Need to Tell

This past weekend I had the pleasure to co-teach a workshop with Roxanne Evans Stout and Elizabeth Wix at Little Bird Creations Studio in NYC. 

The class was called "The Need to Tell Stories" and focused on the intersection of book making, art, and story telling. It was a two-day workshop with ten students and it was a very special experience.

We started off the weekend with clean tables and organized supplies...

But quickly created creative chaos as people began to make their own handmade books...

Here is Karen, ready to start work on putting her book together ...

Cecelia was deep in thought and bathed in sunlight as she pondered the theme of her written story...

Roxanne had everybody work on art exercises that became part of the art on the book pages...

Each person in the workshop took their plain white pages and made them come alive with backgrounds in their own personal palette...

And even the actual palettes were a vision to behold...

Rivers of color filled the workshop...

An assortment of mixed media supplies filled the tables and made artful vignettes...

Magic began to happen when beautiful artwork was then layered onto the pages...

Some pages were were light and breezy, like the wings of a butterfly...

And some pages were dark and earthy...

The book covers were layered with each artists' creations...

When silence filled the air, I knew that people were focused on their creative process...

And in the end, every person left with their bound stories...

To Roxanne and Elizabeth: thanks for holding this workshop with me and doing it so creatively. To Michele, who runs Little Bird: thanks for being such a stellar host. And to all the artists who took this workshop and put your faith in the three of us: thank you for being the perfect students! Your books are all creative treasures!

For more thoughts and images, you can read Roxanne's post about the workshop here and Elizabeth's post here...

Dragonfly

As artists I think we all have our preferred techniques and projects that we go to when we feel the need to be creative but also want a dose of zen. For me, it is making simple little books. With some hand painted papers from my stash, a few sheets of watercolor paper, scissors, thread and a needle, I have a mini-book.

I can make dozens of these at a sitting, all of which I leave in a pile so I can come back another day to decorate the cover. Today's cover inspiration was a new set of dies from Spellbinders called Distressed Edges. With a name like that you know I had to give them a go.

I grabbed two different colors of hand painted paper and one of the dies out of the set of seven. I ended up with two rectangular die cuts and used the scissors to form two frames with the left over paper. I chose one frame and one centerpiece from each color family for contrast to use for my book cover. I will save the other two pieces for a future project.

I chose a different color of hand painted paper and made one more die cut using a different die from the Distressed Edges set. I cut that piece in half.

I used a stamp pad to add a bit of shadow and contrast to the edges of all the die cuts.

Given that spring is doing its best to come to NYC, I decided to incorporate a bit of a nature theme. I selected a branch die from Spellbinders Mix'd Media Elements set and matched that with some hand painted paper in a rich brown with green tones.

Using one of my favorite rubber stamps and ink, I stamped an image of a dragonfly on parchment colored paper.

I highlighted different sections of the image using bright colors that remind me of spring. When I add it to the book cover, I will draw in the dragonfly's antenna.

My next step: putting it all together.

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Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

GC-001 Spellbinders^TM Grand Calibur® Machine

S5-174 Spellbinders^TM Nestabilities® A2 Distressed Edges 

S5-085 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® Mix'd Media Elements

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko StazOn Ink Pad, Imagine Crafts Inkblushers sponge

Other: watercolor paper, gesso, watercolor paint, acrylic paint, paint brush, water brush, rubber stamp, pen, thread, needle, scissors, adhesive

Tell All - Chapter 10

 

Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, It's Still Life, and Playing Favorites were the first five projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The final project from The Pulse #5, Tell All, continues now...

Participants were asked: what is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art? 

