WHIMSICAL PLAY

Sometimes it's all about whimsy in these Mixed Media Playtime work(?)shops. From Picasso to Emerson to Maslow and beyond runs the recognition that play is a necessary attribute of creativity...and life. I adhere to this wholeheartedly and hope you do too.

Play on, MacDuff...and everyone else 😃

CREATIVE JUICES

 

As I ready for another of the Sunday Studio Mixed Media Playtime workshops I find myself thinking about creativity and just what it means.

So often folks say they are not creative when what I see is any number of ways that they ARE in fact creative.So very many creative people pass through our lives every day.

One of the most creative people I encountered as a child was my ballet teacher, Catherine Joyce. It just seemed that everything she touched had a creative edge to it. Not only did she teach ballet, but she choreographed our programs, she designed beautiful costumes (one of my all time favorites was the fuchsia costume I was honored to wear as a gangly ten year old.) In addition, she made dainty porcelain figurines of dancers. She just seemed to have an abundance of creativity. 

But I digress. Sure, Catherine Joyce was extremely creative, but the fact is we are all creative and should nurture this in whatever form it takes small or large. Maybe you are a creative cook, a beautiful dresser, a whiz at decorating your home....the list could go on and on. Everyone is creative in at least one way and by acknowledging and setting aside time for our creativity life can be more fulfilling and more meaningful.

As the sports saying goes, "Just do it!" Get those creative juices flowing.

AH, SPRINGTIME...ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

 

Having a lot of fun with these bleeding tissue papers. Different sizes and shapes and vast amounts of possible play. The fun playtime got me thinking of missed workshops, missed camaraderie of friends together creating....and so...a possibility was born and the first workshop of 2021 is scheduled and full with safety in mind throughout all the planning. It does the heart good for sure!!

In the meantime, I will continue keeping the post office in business by creating and sending cards. 

There are so many lovely days of springtime ahead...what are your endless possibilities??

MUSING ON MUSES

A slut? No, I don't think my muse is a slut. I've heard the muse called this, but.....

Slut (n)--a lazy, careless, or slovenly woman; a lewd or dissolute woman.

The muse after which I chase is spunky, quixotic and often flighty. She is quirky and changeable. At times elusive or downright evasive, she is definitely a tease.

My muse is not lazy, careless, or slovenly. She is neither immoral nor depraved, though at times self-indulgent. Now and then a little crazy, perhaps, but in an endearing, charming and delightful way.

This muse of mine definitely keeps me on my toes and there is never a dull moment with her. Sometimes she is serious and intense and at other times wonderfully fanciful and filled with laughter, even giggles.

I trust my muse to know more than I do as she leads me at times down mysterious paths that seem far too difficult--challenging, beckoning, daring me to at least try. She constantly asks me to use all my senses--to see more deeply, to listen with greater intensity, to touch with heightened sensitivity, to taste the exotic strangeness of flavors, to smell the subtle nuances of fragrance.

The end may not always be in sight, but rather unknown and unplanned. This is both exciting, titillating, and even a little bit scary. Invariably, the risks lead to an opening of creativity. Out of what often appears chaotic comes that wonderful something that each artist seeks.

No slut my muse, but a seductive and intriguing character that I shall continue chasing after. She IS inspiration.

And you muse? Tell me about her....

 

A CROW BY ANY OTHER NAME...

 

Anybody familiar with my work knows I do love crows and ravens (along with other corvids and so many birds really.) Just recently as work called to me to get serious about it again, this guy called out to be shown in a new scene. So here you have the work in progress--Snow Crow. It's just cold enough lately to seem appropriate, even here in sunny southern California.

Playing in the studio pushes back on the covid-19 bad news and the domestic terrorism launched on our Capitol Wednesday. Where are we going? Not sure. Just know that choosing the joyful work helps me personally to move forward.

Stay safe. Stay well. Choose some joy.

SOMETHING TO LOVE

 

Faye

There seems always to be such a great deal to love about Sunday Studio Workshops...even in these difficult times. Women coming together to create in a playful, joy-filled way warms my heart. And this group on the past Sunday was all that and more.

Pre-covid we added potluck into the mix and I have to admit that was even better as recipes were exchanged and exclamations were pronounced over certain flavors. Grazing would go on throughout the five hours and, often, a bottle of wine would be shared at some point.

Still, even without the potluck, the camaraderie was present and art play was plentiful as postcards were created by all. (We strive to do our very best to save the postal service.)

Not sure when another Sunday Studio Workshop will be possible even with the careful social distancing, but I am ever-hopeful it can be soon. Meantime, take care of yourselves and wear those masks.

Rhonda

Joelle

Camillia

Jen

Great work, all of you!!

ANOTHER STUDENT EXAMPLE ON DAY 8 OF BITS AND PIECES

 

Student Nadine had some fun with her bits and pieces in this piece of postal art. Intriguing, I think.

DAY 7 CALLS FOR A CHANGE

On Day #7 it seemed there was a need for an even bigger shift. Still bits and pieces, but student Katherine did this one. She did alcohol ink background in her favorite colors 😊 and then added the bits and pieces before outlining areas in white opaque pen. What do you think? I think it's a lot of fun. Maybe more student work is to follow. Seems like a good idea since they are some of the best.

 

DAY 6 BITS AND PIECES DEPARTURE ON THEME

Thought the theme might have been getting a bit boring so here's a slight departure. In addition, the sparkly blue eyes seem so full of joy to me that resistance just could not be . Many of these young ladies have appeared in the cards, each with something special to say it would seem.

