We need today….a filled studio day…
Shadowboxes for classes next month. For my good friends at Mystic & Frenzy!I promised these a few weeks ago. Almost done. Today.. I promise. A long awaited studio day ….
Lesley is also going to leave work early.
We need to finish projects, several submission deadlines,
write ups to finish, photograph artwork, respond to emails.
Another look at the shadow box set.
Also more vamp, skulls, sirens and witches for our beeswax collage classes next month.
Above is Lesley’s quick example piece from last Saturday’s class.
Today we also need to pull and prep for a delicious upcoming class
at Paper Vineyard ( this Saturday).
Marie Antoinette & the House of 3 Beeswax Collage Project.
A quick peek:
We have been gone from the blog for a few days.
Things have been hectic. Good and hectic.
I have been running a demo table for Amate Studios the last
two days at the Southwest Summer Show here in Scottsdale.
Amate Studios table at the Southwest Summer Show.
Put together several Amate ring
“make n takes” with Magic Glos, UTEE, and mica powder.
It was fantastic meeting so many local area folks, and a few not so local.
A pure pleasure to be able to spend time with
some very wonderful and creative individuals.
I enjoyed sharing different techniques and ideas with you all.
A special thanks to the following for having such
strong artistic passions and a great sense of humor.
You all saved me from slipping into demo coma.
Thanks Debbie, Barbara, Nic and the gang that came over with Rachel.
For those still waiting for resin and glaze notes… coming soon.
I just received several more new resins and a few goodies.
My report on my findings will be posted soon.
Also if you attended a class last weekend… your notes will be going out today.
Talk soon all.
Have a great Thursday!
Amate ring “make n take” -thinking Halloween. I can’t wait.
Saturday’s Class was a buzzing all day long!
You gotta love this lady! Frenzy Stamper owner Debbie B.We love hanging at the Frenzy hub!
A great day filled with great collage and rich storytelling.
All the ladies created some fantastic pieces.
Great laughs, new friends, and lots of dynamic creations.
A “huge” thanks to Debbie!
Thanks for having us over to create and teach!
Thank you ladies for choosing to spend your afternoon with us!
Lesley and I had a great time!
Buzzing Beeswax at Frenzy Stamper on Sat.
Frenzy Stamper
A day of “beeswax biz”.
I will be teaching two beeswax collage classes on Saturday
at the fabulous Frenzy Stamper store in Scottsdale, Az.
If you happen to be looking for a class this weekend….stop on over…
In the morning we have “Shabby Chic Silhouettes”
and in the afternoon we have “A Dark Tale”.
Both are filled with great imagery, tons of technique,
good stories, and lots of beeswax.
All supplies will be provided.
Here is a peeks at some examples:
A Dark Tale Example #1
A Dark Tale Example #2
Shabby Chic Example #1
Shabby Chic Example #2
Shabby Chic Example #3
Art A Day Project- "The Dealer"
Trying to get back into the swing of things…I’m starting my “art a day” project again.
Because I need to be working the skills everyday.
Certain weeks I get lost in the everyday.
The work hustle.
I need to journal everyday.
I need to use my drawing and Photoshop skills.
I need to get my camera out everyday.
I jumped into Adobe Illustrator the other day….
I couldn’t remember how to use certain things.
Took a little bit.
Anybody ever make speed art?
To get your mind and skills going.
See how fast you can create a quick and exciting story.
Photoshop speed contest? or speed painting?
Truth-we all need to work the skills… or we loose them…
Here is this mornings quick work.
It’s titled the “Dealer”.
Here are the main images that I compiled and layered in Photoshop.
The face is that of my favorite Dover clipart piece.
The body is a vintage photo taken from a cd compilation.
The door photo is my own taken from a ghost town outside of Boise, Idaho.
Then added a few brushes .
Some colors, some text taken from old ephemera.
Then mixed all together.
Enjoy.
Talk soon all.
Resin , glazes , and more…..
In my earlier post I made reference to current projects….
Resin …
I mentioned once or twice.
Been playing with resin for the last two months.
Resin and any (and all) glazes.
