Sacred Shrines and Altars Workshop

Hello there, and thanx for stoppin’ by for a visit today.

HAPPY SUMMER!!! 

It’s been really busy on the other side of this Blog...which is why it’s behind on posts. But I’m here today to share some magic with you all that happened on Saturday at my Sacred Shrines and Altars Workshop. Not gonna be long winded here ‘coz I wanna share the pics with you all. But I’m...

...Givin’ a great big hug and shout out to Jordan (what an Angel you are!), for inviting me to her Ventura Street Art Studio to share this special class with everyone. And much, much thanx all who came out and made the magic happen. A remarkable group. Mannn was that awesome! And let me tell you, the creative juices were flowin’! ....see for yourself.



I prepped, primed and rusted the ALTOIDS tins for the class and made three samples for eye candy. There were two tables (12’) of trinkets, charms, papers, fabrics, notions, specialty papers, ephemera and other yummy items to embellish with (overkill? yeah, I think so). How could one not create something special?

Magnificent works of art flowed from every hand, giving way to the magical energy within. What an amazing group. I created this slideshow to share our day with you. The day was incredible! Enjoy!

Did ya think I got lost?

...nuh uh, been right here. Been creative too. Let's see, I'll start from the beginning...I think. In August there was an Open Art Classroom that I gave. Two newbies joined us, Jordan and Barbara. They were eager to get down to creating too. Jordan has an Open Studio on Saturdays that she invited me to. I will definitely take her up on that.

Non structured, no stress, no worries. We did what we wanted.... and the ATC's still took over. Hah! Lots of excitement, laughs, and explorations just chillin' in the classroom. Everyone created their own happiness that day. I should have an open classroom more often. From there it went to the next project, a WIP (now completes), experiments with paper molding, and swaps up the, that is, well never mind. Will talk more about these in a future post. But for now, here are some late pics.

Art Workshop at Jannie Camp 2009

Hello all,

Haven't been here in for a few. Hope you've all been well. I was up in the mountains celebrating Jannie's birthday at Jannie Camp. Happy Birthday Jannie!

She invited me up to Helene's cabin along with Wanda, Sara, and Diane for this relaxing, tranquil event. Jannie, in all her sweetness asked if I would give one of my Art Workshops during our stay up at the cabin. I gladly said, yes. It's beautiful country up in the Sierras, and rare for me to visit this part of the California. The air is so clean up there. We stopped at a few fruit stands along the way and got some amazing peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots, and watermelon. Yummy time! So fresh! Our car caravan left on Thursday and returned on Sunday.

It got very hot up there. But that didn't stop the relaxation on the deck, that looks out into the woods, where you have to crook your neck so far back that you almost fall over to see the top of the trees. Having great talks and discussions with one another and just hangin' out. Or sleeping under a blanket of stars and watching a few of them shoot past you. So quiet and serene. Awakening early in the morning to the sounds of birds singing and the sun shining high above you. No cars, no trains, all peaceful. I never made it to Alpine Lake to cool my toes in the water with the rest of the bunch, it got too hot for me. But that was OK, I took a nap instead. I was a happy camper (you saw that coming, right?).

I gave a two day workshop on Dream Boxes. Preparations of pulling and packing for the class started the Sunday before....this is the condensed version...preparations really started months ago. The traveling classroom consisted of five banker boxes filled with tools and supplies, an over sized crate and a 28 quart tub filled with more class supplies. Two tables, and a 10x10' canopy, which by the way was wider than the deck and Helene's husband, Randy had to do some infrapilating to accommodate its setup (see slide show), thank you Randy. The classroom was setup outdoors, on the deck. And I got a lot of help with the classroom set up/breakdown. What a great group of women!

Class started on Friday morning taking us through most of the day. We started with tin punching on Coke cans, creating windows and doors for the dream boxes. We also explored techniques with alcohol inks, masking tape backgrounds, emboss resist backgrounds, crackle medium and "what if I" experiments. Diane was up at the crack-o-dawn and in the classroom on Saturday morning and Sara was not far behind.

As we settled into the morning class, we explored other areas of creativity. Wanda decided to create a beautiful journal cover instead of her Dream Box. Jannie and Sara took a break and created some ATC's experimenting with watercolors, masking tape, Sharpies, and crackle medium. Diane and Helene continued in the beautification of their boxes. It was wonderful to see everyone so enthusiastic in their creating. Giving themselves permission to be playful, and open to their muse. I think I will stop here and direct you to the slide show. Here it is Wednesday, with the classroom still in boxes needing to be put away! To all of the awesome and amazing women that came out to play, I say THANK YOU! It was a pleasure creating with you all. Will see you July 19, at my next workshop!

