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

Summer Recap 8-15-11

4 AM  7-10-11, all ready to leave

I don't even know where to begin.  My summer has been one of hurry up and wait, stress, little art, and proud momma moments.  Busy = something had to give, sadly, it was my blog.  Having been away for 2 months, I was surprised to see this new lay out in Blogger.  It took 10 minutes to get reacquainted.  I can't decide if I like just yet.  Anyway, my emotions ran the gamut this summer and I often found it difficult to put anything down in words.  The blog got pushed aside.  After Swan Lake, it was all about getting Colin ready for his four week workshop with the American Ballet Theater.  I spent most of June making lists, buying supplies, emailing back and fourth to the program coordinator, etc...  Meanwhile both Colin and Claire were taking classes (a summer intensive) at their year round ballet school.  They also took drivers ed and so I was in the car on and off all day during June and the beginning of July.  My oldest was registering for our local college and that was an ordeal in itself.  And then, the magic day for Colin was here, July 10th, he and his father headed to Texas and the adventure was on.  Colin took classes at the ABT program in Austin Texas at University of Texas.  I really was not all that weepy when he left, it really hit me though later that evening when I did not hear him on his XBOX 360.  I looked forward each day to his phone call, his Facebook updates, his voice, his pictures.  I mad sure to send him a daily picture of his Mandy dog ( our female greyhound, he adores her) and made sure to send him a weekly snack package. Claire, on the other hand kept me busy with ballet classes, the gym, and the pool. My oldest, Kaitie, well its been a long hall with her.  After her huge car accident, we sought professional help and she was diagnosed with ADHD.  Talk about a whirl wind of doctor appointment.  I am still trying to get her meds dosage correct.  At the college, I set her up with special needs accommodations but that was no easy ordeal.  I started the process and July and I am still gathering paper work. At the end of July, Claire had her showcase performance.  This was the culmination of 6 weeks of work.  No photos, of course, but let me say, she was a bright star up there on stage.  Her smile, her presence, was the best I have seen it.  This summer she was accepted into the JSSB company course and because it is so rigorous, she improved her technique and learned some partnering skills.  Mrs. Svalander brought in guys specifically to work with the company dancers.  As one might suspect, guys are few and far between at the local ballet schools around us, well around most local ballet schools across the country, but Mrs Svalander managed to gather up enough young men to work with our girls.  What a perk.

Claire in Summer Show Case

On with the ABT.  I don't have many photos.  Colin, being Colin, took none.  There will be some shots though, by a professional photographer, however they are not posted yet.  On August 4th, my husband and I went down to Texas to pick him up and see his final performance.  The ABT accomplished much with these extremely talented young dancers.  To get a show ready in just four weeks.....  Colin grew so much during this time in Austin.  Not so much physically ( his height is the same), as emotionally.  He had the opportunity to dance with other male dancers that were as talented (and then some) as Colin.  To me, that was huge.  When I saw the guys on stage together, it made me so proud that Colin was a part of it all and he danced so beautifully.  I cried of course. I have to hand it to the ABT program.  For Colin it was so worth it. Even though he had a full tuition scholarship, Marc and I still had to cough up room and board and food.  Not to mention the air flights and transportation costs associated with getting around Austin...  What the heck though, this is Colin's dream.  This is a company Colin would die for (to get into it).  So we roll with the punches...  I think that Colin has made some life long friends.  WIth social media, he won't loose touch.  

My version of a Day of the Dead Skull

Meanwhile, we are preparing for the next show...No, not nutcracker, although auditions are coming up very soon.  Mrs. Svalander was invited to stage a new ballet about Frida Khalo.  This is for/in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month (October).  The performance is October 1st.  Yours truly is helping out with the props.  And that is where is where I am as far as my art.  I had all these great plans for finishing actually collages.  Where the heck has the time gone?  And the sad thing is that I knew this would happen..it does every year, every extended break (Christmas, Spring break).... I just can't seem to budget my time at all anymore.  I did manage to get an application in for the Raue Center galleries this coming year but that is about ll.  So as September fast approaches, I have a list a mile long that are "must get done" now items.  Sigh......


K
P.S.  I have a new internet friend that I just had to mention.  Her name is Susie and not only is she a marvelous mixed media artist but she totally relates to all my blurbs about my ballet mom life because she too is a ballet mom.  It hink that is so cool.  The internet brings so many people together.  Susie, thanks again for your email.  Here is Susie's blog link...  http://mylifeonebitatatime.blogspot.com/

Transformation Nearing Completion and thoughts on Motherhood.

