Step Captions Done!

Whew, I just finished writing the captions for each step of each project in my upcoming book from North Light. I ended with describing how to make Wabi-Sabi papers. In March I go to Cincinnati to have each step photographed. This is sure an adventure!

A few wabi-sabi papers

Art and Soul Giveaway Winner

Theresa has won the random drawing for a goodie bag from Judy at Artistic Artifacts! Congratulations, Theresa! You'll love your prize. Thanks to Judy for donating these gifts. A big thank you to all who commented on my post regarding what you most want from an art class. The answers were enlightening and helpful!

Addendum: Art and Soul Giveaway!

Well, folks, I was so excited to share Jen Crossley's interview that I forgot to mention another exciting feature of the art and soul blog hop! A Giveaway!

Make sure you leave a comment to be in the drawing for a wonderful prize: an inspiration-packed collection of delicious embellishments from Judy at Artistic Artifacts.

Judy runs the onsite store at Art and Soul in Virginia. If you are attending you can order your supplies through her. And if you make it to the onsite store, you'll be sure to find some must-haves. I speak from experience! Also check her online store for lovely treats for your art!
 

Here's a question to answer in your comment:

What do you want most from an art class or workshop?

On Jan 31, I will pull a random generator number, and that lucky person wins the jammed-packed-full-of-goodness ephemera pack! 

Art and Soul Retreat Virginia Blog Hop: Presenting: Jen Crossley

 The instructors for Art and Soul Retreat in Virginia Beach are having a blog hop! It's a great way to get to know each other better and to share information and great photos with our readers!

Today I have the honor of visiting with Jen Crossley.

Jen is a generous and vibrant self-taught mixed media artist who has a passion for working with found objects, combining them in her work, to produce unique jewelry.

I'm a real fan of her work and of her online store, A Mark in Time. I was hooked as soon as I saw her homepage. Check out her blog, also called A Mark in Time.

Jen Gets an Idea

 I interviewed Jen about her work and classes. Here's her description of her classes at Art and Soul Virgina Beach, coming up March 1-6.

 In my workshops, we will unlock the secrets of found objects and journey through the world of mixed media to create unique and personal works of wearable art.

Tell me about your teaching experience:
I have been teaching for many years throughout Australia I have taught in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and also taught for a week at the Fibre Forum in Geelong, which was a great honor last year.

Last year I taught and took classes at Art and Soul Portland Oregon which was the highlight of my teaching career.

 I have been published in several US Magazines, which include Somerset Studio, and Belle Armoire Jewelry. I also have been published in several Australian magazines. The passion for what I do comes out in my workshops. They are usually packed full of laughs with beautiful projects finished at the end.

 

What aspect of teaching do you love the most?

I love the students seeing the light go off in their eyes when they learn something new. I love seeing what they create. Everyone’s creations is so different and unique to them.

The energy that follows in a class situation there is a vibe you get from one another, there is nothing like it. I know online workshops are all the go at the moment but nothing beats the interaction with students and a very special bond forms with each of them-- teacher to student and student to teacher.

 

Why do you choose to work in Metal/found objects? (fiber, mixed media, paint, etc.)

 I have always loved metal! I started off in paper but started adding metal, and found objects.

I wanted more, though. I love jewelry and wanted to combine more metal with metal or found objects. The passion grew and I'm a real metal head now. Don't get me wrong, I still love paper,but metal is my first love (sorry, to my hubby Mark.)

Have you always considered yourself an artist?

 No I have never considered myself as I artist.To me, an artist was supposed to be trained in Fine arts.

I consider myself as self-trained, a jack of all trades; master of none.

              

 If not, when did you realize that you are an artist?

I'm still coming to terms with this concept Me: an artist? Maybe?

Do you work in a planned or intuitive way?  How would you describe your approach?

I don’t have a plan or sketch of what I’m going to create it comes to me in different way sometimes, I see something and think I would love to make that in metal. I might see a found object and think, Wow, that would make a awesome project. Sometimes I might even be tidying my work area and throw a few things to the side and think, hmm, that would go with that other thing. I really don’t know how it works but 9 times out of 10 it does.

I'll say it does!  Thank  you for visiting my blog, Jen, and I look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach soon!

Work from Online Class

One of my online students, Sox, sent me these images of pieces she made in my class. The class is "Layers of Memory and Imagination" at Creative Workshops. I've met Sox at Art and Soul  retreats where she's been in my classes. I'm delighted she's allowing me to share these evocative and lovely pieces. Check out Sox's blog to see more and to see her gorgeous fabric books.

