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

'Girl' note cards

Note cards featured in Giftware News article by Managing editor, Karen Feil:

"Breezy pen and ink drawings, with a touch of color, characterize the lighthearted cards by Mary Telfer. A multi-talented artist who also hand-crafts jewelry and paints watercolors, she lifts bits of color and pattern from her watercolors and places them as accents on her pen and ink note cards.

Notes featuring line drawn portraits of very hip, young women accompanied by a single word or a line of text - "thank you ever so...", or "brilliant", and "fabulous" reflect an urban sensibility.

Other notes feature whimsical cats, insects, and flowers each with a dash or color, a word of greeting, and blank interiors."

See my note cards at: www.marytelfer.com/store/cards/girls.htm

Artists without Borders

I am so saddened by the closing of so many Borders books stores this past week. "My" Borders in McHenry, and Crystal Lake, IL are two of the 200 stores closing.

I heard that it's because they weren't keeping up with the technology fast enough and B&N was. Well, I want to say in their defense that almost everyone I know prefers Borders, but I guess the numbers didn't work out for them. I DO hope it is somewhere in their plan to come back!

I will try to make it down to the Algonquin store once in a while, but it just won't be the same. I have nothing against that store, it's just that I am fond of the employees I have gotten to know in my local Borders. They are good people who deserve to keep their jobs.

I would go to Borders often. Sometimes to meet friends, sometimes to read (what's better than coffee and books?), and sometimes to work on my artwork. Pictured here are some of my note cards they sold in the McHenry, IL Borders. More on this later... please leave a comment if you will also miss these stores.

Beautiful Door County, Wisconsin

This is a painting of one of my favorite spots in Door County, Wisconsin.



If you want to learn some acrylic painting, take my classes on Thursdays at two Northern Illinois Michaels stores; Algonquin on Randal Road and the McHenry Michaels on Route 31, alternating Thursdays.


Contact me for more details: mary@marytelfer.com

If you live in Northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin contact me about other workshops too!

An 'apple a day' will help feed some people

An apple a day blog I created at the end of 2009 still has many 'apples' for sale.

I painted 66 apples in 3 months to raise money for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Each matted painting is $50 and I'll give $10 to the pantry for each sale. Please check them out!

Or share this blog on Facebook (by clicking the icon below!) OR forward to your friends.

THANKS!

Take care,

Mary mary@marytelfer.com

Pink and white on beige

This was an experiment I did on some beige pastel paper my friend Emily gave me. I like the way the paper shows through in many spots. I also love that extra dark green pastel.

The Pack is back!

Green Bay Packers colored flower. Go Packers!

Pastel, 5" x 7"

$50 matted



Let me know what you think by commenting on the post or send me an email: mary@telfleur.com

an art class on the beach in Carlsbad, CA last weekend

Photos by photographer, Jay Reilly.

Beautiful!
Art, warmth, and fun.

Carlsbad, California

I feel extremely grateful to have been here. My cousin, Ron took this photo a few days ago while we walked on the beach. The view was spectacular. Being there gives me a perspective that I get nowhere else. My cousin, fortunately, appreciates living here every day!

I have many, many photos that I will not put all in my blog, but wanted to share a few. I'm sure they will be an inspiration to my artwork for a long time.

Leave a comment or email me! mary@telfleur.com

"Leaves" earrings

My fabric earrings have a painting-inspired fabric on each side (in case the wind blows!), sugical steel hooks and a lightweight coating so they're both durable and comfortable. Each pair - each earring, in fact - is unique. They range from sublte, muted florals to bold patterns and images, from small to over-sized.

I will be featuring them in a holiday art show this weekend in Cary, IL. Please email me for more info: mary@marytelfer.com

Pastel Landscape Workshop Dec 2nd 10 am - 1 pm

Have you been curious about pastels, but would like a fun, non-judgemental atmosphere in which to learn? This class is for you whether you're a beginner who has never tried pastels or an experienced artist who needs some motivation to get painting again by being with other creative people.

I will demonstrate some techniques then guide you to bring out your own artistic style. Using photos as a guide, you will be the filter through which the feelings of the landscape are transformed to produce an image that is completely yours.

All supplies are included in this 3-hour workshop provided by the Richeson Company in Kimberly, Wisconsin.

