12-13-14 or Annual ARTsistahs Holiday Day in the City

Every year the ARTsistahs gather to celebrate the holidays in New York City.  This year we decided to have lunch and take a class with Donna Downey at the Ink Pad.  Just like last year, it was Santacon, but instead of showing you a bunch of Santa clad celebrants, I'm showing you a lovely bunch of carolers who greeted us in Grand Central.

We were off, first stop lunch at Commerce in the West Village.  On the way we found the cutest little bakery called milk and cookies.  It was too soon for snacks, but I picked up a magic cookie bar for later.  Anyone who knows me, knows I like a cookie!

3 sistahs posing in front of milk and cookies

Look at this adorable painting hanging inside: artist unknown.

Lunch was at Commerce.  It was the perfect meal.

We started with cocktails

and exchanged little 'gifties'

Then we headed over to the Ink Pad for our class. 

It was held at the Westbeth Gallery. 

Donna Downey was a wonderful, fun teacher. 

 Here she is demonstrating a technique.

We worked diligently on our mixed media books.

 I was so busy, I don't have many photos.  I'll post my finished book soon (probably after the holidays).

We posed for pics with Donna before we left. 

(missing from photo Elizabeth and Kathi who ran to catch their train)

I love my days in the city with my ARTsistahs.  I have found my tribe!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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!