Avoiding Deadlines- Technique 872

I have SO MANY deadlines right now...

Do they include reverse applique fingerless gloves?
Nope.

With beading?
Nope.

Aren't you ( Carol) supposed to be packing for a two week trip to teach at Artistic Artifacts and vend at Art and Soul?
Yep.


Reverse Applique Fingerless Gloves with Beading??
Really??
Yep.

(insert silly little grin)

Truth in the Tea

You can learn more than patience from brewing a cup of tea...

New Book Shipping!

Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I adore Natalie Chanin's clothing design (Alabama Chanin).
Well, not only her clothing design but her philosophy of life.
Her ideas on sustainability, her love of vintage items (esp. in decorating) and her willingness to share the knowledge of these things.
She has two beautiful, beautiful books and another one on its way to my home right now!

Check it out here!

I've made one of the skirts (I used my own cotton & supplies and made it MUCH cheaper) (here is a similar one that sells for over $4000.00!). The skirt I made doesn't have beads...but still...

If you love this style of clothing or home dec items, you will LOVE her books!
The work is time consuming, can be rather tedious but well worth the effort. I always get so many compliments when I wear the skirt.
And it is SO comfortable!
If you're like me, when you're watching the telly at night, riding in a car or waiting at an appointment, you have to have something to do (with your hands) to keep busy.
This type of project is perfect for that.
I can't wait to get the book...I MUST finish up with two deadlines today so that I can stop and drool over it as soon as it gets here.

Time Flies When You're Busy (or not)

I can't believe that it's been a week since I posted anything!
I've been working on a project for the new group that I am thrilled to be a part of ( "8 That Create" - check it out!).
If you head over to the blog, you'll see that we are all documenting our progress on our work.
We're telling the good, the bad and the ugly as we create pieces of art.
For someone like me, somebody works in a really intuitive manner, that is kinda difficult.
Sometimes I don't know why I do what I do...I just do it.
I'm trying to take lots of photos to share, showing the horrid messes that I make and the ways that I cover them up or revel in their existence.
So far, I've written two posts on the new piece "Empty Spaces".
I'd love for you to take a look and let me know what you'd like for me to talk about or address during the process.

I am also packing to ship supplies and artwork to Artistic Artifacts for a two day book making class that I am doing there.
The class is Feb. 24 & 25 in Alexandria, Virginia at Judy Gula's shop "Artistic Artifacts".
The day after my class, Liz Kettle is teaching her "Metal Magic" class. I can't wait to take this one! She will be talking about using metal in fiber work as well as covering different patina's that you can use on it.
There is a kit for this class so you don't have to bring any supplies.
Woo Hoo! My kind of class.

We will be going to "Art & Soul" at Virginia Beach, Virginia to help Judy in her mobile shop there.
I will have a vendor table the last night, so drop by if you're in the area.
I'll be offering original artwork, prints, rust media packs, handmade books and a couple of other goodies.

I also want to tell you about a (fairly) new site called "Seek Your Course".
Jess Greene (an amazing mixed media encaustic artist) started this site up to gather all the classes, workshops, conferences and retreats into one cohesive place.
It's an amazing site, with tons of options. All you need for choosing your next creative learning experience.
I've included my classes there as well.
Check it out!

Pen and Paper

There is an old building across the highway from my house.
It has such character (in my opinion) and has a ton of potential being remodeled as a house.
All those high ceiling, wood floors. It has a small apartment off to one side and a larger one in the back.
It is presently being used as some type of business (in the front of it) and the couple that runs the business live in the back.
I love the rusted tin roof over the lower level as well as the extra long windows on the upper level.
I've always imagined a huge open studio/teaching space on the lower level with living quarters on the top level...
never hurts to dream, right?

Anyway, here is a quick sketch of the place that I did.
I simplified the details to make the sketch go quicker.
This is on watercolor paper (with a preliminary sketch in pencil), finished with a Pitt Artist Pen.
I have one layer of watercolors on it and plan on adding more later.

I like the ladder in the upstairs window.
Wonder if they are going to do some (much needed) work on the place?

More Urban Sketching

I forgot to post one sketch from The Children's Garden this week.
This is a small semi-circle flower garden with pansies and parsley in it.

I am going to sit on my patio tomorrow and sketch the warehouse across the highway from my house.
I'll post it in a few days.