Giveaway Winner

The winner is Katie! She will receive a large reproduction print of any work on my website. Thanks to all who entered and shared your creations! I'd always love to share what you make, so keep in touch!

Julia's Work

Julia contributed a photo of a recent piece, part of her Portland series. This ethereal work is done in mixed media and resin. It's truly magical!

Tomorrow night I'll draw names from a hat and announce the winner. Thanks to those of you who participated in my January giveaway and creative share!

Last Chance for Giveaway: Online class opens tomorrow

Don't forget to send me an email through my website or send me to your blog so I can post your latest work! This can be anything, art, craft, words, a new shelf, a casserole...you get the idea. This will enter you in my giveaway. If you win, you get an oversize reproduction of any work on my website.

My first online class opens tomorrow--I'm so excited. It's a six video class and you can work at your own pace. My host is the wonderful Creative Workshops.

I'm hard at work on my book for North Light on wabi-sabi work. But I'm not to busy to check out another great giveaway on one of my favorite sites, Altered Bits.

You Shine                 Mixed Media on Panel

Reader's Creations

Debbie took an encaustic class from me last fall at the Art and Soul Retreat in Portland. She fell in love with the medium and has provided pictures of her first mysterious and evocative works. Here's what she said about getting started at home with encaustic.

"Couldn't you just use the same griddle we use for food?" asked my practical minded husband as I was unpacking my newly purchased griddle to use for encaustic painting. My encaustic starter kit had arrived a few days earlier and now with griddle and heat gun in hand, I was ready to try encaustic painting at home. Last October I'd had the privilege of taking an encaustic workshop with Serena Barton in Portland and immediately fell in love with this medium. Even though I was somewhat hesitant to try it out at home, in the back of my mind, I knew resistance was futile."

Debbie, I'm glad you didn't resist. Here's the work Debbie made--I am impressed and delighted.

 The above was inspired by a haiku by the master poet, Basho. I think she captures the feeling expressed by the haiku perfectly.

 No one travels
Along this road but I
This autumn evening

Thank you so much for sharing your work, Debbie!

Reader's Creations

Katie's felted bag

I invited you all to show me what you've made recently or what you're working on. Here's a gorgeous felted bag by Katie. Check her name to see more of her work!  I'm also posting here the beautiful quilt that Katie and her mother made. What an incredible heirloom!

Quilt by Katie and her mom

 Katie, thanks for sharing this work! You are entered in the giveaway, so I'll keep you posted!

Dexter's Recent Work

Here's what we got from grandson Dexter for Christmas. His assignment in school was to describe and illustrate a creature not actually found in nature.

That's the flying crab on the left

Giveaway?

I hope you'll enter my giveaway (below) and let us see what you are creating!

A couple of new pieces:

Rule the Waves: Encaustic/Mixed Media on Vintage Book

Three:  Encaustic, Faux gold leaf, neocolor II crayons, oil paint

 

 

 

January Classes and Giveaway

 

 

Ghost Ship

 I had fun with incising and shellac on this encaustic piece!

Happy New Year! Here's to an art-filled year full of delicious surprises and warm friendships!

Classes coming up in January

 

Mind Your Own Beeswax with Serena Barton

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, NW Portland OR

Saturday, January 14, 2012; 9 -12 am
Fall in love with the aromatic, luminous, and versatile properties of beeswax in the form of encaustic painting!  Learn how to build up layers, add color, and add collage elements.  No previous art experience — just lively curiosity and willingness to risk addiction to painting with wax! Sign up early for this very popular class! Contact the arts program to register.

 Mind Your Own Beeswax at The Queen Bee Art Cottage, Olympia WA--See the intro. below. You can register through this site.  Here's a preview:

Lost at Sea  Mixed Media on Panel

Online Class:"Layers of Memory and Imagination"

Go at your own pace through six enjoyable video workshops! You'll learn techniques and tips for making mysterious, meaningful mixed media collages. Go here to see more about my workshop and the many other wonderful offerings at Creative Workshops.

 It's time for my semi-annual inquiry: What have you made recently or what are you working on? Send me information and pictures! In two weeks I'll draw a name from a hat and someone who answers the inquiry will receive a print of their choice from my website. This can be art and craft, cooking, home decor, whatever. Let me share more about you!