art esprit

Summer Art Classes

2013-05-23T08:40:00.001-04:00

in our new Dover location begin July 8th! We will have art classes for ages 4 to adult - and a week long camp for children ages 7-10. Don't forget to check out our Art{retreat}Camp for adults too! It's starting to fill ...

constructing sculpture

making dioramas

adult and child clay classes!

2013-05-23T08:13:00.000-04:00

Art{retreat} Camp

Artstream announces ARC Art{retreat} Camp August 14-18 Mayhew Island, Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH

Imagine going to summer camp as an adult, on a forested island in a pristine freshwater lake. Imagine creating in this special place alongside a small nurturing community of seasoned instructors and others like yourself.

ARC a place to play, a quiet place to learn, a setting to be refreshed in and a time to reconnect to yourself. Whether you are a seasoned arts person or have never picked up a paintbrush, your creative self will blossom here!

artstream's belief that we are born creative drives our interest in hosting this island retreat designed to open up and nurture the creative side of you.. The daily schedule has a diverse offering of creative workshops taught by top-notch teachers: Rachel Blumberg, Mati McDonough, Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Monica Pasquale and director Susan Schwake. They will be your guides for the stay. Evenings will bring a variety of programming and there are times during the day to relax, hike, swim or canoe around the island too.

Come join us this summer. Questions? Call us 603-330-0333 or email us at arc@artstreamstudios.com

artstream - we're on the move

2013-05-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

photography by Linda Plaisted

It's been 10 years in our current lovely location in downtown Rochester, NH. Our customer base has grown dramatically and south-ward-ly. We try to notice these things! So our big announcement today is this:
We are moving south to downtown Dover to be closer to the bulk of our customers and clients. We will miss our roots and will always treasure our time in Rochester.
As of July 1, 2013 our doors will open at 10 Second Street in Dover, NH - the Old Court House - a historical building with plenty of natural light and space for art and more classrooms. Photos to come soon! We have some work to do ...

Each day-- a gift

2013-05-17T13:48:00.003-04:00

There are no words that can explain how sad so many feel right now at the sudden loss of our friend Kathreen Ricketson and her partner.Rob Shrugg She was a force of nature in promoting handmade through her site Whip-up and craft in her books and how to raise fun loving children through her Action-Pack publications. Some of us worked with her online and I am sure many like myself thought we would meet in person some day. We are all so heartbroken. There is something we can do though to honor their memory and help their beautiful children. Consider it - here.

Art {retreat} Camp!

2013-05-07T18:02:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile in the making stages. Lots of planning and permissions to GO! And now we are a go! It's long been a dream of mine to share one of the most beautiful places on earth with some friends. And now I can. ARC will be a quiet place to create, sing, laugh, splash, and dive right in to yourself. With an open heart and supportive community. Just leaf through the pages and see what it might be for you. Questions? Just ask!

BIG News a comin'

2013-05-06T13:17:00.002-04:00

Stay tuned here for the unveiling of our latest project tomorrow - called ARC. All I will reveal right now is that it's coming to you from an island and it will involve these iincredible artists:
Lisa Solomon, Mati McDonough, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Rebecca Emberley, Monica Pasqual, and Rachel Blumberg! That will be all ... for now!

Reflection

2013-05-06T11:43:00.000-04:00

Amy Ruppel and Rachel Blumberg toasting!

me - readjusting Lisa Solomon's work

Looking back this weekend on 10 years of hard work in the arts was a funny, sad, joyrful, crazy, delightful time! Reminiscing through all 80 - yes 80 count 'em exhibits and countless changes in our business, Rainer and I feel as though we have hit our stride. Saturday was a blast - for those of you who didn't make it to the exhibit, don't feel left out! All the work is online right here and here at our shop.

Rachel Blumberg and Jane Eslinger

We love our littlest patrons!

Judith Andrews

the incredible Amy Ruppel (it was her birthday too...)

There was much merriment to celebrate on Saturday night with one of our favorite artists from the past Amy Ruppel and introducing our newest favorite Rachel Blumberg to our gallery. It was a super fun way to usher in the next ten years and we certainly want to thank all of our friends, clients, students and patrons for their support of our dreams! Huge thanks to Amy for coming out from Portland, OR and all the other artists for their support as well!

10 years of artstream!

2013-05-05T08:10:00.000-04:00

Tonight we celebrate our first ten years in business! Rainer and I are so thrilled to present two great exhibits - "Sea to Sea" and "ten" - Both exhibits are going live today at our webshop too! Work will be shipped at the end of May. Check them out here!

upcoming show excitement..

2013-04-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

Amy Ruppel Grey Whale

Our next exhibit Sea to Sea is coming in May with beautiful paintings by the one and only Amy Ruppel and introducing the incredible Rachel Blumberg! Stop by the opening which marks our TENTH year in business ... and meet these two artists in person. May 4th from 5 p.m.

Sky blue

2013-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

That's what this photo was all about. I just got lucky with the cows being in the shot.

Listen

2013-04-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes nature speaks to you in light. You can answer by painting it.

Sneak peek of ...

2013-04-10T11:50:00.000-04:00

our 10th year celebration exhibitions! I am so incredibly excited about this one

Rachel Blumberg and Amy Ruppel

A little bit of Pacific meets Atlantic.

More coming ...

