Collage Mania

I taught in Licking, MO the other day, a class organized by the super-talented Lanie Frick. Her horse paintings are quite special so you might want to take a look at her website. She contacted me out of the blue to arrange this workshop which focused on Mixed Media Collage.

I met fun people, the kind of folks who bring baked goods to share. All the ladies had b-i-g hearts and I adored their astute humor; they were basically my fave kind of people.

Student work, Mixed Media Collage

Student work, Mixed Media Collage

Student work, Mixed Media Collage

They are on the lookout for a barn for me. Ha, ha, you know this ongoing pipe dream of mine to have a huge art barn so I can run away from home to a place where no one could find me. Of course I would bring John and the kitties with me, so I guess it really isn't running away in the usual sense of the phrase. Licking is beautiful country and this time of year it is especially nice with an abundance of blooming dogwoods amidst the rolling hills. I am so drawn to country vistas where you are situated on a high patch of land and the view goes on seemingly forever.

I also managed some studio time this week (hip hip hooray!!) and finished a couple paintings which are shown here. Both were done on claybord with Wood Icing texture, stencils and tar, which is my new love. The birds are tiny vintage paper torn from very old sheet music. I had not intended to use them, but they kept jumping in to the piece and well......you know how that is.

Also completed my 'demo' work during the workshop, two Common Denominator pieces. It always feels good to revisit that series. One of the pieces is actually for me (can you believe it, I made something for myself!) of my maternal grandparents. You may recall several months ago I did a piece of my paternal grandparents as part of a Great Day segment. I wanted a 'matching' piece for the other side of the family. The piece at the bottom is an overdue birthday gift for a friend of mine, I hope she likes it! There is a lot of meaningful symbolism in both these pieces, which is the way I like to collage, where each and every element has been selected for a very specific reason.

Before I go, check out this great tutorial that Judy Shea posted. She has been using Wood Icing and pssst, I think she likes it. Anyway, she is also running a contest so stop by her blog to enter.
And......don't forget the contest over on Laura's BLOG. We are giving away a signed copy of my book, along with the exclusive stencil.

Blog Book Tour Week #10

I hope you guys aren't tired of hearing me talk about my book. You might have noticed that I try to make it more palatable by offering the Give-aways each week (there is a method to my madness).

This week I would like to introduce Laura Lein-Svencner. We first met years ago when we were both part of an online group of mixed media artists. Then I was lucky enough to meet her in person a couple times as our paths crossed on the art fair circuit doing shows in the Chicago area. Of course I instantly liked her and I was quite wow-ed with her work. Naturally I was pleased when she agreed to participate in my book.

Mixed Media Collage by Laura Lein-Svencner

She recently surprised me with an art gift, one of her pieces, that I really love. Ok, truth be known, I like it so much I was dancing around the house after I opened it. And isn't it wonderful? My favorite part is the upper left where she has stitched the fiber onto her piece. The composition is so very impeccable and the neutrality of this piece really appeals to me. I seem to have an inability to make neutral work. Ahem. But I digress.

Laura is teaching at Dillman's, this year. That is where some big-time teachers like Gerald Brommer and Bob Burridge teach, so woo hoo, Laura!! And guess what? There is still time to register for her 4-day class. The class involves painting papers and then learning to collage with a tacking iron, a la Talbot. I can only imagine the fabulous papers that will result!! I really wish I could go but the date conflicts with an art fair, actually the only art fair I am doing this year - Springfield Old Capitol, in Springfield, IL - I'll talk more about that later.


So......without further ado, may I announce that I am giving away a book this week. You need to go to Laura's Blog to enter, so scurry on now.

Iron Chef Artists

More Artfest, I can't help myself.......you all know how creative Teesha is - last year she came up with this idea to do an Iron Chef Artist competition. She did it again this year and crazy me, well, I volunteered to compete. Yikes! What was I thinking, especially since it was a 3D competition and I'm not a 3D artist.
So here's the deal: we all got the same stuff and we were allowed to bring a few of our own supplies. We had to use at least 5 items and had 45 minutes to create. With an audience I might add.
CLICK HERE to see Adeola's photos. It was a hoot. In case you can't tell from the photo, my Barbie has the words 'Ta Ta' on her you know whats.....

