Fabric-Paper at Guilford Art Center

Last weekend I had a great time teaching a Fabric-Paper workshop at Guilford Art Center in Guilford, CT. Read the description here. And now, take a look at the gorgeous papers and mini-quilts the students made!

Jane's fabric-paper in its early stage:

And now she is applying paint to it:

Linda uses stamps on her fabric-paper

And then sews beads onto the mini-quilt

Work in Progress

Ronnie's finished piece, before binding

To learn more about fabric-paper, read Kelli Nina Perkins' book, Stitch Alchemy. Or, there is a chapter in my book, Adventures in Mixed Media, in which I demonstrate fabric-paper techniques. Or, just enjoy the eye candy above. Thanks for visiting!

Sketch-In and Sketchbook Practices

Since The Sketchbook Challenge began last January I've been thinking about how I use and don't use a sketchbook. What is a sketchbook? How do artists use them? How is it different from an "art journal"? These are questions I've pondered over the year without forcing any answers.

To express your thoughts on the topic, click here to take a brief survey.

At Ink About It over the weekend, Sue Bleiweiss and I conducted a Sketch-In. We did lots of drawing exercises:

Then worked with watercolor, experimenting with materials:


And working from still life:
On the second day we painted papers:

Using various brands and types of acrylic paint:
Look at us all having FUN!
Here I am demonstrating something brilliant, I'm sure:

And this is Sue Bleiweiss with Lori, one of the owners of Ink About It.
Then Sue gave us a great little tutorial on making a quick and easy hard-cover book. She brought book kits for everybody, and people used their painted papers for covers and end-papers. What a creative and productive weekend! Check out Sue's free projects to find this book tutorial and many others.

Text and Image Class Starting Soon!

Hello. My online class, "Text and Image: Telling Stories in Collage", is beginning next Wednesday, October 19, and I have a fabulous group enrolled. I opened the group blog a few days ago, so people are introducing themselves. Sharon Gorberg is joining us again; check out her blog. We also have Renate, from Germany, who has a blog to share. Joan, Peggy, Sylvia, Marny, Kathleen, Priscilla, Kaliphoenix, and Bonnie are all repeats from previous classes - great to have you back! There is still room to join this exciting adventure. Read about it here, and join us if you like!

Your Dream Studio

I just got Cloth Paper Scissors e-newsletter offering a new publication called "Inside the Creative Studio: Inspiration and Ideas for Your Art and Craft Space". The e-newsletter asks: What makes a Dream Studio? My answer: Make it work for YOU!

I have seen some artists' studios that look just like any dream studio in a magazine, artists who are both organized AND productive and creative, and sometimes I long to be one of those artists. HOWEVER, I am not one of those. And for those of you who are a little more like me (not totally disorganized, but definitely not a neatnik) I am writing this post to suggest that you do not need your "Dream Studio" to make art. You can get some very useful ideas from CPS's fabulous publications on studios, and Inside the Creative Studio sounds like a great resource (see Sue Bleiweiss's book review). I have gotten great tips myself. But don't let gorgeous photos of beautiful studios discourage you from making art on your kitchen table, your corner of the bedroom, your studio with stuff all over the place (that's me), your dingy basement, or the living room floor. You are who you are. Organize to suit your own style of working, your own level of sustainable organization.

As good as it gets for me (photo-shoot ready):

What it usually looks like:

The other worktable:

My Own Dream Studio

Thanks for taking a look. Embrace who you are and what you have, and accept whatever workspace you have as your dream studio!

More from Portland

Hi All! The video shooting at Creative Catalyst Productions went SUPER WELL! I enjoyed every minute, especially working with the CCP group. They are a friendly, accommodating, and professional group with loads of creative insight. I did not take any pictures while there, so I will post a few more "people" shots from Art and Soul, plus a few from the Portland Farmers' Market:

Elizabeth

Marcy and Jan

Dale

The Front Worktable
Inspiration from the Market

Fresh Ginger!

Aren't those colors awesome???!!!! I bought some fresh ginger to take home; it does not grow here in Vermont!

Views from Art and Soul

Just a quick post to show off some of the work my students did at Art and Soul in Portland. These are from my Scribble Collage class. I apologize for the photography; it does not do justice to these gorgeous pieces, which are just a few from the many examples.

Before

And After

Thanks to all of you who participated! This was a very rewarding and inspiring class to teach. Thanks also to Art and Soul for organizing such a fun and fabulous retreat.