Janeane Grisez, her journey with Art.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” ~ Pablo Picasso

                As far back as I remember, I have been making art. When I was young, finger painting was one of my first art experiences that I can remember while I was in school. There were so many things I loved about this process including the texture and colors of the paint and especially the feeling of joy that art making provided me. My grandpap picked me up from school each day, and I would proudly present my art to him. Grandpap would say “Oh what do we have here, did you put some Kool-aid on the paper and let the cat lick it up?” and we would giggle together. He would later display my paintings around the house and show them to relatives and friends who came to visit. We did not have a lot of money, so I was always drawing on whatever paper I could find and made my art from other found things, such as scrap pieces of wood that I painted and would then gift to my family and friends. In fact, a couple of years ago, my best friend from Jr. High school found a picture I had drawn her of an elephant for her birthday. She has saved it all these years and still treasures it. I was humbled and fascinated when she told me and I was able to remember creating the drawing, the feelings I had when I created it, as well as the ability I have to create a handmade gift.

  

Lady of the Night

Butterfly 

                                    As a teen, I received art lessons and art therapy. It was there that I began to hone-in on my skills and learn how to use different mediums such as drawing, fiber arts, ceramics and painting, predominately using oils. I painted much through my early adulthood, never considering myself a "real" artist or thinking I could really do anything art related as my profession. I would simply give my art away when I was finished with it. It was during this time I decided to enter the nursing profession, got married and began my family. Always painting along the way and making other things with fabric and yarn. looking back, I realize that my painting helped me cope with so many things in those days and brought beauty to a difficult time in my life. Every piece of art that is created is an extension of the artist, their soul, and my should as I create. 

A Walk in San Francisco

I love the quote from Picasso because it rings true for me. Making art has washed away a lot of dust from my life, and offered me a way to express myself like no other. In case you’re wondering, I have a favorite Picasso painting as well, “The Dream” that hangs in my home. It is significant because through art and my spirituality, I have realized that what’s inside of me counts, my dreams matter and that it’s ok to follow those dreams, which eventually led me to the Art Therapy and Counseling program at Ursuline College. Already a person in the helping profession, I grew tremendously while there in my creative nature, in knowledge of best practices of helping others, and continuing self-care practice through personal creativity.

Mica's Dream, WIP

Mica's Dream

I’m not as fond of oils as I once was. I continue to paint using different mediums, such as acrylic on canvas, silks, and acrylics and/or alcohol ink on wood. I also enjoy mixed-media pieces and fiber arts. I enjoy blending colors, the brightness of the silk paints and watching them spread over the silk, the happy surprises that happen during the process. My art continues to be an extension of my soul, an expression of my spirituality and a way to process feelings. I am inspired daily by the world around me, strong women who have a presence in my life, and the ever-changing cycle of life.  

Gaia

Flower Child 

Hippie Chick

          Besides teaching classes and providing Art Therapy at Stella’s Art Gallery on our “Therapeutic Thursdays”, I work as an Art Therapist and Counselor at Kortanek Psychological Services Inc. in Beachwood, Ohio. I am also an Art Therapist at the Willoughby Fine Arts Association, where I provide contract services in the Euclid School System working with K-5 children with special needs and Lake/Geauga Recovery Centers Inc. with the adult recovering addictions population. As a therapist in general, I am a container that holds the feelings and pain of others. In that sense, it is important for me to continue my daily practice of self-care through my own personal creativity. It is a message that I convey to my colleagues and clients, as I believe that a daily creative practice is of great benefit to others, whatever the motivation. Making art makes people feel better, even when they thought they did not need to. 

Upcoming events –

The Best Bike Night in Town – May 2^nd, May 16^th and May 30th.This event is an all Make, Model, Year BIKE show. Fourk will have discounts on bike night participants on both food and drinks. Featured artist from Stella’s Art Gallery And desserts and coffee available at Perkatory Coffeehouse.  I expect all my biker friends will be joining us. Bring your lady (or guy) and see what we have going on at the Matchworks Building! And don’t forget our Car Nights! May17th, 31st, June 28th!

