Surfacing Again: 10/30/11

I simply have not been able to put together contiguous thoughts nor meaningful ones for the past 3 months.  So do you ever question why you started a blog in the first place, do you wonder if your words are worth reading, who really cares, do your talents make people want to come back and revisit your work/writings...  I am in one of those periods I guess.  I have never really been good at keeping this resource up to date.  My priorities switch so often.  Perhaps its a touch of my ADHD (really).  So when I am feeling like this I try to go back to the real reason I started writing using this venue...yep...for my children who are almost young adults.  I hope truly that they find this little gem one day and really peruse through the stories and artwork...maybe they won't judge me so harshly.  Gosh this sounds like a pity fest.  The funny thing is, I'm really OK, just a little befuddled at times. 

Skulls for the Passionate Frida

Most of my August was spent ordering, organizing, and preparing for my part of the Passionate Frida Workshop.  I honestly don't know how I got through that.  For four nights, I spent my time with the dancers from this ballet making props which included 24 skulls, over 200 paper flowers, decorating maracas, and teaching (not only the art part but the history of Mexico from early 1900's through Fridas death in 1954).  It was so important to me that the girls and guys understood the essence of Frida, and that essence is in Mexico herself.  I hope the kids learned something.  In these pictures by Dan Swinson you can see two of my props.  The folding screen contains a mural that was copied from one of Diego Rivera's works.  Mrs. Svalander wanted her Diego to be working on a mural.  And below is the cubist painting that I copied again from one of Diego's originals.  This was used during the scene when Diego was painting a portrait of Christina, Frida's sister.  I have to say this experience was very rewarding.  It pushed me as an artists, to go where I have never gone before.  By completely immersing myself in the life o

Frida, I was able to almost understand her passions, Diego, her art, and Mexico.  Then when the ballet premiered, it felt almost surreal.  The dancers were absolutely incredible.  Because I studied Frida's life for the workshop, I could follow in depth the symbolism used in this work.  It was a once in a life time opportunity.

Since Frida, I have been preoccupied with preparing mixed media classes for the Studio School of Art.  I also took an on-line workshop with the Fabulous Katie Kendrick which was relaxing and freeing.  Because Frida was so much on my mind, during Katie's class, I started a collage which is all about Frida.  I started it in September and it is still waiting for me to finish :)  My ADHD has gotten the better of me and I am now working on several projects at once getting no where.  I have two workshops coming up.....  Oh and its Nutcracker Season.  Colin and Claire are in the thick of it...They still do not have a license and I'm still driving... 

I'm going to leave my entry at that...I read some of my back logged favorite blogs today.  So glad to see beautiful art...                  k

Two weeks into the New Year....

And I feel like it is April already.  How much stuff can you jam into 2 weeks?????  Hitting the ground running for me means that it is audition time for major ballet companies summer intensive programs.  There are photos that needed to be taken , registrations that needed to be filled out, spreadsheets made, and finally, the auditions themselves.  Colin and Claire are both auditioning.  This is their first time doing this so it is all about getting comfortable in front of teachers/judges.  The weekends will be long around here for several weeks now. 



Claire in an arabesque on pointe



My quail for daily drawing practice.



In addition, on January 1oth, I started an on-line course with one of my favorite mixed media artists, Misty Mawn.  I have dreamed about taking one of her workshops but for several years, places like Portland, Italy,  Valley Ridge, Wisconsin etc...have been out of the question.  But on-line is a different story :)))) In week one we are drawing everyday and have "homework" every day.  It will be an intense 5 weeks but that's just fine with me.  I really need to push myself and this is one good way to do it.  More on Misty's class later.

I am also gearing up for my first class of the new year at the Studio.  Our group will be doing an abstract winterscape.  Fun.  I am going through the altering paper process very slowly.  And I wish I could say I would have a sample ready for the class but not sure that is possible.  I need to add pictures soon of January's paper packets as well.  I guess I might as well be resigned to no sleep :)



Day 2, quails.



