Magickal Dragon

Cretive Journeys - First Meeting This Sunday

2012-01-06T13:26:00.000-05:00

Page from co-instructor
Moon Stump's sketchbook

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? Would you like an opportunity to meet with others who share your interest and be inspired by their work? Are you interested in sharing information on the newest pens, paints, and other supplies? Then join us this Sunday, January 8, 3 - 5 pm at the Garfield Park Art Center for our first meeting. This group is open to journal and sketchbook artists of any skill level. We'll discuss methods, materials, and media. At every meeting we'll have discussion, share our work, and engage our minds with a fun sketching/journaling exercise.

Our meetings will continue on the second Sunday of each month. Free and no pre-registration required.

All About Red Show Opens on Friday, January 6

2012-01-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

The All About Red show featuring interpretive art from the Southside Art League artists opens on Friday, January 6, from 4-8 pm. The SALI Gallery is located at 299 East Broadway in Greenwood. This show will remain up through the end of February.

“100 YEARS OF INDY PARKS” EXHIBITION

2011-12-01T23:35:00.000-05:00

Opens December 3

Ten Indianapolis-based artists were invited to provide their creative interpretations of Indy Parks’ impact on the community over the past 100 years and in the future for the “100 Years of Indy Parks” exhibition at Garfield Park Arts Center located at 2432 Conservatory Drive on Indy’s near southside. I am honored to be one of those ten artists; the other participating artists are Mint Evans, Clyde Gaw, Emma Overman, Quincy Owens, Dianna Porter, Erin Swanson, Chris Tower, Justin Vining and Kevin Wilson. Along with our pieces which are available for purchase, the exhibition includes photographs and narratives about some of the City’s 207 parks properties.

I do hope that you will be able to join us and the Indy Parks staff from 5 to 7 p.m. on December 3 for the exhibition’s opening reception featuring live music performed by classical guitarist Samuel Lawson as well as light refreshments. Visitors may also create a 100-year commemorative clay tile as a keepsake and record memories and stories of times spent in the City’s parks.

The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will continue through January 15, 2012 during regular Garfield Park Arts Center hours. The Garfield Park Arts Center is open Wednesday and Thursday from 2-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

More Classes - New Location

2011-08-16T06:11:00.000-04:00

And more and more classes! In September I will begin offering classes at the Southside Art League in Greenwood. And, I am trying to keep my Classes page updated as I add new classes to my schedule.

Classes at the Southside Art League

Beginning in September I will be also be teaching class at the Southside Art League (SALI) at 229 E. Broadway in Greenwood. Here are the September classes.

A Charming Charm
Thursday, September 8, 1:00 – 3:30 pm

This class is a brief introduction to the fascinating world of silver metal clay—where you form a piece of jewelry with clay, fire it in a kiln or with a torch and it becomes fine silver (99.9% pure silver).. Participants will create two to three small charms as they learn about some of the basic techniques for working with metal clay. All necessary tools and materials are provided by the instructor. Ages 14 and up. Pre-registration is required for this class. Cost: $30.00

Artful Wire Bending
4 Thursdays, September 15 – October 6. 1:00 – 3:30 pm

Bend and twist your cares away while you learn to make copper wire jewelry. This class is an introduction to making simple wire jewelry and the tools needed for basic wire bending. Participants will create 2 pairs of earrings, a freeform wire pendant, 2 wire rings, forged wire earrings, and a narrow copper cuff bracelet. These same skills once learned can then be applied to making more complex copper jewelry pieces and to working with sterling silver and gold-filled wire. All necessary tools and materials are provided by the instructor. Ages 14 and up. Pre-registration is required for this class. Cost: $53.00

Contact me for more information or to pre-register for one of the SALI classes via email at marti@magickaldragondesigns.com or by phone at 317-402-4999. And visit the SALI website at http://www.southsideartleague.org/
to check out the other classes they are offering.

Two New Classes at Garfield Park Art Center

2011-08-16T06:02:00.001-04:00

It is all about classes! I am continuing to add new classes to my schedule and I have two new classes on the fall schedule at Garfield Park Art Center.

.Visual Journaling 101
6 Sundays, October 2 – November 13, 1 – 3 pm
No class on October 16
I am co-teaching this class with Moon Stumpp.

