READY, SET, GO!

I LOVE AUTUMN... I just can't
wait for my favorite season to arrive!

Not only are the outdoors an absolute
breathtaking vision to behold with
leaves changing and cool breezes,
one of my very favorite events occurs
in the Fall.

I am so grateful and humbled to be
teaching again at the International
Quilt Festival in Houston. This year
I will be busier than ever with the
debut of my BRAND NEW FABRIC
LINE (YEAH!!!) - "Nature Inspired"
being shown at Quilt Market just two
days before Festival and then having
the honor of teaching 4 FABULOUS
workshops and participating in 2
large demonstrations.

All this goodness takes many days,
sometimes weeks and months of
preparation. As you can see in the
picture below, I am creating lots of
lovely verdigris copper patina fabrics
for my beautiful students to use.

I invite you to attend this event. If
you have never been, you are in for
an "INSPIRED TO THE MAX!!!"
experience.... seriously!

I also love meeting up with other
artists in the fabric realm and
especially enjoying visiting with
friend and artist extraordinaire,
Judy Coates Perez. We both adore
nature and painting on fabric, so
you can imagine that we have lots
to share with each other having
such similar interests.

Below is a list of painting workshops
I will be offering along with more
SUPER INCREDIBLE painting classes
that Judy will be conducting.


Tuesday, November 2nd -
Workshop - Tsukineko All Purpose Inks: Class FULL
teacher - Judy Coates Perez
"From adding details, dimension or shadow
to creating fully illustrated scenes, paint
offers endless opportunities for creating
special effects on fabric. Working with
various types of fabric paints you will learn
different techniques for applying paint to
fabric, creating smooth gradations of color
and adding fine details to your work."


Wednesday, November 3rd -
Workshop - Color Theory
teacher - Judy Coates Perez
"Did you know the color choices you make
can transform an average piece of artwork
into something spectacular? Be surprised
and delighted by the effects and illusions
you can create by understanding the
mysteries of color. In this hands-on
experiential class you'll learn key color
concepts with visual examples, mix new
paint colors, and create helpful charts,
all providing you with the tools you’ll
need to see color in a whole new light."


Workshop - Quilt Block Collage
teachers - Tracie Lyn and Marylin Huskamp
"Work with both fabric and paper to create
a nature-inspired fiber collage quilt block.
Explore methods for sketching an image on
fabric using a fast and easy technique that
requires no previous drawing skills, rendering
natural subjects with acrylic pain,, and
composing separate elements onto one surface
to reveal a stunning mixed-media artwork."


Thursday, November 4th -
Workshop - Fabric Patinas Techniques: Class FULL
teachers - Tracie Lyn and Marylin Huskamp
"Examine multiple ways to distress fabric using
various art products. Learn to make cloth look
like rust, weathered wood, watercolor, gilded
gold, verdigris green copper, copper metal and
polished metallics of silver, gold, and bronze."


Friday, November 5th -
Workshop - Quilted Nature Pendant
teachers - Tracie Lyn and Marylin Huskamp
"Explore techniques for creating a beautiful
quilted pendant that is sure to be a work of
art you will love to wear over and over.
Combine methods for transferring a line drawing
to fabric using acrylic paint to render a nature-
inspired subject. Finally, compose a stunning
adornment from separate elements."


Friday Night, November 5th -
Workshop - Fabric Painting: Small Creatures (Birds)
teachers - Tracie Lyn and Marylin Huskamp
"This workshop is part of an on-going series of
painting lessons. Explore methods for sketching
bird images on fabric using a technique that
requires no previous drawing skills, and rendering
them with acrylic paint."


I hope you will join us!

Monday Meanderings...

The beginning of another week
and one particular task is weighing
heavily on my mind today.

I have been procrastinating on this
project, mostly due to my lack of
familiarity with the necessary steps
to a successful completion. But the
time has come for me to stop being
scared of failing, no more excuses
or distractions, I must dive in with
everything I know and finish.

The above close-up is from an artwork
I just recently completed. It's part of a
series of collage paintings that marry
the pages from a very tiny autograph
book with paint, and vintage fabric.

