On Dreaming and Working

I've been posting a lot about being brave,
stepping out on faith and believing in yourself.

Today, I'd like to write about the flip side of that...
or where I was a few years ago with my artwork.

If you've read my blog much, you know that I feel I have always been an artist.
I drew when I was young.
I collected bugs, feathers and fabric
and then placed them in a pleasing manner in my own little room.

I learned to sew as a young girl,
usually designing clothes for teddy bears and making tote bags
that I later painted.

As a young adult, I taught myself to crochet,
making elaborate doilies and starched snowflakes for every one's Christmas tree.
When I worked as a RN in Neonatal ICU,
I used to sell handmade gifts to all the staff.
I was both artsy and crafty...
Still am actually.

But there was a part of me that felt I wasn't a "real" artist.
Wonder why?
Cause I never went to art school?
Well, lots of really famous (REALLY famous) artists never went to art school...
So that argument was out.

Well, people might laugh at me.
You know what, people have laughed at me and never seen my artwork.
So that was a moot argument.

Well, they will make fun of me...
They won't like my art.
No one will buy it...

OMG! The list could go on and on and on here!
The truth of it is (and was) that I was afraid...
of several things.
But I decided that I could either hide away at home and never share my work
or teach others to enjoy their creative talents,,,
or,,,
I could put all those fears, doubts and insecurities behind me and jump in with both feet.

Now, I'll tell you a little (big) secret that REALLY worked for me.
My circle of friends.
My loved ones.
Those whose opinions I really trusted.
I ask them - look at my work.
Honestly tell me what you think of it.
Should I pursue my dream of making, selling and teaching my art?

And thanks to the counsel of my husband, my close friends
and a couple of other artists (in the know),
I made the right decision.

Was it scary?
Oh yeah.
Is it still scary?
Yeah, but not so much.
Is it fun?
Oh yeah!

Truth is, I can't imagine doing anything else.
I've dreamed of this my entire life.
That's a long, long time people...
A long time to sit and dream and not jump into action!

If I could move you to do anything in your life,
it would be to put one foot in front of the other towards a dream that you have.

MAKE it come true.

Textile Evolution

I wanted to post some of the photos that I took at the retreat.
I just have not had time - until now.
First, I wanted to show you the "treat bag" that all the participants received!
This is just the bag (in my messy but happy studio).
It was filled to the brim with The Most Awesome Freebies!
Liz Kettle's new book, threads (about 12-14 spools!), Misty Fuse (white and black!), multi purpose cloth, a journal that Liz pre-made, a collage pack form Artistic Artifacts, Portfolio water soluble oil pastels, Handcrafted magazine from Stampington and more!
Can you believe that?! It's really the BEST goodie bag that I have ever received!
Thanks to Liz and all her hard work!
She made the bag (below) out of the multipurpose cloth, screen printing, stamping and all sorts of fantastic surface design techniques.

The one day class that I taught was based on a small wall hanging

that utilized an ATC as the central element.

Here are photos of everyones artwork all together, followed by each individual piece.

They learned a couple of ways to make ATC's

as well as some easy background painting techniques.

We fashioned a background out of rusted fabric/fibers.

They all used slightly different layouts and different images to make their piece their own.

And they all did such a great job!

I love to watch people when it hits them - "it" being when it all comes together...

they go beyond what an instructor shows them and put their own stamp on it.

Just fabulous to have any part in giving everyone their own wings!

After lunch, we went for a walk around the mountain behind us and picked up some natural elements to add to the wallhangings.

Some found bones, dried and decaying but fabulous hangers!

Some picked up sticks to use as their hangers. And smaller twigs to use as design elements.

Whoops. Gotta turn your head to the side to look at this one! Kerry picked up an awesome piece of bark to adhere beads to!

Cat's painting techniques looks like embossed leather on the ATC. I love how everyones looks so different yet similar. It would be a great mini series to show together.

Here is another bone hanger from Kathy! She adhered words in the nest to symbolize her growing creativity and growth. How cool is that?

A beautiful piece with lots of musical symbolization from Cheryl. I love how she distressed the buttons on her piece.

Everyone completely finished their piece in this class. I think that sometimes we need easier projects that can be completed in the class.

I sure do appreciate all the ladies that joined me at Colorado Springs.

