PAINT IN TUSCANY!

My twin sister, Carole Foret and I, have just announced our 2012 Tuscan Painting Journey!

  See all the details and links here!

Check out our 2011 slideshow!

Laugh, even if it starts off as fake!

A great article in the Pioneer Press this morning lauded laughing as great medicine!  It lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity among other things.  It sited that laughing babies and funny animal videos are among the most popular on YOUTUBE.COM!  Well, I'm a firm believer!  I find it easy to be silly, and I'm glad to know that it's good for my health!

I just dug up this video shot by my 7-yr.-old daughter of her God mother, Diane, my twin sister Carole and me faking it up then guffawing for REAL!  See if it makes YOU laugh, and hey, maybe it will save you a trip to the Dr.!

This Is How It All Started!

This is how it all started for me 16 years ago when I went to Cortona, Italy with the University of Georgia's studies abroad program in art!  That summer changed me forever!  To me, Cortona is a most enchanting place in it's own rite - dates back to 500 BC, amazing views of the countyside, friendly towns people, being inspired and creative, eating the finest food and wine available to man!  The program is now 41 years old, and I was lucky to have done it in 1994, their 25th year in which we celebrated that year's anniversary with a beautiful Carrera marble (indigenous to Italy and Michelangelo's marble of choice) sculpture created by the program's founder Jack Kehoe.  I could go on and on about this program, but rather you may watch this 15 minute video about the program.  It's both informative and entertaining, and you will see why this program is so very special!

The UGA Cortona Campus Walkthrough from UGA Cortona on Vimeo.

 The rest of these images were ones I took just a month ago during C&C's Tuscan Painting Journey!  Carole Foret (my twin sister) and I (Claire Kayser) take groups of painters to Cortona in September for a week's worth of painting in Cortona!  See all the details on our C&C site!  CHECK OUT THIS SLIDESHOW!
Details of the 2011 journey coming soon, so stay tuned to reserve YOUR spot.  Spots fill fast!

Happy Birthday to Us!

Yes, Carole and I have a birthday today - 42! This pic is from our 40th b'day celebration we had in our hometown of Athens, AL where we blocked off part of the square in downtown Athens in front of Carole's studio for our party! We had a blast with a great, rockin' band, dancing and mingling with so many great friends. What a great memory! My friend Eileen from St. Paul came home with me to celebrate! FUN!!!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

FINAL BOARDING CALL!

Hey Ladies! We have the deal of a lifetime! Now you can attend Southern Palette for less than you thought. $699! This is a price that doesn't need much consideration. If you like to paint or THINK you'd like to paint in a getaway fun-filled weekend, then this is the weekend for you!

April 16 - 19

At Carole's Studio

Athens, Alabama

Historical downtown Athens Alabama in the springtime is a gorgeous setting. The dogwoods are in bloom, and there is an infectious energy all around. Carole and I have a great weekend planned. Check out the details at CaroleAndClaire.Com for a complete schedule of activities.

Want to know more about Athens? Visit the Spirit of Athens Site!

Read comments by those who have worked with Carole & Claire:

Carole and Claire came to Rosemary Beach to teach a few paint techniques to women, which they did. But they also spread broad brush strokes of joy, confidence, and effervescence. The beauty they brought to Girls' Getaway Weekend, on their canvases and in their smiles, was an integral part of the event. Their students left class glowing, happy with new skills and a masterpiece!

---Kim Jameson, Rosemary Beach, FL

"I've attended Carole and Claire's workshops and absolutely enjoyed them immensely. The ingredients that you can depend on in this "artistic" recipe are: relationship building, accomplishment, knowledge and most of all a large amount of FUN. Go, you will have the best time EVER!" ---Marcia Whitaker, Anniston, AL

It was such a joy to have you and your sister as our guests. Your artwork and sweet personalities were an inspiration to all! Thanks again...We hope to see you both again.

---Bev Sanders, Carmel, CA

Participating in the artist workshop was the best time I had all weekend. It gave me a chance to step outside of myself, in a fun and creative way. I met new friends that I look forward to seeing every year. And I love it when my friends in Atlanta visit my home and say "Did YOU paint that?" Then they want to hear about the whole trip and how then can attend one.....

---Sylvia Holler, Atlanta, GA

Carole featured on CBS affiliate!

Check out Carole (my twin sister and artist) and her studio, her work, and my work featured on WHNT tv channel 19 in Huntsville, AL! They did a huge feature on her and her work their morning show this morning, and she even taught the reporter to paint a Tabasco bottle! See her and her awesome studio in this video!

Come to Athens with me for our Southern Palette Creativa Painting Journey for women in mid April - a most beautiful, spring time to be there to learn to paint, relax and tap into your creativity. Also, the popular dogwood festival will be happening that weekend April 17 and 18th. Check Carole and her studio out below!

Also, Carole's husband just put his model home theatre in her building and made a beautiful new space to be able to showcase his audio/visual equipment for his business AV Works. It's a really nice set up. Check it out here as he demonstrates playing the Wii on it...

I Feel Lucky!

I feel so lucky that though I live 1000 away from my dear family (parents, brothers and twin sister) that I am able to visit like almost being there!

See!


Today, my sister Carole and I chatted for about an hour, and it was so nice to be able to do that knowing that I won't be able to spend time with any of my family this holiday season. I thank Apple's ichat so much!

