ART STEW

"Society is like stew, if you don't stir it up every once in a while , a layer of scum floats to the top". -Edward Abbey

I have already mentioned that when I attended Squam Art Workshop, I met many wonderful people and had an inspiring time. I did manage to make a few things in the workshops I attended, as well.

Above is from Elizabeth Bunsens' "Positives and Negatives" class (journaling with photographs). In this piece we tore up a photo, passed pieces of our photos around and then put everything together in the way we thought best. I ended up making another layer on mine with a transparency I brought, of a black and white drawing I had done.


Took a great class with another wonderful woman and teacher Judy Wise, called "Waxy Layers" (collage, painting and encaustic). I love using photos of my own work to make new work. I did that with each piece I created.....hence the title of this post," art stew". If things sit around my studio for too long, I need to "stir it up" a bit. How about you?


More from EBs' class. She gave us many creative prompts to get us started on each page.


More encaustic.




This last page is from Judys' "Playbook" class. We simply played in our sketchbooks using many ideas for loosening up......funny how you forget how to do that.

Don't forget to stir things up a bit!!!

WHAT TO WEAR TO AN ART OPENING

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art". Oscar Wilde

This past weekend I was honored to be a part of the opening of a wonderful art show, "The Found Object". My work was very happy hanging on this particular wall, next to the work of an artist that I have long admired, Cathy Rose. Her figures are pure magic. I was delighted that this figure was placed there with its hand extended, as if to say, "look here". The turnout for the show was huge. Thank you to everyone that came out to see me.

I had decided long before, that I would wear black. Somehow, in my mind, I wanted the "cool reserved" artist look. I suddenly realized that if I didn't do something, I might be the "invisible suburban housewife" instead. I decided to create something that would say, "hi, I made this and I also made what you see on the wall".

I decided to make a medieval "breastplate" type piece that would partner with my theme of heraldry. Not being much of a wearer of jewelry, this was a bit of a stretch, but I had a sense of humor about it. I decided to make use of something my blog readers may have seen before. I'll surprise you at the end of this post.









Some of the first people to arrive were Isaiah Zagar and his wife Julia. I have been a fan for years. My out of town visitors usually end up visiting his"mosaic wonderland".

My dear friend Paula is also exhibiting her fabulous glass pieces. Each piece is story full of masterful detail , humor and surprises.

Fellow blogger, creator of beautiful dolls and figures and friend Mo'a came by with her husband and brought me the most beautiful bunch of peach colored roses.

How wonderful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people and do what you love to do. Life is good.



Remember the disintegration project? It is still alive and well and continually reinventing itself.
See anything familiar?

BOOK IT

I decided that before I went to Squam, since I was taking a few journaling classes and I do not usually bind my own sketchbooks, that I would create artwork for the covers. I used my small-scale assemblage work on copper technique.

Can you find the word Squam in this photo? Hint....tilt your head to the right.


I thought I had completed this piece when I left home, but I found this heart shaped stone on the shores of Lake Champlain.


The edge of this piece is tree bark from Squam Lake that was given to me by Elizabeth Bunsen, collector of all things, extraordinaire.




Reminder- if you are near the Philadelphia area this Friday night, please come out and say "hi" at Snyderman/ Works Gallery . I dropped my work off today and saw some of the work by the other artists in the show. It's pretty incredible. I'm thrilled to be included.

The time on this invite should be 5:30- 8:30 and the show will be there until the end of October, not mid November.

GOLDEN MOMENTS ON GOLDEN PONDS

"I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore, I hear it in the deep hearts core."
-William Butler Yeats

I had a magical time last week. I spent a few days on lake Champlain in Vermont visiting with dear friends and at Squam Lake in New Hampshire (with those same friends) at the Sqaum Art Workshops. A few words and photos follow.

Remember to fluff your hair before you arrive.........anywhere.


It's about being creative with others and laughing until you can't breathe. Then looking back and being amazed at what you did together.



My aptly named cabin. Smoke and pine , the smells that are everywhere.

Beautiful on the outside.


.......and from the inside.


Bringing friends with you that couldn't make it.


Crazy, but lovable roommates, out on the dock at 6 am. trying to take a photo.


Glorious photographic opportunities...Leslie, Isabel , Elizabeth and myself.


Great teachers, wonderful people and dear friends....eb and Judy Wise.


New friend and a wonderful fiber artist.

My messy works area. ..........so what else is new?

Finished work with the delicious smell of beeswax.

Share a glass of wine or two.


Sit in an inspiring place.


....and glory in a blazing sunset.

TO WATCH OVER ME.....and YOU ARE INVITED

A piece I just completed entitled "To Watch Over Me". Size 11"x15" Copper, vintage found objects, vintage fabric, acrylic medium, paint and water color paper.

If you are in the Philadelphia area, please come out to see me in a group show "The Found Object" at the Snyderman-Works Gallery. It opens on "first Friday" October 2. I'd love to see you!!! ..........headed to Squam Art Retreat......:-)

THE RECYCLED DOOR

A few years ago, I used a piece of brass to draw and paint the door and a portion of the gate , windows and roof because I could not find any copper. I thought the brass worked pretty well but I never felt that is was complete. The last few days I attached it to copper and water color paper, added some found objects, drawing and more paint and then finished it off with some stitched "drawing". The finished piece is 11"x 15".