Mixed media group

What a fun day we had yesterday.   Our project was inchies.  Carol, Cheri, Pam, Marilyn, Jean, Elizabeth and I chatted away as we worked on them, sharing ideas and supplies.  Thanks Carol for bringing so many things we could use.   

I was trying to think how to hang some of mine from the fixture over our table.  I was thinking of punching holes and using jump rings, but then Marilyn came up with a good solution, which will take less time and effort.  Thanks Marilyn.  I will show pictures soon.

I had set out loads of giveaways. As I am moving away from paper arts and need to get rid of drawers full of images and specialty papers, etc.  Also more books I dont refer to now. 

Books went first.  Wonderful books.   Its just that they are not interesting to me now, and they should be with people who will love and be inspired by them.  As I was a few years ago.  Lots of papers went, in fact almost everything.  Yay. 

As a couple members are really just now getting into mixed media seriously - the timing was right. 

One brought a couple pieces shes done since our last meeting.    Really nice work. She got good feedback from members and some advice on showing and selling.     Being part of this group is a big part of my life.   I have learned so much from them, and treasure the friendships.

Inchies

The first set here was made frpm an old  cut up collage.  Then a white Sharpie paint pen was used to add lines.

The second was made by layering a messy bit of paper towel over a painted scrap.

My mixed media group is playing with inchies again.   I think we will make little inchie books. 

Another art group!

Now there is a new group of artist wannabes at the senior mobile home park.  A new resident posted a note on the bulletin board to find out if anyone would be interested. There were 6 at the first meeting.   Two have never painted.  But seemed genuinely interested.    Next meeting just two of us showed up.  But yesterday there were six again.  And we had a fun morning getting acquainted and either painting or sketching. 

There were oranges and veggies on the counter so Indid a little quick still life.    Now that its dry I can see I need to beef up the color.   

Mixed media. February.

Year of the pig?  Lets do a pig theme.

 I asked everyone to bring a pig or a piece of pig art to inspire us.  I painted this pig and used some of the oversprayed deli wrap scraps as background.

  At the last minute I thought it would be smart to prepare a project in case no one was feeling inspired.   So I drew a large outline of a pig much like an old breadboard we had for many years.  Then cut it into large pieces, one for each of us to work on. Each piece was carefully numbered  with

arrows to show which end goes up.  I should have photographed the numbered side.  Duh.

Because one member took two pieces and sprayed the wrong side.... I should have known that would happen... it got a little confusing when it was time to assemble it.    But we did.  Its now glued to a sheet of deli wrap.

Two members brought pig inspirations. Marilyn brought her mother's vintage ceramic pig, ca. 1930s.  Then she painted a quick study of it in watercolor.   Really nice.  I didnt take a picture, but hope she will add it to her blog so we can link to it.

Jean is a fabulous well honored and respected water colorist.  She has taught serious traditional watercolor classes in community centers , privately, and for the university.  She is new to mixed media, but threw herself into it by creating a pig out of a large foam egg, recycled silk flowers from an old lei, and corks for legs.    Really cute and colorful.   No picture . Sorry.

As always it was a fun time together.  Elizabeth had time to spray some hearts as she had missed that meeting, and while work table was still set up ... good time to do it.

Show and tell was so interesting this week.   Elizabeth had used boiled avacado pits to make a natural dye for paper and fabrics and laces.   The dye is a beautiful soft rose pink.  Her favorite was the vintage music sheets dyed pink.    Now I want to do this too. 

Marilyn has been taking one of the Jeanne Oliver courses on Art as Allegory.  I dont recall the teachers name.   Anyway, Marilyn created a set of cards and a bix to hold the.  Similar to something she saw on Seth Aptors website.  It is totally awesome.  Each card is layered in gesso, paints, collaged images and words telling her own story of life changes as we age.     Its my favorite thing she has done.     We could all relate to this piece.

Jean and I had visited the Delicato art show in Manteca the sunday before, so we reported on that.