Urban Sketching

I'm getting more and more inspired by urban sketching through this blog - "Urban Sketchers".
Check it out and catch the fever!
They have published a book - "The Art of Urban Sketching" which was just released this week.
There is page after page of inspiring peeks into a large group of urban sketchers.
If this is the type of activity that interests you, pick up the book.
Check out the blog.
Or better yet, grab a friend (or two) and create your own "Urban Sketching" group.

It's also a great way to meet other artists in your town too.
I met a wonderful, talented, intelligent and charming woman through our Greenville sketching group (hi Sarah!)
She and I have similar interests as far as wanting to improve our true "urban" sketching skills. So, we set out to do just that.
We met in downtown Greenville one day this week for some sketching, talking, teaching, learning, conversation, laughing and- let's not forget this-lunch!
It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Greenville! The temps were in the upper 60's. There were plenty of birds singing, flowers breaking the confines of the winter rest and people just seemed to be smiling more.
The promise of spring always does that, doesn't it? Even though we have barely had a regular winter season as yet.

We walked to Linky Stone Park, home of The Children's Garden (along the Reedy River) near the Swamp Rabbit Trail in downtown Greenville (SC).
The park has a "Five Senses Garden" that includes flowers and/or herbs that are in alphabetical order (this is a fantastic extra for an OCD person such as myself!) .
They have a "Secret Garden" with beautiful paintings, a Peter Rabbit fence with a portion of the story painted on the fence itself, as well as several statues.
I especially liked the huge pig one.

This pig, Vincenzo, is 4' 5" long and a little over 2' tall!

Here is a cool You Tube video about The Children's Garden that is highlighting art in public places.

The park is under a major bridge in town so you can stand in different places for a great view of the city's skyline.

You can see the back of the famous "Poinsett Hotel" in the upper right hand side

I don't know the name of this building but you can use one of the
 small  bridges (for walking/bikes)  over  the Reedy River to get to it

I took several photos of the area and will try to go back and finish my sketches. My main goal was to improve my urban sketching skills and become more comfortable sketching in public. Both of which will take time...
The downtown Greenville area is just teeming with interesting sites to sketch.
I love this city and hope that we will be stay here as my husband continues his search for a job.

You should get out in your own town with sketchbook in hand...draw your life!

More Messages From The Universe, New Classes

My tea bags continue to ply me with bold messages.
In some ways, I do feel like I am getting younger instead of older.

I am hard at work in my studio! 

I have several things going at once -

working on a new piece for the group "8 That Create", 

preparing samples for two new classes I have scheduled while I am in Colorado.

Oh! I forgot to post them, didn't I?!

I will be teaching two one day classes at "Blue Twig Studio" in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 3 and June 4.

One class will be "Whimsical Mark Making" and the other will be the blast of fun class "Background Painting" (check the "workshop" tab at the top of the blog for descriptions).

I'll post the order of them as soon as we figure it out. Both of these classes are so much fun and everyone is always so surprised at how well their work turns out in class.

I am also working on handouts for the June "Art Camp For Women" book making class. 

That is going to be a fantastic class! I am loving all the colors of waxed linen thread that I bought just for class! No plain old black, brown or burgundy for these campers!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I am working on samples for the class at Judy Gula's shop "Artistic Artifacts" in Alexandria Virginia on Feb. 24 & 25. Check out this link for the class description.

It would be great (and you'll get a discount) if you signed up for my two day class and Liz Kettle's one day class there ("Metal Magic"). Three days of foot stomping fun (where did that come from?!). But it will be a lot of fun and think of all that you will learn!

The book class that I am teaching there is a great class for new book makers as well as experienced ones. After two days, you will leave with a one of a kind treasure. And you'll be armed with all the info that you need to make more.

So - back to work.

I tend to be a workaholic on creative things. 

I can spend hours and hours in  my studio, effectively ignoring any other errands or jobs that I need to do...

My husband is so very supportive of my desire to show women how to express their creativity.

He has seen how making art, how allowing my creativity out has healed me in so many ways.

It's much better than any medications my doctors try to make me take. 

And I want other women to experience this healing balm.

Stretch that creative muscle!

Messages From The Universe

(and my tea bags)

Are you listening to The Universe today?

