In a perpetual state of change...

I came across this quote some time ago on another's soul stirring blog. It resonated instantly then, even more so today as I work to embrace my soul-sojourn journey. It will be a prompt for an upcoming visual journal entry... perhaps the first entry into a new journal meant specifically for the chapters/seasons of my life and all the changes that are unraveling.

This journal I just finished may just be the perfect choice. I made it recently as a demo for one of my book making workshops. The cover is a one of my monotype prints that I printed on the etching press dad made, and then drew over the top of the print with ink and colored pencil. I sealed it with wax so that it would be more durable for the cover.

Bleeding Hearts on display

Bleeding Hearts
3 color stacked Monotype print, india ink, touches of colored pencil

A dear friend sent me images of some exotic birds awhile back. This little beauty, the Bleeding Heart Pigeon/Dove, was hidden away in the stack. A few weeks ago I gave a demo of the monotype printmaking technique and used this bird as a sample image. It was a quick demo and I rushed through the original drawing and the process of wiping the plates in order to save time. Obviously, I wasn't pleased with the final print since it lacked detail and interest. (see below) The other day I went back to the print and reworked it by drawing over the top with ink and colored pencil. I love the way it turned out! I will be doing more of this type of printing and more with this bird. 

original 3 color stacked monotype print 

And so it begins.

And so it begins, Long overdue images are starting to leak out of my mind and onto the paper now... This one is from a dream back in February. It isn't complete yet. I have too many design deadlines this week to allow myself time to work on it. I am anxious to get back to it. I am anxious to release all the others that are pushing their way forward. I long for a reprieve of life's demands so that I can hide away with my old friends who never disappoint me. my brushes, my paints, my pens, my inks, my pencils...

In progress. Mixed media. From the Book of Dreams.
"This is no F@%&*#g Mid-Life Crisis"

Whispering Truths

this began as a demo for my "Savage Mirror" workshop, which i finished up this past week.

i am so behind on my journals. i am so behind on creating art for myself. it feels very heavy on my shoulders, as i have so much that needs to be plucked from my brain and worked out in my books.  over the next few weeks i plan on lifting that load, even if it is just a little bit. stay tuned.

"Whispering Truths" from the Book of Dreams visual journal

Art Unraveled 2012 ~ Phoenix AZ

I can't believe how quickly life flies by!! In one week I will be traveling to AZ to teach at Art Unraveled. I am so excited to meet new kindred spirits and give hugs to those that have already touched my life. 

I will be participating in the Saturday Market Day with lots of personal work for sale, then kicking my heals up with a lot of the other instructors in a mad art making contest that evening! 

I am looking forward to Saturday's fun, however the following 3 days are what moves my soul and gets me excited. Three full days of sharing, teaching, connecting, and watching newly aquatinted  friends learn and grow as artists. Yes, this is were my bliss comes from. My natural high. 

Below are the three fantastic workshops I am teaching this year. Even though my Learning to See class is bursting at the seams, I may have a little room to squeeze a few more in... Transferring Memories is also almost full, but has room for a few more. The Savage Mirror will be an intimate class, but has been potent and life changing for past students. It truly is one of my favorite classes to teach.  

Transferring Memories : Sunday

In this workshop we will learn over a dozen different techniques on how to transfer images and text directly into a handmade origami memory book!

Learning to See : Monday

Learning to draw isn't about learning how to use a pencil (we all know how to hold a pencil), it is about learning to see the world around you. I'll be teaching my visual journaling style + shading values techniques with a pencil that will bring depth and dimension to all your journal pages.

The Savage Mirror : Tuesday

 He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. ~ Lua Tzu

Lets spend a day getting to know ourselves, seeing ourselves for who we truly are or where we really want to be. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of having to draw a portrait, we will get around that!! I promise. We come to the mirror to express what is in our hearts, through the use of guided exercises, collage, expressive drawing, painting, and writing. The savage mirror reflects those traits and dreams that the human eye cannot see but are nonetheless obvious when revealed.

If you have any questions about my workshops please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you!!

Road Blocks

‎"The times I have the most to say are the times I can't talk" 

I feel perplexed by the truth and frequency of this statement. I wish I could find the right words when they are truly needed. Words that do not sound insensitive or a jumbled mess. It always seems to take me far too long to unclutter my head enough to find the source of my muteness and to open up. Most people are not patient enough to stick around long enough to hear those deep vulnerable parts. The spoken word has never been my friend. 

My life has been on an emotional roller coaster for the past year and a half. There are moments that I am able to quite my mind, look at fears, and come to the realization that this journey, this soul path that I have embarked on, is exactly where I need to be. That in this journey I will become strong. I can't wiggle back into that former skin that no longer fits. Even though I have been running into road blocks, such as my hysterectomy, the path is still there... and I long to sprint down it fearlessly. 

Monotype Printmaking workshop

Spent the weekend learning a new monotype printmaking technique. It is a little bit similar to other monotype techniques I've tried in the past, but this one is much more intuitive for me. It could be that it feels more like painting than printmaking. Anyway, I love the process and I love the outcome. The instructor, Vinita Voogd, is a wonderful teacher. So full of tips and hints and step-by-step instructions. I have really learned a lot from her not only about her techniques, but also about printmaking in general. She calls her process the Stacked Monotype, we only used 3 color process inks.

This is my first stab at the process... I am a little bit giddy.

The art of PLAY retreats

Late last month I traveled over to Seattle and Port Townsend for a 4 day art retreat called "PLAY". I wasn't teaching, I wasn't taking classes/workshops, it was 4 days and 4 nights of uninterrupted studio time. I completed more in those 4 days than I normally do in a month of studio time at home. Here are the pieces I worked on....

"Entangled" 

4"x4"x1.5"

Mixed Media

Painted for the 2012 Valentines For Aides art auction

My first attempt at translating work from my Book of Dreams onto a large canvas. 

"Clarification" 

36"x18"x1.5"

Mixed Media

"What We Leave Behind" ~ from the Book of Dreams journal

First spread in my new visual journal, the view from my seat at Play!! Note all the art supplies piled on the table ;) 

What an amazing experience! And so many beautiful like minded souls, I miss them all.

Art Unraveled ~ Phoenix 2012

I just returned from a quick trip to Phoenix where I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Linda Young, the coordinating genius behind Art Unraveled. She was so kind to give me a tour of the resort where all the magic happens and to answer all my many questions.

I am thrilled to announce that I'll be teaching three of my favorite workshops at Art Unraveled in Phoenix this coming summer.

Transferring Memories : Sunday

In this workshop we will learn over a dozen different techniques on how to transfer images and text directly into a handmade origami memory book!

Learning to See : Monday

Learning to draw isn't about learning how to use a pencil (we all know how to hold a pencil), it is about learning to see the world around you. I'll be teaching my visual journaling style + shading values techniques with a pencil that will bring depth and dimension to all your journal pages.

The Savage Mirror : Tuesday

 He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. ~ Lua Tzu

Lets spend a day getting to know ourselves, seeing ourselves for who we truly are or where we really want to be. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of having to draw a portrait, we will get around that!! I promise. We come to the mirror to express what is in our hearts, through the use of guided exercises, collage, expressive drawing, painting, and writing. The savage mirror reflects those traits and dreams that the human eye cannot see but are nonetheless obvious when revealed.

If you have any questions about my workshops please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you!!