Meet The Artist -

Coming this weekend to Random Arts... Christy Hawkins for 2 great book arts workshops!
Sat. April 6th and Sun. April 7th

Each class is $75 and includes most materials. 

 Even though I have known Christy Hawkins for over 10 years I started to think that there might be some Random Arts followers who don't. So my first instinct, since she is coming here to teach in March, I might want to tell  the world a little bit about her.
 

• What is your favorite part of the day?

That is a tough question because I’m basically a happy, busy person who likes almost everything I do in my day.  I think if I had to pick a favorite time, it would be the late afternoon when my husband, David and I slow down and sit on our back porch or living room and catch up on what we did all day. Since we live in Florida, we can go outside to the porch almost year round so this is a routine we love.
• How did you get started teaching?

My first teaching exploits were years ago in the scrapbooking realm. I taught techniques and did make and takes for a scrapbook store.  Later, I found a great, happy place called A Small Cleverness in Orange Park, FL. There I discovered a group of like-minded art dabblers who like many of the same things I do so I began to teach all kinds of things there, including my deep love of book binding.
• What is your most favorite thing about what you do?

Sharing my enthusiasm and my skills with people who want to learn new mediums, new arts areas and  new techniques.
 

• Who do you credit for inspiring you to "make art & be creative"

I don’t know how to credit someone for a drive that has always been in me.  Even as a child, I loved to make things, draw, and do arty things. I learned to sew when I was very young and used to sew “books” of together on my grandmother’s pedal powered sewing machine.  Several of the adults in my family, including both my parents had artistic talent so I guess my genes get the credit!
• What do you do in your spare time?

In my “spare” time, I volunteer at the Jacksonville Humane Society. I do a wide variety of jobs there, but my favorite is my weekly Feline Fotoshoot for all the new adoptable cats at the shelter. Those photos go to the shelter’s website and to Facebook. The JHS saved about 4000 animals last year and is spearheading the effort to make Jacksonville a no-kill community.  I love animals so it makes me very happy to play a small role in making them more comfortable and in promoting animal welfare in our community.

• What's the best thing about teaching art?

When I teach book binding, I love the happy faces on the people who finish a handmade book.  It gives both me and the students a great sense of accomplishment.  I also enjoy meeting and getting to know the people who come to my classes.  I teach other things in the mixed media realm, and I just love seeing others get “hooked” on the things I love so much! The whole process of teaching gives me access to my inner ham too.  If you attend my classes, you’ll see that I’m a frustrated stand up comic.


• Where do you teach now and how long have you been doing this?

I currently teach regularly at A Small Cleverness in Orange Park, FL.  I’ve been teaching there for several years so I’ve lost track of exactly when I began.  I love the customer base there and have made so many good friends there that it goes far beyond just teaching for me.

In addition, in 2012 I was honored to teach two workshops in book binding for the Society of Mixed Media Artists in Jacksonville.  I have a program presentation and a mono print workshop coming up for them in 2013.


• What do you like best  about making and creating art books?

I totally love the whole process of making a book. I enjoy deciding what I want the covers to look like. I like deciding what will be bound into them…it doesn’t have to be limited to plain paper! I like to touch books and see them on the shelf. I am a big fan of exposed spine bindings, such as the two variations on the Coptic stitch I’m offering at Random Arts.  Since I’m now doing mono printing and focused doodling (aka Zentangling), I see my books as a great place to gather the pieces I like from my work.  What’s not to like?!!

With all said and done, Christy loves to teach and we are happy to have her here on April 6th and 7th.  As you can see by  all the books that she creates... she is an expert and we are lucky to have her here.  If you sign up for 2 classes she will give you a FREE mini coptic stitch book kit to do on your own. Cost. $75. per class.
Some supplies are required.

Register by email: randomarts@charter.net