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.....