Five Fast Ones with Rebecca Emberley!

I am thrilled to share a quick interview with the fabulous Rebecca Emberley - artist, illustrator, children's book author of over 30 books - and one of our top notch instructors at ARC this summer! Not familiar with her work? Take a peek here and here. She's a force of nature and what she has to offer you in her workshops this summer will be life changing! Interested in children's book publishing? This is THE class for you!

Without further ado here's a little bit about Rebecca!

Who are you and where are you from and what are your materials of choice?

Rebecca Emberley from  Southern Maine - I work with paper, fabric, wood, lots of things


1. What is your most fond memory of camp?

Archery - probably couldn't hit the side of a barn now, but at 12 I loved the twang of the bow, the arrow sailing through the trees...and gimp, remember gimp?


2. What do you want to share with your students at ARC?

The knowledge I've acquired surrounding the "business" of art, along with using art in your everyday life even if you don't consider yourself an artist.


3. What is your favorite  outdoor summer activity?

 Beach...sitting, sleeping, reading, swimming, fires, BEACH


4. What's on your nightstand?

I just finished "How to be Good"  by Nick Hornby very interesting questions posed, coconut oil - heals everything, vast collection of earrings

5. What are your current artistic endeavors include?

So much going on! I started a publishing imprint this year - Two Little Birds Books, which includes 3 illustration projects and I just found out that one of my books will be made into a musical

Wow! How cool is that? Thanks Rebecca for being part of our five fast ones and ARC! We are so honored!

Update on our new space!

Lots of painting and flooring action going on at the new space for artstream in Dover! (10 Second Street if you haven't heard!) We are working hard to bring the best of what you have come to know and love from us and pushing the envelope to make it even better! Excited to announce that we will have a dedicated room for the children's classes and a room for the adults as well as a clay room! EXCITING! (sorry - I just can't contain my happiness!) 

It's still in process with the construction so it's not picture worthy yet! Additionally we will have our gallery front and center along with a large entryway/waiting room filled with - you guessed it - more art!

We are pleased to announce that the entire process is going smoothly and with so many kind words, helping hands and supportive community (thank you ALL!) we will be ready to see you July 6th for our grand opening!

Five fast ones! with Lisa Solomon ...

Thinking about joining us for Art{retreat}Camp? Want to know more about the instructors? Well, you are in for a treat! Today we asked Lisa Solomon these five fast questions to give you all a little more insight into who these instructors are and what their being at ARC will do for YOU!

I could have been more pleased to have Lisa Solomon be on board with us for this adventure. I am a huge fan of this lady - her art work and work ethic - is outstanding and her teaching skills are second to none. OK gushing aside, let's talk with Lisa!:name/location/favorite materials to work with


Lisa solomon / Oakland CA / I don't think I've met a material I don't like
;). I'm generally known for working with drawing, embroidery, crochet,
felt…

1. What is your most fond memory of camp?

I clearly remember my sleep away camp when I was in junior high to
Catalina island - it was such a thrill to camp on the beach and swim and
be away from home. I came back 10 shades darker and remember loving that
feeling of a group being thrown together and bonding in a way that doesn't
happen in any other circumstance.


2. What do you want to share with your students at ARC?

I'm so excited to be teaching in a camp like setting with a small intimate
group of really inspiring teachers and students. My favorite thing about
teaching is really the simplicity of sharing knowledge. Sure I have
certain techniques and ideas from a more "seasoned" perspective to pass
onto students, but I learn so much from students too. I love the back and
forth, the questions, the inquisitiveness - there is such an interplay -
learning about one another, watching how students take what I have to
share and make it their own.

3. What is your favorite  outdoor summer activity?

I think it has to be swimming. But honestly I'm kind of looking forward to
making real live s'mores around a campfire. We'll be able to do that right?
*ARC:  Susan Schwake: YES!

4. What's on your nightstand?
Right now - buddhas in the attic … my phone charger, lip balm, box of
kleenex. Wow that is so unexciting.

5. What are your current artistic endeavors include? (Please freely
promote whatever you are up to here!!!)

In the studio I'm currently working on a body of work for my next solo
show at Fouladi Projects that will open in November of 2013. The entire
show is dedicated to "sen" which is 1000 in Japanese. You are correct if
you guess there is a lot of counting going on. http://fouladiprojects.com/

I'm also about to install a polaroid show that I curated at Rare Device
called Instant Noun.

Thanks so much Lisa - rest assured we will be heavily stocked with s'mores ingredients!

Summer Art Classes

in our new Dover location begin July 8th! We will have art classes for ages 4 to adult - and a  week long camp for children ages 7-10. Don't forget to check out our Art{retreat}Camp for adults too! It's starting to fill ...

constructing sculpture 

making dioramas

adult and child clay classes!

Art{retreat} Camp

Artstream announces ARC Art{retreat} Camp August 14-18 Mayhew Island, Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH

Imagine going to summer camp as an adult, on a forested island in a pristine freshwater lake. Imagine creating in this special place alongside a small nurturing community of seasoned instructors and others like yourself.

 ARC a place to play, a quiet place to learn, a setting to be refreshed in and a time to reconnect to yourself. Whether you are a seasoned arts person or have never picked up a paintbrush, your creative self will blossom here! 

artstream's belief that we are born creative drives our interest in hosting this island retreat designed to open up and nurture the creative side of you..  The daily schedule has a diverse offering of creative workshops taught by top-notch teachers: Rachel Blumberg, Mati McDonough, Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Monica Pasquale and director Susan Schwake. They will be your guides for the stay. Evenings will bring a variety of programming and there are times during the day to relax, hike, swim or canoe around the island too.