In this six week class you will be introduced to techniques and tips for keeping a visual journal using primarily ink and paint. We will begin by discussing the various paper, paints and inks used for journaling. Then we will begin working on various journaling techniques that you can incorporate into your personal journal, including creating fabulous page backgrounds, laying out your journal page, adding text and much more.

For this class you will need to provide your own journal and pens, but Garfield Art Center will be supplying the paint and other journaling supplies. And, if you don't already have a journal, just come to the first class where we will talk about journals and pens, and even some alternative journaling options. Cost: $65.00

Jewelry: Cold Connections
4 Thursdays, November 3 - 17. 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Cold connections are jewelry making techniques in which metals and found objects are attached without the use of glues or soldering. In the class make a pendants using several different cold connection methods, including riveting, screwing with nuts and bolts, and attaching eyelets. Pre-registration is required for this class. Cost: $30.00 plus a $10.00 supply kit fee.

Pre-registration is required for all of my classes. For more information and to register for Garfield Park Art Center classes call 327-PARK or visit the Indy Parks website at http://www.indparks.org/.

Come Celebrate with Us This Saturday

2011-06-23T22:31:00.001-04:00

This Saturday, June 25 from 11 AM to 4 Pm is Celebrate Irvington. Events include the 4th Annual Celebrate Irvington Art Walk featuring over 35 artists, including me. I will be at George Thomas Florist at 5609 E. Washington Street. In addition to having an opportunity to see and buy some great art there are a lot of other things going on-- grand opening and anniversary celebrations of local businesses, the annual fish fry at the Irvington Presbyterian Church, the Irvington Guild of Artists Collectors Show at the Bona Thompson Memorial

Center, shopping, dining, games, and much more.

So please come out this Saturday and join the CELEBRATION and please stop by my table to say hello.

Prints on Display at Bjava

2011-06-23T15:30:00.001-04:00

There is still a chance to see my prints on display at Bjava Coffee and Tea at 5510 Lafayette Road. My prints will be up through July 6h. So, if you get a chance, stop by and enjoy a good cup of coffee and see what I have been printing.

Moving is Hard Work!

2011-06-20T16:55:00.001-04:00

It took a couple of weeks to get everything moved our of our studio at the Murphy, but the exit was completed by April 30^th. The problem was now I had everything at home and now it all needed to be organized. I am somewhat compulsive about everything being organized and in its place and this has been difficult since I have so much STUFF. We had gotten rid of most things extraneous but that still left a lot to be organized—so slowly but surely I have been finding the proper home for everything and getting it put away and labeled. Yes, I want the draws and boxes labeled so that when you go to look for things you can find it quickly. Still working on that—but getting there. The attached picture is one wall of my new dining room studio—as you can see it is beginning to look somewhat organized!!

New Prints at Garfield Parks Art Center

2011-06-07T22:46:00.008-04:00

The Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC) is hosting an Asian Arts & Artists Exhibition which opened on June 4th as a compliment to the annual Asian Fest presented by the Asian American Alliance. And, I have three of my little prints on display as part of the exhibition which continues through July 24th.

The image to the right is a close up of my print, Crescent Moon, which is my interpretation of the Issa haiku

Crescent moon--
bent to the shape
of the cold

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Garfield Art Center, you really should add it your list of places to see wonderful art exhibits. And, they have a really beautiful gallery space.

MOVING SALE APRIL 16

2011-04-12T06:42:00.008-04:00

My studio mates, Moon and Bob, and I have decided to move our respective businesses online and are moving our studios home. So we will be closing Studio 204 at the Murphy Arts Center at the end of April. We will continue to be accessible on line and via email.

Moon and Bob:

Website: www.mixedmediajewelry.com
Email: moon@mixedmediajewelry.com

Marti:

Website: www.magickaldragondesigns.com
Email: marti@magickaldragondesigns.com

This means that we have things that we no longer need, so we are holding a MOVING SALE APRIL 16 - NOON TO 5 PM And, since we don’t want to move these things they will be priced to sell.

What will we have for sale?