Foxy 50's Art Playground...

...well ya know what, it really is! You're prolly thinkin'...."what the heck is she talking about?" I'm talkin' about the Sunday morning workshops that I teach once a month. Well it goes until 4 in the afternoon, but still, it's a lot of fun. It's simple really, a lot of toys are set out and we play! Sure I plan and set a theme, but the women bring their creativity, ideas, questions, stories, humor, and some bad ass chocolate to set in the middle of the table to nibble on (thanx Helene).

It's where we come together to have a good time and share. It is amazing to see the interpretation of the art that flows within each class. There may be six of us at one class and the next class, only two or three. But we still have fun none the less. This past Sunday was no exception. Jannie and Helene are two regulars at the playground and Sara came over to play with us for the first time. It was scorching hot outdoors (compared to the last workshop where it rained all day). But there were ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards) to be made. Oh yeah! It was on!

I had lots of tips and techniques, and demos to share. To name just a few...we played with liquid watercolors and baby wipes to make backgrounds. That was a bit messy, and fun. Crayons to make secret pictures, only to be revealed when
inks were applied. Secret Agent #24 checking in…..dun, dun, dun, dun-dunna. Broke open the lemon juice and aged some book pages. Thank the gods that we don’t age that fast. Phew! Pulled out the pasta machine, and no, we didn’t make pasta but we did crank out a few Paisley and Textile embossed paper samples. We also played with different kinds of papers, embellishments, ribbons and other neat toys….oh and the chocolate....yum. There was even a giveaway of some ATC goodies!

She's focused and on a mission.
Chocolate, what chocolate?


Hey, I think I found somethin'


In search of the right papers for her cards


Jannie's finished works


Helene's finished work


Sara's finished works


It's all quiet again, waiting for next time

There is such an enjoyment that I get when others are creating and having a good time with what they're doing. There are no restrictions with ones’ creativity in these workshops. It’s an open experience to give one the opportunity to express their art. I have made new art friends since starting these workshops and I’m glad that I have them. When ya know that ya got somethin’ that feels right, ya keep goin’. Life is good.

February ATC workshop

Yesterday was such a relaxing day. It rained most of the day which made it most enjoyable to be inside. Helene and Jannie (good vibes, good people), were two brave souls who weathered the raindrops to come out and play with me for the afternoon. The table was set for five of us, but two were unable to attend. So the girls spread out! Cups of tea were made, homemade Polenta, fresh veggies, fruits, cupcakes and some delectable chocolate (the chocolate stayed in the room with us) kept our bellies company. We shared stories and creative ideas and created for an afternoon. It was an awesome workshop! Thank you Jannie and Helene for coming out to play with me.

Helene (left) and Jannie (right) looking for inspiration.


Getting started


Jannie's Muse has arrived.


Helene's Muse came a callin' about the same time too.


...but I think her Muse had something else in mind.


My Muse came out to play too.
(The face behind those hands)
Not something that usually happens when I teach a class.


Jannie, the poet and artist.


Helene's hands
She thinks she's not an artist. But we know different, huh Jannie?
This is such a powerful image for me. There is a peaceful, tender soul behind these hands.



Our Mini Card Gallery
Wonderful job ladies!

Helene's card


Jannie's card, closed

open


Jannie's card


Jannie's card


Jannie's card, closed

open


my card
His Desire

Manifesting A New You workshop

For the month of January, I held a workshop on manifesting. It was a small gathering of seven women (perfect size, perfect number). The purpose was to bring thoughts, dreams, wishes and other positive gems to the workshop. I wanted to do books because there is so much that you could do with a blank one. The outcome was wonderful! We created these books
(40 pages!) from the bottom up using handmade papers, velvet, beads. And altered tins to fulfill the hopes and desires of each artist for 2009. I just wish that I thought about taking more pictures while I was teaching this.
It was a splendid afternoon.

Altered Altoids tin that my daughter made for her boyfriend. what's so special about this? Well, she has never been interested in this type of art (she likes to draw). But she joined the group and created this beautiful piece. Collage papers and other embellishments. I am so in awe of her.