Getting Ready for the New Year

I am starting the new year by treating myself to an online mixed media course by Misty Mawn called "Open Studio" Our first assignment is to write something to the prompt: "I am here..." I decided to combine the writing with the word I have selected to guide me for 2012...PRESENT. I have always had difficulty staying in the moment, being 10 steps ahead. My New Year's gift to myself is to be PRESENT, notice....

I am here

PRESENT

Rooted and still,

Branching outward,

Growing in place.

I am here

Resisting the tug of time

Pulling me

Out of this moment.

I am here

Held by love

and connections

That ground me.

I am here

PRESENT.

Happy Holidays!

I have been a busy elf, as I am sure most of you are too. Last night we went to an event at a local winery. Snacks, cookies, free wine, what could be better. They had a massive bonfire and all the makings for smores. They topped it off with a reading of "Night Before Christmas."

Wishing you a holiday filled with light and love.

Karen

Back From Journalfest

As always, an amazing event. This year was particularly special in so many ways for me. I took 2 days of classes from Orly Avineri. My favorite was the "Face Lift" class. Here are some of my completed pages....

I was given the gift of new techniques, but more importantly, new ideas and concepts to think about and explore. This for me is the essence of going to a retreat. My "well" is re-filled and I am ready to work.

Ghostly Words

Recently I was asked to use some of my drawings to illustrate a poem. "Ella's Edge" is a wonderful blog with poetry and poetry prompts along with photography and other mixed media delights. Here is the link: http://ellasedge.blogspot.com/2011/10/apology.html . It is inspiring and amazing to see how poetry -  or a story can change your feeling about a piece of art. Coupled with the word, the images become more than they were as just drawings. Thanks Ella!
On a side note....I am feverishly working in my studio to get ready for a show here in Southern Oregon at Seven Feathers Casino on Saturday 10/15. I will be going to Journalfest at the end of the month - I am so excited to see Port Townsend in Fall again and re-connect with fellow journalers. I hope to see some of you at these upcoming events.

Layered Impressions Painted Collage Face

Here is my before and after for my painted collage faces. I am really working on keeping loose, not being fussy....

the before

The after

Number 2...

 My scanner cut off some of this, I really wish I could have kept  some of the collage showing but, I got a little carried away with the paint...

the finished...again too big for my scanner...It says "she shines her light  on all the lost."

Layered Impressions Class

I just started taking an online class from Katie Kendrick called "Layered Impressions." It is too late to sign up, but she is offering a DVD of the class for sale once it is over. Here is the link: http://joyouslybecoming.typepad.com/joyouslybecoming/

We have started with faces, so I think these count for my "faces" project....They are "wrong handed" drawings on phone book pages, then colored with watercolor crayons and a little gesso. LOve! The three above are a few of my favorites.

Home at Last

Collage, pencils, gel pen and watercolor

We just returned from a trip to San Diego to see family. The day before we were to leave, we found out our grand daughter was in a car accident. I am taken aback by how easily your priorities can change. She is recovering, back in school and we are very thankful. While we were there we also survived the "big power outage". Everyone in the neighborhood stayed up late and my kids organized a game night complete with candles and Twinkies.
My ritual as soon as I return home is to get re-acquainted with my studio. I am preparing for my Journalfest class, "Pencil Dreams," and am trying to work in my journals without acrylic paints - just pencils, pens and watercolor. I really am enjoying the softer look. If anyone is still considering attending Journalfest, most classes are still open. It is a very different experience than Artfest. A smaller group, the charm of fall in Port Townsend and all those wonderful journals to see.....

September/October issue of Somerset Studio

I am very excited to share that one of my mixed media books is featured, along with an article I wrote about my creative process. It can be found on page 66!

August Faces Project

Here are #11 and 12. My reference was a vintage photo, so the faces were not clear. I like the more abstracted faces. The little boy was clearly unhappy when the photo was taken. I am guessing early 1900's....

Art and Soul Class on September 27th in Portland, Oregon

Class Sample

I wanted to do a final push to encourage attendance for the class I am giving during Art and Soul Portland 2011. We are making some wonderful mini pieces of artwork, while learning a ton of great collage techniques that can be used in your artwork - no matter the size.

As an added incentive, I have decided to wave the kit fee for the class for all who sign up.  

Here are a few "blocks" I just finished to get you inspired!

Hope to see you there.... the link for sign ups is here: "Block Party" at Art and Soul Portland

August Faces Project

#9 - another Vogue girl 

#10 This was a piece of an ink pour experiment. I love the accidental eyebrows! 

Since I am behind and also loving this project, I think I will keep it up as long as I can - at least to #30....

August Faces Project

#7 from a Vogue Mag photo...

#8

Best laid plans...time got a way from me and I am back at the "faces." The summer here is full of surprise visitors. Today was an awesome day. I held a collage class in my studio - a group of 10 women, laughing and painting with abandon. I am relishing the fact I can stall the clean-up!

