tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70953953535142352322024-03-07T20:58:57.729-08:00Creative Infusion"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
--Joseph AddisonAleta Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05114028270148539791noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-71746016190781988682014-01-02T11:22:00.001-08:002014-01-02T11:23:29.762-08:00This Blog is Moving!Hi Folks--<br />
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Aleta, here. Creative Infusion is moving to brand new home at Wordpress.com.<br />
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If you'd like to learn more about my most recent adventures in art or find out more about upcoming shows or events, please visit me at my new blog page:<br />
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<a href="http://1artiststatement.wordpress.com./">http://1artiststatement.wordpress.com.</a><br />
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There, you will find all my old posts, plus some new ones and...coming in 2014...some brand new features including an online shop where you can purchase original artwork, jewelry, and more right from my blog!<br />
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Have a lovely 2014!<br />
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Aleta.Aleta Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05114028270148539791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-49035745516101874182013-09-16T15:33:00.000-07:002013-09-16T15:33:14.706-07:00Cleaning Stencils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having a free Monday is a treat for me. Most of the time Mondays are a big clean up or finish up of the weekend. Not that we throw thrash and things around but you know those last dribs and drabs that didn't get done?<br />
With not too much to do around the house I gave myself the gift of creating today. I got my stencils* out, some silk tissue and fluid acrylics. Dabbing away I created some background papers for collage. That's a whole other blog post.<br />
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After stenciling and making lots of papers I found a great way to clean up stencils. It's safe and very effective.<br />
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Murphy Oil Soap** and some hot water is all that it takes to clean up many things. The soap is pure vegetable oil. I also use it to clean my paint brushes and brayers. It will bring back that nightmare brush you forgot to clean last week. Just soak the brush in half Murphy Oil Soap and water. Don't allow water level above the <i>metal ferrules</i> or you can loosen where the brush attaches to the handle. In a day or so that brush you thought you would have to throw away is soft enough to use after a good rinsing. Rinse until the soapy feel is gone.<br />
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For stencils use a shallow plastic tote***. Place hot water and the soap in the tote and submerge your stencils.<br />
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Tote size 14x11x3 1/2 inches<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTKdfwDTbiQ/Ujd-PH59v0I/AAAAAAAAATA/1xpN6YBoaMA/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTKdfwDTbiQ/Ujd-PH59v0I/AAAAAAAAATA/1xpN6YBoaMA/s320/IMG_3052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you are in a hurry you can scrub gently with your fingers, rubbing at the paint to remove it. You will be amazed at how quickly the paint will dissolve. I work for a long time with my stencils, and they will have many coats of colors on them, so I will let them soak overnight. I have forgotten them soaking in their little bath for days. But nothing happens to the stencil, but it just makes it easier to remove the paint. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnKjY1mZtXw/UjeA55qbciI/AAAAAAAAATM/uxHrcE2LwQc/s1600/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnKjY1mZtXw/UjeA55qbciI/AAAAAAAAATM/uxHrcE2LwQc/s320/IMG_3053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a short soak and the blue paint is almost gone<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> After rubbing the stencil in the soak for a minute. </span><br />
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When the stencils are clean rinse until all the soapy feel is off. Dry on clean cloth.<br />
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Go make more art with your clean stencils!<br />
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Resources: * StencilGirl Stencils http://stencilgirlproducts.com/<br />
** Murphy Pure Vegetable Oil Soap www.murphyoilsoap.com<br />
*** RE Large Clip Box by <i>Sterilite </i>www.target.comAleta Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05114028270148539791noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-49570707390668413062013-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:002013-06-01T13:00:59.431-07:00Absents Make For MessesAbsents does not always make the heart grow fonder. I have not been back here for a very long time....again. I think it was August 2012. Little did I know that someone sent me a message and I did not see it. They wanted to feature my blog posting about my trip to Taos, NM. I was thrilled. But as I was doing up dates and trying to get a new look to the blog I noticed that all my photos from the first ones to the last were missing. After much searching and "googeling" I found some forums that deal with these issues. There are many changes to Blogger, Google, Google + that I was not aware of. And all the code writers and whoever told them what to do did not see fit to tell a n y o n e that they were doing "things" and adding "things" that would cause people to loose their blogs and or photos.<br />
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Now, I love the computer, internet, e mails, blogs, music, photos, and all that goes with that. It seems we almost can't live without it. For some it can be an addiction. But that's another story. If you just "leave things" alone too long, you can loose not only your photos but you are now on a learning curve that is moving every nano second. And it can be very hard to catch up.<br />
I suggest that you do not leave your blog unattended for very long. And make sure you are seeing what is changing. Sometimes things improve and somethings you might want to opt out of them. But stay aware. <br />
My blog now is up dated and has a new look to it. I think that this lesson has taught me to write here more.<br />
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Life can be an adventure. Hold on and keep creating.<br />
<br />Aleta Jacobsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05114028270148539791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-5358143789403953782012-08-22T10:24:00.000-07:002013-06-01T10:18:49.329-07:00Create For YouAs I have said many times before, it's been awhile. You know how it goes. Minutes turn into hours; hours turn into days, and before you know it, it's been months. <i>Sigh.</i><br />
