Artfest 2010

When I got home from Artfest 2010 and a short side-trip to see the kids and grandkids, I hit the ground running since it was Easter weekend, a new semester with new courses/students, etc., and so I haven't really had much of a chance to slow down enough to post. Sorry 'bout that, for many reasons---I'll try to do better! :) {By the way, the date above shows I posted March 29th, but that's only when I started this post--it's really May! ha!}
First of all, I had a terrific time! I took classes with Carla Sonheim (whimsical drawing/watercolor), Julie Haymaker Thompson (Dr. Suess-like paperclay characters), and Susan Kazmer (altered surfaces on metalwork). Not only did the three classes use different mediums, but the instructors were totally distinctive in personality, teaching style, etc. The students in each group were diverse so each day was its own unique slice of Artfest. Two friends, Sue and Vicki, were in the metalworking class with me so that made it all the more fun. I'll post some about each separate class as I get the opportunity, but for now, the pictures are from a walk I took all by myself, something I rarely do. Enjoy!

Treasure Boxes

When I was a little girl, I saved all sorts of odds and ends--pieces of ribbon, postcards, notes, broken jewelry, coins, special rocks, seashells. I used an old grungy shoebox that I hid in my closet to store my treasures, but somewhere along the way, I misplaced my box. To many people the little tidbits I saved would not have meant a thing, but to me they were equivalent to valuable crown jewels or old handwritten manuscripts.
A few years back I was talking with a friend about her husband's baseball cards that he kept in an old cigar box. It reminded me again of my childhood shoebox, and I decided that I needed to give each of my grandchildren a special box to store their personal treasures. So, I've made each a box with their name and some design that is personal to them (and hope to continue as we have more grandbabies). For example, the oldest loves animals, the second loves monster trucks, the third loves music, etc.
When we visit, I love to sneak off to their bedrooms and take a peek to see what they've hidden inside. Shhhh! don't tell! : )

Missing the Kids and Grandkids

One of my sons was able to take a long weekend to go see his brother(my older son), and his wife and kids in the Pacific Northwest. I am glad for him since he hasn't seen them for a long time, but it has been a harsh reminder to me how much I miss being with ALL my kids and grandkids, all together in one place. The picture above is a year ago--it was not taken in a studio, but in our kids' side yard...it was the most snow this So. California girl has ever seen! My son set the timer and ran through the deep snow! I cherish our times together....

Mosaic Shoe #4 FINISHED!

I finally finished my mosaic shoe, grouted and cleaned. My neighbor loved it, and gave me the matching shoe so I could show what the original looked like. She and her daughter want to learn the basics of mosaics so I suggested we get together in a few weeks and make a stepping stone for their backyard. Should be fun!

Mosaic Shoe #3

The only part left to finish on my mosaic shoe is to grout and paint the sole. I'll complete it tomorrow night at class. I was concerned about all the little curves, etc. on the shoe, wondering how I would mosaic small areas, but as long as I used small pieces, it was easier than I thought. The pieces include mirror, glass tile, stained glass, beads and a vintage earring. Can't wait to show my neighbor her shoe after it's grouted!

Cowboy Caleb

Oftentimes I have a hard time believing in my artistic abilities, in what work I can accomplish. This past spring, Katherine challenged our mosaic class to do a portrait. Of course, as usual, I thought I couldn't possibly do it, but then I thought "Why not? I might as well give it a try".

Around the same time, I was able to visit my family in Idaho, and took this picture of my oldest grandson. Below is Caleb's photo and another photo of the finished mosaic. I have to say I was very pleased with the portrait, so much so that I've started another of my second grandson and will post it when it's complete! Yippee!

Artfest Trades

The first time at I attended Artfest was because a friend cajoled me into it, even though I was sure that my puny art skills would be the subject of more than a few chuckles. I am glad she pushed me to go. It was all pretty overwhelming the first time with choosing classes when I had no idea what I was getting myself into, planning travel, accommodations, etc. But finally, I had everything in place.

Then, I learned about TRADES. Participants are encouraged (totally by choice) to bring small art trinkets to exchange---little handmade art charms, ATCs, small baggies of art supplies for collage, etc. It can be just about anything. I was scared spitless to make trade items, mostly because I was sure that no one would want to trade with my rinky dink attempts. On the advice of a good friend, I joined the yahoo chat site for Artfest, and that is where I met Joan from N. Idaho. She patiently emailed me with ideas, gentle suggestions, and descriptions of what she'd seen at Artfest in the past. On a trip to see my grandkids, Joan met up with me so that I could see some items from previous years. AND...when I got to Artfest, she not only looked me up, but she gave me a chain to attach traded charms. That's the kind of wonderful, caring people that willingly exchanged trades with me at Artfest, and were kind enough to wait to chuckle until later. {grin}

Artfest

For the past two years I have had the opportunity to go to Artfest at Ft. Worden, Port Townsend, WA. For those of you who do not know about it, I'll try to explain. Artfest is a gathering of artists from around the world for a 3 1/2 day event planned and organized by Tracy and Teesha Moore, where classes are offered by a wide variety of professional artists. Sign-ups are in advance so that students can bring supplies for each day of classes.
Last year, one of the classes I signed up for was with Sunny Carvahlo. It was a painting class, totally different than any other class I've had at Artfest. We used heat-set oil paints and Sunny was a fantastic teacher--very patient and helpful. I was happy with the results and gave the painting to my baby granddaughter to hang in her room. This year I have classes with Carla Sonheim, Julie Haymaker Thompson, and Susan Kazmer. I can't wait!!

Mosaic Shoe #2

This shoe is definitely NOT 'made for walkin'! Following Katherine's directions, my shoe is ready for mosaicing, so I wanted to post a picture of what it looks like after preparation and before I begin the fun part. First, I cut the strap off (around the ankle) and then used rigid wrap to cover the entire shoe (except the bottom). Next, I used "fix-all" to fill the toe and heel area. This has been a fascinating process! I can see how these same materials can be used on many other 3-D items before adding mosaic tile, glass, or baubles. I'll post again after I get further along.
Now....what else can I rigid wrap....hmmm....

Online Art Classes

In the fall I had a chance to take online journal making and paper art classes with Julie Prichard, the first online art classes I'd ever taken. I wasn't sure how I would like participating in visual arts classes on the net, or even the mechanics of how that would work, but I was surprised to find that it was doable and enjoyable.

Julie has prepared demonstration videos that can be downloaded in a short period of time and can be watched over and over again. Believe me, I know! Even though her directions are easy to follow, I had a hard time picking up everything in the first go-round, so I watched each video several times. The terrific part is that the videos are available for a full year so if I need to review, I can watch them again. This is one of my favorite pages. : )