Just Around The Corner

My new virtual home is just about ready for launch and I'm real, real excited. Kevin has been working his you know what off making it and it's been a real blast of evolution, creativity and joyous partnership. Wheeee!

Listener

Here she is, my new painting called Listener. A portrait of Debra and the chair in which she sits. This kind of physical give and take, where you walk into a room with light coming in through the windows, each taking a seat near the other, is a kind of transformative experience in and of itself.

My Boys

My Energy

Here's the newest painting in the series to be shown at the Kai Lin Art gallery in Midtown this coming March.

I used to give my energy away in all the wrong places, leaving me depleted and stuck behind myself, unable to move forward. Now it's a different story. I'm reclaiming my energy cell by living cell and putting it to better life-giving use. This painting is proof of that.

Hello happy world. I love you.

Tiny Beaded Bag

This little guy is from a series of tiny knitted bags I made a few years ago. Using a Bead Spinner, I took the spool of crochet cotton and strung it with tiny beads. Then you knit a few stitches without beads, then pull a few over and knit again, etc. A really fun way to knit. Makes a beautiful edging or fun accents that add weight and dimension to your piece.

This bag is about 2 inches square and hangs at about 18 inches tall. Wear it as a necklace and it's beautiful.

new portrait

Hi Friends,

Here's another self portrait I did with the Production class at Portfolio Center. So much fun! The idea for this assignment came from Instructables.com and I use it every quarter. We will be finishing these up next week, so I just might do another.

Instructions can be found here.

Nate Williams

My friend Kevin sent this site my way - the work of Nate Williams is really engaging and fun. It takes a lot of bravery to illustrate the statement "Life Is Beautiful" amongst all the pessimism out there. I love this guy's patterns. SUCH such fun.

Total Rockstar

Dancing with Dad

Dancing with my father has got to be one of the most fun things ever. It seems every wedding or celebration we attend mutually, someone snaps a picture of the two of us swinging away. People must like the way we do it- heck - I'm not even sure we're that good. But it doesn't matter - he always makes me laugh and I just hold on tight for dear life.

New Haircut

Doug and Anton are in Augusta this weekend and while I relish the time alone, it's still an adjustment and sometimes kinda freaky. But I have gotten a TON of work done last night and today. Tomorrow I paint and I think the next one is going to be about energy. That is MY energy and the fact that I've reclaimed it. Today has been evidence of that. I've been giving calligraphy estimates out the wazoo lately (Spring wedding season) and it's been great to really participate in that without reservation about how much time I've got. I just keep saying yes to the work, and the timing always seems to work out. I may have to juggle jobs and shift things around - but the work always gets done.

Speaking of time well spent, (and you know I've got extra because I'm actually WRITING to you) I cut my hair today and DANG, do I feel better. Good thing God gave me a decently shaped head and that some genius invented product (I'm a product whore) because I think it looks pretty good! With those two things, a mirror and a little spare time, I'm an okay hairstylist.

Was going to see the Lovely Bones tonight, but really just want to cook a warm dinner, sit by the fire, watch a documentary and knit a little.

Life's pretty beautiful right now. Even while missing the bunny and missing my bunnie's daddy.

Tina and Me

This is a picture of me and my friend Tina at her daughter's wedding. She gave me this one for xmas and I just love looking at it. She's one of my biggest cheerleaders and is also Anton's godmother.

Listener

Third in the series, Listener began today. This is a portrait of my biggest listener - the throne she sits in when we do our digging and unearthing of the real Anne.

Quill Skill

I'm Bad

Reeeeeeel bad. In my mom's sunglasses and tyroleon hat.

Ask

Here's a new one in the series showing at the Kai Lin Gallery in March.

This one's called "ask." The openings called "Grace."

Kirk the Godfadder

Here's Anton's Uncle Kirk and Godfather. Kirk is Doug's brother who spent New Year's Eve with us and watched Anton while we got the rare opportunity to go out for a movie. Thank you Kirk! We saw Avatar and had a great time.

Happy New Year!

