What the heck is an Orange Dove?

The Orange Dove Project

An orange dove is a rare, mythical animal – it represents equality, peace, and bringing people together through art! 

On Saturday, June 8^th from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Local artist Mary Telfer will orchestrate this exciting, interactive art experience for all ages and abilities at the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA), 285 Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake.  Don’t miss your chance to participate in something rewarding and unusual.

This is an opportunity for you to have fun, create, and explore your relationship to nature and the animal world.  Telfer’s inspiration comes from her passion for working with people of all abilities.  The event will be staffed by volunteers from the local art community and will feature NISRA artists Coral Brady, and John Hudachek.  You’ll have the chance to move to the sounds of DJ Liz and enjoy refreshments from Panera bakery - and orange tootsie pops!

Coral will be teaching an acrylic workshop from 1:30 - 2:30.  John will be teaching a colored pencil workshop from 2:30 - 3:30.

The mission of Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) is enriching the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful recreation experiences.

The suggested donation is $5 per person or $10 per family. No art experience necessary. 

A journey of self-exploration through Cubism

Is this the summer that you focus on you and what’s next?

“Creating art shifts consciousness out of the verbal part of the brain and into the more creative, intuitive, and sensory brain regions.  Which is more powerful?  Well, the verbal region processes about forty bits of information per second.  The nonverbal processes about eleven million bits per second.  You do the math.” – Martha Beck.  
The way I see it – doing art is good for you and helps you solve problems without really trying!

Cubism began as an intellectual revolt against the artistic expression of previous eras. Among the specific elements abandoned by the cubists were the sensual appeal of paint texture and color, subject matter with emotional charge or mood, the play of light on form, movement, atmosphere, and the illusionism that proceeded from scientifically based perspective.  In other words, they abandoned ‘realistic’ points of view.  They used sharp angles and portrayed objects from different points of view within one painting.

Trying this method will help you break free from your often-used techniques.  You’ve heard the quote: ‘the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results.’?  Then why not try something different, out of your comfort zone in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere?

Discover who you are and create the future you want.  In this class, you will examine and write about the five main areas of your life, then do a piece of mixed media art using a cubistic technique - each week focusing on a different area of your life.

Week 1. Monday, June 11 - Relational (example: Children, partner, animals, co-workers)
Week 2. Monday, June 18 - Spiritual (example: God, praying, meditating)
Week 3. Monday, June 25 - Intellectual (example: reading, writing, learning a new skill)
Week 4. Monday, July 2 - Physical (example: stretching, yoga, walking, dancing)
Week 5. Monday, July 9 - Financial (example: career, assets, debt, spending, saving)

Mary's studio, McHenry, ILEach workshop is from 10 AM until 1 PM.  Cost of each workshop is $35 if you sign up individually.  If you sign up for all 5 you will get $5 off each class and end up saving $25.

All materials will be provided, but if you have specific photos you would like to add to your piece, please feel free to bring them.  Also a snack and coffee or tea will be provided. Space is limited – let me know if you plan to attend or call 815-715-1527 or email me with any questions: mary@telfleur.com

Portrait of your future self - workshop

“Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they become actions, watch your actions for they become habits, watch your habits for they become character, and watch your character for it becomes your destiny.” – Lao-Tzu

One of the most difficult things for humans is to handle is the uncertainty of the future.  What will I be doing a year from now?  Five years from now?  What will happen in a particular situation? We all try very hard to control what we can and let go of the rest, but it’s not easy. 

If we get quiet enough to listen, I believe we can envision a future that encompasses ourselves as we are meant to be.  Everything starts with a thought.  How often do you imagine bad things that might happen?   What would happen if instead you allow yourself to imagine yourself at your best, finding your destiny? 

This workshop is designed to help you access that vision of the future using the nonverbal part of your brain. Martha Beck, the well-known life coach and author, says “creating art shifts consciousness out of the verbal part of the brain and into the more creative, intuitive, and sensory brain regions…the verbal region processes about forty bits of information per second.  The nonverbal processes about eleven million bits per second.  You do the math.”  In other words, doing art is good for you and helps you solve problems without really trying!

In this all-day workshop we will do:

·         a warm-up art exercise

·         a walking meditation

·         a writing exercise

·         a finished self-portrait (literal or non-literal) incorporating your writing and art. 

All materials, as well as a morning snack, will be supplied. Bring a sack lunch.

You do not need to be an artist or have any art experience to take part in this workshop.  You just need to want to delve deeper into your authentic self and express who you are. 

This workshop is offered this time at an introductory price because it is brand new and because it may be recorded for promotional purposes.

$45

All supplies included

McHenry Dam (off of River Road, McHenry) or Mary’s home/studio in case of rain

Saturday, April 28^th 10 - 4

Please let me know if you plan to attend or if you have any questions: mary@marytelfer.com or 815-715-1527

Artflick morning workshop #1 - the perception of value in art

Why does some art sell for so much and other art (maybe your own) doesn’t sell for nearly as much? What is the difference between ‘making something beautiful to look at’ and ‘art for art’s sake’? Is the process of making art or the final product the important part? How does the perception of the value of art flow over into other areas of your life (for example, buying something only because of its brand)? We're going to examine these questions in the first event of my ArtFlick series of Saturday morning workshops. The ArtFlick workshops will begin by watching a movie about a contemporary artist, then discussing the film, and finally creating a piece of art based on the ideas we've talked about. Saturday, August 6th from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm - We will be watching the documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” which is about contemporary artists, street art, and the perception of the value of art. It is truly fascinating and informative! (with snacks - who says you can’t have popcorn in the morning?) After a short break and discussion we’ll gather in my studio for a workshop on creating art that really has some meaning to you. You may find yourself very inspired by the movie (I certainly was!). I will give instruction first on making a mixed media piece using paper, glue, and pastels while discussing both the technical aspects of the composition, and the meaning of your piece. We’ll also discuss what you may want to do with your art once you make it. $45 for four hours - Workshop fee is for all instruction, supplies, and snacks! Mary’s Studio IL Space is limited so let me know as soon as you can if you plan on attending: mary@marytelfer.com

Capturing California with Pastels 5-21-11

Oceanside California, this weekend! See it on Facebook!
Capturing California in Pastels with Mary Telfer all day workshop- For your convenience, pay here 125USD:

All materials, expert instruction, food and refreshments will be provided! Email Mary with any questions: mary@telfleur.com

Ellie and Natasha out for tea

Ellie (the yellow dog on the left) and Natasha (the malamute) are best friends. They go on a trip to the Bahamas, to baseball games and have other adventures. I have them in sets of note cards for sale - a cartoon and quote on the front, blank on the inside to write your own message.

The girls are based on my best friend, Vicki and myself when we were in college. We have been friends since then.... a very, long time!


They are also based on real dogs I've had myself named Ellie and Natasha. Let me know if you have comments or would like to buy some cards. Or if you like them, pass this page along to your friends or post on Facebook.

Thanks!


Mary

Happy Birthday, Evie!

My daughter Liz rescued two racing greyhounds, Evie and Theresa. Here is a portrait I did of Liz and Evie from a photo of the day they first met. What incredible happiness they bring to all of us.

The portrait is 22" x 30" done in Unison pastels.

Evie is 7 years old tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Evie!!!

If you would like a portrait of a human or animal - or both! please contact me! mary@marytelfer.com