Apr
22
Yes, I’m alive, but have been much too responsible lately. About a month ago, I was packing for Artfest 2010. Seems like it was only yesterday.
This year I was so thrilled to be a student of Patricia Seggebruch in her Encaustic Play class. To gear up for the class, I read her book, Encaustic Workshop, which not only prepared me, but also inspired me. But to actually work hands-on with the wax was so exhilarating. I’m hooked. Now to shop for supplies.
To begin, I need a griddle, and some unrefined beeswax. Patricia’s favorite supplier is R&F Handmade Paints. I also love the Ampersand Clayboard on which I painting the wax. What I used in the class were flat panels, but the 2″ Deep Clayboard looks fabulous with this medium.
This class was even more fun because I was surrounded by friends. Alex on one side, Adeola on the other.
My first attempts were quite fun, but I found that the more wax I applied, the more satisfied I was with the outcome. We layered color, imprinted, scraped, gouged, and embedded.
My daughter had loaned me some of her pottery tools which worked wonderfully with the wax. I also brought an antique cookie press tip which imprinted great circles.
This class made my head swirl with ideas. The bonus was the total escape into right-brain world that my body had been so longing for. Just revisiting the day in my mind makes me melt with longing. Dreaming…
amanda ∞
Posted in Art, Inspiring Art Artfest encaustic patricia seggebruch
Feb
08
This past Saturday was art journaling extravaganza. I taught an art journaling class to the coolest crew of gals. They were cranking out the journal pages. I was thrilled to see all they were accomplishing, and not a one worrying about making things perfect. Love it!
The focus of the class was to teach making backgrounds for journal pages, and viewing daily objects differently, by shape, color, texture, making almost everything game to be added to the journal. We used acrylic paints, vintage ephemera, magazines, staples, tape, even bullet canisters (they make these great dotty shapes). My greatest desire in teaching art journaling is that a freedom is felt in creating. There is no set formula that makes a page good or bad. Color and shape combinations that are put together intuitively can bring surprisingly refreshing results. We also tried out the new Tulip Graffiti Paint Cannon for some stencilry. Although the paint cannon satisfies that urge to stencil during the coldest part of winter, it really makes me miss spray paint.
This will be my last class taught from my home for a season. I need a bit of rest. One thing that teaching has taught me is huge amount of work and preparation that goes into putting together and teaching classes. The great respect for my own teachers has vastly multiplied.
But I’m still offering to bring a class to the student. Occasionally a group of friends likes to get together in their own comfort zone, so I pack up all the supplies and bring them on location. Currently I’m offering two basic classes. Check out my CLASSES page.
Outside of teaching, I’m currently working on an album cover, and preparing for Artfest coming up in March. Yes, I am so ready. The classes I’ll be taking are Encaustic Play taught by Patricia Seggebruch, 3″x3″ Portraits by Misty Mawn, and Drawing+Collage by Carla Sonheim. I am sponge.
Oh, and I added a new contact page on this blog. Just click CONTACT on the top menu bar. Voila. Now you can reach me more easily. I am particularly excited about this new way to contact me because contact feature is Spam Free. I had tried a contact feature in the past that was attacked by spam bots, not to mention the loads of comment spam I’ve been dealing with lately. WP-Spam Free, will you be my Valentine?
amanda ∞
Posted in Art, Art Journal art journaling Artfest classes intuitive teaching wp- spam free
Jun
12
Artfest was over 2 months ago. I am still finishing up details and adding thoughts to my Artfest journal. Yesterday I was thrilled to have completed the mobile from Katie Kendrick‘s class: Symbols Shaping Space
This was my absolute favorite class. Katie is an intuitive artist, so as she taught, she drew out creativity in each of us. To begin the class, she broke our minds free with some non-dominant hand exercises which were incorporated into the final piece. I learned so much and was overflowing with emotion.
I hung my mobile from a piece of an antique rocking chair seat. The shape of this wood just called to me.
