Kay Larch Studios

2012-01-12T00:47:00.002-05:00

I will start my new Beginning Yoga class on Sunday morning. I'm excited. I've always wanted to take Yoga, but I didn't feel comfortable in a class where everyone was so much more experienced than me. This class will start from the beginning, so I have a better chance of understanding it. Plus, it's right here, in the same building as my art studio, 10 Central Avenue Studios. How convenient is that?!

Here's the link, if you'd like to learn more about it! Yoga is for everyBODY

First Fridays

2012-01-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

If you're not familiar with First Fridays in Greenville, SC, you're missing out on so much!
The first Friday evening of every month, dozens of local artists clean up their studios and open their doors to the public. It's a "come as you are", totally NON-intimidating way to get to know your local artists, see the newest art they've been working on, have a glass of wine or a beer and light appetizers. Sometimes there's live music/entertainment. There is never any expectations to buy anything...just get to know your art community...but collectors know that this is the night to grab the latest and greatest before it's gone. You can drop in and out in a flash, or hang out awhile. You can't do it wrong. Most people who come once are hooked. Even people who just get "talked into going" by a spouse or friend, to their surprise, end up loving it. From then on it's "where everybody knows your name". It's from 6:00-9:00pm. You can start at 10 Central Studios and I'll give you a First Fridays pamphlet with a map.

PEACE SIGN art Coloring Books

2011-12-29T20:51:00.000-05:00

My PEACE SIGN art Coloring Books are now available on ETSY. Check it out! Click Here!

PEACE SIGN art Coloring Book

2011-12-26T21:40:00.000-05:00

My PEACE SIGN art Coloring Book

will be available on ETSY and Facebook in the next day or two. If you "Like" my facebook page, you will be automatically entered in my New Years Day drawing. click here to go to my FB page

You could win a free Peace Sign art Coloring Book!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:49:00.002-05:00

Wishing all of you a very merry Christmas!

Love, Kay

I'm taking Oil Painting lessons

2011-12-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

My oil painting class is the highlight of my week. I've never been one to spend lavishly on myself, but I consider this one extravegance...my oil painting class...a necessity.

Funky-Fun Art Festival

2011-10-28T22:37:00.000-04:00

Once a year, all the coolest, most colorful outsider art and folk art comes to Travelers Rest, SC. Serious collectors and curious art lovers come out in droves. You don't want to miss this one.

I'll be sharing a booth with Jessica Wilson. Her jewelry designs are to die for...super unique, high quality and fabulous....oh, and affordable!!!

I'll have my psychedelic alphabet letters, Day of the Dead coloring books, rock and roll magnets, cigar box art and so much more.

See you there!!!

Travelers Rest Art Festival

2011-10-25T10:10:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, I'll be in Travelers Rest....don't you just love the name of that little town? When I hear "Travelers Rest", I think of covered wagon trains or maybe stage coaches pulling into town for an old fashioned 'layover'.

Anyway....I'll be there for their annual Art Festival. The local art center, Trillium, is doing the festival, and it will be extra special this year. Instead of back in the park, it will be held right on Main St.

Come see me. I'll be sharing my tent with another artist, Jessica Wilson. She designs and creates the coolest jewelry you've ever laid eyes on!

More details to come....right now, I've got to get some things ready for the festival!

My New Website

2011-09-25T11:43:00.000-04:00

My nephew, Nick is building me a website. I am one lucky Aunt, because Nick has a degree and experience in building websites. I don't. I've tried to use templates and such....I just don't know what I'm doing, so I tend to make a mess of it.

Nick lives in NYC, so we're doing everything by text and email. Actually, that wasn't as much of a problem as thought it would be. It's coming along fabulously! Nick is one of those rare people who live in both sides of their brain. He is an amazing visual artist, a talented musician, a computer genius and a wonderful father....sorry ladies, he's happily married, too.

I've posted a link to my future website in the right column of this blog site, but if you click on it now, it won't take you there. I'll let everybody know when it's launched......

Dia de los Muertos COLORING BOOKS

2011-09-23T23:42:00.000-04:00

I'm having so much fun with my new Day of the Dead COLORING BOOKS!

Although my coloring book is suitable for children 3 and up, and is a great way to teach the little ones about an awesome family holiday, most of my customers are grown-ups...buying the book for themselves! I do believe that we never grow out of our love of COLORING!

My New Studio

2011-09-12T20:58:00.000-04:00

I've move into a new studio: 10 Central Avenue Studios. It's a 90 second walk from my house! One big building, lots of amazing artists, but I have my own space...my own room in the big building. I'm inspired to do great things......

Alex J. Cavanaugh: CassaStar

2010-07-30T19:29:00.000-04:00

Alex J. Cavanaugh: CassaStar: "CassaStar by Alex J. CavanaughOctober 19, 2010 Science fiction/adventure/space operaISBN 9780981621067 Dancing Lemur Press LLC To pilot the..."

