michelle ward

minimalism

Our challenge this month on the Street Team is a exercise of restraint.  Hold back.  Compose cleverly so there is more breathing room, less clutter.  Often we think that untouched space means it's unfinished.  Not true.  Less isn't superior or inferior, just a different approach.  Busy can be good too.  There are no rules, but for this crusade it's been interesting to see how the artists have responded to purposely going minimal.  Like this the page below....because last week I saw my first new patch of clovers!

 

This will be the last crusade for a while as I take a self-imposed hiatus.  Maybe you'll come play? 

Find us HERE.

 

Check your Pulse

If you haven’t already met him, I’d like to introduce Mr. Seth Apter.  Our first exchange of blog comments dates back to 2007.  Always encouraging and enthusiastic, his remarks were not only appreciated, they became a foundation of a friendship.  In addition to being a mixed media artist, I’ve come to regard him as a curator and collaborator, which you will agree if you’ve frequented his Altered Page.  He regularly presents his own handsome work, as created for himself (like the "making Waves" series above), or as part of a collaborative project.  Some years ago he began presenting The Pulse – an ongoing self-imposed assignment where he surveys artists on a number of topics of interest.  A visit to his blog is always fun and informative and you will find yourself hopping around to the many useful links he provides, to events, exhibits, and sites, while widening your circle of acquaintances.

The online project has now manifested itself in book form.  Seth has once again culled from a community of artists, and invited many to share their art and their perspective by anwering many types of questions.    I am priviledged to be among the spotlighted contributors.  His book will be released this month so he is celebrating by presenting 31 artists in 31 days.  Visit his blog for daily updates, plus a chance to win a copy of his book, HERE. 

Queue the trumpets, sound the drums....

I have observed, both in the book preview available on Amazon, and the posts on his blog, that he doesn’t answer his own questions.  Ok, he did participate in chapter one of the Pulse on his blog a long time ago, but since then we have not heard his opinions.  Don’t you think it’s time we start asking him a few???  Pick up the pen Seth, (or poise your fingers over the keyboard), it’s your turn. 

Later this month I will be one of the guests for the two hour podcast where Seth will be co-host with Mark Lipinski at Creative Mojo.  And then I will join a group of artists for a live panel at The Ink Pad.  Looking forward to celebrating creativity and what it brings to our lives....and finally meeting the man!

March 28: Podcast with Mark Lipinski on Creative Mojo. Seth will be Mark's co-host for the entire 2 hour podcast which airs live from 3-5pm EST (and which will be archived for listening anytime). They will talk all about The Pulse of Mixed Media and be joined by contributors Michelle Ward, Angela Cartwright, Pam Carriker, Julie Prichard, and Lisa Hoffman. Get your questions ready as this radio show has a live call-in feature!

March 31: Live artist panel at The Ink Pad in NYC. Seth will be joined by contributors Leslie Marsh, Karen Cole, Jill Zaheer, Julie Prichard, Roxanne Evans Stout, and Michelle Ward. The panel will be video taped and available for viewing on Create Mixed Media sometime in early April.

EDIT:  HE HAS SPOKEN!  Please continue to join in the conversation taking place in the comment section below.  Seth has been a good sport about taking on the questions above...here are his answers:

1. I have always worked small and enjoy the challenge of having something small make a big impact. By far my largest piece to date was 3 feet x 3 feet and I made it as part of my Graffiti Wall collaboration with Julie Prichard and Lynne Hoppe. My most recent series of paintings, called Interior Angles, was created on 12" x 12" panels - and I have to say that I definitely liked working larger.

2. For my book, I wrote a very, very long list of questions from which I chose the ones that ended up in the book. They were all questions that came to me because I was curious about the answers and I felt that in all cases, the responses would really offer the reader insight into each contributing artist.

3. Autumn is definitely my favorite season in general and the one that is most inspirational too me. It is the combination of the feel of the season, the colors, the weather, the nature, the smells, the food, etc. that really gets me going.

4. One sentence huh? Now I know how my contributors feel when I ask them for only one instance of something. Here goes: Allow what is inside you to be your artistic guide, with a sense of playfulness, a feeling of passion, and not a trace of judgement.