August Faces Project

#6

#7

Somehow I am keeping up with the pace. I was in Portland for the weekend and managed these two sketches in my hotel room.....

August Faces Project

Face #4

Face #5

 These faces are a little more stylized. I think it will be fun to see all 31 together as a group...provided I keep up my pace. Going to Portland tomorrow for a fun break!

August Face #2 and 3

Another face on poetry paper....

This face happened today when I was playing with coffee staining. I had a random piece of canvas that was primed with gesso. I did a coffee and ink stain on it, then took some sepia acrylic ink and drew a loose face with an eye dropper. I used a little white acrylic and more ink with a brush to finish it. I think I will make this into a journal cover.

Today's Face....

Watercolor pencil, gouache on vintage garden book page.

I am challenging myself to see how long I can go doing a drawing a day. How does the saying go...10000 hours makes the master.We will see how it goes.....

Portrait Play

Here is my portrait for today. I feel like I am on to something here - not sure what it is, but I like it.

It is an acrylic background. Lots of scraping, water blotting and accidental transfers with dash of a rubber text stamp. The portrait was done with watercolor pencil, gouache and colored pencils (black and white). I like the unfinished look of it. 

Busy Summer

The heat is finally here in southern Oregon and I am busy in my "cool" studio. I have been working in all sorts of media and a variety of surfaces - basically I am playing and having a blast. I was inspired by an entry on The Sketchbook Challenge about artist  Lynne Hoppe doing watercolors and pencil on old book pages. I have been trying to do a page every day - I just love the look and want to do something BIG....

These are done with watercolor pencils and white gouache...

in contrast I just finished 3 (yes really) paintings. Here is the one I submitted for the 2011 Southern Oregon Art Show at the Firehouse Gallery in Grants Pass, Oregon from August 5-26th.

I call it Equine Dreams. The horses were a happy accident - paint drips that looked like horses heads. This is me trying to be a looser painter. I would love to know what you think.

Summer Fun

This is my 3rd summer in southern Oregon and I think I finally get the rhythm. Once the sun comes out activity ramps up to a fever pitch. There is so much to do here - biking, swimming, hiking, rafting....It is also the time when friends and family come to visit. I have been lucky to teach for the summer Children's Art Program for the Grants Pass Museum of Art. Each year we organize a group of artists ready and willing to teach some aspect of art to kids of all ages. This year one of the classes I taught was "Recycled Book Journal." We had a great time gluing and painting and discussing the latest cuts on "So You Think You Can Dance." It was so much fun we stayed an extra hour playing in our books. I took a lot of photos, but really loved the pictures of  hands, busy creating......

The smiles say it all.

Nothing left to do but clean up!

The Wedding

We are currently in San Diego for my son John's wedding. The event took place at the Point Loma Lighthouse and it was a picture perfect day. I am a lucky woman to have another daughter in my life. She made a beautiful bride and I love the fact that my son got choked up when he was saying his vows. My hubby and I are very proud! This is not the best photo. The guy lurking in the background (and almost falling off the cliff) is one of the photographers... I am sure the formal photos will be great...

Trip to Philadelphia

Finally unpacked and able to share about my trip to Philadelphia. We decided to fly out of Portland and happened on the most amazing bakery called Petite Provence Alberta  on the way to the airport. They have several locations in Portland and definitely worth a stop. I did not realize how much I have missed a good French bakery until we walked in the door. Artistic displays and artfully baked bread and goodies. The smell of sugar and butter was heavenly......

Our flight was less than charming. Bad weather and a bumpy ride. The kind of trip where you applaud the pilot when you finally land. We were able to rent a car and travel to the Lancaster County area to see the countryside and Amish farms. 

I was hoping to acquire another Amish quilt for my collection, but did not find one in colors that worked for me. We did manage to get some antique shopping in and an unexpected find... the National Toy Train Museum. My hubby was jazzed because he has an O gauge train set in the process of being put up in our barn. I was really taken with the artistry of the old toy trains. 

The doll and teddy bear show was a blast. It began with a competition between  about 30 or so artists for their one of a kind signature pieces. The voting was done by our peers and I was thrilled to be one of 4 artists honored with an award. Here is my entry piece.

It was so much fun to catch up with all my East Coast friends and collectors. The show was amazing, lots of eye candy and amazing craftsmanship. I also had the chance to make some new friends. 

Nancy Latham, a talented doll artist from Florida. I loved her dolls and paintings. You can see more of her creations at Wistful Children

Another artist from New York, Reina Mia Brill  makes "Knitted Wire Sculpture". Brightly colored, fun ceramic pieces.

You can view more of her pieces here: Reina Mia Brill

Our trip home was thankfully uneventful. I am glad to be unpacked and nesting for a few days, then back to work on future classes and new art pieces.