I have placed this charming piece
next to my computer to help inspire
me, as I wander into the unknown of
this seemingly daunting assignment.
Hopefully, it will continue to remind
me that I don't always need to know
how something will or should end, but
to always follow my heart and enjoy
the journey.

Wish me luck!

Many Thanks!

Many, Many Thanks to everyone that tuned-in
to my interview, "UPWARD FLIGHT" on
Art and Soul BlogTalkRadio. It was so
much fun, despite the technical difficulties.



Also Many Thanks to those that purchased
an "UPWARD FLIGHT" Promotional Print,
and left a comment here on my humble blog
for a chance to win an autographed copy of
Nature Inspired.

So it is time to announce the winner.....

CONGRATULATIONS KAREN!

An Artful Iron-On Tutorial

Everywhere around me, signs of a
changing year are slowly occuring.

Unfortunately the scorching heat
cut short opportunities to really
savor the exiting season. So,
inspired by a beautiful stitched
apron from my mother-in-law,
and a longing to re-live those early
summer memories of lush flowering
blooms, I could not resist adding
some whimsy to the collar of this
darling frock.

I invite you to create along with
me, as I demonstrate how to make
your own hand-painted floral iron-on.


1. Using a copyright free image or photograph,
transfer the image to a piece of typing/copy
paper via your computer and printer or a copier.


2. Cut a piece of 200-thread count bleach
muslin fabric slightly larger than the image,
and lay the fabric over the paper copy.

Using a light box and mechanical pencil,
trace the outline of the image onto the
fabric.


3. Take your favorite brand of acrylic
paints, and select colors that match the
picture then apply paint to the fabric,
remembering to wash your brush
thoroughly when changing to a new
color.

Don't worry about painting the details,
right away. First break the subject into
4 to 6 main colors and paint the entire
piece. Add in the details after you
have completed the base coat.


4. Once you finish painting the image,
take a pair of sharp scissors and carefully
cut a piece of STEAM-A-SEAM2, which is
a double stick fusible web.


5. Peal off one side of the wax paper
from the cut piece of STEAM-A-SEAM2.


6. Position the backside of the painted
artwork onto the sticky side of the fusible
web. Be sure to trim the excess STEAM-A
-SEAM2.

Follow the directions provided in your
package of STEAM-A - SEAM2 for
pressing the artwork and fusible web
together.

Don't forget to sandwich your project
between two pieces of parchment paper
to protect the art and the ironing surface.


7. Now that the STEAM-A-SEAM2 is
securely fastened to the back of the
art.

Cut the excess bleached muslin
canvas from the piece. Start by
trimming away the extra muslin
from any areas surrounded by paint.


8. Finish removing the remaining
excess bleached muslin canvas.


9. Peel off the remaining piece of wax paper
from the STEAM-A-SEAM2 that is attached
to trimmed artwork.


10. Position the hand-painted
artwork with sticky side down to
any surface that needs decorating.


11. Again, following the directions provided
in your package of STEAM-A - SEAM2
for pressing the hand-painted iron-on
artwork to the final surface.

And don't forget to sandwich your
project between two pieces of parchment
paper to protect the art and the ironing
surface.


Congratulations!.
You now have a lovely artful iron-on.

UPWARD FLIGHT GIVEAWAY!

If you missed the live broadcast
you can still listen to the interview
at Art & Soul Blog Talk Radio

I share my journey of turning
artistic dreams into realities.

And leave a comment to enter
my Blog Talk Radio GIVEAWAY!

A winner will be randomly
selected on Friday, August
20th, receive an autographed
copy of my book, Nature
Inspired, and a promotional
UPWARD FLIGHT print.

* The Upward Flight Print,
shown above, is available
in my Etsy shop for one
week only as a special
promotion- Just $10!

UPWARD FLIGHT

This Monday, August 16th at
7 p.m. EST, I am very honored
and excited to be a guest on
Art & Soul Blog Talk Radio

Host, Lesley Riley, and I will
be discussing creativity and
art, teaching and licensing.
I invite you to tune in and
listen, as I share my journey
of turning artistic dreams
into realities.

