Learning Curve

So this is what I am facing this morning-a blank 8x8 canvass. Teesha made 8x8 canvasses the art challenge for Artfest this year. When I bought my canvass way back in November, I thought "No big deal!" Boy was a wrong!

I have been fiddling with it since 5 a.m. and nothing. It's not that I don't have good ideas, it's just that I have discovered that I am not good with big pieces. I know 8x8 probably doesn't seem large to some of you, but to me, it's huge! I find it amusing since one of my closest artist friends has the exact opposite problem-she can't work small. So here I am, struggling with the size of this piece and getting nowhere.

It's funny what you learn about yourself through art. For example, I know I am not a painter. I just don't have that talent. I excell at collage. Give me paper and I am good to go. I am excellent with colour, balance and placement. I can't draw to save my life. Today I have learned that for me, scale matters. I am not good with large pieces but I can do worders working small.

So how I am going to meet the 8x8 challenge? I am going to buy four 4 x 4 canvasses, work on each one individually and then meld them together to make an 8x8 canvass! (Have I mentioned that I have incredible problem solving skills?!? *wink*) Being an artist is not always easy. Sometimes it requires you to use your creative skills to find a workable solution to the things that you find challenging. If you relax and trust in the process, the answers will come.

The Countdown Begins in Ernest!

So as you probably already know, Artfest is a mere 29 days away! I spent the entire day yesterday reorganizing my studio after the craziness of my schedule this month led me to just dump things wherever because I was too busy to put them away. Needless to say, eventually the mess got too big and I couldn't find half of what I needed so I had to deal with it!

While I was cleaning, I was also purging stuff I know I won't use again. I put everything into a box that will head to the Art Asylum at Artfest. For those of you who don't know what the Art Asylum is, everyone who wants to, brings their art castoffs to donate. A big room is set up and all the attendees are welcome to peruse the piles of stuff and help themselves to whatever they want to make art with. It's fantastic! You find all kids of weird and wonderful stuff!

I also have a shoebox on the go that I am filling with odds and ends of things I need for the three classes I am taking. I thought I would share with you this one thing that I just put into the shoebox. I have no idea what it used to be, but when I saw it, it reminded me of enchanted tree branches. I thought it would be perfect for the Mixed Media Naturalist class I am taking with LK Ludwig. I thought I might put it on the cover of my book. I bought two of these things to work with. The berries on it are in pinks and plum colours and just beautiful.

This is the book I plan to use for the class, which was a gift from Penn. The bird in the center of the cover will be where I cut through the book to make a place to sink this old frame in once I decide what it going to go inside it. I can't wait!

I also have a ton of cabinet cards, all gifts from my friends Deb, Karenann and Tina to use in The Book of Parlour Questions class I am taking with Nina Bagley. (Thanks again ladies! You saved me!) It's going to be really interesting to see what we do with them. I love making books!

I am already thinking about how I can keep packing to a minimum. Last year I hauled a ton of VERY heavy tools and then never ended up needing them. I also brought far more supplies than I needed. I am trying to subscribe to the "less is more" philosophy this time and only take what I need. Besides, folks are very generous and if I don't have something, I am sure I can borrow it-that's that beauty of being amongst 499 other artists!

March is going to be a busy month as I finish up a 5 week ATC class I am teaching, prep for Artfest and celebrate my birthday. I love that Artfest falls on the week after my birthday-it's like an extension of the party! It's so important to fill the creative well up and I am "so* looking forward to it. I know I will come away with tons of ideas and a fresh new energy. It's my birthday gift to myself!

Adventures in Teaching

Yesterday I presented a day-long workshop on mixed media art at the North Vancouver Teacher's Conference. In the morning I gave a trunk show about all kinds of mixed media art and in the afternoon we created a mixed media journal like the one shown here.