Its been a hell of a day.  As I sit hear, in tears, I can't decide i I am feeling sorry for myself, filled to the brim with frustration, or grateful for all in my life. I've been reading, almost religiously, Kelly Rae Roberts blog for several years now.  She became a mother for the first time about 7 months ago.  Her posts, naturally, are filled with the wonders of motherhood and also the the real fears that come along with being a new mom.  As a Mom, I have relived, through her words, all my children's births, their firsts milestones, their first day of school....And yet, I say to you Kelly, nothing can prepare you for when you have to start letting go.  My Claire, at 16, was diagnosed with Mono.  While of course its not the end of the world, it feels like the end of her world to her.  Swan Lake is everything to her and with performances next weekend, we are hoping and praying she can perform.  The real back breaker though, was this afternoon.  My 18 year old was in a car accident, her fault, that pretty much totaled her new car. As I raced to the scene, nothing could prepare me for the look on her face nor the flood of relief when I saw that she was not injured.  I wanted to strangle her but instead I grabbed her and held her tight as we both sobbed together.  So much went through my mind.  Every little giggle or smile or coo she made as an infant, her struggles all through school, her triumphant high school graduation, her happiness when we put a down payment on a new Honda Fit (which by the way has a high safety rating and I believe in any other small car the outcome may have been different) only 2 months ago, her first car accident last month.....  Kelly Rae enjoy those precious moments.......  So now on top of illness we all have this to deal with.  I know I could have lost her, I know I have so much to be thankful for, I know...I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself.  And I'm feeling scared.  How do I let her get back into this car?  I have worried every time she goes off on her own and it seems my fears were justified.  I always said if I could just get them through high school...  Sigh, tomorrow is another day and I'll spend it one the phone but I'll survive.

After the accident happened and after dealing with the insurance company, I headed to my sanctuary.  Here is where I am at on this mixed media collage.  It is nearly done.  Not only is it a work of love, it saved me tonight from a total melt down.  The photo is from the iPhone 3Gs which isn't the best quality but I'm saving the scanner bed for the finished work. I'm probably going to do another glaze over the entire piece and add some sparkle on the dress to emphasize the magic of the moment. Her bodice is adorned with gems. The dress is 3-D because I used white tissue paper. So I am pleased where this piece led me.  I totally worked intuitively having only a picture from a magazine of a dancer that I sketched.  The rest just sort of happened.  The background though, really set the mood and after the sketch, it just happened.  There is a good chance that I will finish it tomorrow.  Then I want to seal it, wire it and scan it (not necessarily in that order).  I can't wait to give it to my twins ballet teacher.  That will make my day, my week, my year.
k

Ecological Ethics in our Global Society

Well the big day is almost here.  Our Paper packet project ( inspired by Seth Apter and Laura Lein-Svencner) will culminate in a themed show entitled above.  This Friday is the artist reception and it is hard to believe we are really doing this.  We (meaning 13 artists from The Studio) started this project back in late October.  And now all the altering is done, collages created, works matted and framed, details for the show worked out, and works are starting to arrive for hanging.  I am so proud of the ladies who committed to this project.  Anyway below is a write up that we will display as guests walk in.  And I would be remiss if I did not post my third work, Sedge Meadow III, in the continuing series- Claiming Sanctuary.  Finally, if you want to win that 50.00 gift certificate, you need to comment on the entry below this one.  I select a winner tonigh (at random). 

K

Sedge Meadow II from the series: Claiming Sancturay



Sedge Meadow II

 I finished another sedge meadow piece and finally got it scanned and entered in my art database.  This is the same size as the previous work, 8 by 8 inches, and was done on 300 lb water color paper.  The nature altered papers were further enhanced with acrylics, water soluble oil pastels, and graphite.  I have one more sedge meadow up my sleeve and then I am thinking I will move onto coastal waters.  In between my art I really need to start focusing on the details for the upcoming gallery show.  While I find this process rewarding, details drive me crazy!

