Well, now that I’m retired (WOOHOO!!!)  I figure I should post more frequently and so I will.  Gosh, I think I’ve been busier since I retired than when I was working!  The only difference is that I’m doing the things I want to do.  I so cannot wait for all you un-retired people to experience the liberating effect of retirement.  It’s like life begins all over again, only this time you get to fill you days with whatever you want to fill them with. 

I’ve been taking advantage of the gorgeous weather we’ve been having here, taking long walk-abouts with my camera in the local arboretums and along the shore.  Though summer is my favorite season, the fall is a very close 2nd.  Besides that I’ve started going to the gym again 3x a week, every other day, to tone up, and I’ve been staying up until the wee hours and then sleeping as late as I want.  I’ve been busy making art for some swap commitments ahead of time.  I’ve also been busy working on that article for Creative Therapy.  The writing is pretty much done, and the artwork is about half done, and I still need to take a decent picture of myself (ick!  I’m one of those people whom the camera does not love, and I generally hate every picture taken of me – it’s a rare thing for me to like a picture of me.  so I’m not looking forward to this part of the article, but if I must then I must). 

 

On 10/30 I celebrated my retirement with my family and friends.  We went into NYC for dinner at Ruth’s Chris steak house (one of my fave palces to eat in the city) and then we went to see the Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden, and it was way beyond awesome!  In one night I got to see Aretha Franklin, Jeff Beck, Metallica and U2 - and they had special guests – Ray Davies (The Kinks), Jerry Lee Lewis,  Annie Lennox, Lenny Kravitz, Patty Smith, The Black Eyed Peas, Ozzy Osbourne, Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and would you believe Mick Jagger?  Eric Clapton was originally slated to play, but he had to cancel due to an emergency gall bladder operation, so Jeff Beck took his spot.  But OMG!  It was still an amazing concert made in heaven!!! 

So, as you can see, I’ve been uber busy, like the bee in the pic up above.  I think maybe I stayed in bed for the good part of the day one day when it was raining, just because I could – lol!  What a luxurious thing to do, and I definitely enjoyed it.  I will be doing more of that at least once in a while in the future I think…..

Monday marks 4 years since my mom passed away, so it will be a day for my family and I to visit her grave and then come home and look through the photo albums, cry a little, and reminisce.   It’s been hard to do but I have learned to live with and accept the grief of her passing and I have to say I am happier now than I have been in a very long time, though I miss her more than words can say.  I wish she could have been here to share my retirement with me, and see all the new artworks and techniques I’m learning.   And with that in mind, I will say goodbye for now, and ask you to call your mom and spend some time with her.  Life is precious, and none of us knows how long we will be here to enjoy it.  Like Nike says, just do it!

I’m Back!

Well, all I can say is WOW!  What an awesome retreat!!!!!  Art Is You was an incredible experience, and one I highly recommend to anyone interested in learning new art techniques and having a super good time doing it!  Now,  Art & Soul(VA) is good, but Art Is You (CT) is even better, and in so many ways.  It’s smaller, and much more intimate, less expensive and closer to home. 

Everything about this retreat was top notch – the hotel and its staff were superb and the food was fabulous, but what really makes this retreat shine is the strong feeling of community that works its special magic over everyone who participates, the genuine warmth and support of everyone I met there, the loving care that Ellen and Sallianne and take in planning the events during the entire year preceeding it, all the numerous and thoughtful goodie bag gifties you handed out in classrooms and at lunch, the awesome teachers and the knowledge they impart, the constant cry of  “trade anyone?” and people just generally giving awayATCs, jewelry, ephemera goodie bags, without expecting anything in return. 

And the people!!!  They are all so wonderful and warm and interesting and approachable – I made a great many new friends there.  I guess you already can tell, God willing, that I will most definitely be going back to this retreat again in 2010, when the theme will be The Wizard of Oz.

Classes run from 10:00 am to 5:00 (though most ran later) and the evening classes ran from 7:00pm to 10:00pm or later.  Breakfast was included in the room rate for 5 days, tea and desert at 4pm and lunch was included for 3 days, and the food was absolutely delicious.  Show and tell ran nightly between classes.  I only made it to one the first day, but there were refreshments that included 2 huge 1ft wheels of baked brie, crackers and sodas and water.  Gosh, it’s amazing that I actually lost a couple of pounds when I was there!! 