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I started my journey as an artist as a painter and straight away I wanted to sell my art. As a result I painted what I thought would sell and what would be considered to be a good painting. Painting to sell put a lot of pressure on me and I wish I had known then that a sale is much less satisfying than creating something that sings to my creative soul. Lisa Sarsfield

I sold my first piece of art when I was 16 and really got into my painting before taking a decade break because I was both too hard on myself and not fully able to express myself. I was afraid at that age to fully do what I wanted to do or show anyone the results. I always loved anatomy, but thought people would think it was weird to paint a human heart, for example. Now I don't care what people think - and I use LOTS of anatomical hearts in my art. I feel that had I known this at 16, I never would have stopped creating and how nice it would be to have that extra decade of experience. Alicia Caudle

Well, I think about when I started painting using oils in my late teens, finishing several paintings back then. I wish I had not let so much time go by before picking up a paint brush again. If you want to be good at something, I think it takes a lot of practice and time. JoAnnA Pierotti

I have been making boxes all my life. I never called it art. I never knew it was art. Sometime in the 1980's I got to see a Joseph Cornell exhibit. I was spellbound. Knowing that I had a connection with his work and this art form affected me in a profound way. I started looking into "assemblage" and "box art". It was not until the mid-2000's that I actually took the plunge on my own artistic journey. Rebeca Trevino

I started creating when I was a very small child and the need to create has stayed with me all that time. I cannot think of anything that a child needs to know when creating art other than to enjoy themselves. As an adult, however, I would have liked to know how hard it is to sell work - especially in times of worldwide financial hardship. Gillian McMurray

I first started to create art at age 26. It was really a "just for fun" thing then. Now it is a passion. It took me a long time to figure out how important a part of my life creating art is. Wish I knew sooner. Liz Hampton-Derivan

The first time I remembering creating art (not just some activity like coloring in a coloring book) was when I was 7. I drew winter trees, without any leaves, across from where we lived, and I really labored over it. Looking back now, it would have been good to know then that I didn't have to try so hard, and I would have gotten better results if I used a lighter touch. Jude 

Since I started creating art at the age of 5, I really knew then what I forgot and then learned much later - I'm allowed to do anything I please with my art. Shirley Ende-Saxe

I would have liked someone to tell me way back when I wanted to be a working artist straight out of high school, that it is actually possible to have a career in art. If would be so much better if we encourage creativity in kids and then armed them with the skills they needed in the business world. Being an artist can be a day job - provided you have the right skills to turn it into a business. Rhomany

Art is in the eye of the beholder, and within the individual artist. Being criticized in high school art class for thinking outside the box did not help my self esteem at all! I still do not consider myself a true artist. I have never been schooled in any particular discipline, I just like to try all things. When I entered blogland, a whole new, exciting world of art, inspiration, ideas, tutorials and creativity presented itself to me. It's a wonder-full thing! Pat McNally

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Next Tell All will be posted on Sunday, March 17th

Apprentice

Thrilled to be a part of the newest, Spring 2013 issue of Somerset Apprentice, a publication in which artists share their favorite tips and techniques. 

On these pages, I get to hang out with some of my art buddies: Pam Carriker, Joanna Pierotti, Sarah Whitmire, Kristen Robinson and Tracie Lyn Huskamp. It's a great issue, with a ton of inspiration and instruction. Thanks Jana for the opportunity to be a part of Somerset Apprentice!

Trees of Light

I started by painting a 4 x 4 inch cradled wood panel with gesso, acrylic paint, and acrylic wash. I included metallic paint to bring a subtle sheen to the surface.

Next I gathered some large scraps of hand painted water color paper from my stash that I always have on hand for projects.

I selected one scrap that called to me embossed the surface using a clear stamp with a random and grungy design, a watermark embossing stamp pad, silver embossing powder and a heat gun.

Rummaging through my supply of bezels from Spellbinders new Media Mixage^TM line, I selected three of the medium triangle bezels with hobnails around the edge.

Using the matching die, I cut my scrap of embossed and painted paper to fit perfectly within the bezel.

I filled each bezel with Ice Resin, following the easy instructions on the package. I left these pieces aside for most of the day as it takes from 6-12 hours to fully dry. As the final detail, I glued small, metallic beads - a different color for each bezel - to the attached rings at the base of each triangle. 

Next I hand cut strips of assorted painted paper and glued them onto book board which I cut to a matching size. To finish off these strips, I edged the book board with both a silver leafing pen and dye ink from a stamp pad.

