Tag Archives: art supplies unlimited

Compartmentalize

December 2, 2011 By in art at the speed of life Tags: , , , , , , , , 11 Comments

Ever feel like you are compartmentalized to the max? This page so represents the way I feel lately. So many things going on that are totally unrelated to each other and each seems to bring a different emotion with it.

I realize I haven’t blogged for a bit. I’ve been overwhelmed with both very sad and very good news. Many of you know from facebook that my stepdad (since I was 11years old) passed away after a very long health battle. I’m relieved that he is now at peace but also sorry for the loss to our family especially to my mom. This fills in one of the very large boxes of this journal page.

The same week that this happened I got the news that my 2nd book was picked up for publication. This had to be squeezed into a little box as well. I’m thrilled and very excited to begin work on this project and thankful for the opportunity. While all of this was going on we also hosted Thanksgiving for my husbands family with 14 guests staying for three days. Fun but a lot of work for my task saturated brain.

Another box is filled with the realization of another goal, my line of products has been picked up by Interweave Store and will soon be available through them.

Here are a couple of video demos to show a little of what these products can do.

I had no idea when I began that journey how long it would take and the amount of work involved so it brings a deep sense of fulfillment to me as I sent off the first shipment this week. I’ll post a link and let you all know when it’s actually available for purchase.

I know I’m by no means alone in this busy world, and I’m sure many of you can relate to my journal page. I would like to encourage you to create your own compartmentalized self portrait. It helps to see the balance that is sometimes not evident when you’re immersed in one particular emotion.

Counting Down the Days To Cortona

July 18, 2011 By in art at the speed of life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

March 31-April 7, 2012 CORTONA ITALY

This is one of those ‘trip of a lifetime’ events that requires some advance planning. It’s in the back of my mind as I work through the tasks of today, sitting there like a prize at the end of the race! I’ve never been to Italy and going there to create art with a small group of artists is exciting beyond words!

 

All-inclusive* workshop includes:
Escorted Group Travel
Florence to Cortona March 31, 2012****
Five days of instruction
Seven nights accommodations
in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath)
Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano
All meals***
(Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Daily wine tasting opportunities
Day trip to Florence
Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Vist to local outdoor market
A farewell wine tasting dinner

**Included with “Hotel” plans only. See details.
***Included with “Group Meal Plan” only. See details.
****Specific departure time only; to be announced

*All-inclusive plans only.
Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included
and is the responsibility of each participant.

Liquid Sketching with Pam Carriker


Derivan Liquid Pencils are a relatively new medium that takes sketching to a whole new place! With different tints in both permanent and rewettable formulas, they offer a wide range of creativity and allow you to ‘sketch’ without picking up a pencil! I’ve been working with the creators of Liquid Pencil and am excited to have a line of new products coming out that make this new medium especially user friendly to Art Journalers. If you love the look of sketching but are unsure of your drawing skills, this class will give you exactly what you need to begin sketching in a journal made with hot press watercolor paper. For the more advanced student the sky’s the limit when you add this to what you already do and I will show you the many different techniques possible with this innovative product! I will be bringing my very own Portrait Sketch Stamps to use in class as well so there is nothing to fear if you don’t have much experience with portraits-you can literally stamp a sketch! As we gather memorabilia from our day trips, we will add them to the covers of our journals to finish off an artistic keepsake that will bring back the once in a lifetime memories of our time in Italy.

Supplies

Paint brushes-watercolor type

Watercolor brush with a refillable water reservoir

Small set (field type for outside/travel type use) of watercolor paints

Bone folder tool ( for scoring and burnishing)

All other supplies will be supplied by the instructor

Saturday – Arrival in Cortona

-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.

-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Locanda nel Loggiato

Sunday – Cortona

-9:00a-12:00p Morning Session

Class kits will be handed out including a signed copy of my book, ‘Art at the Speed of Life’

We will spend the morning session constructing our sketch journals using a binding method from my book, with a twist-we’ll add a pocket or two to the book for the memorabilia we’ll no doubt pick up on our outings. I will introduce my line of Sketch Ink from Derivan Liquid Pencil and we will begin to explore its properties and the tools we will use to apply it. No pencils here! Derivan Liquid Pencil is actual graphite in a paint-like form. My line of Sketch Ink products provides a user-friendly way to apply this medium in a more liquid form. Using both Permanent and re-wettable formulas, we will smudge, erase, lift off, burnish it and more.

-1:00p Lunch

-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session

Now that everyone has had a chance to play with the Sketch Ink, we will begin our first journal pages, discussing our views on what Art Journaling means to us and how we each find ways or hope to find ways, to incorporate it into our daily lives. This will become the foundation for our pages as we layer various fluid media.

-7:30p Wine tasting

-8:00p Evening dinner

Monday – Cortona

-9:00-12:00p Morning Session

Time to venture outside for inspiration! Taking our journals, Sketching Ink and Brushes, we will begin quick sketching without pencils as we capture the sights and sounds around us.