Been pouring pieces, making molds, testers in bottle caps,
embedding objects, covering artwork, etc.
My desire for resin play started a few months ago.
When I was chosen as one of the “Amate Studios” Design Team members.
The good folks at Amate asked me to play with a few goodies.
Going into any new medium….scrapbooking, encaustic, acrylic paint, etc.
Takes a solid six months to learn a good foundation.
Even then… that’s just a great foundation.
You always have more to learn.
Everything has a learning curve.
If you are going to absorb all the info.
The pros the cons.
You need to go thru failure, have pieces fall apart on you.
You need to put the medium thru the ringer.
Especially if your going to teach the medium.
You need to know the ins and outs.
The complications, the health factors ( if any),
the needs of the chosen medium.
Also as a mixed media artist( or altered artist)- the truth be told…
you need to do strange things with the medium.
No – I don’t mean rub it all over my body at the stroke
of midnight under the pale moon, etc…
You need to know the limits.
You are on the brink of exploration.
You are attempting to come up with a new technique.
A new method.
A new way to enrich the story.
Think out of the box with it.
Or be more economical. Or save on time? Etc…
What can resin mix with? What can’t it mix with?
Can you sink food into it? Photos? Flakes of foil?
Will it ever crack?
Is it? or will it? ever be a “green” product?
What will smudge my pictures? Will it bleed my ink?
How do I safeguard my images?
What kind of paper can I use?
Is it going to turn my silver green?
How long will it last?
So many questions.
So in the last few months…
I have created a list of all the different glazes, resins, and enamels,
that we all use in our art making.
Almost done.
I should have it done by the end of this week.
The positives and the negatives of:
UTEE, Diamond Glaze, Amazing Glaze, Glossy Accents,
Alumilite, Magic Gloss, DG3,
Liquid Laminate, Ice Resin, Triple Thick, and the list goes on…
If anybody has any notes on these products…
Wins? Failures?Likes? Dislikes?
Please leave a comment or two. I will gladly add to the findings.
Talk with you all soon.
Thank you John Hughes……
Changed the music player for a day or two….
might drive some crazy … be a fond memory for some.
Last week we lost film director and writer John Hughes.
If your a child of the eighties or seventies….you know who I’m speaking of.
For many he was a strong part of our youth….
He taught most of us just how much angst a teen could have.
Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall,
Young Estevez, the list goes on.
Before “Ferris” came “Pretty In Pink”,
before that he gave us the “Breakfast Club”.
Started it all with “Sixteen Candles”.
I was a kid that moved around alot.
Four High Schools my senior year.
Talk about angst.
Thru his movies we were able to see how others might look, live and deal.
He helped make growing up less lonely.
Showed us how we might be bolder in our ways.
He was able to reflect the humor in it all.
Thanks John.
” Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place”
-John Bender (The Breakfast Club,1995).
-Thanks Christi
Glad to share a page with you.
Creativity ingredients!
I thought that I would break a few of the before pieces down for y’all.
Some of you have asked about the ingredients used:
The birdcage used on the top fragment is from the digital brush pack from the House of 3.
Created by Rhonna Farrer.
I scaled the size and printed it on a small piece of copier transparency.
Coated it with a sealer and then fixed it between
paper and fragment using glossy accents.
The wings are from Melissa Frances. The bird shape is a Heidi Swapp ghost shape sealed underneath Metal Tape.
The rest of the goodies are primarily Tim Holtz ‘s Idea-ology line.
Fasteners, findings, and grunge.
A fantastic line of goodies.
The big method tip: When using fragments don’t use inkjet and glossy accents.
Your ink will bleed.
If you try- you will need a sealer.
Talk soon.
Happy crafting all.
Idea-ology….
This weekends projects….
Got out the old metal tape.
Happy with the results….
You gotta love Tim and all his goodies!
Love the fragment look.
We like sliding pieces of copier transparency
in between the paper and fragment.
Not to mention some sealed Digi Transparency.
I do mean sealed- with some modge or more.
If not your inkjet transparency will smear and run with the your adhesive.