More Artfest Love

So much going on here I forgot to show you more student pictures from Artfest. These are from the second day, the Texture class. Naturally I include texture in every class because I can.not.help.myself. But this class was about texture on top of texture, the yum yum yum type which I love because it is so big and juicy and rich that I want to eat it.  

[in another piece of useless information which you are now going to hear about because that is how I am- someone wrote a review of my book on Amazon and criticized my use of the word Yum. To which I say pphhphphffft!!]

Student work, Texture on Texture

Student work, Texture on Texture

Student work, Texture on Texture

Student work, texture on texture

Are these not incredible!?! Oh my gosh, I was so proud. But seriously, the students were talented, incredibly so. I swear I didn't teach some of them a thing, they were just geniuses. 

 

In other news, we still have Give-aways going......... Click here to win one of my encaustic paintings, this time it's one that I really like, which I figured was only fair since I gave away my hubby's fave a couple of weeks ago.  And Click here to win a set of the new stencils. Or if you just want to look at the new designs, you can check them out here.

Are you in Missour? Near Licking, MO? I am teaching a class on Wednesday that has a few openings. It is a Collage Painting class, which I have not taught for awhile. from 9-4 on Wednesday 4/20. If you are interested let me know and I can send you the details.

 

New Stencils are here!

Yep, they are here. Three new bouncing baby stencils. The one on the left is Calligraphy, my version of course, since I am not a real calligrapher. So it isn't real writing, just looks cool. The middle one is called Urban Jungle and that is my abstracted rendition of Chinatown in San Francisco. And finally, the third one is Retro Comets. It is perky (of course) to go along with my new haircut.

They are available at Stencil Girl Products in both the large and small sizes. And starting now, you can order you own selection of Six Large Stencils at a discounted price, hooray for that.

The stencil biz is growing so stay in touch for more exciting news and fresh stencils coming soon.....psssst, I'll let you in on a secret.....I'm bringing some new (you're gonna love them!) artists on board. You will adore their designs, I know I do!!

Don't forget about the Give Aways here and here.

Blog Tour Week #9

Thank you so much for all who entered. Letter Lady won the stencils and Susan in Seattle won the artwork. Stay tuned for ongoing contests during the Book Tour.

Ok, has anybody noticed we are falling behind, yikes! What can I say, life has intervened as it tends to do. But we are not going to miss a week 'cause I've got cool stuff to give away.

So, for Week #9 we meet up with Katie Kendrick, another guest artist in my book. Katie made an  extraordinary cardboard book and when it arrived at my home, I swear it was vibrating with some kind of Katie-love. I stood and held it in my hands - simply awestruck by its raw beauty. And that was the beginning of my love affair with cardboard. So inexpensive yet so fun. Oh the options!

I got to hang out with Katie last week (and her drum, which she made). You see, I traveled out to Artfest a couple days early to hide away in a beach house. It was nice to acclimate to the time change and to also cool my jets before my classes started.  I was with several friends and we were so lucky when Katie and Judy Wise visited us. Oh my goodness did we have fun!

Katie is up to a ton of neat things these days, including her only teaching gig of the year which is in Malibu. She has a couple more openings (just a few) if you want to jump in. I mean it is Katie, after all. In Malibu, after all. Sigh......you think I could fit into your luggage?

And yes, we do have a contest this week! TWO, in fact! You need to hop over to Katie's blog to enter the first one. It is another piece of encaustic art. That last one was such a big hit, I thought I would offer up another.

Go now. To Katie's BLOG and enter for this encaustic art, cause you know you want it. And, in case you are wondering why the piece is a different orientation on Katie's Blog, well, that's because I can't decide which way it goes......so there are options.
And.......drumroll please......my new set of stencils is Give Away #2. These are the 'baby' version and are 5" x 6" - Calligraphy, Urban Jungle & Retro Comets. They are a lot of fun and I think you will like them. To enter for the stencils, just leave me a comment below. Not sure when Katie and I are going to end this, we'll give it a few days at least.