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!  Thank you Seth.  Hey, while we are clapping, how about the clever title of his sculptures at the top?  "Making Waves"...get it?  Waving hands.  *dies at the geniusness*

Registration for Create NJ - TODAY!

Beginning today (2/16) at 2:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time, registration will begin for the first CREATE event in New Jersey.  It's been a long time since we have had a creative gathering of this magnitude here.  Looks to be alot of fun.  Hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE for details.

happy valentine's day

I spent some time this morning clearing the debris from my work table.  Lots of remnants to scoop up and throw away....or wait, put in my journal! 

 

And because it's Tuesday...one more page.  This took three minutes as I saved the lovely details from a Linda Warlyn package - she always adds the most special embellishments and I treasure them by saving on a page. 

My friends *get* me, don't they?  I have a beautiful stack of cards today...AND A DOZEN RED ROSES.  What a terrific surprise!  Back in college my friend Anne used to give me the same card every year..."hope your Valentine's Day is less pathetic than mine".   It wasn't meant to be serious, just a statement about the unreasonable pressure this day can bring.  Take the pressure off - share your love.  It will come back to you.

Sending my love to you.  Happy Valentine's Day.

rolling out another bit of news

In addition to my workshop at Valley Ridge, and the two in New Jersey, I am coming to Colorado in April!  My friend Nancy Brill, has made the arrangements for a three day event in Lafayette, just north of Denver.  I love extended workshops - it's a time to devote yourself completely to the process with a community of like-minded artists.  We learn as much from each other as we do from the class agenda because that's what happens when there is a gathering of eager, enthusiastic, curious beings.  To learn more about the workshop, the venue, and the registration details, visit my page HERE.  EDIT:  this class has been cancelled. 

Have a fun Superbowl Sunday.  Graham's Eagles and my Saints aren't in so we have to go with the home town boys.  Go Giants!

 

Epiphany and epiphany

We don't begin taking down Christmas until after today, Epiphany...the true Twelfth Day of Christmas.  The first thing we set up following Thanksgiving is our manger scene.  A perfect way remember the meaning of Christmas is to start and end with our Nativity.  It continues to grow with new additions each year.  You can't really see it here, but we have over a dozen angels flocking around the back.  Nearly every item has been a gift....except for a new tree we indulge in each season. 

 

While today is Epiphany with a "E", back in October I had an epiphany with a "e".  After seeing Candyce Marten's article in Somerset Studio, where she fabricated trees from stacks of cut cardboard, I had to give it a try, and add one more silver tree to our sparkley forest.  I got a good start on it then the holiday schedule crept in and I set the project aside until just after Christmas.  I wrote to Candyce to thank her for the inspiration and we shared some lovely email exhanges....then the sweet and precious tree that appeared in the article arrived at our door.  A most special gift!  When I asked her permission to blog about this she asked that I explain how she wanted to return a kindness, and that kindness is contagious.  So true, right?  A simple gesture of sending a note with much deserved recognition of fine work, resulted in an unexpected surprise.  How often to we miss an opportunity to brighten someone's day by reaching out because we can?   Try it....both the homemade tree, and the spreading of kindness, any time of year.

 

 

Our existing trees have been collected from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, or Michaels.  The layered text tree was a score from Anthropologie's after-xmas-sale last week.  When I saw this red metal tree at Target (on clearance too!) I knew I could make it my own with a quick shot of spray paint.  Shown here as Before and After with my cardboard stacked tree.

 

As you may remember from past posts about my table top setting, we have a pink tree to go with the pink deer from Judi, a sign for my sister.  Another sweet deer keeps her company, gifted from Linda this year.  And then I found this tin embossed deer from Pottery Barn....a staggering find with the leg raised ;) 

This morning I began journaling about the holiday....love the cut strips fashioned into a tree to remind me of this year, and my new friend.  What traditions do you build on each year?  Put it in your journal.

 

Happy Epiphany! 

Happy 2012

 

Thanks for coming by here and sharing your thoughts, your comments, your enthusiasm, and your stories with me.  I love that this little place is where I have made new friends and kept up with old ones....some whom I've met, and some I only know through the words we exchange.  I enjoy your company.  I am a lucky girl. 