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The last time I wrote here, I had just come back from an intensive art study in Taos, NM. I was a bit frustrated back then. I had so much going on in my mind, I could not create. Well, I did try but everything seemed to be cliche, or not my best work. It was okay, but not exactly what I was looking for.<br />
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While on the trip to and from Taos, I had been taking photos of windows. The above is from Mabel Dodge Luhan's house. When I got to the classes at Taos, I told the instructors about my "love" of windows and they told me to explore the idea. I tried every way I thought would make a "good" painting about all those windows. The instructors, each with a different idea, would ask me questions to push me on. I fought with those paintings, and was ready to give up and let the windows go. I could not make the idea(s) work. I could not do the things that they suggested, or what I thought would work.<br />
After classes, back in the hotel, I would pour over artists on-line that I had grown to love.<br />
Nothing.<br />
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<i> Santa Fe, NM</i><br />
I have continued to work on different paintings with the idea of windows for the past three months. Only one really spoke to me.<br />
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<i> Dodge House</i><br />
After three months, I used the window idea and created something I like. It came out of my head and heart. Not what someone else was telling me to try and create. But, all those months of frustration was a path to here.<br />
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Back to the paintings that I created in Taos. I had pulled out two of the paintings and was going to "change" just a few things. Just "fix" a spot here and there to make it more me and to make it fit into what I thought would be a good mix of the window ideas. I started at six pm the other night, and painted and re-painted and "lifted" paint and re-painted again, until one am. I was tired and cranky and was in a panic. I felt that to let this go would be a failure. What was worse, I thought I had lost "it," the ability to create. If I stopped painting, went to bed and got some needed rest, I was giving up.<br />
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The last time I looked at the clock, it showed two-thirty am. When the alarm went off at six-thirty am, I got up to face the paintings that haunted me and made sleep restless. By ten am, I was working on them again. But even thought I had very little sleep and my defenses were down I began to collage over the paintings that were now all neutral, drab colors. Boxes of paint on the paper were gone. As I covered the paint with bright papers I thought back to one of the instructors at Taos, Alex Powers. He is a very political artist, and had encouraged me to tell the world--with my art--the theme I would like to convey of how we treat one another. How bullying is not okay, and that if we did just love each other as we love ourselves, this world would be a better place.<br />
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I pulled out a magazine that had some of Alex's work and read what he had written about his art and what he wanted to tell the world about our prejudices. I was hit with a shock, like hitting my crazy bone in my elbow. A jolt that ran through my body of what I wanted to tell the viewer of my paintings. "Don't" was created. It comes from the phrase that my dad always used. "Don't hate. Hate hurts the hater."<br />
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<i> Don't </i><br />
This is only part of the painting. The text is from an old dictionary that has the definition of hate.<br />
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I have moved to another subject that is near and dear to my heart: teaching and teachers. My daughter, daughter-in-law, and soon to be other daughter-in-law are all teachers. I have many family and friends that are teachers, and I feel that they don't get what they need and are treated badly. They are in-charge of our children's education and are up against the worst odds. We do not pay them what they are worth, and when things go wrong, we blame them, never thinking that the problem lies somewhere else.<br />
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After "Teach Me" I will go on to my next painting. I don't know the theme of what I will create but I will keep creating the message that I would like to inspire.<br />
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Alex Powers<br />
At <i>ISS</i> Taos, NM 5/12<br />
Thank you Alex.<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-42873308014823516972012-06-19T22:59:00.001-07:002013-06-01T10:32:22.665-07:00Trip to Taos, NM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On April 21st. a fellow artist and myself left for an intensive art seminar in Taos, NM.<br />
We were told to bring every little thing you might need for 8 days of creating. There are no art stores in Taos anymore. We filled a midsize SUV with our supplies, snacks, and cameras.<br />
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We arrived in Santa Fe, NM on Monday and spent the day walking the city and taking in all the art and food we could hold. I became taken with windows. Not sure why but I just kept taking photos of them.<br />
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Window in art colony in Santa Fe<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Window at Mabel Dodge Luhan House</span><br />
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Town Square in Santa Fe, NM with artists<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I think I took about 300 photos in all. Not all of windows but there are quite a few.</span><br />
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The workshop ran every day from 9am - 5pm. We painted and attended lectures with slide shows on different aspects of art and artists. <br />
Every night I went back the the hotel room very tired but so happy to have been painting every day. In the afternoons and early evenings we were able to do some sight seeing. Like our trip to Mabel Dodge Luhan House. If you don't know about Mabel, look her up. What an amazing person.<br />
It was so relaxing to be able to not worry about anything but showing up to paint. Letting the creative juices flow and watching the wonderful sunsets at the end of the day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dwellable.com/a/3294/New-Mexico/Taos/Vacation-Rentals" style="border: none;"><img src="http://www.dwellable.com/dwellback/3294.jpg" style="border: none; height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 102px;" /><br />Taos on Dwellable</a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-68214534329621799312012-04-01T23:15:00.000-07:002012-04-01T23:15:04.089-07:00Going to Santa BarbaraFor the past two years I have traveled to Santa Barbara for an art workshop. I am taking the workshop again this year.
