Upcoming Events and Classes

As April (and Spring...yay!) approaches, I thought I would update what is happening over here at Nine Acres Designs, LLC for the rest of the month and for April...it's a lot!

First, on Saturday, March 23, we will have the second meeting of Harford Photography Field Trip group. Join us for this free, laid-back event open to all people interested in photography. The type of camera or your level of experience does not matter. We accept everyone from beginners to pro...and any camera from iPhone to DSLR. This month we are meeting at Kilgore Falls, Falling Branch Area of Rocks State Park located at 1026 Falling Branch Road, Pylesville, MD 21132. Come along with us to photograph the second largest waterfall in Maryland! There is a short hike to get to the waterfall which involves crossing a stream, so be sure to dress appropriately. Footwear that is waterproof and slip proof is highly recommended and you might want to bring a hiking stick to help steady you across the water. We will meet in the parking lot at the beginning of the trail to the waterfall at 8AM. I want to get the early morning light before the sun is too high, so this one is early! We had a blast last month at Eden Mill Nature Center, so come join the fun! Here is the link to the Facebook Event page.

Then, on Saturday, March 30 from 1:00-4:00PM I will be participating again in the Human Library Event at Havre de Grace Library. I will be a book that you can check out for 10-15 minute time spans to ask me questions about Lyme or my experience with Lyme Disease.  I had a blast last month doing this at Abingdon Library and every time slot was taken, so be sure to come early and sign up!

On April 2, I will be a guest on the Podcast Harford County Living and speaking about my art along with the other guest, Sheldon Bair, the music director of the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. I am looking forward to meeting the podcast host, Rich Bennett and talking with these two great men who have done so much in Harford County!

Also, on Tuesday, April 2, I am offering a class through Harford Community College called Digital Photography 1. I have had so many people ask me to do an evening class to accommodate those who work during the day, so I have! Classes are on Tuesday evenings from 6PM-9PM for four weeks starting 4/2 and going to 4/23. The class is already half full so if you are interested, please register soon, either in person at Edgewood Hall at HCC or online. This hands-on class focuses on teaching you about your DSLR camera and all the basics of digital photography so you can stop taking all your photos on AUTO and start making creative decisions in your photography! I hope to see you there!

If you'd rather take pictures on your iPhone instead of lugging around a large, heavy DSLR camera, I have a class for you too!  Also beginning in April, on Mondays from 4/15-4/29 from 9:30-12:30, I am offering Secrets to Amazing iPhone Pictures! Learn to make the most out of your iPhone's camera app and also learn about two other photography apps, Hipstamatic, and CameraPlus2. I will teach you all the secrets and tricks to grabbing stellar images on your iPhone. (Only iPhones in this class...no androids or other type of smart phones!) You can register in person at Edgewood Hall at HCC or online.


 UPCOMING EVENTS:

Also in April the television segment I taped in February will be released but I don't have a date just yet.

Also, I am teaching night classes this summer at Harford Community College, so I will let you know when that schedule is finalized.  Keep a look out for this!

I am excited to say that more is in the works behind the scenes for this spring, but because dates are not finalized yet, I can't share them just yet! Some opportunities may include showing my art in the Big Apple, a possible publication opportunity, and other things! I hope everyone has a fantastic spring and I encourage you to keep being creative!

Introduction to Mobile Artistry Workshop

Introduction to Mobile Artistry Workshop with instructor Tracey Grumbach, artist.

I am so happy to announce that registration for my newest class, Introduction to Mobile Artistry, is now open! The class will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9AM-12:00PM at Arts By the Bay Gallery in beautiful Havre de Grace, MD. In this class I will be teaching how to use apps on your iOS device (iPhone or iPad ONLY) to create the three pieces above. I will provide the files and step-by-step instruction while giving you some insight into my artistic process, thought, and tricks. After completing this one day workshop, participants in Introduction to Mobile Artistry will be able to apply the knowledge learned to their own mobile photography to create art.

Introduction to Mobile Artistry requires participants to have an iOS device and the list of required apps loaded onto their device prior to class. Cost of apps is NOT included in the registration fee and is the responsibility of the participant. A list of apps needed for Introduction to Mobile Artistry is listed on the registration page.

The Introduction to Mobile Artistry class size is limited to 15 so please register early! Seats are filling up quickly! I am looking forward to meeting everyone and having a wonderful time creating art. 

For more information and registration for Introduction to Mobile Artistry, please visit my Nine Acres Designs, LLC website Workshop page.

5/365- Be Brave- Figurescape Series by Tracey Grumbach

Harford County Artist Tracey Grumbach

'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'
'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his father told him.

―George R.R. Martin; A Game of Thrones

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Hoping all of you have a beautiful Labor Day. Here's to being brave today.

