Painting a Story and Little Birdies

I just wanted to show you a sneak peek at the classes I'm teaching this week!!  This class is Saturday and I think I've got a class full of eager painters!!  Many are blog followers....which makes me so tickled!  I finally get to meet you!  And hear your real voices, not the typed ones.  Woohoooo!!  So if you are coming Saturday, don't forget your paints, brushes, collage papers and special elements.  Oh, and an apron.  I've been known to splat a paint drop or two.  hehehe...

And yes, you get the frame and all in this class.  They shipped last Thursday. And are guaranteed Thursday delivery.  Yep, cutting it close.  I know.

On Friday a few sweet friends are joining me to make fabric bird friends.  I love making these babies so much and can't wait to share my process for pattern making.  We'll be making a hoopy cage and of course some with crazy long legs on a jello mold! 

If you are joining me this day, don't forget your needle, thread, felt, fabric scraps and fun embellishments!!  We are going to have such a fun day sewing together!!  Like an old fashioned sewing bee.

So.....I guess I'll be back next week!!  It's going to be an AMAZING week.  I am so, so, so looking forward to it.  Meeting new faces, seeing some old, and making art with those old and new friends.  See you there...or here next week!!!  I am sure I'll have some crazy stories to share.  My trips never go without hitches.  Later gaters!!

PS....If you want a sneaky peaky into the fun check my FACEBOOK page...I'll be instagraming the entire trip.  Luv me some instagrams!!

My Life...in HD

I recently posted a comment on Facebook that I really did not need to see the new movie with Sarah Jessica Parker.  Yeah...nope.  You see, I live that movie daily.  In High Definition.  With mac Daddy 3-D glasses, a giant buttery popcorn and occasionally a yummy box of Dark Chocolate covered raisins.  Yum, right??  This past week has been such a whirlwind of getting ready for next week.  And what is next week you ask?  Well, I am leaving for Portland, Oregon to attend and teach at Art and Soul!!!!  Woooohoooooo!!  I am like in pinch me mode.  It's here.  It's here!

I love to teach.  And this type of teaching is my dream.  I know I talk alot about my art and the shows and the teaching, but I'm not so sure I've really shared my dreams for my business.  Perhaps it's because I'm afraid that people will laugh out loud at some of my dreams, or tell me that it's not such a great idea .....or perhaps I'm afraid that I am just not good enough for the dreams.  But I think dreaming is great.  I certainly do alot of it.   And last year I stepped out and decided to make some of those dreams come true.  You know sometimes when you speak the dream out loud, it does comes true.  Our family has been a huge recipient of this very act over the past month, so I know it works!


So back to the teaching, this week I've been a very busy girl getting ready to go.  In fact, if I wasn't so organized my supplies would not have made it.  I went to UPS today and my 4 large boxes will not get there until next Thursday!  Talk about cutting it close.  Geesh.....So all the supplies for the classes are on a truck along with lots of goodies for vendor night.  I'll be sharing more about my classes later this weekend, but I wanted you to see some behind the scenes.  Tile frames were cleaned and tiled, tiles were printed, magnets printed, and goody bag items gathered.  (Seriously fun goody boxes peeps....serious)

So all I have left to do before I leave is gather the supplies for the classes I am taking and make finishing touches on some felted friends for vendor night.  And get a pedicure, get my hair cut and colored, pack lots of fun clothing, grocery shop for the family, prepare meals for family, laundry all done, substitute lessons finished and samples made and get with sub....you get the idea.  Like I said, I am wearing serious 3D glasses here this week.   But when I get through to this time next week I will get a dream come true.  And that's worth every ounce of energy I've expended the past week.  Yep.  Sigh.

Art and Soul Blog Hopping

Hey guys!!  While I'm finishing up details for the show, which has to be delivered to Birmingham THIS WEDNESDAY (woohooo!), I thought I'd share links to friends I'll be teaching with at Art and Soul Portland this October.  Like a little treasure hunt of teachers.  Who knows, you just might find a favorite new spot to sit and read a spell. Or better yet you'll be so inspired you have to join us in our classes!  So enjoy the links.  I'll see you guys back later in the week!