K

Sedge Meadow: From the series, Claiming Sanctuary



Sedge Meadow I (from the series: Claiming Sanctuary)

 I don't think I have been this excited about my art in quite sometime.  There is something about working with talented people, all focused on a similar goal, that just gets those creative juices flowing.  This piece, Sedge Meadow I,  is the first in a small series of works focusing on the theme "Ecological Ethics in our Global Society."  The series is entitled, Claiming Sanctuary, and it is a play on words (think about it and you will get it). The piece is 8 by 8 inches and was done on 3oo lb Arches rough watercolor paper.  In addition, I just finished my second piece in this series entiled Sedge Meadow II (not a very creative title but oh well).  And I will probably do a third sedge meadow.  I am totally rocking on these beautiful places that face such an uncertain future (unless we do something now).  

Last Thursday, the Paper Packets group met to unwrap their packets and look at their papers (unfortunately I did not get any pictures even though I had my camera with me).  What a great evening.  We all brainstormed what the the theme of our soon to be gallery show really means. Ideas poured out of everyone and I could barely keep up writing down suggestions on the dry erase board.    I do hope this will ease peoples feeling about having a theme.  Actually, I was so hoping that this would focus our artistic efforts as well as unify the show.  I think those that view our works will have some semblance of understanding why these works are so meaningful and just how truly unique they are.   After all, it is not everyday that mother Nature has such a huge hand in the process.  Once these papers are gone...that is it.  They are one of a kind...as will be the art that is produced from them.  I am so excited for all of you ladies.  I know your work will be amazing.  Our gallery show will begin April 15th (with a meet the artist opening) and then run about 4 weeks.  Still a lot of work to do but it is the kind of thing I thrive on.  This subject matter is so near and dear to my hear.  I just wish former Vice President Al Gore could make an appearance (hey why not dream big, I mean really big LOL). 

This will be the first gallery show for many of the artists participating in this project.  I want to thank Lucy at The Studio for lending us her space.  I know that your walls will be adorned with incredible work.  I hope this experience will be fun and not so scary.  You are all amazing artists!  Your work and voice should be seen and heard.  Remember, we are all in this together and I could not be more proud of you!

I have some other things cooking too.  I really have to get cracking on a collage gallery show that I was invited to participate in (once my jpegs have been looked at).  And this morning I received a lovely comment on my last blog post that I though was really exciting.  I need to look into this a bit further though and then I'll post about it. And finally, I need to do a piece for my the Pink Ribbon Angels breast cancer fund raiser.  I'm smiling now...life could not get much better than this.

More pictures will follow soon of my papers (as I work on them) and of course, my finished piece.
Happy and peaceful Sunday to you all!
k

The AfterGlo: Taking the 5 week course with Misty Mawn

Gosh it is so hard to believe the course/class is over.  Misty Mawn's Stretching Within course did just that.  It had something for everyone.  Once I figured out that there was no way I could "keep up" with all the assignments.  I just picked what I would enjoy the most.  I did "stretch" myself with drawing assignments and the painting exercises.  There was so much more though and some I really had no interest in, at least for right now.  I did take notes for future reference and I did copy all the useful links with her favorite tools of the trade.  For example, I can't wait to try the white gel pen she has recommended.  I have yet to find a brand that will handle mixed media works.  I promise to review it once I order and receive it :) 



"Industrial Evilution."

 So how much art did I get done.  Well, not too much.  I sketched more that I have in decades.  I did a couple of paintings and one collage that you see here.  This work will be mailed to Misty for a future article in Somerset Studio (about her course).  I plan on getting it out early next week.  Bottom line, would I take a class with her again?  Oh yea.  Having wanted to study with her for years...this on-line class was the next best thing for me because travel is out of the question at this time. 

A little bit about this work.  Often times I try to make some kind of commentary with my mixed media/collage works.  This one definitely is full of my ire with how things are going in the world.Lets just leave the rest to your interpretation.  I used images that Misty gave us (the bust of the woman, her head piece and her hand).  In this work I did a total of 10 transfers, all of which turned out pretty good.  My collage glue for this work was soft gel matte medium (Golden). Some of the media I used included: acrylics, water soluble oil pastels, graphite, washers, and a variety of papers.   I composed the piece, if you will, lying in bed before I fell asleep (over about a week).  And I will say that I am pleased with it because it actually does convey some deep emotion.  So now it is time to move on.  I am grateful for this experience and will use it to build some new work that will emerge out of my paper packets.

