View of my studio - Pods prior to installation at the Greenville County Museum of Art
Nov 16, 2014
Sundays at 2: Gallery Talk: Alice Ballard
2 pm - 3 pm
Greenville artist Alice Ballard will discuss her inspiration, process, and work in her exhibition at the GCMA.
All Sundays at 2 programs are free and are presented by Duke Energy.
Wall Pod
If you are interested in registering you may do so at http://gcma.org Go to Events, November. Ask for Kim Dick, education coordinator if you have questions.
Nov 15, 2014
Workshop with Artist Alice Ballard
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Artist Alice Ballard demonstrates critical drawing techniques in this process-oriented workshop, helping students explore and develop their drawing skills in translating ideas from the two-dimensional to three-dimensional.
Cost is $84, includes materials and a box lunch.
Yesterday I had the delightful experience of speaking to David Hooker's ceramic class and want to thank them for an enlightening opportunity to share a bit about my life and career as an artist and teacher.
A message for David Hooker and his ceramics class -
It is important that you know that using Skype did actually involve a bit of risk-taking for me. I was a little nervous but was surprised how comfortable I felt talking with all of you this way. Thank you again for some excellent and thought provoking questions by the way. I know I talked too much! I just had so much I wanted to share with you.
I am excited to see students who dare to at least consider embarking, full or part-time, on the journey of self-discovery by taking up some creative endeavor. The rewards are great though not alway monetary! Having said that about not always "monetary", I just received an email from Allison Brown, former student from the Governor School for the Arts and she announced she just received her first big commission, a 9 foot ceramic relief mural for BMW!!!!!!!! Wahooo! Allison will tell you that it has taken all those things we talked about to get to this point - persistence, work ethic, risk-taking, patience, doing your home-work, not to mention she is working a second job 3 days a week, at least for the time being, to help pay for her rented studio space. She might be the perfect person to do a Skype interview with as she has only been out of school for a few years. My congratulations to Allison!
I want to add that I learned some new things about myself and my work. For example, I have really been thinking about the meaning beyond the obvious for the appearance of thorns, prickles, and a rough texture on my work. In the past I was sort of known for being the "Queen of smoothness and white surfaces and forms". This started a whole new conversation for me with my work...
You all looked positively angelic under that light just about Mary's head! I didn't even mind a few yawns - Really! Please feel free to email me with any further questions you might have and remember a couple of other qualities that will help you on your journey - be open, trust your intuition, especially when in doubt, and by all means have some fun along the way!
David - this worked so well, I might even try this at CCES with local and regional artists and my advanced 7th and 8th grade art group. Thanks so much for your invitation to Skype! It was a pleasure sharing time with all of you.
Best wishes to each of you as you continue on your journey in life,
Alice
David Hooker, instructor at Wheaton College outside of Chicago, has arranged for me to talk with his students by Skype! This will be a first time for me as way of communicating with students using this new technology! I will let you know how it goes....
What a lovely thought.....Everyone should have one!
I was leafing through my sketch book when I discovered this amazing drawing by my granddaughter who is five and a half. We love to draw together and have matching sketchbooks but she just happened to pick this one up and did this lovely drawing without ever mentioning it. As you might imagine, the discovery put a big smile on my face. A special thank you to my granddaughter with love from Mimi.
Remember to contact kdick@gcma.org for more information about the workshop at the GCMA taking place November 15th 2014 in conjunction with a show of my work.
Weekend Workshop with Artist Alice Ballard :: 11.15.14 :: Greenville County Museum of Art
Source: www.gcma.org
Nov 15, 2014 - Artist Alice Ballard demonstrates critical drawing techniques in this process-oriented workshop, helping students explore and develop their drawing skills in translating ideas from the two-dimensional to t...
Clay branch inspires a drawing, a reverse process...
As line making of all kinds with all manner of drawing tools will be an essential part of this workshop, please consider joining http://www.pinterest.com/alicerballard/ and going to my board called "line". I believe it will start you thinking about all the exciting possibilities of how exciting and how expressive line can be...
Rhododendron branch inspires the memory of a walk and a drawing
Teaching Middle School has become one of my passions. Teaching 2 days a week keeps it that way!
Lucky me!!!!
Fall leaf water color resist.
This project is a study in observation (using real leaves chosen by the students), overlapping, warm and cool colors, contour line drawing, contrast, value and the technique of using oil crayon with watercolor to create a resist.
Hanging the first big art project of the year has certainly allowed the 5th grade to make this new space their own! Did I mention they will be able to show them off for Grandparent's Day tomorrow.!
You can probably tell that I am very proud of the joy, energy, individuality and creativity that went into each of these.
Way to go 5th graders and thank you Allison for helping matt and mount this show. I could not have done it without your expert help!
Progress is slow but steady... A compressor that died didn't help but I love the newest smaller and lighter version of Paasche's small compressor for air-brushing.
Final air-brushing
Another view
129 artists will open their studios to the public on November 8th and 9th, 2014.
An 80 page on line catalog with maps is available on the link below.
greenvillearts.com/art-scene/open-studios/
I hope you will drop by for a visit!
"Thinking With Your Hands" is a process oriented drawing workshop on November 15th, 10:30-4:30 in conjunction with my show that opens that day. The next day there will be a talk and gallery walk through at 2:00 on November 16th, 2014. http://gcma.org/contact/
In the mean time, check with Kim Dick, education coordinator, at the Greenville County Museum of Art if you have an interest in this one day workshop and see if you can get on her list. <kdick@gcma.org>
Just as soon as the official information is put out by the Museum, I will put it on my blog....
My garden!!! Though I have planted many things for fall, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, radishes, kale, beets, I am still harvesting tomatoes and beans. What a treat that has been or should I say "bean"!
Rose Bud inspecting the vegetable garden...
I forgot to mention the amazing white eggplants we have had this summer, barely visible on the left, mid-way down. They are milder than the purple ones we discovered.
My grandmother introduced me the colorful colia plant. I adore them for their color and hardiness. I save one plant from each color variety to put in my greenhouse for the winter and start enough cuttings in the spring to fill the yard. I simply root them in water and plant them in a small pot so they can develop a good root system. Then I plant them in the garden.
The cherry tomatoes have been prolific this year and have fed us and all my friends at school. They are still going strong and make fabulous broschutto.
Sedums are another hardy plant that I love year round...
Would you believe Roger built the greenhouse because the lime tree (a birthday present from his sister Linda) in the big pot, mid-right, grew too big to get in the house!
Lily Goldsworthy!!!!!! Watch out Andy!
I love it!
Cross pollination of nature and plastic toys.....I especially love the home grown yellow cherry tomato that is the focal point of the green and yellow leaf mandala.
Fingers crossed!
Alice Ballard's studio. 7 new Half-Pods for the show at the Greenville County Museum of Art, opening Nov. 15, 2014
A new approach to making Wall Pods.
Alice Ballard's Greenville, SC studio