Monthly Archives: May 2009
Talk about inspiring, I saw this on Face Book (Gabriela Avila’s page) and I had to share it with you.
Listen, look, and be inspired.
by Philip Scott Johnson 500 Years of Female Portraits in Western ArtMusic: Bach’s Sarabande from Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 performed by Yo-Yo MaNominated as Most Creative Video2nd Annual YouTube AwardsFor a complete list of artists and paintings visit http://www.maysstuff.com/womenid.htm
6 comments | posted in facebook, gabriela avila, masters, portraits, yo yo ma, youtube
While drinking my first cup of coffee this morning, my blog browsing took me to Michelle Wards
Green Pepper Press Street Team Challenge.
This is one of my favorite challenges because Michelle is so inspiring and pushes the envelope encouraging others to do the same. I have been too busy to do much participating lately, but when I saw this challenge it so hit home with me that I had to take some time to answer it today.
Make it your own. I think that all artists truly long to do this. It is a process though. We see someones work and think ‘Oh, I love that, I want to know how they did it’! Sometimes through workshops or classes we are afforded a glimpse of the ‘how’ part. We then take that new found knowledge and add it to what we already know and slowly but surely our own ‘style’ evolves. This is the process. Michelle said the difference between art and crafts is the ability to ‘make it your own’. Are you w
anting to make the product or learn the process?
This is what I so struggled with when I kept getting asked to do a ‘face’ class. I truly love teaching and sharing techniques and encouraging people along their art journey, but I really don’t enjoy teaching a ‘
product‘ nearly as much. That is not to say that there aren’t times when that is the only way to do something. Short, live workshops lend themselves to that type of teaching. So while I am completely open to teaching my techniques, giving tips, guidance and encouraging the
creative process, I didn’t necessarily want to see lots of little ‘Pam’ faces all over.
They may tend to look like that at first, but through this process they will become more and more your own.
My answer to this is
Pursuing Portraits. I want to share the joy of discovering your own face with you! I share all of my techniques and guide you on the process of finding your own face! It is a continuing
process as our art is always evolving. The class is open ended so you will have unlimited access to the materials and can revisit the videos again and again, working at your own pace and discovering the joy of
Making it your own!P.S. all of the journal pages here have been either inspired by one of Michelle’s challenges or made using some of her wonderful stamps. Thank you for the inspiration Michelle!
15 comments | posted in art challenge, art journal, creative workshops, crusade, green pepper press, green pepper press street team, michelle ward, online workshop, workshop
For me, inspiration often comes through journaling. The freedom that is found within the safe covers of my art journal allows me to explore my feelings and convey them visually. Most often the words come to me last. I either make them up or find the perfect quote, but it is almost always at the end of my creative process. This is part of what I have learned about myself through journaling. It is as if I pour out the feelings and then can put words to what those feelings are.
This weeks challenge prompt at Melange is ‘Inspiration’. The words on this journal page came to me at the end of the process. Art is a journey. A discovery of your creative nature. We are inspired by others who have gone before us, and inspire others to follow along. Each of us is in that place. Every time we create we are inspired by something and our work inspires someone or something else.
Be Inspired. Be an Inspiration.
9 comments | posted in art challenge, art journal, etsy, inspiration, melange team, pam carriker, zne
I have just opened my latest workshop for registration! Many of you have asked for a class on ‘faces’. I spent some time thinking about how I could do a class that would give you the techniques and tools and still allow for each person to develop a face that was truly their own. This workshop is designed to guide you on a journey in your Art Journal that will be about more than just creating a lovely face. I will encourage working in your journal for this workshop, but these techniques can be applied to canvas as well. As with my other workshops, they are open, so there is no ending date. You work at your own pace and have unlimited access to class videos and materials. If you are interested in finding out more, click on the button and it will take you to
Creative Workshops.
Class Description:
Journal your way to a self portrait that reflects your true self. During this 6 week course you will work in the comfort and safety of your own Art Journal. This will be an exploration of our own self and the face that we see in the mirror each morning as we dig deep to find what lies behind the face that we show to the world. Your face may not even look like you, but it will be representative of the inner you. I will show you the techniques I use in my portraits and guide you towards creating a face that is uniquely yours.
Week 1~Facing the Facts – Sketching basics, learning how to draw a face and where everything is supposed to go.
Week 2~Who Am I? – Backgrounds that speak of you
Week 3~Take a Look in the Mirror - Learning how to make it your face
Week 4~Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Learn the painting and shading techniques that I use in my portraits
Week 5~It’s the Little Things That Matter Most – All the details that bring your face to life
Week 6~Shout Out Loud or whisper really soft – Using your portrait to express your voice
WORKSHOP BEGINS JULY 7, 2009
Oh, the mail just came as I was writing this post and two surprises were in the box! First, my friend Bevie Sams sent me this lovely ATC! It is beautiful sweetie! What a nice spring surprise!
And the latest issue of The Stampers’ Sampler arrived with a feature in the ‘Deconstructed Stamping’ department! It features step by step pictures and some instruction for creating a journal page that can be found on pages, 38-40.
14 comments | posted in art journal, ATC, bevie sams, class, creative workshops, online workshop, portrait, self portrait, stampington, the stampers sampler
I thought I would share this journal page with you today. I did this little exercise in my journal while traveling to CA for the ConvenZioNE. Journals are a great place to actually ‘do’ some of the little exercises artists sometimes publish with their articles. I wish I remembered where I read this, but I don’t. Sometimes I just jot the exercise down for future reference. I do know it was written by Gina Arnfield. In my journaling workshop I tell people to use things they love, things they are drawn to, colors that speak to them and their pages will turn out to reflect them. That is what this little exercise will help you find out. What are you drawn to? What are your favorite colors? I challenge you to answer the questions listed on my journal page for yourself.
7 comments | posted in art journal, gina arnfield, mixed media, self portrait, visual journal, zne
anting to make the product or learn the process?
They may tend to look like that at first, but through this process they will become more and more your own.
For me, inspiration often comes through journaling. The freedom that is found within the safe covers of my art journal allows me to explore my feelings and convey them visually. Most often the words come to me last. I either make them up or find the perfect quote, but it is almost always at the end of my creative process. This is part of what I have learned about myself through journaling. It is as if I pour out the feelings and then can put words to what those feelings are.
And the latest issue of The Stampers’ Sampler arrived with a feature in the ‘Deconstructed Stamping’ department! It features step by step pictures and some instruction for creating a journal page that can be found on pages, 38-40.
I thought I would share this journal page with you today. I did this little exercise in my journal while traveling to CA for the ConvenZioNE. Journals are a great place to actually ‘do’ some of the little exercises artists sometimes publish with their articles. I wish I remembered where I read this, but I don’t. Sometimes I just jot the exercise down for future reference. I do know it was written by Gina Arnfield. In my journaling workshop I tell people to use things they love, things they are drawn to, colors that speak to them and their pages will turn out to reflect them. That is what this little exercise will help you find out. What are you drawn to? What are your favorite colors? I challenge you to answer the questions listed on my journal page for yourself.
