University Art - Newsletter

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 1 Issue 8, December 2002

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

The Los Altos Art Club is our final art organization profile of the year. This group of artists founded their club over forty years ago and it is still going strong. Currently, Los Altos consists of about 115 members who meet once a month on the second Monday of every month at Hillview Community Center, The Hal Brady Room, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos. For more information on membership or up-coming demonstrations, contact Millie Gallo at (650) 949-1076 or on the web at milliegallo.com.

COMING SOON

Silicon Valley Open Studios
Registration deadline 12/15/02. Registration forms may be downloaded from the web at www.svopenstudios.org

Works from the Permanent Collection
Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara 11/9/02 - 01/05/03. (408) 0247-3754 or www.Tritonmuseum.org

Christmas in the Park
12/6/02 - 1/5/03 San Pedro Square, Downtown San Jose.

If you have exhibit info that you want to have posted please e-mail at snjbram@aol.com

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

Where did the popular Christmas tradition of kissing under the mistletoe come from? It is generally believed to have originated in Norse Mythology of all places. The legend goes that the Goddess Frigga made the plant a symbol of life after its accidental ingestion killed her son Balder. She promised to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passed beneath it. Another popular custom, that of the yule log, originated in Persia. A section of tree called a "yole" was cut into fourths: each section to be burned at the start of a new season.

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: What is rabbit skin glue?

A: Rabbit skin glue is an adhesive size made from clippings of rabbit skin. It is a wonderful glue size, but easier to use and less malodorous acrylics have nearly rendered it obsolete.

Q: What is egg tempera?

A: Egg tempera is created by mixing dry pigment with water and the yolk of an egg. Egg yolks dry to a very hard film, making them a good binder for the pigment. Blending is done by a series of layered, cross-hatch techniques. Before the days of refrigeration these paints were called "putrida" paints.

JEFF'S TIPS

Christmas is almost here and trying to find that perfect Christmas gift weighs heavy on all of us. How about creating your own keepsake ornament? Polymer clay makes wonderful ornaments and is easy to use. Paper mache is another easily used alternative. Eggs can be hand-painted or dyed (as in Ukrainian Eggs). A variety of papers can be cut, glued or even folded (as in origami). Have fun and Merry Christmas!

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