Artist-O-T-M

The Historic McKinney Art House will host a display of artwork by 54 students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade beginning with the Second Saturday Event in March. The young artists are from Concordia Christian Academy located in Our Savior Lutheran Church in McKinney. The works on display are portraits of their homes.

The students each brought a photo of their homes to art class. Then, they analyzed Michael Borne's watercolor rendering of The Art House discussing shape, line, texture and color. Each child began by lightly sketching their home in order to workout the details of the drawing. Next, they drew their final rendering on quality watercolor paper. The students went back to Mr. Borne's painting to learn about color and watercolor application techniques.

Finally, they applied ink and colored marker for definition and texture to their own artwork. The results can be described as anywhere from amazing to ‘just so cute’!!!!

The school initiated a progressive FAST program--which stands for Fine Art, Science and Technology. Three days a week, from 12 to 3 pm, the children take Art, Choir, Drama, Science, Piano, Violin, Karate, Gymnastics, or Physical Education. While the students get to select electives, they all take Art, Choir and Technology and Science. The children and their parents love the diversity and quality of this unique program which revolves around Christian education and values.

High School Student from McKinney is the featured artist of the month for February

A senior high school student from Ursuline Academy of Dallas will be the featured artist for February at the Art House. Elizabeth Stanton will show her works in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and pen & ink.

Ms. Stanton started private art lessons at age 7. She studied with Annie Royer for 5 years and is currently enrolled in the AP Art program at Ursuline Academy. She has always loved art and has been creating it for a total of 15 years.

As she says, “It gives me a way to express myself. For me, it has never been difficult to create pieces, it just comes naturally.” In school, art was always her favorite subject. From there she began taking classes from various teachers until she found Annie Royer. Stanton has taken painting lessons and art history classes from Royer. Elizabeth has more recently taken art lessons from Sona Knox of Art House and Linda McCall of Ursuline Academy.

“When it comes to art, I am not really influenced by people but rather by places. My main source of inspiration is architecture. When I see a building or other structure that appeals to me I tend to replicate it through art. My single greatest source of inspiration is the beach-town of Seaside, FL where my family has vacationed for the past 15 years. Creating these pieces brings back many pleasant memories which I think further enhances the work.”

Ms. Stanton approaches her pieces without a predestined plan. She is ‘kind of a spur of the moment person’ when it comes to art. She will see something that she likes, photograph it and then, later on, she will get the urge to create something using one of her photos. She approaches each piece as being an expression of her thoughts and feelings at that moment in time.

When viewers see her work shop she hopes that they will leave with a sense of respect for architecture and the uniqueness of each structure. Also, she tries to approach buildings from an angle that is not commonly seen, hopefully leading viewers to see things from a new angle.

Stanton was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, She remained there until she was 6 when her family moved to Texas, but her heart still belongs to Chattanooga.

While working with Ms. Royer, Stanton received numerous 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd places ribbons in the Collin County Youth Art Show. She also received the Ursuline Academy of Dallas Honorable Mention Award in Painting during the Spring Art Show 2006. This year, she had work chosen to be featured in the Ursuline Academy calendar. When asked what accomplishment she was proudest of, she stated, “rather than choose one specific piece to say she was proud of, I am most proud of the growth and evolution of my work over the years. For the record, I only create pieces that I personally like; therefore I can say that each and every one of my pieces reflects who I truly am at heart. I will say that the pieces that bring me the most joy and satisfaction are those in my Seaside, Fl collection.” Later this spring her work will be on display at the Ursuline Academy Spring Art Show.

Even though Ms. Stanton is still a senior in high school she is looking towards the future. She intends to study Architecture, Historic Preservation & Community Planning. As of now, she has been accepted at the Honor’s Program within the College of Charleston in S.C. and she is still waiting to hear back from University of Virginia and Princeton.

Today, however, most of her time is spent with school work. She is also involved with Chestnut Square Historic Society where she markets note cards featuring each of the historic structures managed by the society. She also works as a sales clerk at the gift shop of the Heard Natural Science Museum. Her hobbies and interests include preserving old structures although she has not yet been able to convince her parents to buy a historic house downtown! She loves the beach and it is the inspiration for many of her pieces.