Stating Your Intentions

A couple of years ago, I wrote out a list of dreams that I had.
I listed some of the most secret things that my heart desired as well as some of the wildest, crazy ass dreams I could think of.
One of them was to teach in Italy. One of those fantastic, once in a lifetime trips to a beautiful, romantic country.
And I let that dream fly out into the Universe.
I kept it secret for a while (I mean, come on, who do I think I am to be able to dream a dream that big?!) not telling anyone but my husband and a few close friends.
This year I decided that I would shout out a few dreams, just in case the Universe was hard of hearing (grins).
I began just saying that I was going to be an "international teacher" this year.
GASP!
"Did I just say that?" I would ask myself...
Odd thing happened though, those people that I told this to never blinked an eye when I said it!
Just like they believed that I would do that!

And as that funny thing happened, another funny thing happened...
I began to believe it!

I found out about a great new creative school opening in Sulmona Italy.
The Abruzzo School of Creative Art.

I wrote up my class proposal and sent it in (after a day or two of sheer terror at the prospect of doing it).
Two days later I received an email from the owner, Averil Stewart-Head.

My proposal was accepted!!
I am over the moon with excitement!
Totally and absolutely energized about this...

But, get this...
I'm not only going this year but NEXT year as well!
Oh.
My.
Goodness.

I would love for a few of my US buddies to go with me...
If you've wanted to go to Italy, then this would be a fantastic time to go.
You know that it will be fun, creative and entertaining!

Sign up now for a HUGE discount!
Here's my workshop page.

Reserve your spot NOW as the spaces are very limited!

Finding Your Tribe

Yesterday, I wrote about expressing yourself.

Today I'd like to touch on another aspect of living a creative life.

I'd like to talk about being a part of a creative tribe.

We all need to find our tribe. 

Not just any tribe but your tribe.

You know, that group of like minded people. They love the same things that you do (who else could get so excited about sitting in a cold airplane hanger sketching?). 

They drool over the same things (scraps of torn and tattered lace from grandma's closet), they oohh and aahhh over your artwork.

You need a safe and secure place within this group of women to let your hair down (so to speak). A place that you can stay up late working in your jammies or sitting on the edge of the bed, drinking a glass of wine while you talk about...well, things that creative women talk about.

We need a safe place to tell our stories and to express our creativity.

Enter "Art Camp For Women".

All women (sorry guys!), all fun, all your tribe.

And just look who is talking about us!!

Art Camp is one of the four retreats featured in "O" magazine in the "Express Yourself" cover story!

You can't get much better than that, can you?

I'll be teaching there in June and I've planned a brand new book making class just for this retreat.

Today I am the guest blogger on the Art Camp. 

Follow this link to read my post.

Expressing Yourself

I've always believed that it's important for all of us to tell our stories.
To share tales of our adventures, our dreams, or just everyday happenings.

I do this all the time in my artwork.

I build each piece to tell a story or to chronicle an experience in my life or another’s life. I spend a lot of time in the forests and rivers near my home, hiking, kayaking or soaking in the beauty. I gather and collect interesting objects, natural items and everyday discards that I take to my studio and later use in these narratives. My hope is that the story will resonate with the viewer. That it will spark some inspiration or memory within them.

In times of great stress or distress, people have to tell their stories over and over as a way to process what happened to them.
I worked as a nurse in a busy Neonatal ICU. It was an area of high stress to the families that needed our services. Even if their baby was not that ill, it was still a stress on the entire family.
The mothers and fathers found so much comfort talking to other parents there. I would hear them repeat their birth stories, reliving each and every moment. 

This is how we process our lives. This is how we keep those precious memories alive as well as honoring our emotions.

Creativity is a lot like that. We have to honor our creative urges.

As women (I'm guessing that most of my readers are women) we give so much of ourselves to others...we seldom reserve time for ourselves.

And if we do, it's usually after everything else is finished.

We're tired, distracted and probably a wee bit irritable.

If you can find a way to carve out a little bit of time each day to do something creative - whether it's writing, drawing, painting, sewing- it doesn't matter what it is...

what matters is that you do it!

Tomorrow I'll be the guest blogger over at "Art Camp For Women". I'll be doing another short blog post here as an intro to the one on their website.

I'd love for you to stop by and see what we're got up our sleeves...

Empty Spaces

Hi wonderful people!

Did you hop over to this blog and read my post about "Approaching a Theme"?
It's all about how I am approaching the theme "Empty Spaces" in the new group that I am a member of.

I hope that you'll run over and read it and catch the other artists posts as well.
We're working hard to share all of the steps to our individual art making that we can.

