0
0
was successfully added to your cart.
Oct 26
1

Life is more than Black & White – Art & Wellbeing.

By | Art, Lifestyle

A moving testimonial from one of our students at Art Mania Studio. This is Your Happy Place because art is a pathway to living life with wellbeing.

“I learned the basics of charcoals early 2018.

I was in hospital at the time. My mental health was at crisis point. I was trapped in my head and it wasn’t a nice place to be trapped.

Fee took the time one Saturday to sit with me and take me through how to use the charcoal, smudging, getting light and dark tones. I was instantly swallowed up into this world of black and white, and everywhere I looked I saw potential subjects to interpret with my charcoals.

Charcoals became a filter through which I started to see the world. It sounds odd but learning how to use this medium helped me so much with beginning to interact a little more. It’s almost like because I was looking at things to see if I could draw them, it became a less stressful to go outside and to engage with people. It was kind of like engaging not as myself – but as a curious visitor who was seeing the world for the first time.

Learning charcoals played a key part in my ongoing recovery, because it’s helped me to interact and engage again. It helped set me free from being trapped in my mind. And being in that charcoal world of black and white and the shades in between reduces the visual clutter that triggers my anxiety. Charcoals helped simplify my interpretation of the world, and encouraged me to look at smaller details rather than being overwhelmed by the bigger picture.

What I particularly like about using charcoals is that it’s so tactile. I love getting my hands dirty, and being able to manipulate the charcoals with my fingers creates more of a connection between myself and what I am drawing.

Since learning those basics with Fee, I’ve done a charcoals workshop at Art Mania, which I loved. I’m looking forward to collecting more skills through Art Mania, because working with charcoals is something that I really want to pursue, so that it can be a resource when I’m struggling with my mental health, and an outlet when sailing is smoother.”

This student wishes to remain anonymous, we are thankful they chose to express what participating in one of our workshops has done for them. 
Art Mania Studio is a community hub that offers a range of art workshops, classes & block courses, plus a lot of love.
Come in & find out for yourself today what a little bit of art & love could do for your world. 

Oct 03
0

Let’s Paint Frida

By | Art, Lifestyle | No Comments

Hi Ladies & Gents…

“I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration. – Frida

Frida also used to say “There is nothing more precious than laughter”, we took it very seriously and honoured her with a day filled with fun, laughter and good vibes learning about her incredible life and capturing her beauty on canvases.

“I love how we got to paint our own version of Frida. I loved how Dee taught us techniques that made painting much easier to grasp in a very short amount of time. I love the freedom of using vibrant colors. I had such a great time!”  – Let’s Paint Frida – Workshop participant.

“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” ― Frida Kahlo

Let us give you some background on Frida Kahlo de Rivera; (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954). She was a Mexican artist who painted many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Inspired by the country’s popular culture, she employed a naïve folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. In addition to belonging to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement, which sought to define a Mexican identity, Kahlo has been described as a surrealist or magical realist.

Frida’s work has been celebrated internationally as emblematic of Mexican national and Indigenous traditions, and by feminists for what is seen as its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.

Out talented painting master – Deanne Newland took us on an adventure to capture Frida in beautiful and colorful portraits using a variety of techniques. What an amazing and fun day of painting it was, just look at diversity of created artworks!

 

“Loved painting Frida! Art Mania Studio is a wonderful place to go to learn how to express yourself creatively. I thought I wasn’t creative  but in coming to classes and workshops at Art Mania, I have learned skills and techniques (and gained a lot of courage) that has helped me access my creativity. It is a joy and a pleasure to have a place where creativity is encouraged and inspired.” Emily Smith – Workshop participant

 

For more incredible painting adventures in Art Mania Studio check out and book into the following workshops:

  • VISIONARY VINO – SATURDAY – 3 NOV  – Our Visionary Vino gives you best of both worlds. Come & enjoy an afternoon session of painting & getting a bit arty along with some delicious wine to help you wind down on your weekend (or wind up if that may be the case!).
  • WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP – SATURDAY – 3 NOV  – This fun workshop is designed for beginners! Experiment & learn about the nature of watercolour & its use. You will learn about colour & basic colour mixing, application of paint, wet in wet/wet in dry techniques, blending colours, isolating sections using a mask, transfer of an image, difference in substrates (papers), use of pen work & more.
  • PAINTING WEEKLY CLASSES – FRIDAYS – 19 OCT – 21 DEC  – Or sign up for a weekly painting classes and learn to paint with watercolors, acrylics, oils paints and more. Experience the joy of colour and texture, as you work in your chosen medium, painting what you love. Guided by talented artist and teacher Trish Menegazzo. Develop your own style and watch your skill level and confidence grow.