One of the best things that happened during this retreat was that finally, after 4 long years of emails, I got to meet the fabulous, sweetly wonderful Lisa Kettel in person!  Lisa is just an amazing person and fellow artist.  She is so genuine and warm and fun, and she is definitely one special lady and one of my personal “heroes”.   I feel so lucky to have her in my life.  Lisa was there with her mom, and now I know where Lisa gets all her charm and sweetness! 

I had 4 awesome, learning packed classes with Keith Lobue.  I had not taken one of his workshops before, and what a delightful surprise!  Keith is a wonderful teacher – patient, funny, easy to approach and he goes into great detail when he teaches – his classes are just superb.  I also learned how to solder, and I found out that I have a natural talent for it so I will be making lots of soldered charms for my jewelry - and along with the new techniques I learned in Keith’s classes I feel ready to start creating found object jewelry that will incorporate my personal artwork and poetry into it.  I also learned a totally neat way to transfer an image from paper onto aluminum flashing, thanks to Janette Schuster.  Janette is also a fabulous teacher, and very generous with her artistic knowledge.  Finally, I got to meet Taryn Reece (Naval Jelly Studios) and we made some great charms from laser cut wood.   Here are some pics of what I made, with a small write up for each:

Day 1 – Etching – Keith LoBue

 

I learned how to transfer a laser copy onto copper, brass or nickel before etching it.  This is an amazing technique – one I plan to incorporate into my found object jewelry in the future.  First you transfer the laser copy onto the metal using acetone and then you agitate it in an etchant bath.  Here, I used brass sheeting and copper sheeting (the pic of the copper sheeting is not real sharp, but it’s the only shot I have of it before I cut it up to use in the next day’s class, and it’s the only example I have of a transfer onto copper, so I’ve included it here).  I think I perfer the warm tones of the brass to the copper, but each has it’s own uses when making an assemblage or a piece of jewelry.  On these etchings, I did not remove the laser copy toner – doing that gives a whole different flavor.  I liked these the way they were so I left them alone.  Over time, the etchant continues to etch into the metal, and creates a gorgeous patina – you can see this on the sun face etching – a fine green verdigree is now popping up, just over a week later.  I really love the effects you can get with this method so I will be incorporating it into assemblages and found object jewelry pieces.

 

Day 2 – Weathering & Distressing – Keith LoBue

I aged and distressed this small, $1 wooden box (found at Michael’s stores) in Keith LoBue’s weathering and distressing class.  First we banged up, added insect markings, goughed, scratched and otherwise distressed the box so it looked very used and old, then we added an acrylic wash to color it.  After that, we disassembled the hinges and aged them with black patina.  I used one of the pieces I made in Keith’s etching class and attached it along with a brass lion faced pull to the lid.  I still have to figure out a way to add a piece below the pull for it to latch onto and shut the lid.

Day 2 – evening – The Coronation of Queen ALice – (hat embellishing)

I went to the dining room on the second night to see what this was free gathering all about.  There were about 70 people there and the the room was alive with activity.  For a small supplies fee ($12) we were given carte blanche access to 5-6 tables of all sorts of ephemera, found objects, fibers, ribbons – you name it, and it was there.  We were also provided with sobee glue, hot glue, scissors and water/soda/tea/coffee and a scrumptious desert table.  What a ball I had making this – it was so much fun to just let whimsy have its way as I picked through the supplies and put together this funky, fun and colorful hat.  It was such an enjoyable evening, with great camaraderie shared by all.  Laughter and voices alive with creativity filled the room from start to finish.  What a blast!!  And my hat made it into a slide show that was shown on Sunday – and what a great slide show!  It had a great sound track, and there were tons of pics of all the retreat’s goings on – and surprisingly I was in many of the pics!! 