* The Upward Flight Print,
shown above, is available
in my Etsy shop for one
week only as a special Blog
Talk Radio Promotion!

Flower Power

This summer, an absolutely treacherous
heat has gripped the Plains of the
MidWest, completely refusing to
let go.

This has me and every other
living creature hiding indoors,
somewhere... desperately trying
to find the coolest location in
the building, along with hoping
beyond hope that the air condition,
which is running non-stop, won't
decide to fail.

Although, this weather has
me hold up in my home with
all shades drawn, I find solace
spending my days tucked into
my studio located in the basement.

I have been trying not to think about
my poor garden withering under
the scorching sun, unable to even
get a break during the evening hours
as temperatures at midnight continue
to hover in the high 80s.

And I am also convinced that I
must be experiencing some sort
of nature withdrawal because
of the weather, when I suddenly
realized I have been inadvertently
creating what appears to be a
pseudo indoor garden by
surrounding myself with flowers.


I noticed this occurring phenomenon
late yesterday afternoon, when I caught
myself counting the number of flower
bouquets I have scattered about the
house and smiling every time I
walked past one of them.


I even found myself trying to whistle
(which is something I rarely do
because I am a terrible whistler)
during an assembly line session
of flower painting.

Then finally, believe-it or not I actually "cooed"


at seeing the vase of flowers on the
front cover of Art Girl's Guide
to Paris by Carmi Cimicata
as I opened the package.
(Just a Note.. this little book
is wonderful, colorful with
more of everything we love
to love about Paris inside,
including flowers)

So I figured, if my indoor garden was
making me this happy, I couldn't
resist sharing some of that FLOWER
POWER goodness with you!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Packing to Travel Journal

From the moment I knew I would be traveling
abroad, I have been like a little squirrel gathering
an entire stash of goodies all related to journaling
my voyage.

In fact, if anyone from the outside were looking in
on my follies they might be inclined to laugh, as
watching this collection grow has been a bit of
a comedy.

In the beginning, I had a substantial mound,
of course all items I didn't think I could live
without. But as the days passed, and I walked
by this small mountain, I have been able to
subtract from my pile of "needs".

And funny how you decide what you can and
can not live without, especially when you start
looking at the size of your luggage and the carry
bag, wondering how it's all going to fit.

Suddenly, soap, shampoo, and that extra pair of
undergarments become the priority over having
a large paint palette and that third extra Sharpie
Pen... you know... just in case the first two fail.

Now, I think I have my supplies all perfectly
selected and portioned, with a travel kit that
is quite manageable.


I thought I would share a list of what I am taking
with me....

* 2 - mechanical pencils
* 1 - white eraser
* 1- .01 black Micron Pen
* 1 - black fine Sharpie Marker
* 1 - 9B Pencil
* 1 - roll of 1/2" Artist Tape
* 1 - needle and linen thread
* 1 - small pair of embroidery scissors
* 1- small square of fine sandpaper
* several sheets of folded blank newsprint paper
(for pressing flowers...etc)
* 1 - Heritage brand travel paint palette for acrylics
(which I am anxiously waiting for
as it has not arrived yet)
* misc. 2 oz. bottles of acrylic paint
(which are needed for the workshop)
* 1 - Upper and Lower Case of Alphabet Stamps
(inspired by this friend's travel journal kit)
* 1 - small black cube ink pad
* various ephemera (such as vintage Italian Stamps,
Scrabble tiles that spell Italy and Rome and Orvieto,
a few vintage Italian handwritten documents)
* a stash of painting canvas in
various small sizes (I like using
bleach fabric muslin 200 thread ct.
for painting)
* Fujifilm Instax Mini 25 and film

And still considering if I want to purchase
a POGO printer and Zink Paper to use
with my digital camera?

Please feel free to leave a comment
if there are journaling supplies you use
that are a MUST HAVE.... I would love to
hear about them.

I am also really excited to show you my
newly crafted journal.


After looking around for several weeks,
I purchased a handmade watercolor
sketchbook from a local hobby/craft
store and decided to give it my own
personal touch.