It was really a wonderful experience to present to a group that was so enthusiastic and eager to learn about what I had come to share with them. Everyone seemed to "get it" and in the afternoon when we worked on the books it was so exciting to see everyone happily creating. The energy in the room was great. For me that is the thrill of teaching-sharing what I know and then watching my students take that information and put their own spin on it. I always learn as much as I teach and it's that symbiotic give and take that happens that keeps me hooked on teaching. I really do believe that learning is a shared experience. Thank you to my class. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you.

I also wanted to take a moment to say a big thank you to Leandra of Paper Artsy for sending me a wonderful package of unmounted rubber and post cards to give away at my workshop. That was super nice of you and everyone was pleased with their goodies.

In other news, I had a lovely and unexpected email waiting for me when I got home yesterday from Shoshonah and Mike of Hannah Grey . They wanted to congratulate me on having my work in 1000 Artist Trading Cards. Apparently they received an advanced copy and recognized me. I haven't seen the book yet myself, so I don't even know what they are looking at. (Can you believe I don't remember which cards I submitted?!? It was a long time ago and several projects back.) But it was incredibly nice of them to email, just the same. THANK YOU! This seems to be a publishing year again, as I have several pieces being worked on for an upcoming book and a couple of pieces due to be published in two magazines slated for the fall. Exciting to be sure!

Now, sadly, the not so exciting part-I must clean up the absolute disaster I made in preparation for the two classes I taught this week. My studio is a nightmare and I cannot do one stitch of work until I excavate my desk. (Not to mention, I don't have a clue where half my supplies are at the moment.) It's likely going to take an entire day to get everything back in order. Now where's that magic wand when I need it??

Edit: The two pieces that were missing have HAPPILY been recovered!

On the Fly

Blogger is still not being kind when it comes to uploading photos! Argh! Anyway, I am still breathing! It's just be a super hectic week as I had two classes this week to prep for. The one I am teaching today is at a teacher's conference where I am presenting a mixed media trunk show in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon. You should see the size of the suitcase I packed with art for the trunk show. I wish my son had the day off so he could come and be my muscles! Thank goodness the suitcase has wheels (This is why they pay me the big bucks!) so I can tow it to where it needs to go. I don't know who invented the suitcases with wheels, but bless them! It's saved me more times than not.

Only 33 days till Artfest! YIKES! I am going to have to get cracking on my trades and gathering stuff for the classes I am taking. I have seen some great trades already finished on several blogs which makes me all the more anxious to get mine done.

Okay, must run, but I'll be back and hopefully when I am, Blogger will be more cooperative!

The Latest from Casa del Chaos

ARGH! Blogger is not behaving today so unfortunately, this will be a picture free post. Of course this is *so* sad because you will miss out on seeing what a total disaster area my work space has become while I am prepping a trunk show and workshop I am presenting on Friday at a teacher's conference. You miss being able to see papers strewn from one end of the room to the other and stuff piled up on ever flat suface available. You can't see all the cool kits I have prepared and the door prizes I plan to give away...yes, so sad... lol! The crazy thing is that I have a TV repairman coming by at 4 p.m. today so I am going to have to dig my way out before he arrives, otherwise he will be tripping over boxes and bags and my Rubicoiler which I think is also down there somewhere...

This has been a crazy month with a ton of deadlines. So much so that I have not been able to work on swaps for Artfest which is now only 35 days away! YIKES! Once I make it through February, I should have time to get to them. I may have to give up sleeping, but I simply cannot go to Artfest empty handed. That just would not do!

Speaking of Artfest, if any of you who are going are interested, Heather has a call out for art for a special issue of Portals Zine that she is doing. The zine will be in the gift bags at Artfest so if you have something to share, PLEASE submit it to her via email ASAP! You could submit your altered Dog Tags, what you are making for your trades, your 8x8 canvasses, art you made in class last year...I am sure there's lots of wonderful stuff to share. The zine is going to be steller, as always! I can't wait!

Okay, time to get back to work. If only I could wiggle my nose and have everything ship shape....*sigh*

Via One-WInged Carrier Pigeon

Way back in September, my friend Caren McNee got word that she needed to fly home to South Africa because her mother was failing. Sadly, before she could leave New Zealand, her mother passed away. Those of us who know Caren wanted to do something to let her know we were thinking of her and so we created this condolance collaborative book for her.