Come join us this summer. Questions? Call us 603-330-0333 or email us at arc@artstreamstudios.com

artstream - we're on the move

photography by Linda Plaisted

It's been 10 years in our current lovely location in downtown Rochester, NH. Our customer base has grown dramatically and south-ward-ly. We try to notice these things! So our big announcement today is this:
We are moving south to downtown Dover to be closer to the bulk of our customers and clients. We will miss our roots and will always treasure our time in Rochester.
As of July 1, 2013 our doors will open at  10 Second Street in Dover, NH - the Old Court House - a historical building with plenty of natural light and space for art and more classrooms.  Photos to come soon! We have some work to do ...

Each day-- a gift

There are no words that can explain how sad so many feel right now at the sudden loss of our friend Kathreen Ricketson and her partner.Rob Shrugg  She was a force of nature in promoting handmade through her site Whip-up and craft in her books and how to raise fun loving children through her Action-Pack publications. Some of us worked with her online and I am sure many like myself thought we would meet in person some day.  We are all so heartbroken.  There is something we can do though to honor their memory and help their beautiful children. Consider it - here.

Art {retreat} Camp!

 It's been awhile in the making stages. Lots of planning and permissions to GO! And now we are a go! It's long been a dream of mine to share one of the most beautiful places on earth with some friends. And now I can. ARC will be a quiet place to create, sing, laugh, splash, and dive right in to yourself. With an open heart and supportive community. Just leaf through the pages and see what it might be for you. Questions? Just ask!

BIG News a comin'

Stay tuned here for the unveiling of our latest project tomorrow - called ARC. All I will reveal right now is that it's coming to you from an island and it will involve these iincredible artists:
Lisa Solomon, Mati McDonough, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Rebecca Emberley, Monica Pasqual, and Rachel Blumberg!  That will be all ... for now!

Reflection

Amy Ruppel and Rachel Blumberg toasting!

me - readjusting Lisa Solomon's work

Looking back this weekend on 10 years of hard work in the arts was a funny, sad, joyrful, crazy, delightful time! Reminiscing through all 80 - yes 80 count 'em exhibits and countless changes in our business, Rainer and I feel as though we have hit our stride. Saturday was a blast - for those of you who didn't make it to the exhibit, don't feel left out! All the work is online right here and here at our shop.

Rachel Blumberg and Jane Eslinger

We love our littlest patrons!

Judith Andrews 

the incredible Amy Ruppel (it was her birthday too...)

 There was much merriment to celebrate on Saturday night with one of our favorite artists from the past Amy Ruppel and introducing our newest favorite Rachel Blumberg to our gallery. It was a super fun way to usher in the next ten years and we certainly want to thank all of our friends, clients, students and patrons for their support of our dreams!  Huge thanks to Amy for coming out from Portland, OR and all the other artists for their support as well!

10 years of artstream!

Tonight we celebrate our first ten years in business! Rainer and I are so thrilled to present two great exhibits - "Sea to Sea" and "ten" - Both exhibits are going live today at our webshop too! Work will be shipped at the end of May. Check them out here!

upcoming show excitement..

Amy Ruppel  Grey Whale 

Our next exhibit Sea to Sea is coming in May with beautiful paintings by the one and only Amy Ruppel and introducing the incredible Rachel Blumberg!  Stop by the opening which marks our TENTH year in business ... and meet these two artists in person. May 4th from 5 p.m.

Sky blue

That's what this photo was all about.  I just got lucky with the cows being in the shot.

Listen

Sometimes nature speaks to you in light. You can answer by painting it.

Sneak peek of ...

our 10th year celebration exhibitions!  I am so incredibly excited about this one

Rachel Blumberg and Amy Ruppel

A little bit of Pacific meets Atlantic.

More coming ...

Water temperature

I think that no matter the water temperature - the ocean is  a grand place to spend at least a  day or better yet a week at.

Slanted and Steep

As you may know there are great steep hills in the city of San Francisco. I truly love it there.

Mysterious Yards

Do you ever walk by a yard in a neighborhood that you have never been in and think up an entire story from what you have seen?  I have. This Berkeley yard told me a yarn a mile long. And it all started with a can of perfect pink paint.

Ocean dreaming

It's almost time to go for an adventure at Ordione State Park. That's where the seaglass lives. That's where the barnacles are. That's where we find the smoothest white stones and the itty-bitty ceramic chips from the boat's kitchens. April is a good month for beach walking here in New England.

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's April 2 and my mother's birthday! She was always there for me growing up, helping me achieve my artistic dreams, encouraging me to try things I didn't know (like piano lessons for over 10 years!) and taking me to art lessons every Saturday morning. She made sure we went on adventures and to camp in the summer. I am so grateful for my mother's guidance and her spirit even when things were not perfect for her. She was a secretary at the Pentagon for Admiral Byrd in the 50's when he was exploring Antarctica. She went to Syracuse University and was an accomplished musician. She was a church organist in many different churches and sang solos in the choir.

Today - like every day for the past 5 years she has lived with us and is cared for by us as she lost her sight to macular degeneration. She doesn't play the piano anymore as she reads music and does not play by ear. She listens to books on CD and has a program that she attends with other people her age.  She still loves to sing however and music is still obviously a passion.  My daughters are completely happy that the have become so close to her during the past five years as prior to her moving in, she lived far away and was working and busy most of the time. Her visits were short so they didn't know her well.  It's been a readjustment for sure, trying at times and full of busy days having her live with us and we are glad to give back to her for what she did for our family all her life.  Happy Birthday Mom!