Upstairs Studio

Thurs feb 9th, 2012

2012-02-09T09:09:00.002-09:00

Marlee cannot make it in due to ice coated roads in the South part of town, so we won't be open for our reg. hours. She will be in when it's drivable, hopefully by noon, look for the open sign!!!
Sorry to cause any inconvenience!

February First Friday

2012-02-04T20:26:00.000-09:00

The night was full of hearts and snow! We were happy to see so many Alaskans out and about at First Friday even if there was a storm. The gallery is full of beautiful hearts and valentines thanks to guest artist Erin Osinkosky as well as many challenge artist participants! We are now open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 2pm. Come on up and pick out a valentine for one you love!

"Work Alongside" sessions with Carol Lambert

2012-01-17T21:55:00.003-09:00

This little painting (it's 6 x 8 inches) is what Carol Lambert was working on last Saturday, at Upstairs Studio, during her second "work alongside" session. You can come into the studio and, while you do your own work, Carol is available to give tips and comments to help you toward your goal. You can also watch her as she creates a still life painting from start to (nearly) finish. Cost is $40, in advance. The sessions are limited to 5 participants. If you would like to register, contact Carol at her email: carol@carollambertarts.com

Winter Classes at Upstairs Studio

2012-01-09T13:31:00.000-09:00

January 2012 Guest Artist Amanda Brinkley

2012-01-03T20:56:00.000-09:00

New works by Amanda Brinkley

Opening this Friday from 5pm to 9pm at Upstairs Studio as well as the prayer flag challenge.

Come on up!

December First Friday Feature Artist

2011-11-20T15:28:00.000-09:00

Kelsey Chapple was born and raised in Alaska, and has been showing her art locally since the age of eighteen. Kelsey went on to study drawing at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and graduated with an art studio degree in 2010.

Most recently, Kelsey has created a series of self portraits with graphite on rag paper. In this collection of work, Kelsey investigates the human form as a vessel to communicate emotion and consciousness. In her drawings, she uses her own body to convey her internal reality, projecting her insecurity, courage, anger, and passion. In this intimate discovery of mind and body, the artist exposes part of her world, revealing herself to facilitate dialogue and communication.

Kelsey's work will be on display Friday Dec 2 from 5-9pm and Saturday Dec 3 from 11-4 pm.

Come on up!

Try out the Figure Drawing Group at Upstairs Studio

2011-10-20T08:38:00.001-08:00

The Upstairs Studio figure drawing group is now meeting weekly! Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Open to anyone interested in working on drawing the figure, just bring your drawing materials, paper, and $15 so we can pay the hard working models. There is no instruction, you can work at your own pace and in your own style. Ok to bring a portable easel if you like, or not, as you prefer. Just come up to the studio door and knock, we will let you in. See you there!

Seeking models for Upstairs Studio drawing group

2011-10-06T20:11:00.002-08:00

Models needed! The drawing group at Upstairs Studio are looking for 10 - 15 people to earn $50 a night during two hour sessions. Nudity not required. We need some nude models for figure drawings, but are also looking for models in costume, or clothed, and models for portrait work (face and torso.) All ages welcome to apply, people under 18 need parental permission. Nude models must be at least 18 years old. Models usually pose for a few seconds to up to 20 minutes between breaks, but we are able to accommodate individual needs. It's a safe, professional group. This is a great way to earn a few extra dollars and hang out with a bunch of very good people. If interested contact carol@carollambertarts.com

Carol Lambert's Plein Air Adventures in Denali National Park

2011-10-02T14:47:00.002-08:00

Upstairs Studio Artist Carol Lambert has recently added 3 posts to her blog, all about her recent plein air trip to Denali National Park. If you'd like to see even more photos of bears and rams than she put on the blog, have a look at her Facebook Page: Carol Lambert Paintings and Drawings.

September Art Challenge and More

2011-09-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

The Studio's Art Challenge for this month is a Plein Air challenge. Plein air means that the art is done on site in the outdoors. The artist is painting from life, often quickly as light and weather changes occur rapidly. Because of this quick approach, plein air works often have a freshness and air of simplicity that is not seen in paintings worked on indoors from photos, sketches or still lifes. Our Challenge was put out to the public last month to make a piece of art or painting "en plein air". The only restriction was on size-no bigger than 16 x 20. The works will be on display tonight for First Friday at Upstairs Studio.

Artwork by Bailey Way

Tonight we are hosting Guest Artist Janina Simutis, show titled "Life Real and Imagined".

Our newest Studio Artist, Justin Constiniano will be showing his Art in his debut at the Studio.

The Art Studios will be open for touring and you can meet some of the other Upstairs Studio Artists and see their recent works too.

Come on up!

New Artist

2011-08-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

m. Elizabeth Lynch is the newest Artist to join Upstairs Studio. She brings some pretty wonderful painting and rendering skills with her to the studios. Come on up and meet the new artist!

m. Elizabeth lynch
Artist’s Statement

My work is representational, but certainly not faithful renderings. I am currently exploring gouache and pastel on Masonite panels and tinkering with the process of wiping out negative spaces to create more painterly edges. Once the negative spaces have been wiped out, I move into the positive space to remove more of the under painting and establish a value pattern. The block-in consists of mid-value hues with the final highlights added at the end. This is a very different method of working when compared to my previous experience with watercolor’s light to dark transitions or my typical oil painting technique of working from dark to light values.

The description of my current working process is idealized. The reality is a bit different. I have to resist moving to detail too quickly, which is a terrible habit that art school didn’t resolve. The work typically begins well, but then enters what I refer to as the “Frankenstein Stage”. In this stage, the work begins to take on some sense of “life”, but turns on its creator making incoherent demands. More than one piece has forced me from the studio in despair wondering what I could do to make peace with it and perhaps work out some kind of truce. It’s at this stage that I really find breakthroughs and my most valuable lessons. Of course, I love it when the work gives itself to me, but I don’t really learn anything. I’m a bit of a coward, but the active imagination does help.