Sharyn Sowell

Jane LaFazio
PeggyKrzyzewski

Rogene Manas

Doreen Kassell
Corey Celaya
Patricia Seggebruch

M&Jen Crossley
Barbara Lewis

Ok after linking everyone in and peeking at all the blogs I am totally in AWE that I'll be teaching alongside these peeps!  Holy tamoly you gotta go to all the links guys.  Gotta!

I'm back................it was pointed out in the comments that I didn't tell you what I was teaching!  I forgot that many of you are new to my blog since you are hopping.  Read here to see my 2 class offerings!  And yes, one is how to make the adorable birds pictured above.   :)

Art and Soul Portland, Oregon 2011

So did you guys see I snuck this little icon onto my sidebar?  Yeah, you did?    I've been keeping this a HUGE secret because until the site went live it really didn't seem real.  It has been so HARD keeping this from you guys!!  But now it's time.  Teaching outside of my little area has been a dream since, well since I can remember!  This past fall I finally worked up the courage and mailed away my little dream of instructing on the national level.  Let's just say, they loved my project ideas.  And now I am teaching at Art and Soul:  Portland, Oregon 2011!!  yippppppeeee!  If you've never attended an adult art workshop series, I HIGHLY recommend your saving your dollars and join me in Portland!   I would love, love, love to meet so many of you.  Yep. 

So what am I teaching you ask??  On Saturday I'll be guiding you through a painting project.  These paintings were featured in a lovely Somerset Life article, so you might recognize the idea.  I'll be providing an amazing wood frame and wood to paint on, tons of embellishments and my enthusiasm as we navigate making our own story through paint.  All day....me and my over the top enthusiasm....all day.  Yep.  Can you tell I am EXCITED?

On Friday we'll be exploring pattern making to make our own special fabric bird creations.  My favorite are the hoopy cages, but feel free to bring other fun items for them to perch.  Hopefully in the end you will leave with two finished little birdies to share with your friends!!

This project in particular I am excited to be sharing.  I've only taught painting to adults so this sculptural class will be so fun to introduce.  And again, my enthusiasm will most likely be boiling over.  I don't get nervous, but I do get beyond giddy on occasions. 

As you can only imagine I am already scheming and planning for the retreat.  What to wear, what to mail and when, who to see while there, what to go do in Portland, what to eat, what to sell.  Oh yeah, on Saturday night there is a fabulous "Vendor Night".  In Vegas there were amazing artists and super fun embellishment sellers.  I participated then to help pay for my trip.  The best part of a Vendor Night at an Artist Retreat, well it's like one giant love bomb towards your work!   So even if you don't take a class hopefully you'll come to Vendor Night so we can meet.

Well, I am sure to be talking about this some more.  Just a little, well maybe a ton.  PLEASE email me if you are attending.  We can do lunch or dinner all together.  The one thing about going on these retreats in the past for me and my buddy Valerie was always feeling a tad bit on the outside.  If you are going, you already know someone else going!  And that makes it much less intimidating and much more fun!  Don't you think?  Registration begins Feb. 1st.....so head on over and get your classes chosen.  Some do fill up (especially the Sally Jean ones)!  Hopefully mine will too!!  Yea!

A Note From the Teacher

So this is a side of me I forget to share sometimes. I tend to blog about me, me, me. But I do teach and Tuesday afternoon was one of those days when I remember exactly why it is that I teach. So we've been working on a Tuscan landscape. I printed off the internet a rather cheesy typical Tuscan hillside (you've ALL seen it before in the hotel lobby) that I cropped into a long skinny landscape for our inspiration piece. Each child was given an 8"x24" piece of birchwood for the base. As a general rule I lead the class in the beginning on the white board. I like to draw the basic lines and shapes and have them follow along. When the demo is done I will walk around and offer assistance if needed. I have a very strict policy that my hands stay off their work. It's very hard sometimes....for them that is...they are like, "can't you just draw it for me?"...but I find if I guide them through words, they get an "ahha" moment and take lead. So this was a favorite. She totally took liberty with the color, and secretly it was my favorite. Love the orange and purple sky. This past Tuesday we added oil pastel details. Instead of adding simple windows like the sample, she added an elaborate staircase, red door, blue curtains and more. When I asked her about it she said very matter of factly,. "Who would want to live in a house if you can't get in it?" Oh my goodness. And she's 6. In fact all the little artists who made these paintings are 6, 7 and 8. Wow. I know. Love these kids.