Merry Christmas: A Christmas card for 2010

Christmas 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started this work just before Thanksgiving getting the idea from the current issue of Somerset Studio.  Unfortunately I do not remember the name of the artist who showcased this project.  She did her Christmas collage on wood, I choose a portion of a game board that I had.  I never throw anything out and just happened to have a chess board that was used for a Sesame Street version of the game.  The board measured 16 by 16 and I divided into four pieces.  It was coated with a plastic like material which I promptly sanded off and the rest is history.  The final collage is being turned into Christmas cards at Vista Print.  It was due to arrive yesterday and I still have not seen the package so I hope it comes tomorrow or Vista Print will be getting a serious email from me.  Let me just say while I thought it would be charming to turn an original work into cards for all on my Christmas list, it was no cheap undertaking.  I could have bought two or three boxes of the most expensive Hallmark Christmas cards and come out ahead.  What was I thinking?  
k

"Blue Moon 12/31/09"

Blue Moon 12/31/09
12" x 12" mixed media and collage on cradled masonite board

 

                                  Blue Moon 12/31/09

"The moon was exceptionally bright

that New Years Eve 2009.

A Blue Moon shinning through the night

12/31/09

And in the distant full moon light

a coyote howled

a tree swayed

The Moon smiled, all was right

that New Years Eve 2009."



by Kathy LaRocco

Its finished and it came from my heart.  This Blue Moon so moved me last New Years Eve, that the image was burnished on my soul. The image kept calling me for months and finally at the end of August, I began the work.   I don't think I ever saw a moon so bright or so big.  As we drove home from our dinner, the moon followed us, as it typically does, but something was definitely different about it. Maybe it was the night air, or maybe the yipping of the coyotes that live in a preserve area just a few miles from our home, I don't know for sure.  However, the coyotes were definitely affected by the moon that night. I think it  was the first time I heard them bay in unison....  Definitely eerie.  You can see this work at The Art of The Land Benefit gallery show. 

Now its time to move on.  Just as that Blue Moon stayed with me for months, so too has an image depicting the joy I feel when I watch my Colin and Claire dance.  My inner voice is screaming at me to do it.  So I guess I will comply.  But first, there is always a first (that is why it took months to get to the Blue Moon piece) I have to prep for the Papers Packets class coming up this Monday.  Lots of screening to cut.

k

Almost ready for Art of the Land: 9/16/10

I wish I could say that I have been more organized, more productive, more creative these last three or so months, but I can't.  I started this final piece for the Art of The Land benefit/gallery show well over a month ago and am just now drying the first coat of varnish on it.  Talk about procrastination.  I will put the second coat on tomorrow and then...yes it will be officially finished.  I have to figure out how to scan it (my photography skill is minimal especially with the cameras we own and I have never in all my years been able to take a decent photo of one of my collages).  Oh well, its the little challenges that make life interesting.  So this Sunday, I drop off my art work at the historic Starline Gallery in Harvard Illinois.  I participated in this show last year and no doubt posted pictures of it  http://artful-musings-of-kathyl.blogspot.com/2009/10/final-thought-on-art-of-land-gallery.html.  I reread that post from a year ago and indeed I have created several abstract landscapes of my memories from Santa Fe.  And indeed I have a small body of work done with this benefit in mind.  I guess I should go back in my archives more often, I now feel really good about what I will show next weekend. Here is the link to the benefit's information.  If you are in the area, this is a wonderful show with lots of great art, music (live), nibbles, and drinks.  http://conservemc.org/2010AOTL.htm 

Snow scape for found art Tuesday.

While I was watching Blue Moon dry, no just kidding, after I finished the first coat of varnish, I had a ton of scraps left over in luscious blues.  Out came a small 4 inch by 4 inch canvas that had a painting on it.  Of course, I sanded it and began a new collage.  I think it took me all of 20 minutes which is a record.  The piece needs to be sealed (don't think I will varnish it) and I am putting this out into the world for Found Art Tuesday next week along with an ad for Art of the Land.  I thought since the show is about art inspired from the land, why not?  So all you locals, I hope to get it out there on Tuesday but that depends on the weather.  I will post a photo of the location on my facebook fan page and I do hope a Facebook or blog reader will find it.  But you just never know with found art.
Hopefully before Sunday I will have a scan up of my "Blue Moon 12/31/09" work.  I want to make sure the varnish is good and hardened before I try scanning it.  Until then...
k

PS, I need to mention what a worthwhile benefit this is.  A portions of the proceeds from art sales will go directly to The Land Conservancy of Mchenry County... They are dedicated to protecting the Oak trees of this area and have been responsible for preserving over 1800 acres of McHenry COunty's wetlands, woodlands and prairies.  Your $20.00 ticket gets you into the gala evening of art, food, drink and music.  This is the art event you want to go to! 

