Thursday, January 27, 2011

Bound Hearts





I've been playing with the book form I call
Bound Art which is a soft covered book sewn on tapes. A group of us carved a heart themed stamp and then shared them while we made paste paper. I haven't sewn that one together but the photos I am posting here are of the sample I used to inspire the other artists to do this project.
Using hand carved stamps brings a kind of earthiness to the work. At least the ones I carve do! They don't have to be perfect. There are several ways to get the image on the carving material, some allow more detail than others. Mostly my method is just to draw with a ballpoint pen on the rubber and carve away. Changes or design modifications (mostly to try to hide mistakes) are part of the fun.

On another note, there is a drawing for free registration for Art Is You. If you have registered already or register before midnight January 31st you will automatically be entered. http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/generalinformation-westcoast.htm

I hope I see some of you there.

Stella the gorgeous calico cat who shares my home, or is it who shares her home, with me is longing for springtime. It hasn't been a very cold winter here, but it has been dreary and grey. I am lucky because in a couple of weeks I head on down to Los Gatos, California to teach at An Artful Journey. I bet it will be sunny there. So here is Stella contenting herself by mousing around inside while she waits for the sunshine and warm weather to come forth to lure her outside.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Art is...You (and what that means to me)





Greetings and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Perhaps some of you have heard of the art retreat called Art is...You which is coming this fall to the west coast. To Petaluma, California to be exact. The website is live and the schedule is filled with instructors you know, including me, and some new ones so check it out.

I am really excited to work with this new event. We instructors have been treated with the utmost respect and kindness by the producers Sallianne and Ellen.
I love the three workshops I'll be teaching which include two new ones and the third is a paste paper workshop with some twists added to keep you all on your toes reaching for the next good thing! The first new project is an evening and full day called
Beauty and the Book.


Then there is a one day class called Quickies.


Totally Amazing Decorative Papers is a one day workshop also.


I expect all my classes to be lots of fun with colorful wonders growing out of your time and hands. My hope is that you will join me and the other instructors to help welcome Art is...You to the west coast.
This will be the only major retreat for me after An Artful Journey in February 2011.http://www.anartfuljourney.com/ In June I will be teaching 3 days at The Artist's Nook in Loveland, Colorado. http://www.theartistsnook.net/