 

Day 3 – Soldering – Kecia Devaney

I have discovered that I have a definite affinity for soldering – learning how to do this came so easily to me, I must have done this is a previous life!  As I was soldering it struck me that it was like painting with silver – it is so cool the way the silver solder flows from the tip of the iron onto the fluxed copper – and I absolutely love doing it.  We started out small and worked our way up to the final (bottom) piece, which measures 2″ x 5″.  I can see that in the future I will be making alot of charms for the jewelry – necklaces and bracelets and earrings – that I sell in my Etsy Shop, http://CookalasHouseOfCards.Etsy.com  .  You can see an example of this in the picture of the necklace I made – it consists of 2 charms (1×1 and 1×3) connected by soldered jumprings and a silver scroll.  I got tons of compliments on the necklace when I wore it, and Kecia said my soldering work was awesome work for a newbie, which made me smile very large!

Day 3 – evening – Charm Making – Taryn Reece (Navavl Jelly Studios)

The main pieces are lazer cut onto thin wood, which you pop out. I then painted them and added embellishments before connecting them together with jump rings.  By this time I was starting to feel very tired, so I only got 2 done.  But everyone loved them, and so do I.  The doll incorporates a crown, a bottle cap face, laser cut body and shoes (which I covered with paper and then painted), small brass hands and photo turns all attached with jump rings and ready for a necklace chain.  The bird was made the same way – covered with paper and then painted before I added a brass crown, some beads and a lobster claw clasp – ready to become a zipper pull, or clipped onto a bracelet or necklace.  It as great to meet Taryn Reece, and her husband, too – they are such wonderful people! – and I absolutely love the offerings of Navel Jelly Studios.com – just before I left I snatched up a digital camera lens that I’m planning to use in an assemblage, and they have the coolest found objects and ephemera, as well as tintype photos and cabinet cards. 

Day 4 – Found Iconography class – Janette Schuster

In this workshop, I learned another way cool technique that involved transferring a laser copy to aluminum flashing by ironing it with a metal faced iron.  You need to have fresh copies (like straight from the copier fresh) and certain copiers won’t work – and alot of the process of transferring the image is hit or miss, but the results are spectacular.  After I got a good image to work with, I cut it out of the flashing and nailed it to a piece of white, distressed wood.  Then I added clock parts, wooden bingo markers, a steel ruler, verdigrised brass wings and a copper medalion cut into sections to make a halo. I added a wooden folding ruler as a hanger and a rusty key hung from the bottom of the piece to anchor it.  Janette is another superb teacher – constantly checking her students progress and offering great advice – and she’s friendly and warm and open.  Her style of teaching reminds me alot of Keith LoBue’s.  I cannot wait to take another class with her.

Day 4 – evening – Riveting Workshop – Keith LoBue

Well, by this time I was really, really tired, so I wasn’t as productive.  I did manage to make some pretty good rivets out of rebar tie wire though.  I practiced on riveting two metal washers together, and then started to rivet this filigree finding to a hammered brass bracelet – as you can see, it’s not exactly centered so I will have to redo it when I figure out how to snap off the rivet.  I’m glad I took this class – riveting has so many applications, and it’s superb for permanently attaching things together!  I can see where it’ll be very useful in making jewelry and assemblages.

Day 5 – Papering it Over – Keith LoBue

This was an awesome workshop – and a great way to end the retreat- and I left it with a new found appreciation for paper and of how to properly adhere different types of paper to different types of surfaces.  I also learned some neat new distressing and aging techniques, and how to fashion a cage with rebar tie wire to hold a found object.  Keith also taught us how to make a piece of paper so sheer by rubbing off it’s pulp that it can be used as a transparent overlay.  You can see this technique in the bottom photo where the worded print runs along the right hand side of the piece.  I have learned so much from Keith’s workshops – I can’t wait to take another. He puts so much thought and effort into his classes you cannot help but be impressed.

So, as I’ve already said, I had an awesome time at Art Is You and I cannot wait until next year to go again.  So far, many of the artists that taught workshops this year will return, but I have also found out that they will be adding new artists – Michael de Meng (another of my favorite teachers) will be there as well as Keith LoBue, Kecia Devaney and Janette Schuster. There is a found object art doll workshop that I would love to take – the pieces made in that class this year were unbelievable so I’m hoping it will be offered again in 2010.   I would also love to take another class with Janette Schuster – I’m hoping she will give her spoon workshop where you make art dolls from antique spoons and forks.  I think they’re the funkiest, artsy things!