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.

Another Week, Almost over!

I first just wanted to welcome you wonderful new followers to my little piece of cyber space. I don't look at my statistics that often ( those types of things don't drive me anymore), but I do delight in seeing new faces on the follower list. So many of you are already accomplishes artists and that really humbles me to think that I might have something interesting to say to all of you. So welcome again!

My husband and I have been trying our best to fit in some last minute day trips with our 3 teens. School starts Monday. I hate this time of year, really I do. I hate seeing them walk out the door and get on the bus. They are that much older, that much wiser, that much more grown up. My oldest will be 18 in February! My twins, turn 16 next April. They have their own opinions, want to be as independent as possible, have their own dreams and aspirations, and are either dating or on the verge of dating. I am happy for them and sad for me. As a parent, you revel in the fact that you have raised them to be good kids and that at this age, they have not strayed from the path just yet. At the same time you also know that as the apron strings are unraveled, there are many more perils they will face, more dangerous than falling off a bike or crashing head first on in line skates, or ...well the list could go on. Sigh....

To continue, we took the kids to the museum, the Field Museum in downtown Chicago. Since I was a little girl, that museum has been my favorite. It is now my Colin's favorite (so cool). We specifically went to see Lyuba, the perfectly preserved, one month old baby Mammoth. Gosh she was beautiful. I have never been so drawn into this period of Earth's history that is until, this exhibit. Simply fascinating. Picture taking was limited however I was able to use my iPhone to snap a few. Lyuba's (meaning love in Russian) story is very well documented in a National Geographic Special and here is the link:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/waking-the-baby-mammoth-3630.
And here is the link from the Field Museum:
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/mammoths/allaboutmammoths_lyuba_1.asp

Kaitie,Claire,& Friend

Because this baby mammoth was so well preserved, they have DNA, DNA that can actually be cloned. So exciting. Who knows what may come out of this incredible find.

Baby Lyuba

We also joined in the museums 10 year anniversary celebration of Sue, the worlds most famous T-Rex. They had a sort of cheesy interactive experience with robot dinosaurs. I think it was probably more appropriate for 10 year olds but I enjoyed it.

Robo Dino

Shopping has also been a heavy part of our agenda. It is a tax holiday in Illinois (August 6-15th) and clothes and shoe supplies are state tax free. Yipee. With two teen girls, that helps the bank out quite a bit :) Today, shoes for my son and some basic wardrobe needs.

Art- I finally put out a found art piece. It felt good to let loose an "old" work for some strangers enjoyment. I have been meaning to jump back on the band wagon for sometime now but just never got around to it. I'm back baby! I am still working on a write up for a workshop, and wish I was more motivated right now. Tomorrow, my daughters want to hit the Russian Pointe Store in the city. Sigh...Art?

Found Art at Crystal Lake train station

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Art Of the Land Donation 7-18-10

Life is good.  We have both of our scanners back up and running.  Now I just need to get our camera (s) software loaded.  I will need my hubby for that.  In addition to that feat, I was in the studio today and finished a donation for The Art of The Land show in September at the Starline Gallery in Harvard Illinois.  The show and part of the artists proceeds go to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. http://www.conservemc.org/.    I have been inspired by the ocean as of late (my cousin had a thirty foot plus sail boat and I am following her summer, along with her husband, around the east coast of our country).  I also have been inspired by water in general, waterways, rivers, lakes...you name it.  So my abstract landscapes usually have a water element.  Something about water is so elemental, soothing yet at the same time, powerful and potentially devastating.  The title of this work is "Waterscapes 1."  It is a 6 by 6 inch mixed media and collage work on masonite board.  I worked from two photos of different places and sort of combined them (in my head) to a place I would love to explore.  This could be by the sea or the rocky bluffs seen along Lake Michigan (upper peninsula Michigan).  At any rate, I would love to vacation there for sure. 

What is next...well I have an artist brochure I need to redesign because I lost it in the crash.  I want to start a database in Access again.  I know that won't be complete because the data for art sold is gone.  Oh well.  And I want to get back to the studio to achieve two things...samples for a journal class teaching transfer techniques, and I finally hope to start making some papers (actually altering papers) for a new abstract that has been floating around in my head since New Years Eve.  Oh yea and then there is a bit of wonderful new, family news that I wish to share once I have details and hopefully it will actually come to pass :)

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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!

