"Hope Chest"




I joined an altered doll furniture swap on one of my online groups and made a Barbie-sized "hope chest" filled with a bird nest, a bird and quotes related to hope (think Emily Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers." I also included one of my favorite CDs as a surprise!

Fun Project!


I made some "paper/cloth" this week, muslin on the bottom, tissue paper and other papers on top brushed liberally with watered down white glue. When it dried, it was so much like cloth, but better than cloth because it didn't ravel, I decided to make this pocketbook. It's my prototype, and I will doubtless improve it if I make another one, but it's pretty darned cute if I do say so!

Visitors Look at My Painting!


This is a shot I cherish of people looking at my painting, "Pointer" at the 20th Annual Juried Competition Exhibition in Rock Hill, SC. Notice one man pointing. I talked to these people who were very complimentary concerning my portrayal of these slaves based on an old photo in the National Archives.

Sharing My Dream


So, 5 years ago, my husband, during dialysis and later transplant surgery, and I decided to buy this building on Main Street in Clover, SC. Last used in the 1960s (one office by a dentist; you can still get a whiff of novacaine), the building built in 1895, has four rental spaces downstairs, offices on the second floor, and the 3rd floor is a theatre in the round (people sit on a platform around all sides of the stage) with perfect tin ceiling tiles, room for a commercial kitchen. We're talking somewhere around 20,000 sq. feet here. I envision the 2nd floor holding studio space and the 3rd floor a performance/gathering place for music venues and art classes. My husband was about to go into surgery (already in the hospital) when the doctor told him he'd never be able to be around bird poop or construction debris. (The bird poop is a story for later.) But, that halted our "do it yourself" restoration and the hospital bills took care of the rest. It sits waiting for other people to get involved. I'm just putting it out there...

Lucy Offers Play Dates for Women

I am offering custom playdates in my studio for groups of three or four in the Charlotte, Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Clover areas. A typical play date will involve learning mixed-media techniques such as art stamping; journal making; collage techniques; shrine making; heat gun techniques; paper decorating; paper making; using wooden blocks for substrates, and more. You will make several "takeaways," small projects that bring home the technique learned.

Your play date will include all materials and a light lunch.

Please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ladiesplay/ join the discussion group and for details of a unique concept for women to let their creative side out.

From a satisfied customer:

Lucy,

Thanks for the fantastic "play day" at your studio! My friend Erika and I looked forward to our "escape" all week and it was more than we could have ever wished for! I left all my stress and worry behind and just threw myself into the creative process. You made the workshop so easy and there was no pressure to make something perfect; it was just plain fun and magic! I felt like I had a vacation even though I just stepped out of Charlotte and into Clover. Being in your studio space inspired me to organize my work space at home too. Being surrounded by all your treasures and having such infinite possiblities for creativity set something free in me. Thanks for the opportunity and for sharing all your smart and creative uses for everyday treasures. Who knew you could make such beautiful things from a National Geographic, crayons and a hot plate! Priceless!

Lell Trogdon
PS: Lunch was also great...imagine...5 star food and service in Clover:-)

Abstract #4


Acrylic on canvas, 36" X 48".