Artfest part 1

Student work from Painting without Fear

I am so jammed up with work right now it is just silly. I am doing a gig tonite for a bunch of interior designers, the local ASID group to be specific. It is an artisan display and I am, well, one of the artisans hoping to get work from them. I already do some designer work and enjoy it quite a bit, soooooo.....I signed up. The idiocy of doing this immediately upon my return from Artfest did not sink in when I filled out the form. Ahem (that was the sound of me smacking myself in the head). But yesterday, in the midst of a laundry and unpacking, Ialso designed a full color 2-sided brochure that I uploaded to Fed-ex/Kinkos. I will display art too, but mainly hope to meet & greet, that sort of thing. I wonder if I can stow wine under my table.

Student work from Painting without Fear

So, until I get to write up a real post about AF, here are a few photos.
 

Student work from Painting without Fear, blurring was my problem

And as much as I want to show more student photos and talk about Artfest over and over, I am going to refer you to Dayna, who was in my classes. She is a DOLL. Seriously, cute as can be, delightful personality, talented, blahblahblah. I say this about all my students, and she really is.

The pre Artfest trip

I flew out to Seattle early, with my friend John (standing on the rock) and Julie (jammed in the back seat of our car) so we could relax on the beach for a day or two. There is something about walking on a beach that restores me. The sound of the water, the hunt for special rocks, even the fresh air. It all felt so wonderful and I was able to relax for the first time in weeks.
Friends joined us at our perfect little cabin and we had a wonderful time with uber spicy (that was *not* medium) Thai food, lots of laughs, healing drum beats and a tad of shopping (yarn 'cupcakes' that were too cute).
In the coming days, I will shared photos of my classes. But for now, I leave you with these images.
And oh! I am guest curator over at Crescendoh this week if you want to read my new 'art saves' story and check out my links - some of them are a lot of fun.
Plus, don't forget that Sarah is still collecting names for this week's drawing.

Artfest

My classroom is a Chapel.


It is wonderfully spacious and has beautiful energy. We have so much room and can spread out.
I'll write more later, gotta get going to class. Oh how I love it here.

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Week #8 - Book Blog Tour

I would like to introduce you to my friend Sarah Ahearn Bellemare. Sarah and I met at Squam back in, oh geez, must have been 2008 or 2009?

We had adjoining classrooms in an immense space, separated by a temporary wall.

She was teaching one of her fabulous mixed media classes.

I was teaching a Claybord class.

She was playing hip yet soothing music.

I was using power tools.

She was gently coaxing her students.

I was flinging paint.

Oy vay, it's a miracle she agreed to participate in my book.

But I am so glad she did as I adore her art and I admire her spirit.

These days she is living life at warp speed juggling the commitments of motherhood.

Precious Ada, who is teething.

Sarah somehow wrote a book when Ada was a newborn.

I have already pre-ordered my copy cause I can't wait!

To enter this week's contest, check out Sarah's BLOG!

Product Review - Sakura Pens

 Imagine my delight when I was asked to review a batch of pens made by Sakura. I was like a kid at Christmas when I opened the package that contained  Glaze® 3D Glossy, Gelly Roll Classics, Gelly Roll Moonlight, Gelly Roll Stardust Clear and Quickie Glue pens. Oh my!

Now I've used Glaze pens for years, but only the Black. Why? Who knows, it's just how I am, kind of a minimalist in certain ways. But this box of  16, The Glaze Collection Cube really opened my eyes to lots of opportunities. First of all, the colors are gorgeous and include a beautiful  burgundy, orange-like sepia and dusty olive among others.  They all do exactly what I've come to expect from my reliable Black Glaze in that they will write on anything. I mean.any.thing. Acrylic paint, packing tape and.....can you say glass? You can decorate candle holders or write your name on your portable speakers. And they are waterproof which is my other favorite thing because I can never stop myself from painting on top of everything I touch. Ahem. 

Another Journal spread - here I colored the apple slice, drew the rocks, added text and blue scribbles.