View Dallas uniquely through the lens of digital artist Maryann McBreen. Her digitally enhanced photo works will be on display at the Historic McKinney Art House beginning the Second Saturday Art Walk on January 12^th throughout the month.

McBreen comes to Dallas from her birth state of New Jersey. She has a degree in Respiratory Technology but no formal art training. Her exposure to art began with her father who, while a physician by profession, was a potter hobbyist. For the past 5 years she has worked as a figure model and in the last year she has started exercising her artistic gifts with digitally enhanced photos.

With this show the artist, “…hopes the viewers will see a view of Dallas that they have not seen before, realize its kinetic energy and appreciate its beautiful skylines; it was inspired by my love of Dallas and its dynamic beauty.” Her show is called ‘Moving Pictures’, as the images were taken from a moving vehicle. “I experience Dallas mainly through the windshield of my car, and I noticed that when I shoot from a vehicle in motion, the images appear warped and distorted in interesting ways. I see the latent colors in the scenes and bring them out.”

Ms. McBreen won 1^st prize at Texas State Fair for sewing an original design as a teenager. From January 3^rd through 31^st her metal miniatures are on display at the TVAA New Members Show at the Plaza of the Americas, 700 N. Pearl St. Dallas Tx, Suite G-207, with a reception on Sunday, January 27^th from 2 – 5 pm. Her digital works will be on display at the TVAA 2008 Digital Show, Feb 1 – March 19 with a reception Sunday, February 10^th from 2 – 5 pm at the Plaza location. Selections of her digital pieces are also hung in the lobby at the Bank of Texas in McKinney.

McBreen works full-time as a figure model in the Metroplex. Other interests are interior design/soft furnishings, costume creation, and web support for a fine art Norwood Flynn Gallery. She says she has as-yet unrealized literary aspirations but is certain there Great American Novel percolating inside.

Pete Dobbins, a McKinney ISD art teacher, was the featured artist for the month of December at the Historic McKinney Art House. His brilliantly hued abstract works were on display beginning with the opening night of December 8^th from 7 to 10 pm and continued throughout the month.

Mr. Dobbins was born in Tucson, Arizona. His love of art took root as a child when he became interested in the nature of things. This led to his pursuing a career in art. At Northern Arizona University he studied art and art education.

Dobbins has been creating art for 15 years and now specializes in watercolors and pastels. His favorite accomplishment is the balance of color composition in his paintings. He hopes the viewer, after contemplating his works, will gain an appreciation of the dynamics and logic behind the interaction of color and space present in his pieces.

Welcome Students of Michael Borne for the November showing at the Art House.

Watercolor students of artist Michael Borne will display their work at a studio show at the Historic Art House of McKinney beginning November 10^th during the Second Saturday Art Walk event from 7 to 10 pm. Borne is a founding member of the Southwest Watercolor Society and a practicing architect. He teaches watercolor at the Art House, at SMU and other various settings. In the spring of 2007 he held 2 series of workshops instructing on watercolor techniques covering buildings, scenery and floral still life. In the spirit of great artists in history, a plein air (outdoor) painting experience was included in the second session where there rendered the Art House from various viewpoints in the lawns and gardens.

One of artists to display their work will be Gaylord O’Con of Oak Cliff. O’Con has had an interest in art all of his life being influence by his mother and grandmother, an Osage Indian that created her paints from materials in nature like dirt, bark and leaves. He is a structural engineer by profession having studied at the University of Texas at Arlington which is instrumental in his assisting both local and international artists with the structural integrity of their sculpture designs. Mr. O’Con favors photography as well as drawing, oil painting and watercolors as his artistic form of expression. He has studied watercolor and photography as various locations, and is a member of the Southwest Watercolor Society. He began to take watercolor classes from Borne in 2003 and has to date taken over 10 instructional classes with his mentor.

