photo credit: Flora Grubb | Gingersnap Blog April is an important month for us here in the Bay. It's the time when the rains are finishing their work, the soil around us is rich and fertile and all around us life begins to bloom. It seems only fitting that as plants and flowers begin to emerge, we also take a moment to celebrate where they come from — which is why we are reminding everyone that Friday, April 22 is Earth Day. Art is everywhere — earth, moon and sky. Take time

Today, in children's book illustration, one can find a healthy mix of original artwork done in traditional mediums like colored pencil, watercolor and pastel. Just as common are books digitally illustrated with Adobe Illustrator and like tools. But, in 1990's this was not the case. Digital art featured in advertising and media had not crossed over to children's books. That is not until J. Otto Seibold. J. Otto Seibold, a self taught Bay Area born artist, had become an expert

We are less than a day away from welcoming spring, which means it's time for the our Make Studio Spring Open House. Come join us Saturday, April 2 between 1:00pm and 4:00pm to get a peak into our creative haven that is the Make Studio classroom. We will have apps and refreshments on hand. We look forward to showing you where the maker magic happens. ___________________________________________________________________________ EVENT DETAILS WHAT: MAKE STUDIO INC. OPEN HOUSE | Sp

photo credit: Helen Dardik March is an exciting month filled with endless reasons to celebrate. For some it's showing a love of four-leaf clovers. For others it's being showered with Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. For everyone, it's the celebration of spring's return—a lovey time in the San Francisco Bay area! For children and their parents/loved ones, spring also brings with it Youth Art Month (YAM). The Youth Art Month Program emphasizes the value of art education for

In 2011, while in Paris exploring the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, I happened upon a retrospective of Czech toy designer, Libuse Niklova. The first piece I remember seeing was her black accordion cat, Toy Cat. Toy Cat stuck with me (photo below), even though I had zero knowledge of the fame of this toy, or the artist's achievement of subsequent accordian characters. Though unfamiliar with her work, I was drawn to it. Each one of her special designs felt special, and at

photo credit: steve hudson It's the month of LOVE! Take advantage this February of the sweetness in the air. Go find an exhibit worth loving, take a loved one to your favorite gallery or museum, discover a love themed art piece or craft to brighten your home. What's love got to do with it? Everything! Happy Loving. _____________________________________________________________________ To See This Month Museums AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM & LIBRARY ONGOING The second floor museum

On April 16, 1914, Paul Klee writes in his journal... "Color has claimed me. I need no longer run after it. It has claimed me once and for all, that I know. This is the meaning of the happiest hour: I and color are one. I am a painter." We can see this claim color had on Paul Klee. Much of his work shows evidence of an inquisitive explorer unearthing colors and comparing their many possiblities. It is this relationship that went on to influence so many artists after him. A re

This is going to be an amazing year... A year of CREATIVITY, LEARNING, and SHARING. A year of MAKING. How can we know this? The year has just begun? Because...we're super geniuses! Well, that and we have been hard at work to bring you an amazing resource for the development of your artistic and creative skills...Make Studio Inc. Make Studio Inc. is dedicated to bringing Creative Art Workshops to the Bay Area. That's right, Make Studio Inc. will be a home for your creative jui