I have a feeling we had happy parents that day. I know I was super proud of their skill levels. So next week they are being rewards with clay.....and not only clay, but they get to make whatever they want. Oh the fun we'll have!

Ok, so for me.....I've been playing around with some techniques learned at Art and Soul. Don't they look yummy above? And below.....they are all anxiously awaiting some paint and collage. That's next week's agenda. For now, I'll leave you guessing as to what they will become!

A Little More from Vegas

I'm back with a little more for you to ooooo and ahhhh over. Hehehehe. My next class was with Stephanie Lee. But first, I have to say that all my teachers were very, very good teachers. As an art teacher myself, I am very observant of this quality. And all three were very knowledgeable and willing to share their craft. It takes a special type of artist to want to share their skills, does that make sense? By sharing their techniques, they open a world up for those of us pursing art to new possibilities in our own work. And I am very thankful that these ladies did just that for me. Because my head is now spinning with ideas!! This class was called Plaster Architecture. We used floral foam, wire and plaster gauze to create various forms. I was originally going to create an airstream camper. But in her demo she used wire. And from their I took off running. I'll have to photo this once it's all done. Because of drying time, I was not able to put my piece together nor paint it. It will have a rather robust birdie hanging from the center. I enjoyed her technique and more than anything, can't wait to try it with my afterschool art classes. They are going to love playing with these materials! BTW, I think I really irritated the airline steward with this baby. You should have seen the painful look on my face when they said it had to go overhead and not stay in my lap! Thankfully it made it safe and sound.

Of course we had to try out the machines. I spent $2.00. And even though it was a .1 machine, I only got one roll. What's up with that?

The last day was a class with the adorable Julie Thompson. It was entitled, "Life is but a Dream". Now I'll admit, I took this class because of her picture on the website. It was just too, too cute! But once in the class, I quickly realized that technique wise it was my favorite of the week. You will be seeing many more creations from paper clay from me! This is Vivian. And she is a crank music box which plays What a Wonderful World.

Julie kept describing her style as "Steam punk". I have no idea what that means, but I know her work was beyond adorable. And her knowledge and skills were A+. She's coming to Atlanta this summer and I told her count me on the roll for sure!

Of course you can't leave Vegas without a little show. Here we were able to see the famous Bellagio water show. It was quite magical. And later that night we saw the Jubilee show at Bally's. I personally found it incredible (ok, not the boobies don't get any funny ideas) but the scenery changes and costumes....holy cow. Amazing. They advertise it as "35 pounds on their head and a costume that can fit in a tea cup." This was very, very true for much of the show. I can't balance a book on my head, so hats off to those women! Well, the trip was beyond worth the dollar amount I have added up. And it does add up. If you are ever considering an Art and Soul Retreat you can be guaranteed that the instructors are very well prepared and skilled. Mine and Valerie's classes both filled our minds and hearts with creative ideas beyond what we can probably carry through. I am thinking of instructing in Portland in October of 2011. So......start saving your pennies(realistically $1's) and join me!

Art and Soul Las Vegas!!

OK. So I just couldn't wait to start sharing. And my computer is actually cooperating today, so here are the first 2 days of Art and Soul. We flew out Saturday morning from Atlanta and landed in Vegas around 2PM. A quick stop in the hotel room and off we went to check in with Glenny and get my vendor night area all set up. It was fun getting everything out on the table and seeing all the other AMAZING vendors. I spent some serious money that night. I'll have to get a picture of my necklace. You guys are going to all be so jealous! There were several other artist vendors set up, but also ladies selling vintage findings and such. Those table were a huge hit. I personally had an amazing night with sales. I've done a fair number of art shows, but selling to people who are artists and aspiring crafters is a real treat. I received great feed back on all my work. Hot item of the night, the ID bracelets....sold all 15. Sold a ton of bag tags, pendants, the bike painting, a few birds and a few buckles. What tickled me the most were the people that said, "Oh, I saw you in Somerset...." We found this crate and brass rope holder in a closet off the room we were in. Always repurposing that Valerie is! BTW she was such a trooper that night. She hung out all night with me even though to our bodies it was way past our bedtime!