To complete these pieces, I used rub on letters to write my text -- trees of light.

I wanted to add more design to the surface of the panel and used a die from Spellbinders Exquisite Circles to cut a shape from scraps of painted paper. I inserted a small piece of wax paper between the die and the painted paper when cutting so I could more easily release the intricate shape from the die. 

For one more detail and added dimension, I twisted thin strips of metal into spiral shapes to add to the die cuts. 

All of these individual pieces came together to form Trees of Light...

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Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

GC-001 Spellbinders^TM Grand Calibur® Machine
MB1-004 - Spellbinders^TM Media Mixage® Triangles One Bezels
MD1-004 - Spellbinders^TM Media Mixage® Triangles One Dies

S4-384 Spellbinders^TM Nestabilities® Exquisite Circles

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko Momento dye ink pad, Imagine Crafts Inkblushers sponge

Cross Promotional Partners: Ice Resin® 

Other: cradled wood panel, watercolor paper, book board, gesso, acrylic paint, paint brush, leafing pen, altered metal, beads, rub on letters, adhesive, scissors

Tell All - Chapter 9

 

Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, It's Still Life, and Playing Favorites were the first five projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The final project from The Pulse #5, Tell All, continues now...

Participants were asked: what is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art? 

------------------------------------------

Be proud of yourself! At the beginning I was hiding in my studio. I never thought it could have interest for others - until someone proposed me to exhibit. Yes, you art has meaning for people! Lise Hoffman

I feel art is a journey of discovery, revealing of style, techniques, and tools. It continues to build upon itself as each of us matures in our artistic careers, so I have no regrets for not knowing. It is only through our successes, failures, and experimentation that we become who we are. Tracie Lyn Huskamp

Do what makes you happy. Pam McKnight

I would have loved to know that as an artist YOU have the freedom to decide how, where, what your art should be about. Your art is YOUR personal expression and that's the only rule you should follow. Dorit Elisha

I would have liked to have known that I would eventually make my living as an artist. I would have learned sooner to follow my dreams. "Impossible is only a word" - La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil. Holly Dean

Keep it fun. Annie Kerr

There are no rules. Be inspired by something or someone (visually, spiritually or emotionally) and make it your own. Lottie Anderson

I wish, wish, wish, I had realized that I don't need each and every product that comes out. New supplies are akin to sweets; I want it all. But along the way I've learned that I can make some pretty cool art with what's around my home. I'm beginning to seriously destash and figure out what it is that I really use over and over again. Paula Bogdan

I would say that an artistic career builds over a number of years. Be persistent and confident in your skill and talent, mix with other artists, and form a network or group for support. Kim Logan

Nothing actually. I have enjoyed every step of the experiments and discoveries, the good ones and the bad ones. And I think there will always be more to know. Luthien Thye

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Next Tell All will be posted on Sunday, March 10th

Thoughts on Blogging...

My first social media platform was this blog. Nearly 6 years later, it remains my favorite way to connect with my peeps (i.e. YOU). But over the years I have acknowledged begrudgedly accepted embraced the notion that to be a successful artist in the 21st century means being connected online. And these days, being connected means more than simply having a blog.

So you can visit my Facebook Page, my Twitter page, my YouTube account, and any one or all of my four (!) Tumblr blogs: The Altered Page where I highlight my favorite pieces of abstract art that I have come across, Curiosity Contained where I highlight inspiring, artistic curiosities, Palettless where I post inspiring black and white images, and Seth Apter Art & Photography where I very occasionally and very randomly post images of my own art.

While maintaining all these sites takes a tremendous amount of time and energy, I am lucky because I truly love connecting with all of you. And rather than feeling as if my time on the computer takes away from my time in the studio, I see it as another creative outlet that enhances my life as an artist.

What I have come to realize over time is that the different social media platforms attract different types of people. Obviously if you are reading this, you are at least a bit of a blog person. But I am curious...what are your feelings these days about blogs versus other social media sites? Favorites? Reasons? Thoughts?