We are also loving the “grunge paper”!
Talk soon all.
A longer post is due.
Keep shaking!
So what have we been doing?
Where have we been?
Another few days… and then we can be social.
Sorry if we have neglected you for a spell.
Lesley and I have been moving fast.
Fall will be upon us soon.
This summer is going fast.
So a quick update…
“Thank you” to everyone for your kind comments and emails concerning
our lost friend Eddie. He has yet to return… but we keep looking.
Our buddy Teddy was so lonely and sad.
That we decided to adopt a new member to our clan.
A special situation came up… one that we couldn’t resist.
This is Rocky…the new member of our family.
Rocky is a bit of a wild one…
and taking care of doggie depression.
Lesley and I have been in the studio non stop.
Or should I say… the studio is all over the house non stop.
We have metal tape & grunge board collage with
Idea-ology accents all over the living room.
We have “steampunk” and “shabby chic” birdhouses
being created in the dinning room.
We have Marie Antoinette beeswax creations and
constant resin experiments happening in the studio.
We have circus themed jewelery in the kitchen.
We have UPS packing and shipping in between all other areas.
We have classroom materials still waiting to be unpacked.
We have artistic deadlines for the fall coming at us quick.
In between all this… Lesley and I are working our daytime jobs as well.
We should be coming up for air soon…
But here is a quick peek at some of the goodies we have been making…
A few will be class examples..
Also new collage sheets and images will be up soon… the next week or two.
Some of you have asked..
I took the old ones down for re-organizing and new design.
One of Lesley’s altered birdhouses. She’s working on a set.
Lesley’s need for “Steampunk“.
We have created a collection of “steampunky” type stencils and silhouettes.
Lately her favorite tool of choice has become Tim H’s vinyl masks.
We dig the look .
We have finally started working on our Marie Antoinette pieces.
We have been creating several “Marie” stencils and silhouettes to use.
The birdcages used are from the digital brush pack from the House of3.
Created by Rhonna Farrer. I love the way they look.
Her work is great.
We love the color palette of Claudine’s paint from Ranger.
Paired with the new alcohol inks…..
Perfect combo.
Talk soon all!
Where have we been?
Lost in the studio.
Totally lost.
Also I took a spin in cyber space … fixing many a glitch for many a client.
It seems to be the week of computer problems.
So the blog has a new look…..trying a few things.
Would love any feedback.
Do folks like the “read more” type option?
Is the blog loading way slow for folks? Let me know…
The music? I know its a love hate for most of you.
This week you have a summer “surf n turf” mix
with a touch of hillbilly thrown in.
Fried chicken & snack crackers on
the beach- while wearing pointy boots.
Makes me hungry this morning.
I might take a spin into Phoenix for
some Lolo’s Chicken & Waffles this morning.
We don’t have many soul food restaurants here in town.
But the ones that we do – are damn fine.
So this has been a wild week of this and that.
Last weekend I taught a fine beeswax class to a talented group of ladies.
I couldn’t speak worth a damn.
However they were quite kind and made some fab pieces.
Anyone ever have those days where your mouth
just doesn’t work with your brain?
I sounded like the adult character out of a Charlie Brown cartoon.
Cool class.
Anywho… so here are my “art a day” submissions for the last week.
I have gone resin crazy.
Been mixin and playin with resin for the last two weeks.
Its a great partner for the Amate Studios product.
I think my neighbors might be worried that I might be a meth lab…
when you look in to my studio from the street… you see me pouring
and mixing all types of bottles.
I have several fans going… all my windows open… music up on full.
Good times.
Need good ventilation for resin.
Plus I do a little soldering in between.
I will also start posting my directions for
my submission pieces for Amate here on the blog for all.
This week I missed another get together with the Fearsome Four.
Next week ladies. I will be hunting you all down soon.
However this week
I was able to play and create with the
very talented Giuseppina “Josie” Cirincione.
We had a little craft circle of our own this week and traded a few techniques.
What I love about Josie is the “no bullshit” factor.
She is a no “bobble” head kinda girl.