Now, the bad thing is is that I now want a Burberry scarf like hers... :)))

ART OPEN HOUSE!

ART OPEN HOUSE
November 15
6 - 9 pm
Home of Claire Kayser
paintings, pottery, mosaic art, books & their authors, jewelry, culinary arts, live music!
Get a jump start on holiday shopping with gifts that are completely unique and one of a kind - ART!
Grab a friend and come mingle with the artists and creative people and listen to some live jazz! Buy something unique and original for loved ones on your list!

Support artists!

Twins and Friends Art Show!

Despite flash flooding and power outages all through the evening of the show opening, we managed to have a fairly well-attended opening, and we certainly appreciated those who braved the weather conditions to come for the artful evening! Thanks to Chicago based jewelry artist Jean Basse for outfitting so many of us with her beautiful jewelry made of gemstones and pearls. Here are some pictures from the night! Enjoy!

The main gallery wall in Carole Foret Studio!

Carole, Carla Swinney, and me



Carole (left) and me, right.

Twins and Friends Art Show!

I wanted to post the invitation to the Twins and Friends show on the 31st in Alabama.  You see my painting which is an oil on canvas, my sister Carole's is an encaustic (pigments with beeswax) painting, and the peace bracelet made by Chicago-based artist Jean Basse.  I own this bracelet and wear it all the time - the peace sign is rough silver attached to brown leather.  She makes it with black leather, too.  Jean also works with pearls and other great semi-precious gems.  I can hardly wait 'til her site is done so that you could see what she does and order straight thru her site.  James Dean will also be showing his Pete the Cat stuff.  Great!  Check it out.  Anything can be purchased and shipped to you!  Simply contact Carole or Leslie at Carole Foret Studio at 256.232.2521.

Last week while in Alabama, I had the pleasure of attending the Huntsville Madison County Auburn Club Annual Party & Awards Dinner where my twin sister Carole and I painted live. Our piece was auctioned off as part of a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for Huntsville students to receive and attend our AUsome Auburn University.

What did we paint? Aubie! We did a collaborative piece, painting taking turns, on the same canvas. That was a first for us and was very fun! And the greatest thing was, Aubie loved it!

If you don't know Aubie, he is the mascot for Auburn University's football team. He is also the number one mascot several years running in the nation! He is pure entertainment.

Thank you to Larissa Chastain for hooking us up with such fun event. It was great seeing so many people passionate about our awesome Auburn.

Leslie's Shoot!

I had one of the first shoots of the season now that our weather is finally turning warmer!  Yea!!!  My sister Carole and I first ever worked with Leslie 2 years ago during our model/talent shooting event here.  Leslie was hugely pregnant - BEAUTIFUL!  We wanted to shoot again after baby, so we did last week and had a great time.  Location is what I do, and we found so many cool spots just around the neighborhood here in St. Paul.  Leslie is hoping to do some print modeling, and we hope to use some of these images.  Thanks for a fun shoot, Leslie!  You were fun to work with!

If you're interested in a shoot, be sure to check out my site and contact me.  Also, you can join my email newsletter at the top right of my blog to receive and take advantage of specials I offer.

Sister Grace!

I just wanted to toot the horn of my sister's band called Sister Grace! They are a Christian all- girls band that also includes Tina Swindell, Whitney Hubbs, and Stephanie Fenton along with Carole Foret, my twin, who plays drums for the band. They have glorified God with their music in so many ways and to so many people seeking to hear His word through the joyful noise they make. This cd pictured above is their first release, and they will be working on their next one in the coming months that will include more upbeat music from the likes of Donna Summer and the disco era. Read below an email from one of their newer fans!

For your beautiful voices!!! - I listened to your CD all the way to work today and just now getting this email off to you TO SAY "THANK YOU" FOR THE MUSIC!!!!

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT…

- I LOVE YOUR SONGS AND YOUR VOICES

- YOU ARE SO TALENTED AND THE MESSAGES IN THE SONGS ARE SO GREAT!!!! SO POWERFUL!!! SO MEANINGFUL!!!!

- PRAISE THE LORD AND I THANK HIM FOR ALLOWING OUR PATHS TO CROSS!

- I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD TO HEAR YOU!!! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU PERFORMING AT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S SURVIVOR DINNER, ON FRIDAY, APRIL 4TH, AT MAYFAIR CHURCH OF CHRIST FELLOWSHIP/GYM. WE ARE EXPECTING OVER 600 ATTENDEES!!!!!

TINA KNOWS ME SO WELL AS WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR SO MANY YEARS AT NASA - AND YES, WHITNEY - I'M SURPRISED OUT PATHS HAVE NOT CROSSED BEFORE NOW…. BUT, ANYWAY….I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WHEN I AM DOWN, FEELING LOW, AND NEED A PICK ME UP - I PUT ON AN ELVIS CD…. (MOST OF THE TIME GOSPEL) AND NOW I LISTEN TO YOU GUYS…. WELL…. YOU RATE RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE MAN!!!!

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU PUT A SONG IN MY HEART, A SMILE ON MY FACE AND A "TEAR" IN MY EYE - WITH YOUR MUSIC. THANKS AGAIN FOR MAKING "MUSIC TO LIVE BY"

LOVE YOU. BENNIE

Buy their CD from their blog! You won't be sorry!