I enjoy the presenter so much. He is Skip Lawrence. A great watercolorest plus he makes learning fun. Every morning before we start to paint he gives a lecture and slide show. He shows us paintings of the Masters and more contemporary paintings. Skip is never without a joke or two to loosen up the nerves. We take notes and talk about the paintings that we are drawn to. The past two years the lecture and slides are different. There are a few the same but he manages to keep it fresh and interesting.
The workshop starts tomorrow at nine o'clock A. M. But I drove up here today. I wanted to get a feel for the new hotel and go find the new venue for the workshop. After a quick drive around I grabbed some dinner (more on that later) ,went back to the hotel and decided to see how long a walk it would be to the venue. It was getting dark by the time I left but the walk was only twenty minutes. I felt much better finding my way around and knowing where I would be going.
Can you take the Girl Scout out of the girl? Guess not. Not this Girl Scout anyway.
About dinner... I had been to a certain Chineese restaurant last year but had a hard time remembering what it was called and where it was. After some Google and Yelp searches There it was. I think. My daughter is on this adventure with me and she was pretty sure this was the one we ate at before. As we drove up to the restaurant we both sang, "yes this is it!" great food and nice people. China Pavilion on Chapala St. For anyone wanting good Chineese food in Santa Barbara.
I have promised to blog about the workshop so will be here every night. There might not be any pictures though. My laptop is sick and I don't know how to do pictures with my iPad. So if things get better with the laptop I'll add photos.
Stay tuned in for an interesting week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-21027850618316748172012-03-19T00:01:00.001-07:002013-06-01T11:24:45.533-07:00"Make Writing a Happy Habit"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time seems to go so fast. It's the middle of March but it was just December, right? I find that I can get myself into too many things so fast that I am drowning in papers, photos of my work, and business. I have to work very hard to keep on a schedule. It's a habit that I have but sometimes forget. </div>
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Writer’s coach Cynthia Morris has been helping people get</div>
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their words out since 1999. She’s brought everything she</div>
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knows about how to get writing done to Make Writing a Happy</div>
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Habit. </div>
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<span class="s1">www.originalimpulse.com</span></div>
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This 6-week online class works for writers of all levels</div>
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and genres who are ready to focus on and enjoy their</div>
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writing.</div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.1automationwiz.com/app/?af=1436418">http://www.1automationwiz.com/app/?af=1436418</a></span><br />
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(<b>Update: </b>Unfortunately, Cynthia no longer offers this service. If anyone finds a good on-line writing workshop, let me know and I will post the information here.)</div>
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If you are a new writer or a seasoned one this class is for you. It will help you make a habit of writing. And, get and keep you focused.</div>
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You're not a writer? You only want to fling paint? Think of writing also. Write about your art or your process. I just had to write an Intention Statement for a workshop that I will be attending in Taos, NM. The statement could only be three sentences. I haven't done too much writing except here. I was very rusty and kept working and re writing until I thought I was going crazy. After many hours and lots of re writes it's done. </div>
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I use to use this blog for prompts for my Inland Empire CA Writers Club members. I would write a bit about something that had been on my mind and then post a prompt. </div>
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This is a famous photo that many writers have used for a prompt. Give it a try. </div>
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Don't know what to write? Where does this road lead? Is it morning or evening? What state is the road in? What's around the bend? </div>
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If you are a creative type you can cross over to other creative avenues. And I feel it is good for an artist to write now and then. </div>
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Check out the 6-week online couse at Original Impulse.com</div>
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Create something everyday!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-59910735852462952142012-03-09T09:57:00.002-08:002013-06-01T11:19:50.342-07:00Post Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As promised, photos of some of the papers that were created. The students said that they had a good time and now want to use the papers they created, in a project. So next Thursday which is our "Painting Day", they will bring their papers and a sub straight to create a collage. I am so proud of them.<br />
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The class was to start at 9:30am and be over at 2:00pm. We were throwing papers, inks and paint around until 3:30pm! They didn't want to stop. Some of the CirtaSolv papers were beautiful!<br />
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A mix of different papers.<br />
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Rubbings of stamps with pastels on newsprint paper.<br />
