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!

last week to register FOR THE ART OF FOOD!!!!

How would you like to spend some time with fun, intelligent, loving, welcoming, creative and inspirational people?  Then sign up for a class at ART IS YOU...Stamford!  Even better, sign up for a fun class with yours truly and my friend, loretta!  

We will entice you with our food (yes, there will be free food in our class) and of course a wealth of knowledge between us!  you will learn some background painting techniques, chalk marker lettering, collage, easy ways to use watercolor and more!  no artistic experience necessary...if you can cut and paste, you can do this class!!!  so sign up today!!!

Blogging challenge day 9 - day In pics

Subbing at school
Progress on painting

blogging challenge day 8 - i dodged a bullet

I dodged a bullet.  That's what my hand surgeon said.  It turns out I don't need surgery on my hand.  He said it happens to a small percentage of people.  My carpal tunnel seems to have subsided.  Of course, if it flares up again then I'll just go in and have the surgery, but for now NO SURGERY FOR ME!! YaY!! So when your doctor tells you to go live your life, have fun and enjoy, that's exactly what I'm going to do!  First up...a new painting. 

 I started working on it today with a much greater appreciation for the talent I've been given and the hand which performs it.

blogging challenge day 6 - it really does take a village

Today was the dropping off for the Dermot Gale award show at the library.  I love being a part of the New Rochelle Art Association.  We take in the work and hang all in one afternoon.  The veterans of the group really have the whole thing down to a science.  Today we ended up with 107 pieces in total.  More than our space can hold comfortably.  It is so hard to turn pieces away, but that is exactly what happened today.  So the question becomes, how do you hang so many pieces in such limited space?

First they are sorted by media.  Then you look at them and try to find some kind of cohesiveness.  Sometimes it is color or style, others it is subject matter or just whatever seems to 'look right'.  It is an arduous task, but so worth it. For me, the best part is watching everyone work together and seeing how one person views the hanging while another sees it from a totally different perspective.

It's a big show in a limited space, but all in all it looks nice.  There is a lot to take in.  I have two pieces there.  The reception in next Sunday April 14, 2013 from 5:15 - 6:30pm.  There will be refreshments and awards.

blogging challenge day 4 - Tranquility

Last night I attended an art show.  It was the first solo show for a former student of mine.

Her name is Sarra .  

 She is a senior in high school heading out to study art in the fall at Penn State.  She titled her show Tranquility. 

She not only created the art, but also planned and hung her own show.

  Several family members, friends, teachers and friends of friends were in attendance.  I've known Sarra since she was my student at 3 years old in preschool.  She's grown in so many ways and I couldn't be prouder.

As I was leaving, I saw a piece of art by another former student, Carly.  It was in a little case just outside the door.  It is a beautiful vessel, executed very nicely.

I remember when these two were running around camp coloring pictures with markers, I am suddenly feeling older...

I know you want to come to NASHVILLE!

Art-Is-You Art Retreats is coming to Nashville! 

 I am so excited to be one of the faculty teaching at this event.  My good friend and art sister, loretta benedetto marvel is co-teaching a very special class with me.  Together, we make The Poet and The Painter Sisters and our class is called the Art of Food. 

 Join us in making a mixed media book of food memories.  

It can be a cookbook with recipes, a memoir of your childhood favorites or simply a food journal.  You are only limited to your imagination!!  We will play with painting backgrounds, collaging, learn how to do an image transfer, make hidden pocket pull-outs and even learn how to create a double sliding mechanism which will all be bound with a super simple binding technique. 

 Oh, and don't forget about playing with words, washi tape and all kinds of embellishments!  And as a bonus, there will definitely be chocolate!! So start gathering up your recipes, memories and photos....it's going to be a foot-stompin' kicking up our heels kinda fun (and i'll wear my new cowboy boots)!!! Registration is open..sign up now...ART IS...NASHVILLE 

After Sandy...New Ro Rocks!

Lisa Post is curating a show titled, New Ro Rocks!  An exhibit of New Rochelle artists being presented at the Focal Point Gallery in City Island. The intent is to bridge the gap between the two neighboring communities by bringing the artwork of New Rochelle to the Bronx, and expose the New Rochelleans to the wonderful rich, maritime community.