Art making for me is more about the collection of information and the process of interaction with it through drawing and painting. I can become distracted by the way light highlights a person’s brow ridged, cheekbone, nose, and upper lip only to realize that they are waiting for me to respond in what was supposed to be a conversation. I guess it’s my version of an attention deficit disorder. I have often said that the finished piece of work is simply a footprint in the journey, something of a field note of the experience, vital for recall of the information, but not more than a signifier of that moment from the artist’s perspective. When a viewer can make a similar connection to the “note” or take it to an entirely different experience, I feel that the piece has succeeded.

I’ve given a lot of thought to a synthesizing theme for a body of work that will explore my life and how I came to be who I am. My hope is that I will gain insights into some of my insecurities and life views.

I am currently in the process of exploring new techniques. Along with the technical process of exploration, I will be developing visual metaphors as I explore challenging periods of my life and creating a kind of visual lexicon for those life experiences.

We’ll see where that takes me.

Road Trip!

2011-07-01T08:27:00.001-08:00

Upstairs Studio Artist Darla Myers has a show opening in Seward tonight, July 1. This is a unique show paired with former Upstairs Studio Artist Cheryl Lyon. They painted from the same scenes, one artist in oil the other in encaustic for their show titled "Look Twice".

The show opens tonight 6-8pm at Resurrect Art Coffee House, 320 Third St, Seward. Both artists will be present at the opening. The show will remain on display for the month of July.

Artist Show Statement-

"Cheryl and Darla met after being paired as studio mates at Upstairs Studio. In getting to know each other we found we had much more in common than just the studio we shared. We both paint with bold colors and choose subjects based on our love of nature. Other commonalities include admiring the same artists, enjoying cooking (especially traditional mexican), wearing skirts with extra tufs and knitting. An immediate friendship formed between us although we no longer share the studio space.

For "Look Twice" we chose to paint the same scenes, one of us in encaustic and the other in oil. Encaustic is an ancient painting medium using beeswax, damar resin and pigment to paint. The wax is heated and then painted quickly before the brushload cools too much to spread. Wax layers are fused with heat-either a heat gun or torch and then the wax can be further worked by carving, scraping and layering. The unique translucence, irregularities and shine are some of the attractiveness of this medium.

The paintings are all from our own photos and observations. We chose the subjects together and decided which medium each of us would paint the scene in. We agreed to paint separately and not to see each others paintings until completion. That became the hardest part-we were quite used to stopping be each others home studios and giving each other input on paintings when needed. It was very exciting for us to see each others paintings upon completion.

We hope our paintings remind you that everyone sees the world a little differently, and also to take a second look at the everyday beauty of nature and friendship."

Sneak peak at some paintings and inspiration photos-

What we painted from


darla myers-oil "sunglow"

cheryl lyon, encaustic-"standing together"

Eklutna flats photo


cheryl lyon, encaustic-"iris haven"


darla myers, oil-"eklutna flats"

Ninilchik boat photo

cheryl lyon, encaustic "sitting in fireweed and cow parsnip"


darla myers, oil-"ninilchik sunshine"

If you make it to Seward in July be sure and stop by and see our show at the coffee shop. More about our art on our web sites- www.cheryllyon.com and www.darlamyersart.com

Upstairs Studio artist Carol Lambert in Alaska Home Magazine

2011-06-25T15:03:00.003-08:00

An article and photos on studio artist Carol Lambert's work appears in the summer issue of Alaska Home Magazine, pages 68-69. You can also read the article and view the slide show by going to this link.

Are you on Facebook? Carol has a new artist page on Facebook, which you can visit by going to this link. If you like it, please click the "Like" button at the top of the page. Then you will receive bulletins on your Facebook page as they are available.

Artists out and About

2011-06-12T20:04:00.001-08:00

Last weekend Dallas Wildeve and Wendy Gingell/Gingell Ceramics shared a booth at the Spenard Farmers Market. They had a great booth, complete with a rug. Dallas was selling her paper earrings and PVC bracelets and bangles and Wendy had her black, white and chartreuse ceramics, cards and prints.

June 3 First Friday

2011-06-02T09:16:00.001-08:00

Well-now that the sunny weather has left us it is time to get on the computer and let you know a few of our happenings at the Studio.

We are preparing for First Friday again. In addition to the Gallery and resident Artist's works- you will also be able to tour the "back side" of Upstairs Studio, meaning it is time for another popular Open Studio Night! Our working artist spaces will be open for you to see and contact with the artists
in their spaces. This is a great way to gain a better appreciation of the Artists and their processes.
Not to mention some of the studios are filled with really cool creative things and tools.

We will also be hosting local Artist KC Crowley. He will be showing a new body of work that he describes as a visual love peom. It is a show of printed linocuts titled "An Irreverent Raven".
KC donated the linoleum tiles for our current Art challenge and taught a workshop on linocut
printing last Saturday at the Studio-Thanks!

Some of the Studio Artists have challenged each other to do "Daily Drawings". The "rules" are 6 x 4 inches or smaller, 5 drawings completed a week. It is a great way to sharpen your drawing skills and keep creativity flowing. Erin Osinkosky and Wendy Gingell will be showing some of their drawings this first friday-should be really amazing to see them. Their work complement each other with their quirky creatures (often monsters), Wendy's black and white, Erin with soft colors and graphite.

erin

darla

erin

wendy

erin

darla

wendy

darla

Hope to see you out this Friday, June 3. We'll be open from 5-9pm.

*If you can not get there then and are interested in a particular artist-you can contact them and make an appointment to see their work. Just email info@upstairsstudioart.com if you do not know how to contact the artist and we'll let them know.