Gemstone beads—mostly 16 inch strands
Lampwork Beads by Moon—not many, so come early
Sterling and copper jewery findings
Sterling silver wire--mostly half round
Glass beadmaking books—including Contemporary Lampworking (the 2 volume set), plus other assorted jewelry making books
All of Marti’s fused glass and fine silver jewelry on sale for 50% off the marked price.
A variety of jewelry displays—primarily the velvet neck displays for neckaces and pendants and a couple of the spinning earring displays.
Knitting machine—never used
A miscellaneous assortment of storage items—including a couple of stacked rolling drawer units
A variety of hand tools for use with metal clay and/or polymer clay.
One small bookcase
Padded stacking chairs
Six-foot brown folding table
Lots of miscellaneous

And the list keeps growing as we add more items to the sale pile as we pack up our things to move. So stop by and see us on April 16 and take home a few good deals.

The ICE Wins!!!

2011-02-03T14:34:00.001-05:00

Just to let you know

STUDIO 204 WILL NOT BE OPEN FOR THE FEBRUARY 4 FIRST FRIDAY

at the Murphy Art Center. The ice has won; we are staying home to preserve our old bones. We will be open for March First Friday with peeks at our new work for 2011. Hope to see you next month!

Stay warm….stay safe!
Marti & Moon

February 3 Jewelry Open Studio Cancelled

2011-02-03T14:30:00.001-05:00

Garfield Park Art Center is cancelling programming for tonight due to the ice. So, there will be no Jewelry Open Studio session tonight. Please join us next week after the ice melts!!

HOLDIAY SALE - EVERYTHING DISCOUNTED

2010-11-29T10:38:00.002-05:00

Remember that bright and shiny fused glass pendant, the beautiful sterling chain maille bracelet, the bright colored print with swirls of red and purple, the fine silver lentil bead, the beautiful colors in the lampwork bead bracelet, the polka dot cat print—that beautiful piece of art you thought would make perfect gift for a family member, a friend, or you. Well, now is your chance to purchase that perfect gift. Everything in Studio 204 is on sale. All glass jewelry--lampwork jewelry and fused glass jewelry--is on sale for 50% off the marked price. All other jewelry and art work is on sale for 25% off the marked price.

This sale is on through the end of December, so if you don’t make it by on First Friday, please contact us to make an appointment to come by later to find that perfect gift. To make an appointment email Moon at moon@mixedmediajewelry.com or email Marti at marti@magickaldragondesigns.com..

Kris May: Holiday Show

2010-11-17T21:05:00.003-05:00

Friday, December 3, 6 – 10 pm

Kris May will be the Studio 204 featured artist on First Friday, December 3, 6 – 10 pm. Kris is a very talented artist who works in multiple media. He creates painting in oil and acrylics, as well as working in graphic designs. Additionally he crafts fun little fiber characters he has named Catberries.

Magickal Dragon Designs and Mixed Media Jewelry will also have an outstanding assortment of jewelry from which you can select special one-of-a-kind gifts for those very special people on your holiday list.

For further information about this event at Studio 204, please email marti@magickaldragondesigns.com.

Autumn Art Fair at Garfield Park Arts Center

2010-11-10T21:18:00.002-05:00

Saturday, November 20, and Sunday, November 21, 10 am – 5 pm.

What are you doing the weekend before Thanksgiving? We would love for you to join us at the Third Annual Autumn Art Fair at the Garfield Park Arts Center. Our show runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free to the public, the Autumn Art Fair focus on exquisitely hand-created, family-friendly, affordable items (50¢ -$500) from about 60 artists. Groups and individual artists from Indy, Brown County, and central Indiana will be displaying their unique wares for your shopping pleasure. I will be bringing a selection of my fused glass jewelry and fine art prints.

Come for the fun! Sign up for the door prizes! Experience the extraordinary art for sale. And, Garifeld Park Art Center is handicapped accessible with plenty of free parking

November First Friday at Studio 204

2010-10-18T09:14:00.004-04:00

Magickal Dragon Designs is pleased to participate in Murphy's Seasonal Bazaar, an arts, crafts and gifts shopping extravaganza, on November 5, 6 – 10 pm. The Bazaar will be held in the west corridor of the second floor of the Murphy Arts Center at 1043 Virginia Avenue in historic Fountain Square. This event will feature the work of many local artists working in various mediums. It will include many of the Murphy Art Center Artists and special guest artists chosen for their unique handcrafted goods. The work of all of these artists will combine for a truly unique arts bazaar.

Our special guest artist for Studio 204 for the Bazaar is Kris May. Kris is a very talented artist who works in multiple media. He creates painting is oil and acrylics, as well as working in graphic designs. Additionally he crafts fun little fiber characters he has named Catberries.