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A collage for collage, to copy/print to use in collages.<br />
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One of the hits of the day. FINE TEC Pearl Colors, watercolors. Shimmery!<br />
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Teaching these classes has given me so much. I enjoy working with the students and I am so happy when they create something that they are proud of and like. Their joy inspires me. I get so much out of these classes that I never knew I would. I was hoping to fill a need from some students of art, that had requested I teach some classes. I had no idea that there were all these added benefits to bring me such joy. I am so grateful to my students. You are Art Stars! <3<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-59084873570083129802012-03-07T17:10:00.000-08:002013-06-01T11:22:45.951-07:00Collage Paper Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My hubby and I spent the day setting up for my new class, Collage Paper.<br />
Four people have signed up for the class and I am so excited to share all the ways to make papers for collage.<br />
We will be altering brown paper bags, newsprint, newspapers, card stock, tissue paper, Mulberry papers and National Graphic Magazine pages. Watercolors, acrylics, fluid acrylics, Glimmer Mist, coffee, Distressing inks, gesso and CitraSolv cleaner will be splashed around all day.<br />
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The weather was so nice today that I thought it would be great to have the class outside. It's suppose to be warm tomorrow also. I think the back yard looks like an art retreat.<br />
I will have coffee and snacks for the students so they can keep their energy up throughout the day.<br />
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Who wouldn't want to make art on a beautiful day? I'll post the work in progress tomorrow. Stay tuned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-78083055430426727152012-02-17T10:37:00.000-08:002013-06-01T11:40:27.826-07:00Collage Class 2/16/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some friends/fellow artists kept asking me to teach a class. I wasn't sure and was a bit worried. But I got over that and did it. After a failed attempt a few months ago in a different venue I decided to try to teach this class here at my home. The students made two framed pieces of collage artwork, a gift box and collage jewelry (earrings and pendants).<br />
With great success one person had never done any kind of collage or design. See her work above.<br />
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This artist had done collage before but had never had a design class. She was quite successful.<br />
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Artist number three has had many classes and she was one that encouraged me to teach a class. She is a wonderful artist and also enjoyed the design part of the class. <br />
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This is her jewelry. The pendant was made by collageing bits of colored paper onto gessoed watercolor paper. I directed them to cut out traditional shapes for the earrings and pendents. But this student saw two profile pictures and cut her pendant out to show them. It is a wonderful piece. Plus she has a set of earrings to match.<br />
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I am so proud of these students. And they where very pleased. The class moved a a good pace and we were able to finish with a bit of time to spare. I am inspired to teach another class. A request was made for a class on paper. Not just paper but how to tint tissue paper to use in collage and some other great papers to make for their stash. Collage artists are hoarders of papers and such.<br />
After the class I was tired but felt really good. Everything I had semi planned worked. It worked for the students and it worked for me. I was satisfied. But, when it came time to go to sleep with a big smile on my face....I asked, "So, where did all this come from? Silly rabbit, you didn't even have an actual lesson plan!"<br />
As I lay awake asking these questions...it hit me. Two great teachers that I have been taking classes from for about three years. This is where I received my education on Design and Color. They are Skip Lawrence and Topher Shinks. I could not wait to get up this morning to send them an e mail of thanks and gratitude. I hope I made them feel as good as my students made me feel.<br />
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"Create Something Everyday!" <br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-57558109766218648442012-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:002013-06-01T11:45:37.738-07:00Vacation Backlash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a wonderful vacation in Brookings, OR on the coast I was ready to get home. We were gone for 9 days. My husband and I drove. Well, I drove and he was co pilot. We were with his family in OR. They had rented a big house on the beach and we all enjoyed the view among other things . We ate, laughed, put a puzzle together, laughed, visited and caught up with each other. Had a beer tasting and discussion. OR is very passionate about beer. Oh and did I say laughed?<br />
We went up there to support a cousin who is a dean for Southwestern Oregon Community College. The cousin, Jan, worked to get a new campus built in Curry County. She did it all with help, but was "the chief" in charge. Jan is an artists and used what she learned in her art life to get the land donated, what kind of tile went in the restrooms, the recycle cans and the chairs that went in the Commons. Someone said that she sculptured the campus. We were so proud at the grand opening when Jan gave her Thank You speech. One of the donations came from the Harvey Mudd foundation. We are so proud of Jan.<br />
We left for home on Saturday 1/28 and really took our time coming home. I took pictures and we visited some small towns that were very interesting. We arrived home on Tuesday 1/31. Tired but feeling like we had been gone for a month.<br />
