The Big Egg Hunt

Faberge sponsored a Big Egg Hunt in NYC beginning on April 1st.  There were 206 eggs hidden throughout the city.  Using social media (facebook, twitter, instagram), clues were given and the hunt was on.  People have been posting their finds on instagram and twitter and after seeing some of the pics, I knew I had to go see them in person.  The eggs were created by designers and artists and are for sale here.  Yesterday, April 18, 2014 they were all gathered and nested at Rockefeller Plaza.  Since my birdies were home in our nest, we took a trip in to see them.  Here are some of our favorites.

caitie spotted the first egg

Then we went around the corner and saw lots!  Nicki thought this looked like a dragon egg.

this one was one of my favoites

When i took the photo i didn't notice the guy standing behind this fabulous egg.  makes it look like it has feet!

pennies!

another of my favorites.  the egg is encapsulated inside a wire nest.

This one was my favorite!!

When looking close up, you see it is not painted but decorated with cut paper!  the work here amazes me!

Being able to view such fun art is one of the many reasons I love living so close to this city.  20 minute train ride and we are there, experiencing such beauty!  If you get a chance check them out...there are 206 eggs.  What a fun way to spend a couple of hours. For more info check out thebigegghunt.org

playing catch up ~ part 1

What is a girl to do when school is on break and there are no classes to teach?  Play catch up on projects lying around the studio!

My first project was inspired by Carla Sonheim's Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals.  I started this project back in October and finished it yesterday.  I created the junk mail book using the directions found in Carla's book.  

The idea is to make a book so that each drawing interacts with the next.

cover of 'westerly migration'

back cover

 I had so much fun creating the creatures in this book.  I've actually started another.  Thanks for the inspiration Carla!

Hardbound by the Colorful Covers and Scrumptious Spines!

I was recently invited to a private book arts class.  It was held in the most gorgeous apartment on the east side with spectacular views:

view of 59th st bridge

It was a rainy spring day in NYC and I was so looking forward to a day creating art with some of my Art friends.  

Our teacher was Andrew Borloz.  He ran this class as a 'test' to iron out any kinks before starting to teach it nationally.  

Andrew Borloz holding one of his class samples

Using stencils designed by Andrew, we first painted our bookcloth.  There were so many colors and patterns to choose from it became a bit overwhelming.  I just wanted to make so many different combinations!

one of the stencils designed by Andrew

Andrew showed us how to stencil on cloth.  He has lots of tips and hints for sucessful stencilling on fabric. We quickly learned which brand of paints we preferred based on viscosity and coverage!

 Everyone's color combinations came out so beautiful and unique!

 these are mine!

   

After a fabulous lunch, it was time to start assembling the books.  And this is when I stopped taking lots of photos!  We used just about every minute absorbing the process, because for the second book we were on our own.  Of course, Andrew was there to help us, but it was sort of our final exam to see what we had learned!

gluing the spine

gluing the book boards

gluing gluing gluing burnishing burnishing burnishing

busy beavers hard at work

The end result are these gorgeous books!

I highly recommend taking this class. If you are interested, Andrew is offering it at Create in NJ in July and out in Petaluma CA in September.  You will leave with 2 beautiful handpainted, handbound cloth covered books!  Click here for info.

p.s. my books are so pretty, I don't want to write in them!