What is Plein Air?

En plein air is the act of painting outdoors.

And what better place to paint outdoors, than St. Augustine, FL?

I'd say None!

Combine this activity with children during the school year and what do you have?
A date night, a night out on the town, a night to sit home, whatever it is... you'll have time to do it.

Drop your child/ren off with internationally published artist Rachel Cross and she will take kids on an adventure touring many of St. Augustine's historic treasures. Each adventure will focus on different techniques and a new location that will expand your child's creativity and imagination of the world around them. All art supplies will be provided to create and complete a finished painting each day. History of our nations oldest city, trivia, and fun facts will also accompany the day's art lesson. Rest assured your kids will be in good hands. Rachel has been volunteering, hosting, and teaching summer camps and art lessons for over 10 years. She started in the summer of 2008 for a martial arts summer camp in Delaware when she was stationed at Dover Air Force base. From which she moved back home to St. Augustine FL in 2009 where she continued to offer classes or volunteered her time for other camps and classes every year since.

What you should know:
What are the age groups? This is a class for all school aged kids.
When are the classes? Usually the 1st and 3rd Saturday each month. Space is limited so be sure to sign up in advance.
What should my child bring? All art supplies are included but please be sure to bring a bag lunch and a bottle of water.
How much are the the classes? The class is $125 for the entire night including supplies and take home art.
What time is the class and where? Class is from 4pm till 8pm. Pick up and drop off is... currently TBD 

 Click here to purchase a class
A follow up email will be sent to confirm
day and children attending. Thank you!

Views: 1503

Translated to “golden joinery,” Kintsugi (or Kintsukuroi, which means “golden repair”) is the centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Beautiful seams of gold glint in the cracks of ceramic ware, giving a unique appearance to the piece.

This repair method celebrates each artifact's unique history by emphasizing its fractures and breaks instead of hiding or disguising them. Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with new life.

The theory behind Kintsugi is the belief that the object is unique and more beautiful for having been broken. I like to apply this idea to my life and experiences even as I'm learning and growing. Some parts I've worked hard to repair. The other parts I'm still picking up the pieces.

Learn more about Kintsukuroi here

Views: 1945

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I'm doing something different here. Something I have never done. Sorry (not sorry lol) you all are in my growing pains stage. You get to see me take chances and grow. This is where I make a lot of mistakes and learn from them. Some times I get my butt kicked (some like to smile about that) and sometimes I climb higher. Higher can be a deeply personal journey and the lessons are always inspiration for growth. I always re-adjust my sights on my main goals and work hard to get back on my own path. I have been kind of lonely lately. Longing for someone to hold my hand down the path for a little while. To be honest I just think I have just been so heart brokenly lately. I have had to say good by to a few important people in my life this past year. Each one having an impact on how I have to survive in this world that is so new to me. I try to be grateful for every encounter. It either made me stronger, smarter, or better in some way.

Anyway, so here's the thing I am going to do. I'm going to lead you down the path on this next painting in my Kintsukori Collection. I usually think of the inspiration. I write about it in my own notes. Visualize it. Think about it. Until it hits me. So here I am in front of a canvas that has quite a few layers already and I know exactly what I am going to paint on it. I wrote this poem and it is the inspiration of my new Painting for the Kintsukori collection and it's new exhibit.

https://vimeo.com/229291381

Views: 1752

A dear friend of mine, and prior Kung Fu student, allowed me to stay and see the city and area through the life of a Biologists eyes. Also, very well equipped to cook up and serve the most traditional staples in Louisiana. So with the left over ingredients I tried my hand at my own interpretation of some good ol' southern hospitality and made a Lagniappe Quiche.  It had chopped seasoned collar greens and onions, Boudin sausage, and crawfish. I got a thumbs up from my host and left a whole one for guests coming over after I left. Hope they enjoy it too.

Views: 1332

***Winner Kathy King***

Artist Rachel Cross gave away her new "Heart Bleeds The Ocean" open edition print this weekend to show her appreciation to everyone that supports her art and to say thank you!

