Nourishment

I've had some great classes in 2013 but am happy to say I have a breather before I am out at New Art Legacies in a couple of weeks. I promised myself in 2013 that I would open up some avenues that have been consciously closed out of necessity and unconsciously closed for no good reason for awhile. The biggest of these avenues is self-renewal. I began yoga in the fall and it is proving to be a great way to block out the world for a period of time several times a week. I go to class once a week and meet myself on my mat at home at least two other times to meditate. It was quite convenient that Oprah/Deepok began a 21 day meditation early in March. I have participated in many days and have seen how early I am in this journey. It's been an interesting period of introspection of what I want for my life and what I feel the need to let go. I needed to do this mental housecleaning so I could move forward. More on that as new thoughts or at least more concrete thoughts occur. as part of my self-renewal, I've also made some decisions to nourish my creativity.

As said in previous blog entries, I am revisiting my roots in the needlearts and am excited to be taking my first online class in surface embroidery given by Australian Sharon B in June. Summer is usually a slower time for me and so far I only have classes twice in Cincinnati so there will be plenty of time to immerse. Her samples are to die for so I am hoping to learn a lot and put it to use on my mixed media pieces. But before all that I am heading to Art & Soul in Kansas City next week with a few of my arty gal pals. I've not been to a retreat since Art Continuum and have fond memories of my experiences there in the early 2000s. I am very excited to have set aside the time to do this again even if it is a little brief. I am very excited to meet and take two classes from Jane Davies. I've seen some tutorials and know that she is just the right person to grown my knowledge in incorporating fabric into my designs. I spent a couple of days this week and one last week making a small number of trades and really enjoyed making each and every one. There are a few pictured above. Yes, INCHIES, and yes, there are about 3-4 layers of stuff on those to make them the little textural wonders that they I think they are. I borrowed the concept from my new Studio Cloth (USArtQuest)class because I am still loving to work on it so much. I only made 21 so they'll go fast. I am planning some other stops on Wednesday and definitely I will be stopping by a couple of stores on the way to see if there are any teaching venues in the area that are interested for the fall. All in all it will be nice to get away. I plan to be well-nourished at the Elms Spa for the short time I am there. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if my plans worked out.

P L A Y

I was supposed to be doing all sorts of class prep today. Well, I did do some but then I got distracted by some Titan Buff, Bronze and Titanium White paint..... and a Gelli plate that just happened to be next to my desk. I made a few prints, cleaned up and then was SUPPOSED to go back to my class prep. Hmmmmmm..... my lack of self control was evident because I really wanted to spend time just playing. So, play I did. I was so happy to open a package of Artistcellar stencils today that had come a few weeks ago. (Confession: I am a stencil slut these days.) I bought the whole cathedral series in 6 x 6 because I couldn't decide on just one. I randomly chose this one, Reims, and was very happy with how it played out. I really just set out to print, but at some point I got the itch to detail. I went back to tried and true masking and used some stamps to create some visual interest and then added some embellishments to bring more tactile dimension to it. I guess I haven't had a Pitt in my hand for too long so I spent an hour and a half detailing and personalizing it to my taste. I guess I'll be doing class preparation tomorrow! It felt really good to just sit down and see where it went. I am happy with "It's in the Details" and my day.

Spring Fever

It's not that we've had a horrible winter, but I am SO SO SO ready for spring. I would not survive in North Dakota, Minnesota, or even Massachusetts where my BFF lives. Their winters are definitely too long and hard fought for me. I think back to my days in Williamsburg when we would have seventy degree days interspersed here and there. As you can tell from my altered book spread above, I am willing it to arrive. It's been a busy month here with my trip east, the debut of my new class, and Sam's spring break and impromptu visit to Cincinnati last week. I've got some irons in the art fire as well, but am not ready to unveil yet. I am quietly excited, though.
Upcoming classes include offerings here in St. Louis at For Keeps Sake (March 23, Tattered and Torn), in Illinois at New Art Legacies in April (Studio Cloth), and a new venue for me, Simply Said, in Cincinnati on June 21-22 (still being finalized.) And, of course, Stampaway which is August 7-10. My class, Tattered and Torn, will be on Friday morning. (Coffee donations are welcome.) Classes will be available for sign up in early April. Below are samples to get you excited.

Who knows what else will hit my radar and then yours in the next upcoming months. Stay tuned.