The girl is too damn clever- no wasted material,
everything has a purpose, well thought out methods.
I like clever.
I like clever and I like soul.
She has both.
Had a great time.
Thanks Josie!
So that’s the news. Looking to get some samples done for more classes.
Looking for some sort of adventure this weekend.
Also sleep. I need sleep.
I also need a good book.
We also had a death in the family this week.
My thoughts are with those family members.
Here are the pics of some of our resin pieces…
Talk soon all.
Bohemian Bliss Soiree & More…..
Trying to get back… things stacked up on me.
A few new changes to the blog.
Trying some new code and things-computer nerd talk.
Last time I posted I was on my way to the
“Bohemian Bliss Soiree & Vintage Market” thrown by
the talented duo of Dan and Kristin Alber.
Kristin is the owner of “Blissful Living Studio”
and “Domestic Bliss” here in town.
A must stop for all with curio style desires and hip cat like design passions.
Everytime I enter the store it reminds me how I want to live my life.
I want to surround myself with “grand and pretty things”.
Yes I said “grand and pretty things”!
I want to pack the entire store into that shabby art cave I call a home.
Someday… perhaps when I can spell my name like M!ke in my blog.
Then I will be able to live my life like a NICK Drake car commercial.
Wear dandy clothes, host secret crafting holiday parties,
have the best house on the block during Halloween,
and home school all my children.
Until then….. shabby, hand made goodies and decor of
my own making it will need to be.
NO kids yet. Just unkept animals in my house.
Cute, bad mannered animals that take over my bed at night.
Anyway… we had an invite to attend from
a good and charming friend Diva Tricia from Vintage Bliss.
Who looked quite grand and had a damn cute booth set up.
The event had great atmosphere- a perfect Americana summer night!
Caught up with a few good friends- some truly big hearted folks!
Good to see a few old faces and some new.
Would have had a few great shots of folks and the like-
but my camera suffered a quiet tantrum.
Oh yes- we got dressed up for the event….
Here are a few pics…
A big “Thanks” to the charming Laura Ingalls Gunn
for this pic of Lesley and I!
All about the fun!
Still working on my costume.
If your local and in town….you should check it out!
If you go… you might not be able to find me.
I might be in drag, wear a swag, or just a checkered flag!
For more info: Bohemian Bliss Soiree
Eye candy folks.
Its all about eye candy.
I can never turn down an invite for artistic eye candy.
No posts? New colors! New Beeswax!
I missed a day and then some….
My modem conked out. No Internet for a day.
What was I going to do with myself?
I had Facebook withdrawals, email worries, and blogging breakdown.
So I locked myself in the studio for several hours….
I bees waxed my little heart out.
Lesley and I have discussed changing the color palette for the summer work.
Lately we have been toying with the new Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints.
Love her color palette choices.
The best.
Also I have been meaning to dabble with the new alcohol inks.
So combine the two with a few new beeswax techniques.
What do you get?
Damn cool beeswax pieces.
I know that we may loose a few- we will gain a few.
Don’t worry… we still love dark meat. Gothic touch, etc….
Here is a peek. I will post more on Flickr later. Perhaps a class.
Need to restock our Etsy.
I have promised a few people certain pieces for awhile now.
Todays Notes….
No more for awhile….
Today- Studio time.
Need to lock myself in the studio. Need to finish some pieces.
Work on some jewelry. New beeswax colors- yes colors.
Going for a fresh summer look. I”l show you later tonight.
Working on a few class samples. Need to replenish the Etsy store.
So I will talk more later tonight. Will also post a very cool resin video tutorial.
One that I received from the good people of Amate Studios. Very cool.
Also will be posting about a big party and event that
will be taking place this weekend.
Talk soon.
Hope y’all have a great day.
Turn up the tunes and away into the studio I go…
One more thing- just remembered.
I have received several emails from folks…….
about a post I did last Wednesday.
I made mention of:
“bloodsucker types”... people that drain the life out of you.
Some of the emails I received:
Asked about my current state of mental health- burnt out etc.
Some people took offense- thought I was talking about them.
