Greetings!

Stroke of Genius Game Night Ice and Olives on Thursday October 15th 5:30 pm - Play Stroke of Genius Game for FREE! "All you game groupies need to mark your calendar and visit us beginning at 5:30 PM to play "Stroke of Genius", an innovative new game which uses art as its focal point, invented by local artist Michelle Levian." - Barry Busch owner of Ice & Olives' Java Bar. This game night is a little earlier than the last one at Ice and Olives, and it's because they have GREAT food and coffee. You can make your evening of Food, Fun and Games! Stroke of Genius is a creative game that challenges you to take a single drawn Stroke and transform it into an imaginative picture that reflects the Spark Word, please the Juror and collect the Spark Word cards to win the game. Offering fun for three or more players, each spontaneous stroke challenges you, sparks the imagination and offers limitless possibilities and healthy self expression. Your fellow Artist provides that first stroke and the Juror a word of thought provoking direction. Your task is to quickly finish the picture, in any way you want. Keep in mind, you must please the ever subjective Juror to earn enough Spark Cards to declare yourself the Art Genius and win! And there will even be Stroke of Genius Game Swag as prizes! But surely you'd come even if I didn't bribe you... You can see some home videos of game play and various comments about the game at www.strokeofgeniusgame.com (it's a facebook page, so why not become a fan while you are there too!)   Ice and Olives Starting at 5:30 p.m. Thunderbird Square Shopping Center 29th and Croco Rd. Topeka, KS 785.215.8460

7pm-11pm
Please click here to
make your reservations
for this event!

Take Kansas Home!

"Wednesday August 19, 2009 - 7:00 pm Stroke of Genius Game
is our first "Game Night". All you game groupies need to mark your calendar and visit us beginning at 7 PM to play "Stroke of Genius", an innovative new game which uses art as its focal point, invented by local artist Michelle Levian." - Ice and Olives!

Wow do I need to say more! I am so excited! Oh, maybe a little about the game itself!

Stroke of Genius is a creative, wacky drawing game that sparks the imagination! Come an try it out at the event and get one for your next family game night!

Offering fun for three or more players, each spontaneous stroke challenges you, sparks the imagination and offers limitless possibilities and healthy self expression. Your fellow Artist provides that first stroke and the Juror a word of thought provoking direction. Your task is to quickly finish the picture, in any way you want. Keep in mind, you must please the ever subjective Juror to earn enough Spark Cards to declare yourself the Art Genius and win!

And there will even be Stroke of Genius Game Swag as prizes! SWEET! But surely you'd come even if I didn't bribe you...

You can see some home videos of game play and various comments about the game at www.strokeofgeniusgame.com (it's a facebook page, so why not become a fan while you are there too!)

Creations Unique in Topeka now Showing Several of My Originals! 4028 SW Huntoon (Gage Village) Phone: 785-271-8288

Can Be Found at

I have been working all summer designing a new product line. In our current economy it's good to have a variety of options for the art lover and I wanted to make something fun and can be worn next to your heart!
 
Kansas romance in its finest form can be found with these glass tile and ribbon necklaces featuring a print of a wildflower painting from the Kansas Wildflower Series, handmade, by me!
 
Pendant measures approximately 1" in length are made with a selected print which is adhered to a slumped glass tile and covered with water resistant glaze. This necklace also features 19" coordinating ribbon and cord strands with gold tone Aanraku bail and clasp. All displayed delightfully on a gift card and packaged with an envelope.
 
There are several designs to choose from and they make a wonderfully unique gift!

Still accepting artist's entries until August 28th!
Check it out, apply - forward to your artist friends!
www.AaronDouglasArtFair.com

A Stroke of Genius Game Night!
"Wednesday August 19, 2009 - 7:00 pm is our first "Game Night". All you game groupies need to mark your calendar and visit us beginning at 7 PM to play "Stroke of Genius", an innovative new game which uses art as its focal point, invented by local artist Michelle Levian." - Ice and Olives! 

This piece features the Kansas wildflower St. John’s The dark spots on the petals are said to represent drops of St. John's blood. KSwildflower.org

Saint John who had been sentenced to death was beheaded violently. Saint John’s splashing holy blood formed the red oil spots on the translucent yellow leaves of St. john's wort . The Saint’s healing power passed to St. John’s wort and the plant was called the root of Saint John.

The medicinal property of St. John’s wort for many different health problems raised it to a legendary level and made it the subject matter of myths and folk beliefs.

In Ancient Rome they called the St. John’s wort the “demon scare”. It was a talisman hanged in houses for driving away and being protected from the evil spirits. Besides that, it was believed to be protecting the house from thunderbolt and death. Ottoman soldiers used to carry with them the oil of St. John’s wort for to treat wounds. Much more at StJohnsWortOil.com The magickal herb

It was customary in Britain and Europe on St John’s Eve, to gather certain herbs, such as St John’s wort, vervain, trefoil and rue, all of which were believed to have magical properties. St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) does, in fact, have scientifically proven anti -depressant qualities. Drinks were brewed from it to cure madness, sciatica, epilepsy and paralysis. The salve made from the herb cured wounds from spears and swords - or, so it is said.

Flowers of St John’s wort used to be collected in Britain and Europe on St John’s Eve (June 23rd) and worn on the body or hung over doorways as protection against witches. It was also placed near windows as witches can look in to cast a spell. Even in recent times the people of the Landes district of France would make crosses of wort on their doors. In Britain, one old custom was for a maiden to pick a sprig of St John’s wort and wear it in her bosom until Christmas, by which time the man who was to be her husband, and he alone, would see it and take it from her. More at WilsonsAlmanac.com