Success is a Journey not a Destination

I am back from France. We got back Saturday night, late, after a bunch of frustrating airline situations. Once we had started home I was intent on seeing my kitties, could imagine myself cuddling up with them, especially that purr-meister Remington. It was hard to wait....and wait...and wait.
So now we are home and I have jumbled thoughts about my trip. Thinking about it brings tears of joy to my eyes and I find myself without words. How to explain the amazing beauty that is the south of France. How to convey the intimacy of friendship - sharing this charmed time with 8 students, all such incredible human beings. Each person penetrated my soul with memories of a lifetime, thus is the privilege of sharing a trip such as this with like minded people.
And the food, the wonderful fresh and colorful food, so pure and good.
Simply put, the trip restored me.


After the class, John and I went to Paris. We visited museums that I previously only dreamed of seeing. Saw so many world class paintings that I overflow with inspiration. I want to capture my thoughts, but it is like trying to hold sand in my fingers.
The words will come, I know this will happen. And then the paintings. Or maybe it will be the other way around, who knows?
In the meantime, I leave you with this picture of an Organ Grinder, the only thing lacking was a monkey. I hear the tune from our studio apartment, then looked out my window (I was in Paris, oh my!) to see this guy, plucked from central casting, walking down the street. My picture is horrible as there was a delivery van. But I will never forget the sheer joy on that man's face - I leaned out the window and waved in delight.
Such magic is France.

In case you Missed my Webinar

Here is a link so you can watch the free Webinar if you happened to miss it. Lots of good information on creating TEXTURE in Mixed Media artworks.

Yay, the Chair is done!!

And here it is......

I am happy to report the client was very pleased. Not to mention me too. I have to say I had tremendous fun playing with all the patterns to create the look of fabric. Obviously I had a few challenges along the way, but I learned so much and would welcome this kind of project again.
Honestly, I don't think it is necessary for me to wear the client's LOGO color to the unveiling though, huh? Geez........

Progression of the Chair

When I last left you, I was working feverishly to finish the chair before the June 2nd unveiling event. My chair was just one of 23 chairs that would be shown to the public that night and I certainly didn't want to be the 'late' one......no way!

After completing the background on the bottom part of the chair, I decided to look at some of my 'papers' - these being papers I had created from the Client's materials. I considered upholstering (that is how I came to think of this collage - the upper half of the piece. In the end, I determined that I wanted the entire chair to be covered with the background paper I had made, so I finished that portion of the collage.

Whew, I got the background done. The photo above shows my consideration of the Logo pieces as creating a striped design element. And just in the nick of time (before gluing) my eagle eye noticed that the logo had a definite orientation. Thank goodness I saw that! So I made sure the Logos were facing the right way as they moved around the chair.

I call this "audition of the plaid." The pattern was created by repeated use of the QR code and this quickly became my favorite part of the chair - it just looked so cool. You probably also notice that I had to put some circles on the chair, using the StencilGirl Bubble stencil. You know I couldn't do this without using a stencils, ha!!!
Stay tuned for the final result in a couple of days........

Texture Texture & More Texture!!

On June 1st I will be doing a free Webinar about Texture.
Yep, totally free. I have lost my mind.
It is sponsored by Create Mixed Media  and you will need to head over to their site to sign up. But don't go yet.....I need to tell you the two reasons you reallyreallyreally want to sign up:

1. Because, well, it is going to be good. I have put a lot into it, it is nearly a workshop. Lots and lots of texture, so much it will make your head spin but hopefully not in a bad way, just in that Ican'tgetenough way that makes you run right into your studio.
2. And, there will be a promotional special - pssssst, it's a secret, but there are new stencils and we are offering a package deal (can you say bargain!??!) which you can only get via the Webinar. These stencils are pretty fab - patterns - plus they match up on all four sides and offer negative and positive space so the sky is the limit. The genius boy designer Andrew Borloz created them for us. Whoot!!!

Say what, you want to sign up????
Well do.not.delay.
Click here
or here
or here
See you there!!

Commission Update

I worked in the studio all day using my newly created pattern paper for the first layer collage.




It pieced together beautifully and created exactly the subtle look I imagined.
After sending a photo update to my client, it was determined that I had taken some artistic liberties they had not expected. With their logo. It seemed minimal to me but the client knows best.

