Signs signs everywhere a sign

Today, I had my first day of volunteer work with The Art Experience. I had previously met with Lindsey to discuss what days would work for me, I received a tour but did not get to meet any of the artists. It was a bit of a rainy day today. My husband and my son where dressed in matching leather jackets as we pulled the Honda Civic out of the driveway. When we arrived, the first thing I did was hop out of the car and have my picture taken in front of the sign on their building. I felt as if it was my first day of school: only, instead of my mom taking the picture, it was my husband and instead of standing in front of the pine tree at my childhood house, I was standing in front of a brick building which stood strangely alone in Pontiac. My first task of the day was to use oil pastels to create a wicking layer for the outline and veins of fall leaves, then I painted water color on top of this. These leaves where to replace the flowers and bees inside of a glass case outside the door of The Art Experience. An older gentlemen, who loved drawing old Tigers players, was the inspiration for the decorations I was commissioned to create.  Just as I was changing summer to fall, I could feel the change within the building itself. On March 15th 2011, Katie Serewicz, a founding member of The Art Experience, had passed away. Her artwork danced around the space, alive and vibrant, while the mood in the room was more somber.


After I had finished this first project, I talked to the second artist who came in. He was the resident poet. Although, the first poem he let me read was a collaboration about angels, his second poem was hand-written on printer paper and was about love. There was a very beautiful line discussing drinking coffee out of your favorite mug; I adore that idea. I had decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt with the word love embroidered across it.


The next assignment I was given was a "treasure box," which is to be decorated and auctioned off. The box I chose was a small, metal, army green, lockable box. I plan to crochet some flowers to juxtapose the masculine feminine, perhaps I will use some buttons.


This is when I was asked to assist a young man with mild autism who was painting a moose. The time soon came to an end, but not before we had managed to paint the ripples in the water from where the moose stood and drank.


As I was leaving, a conversation with Marie sparked up about The Art Experience's signs. I suggested that I could turn their font into an illistrator file, and then we could rearrange it differently on a photo of the store front. Once a design is selected, I will find out if any sign companies are willing to donate supplies. I am very excited about starting this project. I had a beautiful time creating with a diverse group of people in the little town of Pontiac. I can say now that I am art experienced.