Angeline's Violin for Florida Youth Orchestra

Back in August through September last year, I was one of a dozen artists chosen to paint a violin for the Florida Youth Orchestra. This worthy cause teaches children how to play musical instruments and perform in public. The poise of the violinists who performed at our opening reception night when all dozen artists received our violins was impressive. Most were younger than 13, and had incredible skill, talent, and presence on the stage while we all felt the music they played. 

Please help them meet their fundraising needs working with these eager musicial students. 

The Painted Violin Project is The Florida Youth Orchestra's major fundraiser. Each $20 donation entitles you to a complimentary raffle ticket. Donate $60 and receive three tickets plus one additional ticket. Donate $100 and you will get five tickets plus two additional tickets. (Please note that there is a $2 shipping and handling fee in addition to all donations.) 

For more information, please contact Harvey Walfish at: (954) 918-3097 or hwalfish@gmail.com To see these violins up close, contact Harvey Walfish for the exhibit schedule. You can view the schedule sent to the artists at my site.  

The raffle is scheduled for May 16th, 2010.

Thanks & please help!

Angeline-Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Related blog posts:

Violin Reception, August, 2009              Violin Progress 1             Violin Progress 2                     

Violin Progress 3         Violin Progress 4          Violin, Broken!          Violin Progress Photos          

Violin Progress Photos 2              Violin Give Back

Painted Violin Project, Photos 2

Some may remember that I sent a cry for help with the composition of the violin. I spent most of my weekend working on two projects: the painted violin & the bed pieces. After taking a break by going for a swim, I erased the original composition. Later that weekend, the violin broke.

If you would like to know more, feel free to read my blog posts about the violin posted in August, 2009.

Smiles!!!
Angeline-Marie
www.angelinemarie.net
Find me on Facebook as Angeline-Marie Martinez

Painted Violin Project - Progress Photos 2

Top: Screwing into place the cool old metal link belt found at a thrift shop three years ago. It now has a home.
Middle: Masking off the belt, because the wood showing through it was too pretty to paint.
Bottom: First layers of colors.

I won't be using many woods for this project at this point, just photos. If you would like to read a little more about some of my challenges with the Painted Violin Project, please refer to my back - blogs (posted from August 13 - August 31st, 2009).

Smiles!
Angeline-Marie
www.angelinemarie.net

Painted Violin Project - the Reception

This past Monday, the Florida Youth Orchestra had us present our violins. The reception was fun - we paraded our violins to Harvey's introduction. The most fun was talking with each other: our challenges, lessons, experiences with the violin. We even walked out with product suggestions (and I am looking forward to getting the hardware store and playing!)

I had fun watching the professional photographer take pictures of us, our violins, and the group of artists. The violins are beautiful, unique, individual, ranging in themes, styles, and colors. There is one favorite for at least every person I know. Those pictures will be sent to each of us - and as soon as they arrive, I will post!

The biggest challenge most of us had was letting go of the violin. To stop picking at it, working on it, handling it. The violin is such a great shape, the wood is so smooth! I already have ideas if honored next year!

First photo: progress at the beginning. Second photo: artists with our violins. I am the one in pink, sitting in the front row.

Smiles!
Angeline-Marie
www.angelinemarie.net

Violin Project 5 - Broken!

For those of you following, the Violin Project Blogs are going on pause until September 22, 2009. Why must we all wait? All of the artists were told by FYO that we should not post pictures of progress nor finished painted violins until after the reception on September 21st. Since I will probably get home very late that night, the blog will pick up (with more pictures this time) after the "OOPS" posting.

Yesterday afternoon was THE major panic attack. The violin broke!

Thankfully, I was at Ismael's studio, a few blocks away from a friendly local hardware store and a few feet away from experience and advice. Between the materials I had to finish the violin and the epoxy used as glue, the violin was restored to all if its unplayable glory, minus one peg. It won't go back through because of the repair job.

To be honest, I haven't really tried to get the peg back through the proper hole. I'm too scared that the violin will break a second time. I'll keep the peg with the box, just in case FYO wants me try.