Back to Square One.
Not to the micro brewery next to my studio (yep, it is called Square One - and believe me, I did think about going there) but to the drawing board.
It ain't always pretty.

(In case you are wondering, yes, I am second guessing the merits of featuring this play by play on my blog. But In for a dime, etc.....hoping perhaps this is interesting to you guys? And also testing how many colloquialisms I can use in one Blog entry. I am perhaps a teeny bit slap happy. Ahem.)

How to start a Commission

I promised that you could follow along on the Take a Seat Project. And right about now you are probably thinking, what the heck, I thought she was going to be painting and doing some collage, not working on a computer.
Uh, yeah......but fact is, there is a lot of pre-work that I do before I ever pick up a brush. Sometimes it seems like the art is the quickest part of the process.
For instance, once I learned I had 'won' the commission (and I say won because I was in competition with other artists) I started to formulate plans. Mainly I did a lot of thinking.
I made notes.
Sketched out ideas.
And then set up a meeting with the client.
During the meeting I asked a lot of questions and took notes. I showed my initial idea and asked for images from the client.
Obtained research material regarding the COW projects which were also fiberglass. Ordered materials that I needed. Cost - close to $400, yikes! 
While I was waiting for the photos from the client, I completed all the things that were 'on my plate' so I could dedicate full effort toward the commission.
Flash Forward - materials arrived - photos and art materials.
I reviewed and then took more time to think.
Lots of thinking.
Scratched my entire proposal.

Developed a new idea and called the client to discuss.
Turns out my new idea involved imagery that was part of a letterpress job a local artist had done for client. I really wanted to use these images in my collage, but refused to do it unless we had permission. Client called and then I also called to obtain permission. The other artist, Eric Woods, was actually pleased that I asked and generously agreed, woo hoo! Naturally I will give him credit.
As an aside, you should check out his company, Firecracker Press here. They do amazing work.

I drove over to client's office and picked up Eric's original posters to use for collage.
Went through all the photos furnished by client.
Again.
Cropped madly and then (using a book) taught myself how to create 'fabric' with a half drop repeat. Using the clients materials this allowed me to create a custom pattern.
Sent it out for printing. Translation, honey would you have these printed for me.....
Re-contacted client to obtain a higher res version of another piece that client wanted to play an integral role in the collage.
Awaiting its arrival.
Called the company that does the Clear Coat (this is the final step) and made an appointment for next week. Nothing like a deadline to keep me on track.

Took the posters (on very thick paper) into the studio and experimented with ways to separate the paper layers so they are thinner and will collage more seamlessly. Decided that using a palette knife was the best (although quite messy) way to do this.
Started to play with my palette to see if I could match the orange Logo color.
Hmmm, day one over, I haven't even touched that chair.

Take a Seat!!

Remember back in January when I was working on table decorations for Chesterfield Art's fundraiser? If you recall, we constructed and painted about 50 chairs, oh my oh my it was fun but also a lot of work. Well now the Take a Seat Public Art Project has been fully launched and full size chairs have been painted by lots of school groups. I have been commissioned by PNC bank to paint a chair that will reside in their local headquarters. I mentioned that you, my loyal blog readers will be able to follow along with my process, so here are my very first photos. 

This is a life size Fiberglass chair. I have plans for a mixed media collage painting using photos and documents I have obtained from my client. I will keep you updated as it progresses.

The Rabbit hole

We took a trip to Texas last week and I am still slightly derailed. While hiking with my brother and his family I saw this hole and perhaps inadvertently slipped into it......ahem.



Seriously though, I have a lot going on right now. Good and exciting and all that great stuff but

 I. Am.Busy. 

Which makes me a bad blogger

Next week I am starting a rather large commission and I will document my process here. Hopefully you will find it interesting.
And, in kitty news, my little girl, Lyra has grown up!
Check out this picture of her fluffiness and mane!!! Remy hasn't gotten his yet. I will keep you informed.
Isn't Lyra cute though? Or maybe that's just a mama talking.

