Art & Soul class projects and fun!

I went to Las Vegas for Art & Soul but arrived four days early to visit with my daughter Melissa who now lives in Alabama.We met for some fun and site seeing.

Everything is over the top in Vegas, even the art supplies.

I really enjoyed all the details the hotels decorate with, the faux finishing is outstanding, water features are unbelievable, indoor city's boggle the mind.

Melissa and I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and saw the water show at the Bellagio, it was windy and cold but worth the view of Vegas at night.

And here we go you know the line "what happens in Vegas.......

....and thank goodness they will all stay in Vegas". I talked to some of them about being a street performer and was surprised to find out that they actually make a fair amount of money. The gold woman said some days only $40 but others and most can be as much as $300. Little Elvis top left probably makes more he was really working the crowd.


NOW FOR ART & SOUL.........

Thomas Ashman taught this "Tiny Glass & Copper Journal" class. I really had fun making it and playing with metal. And you all know how much I love copper and gnarly old patinas.

I had two classes with Richard Salley "Enameling 101" and I can't believe that now I'm hooked on yet one more art form.

Copper, glass powder and heat, that's it and you have beautiful color and a new layer to add to your arsenal.

His other class is "No Solder Bezels" this technique is a dream and not hard at all. The piece with the turquoise was more of a challenge and also includes faux bone. I think it may go on a leather journal.

And my last class was with Susan Lenart-Kazmer "Altered Surface Charms-Jewelry" . It doesn't look like much but I learned a great amount, like how to melt the silver wire with out creating a heat sink or burning up the paper next to the flame, priceless ! I did make some of the charms but will finish them later, in this class I learned how to use all sorts of jeweler's tools and as usual now I would love to own them, not a good thing.

I do what to say a big THANK YOU to Tammy Vail, without her gift I would not have had the classes and I really did enjoy them.

Going to Las Vegas

I will be back in a week, check in on the 26th and see what kind of art I can get into.

Art and Soul Las Vegas.......

Lucky Me !

I have been lucky enough to refill the artistic well visually and mentally with art friends who are never lacking in laughter and interesting conversation.

We met at Guardino's Gallery in Portland, saw some fantastic art made by Gaelyn Lakin, Robin Olson, and Stephanie Brockway all in my art group (again lucky me).

We went next door and had some lunch as we solved a few world problems.

We are from left to right, Laurie, Tory, Tammy, Debi, Carrie, and Jan.

Laurie and Debi stand next to two pieces made by Gaelyn. I would really love to have the white one come live at my house but alas it is to small.

The photos are nice but you really need to see this art to see how wonderful it is.

Like I said lucky me, my well is full, I'm ready to create.

WHAT IS THIS ?
Ok I know it is a calico cat and a real looker at that but .....

check out this very cool tail.

THE END

Play Days Are The Best

Wednesday, Feb. 3rd.

The artist reception and “First Wednesday” was standing room only.

Mary Lou Zeek makes everyone so welcome in her gallery. If you can't make it to the show do try at some time to come see the gallery it is that nice.

I met Dayna and was happy to see my piece sold the first day. What a wonderful gift with the funds going to the food bank, thank you. Seeing that little red dot next to your art is a very good feeling!

Here is Dayna with her piece, that wonderful doll with a jacket made of canvas and a single wheel on the bottom so she can get around.

NOW FOR THE PLAY DAY
Tuesday, Feb. 9th
Yesterday a van full of PAC members made the trip to Salem to see the show, have lunch and visit Dayna's studio.

From left to right, Tory, Robin, Lorraine, Paula, Jill, Dayna and Steph.

We looked and laughed...

thought and talked...

after lunch we shopped for a bit and ended the day at Dayna's studio....

it really is an artists dream, an entire little house to work in.

she has set up her space so fun and super organized. Tons of scrumptious color!!!

What a great day!

Playing with paper

I have signed up for a fatbook, why I don't know, I can't say no I guess and am always so excited to get my hands on the little treasures, 50 pages of whimsy. This is my last one, but in the process of trying to come up with the idea I found a technique I'm having fun with.

I made them all on card weight paper and will use them for journal pages when I put a book together.

I have copied and reduced them to make my 4x4 pages.

Some will be made into greeting cards...I also used the image to make a new business card.

At times it is so nice to take your art and apply it to several applications. It is all part of discovery, some times it works and the other times no one will ever see. The important thing is to take time to make a discovery for yourself.

Felt class in Silverton

Last night concluded our three week felting class. Here are some of the lovelies they made.

A delicate flower was dry felted on a beautiful bag.

These colors became this....

a purse to make you smile.

A little wool to make a woolly little sheep....

and the lining looks so nice.

Just look at the spring colors.

Felting soap a wonderful little treasure.

I'm sure this is the beginning of something big.

Izzy smells her newly made flower. Thank you everyone that was a fun class !

I'm Going to Hampton VA.

Here are the classes I will be teaching in Hampton VA for Art and Soul.
One of the classes is called "Can I do that Michelangelo?"This class is so much fun and the creativity that the students come up with never fails to impress me.

This piece was meant for an artist...

Here the sculpture was put in a tin can for a charity food drive to be sold at Mary Lou Zeek 100 artist show in Feb.

The Feather Inspector holds a magnifying glass....

"Where The Lost Balls Go" lives with a friend. You will be able to create one of these pieces in just one day and learn skills that go on and on......
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The other class is "Never Felt Better Bag"

We will start with roving....

add water, soap and knowledge....

more roving, some needles,.....

creativity.... yes you could make your bag into a hat.....great creativity!...

and don't forget fun....

I would love for you to join me in Hampton or Portland for these exciting classes. You can register at the Art & Soul website, see you there!

Fun felt class

When you teach you learn to look past funny personalities to give more than what you always receive because you really like to teach.The monetary rewards are always nice, but every now and then you get a gift better than money better than fame you get a chance to catch the enthusiasm of a student, that joy when they realize they have created something very nice.

This is Izzy modeling her new hat. She is 8 years old and has worked with wool before, her family keeps sheep and she can already spin and is learning to knit. She made this hat on her own, something I wasn't sure she could do when I first met her. Boy did she turn me around.

Izzy is letting mom help needle felt the pink rose to the flap on her beautiful cap. She started with roving, a balloon some warm water and soap, she did each step with a smile on her face and funny stories for the rest of the class.

Izzy is helping another student (her mom) with the design on her felt bag.

Next week is our final class and I will post the finished projects. Something to look forward to as they are making some very nice bags.