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| ...for Illustration Friday illustration by Donna Pellegata for the children's book Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake click illustration to zoom |
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
IF: Shades
Monday, January 23, 2012
Bracelets at JCC Project Runway: Detroit
When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Project Runway: Detroit
Project Runway: Detroit
Lots of fun to be had this weekend at the JCC. This is a beautiful gallery with a countless stunning exhibits throughout the year. Stop in to take a look at this exhibit when you get a chance. Many great artists and emerging fashion designers here this weekend through March 8th. You won't be dissappointed...
Located in the D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building in West Bloomfield, the Janice Charach Gallery hosts exhibitions of Jewish art and works by Jewish artists. Exhibitions include glass, ceramics, multi-media, painting, fiber arts, photography and more. Educational programs also are offered. As a tribute to Janice Charach's relationship with the College for Creative Studies, the Gallery also hosts annual shows in cooperation with CCS. The Gallery is endowed by Natalie & Manny Charach, in their daughter's memory.
January 9, 2012JCC fashion project to display new talent
By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer
Starting Jan. 22, the gallery will host a new exhibit called “Project Runway: Detroit” that will run through March 8.
Gallery Director Terri Stearn said it will display clothing designs from local artists and young fashion students. The exhibit could be the ticket to getting discovered and developing a career in the competitive fashion industry, she said.
“A few of these are emerging fashion designers,” Stearn explained. “A lot of them are really up-and-coming people working in Detroit trying to get discovered. They own T-shirt companies that support them while they work on their thousand-dollar dress.”
Although the art exhibit has no official ties to the “Project Runway” TV show, Stearn predicted that “Project Runway” runner-up Joe Faris of Motor City Denim Co. will contribute to this show, as he did with a past bra exhibit. The exhibit will also show off approximately 400 wooden bracelets that have been decorated by artists, she said.
Stearn said the exhibit idea came from Dana Keaton, a Detroit-based fashion designer of 11 years whose educational background includes fine arts, business management and marketing.
Since October, Keaton has been teaching an ongoing fashion class to students from West Bloomfield and Detroit at the JCC in West Bloomfield. The class of 12 teens has learned about fabrics, sewing and more, she said.
The girls have been busy making dresses and designs for the exhibit’s Jan. 22 opening so that fashion models can wear them on the runway. The students’ projects will be eco-friendly and “upcycled” from used items into wearable garments.
“We have a young lady that is making a dress out of potato chip bags,” Keaton said. “They’re taking old ties and sewing them together to make a garment. … A young lady actually took a bunch of tea bags and is sewing them individually on a skirt.”
Keaton said all of her students want to join the industry in some way, be it as a clothing designer, a wardrobe stylist or a model. But she warns them that it is hard work.
“They are being very creative with this, and I’m always pushing the envelope,” she said. “If (a design) is mediocre, they have to go to the drawing board. I always tell them it has to have a ‘wow’ factor.”
The Janice Charach Gallery, 6600 W. Maple Road, will host the upcoming exhibit, “Project Runway: Detroit,” from Jan. 22-March 8. The exhibit will start with a runway show at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. To learn more, visit www.jccdet.org or call (248) 432-5448
When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Blaze Sports Books!
And don’t forget about Ricky Played, written by Travis Mushett and illustrated by Joanna Steege the first title for TorchRunner. In this delightful book, we meet Ricky, an amazing boy who reminds us that every child deserves the chance to play.
When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
IF ~ Prepare
Have a seat by the fire with a cocktail and your ipad and browse through the pages of my website ArtQwerks
Friday, November 4, 2011
Illustration Friday ~ Stripes
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Arts and Greens 2011
Schedule of the weekend's events:
Friday 5pm-8pm: Preview and Opening Reception Night
- Artist market opens with items from glass, fibers, woodcarving, photography, pottery, handmade dolls, paintings, and much more. All created by Michigan artists. Kick off the holiday season and purchase one of a kind gifts.
- Empty Bowls fundraiser for Community Sharing: for a $10 donation, you can enjoy a light soup and bread supper, and get a handmade bowl
- Luminaries will lightup the evening
- Live performances by area musicians
- Author Wayne Billhart will be signing copies of his book for all ages: The Mystery at the Birdfeeder
- The artist market opens early for all to enjoy
- Enjoy live performances by area musicians throughout the day
- Visit with Michigan author's on hand for book signings
- The Sweet Life Cafe of Milford will be on hand with delectable goodies for sale!
- Enjoy holiday greens building workshops taught Patty owner of the Bogie Lake Greenhouses
- Enjoy children's basket making workshops and hands on felting demonstrations for all ages.
- Last day of the market!
- Enjoy live performances by area musicians throughout the day
- Visit with Michigan author's on hand for book signings
- The Sweet Life Cafe of Milford will be on hand with delectable goodies for sale!
- Enjoy holiday greens building workshops taught Patty owner of the Bogie Lake Greenhouses
- Enjoy children's basket making workshops and hands on felting demonstrations for all ages.
- When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!
Friday, October 14, 2011
IF ~ Scattered
Our Town Art Show and Sale
10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
IF ~ Ferocious
Friday, September 9, 2011
IF ~ Boundaries
Friday, September 2, 2011
IF ~ Mysterious
Thursday, September 1, 2011
How Haitians Play Basketball
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Diane Dunn's New Video!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Milford Memories 2011 Brochure
Monday, June 20, 2011
IF ~ Launch
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
IF ~ Swept
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Milford Memories / ArtQwerks 2011 Booth Share competition WINNERS!!!
...and Milford Memories / ArtQwerks Booth winners (and a little sampling of their art) are
April Schwaegerle / Jewelry
Mary Bajcz / Fiber Arts
Janice Dumas / Watercolors
Their booth, filled with all sorts of gorgeous goodies by all three artists, will be set up in front of Main Street Art (see Janice's Painting above) for the fun filled weekend of Milford Memories Summer Festivals 20th Anniversary 2011 celebration, August 12th, 13th and 14th!
Three very well deserved winners! Congratulations to them all!
Monday, May 23, 2011
IF ~ Soaked

Monday, April 25, 2011
Bucket Full of Perch
This pastel painting was recently accepted into the Poetry Art Night (PAN) 2011 competition in Milford Michigan. The purpose of PAN is to show the union between the written word and the visual world. In this exhibition it is important that the artwork be inspired by or dedicated to the poem that accompanies it. The artist can choose to have someone write a poem for them, choose a previously published poem or it can be written by the artist. Only original poems are able to receive awards. The poem below was written by me to accompany the artwork I've created above.
When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!
Have a seat in the sun with a sippy and browse through the pages of my website ArtQwerks





















