Bellamarcella HAS MOVED!!    Tuesday, May 15, 2018

BELLAMARCELLA HAS MOVED!  PLEASE VISIT US AT OUR NEW WEB ADDRESS....

https://www.bellamarcellaart.com/

 

Hey Pickles!  Join me for blogging, tutorials, news, inspiration and a new members area.  See you there!  I will be doing some freebies and give aways in the coming weeks...stay tuned! Namaste, Marcy

I am planning to leave this page up for at least a year so that my followers can find me in my new home. After that I will make a decision about archiving the contents and/or moving some of what is here.  Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you at 

https://www.bellamarcellaart.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collage and Encaustic Workshop April 2018    Monday, April 23, 2018

 

April 2018

Collage and Encaustic Workshop

Yesterday was my Spring Collage workshop, I do a collage and mixed media workshop every semester at the Guilford Art Center  in Guilford, CT.  This time I combined it with Encaustics a process I have fallen in love with and have been experimenting with for a while now.  We had a full house of enthusiastic women who were dying to try out this beautiful luminous medium.

 

I love the qualities that the wax adds to a painting and that it is so versatile. People are always so surprizes at it's simplicity - I think that there is a perception that it is complex or difficult. I find it very fluid and intuitive even for beginners.

 

We completed works on paper and on wooden board. What a great messy day we had with paint, wax and oil sticks.....

collage with drawing, collage,acrylic paintl stitch

 Mona Lisa Eyes, Mixed Media Collage, Acrylic,Stitch, Encaustic, Oil Stick, Pastel on Paper

Marcy LaBella one of my Demo Pieces

Anyone need help?

Workshop Photos

              

My Art Bestie Cheryl Tuttle was my TA for this Workshop - Double Trouble!   A talented student with her piece...so nice!

 

We made a giant MESS - that's how you know we had a great time!!

         

Collage Process                       Encaustic Process

                   The Students made awesome works!!!!

     

 

   

 

More Process Photos

 

 

 

   

 

 

Creativity ~ The Muse and the Universal Well    Monday, April 9, 2018

The Muses - Mixed Media on Paper

As a teaching artist I read a lot about living creatively and how other artists go about keeping the flow of creativity open and fluid. I have always felt that during a creative session the process seems effortless and happens without any apparent active thought.  Some call this the flow state. Some people who approach creative work from a spiritual standpoint theorize about a universal creative font that is accessible to all; and accessing this universal creativity plugs you into a limitless flow of creative ideas. This well of creativity is ever expanding and unlimited and one you can continue to dip into at any time. Having this mindset can serve to take the burden off of the artist who now only needs to serve as a vessel who draws from this well for creative ideas.

Instead of blaming lack of productivity on writers block, artistic dry spells or other cliché’s those holding to this mindset now need only to commit to making time to be creative a priority, get down to the actual work and allow creativity to flow.  Rather than chasing the muse you simple need to learn to allow it flow through by showing up, by establishing good studio habits, by being there ready to work, be it for visual art, music, writing or performance.

Nothing will allow the creative muse to go silent faster than fear, neglect or procrastination. You simply cannot run out of creativity – the more you use it the more creativity you generate. Fear is a tremendous blocker for most people and out of fear comes self-imposed blocks like procrastination, and lies we tell ourselves about not being good enough, or having the time or any reason we use to not get down to the actual work of making and creating our art – it really doesn’t matter what medium you are working in.

The muse is what draws you into your practice but there is also other components to creative thought. Ones of delving into process and learning as much as possible about a subject, and then the transformational process that takes it beyond yourself and outside of the mundane.

There is a lot to agree or disagree with here. Some will argue that they are responsible for their own ideas but as documented over history many times in art, science and literature more than one person is working on the same idea simultaniously - so interesting ! Can they be pulling ideas from the same creative well? So many things to think and ponder about here but it is time to head to the studio to do some actual art work.

More thoughts on creativity next time….

 

Lets Connect!

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/MarcyJLaBella/?ref=br_rs

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bellamarcella1212/

CONNECTICUT WOMEN ARTISTS 2018 MEMBERS SHOW    Tuesday, April 3, 2018

 

 

Connecticut Women Artists 2018

Members Juried Show

30 Cedar Street, New Britain, CT 06052

Wednesday April 4 through Friday May 4th

Opening Reception April 7th from 2 - 4

 

I have two pieces in this upcoming show a ceramic sculpture and an abstract painting.  The CWA is a juried women's art organization since 1929. 

