Welcome!
Happy May! What is it about May that makes me feel great anticipation for what is to come? My husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on May 1st, but I don't think that is it. Maybe it is the teasing weather...almost summer, then suddenly freezing again. I think it is the promise of the garden, (especially homegrown tomatoes,) that excites me and gets me out of bed earlier in the morning, and into the studio. Last week I woke up with a burning desire to create something spontaneous. By the end of the day, I had carved a block of wood with the words: TODAY I Will Create! and I actually hand-printed 15 prints in black ink on white paper. My new mantra. Feel free to adopt it as yours too.
Melinda Byrd
Byrdcall Studio
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Floorcloth Demonstration
at the Westminster Library Branch
In April, I participated in a "Handcrafts of Yesteryear" program at the library. They asked me to demonstrate and share the little-known art of Floorcloth making. So with several floorcloths and tabletop size floorcloths, canvases, paints, brushes, and handcut stencils in tow, I shared my craft with library visitors.
Floorcloths are heavy canvases prepared for foot traffic, and painted with any type of design you like, and topped with several coats of non-yellowing urethane finishes. In colonial times, old sails from ships were "upcycled" into floorcloths and usually painted to look like fancy rugs. Floorcloths went out of fashion when linoleum was invented. I find it a fascinating art-craft today. Most of my floorcloth work is custom created to your size and color needs. Design possibilities are endless.
Click here to see recent custom floorcloths:
 | | Bleeding Hearts floorcloth |
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Just Off the Easel...
Another installation for Maryland Homebrew in Columbia. This is 2' x 3', and acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas. Now the lobby has handpainted saloon doors, a welcome sign, and the painting I displayed here last month.
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I'm PUBLISHED! Book in HAND! . . .
I know a lot of you have already heard about this, but I have to share this. The book, TROUT by James Owen is out on the market now. I am proud to say my Brookie in Color is boldly on page 136.
Read more
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Sharing with Others . . .
In addition to presenting Floorcloths at the library last month, I also participated in a panel discussion on Art Careers at McDaniel College in Westminster on April 19th. Along with three other panelists, I shared the story of "my unique path" towards my career in the arts. Everyone has their own path for sure, and all are good learning experiences.
On Monday, May 7, at 7:00 I will be the guest presenter for the Carroll County Artist Guild on the topic of The Business of Selling Your Art...covering website, shows, festivals, galleries, promotion. Maybe I'll even tell them about my NEW newsletter which you are reading at this very moment--this is Newsletter #2. Thanks for reading to the end.
Lots more action in the studio...stay tuned. |
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Upcoming Classes: Glass painting classes got the highest number of votes last month. I am in the process of working out classes in conjunction with Serpent Ridge Vineyards for this summer, so do stay tuned. Learning how to paint on glass is a lot more fun with a glass of wine at hand. ;-)
Let me know if you would be interested in Print-making, Drawing from Nature, or Floorcloth-making. I'll offer what has the greatest response.
Melinda Byrd
Take a look at my website.
Click here to go to my Etsy "buy it now" shop
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Save the Dates!
Saturday, June 2
Art in the Park Westminster, MD
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