I was itching to bet back to creating something. I had visited some galleries on our trip and was feeling like I needed to put some paint on something. I had gone to an Mono Print Class just before the trip. It was great to get back to printing again.<br />
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These are just two of the many prints I was able to complete in one day. No titles yet.<br />
On Thursdays I have three to four fellow artists come over for a painting day. I was so happy to get back with my friends and create yesterday. I worked on some of my jewelery that I have orders for. You can see some of my creations in Claremont's "A Brush With The Past" (owned by another friend, Anne Seltzer). I'm taking these into A Brush... today.<br />
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Create Everyday. It is something that will bring you much joy and it has been known to heal many afflictions. Check back for a posting on the healing powers of ART! <br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-67155968199961426602011-12-30T15:43:00.000-08:002013-06-01T11:52:41.490-07:00The After Christmas Decorations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know the way you pack a suite case when you are leaving on a trip? You make everything fit. But when you go to re pack your stuff to come home it's hard to make it work. You didn't even add anything and all your stuff just won't fit. This is my story of my Christmas Decorations.<br />
I had my hubby take all the boxes down the first part of December. I sorted through each box. Tossing things that were beyond keeping or donating. I gathered boxes to give some ornaments to the kids that are now out on their own. I made a very big pile to donate. Why is it that I can't put the few things that we used back into the boxes? It might be that when I am done with all the decorating and want to move to next phase of the season I start taking things down and put them in the boxes that are handy. So now I'm left with two strings of garland this little Swedish angel chime thing and a Santa candle holder. They will go into a box soon but not sure if they will fit.<br />
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What to do with all the Holiday cards? I use to keep them until the next year. They were always in a box that was handy that I could get to. I'd go through them in November and do a head count so I knew about how many cards to make. I have been making my Holiday card from the time I took a block printing class in high school. When the kids were small and we didn't have much money I'd make our cards to send out with the fronts of the cards we received the previous years. This year they will go in the recycle can. They are very pretty or cute but I am getting to the point where I want to minimize this kind of thing.<br />
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A friend and I were talking and she said someone told her that the time after Christmas and before New Years is a bummer of a week. All the stuff with the Holiday, good or bad has past and she just wants to get to the next thing: New Years. She starts taking decorations down right away and then makes the most of this kind of blah week waiting for the new year to begin.<br />
I feel at a loss during this week. It doesn't feel right to start another project. But I just want to get back in my studio. I did have a burst of creative energy just before Christmas. I took some of my pages that are altered with CitraSolv and worked on some faces.<br />
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Happy New Year to all. May you have good creative juices flowing in 2012.<br />
Create something every day. <br />
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-56019402219816212712011-12-06T23:09:00.001-08:002013-06-01T12:02:33.162-07:00A Day At Trails End RanchFriends love you no matter what. You can be away from them for a long time and when you get back together you pick up right where you left off. It's been awhile since my friend Laura and I have got together. <br />
Today I went to Laura's place. I say place because she lives on 52 acres in the hills above Claremont. She lives there with her husband, 2 warm and loving dogs, all the wildlife you can imagine in our foothills and some horses. I love going there. It's like leaving the rest of the world behind and going on a retreat.<br />
Most of the time Laura and I get together we have lunch, and create. We make journals, resin papers, paint, tear paper and laugh a bunch. We were to create today too. I had some ideas of things to try. And Laura was going to help me with my blog posts. I brought lunch. She had dessert waiting. We ate, talked, laughed and pet the dogs in her warm and cozy kitchen. It's so relaxing there. Laura has her art work all around. From sculptures, to journal pages to collage artwork hanging on the walls. She also has artwork from friends on display.<br />
After lunch and a yummy dessert we moved to the work room. Laura showed me some things on Blogger. It was a good lesson on how to post pictures to my blog. Then...we sat and talked and laughed some more. Out the large windows we watched deer walked through the yard and a big old owl flying around. We never did get the art supplies out. But that's okay. <br />
The sun was setting and I really didn't want to leave. I took one last look out the windows at the beautiful view of the valley, watched a large deer wander though the back yard and said good-bye.<br />
"It's a long and winding road that leads to your door" and I am so grateful to have you in my life Friend. Thank you for sharing your life and beautiful surroundings with me. You truly live in a sanctuary.<br />
Now I will try and post a photo.<br />
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Not bad. It took me awhile but I got it. <br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-67539200860726419342011-11-30T08:16:00.001-08:002011-11-30T08:30:11.412-08:00Collaging Into the NightAfter a day and night of creating I thought it would be good to take a break.<br />
