CLOUDY

Have you been watching clouds lately? Seems it has been hard not to. On a couple of days I even had to pull to the side of the road for a few minutes just to take it all in.

Now, this is not to say I haven't also been really busy getting ready for the summer's Sawdust Art Festival. This is the 60th anniversary and there are a lot of great things happening. It is truly exciting and we hope all of you will take time from your busy summer to come visit.  I will be posting more on this as we get closer, but for now, back to that cloud watching. 

THINGS ARE REALLY A-POPPING....

Summer Sawdust is coming and booth spots have been chosen. Mine is definitely not going to be what it has been in the past so my January question re things being the "same old thing 

has been answered.

This is the 60th anniversary celebration for the "dust" and there are a lot of exciting things already on tap, not the least of which is new grounds layout. When you visit (and we all hope you will) you will see a vast array of changes and exciting revved up energy. I hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are. Oh! and by the way that heavily outlined spot on the map is where i will be, sharing a double-wide with Ashley Hemsley. 

Meanwhile, monthly Sunday Mixed Media Workshops continue. There is still room  in the ones on June 9 and  July 26

 

BLANK SLATES

 Sometimes a blank slate is daunting; sometimes just exactly what is needed. Which works better for you?

I have to admit that most of the time the blank space causes me to pause. But really all that is needed for me is to start. It might be just the simple straight line or something more inspiring. There is no one answer.

In my workshops a tool that is used to get everyone going is a short list of five things (i.e. pink, number, insect, word, square). Off they go, creating away. It works every time and has such wide variety of expression that it is amazing.

And on the subject of workshops.....they are my joy! The people who show up are always a delight.Those returning are welcoming to newcomers and there is always a sense not just of inclusion, but camaraderie. The five hours go quickly and often new friendships are forged. Gotta love it! A sense of community is created along with some art. 

RESISTANCE AND READINESS

 I'm not sure at all why I am so resistant to writing this blog of late, but there you have it...I AM! "Write blog post" appears on each day's to-do list, but just never gets checked off, sadly. Sure, I have a few excuses like seeing double for most of a month and then struggling with reading with new lenses, but.... There should have been a way around it. I just couldn't find it.

There is also the very real fact that it is just a bit over a month until the Winter Fantasy and I had only ideas that needed work and hopefully to come to fruition. Thankfully, a few have done so and I continue moving forward on many of them. 

Then, there's a large capacity (for me and my space) workshop coming up in a week and a half. Thrilled to be able to create with a wonderful group of new and former students, there is still a lot to get done to make sure that I have all the materials needed for this great five hours of creative time.

OKAY. I guess that's all of my excuses and they have managed to make up a blog post 😜 Here's to next time.

LAYER AWAY!

 

Layering is definitely a springtime thing here in California as the days go from 40s to 70s and even 80s often. So layering is on my mind.

But the kind of layering I mention here is more what is used in mixed media art projects. And there are myriad ways one can utilize the effects of layering for sure.

Mixed media artists all have different ways of utilizing layering, but here I will choose to expand a bit on what we do in my monthly workshops. A good amount of time is spent creating backgrounds and to do that we use a lot of layering of paint and collage elements. The layers help to create a level of interest and attention that might not otherwise exist.

First, we apply paint using a variety of techniques like stippling, scumbling, sponging and/or scraping. Then, mark making happens using a variety of purchased, found, or handmade items: stencils, masks, stamping, and more.

Next, tissue paper, tea bag paper, deli paper, napkins, etc. can be written or stamped on or used plain to further create interest.

All of this happens before the focal points are added to a piece. Often, we even become so infatuated with the created backgrounds that it is difficult to go for the focal point. But, once it is added, voila! We have an intriguing piece of mixed media art. 

SO BLUE

 So not feeling blue as in down and depressed, but nevertheless this piece IS so blue.

Once monthly workshops continue with one tomorrow, March 10th. With a full house, I am looking forward to see what will come from the creative time together.

We have been starting off with making at least one piece using prompts. This month the prompts will be the color blue, a number, text, stripes, and one circle.  I had some time to create while watching the State of the Union speech so went ahead and made mine ahead of time. Actually, this will give me more time to spend with students so not a bad idea.

These workshops really fill my soul and I cannot imagine not doing them. Wonderful friendships have arisen from these times together and some folks return many times. It is a great way to gather together....I think. And the words "far beyond the ordinary lies the unforgettable" is oh, so apt.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO CHERRIL'S BLOG?" NO ONE EVER ASKED...

