Red Tape

New Blog Alert!

My friend, Sue Pelletier, created quite a stir a while back. You may remember her work from the November/December 2008 cover of Cloth Paper Scissors:

 It is the infamous SNOW PEOPLE!

There was a lot of feedback about these little guys.  People, all over, were giving them a try.  Some stories filtered down to Sue, but at the time, she did not have a blog. We lamented the fact that she missed so many chances to touch base with people that loved this project!!   I passed on stories that I heard, to her, and we had so many good laughs over hearing about the way people made their own versions in family Thanksgiving crafts, as gifts to each other, even as school projects!  Someone actually made one to commemorate, then, President-elect Obama!!

Sue has some new work coming out in the next Cloth Paper Scissors issue, and she was able to get a blog up and going.   If you get a chance, go over and say hello...tell her I sent you!  She will get a kick out of that.  AND....if you have a 'snow people' story to tell her, pass it on!  Betta late than neva!

Sue Pelletier...Laugh*Paint

 

Ta Da!

Amazed and astounded!  Dazzled and astonished!  Well.....that may be a little over the top, but I finally was able to get started with my Stencillry Class, by Mary Ann Moss.  The weather was gorgeous on Sunday.  I set up a spray station in the wooded area behind the house, donned my respirator, (scaring the little neighbor kids ...but that's neither here nor there) and went to town spraying  everything I could.  The object for today was to get large (14" X 17") cardboard pieces covered, which will become a portfolio for the work we will do in class.  Without further ado....

 These are the outside covers.  They will be hinged together with black duct tape.

 

 .....and the inside of the portfolio covers.

It was a lot of fun trying to figure out what would make something stand out, or subdue something else.  For me the only down side, so far...having to drag everything outside, then all back inside when finished.  Our weather is just not predictable enough to leave it out in the elements. 

Would you like to see work posted by others in the class?  Here is the group's Flickr site, open to the public.  Go see!

Next session will be to spray lots of pages, making backgrounds, for further use as journal pages!

......stay tuned

Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!

Last night, The Boss was in town!!  My daughter had gotten me tickets for my birthday, and the two of us were off for a night of rock ‘n rolla!  

 

 

My Chauffer, Erin, fearlessly navigates Boston traffic.

 

I am ready. I have spiffy shoes I am going to wear (once I get there!  In the meantime I have my clogs on, of course).  I have my camera…didn’t you see my documentation of the drive into the city?  (note above pic).  We get there with the 19,598 other Springsteen fans and even park with time to spare.  Gather up our things, get a snack, a libation and we are IN.  IN, I tell you!

 

At this point, I realize I forgot to switch into my nifty rock concert shoes.  Disappointment reigns,  at not being more with it.  But worse…I forgot my camera, in the car—the very instrument with which I was going to document this event to share with you!  I got over it.

 

However, you do deserve a look at just how the fabulous concert unfolded.  Below is a true to life rendition of The Boss, on stage, with some bandmates, in the midst of some of their best moves. 

Think, screaming fans:  We love you Bruce!!!!!

 

Note:  For those of you who have been sending me praises about my recent sketching…does this put things in a new perspective for you?

 

….tired, deaf, but happy.     

 

 

Drawing of a Woman from the Inside Out

This is simply amazing to watch unfold....take a look.  The drawing  of a woman from the inside out.

....until later

I Can't Help Myself

After I just got done telling you I have several of my favorite journals stockpiled, I got another new journal this last week.  Yep.  I am powerless.  This one was made by one of my art journal heroines, Patty Van Dorin who oozes talent on a lot of levels  I was lured in by the cover:

 

Seriously.

 

The siren call to any mixed media lover.

 

The inside is….well, magic!  She used so many different papers, photos, tags, transparencies and tons of other clever inclusions, that the thing practically journals itself!  Here are some individual pages I have already done:

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

In the last 5 days, since I received it, I have logged hours and hours playing in it!  To my sheer surprise, I think the ‘fear of the blank page’ is eradicated with this journal, because the papers all have something on them already.  This is the first time I can recall being utterly fearless starting a new journal or messing it up!  I just do whatever I want on whatever page that comes up, with no real thought to theme or continuity.  Just FUN!