Update: Paper Packets and Christmas Cards Arrived

I have been remiss in posting Paper Packet photos from The Studio.  Tami, thank you for sending me photos these last couple of weeks.  Time has just escaped me but now that I have surfaced from my Nutcracker fog...I can get back to reality (more on the Nutcracker in the next post).  So here is how they are looking.  Lucy hung the packets in various places outside her studio in an enclosed patio of sorts.  The space is surrounded by four brick walls of the adjacent buildings.  It is a cute space and perfect for the exposing the packets to the elements.  I will share with you a few photos so you can get an idea of how this project is proceeding.  In February, we will meet to open the packets up, dry the papers, and begin the creative process.
The papers have been exposed to sun, rain, snow and ice.  I have said it before, but I can't wait to take a look at some of these packets once they have been opened. 

As a side note, my Christmas cards from Vista Print arrived 14 business days after I ordered them. I received an email from the company that they were to arrive on Dec 7th.  I received them on Dec. 13th.  Needless to say, I was not happy at all.  Let me say once again, a lot of my artist Internet friends use Vista Print.  However, it only takes one bad experience for me and I simply won't use them again.  The quality of the cards was nice, nothing spectacular though.  I just now got the last of the cards mailed.  I hate working up to the last minute like this but at least they are on their way.  No, I did not call to complain although I suppose I should have.  I have the product, the cards are out, my form of protest will be never to use them again.
k

November

November

 

December

December



December

Time never stops....11-29-10

Where did this month go?  How did I get through Thanksgiving?  How many more days until Nutcracker or Christmas for that matter?  I feel like I have been floating through this last month, sort of looking down on the days as they pass.  We've been holiday busy as I am sure most of you have been.  Thanksgiving week was a blur of cleaning and cooking and eating.  And now we press onto Christmas.  I do hope your Thanksgiving was filled with good family memories and for those who do not celebrate this holiday, I do hope your month of December celebrations are shaping up nicely.



More class participants



Claire and her purse

Right before Thanksgiving I finished up a class in which we altered ballerina pointe shoes and satin purses and sandals.  I promised to post some pictures and because these past few weeks have been blurs, well I am just getting to posting them.  I did finish a very special pointe shoe, the Nutcracker 2010 shoe, for the Judith Svalander School of ballet.  That was the secret that I was working on.  I presented it to Mrs. Svalander right before the holiday and I am thinking she loved it :))))  So here you can see some happy participants and their creations.  I really loved this class because it was so laid back.  No pressure to create a master piece...just fun.  My kind of class.  Enjoy the photos!!!

Nutcracker Altered Pointe shoe

altered purse









altered flip flop



altered purse









more altered pointe shoes



Paper Packets Are Assembled



A stuffed packet

I promised pictures and finally, finally I uploaded them from one of our cameras.  I have to say, some of the papers that were brought in were really gorgeous.  We also had rusted nails, dried blueberries (my favorite), onion skins, leaves, Easter egg dye tablets, tea bags, coffee grounds, and I can't remember what else.  There was a lot of stuff flying around :)  The participants made two packets.  One to hang at The Studio and one for home.  This first gathering was a lot of fun and relaxing.  We all talked and laughed.  It was a great way to kick off this collaborative.  So below are some pics from the evening.

Assembling packets



The evenings work, ready to hang



                                             

Paper Packets: A beginning, October 13th

As I mentioned in my post below, Art classes have not taken off this fall.  I am sad but at the same time, I fully understand.  These classes would be classified in the discretionary spending category and of course they require a certain amount of time be committed. We have rescheduled the Paper Packets class twice now with the new date being November 4th (for the packet construction).  I do hope this series goes.  I so love the idea of having a gallery show on Earth Day with works that have incorporated nature altered papers.  Crossing my fingers big time!  Meanwhile, I brought home one of the packets I constructed ( on display at The Studio) to hang in my back yard.  I placed the packet on an Austrian Pine tree, October 13th,  for right now.   So periodically I will take some photos to document Mother Nature's handy work.  These packets (I still have one on display at the Studio and will put that one outside on Nov 4th hopefully at the Studio) will provide the nature altered papers I will use for my art next year.  I want the theme of the Earth Day show to be "Ecological Ethics in our Global Society."  Even if the class does not go, I will still create works around this theme for the 2011 Art of The Land Show.  So that is where I am at right now, in a holding pattern.  

