Monday- it's that time again....

Today Dale is working on getting the rest of the video from Open Mic Night onto the website for me as well as some photos of the beautiful art that continues to come into the studio.
be sure to check back often--check under ARTIST names to see individual works and also watch for a new FLICKER feature showcasing the works of multiple artists in the gallery.
COOL NEW STUFF on the WEBSITE !!
THANKS DALE !

OMN3

What a good time !
Open Mic Night- another great success--a BIG Thank You to Bill Hines for the PA equipment that he so generously brought in for everyone to use--thank you- thank you very much--
great performances by some old friends...OUR HOUSE BAND-- "MUDFOOT"--
joe, stephanie, jeremy and mindy--sounded fantanstic !
Savannah and Stephen sang a duet and then Savannah ROCKED THE HOUSE with "chain,chain,chain"-- you GO GIRL !
We had three new singers with us, Baylee, Gabby & Bree- a trio of angels-they really sounded beautiful together.
Bill was full of energy and ready to rock & roll and acompanied by 11 month old Leah on harmonica ( and sometimes tamborine)-
and a beautiful love poem was read and dedicated by my husband (to me...)how sweet is that....
Looking forward to next month
Hope to see YOU there !

One World.....

so this whole "internet" thing is relatively new to me. I didn't pick up on all of this when the rest of the world did, infact, I have just recently learned how to email with any success and I can almost always find my own website...you might say I'm a little behind the times--still a pencil and paper girl. But one thing I have come to LOVE is the ability to meet new people from all over the world who share a similiar creative spirit. I met linda, who lives in Las Vegas and just sent some Beautiful desert photography on tile and ceramic (among other items) that you have to see to believe, a friend in California who is sending some fantastic mosaics our way and most recently two great ladies in SWEDEN--quilt artists, with a very unique and etheral quality to their work that is so beautiful on screen I can't imagine how it will look in person. Not only are we being blessed with the beautiful work of these people, but I have made such wonderful friends in the process- learning about their lives and their families....this really is just "one world" that we all share and for such a very short time. I am very grateful for this "new" tool that I have that lets me talk to and "meet" these great friends-I know they have enriched my life and I hope in some small way I can do the same for them.

more--more--more

new things are coming into the shop everyday.
we have added new ART SUPPLIES including BRUSHES,PAPERS,RUBBER STAMPS, SCRAPBOOK SUPPLIES, INKS & more ....
we have also added a few things for our guitar students (just in case)---like strings & picks.
we have new ar tpieces ALL OF THE TIME- Lynda of ARMANDOJAVIER DESIGNS BROUGHT IN SOME FABULOUS NEW leather HANDBAGS this weekend.
we have new seasonal pieces as well- whimsical halloween GLASS and holiday FIGURES.

SO STOP IN SOON-
SEE WHAT'S NEW
AT THE ARTIST WITHIN

OPEN MIC SATURDAY 27th

THIS SATURDAY 27th 7 pm CALL TO REGISTER 740-862-8222
ACOUSTIC, SONG, COMEDY, POETRY
REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

maybe it was just me....

so maybe it was just me, but i was a bit disappointed in backwoods fest this year. alot of the "same old thing" repeated booth after booth. a few favorites were there too, a fabulous polymer clay artist from columbus, a creator of characters from hebron with a whimsical style that i love, pottery wall pockets that fill small spaces and outdoor "buildings" that light up and are a true work of art. but too much osu, painted wood plaques and purchased ready-made crafts. the food was great as usual and we spent far too much of our time (and money) eating...but that was the highlight of the day---oh and the people watching....thats ALWAYS good at the backwoods fest.

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE!

Today my husband and I (along with best friend Dale) are headed to Backwoods Fest- a favorite annual event. Crafters/ artisans/ great food/ folk music etc... all in a natural setting in the woods. you can find this good time in Thornville just off SR 13- today is the last day- so dont delay. I'll post on the grand adventure when i return.....

Goodbye Ike !

WOW ! this bad weather thing really sucks !
I can tell you this- i would never have made it "way-back-when", or with the Amish. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way a girly- girl type or anything like that but not having electricity- BAD....I LIKE my hot food hot. I LIKE my cold food cold. I LIKE to take comfortable showers with a light ON. (unless it's that one time a year and my husband and i decide... oh wait -- this isn't that kind of website is it ?!)I LIKE air conditioning---YOU KNOW what i mean....
my kids were fighting, my dogs were whining, I was miserable....and that was just in the first 6 hours....man oh man---we would be in BIG trouble if there was a REAL emergency....well...the way i figure it, not much to worry about at my house- we'll all kill each other before the food goes bad and we die of starvation.....
THANK GOODNESS FOR ELECTRICITY. GOOD-BYE IKE !

CONTEST!!!!!!!

For the next 2 weeks, I will be reading any and all blog postings to the ARTIST WITHIN (with the help of my WEBMASTER) and choosing a winner of a fantabulous prize.....WHAT? you might ask? hmmmmmm....
That is yet to be announced....let the posting begin...(p.s. i'm lonely...)

Is there anybody out there?....