 

So what did happen to the blog? Ah, the list is long, but bottom line is life just got in my way. Somehow, starting with the new piece in progress shown here got me started again. In the meantime, I finally have gotten homeowner's insurance just under the wire before cancellation of old policy. That was the biggest challenge for the past few months. It feels like quite an accomplishment. Whew!

Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival was fun and a great success all around I think. It's always a chance to see old friends and make new ones.

The 2023 Round Robin Journal came to an end and we all gathered to share images and stories. The 2024 journals got started recently and I look forward to another year of creative opportunity.

Hopefully, now that I have started again I will be able to keep this up. Blogs seem to have become pretty passe' but there is still something to be said about the practice. 

Meanwhile, I look forward to a full year of monthly workshops, summer and winter shows, and of course the creative energy that goes into it all.

'Til next time.....

THE MUSE, MARY AND ME

 The feet and eyes are for me the most difficult to get right. So it may take me just a bit longer to get this final piece ready for Sawdust Art Festival's Winter Fantasy showing.

Meanwhile, I will continue to look for inspiration and solace in my muse and poet Mary Oliver.

Crisp mornings of sunshine or fog filled with birdsong...aren't we fortunate? I ponder the question of what it might be like not to be able to have these things. What must that mean to someone's life/

And this brings me to poet Mary Oliver and the questions she poses in her poem Gratitude:

What did you notice?

What did you hear?

What did you admire?

What astonished you?

What would you like to see again?

What was most tender?

What was most wonderful?

What did you think was happening?

i wonder how answering these questions, no matter our circumstances, might be likely to bring us to a state of gratitude. So take a deep breath. Listen to the birds, Feel the sun on your shoulders. Enjoy the soft caress of a breeze. Smile at a stranger in passing. Ask yourself these questions from the poem and see if there is even a slight shift in your thinking. Hopefully, you will be brought to gratitude.

Let me know.

RANDOM THOUGHTS ON A RAINY SEPTEMBER MORNING

 

The rain on the roof this morning surprised me into alertness. What a lovely, soft, gentle patter it was. The humidity factor seemed to increase, but the temperature had not yet reached the point where there was a need to throw off covers. So I snuggled deeper and let my mind wander.

The summer had been a busy one, filled with creating new art and meeting new folks at the Sawdust Art Festival, scheduling and working with the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund to further fulfill artist John Eagle's vision of providing art for underprivileged while helping to support our local artists. I was tired. This morning with its soft rain was a blessing. I could wait a bit to start the day.

And so my mind meandered as I drifted in and out, imagining new creations and directions that might take me, thoughts of taking care of the little things that tend to slip through the cracks during the summer months, plotting new trails to traverse, and so much more......

What does a rainy morning conjure for you?

CROWS, CROWS AND MORE CROWS....

 

Who knew? The summer seems all about crows in my neck of the Sawdust Art Festival. They fly off the shelves almost faster than I can put them there. 

I wonder if they are off in search of shiny things to add to their stash or gift to some person they have befriended.

Maybe I will never know.

YOU KNOW IT'S SUMMER WHEN...

 

...the festival season in Laguna Beach begins. And this is the week! Preview nights for Sawdust Art Festival, Art-A-Fair and the Pageant of the Masters make for a busy week.

Planning has taken place often for months as readiness varies among individuals. I found myself oddly blessed to be house-bound with Covid, which gave me many hours of art play in March/April that I might not otherwise have had. I wasn't sick...just kept getting positive tests so, with nothing better to do I played and played. And of course my crow friends showed up often in that play.

If you're around be sure to come see me at the Sawdust at Gallery Wall 11. 

FINDING TIME

 With all that the spring months bring--art inventory, new art, framing, designing space, teaching,etc--there still needs to be time to create something to include in each month's round robin journal. 

For April I had some ideas all drawn out that included bird drawings.... As can be seen here that is not what ultimately showed up (no surprise really...this is often what transpires.)

Nothing is glued down and the words aren't here yet, but, heck, it's not due til next week. I will manage to get it done....and the inventory and the artwork and and and.........

LEMONS TO LEMONADE?

Something about this image calms my cluttered mind. It is tranquil in so many ways. The first of several vintage pieces I've been working on, I just keep returning to gaze on it for some reason.

Sure, the recent storms have been rattling my cage--high winds, heavy rain, and more keep me cooped up and restless. And yet....So many others have it so much worse. Who am I to complain? So I turn to focusing on some of what brings me joy...yes, creating. It never fails.