I am planning on going back next year too!

Perhaps I'll teach some drawing classes...

Seed Head Riot

Just celebrating the Fall Equinox here at my house...

along with some of natures tiniest power houses.

"Seed Head Riot"

India Ink on handmade paper.

Original is mounted to antique cypress siding.

It is available - price on request.

SOLD.THANK YOU JUDY!

Prints still available

Email me for more info.

Step outside and view the full moon tonight.

You may even be able to see Jupiter if the sky is clear enough!

West Greenville Art Festival

Wow.

Un. Be. Liev. Able.

I am still reeling from the generous, encouraging, helpful
and supportive folks that I met at the West Greenville Arts festival!

What a talented group of artists that our city has.
There were out of towners as well that were just as talented and supportive of the other artists.

And UVA did an awesome job lining up vendors!

And the music...
Can I get a witness here?!
If you missed Mr. Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues - you missed IT!
Yee Haw! What a talented group of music men.
Loved, loved Mac Arnold.

We had a good crowd both days, lots of folks out and about this weekend.
I met so many local people that were looking for art instruction.
Mixed media, fiber art, book making...
our society is hungry for handmade again.
I guess the old saying is true - what is old is new again...
We're headed back to our roots, I hope.
Honoring the art that is fashioned by loving hands, ones that are connected to the artists heart.
People see the connection in your art - they can see that you love what you do...
that your art is from a happy place, a troubled place or just a place of wonder and intrigue.

Every person that bought one of the little houses from the
"It Takes A Village" series said that it made them happy to look at.
What more could an artist ask for?

I thank you Greenville for making my very first arts festival a huge hit!
I got so many requests for classes, a couple of commision pieces and even sold some art!
In my mind, that's a complete success!

Textile Evolution/Colorado Springs

Going back to the retreat that I taught at in Colorado...
I forgot to add a link to the retreat center that we were playing at...I mean working at.
If you go the their website, you can find lots of photos to show you around the place - but I'll add a few of my own for you.
True to nature, I've loaded them backwards from what I really wanted to...and I'm too lazy - too busy- to go back and change them.

All the instructors stayed up at a separate building, so each morning we had a beautiful and inspiring walk (a short one) to the main building.
I really wanted to show the family of deers that ran (almost) right up to Liz and I the first morning - but they will be last in line.
This shot was what I saw behind the building that Judy Gula (from the filled to the brim with goodness store Artistic Artifacts in Virginia). She taught a dyeing class. Her students had the MOST fabulous fabrics to show each day. I do believe that she will be teaching next year...you should grab that class if you want to learn the fast and easy way (or down and dirty) on fabric/fiber dyeing.
Aren't those just great colors?

Here is our group joining back up for dinner one night (probably the first night since my pics are backwards!). The rooms were huge in this place - very well laid out and lots of room to play (work).
Liz set up an inspiration area - provided stamps, dye, inks, pens, fabric, paint, journals, glimmer spray, mistyfuse...you name - she provided it for everyone!

Here is the mountain that we saw each morning when we walked to the main building - maybe Mount St. Francis?

The building to the right of the photo is the classrooms that Laura Cater Woods and Judy Gula used.

Okay, here is the "Family Photo" from the first morning walk! This mom and two babies came running up to Liz and I.

I was on the telephone with my husband at the time. The scene from that movie where the dad and kids are lost in the woods came to mind - you know, the one where the deer has red glowing eyes and begins to beat the dad up...

Hmmm...well, it was a while back...

"My, what big ears you have"...

Here is a side shot of the building that we slept in - a fabulous rock building.

And look at the texture of the tree bark to the right of the photo!

I got a couple of close ups of that for later use.

Okay - that ends my update for today.

We are packing up for the West Greenville Arts Festival.

There is also the US Cycling Pro Championship in downtown Greenville this weekend.

If you attend that event, be sure to drive another couple of miles to the arts festival.

Booth #26!

Post Textile Evolution

Wow!
What a week I had in Colorado Springs!
I got home last Monday from an awesome teaching experience
at the mixed media fiber art retreat Textile Evolution.
I'm going to try and do another post or two on the retreat later
cause I am right in the middle of getting ready for the "West Greenville Arts Festival" in Greenville SC.
It's this weekend and it's my Very First Art Festival!
I sure hope that you all will come down and visit me...
I've got several pieces of mixed media fiber art and TONS of paintings!
So, I guess that we could call this my
"Coming Out Party"...
coming out of the painting closet, that is.