This event is the first of its kind at the Murphy Arts Center and is part of the First Friday happenings in the Murphy and surrounding businesses. Murphy's Seasonal Bazaar provides an opportunity for local artists to sell their products just in time for the gift giving season and for shoppers to find that perfect gift. The Murphy Art Center Artists believe that art and handcrafted goods are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer. Additionally, handcrafted items provide one of a kind gifts that are not found in big box stores.

For additional information about the Bazaar visit the Murphy Arts Center blog at murphyartists.blogspot.com/ and the Facebook page for Murphy’s Seasonal Bazaar.

First Friday at Studio 204

2010-08-28T20:15:00.005-04:00

I am the featured artist at Studio 204 for First Friday on September 3rd. I will be showcasing my prints this time in an exhibition called Paper & Ink. So, I hope you get a chance to stop by between 6 and 10 on Friday. I will be showing prints that use a variety of printmaking techniques including monotype, woodcut, etching, and collagraphy. And, while nature is a frequent theme in my prints, I will also be showing prints that are abstract and fanciful.

Hope to see you on Friday!!
Marti

INprint Exhibitions in Irvington

2010-08-09T12:46:00.005-04:00

I am participating in the two INprint exhibitions at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center at 5350 E. University Drive in Irvington on Indy’s eastside. The exhibitions will run from August 14 to October 2. INprint is a regional group of fine art printmakers. The artistic focus of INprint is on original hand-pulled prints including etching, silkscreen, monotype, woodcut, linocut, mezzotint, and lithography.

The first exhibition is "IN Irvington" which includes prints that convey a variety of interpretations of the neighborhood of Irvington. This exhibit includes my print, The Irving, which is the first in my Bits and Pieces of Irvington series. The second exhibition includes various prints and drawings by the "Artists of INprint" and I have several prints included in that exhibition as well.

Artists participating in the exhibitions include Cynthia Blasingham, Jill Chambers, Keith Dull, Gloria Fischer, Glenna Heath, Marti Icenogle, Laurie Kemp, Andrea Ondish, Ginny Taylor Rosner, and Anders Sandstrom.

The opening receptions for the exhibitions are:

Saturday, August 14 – 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Sunday, August 15 – 2:00 to 4:00 pm

If you aren’t able to make it to the receptions, I hope you will stop by later to see this outstanding display of fine art prints. The hours for Bona Thompson are Wed 1-3 pm, Sat and Sun 1-4 pm or by appointment by calling 317-353-2662.

Moving Sale at Blooming Dragon Emporium

2010-06-22T20:57:00.001-04:00

Friday, June 25, noon - 6 pm and
Saturday, June 26, noon - 6

Miranda and Marti will be moving out of the Blooming Dragon Emporium as of the end of June and they have some items that they don’t want to move with them. So what are they selling? Some of the items are for show artists, such as Gridwall panels, Gridwall accessories—shelving, acrylic hanging bars and earring displays--and various jewelry display items. Additionally, there will be store fixtures, bookcases, set of 4 folding chairs, some lampwork supplies (including lampworking instructional videos, COE 96 frit and a Carlisle Mini CC Torch), books, and lots of miscellaneous. Mark your calendar for June 25 and 26 to stop by Blooming Dragon Emporium at 5620 E. Washington Street in Irvington on Indy’s east side and check out this moving sale.

Moving to Murphy Art Center

2010-06-05T12:05:00.006-04:00

I wanted to give you an update on what is happening with Magickal Dragon Designs. I have been at the Blooming Dragon Emporium in Irvington on Indy's eastside for the last year and a half. And, we have been fortunate to have had great support from our customers, clients, and artists, but due to these difficult economic times we are unable to sustain our current business model. Blooming Dragon Emporium will be closing at the end of June.

So, what am I going to do?

I am moving Magickal Dragon Designs studio to the Murphy Art Center in Fountain Square at 1043 Virginia Avenue. I will be joing Moon and Bob Stumpp (Mixed Media Jewelry) in Studio 204. This move will allow meto focus on my art and expand my offering of jewelry making classes. And, although I am moving out of Irvington, I will continue as a Board member of the Irvington Guild of Artists and in this role will continue to actively support the arts in Irvington.

