Sew Cool Club!

Vanessa LaCroix and I will be teaching a sewing class at the Monson Public Library starting October 14, 4:00-5:30. The class lasts for 4 weeks and we will make several cool projects and teach some basic sewing skills. The program is FREE and you can contact the library to sign up.

Forest of Mystery: Realm of Fire

Join us at the Keep Homestead Museum on October 2 & 3 in the evening for a performance in the woods! The land has been taken over by a powerful dragon and the audience must help the woodland creatures solve riddles to lift the curse. The audience moves from scene to scene as the story unfolds on a half mile trail. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors in advance and $18 on the night of. Purchase your tickets ahead of time at https://apps.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=366ed99f1d8ddc0f258085faa56c6f92 You will receive a follow up phone call with a time for your party to arrive at the Keep Homestead, as small groups will be departing every 15 minutes to voyage into the Forest of Mystery. If the weather is bad we will move the show to next weekend.

Monson PTSA fair day at Quarry Hill 9/12/15

From 2-6pm today the Monson PTSA will be hosting a day of fun and activities for kids in the lower soccer field at Quarry Hill School. I will have a craft table set up with activities such as God's Eyes, clothes pin dolls, tiny books and comic strips. I feel these projects are open to interpretation for the kids but still concrete enough to give them a starting point. Can't wait to see some summer camp kids! Two of the older girls from camp will be assisting me.

Halloween Craft Day for Kids

Our second annual Halloween Craft Day for Kids or "Crafternoons," is slated for October 25, 2015 from 12-4pm. The House of Art at 200 Main St. in Monson will be full of activity as kids ages 7-13 are welcome to this workshop to create spooky decorations, work on their costumes, and get in the holiday spirit. Projects will include but are not limited to: pig masks, horn headbands, bendable mummies, decorating cookies, slime, a photo shoot, spooky wind chimes, and sewing monsters. It is $30 per crafter and if you are interested in signing up please email me at newland.andrea@gmail.com. Register by October 19th to allow time for collecting materials and list any allergies.

Art Hanging at Darwin's Ltd. at 313 Mass Ave in Cambridge

Hello Cambridge! It has been a while since I moved back to Monson. My friend Brian Sacco that works at Darwin's put out a call on Facebook to artists with work ready to hang. As my house if full of art I jumped at the chance. So far 2 pieces have sold, Doily #3 and a print of Giraffe. The cafe is a super cute space with good music and a friendly staff. They have decadent cookies, pastries and macaroons, killer 2 egg breakfast sandwiches cooked up to order, and a coffee maker that belongs in a science lab. Makes perfect sense being just down the road from MIT. They also have nitro iced coffee on tap that reminds me of Guinness. Brian has taken on the job of art curator after the owners said they want art on display. If you are an artist or know one with a body or work wired and ready to hang (10-13 pieces depending on the size) go visit him at the cafe. My work will be up until the second week of October. It is all for sale and moderately priced. I am hoping for students, young professionals and constructions workers (who can't go back to Dunkin Donuts after trying this delicious coffee) all buy my work. I am ready to release these paintings into the world and create new work.

Happy Halloween!

Ahhh fall is here in New England. Halloween is quickly becoming my favorite holiday, as I can create ridiculous props, costumes, and party accessories. I just made a 6 foot dollar bill to be George Washington. The summer art camp in Monson I directed was such a success, Vanessa LaCroix and I decided to host a Halloween Craft Day for kids. It is coming up on October 19th from 12-4, for kids ages 8-12, cost is $30, at the Monson House of Art at 200 Main Street. We are going to have an awesome day of crafting and playing with costume and make up. The Monson Arts Council, which I am a member of, has been instrumental in providing space and marketing for such events. We plan to have a Holiday Craft Day for kids, where kids can make gifts to give family members. The Monson Girl Scouts annual haunted house will be at the Monson House of Art, 200 Main Street, on October 24 and 25 from 6:30-9, $4 or $3 with an open pantry donation. This years theme is a Haunted Dollhouse. Monson Arts Council and Greene Room Productions, the local theater, have stepped up to help out the girl scouts with brain storming ideas and having a very spooky event this year. I was also just invited to be an audition judge in the spring for the annual Talent Show in Monson. There are cash prizes for the winners and we would like to see a wide variety of talent, so come on down and show me what you're working with.

"Like A Dream" Opening Tonight! April 11, 2014

Please join me at the Living Art Studio at 219 Main St, Northampton, MA. From 5-9pm there will be the opening with some wine, cheese and crackers. Many businesses will be hosting artists as part of Northampton Arts Night Out. The show will be up until May 6. Alisa who runs the tattoo shop and gallery is so generous and helpful, she will help you with any questions you have about the art or how to contact me. One piece has already sold, so get em' while their hot!