Water temperature

2013-04-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

I think that no matter the water temperature - the ocean is a grand place to spend at least a day or better yet a week at.

Slanted and Steep

2013-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

As you may know there are great steep hills in the city of San Francisco. I truly love it there.

Mysterious Yards

2013-04-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

Do you ever walk by a yard in a neighborhood that you have never been in and think up an entire story from what you have seen? I have. This Berkeley yard told me a yarn a mile long. And it all started with a can of perfect pink paint.

Ocean dreaming

2013-04-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

It's almost time to go for an adventure at Ordione State Park. That's where the seaglass lives. That's where the barnacles are. That's where we find the smoothest white stones and the itty-bitty ceramic chips from the boat's kitchens. April is a good month for beach walking here in New England.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2013-04-02T10:58:00.002-04:00

It's April 2 and my mother's birthday! She was always there for me growing up, helping me achieve my artistic dreams, encouraging me to try things I didn't know (like piano lessons for over 10 years!) and taking me to art lessons every Saturday morning. She made sure we went on adventures and to camp in the summer. I am so grateful for my mother's guidance and her spirit even when things were not perfect for her. She was a secretary at the Pentagon for Admiral Byrd in the 50's when he was exploring Antarctica. She went to Syracuse University and was an accomplished musician. She was a church organist in many different churches and sang solos in the choir.

Today - like every day for the past 5 years she has lived with us and is cared for by us as she lost her sight to macular degeneration. She doesn't play the piano anymore as she reads music and does not play by ear. She listens to books on CD and has a program that she attends with other people her age. She still loves to sing however and music is still obviously a passion. My daughters are completely happy that the have become so close to her during the past five years as prior to her moving in, she lived far away and was working and busy most of the time. Her visits were short so they didn't know her well. It's been a readjustment for sure, trying at times and full of busy days having her live with us and we are glad to give back to her for what she did for our family all her life. Happy Birthday Mom!

Hope springs eternal or

2013-04-01T23:49:00.001-04:00

Just hoping for Spring. An older shot of a scene outside our front door. Life is full of wonderment. And color. Hoping for springtime for you wherever you may be!

Adapting Art Lab for Kids lessons for Little ones!

2013-03-18T08:54:00.001-04:00

Jackson Falls

Happy Monday to you all! Rested and refreshed here after a much needed weekend away from it all! Big thanks to my darling daughters for making it possible to spend two nights away in our favorite NH spot: Jackson! The weekend was topped off by a drive to Portland, ME to try out Duckfat. Friends have raved about this place and as "Chopped" addicts we loved Chef Rob Evan's style and thought, yeah, we have to do this... so we did and loved it! Just go if you can, we implore you to!

So it's Monday again and I have been thinking about some feedback that I had been getting from a number of sources who were asking the same questions: How do we use your book for our Little ones?
Well, in a few short months Art Lab for Littles will be released and you can use that - but in the meanwhile I have started to post over at the book blog with some helps on adapting ALFK to the younger set. The book was not intended for children under the age of 5 or 6 to use, but there are some easy helps available now at the book blog to help you get started with art and your little one. I am taking requests for lessons from Art Lab for Kids that you would like to see adapted - just leave a comment at the book blog. The first one is foamy prints and is up already. Once a week you can find one there, so hop over and check it out!

May classes at Selah in Las Vegas!

2013-03-12T11:34:00.000-04:00

Selah in Las Vegas is a wonderful home to art making and creating of all sorts. I am pleased to announce three workshops that I will be teaching there in May! Our March dates had to be pushed back but we are completely excited that the May dates are set! So join me in some fun - making art and using my book to teach others about your passion!

Art in the Home

2013-03-07T11:49:00.002-05:00

Megan Bogonovich's small sculpture packs a punch on our table

Darryl Berger's King with his Bird greets our guests in our breezeway

Penelope Dullahan's beautiful work just sings in our dining room

Original art plays a big role in our home. Not surprising really in the home of two artists and a student artist. Interestingly enough though it is other artist's work which is most prominent in our home right now. I move things around a lot and rotate different work in and out of the rooms, but it's always original art that moves us. Here are a few shots of different work that we have in our home - note that it always doesn't go with the couch but it somehow belongs. And, inspires us every day. What inspires you in your home?

Eve Corey's painting of provence in our entryway light

Drawing Saturdays

2013-03-02T18:02:00.001-05:00

Just a peek at some little creatures which I drew this afternoon in my sketchbook. It's been awhile since I have picked up a pencil - and it won't be so long next time! Happy weekend!

Workshops!

2013-02-21T09:39:00.001-05:00

a monstermaking workshop at Main Street Art in Newfields, NH

an upcoming set of three workshops at Selha in Las Vegas!

And one coming
up in South Bewick Public Library on March 9 from 11-1p.m. More info on that one here at their site.

Night Running

2013-02-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

A new mixed media painting that is for sale at my shop. Check it out here! Prints to come too ...

New website! New Facebook page!

2013-02-12T15:39:00.000-05:00

Fresh off the keyboard - TaDa! My new website. It was time for a facelift. Thanks to my husband Rainer for the revamp.. Have a look at my new site right here Susan Schwake.

I also decided to divide up my facebook stuff - so all of my new work as it comes out of the studio will be over here at Susan Schwake Art. Hop by and like me, if you would ... and thanks!