Getting ready for an exhibit, show or art sale takes it's toll on my brain and body. I still believe that art can heal and it does have restorative powers. I am living proof. Creating all day and into the night does an over load though. It's like taking too much of your medication. The prescribed amount is what should be ingested. I think I over indulged. I went to bed late and woke up with a headache, fuzzy in the brain and feeling dehydrated. Art hangover? Things could be worse. So I'm drinking more water today an not spending all day and night in the studio. But the hair of the dog and all that.<br />
So...back to work creating for the Gypsy Sister's art sale that starts on Friday afternoon. You know Edvard Munch, artist that painted "The Scream"? Well, that's me screaming until Friday.<br />
Go Create!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-30675034723602463912011-11-25T11:08:00.001-08:002011-11-25T11:11:00.749-08:00Making Some ChangesUpdated some links and added some new ones that you all might like to check out. <br />
Would like your constructive criticism on my new format of the blog.<br />
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-6320947583953630662011-11-25T09:24:00.001-08:002011-11-25T09:54:20.646-08:00Infusing Art and WritingWorking with an a coach can get you going. They have fresh eyes. They listen, or they should, to your ideas, hopes and wondering how to put it all together. I have tried a few coaches. Some not so good. I think a coach needs to be patience. I know that one I worked with was a bit quip. But I have found a jewel. She is Laura Bray http://katydiddys.blogspot.com/.<br />
We have been working together for a few months and I will say that I am more productive, focus and energized to get my artwork completed and participate in the shows and art sales that I am interested in.<br />
<br />I will be participating in a show that I have attended for many years. It is Gypsy Sisters and their brothers. I always wanted to be a part of this group and now I am. Our art sale will be Dec. 2, 2011. 4-9pm. Dec. 3, 10am-7pm and Dec 4, 10am-5pm. We will have the basement area of the United Church of Christ in Claremont, CA. 233 W. Harrison Ave. <br />
Hope you can come by. There will be 30 artists with some of the most wonderful art.<br />
And if you are wondering if hiring a coach is a good idea, I'd say yes. Just make sure that you shop around. If it is someone that does not ask you what you want to do or has their own ideas for you then they will not work for you and what you want to accomplish.<br />
Happy Creating!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-16760544534322226812011-08-05T09:13:00.000-07:002011-08-05T09:13:09.119-07:00Getting Art TogetherIt's been awhile. Things happen. Things change. Things get in the way.<br />
I have been going non stop with art this year. I have some good classes under my belt and some great times sharing art with friends. The classes have a side benefit. You meet new people or you reconnect with people you have met before. All the art energy that is let out in a class can be overpowering. It's like constant little electric shocks or massive jolts. All the caffeine in the world can't give you what the infusion of creative influence can when you are with 2 to 15 other artists creating.<br />
When I finish a class I am spent. I feel that I might not create again. But...after things settle down in my mind and I'm home putting things away from the class. I go back in my studio and sit. There are so many things that can come pushing back into my mind but like a good meditation I bring myself back to an empty mind. It can be a challenge. So like a Lamaze child birth I...breath and find a focal point to gaze on. Art ideas grow like time laps photography. Seed to full idea in a few minuets. But sometimes it takes days or weeks. That's fine with me. <br />
After an art day with a friend Laura, the creative infusion is different but with the same intensity as being in a class with 15 other artists. But I don't bring myself to creating the same way. Once I'm home; I dig through my bags that I cart my art stuff back and forth in, papers, mat medium, and brushes are spread out on my work table. I finish the last thing I was working on or I put it on my easel to critique. When 2 artist work together it's a different electric shock that feeds the creative process.<br />
If you want a jolt to your creative endeavors, take a class, meet with a fellow artist or writer.<br />
And see what happens.<br />
Create Everyday! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-45698645908090168522011-03-27T10:27:00.000-07:002011-03-27T10:38:29.217-07:00Another Creative ClassI took a soldering class yesterday. I knew how to solder before but had not used my tools or created anything for about 2 years. Showed up at Garden of Beaden in Upland, CA with tools to create a decorated old bottle. Being the over zealot art freak that I am I decided to do 2 bottles at once.<br />My soldering iron was on the blink and then got so hot that I melted the copper tape that is put down first to solder onto. Not my best day but I was creating. There was electric problems and a class of 6 women had false starts but great endings. The participants took away at least the start of a decorated bottle or a complete with "necklace" donned bottle. My are just starts and you can view them on Facebook.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-39284659858530389992011-02-02T21:05:00.000-08:002011-02-02T21:21:35.274-08:00New Art BooksI just bought some new art books. Not too exciting for you maybe, but for me it was. One is titled "A Daily Creativity Journal 365 Make Something Every Day And Change Your Life". The author gave himself a task of creation an original artwork every day for a year. He chose to make Skulls. And he challenged his readers to do the same. You can make it anything you want. It could be a poem, short story, small piece of artwork, even a skull. The most well known is the Julie/Julia Project. Another is Noah K. Everyday. Photographer Noah Kalina has been taking photos of himself every day since 2000.