 

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!  Be well and behave ;)

Wednesday is for Wizards

It's a girls night out to see Wicked!  Looking forward to the show, but first we will be off to see another wizard - David Hoey, the magician behind the windows at Bergdorf Goodman.  This year's theme:  Carnival of Animals.  Sneak peek below.  More HERE.  *swoon*, right?

 

11.22.11

 

I started working on this last week so I would be ready with birthday wishes for my favorite rock star today.  Plus, I wanted to leave enough time to request permission to use these photos from the talented photographer, PEROU.  He wrote back in less than ten minutes, with a thumbs up.  I love that the internet provides easy and instant access to artists.  Thank you Perou.

Hyvää Syntymäpäivää,  Happy 35th Birthday Ville Valo. 

Withering petals, Workshop in Wisconsin, and Whales

*waves*  Hello!  It's been a while.  When we last spoke I was on my way to Valley Ridge.  We had a terrific time - a full class of enthusiastic artists who painted and played for three whole days!  It was rewarding on so many levels and filled my well for a long time.  Love being in the studio and feeling the energy that gets generated when artists gather.

One of our assignments was to walk the gorgeous property in search of new shapes to inspire hand-crafted tools (stencils and stamps).  It was a perfect break from the work, to take in the scenery, breath in the not-quite-fall-air, enjoy the sun, and observe all that was before us.  I found my way to Katherine's garden - very much in hiberbation and decay, with amazing shapes.  The once vibrant flowers and plants presenting themselves as dried pods and other interesting stages of non-life. 

 

I later learned these were coneflowers - typically adorned with violet petals.  My impression upon observing the dried evidence, was that the flower had possibly been a black-eyed susan, with golden petals.  I am so glad I didn't know they were once purple, as the darker rustier color served as my inspiration for this painting.  I used the river rocks stencil by Mary Beth, adding in a few larger stones to make it my own for the section of ground.  I made my own stencils for the flowers, and included roots since my attempt at pulling a few to photograph came straight from the earth with entire stem and roots. 

 

Some evidence of our walk around the perimeter of the VR property....Mom is there gathering weeds and avoiding coyotes.  (Actually, we only hear them at night....haven't seen one there yet.)

 

Here is the group - thank you ladies!  I loved seeing your individual perspectives, and your fabulous work.  So much fun to see old friends and make new ones.  I had a great time Raising the Bar with you :)

And just days after arriving home from Wisconsin we road tripped up to Canada.  It's been a few years since we have been there and promised the kids a return visit to see our beloved friends, the orcas.  You can read about our previous memorable visits in a past post HERE.  It was so heavy with rain on the first day that the park was not even open.  Drats.  Luckily it cleared enough by the next day that we headed straight for Friendship Cove at Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, to see Kiska and Ike.  A happy ending.

 

 

 

up up and away

I'm off to Valley Ridge.  A full workshop!  Time at a fabulous venue with old friends and friends I am about to meet.  Mom arrives for a visit....and we make her participate.  Full circle....as she had me finger painting in a high chair.   

 

Got a few of these at the Minneapolis airport.  So clever.  You can score a few online at InventiveTravelware.com.

 

*waves*  see you next week!

remembering....

Three years ago, July 10th, my sweet sister left for heaven.  This week I have been thumbing through my journal of notes where I record special memories of her.  Thoughts channel in and I try to capture them with words until I can make visual pages in my Sister Journal.  The littlest thing can trigger a memory.  Yesterday, it was the phone ringing.  I try to fend off the blues by pulling up the things that fill me with joy.  Like this:

   

 
 

Here's Bo....because he's part of my Shannon-Memory.

 

yesterday's mail

 

Before this year I think it had been 2007 since I wrote for Stampington.  There was the article in February (here), which led to a piece in Art Journaling, then one for Somerset Studio....which evolved into a column!  

 

 

When I showed you the detail from one of the memorials I created, I never dreamed it would end up on the July/August cover.  It has a special layer of sentimental significance...since July 10th is the third anniversary of Shannon's departure.  It feels like an awfully big stage to express a sister's love, but only you and I will *get* it.  The other two memorial boxes are for my Grandma & Grandpa Campbell, and my Grandpa (Bumpa) Kelly.

