Mrs Cutelis gets her home art studio set up

Ms. Cutelis' collage obsession

I have been obsessed with these Fiskars squeeze punchers for a while now. I must have about 20 of them now and love making collages with them with my kids. This past week they were on sale at 40% off at Michael's and I again, bought a few to add to my growing collection. You too can enjoy these at home....here is a list of what you will need.....

First, you will need a few punchers. (They are found at Michael's...they are about 12-16$...make sure you take a 40% off coupon below)....I always google for the coupon online and print them before I go to the store.

Then, I get all the catalogues, magazines I have been getting in the mail and sit on the rug with my kids. They love punching just as much as I do...

Then you will need a gallery wrapped canvas...."gallery wrapped" just means that the staples are in the back.....I buy a 7 set 12x12 canvases at 19$. Again, use your coupon.

Last, you will need a flat brush and glossy Mod Podge glue. The glue will be used as a glue and a sealant. Meaning this will go under and over your cutouts...

Now is when the fun begins.....below are some of the creations I've done this past year....

Michaels Printable Coupon: Click here to get the most recent coupon.

A peak at Ms. Cutelis' own work....

I have been working on various new pieces within the past 2 months. They are around the subject of nature, specifically plant forms and roots. I have always believed that nature holds all the answers and this work allows me to contemplate all the lessons held by these seemingly very quiet and unassuming living things. Because I cannot stay up late to work on these, I usually work with my kids beside me while they work on their own paintings. To read more about that go here.

The painting about is called 'Nurturing Nature'. As a parent of 2 young children I am constantly thinking about all the aspects that go into parenting. This painting reminds us about what is happening beneath is just as important as what is happening above, in fact, it may very well be more important, for what feeds the tree is what will allow the beautiful blooms to grow way up on the tops of the tree. That is called 'rearing'.

This one above is an 8x10. When we went to the Redwoods last year we saw thousands of ferns. ferns come into life rolled up into this beautiful spiral which later unwinds. I call this one 'process'. It's reminiscent of the path without the need for a end-result.

The one above I am still working with, but I am including it here for it;s part of the 8x10 sets. It's called 'Hidden beauty'. Here sits a plant form at the bottom of the ocean floor, unobserved and unseen by human eyes. Is it still beautiful even though no one sees it? even thought no one calls it that? Yes, we define ourselves in life, regardless of the criteria of others, we must learn to sway all alone at the bottom of the ocean and still know we are worth it.

I showed this one above (sorry about the poor photo quality) to my schoolchildren and they all had varied responses that were VERY vocal and strong. I wanted to bring up the idea of the inside of our bodies and how our veins are very much like plant roots. Also notice how the bulbous items come in the way of the path of the 'roots' and yet the roots go around it, and sometimes right over it. This image calls for the need for flexibility of the human heart.

In working with flexibility I had to create one for my son. I always tell him about the importance of flexibility and how flexibility is strength. These flowers above do not fight the wind, they bend with it, allowing themselves to survive. A less flexible plant might fight the plant and snap in half and die. What we often see as weakness may very well be a strength.
This one above is called, 'birth'. I took AP bio in high school and I always remember being somewhat fascinated by the 'birth' of a seed. As a kindergarten teacher years ago I also sprouted seeds. It's always such a fascination to see such a delicate thing crack open a seed I myself can't open. A human baby too for seems like so delicate and fragile, yet they somehow survive the labor process, which is no picnic. Babies are stronger than we think.

The one above is titled, 'Love'. One set of roots are embraced and curled together .

This one (24"x30" ) was the first I made in the series.....the picture does not convey the level of texture in this painting. To see close-up images go here.

The one above is called, 'idea'. When we get an idea it begins as a small seed or dream deep within ourselves. But it holds great power, wonder and potential.

ART SHOW- Save the Date!!!

Students are invited to enter their works of art to the first Murch Art Show of which the opening art reception will be on Friday, December 4th, 2009.

Children will be allowed to enter up to 2 pieces of art to the art show (more or less depending on number of applicants). The work can be a piece of art they did in art class or at home. Registration forms and more information will be going out within a few weeks.

We will also be needing volunteers in the following areas listed below. If you would like to help, please e-mail me with your contact info and volunteer preference to: Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com.

Art Show Volunteer Opportunities:

* Someone to play an instrument during reception (adult/child)

* Parents to donate drinks, cheese, crackers, napkins and cups

* Parents to help hang up work

* Parent to photograph kids with their families and their art for the blog

KIDS' Art Contest News

Hey Kid artists out there!! I copied and pasted this information below from http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Event/115269-235

I use to enter these all the time as a teen. They are so much fun!

The 2009 Turkish Festival & ATA-DC

Proudly Presents:

The Washington DC Kids Art Contest

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up”
-Pablo Picasso-
Theme: “Draw Your Dream Festival”
(What would you like to see at a festival?)

Eligibility: Children ages 5-13 years old
Entries may be submitted in one of 3 categories:

Category 1: ages 5-7.
Category 2: ages 8-10.
Category 3: ages 11-13.

Awards:
There will be one winner from each category. All winners will receive:
• $250 cash award
• Private art class from a well-known artist, Nihal Kececi.
• $75 Gift card from tulumba.com
• Free magazine subscription to Bonbon Kid’s Magazine
• Art supplies, and much more!

In addition to the winners, all participants will receive a Certification of Recognition and gifts from ATA-DC. Winners from each category will have their art featured in Bonbon Magazine, on the ATA DC website and in promotional materials

How to enter this free contest:
Artists will draw their artwork at the festival on the 4th of October between 10:00 am -1:00 pm at the Kid’s Tent. Each child can submit original works of art, in any style or medium. Applicants may submit multiple entries in the contest. Preferred sizes for the art work are 8.5” x 11”. Submissions should not be three-dimensional. Art supplies (Colored pencils, crayons, water color, colored markers, oils, and acrylic) and paper will be provided during the contest. However participants are welcome to bring their own art supplies.

Artists must register for the contest before the festival. Official entry forms are available online.

Judging:
Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges. Entries will be judged according to the interpretation of the concept, creativity, use of color and overall composition.
Notification:
All winners will be announced at the Turkish Festival on October 4th, 2009. All entries will be exhibited at the Kid’s Tent the afternoon of the festival.
An awards ceremony will be held for the winners at 4:00 pm at the festival.

For more information contact:
Muge Delamater,
Art Contest Coordinator:
mugedelamater@hotmail.com
or visit our website
www.turkishfestival.org