Paper and Stitch

For this Open Studio Session, we started with paper, something light in weight and I mounted it to fusible interfacing so that the artists could stitch on it repeatedly without having their pieces fall apart.  For our sessions we used scrapbook paper and white paper painted with acrylics.  The idea was to cut away areas of the top sheet to reveal the paper below and then enhance the design with stitch and beading.  I think it was a very effective technique and I am pleased with the results.  Below is Wednesday's group of talented women. Enjoy!

Anne M.

Donna

Donna again

Patricia

Anna M.

Anne S.

Kristin

Linda R

Marg

Marg again

A Rainbow of Trees

Lois - her tree makes me think of fun, funky hair!

Donna's very own "bird" tree!

Jane's desert inspired tree.

I like the way Joan's tree
goes off the page.

Norina's tree has great movement.

A very delicate tree by Nancy.

Mary Lynn's tree has a wonderful shape.

Jan's tree, so unique!

I like the branches on Yvonne's tree.
I even see a few birds.

Great lights and darks
on Erin's tree.

Doeteke's tree, truly
monochromatic, well done!

A fun, energetic tree by Carol.

A unique tree by Barb. I like the words
and the way it extends beyond the page.

Angela's bubble tree - how perfect!

Chris used long thin pieces
to create this interesting tree.

The diverse pieces above were created during last week's Open Studio on COLOUR. For one of the exercises, the artists were asked to choose a colour and then given a set amount of time to gather bits of that colour from a selection of magazines. Next they were asked to create a Monochromatic Collage piece with "tree" as their subject matter. The pieces are still in progress and yet the talent and creativity already shines through.

Creative Energy In All Forms!

Saturday marked another day filled with creativity and joy. It also marked the first time a man attended Open Studio. I would be lying if I said I didn't wonder about how a man might change the energy of what had been a "women only" gathering for almost a year. Fortunately, creative energy belongs to us as CREATORS and the energy that flows through my Studio is that of individuals deeply immersed in the act of creating. Dan, the partner of a good friend, fit in perfectly.

The artwork below is still in progress, a sampling of the talented and creative individuals that attend my Open Studio sessions. I learn much more from them than I could ever teach them.

Dan Wiest - very nicely done, especially the tree.

I like the details and colour
palette in Yvonne's piece.

This piece has great balance and Shannon took it
outside the box with feathers and yarn.

Marie's piece has so many wonderful details.

A delicate composition by Lois waits for
a calligraphic letter or two.

Fun colour choices and overlapping boxes
create a quilt effect on Joan's piece.

Soft transitions and a unique approach to the grid
result in a beautiful piece by Janis.

Wrapped threads and tiny
details look great in Jan's piece.

Carol's piece is very effective in greens and pinks.

Letters and a full page grid make for an
interesting layout on Barb's piece.

Creative Women

Every week I am surrounded by vibrant, creative women. My Studio is just four walls and yet the magic that happens here and the energy that fills this space is nothing short of incredible. This week, we worked in the style of Sarah Lugg, filling grids with tiny details. While all the works below are in progress, it is easy to see the talent that each of these unique artists bring to Open Studio - how blessed am I to be a small part of this!

The colours are wonderful on this piece by Anne S.

I love the combination of yellow, pink and red in this piece by Anne M.
I can't wait to see it after she adds stitch!

Dianne's piece has great details and I like
that she's moved outside of the boxes with her bird's legs.

Marg extended her piece beyond the grid and it looks great.
The colours remind me of days at the beach.

Beautiful! Soula's piece waiting for details.
I love the soft colours behind each composition.


This delicate piece by Patricia is well on it's way
to true Sarah Lugg style. Well done!

Marda's piece is lovely and the details,
especially that tiny hand stitched nest, are "wow"!


How creative and delicate - a few fibres, some stitches
and tiny buttons and a big dose of Marda's creativity.
All done in the blink of an eye!

It always pleases me to see that each artist can start with the same tools and information and yet they all create such unique expressions of themselves. I know I say it often but I believe it to be true...our most natural state as artists is the creative state. We are CREATORS and I think most artists would say the same thing - the need to create is very real and the process (for me) is often more important than the product itself. So, until next time, happy creating!

Join me at Mixed Minded in May

The holidays have been a wonderful break from routine and while I miss the creative energy that flows through the Studio during my classes, I have been using this time to refresh and renew myself and the spaces around me. I think my students will be pleased.

There is something else that I think will please those of you that share my love of visual art and creative expression...an amazing art conference, Mixed Minded, will be taking place in Kitchener, Ontario from May 27 to 29, 2011 and I have been invited to be a part of it.

Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Karen Ellis of The Art House Studio asking me to teach at the suggestion of my friend and fellow artist, Lois Sander - I was thrilled, and then, Karen tells me, Claudine Hellmuth will also be teaching!!! Absolutely a moment when what I had put out to the Universe had come back in an even better package. My friend James would say "Gratitude rocks!".

Mixed Minded looks like it is going to be an incredible event, with 15 Sessions offered by 7 artists including Donna Funnell and Lois Sander, over 3 days. Registration is already open, so be sure and check it out.

Another year over...a new one just begun.

I must admit, I love this moment leading up to a new year. I feel compelled to clean out the old, reassess and renew. At times, I am frustrated, desperate for more time before this year ends. Some days, I am successful and feel as if I have hit a refresh button,my perspective is cleansed and I begin anew. For the past week I have been reconsidering everything I come across. Should it stay? Will I use it? Have I been giving it the attention it deserves? This blog was one of those "things" that I had neglected in this busy and absolutely amazing year. So, I am recommitting now, on this final day of 2010, to a year of blogging and sharing all of the wonderful opportunities that have been coming my way. There are so many exciting things to tell you, but my family is waiting and so for this moment I will wish all of you a "fresh" beginning, like the first page in a new journal and a year full of laughter and love.Happy New Year

Immersed in Art

I have been working away, totally immersed in ART and I couldn't be happier. This hasn't always been the case with a new show opening in less than a week. In the past, I would head into full fledged panic mode and completely shut down. Everyone would know to stay out of my way. As I sit here with two days until set up, I guess you could say, I've come a long way Baby! These days I am more aware. I recognize that nothing has meaning except for the meaning I give it and I've found a way to shut down the panicked "voice" in my head instead of just shutting down. I am learning to say "no" more often and realizing that the time I need to create is valuable and should be protected. I have also started Julia Cameron's Morning Pages again. For those of you that have never read "The Artist's Way" by this amazing woman, I recommend you do so TODAY. Writing three pages each morning has helped me to start the day clear and focused, work through challenges and maintain a positive point of view. On those days when I think that I might just skip the Morning Pages, my creativity has suffered. I think of it as clearing the clutter. By emptying my frustrations and fears on the page, my mind is free to create. And create I have, for months I have been working on a series of new pieces that I would like to share with you. And who knows, maybe a little piece of what brings me such joy will be the inspiration for something you do. Isn't creativity wonderful!