Both of these new issues are terrific.  I'm a huge fan of AJ - love seeing the artform celebrated with so many juicy pages.  I think Christen has really made her mark since taking over SS - launching some fresh and fun changes that are a pleasure to see...have you noticed?  Also in this issue are friends Anne, Lynne, Teesha, and Seth too!

fathers and forefathers

On Father's Day ~  a call to my Dad, some gifts for my husband.  Feeling like a lucky girl for the men in my life.  A hug for my brother as we met him and his family for a few days in Washington, D.C.  In the land of our forefathers, stacked with history....we walked past the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and here....where we have been before, but not quite like this.  At first I was stunned by the quantity of roses and remembrances, written letters and lilies....standing at attention, beautiful and proud.....then I recalled, it was Father's Day.  Like Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day, THIS was another occasion to visit the wall, offer a prayer, give thanks, and nod in respect.

 

 

The next day we visited Arlington National Cemetery and the nearby Marine Corps War Memorial.  More nods of respect.  Honor.  Gratitude.  So much history to learn and relearn as we visited many locations in the city.  So many reasons to return another time.

 

 

 

 

check it out

I'm always on the lookout for unconventional tools to use in artmaking.  Do you do that too?  Keep an open eye and open mind with every visual that you encounter...wondering how to take an item and use it to make a texture or pattern.  Like when you drive by a yard sale and you spy a cheesy-plastic-cut-lace tablecover, and you slam on the brakes because you see the potential of spending 25 cents for a new spray paint stencil! 

I'm not hip to the latest products but when I pop into Michael's I will do a quick scout around to see if there is something new I might need.  Yesterday I stumbled upon these embossing folders for Cuttlebug.  I don't even know what that device is or does, but I was attracted to the pattern.  If you could see the conversation bubble over my head it would have said "Squeee!  Love this....could be used for rubbing, casting paper, pressing into clay, maybe even monoprinting....grab it!"  And I did.  *note to self - go back for more*

 

So I tried a few things with my new toy ($4.99).  Since it is meant as an embossing tool I thought "a-ha!  pull out the pasta machine!"  Originally used to roll out polymer clay, it now doubles as an embosser when adjusted for the plastic folders.

 

 

I'm in full blown circle mode now.  Grabbed some of my new stamps.  Next, I will drag out my circle punches.  I feel some circle art coming on.

 

 
 

 



Lots of rain only means lots of roses.....look at all those buds!  I've already been cutting full roses off the bushes.  Don't forget, the more you cut the more you will get.  The bush below is the first one we planted in July 2008.  It is a glorious monstrosity!  It's crazy how big it is.  I was worried about the six new ones from last year because I never covered them - but they are back, fuller and thicker, and oozing with enthusiasm.  To think I might have missed the rewards of keeping a rose garden....

 

 

still learning....at 47

 

Reflecting today....this date, this birthday.  For forty years Shannon and I shared this number, 5/17.  This is my third one without her and it still feels so different.  We are all learning to navigate a landscape that continues to change, aren't we?  Of course we shared alot more than a calendar date.  We shared a room, a wedding gown, a family....and very special connection that some sisters are lucky to have. 

This art shows a partial peek at an assemblage box I made in her memory.  The small deer is a gift from Laure because she knows it's one of my signs for Shannon.  It's set inside a matchbox; that's how small it is.  Raised above the trees, to symbolize heaven.  Set over a paper wing.  And there's the pink rose, of course.  The red wire  - did you spy it?  An "x", a secret kiss from me.  Another sign we have for Shannon is a snowflake, added in digitally because I couldn't resist. 

In the last post Pat shared some wisdom, which I was so happy to learn.  It was a perfect thing to focus on right now as I work in my sister journal today.  Doesn't it amaze you when that happens?  Something is dropped in your path just when you need it.  Like this:  "The Japanese have a concept "aware" that can't really be translated into English but means something like "the heartbreak of beauty of the moment"--the idea that something so beautiful just hits you in the heart when you realize it will be gone soon."  That is new to me.  I love that there is a word that captures the ephemeral beauty that is fleeting.  Like a snowflake.  Like a rose.  Like a deer in the woods.  Like a little sister who is dearly missed. 

