Power Tools: Encouragement and Validation!

Charlotte’s parents immediately hung it in the kitchen…

That’s when we all noticed the unintentional but obvious heart!

One of my creative mentee’s is a 3 year old (now 4) named Charlotte. Charlotte loves to create. When her parents asked if they could commission Charlotte to create a painting for their home, under my guidance, I was thrilled! Her summer babysitter brought her to her session, where I had the canvas, smock and paints ready and waiting! Charlotte loves her rainbow dress and rarely wants to cover it up with a protective smock, but she obliged and we got to work. She painted, doodled, scribbled, giggled and a masterpiece was born!

I was touched by the opportunity to guide her in this, and thrilled by her creativity and passion, then over the top when I saw her pride in her work, bolstered by her parents’ pride in and validation of her work! Encouragement and validation are powerful tools in the right context and children’s art is that very context!

Back at it...

Here we are back at it…back to school, sports, stress and for American adults of voting age… decision-making time on the political front. One of the tweens I mentor painted this in one session, pouring her heart into it. At the time, she was speaking about not feeling heard. She is a student who brings enthusiasm, determination and a positive perspective to the studio and her work, every time we meet, which is weekly! I just had to share her painting because I find it is timely in how it speaks volumes on so many levels!

New Year, New Work, New Opportunities!

Hi Friends & Followers,

I am so sorry I have been so delayed in updating you on things !! It has been very busy in and out of the studio between daily mentoring sessions with students; teaching small group workshops in the studio and off site; and working to create new art! I feel blessed to have commissions in the pipeline and to have exhibits scheduled as far out as December!

So for now, I am about to present a new series of boxed greeting cards, “Color Crush” that came from samples for a workshop I taught at The Collective Home Supply last month! Those will drop this week at Urban Emporium in Bexley and the Ohio Craft Museum in Grandview, Ohio so please stay posted!

If you are in or near Columbus, Ohio please pop in to Kitties in Bexley for a coffee, baked goodie and a glimpse of my art! Boxed cards are also available for purchase there as well!

More coming your way so stay tuned!! And while Mother Nature is debating the start of Spring…surround yourself in happy color, doodle during the day and be well!

Busy Spring Updates...

AF Studio is on the move!!!

Don’t worry…just moving literally down the hall! This space will allow for larger groups to gather and a variety of programming! Private, one-on-one mentoring will still remain and there are open spots available for the summer months, in one or two hour sessions. If you would like to learn more, call, text, or email Abby today at 614-214-9096, af@abbyf.com!

The Bexley Public Library Tweens ATC class has been postponed until July!

This 3-session workshop will have tweens creating ATC’s or Artist Trading Cards, that will be colorful, multimedia collages with encouraging messages. There will be a wrap up celebration during the last session, where cards can be shared and traded! Contact BPL to register!

April & May News...

2023 Workshops

Bexley Public Library

As part of the Bexley Community Foundation’s Wellness Grant, I will be leading the following workshops…

Artist Trading Cards for Tweens!

April 23, 30, May 7th 2023, 2-4p.

Adults DeStress Through Art Journaling!

May 2, 9, 16th, 6-8 pm

Details and Registration through BPL. Registration is for all three dates for both workshops.

Pop Up at Columbus' Julian!!

I am honored to have been invited by the marketing team of Casto Communities to participate in their hosting of the Urban Living Tour this May 7th, 2023. Participants who are curious about the many urban living opportunities in Columbus, can purchase tickets and check in at the Julian on Front Street, where I will have my artwork (for sale) throughout the building!

Casto has done an amazing job in refurbishing this old warehouse building into luxury downtown apartments. I can’t wait to add my pops of color to their industrial vibe!

Fabric Love...

I have had the recent honor of teaching two adult workshops on fabric valentines, through an Art Builds Community grant from the Bexley Community Foundation via the Bexley Public Library! In both two-hour workshops we created postcard-sized felt collages that stretched beyond the idea of your typical valentine!

With mere scraps of fabric, adhesive and notions attendees shared their humor and creativity and camaraderie was built around the act of creating!

Thank you to the Bexley Community Foundation and the Bexley Library for bringing this fun event to fruition!

What have I been up to?

It has been a busy Fall and now based on today’s snowflakes I guess we are officially into Winter!

I have been creating collages and holiday themed watercolors which will soon be stocked as 2 new sets of boxed greeting cards at Urban Emporium and Ohio Craft Museum’s gift shop!

Mean while I have been working weekly with tweens after school in my art mentoring program, which has proven deeply rewarding for me and relaxing and fun for the students who come from Bexley, New Albany and Clintonville. Having the ability to work one-on-one creatively guiding and introducing kids to various art mediums helps relieve their post-pandemic/school related stress.

I was recently interviewed and featured in Voyage Ohio Magazine, to see my feature visit this link!Voyage Ohio Magazine

Spring, Summer...Fall!!

I truly seem to be living my life in a revolving door , three months at a blurred time!

I finished out Spring by teaching Tweens in the wellness workshops at the Bexley Library. I held a studio sale which resulted in sales and commissions like the one below!

I had a few pieces in the Bex Arts Exhibit, “Re-Routed”, this July and August. I have been working one-on-one, artistically mentoring Tweens in my studio daily and have been busy prepping some Fall items for Urban Emporium shoppers! I was additionally honored with a custom-designed street sign from four Cassingham students in Mr. Pinciotti’s 5th grade class!

And with the colors and the temperature changing I am getting excited for Fall!

There are paintings, collages and new greeting card sets in progress so stay tuned for updates!

Tweens Destress Through Art Journaling...it's a wrap!