Back to Tex Evo...
I had two great classes - one was a two day class and the other was a one day class.
All my students completed their projects!
How great is that?
Every time I go to a class (or retreat) I always think that I would love to actually finish something...
I tried to plan the classes so that the participants would be able to finish in class.
It actually worked this time!

I must say that Liz Kettle has done an awesome job planning and running this retreat.
The price is all inclusive (if you stay on campus). It includes room, food and classes.
And the food was fabulous! She had several diet restricted participants
and was able to provide tasty and nutritious food for everyone.
We even had wine, chocolate and ice cream!

What more could you ask for?

I've been invited back next year as well, so I'm really so excited (and blessed) about that.
I made some new friends and got to visit (face to face) with old friends.
My flights went well, with no major delays or bumps.
I'm home - safe and nearly sound.
I'll try to add photos later or tomorrow.

But for now - back to packaging prints, signing paintings, sealing boxes and looking for my pens...
now where did that tape go...?

A New Neighborhood

At my house, the little worker bees are busy, busy, busy!
They've been so busy that I had to build them houses to sleep in at night...
just too busy to fly away...
Here a peek at two of the new houses.
It's a happy, happy neighborhood!
These two are for two sisters. They are twins - a lot alike, a little different.
Just like their houses!
They wanted wonky, silly homes with lots of color, a little different but kinda alike -
so that's what they got.
Now all the other helpers are clamoring for their own place...
I'll be working late into the night to get the neighborhood ready for them.
After all, they are saving my rear end working so hard for me...

Magic Mirror

Hmmm...I wonder if I have a magic mirror on my wall?
This is what I see when I look in it.

Oh, silly me!

That was a magazine that I was looking at.

Have you drawn anything today?

The Art Filled Life

I'm boxing up my kits and supplies for the Textile Evolution Retreat.
Sending them on their way to Colorado Springs to my friend Liz's house.
They will wait for me to get there on Sept.7, when we will be reunited for our classes.
We are all so excited about this trip!
This is my first time teaching at a (several day) retreat! I usually teach one day classes locally.
So, this is a good "first one"...trial run so to speak...
I would love to teach at different venues this coming year. Maybe even one of the "big" retreats.
I'm hoping to send some proposals out.
I'm getting to be a real brave girl, aren't I?

I've always wanted to share what I do with other people.
I love teaching the "mad scientist" way of creating.
And it's not just the Way that I create art -
it's the Why I create art.

It's one of those things that I am compelled to do.
It's my way of life actually.
And I think that most artists, most creative people would agree
that it is the biggest part of who you are,
why you are and how you walk through life.

We live our life,
we express our life & our experiences through our art.

It is The Art Filled Life.

Creative Play, I mean Work

At the Textile Evolution Retreat, I am teaching two different classes.
One is the Scraps, Fragments and Artifacts class.
Check out this post (and this post) for info about that one.
The second class is only one day.
It's an exercise in creative play called "Play, Create, Explore".
It's going to be so much fun!
We'll be making an 8" x 8" piece of mixed media fiber art. I supply the kit
so all the participants have to do is show up!
Well, maybe bring one or two sewing machines in the mix.
We'll scrape some paint around, collage some images, ponder on some words to add to our rusty fiber/bird's nest paper background.
Oh, let's not forget the beads, the button ribbon,the sheet music and the flowers...
I think there is only a couple of spots left!
Sign up NOW!

The other thing I've been doing (among the 872 other things) is getting ready for the WGAF - which will be four days after I get back from Colorado Springs.
Yeah, I realize that everything is all jammed up together...
I'm going to have some cards ready to sell - note card type- some with prints of my paintings and some will be original tiny paintings.
Here is one that I painted.

You can't tell from the photo, but it has a narrow white border around it.

Sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to some of my work,

but I really liked this one right away.

I have been putting in 10-12 hour studio days getting ready.

I should say "work days" instead of "studio days" since I work all over the house...

Does anyone else do that?