I came home exhausted but happy, then returned to work for my final 3 days.  Yep, I am now officially retired – WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  and I’m itching to start making art with all the new techniques I’ve just learned.  I have several swap commitments I have to complete, and I’ve been asked to be a guest artist at the Creative Therapy blog here on WordPress (http://creativetherapy.wordpress.com) which will involve creating a piece of art and writing about “What does the future hold for me?” – but right after that I plan to get busy creating.   I will make a post when Art Therapy publishes my artwork and article

Now that I am retired I will try to get back to semi-regular blot posts to let you know what I’ve been up to – and just as soon as I can establish some sort of a routine with all this new found time, I really want to get back into workshopping my poetry at PFFA again.  It’s been far too long since I was active there, and by now you must know how dear that site is to my heart.

So, as has become my custom, I will close with reminding you to call your mom soon.  Life is precious, and uncertain.  make the most of it!!!!

Art Is…You, here I come!

Well, I’m going off again on another art retreat!  This time I’m going to Cornwall, CT for the Columbus Day weekend for 5 days of art mania.  I am excited all over again and happy to be going to another retreat this year.  The theme, and one of the reasons why I decided to go, is Alice in Wonderland – how could I not go?  If you know me at all you know how strongly I relate to Alice.  The second reason I decided to go is that it’s right before my birthday on October 15th, and what better present can a gal give hereself?  And, let’s not forget, I am retiring *does happy happy dance* as of 10/16, and it’s another darn good reason to give myself a present.  The fourth reason is that I’ll be attending 4 Keith LoBue classes, 1 Kecia Devaney class, 1 Taryn Reece class and 1 Janette Schuster class.  Lastly, it’s only a 2 hour drive (and a 1 hr ferry ride in between).  Unfortunately, the leaves up in Cromwell are still mostly green so I will miss the orange, red and purple eye candy but still, somebody please cyber-pinch me!  I am going to be dead meat when I get back – but then I’ll only have to work another 4 days – woot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a description of my 7 classes:

Day 1 - Thursday – Keith Lobue – Copy Machine Etching – “Master a quick and easy way to etch designs and lettering into brass or copper using a normal Xerox-type toner copier and some simple tools. Excellent for use in jewelry, assemblage and collage. Alternate methods of easy etching will also be covered.”

Day 2 – Fri – Keith LoBue – Weathering and Distressing – “Got a brand-new piece of metal that you’d love to make look old and worn? How about some wood? Or glass? Using a few tools, some simple solutions and a sprinkling of know-how, we’ll get that distressed look that will turn your new material into an artifact quicker than you can say Antiques Roadshow! “

Day 3 – Sat (day session) - Kecia Devaney – A Soldered Inheritance – “In this class, we will be learning soldering basics and how to apply those basic skills into creating other projects. Soldering isn’t just for making little charms any more!  Class will begin with some demos on smaller soldering projects upon which to practice. From there we will focus on our main project  – creating a piece of hanging art. We will begin by applying some art/collage skills to creating an  interesting, textured backgrounds to build upon. >From there we will apply our soldering  skills to  create an heirloom piece of art.”

 Day 3 – Sat (evening session) – Taryn Reece – Prints Charming – “Whimsical, unique charms in a snap!  We will create a whole bunch o’ charms, adding paint, paper, found objects & fibers.  The charms are perfect for jewelry or extra bling on cards, collage, art dolls & more.  Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy!”

Day 4 – Sun (day session) – Janette Schuster – Found Iconography – “Iconography is the art of illustrating with images. Ancient Russian and Byzantine artists created stunning spiritual illustrations, called icons, depicting sacred figures and often ornately clad in precious metals and stones. We’ll take inspiration from metal-clad Russian icons to create our own 21st century version using a thoroughly modern metal transfer (or if you prefer, a collaged image) and found object embellishments. Use an image of someone you hold sacred (or choose one from my stash of anonymous ancestor images). You’ll learn a fun metal transfer technique. You’ll also find out how to give wood and metal an aged appearance and how to cut, saw, drill, and attach found embellishments. Whether you choose to make your icon haunting or humorous, ethereal or irreverent, you’ll walk away with a metal masterpiece and a fresh perspective on using commonly found materials in your art.”