 "For over three quarters of a century, Connecticut Women Artists, Inc. has provided a forum for women's artwork and continues to emphasize the importance of art in our society today."

 

Lets Connect!

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/MarcyJLaBella/?ref=br_rs

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bellamarcella1212/

SPRING CLASSES    Monday, April 2, 2018

ART CLASSES SPRING 2018

 

NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

56 Lexington St, New Britain, CT 06052

Phone: (860) 229-0257

 In May I will be teaching a 5 week class for children called Boxes & Beaches with the Prendergast Brothers, for ages 8 -10 This Class is a Studio4 class at the Museum. please call for availability and pricing.

You can register your child for this class using this link  http://www.nbmaa.org/event/studio4-boxes-and-beaches-with-the-prendergast-brother

 

SPRING CLASSES AT GUILFORD ART CENTER

411 Church St, Guilford, CT 06437
Phone: (203) 453-5947

 

FREE DRAWING - GIRL WITH A FLOWER - 5 YEAR OLD STUDENT

EXPLORATORY ART - 8 Mondays - Starts April 2 4 - 5:30- 

Students are exposed to a wide variety of art materials in this mixed media class. Watercolor, tempera, collage, mixed media, clay and fiber arts will be explored. Projects are seasonal and rotate so your child can take it more than one time and have a different experience.

Call the center for availability.

DRAWING AND PAINTING

8 Tuesdays Starts April 3 4:00-6:00

Students improve thier ability to draw what they see while drawing from observation. We will create both abstract and representational works and use graphite, charcoal paint and mixed media. Ages 8+

PAINTING FOR KIDS

8 Wednesdays - 4 - 5:30  ages 5 and up

For Kids who love to paint!  Explore different painting mediums acrylic, watercolor, pastel, tempera, and mixed media. 

call the center for availability

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Creative Collage with Encaustic Process

Adult Workshop Saturday April 22, 10 - 4

Use papers and ephemera and paint to create a creative collage on board.  You can also incorporate your own drawings or photos.  We will also be using fiber, fabrics and found objects. This is a beautiful layering process. All materials included. 

please contact the center for availability

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

Middletown Senior Center

61 Durant Terrace, Middletown, CT 06457

Phone: (860) 344-3513

I am currently teaching Clay, drawing and painting through Middletown Senior Services.  You must be over the age of 60 years old to attend these classes which are at a greatly reduced price.  The facility is WONDERFUL and we have a lovely time and there is a great group of lively seniors there. You do not have to live in Middletown to attend. Please contact Senior Services. Drawing and painting classes rotate every 6 weeks, and currently I am teaching drawing, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media on a rotating basis. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Opportunities    Wednesday, March 21, 2018

New Opportunities

I must apologize to my neglected blog, it is only so because I find myself extremely busy with my work and teaching.  A very good thing for an artist!  A couple of months back I was surprised and pleased to be asked to teach some classes at the New Britain Museum of American Art.  It was a surprise because I had not approached them, rather unbeknownst to me a collegue had referred me as a teaching artist. I am super excited about the opportunity to work in such a creatively stimulating environment. 

New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT

As a teaching artist one of my favorite classes that I developed and have been teaching to different age groups is my "Masters" class. In it the class looks at the work of a different art master each week, and studies what particular elements define the style of that artist.  Then students create an original painting in that style.  Being able to work in a museum and teach directly from masterworks to create class projects is truly a dream come true.

Interestingly the first artist installation that I will be working with is American Post-Impressionists: Maurice & Charles Prendergast, March 9 - June 10 2018.  I have long been interested in the work of Maurice Prendergast as I was deeply involved in watercolor painting for many years and he has created many gorgeous impressionist watercolors. I am just pinching myself that I will have special time to spend with the work in the collection.  The work of his brother Charles is also quite compelling, hand crafted frames, collaged boxes and paintings. 

The NBMAA is a wonderful gem in central Connecticut with a very fine collection of American art. There are so many wonderful paintings and you will find works of many wonderful artists such as Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Maurice Prendergast, Georgia O'Keeffe, Charles Demuth, Thomas Hart Benton, Lee Krasner and Robert Motherwell just to name a few notables.

I will be teaching a 5 week class for children called Boxes & Beaches with the Prendergast Brothers, for ages 8 -10

You can register your child for this class using this link  http://www.nbmaa.org/event/studio4-boxes-and-beaches-with-the-prendergast-brother

I will be returning to the museum this summer to teach another youth class.