<br />I have not committed to anything yet. This kind of project could take over. Just think of poor Julie. And I tend to drop things when I get in over my head. I will say that I am thinking about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-85270597895475593532010-08-17T09:04:00.000-07:002010-08-17T09:14:04.875-07:00I can see that life can get too too busy. I get on the ball that is my life and keep rolling along as if something would happen to me if I just stepped off. I could. Don't know why I don't.<br />I remember a time when I first had my skate board. In the 60's. I was rolling down the sidewalk like I was gas powered. Down hill and around the corner. I knew I was going way too fast but wasn't sure how to slow down or even get off the darn thing. As I came to another corner I saw a large viridian (green) lawn. I just leaned over toward the grass and rolled into the yard. My skate board kept going around the corner and down the street into a car.<br />I'm now going to try and roll into that green grass again and let the skate board go...<br />In need of a rest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-15291587004937294562010-05-12T22:55:00.000-07:002010-05-12T23:26:59.559-07:00Birthday bluesI did not want this birthday. I knew it would still come, but I thought that maybe I could stop it or head it off for a year or two I'd feel better. Deep down I knew it was coming and there was not a thing I could do. So I mourned. It is what we do when we lose things in our lives. We cry and grieve. And there is a process that we go through to come out the other side. There's some pain and feeling like we have not slept well for awhile. It seems a sand storm has pelted our eyes and they are scratchy. Our mouths and brains are parched. It's sometimes hard to put thoughts together. And our stomachs and chests ache with loss. This is mourning.<br />So I was morning my birthday? Yes. Silly? Yes. It's a big one. I am not saying what the number is but it's like the one before you're 30, or 40, or the the other big ones. Yes I was blue and I could not stop the birthday just like I could not stop the blues. It seemed that I was "misting up" with every comment my husband made and any little puppy or cat that I saw. I was hurt that my kids were not calling with plans to celebrate even thought I didn't feel like celebrating. This was the blues big time.<br />Mother's day came first and my wonderful daughter-in-law came over and cooked brunched for our family. We were all together. I was happy and just forgot about the birthday. It was a good day, good food and lots of laughs.<br />There is this thing called Facebook. You must have heard of it. Well the birthday wishes started coming and they have not stopped. It feels so good to be remembered. On my birthday my daughter-in-law took me to dinner. A great young woman. I will have dinner on Friday with my son and his girlfriend (just as good as being a daughter-in-law, another great young woman also). On Saturday I have a date with my husband for dinner and maybe a movie.<br />I love this birthday. After going through all the blue days and having the wishes for a good day and year, birthday cards and time with my family, I am through with the mourning.<br />This year will fly by as all the others have but I feel better and stronger.<br />Good by blues. And Thank You for all the best wishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-91230151861879048122009-10-10T10:28:00.000-07:002009-10-10T10:51:48.839-07:00Locked OutThe benefits of hiding a key outside are many. You can be gone and know that the cleaning people will get in. You can be out to lunch and know that the contractor can let himself in and keep working on the house. AND the biggest benefit is when you get locked out you can get in and not have to break down a door.<br />My story...<br /><br />Monday night I was tired. I decided I was not going to cook and ordered out. Going to pick it up seemed a lot easier. I fed our 3 cats and 1 dog in the garage, Lara, Fivel, Abe and Wilbur. But what I did not know was that I must have hit the button on the door from the kitchen into the garage.<br />Every other door was locked and only the very small window in my son's old room was open. If I did go in that way I would have had to gone head first and with nothing to break my fall I thought better of trying that.<br />So the only thing I could do was break the lock on the door. WELL let me tell you it <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">was</span> one strong lock. I did try to get the door off the hinges but with it so close to the garage wall I could not pry it off. So I drilled, hit the knob with a hammer and wedged a screwdriver under the flange but nothing worked. I began to drilling at the wood around the knob. Blasted thing. I was using the crow bar and hammer and things would not budge. By the way, Sears' screwdrivers are in-destructible. I used a large one and the shaft of it was bending but it held. After 45 mins. I poked through to the inter workings of the lock part and then broke it out of the wood with the mighty screwdriver. PHEW!<br />I was hungry and more tired and needed a drink of water. Or something stronger.<br />But I forgot that I had taken the pins out of the hinges and the door, yes very heavy as it is a fire door, fell on me and I caught it. But I was in. I had royally freaked the cats out and as soon as the door was free Fivel and Abe were hiding in the loft of the garage. My husband came home from work to put the door back up at 9 pm. Hubby just chuckled and told me I was a force to be reckoned with. He said that he was glad that I hadn't found the axe!<br />Yes I'm sore and my wrists and neck hurt. Oh boy do they. I could not sleep so was a bit out if it the following day. I start next week working for Dan, our contractor, on his demolition crew. I have to wait until my wrists are back to normal. Not really, I would not want to work like that every day.