Day – 4 Sun (evening session)- Keith LoBue – Getting Attached – Rivet Making Revealed – “Learn one of the most versatile and strong connection methods and leave that glue in your drawer! Whatever the materials used, hand-made rivets can often be employed to strengthen and enhance your assemblage work or jewelry. Recommended for the Precious Little students and for anyone interested in attaching objects securely. Get it together and keep it together… “

Day 5 – Monday – Keith Lobue – Papering It Over – “This exciting workshop will allow participants to leap off of the two-dimensional paper plane and attach to, encase and embellish the wide world of dimensional objects. Working with found-object jeweler Keith Lo Bue, students will learn the proper archival methods of adhering beautiful antique papers to metal, glass, wood and much more.”

Gosh, this is gonna be so much fun!  I promise to post pics of my new creations when I get back. 

 

On another upbeat note, I’ve recently been asked to be a guest artist and create an artwork in response to this prompt “What does your future hold?”, as well as give a description of my artwork processes as well as write something about the prompt.  This project is due mid-December so my contribution will appear sometime after that.  The name of the blog is Creative Therapy and the url is http:// creativetherapy.wordpress.com. I have spent a little time reading the blog, and it’s the genius brainchild of 12 artist’s who came together to create a blog with the theme of “creative therapy”, or how art has played a part in the artist’s life happennings/path. I will be retuning again to read more - I find it fascinating to read about each artist (some of them I know and some of them I don’t, but I admire them all) .  It’s really good reading, and I highly recommend a visit. 

 

I will let you know when my work is posted on that site.

 

In my usual closing, I urge you to call your mom and or dad, or even better spend some time with them.  You just never know what’s around the next corner and every breath we breathe is a gift.  Make the most of it, you’ll be glad you did!!

 

Ok, so it’s been another long lapse since I last wrote.  I am being true to form I guess.  There are some new events on the horizon – first and foremost, I will officially be retired on 10/22/09 and all I can say is GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY! FREE AT LAST!  You have no idea how happy that is making me!  I’ve been walking on clouds since I signed the papers a few weeks ago.  WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!   I so cannot wait for this major life shifting event, so I can begin to redefine my life along the lines of doing what the hell I want to do when I want to do it.  I plan to take a year off from work of any kind, get my affairs in order, and mainly just bum it.  But we’ll see – if the economy keeps spiraling down as it has been, I will probably find work (if I can) for a short time to pay off whatever charge bills I have.  Once I do that, it’s back to being a bum.   

The second big event for me that’s coming up fast is another art retreat – this time I’m going up to Conneticut  for 5 days over the Columbus day weekend (10/8-12/2009) to attend the Art Is…You retreat.  I have a total of 7 classes to attend! (I’m going to be dead meat when I get home!).  I will be taking 4 classes with Keith LoBue (I think his artwork is awesome!) to learn the techniques of copy machine etching, weathering and distressing, handmade rivets, and papering techniques.  I am also taking classes with Kecia DeVeney (soldering techniques for charm making and more), Taryn Reece (altered art charm techniques) and Janette Schuster (transfering images made on a copy machine  onto metal surfaces).  I am very excited about these workshops because I’m going  to learn alot of new techniques that I can apply not only to my own artwork but to my jewelry making as well.  Plus, the theme of the retreat is Alice In Wonderland – one of  my absolute favorites!!  and next year the theme is going to be The Wizard of Oz.  So, this looks to be a very, very cool retreat!   here’s a link to their website, and their theme poster  http://www.art-is-you.com/

 

 

So, that’s about all that is new.  I will definitely post pictures like I did for Art & Soul of what I make at the retreat when I get back  In case I don’t have a chance to make another post before then, I will close with asking you this:  have you made the time to spend time with your mom and dad lately?  Do it now, while you still can!!!