k

Transfers Class 9-10-10

Prepped before class; paper removed
in class

It was a good night, she says even though the last post was my rant about transfer techniques.  And while I would have loved to stop talking and laughing long enough to shoot some pics of the gals working on their transfers, the truth is, I just plain forgot.  These classes are so good for my soul and I say that even though I run around the house grumbling that my life is too complicated with no time to even breathe especially 4 hours before a class.  So, just how were the hours preceding my class.  Here comes my justification for my grumbling:

1.  6AM wake up, brush teeth

2. dress

3 prepare three greyhounds fresh/raw meals
clean/wash bowls (raw food can't sit on those surfaces for too long
4. run around getting things ready for pre-k (my little ones needed an art project for Friday so I was chasing down a few materials)
5. 7 AM- realize that my oldest (almost 18 yr old) forgot her money for a senior picture that was due.
6. left early so I could get to her school before it started then made my way to work

7.  2.5 hours of one child crying for her mother (and she is almost 5). I got relief at 11:30

8. run two errands then back to work at 1 PM for home coming parade (yes it was homecoming yesterday and with three teens....)
9.  Picked up Colin from parade and headed home.  Arrived 2:40

10 headed to my studio to run in circles.  Finished/prepped some samples for the evening art class and finished packing ( I have a large Sterlite container that is always half packed for class with staples that are used regardless of what I demo).

11.  At 5 came out of my cave, prepped dinner (god forbid that we eat frozen).  Only had three to feed but also prepped my 3 dogs raw meals.
12.  Cleaned up and headed out at 5:45.
13.  Hit Staples to make copies of images to use for transfer class (only just found out how many copies I needed on Thursday and had no time to get their prior to leaving last evening.  However this was completely understandable since we wait until twenty four hours prior to class for late registration, I had budgeted my time very poorly).
14.  Dropped Colin off at Homecoming game (my girls were who knows where)
15.  Hit The Studio School of Art at 6:30
16.  Helped to set up 

17 Hit the ground running.

Demoed in class: soft gel matte transfer
Errol

Notice I did not eat breakfast nor lunch.  What a day.  But during class I could feel my blood pressure return to normal.  Art is magical that way.  So, above is a sample that I did prior to class and here is one that was demoed in class (I hurried through the second one).  Both are soft gel matte media transfers.  They are not perfect but that is the charm of the transfer.  I think that my biggest joy was watching the fledgling mixed media and collage artists achieve some measure of success with the techniques shown.  I made sure to demo Talbot's transfer method and give them a great book recommendation (Image Transfer Technique Workshop, 2009, by McElroy and Duncan-Wilson).  I think once artists start going down this path, even though it is dangerous, frustrating, and often ambiguous, if one achieves the desired result, there is no turning back.  OK now back to my own studio to finish Blue Moon!

Transfer Hocus Pocus: 9-2-10.

gesso transfer in my journal.

  OK, I am going to admit it.  I have a love-hate relationship with transfer techniques.  I remember about four years ago when I first discovered, I think it was Claudine Hellmuth, adding transfers to her earlier collages and  then I saw an article in the now defunct Expressions.  I can't remember who the artist was but there was an entire article on making a transfer.  Since that time I have been captivated by the technique(s) trying maybe 20 different solvents or adhesives and even laser tran.  Most of these methods yielded inconsistent results for me. I thought maybe a little hocus pocus might help lol. It actually drove me crazy.  My learning curve included discussions with mixed media artists via the Internet.  You know the ones...where to get the best Xerox copies,which shops actually had xerox machines that still use toner.  Then there were the ink jet discussions: which printers were best, which archival inks were preferred, what about the paper.  Why don't my transfers come out like so and so's?  So how many of you, as mixed media artists, will attest to my revelation. 