Wondering what I was doing to break it? Trying to restring the violin. Guess I didn't have to pull that tightly, eh?

Smiles,

Angeline Marie

www.angelinemarie.net

Violin Project 3

I just received photos from the Florida Youth Orchestra's Painted Violin Project "Receiving Reception."

Check out all the artists! I am the second from the left in the top row, wearing a pink shirt.

Marie Moore, bottom row, 2nd from right

Aaron Tutunick, bottom row, 2nd from left

Timothy Leistner, bottom row, 1st on the left

This was the evening of August 12, 2009 at the ArtServe Auditorium.

Violin Project continued

Ok, so I should not post pictures, but I can at least write about painting!

I am grateful for the following tools: newspaper, painter's tape, spray paint, acrylics, hair dryer, brushes, and water.

What I've learned in the past 24 hours:

1. Newspapers work MUCH better than paper towels, not to mention reuse/recycle! Cheaper, too.

2. Spray paint forgives mistakes made because acrylics will scrape off when dry. Spray paint also needs to be shined up with varnish when finished.

3. Hair dryers are magical (ok, this one I learned a long time ago with Baruj) because the paint dries NOW.

4. Cameras show how an artist can correct and continue, even when working on a violin.

5. Painter's tape is the awesome.

6. One can never, ever, ever have enough brushes.

7. Left handed people are not usually photographed doing stuff. Everyone seems right handed!

Enough written. Returning to having fun with the violin project.

Smiles!

Angeline Marie

www.angelinemarie.net

Violin Project - OOOOOPS

Sometimes, there are OOOOOPS on projects. I had to repeat the following mantra last night: "DO NOT work on any art projects while super-duper TIRED. Repeat." I attempted to begin the violin last night...and had a very HAPPY accident.

I know what theme I want for the violin. I know what colors I want, too. I thought I wanted the entire violin painted, but the wood is too pretty to cover up completely.

I began by masking off some of the violin with painter's tape. Took the violin outside to spray paint. Read "Do not use spray paint in high humidity" and laughed. I live in Florida, where it is always humid. It'll be fine! Yeah...when the paint pooled around the edges, and the drips were extremely runny and the panic set in, the newspapers were grabbed to mop up & take off the paint.

As you can expect, the paint truly did not come off completely. The violin wood's finish is so glossy, that most of the paint didn't even adhere to the surface. Zach, someone who knows a lot about industrial paint, was almost called to aid me. The newspapers actually left behind a very cool effect, which I believe is going to be repeated with different colors.

Since pictures are worth more, I thought the effects left behind by my OOOOOPS are actually very cool. Reminds me of water, and how I love paint's application on wet paper.

I'll be happily, merrily, singing my way on this project & more this weekend. YIPPPEEEE!

Smiles!

Angeline-Marie

www.angelinemarie.net

Florida Youth Orchestra Painted Violin Project 2009

Wow. What an honor! Last night was the reception for the artists chosen for Florida Youth Orchestra's (FYO) Painted Violin Project (PVP). It was great: the people, the food, the MUSIC, and the energy. I have the opportunity to paint on a violin!

I am truly impressed with the professionalism of Mr. Harvey Walfish, his wife Missy, and the entire group. The three musicians were poised, professional, and gave chills up and down my spine while they played. The music, besides the people, was one of the best parts of the event! I am excited to have the opportunity to help FYO!

For those of you wondering, the violin is what is considered "unplayable." The former owner sent it in for repair, and was told that the violin was beyond repair. The company then donates the unplayable violins to different groups around the U.S. for painting projects and fundraising. FYO is one of the groups that receives unplayable violins. This is the fourth year of the fundraiser.

For more information about FYO and/or the Painted Violin Project, please visit

http://www.floridayouthorchestra.org/painted_violin_project.html

Watch my blog for pictures! I will also post more about FYO events as I am notified. =)

Angeline-Marie

www.angelinemarie.net