 

See you in Your Happy Place,

Love,

Art Mania Studio

Aug 11
0

Just BecCause

By | Art, Fundraiser

“Bec was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 14. She endured many hours days and weeks in hospital having chemo treatment. Bec had an inspiring sense of humour.  She rarely complained and kept on smiling through the pain and sickness. Bec smile was infectious! You couldn’t help but smile along with her.

After having a good response to the first year of treatment, Bec went onto maintenance treatment,  which meant she continue her treatment at home, less time in hospital and could start to resume some what of a normal life.  She started to attend school again, went to the movies and hung out with friends again. Her hair started to grow back and she felt much better. 4 weeks prior to completing her treatment, Bec relapsed.

Bec would relapse for a second time, being deemed incurable. Bec had a big heart and wanted to help other kids beat the fight with cancer. In 2017, she started a fund raiser she called “Just BecCause “.
Bec had an artistic sole. She loved to draw and paint. She was good at it, so when Fee from Art Mania Studio approached her to do an resin art piece to auction at her fund raiser, well Bec jumped at it!

Art Mania Studio generously, donated time, supplies and lots of fun energy to Bec and her cause.
She raised $10,000, $1,000 of that from the auction of her special art piece,  for research into finding a cure for kids cancer. Bec added this money to a crowd funder she headed raising an amazing $38,000.

Heartbreakingly, my beautiful Bec earnt her wings in December last year after a  three and half year courageous fight. One of Becs last wishes was for us to continue with her legacy and hold another “Just BecCause ” this year. She wanted to raise money for the John Hunter Children’s Hospital. Becs way of saying thank you to the staff that became family and supported and cared for her. And to help the kids fighting their own battle with cancer.

Art Mania Studio still remain one of “Just BecCause ” biggest supporters, this year agreeing to go one, two, three, four steps ahead.  Fee has again generously donated her time, expertise and fun spirit. We have 4 amazing young adults that have agreed to come together with Fee to create not 1, but 4 beautiful resin art pieces, in memory of Bec, to auction. I cannot tell you how very grateful I am to Fee, and these four superheros to step up and support Becs cause!”

Bec’s Mum

Just BECause is an event that is close to our hearts here at Art Mania Studio.

We’ve been doing all we can to help Just BECause raise funds for the John Hunter Children’s Hospital. This year’s special event will have Raffles, Auctions, Stalls & Shaves, all to fundraise for the fight against Children’s Cancer.

MAKE A BID JUST BEC-CAUSE
* 2 Family Go Kart Passes
* Resin Art Pieces
* A weekend away for 4 at Windsor Edge Estate
* Framed Women’s Jet Jersey
* Esky filled thanks to Tooheys
* & much more!

Live entertainment after with TIMELESS.

For more info & updates join our Facebook event

We’d love to see you there!

Sunday Sep 16th, 11am – 4pm
Lemon Grove Hotel
112 Nelson St, Wallsend

Jul 27
0

Spring Garden

By | Art, Lifestyle

Glass Fusing Spring Garden

What is a garden without soil or water? hmmm… probably a pretty dead one I would imagine!  This project is for those who love a spring garden, but don’t really want to get their hands dirty or have to do any maintenance – yes pretty perfect really!

Fee Madigan, the studio’s creative director has designed a glass project for the absolute beginner!

She was recently asked, ‘Gosh Fee, how much experience do you need to do that, is it hard?’

She loves to see the reaction on people’s faces when she can respond with – “that’s a beginner project!”

The Glass Spring Garden project is completed in a day, then fired and ready to display for all to admire! You will use a variety of glass options to make it all come to life. All students will be guided through the process on how to use glass frit, which is simply crushed glass sprinkled on like table salt.  The frit is made by crushed glass made into a variety of sizes.  For example she uses chunky pieces of frit to make some of the lavender flower clusters and the finer frit was used to create the sky and foreground before planting the green foliage, and the flower garden.

workshops_product_image (22)
View Larger
workshops_product_image (21)
View Larger
workshops_product_image (25)
View Larger
workshops_product_image (23)
View Larger
workshops_product_image (24)
View Larger

The world of glass has endless possibilities. Come & fall in love with this beautiful art form & make a piece that can be passed down through generations.

Don’t wait up – Bookings for the Glass Fusing Spring Garden available HERE!

Art Mania Studio, always striving to be Your Happy Place.