So, THANK YOU for all your support over the last 1 ½ years at the Blooming Dragon. And I hope to see you at Murphy on a First Friday at Studio 204.

It's Spring and It's a Sale - APRIL 17th

2010-04-11T12:36:00.004-04:00

April 17th is the Irvington Environmental Fair and it is a perfect time for spring cleaning at my studio. Moon Stump of Mixed Media Jewelry is also joining the clean up. We are clearing out our excess gemstone and glass beads, assorted seed beads, jewelry findings, gold and sterling wire, glass beadmaking supplies, and lots of wonderful miscellaneous items. There will also be some deeply discounted jewelry items. This is one sale you don’t want to miss!!! Mark your calendar for APRIL 17, NOON to 6 PM, to stop by Blooming Dragon Emporium at 5620 E. Washington Street in Irvington on Indy’s east side and check out this sale in my Magickal Dragon Designs studio.

And be sure to check out the other events that are going on. Bookmamas, our fabulous Irvington bookstore at 9 S. Johnson Avenue, is hosting their Environmental Fair from noon-4 pm. They will have exhibits and displays from: Farm Fresh Foods, Greenway Supply, Hoosier Rails to Trails, Irvington Garden Club, Irvington Green Initiative, Living Green MagazinePogue's Run Grocery, Rejuvenation Station, and Work Force, Inc. And these authors will also be participating: Tajuana L. Common (Ten-aciously Green), John O. Whitaker (Mammals of Indiana, Bats of Indiana) and Robert E. Dittmer and Julie A. Vincent (Shades of Green).

And this would also be a great time to check out the bargains available at many of our other Irvington businesses including: Annie's Apparel Resale Shop, Jack & Jill's Antiques, & Tiqueables

So, join us in Irvington on April 17--spend a couple of hours or stay all afternoon and add a stop for lunch or dinner at one of our wonderful restaurants.

Artist's Reception at Bookmamas

2010-04-06T22:05:00.006-04:00

Bookmamas at 9 S. Johnson Avenue in the heart of historic Irvington on Indy's east side is hosting an artist's reception this Friday, April 9th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. The reception is open to anyone that would like to stop by to see some of my latest prints and browse their awesome selection of books. Hope to see you there.

If you aren't able to make it to the reception, you can still stop by Bookmamas and see my work. This exhibit continues till the end of April.

Poetry in Paint at Garfield Art Center

2010-03-18T15:03:00.002-04:00

Poetry in Paint opened at the Garfield Park Art Center on March 13th. In this show, each artist was paired with a poet and the artist was tasked with creating a visual interpretation of the poet's poem. I had the pleasure of working with Richard Pflum and developing my interpretation of his poem "The Swamp" into a woodcut print.

Unfortunately a broken leg kept me from attending the opening reception, but I was told that their was a good turnout for the reception and that the work has been well received.

If you get a chance, please stop by and visit the show which runs thru May 2.

Moku Hanga Class with Mary Brodbeck

2010-02-05T15:44:00.001-05:00

I started trying to make arrangements to take a moku hanga class with Mary Brodbeck in Kalamazoo, Michigan, over a year ago. For those that don't know, moku hanga is the Japanese term for woodblock print (moku means wood and hanga means print). This technique involves the use of water based ink (or paint) rice past (known as Nori). You mix the pigment directly on your wood block with a little rice paste. Then. you use special brushes to spread it across the block, and final you print on damp paper. If you are familiar with the Western style of printing wood block prints, you know that this is a very different technique.

Finally, in late January, Cynthia Blasingham and I headed to Kalamazoo for a weekend class with Mary. Here is Mary showing us one of her latest prints.

And below you see Cynthia at work on her moku hanga print.

I am really excited about all of things that we learned and hope to start trying some of these techniques in own studio soon. But, unfortunately, I am battling tendonitis in my wrist and currently need to wear brace on my wrist when I am active. But, hopefully that will clear up soon and I will be able to make my own moku hanga prints.

Prints on Display at Irvington Branch Library

2010-01-05T14:48:00.003-05:00

I am really pleased to have my prints hanging in the Irvington Branch Library thru the end of February. They are in the Community Room. The picture above is an overview shot of the east wall of the Community Room. As you can see, the library has an awsome hanging system for displaying art.

And, just in case, you don't make it by the library, here are a couple of slightly closer views of some of the prints in the exhibit.