Color, texture, image....all of it softens the edges of the restlessness.

What do you do when things are our of whack, when life seems to bring lemons?

ROUND AND ROUND WE GO

 

Have you ever taken part in a Round Robin Journal? If not, I highly recommend it. 

Some years back a former student--Cindy-- invited me to join a group in which she was participating. What a treat! You start with creating a book using watercolor paper. You need half as many 8 x 11 sheets as there are participants. Fold each sheet in half, poke some holes in the fold, insert binding thread and off you go. 

Using a variety of mixed media techniques each person creates cover art before sending on to the next person on the list. Once a month you get a journal to create and experiment in and at the end of the time you have a journal to keep with a variety of art techniques to enjoy.

Sound like fun? Give it a try!

WHAT A GOOD WORD TO SAVOR FOR THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT...LET'S HOP TO IT!

 

When I participated in the Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival the past two months I was a little handicapped for space to do my demonstration time.  Luckily, I came across a fun way to fold and cut bird ornaments that I then offered to attendees and fellow artists as "Freebirds."

Using strips of magazine pages and maps and whatever other papers struck my fancy I could walk about with scissors in my pocket and create these fun birds, which could be hung on a holiday tree or whatever else struck someone's fancy.

In cutting these creatures there was a bit of discard, which I simply dropped into a bag at my feet. When I took this bag home and dumped it I realized that I had an abundance of holiday trees. So....

A good start to the hop down the joy rode I'd say !!

And as Corrie ten Boom has reminded us..."joy runs deeper than despair."

HOLIDAY BUSY-NESS

 

I guess you would have to say it's holiday busy-ness for holiday business since I'm busily working to re-stock on cards at the Sawdust Art Festival's Winter Fantasy.

While the snow at the Sawdust is artificial, it sure feels cold enough there as the sun goes down for the real thing. Definitely all should bring layers if planning to stay late.

There is a lot of holiday cheer and so very many handmade gifts to buy for family and friends (and even for yourself.) Music. Santa. Good food. Good cheer...and, then, there's also that snow 😀 So take the time to head to Laguna to get into the spirit of things.

Happy Holidays!!

WHASUP?

 Seems like forever since I've contributed anything to this blog. So "Whasup?" seemed the appropriate heading.

So what IS up? 

I have had a couple of really fun workshops filled with not only enjoyment galore but lots of experimenting and learning through the exploration. Fun!

One of the techniques tried was transferring a magazine image using Gelli plates. This opened up several possibilities, including the one pictured here.

Also, what's up is getting ready for the Sawdust Art Festival's Winter Fantasy. I've been at work on some original pieces that can be super affordable for holiday giving and am excited about the result. There are parking challenges for this year's Winter Fantasy, but they are not insurmountable and the city and Sawdust staff are hard at work to create transportation opportunities so don't be daunted...come see us weekends November 19th thru December 18th.

WILL IT GET DONE THIS TIME??

What is this pile? You wonder, right? Doesn't look like much...and in fact really isn't. But....It has potential, I think.

Every time I receive an order from my printer the green paper that pads things calls out to me with that potential. I see birds especially...sculpted from the lovely stuff. Plump little green guys. Maybe painted. Maybe not. Maybe with wire legs, button eyes? Possibility. Potential.

But each time, after a while, I have not done it and the paper goes to the recycle bin. Will it happen this time?

Does anyone else have more ideas than time to explore them or is it just me? I doubt it's just me.

IS SUMMER OVER?

 The weather doesn't tend to answer that question in the affirmative. But those who are doing the art festivals here in town are thinking that day is REAL close.

Festival season starts winding down this coming Sunday, August 28th, when the Sawdust Art Festival shutters for the season.( If you need tickets for this final weekend, email me at cherril@cherrildoty.com)

I'm thinking that it is getting close to time to hit the road for a short road trip (hence the picture here) And workshops start up for me again on September 18th (almost full) so plenty to think about.

What are your plans?

PLAYING AROUND GETS RESULTS

After experiencing beginner's luck with subsequent failures at the last mixed media playtime, I decided to take some time, study, and research to see if consistency might be achieved. And so I began. And went on. And tried again. And went on.

Finally, I met with some successes again--some better than others, I will admit. Still....I think if I keep at this.... Meanwhile, I am having some fun with the results (adding ephemera and more.) So stay tuned to see the final result.

For sure we will be doing more of this experimentation at the workshop on September 18th!!