Sometimes it's difficult to explain why you do what you do -
sometimes I just go on and do it without thinking to take photos of what I did.

When you're in that zone it's difficult to stop and document the process...

Anyway - check out the blog (and the website).
Let me know what you think!

I may use this line drawing to symbolize that there is growth that takes place in the Empty Spaces 

Artistic Artifacts

I am going to be heading up to Virginia this February - to an wonderful mixed media fiber shop called Artistic Artifacts.
I am teaching a two day book making class called "Bound By Heart, Made By Hand".
Someone ask me why I call the class this so I'll explain here.

A lot of my recent work (the last three years) has revolved around the death of my mother.
When I was cleaning out her house, I found so many keepsakes type things that I had forgot about, had never seen or couldn't remember the story attached to them.
There was a lot of vintage linens from my grandmother as well...she was a doll maker and a quilter.
Oh, and also a doll doctor. She had been certified to do "reconstructive surgery" on all types of dolls -wooden to ceramic.

I found myself the owner of a ton of family keepsakes.
And not an idea of what to do with them but store them like my mom did.

But, a couple of things kept nagging at me.
I didn't want my son to find all these things after I died and wonder about them...or throw them out.
And I just didn't have the storage space to keep them all.

I made the decision to use them.
Not in the intended manner but in an artistic manner.
I put aside the ones that held special meaning or were in the best condition.
Then I began using them as art supplies...yep, cutting them up, adding them to books that I made, attaching them to fiber wall art...just generally enjoying them.

And I found that all of the pieces that I added to artwork held more meaning to me.

They began to bind my heart to the work that I made by hand...
Hence "Bound By Heart, Made By Hand" was born.

And in my classes, I show everyone how to use those vintage linens (whether hand-me-downs or not), old clothing, copies of hand written letters and anything else they choose to bring in their artwork.
The books are so textured with all of the different linens, homespun and hankies inside (and outside) of them.

The books have so much more meaning and sentiment when you use personal items.

And you can bet that your kids won't throw these away when you're gone!

I've had women create family recipe books, wine tasting books, memory books for family or friends, and art journal books.
Sketchbooks.

Here's a few photos of the ones that I have made.

I love painting the pages inside then going back and sketching or writing in them.
But I also love viewing the book as a piece of art in itself.

The class will be held at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria Virginia.
It's a two day class and almost everyone goes home with a completed book!
Sometimes two books if you've planned ahead.

Contact Judy Gula at the shop for prices and payment options.

Oh - class dates are Feb. 24 & 25.

My buddy Liz Kettle is teaching a one day workshop the very next day (Sunday Feb. 26) called "Metal Magic".

Judy is offering a $10 discount on both (either or) classes if you sign up now!

We could make a weekend out of it...just think - hanging out with me, Liz and Judy all weekend!
A girl's weekend...with great art making too!

Filling Your Time With Creative Endeavors

Over at the Sketchbook Challenge blog this month, the theme is "doodling".
This is one of my favorite things to do!
I always carry a travel art kit with me - it includes several folded pieces of paper (usually Exact Vellum Bristol) or a ready made sketchbook, travel watercolor paints, Faber Castell Pitt Artists Pens and a pencil & eraser.
When I find myself with a minute or two , I pull out a piece of paper (or sketchbook) and a pencil or pen and fill my time with emptying some of the images rolling around in my head (which can be kinda scary now that I think of it).

There are times that I allow the stress of living in this world occupy a larger space there (in my head) than it should so drawing  is a great way to get my mind off of the negative things.

I've had a Moleskine watercolor sketchbook for a while now but (evidently) put it on a higher shelf in my studio...I have found it again and started using it to see if I like the paper. I believe it is a 200 gsm paper.

I haven't found the "perfect" sketchbook yet...
I suspect that there will never be that "Perfect One" because my sketching habits change, the medium that I color my images with changes as well as the size that I am willing to carry around.
But I sure am enjoying the hunt for one!

Before Christmas (seems like that was sooo long ago, doesn't it?) I was working on a few small handmade books to submit to Christopher Park Gallery in town (they are carrying my work!).

Here is a sampling of the original sketches that led to some of the cover art for the "Little Books" series.