After a great (we sorta I really needed my pillow) night's sleep, we woke at our usual Mommy 7am hour and got up and at 'em. We were in the Bally's Paris complex. So, Bally's is like not my first pick, but Paris....oooolala..... It was like strolling through a Disney Resort in the food and Casino area. I could seriously eat crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner if given an opportunity. And literally, there is an Eiffel Tower coming through the building. Here's the outside of it:

We walked down the strip and came to a personal favorite, Mr. Peanut M&M. And adorable store where I picked up earrings and Mailey's new favorite PJ's. There was a lot to see and take in this first morning. And we made lots of plans to visit here and there.

My first class was with an artist I've admired for several years now, Lisa Kaus. The class was entitled "Color My World". In it we were going to be free with subject matter....the teaching was about experimenting with her special technique. And this was my favorite product of the day:

Water soluble pencils. Her technique is all about layering and texture. The boards were pre-primed for us with three coats- gotta get the hand out to remember what, but then she uses a series of Golden fluid acrylics and those yummy pencils above, some collage and then tops it all off with delicious smelling beeswax to create an illuminated canvas like this:

Yes, of course I did a camper. Now, I know it looks a little like something I already do, and was asked by Valerie upon seeing this, "What's different about it than what you normally do?" Well, for starters, the only material in the painting I'd ever used was the paper. In fact, all the paint I brought I was not allowed to use. You see, I LOVE my heavy body acrylic paints. They are gooey and opaque and are in my comfort zone. But the workshops I signed up for were all about NEW techniques for my art bucket, getting outside of my comfort zone. And although the subject matter is quite familiar to me (I mean why change everything about who I am as an artist?), every material in the painting was new. And I really, really, really enjoyed it.

That night we found out that the lovely Bill's across the street offered $1.oo margaritas. Yep, that was about the cheapest thing of the week. And Bill's became our "happy Hour" so to speak every evening. We strolled through Caesar's and ate yummy sushi this night and then called it quits. We quickly found out that casino time was really not our cup of tea, and that a good night's rest was much more valuable.

So tomorrow I'll come back and tell you the rest.....with pictures of my sculptures! Oh guys, I am in love with sculpting! Wait til you see.....

Vegas Bound! Art and Soul Retreat 2010

So I've been hinting in past posts about heading to Las Vegas this week. But, now it's THIS WEEK!!! And I am freaking out with excitement. I've never been there. And not only am I going with a great friend, but I am going to learn amazing new artsy techniques. And I am going to be a vendor on Saturday night at the Vendor Night expo. You can only imagine the nervous energy I have going on right now. So Monday I made a mock set-up on the kitchen table to see how everything fits. It has to all fit into my suitcase. And since I am used to a pick-up truck full of props and products, this was a bit of a challenge. I may be using my dresser drawers from the room for risers! So for sale I'll have belt buckles, bag tags, porcelain pendants, ID tag bracelets, original works of art, rings, felted bird friends and some vintage treats for participating artists to use in their own creations while on retreat.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit all my clothes and art supplies for the classes into one suitcase as well. I am an over packer, so this always poses a challenge for me.

Between packing, teaching art camp tomorrow, headed to Atlanta Thursday for the Circus and Friday to the High Museum, I am thinking I'll be offline until next week when I return. I may try to sneak a post from Vegas, but no promises! For now, this little cute tweet says howdy and looks forward to flying for real. See you soon!!!!

Little Birdie Told Me.....

That I've been neglecting my blog this week! It's been a busy kind of week. Below is a sneaky peaky into my birdy life. These are not quite as whimsical as the collage birds. They have a different quality about them, more mysterious, calming, nurturing. My heart really loves these.

Especially this last one. He is going to making an appearance in my new branding image. Wait till ya see what Tiffin I've been cooking up this week!

Well, got to finish up 2 more paintings for the Trinity Spotlight Show and then my attention has to turn to Vegas Vendor night. Yes. I said VEGAS. I can hardly stand it. The lists keep wheeling in my head...take this, pack that, make this......yep. I'm about to bust with creative energy and excitement. Hope to show off some of this excitement tomorrow. Promise to share some of the 20 some odd paintings too.