    To continue, about three years ago, maybe 4, I took a workshop with Mr. Jonathan Talbot, and my transfers are finally recognizable  www.talbot1.com/ .  I subscribe to his method almost religiously now, even if I may not use his collage technique for a particular work.  So, cool you say...well not really because now I  have decided to teach a class in which the black art of transfer techniques is explored.  Stupid on my part I think, because while I am certainly knowledgeable, other transfer methods just don't work well for me (most times unless I use some black magic hocus pocus). Sitting on my studio shelves are about 10 different adhesives like DAP clear caulk, Elmer's Glue caulk, OmniGel, soft gel matte medium, soft gel gloss, polymer medium, fluid matte medium, Diamond Glaze,and I think a few more.  And then there are the solvents like Xylene, acetone, various rubber stamp cleaners (don't know what is in those), and Citra Solv.  Ah yea lest we forget beeswax and assorted acrylic paints like gesso.  I guess the hard part in teaching a class like this is that I really only use one method to do transfers (maybe two methods). So what do I teach.  I certainly don't want folks to run out and buy all these media only to get marginal results, so I went with stuff I know that they will have on hand:  soft gel matte medium and gesso and then I will wave my magic wand :)    I decided that I would demo Jonathan's methodology so they can see what is involved.   I remember seeing Jonathon do his transfer and I thought "It can't be that simple,"  but it was (I say with a huge smile).  I digress.  I just finished some gesso transfers as samples.  They turned out OK.  The soft gel matte transfer turned out OK as well but I am not a huge fan.  There are variables and really most write ups suggest letting the transfer dry overnight.  We are going to cheat and use heat to hurry everything along (using my trusting heat tool and an iron).  So there you have it... I hope to have a good write up for this class and then I will be sure to have that magic wand with me.

On the current work in progress...No time today to get into my studio.  But yesterday I made some good progress.  I added to transfers which help elucidate the work and I am very close to finishing (I think).  Yea. 
k

The Studio Workshop Page Updated: 8-29-10

Whew...I was on a roll this weekend, you know that feeling you get when you are on a roll...euphoric.  Classes were hammered out with Lucy, at The Studio, I cleaned up my write ups with proper dates for classes, listed classes through November on the workshop page, finished a sample for a November class (Altered Pointe Shoes), and almost....almost finished laying out the papers for my latest piece.  Once I finish laying out the pieces, I will fuse them to the substrate.  I love when I can cross things off the Longgggggg list.  Since a lot of the administrative computer stuff is done (she said with a huge grin), I can concentrate on getting some art done this upcoming week.  Here is the pointe shoe I altered.  Its on Facebook and on the Workshop page.  Now I am going to take a deep breath, calm down, and start dinner.

k
P.S.  I forget that everyone may not be savvy to what a pointe shoe is.  This shoe is used by ballerinas for going up on their toes (on pointe).  The material on the outside is satin (usually pink) and perfect for altering.

Class Outlines Completed...8-24-10

Today, well today was a wash.I am getting my class room ready for our pre-k open house tomorrow and well doing some general house cleaning.  Curriculum has to be prepped for the first week back (day after Labor Day) and that is what I was doing today.  The director of the pre- school told me I have a 9 in my class (there is still room for one more).  I am excited to meet the children.  At 5, well you know how eager they are to learn (for the most part).  I love introducing them to stories that they have never heard before like the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Native American tales and so forth.  I often tell the stories without a book and play act them.  The kids love it.  In their free time, I will see them playing Nutcracker or being a coyote etc...  It won't be long now so I better get some art finished.  If my computer had not crashed, I could have gone right into the school year effortlessly.  But you guessed it, all of my pre-k files are gone.  Sigh.....

