Friday, July 19, 2013

FinnTastic


I recently had the pleasure of taking a workshop from Anna Dabrowska aka Finnabair aka Finn aka creative genius. 


You may know Anna from her spectacular artwork that graced the cover of November/December 2012 issue of Somerset Studio.


Luckily for me, Anna traveled from Poland to the USA to teach and stopped off at Little Bird Creations Studio in NYC. The workshop was called Grungy Spellbook and Spellbook Pages. And Finn absolutely cast a spell over me.

She generously provided us with so many art supplies and materials that we were all able to leave with a doggy bag of treasures - all of which were designed by Finn herself.


Finn's creative style really resonated with me as she takes whatever object she is working with and alters it to make it her own. Look at what she does with simple thread here...


We used one of the books that Finn designed as the basis for the project. We created front and back book covers using the embellishments that she provided, objects that we brought (my usual stash of rusty washers, watch parts, gears, etc.), and paint. And more paint. We ended up with a garden of textural delight.


Although the idea was too add the objects to a relatively small section of the book cover, I got possessed and obsessed and couldn't stop. I ended up filling up almost the entire front cover.


Happily, I gained control of myself for the back cover and was able to be less impulsive. This allowed me to actually create a design for the embellishments.


After we finished the covers, Anna took us through several different techniques to create the inside pages for our books. When they were completed, the idea was to cut them in half and glue them in on facing pages. 





In the end, I decided to leave my pages uncut and outside the book. Call it an artist's prerogative.

Finn was a wonderful instructor, really bringing out the creativity in everybody. She provided helpful and honest feedback in the most supportive of ways. And she shared an endless number of techniques that I know I will adapt in my own artwork.




17 comments:

Angie said...

I'm green with envy but am turning bronze by the minute!

Karenliz Henderson said...

WOW It looked like a great class. Beautiful projects!

Jo Murray said...

Great effects...looks like everyone was delighted.

trish quilty said...

Knowing you I can picture you going all out on that front cover. Magnificent!!!
Thanks for sharing this creative piece.

Parabolic Muse said...

Seth, I had never heard of her and I love those amazing effects! I think your decision to leave your gorgeous pages independent was a good one. You're such an artist.

john said...

OMG! Seth, you have so many great new pieces! Wonderful!

~*~Patty S said...

Looks and sounds like a brilliant opportunity and with great results too Seth.

bellefrogworks said...

I just love Anna's work - her style is just so unique. I can see how it would resonate with your work - love your covers and the pages are terrific.

Brian Kasstle said...

It looks like a great class! Wonderful effects!

Angi in hana said...

unbelievable seth! u are so lucky to be in NY and experience these classes! this is one i would have loved, i just love what she did with the metal, i like her! u said she is from poland? way cool, aloha, angi in hana

Maryanne said...

Your cover is gorgeous, Seth! My daughter and I are taking Finn's classes at the Queen's Ink in a couple of weeks! We can't wait. And, we're looking forward to a second class with you at the Queen's in the fall!

Kathy McCreedy said...

Seth,
Sounds like a great class! I personally like your collage w/the hand in it best... isn't it great fun learning new and useful techniques? Hope all is well with you!!!

Beulah Bee said...

Anna did a video describing all the elements used in a piece she did last year and it's amazing to see all the stuff she uses (pre-Prima). Take a look if you haven't seen it already. I never thought about the fact that you and Anna have similar styles, no wonder you had so much fun at the workshop!

http://youtu.be/Ca9CUbyN5Vk

Karen Larko said...

Really interesting and cool stuff!

Healing Woman said...

You are right. Spell casting time it is. Her work is fabulous and it looks like all the students fared well in their projects.

PocketSize said...

Definitely Finntastic! I love what you put together, and it just makes me more excited to take her classes in a couple of weeks with my mom! (We were the mother-daughter duo in your classes at the Queen's Ink on my birthday in March...)

Canace said...

Everyone's work is beautifully done.. looks like a fun class.