Yucandu Studio Just West of St. Louis, Mo.: Turning Junk into Works of Art

Maybe it’s just another roadside attraction, folk art, or maybe some folks that have too much time on their hands. Just motor west on Route 66 and check out the art that imitates life. There’s the guy who twists tree limbs into various shapes and animal forms, a welder whose land is littered with rusty iron beasts of every description and form. 

The Cadillac ranch down in Texas with the cars buried halfway into the ground, tailfins pointing up to the sky, the giant ketchup bottle, and of course, tributes to Elvis everywhere. Check out the world’s largest ball of string, rubber bands, videotape, and aluminum foil. This predilection for collecting a large number of everyday items and piecing them together has even invaded the church. At the Shrine of the Black Madonna near Eureka, Missouri, a dedicated Father spent some forty years collecting small rocks, pieces of broken glass and seashell to build the shrine.

For those of us who feel a little arts and craftsy but don’t want to spend an entire lifetime at it, there is a neat little “hands on” art gallery in Old Webster just west of St. Louis where you can satisfy your craving to piece together and help out the environment all at the same time: the Yucandu Art Studio takes ordinary things that others throw away and turns them into creative works of art and interesting displays. 

Some of the materials include cardboard, old windows and doors, and the mandatory bits of broken glass and china. Instead of calling a supplier for their art materials, dumpster diving is the stock up of choice. This summer Yucandu is planning several “rescue” art projects for their summer art camps. Old trophies that they have been collecting for a couple of years will become armatures for “Family Tree” sculptures.

Yucandu specializes in bringing art into your life by providing all of the materials and the teaching so Yucandu it. For the summer they have special classes on how to make mosaics for your garden. By using bits and pieces of all kinds of materials like tiles, china, glass, pottery pieces, and stones you can make many different and unique decorations that will last for years to come. Yucandu has projects that include mosaics, decoupage, glitter, and paint. Prices range from $5 to $150. By paying an hourly studio fee you can be assisted by staff, borrow tools, store unfinished projects, and best of all, leave all of the mess behind.

Thinking about making one of those clay ashtrays to get started? Here’s an interesting recipe for making the clay: Take 2 cups of dryer lint, firmly packed, and mix with 1/3 cup warm water, 6 tablespoons white glue, and one tablespoon of clear dish liquid. Measure all of the ingredients into an airtight plastic bag and knead thoroughly.

Yucandu Art Studio is at 20 Allen Avenue in Webster Groves, Missouri. For more information you can call them at (314) 963-4400.

Art Centers to Visit in Southern Maryland

Mattawoman Art Center sits on the scenic Mattawoman Creek in Smallwood Park, where water skiing and fishing is available as well. Wildlife abounds in this setting. I saw a bald eagle soaring in the sky. This hidden jewel of Southern Maryland is a showcase for local artists and members of the art center. The current exhibition is of Charles Reiher and Matt Borchelt and will be exhibited till March 12, 2006. Mr. Reiher is a photographer and Matt Borchelt is a modern artist. This exhibition combines modern art and photography of nature. There are always a reception on Sundays when a new show opens. Plenty of food is available and the art is present for you to enjoy.

I attended the previous art show that showcased works from high school artists, who were the best in their class. The turnout was great. There was a wide variety of art in different mediums. For example the “The Three Amigos”, three plaster objects done in bronze were exhibited.

All pictures in the exhibit are for sale. There is a gift shop where you can buy art carvings, silk scarves and painting that have been produced by members of the  Mattawoman Art Center. Handmade earrings are available at the docent’s desk the prices range from $5 to $15. Art classes are given at the art center. For more information call (301) 743-5159. The address of the art center is PO Box 258, Marbury, MD 20658.

Montpelier Arts Center is located on 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel MD. It is very historic because it’s located near the Monpelier Mansion. Performances such as Jazz, classical and folk as well as blues music take place in the main gallery. Meetings can gather there as well. The artist gallery presents works of artists who create art at the center. The gallery is open to the public from 10 a.m to 5.p.m. Classes and workshops are available to the public as well. The phone number is (301) 953-1993 or email the staff at Montpelier .arts@pgparks.com. Monuments of sculpture is the current exhibit available for viewing. It is up during the month of Febuary and features works in Bronze which are inspired by African Masks.

Harmony Hall which is located on 10701 Livingston Road is a former elementary school that plays host to performances, exhibitions and art surveys. This is a great place to celebrate the performing arts and theatre. The 2006 Harmony Hall Brochure will give you more information about performances, exhibitions, art surveys and has directions to Harmony Hall Regional Center. Call the Center about how to receive the brochure at (301) 203-6040.

March 15, 2006 at 10:30, Harmony Hall will play host to Kids’ Day Out performed by Billy B., who is a show and dance man, who performs and dances about swamps, biodiversity energy and rain forests, geology and natural wonders.

March 15 an afternoon tea is offered at 2 p.m. A Harpist, Park Stickney performs. Admission is only 10:00. Check the website for more information at http://www.pgparks.com/places/artsfac/hhrc.html.