 Pam is soon starting her first real watercolor class at Delta College senior program. So she has a really hefty supply list.  We gave her lots of feedback on this.    And I hope she takes us up on borrowing a lot of the things listed until she finds out if she really needs them in her tool box.

Mixed media January

I am trying to catch up with myself.  In January we started to prepare for Valentines Day by using heart themes in several ways.    First we were to bring 4 inch by 4 inch  pieces with hearts on them.    Not everyone was really thrilled with this,  so I jumped ahead and did enough to mount on a large piece of watercolor paper.   I incorporated the four done by other members. 

KVIE Art Auction

This past weekend was the annual KVIE Arrt Auction.     Artists donate their art for the auction and the sales go to the public television channel.  It's a good cause.    Lodi Art Center had about 20 minutes to present the works of 6 of our artists whose works had been accepted for the auction.   My friend Jean was one of them.     We had a little get together at her house to watch.   Here is Jean next to her Yupo watercolor of koi.     


She received a phone call from them in the evening.  They told her it sold for well over her estimated price.    Win, win.       Made everyone happy.      

Jean is my sitting partner at the gallery now.     She is 84 and very active.     Teaches one community class Thursday afternoons. plus one class for the University senior program once a week. as well as showing her art in most local shows.      she is one of the people that just blossomed in her senior years when she had more time to devote to her loves of painting and teaching.      

Mail Art - evelope

I joined a group to swap art journal pages, but the group is a Face book group, and I just cannot maneuver around there.  But, I had already signed on to swap some ephemera, so wanted to get that commitment out of the way before bailing out.      Here is the envelope I sent the goodies in.     Using up scraps and stuff from messy work table.      BTW - it's cleaned off again.   LOL   

Off it went and in return, aen envelope full of ephemera arrived to my delight.      

What's new

Hi again.   I'm still here.      I've been working like a trouper clearing my mountain retreat the sale of which will be final on Saturday.      My granddaughter took a lot of stuff for her own place, one grandson came another day and loaded, my son took the truck to do repairs and bring back a load another day.      Not much time for art.

But, I did get some gelli printing done on post cards to send to friends.   Here are a few with just the backgrounds.  

With all the donations and give aways lately, I still felt a pressing need to add a couple of the smaller gelli plates to my studio.  LOL   In turn, I got rid of lots more stuff.Last evening Henrietta Sparkman gave a demo at Lodi Art Center  on monoprinting with household objects.   She is giving a full workshop on Saturday, some of my friends are going.    I'll be in the country.  

I have been using household objects for years so think I've got it covered in my own work.  But, you know, you always can learn some new trick.    I learned last night about using acrylic  printing inks.  They were much heavier than I expected and I would have called them paints - but the labels said inks.     I always use paints.    Might want to try inks someime.

Sam and Pepe are the featured artists this month.   It took a long time to convince them to show there again, and I promised them as much space as they wanted, they could mount their own show, and set up their lighting - and use the front windows.     they did all those things, and it was such a great opening reception, with most of the people they had invited, plus the regulars and fans of their work. 













I have a new injury I have to show you  - because it is the shape of a heart.    My dog was scratching at my wrist to get my attention.  Didn't break the skin, but an hour later, this appeared under the skin.    Getting older means getting bruises and minor injuries.  

Finally, here is a pic of Frances trying to embarass Sam and a guest.     He doesn't look unhappy about it.   LOL   

 

May First

Cinco de Mayo, Grandson DJ'x birthday, Jean Janssen's opening reception as featured artist at the gallery.    Lots of thing to make this day special.    Renewed old acquaintance with one of the best collage artists I know - an unexpected treat catching up.

I've been cutting up slices of cheese and salomi for tonite's reception.    Most of Jean's good friends are bringing food of one kind or another.   it starts at 6 and ends at 8:30.  We always have a few locals who "dine" at our reception.   LOL     Jean's bringing a white tablecloth.    I'm bringing some beautiful glass pieces for serving.   

The top plate is one of my favs.   Purchased at a gift shop in Capitola back in the 90s, which I could not resist. the plate is two layers thick with the floral painted between layers.    The second one is from a little gallery near Davcnport which I picked up on the way home from the coast years ago.

