ANGEL FLIGHT TWO

Exuding calm

Thank you, Dianna, for this serene expression. In this time where so many experience frustration at almost every turn, she is a welcome reminder.

One of the things I like about all of this is that there is opportunity to re-think so many of the ways we have been accustomed to doing things. It calls for some ingenuity, some calm, some kindness--both to self and others--and good old fashioned buckling down.

It is important, I think, to be grateful for what we do have, to get some exercise daily, to laugh, to stay in touch however we can...and, of course, to wash our hands LOTS.

SIMPLE

Simple

I thought maybe I would impart just a bit more of my ideas about teaching and what it means to me:

In my mind the doing of art should be simple. A piece may end up with layers of complexity to it and loads of meaning, but the doing can be just, well, simple.

Teaching is the same. I seek to simply commit to the students, to provide a supportive environment for imagining, dreaming, exploring and being venturesome outside their normal bounds. 

Above all else, I commit to a place where play is essential, for the soulful creativity is found there in that place, I believe. When creating, it is important to feel like the child stringing beads in kindergarten--happy, totally absorbed, and quietly putting on one bead after another.

Pablo Picasso said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." I would go farther, the problem is how to remain at heart a child and that is what I hope to bring to each workshop I teach.

Simple, right?

SLOWING IT DOWN

Finally! In creating a new angel to add to the collection I finally slowed enough to remember to document the steps.

Materials ready!

The first step was to gather some magazines and, of course, my trusty scissors. Since this was to be a Valentine angel I knew I would need some great reds. And so I began.

The first pieces are usually the head, arms, and legs. Often, the hair is the very last, but this time a special piece just called out to me.

Now all the pieces are gathered. The wings and several other pieces were found by perusing an art catalog. Time to decide just how to place them.

This is the first placement. As I attach the various pieces some things tend to change, but placing the parts on the watercolor paper to start at least gives me a general idea of where I am going.

The pieces are all adhered now. Sometimes I use glue, sometimes matte medium. If using the medium, I recommend spritzing with a bit of water and using a brayer (I use a brayer to smooth pieces as I go in any case.) 

Now to the final step, which is to outline with a fine pen. I like Faber Castell PITT artist pen SX.

Ta-da!

WORK IN PROGRESS--A SLIGHT SHIFT

Hey, Red!

Sketching, sketching, and more sketching. Really having fun with this (Isn't that what it's all about?)
A slight shift in format allowed Red to show up and she and I are having some fun. 
Would love to hear some feedback on this crazy series...anybody?
It has all opened up so many new possibilities for me. And, are these ladies all in my head? I don't know. I keep encountering them AFTER I've drawn them. Not sure at all what that means.
Meanwhile, "back to the drawing board," as they say...cuz it's where the fun is.

FUN FIGURES WORKSHOP FUN!

It was a real hoot! Playtime reigned, with grownup wine at the end to celebrate our success at just letting go and showing up.

Cherril/Faith

Jackie/Cherril

Katherine

Camellia

What fun we had in this latest workshop. I wish you all could have been part of the giggles and explosive laughter that showed up along with the fun creative energy.

Nadine/Joelle

Look at the way these two keep your eye involved in these pieces.

CHECKING BACK IN

Just one more spread of play

I said in an earlier post that I would check back in with how the four-week Mixed Media Journaling class was going.
This two-page spread is from week three and the play continues.
One of the things I have noticed is that though I generally work pretty quickly, I am even going at a more rapid pace in this workshop setting. Not really sure why, but there it is. Also, not yet sure of the end results and how I feel about them, but I really like the way it "feels" to move that quickly.
Jacki keeps referring to me as a graffiti artist. Maybe that's about the speed? Guess I need to find myself a bridge or some train car to do graffiti on--tee-hee.
One more week to go. Again, I will keep you all posted.

OH, BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

There IS a song in my heart. Winter Solstice is here and it actually feels like winter. How long will it last? Not long, I hear. But for now, enjoy as it helps with the season. 
2017 is nearly gone and it has been quite a year on many fronts. Workshops are done for me for this year and I look forward to the possibilities for those to come in the new year. 
Creative possibilities, as always, abound. Look for more birds in new and different ways in 2018 along with a continuation of the Celebration of Women series. The latter is my quiet show of defiance and I have a lot of fun with it so why not, eh?
Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to all! Keep a song in your heart too !!!!

WHY RED?

Funny how this fine weather seems to lend itself to more studio time. Guess it's just a feel good kind of thing!
More and more lately I am drawn to collage work and faces.  But what's with the red hair?

Maggie?

FUN! FUN! FUN!

I had to laugh aloud this morning when I read my horoscope for the day:  There are people who are daunted by pressures of "having fun," unsure exactly how such a thing should be accomplished.  These people need you.
I guess we all want to feel needed, especially as life's changes take place through the years. 
Well, I'm here.  Wanna have some creative fun? (This feels a little like "for a good time, call....") I'm always up for it, whether it is through the scheduled mixed media workshops (see right column under "Pages") or unscheduled creative play time in the studio.  I'm your gal! (I guess "for a good time, call..." wasn't so far off after all, now that I think on it.

PLAYING AROUND

Playing around in the studio while cleaning, I came across these funny fellows and just imagined the conversation they might have. Thinking that I will probably use this in my next newsletter to go out next week...kinda cuz why not, right?

Just couldn't help myself

SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD

This fun little guy caught my attention as he landed atop this light post. As with all the birds these spring mornings he was making quite the racket.  I was reminded of a friend who calls her design studio Laughing Raven Design. I figure my studio name would be Giggling Crow Design.  They DO so make me giggle.

Summer festival preparations are in full swing now and yet the daily morning walks with their many bird sightings keep me in the happy, giggling place from which I seem to create best.

Looking forward to June 21st Preview Party at the Sawdust Art Festival, though right now I feel far from ready for that date just a mere two weeks away.

Guess I had better get back to it, eh?

Perched above it all