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"Getting By" A donation for Breast Cancer fundraiser

It is done.  Totally changed her hair and made her look almost like a mom from the fifties or sixties.  But really she represents all those who have suffered the pain, and anguish of breast cancer with quiet dignity.  To all of you...you are angels here on earth and I truly hope that all of your real friends are there for you...now and always.  Michelle...the title is Getting By.  I am a huge Beatles fan and hence the lyrics.  Actually...I have not heard this song in ages and then about 3 weeks ago, it was on the radio.  That was the inspiration for this work. The nuts and bolts of the work include acrylics, neocolors II, found papers, confetti, and oil pastels on an 8 by 10 inch canvas board. 

Next up, I have to reprint the labels/ tags for my gallery show, want to start  masonite board abstract, develop the first few exercises for my art journal class, develop a class called collage crate, and develop a class for earth day of next year (more to come later and will give proper credit again for the idea).
k

Gallery Show, Cafe Luna, Crystal Lake Illinois

This weekend was as usual, packed to the max with running around.  I did finally get to my gallery show and I snapped a few pictures.  I always get a thrill when I see my work hanging on a wall other than mine!  The curator, Lynn, did a wonderful job of hanging the show.  There will be a little artist reception in June.


So here are a few pictures from the show.  The lights were really interfering with my photography and I could not seem to correct my camera but at least I have some documentation.  I hope to get back to the show this weekend to shoot some better photos with my personal camera. 


In other news...my class last week at the Studio in McHenry went well. I will share pics soon.  I set some concrete dates for summer classes, and I signed up for an eclass with Kelly Rae Roberts.  I am soooo excited about her class.  I often feel like a little lost clown fish in a pool of sharks when trying to emerge fully as a mixed media and collage artist.  Her class, I hope, will help me answer questions that revolve around my art as a business.  After all, I do want my work hanging somewhere other than my wall.  I have found it really hard to price work and to establish an internet presence.  Her course will help me along those lines.   Although I do not see myself nor my art going in Kelly's direction of licensing etc...I think the info she imparts will be interesting.  So bring it on Kelly...I am ready and willing to learn!

Day 24: 28 Day challenge

Here is "Water" all done!  I am pleased with this piece.  Today I will seal it (first coat of varnish).  I used Neocolors II for some highlights throughout this work.  Water completes my 4 Elements series.  Healing Woman (AKA Cheryl Dolby: http://healingwoman.blogspot.com/) asked about the wording in this piece.  The text, I should have explained, is from Seneca, in Latin, and I carried over the essay in each of the works.  The Greeks, Aristotle in the 4th century b.c.e, identified the 4 fundamental elements as being fire, water, earth, and air.  I thought that an essay from Seneca would be appropriate as one of the constant elements in this series.  I found some very old text (1915) of essays from Virgil, Seneca, and one other philosopher, whose name escapes me.  Anyway, there are two other papers that carried over into each work as well and those have no significant meaning other than I liked them and they help tie all the works together.  The concept for this series came about as a class I was going to teach at The Studio.  We were going to create an abstract based around ONE of the 4 elements.  I completed "Fire" first as an example.  Well the class did not go, being 2 days before spring break  imagine was at least part of the reason, and so I decided to complete the series before this gallery show on April 19th.  Its done!  I can now move onto more mundane things.  I really can't wait to get those things out of the way.  I really am itching to get back to the breast cancer donation I am working on and I have another abstract brewing in my brain, something that has been back there since New Years Eve!  OK so 4 more days in this challenge...until tomorrow.

k

Day 20: 28 Day Challenge

First I need to publicly thank my friends both here and on face book for their suggestions, comments, and critiques on the piece I am working on for a donation.  I can't tell you how much they mean to mean.  Laura...we think alike..I have shelved my piece for a day or two and will come back to her.  There is a lot I have to work through in my head first.  So today I went back to my "Water" piece.  And yea, I had just shy of two hours to in my little studio and made some real progress.  I will have to scan my beginning on this piece tomorrow as it has a coat of polymer medium on it right now.  Coating papers, selecting papers and ripping and tearing are all part of the process and so I would say 3/4 of my time in the studio was spent doing that.  I still am not sure of the images that I wish to transfer but at least I have a "small" idea of where the piece will go.  I am hoping to get more than 3/4 of the way done tomorrow.  I actually might get this finished before the show! 

k