Living Arts Studio Opening April 11, 2014

My paintings will be up in the Living Arts Studio in Northampton, MA, with an opening on April 11,2014 for Northampton Arts Night Out. Take a stroll around town and see some art! But mainly, come see my art and meet my entertaining friends. Hell, it's a tattoo studio so get one while you're there. Hey! Let's all get matching tattoos! This collection of paintings will give you a peak into my brain, which is a strange, colorful, beautiful, weird place. See you there! More info at: http://www.thelivingartstudio.com/ And: http://www.artsnightout.org/

Monson Fest Painting

On July 20th my dear friend Kevin Pelissier threw his annual Monson Fest party, where family and friends fill the backyard for a camp out day and night of festivities. There are always awesome bands with a lit up stage, tents in the yard, a fire in back, an in ground pool with glow sticks floating in it. A giant slip and slide is rolled out down the hill with detergent all over it and a hose. Basically, a super fun time. This year I conquered my fear of the slip and slide and mastered it, with minimal scrapes and a sore rib cage. My contribution to Monson Fest this year was to sketch out a painting for everyone to work on. From previous years I imagined what it would look like, standing on the deck and looking down to the pool and yard. I drew it out in pencil and painting a few things in. I was at work all day, and was happy that people added to it by filling in and adding creatures. I have it in the studio to finish it up so Kevin's dad Kevin Senior can hang it.

What's New

Alot has happened lately, here is the latest. Performed a comedy show at the Elevens in Northampton,MA for the monthly Mass Laughs Comedy show. We had a great line up of comics, a big audience, and I feel my confidence growing with each show I do. I had a bunch of new jokes and they went over well. So instead of being cooped up in the studio painting by myself, I have been exploring this more theatrical form of art. I also had the chance to host an open mic at Bishops Lounge for the new Sunday night, 7:30 show. I make weird observations on the world and think, "how can I turn this into a joke?" Kind of similarly to my painting, observing and recording the world through my own perspective. For the past two weeks I helped teach Art Camp through Monson Parks and Recreation Department. We studied nature through art and recycled materials to create paper mache Oaxaca inspired animals. Every time I have the chance to work with young kids, I am reminded how creative and full of energy they are. A pleasure to do Art Camp every year. If you are in the Monson area and have some little ones, think of enrolling them next year. There is a 5-7 year old group and then 8-13 or so. Included are some pictures. I also helped out Greene Room Productions with their 4th of July parade which was Alice in Wonderland themed, painting up some guys on stilts to resemble pink flamingos! Air brush and smaller brush work, threw them in my car and raced down to get them in the parade, where about 4,000 people flock to Main St Monson for Summerfest!

Popcorn Noir- Summer Session Show

Great news! My Lady Legs up at Popcorn Noir will stay up for the summer season, jumping over to a larger wall in the dining area. I am going to add some additional paintings which may not be legs, but I feel will round out the collection. Please join me on Thursday, June 13, 2013 for an evening of meeting new people, snacking on delicious new menu items, sipping cocktails and having an all around wonderful time. It'll be a blast old sport!

94.7 WMAS Robyn's Review for Brush It Off

Robyn Lee works for a Springfield, MA radio station and does reviews of local businesses. Here is her review of Brush It Off, complete with me awkwardly talking on camera. It was a great class for her to come visit on, we had 40 people, a packed house for us. She even came back this past Sunday with some friends to paint just for fun, which I think is the best recommendation we could get. Exciting stuff happening in Sturbridge, MA. Check out the Brush It Off facebook page for lots of great pictures of regular folks painting up a storm. http://robynsreviews.com/

They're All Gonna Laugh At You!!!

Had a fantastic time telling jokes at the Comedy Broads Battle Cancer hosted by Kris Badal. We raised $700 for cancer research via standup2cancer.org. We packed the theater room to standing only with audio piped over to the bar side. Raffle items were given out, including a gift certificate from my work at Brush It Off. After the show there was a hip hop session. Thank you to: Kris Badal, Noëlle Gray, Dana Montuori, Lillian DeVane, Jennifer Myszkowski, Hilary Gardiner, Ellementt, TheMcMarvin, QuiñonesAaron, Aaron LaRoche, Aaron Borucki, Jess Miller, Kim DeShields, Ezra Prior and especially to Popcorn Noir for having us for such an incredible event! So female comics kicked cancers ass, at least $700 worth. Go to StandUpToCancer.org for information on donating through fundraising. To continue a great cause on April 27th at 2p.m. I will be teaching a "Wings of Hope" butterfly with pink ribbon to raise more money for the cause. Seats are $35 and Brush It Off will donate $10 of each seat. Have not heard about Brush It Off yet? Find more information here, www.brush-it-off.com I teach painting there full time and love it! Even if you have never painted before, I show you step by step how, and you can even have a glass of wine or a beer while you do it. See you then.

Opening at Popcorn Noir a Hit

Had a wonderful time at the art opening and Spring menu debut at Popcorn Noir last Thursday. The other artists hanging had really great work, Christopher Gendron with paintings of a long lost culture and Eric Gove with photos on stretched canvas of marshes and mountain hikes. Had a nice turn out of friends and family and doubled the celebration being my father's Birthday! If you couldn't make the opening but are free this Saturday, come by at 9:30 for Comedy Babes Battle Cancer benefit show. I will be telling jokes and raffling off a gift certificate to Brush It Off. Come early if you want a seat, and then standing room, and then in the bar area with audio piped in through speakers. The work will probably be up for Spring til the beginning of June. Or here are some photos.