The Gelly Roll Classics are fun too.  Incredibly, I had never used one, oh where oh where  have I been!?!? They write with a feel similar to the Glaze pens and I found you can even blend them out to some extent or smear them with your finger. They are so opaque they will totally cover one another if you change your mind about color. I am partial to the Gelly Roll Moonlight colors particularly, and also that Stardust Clear pen is wonderful for going back and adding subtle sparkly bits.

Colored and embellished the clock face, added text and other touchups.

Journal page - I drew on top of the house image (from a magazine) , filled colors in the windows, did the text and all other mark making with the Sakura pens

Finally, the Quickie Glue Pen. Hmmm, I simply must come out from under my rock more often......my very favorite thing about this pen is that you can write with it and then rub thermal foil over top and it will give you a clean foiled text, so easy!! It is also very handy for gluing tiny edge pieces; overall it is just a good thing to have in your journal kit.

In the interests of full disclosure, these pens were sent to me by F+W Media, the company that owns North Light. North Light is the publisher of my book, Flavor for Mixed Media.
F+W didn't make me 'like' the pens, I just really do. 

Somerset Studio, here I come

It was the 'pee your pants' variety surprise, although thankfully I didn't.




I am talking about the email I received from Somerset Studio's editor, Christen Olivarez. The one where she asked me to write a column for the magazine.
Moi? Seriously?? How on earth did I surface on her radar?
At first I was convinced it was a hoax, somehow one of my nutball friends had hacked into Somerset's email. But then I realized how idiotic (not to mention unlikely) that would be. Clearly I read way too many suspense novels.
Truth is, Christen and her publisher, Kellene Giloff had seen my book at CHA.
I guess they liked it and one thing led to another which led to the email.
So of course I said yes. Duh. 
Somebody pinch me already. And please say some prayers for me 'cause I am one hot mess of excited anticipation. 

Layers of Flavor makes it's debut in the October issue.

ps.......you still have time to enter the contest on Judy's blog (for the book) and here (for the encaustic art).


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Blog Tour Week #7

We are almost halfway through the Book Tour can you believe it? This  week we are visiting the incredible Judy Wise. I feel lucky to call her my friend and am looking forward to seeing her shortly when I head out west for Artfest. I adore Judy. Everything she makes is soulful to me, you can feel her energy in it. Especially her journals. Oh my oh my. When we were at Squam last year we journaled together one evening. I love her itty bitty writing so naturally I wanted to do it myself, at least when I muster up the time to journal. And see, that's the other thing, I so admire Judy's dedication to journaling. I so wish I could fit this into my schedule more regularly. 

Where can you find Judy this year? Well, she is teaching in July at Encausticamp and I am assisting her. Yep, come on out and you get both of us. I am certain it's going to be a lot of fun and seriously you don't need to have encaustic experience, this is for every level so don't be scared, just go sign up. I know you wanna....Personally I can't wait. You all have heard me go on and on about encaustic and I am so anxious to watch Judy's process and learn a little more about this amazing medium. Plus assist of course :)

And guess what else? Judy and Stephanie Lee are teaching an online class this summer and this should not be missed!! It is called Plaster Studio Workshop and I am definitely signing up. I mean heck, I already pre-ordered their book. I am dying to learn about plaster and suspect I will like it a lot, you know how you get those hunches? Judy and I were talking the other day and I speculated that plaster may have similar qualities to Wood Icing. Judy hasn't used WI and since I haven't used plaster it's hard to say, but we think perhaps they are sisters. Just like me and Judy, don't we wish hahaha.

8x8 Encaustic with Wood Icing and Tar

But what, you say you wanna know about the give away already......geez, Louise. Ok. Here it is. And it's b-i-g. Judy is giving away a book over on her BLOG. And I am giving away a piece of art here on my blog, the encaustic piece shown above that also incorporates Wood Icing.  We better hope that my hubby doesn't read this post cause he really likes this piece.
To enter for the book, head on over to Judy's.  And to enter for the painting, leave a comment here, but I would love it if you would also hit the Twitter or Facebook button and share with others. That would be very cool. We are going to run this for hmmm, I don't actually know how long as Judy and I forgot to decide that little piece of information and it's way too late for me to call her. I think we will probably take entries until April 4th - she and I will be together then and it will be fun to draw names when we are together.