Oil Painting Classes, recent and future

2011-05-18T09:27:00.007-08:00

Last weekend 5 students got together in Carol Lambert's still life oil painting class, with wonderful results. Each student set up a still life to paint, completed a preliminary drawing, a color study, and a monochrome underpainting. (That's the first day!) Then each student began to apply color, gradually refining the work until the last stage: putting in the highlights and details that really bring the image to life. In the photo above, Dana is working on her monochrome underpainting.

Here is Evelyn beginning to apply color over her monochrome layer.

Marlee, one of our Upstairs Studio artists, is also getting into the first color layer.

Judi is well on her way to completing the painting. This is her first oil painting ever!

Nathan is applying the finishing touches.

Students learned about still life design, how to handle oil paints, basic color theory and practice, good studio habits for safety and efficiency, and how to take the best possible care of materials and brushes.

Everyone did so well, and it is always fun to see how each person arranges the still life objects in an expressive and original way.

A number of Carol's students are getting together to organize a class group, and Carol can put you in touch with them. They are collecting names of people who would like to attend one or more classes at Upstairs Studio, starting in the autumn. These classes are both fun and instructive, and go best when there is a group of at least 5 students: more energy in the room, more ideas to share.

If you are interested getting on the list to take a class, please contact Carol at: info@carollambertarts.com

First Friday Guest List

2011-05-04T08:23:00.001-08:00

It will be a busy and fun evening at Upstairs Studio May 6, 5-9.

Our feature fine artist is Marta Krynytzy, she is making a second appearance as a guest artist at the Studios. Her new show is titled "Windows". She will be using windows to display her ink and watercolor sketches. You will be able to see fresh views of Alaskan landscapes through her eyes. Her sketches and prints are affordable and charming.

The Fireweed Flutes will be performing from 6:30-8:30. They are a local quartet of flutist with an impressive range of music. We are excited and honored to have them participate in our First Friday.

We will also be showing the Rogers Park Elementary 3rd Grade Class Mask project. The students are all from Mrs. Lederhos's third grade class. Their task was to create a mask of themselves and design them to express their habits of mind strengths. They also made a hand, students were asked to choose an object that would express a goal they were reaching for.

Upstairs Studio artists will also be displaying their Art and Artisan works. Come on up to our ever changing creative space.

Featuring Marlee Mitchell!

2011-04-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Upstairs Studio Artist Marlee Mitchell is the Featured Artist for Picture This - Spring Open House. She was chosen for her brilliant paintings of large flowers. You can see her work there for the rest of the month of April.

Last Saturday was the Picture This Spring Open House, it appears to be a popular and well attended event in Eagle River. As the last of the snow melts the locals happily celebrate Spring. Marlee's paintings boldly reflect this cheerful mood on the feature wall. For this annual event Picture This has a run of prints made from a chosen painting, it is given out to those who come to the Saturday Open House. Marlee's beautiful poppy print will be warming a few hundred lucky homes.

She would like to say "thanks to all that came out that day". It was especially nice to see familiar faces from Upstairs Studio First Fridays. It is worth the short drive to Eagle River to see her show, shop a bit at Picture This, get a coffee at Jitters, and stop by nearby Artworks too. Then make plans to see more of Marlee's work at Upstairs Studio on First Fridays. So nice to see one of our Artists gaining some well deserved recognition, Yeah Marlee!

New Summer Life Drawing Schedule

2011-04-06T08:17:00.002-08:00

As we head into the busy summer months and everyone spends more and more time enjoying the Alaska long days of summer (no comment on the snow today)-the Life Drawing schedule will change to monthly. Also the day will change to Tuesday evening, time is still 6-8pm.
You can update your calendars for these dates:

April 19
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9

Drop ins welcome, $15 model fee. Contact Amanda Brinkley with questions at 903.0015

The Pet Project Artist Challenge

2011-04-02T00:21:00.007-08:00

Photos of some of the artwork brought in by artists who answered our monthly artist challenge:
Most of these pieces will go to the Anchorage SPCA to be auctioned off at their benefit dinner, April 17, at Guido's restaurant.

Thanks to everyone who participated, these are wonderful!

Introducing Dallas Wildeve and Wendy Gingell

2011-03-29T08:10:00.000-08:00

This First Friday, which is April 1st coincidentally we will be featuring our New Artists. Both Artists are fairly new to Anchorage and have jumped right in to the Art Scene here. Dallas relocated from Talkeetna and Wendy is from Washington State. Dallas uses predominately salvaged materials in her art making. Currently she is making Thread Sketches on Tyvek wrap and PVC collaged bracelets and unique paper earrings. More about her in the next few days!

Wendy Gingell visited Upstairs Studio last fall, knowing she was moving north and was taken with the place. She stayed in contact with us and was lucky enough to get a studio space upon moving to Anchorage.

Maybe that's the other way around and we were lucky to have a space on her arrival? You be the judge when you see her unique functional Ceramics. Much more about her on her and her Art on her web site Gingell Ceramics.

This Friday, April 1 from 5-9pm you can meet Wendy, Dallas and many of the other resident Artists at the Studio. (Bring your check book or cash as there is some great art for sale.)

Come on up and help us welcome Wendy to Upstairs Studio and to Alaska.

First Friday photos

2011-03-06T12:58:00.005-09:00

Here are a few images from our March 4 First Friday event. It's lucky the photos were taken early in the evening, because later on it was almost too crowded to take pictures!

Our guest artist, John Hagge, with his display of Alaskan landscapes.

A visitor looks through Marlee Mitchell's cards, in front of her colorful paintings.

And here is a sold piece by Zaynab Falconer.
This is just a small sample of the work available at Upstairs Studio.

Thanks to Erin Osinkosky for these photos!