The mobile is covered with thoughts and remembrances of childhood, from the pieces of my favorite childhood book, The Owl and the Pussycat, to the antique barrettes that were my mother’s.
I was hoping to share with you a song, Beautiful Pea Green Boat by Laurie Anderson, but sadly cannot find it. For those of you who have the Bright Red album from 1994, go back and take a listen. It’s delightful.
amanda ∞
Posted in Altered Art, Art, Hidden Art Art Artfest intuitive Katie Kendrick mixed media mobile
Apr
14
Artfest caused yet another shift within me. Surrounded by such beauty and so many others who think in ways similar to me, I felt that if I did have a place I fit on this earth, I had found it. I have never felt more comfortable around so many people I’d just met. Just being around so many other creative minds gave me such confidence in my own path. I envisioned and set goals, became more firmly established, found more of my self.
Now I am back to my “normal” life. Taxes and traveling over the weekend have caused me to push into high gear to get several much needed projects done while still maintaining the balance with homeschooling and my husband’s business. I feel a mellowness setting in where there once would have been stress. My dreams and goals are pushing me past this time of “catch up” to that of grand plans in my art studio.
I will share more fully over the months about specifics, the classes I took, the exciting things I learned. Until then enjoy some of my Artfest Art Journal filled with treasures from other artists and the outpouring of my thoughts.
amanda ∞
Posted in Art, Art Journal, Homeschooling, Myself, Transformation Art Journal Artfest goals Moleskine
Apr
08
I arrived home from Artfest Sunday evening full of inspiration and blissful exhaustion. Since then I have tried to get unpacked, but haven’t quite succeeded. There is something larger looming over my head…our tax return. I am the house accountant and we are a self-employed household, so naturally the task of preparing and filing goes to moi. So although I really, really want to give you all a full report of the wonderful things I learned at Artfest, and take lots of pictures of the treasures that came home with me, and add some things to my etsy shop, it will all have to wait. Soon and very soon…
Note to self: Next year get the tax return finished BEFORE going to Artfest.
amanda ∞
Posted in Hidden Art Artfest responsibility taxes
Mar
22
Artfest is fast approaching. I’ll be leaving in 10 days! As I gather the supplies needed for my workshops, the excitement builds inside my chest. I find it a little harder to fall asleep each night as my mind whirls with anticipation. This will be my first year attending, so I’m keeping things pretty low key. I didn’t sign up for any additional projects like ATCs or Fatbooks just so preparations would not become stressful for me, but I have committed to one tradition. I’ll be bringing trades, something I have to share in exchange for something another artist has brought. I’ve soldered 100 marbles, and have begun adding the jump rings. They make the cutest charms, so this is what I’ll be trading.
The other thing I’ve been doing with my time is Latin catch up. I got behind in February while meeting a commission deadline, so now I’m intently learning and translating. My student is a chapter ahead of me, so I’m working to surpass her before I’m off to Artfest. It’s best that the teacher know the material first, but I am thankful that my student loves Latin as well, and has not let my lapse affect her work. I’m also thankful that I enjoy Latin or this could be an exercise in torture.
And have you all noticed? Spring has arrived!
amanda ∞
Posted in Art, Homeschooling Artfest charms Latin marbles soldering trades
Nov
19
Artfest seems so far away. I am very ready to take classes, to learn, to be challenged. Until Artfest, I’m sure I’ll have Sea Monsters (this year’s theme) on the brain. Although I am very happy with the octopus I drew because I actually drew it, I am also not satisfied, knowing that if I was armed with more knowledge and experience, it could look so much better.
This school year has been particularly time consuming as I’m teaching my daughter her final year of Latin. This means I must learn it first. While I absolutely love this, I am looking forward to summer and the next school year. I am hoping to try some art classes to be challenged and learning continually.
I have loved this journey of creativity. To date I have been self taught with all my art, learning new techniques mostly from other blogs and from books. But I am very ready and eager for more. I am hungry.
amanda ∞
Posted in Art, Art Every Day, Challenge AEDM Art Artfest classes draw hungry octopus sketch