I mailed the completed book out to Caren on November 3, 2006, in the hope that it would reach her in time for Xmas. I know first hand how hard it is to lose someone you love and have to face that very tough first big holiday without them. Unfortunately, the post office had different ideas. Caren's book didn't arrive for weeks and weeks and I sent several frantic emails to her asking if a parcel I had sent had shown up. Nothing. About 2 weeks ago, I finally broke down and told Caren what was in the package and she was as sick about it as I was. I called Canada Post and initiated a claim on it, knowing full well I could never replace her gift with any amount of money. (They actually make you wait 90 days before they will start a claim and they say it takes 6 months to process! Unbelieveable!) It broke my heart not knowing what had happened to her book.

Then, late last night, just before bed, I checked my emails and lo and behold, CAREN'S BOOK HAD ARRIVED!! YAY!! (Three and a half months later!) I am absolutely thrilled that she received it, even if it is late! As luck would have it, Caren is just about to head off to South Africa to visit her dad and now she will have her beautiful book to take with her to share with him.

So...for those of you who participated: Laura Duet, Penelope Harris, Marilyn Healey, Amy Huff, Trudy Mclaughlan, Fiona Mortimore, Ruth O'Connor, Ruth Rae, Liz Smith, Dawn Supina and Erika Tysse thank you so much for your beautiful pages and for taking the time to let Caren know you care.

If you would like to see the project, you may click here.

Virtual Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!! So I was thinking to myself "Hmm...what art should I post this morning for Valentine's day?" And then I remembered I had stitched this February angel quite some time ago and that would be fun to share. It's part of a primitive stitchery angel of the month quilt I made several years back. I got as far as assembling the entire quilt top and then set it aside. After having pulled it out this morning, I think I should finish it. It's just a matter of sandwiching the quilt and hand quilting it and it would be relaxing to work on in front of the TV in the evenings. I think I have backing for it-I am sure I do and I think I also have batting kicking around. If not, it's a 5 minute trip to get some. Yes, I should finish this piece. I worked really hard on it and I do so love the blocks. It would be so nice to have it on the wall so I could enjoy it, instead of it sitting folded in a trunk.

Thank you to everyone who sent me a virtual Valentine. That was fun! It was especially nice to meet some of you lurkers! I gave each person who entered a number and then used the handy dandy random number generator to pick a winner. So who's the lucky winner? Well it just happens to be Jennifer Milyko from Montana! Congratulations Jennifer. Just email me your addy and your goodies will be on their way. (You will have to wait till they get there to see what they are!)

Today was the final day of gifts for the Be My Valentine exchange so you might want to pop over and have a peek!

Have a great day everyone-hug, laugh, tell someone you love them, eat chocolate!

Catching Up!

So at long last, my Divine Definitions swap arrived. It was worth the wait-my beautiful tin was chock full of artsy inspiration. There was everything from a wand, to tiny vials of wonder, to a real Ukranian Easter egg, tags, mini books, boxes, an atc, an art doll and so on! One thing I forgot to add in the group photo was Kathy Strittmater's gorgeous soldered vignette. It's a door hanger and I do indeed have it hanging on a door-the door on my computer desk so I can marvel at it all day long! Thank you to all the ladies of CU for such a great collection. It's amazing! (Oh and for those of you wondering, I chose the word "Paradigm" for my definition.)

This afternoon, I am off to Vancouver to teach the first of a 5 part series on ATCs to kids. I am really looking forward to it-kids are always so excited and fearless about making art and I know we will all have a good time!

And if you haven't already, please send me a virtual Valentine (see the post below with the big heart on it) so you can be entered in my prize draw. Tomorrow when the Valentine generator lets me see who sent greetings, I will draw from those names for a very nice package of goodies! Hurry, this is your last chance!!

Also, we have one more day and three gifts left to be revealed over at the Be My Valentine blog. The goodies have all been so much fun to open-everyone did such a great job at coming up with lovely gifts. Thanks Ladies!