 

This is how they looked stacked with a Martha Stewart faux carnival glass dessert plate on top.   I think they'll look great at a watercolor show.    

I've got the camera battery pack plugged in, so hope to take some pics tonite for Jean's family that can't be with her for the event. 

Hope you have a grand day.     Feels like summer here.    

Mixed Media group show reception

I took some pics last Friday evening when we had the joint reception for Frances Scott and the Mixed Media Group.   Here are some pics.

You can see we were having some fun.     

What's happening in Lodi? Group show and Country Living.

The opening reception for the Mixed Media Group Show and Frances Scott's show are tonite.     I'll be wearing jeans and a cowgirl hat, and toting along western music, as well as 6 bottles of drinkables.      I ddn't volunteer to bring food.     My granddaugher is going to drive as none of  those going in my car are night drivers.     Candis is excited about the reception, she helped there the other day when we were logging in the artwork - and she met the gals, then we went to pizza with them and she got to know them a bit better.      She just started a new job, but has today off, so it works perfectly.  Also, being grandma's girl - she still loves to dress up too.      I'm sure she'll be a beautiful cowgirl!     Frances is excited about the evening and can hardly wait.     It's going to be a long day waiting for time to pass.  I've alreay had the car washed and done other errands.  It's not even noon yet.    

The pictures here are of my friend Sandy's new shop in Lodi.  Country Living has moved down to the Valley from Amador City in the foothills.      They are only a block away from the gallery, so I can sneak over and say hello whenever I want - instead of driving for an  hour.       It's fun to have her here, but Amador City will never be the same.    She's had her shop there for close to 40 years.       My little shop was right down the street from hers many decades ago, and that's how we got acquainted.   I wish her all the good luck in her new location.    

What's ahead in March

I posted a long post to the Lodi Art Center blog today, and will just enclose a link rather than reinvent the wheel.    The mixed media group is having a showing of our works, and also my pal Frances is the featured artist.    Here is the link.    http://lodiartcenter.blogspot.com/2015/02/wht.html

Valentine collaborations

Our mixed media group finished our little collaborative valentine booklets.     Two sizes.  Smaller ones the first week, then yesterday we did a larger size since we all had our supplies handy and enjoyed the first time so much.  This was all based on a piece we did at my pal Bobbi's house years ago,.       Our Lodi Mixed Media group had not done them, and when I showed a sample, everyone chimed in that they'd like to do it there.  So we did.

Some of us had prepared our pages and just had to glue then in each book.  Others chose to draw directly in each one.   Each person did their own thing - and had a good time doing it.  And they each got to take home a book with everyone's art in it.     

Playing art catch up.

Yesterday Frances, Trevor and I went downtown to pick up our work from the Mexican Heritage Center.    Here are some pics of the show in their gallery.

This was the Art Against Violence exhibit.    i was really impressed with the spaciousness, lighting, and the way the show was hung.   they did a great job.     

Our mixed media group has been meeting every week in January and will do the same in Feb.    It's a great way to stay energized as a group and individually.     One of our founding members was able to attend last week, and a new member is now on board.   Another newer member who claims she is not an artist, although she has won several ribbons for her collage work in juried shows - is getting used to us and I think will be a  good addition to our group.
I think we are enjoying the weekly format so much we might go on into March with it as well.

march is our group show at the gallery, and I spent all day today designing the post card announcements, and tying up loose ends with the members.      it's been a long day sitting down, don't ask why I'm back at the computer again.   LOL    

This week I mailed off two  sets of post cards for swaps.  I think it was 26  total.    One of them had to be hand carved, and both were winter themes, so I used the same image for both sets.      Here is the polar bear stamp I carved, stamped over vintage music pages from an old book of hymns.   









Here is the little owl rubber stamp I carved.   

Next I want to show you two post cards I recwieved this week.

The colorful one which was a RAK from my friend and mixed media group member Barbara is so bright and cheery.  Thanks Barbara, it made my day.     Ant it was one of those dreary foggy days! 













