University Art

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 5 Issue 9, September 2006

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

Just in time for their September Jubilee (9/16&17) we are going to drop in on the Fine Art League of Cupertino or FALC as they are usually called. Founded in the 1960s, FALC has grown steadily promoting the practice and appreciation of the visual arts. Membership is open to everyone, and the meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. Meetings revolve around club business, refreshments, fellowship, and demonstration sessions by accomplished and well known local artists. For more information try www.falc.org or info@falc.org.

COMING SOON

Free Artist’s Portfolio Reviews at the Triton Museum of Art 15-20 minute review session with George Rivera, Executive Director and Senior Curator of The Triton Museum. Call Preston Metcalf to schedule session (408) 247-3754

3^rd Annual Blues Bash, A

Musical Jam to Support The Arts. Live blues music, silent auction, BBQ, and Live Art. Sunday 9/24/06 from 1-5 p.m. at the Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, Ca. 95050. For more info call (408) 247-3754, or try online at

www.tritonmuseum.org

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

September is here and Autumn is upon us; the autumnal equinox occurring on 9/23/06 this year. The fall equinox marks the time late in the year where we have equal amounts of night and day. After this day, the nights will get longer and the days shorter climaxing at the winter solstice, the longest night, near December 22^nd. The full moon occurring nearest to the equinox is known as the harvest moon. During this full moon cycle the moon is directly across from the sun or near exact east on the compass. The moon appears large and low and remains very bright throughout the night. This is obviously helpful to late season harvests as work is possible quite late into the evening. The festival of Mabon celebrates the fall equinox each year.

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: I have a polymer clay project I am working on, but I was told I could not use acrylics to paint it after it was fired in the oven; that they wouldn’t work. Is that true?

A: You have been misinformed! If you look at the manufacturer’s labels on any of the major polymer clay brands ( ie. Sculpey, Fimo, Premo, Super Sculpey etc.) you will see that once fired that they may all be painted with “water -based acrylic paints.” The main thing to do before painting is to make sure the clay has been properly fired and allowed to cool completely. If the clay has not been allowed to cool, painting it can actually seal in the heat, resulting in a semi-soft sticky mess! Once polymer clay is cooled properly however, acrylic paint goes on smoothly and dries quickly, give it a try..

JEFF'S TIPS

Using an airbrush for the first time can be a real challenge for someone who is used to traditional media. Proper wrist movements can be very important when using a regular paintbrush, but can actually work against you when using an airbrush. So here’s the tip: when airbrushing remember to move from the elbow or the shoulder with the airbrush, not the wrist.

It can be a little fatiguing, but you can use your free hand as support if need be.

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