2010: New Calligraphy and Bookmaking Classes

Hi Friends,

Seats are beginning to fill up for my 2010 January/February Bookmaking and Calligraphy courses at Binders Art Supply right here in Atlanta. Last year (the beginning of 2009) I have 14 people sign up for my Copperplate Class. It was loads of fun! My guess as to why it was so popular was that after a full holiday season of cooking, shopping and entertaining, people were ready to do something nice for themSELVES. Taking a six-week evening course is a great way to do that.

You can sign up for my classes by clicking the links to your right, or by reading further below.

I would love to see you there and BOY do I have a lot of energy to share with you.

Happy New Year!

~Anne

Click here for Calligraphy supply lists.

Click here for Bookmaking supply lists.

Calligraphy 2 w/Anne Elser (CLASS 1/4-2/8)

Calligraphy 2 with Anne Elser :: Mondays, 6 sessions, Jan. 4 - Feb.8 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. Theres good news for those of you who have already taken a Copperplate or Italic class from Anne and feel stuck - staring down that blank stack of envelopes with no idea how to tackle all that space. Introducing Calligraphy 2, an advanced calligraphy class designed for those who already know the fundamentals of any calligraphic face and are ready for the challenge of applying the words to the page. Whether you are addressing envelopes, laying out a certificate, document or quote of any size, this class will help you understand the concept of hierarchy on a page, drama, stable compositions and balance of elements. You will also be encouraged to take the plunge into the world of flourishing! Experimenting with color, gouache, inks and paper is also encouraged. Bring in your free spirits and lets have fun! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Bookmaking with Anne Elser (CLASS 1/5-2/9)

Bookmaking with Anne Elser :: Tuesdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 5- Feb. 9 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. We will be making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The objective here is to give you a fundamental understanding of how books are made - a backbone of knowledge so you can create your own books and journals. There will be an emphasis on neatness and craft and most of all FUN. Making books is a very rewarding experience. They make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks for yourself and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and again - a need to have FUN!
THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Bookmaking with Anne Elser (CLASS 2/23-3/30)

Bookmaking with Anne Elser :: Tuesdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 23-March 30 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. We will be making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The objective here is to give you a fundamental understanding of how books are made - a backbone of knowledge so you can create your own books and journals. There will be an emphasis on neatness and craft and most of all FUN. Making books is a very rewarding experience. They make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks for yourself and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and again - a need to have FUN!
THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Copperplate Calligraphy (CLASS 1/6-2/10)

Copperplate Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Wednesdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 6- Feb. 10 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140.Are you fascinated with how beautiful calligraphy looks and want to try it yourself? This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. After we learn each upper and lower case character, we will spend the last two classes learning layout techniques for envelope addressing, a bit of flourishing and color experimentation. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pace and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes, letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for your hands! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Copperplate Calligraphy (CLASS 2/24-3/31)

Copperplate Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Wednesdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 23-March 31 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. Are you fascinated with how beautiful calligraphy looks and want to try it yourself? This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. After we learn each upper and lower case character, we will spend the last two classes learning layout techniques for envelope addressing, a bit of flourishing and color experimentation. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pace and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes, letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for your hands! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Italic Calligraphy (CLASS 1/7-2/11)

Italic Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Thursdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 7- Feb. 11 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140, The Italic calligraphic face is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can be transformed (dressed up or down) with ease. A wonderful face to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. We will spend 6 weeks learning the Italic face. Students will be given handouts and guide sheets. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.
Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands. THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Italic Calligraphy (CLASS 2/25-4/1)

Italic Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Thursdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 25-April 1 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140, The Italic calligraphic face is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can be transformed (dressed up or down) with ease. A wonderful face to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. We will spend 6 weeks learning the Italic face. Students will be given handouts and guide sheets. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.
Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands. THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

New Place Cards

Done for Luxe Expressions right here in Georgia. Used the hunkiest male actors I could think of.

Ravish Me

Happy New Year!

I'm painting again with an entirely new series of work for a show in March called Grace at the Kai Lin Art Gallery in Midtown. This series is about the process of enlightenment I'm beginning. It'll be a lifetime of work and progression - but I'm on my way. The ordinary is more extraordinary and the objects I'll paint will be metaphors for the changes I'm experiencing.

I am the teapot. Shimmering with peace and creativity. Changing. Becoming. Ready to pour, ready to be filled again. Ravish me! I can take it.