Bob Ellis of Prosper is another artist to be showing the result of their instruction with Borne.
Ellis connected with Borne at a downtown festival in Prosper where he visited with the artist who was demonstrating on the street. That is how Ellis learned of the workshop at the Art House and was given the opportunity to attend the workshop by his wife as a birthday present. He had taken a watercolor class in Boulder, Colorado with his daughter as a bonding experience. Ellis wanted to study at the Art Institute of Chicago after high school but ended up studying business in college and is a project manager at IBM. The painting sessions reconnected Ellis with his earlier interest in art.

Artist Robin Donner will also be showing her watercolor work at the studio show at the Art House. Donner studied art at a community college shortly after high school graduation but turned to the business world like Ellis. She has worked in many other artistic materials including stained glass, basket weaving and graphic design, but favors watercolor and more recently clay works. Donner formal studies have been Business Information Systems and Networks with Wireless Technology, but art returned as a center point in her life working at an architectural firm and developing pottery for both pleasure and for sale.

All the artists’ work will remain on display at the Art House of McKinney for the week following the opening. The Art House is located at 502 North Kentucky Street just a half block north of the library. For inquires contact the owner at 469-952-ARTS.

Lee Ann Stone from Dallas to show in McKinney at the Art House for October!
Lee Ann Stone from Dallas will display a selection of her paintings along with her portfolio showing a more extensive collection on the Saturday evening, October 13th from 7 to 10 PM. Her body of work, which is primarily oils, covers portraits—serious and whimsical, the Madonna and Child, still lifes in the style of the Old Masters and abstracts. The abstracts are her latest favorite subject matter.

Lee Ann was born in Kingsport, Tennessee but raise in Longview, Texas since she was 6. She's been an artist all her life--in all areas of the arts: music (she's a singer, as well), theater, dancing, but her focus as an adult has been primarily in the visual arts. Ms. Stone earned a BFA from University of North Texas in 1987 with an emphasis in graphic design. Dallas has been home for her since 1989. In a past life (prior to doing what she does now) she spent 4 years working for a decoration company painting backdrops and designing props for large events

Lee Ann has been painting since 1997 (when her oldest child turned 2) showing in the Deep Ellum and Lakewood areas. She works primarily in oils but has enjoyed branching out into mixed media. Her early work was primarily of people, characters she would dream up...various parts of herself. From those she began to get commissions to do portraits--from people who like a more modern and off-beat approach to portraiture. She also wanted to expand to still life and landscape just to stretch her artist muscles a little which spurned whimsical versions that came from her exposure to illustration in college. She acquired several commissions from interior designers for their corporate clients doing a few landscapes and abstracts as well. There she realized her loved for the abstract. She finds colors and shapes very inspiring and is a research hound. She gains inspiration everywhere and follow the recipe of Robert Motherwell, "I start with a series of mistakes. Then I continue to correct them with feeling." Lee Ann allows the painting to tell her where to go. "Sometimes," she says, "all I do is show up at the canvas." She says she's amazed at what she learns about herself, where she is in her life, and what her intuition is trying to tell herself. For her, painting is a rich, magical experience and it is an integral part of her life. The right painting always makes it into the right hands and, hopefully, blesses the owner as much as it does the painter.

Marie Blocker of Frisco is the featured artist at

the Historic McKinney Art House for the month of August. The artist's work will be on display beginning with the Second Saturday Art Walk event on Saturday, August 10th through the beginning of September. Come meet the artist and view her vibrant body of work from 7 to 10 PM that night.

Blocker grew up in Katy, Texas, and went on to study Fine Art and Graphic Design at the University of Texas in Austin. She specializes in acrylic works that have rich, lively hues and many focus on water scenes. Her works have a painterly feel using a pallet knife that excites and delights the eye. Oil is another favored medium of the artist. Besides the display at the Art House she will also have some of her work on display at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary (MAC) in downtown Dallas for the month of August.