Thank you again to the Bexley Community Foundation for the Wellness grant that allowed the Bexley Library to host me and 27 tweens, for 6 weeks, in learning art journaling techniques that allowed for creativity and relaxation. Starting from a simple moleskin, blank journal we worked through a variety of techniques to not only alter their journal pages with a variety of mediums, but to design intricate places for holding or hiding special elements. We dyed paper, altered both black and white and color images; we even created fresh journals from every day recyclable objects.

Art is a messy business and it is important to embrace the mess, embrace the mistakes and embrace the unique because who wants cookie cutter art? The tweens all explored their own interests and genres of art journaling themes, while allowing the week’s stresses melt away.

They surrounded themselves in happy color and conversation and learned that the act of creating can heal.

Decompressing Through Collage...

I have had the distinct honor (and utter pleasure) to be teaching mixed media collage techniques to adults at the Bexley Public Library through a wellness grant from the Bexley Community Foundation! We spent our time relaxing, creating with friends while making a happy mess and learning about the art of mixed media collage! My hope, going into these workshops was to share art-making strategies as a means to combat stress, because I firmly believe art can bring joy and help heal.

Opening with a little bit of instruction…

After getting everyone comfortable and introducing our “buffet” of art supplies, vintage book and magazine pages, specialty papers, and ephemera, it wasn’t long before I was hearing attendees giggling, connecting, and encouraging each other working through their own unique collages!

The fun for me is seeing everyone’s different “take” on collage and what colors and themes speak to them!

I think we were all a little surprised at how fast the evening went by and were a bit disappointed it was time to reenter our busy lives! When one of the attendees left, she pulled me aside and exclaimed, “Wow this was the break I truly needed. This was so much fun!!!”

Definitely less stressed than when they arrived!

Simply put…My heart is full! I am looking forward to the next offering of this adult class, which is scheduled for Thursday, February 10th.

If you were hoping to make it for a session but didn’t register in time, please contact Zach Parish or Paige Bilotta at the Bexley Public Library (614-231-2793) as we may still be able to fit you in!

IT IS OFFICIAL!!!!

I am the happy artist who has been asked to teach several wellness workshops through the Bexley Public Library this winter via a Wellness Grant from the Bexley Community Foundation! I look forward to guiding tweens and teens in a 6-week ongoing, Sunday afternoon journaling workshop, where they will receive a journal, artistically create and set up pages and spreads in which to record feelings, work out problems and return to as a private space to relax!

The second series is for adults, where we will Decompress through Collage, in two separate, two-hour evenings of painting, patterning and collaging to create a take home, frame-worthy piece! There will be two evenings to choose from for busy adults needing a fun break!

All workshops are free and registration is through the Bexley Public Library website! I Hope to see you there!

You're Invited!!!

Bexley Art Library

Artists’ Reception

Friday, October 22, 7-9 pm

Join me for live music and refreshments, and the opportunity to meet the artists behind the

Bexley Public Library’s Art Library

Please register to attend: bexleylibrary.org/experience

Hit the Hop in August!!

I was thrilled to receive word that my painting entitled, “Jump Through the Hoops", was accepted by Studios on High Gallery for their August Hit the Hop exhibit! I hope you will come out for the Gallery Hop on Saturday, August 7th or the Artist Reception on Sunday, August 8th!

If you have never been to Studios on High (686 North High Street, Columbus, OH) I encourage you to do so! It is a lovely artists’ cooperative and gallery, with hardwood floors and exposed brick and a lot of light and a variety of wonderful art!! If visiting during the day, you will have the added pleasure of meeting one of their member artists and seeing them at work!

Hope to see you there!

Solo Exhibit, Bexley Public Library, August 2-30th, 2021

Panel Garden 1, Acrylic on Paper, 14” x 17”

I hope you will stop into the Bexley Public Library during the month of August (2021) and check out my solo exhibit of new mixed media work! Most, if not all of the pieces exhibited will be available for purchase…a great way to add some happy color to your nest; gift a college student with art for their dorm room; or get inspired to commission a custom piece for your home or office!

Happy Mother's Day to Me...

I am thrilled to share that my painting entitled, “Spring: Aerial View”, was accepted into the Mansfield Art Center’s 76th Annual May Show! If you have never been, The Mansfield Art Center is a lovely gallery space that I would say is well worth the short drive up 71 N! The show will open on Mother’s Day, May 9th and run through June 6th, 2021. I hope you will check it out!

Art by Apointment!!!

Friends! With the world opening slowly, and with my second vaccination near, I am now officially opening my studio for visits by appointment. Call or text me to set up a time, please wear a mask and let’s catch up! I’d love to show you my latest work and share with you upcoming events! I hope you’ll stop by soon!

Spring has Sprung in Worthington!!

Friends,

I’m just going to say it…Covid and Winter have gone on entirely too long…

I miss you!

I hope you and yours are doing well and if you need a lift, you’ll stop by

Highline Coffee Art Space, 693 High Street, Worthington, OH

March 3-April 30, 2021

You’ll find happy color, energized abstracts and textural florals

in a variety of sizes for all walls and budgets!

ART by APPOINTMENT ...NOW AVAILABLE IN BEXLEY!!

Friends, I have exciting news!

I am now settled into my new studio space in the heart of Bexley and welcoming anyone who is interested in happy art, to set an appointment to visit Wednesday- Saturday, 11-6p (Building is locked so simply call to set a time and I will meet you at the door with a mask on of course!) Stop by to see my latest endeavors or just to reconnect after this ongoing Covid craziness.

What an Honor...

It is an honor to have my painting entitled, Baby Graffiti Bouquet, accepted into the Bexley Public Library’s Art Lending Program! While a new concept in library lending, I believe it should prove uplifting as our community remains partially closed, due to the pandemic.