My New Jewelry Line

A ways back I wrote about starting my own line of jewelry, and it has come to pass!!  I’ve revamped my Etsy shop  and  have now added several different lines – Pandora, Steampunk, Lampwork, Found Object and Chunky Charms in bracelets, necklaces, earrings and cufflinks.  I haven’t had a chance yet to make more than one lampwork chunky charm bracelet, but they are coming soon.  I have had a chance to make a bunch of Pandora style bracelets and necklaces, and several really nice Steampunk pieces (bracelets, necklaces and cuff linls).  Very soon now I’m going to get busy making precious stone and pearl jewelry, more Steampunk, and found object pieces.  And now that I’ve learned how to make bezels from scratch at Art&Soul, I plan to make some designer type pieces, too.  keep checking my Etsy shop – http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5098766   I’m adding new pieces all the time.  Below is a small sample of what I currently have in  my shop.  Enjoy!!

I’m back from Art&Soul!!

Art & Soul – Rock ‘N Roll – 2009 Art Retreat

Well, I’ve finally had a moment since returning to sit down and write a little about my wonderful experiences at the Art & Soul Retreat in Hampton, VA this year. I had a total blast the first time I went last year in 2008, but I had even more fun this year. I think I was a lot more relaxed this year because I knew what to expect – and so I got a lot more out of it. There were familiar faces and new ones as well, and everyone I met and spoke with was super friendly and helpful. Well, all I can say is that I’m just back and I’m already yearning to do it all over again!

Here’s a short synopsis of each class, with pictures of the pieces I made beneath each class.

My first class was with the fabulous Michael deMeng. The class involved creating an assemblage out of a picture frame – and to make them dimensional using a product called “Aves Apoxie Clay”. It comes in 2 parts – clay and hardener. You mix them together in equal parts by kneading them well with your hands for a few minutes and you can form it into any shape you desire or use it as a support for other pieces- drying time is 1-3 hours, and when it hardens you can even carve it! It sticks to things really well and is also paintable. This stuff is amazing, and useful!

 

My next class ran two nights together – right after Michael’s- and it was called “The Scarlet Onion” taught by Leighanna Light. This was another really interesting and learning packed class – what we did was add some PVA glue to paperclay and mix them together well. Next step was to coat the 8×8 canvas with the PVA glue, then cover it with the paperclay and sculpt something with it on top of the canvas and use stamps to texturize it. For one canvas I just drew a bird and added some charms, on the other I pushed a harlequin mask into the clay and then formed a body around it. The clay had to harden over night, so we painted them the next night using Ranger Re-inkers, but I also used some acrylic washes and interference paints to get bolder colors.

The next day’s class was another Michael deMeng class – in this class we created matchbook assemblages – we again used the Apoxie Clay both to strengthen the matchbook sides and also to create 3D effects. I made a large matchbook similar to the altered electrical outlet I made in Michael’s class last year, so now I have a cool “set”! And I also made a smaller matchbook which I plan to use as a necklace pendant.

I took Saturday off to recoup and see a little of Virginia – I ended up going to the Virginia Aquarium and Virginia Beach, which I really enjoyed. I lucked out at the beach and caught a home made kite flying contest. Some of the kites were huge – they must’ve been 20-30 feet long, and it was really windy so it was a great day for that. On the way home I stopped at two bead stores near the hotel that the Art&Soul Yahoo Group recommended and found some really pretty beads to make some nice summer jewelry for myself, or maybe to sell in my Etsy store (there’s a link in my signature area). Later that night I went to the Vendor’s night and had a blast – I ended up buying yet more beads (heh) mostly focals, some way cool altered art/vintage goodies and I bought three small wall hangings from Lisa Kaus and one of Michael deMeng’s original outlet assemblages. (Gosh, I must sound like such a Michael groupie!!! LOL!!!) I had really wanted to buy one last year but I didn’t have the money, but he had them again this year and I’ve been saving my pennies all year so I bought one.

Sunday I took a bezel and bail making class with Richard Salley and discovered I loved making them. I learned to solder with a creme brulee torch, cut sheet metal, form and fit it around found objects, and how to make pins to hold items within the bezels (which do not have backs).