All right, off to pack my supplies for this afternoon!

Tag, You're It!

Last year at Artfest, Bee was handing out special Artfest dog tags as her trade. She asked that anyone who received one alter it and then bring it to Artfest 2007 to show. Up until yesterday, I had mine safely tucked away in a safe spot. (I am sure you are all familiar with that "safe spot"-it's that place you stash something important and then do mental gymnastics trying to remember where it is.)

Anyway, I remembered where it was (tucked in amongst my handmade book in a basket) and got to work altering it. I had so much fun coming up with this funky pendant and after I was done, I wished I had more dogtags to play with!

So...if any of you reading this have one of Bee's dog tags, please take some time to work on it and bring it with you to Artfest! She is hoping there will be lots to share-I believe she gave out over 100! Bee has set up a yahoo group for thos who are participating. You will find it here.

Warm Fuzzies

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and if this photo of Joanna with her gifts is any indication, I would say that her first day of chemo was made so much easier by the love and friendship everyone who participated the Breast Friends collaborative showered her with.

In case you missed it, Joanna posted her thanks in the comments section of my previous post, as well as on her own blog.
Here's what she said:

"Dear Lelainia and all my Breast Friends,

I am still in awe of what my heart captured today through these wonderful amazing gifts. Yes, I wish each and every one of you could have been there to share those special moments. I cried, I made little noises of astonishment as my eyes gazed upon each page. What a precious time indeed. Then when I opened up the bracelet I just couldn't beleive it. Each charm is amazing and YES, i feel so loved and cared for. You all made my day a very special one indeed.

I actually had a blast at chemo today, I really did. I even have to wear it home for a few days and I'm feeling really good thus far. Tired but okay. I can't believe how fun it was and what a relief that this first day is past me. My friends so enjoyed the book and bracelet too. It was so fun to share and now they all want to make one. So maybe I can start some art fun with them all during chemo. See how it all works. Your giving to me inspires so many others.

Not last nor least, oh my Dear Lelainia, what a blessing you are to me to organized such a treasure. You have really touched the depths of my soul. The way you presented it to me just came fit for a princess. thank you honey so very much. You have a gift to do this and I so am honored to be the receiver of such joy. I feel I can't say enough but please do know you and every made this a very special day for me. May God bless you and all who gave of themselves. I will cherish these forever and wear my bracelet proudly.

With much love and gratitude, humbled yet uplifted in a way it gives me wings to keep moving forward...and I'm hoping to fly.
oxoxoxox
joanna"

***********************************

I just want to reiterate my thinks to everyone who sent in charms and pages for your heartfelt contributions and also to everyone who has commented and emailed me privately, saying sweet, sweet things. It was my pleasure to be able to facilitate this project. It gladdens my heart to be reminded once again that the mixed media community is filled with such kind and generous folks.

In other news, just a quick reminder that if you send me a virtual Valentine, I will enter your name in a prize draw! You have till Feb. 14th to do it. Click here to send one. Don't be shy!

I have been working on some new art, but everything is drying at the moment, so I can't scan it yet. In the meantime, if you need a dose of eyecandy, why not pop over to the Be My Valentine gift exchange blog? There's lots of wonderful things to look at there. A new gift is added each day up to and including Feb. 14th, so check back often!

Breast Friends

Dear friends, I have something wonderful to share with you this morning. I have been sitting on a rather large surprise for the last couple of months, but now that February 6th has arrived, I am finally able to share it with you.

As many of you know, Joanna Pierotti was diagnosed with breast cancer in the late fall. It's the kind of diagnosis every woman hopes she will never get and when it does happen, it changes your life forever. As soon as I heard, I knew that Joanna would need all the love and support she could get. There's nothing worse than facing a crisis and feeling like you are all alone and I knew there were lots of people who would want to do something, anything to let her know they cared. To that end, I decided to take on hosting a collaborative book project to create a book of hope and inspiration for Joanna. Shari Schneider later suggested we all make charms to be included, which was a brilliant idea. (Thanks Shari!)