On May 20^th, from 1p-4p, you will find me, along with several of the other artists at Atria Assisted Living (Rt-615) in Mentor.

Later that day, I will be teaching a paint night for Recovery Life, a not for profit organization who is attempting to combat drug and alcohol addictions (proceeds will be donated towards recovery housing project.

Our Riverside High School Show remains up until the end of May. Come on over and see the lovely work of a special project done in collaboration with Stella’s Art Gallery and RHS.

We will be celebrating “Peace, Love and Reggae” as Carlos Jones will play June 2^nd at the Matchworks Building.    

Size Matters is up next and I will be joining the Stella’s Art Gallery in the June show Size Matters! Juried art show 8x10 and no larger than 11x14 (including frame) and smaller. Reception Friday, June 8^th.

Speaking of June, Stella’s art gallery has been gracious in offering to host a paint night for myself and another Stellas’s Artist, in assisting with our effort to reach our goal for providing art therapy materials and expenses for our service learning trip in October. The other artist and myself have been on another such trip before and it has enriched my life to work with others by sharing the arts and myself with others.

Please check out our Art Therapy Services, Stella Camps 2018, Art Clubs and Classes. Stella’s Art Gallery has something for everyone! There, you may find me in my studio, behind the register, providing Art Therapy or teaching a class. I will look forward to meeting you soon 

Stella Art Camps, a Full Creative Experience.

To Register for any of these camps:

https://www.stellasartgallery.com/store/p682/Stella_Camps_Summer_2018.html

Create Like the Masters June 11-16th 10-Noon 6-10yrs $95: Each day explore a style and technique on a different Master Artist while learning a little art history along the way! Due up: Georgia O'Keefe, Andy Warhol, Wassily Kandinsky, Claude Monet, & Frida Kahlo.

INSTRUCTOR: Dani Klein

​World Arts, Music and Culture June 25th-29th 1-4pm 6-8 yrs $115: Create artworks inspired by music from around the globe. “Travel” the world and experience local and exotic destinations… participate in a different cultural tradition each day.
​
This multi media class gives the student an opportunity to learn and experiment with basic art concepts and techniques in a “hands on” environment.
Curriculum to include 2D and 3D projects base on art principles: Color Theory, Design, Composition, Color, Texture, Line, Space, Shapes, Balance & Focal Point, Portraiture, Pop Art, Contemporary
Thailand, Bali: Batik Resist painting
Hawaii: (Paper) Aloha Shirt
Mexico: Amate Bark Painting, (Animal/floral, landscape)
USA: Pop Art, silkscreen on t-shirt, fabric and paper
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Urbas

All Around Art Camp July 9th-13th 1-4pm ages 6 and up $115. 
MONDAY: Create cover for sketchbook/journal, World Art and Culture Project: Aloha Shirt
TUESDAY: Finish drawing animals for Aloha shirt
WEDNESDAY: Paint with watercolor: Tropical island painting Introduction to working with watercolor media: color wash, drip, wax resist and pull out techniques. Create island painting using new skills.
THURSDAY: Painting with tempera paint, Pond painting. Introduction to working with tempera paint, color wheel/mixing, Create painting using new skills.
FRIDAY: Printmaking and Wearable Art: Silk screen printing on t- shirt, Print t-shirt with design created by student. Add hand painting if desired, Finish projects.
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Urbas

Textile Design, Create Unique Fabric July 30th-August 3rd 1-4pm 9-13yrs $115:
This class will give the student hands-on experience in the different methods and techniques of applying images, colorants, and other surface embellishments to fabric. The finished fabric can be incorporated into quilts, wearables, home furnishings such as pillows, wallhangings and other unique projects.
Experience the different methods of applying fabric dyes and textile paints including: block printing, stamping, handpainting, mono printing, and silkscreen (and squeegee) printing.
Use the silkscreen as a drawing and printing tool. Experiment with open screen monoprinting and hand cut stencil methods. Transfer your ideas and print your designs on fabric, a t-shirt, tote bag, bandana, or paper. INSTRUCTOR: Mary Urbas

3D Sculptures August 6-10 10-Noon 8-13yrs $95:
This class will give the student a hands on 3D visual experience. Student will create using clay, wire, wood, plaster, plastics, and recycled objects to make a sculpture each of camp.
INSTRUCTOR: Dani Klein

To Register for any of these camps:

https://www.stellasartgallery.com/store/p682/Stella_Camps_Summer_2018.html

Second Friday this May 11th - A Life Full of Color- Opening reception 7-9pm.