 

celebrating you, her, them, and me

 

We are blessed.  xo

may day

What a glorious day.  I am feeling grateful for the sun.  I am feeling grateful for the green grass, the growing roses, and the fresh blooms.  With so much destruction due to storms in parts of our country I can't help but appreciate a simple walk across the lawn....and walking through the door to our home, and our family gathered around the table.

I am remembering childhood days making construction paper baskets and cones, filled with cut tulips or lilacs, or handfuls of candy, left on a front porch with a push of a doorbell and a dash into the shrubs to avoid getting caught on a sunny first day of May.  Did you do that too? 

 

Some of our roses are entering their second season, some their third, and a few their fourth.  Every year they grow back fuller and more enthusiastic.  Hundred of buds like the one below are about to show off.  Mother's Day tends to be the grand unveiling....as if they hold a group secret and cannot contain themselves any longer, bursting open in full glory one week from now.

 

What a grand party we witnessed this weekend.  England does it so well.  At first the ringing of the bells and the gathered crowds reminded me of the Diana memorial.  How wonderful to now associate that sound with a beautiful, young, handsome couple....couldn't have been more perfect, don't you think?  Loved watching with my dear friends.  Cheers, tears, and applause.  Loved the RED uniform.  Loved peeking into the day, the pagentry, the history. 

 

royal engagement

 

This first day cover was a gift from my in-laws.  They are good that way, adding to my collection of royal things.  Tomorrow, the wedding!  I'm so excited.  Heading up to Lynne's with Judi today for a royal engagement of our own.  Below we are seen at a lovely wedding party at the Ritz.  Tomorrow morning we will be in our jammies, huddled around the tv.  As Judi said, an event where we won't have to worry what we are wearing.  I'll try to sneak a photo, *wink*  CHEERS!

 

first pluck

 

On the short walk to the mailbox.....found my first four leaf of the year.   Looking for rose blossoms next.

In Case of Emergency.....

Over on my Street Team blog we have been working on journal pages of the Evidence variety.  Last month the challenge was to record specifics about yourself.  This month it's about the people in your life.  I crack myself by calling it ICOE...but really, isn't the list of people to contact if something bad were to happen the same people to contact if something good happens?  We connect with our tribe through thick and thin.  Celebrate who those people are on your pages for our 50TH CRUSADE!.

 

 

Clearly, in the case of emergency in Japan, I have been able to count on YOU.  We are stepping over lots of socks here!  And many more have been promised.  They are so fabulous.  Is it possible that socks can emit love?  I think so!  The ticker so far:  274 pairs of socks and $239 in support of the shipping!  Checking in on Jason's site, SocksForJapan.com, he requests quality over quantity, and color is preferred over white.  Keep that in mind if you are still planning on particpating with us or on your own.

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Arigato.  Thank you.

ruby tuesday: girls in the hood

 
 

First there was the familiar fairy tale, told by the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by many over the years.  Then there was a lovely and haunting depiction by one of my best friends, Judi Riesch.  I'm sure you all swooned over her art, especially these pages made for Sarah's Red Journal, published in True Colors. 

 
I found it fascinating to read Judi's text explaining that Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, famous for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was also a photographer.  Judi's Red Riding Hood started with a Carroll photograph.  HCIT?  I wonder if his model for Alice was friends with Red? 

Last week my sweet friend Nancy sent me the recently published Little Red Riding Hood.  See HERE.  Oooh, that girl *gets* me.  Loved the illustrations by Daniel Egneus.  I was familiar with his work but was clueless about the book so I love that my friends look out for me.  (Thanks Nancy!)  Equally cool is the typography....*faints*.  Further down you'll see I was inspired and had to whip up some of my own to use on some Ruby Tuesday pages.

 

 

I learned that the illustrations from this book are currently on display in New York.  Since the the show closes Friday, and they are only open until 5pm, I may not make it.  My friend Andrew was going today and will give us the report.  Even if I don't make the show at least the discovery of the site led to the link to this, a video of The Making Of.  Gah!!  HERE.

