It's time for a special giveaway! 

Post a comment telling us what you are creating right now. This enters you into the random drawing for one of my new DVDs from North Light! You must include an email address in your post so that I know how to notify you if you are the winner. (I promise I won't use your address for anything else unless you post that you want to be added to my newsletter list.)

I'll pick the winner at random on February 11. 

The winner will be able to choose which DVD I'll send.

 

Good Luck!

They're Here: My DVDs from North Light

My New Wabi-Sabi DVDs from North Light

Last August I had a real adventure. I flew back to Cincinnati to film two DVDs at the North Light studio. I've made my own videos for online classes, but this was the first time I'd been filmed by professionals. Everyone was so friendly and fun to work with that I was able to overcome any apprehension and really enjoy the process. 

 

Here's where we filmed. You can see my "mark" on the floor.

The DVDs have just come out and I am thrilled with them! Aside from having to watch myself and see that in fact I am not as young as I feel, I was very pleased with the photography, sound, content, tone, and well, everything! 

The DVD above features a wabi-sabi walk for inspiration, working with photos for color and texture inspiration, using acrylics, using re-inkers, The Great Cover-Up, and more. 

The DVD below moves on to encaustic techniques and inspiration, using plaster, and using cold wax and oil. Both DVDs contain an informal interview with me and my editor, Kristin Conlin. You can see the interview on YouTube and find out my first career aspirations known only to a few before now! 

 

The DVDs are available from Amazon and will be available soon from Create Mixed Media, North Light's art site. They'll be available there also in the form of an online video from Artists Network TV, also on the Create Mixed Media site.

Art and Soul Coming to Portland in April!

It's not too soon to be thinking of Art and Soul Retreat here in Portland OR, April 7-14! We have a great lineup of classes for you. Below is information about the classes I'll be teaching. Be sure to check out the Art and Soul Class List for more information and registration.

Wabi-Sabi Paper

 Monday, April 7, I'll be teaching an all day workshop called "Papers Wabi-Sabi." Below you'll find a video with examples of the kind of hand-decorated papers you can create in this fun and informal workshop.

 Introduction Video

 Monday evening we'll make a "Strange Little Book."

Strange Little Book

Create a quirky, unique little book using mostly recycled materials--no stitching involved! In this fun and informal class you'll use weird things like bizarre found photos, old teabags, coffee, old and odd book and magazine pages, old embellishments, and miscellaneous do-dads. You'll use cold connections to fasten the pages together in your own eccentric way. You'll love the lovely and unusual little book you leave with!

Introduction Video

Tuesday, April 8, I"ll teach an evening class called "Waxing Literary with Charlotte."

Literary Charlotte

I’m excited to share with you how you can make a rich and mysterious work of art by waxing an old book and incorporating a Frozen Charlotte doll. You’ll make a 3-D art piece with encaustic medium, oil paint, found objects, vintage papers, and embellishments. You’ll learn how to incise, carve niches into the waxed book, and color the wax. You’ll also learn how to add an aged or gothic touch to your work. You'll leave with a unique mixed media work of art!

 Introduction Video

Wednesday, April 9 will be an exciting all day encaustic class, "Mind Your Own Beeswax."

Encaustic Painting:  A Full Cup

 

The translucent qualities of the encaustic wax medium and paint create depth, mystery and complexity. Fall in love with the whole ball of wax! You’ll learn to make encaustic medium and encaustic paint, use collage and photo transfer with encaustic, and add 3-D embellishments in this fun and informal class. We'll incise, add oil paint, cheesecloth, specialty papers, and more. Whether you are new to encaustic or an old wax hand, you’ll discover something new while minding your own beeswax! You'll leave with several painting and/or collages and all the information you need to get started on your own!

  

 Introduction Video

 I hope to see you here in Portland in April for one of the most inspirational and friendly retreats around!

Taos Workshop Coming in May!

Here's one of my latest cold wax/oil pieces. To see the story behind this piece, visit my wabi-sabi blog!

Leighanna Light and I have an exciting mini-retreat to share with you. We'll be holding a five day workshop at her gorgeous studio in Taos, New Mexico in May! Here's the scoop below. You can register on my website. 

Join me and international art teacher Leighanna Light for a five day workshop her studio in in magical Taos New Mexico! Embrace the wabi-sabi spirit as you learn to use encaustic, Venetian plaster, dye re-inkers, acrylics,oils, 3-D elements and more. You will create gorgeous paintings, mixed media work, and a beautiful and unusual handmade book.  We'll offer exciting field trips as well as playful, inspiring classes.

Tuition: 800.00 This includes a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, delicious lunches each day, Serena's two-day class on Saturday and Sunday, field trips on Monday, and Leighanna's two-day class on Tuesday and Wednesday. Most supplies will be provided for each class for an additional 25.00 fee to each instructor.