Sharpie Markers! - ReMe Retreats' Favorite Art Supplies - Day One

Today we'll kickoff the "ReMe Retreats' Favorite Things - Art Supplies!" Series.  In no particular order; Jodi, Penny, and Jean will take turns sharing a few of their creative must-haves.  In the following, we'll begin with Jean's Ode to Sharpie Markers.

Journal Page in Sharpie by Brittany Gabel.

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My sister, Janet, is 18 months younger than I am.  As the children of practical parents we often had duplicates of the same toys and clothes, and Mom and Dad would use a Sharpie Marker to distinguish our individual treasures.  This is my earliest memory of a Sharpie Marker at work, and for as long as I can remember, Sharpie Markers have been strategically placed around our home.  

Sharpies were sacred and taboo then.  Sacred, because they held the mystique of something reserved "for adults only".  Taboo, because our parents recognized the inherent danger of them in our creative little hands.  My coffee table, which was once my parents coffee table, still bears the mark of some of my earliest work underneath its top, a self portrait, strategically placed where I was certain that no one but me could see it! 



As I began to identify myself as an Artist, Sharpies played an increasing role in my life.  I used them in Artist Trading Cards, Inchies, and in other Mixed Media works.  Their bold mark making ability and the extensive array of colors in which they were available thrilled me to no end!

During my transition into the world of jewelry and metal arts, Sharpie Markers served as my earliest form of patina.  This was in the days before I knew that a patina was a patina.  I would color my finished metal piece with a Sharpie Marker and wipe ink from the high spots of the piece with a bit of alcohol.  This is a technique that I still use from time-to-time today.

Today, Sharpies rule when it comes to a resist in my metal etching!  When I travel to teach, I always bring several dozen, and  I generally keep two or three different colors and point sizes in my purse just-in-case I need them.  

Etching with a Sharpie Resist results in consistent deep results.

Journal Page in Sharpie by Patty Sieck.

And of course, Sharpie makes more than permanent markers!  There are water based paint markers, oil based paint markers,  counterfeit detectors, metallics...and neons...and highlighters... oh my!  

In closing, and for the sake of full disclosure, "Hi.  My name is Jean, and I'm addicted to Sharpie Markers."  

(Please respond together with, "Hi Jean!".)
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For your chance to win our Fabulous ReMe Favorites Prize Package, please post your answer to the question below in the comments section.  You'll also earn an extra entry for each time you share this post on social media.  Just be sure to post a link to your share here for us to count your extra entries.  (All entries must be received by 12:00 Noon, EST, on September 3, 2015.)

Please share your love of Sharpies with us.  How do you use them?  Which is your favorite?  Do you too fear a world without Sharpies?!?!?  

Thank you for visiting, and be sure to check back tomorrow for another chance to win.

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There’s still time to join us on Ocracoke in October!

Please use the link on the left side of this page to register.

When the link disappears, we’re full to capacity.

ReMe - It's All About The Art!

The calm before the creative storm of ReMe!

When ReMe was just a twinkle in its founders' eyes, they set out to design an all-inclusive mixed media art retreat.  The three of them... Jodi, Penny, and Jean... joined forces because of their similarities and their differences.  At their core, each of them is big hearted and hard working; they love to create; and they have what appears to be a compulsive need to share their love of creating with others.  (What more do they need to have in common?!?)  As for their differences, one of the most apparent is the manner in which they express themselves through their art.

Jodi's Dirty Flirty Birds

Jodi Ohl loves to paint.  Yes, she's multi talented.  Collage, stamp carving, lettering, journaling, and more are all well within her areas of expertise.  Regardless of what Jodi creates, she does so in her very own big bright beautiful style.  From birds to hearts, from villages to abstracts, from sea creatures to pods, Jodi's enthusiasm is contagious in the classroom.

Penny's recent demo at Jerry's Artarama

Penny Arrowood loves all things paper.  Penny binds books, alters books, and knows more about paper itself than almost any person we can imagine.  Each piece of her finished work is a treasure and a testament to her love of her craft.  The precision with which she works is one of her greatest strengths, and it's absolutely amazing to watch her students flourish under her enthusiastic
tutelage.

A few pieces from Jean's collection.

Jean Skipper loves metal, found objects, and stuff in general; and she's obsessed with incorporating these materials into her sentimental
and whimsical jewelry and mixed media assemblages.  In the classroom, Jean thrives on translating metalsmithing techniques in a manner that relates to each students at his or her level of experience.