In the spirit of this 2017 season for giving thanks, Rachel gave her "Heart Bleeds The Ocean" open edition fine art print away in appreciation for all the support she's received from all of you, her followers, friends and family, all year. For those that don't know, "Heart Bleeds The Ocean" is an exquisite original oil pastel painting that Rachel literally bled for both in inspiration and in the making of. It was sold to a private collector shortly after it was completed this past spring.  

The story and inspiration behind the original painting »

 About The Print

Rachel is super excited to have given this 6"x6" fine art print because it was her favorite of the new line of canvas prints offered in her online art gallery. This one is especially nice with it's vivid colors boldly coming through. The limited edition prints, that are hand embellished by Rachel, should be even more stunning once they are available. Both open edition and LTD prints are gallery wrapped, framed and come with pre-installed hanging hardware built into the frame, along with felt protective bumpers. The hanging hardware is placed at the top of the image. 

For more information on this and other prints and original artwork for sale by Rachel Cross »

Registration for this giveaway is Closed

Views: 4647

I had an unpolished vision for my subject. Yet a perplexing question arose; how would I be able to capture my heart? I decided to embark on a journey. I packed my daughter, our canvases, and our bags. Then set out to our "secret cabin in the woods". We dispelled on our voyage into the wild waters on a small kayak. Where we talked about the creatures that may dwell below and on the overgrown islands we visited. Imagination and excitement that coursed through our unfettered minds and feral hearts. Our creativity had been sparked. As our conquest concluded, wading in the murky bank, we muscled ashore through the unhewn rocks of an oyster bar. Where I deeply sliced my finger on an oyster bud. Large quick drops of blood fell into the salt water. I stood there watching how each drop dispersed yet lingered into the sea. I knew at that moment what my heart was seeking. What my heart yearns for.

Views: 2017

Read more: Story behind "Heart bleeds the Ocean"

I was writing this. First draft unedited. Mid thought, I was inspired. I had a lucid and powerful image of my soul. I knew how I wanted to capture and represent something so profound as my own soul on canvas. I left this writing as it was and started planning my new painting. I ended up creating a painting that wasn't good enough to be my soul. It was only a piece of my soul. So, I named it Stand Tall and realized that there are so many pieces that make up my soul. This is the thought that sparked my kintsukuroi collection into exsistance. Thank you for venturing in to unknown territory of self discovery.

© Rachel Cross Art 2017

Views: 1911

I know a deep part of my soul longs for love and it seems I have a catch me if you can attitude. In a sense do because my life is so full of making a living, raising my daughter, and being the best example of a human being as I can. I don't have much space available for a lover unless someone could coexist in the closed moments of my life and become a partner. I've spent enough time without feeling a moment passion. I do have a kintsukuroi patch.

My passions are solid gold.

I, now, live and love by them.

I must stand tall. So, the right one can rise up to meet me. In life, love, and to coexist.

Stand Tall is my first painting in my new collection. I've been roused to bare my soul through these paintings inspired by the beauty of Kintsukuroi repairs.

© Rachel Cross 2017

Views: 2452

Read more: Standing Tall

The St. Augustine Record
Compass
Arts & Entertainment section
17 March 17

St. Patricks Day Weekend Edition
Written by Kara Pound

Views: 1920

Read more: Rachel Cross featured in the local paper

Hello Friends, Fans, and Family,

I've been pretty busy lately working on projects but a lot of people ask me where to find my paintings on display. I usually have my art up in a few places temporarily and some places full time. I have a "Where it's at" page (click link). I keep that page up to date with the locations. You can also follow my page on Facebook, Rachel Cross Art, to see my current works and where to find them.

Hope that helps!

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement to chase my dreams!

Save

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Views: 2540

I'm incredibly ecstatic about the release of Louise Erdrich's new Native American Novel titled LaRose, being released {RIGHT NOW} in Germany and Austria titled Ein Lied für die Geister!

I'll put links where to buy a copy online. Later I'll add to shopping cart signed versions. I plan to do a raffle for both versions of the book as well.

Publisher

Amazon

Views: 9863

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