Monday I made a glass and copper journal with Tom Ashmann. Now, this was an aggravating thing to make, but once finished it’s so beautiful it was worth the teeth gnashing and finger scraping, fingernail breaking effort. I learned how to apply a patina to copper and then fire it with a large torch (and this was a major kind of torch, and it kinda intimidated me at first – holy cow, the thing actually made the cement pop!) The book assembly went like this: the idea was to first cut and hammer straight 1″ rolled copper stripping (think of 18 people hammering metal on steel blocks for about 2 hrs non-stop. Aiy. I got such a headache!), then patina it, then attach nuts, bolts and washers to every other hole to form two 5×7 rectangles. (Each rectangle had 8 pieces of stripping sandwiched together as so – two 7″ and two 5″ sides) Then we had to make spines of the same stripping, then we had to make hinges and run wire through them to attach spine to front and back frames, more nuts and washers and bolts. Then we had to hand tear 140lb cold press watercolor paper for the insides (we made 4 signatures of 4 sheets each). We attached the signatures with (what else?) more wire that we had to bend and loop at each end of the spine with chain nose pliers. The next, and most aggravating and hard part, was to loosen all the nuts/bolts and open the frames on one side, slide in the glass and transparency and then fit the frame around the book and then tighten up all the nuts and bolts again. Sounds easy, but it sure wasn’t!! It was such a tight fit. It was really hard to get the glass in between the stripping so you could thread all the nuts and bolts in and around it so the stripping would hold the glass. I finally gave up when I realized I’d put it together with the front transparency right side up and the back transparency upside down – aiy!!! I really don’t want to play with the glass and transparency again, so I think I just might leave it that way on purpose – half of the journal will be upside down and half will be right side up – one see’s books like that these days anyway! SO, maybe this was a happy mistake after all! (It’s true – there are no mistakes in art!!! and it’s a good thing, too!! LOL!!!) The last step (which I still have to do) is to attach some chain and charm bling to the spine. A picture of the unfinished journal is below.

And to top this all off, on my last day there the Art&Soul store had a 20-50% off sale! Wait, it gets better – while browsing I spotted a set of Alice in Wonderland cling mount stamps that I wanted to get, and they were 50% off so I put them in my basket with a big smile. While I was waiting in line, I flipped the stamp package over and noticed a tag with writing on it that said “Purchase this item and win a prize – come to the Art&Soul Office and bring this tag”. So, I checked out and then went over to the office and OMG! They handed me a large gift bag of assorted goodies AND one of the Art&Soul Fat Books that 45 artists had contributed to – well, I mean, how much better could things get!??!?!?! There had to be over $100 worth of goodies in that bag, but I would’ve been happier than a pig in mud just to get that fat book!! I think I drove home on cloud nine….

And that was how my 5 days went. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you can afford to go you definitely, definitely should. You will have a super amazing experience. The accommodations are first class. The teachers are awesome. The education is outstanding. The people are fun and helpful and just wonderful, and I guarantee you’ll end up making some wonderful new friendships and revisiting the old ones. The teachers are down to earth, friendly people who do not put on airs. On two different morning I had two different teachers sit down with me to have breakfast and to chat. There are swaps going on everywhere. All you have to do in walk into a classroom or find some people talking together and loudly say “Swap?” and there you go. I also got to meet another AFA member some of you may know – Miryea! I can’t tell you how nice it was to meet her! As it turned out, we had 2 classes together and we had so much fun! And, of course, we did a swap – this time in person. How cool is that? And now that I’m back home (with one suitcase full of supplies and one full of dirty clothes still waiting to be unpacked, aiy) I can’t wait for it to be May 2010 so I can go back to fantasy land. I’m already dreaming of it…

NaPoWriMo 2009

During April I drank,  swore and pulled my hair out while participating once again in the infamous NaPoWroMo challenge at PFFA – I hadn’t written a poem in a year (since NaPo 2008) because I was completely burned out.  But I’ve done this thing for 4 years now, so I couldn’t see wimping out.  I gave it a go and was delightfully surprised to discover that my muse is still with me!  Here’s a link to the PFFA site and my index where you can read my offerings. 

http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?t=65652

Art & Soul, here I come!