Check out this cool blog and enter the contest giveaway! (After you click on the CassaStar link above and read the post, click on his giveaway contest link in the top right-hand corner of his page)

I know this isn't my usual painted mosaics and art news type of post, but this book/author came highly recommended. I'm just now getting into a bit of SciFi, I could easily become hooked......at least for awhile!

I've been so busy creating my wooden letters for a couple of stores (Liz Daly's on Main St. Greenville and Two Doors Down on Main St Spartenburg) and for ETSY, that I've ignored my blog. I promise to do better....look what I've been missing! Fun stuff out there!

Love, Kay

FIRST FRIDAY!

2010-05-06T10:27:00.000-04:00

Milagro Studios is having a very special event this First Friday.....tomorrow! We'll be unveiling the studio's fresh, new look. We've been cleaning, painting, redecorating......even planting a little organic herb garden in our little Spanish-style courtyard. Suzanne is using those herbs to make her wonderful syrups that are fast becoming Milagro Studios' signature "grown-up snowcones". I can't wait to try the pineapple/cilantro/tequila snowcone! (Milagro brand tequila, of course!)

We've been busy creating several new pieces for this event. Along with a few other new works, I did a "Frida" painted mosaic that I think turned out pretty cool.......and I'm also putting my painted mosaics on boxes, now. As soon as I get a decent photo of them, I'll post it here.

Today is Suzanne's birthday. I wish I could drag her away from her art long enough to squeeze in a little celebrating, but she's on a roll.......creating some of the most beautiful ceramic pieces I've ever seen! (Be sure to check them out if you're able to make it on Friday!) Well, I guess we'll both have more time next week for birthday festivities.....

Milagro Studios

2010-04-09T22:39:00.000-04:00

Check it out! Suzanne designed our postcard-size business cards for Milagro Studios! She did an awesome job! Thanks, Suzanne!

SPRING

2010-04-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

After a short absence, I'm finally getting back on track. My wonderful husband, Paul, had a brain hemmorhage two days after Christmas. He was in the hospital for two very scary months. Paul is home now and recovering beautifully!

I've started painting again.....picking up where I left off and also, helping Suzanne Vitti and Eric Benjamin in making some awesome changes to the studio! Vitti Studios has now officially changed its name to........wait for it................

MILAGRO STUDIOS and GALLERY

Stay tuned for details on future ART EVENTS and parties!

Art & Light Gallery Show

2009-11-29T23:55:00.000-05:00

      FIRST FRIDAY is coming up FAST! I've been designing, painting and creating my 10" wooden letters for three months! Now, suddenly it's time to wrap it up, pack it up and take them all down to the Art & Light Gallery for the December Show.

      I'm honored to have my letters included in Art & Light's Toyland "Not For Kids Only" art show! (Remember that Jerry Garcia CD called "Not For Kids Only?" That's one of my favorite CDs!)

      I hope everyone can make it out to the Pendleton Street Arts District in West Greenville on December 4th (First Friday) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The Art & Light Gallery is located in the flatiron building.

     Click on the title to this post to see Art & Light's blog!

Little Medusa Magnet

2009-11-15T07:31:00.000-05:00

Color, texture, pattern. Mystery, history, fantasy. Danger......from a safe distance. These are a few of my favorite things.

This is my little magnet version of Medusa. She is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". Created from prints of my original artwork, each little magnet has several layers of crystal lacquer applied to each tiny, painted "tile". I leave the tiny "grout" lines flat. This gives each magnet the same texture and shine as the original painting. Although it's very tedious, detailed work, the outcome is worth all the extra time I put into each of my little magnets.

All of my little mosaic magnets are $8.00 or 3 for $20.00. Shipping is $1.00 for up to 3 magnets. You can see a whole album of magnet choices on my Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/kaylarch?ref=profile Thanks!

FISSURE MAGAZINE

2009-11-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

     My Day of the Dead skull mosaic is on the cover of the current FISSURE magazine! Fissure is a small chapbook style magazine filled with cool poetry and short stories by writers all around the world. The publisher is a small, local underground press right here in Greenville, South Carolina. (Actually, Greenville has a lot of cool little secrets to discover!)

     I met the owner/editor of Shadow Archer Press, Gail Gray, a few months ago when she asked me if she could use my art on the cover. It was--and still is--really exciting! Since then, Gail and I have become friends. She's an amazing person.....a multi-talented artist/writer/poet/weaver/painter.....well, the list goes on and on. Gail's novel, Shaman Circus, is due to hit the stands, soon.

     If you want to learn more about Fissure or Shadow Archer Press, (or if you want to order a copy of the issue with my cover art ;) you can find the link by clicking on the title to this post.

SNEAK PREVIEW.......

2009-11-10T10:47:00.000-05:00

     This is a sneak preview of the project I've been working on for a few months! I've been creating LETTERS! I've almost completed the entire alphabet. These 9 1/2" high wooden letters will be part of the December First Friday Show, at Art & Light Gallery on Pendleton St. Greenville. (Pendleton Street Arts District)

      The process I use to create these letters is very similar to the way I create my smaller magnets. There are several differences, though: First, I designed the shape of the letters and had my friend, Jude, cut out several of each letter for me. I then began painting 26 original designs...one for each letter. I painted them in the mosaic style. I painted little "tiles" and little "grout" lines. I did them all in a '60s-peace-and-love style.

