ART IS YOU Petaluma 2015

It's that time again!!!  The amazing ART IS YOU Mixed Media Retreat on the West Coast!  I only got to take one class this time but it was terrific!

This year, I took a class called "Resin Heaven" with Jen Crossley.  Jen was a wonderful and patient teacher with a great sense of humor.

Here are some examples of Jen's work that we were attempting to recreate:

First, she taught us how to make our own molds using Pinkysil and rubber stamps.  These molds can then be filled with ICE resin to make the centerpiece of the pendant.  Since we didn't have time to wait for the resin to dry, Jen handed out a few ready-made pieces to complete our projects.

This was really working out of my comfort zone as I had never worked with molds or ICE resin before.  I'm not too great at wirework either!

I kept at it and, with some help from Jen, managed to finish my piece!

It is hard to see but my resin image says "Sixpence."  Don't look to closely at my wire-wrapping!





A really fun class and I learned a lot!

The West Coast ART IS YOU will be back next year in Santa Rosa!  The event will be in mid-April so start planning now!  Get all the details here.

Art is You 2014 Recap: Frida Kahlo-llage

Day Two!

For my second class, I decided to really stretch myself by taking a class with Andrea Matus deMeng.  I have been a huge fan of Frida Kahlo since I was thirteen years old so I was immediately attracted by the subject matter of her class. Andrea taught us to collage on a large scale using Frida Kahlo as inspiration. Here is an example of Andrea's work:

(photo borrowed from and owned by Andrea Matus deMeng)

So gorgeous! And it is big!!  We were asked to bring a 20 inch by 36 inch unstretched canvas.  I ended up bringing a 24x36 stretched canvas.

My work table is in the foreground.  Although I dearly love Frida, I have been disappointed at how popular and mainstream she has become over the years. I already have plenty of Frida items in my house. I decided to use my grandmother's face in my piece.

Our first task was to cover the canvas with a variety of papers for the background:

I am a big fan of straight edges and right angles and it has taken me years to feel comfortable with randomly tearing and gluing down paper. I'm pretty fast now!!!  I tried to include a few special items that referenced my grandmother even though they probably wouldn't show.  The writing that looks a bit Arabic is actually shorthand. My grandmother went to business school as a young woman and was very good at shorthand.

Next, we started laying out our image. Andrea called it "auditioning."  We took the time to cut out images and shapes and lay them out with our face images:

This was REALLY hard for me! I got blocked and needed Andrea's help.  I had so many botanical images but it really needed some architectural elements.  Luckily, a classmate had brought a pile of postcards to share and many were of buildings from around the world!  I used an Indian palace in the headdress and Arabic doorways for the shoulders. Andrea gave me the idea of hanging butterfly wings down over the forehead for a pop of color.

The next frustrating part was the body:

I just couldn't get it to look the way I wanted!!!

Next, we had to sweep aside our "audition" to create a color wash on the canvas:

I don't think I made good choices with my color selection.  My images ended up fading into the background as you will see later.

Then, it was time to start collaging down the elements:

You can see I added onto the body but it still isn't right.  I need something to flesh it out and unify it.  You can also see how the top of the headdress is fading into the background.  I then darkened the upper and lower background color.

In a last minute attempt to unify the torso and emulate with Andrea did with her Frida piece, I tried dripping a dark blue paint along the bottom. It wouldn't drip.  I ended up wiping most of it off.

It did make a nice splash of color on the bottom and I like how it change the color of the hip pieces. The canvas still looked really empty so I added some diamond pieces going down the sides.  AND THEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME!!!

I still need to figure out how to handle the torso.  I am planning on using some pastels to define the outline of both the main image and the diamonds.  I think if I smudge some black around them, the images will pop more. I also need to define the edges of the canvas. And it needs something in the top center!!! I have an idea but we'll see if I can execute it!

I learned a lot from Andrea.  It was intimidating to try something this big. I still struggle with scale and trying to figure out how to the fill the canvas.  I would definitely take another class with Andrea, though!

Attending ART IS YOU Petaluma:

Next year's ART IS YOU will be April 22-26, 2015.  You can join the mailing list now so that you will know when registration opens. I STRONGLY suggest you attend at least two days.  This event is kind of like summer camp for artsy-craftsy types. Most people come and take classes for four or five days.  A lot of bonding occurs.  If you only come for one day, you really miss out on plugging into all of that energy and camaraderie.  I can't wait for next year!!!