Wax on, Wax off Batik

Day one of the workshop at Valley Ridge consisted of making Batik papers. This is one of my favorite things, originally taught to me by Katherine Engen and then she encouraged me to take the class and run with it. Isn't that cool of her?
Well, I guess I did. I do know I have come up with some crazy ideas for printing on paper - can you say potato masher? Yeah, crazy I know.
Here is some student work. Absolutely gorgeous.

Put a Bird on it (cause we LOVE birds!)

The adorable Tracie Lyn Huskamp has a tutorial up on her blog that uses her new line of Bird stencils. Sold at StencilGirl of course but you probably figured that out.
Happy May Day!!!

Picture of my friend's pool covered with petals from Bradford Pear trees. It is fascinating how they formed circles.

What goes around....

comes around in such delightful ways.
A few weeks ago I was scheduled to appear on Great Day St. Louis; if you've been around my blog for awhile, you have undoubtedly heard about my TV gigs, you can find one of my classic stories here (yeah, it's a funny one).
But I digress. Anyhoo, I was trying to figure out what to make, seeing as I was going to be on the show right before Easter. I wanted something cute and spring-like. I knew I would be appearing right after returning home from Artfest meaning my brain would be fried! and also meaning I should not try to reinvent the wheel as I am want to do but should make something tried and true.
I pulled my 'ideas' file.
nada
Perused a folder of 'techniques' that I had saved online.
nada
Then while surfing the web I came across the cutest wreath ever. Made of burlap, which I happened to have on hand. It involved a hot glue gun which could be trouble for me, remember that time I glued part of the project to the tablecloth - on live tv naturally. But I felt up to the challenge.
Here is the original blog post that caught my interest, by Maria - it is a project she did for Donna Downey. I contacted Donna Downey and got the a-ok from her assistant. Also contacted Maria and she said it was fine. I sent everyone stencils as a 'thank you.'
Now here is a link to the actual TV segment if anyone is interested - no mishaps this time, whew, and I think it went fine. BUT! As a point of interest, Virginia, the adorable hostess (so-so sweet!!) was wearing 6 inch heels. Ahem. Her heels beat my heels by, well, by six inches, hahahaha.

This is my version of Maria's wreath. I gave it to my Mom for Easter.
This past Monday, Maria, posted on her blog the art she had made with the stencils I gave her - isn't that sweet? And since she gave me a little shout out, I thought I would do the same for her. She writes a super duper blog by the way.

Being nice never goes out of style, does it?

Out of my Cave

We traveled to Cincinnati over the Easter weekend to spend the holiday with my Mom and Dad.
One of the highlights of the visit was the Nick Cave show at the Cincinnati Art Museum. I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to take any pictures (in my cave till the guard snapped me right out of it!) and got this shot which gives you an idea of his work.


I love this guy. I mean seriously.
His Soundsuits were displayed around the museum and we followed marks on the floor to locate each one of them. So inventive, they were constructed of all sorts of fun things from potholders to fisherman sweater to buttons. There was video showing a group of people dancing while wearing the Soundsuits and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them 'in action'. It must be sooooo cool to observe them live, especially a large group of people wearing the suits - I mean they just make me smile, I can't help myself.
If you are Cincinnati, head to the art museum before this exhibit is over, you have a few more weeks!!

Artfest Recap

Look at this great blog post by Regina Lord! She was a student of mine at Artfest, so sweet!! And I really enjoyed seeing the work she made in class. Please don't laugh at me in her photos; I look like I need about a week's worth of sleep, ahem.....what can I say.

Here is more student art. I completely forgot to take pictures the first two days and I have really been kicking myself for such an oversight. The diversity of student work blew my mind and I am thrilled they were able to find their own voice while also learning new things. That is often hard to accomplish.

In other news, there is only ONE opening left in my Wax on Wax off workshop at Valley Ridge. This event is being co-taught with Julie Snidle, (my bff and studio partner) so it is going to be a blast.
Create Chicago is now OPEN for business, yay and Art Unraveled and Art Is....(east & west coast) continue to take signups. But sadly, the Ultimate Mixed Media Cruise has been cancelled. I am completely bummed by this but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Perhaps another time....
As always, my teaching gigs are indicated in the lefthand sidebar.

The Pre-Artfest soirée

 

For the last couple of years, I have joined up with friends at the lovely 

Chevy Chase Beach Cabins.