Is anybody out there?......
I know this whole "Art Gallery" thing is a new concept for Baltimore but we are an up and coming community and we owe it to ourselves to enjoy some of the "nice" things about being Americans- the chance to express ourselves freely whether in art, music, poetry, dance, comedy/theatre, writing,or speech. By allowing ourselves these freedoms of expression we also encourage the next generation of "creative thinkers"- those people who will not be afraid to stand up and speak the truth and stand up for what they believe in. I personally feel that art is a conduit for that very thing- the ability and strength to rise above and sometimes stand alone, allowing others to scrutinize your innermost thoughts and desires- right there on a canvas- or paper or in song- for the whole world to see. So Baltimore- be strong, be brave, be CREATIVE- do it for yourself and for your community. There is an ARTIST WITHIN all of us.

Holiday Projects

The Holidays are fast approaching and we have TONS of projects planned for children and adults alike to make the holidays special-
be sure to keep watching the calendar for upcoming workshops and classes for gift giving and holiday ideas---it won't be long.....

****OPEN STUDIO*****

FYI---For all you folks that just wanna "play around" but you aren't ready to commit to a full blown project or class, we offer "OPEN STUDIO". For just $5.00 an hour per person, you can come into the studio and use all "hard" supplies(i.e. cutters-like the cri-cut machine, and the xyron cutter, rubber stamps-we have over 300 and add more ALL of the time, stencils, light boxes, enlargers, books, etc...) to work on your scrapbook, cards, bulliten board project etc... We offer some supplies for sale in the shop and also have copy and laminating services available for an additional fee. Bring a friend and have some fun- you'll be glad you did. *CHECK CALENDAR FOR DATE & TIME AVAILABILITY*

JEWELRY CLASSES ARE BACK !

Nathan has returned from a short hiatus and is offering a number of new jewelry classes in September. Be sure to check out the wire cuff bracelet class- this was popular in August. He has also added several classes in macrame' with hemp- something that the teens will LOVE. so check out the class listing or stop by the shop and pick up a class schedule for more info and these and all of the other classes offered this month at The ARtist Within.

Growing up...

Laast night I took the girls to the mall after I closed the shop for the day.
Corinne was shopping for her class ring-to include the notable accomplishment of National Honor Society with a lovely artificial amethyst set in silidiam (sp?) whatever that is. Also on the shopping list, more shoes, a new purse from Pac-Sun, band T-shirts, and various homecoming accessories.
Michelle, AKA Shelly, was also ready to tear up the place with birthday money burning a hole in her pocket and plans for her first homecoming dance.
So---a beautiful little purple and black number was found at Deb-(I never looked this good in a dress-EVER) with allof the proper accoutraments-shoes, shawl, purse, earrings, necklace, hairbands, nailpolish, etc, etc....
and everywhere we went, shelly explained taht this was her "first high school dance".
I'm thinking she's a little excited.
Then more money spent at Hot Topic and ofcourse we had to eat....
one last stop on the way home at McDonalds-the walk from the mall door to the car was a killer- for a McFlurry and finally we were home to share the spoils of the trip with Dad---who looked surprisingly well rested and relaxed-in stark contrast to what I was feeling as we arrived.
But as the girls showed off thier purchases I did detect a bit of meloncholy in Dads eye- his little girls are growing up-and fast...

Guitar classes with Joe hamilton

If you have checked out the clips from open mic night, then you have had the opportunity to see joe play guitar. classes can be scheduled with joe for students of any age- beginner to advanced-during day/evening or weekend hours. classes are $20.00 for an hour lesson and book cost is kept to a minimum. want to learn to play? why not learn from the best- give us a call to schedule 740-862-8222.

added more Bellydance classes...

Things are gonna heat up in Baltimore!
Some day we will sit back and reminisce about the day BELLYDANCE came to town...so come on girls...LET'S DANCE!
We are now offering for the month of Sept. Tues & Fri am classes;
Tues pm; Weds pm - two this month; one Fri pm; and a Sat am 2hour workshop. so call the shop to register- classes are going to fill- there is a discount for multiple classes in same week.
It's FUN!

my best friend.....

i had a great surprise today....my best friend Becky came to town for a visit at The Artist Within. what a nice thing too! we enjoyed catching up (in person) about all the regular "what the kids are up to now" stuff- nothing extraordinary---but there's just something nice about having her around. so remember your old friends today- GO VISIT! love ya Becka.-kate.

another great day at the artist within...

as the days go by, i never cease to be amazed by the number of wonderful people i continue to meet. customers, artists, students...
all have something unique to offer. again, i have added new items to the gallery so be sure to stop in and take a look around--leather bags and cuffs, mixed media, art quilts and more jewelry !
also, for all of you budding artists--remember you can take advantage of "open studio" for just $5.00 and hour-come in use the "cri-cut" machine, xyron, rubber stamps, cutters, brayers, brushes, etc...(you supply the paper, paint, canvas, etc...)to create your masterpiece. (we sell some supplies here) what a bargain! come on in and have a blast!

There's a new girl in town....

so----I had MY first bellydance class yesterday....yes, that's right, me. anyone who knows me, (and hasn't stopped laughing),understands what a stretch this truly is. What a blast! Really, it was alot of fun- a BIG workout- I didn't quite expect all that AND I had a really good time. Tamarra and I laughed our way through it all- she laughed WITH me, not AT me......and it was over before I knew it. I am sure that I'll do it again soon. Thanks Tamarra.