Pat Deere
Links: Churches and Chapels Blog
1/30/11
Fishers Of Men
Pat Deere
Links: Churches and Chapels Blog
1/29/11
The Willow
I came up with a this idea a few years back for an organization that chose another way of honoring their donors. Their mistake, in my humble opinion. Most donor walls I see are very similar... brass plaques, in rows according to the size of their donation, on a wooden background - or something similar.
Because this piece is going in a theater I thought it should be more dramatic and resemble what goes on there. The body of this willow tree is dancing in the wind, the branches are her arms, and the legs are her trunk. The greenery will be pieces approximately 4-6" wide by 10-13" tall, with individual pieces of colored glass adhered to them. The background for the glass will be wood. Each 12" piece will be screwed onto the background so they can be easily changed out as donors increase their total donations.
The colors will be very dramatic as well. I will be using gold, silver, and black paint for the donors names, which will add to the variety of color. Because there is another large stained glass installation in this building, I will be taking colors from it and incorporating it into the willow. I'm starting on it Monday!
How can you get one? If you are part of an arts organization, or non-profit that is looking for a way to honor their donors... give me a call. I would love to come up with something exciting for you as well.
Pat Deere
1/28/11
An Important Email I Got From A Friend...
Dear Friends,
I have received a letter from Great Lakes Geophysical, Inc. in collaboration with the
Patrick Petroleum and West Bay Exploration companies to seek permission to cross my land in search of gas and or oil reserves via seismic testing. I assume
that the residents in my subdivision are also being approached to fill out the survey.
My home, along with the rest of the residents in the subdivision, is surrounded by
three lakes. I shutter at the consequence of this request.
The area in which I live and to a greater extent, the Irish Hills, is being drilled
for oil now. I drive down Wampler's Road and see constant flaring, 24/7, of the natural
gas the companies are not interested tapping into, at this time. The last three
words are italicized, because it is inevitable that the flaring of the untapped gas will
be of great interest, in the future.
Families already under contract for the leasing of their mineral rights are aware of
the wording that states any means of extracting gas/oil is admissible. However, at the
time of their signing, it was not common knowledge of the controversial oil/gas extraction
method called hydraulic fracturing. Fracking will be used in our area when the situation
is warranted and that will present huge environmental challenges.
With the numerous oil/gas disasters, large and small, from the Gulf of Mexico; to the
Kalamazoo River; to Napoleon Township, just miles from my home, where they are still
dealing with the contamination of many private wells from a gasoline spill that happened over
20 years ago-- the list goes on. It doesn't matter where it is, what size it is, or what contaminate
was involved, environments are direly affected. Man included.
Community dialoge must take place to better understand the risks involving all aspects of
oil/gas extraction-- from the toxic biocides used in the well bore to kill living organisms; to the
toxic chemicals and vast volumes of water used in the fracking and stimulation of the wells;
to the carcinogens emitted from flaring into the air; to the disposal of the contaminated fluids.
Adding to this needed dialogue is the use of seismic testing, to uncover the oil reserves.
Communities are becoming acutely aware of the adverse impact seismic testing has on wildlife
and the ecosystems around the testing sites.
Guidelines for seismic testing on DEC administered state land - New York- have stipulated
that 'no holes will be drilled in any road, trail picnic areas or other locations where the public
tends to congregate, nor will they be drilled in any wetland, unique natural community or area
of special concern.' http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/sfseismic.pdf
Canada's native population is embroiled in legal battles to stop seismic testing on the ocean floor
because of the stress and ultimate destruction of the marine life.
All communities will face the same issues. It doesn't matter if it involves wetland, ground or ocean,
seismic testing is affecting fragile ecosystems across the board.
What I see happening in my own back yard is a community known for its abundant natural resources
allowing oil and gas companies to transform its identity for corporate gain. Resources that make up
the land we are living on, farming on, playing on are being extracted for corporate profit.
Yes, this is capitalism. But when a community's health, quality of life and well-being could be compromised,
wouldn't it make sense to be asking the right questions before the irreversible has taken place?
Serious questions for serious times.
Pam
1/5/11
Calling all fusers and glass painters...
Once released, I found what I thought I would find, which was kiln wash stuck to the back of my glass. With a little bit of research we found one person who suggested letting it soak in vinegar for a few hours before trying to wash it off. I would thank that person if I would have kept track of who made the suggestion!
So I am thinking... I've tried a lot of things but it's worth a couple of hours wait time to see if it really works. And, it did! I still had to spend some time washing, lightly scrubbing, and rinsing until I got it all off but it was worth the effort.
This was a piece of glass that I really didn't want to spend more money or time on than I had to. Give it a try if you are in the same position and let me know how it works for you. Or, if you have another suggestion, I would be glad to post it!
Pat Deere
1/4/11
ARK - Art Rocks Kids
The fall ARK theme was “Go Green: Recycled Art.” All projects were made of reclaimed elements repurposed by the students into art. Recycled containers were made into doll-like objects; aluminum cans were cut and nailed to wood, creating ornate designs; clay was textured with found objects and adhered to old frames; and found cardboard and Styrofoam became the supports for acrylic paintings.
Enrollments are now being taken for the winter session of Art Rocks Kids art camp. The theme, “Explore Medieval Art,” includes students making their own stained glass projects with guest artist and stained glass studio owner Pat Deere. Students will also make clay dragons, drawings of imaginary castles, castles of papier-mâché, and ceramic goblets.
Classes will be held Saturdays, 9:30 A.M. to noon, January 15 - February 19, in the Mahan Center for Art and Interior Design on Williams Street. Experienced art educator Debra Irvine-Stiver will direct the program, assisted by Adrian College art education students.
Cost for the camp is $70 per student and includes all materials. The enrollment form can be found on the college website ( http://www.adrian.edu/news/11ARKwinter.pdf ). Please send a check made out to Adrian College Art Department, with the form, to Denise Hein, Office of Conferences at Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St. Adrian, MI 49221.
Fees may also be paid with a credit card by calling Denise Hein at 517-265-5161 ext. 4382. Registration fees are non-refundable. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for their school’s free lunch program.
More information may be obtained by contacting Sue Thompson at 517-474-1103 or sthompson@adrian.edu .
Pat Deere
1/3/11
My plans for the first Monday of 2011
I started out my day with an exercise routine I like using the Body Sport fitness ball. I like it. It gives me a good routine but is not hard on my body.
While exercising, I decided I am going to utilize that time by listening to inspirational, motivational, or educational material. Today, it is education. I am adding another product to my list of products and am excited about them. You can find my web site for sending cards by clicking here or on the link below.
My best routine also includes some time for prayer and/or meditation. I include a link to my Daily Reading on this web site to make it easy for me to do. I have found in the past my days always work out best when I start out in that way. Can't explain it. I just know it works for me.
Unless I am looking for something specific... Facebook and emails will only be checked once a day once my "Important" things get done. On days when I am doing things that are less than desirable for me, I find I can get lost in useless things and waste more time than I realize. Not going to happen in 2011.
Give me another half hour and I will be back in my studio, getting Nicole started on some web site work, and I will be back to painting on my Immigration Window.
Looking forward to a great year!
Pat Deere
Links: Want to find out how to send out a card for $2.99 including postage? Personalize it with your own message. Type in the address. It will be printed, posted, and sent!
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