Until tomorrow...

xo

Southwest Terminal- Photo Artistry by Tracey Grumbach

Southwest Terminal- BWI Airport- Mobile Art by Tracey Grumbach

On Sunday I had the opportunity to take a few pictures outside my normal realm of country scenes and barns. We took my oldest daughter, Brenna, to BWI airport where she was taking her first solo flight to meet a friend and her family on vacation out in Seattle and then from there driving over the border into Vancouver. She was nervous about navigating security and finding her gate prior to her flight but she did great. It was good practice for her to spread her wings a bit before she heads off to college in August. As I was riding the moving sidewalk (do they have an official name?) back to the parking garage, I looked out the windows just to my right and I saw this scene. The lines and lighting caught my eye and I immediately knew when I edited I wanted to create a futuristic feel. I left swiped my iPhone 6S Plus and grabbed a photo. Editing came later when I had time to concentrate and complete the final look.

I am pleased to announce I have been asked to be the featured speaker at the Chester County, PA Camera Club in November of this year. They have asked me to speak to their club of approximately 100 members for about an hour and then stay for some Q&A. I am quite honored to be asked and I am very much looking forward to doing this in the fall. I am not sure what topic will be most appropriate for me to discuss yet...it depends on their interests and needs. I am still in discussions with the VP of the group about details, but whatever the topic, I will be thrilled and excited to share my love of photography and digital art.

I'm also actively working on the details of my very first Introduction to Mobile Art Class in September. Right now the tentative date and location is Saturday, September 16 at Bel Air Library. These details are NOT confirmed, but please, if you are interested, pencil it in as tentative.  A class description and sign-up will be coming out soon.

I've also been asked to do an Understanding Exposure In Photography class as well. This will probably be a bit later in the fall and will be scheduled over three separate Saturdays, one for going over each of the three elements of exposure- ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. I am so excited to get back into the teaching groove as soon as the fall hits!

I also have a few other class ideas brewing...Creative Exposure in Photography, and Introduction to Black and White Photography are in the future as well. Now that the my older kids are heading out on the next phase of their lives and my younger kids are heading back to school, it is time for me to focus on healing completely and accomplishing my goals as an artist and teacher.

It's Hump Day, y'all. The weekend is within sight. I am heading to Ikea today if I can summons enough energy and stamina. I'm in the market for a large art table for my studio! Yippee...somewhere I can practice drawing, painting, collage, and mixed media instead of my teeny, tiny, wobbly, warped, crooked table I have now. I hope I can find one that will work well for me!

Hugs and lovin'

xo

Dixie- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Dixie- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Meet Dixie- Dixie was created as a result of learning some new techniques in the Figurescapes Digital art class I am taking. Her name just came to me as I was creating this piece. She looks like a Dixie, doesn't she? While the class is focused on creating figurative humans, I wanted to create a more realistic version of an animal but still honor the new strategies I've learned. I created this on my own after completing the below assigned second project-

Below is the final result of the second project. The projects are a bit too abstract for my taste, but I am enjoying the process anyway.

Go Figure- Digital Art Class Project

I have two more projects to complete in the class, so there is still more learning ahead. I can't wait to see how these new skills will play out in my future work.

Today Brian and I are taking our oldest son to check out a trade school he is interested in near Philadelphia. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Ours is a busy one, so I will see you on the other side. Be safe out there, y'all.

xo

No Fear- Figurescapes Project 1

No Fear- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

In my new Figurescapes class I am taking, this is my completed first project. It is totally out of the realm of what is "normal" for me- an abstract human figure. I rarely include humans in my digital art work and when I do they are typically self portraits. While I really enjoyed and loved this first project and while I learned a ton, both about myself and about apps and artistic process, I am not sure this is exactly "me."  But, that is ok. The point was to push myself out of my artistic box and see what I can learn. I will continue exploring this type of art to see if I can apply more of "my style" to it and make it more me.

I titled it "No Fear" because that was my mantra going into this project and it stuck with me throughout the weekend. I often times find my fear of failure holding me back from trying new things, so I thought it was an appropriate title for my first project. Those words also popped into my mind when I thought about the defiant body posture the figure is taking in this piece. She looks strong and fearless and powerful in her stance. No Fear. I love it. Can you see the cursive written words "no fear" toward the bottom of the piece in her leg area? Just a sweet reminder to myself to let me fears go and let the process work unhindered.

What do you fear? How is this holding you back from achieving your goals or holding you back from trying new things? How can you overcome this fear? Talk to me...