First Friday, then more fun for Upstairs Studio artists

2011-03-06T12:30:00.006-09:00

It's not all slaving away in the studio at Upstairs Studio! On Saturday Erin and Carol took a break from their labors and enjoyed the view of the "running of the reindeer" from the roof. You can see the assembled runners behind Erin here, there was a huge crowd. There were many more people lining 4th Avenue to see the show.

Some runners must have anticipated getting overheated during the event.

Soldiers newly returned from Afganistan got to go first. We're not sure the reindeer ever actually caught up.

Just goes to show that Anchorage is a happening town, and Upstairs Studio is right at the center of the excitement.

The Next Challenge!

2011-03-03T22:47:00.004-09:00

Hi all you artists,
Here is the artist challenge for the month. This one gives you a chance to celebrate all the wonderful pets out there, especially pets in or from shelters.

The rules:
Make a piece of art of approximately 8" x 10" in size.
It can be any hand made medium: oil, watercolor, collage, drawing, acrylic, etc.
It should be a portrait of a pet in one of these categories: cat, dog, bird.
Deliver your piece to Upstairs Studio by March 30. It must be ready to hang.
There is an Art Intake form that you will need to submit with your Art. You can find it by following this link: Intake Form

Besides being fun, this challenge will have an extra purpose: to highlight shelter animal adoptions.

If you have or know of a pet who was adopted from a shelter, a portrait of that pet would be ideal. Also, if you would like to take some photos of shelter animals for reference, the nice folks at SPCA are happy to help. Drop by the Thrift Shop (next to Guidos), talk to Katie. Tell her you are taking part in the artist challenge, and she will help you in any way she can. There are cats at the Thrift shop you can visit and photograph.

You can also go to the adoption center, talk to Liz, say you are doing an art piece, and she will assist you.

Once your piece has been displayed at Upstairs Studio, during April First Friday, it will travel to the SPCA.
Your art will be part of their annual fundraising silent auction at Guido's Pizza on April 17th.
You might want to put your contact info on the back of the piece, so your buyer will know which great artist donated the work.

The folks at SPCA are very excited about this project! There will be a sign up sheet at the Upstairs Studio First Friday, or contact Carol. Her email is carol@carollambertarts.com

Computer 101 Class tonight

2011-02-22T10:43:00.000-09:00

Hi- If you are attending the Computer Class tonight-we have had to change locations for this First Class. Tonight the class will be at the Elim Cafe, 561 W Dimond Blvd (Dimond and Artic on the north side). It will start at 7pm as planned. Sorry for the short notice and inconvenience.
See you there.

2011-02-14T08:10:00.003-09:00

It's with February's dead weight upon us, the body in a rebellious stance craving sun and movement, color, and warmth, I realize the vital importance of art, of all kinds, in all forms.
My palette explodes with vibrant colors, as if I can bring Spring into my window's view if I get the right combination, as if maybe it will show up sooner...
The Upstairs Studio provides a shelter away from the gray. A burst of vital breath to the soul, not only as a physical place to come to paint and create, but as a sacred space to gather our "tribe", a coming together, a community of ideas, of understanding, of celebration, and of honoring the creative spirit. I did not get the true value of this until this morning's epiphany, that this space, collectively created, has become so much more than it's walls and paint. It is an ever growing, evolving, changing life form, fastly becoming a pillar in the Anchorage art community. It's a warm welcome, with big warm hugging arms, a reassuring pulse like a slow beating heart, beckoning the soul to come in, stay a while...

Carol Lambert's First Friday Demo

2011-02-09T09:44:00.007-09:00

Last Friday Carol did an all-day painting demonstration in the Upstairs Studio Gallery. This series of photos shows her step by step progress.

This is also the basic sequence she will guide you through in her weekend workshops on classical still life technique. There is still room in the workshops coming up on the next 2 weekends, and beginners are welcome. There are also classes planned in March, April, and May. Please contact her at info@carollambertarts.com if you are interested.

This is the set-up. These are funky found object, donated by friends. They just seemed to be comfortable together.

Here is the block-in for the composition.

At this stage Carol is figuring out the values, the darks and lights of the composition.

Now a bit of color comes into the picture. This is known as the "first color pass." The color is put on thinly, because more paint will go on top.

This is the painting at the end of the evening. Carol says it isn't quite finished, she wants to clean up a few details, but the painting is almost there!

Her classes take place at Upstairs Studio on Saturdays and Sundays, twice a month, through May.

March Mini Art Challenge

2011-02-07T07:07:00.001-09:00

Our Art Challenge for March is to create a mini piece of art to be displayed for March First Friday. We had supports to give out last First Friday, but if you didn't make it and want to participate don't let that stop you.

Basically there are 3 rules for the Art Challenge:
1. Art should be 6" x6" or smaller
2. Should be ready to Hang on a Wall
3. Get it to us by March 2

(they can be for sale or not-you choose)

There is an Art Intake form that you will need to submit with your Art. You can find it by following the link below.

March Mini Art Intake Form

This should be a fun diversion to help the last long nights of winter pass. We will have the Mini's on display during our First Friday opening on March 4 from 5-9.

February First Friday/Nathan Perry

2011-02-04T08:03:00.000-09:00

Nathan Perry is our guest Artist this Feb 4. His intricate works in graphite, ink and on scratchboard are a great reason to come up the stairs to Upstairs Studio tonight.

Nathan Perry Artist Statement:
During the summer of 1994 while touring the glorious countryside of Holland and Belgium on a used Schwinn bicycle I purchased for ten Dutch guilders (or $4.50 American), I intuitively received a powerful vision of a painting entitled "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb". The artwork is a very detailed religious narrative painted in 1432 by Northern Renaissance artist Jan Van Eyke. Not giving the mental picture too much thought, I left the city of Antwerp to go to Gent, Belgium. The closer I drew to the township however, the more intense the picture became. As I entered the city center, a row of cathedrals greeted me. One in particular, beckoned me to enter. As I did, the painting I had been thinking about was now physically in front of me. I can remember being ensconced by the care in the brushwork, attention to detail and the gem like colors that seemed to glow from an internal light source. The experience was mystical and effected my artistic direction immensely. I knew right then that I was to follow my passion for art and make it my life’s work.