      When an originals were complete, I made several prints of each letter. I painted each wooden letter black and glued on the matching print. When dry, I applied several layers of crystal lacquer to just the "tiles". I left the "grout" flat, so these letters have the texture and shine of a mosaic.

       These are limited edition, signed prints, but because of the huge amount of time and detail on each one, they are much, much more than prints.  Each letter is its own work of art, if I do say so myself!! The originals were painted for the sole purpose of creating this collection of letters. The originals themselves will not be made into wooden letters and will not be for sale.

        My letters are $28.00 each. They will make perfect, unique Christmas gifts as initials or to spell out whole names or cool words. If you have any questions, please leave a comment :)

       EVERYONE is invited to the December Show at Art & Light Gallery!

....more magnets

2009-11-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

     Here are a few more examples of my art magnets. As I said before, these magnets are made from prints of my own original artwork. I have well over 200 images of my work to choose from when I begin making a magnet, so I'm having a lot of fun with them!
     I add the texture by applying several layers of crystal lacquer to the painted "tiles" while leaving the painted "grout" flat. This is the same time-consuming technique I use on my original paintings, so these "prints" are more than just prints.  I work with very tiny brushes and a stand-up magnfiying glass to create these 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" magnets!
     First Friday was this past weekend and I sold a bunch more magnets. I've been working hard on a new project for December First Friday, so I haven't had time to produce any new larger paintings. (Tomorrow, I'll post a preview of the project I'm working on.) In the meantime, I'm glad I have these little magnets as something new in my studio/gallery! People who are curious about my style and technique, but can't purchase a larger painting at this time, have found the perfect solution with these little magnets!
     If you missed my earlier posts, you can click on 2009 on the right of my page to see more. Thanks!

MOSAIC MAGNETS

2009-10-25T09:09:00.000-04:00

    I'm making little Art Magnets from prints of my original miniture art
cards. They are the size of a wallet photo. I have about 200 different
little mosaics to choose from. I'm adding the textured lacquer to the
pictures, so they are really more than just prints. Each one takes about
45 minutes to create. I'm not getting rich, but I wanted to have
something affordable for everyone.

     They're $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00. I've made about 60 magnets
so far. I've sold about 35 of them, so I'm really encouraged by the response! I think I'll go now and make some more............

Medusa

2009-10-11T23:47:00.000-04:00

Medusa was accepted into the Trillium (Travelers Rest) Juried Arts Show. The reception was last night. I went to the gallery by myself, because there was a Dodger playoff game on and I knew Paul was dying to watch it. My Medusa mosaic didn't win any awards.....well, they did say I was "a very close runner-up" for the People's Choice Award......but, I had a great time, met some new friends and drank free wine!

Upstate Visual Arts Juried Show

2009-10-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

This is the Painted Mosaic I entered in the UVA Juried Show. It's called "STILL WATERS" (from the phrase, "...still waters run deep..." It won the "People's Choice" award!!! That was three weeks ago. Then last week, I took it to the Trillium Arts Festival in Travelers Rest SC, and it sold to a private collector. I will miss this painting........

2009-09-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

I'm looking forward to next weekend. This will be my first ever outdoor arts festival. I'm borrowing a tent and gathering up all the artwork I have and heading out at the butt crack of dawn on Saturday morning to set up.
The First annual West Greenville Arts Festival will be held in the Pendleton Street Arts District in West Greenville. All of the studios and galleries will also be open. The music and entertainment will be top-notch. The food and Juried Show and raffle and kid's area and of course, the ART will be amazing! Please stop by my tent and say hello! See you there!

2009-09-07T08:36:00.000-04:00

I'm on the planning committee for the first annual West Greenville Arts Festival. So, today I'll be taking posters around the North Main Street area and asking businesses to hang them. Then I'm off to buy a ton of construction paper, glue sticks and crayons for the Children's Area. It's going to be a fabulous festival! Over 75 artists (I'll have an artist's tent there, so come see me!), live music and entertainment, food, a juried show, raffles, a self-guided stroll through the district to see all of the open studios and businesses and of course the huge Children's Art Area that I'm working on.... It's going to be a FUN day!

2009-09-05T09:02:00.000-04:00

I just rented and moved into my own little corner of an art studio in the Pendleton Street Arts District in Greenville, South Carolina. I'm sharing the studio with two very talented artists: Suzanne Vitti and Ben. My easel is set up right near the window, so I can paint in the natural light.

Last night was "First Friday" art walk. We had quite a crowd come through, considering it was Labor Day weekend and many people were away. "First Fridays" is always on the first friday of every month. All the studios and galleries in the district are open and displaying a wide range of incredible art. Some of the studios have live music and many serve free food and drinks. All up and down the Arts District you find special events, book signings, guest artists, raffles and nice people. It's the hottest party in town!

I sold a painting last night.....life is good.