Have a great Monday and a fantastic Independence Day. I may or may not have a post tomorrow, so if I don't, have a safe holiday!

xo

Let Go- Those Precious Morning Hours

Let Go- Digital Collage by Tracey Grumbach  (stock image of woman from Pixabay)

In the very early morning hours my alarm goes off. I don't have anywhere to be or anything to do except start the day with my first dose of medicine that needs to be taken on an empty stomach...thus the 6:30AM chimes dinging on my iPhone. After taking the two pills that are on my bedside table, I breathe in the day and often times climb out of bed despite the exhaustion. I never have been an early riser and I still hate it. However, I have a new appreciation for those quiet hours before the kids rise and start their day. I have claimed that time for myself...to let go. To do the quiet things that bring me joy.

Today I spent this time beginning a new art project in the online class I'm taking...Figurescapes. I found myself not only learning all about an app I've had for a long time but never used, but I also felt myself let go as I began the project. I was so mindful in that moment...nothing else existed except for me, my iPhone, and the stylus as I drew an abstract figure on the screen. All the thoughts, feelings, worries, and obligations this day will bring melted away. I didn't allow myself to become "precious" (as one of my favorite art podcasters, The Jealous Curator of Art for Your Ear, calls it) and didn't freak out when I made mistakes. Those mistakes turned into beautiful opportunities to make my work unique and unlike the instructor's. It was free flowing and fun and invigorating to be doing something completely unlike the art I have done in the past. Before I knew it, the two hours had passed that I need to wait until I eat. I didn't even feel a hunger pang the entire time I was working because I was so completely engrossed.

This "let go" time for me is so important in my healing and in my sanity. Just as I was finishing up the very first step of this art project, I heard footsteps and toilets flushing downstairs in our living area. I came back to the present feeling refreshed for having this time to myself to be creative, present, and mindful. Now I am ready to care for my family for the rest of the day, but my mind will be on this new project, ever anxious and excited to grab just a few more minutes to myself to see where this project takes me next.

Tonight I will be working the Opening Reception at Arts By the Bay Gallery from 6PM-9PM where 5 of my framed pieces will be hanging and 10 matted pieces will be available in the print bins. I hope you can stop in and say hello...I love meeting everyone!

Have a beautiful weekend. See you on the other side of the weekend. xo

Single White Rose- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Out of all the flower and still life shots I took the other day using my tabletop soft box, this one is my favorite. I used a single LED light that came with my soft-box setup to create directional lighting and beautiful shadowing on the rose and the bottle. Then, I took a picture using my iPhone 6S Plus (I didn't have enough energy to climb my studio stairs and work with with my Canon 5D Mark III) and edited it in various apps including Brushstroke, Image Blender, Snapseed.  Next, I beamed it over to my iMac using PhotoSync to tweak it in Photoshop CC. I love the shadows and light and also the painterly quality of the texture. I hope you like it too.

Yesterday was a huge turning point for me as a mom getting ready to send my daughter off to college. While we were sitting as a family at dinner, my husband announced that Brenna, my oldest daughter, now has an address for her home away from home. The apartment complex where my daughter will be living has identified the specific apartment she will get and sent us all the information as well as the lease. I know it sounds weird, adding her Winter Park, FL address into her contact in my iPhone made her move feel so close and so official. It was another level of reckoning in my preparation of watching her spread her wings.

In addition, Brenna and I did a big burst of online shopping together to pick out some essentials she will be needing to furnish her apartment! On the top priority list was bedding, lamps (there is no lighting in the apartment except the bathroom), shower curtain, and a cover for the used couch that was given to her by a neighbor. She has collected a lot of free hand-me-down furniture for the kitchen and living room and we are transporting her own bedroom furniture when we move her. Family and friends have given her some other essentials like bath towels, kitchen utensils and towels, silverware, dishes, etc. I think she is pretty close to being prepared to leave. We are just about 6 weeks away! Crazy. It is a lot for this Mamma's heart to contend with but I am so thrilled for her. Fly, baby girl, fly!

Remember when I told you yesterday that I was signing up for a class to learn how to video, market, and run online art classes? Well, while I was on the website to sign up for that, I came across another fantastic class called "Figurescapes." It is a digital art class that combines abstract iPad drawings of the human form with digital elements to create a final figurative piece. Since I am always on the lookout to expand my knowledge and art repertoire, I signed up for that class too! I am so stinking excited. The good news is that both classes are self-paced and I have access to the lessons online for a lifetime...there is no need for me to feel pressured or stressed about finishing at a certain time. It is perfect for me right now...I can do bits and pieces as I feel up to it and not worry about losing my money if I don't feel well enough for a few days.

Last, today I am humbly requesting prayers today, specifically that my white blood cell count may be high enough to perform the blood test that I desperately need. Last week the lab called my doctor to report my white blood count was too critically low to even perform the test, so after a week of immune boosting medicine, I am hoping today my white blood count cooperates. Thank you!

Have an amazing Thursday...Friday is in sight! xo