ART IS YOU 2014 Recap #1: Tins Charming with Liesel Lund

This years was my FOURTH Art is You Mixed Media Retreat!  I feel so blessed and lucky to have this event in my own backyard!  Each year, I try to take classes that will teach me new skills and push me out of my comfort zone. I also keep coming back for this reason:

Sallianne and Ellen do an amazing job and they do it with humor, grace, and style!

Ellen always makes these wonderful (and collectible!) nametags that I look forward to getting every year. I'm getting quite a collection!

The first class I chose this year was "Tins Charming" with  Liesel Lund. Liesel deconstructs tin containers to upcycle them into the most amazing jewelry and mobiles!

  

It took most of the day just to deconstruct the tin and learn the techniques so I didn't quite finish.  I brought a few old cookie tins to the class.  I was surprised at all the tools we needed for the project!

 

 The gloves were especially important.  The raw edges of the tin could be quite sharp!  Liesel showed us how to deconstruct the tin.

Some of the ladies brought amazing vintage tin with great patterns. Mine were all pretty boring.  It wasn't until I took the class that I had good idea of what to look for.  The bright red tin drove my vision. It immediately brought to mind poinsettias.  I decided to make a holiday necklace for my mother.

This is as far as I got:

The leaves are made out of a Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate tin. I thought that was very apropos.  The base of the necklace is now done but it needs A LOT of embellishment. As you can see from the above photo of the front of the class instruction booklet, Liesel does an amazing job of embellishing with beads and charms and other doodads.  I hope to fill in space with beads and possibly thread some gold wire through the center of the poinsettias and add some yellow beading.  We learned how to twist wire to make bead drops in the class so I know what to do! A trip to the local bead store is definitely in order!  After this class, I will be on the lookout for interesting tin to use in the future!

ART IS YOU PETALUMA 2014 Workshop List

Wowza!  I can't believe the wonderful workshops that will be at ART IS YOU Petaluma next year!  The only downer is that I waited too long to take Tracy Verdugo's SACRED MARKS class and it isn't offered this time. Still, there will be plenty to choose from!

See the list of workshops here.  Registration opens on January 1!

The ART IS YOU retreats offer such a great time!  2014 will be my fourth year. 

Here I am back in September with the lovely ladies who make it all possible:

Of course, I would like you all to come and join me in Petaluma.  But, there are ART IS YOU retreats in Mississippi and Connecticut and Australia as well!  Lots to choose from!

Hope to see you in 2014!

ART IS YOU Recap

I only got to take one class at ART IS YOU this year but it was a good one!  I decided to try something new and took a mixed media book-making class with Sharon Payne Bolton.  This is an example of some of Sharon's pieces:

When we arrived, we found this at each of our places:

Sharon thought of everything and even had an apron for each of us to use.  For a modest kit fee, everything was included.  There were tables throughout the room filled with vintage ephemera, photographs, papers, fabric, paint and more.  The first day, we spent the whole day collaging each page  in the book. The second day, we finished up all the pages and then bound the book together.  Mine was kind of fat.

Some people just chose items without any particular theme in mind.  I decided to make a little meditation book that included a reminder of my blessings as well as my hopes for the future.

The best part of ART IS YOU is hanging with these ladies:

I always try to volunteer in some small way because I just enjoy mixing with such wonderful people each year.  Here is some of my ART IS YOU bling:

I also managed to get some trades done:

Noodlebug kept sneaking them out of my workroom while I was trying to finish them.  He gave me an amazing compliment when I told him he could have some to play with.  "Mommy, these are better than Power Rangers!"  Whose heart wouldn't melt when a 5-yr-old boy says that about clothespin dolls?

I'm not taking another class this year but I will be volunteering tomorrow and attending their wonderful Art Trunk show tomorrow night.  I snuck around into the other classrooms yesterday and I'm already planning on what to take next.

ART IS YOU is a giant mixed-media retreat that takes place each year in Stamford, CT, Nashville and Petaluma.  The dates for next year are already set.  Will you join me in Petaluma?

ART IS YOU Petaluma 2013

Tomorrow is the kickoff of this year's ART IS YOU here in Petaluma. I'm so excited.  This year, I'm taking a two-class with Sharon Payne Bolton called "Between the Pages."  We are going to be making our own artist books and I'm so excited!!!

