Keys4Art2012 -- Two Days With Lynne Perrella!

Thanks to Elena's drive and tenacity, Keys has grown from a group of art friends getting together to make art and share ideas, to an event which, while still true to the original concept, also includes classes from well known mixed media artists.  Last year we were fortunate to learn from Ingrid Djikers, Julie Nutting and Beatriz Furquhar-Guzman.  This year, we had two wonderful artists, and this post will focus on the one and only Lynne Perrella.

Living in New York City, only a couple of hours from Lynne's home, I have been lucky enough to take many classes with her, and I was thrilled that my far flung art sisters would have that opportunity too.  Lynne designed a class just for us, based on the feedback she got from Elena, and called the two day workshop "Go For Baroque."  We were to select some images we wanted to work with, make toner copies of each, and bring them to the Keys.  Some chose gypsies, some kings or queens, or other members of royalty.  Johnny Depp and Clark Gable even made an appearance.  Such fun!

After prepping our surfaces (canvas, red rosin paper) with gesso and texture and leaving them to dry, we gathered around the table, introduced ourselves, and hung on every word as Lynne explained her philosophy of art, and shared some samples of her glorious collages.  Check out her website and prepare to be dazzled.

Then we just got busy, adding color with paints, inks, Portfolio brand pastels, and layering more texture with a variety of papers, fibers, and even fabric.  Here are some of our projects, some finished, some still works in progress.  And thanks to Val for being so diligent in her picture taking.  I wouldn't have much to share if I couldn't swipe photos from my friends' blogs.  Speaking of which, for lots more, check out Val's blog as well as Elena's

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 Daisy

 Eileen (me!)

 On the left, me working; on the right one of my 12x12 canvases

 Elena

Another view of Johnny, this one by Jacquie 

Jen's large banner, in progress

 Karen

Marita

Teri

Sue

The next two are Val's, making baroque work

with steampunk

If I misidentified anything, artist, please let me know.  This has been known to happen.

Lynne spent every minute of each all day (and into the night) class, walking around the room, assisting when asked, and often stopping for a demonstration of a particular technique or use of material.

Tomorrow we invade Key West.  Those spring breakers don't know what's heading their way.