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Let me off the grid! A journey toward artful, holistic living in the middle of Sin City...

A journey toward artful, holistic living in the middle of Sin City...

Monday, January 30, 2012

new mixed media background

Here's one of the backgrounds I've been working on.  It's a piece of cardboard that came in a package I got at school.  I used a gesso base, and added watercolor (from tubes because you get a richer color).  Then I used a clear embossing powder with a paisley flourish stamp and went over the whole thing with liquid acrylic mixed with glazing medium.  Happy :)

Valentine class

Here are the valentines we made in class yesterday:

I think they turned out beautifully.  Now, if only I had time to do valentines for myself...
Why is it that no matter how early I get up or how long I work, I can never get everything done???

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Big News

OK, I say this with a mixture of excitement and trepidation:  I have rented a wall at the gallery where I'm teaching classes and am officially putting my stuff out there for public consumption.  The wall that was available is perfectly hideous:
But Morgan and I covered the whole thing in burlap and it looks much better:

We also added pegboard, as you can see.  Today, before my class, I brought in a bunch of things that I've been working on, so now it looks loved, sort of:

Every spare second has been spent in creating stuff for this wall.  I'm telling you what, this is work.  People think artists just sit around and color; I've got news for them.  It's exhausting.  But fun.  First Friday is coming up soon (the monthly event in the Arts District), so that will be an indication of the saleability (is that a word?) of my stuff.  Keeping my fingers crossed...

I'm really into the idea of upcycling -- using things in my art that would otherwise be thrown away.  In fact, here's a picture of a sign I made to hang on my wall:

I used a styrofoam tray, a piece of an old National Geographic map, burlap, and a gel medium transfer to make it.

New mixed media

OK, so I'm a couple of weeks behind in this class.  But here is my work from week two.  I've already cut it up and created journal covers.  I really enjoyed doing this piece.

Life has been so crazy busy that I haven't had a chance to keep up with posting.  After today's class I'll post the latest BIG NEWS, with pictures.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Altered Book Class

Here are some pictures from today's class:






What a marvelous time we had -- along with working diligently, we also laughed a lot.  That might have been the best part, since everyone had a really stressful week.  I count myself very fortunate that these creative, wonderful women found their way to my classes.  I think we need just one week more and our altered board books will be finished!

New Doodling Page

Here's my latest mixed media doodling page from the Traci Bautista class:
I really enjoy this technique.  The first doodle page I did is now the cover of a mini journal (more pictures to follow).

Friday, January 13, 2012

Fun Online Class

I'm taking a FREE online class on mixed media through Strathmore Artists Studio.
Traci Bautista is the teacher, and I really like her techniques.  I learned about the class from Linda's blog .
Here's a picture of my first attempt:
I have since added a few more doodles to it, but you get the idea.  I think I may use this as a mini journal cover.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Altered Book Class

I had seven students attend my first Altered Book class yesterday!  We got a really good start on our books.  The first step is sanding down all the pages -- a messy, not terribly fun activity.  Then we applied gesso to prime the pages.  While the gesso was drying, we made tape transfers.  Then we spongepainted the pages.  Our final activity was to make plastic wrap webbing embellishments.  As usual, I forgot to take pictures until we were well into the process.  I did manage to get these:




The afternoon was filled with laughter, creativity, and munching (thanks for bringing the goodies, Julie!  The hummus was delicious :)  Those three hours just flew by.  I hope everyone had as good a time as I did.  Next Sunday we'll continue the process.  And I'll try to remember to take more pictures...

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Classes for January

I thought I'd post my new schedule of classes, just in case any of you are in the neighborhood this month!

Sunday 1/8:  Altered Books - Puzzle Board Books, part 1
Using a variety of mixed media, students will alter board books which contain puzzles.  All materials supplied, however, if you have ephemera you would like to use, by all means bring it.  1-4 p.m. $35 

Sunday 1/15: Altered Books - Puzzle Board Books, part 2
Using a variety of mixed media, students will continue/finish altering board books which contain puzzles.  All materials supplied, however, if you have ephemera you would like to use, by all means bring it.  1-4 p.m. $35

Sunday 1/22: Upcycled Art Journal
Have you ever wanted to create an art journal, but felt intimidated by the blank page?  Fear no more, because we'll be making   these journals from old magazines.  This is the first in a series of workshops where you'll learn a variety of techniques using mixed media to create your own visual art journal.  All materials are supplied.  1-3 p.m. $25

Sunday 1/29:  Mixed Media Valentine
Use paper, paint, fiber and a variety of embellishments to create a one-of-a-kind tag card and slipcover "envelope".  All materials supplied.  1-3p.m. $25

Tuesday 1/17:  Mail Art:  Envelopes
Learn to make several kinds of envelopes of different shapes and sizes using a variety of media.  All materials supplied.  5:30-8:30 p.m.  $35

Tuesday 1/24:  Mail Art:  Postcards
Use a variety of mixed media techniques to make several different postcards.  All materials supplied.  5:30-8:30 p.m.  $35

Tuesday 1/31:  Mail Art:  Tiny Treasures - Inchies, ATCs, Tags and Bookmarks
Use a variety of mixed media techniques to make miniature works of art that you can send through the mail.  All materials supplied.  5:30-8:30 p.m.  $35