Artfest day two- the wild portraits class

After much socializing in the commons and 'round the bonfire, being fed in the fab dining hall, and having a blast with the best bunk mates, day two rolled around (or is it day three, since we did arrive on Wed?). Class day two! I took a wild portraits class with the same paint teacher, Roxanne Padgett. Why two painting classes and the same teacher? I can only say I had a feeling about it. And it turned out to be just what I wanted to be doing.

We warmed up with drawing exercises. Roxanne likes us to try out all different sorts of surfaces of paper and fabric, including recycled ones.

That's my new thermos in the foreground. I'm in love with it. Tea time is anytime.


I'm painting away.....


Layers of paint, gesso, writing, collage, stencil, stamp, and a drawn face later, I have abook mark, and a mini portrait. Folks were voting for me to keep this one white, but I feel the need for color. Later.



I was so engaged with the process, not to mention covered in paint, it was hard to stop and take photos, but I got a few. Here's the Tea Time portrait in some of it's layers.....



Painting the actual portrait part on a transparency. I LOVED painting in reverse (see this is the back side) and can't wait to do it again. Anyone have access to used transparencies???


Flip the painting over to see the front side and attatch it to the collage below.



Coming back from lunch break, I was feeling rather serious about what was happening in one of my pieces (we work on 2-4 at a time). I didn't talk about it in class, or that day, but will share now. I'm painting away when this green angel started to emerge. I wasn't planning or thinking anything, just playing with technique, and suddenly she was there, wanting to be shown. This is the green angel that accompanied my father as he passed on this winter (age 60).

He had been talking about a green light in his room, and the more we talked about it, the more he began to see it clearly. It was his angel and she was gorgeous, with blue eyes, and happened to be green. She soothed him during surgery and accompanied him as he passed over. His death was so sad and unexpected, but it was also very beautiful, positive, and wondrous. I'm grateful that I was there. Death isn't sad, it's really just the parting from loved ones left behind. So.......


So THIS angel starts to show up in my collage. This on the left is pic one. She wanted an x-ray hand, which I didn't like, but I put it in anyway. My discomfort with the piece was about wanting so very much to see her, but not wanting to "mess it up". Does that make sense?


Next image of the green angel piece, I used a cut out to paint around the image, to mark out her radiance before I got the guts together to DRAW the darn portrait itself.


Then I grabbed the sharpie and just drew. I didn't think, I drew. Face. Wings. Heart collage. There she is. I was desperate to outline her face with the sewing machine (this portrait was on canvas) and get her to stand out more. Roxanne suggested use of her water soluble crayons, which did the trick. See the blue outline?

After I was home for a few days, and showing what I made, I realized every single thing I did had hearts in it, and hearts with holes in them- often three. My dad died from the results of a series of heart attacks and had surgury that put stints in. Three. Art, or to be more humble, the act of creating is also the act of revealing one's unconscious and putting it into form. Espeially when we get our brains out of the way.

I finished sewing on her when I got home and really like the piece. Creating is really scary and exhilarating sometimes. I'll get a good photo to post tomorrow.


This is one of the typical buildings at the fort. All stately and painted white. It really was a great location.

OH! Don't let me forget to tell you all about "trades" tomorrow. That's one of the great Artfest traditions. I brought 80 things to trade! I'll take a photo of the trades I received.

ArtFest

Have you heard of Artfest? It's like a summer camp for grown ups, all about art and friends, and hosted by Teesha and Tracy Moore. I've wanted to go since I heard about it two years ago, so last winter I signed up! If you haven't seen Teesha's blog, you are in for a treat. Super prolific artist, and all around fun creative person, with a fab studio.


The trip started with a journey to Seattle by train! I met up with some fun Artfest goers who kindly gave me a ride across the ferry to Bainbride Island and up to the Fort at the top.


I haven't taken a ferry anywhere in years. I was surprised how fast the ferry went! It was a smooth ride. Windy and gorgeously sunny.


Artfest is held at an old army fort. Great location, nestled in the woods and right on the beach. Gorgeous little towns on the Olympic Peninsula. We have room mates, yummy food 3x a day, and there's planned activities every night-- bon fires, wild art journal gatherings, and moonlit walks down to the beach.


Here is the mini castle at the fort.


There's me enjoying some much-needed sunshine and fresh air right on the beach. Early Spring in Washington, we'll take all we can get.


The first day, I took Lush Layered Canvas with Roxanne Padgett. We had a GREAT time painting. I've been dreaming about painting on fabric lately, making my own prints to use in my work. I set myself up for two full days of painting with her and had such a great time.

Here she is about to cut up our communally printed cloth. Everyone used this to (artistically) wipe off their excess paint all day. Look at the results! Roxanne cut it into strips and we each got to take one home.

She's wearing the cuff/coffee cozy I made out of my favorite linen scraps and a new silk screen print.



We had a whole table to ourselves and were careful not to get paint on the gorgeous floor of the USO hall. Neat space.


I had a wonderful time in Roxanne's class. She is a great teacher, lots of fun, and gave us plenty of her personal attention and ideas. I was grateful to get to pay a materials fee, rather than haul a zillion bottles of paint. She was very generous in sharing with us.

Here's one of my layered pieces. Print, stencil, paint, writing, paper collage, crayon rubbings, and what else? A little soul perhaps......


This one was my favorite of the four large panels I finished. I can't wait to cut them up and sew something!

The Giant's House

I haven't been to New Zealand, but when I do (some day), I'll want to stay at this B&B called The Giant's House. It's grounds are filled with mosaic-ed gardens and fountains. I adore this sort of sculpture.



Sorry I couldn't make the photos larger. I'd like a closer look myself. I do know those figures are all big enough for a grown up to sit in their lap and look child-sized!



Look at the fun rooms you get to stay in. What interesting dreams one may have here....




Dancers or acrobats along a fence.


Gorgeous gateway. I want to learn how to make these!


Here is the adorable artist and owner of the Giant's House. She offers art classes at the house, where there's a cafe and gallery. I'd love to visit! Very inspiring.

Art House

I love art houses. Don't you? In these days of internet- we can cruise right in to any art show, exhibit, or art environment. I love looking at, but especially IN, art houses, and imagining how it would be to really live there. Or perhaps it's best to keep it as an oasis- a special place to stay or vacation.

So what do you think of this one? It's pretty 70's but I just love it. Built by Mexican Architect, Javier Senosiain, and located near Mexico City.
It's hard to say no to an interior gardenscape. Much huger inside than I thought..... care to see more? Click here. (I almost always miss when I go to type a capitol "C" and end up typing "lick here". )

Handmade High Flying Easter Bunnies

Welcome Spring. Bunnies are happily hopping out of the studio and to their new homes. I have a good supply in stock for Easter shoppers.

Not only are they hand made with love, but I test each and every one for his/her high flying ability. High jumps are a must when it comes to Bliss Forest bunnies! Made for cuddles, tough enough for action! Speaking of tough, the newest addition to the bunny line, is the blue ninja bunny- ready to raid the cookie jar.

You

Hey you. Yes, if you are reading this, I do mean you. I have to tell you something important. I dig you. Really. Even if we haven't met in person, I respect you, love you, think your spirit and your mind are special, valuable, important, dear, precious, and loved. Please keep this in mind as you go about your life: You are awesome.

Gnome Pottery

The gnomes have come up with the idea for me to paint their playful images on mugs and tiny cream pots.

The cream pots are a cheerful addition to the breakfast table or for tea time. They also make a sweet vase for little buds.

I have three new mugs ready to photograph. Watch out for the Bad Gnome making his appearance....