-1:00p Lunch

-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session

The afternoon will be spent in the studio or on the grounds, completing our quick sketches and turning them into journal pages.

-7:30p Wine tasting Il Pozzo

-8:00p Evening dinner

Tuesday – Florence

-Day trip to Florence with lunch provided

As we journey to Florence, we will gather memorabilia along the way, stowing it into the pockets in our journals. Quick Liquid Sketches will capture the beauty around us.

-7:30p Wine tasting

-8:00p Evening dinner

Wednesday – Cortona

-9:00-12:00p Morning Session

Time to find a quiet spot to turn yesterdays sketches into journal pages filled with words, color, and texture.

-1:00 Lunch

-3:00-5:30p Afternoon Session

We will now gesso the front and back cover of our journals turning them into leather like covers and then add our memorabilia in true mixed media collage form to create amazing covers for our journals.

-6:00p Tuscan cooking class & dinner

Thursday – Cortona
-Morning visit to outdoor market in Camucia
Fruit, vegetables, people, there will be no end of inspiration and a Quick Liquid Sketch can capture the moment so we can return to it later.

-1:00 Lunch

-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session

Depending on how many pages you’ve already completed, it may be time to create a second journal. We will stroll outside and find lovely spots to capture the beauty around us and enjoy returning to the moments captured from the mornings outing.

-7:30p Wine Tasting

-8:00p Evening dinner

Friday – Cortona

-9:00-12:00p Morning Session

Adding portraits to our journals will be the finishing touch. I will provide a number of ways to accomplish this that will suite the varied degrees of experience. Even if you’ve never drawn a face before, I’ll show you how to use my Portrait Sketch Stamps to create a one of a kind face. These were designed to work with the Sketch Ink and you will be amazed at how you can personalize the stamped image to make it truly your own.

-1:00p Lunch TBA

-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session

Now is the time to share our journals within our small group. We are all friends now, having shared this once in a lifetime experience and as we talk about our art, finish up our pages, exchange email addresses and take pictures, we will know we’ve bonded in a special way through our journals and our art.

-7:30p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner

Saturday – Departure

-Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona.

To find out more or to save your space click HERE

If you are interested in being put on a mailing list for updates about this Art Retreat Experience send an email to pcarrikersart@yahoo.com

Carving Time

July 16, 2011 By in art at the speed of life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Summer is speeding by and right smack dab in the middle of it I get sick. This happens to many of us and puts a damper on the outside activities. With my creativity at a low ebb along with my energy, I picked up my carving tool and some Jack Richeson Easy Carve Lino and used some of the designs I’ve been creating for stencil products. This is one of the ways I like to reuse artwork, by making art tools from it.

Focusing on the positive and negative space and the lack of color to distract, forces you to simplify and make every line count. The art becomes a sort of puzzle that you carefully put together to create impact. Less is more when carving stamps. There are no shades of grey, just black and white. Positive and negative.

Summer is a busy time, but it is still possible to carve time for art out of each day. Try something new like carving stamps, it only takes one tool, you can do it outside, and the stamps can be used for future projects.

Carving Tips

Use a sharp blade

Start with simple designs and work up to more intricate ones

Never cut towards yourself! Carve away from your hand holding the Lino

Use a bench hook/inking plate to carve safely http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-bench-hookinking-plate/

Cut a groove with V shaped tip around all of the design out lines and the carve away lino to that groove. This will help prevent cutting into the design lines.

Take your time and enjoy the process. This is something that takes time, it’s not a fast process but you can come back to it and spend a few moments on it throughout the day.

Ink your lino cut with a stamp pad to see areas that still need carving (see last two images)

I show some carving tips on my newly released DVD from Interweave Press, you can see a preview and order it HERE

Art Is…more doable!

July 3, 2011 By in art at the speed of life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

Happy 4th! I hope you’re all enjoying the celebration of our nations independence!!

In September I’ll be teaching at Art Is and I just received word that for one day only-tomorrow-they will be offering $50 off the full registration! This is for one day only…

ON MONDAY using the coupon code JULY4

Here is a look at the classes I’ll be teaching there

September Art Is…You, Peteluma, CA

Art Is…on the West Coast

Art Is…Petaluma Inaugural West Coast Retreat

The philosophy of “Art Is…You” is to create a moment in time where artists, whether they be faculty or students, can come together to share in their passion for creativity. To create, self nourish, replenish personal creative resources and to nurture not only individual souls but the souls of those around them. Whether creating something is part of your daily routine or indeed the closest to creating has been using a glue stick – there is something for everybody.

In 2011, Art Is…You will celebrate its 5th anniversary

Behind the Face

We will create a mixed media background using a variety of techniques, developing a perfect 8×10 backdrop to add a mixed media portrait to. I will deconstruct the drawing of a face to make it doable by everyone. Behind the face we will explore ourselves, through journaling. Our ‘thoughts’ will then be covered up by the face we create as we work on a self portrait of sorts that anyone can do. I provide full support for all skill levels in this class, offering a variety of ways to add a face within your comfort zone.