It's a little difficult to see - I drew the images with a harder lead pencil (2H) (which makes a lighter mark).
It was all I had at the time. I have since switched my "regular" sketching pencil to a "F" lead.
I'm not sure if I'll be pleased with that either...I'll keep switching around until I am happy with the results.
And I love drawing with the "2H" pencil, I just don't like the lightness of the scanned image.
I know that I can adjust that in post-editing...but the truth is - I not very good at "post editing" images.
I usually just scan images and use the file as is.
(I did go back and adjust the brightness/contrast just to get the lines darkened up).

Perhaps I should resolve to take a class on that...

I had started drawing all the cats after this little angel came into our life
(cute kitty photo alert).

He has not only cemented himself into our hearts but onto our couch as well!
(I snuck that photo in rather seamlessly, didn't I?)

In drawing the cats, I began branching out to the Big Cats.
Lions and tigers quickly followed.

Here's one of them. I love the curly, flowing mane.

I'm still working on him though.

This is the way that a lot of my artwork evolves.
I begin with a loose, often very ugly sketch but it serves to remind me later of what I originally had in mind.
It's a great "jumping off" point.

I hope that all of you are flexing your creative muscles this New Year!
Get your sketch on!

8 That Create

I am a champ at setting loose, hardly measurable goals.
(Can I get a "hell yeah"?)
Every year, I tell myself that I will do better, will be better at this.

And I AM doing better with one or two of those goals...just not all of them.

Last year, I set the goal to be a part of a group of artists that encourage each other, seek out venues and show together.
I wanted to be a part of a group that created along side each other but not a challenge group per se.

Towards the end of last year, that group materialized.
I am so thrilled to announce the formation of
(drum roll please)

"8 That Create"

8 That Create is a group of professional, artists that explore the use of

innovative mixed media techniques to manipulate, alter and enhance the

appearance of their chosen surface. 

Our mission is to support each other in our individual artistic journeys and to

provide inspiration to others through our group exhibitions, publications,

website and blog. 

Sue Bleiweiss

Jane Davila

Jamie Fingal

Gloria Hansen

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Liz Kettle

Carol Sloan

Kathyanne White

Check out our website and an informative blog that will include lots of details about our forays into exhibiting as a group.

We have the beginnings of a show planned for later this year but right now we are working on an online show with the theme of "Empty Spaces".

We'll be adding more information on both of those later.

We are so excited about our new group and hope that you will follow along with us!

Sketchbook Challenge Blog 2012

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope that all of you are readers (and participants) in the Sketchbook Challenge Project that I am a guest host at.
I wanted to post the opening theme for the 2012 Sketchbook Challenge.

This month, Diana Trout has offered up a perfect beginning to our blog.

Here is a re-post of the 1-2-2012 post.

Happy New Year, Sketchbook Challengers and welcome to newbies. Diana here with January's theme

*Doodling**

None Threatening Drawing for Anyone At All

Doodling, Noodling, Moodling, call it what you'd like.

This quote from Brenda Ueland, sums it up nicely:

So you see, imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering. 

We all doodle: on the phone, at meetings, on grocery lists. On our calendars. Do you remember all of the hearts and little flowers on your school notebooks? Until your teacher told you to "pay attention." Really puts the kebash on doodling greatness. (I pay better attention whilst doodling.) 

Somewhere along the line, you may have stopped doodling. Let's get your doodle on this month! 

Here are some doodling starters tips for beginning-again doodlers.

Doodle on brown paper, graph paper, looseleaf paper, in your journal.

1. Use a really simple pen and any kind of paper. For instance, are you working on a work related problem? Doodle on the edges of that paper. Let doodling begin to creep into your everyday life.

2. Doodling is meditative but sometimes our minds resist (believe me, I know). Decide to "take 5" and put on a song you love. Doodle to it. I'll bet you go for 15 minutes.

3. Doodling is really good for developing drawing skills. Your eye-hand coordination will improve.

4. Doodle straight lines, curving lines, open shapes such as boxes, circles, ovals. Look at what you've already doodled and repeat some of these motifs.

5.  Make a doodle sampler. A page full of doodling ideas: flower shapes, pod shapes (like my pods). Link the shapes together with lines, dots, flourishes. 

6. Mix it up and use different line widths. I like to start with a Micron 01 and go up to 03 and 05.

Coming up ... resources in the art world to broaden your doodle vocabulary. Happy Doodling!

