Habitat for Humanity New Orleans Work Week

I just got back from a very productive and eye opening work week trip to New Orleans with the Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity. It's hard to grasp or understand the devastation that occurred down there unless you see it first hand. Everywhere we drove and walked was at one time under water. Many homes have not been touched since being gutted and marked. It was amazing to see how long it is taking to get that city back together. If you're interested in taking a group down to New Orleans, or going by yourself, check out Habitat for Humanity's website.

Be the change
that you want to see in the world.

Creative House of Lancaster

What a cool, unique and alive group of creative individuals the CHL has brought together. There was such a need for this kind of group in Lancaster, it's truly evident in the rapid growth of members it's finding, without even promoting it yet. If you live in Lancaster and want to meet other creative people to be inspired, network, be encouraged, or just socialize with, then check out this group and you'll see what I mean. They're already working on their second ezine after a hugely successful first issue, so get on their email list to get your copy.

Our first group membership show is
ART IN THE BAR
October 2nd @ 7pm
Alley Kat 30 W. Lemon St in downtown Lancaster

About the Creative House of Lancaster:
The Creative House Of Lancaster (CHL) advocates the success of Lancaster County Small Businesses and individuals interested in art, music and design by committing its members to supporting each other in their business, personal and professional development and growth. We believe in taking creative and innovative leaps that redefine the local business community by harvesting local talent, promoting collaboration, fair-trade, teamwork, networking, mentoring, social communication, and nurturing a sense of community.
CHECK OUT WWW.THECHL.ORG FOR MORE INFO!

Eastern Market Grand Opening

If you haven't made it out to the Eastern Market yet, this Saturday would be the day to do it. This week marks the grand re-opening of the Historic Eastern Market building! We'll be hosting Mayor Gray for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am. The first 50 people to come out to the market receive a free Eastern Market mural T-shirt.

You can read an article about the opening from last weeks Sunday News by clicking here.

EtsyGreetings Collab Packs

I've just added two Collaborative Greeting Card packs to my etsy store. Each one has 3 different cards made from separate Etsy Greeting members. If you haven't heard of or visited Etsy Greetings yet, check out what a dynamic team of over 250 greeting card designers united to support one another and promote each other can do. Our goal is to become the number one resource for buyers seeking quality handmade cards.

If You Can't Stand Dora

The only reason I buy anything Dora or stand to watch it sometimes is because my adorable niece's LOVE her. So, when I saw this on Saturday Night Live this weekend, I almost peed my pants. You have to watch it if you're a parent of a Dora fan or not. And most of all, if you're a pastor, the ending is really the best part.

Diary 2008 Project

Lucy B from fantazya fantazies came up with a cool idea of making a journal full of different artists' artwork for every date in the calendar year. I jumped at the chance to grab my birthday date and designed this page for it. I think this is a great idea and another creative marketing tool. You can use them as Christmas or Birthday presents, Thank You or Just Because gifts, and they'll be used all year. Go here to see pictures of some of the journal pages.

To order one, go to www.fantazya.ca/diary2008.html

New Fabric Shirt

This is part of a new "passionate" series I'm working on. The red one below sold the day after I made it at Eastern Market but the top one is still available. You can buy it on my etsy site soon.

Is it Art or Not?

Check out this website that is featuring a tv program on challenging the definition of art.

http://ovationtv.com

Dog Days of Summer Show Tonight!

"Dog Days of Summer" Opening Reception

Check out this show on Friday if you live in or near Lancaster. It's one you don't want to miss if you're a dog or pet lover!

Mural Project - Finished

What a great experience this last week was for me. I was so happy to find a project that allowed me to paint, and took advantage of every second I had to push myself with painting realistic subject manner, as well as pushed others to paint who had never done so before. Take a look at my Flickr page for more photos.

Another Mural Project

I have been blessed tremendously this week with the best job ever on a work-week trip. Right now, I'm writing from Espanola, New Mexico where I'm on a missions trip working with the McCurdy school doing maintenance and upkeep of their building. . . well, everyone else is doing that sort of thing. I happened to ask the project manager if there was a mural that needed to be painted, in a joking manner, and he surprisingly said that he had a mural that needed to be restored. My eyes lit up like crazy and soon I was on my way to an art store in Santa Fe for supplies.

Here's what the "before" picture looks like. Stay tuned for the "after" shot!

Mural Project

The last few weeks I've been working on a mural for my church's children's area. It's an outdoor scene of Eric Carle's characters, and is coming along pretty well. Luckily I have a couple of very talented artists helping me with it in order to get it done by the coming due date. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product! Here are a couple of "in progress" picts.

Custom Blog Logo

Check out this fun logo I did for someone's blog. I think it's adorable!

If you'd like a customized logo or banner for your website or blog, contact me for pricing.

Art Reception - Gypsy Hill Gallery

Tomorrow night I'll be showing my artwork at Gypsy Hill Gallery at 47 E. Main St. in Lititz from 5-8pm.

The picture above is my latest painting that I've been trying to finish up for the show. Not sure if it's done yet, but it's based on a common theme I've been doing this year: Love.

Hope to see some of you there!