Carolina Elizabeth

Recently my grandmother got close to me and whispered in my ear something she has told me since I can remember, “The most valuable perfumes come in the tiniest bottles.” Like she did when I was young, she was trying to make me feel better after someone has poked fun of me for being 4’11 ½” tall. So I credit my grandmother some for my appreciation of all things tiny, small, little, or diminutive. In fact, like many people, I am very fascinated by small objects. Some of my most favorite material possessions are those that I can hold in one hand. In college I found some instructors asking me, “Why are you scared to work big?” I have never been scared to do big work, nor I am incapable of creating larger pieces. I choose to work small. I really don't see why to take up more space if you can accomplish your goal on a smaller canvas. Plus, I find it more challenging to create work on a limited surface area than when the sky is the limit. Every brushstroke that you position on a tiny canv...

This building just shouts "Creative people within!" I always get asked "Where can I learn to draw, paint, make jewlery, etc.?" "Why don't you teach more?" or "I wish I knew a place where I could do my arts and crafts." I am so excited to share my answer-- AtrzPlace . It is open, clean, and filled with inspiring work from teachers and students. There are so many classes, you are bound to find that one thing you have always wanted to learn to make, paint, etc. They have classes for all ages and space if you want to host a class for friends or maybe rent a room (they are huge) for a friendly critique of sorts. The most exciting thing is that I will be teaching a ceramic class for children this May. It will be a blast! So, all of you who have been asking me for years to teach, this is your chance. I hope to see you there. Later on, I want to teach an adult (16+ yr. olds) enamel class. I love working with enamels, but not very many places teach it...

I just want to send a few questions out there and want to know what you think. Is there a fine line between art (as in fine art) and craft (as in hobby crafts)? What makes something a craft project and not art? Can a craft project ever be considered fine art? If so, who decides? I always struggle with those questions. I have read alot on the subject, but all that just made me more confused and made me realize that there is no one answer. When an artist considered her/his work a hobby craft, a museum might consider it the best art they have ever seen and it is now worth $500,ooo. Is it the actual art, the material used, or the level of skill, amount of experience, or education of the artist that makes the difference?

I "started" this blog January 10th in the hopes that it would be a record of my oil painting journey. I have decided to take on the challenge of learning the craft. January 10th was that day, but still I have yet to complete a painting. As soon as I do, I will of course post a photo of it. Until then, these are a few examples of my metal work--raised, cast, enamel, and fused glass.