Class Kit-$10-payable to instructor at beginning of class includes:

  • 8×10 hardboard premium artist panel
  • Collage fodder you won’t find anywhere else
  • Charcoal pencil
  • Blending Stump
  • My favorite white gel pen
  • Sequin waste
  • Wooden stick tool

Students Should Bring:

  • Water container
  • Palette
  • 2” chip brush (or other cheap wide brush)
  • Paint Brushes, assorted

All other paints, mediums and materials supplied by the instructor

The Art of Pursuing Portraits

Self Portraits Journal Style using Conte Crayon

Creating a self portrait can be intimidating if you’re not accustomed to drawing faces. The KEY is to remember it doesn’t have to be an exact replica of your face. You are creating the ‘essence’ of you, not a mirror image, and this workshop is intended to help you do just that.

You will learn some simple techniques that teach the tonal values of shading and be able to create a self portrait that reflects the inner you by combining journaling and drawing as we practice sketching and creating pages in a Moleskine journal using Conte Crayon, pencil, and a kneaded eraser. When you get comfortable with the technique we will move on to create a final piece on 140lb hotpress watercolor paper that you’ll be proud to frame.

Class Kit-$15-payable directly to instructor at beginning of class

Includes:

  • Moleskine Paper backed Sketch Journal
  • Matchbox set of Conte Crayons
  • Blending stump
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Creating Faces booklet by Pam
  • 9×12 sheet of hot press watercolor paper
  • Students Should Bring:
  • Favorite sketching pencil(s)
  • Photo copy of a picture of them, sized to fit nicely on a 9×12 substrate

Shades of Grey “Colorized”

A unique variation of my ‘Shades of Grey’ online workshop

Creating art within the Shades of Grey provides a wonderful opportunity to explore shading, tonal values and see your art in a new way. We will explore the varying shades of grey using both Faber Castell Brush Tipped Artist Pens and graphite pencil in varying shades, and spending time creating solely in the grey tones, working on shading, values and various was to create ‘texture’ with pens. Then we will go a step further when and begin to add color in the form of paint and water soluble crayon to create journal style artwork that’s only limited by your imagination!

Class Kit-$12.00-payable to instructor at the beginning of class

Includes:
  • Strathmore Bristol Smooth 5.5 x 8 journal
  • 3 pencils, in soft, medium, and hard graphite
  • Blending stump
  • Kneaded eraser
Students Should Bring:

Copies of previous work for inspiration, if desired

One set of Faber Castell Pitt Brush Artist Pens Manga Shades of Grey

Information on this set: Manga, Set of 8 — Faber-Castell Manga markers are recommended by leading Manga artists for their performance and range of colors. Waterproof, smudgeproof, lightfast, archival-quality ink contains a high proportion of pigment. Set of 8 includes five markers in five shades of gray with brush tip, one black brush tip, one black medium brush tip, and one black superfine tip in a durable plastic wallet. A leaflet provides helpful hints and advice on getting started.

Creating Color Book Journal

Reinventing old work to create new pages in your Art Journal

Reusing your own artwork in your journal pages helps you get the most out of the time you put into creating art. By making copies of previous journal pages and other art you’ve created, you continually have a great stash of collage fodder right at your fingertips! You are able to revisit your art in a totally new way and create pages that are uniquely your own. We will use black and white copies of work and other black and white journal fodder to create a color book style page that we will build on with paint, pens and water soluble crayon, completely reinventing the original work.

Class Kit-$10-payable directly to instructor at beginning of class

Includes:
  • Strathmore 140lb Cold Press Visual Journal
  • Copies of some of my own journal pages
  • Special collection of journal fodder you won’t be able to get anywhere else!
  • All paints, mediums and other workshop materials are provided
Students Should Bring:
  • Paint brushes, assorted
  • Water container
  • Palette of some sort (can be a paper plate)
  • Black and white copies of your own artwork
  • Black marker (permanent)
  • Graphite pencil

 

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2011
Location: California
Register Here

Lights, Camera, Action, Create!

June 8, 2011 By in art at the speed of life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 19 Comments

One of the things I was busy with last month was traveling to Loveland, CO to shoot a DVD for Interweave.

Good thing you can’t see my knees because they were shaking!

The camera crew were so nice and helpful!

I got to hang out with Fiberartista Paula Phillips who was also shooting that day. We helped calm each other down!

and we realized very quickly how well our workshops complimented each other. Two styles, different mediums and so much information!

Here’s the promo video for Paula’s DVD.

We both had a little inspiration from Johnny:-)

This page shows some of the techniques I share in the DVD, and there are a whole host of things I’ve not done in workshops, all new and exciting along with a debut of my very own PCarriker Sketch Ink from Matisse Derivan!

  My DVD is now available for pre-order!