Marie has always liked to paint and draw. As a young child her favorite activities to while away the hours were drawing and creating artistic objects. Being a mother of a teenage son, wife and full-time employee, it's hard to find time to create these days. However, earlier in 2007 Blocker opened her studio space at the Art House which gives her a special place to use her artist talent and create. She also teaches painting, drawing and mixed media as well as instructs on the Masters to students young and old. At various special events like this summer's McKinney Jazz Festival in June she can be seen not only demonstrating her skill but also providing visiting young artists an opportunity to try painting, too.

You'll find Marie for the August Second Saturday event at the Historic McKinney Art House just a half a block north of the McKinney library at 502 N. Kentucky Street. Or call ahead for a viewing during business hours (469) 952-ARTS.

McKinney High School alumni Tim Dobberfuhl had his first Texas art show entitled “Escapes” back in his home town at the Historic McKinney Art House. Beginning June 9^th with the Second Saturday on the Square events, his paintings were on display. There was a reception that night from 7 to 10 PM. Throughout the month of June and early July viewing was available during Art House business hours. They also had free lessons on the pottery wheel for kids and adults.

Dobberfuhl graduated from MHS in 2003 and went on to major in Art with a minor in computer science at Central College in Pella, Iowa. He has always drawn since he was a child creating elaborate mazes on paper for friends during his elementary school years. As his interest in art grew he took AP art classes in high school and went on to study art in college.

While studying at Central College he participated in Soccer, Art Club, Intervarsity, and coaching youth soccer. Tim had one other art show in Iowa.

Mr. Dobberfuhl’s art repertoire includes photography, graphic design, and drawing but his passion is landscapes in oils. For a taste of his work visit his web site http://www.timbd.com . He resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Six art students studying under local artist Annie Royer had a special exhibit of their work from 7 to 10 PM on Saturday, May 12th at the Historic McKinney Art House. The serious young artists from McKinney, Lucas and Bonham are senior high school-aged kids who have worked with Ms. Royer for anywhere from 3 to 8 years. The exhibit prepared them for portfolio reviews they'll experience as they continue on in art. Their works that were shown were on canvas in oil or acrylic mediums. Early pieces displayed along side of recent creations illustrated the progression of their skill.

    Morgan Bailey, a 17 yrs old junior at McKinney High School. She has studied painting with Royer she was 8 years old. For 2 years Ms. Bailey has been a member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council for Congressman Sam Johnson (Plano). Her painting of the Lincoln Memorial has recently won recognition and will represent our congressional district in the Capital building in Washington, DC.
    Kaleb Bell is 18 yrs old and has studied with Royer since he was 10. He currently lives with his family in Bonham, where he was home-schooled and plans to attend art school in the near future. He currently works two jobs in Plano, and continues to develop his art at Royer's studio in McKinney.
    Bonnie Faber, 18 years old, is a graduate of Lucas Christian Academy. She began studying with Royer at 9 years of age. Faber's senior exhibit will include several black and white studies, which truly advanced her technique and skills in composition. Just for fun when not doing art or studying, Faber is an avid roller blader.
    Taylor Holzknecht is 17 yrs old and attends McKinney HS where she plays varsity tennis. She has studied with Royer since she was 9 years old. Ms. Holzknecht does custom work and is currently working on several paintings for her clients which include florals and portraits of their homes.
    Ashley Jones attends McKinney Boyd High School. She is 16 yrs old and serves as Student Council President. Ms. Royer has had Jones as a student since she was 12 years old. Jones performs extensive volunteer hours in the community and every summer assists Royer me at art camps at the McKinney Art House.
    Hannah Plummer, a flutist in the Boyd HS marching and concert bands, is 17 yrs old and has had lessons for about 3 years. Plummer's love for animals is expressed in several of her paintings.

Ms. Royer has been a practicing artist for 35 years and teaching at her private studio in McKinney for about 10 years. Her students paint (both acrylic and oils), work with block printing, collage, masks, and for the younger ones, tempera on paper and clay. She works with 5 year olds and up at the studio, but also works with 3's and 4's at Stacy's Fine Arts Preschool in McKinney. There she's been developing an innovative curriculum for the past 3 years. Stacy's Preschool is about to add a Transitional Kindergarten with a certified teacher, so Ms. Royer is also developing a visual arts K- curriculum. Royer also works with adults.