(Image Source)

I was also going to take a class with Cathe Holden but it got cancelled.  I'm so bummed about that!  I'm still planning on volunteering at the Registration desk so, if you are coming, you may see me there.

I'll also be at ART TRUNK and this Saturday we have the wonderful Halloween and Vine show. It's going to be a big weekend in Petaluma!

I had great plans to do something special for trades but I may not get them done.  I'll post photos if I do.  I'll give you a recap when it's all over!

ART IS YOU...Petaluma 2013

ART IS YOU is coming back to Petaluma!!! This will be my third year attending.  The retreat will be from September 25th through 29th and they have some really great workshops already lined up.

I will be taking Sharon Payne Bolton's 2-Day "Between the Pages" class:

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And I will be taking Cathe Holden's "Petaluma Petals" class:

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For all you Cathe Holden fans, (and who ISN'T a Cathe Holden fan?) she is also doing a class on making shelf paper rosettes based on her forthcoming book.

Registration for Petaluma opens in early February.  See a list of workshops here.

If you can't make it to Petaluma, they also have ART IS YOU retreats in Nashville and Stamford.  But who doesn't want to come and make some great art in California wine country?!!!

I'll be volunteering on the days that I am not taking classes.  So, if you come, you'll probably see me at the registration desk.  In addition to all the great classes, there are other fun events and things to do including the ever-popular HALLOWEEN AND VINE show and the ART TRUNK event. 

If you decide to register, please let me know so I can look for you!!!

ART IS YOU Day Three

My class for today was cancelled but I still got to do a brief one-hour activity called "Wild Wrist Action."  We made bracelets from gift cards!!!

In case you can't read it, mine says "Love." 

I am going to be looking for interesting giftcards to steal acquire so I can make more of these babies as stocking stuffers!!!  It looks so cute on my wrist!!!

Thanks to Ellen and Sallianne for another wonderful ART IS YOU West Coast retreat. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they come back next year.  I would love to do the East Coast retreat as well but, for now, I'm just happy there is one in my backyard.

ART IS YOU Day Two

Today, I took Jennifer Whitmer's "Impromptu Millinery" class.  When Jennifer showed us our "hoods," which are the starting point of each hat, I was a little intimidated.

I couldn't imagine what I would be able to make from one of those.  Jennifer took us through the process step by step and we all gained confidence.  Here is my work in progress:

Most of us had our basic hat finished by lunchtime.  We then spent the afternoon creating flowers by hand with which to decorate our creations.  Here is my finished product:

I elected to pin my flowers and leaves on so that I would have the option of moving them or REmoving them depending on the occasion.  I loved the fact that each person's hat was different:

(Jennifer is second from left)

 I hope she comes back next year so I can make a DIFFERENT hat.  It was so fun!!!

ART IS YOU Day One

Today was my first day at the ART IS YOU West Coast art retreat.  I was so happy to see organizers Ellen and Sallianne again!  Today was my class with Cathe Holden. Cathe has an AMAZING blog full of wonderful inspiration and freebies!  The fact that she lives in my town is an added bonus.  I was thrilled to hear that she was teaching at ART IS YOU this year.  Cathe's class with a Collage Components cabinet and she spoiled us with goodies.

When I arrived at ART IS YOU this morning, I was greeted with this amazing nametag:

The theme this year is "Weird, Wild and Wonderful" and I decided to be "weird:"

When I walked into Cathe's fully-stocked classroom, I couldn't believe the goodies that were waiting at my spot:

  

We were going to be collaging a cabinet to store ephemera and collage goodies in.  And Cathe was going to help us fill those cabinets!!!  I felt as if she brought a large part of her studio with her.  There was a table with nothing but stamps and stamp pads.  (and custom-made stamps by Cathe at that!)  She brought a sewing machine for us to use as well as a vintage typewriter.  There was one table with nothing but cutting supplies including dozens of fancy punches.  And then, there was the amazing baker's twine table.  Oh my stars!!!

Cathe's aesthetic is similar to mine. I love how she incorporates vintage style into everything. We got so many goodies from Jenni Bowlin that I ended up using many of them to cover my cabinet.  I also swooned when I saw the fabric from Charlotte Lyons.  It was as if Charlotte had made fabric just for me!  I immediately cut out a piece of fabric with a candle on it.  Crafting by Candlelight!!!