An amazing spot

where bald eagles frolic, sounding their call to anyone who will listen

where souls interact and relationships flourish

and where my spirit gathers strength 

Magic.

stay tuned for photos of student work......

 

Winsome Wednesday

Lots going on here in the Shaw household as I complete my preparations for the final Artfest.  I am so grateful that I will be teaching there although I feel sure it will be melancholy to say good byes.
I have had such good times at AF. This photo is a flash back to my first year of teaching there which was 2008. It was my very first 'bigtime' teaching gig. I was a wreck with nervousness as you might imagine and my class, by some freak of nature, was sold out. What an experience, unlike any other! Artfest profoundly changed my life direction as I made the decision to move away from the 'Art Fair' life into the 'Teaching Circuit.' Which led to more teaching gigs to my book to more teaching to my column at Somerset to hmmm, who knows what will be next?
StencilGirl Products is rocking right now - we have new stencils that are absolutely delicious. Check out Tracie Lynn Huskamp's blog to see her premier StencilGirl designs (fab!) and  psssst.....a little birdy told me that pillow is gonna be mine, woo hoo!!
And also look at Deborah Boschert's Blog to see an amazing quilt she made using one of my stencils designs. So gorgeous, I sure wish I could sew like that.
Love seeing what people make with the stencils, love, love, love!!!

Big Painting is Finished

Remember my Step by Step?

Well, it is finished now. Not varnished as of yet, I think I have mentally reserved the right to still make a change. There is something about it that isn't quite working and I can't put my finger on it. So perhaps I am saying it is really not finished. Hmmm. I played around with cropping......right, as if.......geez, it is a stretched canvas. But I really like it as a square.

I think the composition is much stronger probably due to the fact it reads as more 'grounded' as a square. I have turned the canvas all four ways (I painted in all 4 directions) and I do think this is the strongest orientation.
But...... I am seriously thinking about pulling the canvas off its stretcher bars and either re-stretching part of it. It would be a 48" x 48" then. Or framing it, which would cost a fortune. Have I lost my mind?
I am interested in comments, so tell me what you think.
There is a possibility I just prefer squares which is certainly true.

France & Italy, oh my, oh my!!

In June I will be teaching a workshop in the south of France. It is sold out and I recently mailed all my students 'welcome' packets. Here is a picture of the canvas bag that I hand painted for each person. 

 

Inside were lots of goodies - details of the trip, French music, a Rubbing Cake plus fabulous products furnished by Faber-Castell. I love their products and am so lucky they take good care of my students.

If you missed out on France, you can always sign up for Italy - see the details HERE. I am crazy excited about Italy and trying ever-so-hard to not wish my life away since it doesn't happen till 2013. But guess what? It is not too early to start planning, hint, hint, so consider joining me!

I feel so incredibly blissed to have these amazing opportunities. Life is very very good indeed.

Winter Vacation

Now that it is nearly Spring here in Missouri, I thought I might share some of my winter vacation photos. We went to Cedar Key, FL in February. I know, I know, you have never heard of it. That is because it is a little known off the beaten path destination in the north central coast on the Gulf side. You basically drive to Gainesville and then head for the coast which is about 55 miles. It is a very small lazy li'l town. Restaurants may or may not be open each day, the grocery is tiny, shopping practically non-existent (which was quite a money saver I might add ha, ha).
But the sunsets.....oh my oh my. Simply stunning. And it was like this every.single.night.

 I am infatuated with these Live Oaks. We stayed in a house on a very teeny weeny key; it was called an island, but that is kind of an exaggeration. It was incredibly beautiful though and yes, we were surrounded by water. To sit on the porch and look at these trees day after day was a complete treat.

 I had time to sketch and write and think.

Decadent and serene all at the same time.

Step by Step

I am back to painting. In a big way.

This is a 6' by 4' canvas and, as you can see, it is leaning against the wall in my studio. I thought it would be interesting to document the progress of this painting.

 I have turned the piece multiple times, so I am not sure if I photographed it from the same orientation each time.

 I am pretty sure it will be a vertical painting, but of course that might change too. You just never know.

 Purple is my new friend, just little dribs and drabs of it, I don't want to go overboard.

Still lots more to do, but this is where I left it yesterday.