Ms. Royer notes, "I'm so proud of all of my students, from the littlest children through these young adults. But it gives me great pleasure to be able to point to the art work of these older students, and say, "Look what can be accomplished when we are consistent with our best efforts, week after week, year after year." For more information about the instructor visit www.MckinneyArtandDesign.com .

On Saturday, April 14^th, for the Second Saturday ArtWalk in downtown McKinney student artwork from three McKinney elementary schools and a group of home school young artists was on display at the Historic McKinney Art House. Art teachers Darla Caughey from Bennett Elementary, Cassie Appleby from Glen Oaks Elementary, and team teachers from McNeil Amanda Dalton and Sona Knox had eagerly collaborated to bring an exciting evening of their students’ art work on display. Also included were home school art students of Sona Knox taught at the Art House.

In addition to student creations on
display, guests were given a taste of summer camp activities by viewing a raku firing demonstration or pottery wheel throwing demonstrations. Face painting was done by a resident artist and participation was offered for a hands-on kids’ art activity. Fellow artists with studio space at the Art House were present with some of their works on display that night. Graphic artist Shelley Levi and painter Marie Blocker share studio space on the first floor where they welcomed visitors. Guests also were able to visit with artist Kelly Allard in her upstairs “Looking Glass Studio” where she holds kids and adult classes throughout the week as
well as create her own works of art.

On Saturday, March 10^th from 7 to 10 PM in conjunction with the Second Saturday ArtWalk of McKinney there was a rare opportunity to view student’s clay work in combination with the display of artist Brice McCasland’s paintings and 3-D sculpture at the Historic McKinney Art House. Students of all ages had their clay work on display that night only. Under the direction of pottery artists Sona Knox and Allison Jessee they had worked using pinch pot, coil, rolled and free-form techniques as well as using the pottery wheel to create either functional or decorative pieces.

For McCasland’s display this was the opening event that marked the beginning of his month long exhibition of work at the McKinney Art House. His paintings are vibrant and his pieces are rich with Christian symbolism. The 3-D sculpture creations use a lot of recycled materials such as wood and steel.

McCasland is a Texas native that grew up in Lubbock. As a young boy creating art was something he did between chasing ‘dirt devils’ and gathering worms, and while his mother volunteered at church. His post-high school studies took him to Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado where art began to take on a more meaningful role in his life. Even back then the influence of his Christian religious beliefs started to fuel his creative pieces. And it continues on today as his core inspiration.

The paintings of McCasland are a multidimensional layering of collage and paint using religious symbology and text. Each painting begins as a scripture verse written on a blank canvas. He starts to paint using acrylics and then finishes with oil on top; it’s about a 50/50 mix. Current works are combining 3-D elements into them. Mr. McCasland and his wife, Katie, reside in Allen, Texas.
To learn more about his work visit www.bricemccaslandart.com .

Visual artist Mary K. Griffin will be the featured artist at the McKinney Art House for the February Second Saturday Arts Walk on the 10th. Her works have been on display throughout January and early February. The finale viewing, in lieu of the opening which was cancelled due to inclement weather, will be between 7 and 10 pm on Saturday. The Art House is just a half block north of the library at 502 North Kentucky Street.

Griffin’s area of specialty has ranged from pen and ink or pencil black and white drawings of various subjects to watercolors of botanicals and landscapes to acrylic murals on buildings.

Ms. Griffin was educated in Wisconsin, California and
Texas. She has not only taught watercolor classes and
workshops in Plano, but also has served
on the board for the Plano Art Association where she
helped plan events. Her work has been seen in various
art exhibitions throughout the DFW Metroplex as well
as in Oklahoma City. She has had a CityArts
Celebration poster design selected by the Dallas Art District and been one of their featured artists.. To view a selection of her work visit www.mkgriffinart.com .