The response for the Breast Friends project was overwhelming. I received art for Joanna from:

Amy Huff, Angie Platten, Claudia Roulier, Danielle Muller, Heather Simpson Bluhm, Joan Craft, Joan Ellis, Joan Locicero, Judy Keefe, Judy Scott, Kelly Snelling, Kristen Robinson, LaRinda Chapin, Lia Kent, Liz SMith, Marie Ostreich, Peggi Graminski, Penelope Harris, Shari Beaubien, Shari Schneider, Stacie Rife, Suz Longley, Tanya Peacock, Teresa Atkinson, Tina Shoaga and Zorana Stanjkovic.

In December, I scanned each page in the book, as well as each charm (a huge job, but one I was so happy to do!) before putting them together. I also thought it would be a good idea to create a smaller book featuring a picture of each charm with the creator's name underneath so Joanna would know who made each one hanging on her bracelet. You can see the entire book and all the charms by clicking here. (Best viewed as a slideshow to get the full effect.)

I could have just sent the package off and she would have opened it when it arrived, but I decided to do something different. I emailed Joanna a couple weeks ago and told her the package was coming her way. I asked her to save it until she went to her first day of chemo and once she was settled and having her treatment, she could open it. Joanna had said several times she was feeling anxious and fearful about having chemo and I thought it would be wonderful if this gift could soften the blow by giving her something happy and beautiful to look foreward to. Joanna emailed back and said how excited she was and that she and another friend who is undergoing chemo were going to have a "Chemo Party" today. So...right now, Joanna is at her appointment, opening her gift from everyone and probably crying lots of happy tears. I am sure she feels our love and friendship surrounding her and lifting her up. Doesn't that just make you feel *so* good?!

There's a quote I love that says: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." To all of you who did just that, who were so generous with your time and talents, for caring about Joanna and wanting to make a difference, THANK YOU! You have made a difference in someone's life today. Thank you for being Joanna's Breast Friends!

*All artwork appearing in the Breast Friends Collaborative remains copyrighted to the individual artists.

Welcome! Welcome!

My friend Tara Findley has joined Blogger land! I met Tara online and then in person last year at Artfest. I was lucky enough to spend an entire day in her company while we took Linda & Opie's Tintastics class. What I like best about Tara is her smile-she just lights up a room and she is very friendly. If you would like to check out her art and say hello, you can find her here. Tell her I sent ya!

P.S. Just a reminder that there is still time to send me a virtual Valentine and get your name into the draw for some goodies! (See post below with the big red heart.) Please don't be shy!

I Love Pretty Things

Do you know what this is? It's sheer happiness! This lovely charm was a thank you gift from Kathy Strittmater for hosting the Be My Valentine gift exchange. In addition to the gorgeous pendant Kathy made for each of us, (see the Valentine blog!) she included this special charm for me. I can't tell you how darling it is and how excited I was when I saw it. What I noticed after scanning it so I could share it, is the etching in the heart. I don't know if it was on purpose or not, but the etching forms the symbol for ARIES which just happens to be my sign!

Anyone who knows me knows I ADORE buttons so this gift has a special place in my heart. I am continually humbled and blessed by my friends, both artsy and otherwise. THANK YOU Kathy! Your work is fantastic!

Just For Fun!

Get your own valentinr

I thought this was fun. It's for friends to send you a free virtual Valentine! The programs saves each one and waits until February 14th before it will let you see all your wishes. How fun is that? And seeing as I am in a generous mood, everyone who sends me a virtual Valentine, will have their name go into a draw for a special surprise! What is it? Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it? It will be something fun and I will draw for it on Valentine's Day. Be sure and put your REAL name on your virtual greeting so I know who you are. I will post the winner's name here on Feb. 14th and then the winner can email me their mailing addy so I can send them their surprise.

So all you lurkers out there, that I know read my blog faithfully, but are too shy to comment, come out of the woodwork and say hello!

*One entry per person please! :)