West Greenville Arts Festival

Well, I finally collected all my courage and entered some of my artwork
into and art festival that you had to be juried into...
and they accepted me!
I am beyond excited about it!
My friend, Ann Taylor, and I are sharing a booth.
She has experience in outdoor festivals and I have none.
I'm hoping that everyone will come out and see me
and support the local artists.
There will be live music, food, other entertainment and
activities for the kids.
All in Greenville's Art District.

Published!

Last year, when my buddy Jane Powell recommended this awesome book to me, I never dreamt of the impact it would have in my life.
"Life is a Verb" by Patti Digh.
Jane had Patti out to her shop to do a reading along with a book signing. And, loving the book as I do, my husband and I went.
I met Patti (and Mr. Brilliant (her husband) and sweet little Tess(her beautiful daughter) and signed up to be on the list to submit artwork for her next book.
Last February (I think) I got an email with a "Call for Art" in it.
A mere two weeks to respond...yikes!
And you know how it goes, everything under the sun happened in those two weeks to slow me down...
to keep me from making art for Patti.
But, stubbornness won out and I submitted a piece.
A little bit later I got an email from her editor saying that my artwork had been chosen to grace the pages of her book!
Yippee!
Today, I had this waiting for me when I got home...

My complimentary copy of the new book "Four Word Self Help"!
Here is what I sent in for my essay "Sit in the sunshine".

By the way, you folks that have taken my layered paper class may recognise the background...I used one of the papers that I demo in class.

See? I told you that those papers could be used for all manner of things!

Anyway - here is my page, page 75.

And it's very good advice too -

"Sit in the Sunshine"

Hearts

While drawing an image, a laceration that I accidentally obtained yesterday,

opened back up and began bleeding again.

I didn't even realize it until I stopped to check the accuracy of my marks...

and look at what I saw!?



A perfect little blood heart next to the

stem of leaves that I had drawn.

It looks like I stamped a red heart on the page!

How perfect could it be?!

I started to toss the entire page

but decided to keep it instead.

I'll dedicate that little heart, made with my blood,

to my much missed mom-in-law, Sandra.

This will go to represent my love, admiration and respect for this petite lady that had such a big heart.

She accepted me, without question, into her family based on my husbands (obvious) (:-)love of me.

I just have to say (again)...

What an awesome woman...

What a loss...

And what a blessing that she isn't suffering today.



Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.

I cherish them and truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Our little family is continuing to grieve

but we are standing strong.

Accepting the blessing of loving memories, the help of friends

and the bond of working together.



Thanks again for all your sweet words!

Loved Ones

I haven't done a blog post in a while.

My wonderful mother in law passed away last Sunday, August 8.
It was a sudden thing, unexpected.
I have been so busy with helping at their home, serving, cleaning...
but most of all, grieving.

If you're read my blog for long, you will know that my own mom passed away last year.
Also unexpectedly.
My mother in law had stepped in and filled that void in my life.
Now I find myself floundering.

All I can say is that she was such a wonderful, giving person.
She passed away with dignity, surrounded by her loved ones.

You just never know when those that you love will be taken away.
Be sure and show them, tell them how much you love them.
Spend time with them.

So, again my readers -
Let's raise a toast.
This time to my mom in law -

RIP Sandra Sloan.

RIP.

Fiber Freaks, umm Junkies I mean

I have been so busy preparing for the (now in town) Big League World Series and the upcoming retreat I am teaching at (see side bar Textile Evolution), that I neglected to post on the last Fiber Junkies meeting.
I am still incredibly busy but really want to share what we did - so, I'm going to cheat and send you to Judy Simmons and Mary Stori s blog to read.
We had a blast screen printing and I have a whole new appreciation for those that do screen print. Especially those that burn your own screens. If I had a larger studio and easy access to water, I'd do it myself...but right now, I just don't have the room.

Now onto a little more exciting (and scary) news...
I submitted an application and images to be considered for the West Greenville Art Festival this fall (right after I get back from Colorado Springs!) and I was accepted! They limit the artist number to 40 so I am so really excited to be a part of this. I have never participated in an festival before so I am working like crazy to get enough work together in time.
I've got some new collage pieces in the works - they include my doodle sketches and vintage papers and stuff. A little watercolor paint, a little matt medium and
wa la!
I'm hoping that they are accepted well - they are all excited about being in the show!
I have to run and tend to my duties at the ball park.
Do run over and read all about the screen printing adventure we all had!