Others just became confused-thought that I was being
mean to people who can’t afford good clothes.
Just want to touch base with you all.
I’m fine and healthy in the mental department… or so I think.
If you took offense and thought I was talking
about you… rest assured you are most likely not a bloodsucker.
People with bad clothes- just a bad joke….
Blood sucker types. Let me define.
Then people can do a self assessment. Clear up some confusion.
blood·suck·er play_w2(“B0335600”)http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf (bl
d
sk
r)
So here we go…
Number 1-This does not work for most of you due to dietary needs.
I think you are all OK.
Except for a few new Facebookers I know.
I’ll see you in “Vampire Wars” tonight.
Number 2-I really don’t gamble much anymore…
I don’t really spend time at the tracks.
I only have one student who is currently holding some explicit pictures of
me in exchange for a beeswax canvas. So most of you are good.
Number 3- Ah yes. The parasite person.
The one who takes, takes, and takes, but never gives back.
That’s the kind of person I was talking about.
I don’t know many- because I do not encourage such relationships.
I try not to foster such relations.
So if you read my blog- chances are- you are not a blood sucker.
If you have an email correspondence
with me… you are not a bloodsucker.
If I have coffee with you.. you are not a blood sucker.
But if you frequent scrapbook stores, and art stores,
and copy other ideas from people. ( Like hardcore faith)
Never putting your own personal twist and spin on something.
If you never voice your own opinions.
If you constantly ask others to do something for you.
If you never give out a kind word, a gift, a thank you.
If you always complain about how bad your life is
-and then do nothing about it.
If you talk about yourself all the time.
If you never encourage others.
If you are always taking but never giving!
If you wear a black cape and have plastic teeth.
If little children run away from you
Then “yes” you are a blood sucker.
Then change your ways.
Side note- I’m not mad or upset with anyone… I just received a lot of feedback on that.
When I decide to raise a “ruckus” about something— you’ll know…trust me.
Take care everyone.
Talk to you soon.
-Mike
Art A Day – "The Tell"
old time circus/ magician vibe…not sure if I caught it.
Was thinkin a dark tale. Its titled ” The Tell”
Talk soon.
-Mike
Images for Inspiration This Week….
Hit the American stage about 1874 would be perfect. Or perhaps 1900-1920.
Love old vaudeville, magicians, and the good old American circus.
Art A Day
Discipline & workflow!
That’s what its about.
Need to make a piece every day.
One of the many things I’m working on.
Here is the art a day for Sat & Sun.
Missed the posts.
Two digital pieces – keeping practice with layers in photoshop.
You don’t use it- you loose it.
Talk soon!
Almost forgot- Thanks Beth for this inspiration! We love ya!
Friday-Art Circles, Altered Art, & Ghosts!
Morning!Last Friday! What a day!
Crafting and “shop talk” all day.
Great day.
A day filled with conversation, friends, inspiring ideas, and lots of art.
My Friday started with an invite to sit in with a certain
sassy, artistic, group of ladies here in town.
This is a group of ladies who I have had the pleasure of meeting several times.
Traded a few emails, shared a quick make n take with , ATC trades, etc.
But never really had the pleasure of sitting and creating with.
So on Friday I had the opportunity.
Our project that morning?
Paper Mache Bulls.
At first the prospect of tackling the bull by the horns- threw me for a loop.
How was I going to alter it?
Or “goth” out a paper mache bull to my fancy?
Then I remembered a technique that I quite liked
a few months ago on paper mache.
Metal tape.
I like the distressed, metallic look of it on paper mache.
Wrap it, sand it, texture it, paint it , age it.
I like the look.
What I like about art circles, or art gatherings of any sort.
Is the direction and personal style everybody takes with their own piece.
Hers’s some pics stolen from Chia’s blog of our bulls.
Thank you Chris, Billie, and Chia!
Loved hanging with ya!!
After that! I was off to Mystic Paper to set up and prep for LAASING.
( LAASING -Late Afternoon Altered Art Social Intimate Network Gathering)
A night of altered art technique, projects, and shop talk.