I Haven't Forgotten...

April 10th I told you I signed up for an online stencil class with Mary Ann Moss -Queen of Stencils.  I have been reading her PDF lesson files and watching every delectible video of her over the top demos...but I have not had one decent day, weather-wise, to get out and do what needs doing!  Since there is spray paint involved, it is necessary to do this outdoors.  I need cooperation, here, Mother Nature!  If it isn't raining, it's brutal wind.  Blah blah blah. 

Here is something I tried on my own, before this class.  But most definitely inspired by Mary Ann's postings:

This is just a taste...there is a heapin helpin more where this came from!  Trust me.  Off to check the weather report...

......alrighty then

Song Lyrics and art journals

It is no secret that I can rarely think of things to write in my art journals.  Sometimes I struggle with that--I should be more profound!  Other times--c'est la vie, who cares!?  One of the more frequent things I do write are song lyrics, or bits of a tune, that speak to me.

 

This is a phrase from a tune by the late Rich Mullins, a contemporary Christian (and prolific!) songwriter extraordinaire.  You cannot feel down when he is on your CD!  

I won't kid you, this takes some time.  The background is collaged and gesso'd.  After that comes the surprises!  There are a lot of 'little parts' to draw in, then paint, draw some more, then paint more...well, you get the idea.  I like this sort of approach, because you never know where it is going, until you get there! The only thing you know for sure is the phrase or word you have selected to work around.   Sort of just unfolds.  This is the only journaling style that I am able to sit in front of a TV program and do.  Like one big doodle!

Frequently I only do one side at a time, and not an entire spread.  The size is soooo great!

A word about the journals I use.  I REALLY love these!  I opt for  the  10 X 10 size-not too big, not too small. It does comes in many sizes and even a rainbow of papers inside. I prefer the white paper, which is heavy weight and can take a beating. When you are a 'layer-er' this is crucial!  The spiral binding allows me to work flat.  Glitch:  These are made by Magenta, a Canadian company, and can only be obtained through shops that are willing to order them in for you!  Because of this, I have a few stockpiled....that and the fear that they will stop making them!  Gasp!

.....until later

Soldering On...

My friend, Tabitha, started a tradition with her mother and sister.  Because they live all around the country from each other, they formed their own little group and call themselves "Lightkeepers", based on their common faith.  To keep them connected, they have a journal that they circulate among the three of them, until they can be together on visits. 

   Tabitha was headed to California this week, and wanted to take the girls a gift, so she asked me to make charms with their standard on it.  They can obviously be worn on necklaces, but she also devised a clever bookmark that it could be clipped to, if not being worn.  Good idea!

 

  

Since I was soldering, I finished up this little hanging for my friend Neela.  These are family photos showing her Indian heritage.  That's Neela in the big piece practicing her grown-up pose!!

I love to solder.  You can make such personalized items.  Who else has good soldering ideas?  I have a great picture frame, that I will get around to posting, one of these days.

.....until later

 

 

 

 

First Flowers of Spring in my neck of the woods

 

another entry for the lettering Crusade....

Here in wintery New England, we are eagerly watching for any glimpse of spring we can get!  I would personally like to rig the Punxsutawney Phil forecasts, but that wouldn't be 'real' (as we all believe in the infallability....trust in the accuracy that Phil knows what he's talkin 'bout)l  We have had a ton of rain recently, with a few scattered days of sun, and here's what we got......

These little beauties were in my friend, Jenny's yard.  I photographed then sketched and watercolored.

 

Again, in sketch/watercolor mode, I captured the next siting--my Magnolia tree blooms.

 

 

I was expecting these guys first. Though I could see the yellow buds, they didn't burst till after Miss Magnolia made her entrance.  This is pen and watercolor in my art journal.

What are the first three things to bloom in your area?

......more later

The Triumph!

WHY did Jesus do it?

Three days dead, He overcame His worst day by resurrection to LIFE!  Because of His worst day, He imparts to us the ability to overcome our bad days and life struggles, too. Isaiah 53:5

 All that we believe.....absolutely everything, depends on the truth of His resurrection.

It is accomplished.

I 

H E  I S  R I S E N !