crazy pod lady

magnolia pods from Laurie

some from my "collection"

pod-inspired necklace (paper mache, collage, wax)

collaged, beaded pods

paper mache "pod" bowl

paper mache pods (collage, wax)

There are those who would not think a package in the mail full of dried pods was all that exciting. I am not one of those people! Thanks to my friend Laurie, who knew that I would be thrilled to get just such a package. I have a collection of all shapes and sizes of pods and dried blossoms that I have picked myself or been given by people who know I will appreciate them. Sometimes they are a source of inspiration in my work, sometimes they actually become part of it.

new stamp

Part of layering the papers that we made in Taos is printing with hand-carved stamps of all sizes and designs--and we were lucky enough to have all of Anne's at our disposal. Not as easy to get multiple layers here at home with one or two small stamps. So, time to get busy. I've used the time spent watching the Olympics to do some carving of my own. Here are some of the papers I made this morning to proof my new leaf stamp.

paper

Here are a few of the sheets of paper that we created in the Anne Bagby workshop. We started with 12"x 12" pieces of deli paper and proceeded to glaze, paint, print, stencil, repeat to create the wonderful layers of color and design. The final papers are thin but strong--great for collage work.

taos journal

I spent the morning gluing, snipping, writing, stitching. Generally filling up the journal I made for the trip. Its fun to wait and put it all together after the fact. You get to relive the trip through all the photos and receipts and scraps. The key is to not wait too long! This one is bustin' right out of the cover, which is just the way I like it.

1st anniversary

a few more pages of my workshop book.......

Wow! I've been posting here for one year. I started this blog as a way of keeping myself motivated to keep up a daily art practice. And it worked. Although the number of posts is not quite at 365 yet (even bloggers get vacations, right?) even on days when I didn't share anything I did do the work. I've filled several journals and created a couple travel journals, as well as continuing to paint and do collage work. And exploring the world of art blogging has led me in several new directions and introduced me to some inspiring artists and artwork. All in all, a pretty good deal.....I guess I'll keep at it.

a fitting anniversary quote: "You become what you are everyday"

home

page three

page two

front page of the book, after the sheet was folded

This is the full sheet (24 x36) that was then folded into the book.

What a great week! New sights, sounds, ideas, friends, experiences. Just what a trip should be. Our two workshop teachers kept the 14 of us busy from breakfast till dinner (with a quick break for a delicious lunch made by the wonderful staff at the San Geronimo Lodge in Taos). We started the week working with Anne Bagby, stamping, glazing, collaging, stenciling and printing beautiful decorated papers. She has a wonderful sense of color and design and shared her ideas with us freely. (I'll post some of the paper soon).

The second half of the week we worked with Lynne Perrella learning her unique collage/layering style and creating a beautiful book using the papers we made earlier in the week. She was the most generous teacher, encouraging each student to work in their own unique style and the results were obvious in the wide range of books that were produced--no two alike, but all wonderful.

I'll post just a few pages of my book today, and get to some more later......(unfortunately, the breakfast till dinner work schedule just isn't feasible back here in the "real world" of snow shoveling, appointments, laundry and grocery stores!)

taos

I had to put some Georgia O'Keeffe in for NM. (thanks, Peggy!)

cover made from a recycled shoe box

I'm leaving Sunday for a workshop in Taos, NM with Lynne Perrella and Anne Bagby. It should be fun and inspiring. And so, instead of doing the arm's length list of everything I need to do to get ready, I made a journal. Oh well, I always work best under pressure. And besides, I may not have packed the right materials or clothing but I'll have a cool journal!

more valentines

Ma'am, we need you to put the scissors down slowly, and step away from the doilies.......

Groundhog's Day

What's not to love about a holiday named after a rodent?