I create elaborate drawings and paintings emulating the techniques of the masters. This great art from the past has an everlasting quality that remains fresh to contemporary eyes. My subject matter is fashioned after its figurative, natural, and iconography content. By depicting these themes, I try to express that life is much more than what we have become accustomed to in the physical world. There is an infinite world that transcends what we see around us and reveals a deeper meaning to life. The production of art is a therapeutic experience which drives me to go deep into my consciousness. The process of creation is as necessary to me as the overall finished composition. I learn such a great deal about my mind’s potential during a picture’s development.

Sneak Preview-It's a great show

Detail of Ink Drawing

Another detail of Drawing

Sorry for the glare spots from the glass in photos-more information about Nathan can be found on his website.

That's not all the happenings tonight-

We will be kicking off our next Artist Challenge-"March Mini's". You can sign up and get the information tonight from 5-9. If you can't make it and are interested-watch the blog as we will post how you can participate if you were not able to make it to First Friday and want to participate.

Carol Lambert will doing another demo tonight too-her oil painting still life demo was quite popular last month. You can see some of her process and get inspired and sign up for her painting classes.

These are a few of the many art filled reasons to "Come on Up" to

Upstairs Studio tonight, Feb 4 from 5-9pm. Our Studio Artist also have their ever changing works on display and for sale also.

See you there!

Photos from Carol Lambert's Classical Oil Painting Classes

2011-01-28T12:28:00.012-09:00

These pictures show how the students in Carol's oil still life class worked through several steps to create a still life painting. Thanks to students Adam, Bill, Deborah, Katie and Susan for letting us use these photos to show you how the classes are organized.

Students learn about how to set up a still life, and how to take advantage of some of the particular qualities and beauties of oil paint. Everyone makes a preliminary color study, a monochrome underpainting, and a finished painting.

Here is Susan, with her monochrome underpainting set to one side while she mixes paint for her color study. The class was very enthusiastic about learning how to mix accurate colors.

Katie is beginning her color study in this photo.

Katie carefully matches her colors to her subject matter by mixing on the palette.

And having finished her color study, she is working on her final painting.

Here is Deborah, also applying color over her underpainting.

Here is Susan again. She has finished her color study, so now she can apply what she learned about mixing colors to her final painting. She is painting over her monochrome underpainting.

Here is Adam, working in color over his underpainting.

Here is, from left to right, Bill's finished painting, color study, and set-up.

Some of the students had previous painting experience, but few had worked in oils, and no one had taken instruction in classical technique. This class is open to all levels, and, as you can see, everyone worked hard and did excellent work.

Carol will be teaching two classes a month through May. The next classes will be on February 12/13 and 19/20. To learn more or to register, contact her at carol@carollambertarts.com

Success!

2011-01-28T07:04:00.001-09:00

Ha Ha! Yeah!

Trial Run

2011-01-28T06:56:00.002-09:00

Darla, bless her, has been updating the blog sola these past months, exhorting the rest of the gang to contribute. So here I am 6:58 am with cup of coffee seeing if this magic works. Thanks for all you do, Darla!

Busyness

2011-01-21T08:37:00.000-09:00

Yesterday the Studios were quiet-but busy. There was an underlying creative buzz with artists focused and creating. After the initial chatter and catching up with each other everyone there got to work. Not even music playing-just creative minds spinning.

Katie was working on some polymer clay wine charms-watch for them here at Upstairs Studio and at Back Alley Arts (inside Grape Expectations-510 6th Avenue, Anchorage). Sioux stopped in after her work shift to work on a couple new paintings-one of them an intriguing goddess she has been planning for a while. While Carol wasn't there in person-her still life and partially completed painting in her shared studio was still full of her energy. Erin was working on a totem puppet and Darla (myself) was working on a totem painting-we are collaborating for a future display of these together. It was a productive and inspiring afternoon in the Art Studios.

Katie working on wine charms

Katie's colors

Sioux getting a bit of work done

Planning and first layers of Goddess painting

Carol's still life

Erin working on Totem Puppet

Busy hands

Beginning stages of totem painting

Even the materials are a work of Art!

Classes, Classes, Classes

2011-01-12T07:13:00.001-09:00

We are excited to announce our first formal listing of Art Classes at Upstairs Studio. You can learn to paint in classic Oils, fuse glass, make fused silver rings or have your child learn to draw and paint at the Studios.

Sioux Blackledge is offering Children's Art Classes. The class is for 4th-6th grade ages. They will learn art theory, drawing and painting. Supplies are included. Classes are on Tuesday afternoons. She is a dedicated and prolific artist who connects well with children. She is a dedicated mom of a 2 year old herself.

Still Life Oil Painting is being taught by Carol Lambert. She is planning these as two day classes over weekends. You can take one weekend and then build on your advancing skills by taking more of
her weekend classes. She is limiting enrollment to 10 students to ensure individual attention for all students. She has classes planned for 2 weekends a month through May. More about Carol at http://carollambertarts.com/

Julie Rabung of 3 Dog Designs is planning classes on Fused Glass and Silver Wire Fusing. The fused glass class will be an introduction to the art of fused glass with projects being pendants and earrings.
In the Silver Wire fusing you will make a set of 3 fused and hammered rings. You can learn a new Craft and make yourself of someone else some gifts at the same time.

Life Drawing is ongoing on Wednesday evenings. It is not formally instructed, but is a great opportunity to learn from other artists and sharpen your drawing skills.