 I didn't quite finish my cabinet but here is the front:

Aren't those drawer pulls amazing?  I'm going to add a bit more to the little drawers at home.

Here is the top. I had to put the Charlotte Lyons fabric piece in a place of honor:

Here is a side view:

And another side. See that adorable bunting?  I used a fantastic pennant punch from Jenni Bowlin along with Jenni Bowlin paper and then sewed it into bunting.

Such a fun class and I came home with so many goodies to use in other projects.  Plus, the added bonus of getting to spend time with Cathe.  She is such a wonderful and creative person.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she gets her barn studio/classroom finished soon so I can start taking regular classes with her!!!

I also managed to get 20 trades finished and I'm pretty happy with the result:

Looking forward to Day Two!!!  Wish you were here!!!

(PS....the adorable Jenni Bowlin punch that I used for the pennant bunting is on sale today at Overstock.com for $13.87 shipped!  I had to order one!)

Lessons Learned at ART IS...YOU 2011

Art is...You was my very first art retreat. I had such a great time. Sallianne and Ellen are truly amazing women. I would never have the patience or fortitude to put on events of that magnitude and deal with all the myriad details and problems that arise.  And they always seem to be in such a great mood!

I have discovered that there are several types of classes that one can take at a an art retreat.  Some are strictly technique classes where you do not take away a specific project. Some are technique classes where you replicate a sample the instructor has given you.  Some are classes where you are given a design to work off of but you provide the theme and/or inspiration.  I have discovered that my favorite type of class is the last version.  I love it when someone provides the basic framework and teaches the techniques involved but then lets me create my own vision. Shelly Massey's classes were like that.  I left with pieces of art that I felt were truly my own.  I LOVED Julie Haymaker Thompson's class and I learned so many techniques but I feel I just replicated her sample. (with the exception of the cat which is all my own)  I love that piece but I don't see much of myself in it.  However, I can now take the techniques I learned from Julie and do something of my own.

Everything is a learning process and I just feel good getting to create!

I also learned about the power in gathering a group of creative people together. I met so many wonderful women who quickly asked me my story and then got involved in it.  Three women tied wish bracelets to my wrist this weekend. Two have already fallen off so I'm hoping those wishes come true soon. Even though these women don't know me well, they are sending me prayers and positive energy which is so powerful.  I feel lucky to have been a part of it all and can't wait for next year!!!  I hope you'll join us too!

Art is You Petaluma Day Three---DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW

My last class was with Julie Haymaker Thompson. She taught us how to alter cheap craft store birdhouses into wonderful whimsical pieces.   Of course, I had to do a cat instead of a dog:

Here is the other side:

So fun!!!  Last night, at the Trunk Show I finally got to meet the marvelous Cathe Holden in person.  Getting the chance to spend time with Amy Powers and Cathe Holden and getting to meet the wonderful Shelly Massey made my first art retreat experience complete. Can't wait until next year!!!

Art is You Petaluma Day Two----LICENSE TO CREATE

I took my second class with Shelly Massey today.  We continued our work with vintage license plates and made wonderful and whimsical boxes.

Here is one of Shelly's:

Here is my finished creation:

I did a "Bloom Where You Are Planted" theme with a funky flower growing out of an old shoe.

Goober shot from Shelly's blog:

See more photos from Shelly's classes on her blog.


I am taking tomorrow off and then return Sunday for Julie Haymaker's DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW class.

Art is You Petaluma Day One----PLAYTIME

Day One of ART IS YOU!!!

The very first person I saw when I walked in the door was one of my very favorite bloggers---Amy Powers!

Not only is Amy incredibly talented but she is such a wonderfully sweet person.  I cannot WAIT for her new issue of Inspired Ideas e-zine!


Amy and I both took Shelly Massey's PLAYTIME workshop.  Here I am with Shelly and some of her wonderfully whimsical examples:

And here is my piece:

I've been thinking a lot about moons lately.  My moon and stars are balloons.


Here is Amy's wonderful family portrait!

And here is Muriel's jungle-themed piece:

This is Prentiss' work in progress. It has a Alice in Wonderland theme:

Shelly is a wonderful teacher and her class was so laid-back and fun.  I am taking another of Shelly's classes tomorrow. So far, so fun!!!

Here is a shot of one particular goober from Shelly's website:

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