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I cannot wait to have YOU here ...

8/30/2021

Student work by Julie Caliendo

It's been a dozen years in the making... a dedicated place to create. If you or your children have ever taken an art class with me, you know that it's been at the dining room table of my big kitchen. We've sipped tea together, laughed, learned and experimented in this space. While it has served us well, it's been tugging at me to have a separate, bigger place to create with you. A Create Place. An attached art studio that I can hardly wait to move my giant, paint splattered desk into. We are about a week away from occupying it!

We don't know all of the ways that God will use A Create Place, but we do know it will be a place to more comfortably collaborate with students and clients, explore different mediums, practice, learn, gather with community and be inspired together.

Beginning September 8th,
we'll kick off our first Open Studio.

I'll be offering studio time each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Rather than the more formal class with a structured lesson approach, we'll be changing it up a bit. In Open Studio I'll be demonstrating as I paint and explaining what I'm doing as I go. It will be an open forum for students to work on their own projects using their medium of choice or simply relax and learn by watching others.

The benefits to this Popular Open Studio approach are the following:

The ability to work on your own projects but still get help when needed.
Having a weekly set time to keep you moving forward on your artwork and skills.
It allows you to explore your own medium of choice (from scrapbooking to mixed media to oil pastels... Simply bring whatever materials you want to work with.)
Creating together can bring more confidence as we learn together.
It allows you to get feedback as your pieces progress whatever your skill level.
Provides the fun of experimenting with new techniques together.
Open Studio can be booked in 2 hour time chunks. You can book either 8 weeks at a time or individually. ($165 for 8 weeks or $25 per 2 hour session)
You can use the online option of Zooming in if not comfortable yet meeting in person.
The Open Studio model provides a chance to broaden horizons, reduce stress, and allows for sufficient time for the creative process to evolve.

We also plan to use this new space to host a Thursday evening drawing class, private paint parties, watercolor workshops and monthly kid's classes. More details to come on all of those things, but for now you can use those links to read more about them.

I hope you'll join us at A Create Place. Here is the link to book your Open Studio time.

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Lessons From Mom

8/20/2021

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If you've known me long, chances are you've heard me talk about my friend, Missy. She is one of those people that knowing her, changes you. You may think you'll just walk away and smile at her quirky ways and Missy-isms, but nope, she'll get in your head and affect you. You'll start questioning and thinking about yourself and your junk.

I met Missy in church circa 1999. Since then, we have shared innumerable cups of coffee, done art shows together, talked until I needed a nap and laughed our heads off. She lives, creates (and decorates) by her own rules.

Missy and I with a painting I surprised her with of her Florida home and barn.

I recently visited her in Florence, Alabama, for her daughter's wedding. I also got to visit with her 6 kids who I love and see her new shop, Mom's.

While that weekend was truly about her beautiful daughter's celebration, her kids had hired me to paint her in front of her shop and this was my opportunity to personally deliver it. While I was there, I couldn't help but reflect on some of the things that she's taught me.

Flush It

Missy Moothart of moms at seven points, AL

Nobody has shown me better than Missy to let go of my people pleasing tendencies. When I'd worry about what people think or was steeping in anything that couldn't be changed or helped, she'd tell me, "Caryn, flush it!" This was her way of telling me to let it go, leave it alone, give it a rest, etc... I can't tell you how many times I've heard those very words replayed in my head when obsessing over something I can't control.

Color Brings Joy

Missy upped the cool factor of my vintage bubble gum machine painting by surrounding it with actual loaded bubble gum machines!

Not only does she fill baskets and jars with Pez dispensers, spools, beads and vintage finds, but her friendships are colorful as well. She has taught me that those "fringe friends" in your life (the ones who you may not normally think to call, are some of the best and most underrated people.) When she lived in Florida, her big table was always full of different people all sharing a need to kick off their shoes and be in a place of non-judgement, laughter and soul rest. She lives out her motto that you don't have to go to church to be the church.

A Perfectly Clean House is the Sign of a Wasted Life

Mom's At Seven Points painting by Caryn Dahm

Mom's Happy Finds * Fun Foods

OK, maybe a clean house is lovely, but Missy has taught me that to spend your time listening to others, serving and exploring creative pursuits is worthwhile. Cleaning house is good, but should not be elevated in importance beyond truly living and loving well. The same goes for dirty feet ...

Experiment

It's OK to experiment and head down a creative path just for the bliss of it. She freely shares her in-process furniture, thrift store finds, and beads and baubles, knowing that in the end it may be junk, or it may be something brilliant. Either way, you explored something new, did not stay in your "creative lane" and tried what may just become your next favorite thing to make.

So, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Florence one day ... come meet "Mom" at Seven Points. You'll be glad you did!

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I cannot wait to have YOU here ...

Beginning September 8th,
we'll kick off our first Open Studio.

Lessons From Mom

Flush It

Color Brings Joy

A Perfectly Clean House is the Sign of a Wasted Life

Experiment

Sign up
to receive occasional updates about classes, camps, and current projects.

Caryn Dahm

Archives

Categories

I cannot wait to have YOU here ...

Beginning September 8th,we'll kick off our first Open Studio.

Lessons From Mom

Flush It

Color Brings Joy

A Perfectly Clean House is the Sign of a Wasted Life

Experiment

Sign up to receive occasional updates about classes, camps, and current projects.

Caryn Dahm

Archives

Categories

Beginning September 8th,
we'll kick off our first Open Studio.

Sign up
to receive occasional updates about classes, camps, and current projects.