Paint Nights With Master Po

A couple of months ago I emailed Destree and asked if she would be willing to meet with me once a month, to show me art techniques that she knows and that I admire, ..... and she said yes! So once a month, we meet..... for an evening of me being "Grasshopper" and she being "Master Po".

The first month was brushes and paints and eyes and eyelashes! (I'm not quite ready to share that one yet :)

This month was blending and contrasting and the wondermous STABILO! We decided to do our hands (still being a work in progress)!




She had also ask that I bring my canvas of ME that she had sketched back in April. Before I could leave our painting session she said that I needed to add a splash. A splash of anything...I just needed to begin. And so I did......







Thank you Master Po.....



..... you were right. I was ready, I just didn't know it!

A Weekend of Artful Play

About a month ago Dayna invited me to be her guest at a weekend retreat that she and her Portland Art Collective group go on each year at Menucha.

Already giddy with excitement I knew the weekend was going to be the best ever when I turned to drive in. My love of trees and art and a room full of inspiring women...



It was also Dayna's birthday and I think she loved her presents!!




And we all got our fortunes!



A room full of artful women, each creating such wondermous things, each so embracing and inspiring and funny.




A couple of the ladies taught classes - Tory taught us how to felt soap.





But the greatest part of the entire weekend, even after working on my art projects.....



.....and sitting across from this adorable lady every day



was that she made me pinkie swear two things. One....I can NOT tell anyone what her pajammies look like and Two....that I could no longer refer to her as my teacher, I could only refer to her as my friend.

Thank you Dayna for inviting me to one of the best weekends ever. And thank you for being my friend!

A Boat Load of Caribbean Goodies

It's been a month since I went aboard the Freedom of the Seas to bask in the sun and do art with Tim Holtz. I have just now finished putting away the mammoth amount of art supplies given to each participant. Each class would yield more and more until I was at the point of being totally overwhelmed.



Upon arriving in Florida, there was a four hour wait to pick up our luggage due to lightening. It's always so laughable that when you are going somewhere fun, there's pretty much nothing that can bring a frown.




Once on board, we found where the classes were to be held, our room and met our dining mates (and women I would be sitting with in class) and of course, the infamous Tim Holtz!





Our Ports of Call included CocoCay, Bahamas





St. Thomas





And the best time ever on St. Maarten











Meeting wonderful fun people......







.....and the cutest newlywed couple ever ~ who now have my Angel and know its story.



And of course, no trip is complete without meeting my "Hot Guy" (and this one definitely was!)!!!!



A week after getting home I received in the mail a beautiful acrylic book made by Brenda, my art buddy that I sat by each day, the one who took me under her wing and showed me what to do.



Thank you Brenda for making my trip so much more enjoyable, for my beautiful book and for your friendship!

Leap and the Net will Appear

I love the word Serendipity and I love it even more when it comes into my life.

Earlier this year there was a small group of people that began a Gluebook group. I was an observer during round one and am participating in round two (it's just in the process of finishing up-but that's another blog post).

The creator and host of the group is Corinne Marie who is so incredibly talented. Equal to her talent is her gift of being this fantastic cheerleader to all, along with her openness to share what she knows. She was the one that suggested the Tiny Book Swap to me, which lead me to the wonderful Catherine Mommsen. She is definitely a gatherer of people and one of the most gracious and inspirational artists I know.

A month ago she created a new group ~ Creative Round Robin Books and asked if I wanted to join. Pitter pat pitter pat goes my heart....of course!

The theme for my book and title is "Leap and the Net will Appear", a quote from Julia Cameron. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head for 2012 ~ I just know it will be a great year. Some of the ideas are a bit big and some a little scary. I am eager for December 31, 2011 midnight to arrive, to be bold and to take that leap.

Here are the beginning pages of my book that will be sent on to four amazing artists.







I'm excited to see what the others will create in it and look forward to its return home just as 2012 begins. Thank you Cori for doing what you do, for being so welcoming and encouraging. And thank you for letting me be a part of your very artful group.