Using an old mini tintype
etched copper frame, I cut
an opening the exact same
size in the journal cover. I
lined the hole with a thin
strip of black cardstock to
create a snuggle fit for the
frame, and glued it into
place with industrial
strength adhesive.

The image seen in the window is a collaged
vision of a painted field of sunflowers married
with snippets from a vintage Italian document
I purchase off of the web.

Although I love the outcome
of the embedded frame, I
felt like the bottom of the
journal cover also needed
a bit of decoration, so I
cut an extra long piece
of indigo colored sari ribbon
to serve as a punch of color
and an additional way of
securing the contents of
the book, when hopefully
later on it is bulging at the
seams.

I have also ordered a copy of Globejotting:
How To Write Extraordinary Travel Journals
after doing a Google search on "Travel Journaling"
this book was at the top of the results and looks
quite interesting. Hopefully it will be a fun read
with some good tips.

She Only Needed... Poems and Polaroids

The smallish city where I live, nestled in
and among the Plains of the Mid-West
has a thriving art community. Although
it struggles to hold the attention of the
general public, there are many individuals
tirelessly working to schedule and promote
art events here.

Final Friday is one such event. It always
occurs on the last Friday of the month
and is an opportunity for all the art
exhibits displayed throughout, in either
galleries, retail stores, or museums, to
stay open during the early evening hours
for visitors to wander from place to place,
even catching the city trolley to that
next stop, enjoying the many diverse
artistic offerings.

This last weekend, I attended a Final
Friday book signing and art show that
had me down to the bones excited! The
artist, Kate McBride, who is really a writer
and film-maker, is a city native but has
actually been living and traveling abroad
for many, many years.


During her world adventures she journaled
her experiences by taking Polaroid snap-
shots and writing poetry inspired by those
captured images. The result of her efforts
is a selection of pictures and words published
in the book, Poems and Polaroids - I Journey
With You.

Inside, the clean crisp layout of stark
white pages containing the most ethereal
images and haunting poetry spoke to my
very core.

Her verses were truly imbued with as much
color as her photos. Although most of the
poems and Polaroids are somewhat abstract,
each piece definitely grabs the reader pulling
them towards another time and place.

I was also incredibly intrigued by the way
Kate choose to log her experiences, which set
my creative wheels turning fast and furious.

With my own upcoming travels only a
month away, I began pondering this idea
of incorporating these same techniques
into my travel journal.

But I began to wonder if I could find the
same type of Polaroid camera, as hers is
an older model and out of production, or
would I even have the space to pack such
a bulky piece of equipment in a suitcase
that will already be bulging with art
supplies for the workshop.

But it would not take long before
the universe would step in, creating
what I think is a very serendipitous
moment, with the arrival of the latest
issue of Better Homes and Gardens in
my mailbox.

There on page 26 of the magazine was
an article discussing the new breed of
point-and-print cameras that deliver
pictures about the size of a credit card.
THIS WAS PERFECT!... as my Italy journal
(which I can't wait to share with you
in my next post)... is long and narrow.

There are several brands of mini size
instamatic classics, both the Polaroid
300 and the FujiFilm Instax Mini 25...

SO, if you have ever used one of these,
have any advice on how to take the
best image with an instant camera,
or just want to offer words of
encouragement for this endeavor,
I would love to hear from you!

It's that time of year again!!!

The NEW! classes for Artfest 2011 are
on-line and registration has begun!

I am SO, SO EXCITED this year to be
returning to teach not just one, but
TWO INCREDIBLE WORKSHOPS!

Both classes are focused on a subject
that is near and dear to my heart...
Nature, of course, but more specifically,
Birds.

I have LOTS AND LOTS of SUPER
techniques to share that can
also be applied to any sort of
future assemblage and/or
painting project you might
be creating.

I invite you to take a closer
look at the EGG-olgy and
and the Of Nested Visions
classes.

Space is VERY LIMITED in
each of these workshops,
as to make the atmosphere
more personal and rewarding.

I look forward to seeing
you next April at Artfest!