Namaste,

Marcy

 

New Work Summer 2017    Monday, September 4, 2017

 

New Work  Summer 2017

Abstract Watercolor and Seed Pod Inspired Ink Drawings 9"x14" on  paper

Mixed Media Watercolor Abstract with Seed Pod Inspired Ink Drawing

Mixed Media,Gouache and Graphite, Inks on Paper 9"x14" 2017

Watercolor and Graphite on Paper 9"x14" 2017

Clay Play, Handbuilt Om Cups, Tri-foot Mug, Pinch Pot Birds 

Stoneware, slips, engobes 2017

Handbuilt cups and Pinch Pot birds - stoneware. greenware, waiting to be fired 2017

Beachy Abstract Watercolor and Ink on Paper, 9"x14" - 2017

Mixed Media Watercolor Abstracts with Seed Pod Inspired lnk Drawing

Om Shanti Om series #2 - 12"x14" - 2017

Om Shanti Om Series, 20"x20" on mixed media on canvas - 2017

Upcoming Spring Classes 2018    Monday, September 4, 2017

ART CLASSES SPRING 2018

 

NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

56 Lexington St, New Britain, CT 06052

Phone: (860) 229-0257

 In May I will be teaching a 5 week class for children called Boxes & Beaches with the Prendergast Brothers, for ages 8 -10 This Class is a Studio4 class at the Museum. please call for availability and pricing.

You can register your child for this class using this link  http://www.nbmaa.org/event/studio4-boxes-and-beaches-with-the-prendergast-brother

 

SPRING CLASSES AT GUILFORD ART CENTER

411 Church St, Guilford, CT 06437
Phone: (203) 453-5947

 

FREE DRAWING - GIRL WITH A FLOWER - 5 YEAR OLD STUDENT

EXPLORATORY ART - 8 Mondays - Starts April 2 4 - 5:30- 

Students are exposed to a wide variety of art materials in this mixed media class. Watercolor, tempera, collage, mixed media, clay and fiber arts will be explored. Projects are seasonal and rotate so your child can take it more than one time and have a different experience.

Call the center for availability.

DRAWING AND PAINTING

8 Tuesdays Starts April 3 4:00-6:00

Students improve thier ability to draw what they see while drawing from observation. We will create both abstract and representational works and use graphite, charcoal paint and mixed media. Ages 8+

PAINTING FOR KIDS

8 Wednesdays - 4 - 5:30  ages 5 and up

For Kids who love to paint!  Explore different painting mediums acrylic, watercolor, pastel, tempera, and mixed media. 

call the center for availability

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Creative Collage with Encaustic Process

Adult Workshop Saturday April 22, 10 - 4

Use papers and ephemera and paint to create a creative collage on board.  You can also incorporate your own drawings or photos.  We will also be using fiber, fabrics and found objects. This is a beautiful layering process. All materials included. 

please contact the center for availability

Middletown Senior Center

61 Durant Terrace, Middletown, CT 06457

Phone: (860) 344-3513

I am currently teaching Clay, drawing and painting through Middletown Senior Services.  You must be over the age of 60 years old to attend these classes which are at a greatly reduced price.  The facility is WONDERFUL and we have a lovely time and there is a great group of lively seniors there. You do not have to live in Middletown to attend. Please contact Senior Services. Drawing and painting classes rotate every 6 weeks, and currently I am teaching drawing, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media on a rotating basis. 

 

 

 

 

Mixed Media Zine - Sketchbook Paper, Graphite, Watercolor, Pencils    Friday, March 3, 2017

Mixed Media Zine - Sketchbook Paper, Graphite, Watercolor, Pencils from Marcy LaBella on Vimeo.

Making Art With Children    Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Making art with Children

Making Art With Children with Marcy LaBella from Marcy LaBella on Vimeo.

This little video vlog was made by me in my painting for kids class.  I love painting with children because I get a window into their unaltered and pure streaming creative process. I started our class yesterday by sharing the work of Gordon Hopkins.  They loved seeing his bright colors and simplified shapes.  I had some still life images but the girls were drawn to his cup and bowl pieces so we decided to use those as inspiration.  I am so happy that I work for art centers where there are hand crafted bowls and cups just everywhere to use.  The kids can hold, touch and feel them in their hands and look at them for inspiration for drawing.  So different from the mass produced wares that are more commonly found today.  

Prilimanary Sketch - Cups Lily age 6

We started by practicing cup shapes and then by drawing them on a big piece of water color paper. First in pencil and then in pastel.  We devided our page to create abstract color breaks.  I did not limit colors but told them to be creative and to divide the pages and choose the colors they loved.  I love the results!

Cups Floating in a field of Pie Shapes - Chloe age 6