A Surprise Birthday Painting Party

Table Setting for an artistic birthday party

A few weeks ago I hosted a surprise pottery painting party for the daughter of one of my Monday morning art ladies.  Her daughter is a young mom of two boys - a newborn and a three year old - and many of the invited guests are young mothers as well.  It was a special evening for these ladies, who rarely have time to get together, and a true surprise for the birthday girl.

The birthday girl (on right) and one of her best friends busy painting their special platters.

The birthday girl dives right into sketching her image while the other girls look on in amazement.

The discussions were lively and many very funny and touching stories were shared.

The girls and the party hostess pose for a picture.

Great big smiles are a true testament of a happy evening spent amongst friends and each artists delight in their handcrafted work.

When two or more friends gather

It is indeed time to celebrate.

LADIES NIGHT OUT:

 A few weeks ago these two ladies ~ whom I met through the close relationship of our boys ~ and who have become almost like family, gathered in my home to step out of their comfort zones, learn a new skill and share my passion for paint.  It turned out to be a delightful evening and gave us another reason to get together to celebrate the great friendships formed within our families.

A glass of wine and a few helpful hints were all that were needed to get the creative juices flowing.

Even though our boys are away at college, they are always close by in our thoughts and conversation.  A testament to this is the design and color selection of my friends wine coolers.  Since all three boys attend the same school we three moms were in agreement on the blue and orange "V" composition of one cooler.

Given the fact that our boys and husbands love the beach and enjoy surfing together, we were greatly pleased by the surfboard design created on the other wine cooler ~ And knew it would be quite the hit with our sons and their fathers.

Obviously, one of us (that would be me) was much too busy talking to have either finished sketching or painting her wine cooler!  Coming from an art teacher who was notorious for saying, "When your mouth is moving, your hands are still" this lack of accomplishment was absolutely shameful.

Fortunately the cooler was eventually finished and fired along with the others.  Now all that was needed to christen the coolers was a reason to chill a bottle and raise a toast.  Which, with our group, is never that difficult.

PRE-GAME "TAILGATE" PARTY:

 This past weekend, the "V" cooler took center stage, along with a few other orange and blue accessories, at our pre-game tailgate party held in the boys apartment up in Charlottesville, Va.  The food and companionship was so good it was hard to tear ourselves away for the real reason behind our gathering:

~ U.VA. FOOTBALL ~

The game kicked off with "Cav Man" parachuting onto the football field for a perfectly executed wahoo landing.  Sending up an enthusiastic roar from the crowd who continued to be astonished as the evening progressed ~

Looking over with amazement as if to say "Seriously, have you seen the score?"

Even the moon peaked up over the stands to make sure what was shown on the scoreboard was, in fact the truth.  Yup - check out the numbers...we were actually in the lead!

It turned out to be a beautiful night and a well executed game ~ Spent in the company of wonderful friends and family members and capped off by a team in great form.

At the end of the evening it truly was a time to give thanks for good plays, fair calls, great friends, and the kinship of family.  We all look forward to a reason to gather and christen the two other wine coolers!

Ladies Night Out

Garden Art Party

 I invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the party.

Let's get this party started!

Sharing a few painting techniques.

Rainbow Fish 

 Hand Painted Birdhouses

Hand painted pottery plates ready to be fired.

Cheers to the girls! 

Pottery Painting Parties

 I recently hosted traveling Pottery Painting Parties for two young ladies celebrating their birthdays, bringing the supplies to their respective homes.  The party goers were so creative and cute, I had to share the pictures.  

The first party was held indoors with a group of first graders.  The birthday girl is one of my art students, as is her grandmother - YaYa.

Here the birthday girl and YaYa share an animated conversation,  discussing the influence of classical art techniques on the modern artists of today ~

while two party friends create modern art designs on their pottery plates.  Mom is close at hand to share her views on the subject and for a little extra creative support.

As the party and conversation flow, the birthday girls mother and YaYa enjoy watching the children enthusiastically paint their pottery plates.

This little artist considers the modern art debate as she contemplates the use of color, shape and line within the context of painting a square plate.

And, mom adds her special artistic touch with these delightful art palette cupcakes ~ the perfect dessert for an art party - almost too cute to eat.

~~**~~
Then I was off and running to the second party of the day  ~ This time with a group of second grade girls.  Since the day was gorgeous, the party was held outside, which was perfect for this active group of young ladies.

 After a little bit of outdoor play, the birthday girl and her friends quickly re-focus their attention to the artistic task at hand ~

And gather 'round the table for a productive bit of pottery painting ~

as the sun shines brightly overhead, adding warmth and light to the colorful party scene.

The girls add their final creative touches to the pottery plates before scampering off to play.

~~**~~
~ A week later ~
The plates are ready ~ after being glazed, fired and packaged for delivery ~

with decorative accoutrements for the party hostesses,

and their lucky guests ~ who now have a decorative reminder of a special day with friends.

Happy Birthday Girls - And Best Wishes for another wonderful year!

Women, Wine, and Pots

Last night I hosted my second "Ladies Night Out"
Painting Party. To get ready for spring planting, the
women painted terra-cotta pots with pottery glazes.

Since many of us went through high school together,
there was much reminiscing and laughter over teenage
escapades and good times shared.


The ladies busy at work painting...

and concentrating on their pieces...


as the wine and conversation easily flowed.

And a quote from our evening together that is well
worth sharing and remembering...
"Life is too short to worry about staying inside the lines"

Thank you ladies for filling my house and soul with laughter.
The next party is Thursday, March 25 - Garden Art.
Let me know if you are interested.

Pizza and Pottery Night for the Little Ones

Valentine's Day Heart Platters

This past Friday I held the first Pottery and Pizza Art Night
for little ones ages 4 - 6 years.


The little artists sketched out their ideas onto a piece of paper.
This image was then drawn onto their heart shaped bisque plates.

They painted, washed their hands, and were ready to....

shape dough into circles, "paint" on tomato sauce, spread a little
bit of cheese, and create their own mini cheese pizza's.

Glazed Plates ready for the kiln.
There is something so refreshing about the simplicity of art
created by children.

The next Pizza and Pottery Night will be Friday, Feb. 26
and we'll be creating a St. Patrick's Day Platter.
If you are interested in more information on these classes -
visit my website - Magic Markings Art Studio.com

Ladies Night Out - Wine, Women, Art

Offer a group of lively women an evening
away from children, homework, and dishes ~



add a little wine, and a martini or two ~



include hot and cold appetizers, a wee bit of
chocolate, the opportunity to relax ~



then throw in some paints and pottery ~



and it all adds up to an uncorked night of



great conversation, laughter, and perhaps

a few finished pieces of pottery art.

There isn't anything better for recharging the ole
"mommy batteries" then a night out with the girls!
CHEERS!