The theme for January 2012 is: 

*Doodling*

Special Prize Giveaway Announcements:

This year on the Sketchbook Challenge we're going to be giving away some art!  Each month one (or more!) of the Sketchbook Challenge Artists will be sending a piece of mail art to one (or more!) winners each month!   Winners of the mail art will be chosen by random draw from the photos posted on the flickr group for that month.  More details on how to be eligible are below.

And we also have an additional prize package this month donated by our sponsor Joggles!

Two winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate to Joggles.com!

How to be eligible for prize drawings: 

In order to be eligible for one of the January 2012 prize packages you must post at least one photo of a sketchbook page related to the January 2012 theme to the Sketchbook Challenge Flickr group and you MUST tag one of your photos with the code "jan987".  

 IMPORTANT:  PLEASE ONLY TAG ONE OF YOUR PHOTOS with this special code!  

It is not necessary to tag more than one and it will not increase your chances of winning.

Information on how to upload photos to flickr can be found here.

Winners will be chosen based on random draw on 1/31/12 and announced on the Sketchbook Challenge blog either on that day or on 2/1/12.

***Go to the original post for the links that Diana added to the entry.***

Now let's see your doodles!

Hodge Podge

Did you read the post over at the "Sketchbook Challenge" blog about the scrap bag that I made from Mulit-Purpose Cloth?

It's a great way to use those teeny tiny scraps that you save (and you know that you do) and then wonder what the heck you're going to do with them! And it's easy-peasy too!

I am really loving the MPC from Roc-Ion. 

It's so easy to stitch on, you can draw or paint on it just like paper and/or canvas and there are NO raveling edges! None!

I'm already working on a book cover using it so watch for a tutorial on that soon.

Right now I'm putting the finishing touches on another book for the "Art Camp For Women" retreat this June in Colorado.

I'm using my own rusted fabric/fibers on this one and adding a really cool embellishment on the cover.

I've also been introduced to a new type of paper to use in bookmaking (thanks Denise!).

I'm not going to stop using my fav (Wausau Exact Vellum Bristol) but this new stuff is SO easy to put into a book.

I'll let you know more about it as I do a little more experimenting, okay?

I'm hoping that all of you are having a peaceful holiday season.

We have a new year coming up, it would be a good time to reevaluate your goals and dreams.

I plan on thinking about those things too. 

I'm also thinking about where I want to go in the coming year - not in a physical sense but "where is my life going" sense.

I'm feeling a little unsettled - like I'm missing something or not doing something that I'm supposed to be doing.

Do any of you ever feel that way?

It seems that things were so much more simple when my son was young.

My focus was so clear then. But it was also on him. 

Now it's time to think about what I want...really focus on where I want to go/what I want to do with the time that I have left on this earth.

Happy Holidays!

I'm going to be off line for a few days but wanted to take the time to wish everyone a happy holiday season.
Remember those less fortunate than you, those that feel additional pressure this time of year and your elderly neighbors that may not have family or friends close.

I will have a project post on the Sketchbook Challenge blog the 26th. Be sure to check it out.

Thank all of you that read my blog.
Your comments and emails really make my day. I'd love to hear more from you in the coming year.
I'm thinking of changing up the blog a little after I add an honest-to-goodness web site in the new year.

Any ideas, suggestions or requests?
Drop me an email or leave a comment!

Here is a peek at what I've been working on for the Art Camp For Women project...

Gallery Representation

I am so excited to share some really great news!

My work has been picked up by one of the local art galleries!
(insert cheering crowd)

Christopher Park Gallery is THE most funky, eclectic and fun gallery in Greenville SC.
Every corner is filled with interesting works of art, handmade bags, jewelry, gift items, life size art, Outsider Art, pottery and much more.


Now you can see my work there too!
I have wall art, handmade journals/books and prints/cards available right now.

Check out this link for an online shop or drive down to the Historic West End in Greenville SC at
608A South Main Street.

Here is their Facebook page. Go and "Like" them, tell them that Carol Sloan sent you.

Betty Bercowski, the owner, also runs the coffee/sandwich shop next door (Rainer's). The drinks are awesome and the food is yummy.

This is a fantastic place to shop for original artwork that doesn't require a bank loan to purchase. Betty does a great job representing local artists as well as a few out of towners.
And the gallery is chock full of truly interesting items!

Here's a peek at one of the pieces that now hangs at Christopher Park Gallery.
It's a stretched canvas with layers and layers of collage and paint.
Purchase it here.