After Superstorm Sandy hit, we emerged from a powerless house on Wednesday to deliver my piece for the show.  Yes, the Focal Point Gallery had power!  It was very surprising to me.  So my husband decided to drive me to this little island.  Turns out that was not as easy as it seemed.  Normally we just go down Shore Road.  Shore Road was closed due to fallen wires and downed trees.  As well as many other routes.  I was so glad my husband was navigating.  Born and bred here sure helped!  My painting was delivered and the reception was being held as planned.

On Friday evening even though artists and attendees were facing powerless houses, roadblocks and gas shortages, there was a surprising turnout.  My friend and number one fan Penny came with me to the reception.  We had a lovely dinner at one of the sponsors' restaurants, The Snug.  Go there for a delicious burger and beer on tap at a VERY reasonable price.  It is an Irish pub serving full meals as well. We attended the opening and had a wonderful time.  One of the pieces sold at the gallery and everyone cheered. It was a much needed night out. 

Lisa did a fantastic job organizing and curating this show.  It runs until Friday November 30.  There will be a closing reception to "Meet the Artists" from 7-8pm.  I plan on attending. 

The piece I entered is called Sea Kaleidoscope.  It was a purely intuitive painting and a perfect fit for this maritime community.  It is 24"x24"acrylic.

   

ART IS...You days 2,3,4,and 5

where to begin?  Friday night I had class with one of my very favorite artists/friends.  Miss Linda Willis of Rhode Island inspired us to make zombies

and monsters and witches!  i just love the randomness of these!!!

this one was my favorite and Linda abandoned her art into the arms of this lovely lady.

I am making my own version.  it is a work in progress

some of my friends

betti, marlene and loretta

Day 3 - Saturday brought a morning session with mrs. pom aka loretta marvel 

she spoke of the connectiveness between women and friends that dates back years and reminds us of  Victorian days when women bonded over embroidery hoops.  mrs. pom had us wrap embroidery hoops with fibers and make tags for each other to attach.

anne and loey busy making tags

elizabeth and her lovely hoop

after our creative jumpstart i was off to my class of the day, titled my soldered muse with kecia deveney

 kecia's work is lovely and eclectic

we learned how to solder (my favorite part was learning how to make those little soldered dots) and add embellishments to make a dimensional doll of our muse.  the student work turned out unique and fun!

and look who was in the same classroom creating a doll of a different sort 

my friend Linda Willis!

Saturday Night was ART TRUNK AND TUTU night

there were so many vendors with so many beautiful things...if only i didn't have two kids in college *sigh*

Sunday was bittersweet.  It was PJ day

Ellen, Sal, Loretta, Me
Patricia, Elizabeth, Betti, Kecia

 and started off with Breakfast of the Brave.  Artists Melissa Bolton, Jodi Ohl, Tracy Verdugo, Kecia Devaney and Seth Apter shared experiences outside their comfort zones that made them who they are today.  Patty Dineen also presented Ellen Legare with a quilt of squares made by many of the ART IS family.  The picture here doesn't do it justice.

Then it was off to class with Tracy Verdugo. This class was called Sacred Marks and was based on the Aboriginal word, Dadirri which is a special quality and unique gift of the Aboriginal people. It is an inner deep listening and quiet still awarness.  The class was a two day class.

we started with personal symbols and their meanings.

At this point during class, Loretta got word that her mother had passed away.  It was terribly upsetting and I just couldn't continue until I took care of my friend.  After bringing her home and regrouping, I went back to class, but missed a few steps.  It didn't really matter though as this is a process of layering.

After wrapping up day one of sacred marks the PJ party continued into the night and we had a chocolate fountain and made the bracelets mrs. pom had planned on having us create.  

day two of sacred marks was more layering and learning to let go...

tracy's finished piece.

one of tracy's pieces still in progress

My piece is still a work in progress...more on that later.

ART IS...You is always my favorite time of year.  I get to see my old 'art friends' and make new.  Like minds gathering together, sharing ideas, connecting and getting inspired carries me through another year.  I can't wait for ART IS...2013!