New Year New Artist

2011-01-04T06:37:00.000-09:00

This First Friday you will have some great opportunities at Upstairs Studio. You can tour the Studios meet a new Artist and see the Prayer Flags from our latest Artist Challenge.

Join us in welcoming our new Studio Artist- Carol Lambert. Lambert is a classical oil painter with a modern vision. She paints beautifully rendered realistic still life paintings and emotive plein air scenes. Coming from a history of accomplished artists, she continues her family tradition.

Carol is planning on a live painting demonstration this first Friday for her debut at Upstairs Studio. It will be a great chance to see her in action. She has painting classes in the works, you can get first chance to sign up with her this Friday. She brings a wealth of experience and accomplishment and we are proud to have her join the Studio.

More of Carol's work, plein air and drawings.

You can find out more about Carol Lambert and her life as an Artist at her website and blog.

See you Friday!

Prayer Flag Challenge

2010-12-27T07:38:00.001-09:00

January Artists’ Challenge: Create a prayer flag symbolizing your hopes, wishes or dreams for the new year. We will collect them for January 7, First Friday, and string them together around the gallery. Sign up below and select a piece of fabric. Decorate the fabric with whatever medium you wish. If desired, include on the flag a word that describes your prayer. Print your name on the flag so we know it’s yours and drop your flag off at the studio. You can leave your flag in our mailbox just to the right of door 209 during business hours or drop off during First Friday, January 7.

“A prayer flag is a colorful panel or rectangular cloth often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside. . .Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. . .the Tibetan believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion (to) all.”

Wikipedia.com

Shop! December 11

2010-12-10T11:58:00.000-09:00

We'll be hosting our Third and largest Shop! Modern Holiday Gift Fair. This one will be a full house with lots of great Locally Handmade Gifts for you to choose from.
Parking is free on weekends downtown (street meters), all the local businesses have great gift choices

bracelet by Kim Royce

too. This Saturday looks like a great day to finish your Holiday shopping downtown.
Here are a few items that our Studio artists have made recently. There are also a variety of other artists selling with tomorrow-Come on up and Shop!
OPEN 10-5 tomorrow.

flower by Bull's Eye Studio

wallet by Circulo Design

earrings by Free Spirit Sioux

Pin by Circulo Studio

more bracelets by Kim Royce

original art by Darla Myers Art

pendant by 3 Dog Designs

business card holder by Bull's Eye Studio

bottle stoppers by Bull's Eye Studio


frames and mirror by Erin Osinkosky

First Fridays-Part Two

2010-12-07T10:36:00.000-09:00

Each First Friday is unique at Upstairs Studio-every month there are new things to admire. December we hosted a young and talented Anchorage Artist-Jade Ariah. She showed her whimsical watercolors and acrylics as well as some wearable art in the form of silk scarves. If you missed her at the Studio-be sure and look for her name and she is planning more shows at other venues around Anchorage. We were proud to be her first choice for her debut Art Show-thanks Jade.

Amy Lou Hettinger performed-she has a great voice, certainly another Anchorage talent to make it a point to listen too. She debuted her first CD this summer, "of roots and of wings". Find out more about her and listen to some clips at Amy Lou Music

The Studio Artists have been busy creating, painting and generally making very great artsy items. You can find fused glass and leather jewelry and other functional items by 3 Dog Designs/Julie Rabung.

Circulo Design/Zaynab Falconer has an assortment of leather pins, felted items and some encaustic paintings in her recent works. Kim Royce is continually adding to her designs in precious metal clay jewelry. Erin Osinkosky has been reclaiming frames-she is currently adding mirrors inside to make some truly one of a kind mirrors, she also has a new puppet set "The Devils Red Shoes". Sioux Blackledge is always painting-her show included watercolors of Alaskan scenes in vibrant happy colors, as well as her prints and jewelry. Bull's Eye Studio/Katie Way has been selling her polymer clay plug covers literally off our walls-we can not keep our plugs covered. She also has functional kitchen tools, business card holders, and jewelry. Darla Myers displayed some new larger works of Fall Trees in Encaustic and Oil, along with greeting cards and small print plaques and some smaller original paintings.

We also kicked off our next Artist Challenge-"Prayer Flags". They will be displayed on January 7 at our First Friday Open House.

Artist’s Challenge: Create a prayer flag—a symbol of your hopes, wishes or prayers for yourself or others for the new year. If you wish, include a word or phrase describing your prayer. Write your name on the flag so we know it’s yours. Drop it by the studio through the door mail slot anytime or bring it in on January 7, 2011.

Questions? Want a flag to create? Contact Erin at prayer flag information for more information.

"Grow" prayer flag.

First Fridays-Part One

2010-12-05T07:25:00.000-09:00

First Fridays are always a great event at Upstairs Studio. Encouraged by the success of our first "Artist Challenge", we launched a second one- "Prayer Flags"-if you didn't get one on First Friday at the Gallery, check back on the blog later this week as there will be more information about the Project and how you can be included. Don't be put off by the "Challenge" part of these-it's really meant to mean a personal creativity challenge to those who choose to participate-not a challenge of whose turns out best! Last months skull challenge for Dia de los Muertos was a great display of creativity and individuality.

Some other scenes from November First Friday:

Paintings by Marlee Mitchell-

Sioux Blackledge-Free Spirit Sioux

Gallery view-

Now that we're caught up-ah- Part Two will focus on our most recent First Friday, stay tuned.

Happy Birthday and First Friday, Dec 3

2010-12-01T20:42:00.000-09:00

Upstairs Studio will be celebrating our first Birthday this Friday, Dec 3. Come help us celebrate a year of creativity and great First Fridays at the Gallery. If you haven't been up before-it's time!

We will also be joined by Jade Ariah, watercolor artist. She will be showing her whimsical, playful watercolor Art.