 

So, very soon now (YAY!!) I’ll be on my way to the Art & Soul Art Retreat in Hampton, VA again for a week of classes and after class mingling – if I can muster the energy!   This year’s theme will be Rock’n'Roll (last year’s was By the Sea).  I am so excited again!  Last year’s retreat was awesome, and this year I’m taking even more classes – 5 in all (a short description follows).

I’m going to be veeeeery tired and hopefully very satisfied and sated (pass that cigarette, please) when I get back! The trip comes after my month long return to writing poetry at PFFA for NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) – 30 poems, one a day, during April. aiy. AIY!  I will inevitably be brain dead mush creatively when I get back.

Here’s a link to Art & Soul – http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/

Michael deMeng – (his classes are tons of fun!) all day Thurs 4/30 – “What a Relief” – “Using old frames, old photographs (or paintings), along with doll parts and other three dimensional objects we will give the illusion that are portraits are trying to join the fun in the 3rd dimension.”

Michel deMeng – all day Fri 5/1 – “Matchbox Vignettes” – “In this class we will use these tiny vessels to house little scenes or vignettes. The cast of characters will include tiny little men from model train sets or architect models. Using a mixture of collage and assemblage we will create little realms for these Lilliputians to dwell in. While we are at it we may even change our little dudes…perhaps wings, perhaps giving them a snake body…their world is in your hands…literally.”

Leighanna Light – Thurs/Fri eves – “The Scarlet Onion – Adventures in Texture and Deisgn – In this workshop we will explore the relationship between clay, ink, canvas, gesso & found objects. The first night of the class will be spent forming the clay around the canvas & creating multiple textures on the surface. You will learn about composition, object placement, working with clay & a variety of ways to create interesting texture. We will allow the canvases to dry overnight & the following night will be spent applying color & adding the finishing touches to your work. You will leave with at least 2 (3 if you work fast) gorgeous pieces of original art & a variety of new techniques, tips & tricks to add to your work.

Sat – I’m off – I’ll need it to crash! but I will go to Vendor’s night for what could be a dangerous night as I will probably be fighting off the temptation to spend way, way, way too much money on supplies and objects de art.

Richard Salley – all day Sun 5/3 – Basic Bezels for Found Objects – “One of the challenges in making ‘Found Object’ jewelry is how to properly showcase the object and a bezel is often the best solution for this problem. In this class we will explore a variety of ways to make and use bezels. Whether paper, plastic, wood or metal we will find a way to make a bezel to frame your special object. You can then use the completed piece to create a pendant, or brooch…or combine several pieces into a necklace or bracelet.”

Thomas Ashmann – all day Mon 5/4 – Glass & Copper Journal – “In this class,students will create a larger version (approx. 6″ x 8″ x 2″) of my glass and metal journal with its unique “no-sew” binding. Vintage photos on transparencies float behind baroque-swirled, stained glass and are held in place by a torch and patina altered, hardware-intensive, frame of copper plumber’s tape. The cover and spine of this book is completely fabricated “from scratch” by the students. Add some chain and a few beads and charms, even bring your own personalized transparency (5″ x 7″) to make this book uniquely your own. Techniques taught include cutting, torching, and alteration of metal with chemical patinas, as well as my original binding which, once mastered, can be adapted to make books in many different sizes and from other materials. “

I will try to post some pictures when I get back, and write up a synopsis of all the goings-on.  Here’s a link to pictures of what I made last year – http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookala/sets/72157603259542154/

New Header

Perhaps you’ve noticed that I have a new header and yes, I do! I finally, by accident, stumbled upon the way to upload a custom header, doh! So, I’ve uploaded some of my own artwork. This is a good thing. I can change it now when I get sick of looking at it!

AIY

Well, as March races towards  it’s end and most people start to think of warmer weather and pretty flowers, it only means one thing to me – NaPoWriMo – 30 poems in 30 days over at PFFA. 

aiy. 

need I say more?