This school year we had the privilege of working with the talented students from Riverside High School and their art instructor, Drew Hartmann. We collaborated with their senior Art IV class and discussed the process of designing and implementing an art show.  We met with them 5 times throughout the school year. Each time we discussed their goals, expectations, and progress. At our final meeting on Riverside's campus, 6 artists from the gallery visited to review their portfolios and "art coach them" during their class time  The were able to conference with as many of us as they desired.  We discussed their strengths, weaknesses, purpose, finishing product and presentation of each piece they shared with us. 

On April 30th they delivered their submissions. On May 1st our Board juried them. On May 9th student volunteers, Mr. Hartmann, and myself displayed their work in our main gallery.

MAY 11TH 7-9PM Opening Reception @ Stella's Art Gallery 8500 Station Street Mentor, Ohio 44060. Support these Young Adults by meeting them and seeing their ART in person. LIVE MUSIC by the Headlands Beach Experience in the Atrium. The band has invited any Riverside Senior to jam with them -guitar, percussion...etc. Show will be on display until May 30th. 

If you are an art teacher and would like to collaborate next school year, email Dani Klein at StellasArts@gmail.com 

Meet Diane Fleisch Hughes, an Art Therapist and a Stella's Art Gallery Artist.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”  Thomas Merton

      I have been an artist all my life, I remember collecting sketchbooks as a youth and my parents enrolling me in all kinds of different art classes. It is where I felt most comfortable and in control. All of that practice led me to art school (FIT – NYC BFA in illustration) and continuing my practice as the years went by and life happened.

        

     I went back to school after my four children had reached a certain age, in order to satisfy my creative side as well as be involved in a helping profession that served others. I found that through the Art Therapy and Counseling program at Ursuline College. Not only does this profession help with the mental health of others, but it encourages self-care and sustaining individual creativity. In other words, I can heal others and also satisfy my own self expression.

  

                                 

    My subject is the figure. I am fascinated by the shapes, lines and colors that make up the human figure. The figure in its environment. How it fits, how it reacts, what colors embody both of those elements. I am a mixed media artist, using objects, papers, different paints and materials to tell the story of a person or group of people in their environment. I find that this is a good way to process the service learning trips I have been on where I have traveled with a group of Art Therapist to places like El Salvador, Zimbabwe Africa and the Cheyenne River Reservation in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. After completing these trips and working with the people there, I am able to create paintings about how it felt to be there, the people who had a great impact on me, the life and the land that I was exposed to. It is a humbling experience when strangers from another country let you into their lives and share their story. I hope that shows through my artwork.

                            

    I work full time as an Art Therapist at Julie Billiart School – a K-8 school for special needs children.  I encourage the children to express themselves, think out of the box, try new things, sensory play, social skills, collaborative play and community involvement. They amaze me every day with their unique imaginations and courage as they try to help themselves and others. I also see private clients at the Fine Arts Association and hopefully, soon, at my studio in the Matchworks Building. I am a big advocate of community based art – working together to build and strengthen community while creating a beautiful collaborative piece. It is a non-threatening way to give back, get involved or find a safe space within a group of like minded people.

Upcoming events – I have been invited to be a part of the New York Studio Schools Drawing Marathon in June. This is a two week intensive drawing workshop that is shared among twenty artists.  The drawing is every day from 9am – 6pm with critiques in the evening from 7pm – 9pm. I am excited and nervous (and exhausted!) just thinking about it!

   I will also be a part of a group show at Stella’s Gallery - Size Matters! In June, reception Friday June8th.

Please come visit my studio and the gallery at Stella’s in the Matchworks Building! Until then, I will see you around Cleveland at all of the art events, please stop and say hi!