Fall Workshops - Wonderful Teaching Moments

Here are some workshop photos, work of some fabulous creative artists...It has been a pleasure teaching so much this fall season...between the five week course programs and the one day workshops, I have been busy sharing the joy of the encaustic medium with other creative souls...and loving every moment of it.

A new 5 week program begins this Friday at my studio and a one day workshop this Sat.  

The altered books five week program too has been a great journey and I look forward to sharing more on that too in a future post.

Adventures of one Fortune Teller and Vampire

Come let me tell you your future.....

Inviting isn't it....

Wonder why she loves the 'theatre'....maybe there is a future here...following in the footsteps of her aunt Jennifer and Rhea...it is in the blood...

Hope you all had a fun and full halloween.

Altered Book Delight

The theme of this current altered book is, "Art, Nature & Soul"...this book is about all that inspires me in the creative process, the aspects of life that feed my creative soul and that help me stay connected to that magical creative place..such as nature, trees, flowers, colour, vibrant and magical colour...the written word, poems, affirmations, quotes etc.

 

Above is the great book I had found years ago, which gave me inspiration to try my hand at this great art medium..."18 Creative Techniques for Self-Expression - Altered Books Workshop" by Bev Brazelton...a great book if you are an altered book artist yourself or thinking about delving into this medium.

A two page spread in process...

An inserted page above...

A window page looking into the next 'Autumn-Fall' page

What is an altered book anyway?  It is any book, old or new that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art.  They can be rebound, painted, cut, folded, added to, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, embossed, drilled, adorned with windows, doors, shadow boxes, pockets, tags...the possibilities are endless and it is magical.

Currently I am teaching a 5 week altered book program and I am absolutely loving the joy it is bringing the others and myself...each person working on their book has a great style, sense of adventure and they are delving into the unknown with wonder and embracing all the possibilities their creations could become.  I hope to share some of their creations with some photos of the class soon.

Harmony and Balance

Today I've been thinking a lot about "Harmony and Balance"...In particular, I find myself with this strong urge to journal about some time ago love memories and life musings.  I found myself listening to Manolo Garcia, a wonderful spanish artist....I discovered Manolo's music when Jeff and I were on our honeymoon in Spain, almost 10 years ago...June 1999.  My lovely cousin, Milu lives in Spain, and since then has had a little bambino herself, and I find listening to these songs has me craving to see her, and meet her little one and her partner, David.  Those days is Spain were full of joy, harmony and balance....in fact I remember enjoying vino tinto everyday, basking in the sun, enjoying tapas on the patio, and loving life with my honey....Seeing the beauty all around us and delighting in the new environment, like the many castles in the middle of Spain, the warm and friendly people and of course the lovely Spanish music, like Manolo Garcia's...Particularly lovely is his " Pajaros de barro"-instrumental version.  OOOHH and the smell of those lovely Spanish olive groves was so delightfully intoxicating.

I find music fills my soul and helps me feel joy and creativity...so here I am basking in Manolo Garcia's lovely music, creating visions in my head, full of colour and remembering glorious love moments with my honey....out of which came lovely little Maya.

Inspired by Joseph Cornell - Check it out!

Recently I met a visitor at the Elora -Fergus Studio Tour that likened my work to Joseph Cornell's...I was very flattered when I explored his work further on his website. .....I am drawn to it for sure and it is very inspiring to know that there are other "collage artists" that weren't necessarily 'painterly' that created for the joy and was loved for it by many.

One Act of Random Kindness

"Express your creativity.  Delight in the mystery of your inner muse." ~ Cheryl Richardson

This morning I woke thinking about how through creativity I discover many things....I find awareness of self, others, the world, and this in turn provides me the expansion of compassion.   This thought lead me to thinking about the saying "One Act of Random Kindness", which I heard once in a movie.... Have you ever witnessed how true this concept is in life?  I have, when I take the time to send out one (or more) acts of random kindness in  my day...For no reason at all....just because....Then I notice how also this one act of random kindness brings on another.....it goes around...

It is like, when someone lets you into a lane when you are driving...or pulling out a parking spot into traffic...don't you notice how in turn you feel more generous to do the same for another...Or during one of my artist dates at the Aberfoyle Antique Market, this summer...when I sat for a refreshment break...I noticed a gentleman struggling to get his stroller up the two or three steps...So I got up to assist him with the lift...and when I sat back down..my napkins flew all over the place due to the wind...And another, a different person, bent down to pick them up for me..Then within five minutes..this same person was given a seat at a table they were waiting for...This was a clear indication of EVIDENCE..that one act of random kindness works...

Funny how life works this way..and it is through a day of creativity yesterday, with paper and luminous paint...the delicious encaustic mixed media collage, I was once again reminded of life's little lessons and joys.

So I ask you what are your stories around "one act of kindness" ...or if you want I encourage you to see if you can find evidence of this today and over the course of the week ..and I would love to hear about your stories....

"The small things you do everyday - smiling at a stranger or paying someone a compliment - bring you closer to your spiritual truth, the purity of your soul." ~ Deepak, Chopra, M.D. 

On days like this it is important to keep moving and PESEVERE

Ever had days when you think....OMG maybe all those people that think you are crazy for giving up your full-time job to pursue a creative life might be right????...Just sometimes those messages from the seemingly well intentioned people in the world, individuals that call themselves artists or art lovers...Those who deem themselves as knowing what 'ART is' begin to creep into my head...And today these voices are screaming LOUDLY in my head...And you begin to wonder maybe they are right???  These messages such as.... "Get a REAL job" or "Get with the program", "You are just playing..not working"...this is not "ART"...  Well I suppose I am having one of those days today...

In times like this perhaps the best thing is to keep moving, keep hoping, keep dreaming and believing in yourself even more....Grabbing hold of that sense of knowing that it will happen for you..that it is just a matter of time..that it is ALREADY happening....taking stock of all that is accomplished and filling your sense of self as worthy..knowing that it is all good...There are still many others on the other side of the continuum...who are lovingly, genuinely, authentically loving my work, my process....and then realizing that is life...it is just that...art is always going to be personal, beautiful to some but not all, and that what is most important that I am living my life to its full potential, always growing, always in joy, in love and with the best of intentions, lifting myself up when it is needed and always lifting others...That this is my calling, for myself and others, my work does speak something, joy, love, life ponderings....that is so good....It is all good!

So I say loudly, this is my real job, this is my dream coming true...I am an artist, no matter what anyone else says or deems my work as being....That what is true is in my heart...and I am deeply grateful for this gift and opportunity to grow into this dream....With each day, each moment the journey gets richer, better, fuller....I am JOY and life is JOYOUS....

In the joy I move forward with those that believe in my journey, that love me for my trying and my growing...Most of all we PERSEVERE and KEEP LOVING the PROCESS