Say Yes To Education- Syracuse

I am working on a project with Say Yes To Education in Syracuse NY. Elementary School students in the Syracuse city school distract worked together to write 4 books comprised of short stories and poetry. Syracuse University students illustrated these books. I am working on illustrating the covers.

I worked on a concept for the first book, a mystery called "Has Anyone Seen Harry?". Here's the current look, though I may re-do it completely based on some other sketches I have.

The deadline is coming up very shortly, so I had better get back to the drawing table!

Cathedral of Nature Short Video

"Begin by opening your eyes and be surprised that you have eyes you can open. That incredible array of colors that is constantly offered to us."


Cathedral of Nature

New Classes At Kids' Art Academy

New Classes At Kids' Art Academy
By SUSAN MENDE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012


CANTON - Inspired by last year's success, the Kids' Art Academy is back for its second year with a full slate of creative classes for children and teenagers.

From sneaker decorating to scrapbooking, the workshops are designed to provides hands-on projects for youth who might otherwise get cabin fever during the winter months.

About 70 kids and teens participated last winter and interest is strong again this year, said Edith D. Frazer, academy director.

"We're trying to reach different interests and age levels," Mrs. Frazer said. "We had a lot of people, including the artists, say they hoped that we would do it again."

Classes are open to all St. Lawrence County youths aged 3 to 18, with two sessions of workshops scheduled in January, February and March.

Taught by six local artists, sessions meet Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings at the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, 17 Park St.

Several different artists were contacted through the Artist in Residency Program organized by St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services and through the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Potsdam.

Openings are available in all of the classes, with the exception of winter fun crafts which filled up quickly. Some of the classes were offered last year, while others are new to the academy.

There is no religious content to the classes and all north country children are welcome. Scholarships are available by contacting the Rev. Michael Catanzaro, pastor at the church, at the church office, 386-2570.

Brochures and registration forms can be downloaded on the church's website: www.ChurchOnThePark.org. They are also available in the church foyer and by contacting the church office. Mrs. Frazer can be reached at CantonFrazer@gmail.com


* Sneaker Design & Decoration: Younger Children

Dates: Saturday, March 31 (Session 2)

Time: Noon to 2:30 p.m.

Ages: 5-11 years

Instructor: Catherine LaPointe, 420-7855; LaPointeart@gmail.com; www.catherinelapointe.com/shoes.html

Fee: $20. Bring your own sneakers, other materials provided.

Maximum students: 12

Participants will paint and decorate a pair of sneakers. Instructor will provide fabric, paints, brushes and design ideas.

* Sneaker Design & Decoration: Older Children

Dates: March 17 and 24 (Session 2)

Time: Noon to 2 p.m.

Ages: 12-18 years

Instructor: Catherine LaPointe, 420-7855; LaPointeart@gmail.com; www.catherinelapointe.com/shoes.html

Fee: $30. Bring your own sneakers, other materials provided.

Maximum students: 12

Participants will paint and decorate a pair of sneakers. Instructor will provide fabric, paints, brushes and design ideas.

The Mysteries of Udolpho- Illustrated

Just in time for the holidays, you can order and download the ebook for The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, illustrated by yours truly. I am now featured on GirlEBooks.com as an illustrator. Check it out at the link below:

My Author Page at Girlebooks

This book features 10 black and white illustrations by myself, and is available for download in many formats including Kindle/Mobi, ePub, MS Reader, and PDF, for just $2.99.

"Set in 1584, The Mysteries of Udolpho tells the story of Emily St. Aubert, a young French woman who is orphaned after the death of her father. The novel is one of the first Gothic romances, replete with incidents of terror, castles, seemingly supernatural events, a brooding, scheming villain, and a persecuted heroine. Jane Austen featured The Mysteries of Udolpho in her own work, Northanger Abbey."

Holiday Rush

Whew, holidays are a busy time. Not only are the family obligations mounting, I'm also moving into a new apartment on short notice, and I've suddenly got a dearth of freelance work. Not complaining about that, of course. But can a girl get a rest?

My Etsy shop is starting to really take off. I am getting a lot of interest and queries. I have tried to advertise on different blogs and websites, and I think that has helped. Gotten a few rush orders finished, with a few more in the works.

Also recently signed on to the Syracuse Say Yes Young Authors project. Elementary school children collaborate on writing stories, SU students illustrate them, and I'll be doing the covers this year. I love working on local projects, there's always so much excitement over them.
More on that to come later, with some ideas and sketches, when I catch my breath!

Breaking News: Art is Atrocity

Welcome to Art is Atrocity

"There is an education war in this city, and our children are caught in the crossfire. But we, as pro-educators, are committed to developing solutions to bring back the strong, traditional subjects in our schools. That solution must consist of a solid foundation in math and science without art. We cannot let our nation fall behind the Eastern schools. We cannot allow our children's minds to go to waste. We are responsible for their future, and must set a steady path that will allow them to flourish in adulthood. The Syracuse City School District suffers from a major budget crisis, and we cannot afford to spend our money on frivolous subjects that will not benefit our children."
Director of Art Is Atrocity, Samuel Ruta


A friend posted this on facebook. I refuse to include the link to this website, because I don't want to increase the site's search engine stats. Let me just tell you, the misuse of grammar in the site is atrocious (I guess Samuel was an art student?). If I could say one thing to Mr. Ruta, I would say it with my fist. I can't believe there are still people out there with such narrow mindsets. Sure, this activist is hardly the most dangerous one out there, but cyberspace is cluttered with enough trash as it is, without adding this to the mix. Do us a favor, Samuel, and just mind your own business.

This Is Your Life