Sunday, July 31, 2011

Recycled Circles workshop at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival

recycled circles dia
A detail of my Recycled Circles meets Dia de los Muertos! (I'm getting in the mood for our San Miguel de Allende Mixed Media retreat in October 2012)

Just back from teaching at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival.
long beach
Long Beach, California had gorgeous weather and the part of town where the convention center is located is really nice.That's the Hyatt hotel on the right, it's next to the convention center.
I taught two workshops and here's some student work from my "Recycled Circles" class. All were done in fabric and machine stitched. (They'll hand embellish and finish later)
student work ~ fabric in progress   recycled circles~ student work
  student work ~ recycled circles  student work ~ recycled circles
student work ~ recycled circles  student work ~ recycled circles
I love how each ends up differently.
student work ~ recycled circles  student work ~ recycled circles
student work ~ recycled circles   student work ~ recycled circlesstudent work ~ recycled circles 
I'm teaching this workshop at CREATE on August 27th in Chicago, using a combination of paper and cloth on a paper substrate. They had to add a second day, because my Wednesday workshop filled up. And I'm teaching it at Art & Soul in Portland, Oregon on September 29.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Mixed Media Sketchbook ~ dreaming of Italy

Italy
Italy. May 2012. I'm taking a group to do sketching and watercolor: journal style. We've got 5 signed up already! So, I'm practicing my Italian in my mixed media sketchbook while husb prepares dinner.
Italy

Italy

Italy

Italy 
I created this background last week, and then drew on it straight to ink, and then added color pencil.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Prayer flags 12 & 13

Prayer Flag 12: For Balance
Prayer flag #12. for balance. I used the yoga 'tree pose' as the metaphor for balance. Some days it seems like I can do the tree pose easily, sometimes I can't stay upright! Trying to keep a balanced life, diet, work schedule and emotions is not always easy, but I do my best.
Prayer Flag 12: For Balance detail

Prayer Flag 12: For Balance detail

Prayer flag #13 ~ for Ann Cobbe
Prayer flag #13 is for Ann Cobbe. She took her own life last November.
Prayer flag #13 ~ for Ann Cobbe
As I worked on this, I started with the flowers that were Ann's bright spirit, humor and strength. Then I began stitching over the flowers with black thread, signifying the postpartum depression she suffered. In the end, it was a tragic mis-judgement regarding her medications......She was 39, with 2 small children.
Prayer flag #13 ~ for Ann Cobbe

Prayer flag #13 ~ for Ann Cobbe
Not all prayer flags are pretty.
Each breeze carries love for Ann and those left behind.
13 prayer flags

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Utah watercolor journal pages

utah art retreat 2011
My watercolor pages from my trip to Utah. There is something about these thistles that I love. They always make me think of my grandmother. On the right of the page, I played with some designs, based on the realistic image on the left.
utah art retreat 2011
A flower from our table arrangement. And some designs based on the realistic version.
utah art retreat 2011
Wildflowers from the property.
utah art retreat 2011
Captured this long distance view from the porch. (above and below)
utah art retreat 2011
(yes, that's a photo of the view from my pogo printer.)

utah art retreat 2011
We sketched at a nearby store.
utah art retreat 2011
and you saw a glimpse of this one, here.

Dreaming of the French Riviera

dreaming of the French Riveria
I showed you here how I started this page, sacrificing my waistline for art!
dreaming of the French Riveria

dreaming of the French Riveria

dreaming of the French Riveria
Walking and watercolor along the French Riveria September 2012.
My whole teaching schedule is on my blog here.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Utah Art Retreat ~ Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style


Utah Art Retreat July 2011
My artwork. Pineview reservoir.
 Just returned from a wonderful weekend in Utah. (Huntsville, about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City) My second time with Creative Inspiration Mountain Retreats.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Our stunning view.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
We started Thursday evening by drawing and painting from little faux birds.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Me, photo by Susan Lazear
The next morning a hike, then back to the house for painting wildflowers.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011    Utah Art Retreat July 2011

Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Pages from Friday morning.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Then for a little retail therapy. We selected items from Dottie Becks, in Eden Utah, and drew and painted them outside the shop under a giant maple tree.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Pages from Friday afternoon.
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Saturday morning to beautiful Pineview reservoir for a landscape lesson
Utah Art Retreat July 2011
Gorgeous pages!
A wonderful time!!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Botanical-ish in my Mixed Media Journal

eucalyptus in bloom
Imagine that! I'm working in a large sprial bound journal! The Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal at 9x12 inches! You can teach an old dog new tricks, I guess. True, the mixed media paper takes the watercolors differently that my usual high quality watercolor paper, but I think it helps me work looser.
eucalyptus in bloom
As I drew the blooms, leaves and pods of the Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'rosea' (White Ironbark) from snippets of the tree, I also created little graphic designs on the same page. So fun!


eucalyptus in bloom
I'll use the designs in my other artwork, maybe free motion stitching or who know what! (Like in chapter 4 of my DVD/download "From Art Journaling to Art.)
eucalyptus in bloom

eucalyptus in bloom
I'm teaching a 6 week Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style class in  downtown San Diego this year (starts October 11-Tuesdays, 9-noon through the Athenaeum-- registration isn't open yet) and I'm playing with ideas for the sllyabus.
eucalyptus in bloom
I'm thinking this would make a cool stamp or thermofax print. You know I'll keep you posted!
eucalyptus in bloom

eucalyptus in bloom
You can see my teaching schedule here. (Phoenix August 5: Pinecones & Pods and online starting August 11, Friday Harbor near Seattle September 10&11)
I'm teaching in Utah right now, returning next week, then onto the Long Beach International Quilt Festival. Oh, and I'm even teaching sketching & watercolor at Make It University at the Quilt Festival! Saturday, July 30, 11:45-12:45. Sign up for the lottery beforehand, limited to 25.
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