 

 

 

 

These are unfinished or maybe they are done.  I'll decide later, but I am liking the simplicity of them.  No doubt there are more pages to come as I play with my box of gathered materials.  I'll see where it goes.  I know I will be in Riding Hood mode for a few more Tuesdays because THE MOVIE comes out next Friday!

 

EDIT:  Synchronicity....another of my BFFs posted about the RRH book.  Go see Lisa Hoffman's post HERE.  I was planning on buying the new book for all my favorite women....dang, looks like Lisa already got herself one.

spreading light

 

Do you get the Painter's Key newletter by Robert Genn?  If not, visit here.  He shares his observations and insights as an artist.  A recent favorite is THIS ONE.  He addresses the concern that some teachers may feel, that by sharing what they know the field becomes more competitive.  One might think that if you impart too much you are empowering those that might outshine you.  I disagree. 

A good teacher will inform and encourage, so you learn some new skills, and draw on your strengths to determine your own style without imitating theirs.  Like the quote Robert shared from Thomas Jefferson, lighting your candle off someone elses doesn't eliminate the original flame.  In fact, the world becomes brighter.

Have you ever been at an event, like maybe in church, when a room is transformed from darkness into a warm glow as participants each light their candle from just one?  It is glorious.  THAT is a perfect visual for sharing your light, your love, your talent, your enthusiasm.  I say spread it.

bergdorf windows sneak peek

I have a few things to get done this week then I will edit and share my photos from the annual visit to the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows.  They do LARGE so well, but this year I was most impressed with their small windows.  This is a peek from one of them.....

 

This all cut paper.  Fragile.  Delicate.  Clever.  *swoon*

The Addams Family was spectacular!  The set, the stage, the cast.  While movies may dazzle us, live theater continues to amaze me.  The things they can do with curtains and props and costumes blows me away.  Nathan and Bebe rocked as Gomez and Morticia. 

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We were with my parents - such a blessing to have them here.  December is a few days away....who is ready?

meet Anna

You know I love Finns.  Here's another....actually, she is from Poland.  Her name is Anna Dabrowska, but her nickname is Finn.  She's an amazing artist and has made some pages for the guest gallery at Green Pepper Press using some of my stamps.  Love that the internet provides an introduction to people we would never get to meet....

 

See the full pages of her work at GPP, click HERE. 

Visit her blog: tworzysko.blogspot.com  Thanks Finn, LOVE your work!

{runs around in circles}

 

Found this.....then these arrived!  Busy packing.  So sorry for the extended delay.  Will ship this afternoon!!

 

report from valley ridge

I remember getting ready to teach my first workshop about eight years ago.  I was a wreck.  I packed too much.  I was worried I wouldn't live up to the expectations of my students.  I was sure I would get off track and forget something important.  I had stagefright. 

Nothing much has changed except that now I have the experience to know what really matters ~ show your true self, fire up some confidence and enthusiasm in your students, and get them to realize they have it within them to make cool stuff.  It doesn't even matter what the class is - the point of it all is to relish in the time set aside to honor our creative selves. 

Valley Ridge is the kind of place that makes that time even more special.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  There are not many venues that provide two and three day classes.  Having that second day is such a gift.  You get to stroll into the workroom where your supplies are already unpacked.  You get to pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished and then you get to take advantage of another whole day to dig in deeper, ask more questions, learn from your instructor and your neighbors. 

These two classes were an absolute blast.  Such a great group of artists!  I left VR feeling fulfilled in every way.  It felt good to be intense and deliberate in creating.  It was rewarding to see the fabulous work.  I loved seeing old friends, and made some new ones.  My spirit is soaring!

 

 

 

 

I can't believe I don't have any detail shots of the Parlor books!  Hopefully some friends will share their pictures with me - I know Kathy will have some....there were terrific tricks happening in our parlors!  Here is a cute story....The first night Kathy and I were remembering the first time I came to VR to teach Roll With It (2005).  We were thinking of the students and I was asking about some of the ones I hadn't heard from in a while.  We mentioned Cindy.  Two days later SHE CALLED at 9:30 pm to ask if the there was room in the Sat/Sun class.  She arrived from Iowa the next morning!  <enter twilight zone music>  I met her at her car....in the backseat was her pillow....No way!  I had just made a sign for my Parlor Tricks book, see below.  Lyrics from Hotel California!  Love that kind of synchronicity!