<br /> Our good friend David, from Dan's crew came and put a new door in with the same kind of lock. Today I will hide a key outside. {:>)<br />Lesson learned.<br /><br /><br />p.s. Yes I did get my dinner. After I ate I had an upset stomach. Guess all that adrenaline and spicy pasta don't mix.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-69775131773812542542009-09-14T19:39:00.000-07:002009-09-14T21:04:27.841-07:00Art and words"Leave my loneliness unbroken!"<br />~The Raven<br />I was a big scardy cat when I was a kid. Many things would set me off. A fear would run through me and no amount of talking to myself could calm me down. Most of the time it was at night. The house was still, the parents turned off the tv and shut things down for the evening. And fears took off.<br />One year I was worried about witches. It seemed everywhere I looked, or anything I read had a witch. I pushed my bed up against one of the walls so there would be no way that anyone could come up behind me as I slept. I would make sure that my back was to the wall or I would sleep on my back. If "they" did get into our house, that was locked and blotted because of my dad's fears, they couldn't sneak up on me.<br />I was still awake when my parents went to bed one evening. Everything checked and re checked by dad, even the heat was turned off. As I tossed around from my back to my side I heard the "rapping, rapping at my chamber door." My door was not shut and the more I listened to the rapping, it sounded more like stepping, stepping walking down the hallway to my room.<br />The steps were very deliberate. Not fast, not slow. Even.<br />I listened to these steps for what seemed like twenty minuets. The hallway was only twelve feet long, so the person coming down the hall would have had time to come into my room, clean it, grab me, walk away slowly into the night and then cut me into little pieces.<br />I made up my mind that I need to time the steps and see if they were coming for me or just walking up and down the hall. I got my little alarm clock and watched the time go by.<br />"Only this, and nothing more."<br />"Darkness there, and nothing more."<br />"Merely this, and nothing more."<br />'Tis the heater cooling and nothing more.<br />It took many days before I mustered up courage, got out of bed, went into the hallway, then to the cooling wall heater where it rapped and tapped it's stepping sounds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-64816840228819357862009-09-05T12:17:00.000-07:002009-09-05T12:55:47.451-07:00After A Long TripThe trip was a "long and winding road." I will now be writing and continuing making art.<br />The road that I've been on has included writing and art but the path took me many places.<br />I will write. I am committed to Creative Infusion. It has been said before. And the commitment has been here before also. Life needs to be somewhat guided for me. To fit everything in that I want to do will look like a class schedule for an over achiever. My parents would laugh.<br />This will look a bit different as I will add all art related info. Said that before.<br />We need to help and connect now more than ever.<br />I have friends that have lost their jobs and still trying to create. When you don't have a day job it's hard to keep the creative juices flowing. Paying the rent or mortgage becomes more important.<br />So, to try and keep the juices flowing and lend a ear, Creative Infusion is back.<br />Here are some lists of art shows and the like. If you would like your show added or info listed please contact me. We will spread the word.<br />Associated Artist 25th Annual Show -- Sept. 25th - 27th @ Victoria Gardens Community Center<br />National Collage Society's 25th Annual Exhibit November 6th - December 31st @ Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA<br />Art Box Studio Art Show November 21 2:00pm - 9:00pm @1302 Monta Vista Ave unit 9<br />Upland ,CA<br />Cabrera's: An Eclectic Art Gallery 637 W. Second St., Pomona, CA (909) 230-1926/carcari@hotmail.com (she also does affordable framing)<br />Want your info here? Let me know.<br />Have a great week.<br />~ aletaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095395353514235232.post-9039059787469111492008-08-15T09:28:00.000-07:002008-08-15T09:31:24.070-07:00Making a CommitmentOnly those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.<br /><br />— Robert F. Kennedy<br /><br />Hello Writers,<br />Life happens as they say. Whoever "They" are.<br /><br />Things have kept me from my writing and art. It is hard to let things go because life gets too crazy or things, (again with the things) get in the way.<br />Summer held the idea of lots of leisure time. I did have some of short trips to Cambria, CT, and the beach. But the other weeks, days, and hours have been spent on the run and putting my kitchen back together. The kitchen is almost done, still some little things left to do.<br />The other "things" is doing too much and not making myself take care of my writing and art.<br />The doctor and dentist appointments are musts but the things of running in circles seem to beget more circles and mazes have me hung up.<br />So what do I do? I signed up for Mike Foley's class. This is my way of getting back my focus. This will MAKE me write. And I hope it will keep me up on my prompts.<br />I was talking to a fellow artist yesterday and she said that she always needs a commitment and to state it out loud to someone. So she told me that she was going to put her sketch book on her bedside table. She sometimes wakes with ideas early in the morning.<br />What do you do to get your focus back? Have you let summer, the fun of it, or being bogged down by it, keep you from writing.<br /><br />Use the prompt of our contest to write today.<br />"The road less traveled"<br /><br />*And enter your writing.*<br /><br />See you at the Aug 23 th meeting. And let Kathryn know if you want to read something.<br />Have a great rest of the week and weekend.<br />AletaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0