The classes that I hope to teach at The Studio this fall and into winter are all outlined and ready to be reviewed by Lucy.  I should be ready to promote these on my blog by Friday.  I hope to do another Artistic Dialogues class (journal class) right off the bat in September.  Plus I want to offer the collage crate class again.  Making this crate will really help sharpen collage skills especially for what I have in mind for 2011.  Because I am impatient, I want to give a brief preview.  Let me preface this by saying:  I first became aware of this project from Laura Lein-Svencner    (http://lonecrowart.blogspot.com/   search on the word bundles to read her entries).  She in turn read about this project from Seth Apter, a New York Artist (http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/ and search on disintegration).  And now I hope to continue in the same vein.  The picture below is what I am calling a paper packet.  It will be assembled and then hung outside at The Studio for about 5 months after which time we will open up our packets, dry the contents, and then make art.  More to follow if the class goes, if not, well I am doing this anyway.  I think the concept is right up any collage artists alley!  Keeping my fingers crossed.

k

Paper Packet prototype.

Productive Weekend: 8-22-10

And that is just what it has been.  My good art friend, Lucy, owner of The Studio in McHenry, sent me a sweet little message letting me know that the fall schedule of art classes is underway and asking if I would like to book some fall classes to teach at The Studio.  Oh heck yea I would, especially since I have stopped feeling sorry for myself, picked up my self esteem, and got back to work.  With that gentle nudge, I have been at my desk, both yesterday and today, flushing out classes and moving forward with ideas.  I tend to multi task, not very well actually, and so I don't have any pictures just yet to show but I am working on it. Once classes are approved and scheduled I will post here (on the The Studio Classes page).  I am finally motivated to get moving on class samples and finish off that 12 by 12 inch piece I started for The Art of the Land show.  Finally, the found art piece, posted below, is wrapped nicely and still sitting on the kitchen table.  I have not "found" the "perfect" spot to leave it yet.  Sigh...

k

A Week Summary 8-6-10

My week has been filled with teens, period.  Registering for school, annual doctor appointment, buying school supplies, transporting to drop in dance classes (August is Colin and Claire's month off, ha ha), and finally transporting for summer end sleep overs and pool parties. I have to shake my head...when does it get less hectic...when I ask myself ?  I did manage to cross a few art related items off my very long list. I also was able to cross off other items that had to get done this week (ordering Kaitie's senior pictures for one)  Art related items did not include studio time and I am in need of a fix.  I had started two works the week before but they sit on my table.  Perhaps the most rewarding art related task that I accomplished was starting a write up for a class I hope I will be able to teach.  It is turning into a small thesis.  I made a major dent in the write up and so I am happy.  I need to get into the studio to experiment with some methods for putting this project together. 

On the found art front, I began a write up for an explanation of what found art is, to be placed with a work (to be left in the community soon).  I have that work for sale now on etsy, you can see it here: 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/23196579/john-original-mixed-media-collage?ref=em     
but I decided once the listing expires, I will leave the piece for someone to find.  I will detail its location via a picture of where it has been place and a few clues and then post on face book.  So those of you who follow, well if you are in the area, you have the best chance to find the work.  I think it will be fun. This work is special in that the photo is from my collection, circa 1946.  It is a relative (I never knew his name) and I call him John.  To me he looked pretty dapper in that fedora, hence the verbage.  The work is framed.

Finally, I had a really pleasant surprise today when I found out, through a tweet (thank you Rosa) that my blog is on a list for the best blogs on found art.  http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/found-art .  I bet I can thank google for that and of course the good folks at Guide to Art Schools.  I am really excited at having been recognized.  It is nice when your words resonate with others.

k

A Peaceful Retreat, Journal page 6-23-10

This has been another of those week in which I have not been all that inspired.  The e-course is going well, family time is going well, we are very busy indeed but that's OK, I think part if it is the monsoon season we are having.  One day a ton of rain, the next, a little, the next downpours and all through this are my headaches.  I am learning to let go and just take the time to put cold cloths on my head and literally chill out, but I have the fact that I my productivity is 0.  I really need to finish up my journal pages for class this Friday but I am so totally not motivated.  At least all the textured background are done and I have actually finished 2 of the 4 pages.  At the left is that hide glue background which I totally love.  I really want to experiment some more.  You know, playing with transfers, what can I put on top of the glue, will acrylic polymer media have a hindrance on the effect etc...  Sigh, one of these days.  For now, I am making this background as simple as I can because I really want the class to be successful.  So here is what I did with the background.