Amy Hettinger, an Anchorage singer/songwriter will be performing from 5:30-7:30. You can find out more about her at http://www.amyloumusic.com/

Besides all the above the Studio Artists have been busy creating and you can find some great local made Artistic gifts and buy directly from the Artist.
It looks like a great First Friday all around in Downtown Anchorage, so come on up!

We're open this Saturday-November 20

2010-11-19T11:20:00.000-09:00

Shop!

We'll be open for some early bird Holiday Shopping again this Saturday from 10-5. If the hustle and bustle at the Dena'ina Center Art and Craft Emporium as too much for you-then walk up G street and shop a bit at Upstairs Studio! We'll have an intimate gathering of local Crafters and Artists selling their Modern Handmade Gifts at the Studio.

In addition to our Upstairs Studio Artists we will be joined this Saturday by Myler Almandinger, Marie Polito and Dallas Wildeve.

Myler Almandinger is bringing her exotic woven and knitted Quiviut items along with many other felted knit items. She has mittens, slippers and more. Given our recent weather-her goods may need to be given as early gifts ! They are warm, stylish and functional in our Arctic North.

Marie Polito of Saucy Kitchen Coveralls will have her reclaimed denim coverall wearables. (I'm hoping I can talk her into an Artist Apron design for myself.) She pairs some fun fabrics and designs into her skirts aprons and more.

Dallas Wildeve, ( you may remember her stiched tyvek art showing at a recent First Friday with us) will have her jewelry made from salvaged plastic pipe, paper and more. She has away with using an unexpected combination or overlooked or scrapped items and turning them into wearable art. I'm sure she'll have a showing of completely unique and one of a kind gifts for a friend or yourself.

Some of our Studio Artists have also been busy making new items for the Holiday Shopping season. I encourage you to stop by this Saturday and say hi-you'll have a chance to Shop!, meet great Artists and Crafters and spend some time in our unique Gallery Space without the distraction of First Friday crowds. We will also be open December 11 and 18-with a different mix of Artists and Crafters selling. Each Saturday will be different-so you could make them all and find new items and Artists each time.

Come on up!

Shop!

2010-11-12T08:44:00.000-09:00

Tomorrow Nov 13 is your first chance to Shop! @ Upstairs Studio. We will be open from 10-5, just in time for you to find some great newly made gifts. Get out before the holiday crowds, you'll be rewarded with first pick of Modern Arts and Craft. Street parking is free downtown on Saturdays too.
How many more reasons do you need to come up the stairs and Shop? We have a couple guests selling with us:

Marie Polito-Saucy Kitchen Coveralls
Joanne Crow- Glass Alaska

Not to mention that our Studio Artists have been busy creating new items.
Come on Up!

Dia de los Muertos comes to First Friday

2010-11-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

We are welcoming our special guests this month-Government Hill 6th Grade class. They are learning about Dia de los Muertos and are bringing their projects to the studio. Katie WayArtist and Mom has been helping them with their project and it has been a lot of fun for her.

Miniature plaster sculptures.

Painting a sugar skull

Cool skeleton piece

Tray of sugar skulls

It will certainly be fun to see what they bring and experience all that young creativity. Great to nurture some budding artists at the Studio.

On the home front-it is the typical busy week before First Friday, with the extra fun of the Artist Skull Challenge. The skull challenge morphed from a challenge to make some Dia de los Muertos related art to Erin making plaster paper mache skulls for Studio and Community artists who wanted to decorate a skull. It has been quite fun and a great way to get other artists involved. The skulls will be on display and some for sale this First Friday at the Studio. We are starting to plan our next Artist Challenge-so stay tuned for the reveal soon.

Amidst this preparation for First Friday, there are also goods being made for our Saturday shopping days "Shop!"-we will be open Nov 13, 20 and December 11 and 19 for extra Holiday shopping time. So if First Friday is too much or you want to take advantage of downtown Anchorage shopping and free parking-be sure to choose one of these Saturdays and come up the stairs to see us. We will have some other Modern Crafters selling with us-each day different Artists.

Erin has been busy puppet making, carving and painting. She plans to have a new puppet on display, if you have not seen her puppets yet-they are hard to describe-each one is very individual, hand sculpted head/faces and hands and feet-truly unique quirky beings.

Good Gifts Coming Down With Light, drawing by Erin with reclaimed frame, hand carved and painted

Day of the Dead Skull, by Erin Osinkosky

Shop!

If you have a bit of procrastinator in you and still want to participate as a Seller at one or two (or all) of our Shop! dates-we are still taking applications-get yours in and come sell with us!

Out and About in Anchorage

2010-10-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

Last week I took an encaustic workshop at Sheary Clough Suiters encaustic studio. This was the first time she had a guest artist teaching. Janet Hickok (of Doriolas) was the guest instructor and the focus of the class was on landscape painting. I got wrapped up in my one painting and focused solely on it, having fully intended to do two paintings. It was good to slow down and learn some new approaches with encaustic painting.

Sunlit Scotland 11x14

They are offering another class next weekend which filled immediately-I delayed my response by a day and missed out on it. Sheary has promised more in the future. She also teaches her intro and ongoing encaustic painting workshops on a regular basis. They are very popular also-for more information visit Sheary's web site:

Back Door Designs

There is information about encaustics-if you want to know what this is I'm writing about and also information about her Encaustic Studio and workshops.

If you haven't been to Doriolas-get there soon and check out the yummy breakfasts and lunches. Janet is also starting to offer some cooking classes, she's a multi-talented lady!

Janet currently is displaying/selling her own amazing encaustic paintings, and on Nov 5 will be showcasing "Fused"-our Alaska Chapter of International Encaustic Artists group show. Opening will be from 5-8, so plan on stopping there on your way to or from Upstairs Studio and downtown!

New Encaustic (waiting to be named) 24 x 24

will be on display this next First Friday (Nov 5) at Upstairs Studio

Happy Creating-Darla

Life Drawing and Shop!

