"Choir of Sint-Bavokerk, Haarlem" 1635 

by Pieter Jansz Saenedam

37.1 x 48.2 cm"

Oil on Oak Panel

About the Art

Passion for the purity of light and line, so strong an element in Dutch art, is found at its most abstract in the art of Saenredam. He restricted his subject matter largely to the portrayal of whitewashed Dutch ecclesiastical interiors, which he shows stripped of centuries of medieval embellishment by the Reformation's iconoclasm, as seen in the Choir of St. Bavo, Haarlem. It was in this great church that Saenredam and Frans Hals were buried.

I have to say I really enjoyed the challenge this month! I came up with so many designs that I had a hard time choosing. I made others but chose this one to express the ceilings where I was drawn to expressing the lines and the triangular patters that I see when the buttresses come together. I have the opportunity many years ago to visit Paris and this painting took me right back there. The architecture is amazing! This is my expression of the structural lines of the cathedral and along the way I realize that I love to incorporate earthy  expressions that stem from growing up on a small farm and surrounded by animals, gardening and farming itself. I will show a new group of beads and jewelry inspired by my life and the Art Bead Scene challenges.

Bead Challenge - I made the 3 leafed shape in the back by cutting, manipulating and flame coloring it. I then layered different components to create a single pendant bead.

The Bead Challenge - Embossed, flame patina and shaped copper.

These 3 beads are polymer clay. I used a simple wavy shape and focused on the warm and the cool tones of the painting and the interplay between the 2 tones. I kept the one to the left because I just had to I love these colors! Bronzes, browns, warm and cool silvers, yum!

These earrings were created for the Earring Challenge. 

http://www.earrings-everyday.blogspot.com/

http://vimeo.com/103736199 Check out the video inspiration!

http://www.limabeads.com/Lillypilly-Designs-C5605

I used copper drops with Lilly Pilly 24 gauge patina sheet that I pressed texture into. I fire colored the metal and textured with a corrugated pattern to represent the lines that went from the gears to the balls. I wanted to do something that was more kinetically inspired but my time was limited. Instead I responded to the

http://www.earrings-everyday.blogspot.com/

http://vimeo.com/103736199 Check out the video inspiration!

http://www.limabeads.com/Lillypilly-Designs-C5605

I used copper drops with Lilly Pilly 24 gauge patina sheet that I pressed texture into. I fire colored the metal and textured with a corrugated pattern to represent the lines that went from the gears to the balls. I wanted to do something that was more kinetically inspired but my time was limited. Instead I responded to the rustic  texture of the balls and followed through with that theme.

Pantone has sprung ahead to the colour trends for spring 2015 where the forecast appears to be decidedly cool, calm and collected. We are provided a preview of the hues predicted to inspire jewellery and fashion designs for the upcoming season

The new guide is said to draw inspiration from the retro era, folkloric and floral art while colour selections represent tropical landscapes and a strong longing for the warmer months.

                                                                           Explore the colour palette

Toasted Almond is a sun-tanned neutral said to be timeless and versatile while providing balance and warmth.

Serving as the foundation to the spring season’s colour palette, Marsala is a robust shade that takes its name from the fortified wine. The red-brown hue is sensual and rich, pointing to a sophisticated, natural earthiness. 

Fresh and cool, Lucite Green has a minty glow that is soothing and transparent. 

Glacier Grey provides another staple colour that is peacefully relaxing.

 Scuba Blue is an invigorating turquoise that splashes vibrancy onto the spectrum. Evoking a sense of carefree playfulness, the hue mimics the tropical ocean and transports to an exotic paradise.

Classic Blue stands as a staple for spring 2015. Conjuring confidence and strength, this bold colour is reliable and harmonious. 

 Tangerine is a spontaneous and energising colour. Standing out from the rest, this hue adds vitality to a printed pattern

Strawberry Ice is delicate and charming and aims to emit a healthy glow. 

Custard is a cheery colour that is full of mellow warmth

Aquamarine. Capturing a watery feel, this colour is restful and acts as a stress reducer 

.