One of my prompts this weeks theme is a peaceful retreat (from the theme places you have visited).  I actually gave this some thought.  One of the first things that popped into my pea brain was my experience in the Catedral de Sevilla.  That was way back in 1992 but I have never forgotten the feeling I had when I first set eyes on the altar.  I waded through photos I taken of the cathedral and found one of a facade. The original photo was taken in bright sunlight.  I popped it into photoshop and played with the filters and what you see is what I got.  One can't visit a place like that and not feel an immediate connection with our Lord (or some force more powerful than us).  The cathedral was cavernous.  Bigger than any cathedral, church etc...that I had ever seen.  And yet, that connection that was made when I entered through the door made it feel so intimate and familiar.  Even with hundreds of tourists milling around, there was a reverence and quiet that is hard to describe.  The prayers I said there still ring in my soul and I am so blessed to have experienced it all. 



Here is a little video I found on YouTube of the Cathedral.  The quality is so so but it will give you an idea of the beauty, the grandeur, and the holiness of this monument to God.
k

Checking In 6-13-10

Two Swans in the dressing room.  My Claire is the black swan.

I have resurfaced (no pun intended) from Swan Lake.  This weekend has been unlike any other I have had in a very long time.  What we witnessed was an event that in my mind was near perfection.   My husband and I spent many blissful hours watching Colin and Claire perform.  I have never seen my children perform so well.  Maybe it is because they are just that much older...maybe it is because of their passion for dance, or maybe I have dreamt this all.  I had these feelings of pride, love, joy, and hope.  My head was spinning with all the images from the ballet followed by comments from complete strangers.  Thank you Colin and Claire for being my inspiration, my hope for the future, the loves of my life, and my pride and joy.

On another note, I finished the bottom of the little crate that I was working on for my class this upcoming week.  I have posted here and on my workshops page. This was inspired by Kelly Rae's e-course of which I am now fully two days behind!  And my son also inspired this.  I said to him before his first performance to just be himself and everything would be fine. 

Reality Returns 6-8-10

Already this week is a blur. I feel completely drained as I wade through the mountains of info in Kelly's incredible ecourse.  I have made some improvements to my blog and thank you for the kind comments on that front.  I have a way to go but at least I have made the commitment to take small steps.  I think I spent about 3 hours on line today, reading, studying, changing, adsorbing...  The art will wait but not to long because I will need a fix shortly. 


My creative spirit was drawing me to my studio and I really wanted to go, really...However this week is dominated by everything Swan Lake.  My Colin and Claire are performing.  Colin has several big solo parts along with some corp parts (folk dances) and my Claire is a black swan and in the Hungarian folk dance.  As a ballet mom, I wash the tights dance belts, leotards, sew the new ballet slippers and pointe shoes, provide the ice and or heat for sore muscles, help with make-up (my Colin relies on me), feed the starving dancers, pack snacks, chauffeur them back and forth and oh yes, watch every performance.  Just writing all that poops me out!  But you know what, I would not trade this time for anything.  I am so proud of Colin and Claire.  No wonder I am drained.  My mind is being stretched to the max.  Notice the picture...These are Claire's pointe shoes.  They are a new brand for her and she loves them...I hate them.  I spent 3 hours today hand sewing the ribbons and elastic on these shoes and I had to fight for every stitch.  Lest you think I am incompetent, I have been sewing pointe shoes for about 8 years and I have rather enjoyed the process.  These new shoes are impossible.  I had to go and by a thimble (I am sewing challenged, no sewing machine either) because I could not get the darn heavy duty needle and special thread through.  These shoes are made by Gaynor-Minden and are beloved by many professional dancers who probably can afford to hire someone to do their ribbons and elastic! If anyone out there has some sewing tips for these darn things, I would love to know if there is a trick that does not involve a sewing machine.  And so I finished the shoes but not in time for my Claire to break them in.  The nice thing about these shoes (there are many positives if you wear them) is that there is not too much time needed to break them in and she should have no problem. So it is my Colin and Claire's time to shine this week and upcoming weekend...all else takes a back seat.  Sigh...