 

BITS AND PIECES #5

 

This card, while similar to previous ones, has some differences as well. Can you spot them?

When beginning this set of posts of postcards there was really no direction, and probably still isn't, but the fun continues. The hope is that you are enjoying the outcome even a little bit. No question that I am.

More to come, of course :)

BITS AND PIECES DAY 3

Book pages, magazines, junk mail...they all contribute to the fun.

 

BITS AND PIECES OF THE DAYS

 Since for weeks now (months?) I have been creating simple postcards to send to my grandson in Utah and friends, students, family--even friends of friends--, I thought maybe it was time to post some of them just for fun. So starting today, the intention is to post daily for a while. Let's see how that goes :)

CHOOSING...

Tools of the "trade"

Such a beautiful day! I have to admit that it is a little bit hard to want to spend time inside the studio. Can I choose to just let yesterday's juvenile whale sighting and the gorgeous colors of sky and water suffice? Can I capture them in my mind enough to focus more closely on what I playfully call work?

Choosing joy has such ridiculous issues, doesn't it? To joyfully spend time in the outdoors, basking in color and light or to play joyfully in the studio creating....hmmmm.

What will I choose?

SOME THOUGHTS

Simple

Some thoughts on the first day of February:

Inspiration is right before us. All we need do is look...and see.

If we can play at our work we are blessed.

We are all doing our best, even when limited.

Creativity is not limited. Just reach out. Invent. Experiment. Be bold. take risks. Break rules. Make mistakes.Dig deeper.Adapt. Let go of fear.
Ride off the beaten path. Sing in your own key. Cut holes to see through.
Shake hands with tomorrow. Plug into joy.

EVERYTHING OLD....

It's funny how everything old just seems to come around new again. It is often as if there are only these few iterations of things that just shift slightly to reinvent themselves. 

But morning walks along our beautiful shoreline.... Same? Different? Definitely new each day in my mind. Always refreshing. Always gorgeous, no matter the weather. Always...the same and yet different as well.

In any case, makes my day!! Leaves me inspired. Off I go to create!

ALL AROUND GOOD FUN!

Fun journaling

As a group of us met last night to celebrate the 2019 Round Robin Journaling success I had many thoughts. Of course, first of all, what a wonderful group was gathered together in this celebration of creativity. But there's more.

Cindy started me off down this path a few years ago, asking that I join a group of artists who once monthly did a spread in a journal and then passed it along. This has now spread and is, for us, a local group of artists who create some of the most lively and creative pages each month. 

The idea is to experiment and to explore and to play with new and old techniques. Some of the work/play that comes from this is spectacular and I am pleased and humbled to be a part of this process.

Want to join us in 2020? Want to start your own group? Just let me know.

MORE OF WHAT IT TAKES

Katherine's play

With an upcoming couple of workshops in the works for the next week or so I find myself continuing in the vein of questioning what I think it takes for a successful experience for all.

Safety of the space for experimenting and being oneself I think I covered last time. What else? 

Some of the nitty-gritty: 
Since I supply the materials, there should always be an ample supply.
Include optional supplies for experimentation.
A handout sheet of where to purchase and what to continue the playing.
A handout sheet that basically explains process, as there is always too much to simply remember.

Beyond these (and probably a few other things I cannot remember right now) instructor and student both should be present and respectful of one and all.

I'm off to prep for tomorrow's alcohol inks workshop with all this and more in mind.

SO MUCH MORE

Recycled mailing envelope for art journal

Being a part of a round robin art journal is full of surprises and more often than not some pretty good art as well.

The panda mailing envelope was sent by Cindy to Marla who then recycled it with a splash of paint and sent on to me. Inside the nearly finished cycle of entries I found many wonderful and inspiring journal pieces. From the simple to the complex each two-page spread offers up a piece of the artist who makes the contribution to what will become a completed keepsake journal.

While all of us are leading busy lives and once a month is often enough to work on one of these journals as they travel around, I sometimes find myself wishing the mailbox were filled with more.

If you've never done one of these round robin experiences, perhaps you should consider it now as fall opens up to new possibilities. It is not only fun to receive and to see others' artwork, but a great opportunity to try your hand at new techniques in this simple format. You might just be surprised at what shows up.

WHO WOULD IT BE?

Who?

Normally, I prefer to use my own images for this blog, but this one seemed to call out to me.  Perhaps it will to you as well.

Having created a space post-festival season to see what will show up, I have found myself spending many hours each day simply clearing out my spaces and ridding myself of long-saved yet unused pieces. Still unsure what will show up, I nevertheless move forward with the clear image that whatever it is will be pretty wonderful.

So what do I answer to the question of who? After a good deal of thought and with the creating space in mind, it suddenly came to me that I would need to sit down with myself. Who knows better what might lie ahead and who better to manifest?

So who would you choose to sit with for that precious hour?

WHAT TO DO WHEN...

 For months now I have had a sign on my desk that reads "What can I get rid of today?" This has created a regular routine of finding things both small and large that really no longer seem to serve.

The other day I came upon a package of 5x7 mats that had come into my possession at some time in the past and not been used. Were they to be part of the clean out? Then I noticed the scraps and other set aside bits of alcohol ink play. Why not?

And so, while not exactly lemons and lemonade, the bits and scraps and the small mats have become small salable pieces for my summer Sawdust Art Festival booth. I have more of them and more scraps so I see lots of playtime ahead.

Come see me in Booth #205 just off the main aisle.