December Art Bead Scene Bead and Jewelry Challenge

I have to say I really enjoyed the challenge this month! I came up with so many designs that I had a hard time choosing. I made others but chose this one to express the ceilings where I was drawn to expressing the lines and the triangular patters that I see when the buttresses come together. I have the opportunity many years ago to visit Paris and this painting took me right back there. The architecture is amazing! This is my expression of the structural lines of the cathedral and along the way I realize that I love to incorporate earthy  expressions that stem from growing up on a small farm and surrounded by animals, gardening and farming itself. I will show a new group of beads and jewelry inspired by my life and the Art Bead Scene challenges.

http://www.earrings-everyday.blogspot.com/

http://vimeo.com/103736199 Check out the video inspiration!

http://www.limabeads.com/Lillypilly-Designs-C5605

I used copper drops with Lilly Pilly 24 gauge patina sheet that I pressed texture into. I fire colored the metal and textured with a corrugated pattern to represent the lines that went from the gears to the balls. I wanted to do something that was more kinetically inspired but my time was limited. Instead I responded to the rustic  texture of the balls and followed through with that theme.

Yay I won the random pick winner from the November Art Bead Scene Challenge!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2014/12/november-monthly-challenge-winners.html
I get a $50 gift certificate to Ragged Robyn
http://www.raggedrobyn.com
I will let you know what I picked!!!!

November Art Bead Scene Jewelry Challenge

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-monthly-challenge

I really liked this challenge but as usual I went through the excited process of, "This is great, I love the colors, I have so many ideas." Of course this turns into too many ideas and everything gets muddled. I have wanted to play with copper and making my own pieces so I went and finally got a sheet. Thanks to my wonderful husband who doesn't grumble when I sneak his tools, wire, torches, and anything else that looks interesting. He gave me this piece of really thick copper wire which I made the toggle out of then hammered. Nothing spectacular but I like it. I wanted to represent the nest so I cut, heated, pressed, inked the copper pieces and used some tiny brass screws I bought at a yard sale. The dangling charm is polymer clay. I thought the color was great. I hope you can tell that the 2 marble beads are the eggs, and if you can't, well they are. I love the olive and pink so I guess this one is mine.

The necklace represents the colors of the flower and the plant itself. It looked to me that the orchid had leaves and pods. I made the focal from polymer clay. 

LADIES NIGHT IN NEW BALTIMORE MI.

Had a great time in New Baltimore at a Ladies Night. Organized by my cousin Jennifer Spotts, there was a fabulous array of vendors, food ( great brownies by the way! ) and raffles!
A huge !!!THANK YOU!!! goes out to my Aunt Peggy and Aunt Pat!
And a SUPER DUPER THANK YOU to my son, who refuses to let me post his picture. Jacob you were great company and a great help to you're "Old Ma"

HISTORY

HISTORY

CAVES OF LASCAUX

Humans need to express themselves and the Caves of Lascaux show us this tendency perfectly.Lascaux is famous for its Palaeolithic cave paintings, found in a complex of caves in the Dordogne region of southwestern France, because of their exceptional quality, size, sophistication and antiquity. 

The paintings consist primarily of large animals, once native to the region. Lascaux is located in the Vézère Valley where many other decorated caves have been found since the beginning of the 20th century (for example Les Combarelles and Font-de-Gaume in 1901, Bernifal in 1902). Lascaux is a complex cave with several areas (Hall of the Bulls, Passage gallery) It was discovered on 12 September 1940. To me these paintings depict the life around the people at that time. The need to express and remember the life we live and experience. 

Obviously animals are something that is important to us. Here are some ancient and........ 

Gold bull pendant

Carnealian Cat Gold Ring

something contemporary.

Ceramic pendants by Golem Design Studiosgolemstudio.com

Triangle, turquoise cat on coral

oval pendant with yellow bird

Raven Bead

Sparrow Pendant 

Teal Bird Bead 

Polymer Clay Beads by Heather Powers - Humble Beads   humblebeads.com

Green Girl Studios - Artists Cynthia Thornton and Gregory found on Lima Beads - limabeads.com

Shibuichi Articulated Crab Pendant 

Pewter Sleeping Cat

Pewter Brave Horse

Steatite beads

Secrets of alluvial gold gathering arrives in ancient Egypt. They quickly start producing glazed steatite beads. What would we do without these wonderful little spacer beads!