 


 

 

Terrific to spend time with Kathy.  So special to have Mom playing along with us.  I think she the most 'commitments' by adding content in her book.  (Of course she was the teacher's pet *grin*) Loved every minute of it.  Crossing fingers we can convince Kathy to emerge from sabbatical next fall for another gathering at her amazing place.

Thank you.  * blows kisses*

completed

 

The original bathroom had pepto bismol pink tub and tiles.  When they ripped it all out they found green and black METAL wall tiles.  Kinda funny that the paint we picked ended up being almost the same green.  I love this new room - so calming.  Love how the edges of the glass in the light fixture on the wall, the ceiling, and mirror have that same bottle green when the light shines through it.  The accent tile in the shower is glass - hard to see in this photo, but very cool.  I have a cigar box of sea glass I will use to make another piece of art to go in here.  The hamper on the side of the vanity actually has the bottom cut out, sits over a framed hole in the floor, and acts as a clothes shoot chute* to the laundry just below.  A clothes shoot chute* !  Just like when we were kids.

I've posted a new crusade over on the street team blog.  This month we are painting without brushes - adding layers of paint with an old credit card.  Come over and play!  Crusade No. 44.  Below is the beginning of the piece that ended up going up in the bathroom.  After testing out some ideas in my journal I tried it on watercolor paper.

 

The kids are back in school so I am fending off the blues by getting my kits and supplies ready for the workshops later this month.  Looks like Earl has subsided enough that we have nothing to worry about, whew!  I'm still waiting for the rubber to arrive.  I'm sorry for the delay.  All orders are labeled and packed with index sheets so I can send out as soon as the inventory arrives.

* EDIT:  after Tina's comment I scratched my head and wondered if I had spelled chute wrong.  I did!!  It is pronounced shoot, but spelled chute.  She used *shute* which is also correct.    Thanks Tina.

report card

A+ for all the students!  I admit I was a bit disarmed by their quiet demeanor but it was early in the morning (7:30 a.m.).  There was hardly any feedback via expression when I first started talking.  But we got started with some easy exercises and before long they each found a groove and you could observe their claim on self-expression.  My only regret was that the day ended too soon!  I wish I was back there today, continuing the mission of sharing the enthusiasm for making cool stuff together.

 

I am grateful to Mrs. Lentini-Pombrio and Mrs. Amme for the invitation to be the class tour guide into Altered Books.  Check out how cool these art teachers are - back in March they were on a photo campaign.  This is a very small sampling of the photos collected around school that they presented on a massive set of boards....ART SAVES!  HCIT?

 So many great comments have come in here, and by email, requesting the *handout* I mentioned for the class.  I think it's awesome there are so many artists who want to give it a try!  Give me a little time to wrap up some other deadlines (like getting the new rubber collection uploaded!!) and I will make it available.  I want to do it properly with downloadable text, images, and photographed samples so it may take me a while.  But I'm so psyched to do this.  I am HARDLY an expert, but I think I have put together a nice jumpstart into the artform and I'm more than happy to share it.  After it gets posted I was thinking it might be cool to take additional recommendations on page manipulations from YOU.  I could compile the tips into a part two.  Listen to me....I'm not even ready with part one yet.  *smacks head*

  

one hand tied.....

I'm lucky it's my left hand that is out-of-commission.  I would be so bummed and restless if it was my right.  And thankfully I can still type....although it's slow-going fixing typos.  Oh, what happened exactly?  Not sure.  Self-diagnosis is a re-injury of the wrist, x-rays Tuesday.

 
My week has been spent preparing for an altered book class. I've been invited to teach a special full day workshop at the high school.  Loved revisiting this art form.  Fun to think about introducing it to students who have never heard of it.  They have no clue what coolness they are about to step into ;) I made a handout covering nearly twenty techiques so if we don't get to them all they can continue the work on their own.  Class is Monday.  I'll let you know how we do.

Have a great weekend.