Delve into the World of Art Training at the Art Academy in Atlanta, GA

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An artist has the ability to do something that very few individuals have the power to do - alter the mindsets of its viewers. It is true that art, in any form, can and will create something more than just a smile on someone's face. Art can be the foundation to peoples belief systems; it can counteract a government's rule of authority. Art can make lovers fall in an even deeper love, or it can cause lovers to completely turn their backs on one another and create a war of emotions - with the canvas as their battleground. No matter how you look at it, art is the utmost power when it comes to altering a human's mind. And to be an artist means to be someone with great creativeness, someone who knows themselves so well that they are willing to hand over their subconscious to a paint brush for the worlds cruel ridicule or wondrous praise.

But what must you do to become an artist of this stature? You must first hone your craft, and become a skilled technician of the paintbrush, charcoal pencil, or any other utensil one might use to conjure the gods of art. And in Atlanta, Georgia there is such a studio that will beckon your inner DaVinci to leap out onto your canvas. The name of this wonderful art studio is The Academy of Art located in Duluth, Georgia, which is only a short drive from downtown Atlanta. Here The Academy of Arts offers a wide range of classes, not just art, that will grow the inner creative genius in all of us. But, it is their art courses that are truly amazing.

The Academy of Art offers an extremely variety of art classes ranging from watercolor techniques, to charcoal drawing, they even offer the very humorous and extremely fun technique of caricature drawing, as well as the pristine world of landscape capturing. They offer every type of art course to "fit your artistic flare." They offer private, semi-private and group settings for your artistic growth. Their weekly private and semi-private lessons are available to students from thirty-minute, forty-five minute and sixty-minute time slots. The Art Academy suggests that students be at least eight years of age before entering a private or semi-private setting for learning. The rates for the private lessons and semi-private lessons are extremely reasonable with lessons from thirty-minutes starting at $82.00, the forty-five minute lessons starts at $123.00, and the sixty-minute weekly private lesson starts at $164.00. These rates do cover the cost of their faculty, although some teacher require an extra surcharge due to their level of expertise - and trust me, the surcharge is absolutely worth it.

Interested in working together with fellow art students? Well The Arts Academy has classes suited directly to your needs. With group classes ranging from "Watercolor Friends" which is for students aged sixteen and up, to "Drawn to Drawing" for students aged twelve through sixteen. All of these classes will offer students the ability to grow in their artistic style while receiving world-class training from their instructors. The rates for group classes start at $18.00 per hour with classes starting at sixty minutes up to two hours. At The Art Academy, you will learn skills that Michelangelo wished he knew.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Academy of Arts
First Baptist Church of Duluth
2908 Highway 120
Duluth, GA 30096
Tel: 770.476.3788 extension 267
E-mail: artsacademy@duluthbaptist.org

Baby Crying and Baby Colic - How to Deal Effectively with both

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Colic is a scary word.  It conjures up pictures in our mind of a constantly crying baby and tired harried parents.  Colic is defined as, A condition of infants characterized by frequent crying do to various discomforts.  When babies cry without being hungry, in pain, or overheated it is generally called colic.  Colic is not the result of bad parenting and you should not blame yourself.  Babies who have colic generally want to be held and have a more sensitive temperament.  Some people belive that colic is because of a stomach ache, however that is just a myth so you shouldn't worry about extra burping or specialized nipples.  This fussy crying is harmless for your baby.  Usually the hard crying starts to improve after 2 months or so and is usually gone by the time the baby is 3 or 4 months old.  In the meantime there are 6 ways that can help you cope with your colicky baby.  

Coping With Colic

1.  Hold and try to sooth your baby.  It is not possible to spoil your baby in the first 3 or 4 months of life.  You could rock your baby or try using a wind up baby swing.  Sometimes a walk outside in a stroller will help and many babies react well to a ride in the car.  ( There is now a new gaget called Sleep Tight that mimics the motion and sound of a moving car. It costs about $90.)

A warm bath will also help in certain situations.

2.  If none of the above quiets your baby and there is no discernable reason for the crying you can let your baby cry itself to sleep.  Minimize outside stimuli and try wraping your baby up tightly ( swaddling).  If after 15 or 20 minutes the crying has not stopped pick up your baby and start again with step # 1.  

3.  You don't always have to rock your baby to sleep.  If you always rock your baby to sleep, later she will become dependant on that.  Let your baby learn to self-comfort and put herself to sleep.  Sooth your baby and then when she is not crying put her in her crib and let her go to sleep on her own.  

4.  Promote nighttime sleeping.  Your baby needs a lot of sleep, however to promote nighttime sleep don't let your baby sleep all day.  After your baby naps 3 hours gently wake her.  Then take the time to play with her, feed her or attend to her other needs.  This way your baby's longest sleeping time, about 5 hours, will occur at night.

5.  Get rest and help for yourself.  You cannot take good care of your baby if you don't take care of yourself.  Avoid fatigue and exhaustion.  Nap when your baby naps.  Ask your husband, friends, and family to help you.  Talk to someone everyday about your problems and feelings.  Its ok to be frustrated.  The constant crying is hard for anyone to deal with.  If it is possible let someone else care for the baby while you can get out of the house occasionally.

6. Avoid over the counter medications.  Most of these are not affective and some of them can be dangerous. (Especially those containg phenobarbital.)

A baby with colic can be difficult to deal with but giving your baby plenty of TLC is the best medicine.  Keep in mind this will only last a few months.  Your baby is precious and beautiful.  In the long run all that crying will be just a memory.