Happy First Day of Winter to all of you!
Happy Holidays too!

KC Takes A Bath

I usually don't post personal stuff on my blog but this is just too darn cute to keep to myself!

Remember KC the kitty cat from this post? Well, he's still here (imagine that?!) and fitting right in with the neighborhood.
He has become a bit of a "Six Dinner Sid" - you know, going from house to house pretending that he hasn't been fed...no petting...just a poor, neglected kitty.

Well, he can't say that anymore!
He was acquiring a bit of a, umm, personal perfume - not to mention those dirty ears and feet.

My gracious (and brave) step daughter offered to bathe him.
She has a Himalayan at home that she  regularly bathes so this task was nothing to her.

I'm going to post a series of photos that need to be looked at in the order they are in for the maximum belly laugh.

Here is KC, getting his first sink bath...

I can see a little trepidation in his eyes..."Hey, I thought that Emmy was just going to carry me around the house like you guys do."

I hope that this brightens your day!

Sketchbook page

Here's a scan of one of the sketches that I drew in my handmade sketchbook this week.
Too bad I lost interest in it before I finished it...

New Work and Old Homes

I've been in the studio this week, painting away the day.
And I am paying for it too!
I have my large work table on risers because I like to stand while I work.
After two days of painting (for at least 10 hours a day), my legs and back have had enough. Even if I wanted to paint more, I just can't.

So I'm turning my attention to paperwork.
Ugghhh.

Here's a peek at one new piece.
And yes, it's that cute kitty cat again!

And I have to get back to this also.
I have the sample book pages completed but I am having to go back and re-figure my cover idea.
It was one of those "Hey, this would look good!" ideas that I failed to fully think (or work) through.
Needless to say, it didn't.
Work out, that is.

If things go as they usually do, the next idea will be even better!
Most of my (really good) work happens that way - I screw one thing up and while I am trying to figure out a different way, I hit on a really cool idea...
And that is the truth of the matter.
That is why you should keep on going with an idea or a project when you hit a roadblock (or screw it up). If you do, you will eventually work things out or come up with an even better idea!
(I would put my hands in the air and say "ta da!" here but you can do what you want to)

Now - on to other things...
This evening I'll be joining a few other local artists at the beautiful Greenville Women's Club in Greenville SC.
We're having a holiday art fair and show from 6:00-9:00pm.
I think that they will be serving wine, finger foods and providing music.
The house is just breath taking and especially so with the addition of the Christmas decorations.

Here's a peek of the home that is now the Women's Club.

This is the historic Beattie House.

Join me and other local artists tonight for an art filled evening!

Thank You!

I participated in an art fair on Saturday at "Spill The Beans" in Greenville SC.
There were about 18 (or so) local artists there also, showing everything from sculpture, paintings, fiber art, jewelry to Starbucks gift card lamp shades (which were so cool!).
We had a great crowd there...and it was right there inside the coffee/ice cream/frozen yogurt shop!!

Did you know that you can order a freshly baked waffle cone dipped in (dark) chocolate without the ice cream?

I didn't (until Saturday) but it's a great answer to the "I really, really want one of those cones with chocolate but the ice cream is too much of a mess while I am selling my artwork" dilemma...
A yummy answer in fact.

I was so excited to sell a few things, including one of my new Little Books (thank you Denise!).
I am always so thrilled when collectors love my artwork as much as I do.

I create work from my heart ( & my head) based on things that inspire me.
There are some days that everything inspires me...
some days, nothing does.
But most of the time I have a ton of ideas - some good, some not so good.

Today I will complete up one painting that is on my table (a dog), put the finishing touches on five paintings that I did earlier in the week and think about fleshing out the two canvases that I started yesterday.

I really, really have to update my resume (that means write one), take a look at my artist statement (it needs changing for a different venue) and decide if I want to use my same ole bio...

The grunt work, that is.

The stuff I run from.

Maybe I'll clean out the fridge instead...

Giraffasaurus

I thought that I'd show you the last (or latest) imaginary animal that came out of my sketchbook.
This is a "Giraffasaurus" - a friendly and curious vegetarian.


He is also part of the paperback book line that will be shown to the public this holiday season at "Spill The Beans" in Greenville SC on November 26.
Come by and meet me and many other artists that will be showing (and selling) their wares.
I've got a few other curious animals waiting anxiously for a new home...