Begin with the diverse interests of ReMe's founders...

Add the enthusiastic wildly creative spirits of eight or nine guests from across the country...

Shake it up with a healthy dose of The Spirit of Ocracoke...

Then sit back and watch the ReMe Magic happen!

 

 

At ReMe, it's all about The Art.  

Or is it? 

Our guests, our ReMe Sisters, are really the most important part of each ReMe Retreat!

Of course, some of our Guests are more "special" than others!  ;-)

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Please stay tuned, as our next post will share a bit more about our guests!

(Special thanks to Patty Sieck for allowing us to use this "special" photo of her!!!)

Friends of ReMe on Ocracoke

Jean here.  Grab something refreshing to drink; put up your feet; and let me tell you about some of my favorite folks on Ocracoke.

In October, when we were on Ocracoke Island during our ReMe Retreat, Amy Howard was kind enough to join us for an evening of storytelling.  She shared many of her own memories about growing up on Ocracoke, and she also shared the most riveting details about the history of The Island.  It was magical for all in attendance.  

Amy is a direct descendant of the original residents of Ocracoke Island, and she comes from a long proud line of Islanders who honor their history by sharing their stories.  Luckily for us and for Ocracoke, Amy is also the Executive Director of The Ocracoke Preservation Society (OPS).  

The OPS is dedicated to preserving Ocracoke Island's rich historical and cultural heritage.  They have a must-visit museum on The Island, and Amy and the other folks from The OPS maintain an active presence on Facebook that allows us to feel a part of things all year long. 

An aerial view of the OPS Museum. Photo 'borrowed'
from their Facebook Page.

During our visit, Amy shared news of The OPS's Annual Art Auction, she invited each of us to participate, and she distributed canvases to all who were interested.  The OPS and Amy are near and dear to our hearts, and participate we did!  Friends of ReMe arted their hearts out to contribute to the OPS.  

I was fortunate to be able to attend the auction in person this January.  What an experience!  The museum was packed to the gills; there was lively laughter and conversation; a frenzy of bidding on all of the amazing artwork; and a friendly competition or two as folks vied to take home their favorites.  By any measure, the night was a huge success, and I'm so grateful to have played even the smallest part in it.  

If you'd like to read more details about this year's OPS Auction, please view Sundae Horne's article in the Ocracoke Current by clicking this link.  The Ocracoke Current is The Island's Online Newspaper.  In their own words, "The Ocracoke Current is a source of reliable news and information for the residents and visitors to Ocracoke Island...It's like good gossip but verifiable."  What's not to love about that?!?

During our visit together, Amy also shared a bit of disheartening news with us.  The Hyde County School District, including Ocracoke Island, has eliminated Arts Education in their schools.  As a merry band of midlife artists who have each benefited from our own past and present arts education, this all but broke our hearts.

Happily, the good folks of Ocracoke did not take this news lying down.  Instead, Ocracoke Alive invited artists near and far to apply for the privilege of working with children in their school.  Ocracoke Alive is the driving force behind The Ocrafolk Festival, and in their own words, "The purpose of Ocracoke Alive, Inc/ is to enrich the Ocracoke Island community by encouraging and sponsoring cultural, artistic, educational, and environmental activities..."  (You can read more about Ocracoke Alive here, and the partnership that they established here.)

When I returned home, I immediately applied to be a visiting artist in their program, and I was delighted to be invited to participate during their first week in 2015.  The experience exceeded my wildest expectations!  (If you'd like to read more details and see oodles of photos, please visit my blog here.)

Our Flagship ReMe Retreats in May and October are firmly rooted in our Historic Soundfront Inn on Ocracoke Island.  It's the art that brings us together in this magical place, and the bonds that we form with each other take the forefront as we spend time together.  Amidst it all, there's Ocracoke.  The Island, The Beach, The Village, The Community, The Businesses, and The People; they shape our time together, touch our hearts, and are firmly rooted in each of our memories.  

The Ocracoke Preservation Society, The Ocracoke Current, and Ocracoke Alive, are run by some of our favorite Island Residents.  We're blessed to count them as "Friends of ReMe", and we encourage you to support them.  Each can help you to stay in touch with Ocracoke as you count the days until your next visit.   
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While our ReMe Retreat on Ocracoke in May is filled to capacity; a few spaces remain in October.  Reserve yours by clicking on the Paypal Link on the left side of this page.  Convenient payment plans are available.