The Circus is in Town!

The Big League Baseball World Series circus that is.
My husband and I volunteer every year for the series .
So, I'll be MIA for a week or so...
if you like baseball, people and well...baseball - come on out!
Check out this page for the teams,
this page for the schedule
and this page for some factoids about the way that we host all the players and umpires.
Here is some great info on the media coverage for the series (including ESPN for the last two days!).
I hope that all of you are creating some art every day.

What's on Your Table?

I have teeny tiny bones from an owl pellet that I pulled apart (one bone beside the walnut shell and the glass vial is full of itsy bitsy left over bones).
The walnut shell - well, half of one- doesn't it look like an owl face?!
And some rusty treasures.
All waiting for their spot in an owl collage.

So, what's on your table?

Stay creative my friends.

Random Sketching

Hot days in the south
time to stay inside and draw.
Add a bit of watercolor paint
and what do you have?

A watercolor painting of your silly sketches...

People - Draw!
Paint!
Repeat PRN...

Mr. Bluebird

"Be like I, hold your head up high,

Till you find a bluebird of happiness.

You will find greater peace of mind

Knowing there's a bluebird of happiness.

And when he sings to you,

though you're deep in blue,

you'll find a ray of light creep through.

So remember this, life is no abyss,

Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness."

(incomplete) lyrics by Edward Heyman and Henry Parr Daves (1934)

Mr. Barn Owl

I suppose that he is finished...
although I am toying with the idea
of painting in some foliage for him...
right down there in the lower right hand corner - just covering the edge of the rock
and his sharp, dagger-like claw.
I'll have to think about that for a bit.

Inspiration

More pages from my small Moleskine.
If you look closely, you will see clues from the places I sketch at...
A small section of a bone in the top left-ish corner...
a hip socket down there in the lower right hand corner...
guess where I was then?
The large leaves are from a bookmark that my husband was using.

Here on the bottom of the page, you will find a spider plant from another doctors waiting room.
So...you can see that it is possible to find inspiration (and images) everywhere!
If you will just take the time to look around you,
notice the different shapes and forms that surround you,
you may be surprised at how you can find inspiration anywhere!

Stay curious my friends!

"She Ruled The Roost"

A peek at the latest mixed media fiber piece.

"She Ruled The Roost"

Carol Sloan

2010

vintage photo transferred to fabric, textiles, found items

mixed media fiber collage

As usual, a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

I love the burned fibers around the photo!

I recently got a new (and more powerful) heat gun and I am really enjoying it...

More Sketching

Well, it seems that when you have a broken leg ( dear husband)
and other health issues (dear me) -
you spend a lot of time in doctor waiting rooms...
waiting of course!

I NEVER leave home without my handy dandy sketchbook
and Pitt Artist Pens.
NEVER.
You shouldn't either.
This is a page that I worked on while they were
REMOVING HUBBY'S CAST!!!

YES!
He got his cast off after 5 weeks of being restrained in one...
Mind you, he is still restrained (are you reading this dear husband?!)
but the cast is gone, gone, gone!
He is still on crutches, with orders to limit his weight bearing to about 20-30%.
But he is healing - which is great!
Thanks for all of the emails and well wishes.
I (well we) really appreciate that.

I'll try to post another finished sketchbook page tomorrow.
Maybe a new piece of artwork as well!
Yep, I completed yet another mixed media collage piece today!
I mounted the piece in another shadow box, with a black background this time.
It really looks so nice with the different background.

Hope that you all are keeping cool in this heat wave in the east.
I'm doing my outside work early in the am
and then late in the pm...
like every other southern resident!

Stay creative, my friends.

Mr. Barn Owl

is getting a few details...










Still a W.I.P.

Small Sketch Book

I carry a small (3.5"x5.5") Moleskine Sketchbook in my purse
along with two Pitt Artist Pens (S & XS).
I'm slowly filling the book up with my "Doodle Drawings".
Very simple yet intensely detailed little drawings.
Can be done anywhere -
with any inspiration.
These drawings were done while
looking through my well loved copy of Graham Leslie McCallum's
"4000 Animals, Bird & Fish Motifs (A Sourcebook)".
Love, love, love his sourcebooks!
Check them out!
Oh, and draw -
EVERYDAY!