This next one is from Beth, one of the CA Art Girls who swapped Winter Themed post cards.   It's done with aluminum duct tape and gesso over shapes that give the texture. .   it's a very cool look.   In fact, it's downright chilly.    Thanks, Beth.

What's new?

I spent three days in a row volunteering at the take in for the photography show that opens on Feb 1st.   It's so much fun to meet the photographers and be the first ones to see the work coming in.    Beautiful photographs, some very traditional, some right on the cutting edge of digital technology, with overlays and manipulations.       Some black and white, lots of color, glorious color.      There were only four categories, 1.  Natural (includes landscapes, animals)  2.  Man made (includes architectural, and photos of anything man made)   3.  Portraits (includes animals, people, faces)    3.   Digitally Created.        These are the ones where the images have been treated as collages, or overlaid, or manipulated in interesting ways.     Judging Day is Saturday, and I'll be there to help.

Tuesday I met with some of my oldest and best friends in Folsom, where we laughed and chatted away while making valentines.   I asked our hostess Char, who had laid out a bunch of wonderful supplies and art matierials to use, if she had any old text pages in her stash - knowing full well, she would have.    She brought some in and I tore up a page, then Pat reached for one and read it.   It was some steamy novel!   Perfect to tear up and use for her husband's card.  They are parents of 7 grown men.     She was sure her hubby would get a kick out of an x rated card.     LOL    It was hilarious reading excerpts to each other while we worked.    

Mixed media meeting today, show and tell.   Last week we did some felting, and more people tried it today.     Lisa created some beautiful cards to sell in the gallery with felted hearts on them.    Sending a hearty welcome to Mary, a new member, and Bobbi a returning member, and Judi who is a very recent member but already seems like one of us.  

I've been working on two mixed media pieces, and using a product for finishing them, a gloss self leveling gel.     It's high gloss and resembles a resin finish but has no odor.      I'll post some pics later.

Today on the way home from dropping Bobbi off in Acampo, Phyllis and I passed a field of short cut grasses.    I don't know what it is, but it is really colorful, even on a foggy overcast day.  Here ares some pics.

I'm anxious to go back and take more pics when the sun is out.  It must be spectacular. 

I'm going to try to capture this in a gelli print.     Or some other medium.     Maybe it would be best with Portfolio oil pastels, or Aquasticks.   Hmmmm....     I'd like to try a plein air work - if it weren't so cold out.   Maybe Saturday will be a better day, think I'll pack my things along and if the sun's out, I'll drive the extra few miles to this site again.    These photos have had no photoshop tricks, or color enhancements.   The striations of color are the way it grows.     I'd like to take more pics from the West end and shoot the stripes lengthwise.      

Tis the season

At the white elephant gift exchange at the art center pot luck dinner, I got the two little owls that look so good with my little owl cookie jar I bought last year.    

  Lisa took what I had already received, and I filched this from Pam who had already had something else snitched from her.     Eventually everyone seemed happy with what they received.   It was fun.     Here's Frances and Lisa on the way out.    

  By the way, the two owl books sold right away.     I'm glad they have found good homes.     

Calm after the storm

We didn't blow away. We're still here.   It's been raining for days and our water table is vastly improved.    On days without rain, we have fog because there is so much moisture in the air.     So any time the sun pokes it's way through, I really appreciate and enjoy it.        

Our Monday morning senior group had tables at the annual holiday bazaar/party at the senior center.    I didn't take anything to sell, but sat and drew leaves in the nature journal, and a few people stopped to watch.  Helen, Lillian, Elizabeth, John, and Jean all sold some of their art work.  Celia set up a yard sale kind of table and got rid of a lot of her things at bargain prices.      There were also potters, crochet and knitters, quilters, card makers, and lots more.   the fun part of the day is the games.  Reverse bingo where if they call a number on your card, you are out.     They played this a number of times, and those at our tables were out pretty quickly and had fun rooting for each other.     They also had other games, musical chairs, and raffle prizes.   It was not my lucky day.    

Here's a pic of Jean and Helen setting up the table.