally blended, certified organic seasonings; and sampling of beer, coffee and wine jelly (made using locally sourced coffee, beer and wine)  available for take home pleasure.  

The Wellness Arts gallery is located in Patricia’s Wellness Arts Café, 725 West Kirkwood Avenue at the Western entrance to the BEAD.  Free parking lot to the east and on the street. 
Sign up for Art Doll Making workshops in the Wellness Arts Gallery.  


Leslie Rodgers Artist Statement

     When I was a girl my father would draw with me.  He would make a mark on the paper, and I would add a mark.  He’d put in a squiggle and I’d scribble a bit.  In awhile it would become apparent what the picture wanted to be, and then we’d finish it to our mutual satisfaction.  It was wonderful fun, and it taught me somehow to see things that weren’t quite there yet. I loved this collaborative work, although I didn’t know such a big word for it yet.

       Now my favorite way to work is to start from something else.  Piles of paper, stacks of cloth, pots of paint all delight me, but nothing is more inspiring than a found object, something that I can see into. I like to work with unknown makers this way, extend the collaboration through time and space.

Visit the Wellness Art Café page for Leslie’s complete artist statement and biography.

For more on her art dolls visit www.shmataboro.blogspot.com or contact Leslie Rodgers’ at leslierodgers16@gmail.com.


    In the 1940’s my Aunt Dorothy was living on a farm in Kentucky and in the winter she had time to sew for her own pleasure.  She
made a set of rag dolls of different sizes using a pattern she bought for a dime from a newspaper advertisement. They were made of plain cloth with hair of rust colored woolen yarn and embroidered faces. They were meant to resemble my red-haired aunts, and most of them were dressed in calico dresses like the house dresses women wore then. One wore a nurse’s uniform like my aunt herself.

   When my uncle died my aunt packed up her belongings and came back home to Indiana.  She moved back to the family house in Vincennes, and many of her boxes and trunks went into the garage.  Time passed, things not needed were forgotten and never unpacked. Mice came to live in the garage. Bugs arrived. The garage developed a leak.
     After several decades of this neglectful storage the old house and garage were to be torn down.   My brother and I, inheritors of the house and therefore responsible for everything in it, began the long arduous task of going through all the boxes and trunks. My grown daughters came to help us. It took all summer.   Late that June the bottom fell out of a box and my brother tossed me a doll leg.  There was an arm too, and part of a second arm.   They were foul smelling, dirty, moth-scalped and mouse eaten. 
     We began to find doll parts, scattered in various dilapidated boxes, I considered consigning them to the dumpster, which seemed the most logical end for them, but as the number of found parts grew I sensed a spark of life, a glimmer of potential.  I brought home the collected parts, cleaned them and reassembled them, creating new limbs to replace the missing ones, mending the places where they were mouse eaten.  This was satisfying work.
    Rather than dress the dolls I began to stitch on them with pearl cotton, adding colors and shapes as each piece seemed to tell me what it needed next.  The first batch of dolls was done between July and December of 2006.  The dolls became my constant companions.  I worked on them   daily in the studio and often carried parts of them in my book bag to stitch on in free moments throughout the day.  Then I found a set of unstuffed doll bodies my mama had made in the mid 1950’s. They were part of a project for a church bazaar, she’d made several completed and dressed dolls but had run out of time so several cut and sewn bodies had ended up tucked into a drawer in her sewing room and forgotten.  Life had gone right on without them for half a century.   I brought them out, stuffed them and embellished them, glad of a chance to have more dolls to work on. Or play with.

    In the years since I’ve discovered more dolls.  They sometimes lurk at garage sales, flea markets and auctions.   Apparently my family was not the only ones to make dolls, nor the only ones to neglect them or forget about them entirely.  Our mice were not the only ones to industriously devote their time to chewing holes in dolls to pull out the stuffing for a nest.  

    The doll stitching is a delight to me, pleasant work that makes me contentedly happy.  I’d do it even if no one but me ever saw a single one of them.   I could be the Henry Darger of tatty old rag dolls.
        Wherever I go I keep an eye open for some poor nibbled and stained girl who needs making over.  I can go months or years without seeing one at all, and then suddenly find a pair or a clutch of them from someone’s attic cleaning.  I was lucky to get copies of the original patterns, but I’ve never used them to make a doll, only to make a replacement leg.  I’ve realized I don’t want to make this type of doll as a new doll.  What interests me is working with old dolls, having someone else’s work as a starting off point. I like it that the dolls have a history; many of them have been around much longer than I have.  I like it that my work is collaboration with unseen hands of another time and place.   I even like collaborating with the mice that have nibbled the bodies and the long ago children who stained the faces in play.

  It can take anywhere from 80 to a few hundred hours to embellish the dolls with tiny stitches, depending on the size of the original doll and how much mending she requires.  It’s an intuitive process; I seldom know where it’s going until we get there.  The dolls have always had a life of their own.  I just bring my needles and threads and come to play.   

Visit the Wellness Art Café page for Leslie’s art biography.

For more on her art dolls visit www.shmataboro.blogspot.com or contact Leslie Rodgers’ at leslierodgers16@gmail.com.
The Wellness Arts Gallery features the work of local artist, craftspeople and creative people from around the earth.  During the winter we are open Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Saturdays, 12 pm to 5 pm and first Friday’s 1:00 – 8:00 pm
Artist interested in exhibiting their works in the Wellness Arts Gallery or in presenting a class or workshop are invited to contact us.  We look forward to meeting you and discussing the possibility of you exhibiting your work with us or sharing your skills.
Visit Wellness Arts Cafe Website - http://www.hartrock.net/cafe.htm 

Sign up for our mailing list or contact us at quilterscomfort@gmail.com. 
 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Leslie Rodgers "Surface Journeys" Hand Embroidered Dolls

 Leslie Rodgers "Surface Journeys" Hand Embroidered Dolls opens February 7th in the Wellness Arts Gallery, 5:00pm - 8:00pm. Dolls on exhibit through March 29, 2014.



For more information click here.

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We opened 2014 in the Wellness Arts Gallery with "Obi Weavings" by Chainami Ricketts.  These wonderful kimono weavings in cotton, dyed with indigo and walnut brown prepared by her husband. Visit the Cafe page for more information.


It has been pretty cold here, but lots of tea, art and lovely people make me feel warm inside!  In the area?  Stop in, see the arts and introduce yourself.

 Thanks for stopping in to read this and we hope you check out the cafe page.

Patricia