Mary's studio in northern Illinois: email for details and directions, mary@marytelfer.com

Rest In Peace, my brother Mike

This is a mixed media piece I created for my brother, Mike Telfer, who passed away last night. I made it for him last Christmas and he told me it was the best gift he ever recieved. I am so grateful for that.

If you look carefully, there's a photo of Mike in the upper right corner standing behind one of those Sox cut outs when we went to a game a couple of years ago. In the lower right is my brother, Bill, same pose. My daughter Liz, showing off her Sox tatoo in the lower right and lower left (next to the photo of Uncle Jim) is my daughter, Helen at the batting cages. Upper left is my dad when he was in the army.

It's a collage about them winning the World Series in 2005 and also about our family. The Chicago White Sox were one thing Mike and I connected about very regularily.

At the rally in '05 I stuffed my pockets with the confetti that was dropped. I knew I would use it, but I didn't know in what way. I put it in my mixed media piece here. To some, it may look like newspaper pieces crumbled and torn, but any baseball fan knows they're much more than that.

I love art, combining media, family, the White Sox and I love you, Mike.

So, a squirrel stole my tablecloth...

I'm not kidding. Oh, and I appologize for not blogging this week - I had the flu. So, I haven't done any artwork lately, but needed to tell this story. I'll bet this squirrel is building a very artistic nest with my tablecloth.

I looked out the window and noticed that the squirrel who had already tore up and stole the plastic, yellow and white tablecloth my Aunt Sally gave me for my picnic table was back and taking what was left. I ran to get my camera, and although the photos aren't great, I hope they tell the story.

He started a couple of days ago, ripping it up and stuffing it in his mouth. At one point he was hanging off the table with it shoved in his mouth... I really thought he might be choking. My dogs barked and he ran away, but returned. It was kind of unbelievable so I'm glad I got some photos. Aunt Sally says we'll have to buy him another for next year's nest. : )

Watercolor landscape Step by Step

I don't do too many traditional watercolors. I find they take patience and planning - and I'm usually not patient enough to plan. But here is one.

I worked from a photo I took of somewhere in Nebraska while on a trip to Colorado with my daughters and dogs. I thought the scene was beautiful and peaceful, but not quite outstanding enough to paint – so, I decided to change it only slightly to make it a little more interesting.

To make the wash for the sky I mixed up cobalt blue with ultramarine blue. I wet the paper where I wanted the sky. Then painted in the blue left to right, moving down and using slightly less paint – with a wide, flat brush. While the paint was still wet I dabbed on a piece of Kleenex to look like clouds. I painted the hills in the far background using a lot of water for a fuzzy, far-away look with cadmium yellow, violet, and dabs of cadmium yellow and a deeper green (mixed by adding cadmium red to viridian green). I then mixed beige for the ground with cadmium yellow, cadmium red, and violet. Wetting paper first (leaving a space for the stream) I swept it in horizontal strokes working fast to make a smooth wash. When it was dry I took the deeper green with a pointed brush and made short vertical strokes to look like trees far away.

I made more greens by mixing viridian with cadmium yellow and red in different amount using different amounts of water. I painted in more trees. Some looking more like fir trees skinnier at the top and wider at the bottom. I left the far right side of the paper more empty because trees in the foreground will block out most of that area. The water is viridian green, cobalt blue, and ultramarine blue. I laid it in horizontally with some brushstrokes showing to show movement. The water further away has more color and less water because water sometimes looks darker the further it is. Also, some of the darker shapes can be reflections of the trees.

Take a damp Kleenex and blot out 3 small spaces for bushes in left foreground. Paint in foreground bushes and trees using a wet-on-dry technique. This will show details in focus. Mix brown with viridian green and a bit of cadmium red and paint in trunks of trees on right. Put in shadows going one direction in same color, but more water. Paint in weed like plants in left foreground with pointed brush in upward strokes using an almost dry brush approach.

Use ‘funny brush’ (a small bunch of rubberbands cut and bound together) to dot on leaves of trees starting with yellow, then light green, then dark green. Stroke funny brush upwards for more greens in left foreground. Mix pine color using ultramarine and cadmium yellow. Start at bottom of tree, with brown add shadow. Then make branches in short diagonal strokes making the strokes aim upwards the farther up the tree you get. Use a little water to drag out highlights on branches. Add a little brown here and there. Finish by adding darker pine color to weeds in left foreground and far away pine trees to give balance to painting.