Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Boo! The Art of Carving Pumpkins for Halloween

Halloween seems to stir the creative blood of many artists. And what better way to express oneself than through the bewitching art of pumpkin carving.

Jack-o’-Lanterns are the most common examples of pumpkin craft, but the practice of carving vegetables into whimsical works of art goes back several centuries. And in recent years, artists began expressing every kind of idea they could imagine on pumpkins.

Basically, all you need to carve a decent Jack-o’-Lantern is a knife and a spoon. But for “museum quality” Jack-o’-Lanterns, experts often resort to narrow saw blades, X-acto blades, drills, blinking lights, smoke, eerie music and more.

Use a pencil or Pentel to draw a Halloween face on your pumpkin, scoop out the pulp, and carve away. Go traditional, with a big, goofy grin and triangles for the eyes and nose. Or you can go creative with your own original design.

Be sure to explore the works of those artists who take pumpkin carving to comic and creepy extremes. Note that a key element in your creation can be the overall shape of the pumpkin you choose. While beginners might choose symmetrical pumpkins, a true Pumpkin Picasso will seek out the more grotesque, misshapen and blemished specimens.

Today, it is common to see pumpkin portraits of political candidates, celebrities and cartoon characters.

Send us photos of your carved pumpkins and we’ll post them here on BINDERS ART BLOG in time for Halloween. You’ll be certified spooky before you can say “Boo!”

Visit the BINDERS website at www.bindersart.com!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

This Week @ BINDERS - October 12-18

SALES • ART CLASSES • ART WORKSHOPS • ART EXHIBITS

There’s still time - but not much - BINDERS Fall Back-to-School Sale expires Thursday, Oct. 15. Don’t miss out!

Also this week a variety of art classes are in session. And you still have time to register for two NEW weekend workshops: Anne Elser leads a Handmade Gift Making Workshop, and Halima Washington guides a Weekend Painting Workshop. If you’d like for us to contact you about future sessions,
let us know.

Monday, October 12:
Guided Open Studio with Kay Powell
10:30am-2pm • Every Monday
Fee: $15/session. No sign up needed. Please pay the instructor.

Guided Open Studio with Kay Powell
6:30-8:30pm • see details above.


Tuesday, October 13:

Painting - Design and Technique with Charles Y. Walls
6 sessions, Tuesdays, September 8-October 20 (no class on Sept.29) • 1-4pm • Fee: $140 per 6 session series


Bookmaking with Anne Elser
6 sessions, weekly on Tuesdays, Sept 15-Oct 20 • 6-8:30pm • Fee: $140


Painting - Design and Technique with Charles Y. Walls
6-8:30pm - see details above


Wednesday, October 14:
Copperplate Calligraphy with Anne Elser
6 sessions, weekly on Wednesdays, Sept 16-Oct 21 • 6-8:30pm • Fee: $140


Thursday, October 15:
No classes today.

Friday, October 16:

No classes today.

Saturday, October 17:

NEW! Weekend Painting Workshop with Halima Washington
Saturday 11am-4pm and Sunday. 12-5pm • Fee: $250 • Sign up now!

NEW! Handmade Gifts: Collapsible Container with Anne Elser
2 sessions, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm • Fee: $140 • Sign up now!

Sunday, October 18:
NEW! Weekend Painting Workshop with Halima Washington
12-5pm • see details above

NEW! Handmade Gifts: Collapsible Container with Anne Elser
11am-5pm • see details above

Please note: Classes on this schedule are in our Atlanta store unless otherwise indicated. For more information please email or call Eli Pelizza at 404.237.6331 ext. 203.

Check out the full list of our upcoming art classes and art workshops!


EXHIBITS AT THE LIMELIGHT GALLERY

Information about a new is exhibits coming soon!

Visit the BINDERS website at www.bindersart.com!