Monthly Archives: September 2009

September 29, 2009

A Visit To Stampington, Workshops, and More

How do I even begin? I am still getting goosebumps about my visit to CA this past week. I guess I will just start from the beginning.

My trip started with a visit to my friend Julie Bergmann’s house. Julie and I met at the ZNE ConvenZioNE last spring and hit it off right from the start. She graciously invited me to stay with her and when I got the invitation to teach from Lisa Bebi, the plan was put into action. With good food, lovely wine and a trip to Pinkberry for yogurt we began our visit. The next stop was Stampington & Co. Jenny Doh and the rest of the editors were so gracious and wonderful. We were given the grand tour.

Thrilling Moments

Meeting Jenny in person

Seeing Magazine covers with our names on them on a wall

Meeting with the photographer, Johanna, right after she had finished shooting my art journal for an upcoming issue.

Seeing my name on Jenny’s white board!

Recognizing peoples work just by looking at it

Seeing my aubergine pieces getting ready to be photographed

Doing Lunch with Jenny and Christin

Being filmed for a New Reality Show-LOL

Doing a Tutorial

Having everyone sign my suitcase

Next stop Lisa Bebi’s

A total thrill to meet her as I have long admired her work. She is just as fun as I thought she would be. We stayed up late and decided to do some painting late at night. She showed me her ‘Paint Over’ technique.

The class at The Stamp Addict was full with a waiting list.

The gals, and one guy were really fun and to top it off, who should walk in to the class but the famous Suzi Blu! How fun is that?! She is even better in person than on her youtube videos!!

Off to the gallery for my final workshop and met with another group of fun gals. Everyone was so nice and their work turned out great!

Off to the airport and home again. A completely crazy, busy, fun filled experience that I will never forget.

Tired but happy, journaling my way home.

19 comments | posted in art journaling, christen olivarez, jenny doh, lisa bebi, stampington and company, suzi blu, workshop

September 21, 2009

My Little Black Book

By pamcarriker

I’ve started a few journal pages in my black journal to work on while I’m traveling. I love the mystery that the black foundation adds to the overall look of this journal. I have used a bit of gesso to start, then I sketched in a portrait. Water soluble crayon is used to shade and add some subtle color. I will add journaling and more crayon to the pages while on the road, but it is nice to have a start to a few pages. I like switching between types of journaling, it helps me to be more creative.

It’s also fun to shade with different colors. I travel with my favorites (Caran d’ache) and a brush with a water reservoir.

Some of my favorite colors include: Olive Brown, Green Ochre, Sepia, Olive, Raw Umber, Beige, Ochre, Turquoise, and Cobalt Blue.

I also take Black and White.

A graphite pencil is a must.

Charcoal, kneaded eraser, and a blending stump are always with me.

And last but not least a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.

These pages are too thin for collage, and that would defeat the black backgrounds purpose. So I am only using the simple supplies listed above in this journal.

I will show you the finished pages when I get back.

On another note, I was honored to be featured as this weeks catalyst on Creative Therapy. I would love if you would stop by and leave a comment! If you have not been to the site before scroll through for some amazing work. The contributing artists are listed on the left, and many of my favorites have been there.

Have a great week everyone!

6 comments | posted in art journal, caran d'ache, creative therapy, mixed media, portrait, signo gel pen, travel, uniball

September 19, 2009

Art on the Go!

By pamcarriker

I am packing my art supplies getting ready to hit the road! I will be in San Diego next Saturday teaching a mixed media portrait workshop at Lisa Bebi’s gallery. Since traveling with art supplies can be a tad tricky, I decided to take an old suitcase and dedicate it towards this purpose.

This hard sided roll-aboard relic was one of hubby’s old go-to-work pieces. It has seen better days for sure, so painting it up was a not an issue. I used three colors of spray paint intended for use on plastic. It worked like a dream. Add in some gesso, Sharpie Markers, and Staz On ink and my art supplies will arrive in style!

I’m making a stop at Stampington to meet with the editors. This will be one of the highlights of my trip. After only email communications and the occasional phone conversation, I am excited to finally meet them in person. I might even see if they want to doodle a bit on my suitcase Art Journaling style.

One thing is certain, I won’t have any trouble picking out my suitcase on the luggage carousel:-)

I filled the inside with plastic containers so if something does spring a leak it won’t hurt too much.

I’ve already learned NOT to pack art supplies with your clothes…

Take your ART to NEW places!

Share it with those around you~

Make new friends:-)

Reconnect with old ones:-D

Live Art at the Speed of Life!

20 comments | posted in art, art journaling, lisa bebi, luggage, mixed media, stampington and company, suitcase, workshops

September 16, 2009

Achoo!

By pamcarriker

It’s that time of year I guess, battling a nasty head cold. Ugh! I did feel a tad better yesterday though and was able to finish a couple of journal pages. I love being able to make art even when I don’t feel good. I have a little tote bag that I threw a few simple tools in and went downstairs to sit in my comfy chair with my feet up, jammies on.

Inside the bag were, water soluble crayons and colored pencils in my favorite colors, a graphite pencil, blending stump, XS Pitt Pen, Signo White Gel Pen, and a water filled brush.

And my Moleskine journal.

Having only a few tools is stress relieving and relaxing. No decisions about colors, pens, or paints, just freedom to create.

I started with sketches and built on that adding color with the crayons,

doodles, and journaling. I found an interesting trick with the White Gel Pen: you can write with it and then use the water soluble crayon over the top and it acts as a bit of a resist allowing the pen to show through. Just make sure it’s dry first!

I hope you are feeling well, use that hand sanitizer for more than transfers!! And find time for art today, even if it’s just a few minutes. It really is the best medicine:-)

14 comments | posted in art every day, art journal, pitt pens, water soluble crayon

September 11, 2009

I will never forget

By pamcarriker

“I will never forget, I was sleeping and my American Airlines hubby was up with our 2 month old son. He watched by himself as the first plane hit, then woke me and said he was sorry for waking me up but something really bad was happening. We watched together as the second plane hit. Then the phone calls started coming in as family and friends tried to delicately ask if my husband was flying. I finally had him answer so they would know he was ok right away. So many lives changed forever that day. His job description and career changed along with everything else, ever conscious of his duty to protect those aboard.”

As I wrote this on my friend Dawn Edmondson’s 9/11 remembrance post it, along with the news coverage this morning, transported me right back to those terrible hours. As event after event unfolded we went from this can’t be happening to thinking anything could happen.

Our country united as compassion and resolve flooded our souls. I hope we never forget that day. It showed us what Americans are made of. It made us incredibly sad, but it also made us proud and it made us strong.