Sweet!! A book Review

Click Here for the Review!

Oh my oh my.

Jenny Doh wrote a lovely review of my book. 

Click the link (under pic above) to read it.

Swoon.

And.........I could use some reviews on Amazon if you are so inclined. Just saying.......

Be sure and stay tuned for our next contest offering. The BOOK is visiting Judy Wise on Wednesday.

Paint

You know it's my favorite thing. Paint and paper. I can't get enough. Never.



So I'm in JoAnn's (last Friday I had a 25% off total purchase coupon) and I was gathering a few things I needed wanted for Artfest (can you say Woodless pencils, why, I don't know but Tonia has them and she loves them) when I saw this Soy Paint by Delta. It's in that area with the craft paints and these are maybe $2 each. I just bought three colors.


I mixed them with some glaze to extend their drying time and used them with Collagraph plates. Then also randomly painted a few pages. I like the colors a lot. Who knows where the papers will end up. I'm working thinking about working on samples for my Italy gig in 2013. Somehow these colors resonate with me regarding Italy in the Springtime. Like I would know!?!? Having never been there, I have no idea. But I do know there are poppies in the Spring. Doesn't that sound divine? 

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On the Easel and On the Table

On the Easel, more Strata. Duh.

 One of the things I did this week was clean the studio and re-organize all the supplies I brought back from the store. I had duplicates of so many things it was crazy and the boys helped me to organize them and consolidate. I am not kidding, they really helped. I am going to put them to work packaging stencils next week, hahaha.
I am so thrilled with the new organization, much easier for me to get to things, plus I have room for expansion (as in new products) oh perish the thought.

On the Table, Artfest samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am getting really excited about Artfest, working on my samples. I ordered and shipped all my supplies yesterday and it felt good to get that out of the way. Still need to tackle the vending issue (that is where the stencil packaging comes in). I have some new product, yippee, not as much as I would have liked, but I did the best I could considering I was sick so much. Pictures coming soon but there is a sneak peek in that 'On the Table' shot.
I am looking forward to a studio weekend, yippee (at least during the days). My studio makes me so happy, I can't possibly tell you how badly I needed to paint.

of Critters and Classes and The Crud

I have had bronchitis this week, ugh. Finally had to 'give in' to it after my class last week, where I nearly lost my voice. And I woke up Sunday knowing that Urgent Care was really the only answer. Diagnosis Brochitis & Sinus Infection. Levoquin has been the remedy and I will have to say it is working, hooray. But I was housebound from Sunday until Wednesday which is extraordinary for me. I am back to perhaps 80% now.

 So, my first trip out was to see 'Sam' the new Australian Shepherd that my friend Greg and his family got from a rescue. He is so adorable. Perfect really, made me want a dog in the worst way.

 I meant to share this pic the other day when I was talking about my Stratalicious class. See the cute book above? Teresa Holt made that for me after she took my Parts is Parts class last weekend. Was that not so sweet!?!?  It is filled with lovely photos of the class and will be a great keepsake. She also brought me a Cake Pop (can you say teacher's pet!?!) which was a delectable tiny round cake - on a stick! Oh my oh my, I couldn't manage a good photo of it. But suffice to say it was heaven on earth. YUM. I must learn to make them.

And since this is Spring Break week, we had the boys over today. In the studio, as usual, my fave place and I believe one of theirs too. Notice how Jasper hangs out with them - I adore that. I brought home all my art supplies from the Wood Icing store since I don't work there anymore (don't freak anyone, my art is still there and I still teach there). The boys help me consolidate and organize my paint which was not an easy task. Then Papa took them over to Bass Pro Shop where they bought fishing lures. And all were happy in the Shaw household.
Don't forget to stop by Heather's blog to enter this week's contest. 

Blog Tour Week #6 - Heather Haymart

It is apropos that my Book is visiting Heather's blog this week. You know my last post, the one with pics from my Stratalicious class? Well, the Rose that I mention is Heather's mom, the creative genius behind Wood Icing. Genius spawns Genius because it was way back in 2003 that Heather got the idea of using her mother's product in her own Fine Art. Can you say brilliant!?!

