Create Retreat - Day 4 - Repeat After Me

On Saturday evening I took a 3 hour class taught by Mary Beth Shaw of Stencil Girl fame.  I was hoping to learn more ways to use my collection of stencils, and I did!

We started by using acrylic paints and stencils to create a variety of patterned papers.  These would then be used on a 6x6 wooden base to create a small piece of artwork.  A new trick, to me, was to use a stencil to help define the layout of the patterned papers on the art piece.

Here is my finished piece.  I snuck in a tiny bit of zentangling on it.  I think this might be the only piece I've ever actually finished in all my years at Create, which usually is so heavily focused on teaching technique that I go home with half-finished works.  Trena was also in this class and her beautiful piece is shown second.

In the first step where we created our own patterned paper, one of mine turned out so well that I couldn't bear to cut it up, so I kept it whole.  Love it.

Create Retreat - Day 3 - Color Pencil Journaling

On the third day of classes at Create, I took a class taught by Helen Shafer Garcia, "Color Pencil Journaling".  Helen is a very talented artist and a fantastic instructor.

Helen taught us how to capture the likeness of an object by following its lines and shapes, without lifting our pencils or erasing.  (Shhh...I cheated.)  We then used a water-based Tombow marker to outline it, purposely smearing the ink with water to add depth and shadows.  The next step was to add color with watercolors.  Finally, we went over it with colored pencils to add definition and more shading.   We also did a second piece, where we cut words out of a dictionary page and then drew an image inspired by those words.  Another good method to break the "getting started" block.  Here's Helen with the art from the whole class.

For my first piece, I worked from a children's toucan sticker and a tiger lily pilfered from the hotel's plantings in the parking lot to create my composition.  I love the images on the stickers; they were reduced to their essence.  I'll use that trick again when I need a shape.

Create Retreat - Day 2 - Gelli Print Joy

I had registered for a class on gelli plate printing, taught by Kari McKnight-Holbrook.  She is a fun, lively instructor.  I had never used a gelli plate before, and I can confidently say that I am now hooked.

We used 12" deli paper to print on with acrylic paints that were brayered on to the gelli plate.  It's perfect to adhere to a firmer substrate or to collage with matte medium, as it can be translucent.  A quick trip to a restaurant supply store is in my future next week!  We also used a lot of stencils for patterns.  In 6 hours, I made about 50 prints.  I only tossed two.  (Shhhh...don't tell Kari; she thinks you can salvage anything...but when you put the alphabet stencil down backwards, it's not too usable, LOL.)  I am loving my stack of papers!  Here is just a very small sampling.

Here are two of my favorites.  The first aspen trees is the final "cleanup" image.  Often the cleanup image is a sacrifice, just to get the plate clean for the next set of colors.  But I love how it turned out.  The second has a warm glazing over it.  I had never used acrylic glazing medium (you add just a drop of paint to tint it).  It is a wonderful thing!   I added the stamped words in copper embossing when I got home:  "Oh good gigantic smile of the old earth this autumn morning" (Browning).

Create Retreat - Day 1 - Secret Imaginings Class

This past week, I attended the Create Mixed Media Retreat in the Chicago area.  Luckily I live in easy commuting distance so it helped to keep expenses down.  I had a great time, but after four full classes, I am pooped!  Who knew that creativity could be so tiring?  It was also fun to take three of the classes with my stamping buddy and artist, Trena.

My first class was "Secret Imaginings" taught by Liesel Lund.  She was a great, cheerful instructor.

 

We started with soft music and meditative writing, about what we would want to be and such, if we could be anything.  We then used those imaginings to inspire three different collage style pieces of art.  It's a method I had never done before, but it was a useful springboard to the creative process.

I didn't really finish any of these pieces...but I like the direction they are headed.  They all need more work, but I'll share what my "secret imaging was".  I was a fairy, who lived in a toadstool house in a beautiful meadow.  I rode my dragonfly and especially liked the wind in my hair in the autumn.  I created art and would spread joy to people by sharing that passion.  After a long day of this, I settled in to have a great cup of coffee and read and dream about where to travel next.

 

We've had a beautiful summer here in Chicago, not too hot!  I think as temperatures cool and we get the winter snows, I'll play in the craft room and finish out these pieces.  My favorite so far is the autumn one; I love the rich colors.They'll then be folded in half into a book format.