2010-10-18T20:37:00.004-08:00

Life Drawing

Every Wednesday is Life Drawing at Upstairs Studio from 6-8 pm. Model fee is $15. The regulars rave about how much they enjoy it. Drawing from life is a great way to hone your observation and drawing skills. Come draw in a most unique gallery setting with a casual but dedicated group of artists.

Shop! Upstairs Studio

We are busy planning our Saturday Shop! Events for November and December. Applications are starting to come in from some really awesome Alaska Crafters. Don't delay-get your application in early to assure the date or dates you want. They will be Nov 13 and 20 and Dec 11 and 18.
This is a brand new Event and we are excited to offer it. We plan to have a fun time selling with other Modern Crafters. You can download your application on the side bar on the right.

If you aren't a Crafter- plan to come up the stairs and shop for some of the most unique handmade gifts in Anchorage. Buy Local!

Holiday Owl is reminding you to get your applications sent in for Shop!

Change is in the Air

2010-10-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Being Artists we love changing things up constantly. Just hard to agree on how to change things! So we started with a white wall in our Gallery. It certainly brightens and cheers up the room. It will be exciting to showoff our colorful Wall art on the nice warm white. Don't worry-there will still be
color in the Gallery-more colors coming soon.

More white things! Paper mache/plaster skull masks are available to decorate in the tradition of Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls. Some exciting skull art being created at the Studios, if you want to participate, contact us via email to arrange to get one. You will need to have yours complete and to the Gallery by Nov 4, to be displayed as part of our November 5 First Friday with Government Hill 6th grade class "Dia de los Muertos".

Marlee is making Frida candles-they are very festive. All this and more will be displayed on the next First Friday November 5.

ps. We have Studios spaces available for the right Artists or Crafters. Contact us at info (at) upstairstudioart.com for more info. We have an energetic friendly artist community here at Upstairs Studio.

Creativity this week at the Studio

2010-10-08T07:47:00.002-08:00

This was a busy and creative week at Upstairs Studio. Monday is our "Art Coffee" or play day. We set up tables in the Gallery and work as a community. Sometimes we explore a new medium or technique-mixed media collage was a recent favorite and one we will revisit. Experimenting and sharing together is a great way to not only have fun but get fresh new inspiration and ideas that can be used in our usual mediums.
This week there were variety of activities on Monday. We set out to make paper marigolds for next First Friday-we will be celebrating the Mexican observance of Dia de los Muertos along with the Government Hill 6th grade class. We also have paper plaster cast skulls to decorate for the event and a call for art related to Dia de los Muertos. Information is on our facebook page "The Upstairs Studio" about the call for art.
Kim brought in some frames she wanted to refinish, Erin is our resident expert and got her going sanding, distressing, painting and rubbing-wish I had before and after photos of her frames. They turned our great. We think Erin is convinced it would be a good class to offer in the future.
Katie started working on her polymer clay flowers and we joined in helping her choose compositions of shapes and colors to make her flowers. I had to buy one of the flowers that came out of it-a red poppy!

Getting going on projects in the Gallery

Polymer clay flower design

New flower ideas

Paper Marigolds

Erin working on a frame reclaim


The Puppets did not stop moving!

Our day of creating together ended with a Field Trip of the Winterberry Enrichment Program kids to see the working Studios and Gallery. They were most impressed by the fused glass, polymer clay pasta machine and the Puppets. The Puppets won them over completely, Erin let them all play with her puppets and they finished by getting behind a draped table and pretending to put on a puppet show. It was fun to see the imagination spark on as soon as each child got a puppet in their hands.

Nuno Felting Class

2010-10-04T18:59:00.001-08:00

On Sunday Zaynab taught a nuno felted scarf class. The participants had a great time making their silk and wool scarves and each one had a finished scarf by midafternoon. It was a great way to spend a creative Sunday afternoon, and have a completely unique scarf to show for it. We may have some new felters amongst us-there was a lot of excitement among those who took the class.

Zaynab helping design scarf

Ready to start felting

Erin laying out her scarf design

Detail of scarf

What happened last night?

2010-10-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

Erin's puppet and collage drawings/

Weston with one of his great paintings, his first show at Upstairs Studio

Enjoying First Friday from the "man chair".

Sold encaustic painting, thanks for the purchase, even though a little hard to let go!


Kim's new ring design-very intriguing the beads are Italian Lampwork beads.

First Friday-New Artists

2010-09-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

Upstairs Studio is excited to introduce our 2 new Studio Artists.
Sioux Blackledge is a painter, her works are bold watermedia with subjects often related to indigenous peoples and spirituality in the natural world. She has some striking pieces on display this month along with prints, cards and jewelry.
Erin Osinkosky creates whimsical collage pieces and drawings. She incorporates many found items into her works. Many of her textures start with rubbings from surfaces she encounters on walks around town.She also utilizes reclaimed fabrics and found items in making her unique puppets. She is showing collage pieces, drawings and puppets.
Stop by Upstairs Studio this First Friday and see them for yourself. We also have works by our other studio artists which makes for a lot of creativity up the stairs. Come on up!

New Sign-See us from the Street

2010-09-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Finally-you can find us from the street. Come on up on Friday-more information about our First Friday happenings soon.

What is Upstairs Studio?

2010-09-25T23:14:00.001-08:00

Upstairs Studio is a group of working studios downtown Anchorage. We have 5 shared studios housing 10 resident artists. Our artists work in a variety of mediums, including fine art-oil, acrylic, watercolor, and encaustic, collage, puppet making, felting, fused glass, polymer clay and leather work.

Our Gallery is adjacent to our Studios. We open our Gallery to the public during Anchorage's First Friday Artwalk. The Gallery is a unique space where Art and Artisan works can be purchased directly from the Artist.

We are located upstairs at 406 G Street in downtown Anchorage.