Art and Comedy at Popcorn Noir, Easthampton, MA

I am excited to be hanging art on Tuesday at Popcorn Noir in Easthampton, MA. This ingenious spot shows movies in a separate screening room, has wonderful cocktails and a new Spring menu debuting on April 11, which will also be the night of the art opening! So come on down to support me, some other artists and a really cool restaurant. If you can't make it on the 11th you can come on Saturday the 20th for an all female comedy show. This comedy show is a benefit for cancer. There is no cover but suggested donation is $10 and we will be raising money for Standup2cancer.org. There will be also be a raffle at the end of the evening. Start time 9:30pm. Headlining our show we have Lillian DeVane from Boston, a very funny gal who just hosted several shows at the Women in Comedy Festival. Other performers include Alana Eisner from NY, Noelle Gray from CT, Jess Miller, Andrea Newland, Hillary Gardiner, and Dana Montouri. Come support women in comedy and a great cause!

Gateway City Arts in Holyoke Classes

Wanted to share an up an coming studio space in Holyoke along the canal called Gateway City Arts, located at 92-114 Race St. in Holyoke, MA. They have Swing dance classes as well as Tango, workshops on gilding frames and creating molds, and classes by Dean Nimmer in drawing, monoprint and classes like art from intuition. Classes range in price and you can take one, or get a better deal if you take a bunch of them. I have been wanting to take one of Dean Nimmer's classes ever since he was the chair of Fine Arts at Mass Art and I never got to take his "100 Drawings" class there. I also found a bunch of his assemblage at a little gallery in Easthampton, MA and bought two. Check out their list of classes here

The Creative Collective: A Variety Show

"Ok, so here's my idea. I know a lot of creative people. These people make great art, music, theater, comedy.. they also drink like fish and party like animals. Let's celebrate our creativity and intrinsic artistry by all putting on a show at the precinct in Somerville, MA. I have the whole night booked from 9-2. Now, all I need is the artists, musicians, actors, comedians, and alcoholics to step forward and join me on the stage throughout the night." - Justin Joyce That's right folks, and I will be performing/showing art. So come meet some fun people and have a final awesome party to round out 2012. I havn't had nearly enough. If you've ever said to me, "You have to tell me next time you do a show!" This is that time. -Andrea

Vintage Spiderwear

At the recent Monson Arts Council Holiday Show I purchased a beautiful handmade purse made out of a vintage lace and linen table runner from Vintage Spiderwear. An over the shoulder messenger style bag, the strap is made from a brown leather belt with a handsome buckle. I couldn't resist getting it after seeing all the hand stitched embroidery of peach daisies with blue centers. It also has lots of embellishments with knotted leather, a feather and gold chains with beads and jewels hanging down the front. It is also a perfect length to my hip. Susan Zamboni is the Designer and also an Interior Decorator. She takes vintage clothes and takes them apart to make one of a kind bags. You can see and purchase her work at the upcoming holiday show at The Yellow House in Palmer, MA, on Dec. 8th. Or check her out on facebook under Vintage Spiderwear. Happy Holidays!

Artists In The Attic at Christopher's 12/4/12

Excited to be joining the Christopher's Restaurant crew this Tuesday (12/4/12) for an artist craft show in the upstairs dining room from 5-8pm. The likes of Kate Jorgenson Bejarano, John Jorgenson, Peter, Melissa "Clark" Buttons, Abbey Schneider, Alyssa Jane Milne and yours truly. Many things will be there to feast your eyes on what these fantastic artists have been up to, mostly on sale for under $100 for some holiday shopping. Also, buy the artists drinks. They like drinks. After some collaboration between Alyssa Jane Milne and I, we have hatched a plan to represent ourselves as "Artists in the Attic." On occasion we get together and make stuff in my studio... that is in a barn... that is also kind of in the attic. With her background in design and screen printing and mine in painting and teaching, we want to see what kind of brilliant disasters we can create together. Watch out world! We are about to blow the roof off. At this show I will have my usual assortment of Mini Masterpieces, birch candle holders, the new silkscreen onesies, cards and magnets, some paintings and maybe a concrete leaf. Alyssa Jane will have hair accessories, day of the dead inspired painted busts and more.

Inspiration from Oaxacan Wood Carving

"It is easy to imagine a great painting, Yeats once said; the hard part is realizing it in materials. Inspired, stolen or imposed, "an idea is simply an idea, and anyone can have one," Jamie Santiago says. "It is the artisan who must use his talents to give it life. People can spout great ideas all day long, but most of them never leave the cantina.'" -page 37, Oaxacan Woodcarving, The Magic In The Trees, by Shepard Barbash Today I am inspired by the sculpture of the Mexican town of Oaxaca. From a small village of poor farmers came innovation and creativity. Using machetes, kitchen knives and pocket knives these artisans carve dynamic creatures, mermaids and day of the dead altars that are then expertly painted with bright patterns and dots. This is a piece by Mario Castellanos. If you have never seen this style of carving and painting, I highly recommend looking it up to brighten your day.