Six of us gathered in the Mystic Paper classroom
for several hours on Friday night.
Topics discussed:
everyday life, copyright, Diamond Glaze, UTEE, blogging and Etsy shops.
In between conversation we had some time to dabble with UTEE.
Then we ended the night with a few good old ghost stories and lots of laughs.
The plan is to get together next month at the same time.
So keep your eyes open.
We have also discussed getting together
the Thursday before the meet for an infamous “Junk Tour.”
Can’t wait!
Thanks- Kim H, Sherry, Cassy and Donna!
Lesley and I had a great time!
Art A Day- Self Discipilne
Many of you know that for the last
two years I have gone back to school.
My schedule has been hectic.
Trying to get projects done has been sometimes difficult.
Journal times have been nonexistent.
My blogging did the same thing for awhile.
We went MIA for several moths .
We are back and with a vengeance.
One of the many things that I have vowed would
be done once school was finished was daily journals and artwork.
So here we go.
Today’s art piece is a Photoshop collage piece.
Mainly created by working a vintage public domain pic
and one of my recent beeswax pieces.
I wanted a romantic image on a strong textured background.
Here are the two pics.
Then with some layer work.
A little smudge and erasing. I got what I wanted.
It has no title currently. If you have a suggestion please let me know.
Talk soon
-Mike
Beeswax Collage Tutorial
Tutorial or technique every Wednesday.
A few tips, a little shop talk, a video tutorial or two,
a little beeswax gallery show.
Share things that have worked, and some things that have not.
What you need to keep in mind.
When watching and trading methods.
What you need to do- take what you want from any class,
tutorial, tip, etc- then throw away what you consider to be crap.
Use common sense.
Don’t do what you feel is not safe or good for you.
There is alot of misinformed crap out there in “youtube” land.
Your job- to be inspired by some of what you see. Not duped.
Meaning-just because someone has a video
camera- and posts a video tutorial online.
Does not mean they are an experienced instructor looking after your safety.
#1 rule for any artist, or designer- always be taking classes, keep learning.
The more you learn-the better your storytelling will become. In all mediums.
Also learn the method or process.
Then put your own spin on it.
You are not here to emulate someone else’s work (copycat)- but to learn
the process and then weave your own experiences and voice into that process.
The tips I share work for me-it is my view-
sometimes shared with others- sometimes not.
But if you like my results- then go with it!
Because I’m damn tired tonight. A long day of many things.
I’m throwing up a video tutorial. A damn good one.
A beeswaxy friend of mine.
In the last year I have seen this woman
wrestle every artistic way that beeswax can go.
The other day on her blog she got out her flame torch and her shellac.
A nasty smelling studio process for sure.
But the results fantastic.
At Ranger U she knocked my socks off with her
buzzing energy and her Jersey ways!
I believe she did one of the best beeswax video tutorials to be found.
So enjoy. She covers several great techniques.
Mold making with beeswax is one of my personal favorites.
Here is “Buzzing with Beeswax” with Suze Weinberg.
Also check out more beeswax links on the right sidebar.
http://www.youtube.com/v/0P_4PzXr-38&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca
I hope that you go and give some of these techniques a try.
Favorite Memory Friday….
New playlist today. Had to hear a few things.
Doing some reflecting.
This month is my birthday. Its a few weeks away.
Once again I think back on being younger.
The powerful things that shaped my mind.
The music, the people, the TV, the movies, the events.
What year (or years) held major importance.
I can track’ em. I know the ones.
One in particular 79-80.
What a year. It held everything.
I remember roller skates. Grease. Star Wars was in full hype.
Xanadu-Olivia Newton John.
Flash Gordon– first movie I saw without my parents.
Bad, bad movie. But I loved every moment of it.
Fantasy Island was in its golden run.
Smiles, everyone smiles.
Lunch boxes.
I love lunch boxes. Still do.
What fantastic buckets of glory.
The best? At school- Lunch time. You could see rows and rows of lunch boxes.
Each lunch box reflected a different kid.
You had lunch boxes with Batman, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, Star Wars,
Wonder Woman, Grease, Bee Gees, the list goes on.