Heather and I have been friends and comrades on the Art Fair circuit for a number of years, so it was a no-brainer that I wanted Heather to be in my book. I was thrilled when she accepted, contributing a lovely piece and also a simple fresh recipe. And I am also glad she is hosting the Book on Tour this week.

Over the years, Heather's use of Wood Icing in her work has really changed, here is one of her very first pieces.

Limitemptaion, 2003, 48x32 by Heather Haymart

And, from last year, Crazy Thoughts (below), is a newer piece, also one of my all time faves. 

Crazy Thoughts, 12x16, 2010, Heather Haymart

The Light Comes Through, 48x24, 2010, Heather Haymart

You can see more of Heather's work on her website where you can view galleries through the years - it is so interesting to see how she has progressed as an artist. And guess what? Heather also sells on Etsy where you will find original artwork and reproductions. 

And ok, ok, you are wondering about the give away already, aren't you? Well you have to know it's Wood Icing. Yep. Wood Icing and some of my stencils, pretty sweet if I do say so myself. Click on over to Heather's BLOG to see details and enter for the giveaway. 

And, if you can't wait and just want to buy some Wood Icing and stencils, you can always find them on Stencil Girl Products.

Stratalicious, baby and who taught who?

Last Saturday I taught my Stratalicious class for the second time at the Wood Icing store. This has been a popular class which thrills me because I guess a lot of other people like rocks as much as I do, yippee for that. I had a mix of students, some who I knew from art circles around town and others from the decorative finishing business. And my friend Rose (yeah, Rose, as in the creator of Wood Icing, Rose!!) was in my class. And I was nervous because, well, geez, Rose knows all the ins and outs of Wood Icing.

But it all turned out fine with students creating utterly brilliant work. I mean seriously.......look at some of the fresh palette choices that emerged!! I would swear there are actual rocks on these pieces, but no. It's just a little magic with Wood Icing, stencils and texture.
Really.lovely.
I swear I didn't teach them this, they were just all that brilliant.
This is one of the classes I am offering at Art Unraveled by the way.
Make sure you stop by tomorrow for the contest of the week as we resume the Book Blog Tour.  See you then!!

Another Great Day in St. Louis

Yep, I was on Great Day this morning, showcasing my book by doing a variation of a Triad exercise that I called Mixing of the Greens. I mean it is St. Patrick's day after all. You can check it out the video here. 
And no, I did not allow Kent Ehrhardt to highlight my hair with green paint.

And don't forget to enter over at The Kathryn Wheel for the book and on my blog for the art.

New Toy

It's a bouncing baby Keurig. And it's red. How cute is that?




I have lusted over one forever but really couldn't rationalize the purchase as we have a perfectly good coffee pot we use daily. A Capresso because I am a tad coffee obsessed.
But, I frequently like a cup of coffee later in the day and don't want to make a whole pot (already I am sounding like a little spoiled princess here).
And we got a big rebate from Costco that we cashed as we didn't need anything how sad is that?
And Kohl's had this Mini machine on sale.
And I had a 30% coupon.
And it was red.
And Kohl's gave cash back(how *do* they afford that).
And there was no sun in the sky. Again. This has been the most awful Winter I can recall weather-wise.
So. There ya go. A lesson in rationalization.
I am thrilled to report the Tully's Kona Blend is excellent.
And did I mention my machine is red?




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Book Tour - Week #5 - The Kathryn Wheel

We have a winner for the original art, picked by the Random Number Generator.........it is Paper Pumpkin!!!  Yippeee, come back next week for a new contest.

Ok I will admit it. I am a lurker.

On other people's blogs, that is. The Kathryn Wheel is one of my fave spots; it is written by Kate, who lives in the north of England, UK. I first noticed her because of the adorable calendars and then I became a regular reader. Since she lives in England, I always read her blog with a British accent (in my head of course).