k

A couple of journal pages for class on 6-4-10

I have to admit that these straight forward resist techniques are rather addicting. The two you see here are alcohol resist (my cousin Terry) and crayon resist ( Uncle Marcelo).  I used an old gel pen on this first one on the left.  It never really dried but when I sprayed it with a workable fixative, bingo, perfectly smear proof.  In general I have found Sakura gelly roll pens pretty good on acrylic surfaces if those surfaces are relatively smooth, this was an off brand gel pen, which is now in the trash.  If you have not already guessed, our theme has to do with relatives.  In the second entry, I used good old fashioned kids crayons and talk about releasing.  I felt very free and worked without any real planning.  After I had the background done, I made up a relative ( a great, times 12, uncle).  The text on this page was done with the pencil that I can't  seem to live without...the Stabilo marks All. I love that pencil and I go through quite a few per year. These resist backgrounds are really very user friendly and all levels of artists can enjoy them.    Hopefully we will have time to do two more resist techniques depending upon how fast we all work. I have a gel pen resist in mind as well as the old standby, salt resist (using watercolor paint).  Hope to see you all there at the Studio in McHenry IL!

k

Day 5- 28 Day Challenge

Here are the pictures from my class last night. I definitely am the proud instructor of emerging mixed media and collage artists. And today I worked on my in class sample collage from last night. I still have a way to go. Need a focal image and more shading... I also spend time today wiring some finished works and framing a triglyph (my phases series). These pics are bad but they are proof of my work today. Although framing/wiring works isn't exactly enjoyable for me, it is all part of the part in parcel of getting ready for a show. If I am able to sneak in some time tomorrow, I definitely want to work more on my landscape and finish ASAP.

This one is mine.

Framed Phases

K

Day three- 28 day challenge

No pictures yet...those will come way later maybe early tomorrow. My creative afternoon is being spent packing for the Mixed Media and Collage class I am teaching this eveing and tomorrow evening. We are doing a landscape that must include 5 altered papers (different) and one focal image that says spring. And so in class I will start/demo the technique. That is two hours of creativity! Yea me. I love patting myself on the back because no one else does. I will take class pics on my iphone because it is convienent but the quality is pretty poor... Anyway, those will be coming!

Linda, I have Day 3 and 4 accounted for :))))
k

Finally, my finished sample! 11-22-09

It is definitely Nutcracker Season. I am in the throws of major rehearsals, school shows (my son is participating in) and all around craziness. But that is a different story. Needless to say I am very preoccupied and have not been able to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, my online shop nor my blog for some time now. Guess I know what my New Year resolution will be! OK so I am done with teaching classes for this year. Friday night was my last. I will miss the gals but hopefully will see some of them in January when I repeat an earlier class that I taught back in the summer. More details to follow once I am sure of the dates. This work is a sample that I did in the October class with papers we made. I finally added my details and presented it to Lucy at the Studio for future/prospective new students. As a side note, we are working with soft gel matte medium to adhere the papers. The students are totally new to collage and as much as I would love to teach Jonathan's method, I don't think it is economically feasible for new students to have to buy those supplies along with all the other basics that one has to accumulate. I do think that all the work that was produced in that class was wonderful. So we will continue in this vein. This scene was made up as I did it in front of the students. I actually added the details myself. I think the foliage turned out OK for someone who can't draw :)

Later I will up load finished student works from this last class. They are abstracts and wow... I still have to finish the demo piece I did but hopefully I will get it done soon!

k

Art Class, altered papers

Well as usual, I am behind. Last Thurs/Friday, I taught the first of three classes in collage and mixed media. We explored a variety of papers and then set to altering them. Below are just a few pictures. I think we are off to a good start and our next class meets in mid October. The ladies will put together an "abstract" landscape (6 by 12 inches in size) and we will go from there. The word is spreading, collage is here to stay.