Creative Work from My Online Class

I'm excited to share images from students in my online class,  "Layers of Memory and Imagination" at Creative Workshops.

Valorie sent this image of her first collage inspired by the class. I love the energy in this piece and the way she created a visual narrative for the girl in the center. Valorie thought the collage was a bit busy, but I think it works great, as the focal image of the girl is so strong and because Valorie tied everything together with her bold color scheme. Great work, Valorie!

12x12" canvas board, acrylic paint, photocopy, glazing medium, alcohol ink, collaged papers.

I've posted several pieces by Linda Kunsman on this and on my Wabi-Sabi blog. Here's an excerpt from her blog showing the collage she created after viewing my recent tutorial from my "Layers" class. The transformation of this rich collage is amazing. Beautiful and evocative!

"My last project for today was inspired again by Serena Barton who recently posted a You Tube tutorial on her blog. For some reason I wasn't able to put the actual video here but you can use this link or go here to see it. It is really worth watching!

 My stretched canvas began like this:

 And here is the finished piece:

                                                         Beautiful Dreamer (6" x 8")

   Vintage image; patterned papers; dress pattern tissue; stencil; reinker glazes; acrylic paint; black ink pad.

  I've already begun two more canvasses which I'll share when completed. I'd love for you to share if you watch the video and create your own project (and I know Serena would too:)!



That's right, Linda, I would! Thanks to Valorie and Linda for sharing their lovely work.

And the Winner Is...

Cissy is the winner of one of my new wabi-sabi DVDs from North Light. Congratulations, Cissy! I hope she won't mind if I share a description of her from her blog.

I was exposed to art at a young age. My mother was an elementary school art teacher, therefore we always had projects around the house. I in turn, did the same with my three children, painting and drawing with them as toddlers. Although I took some art classes in college, I am primarily self-taught. I didn't start seriously painting until the summer of 2008 when I became interested in the emotions of non-objective paintings by use of mixed media and collage. Recently, I have been experimenting in oil paints. During a difficult and trying time in my life, I picked up a brush as means of an outlet. I found inspiration from a song, a verse, a friend. My paintings are statements evolving from personal experiences in my life. By not being bound by any realistic representation, I can communicate through my work, my feelings, gratitude, faith, and my past. They often give a glimpse into my life, a reflection of myself.

I can relate very well to her process as I'm sure many of you can.
Here's a link to Cissy's blog.

Thanks so much to all of you who posted. I loved learning about your wide range of current projects and I will be exploring your blogs and sites for weeks to come. 

Collage Tutorial

While you are waiting for my giveaway drawing (winner announced tomorrow), enjoy this tutorial! The whole six class online series is available at Creative Workshops.

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.