She is an avid art journaler and likes to include many different mediums in her work especially acrylic paint and ink sprays. She has had her journals published by Somerset Art Journaling and Somerset Apprentice. Back home in England she contributes to Craft Stamper magazine (www.craftstamper.com) every month. She is on a couple of design teams – Dylusions (Art from the Heart, UK) (www.afth.co.uk)  and also Stampotique Originals (www.stampotique.com). Plus......she teaches craft classes in her home town and also teaches art journaling techniques at Art from the Heart (UK) (www.afth.co.uk)  and Sam Taylors (UK) (www.clickoncrafts.co.uk). Whew, she is one talented,  not to mention b-u-s-y girl. 

But back to that Dylusions gig. You probably skipped right over it. Dylusions are paints. Matte paints that you can write over top. Like in journaling. No special pens needed. Naturally they are sold only in the UK. Which makes me crazy with desire for them, you know how that goes. Geez.....not fair.....come on, Dylusions people, let us get them too. Will it work if I whine? Hmmm, I thought not.

Ok, back to Kate. I asked her if she would allow my book to visit her on the Book Tour. And she said YES!! Yippee!!

So, today, I feature some of Kate's work here on my blog. Is it not awesome? Seriously.....

And you probably figured out by now, that we are doing another give away! Yep, it's true. A book AND a piece of original art made by me. You enter a comment here on my blog for the art, and then pop over to The Kathryn Wheel to enter a comment for the book.

Blog Tour Week #4 - Claudine Hellmuth

One of the very first classes I ever took was with Claudine Hellmuth many years ago. I knew very little about collage but I learned fast (cause she is a great teacher) and I was quite determined because I found a true love in mixed media, especially painting.

Claudine and I have kept in touch through the years and I invited her to be in my book because, well, because I like her for one thing. But I also have such respect for her art and all the success she has experienced at such a young age (to which I say Bravo!).

So this week my book visits her her blog along with (you guessed it!) a give away, really TWO give aways! Claudine has donated a package of her Sticky Back canvas for Give Away #1,so leave me a comment and you will be entered in that contest.
Then, go on over to Claudine's blog and you will be entered for the book. We will pick names on Friday at 5pm est.

The Video is all about Claudine's paints. Love them!! Hope you enjoy. Now go paint.

Yippee, we have a winner. Using the Random number generator at Random.org we have #30. Congratulations to Pupton!!!

Manic Mondays & another contest

Mardi Gras cookies, recipe from my book

From the left, Mark, Greg (on crutches), Natalie, Julie, me

Michael, Harriet, John in front of the book art

What a great weekend. The book signing was beyond my expectations. This is the Midwest and it is nearly Spring, so naturally there were tornado warnings, monsoon-like rains and hail. Sweet, huh? Everyone who came has a special place in my heart and there were lots of them. I was so pleased because I am the scaredy cat who would have most likely wussed out if I hadn't been the reason for the event. But my oh my did people show up and I feel so unbelievably grateful for that.

Daryl, Will, Leslie, that is my 'usual' display at the left

Saturday I worked in the studio. I was like a pig in.....well, you know? I felt like I had to touch every single surface, I need the studio time so badly. It was good. Beyond good, really. Made lots of 'starts' on a variety of things, so I don't have much to show for it, except big messes on every square inch of table surface.

And Sunday I had a client visit. Special clients of mine, they have 2 pieces already, one fairly  large(shown below), a piece from early in my abstract days. 

"From the Light" mixed media on canvas, 30" x 40"

This is an amazing thing about my collectors - they come back. I mean seriously. I love that. I especially love visiting their homes and bringing art for them to carry around the house and find its special place. So we did that yesterday, me and my clients. It was a lot of fun and their kids even got in on the action. I got to see their thought process and how pieces played off one another and we were all sharing ideas about how the light or wall color affected each piece. Just too much fun and they ended up making some wonderful choices that look absolutely terrific in their home. I left their place feeling all warm and fuzzy and happy about the paintings home.

And, before I leave you today, be sure and pop on over to Seth Apter's blog, The Altered Page. He has written a lovely review about my book and also has posted a piece I wrote about the book writing experience. Plus he is giving away a book, isn't that cool? What a neat guy - I love his blog and can't wait until his book comes out!!