Roller Rinks- I love roller rinks.
The sweet smell of sugar syrup, ice cream machines,
followed with the nasty smell of moldy socks.
Music with a beat urging you to that great smooth floor.
Neon light with that special black light glow-
turning anything white into a super funky delight.
Good times.
Was I any good at skating?
No.
Horrible.
Did that stop me?
No.
I would spend hours smashing myself into walls covered in carpet.
Once a month. Usually a skate party. Or school party.
I would take off to the rink.
To be a target for other kids to bruise, smash, and collide into.
But it was a safe place.
It sounds funny.
Most often my parents would drop me off.
With a set time to meet outside.
They would send me with five or ten bucks.
That was the best.
The snack bar was the ultimate delight.
Ice cream, corn dogs, sno-cones, licorice, pizza, candy.
Blisters- I remember blisters.
I remember bringing extra socks.
It was a place to flirt, be cool, fall on your ass, pick yourself back up.
I remember kids that would fall and not get back up.
Its not for everyone.
On the rink- its much like life.
You have kids that want to go fast, slow, some that can glide with grace,
others who cry and cling to the safety walls.
Some who sit and just eat. Never setting foot on the rink.
Just eating and watching others.
Some skate in pairs, or as a group.
Other times- your encouraged to race, play a game with everyone,
or find a partner to skate with.
I think that for my birthday- I will go skating.
Talk soon all!
The Cat is out of the bag….Payson Beeswax
Thanks all for the kind and thoughtful comments on the last few posts.
I enjoyed reading about everyone’s studio experience.
We are now back from Payson. Unloaded and rested.
Emptied all the suitcases of supplies and treasures.
Put the studio back in working order.
Paper & Metal Scrappers supplied us with a fantastic weekend of teaching!
It was a whirlwind of beeswax, laughter, and some very fine pieces.
The ladies of Payson are an incredibly strong group of artists.
We taught one class on Friday night.
Then we taught three classes on Saturday.
A full house and a full day on Saturday.
They devoured every technique. A very experienced bunch of gals.
No strangers to the power of Distress ink and Alcohol ink.
Saw some old friends, and met a few new ones.
Each and every one was a pure pleasure.
Brenda and Barbara (the owners) did a great job filling the classes.
Here is also a cool snip- Saturday was such a hustle and bustle type of day.
That I needed a pair of extra hands and some bees waxing help.
Many of you know my partner in all things. My wife Lesley.
Lesley is the other half of Jack & Cat Curio (AKA the Cat).
Lesley is a trained artist with a degree. Art major with a vast background.
Myself I’m a theater major and a jack of
many trades -much of them self taught.
I met Lesley while she was finishing school.
That was thirteen years ago. Love at first sight!
Anywho– we started Jack & Cat Curio together about three years ago.
Our styles are very similar.
But you can see the differences if you look really close.
The Cat hasn’t taught a class in some time.
In the past the Cat has taught an ample amount
of classes ranging in a variety of subjects.
Public non credit classes. Chocolate demos and trade shows.
But as of late her teaching desires have not been burning.
That may have changed after this weekend.
Lesley jumped right into the role of teacher this weekend.
A huge needed help.
But now that she has a taste of teaching again- I think that perhaps the Cat is out of the bag…
So here are a few pics of the classes and a few projects.
Saw some of the best work I ever taught come out of these classes.
The ladies took the projects in all different directions.
Each with a very distinct personal voice.
Great ownership of each piece.
Thank you ladies for a wonderful time.
Lesley and I enjoyed our time with you all.
Big Thank you to Brenda and Barbara!
We love your store and your strong inspiration for all.
Lurking at Mystic Paper-The Peddler strikes again!
Ok friends. Here is a tip.
Not sure what they got left. But if they don’t have any.
They may point you in the right direction.
Talk soon.
Yesterday’s goods- in my scanner- digital collage -oh yes!
Self Portrait Scan! Try and scan your feet!
Watch parts from the Peddler/Mystic Paper
Jack & Cat Curio 