Jul 06
0

Open Studio Night, Soup & Damper

By | Art, Lifestyle | No Comments

Studio Open Night – Soup & Damper Studio Birthday Bash!

This term we warmed up Wallsend with delicious soups, birthday candles & a cosy fire at our Studio Open Night. Each term Art Mania Studio holds this event to showcase the upcoming array of workshops, block courses & weekly classes available at the studio.

Between 6 & 8:30pm over 50 people got to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere & live art demonstrations. With wine in hand & soup in bellies everyone further tantalised their taste buds with the delectable range of creative opportunities on offer.

A highlight of the evening was the launch of the upcoming July School holidays Art Attack schedule. Face painting demonstrations opened everyone’s eyes to how fun the family face painting workshop will be, & Clay Play, Enchanted Succulent Gardens & Superhero Cartoons were just the tip of the huge range of arty goodness on offer.

 

A few special folk also left with extra big smiles as they scored the lucky door prizes of some of the beautiful handmade glass art the studio creates. Art Mania Studio couldn’t go past the rainbow cake to celebrate their 10th Birthday which beautifully topped off the night. Fee Madigan, the studio’s director, spoke from the heart, thanking all who came & all who helped. “It truly is a Happy Place, not just for those we welcome through our doors, but for me & the incredible team who make this life of creativity worthwhile.”

This community hub will be opening our doors again in Term 3 for another Studio Open Night, but before that we’re excited about the Rug & a Mug event. Live music, hot soups, hot chai & of course, lots of art.

See you in Your Happy Place,

Love,

Art Mania Studio

Apr 19
1

Drumming for wellness

By | Lifestyle | No Comments

Drum your way to happy!

Drumming has been used in traditional cultures for centuries – for celebration, marking community events, healing and social connection.  It is only in recent times that we have now gained scientific understanding of how group drumming benefits us socially, emotionally and biologically.  There is a host of neurochemical and autonomic changes that occur in our brains when we participate in drumming – it is understood that these changes bring about feelings of social connection, safety, a reduction in stress and anxiety, and an overall sense of positivity.  It is likely that musical rhythm operates on parts of the brain that also mediate blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and potentially cognitive and motor functions.

Rhythm is part of the human experience soon after conception where our earliest development happens on the backdrop of our mothers heartbeat.  Humans are intrinsically habitual, patterned or “rhythmic” beings – rhythms that carry on largely, without our conscious awareness.  It is not surprising that our bodies respond in such a profound way to rhythm!

Drumming for Wellness is run by Alison, an experienced Occupational Therapist.  Occupational Therapists are holistic health professionals who are trained to combine science and creativity to help people engage meaningfully in life.  Alison has worked for many years with people who have had to regain their rhythm after experiencing injury, illness, disability and trauma.  Drumming became a passion for Alison after buying her very own djembe (hand drum) on a whim in a music store 13 years ago.  Since then she has played in bands and drum circles and now uses drumming in a rehabilitation healthcare setting where she currently works.

Check out our video introduction to Drumming for Wellness on YouTube.

Drumming_for_wellness
View Larger
Drumming_for_wellness3
View Larger
Drumming_for_wellness2
View Larger
Feb 13
1

Lefty or righty?

By | Lifestyle

Are you a lefty or a righty – and does it really matter?

Art, creativity, growth & health….. Once upon a time….just kidding! Ok, let’s look at the brain, are you a lefty or a righty? Left is our logical side, right is our creative side.

In all the work I have done, I have my own simple theory on this and how it can also work for someone who feels they run predominantly from the left brain.

From birth to 5 years, we grow and develop, learn to crawl, walk, eat, drink from a cup, play, imagine, dress up, and so on…then we head off to school, where more often than not our creative brain is pushed aside to engage the logic brain, reading, writing and maths etc. So, from year 1 through until we complete school (as a general rule), our logic brain is engaged more than our creative brain. What happens to the creative side of us then?

Unless we are otherwise engaging our creative brains, and have the skills to switch from logic to creative when we choose, some of us grow to believe we are not creative at all. I don’t know how many times I have heard people say, “but I don’t have a creative bone in my body!” Well, the fact is, we all do!

It really depends on the amount of engagement our right brain has experienced as a child and through our schooling, and the stimulus response (positive or negative) gained through those creative experiences. For example, I often see our kids in our after-school classes so excited to attend to get their art on each week – changing from logic to creative brain – and parents who are encouraging and interested in what they are creating, further enhance this positive stimulus. Having a healthy dose of both brain hemispheres is the best approach by far… by exploring the potential of art which encourages fine motor skills, neural development, and problem-solving abilities.

Love n light, Fee