Michelle's blog

The first class that I took was called Story Painting with Punch by Gina Rossi Armfield.  I was hoping that I would really get something from this class since I incorporate a lot of images into the things that I make. What I got from the class is something I already knew. I need to understand composition better. The class didn't offer much work time which I really wanted. And by the time I asked for help there were so many people waiting to be helpd that I didn't get any. I think the class could have been better, should have been better. I think my frustration over lack of work time affected my ability to work when I could. My fault. If that happens to me again I will try to remain calm inside and stay focused. After the class I went straight back to my camper to continue working on the painting. Once I was on my own though, I found myself veering away from the concept of what had been suggested at the class and moving more towards my own style.

I tried. I even tried the next morning and night. I felt obsessed with this (and another) painting. I thought that if I had the right material to make it black on the edge that I would get it closer to what the class samples suggested. So, I added the black and... nothing. Still just as bad. Ah well. I am going to let them rest a bit and come back to them when the mood strikes me.

I wanted to share with you all my ArtFest experience. I have so many ideas running through my head that it isn't possible to write everything in one post. I wanted to start with a short post that sums up my experience, and then provide you with all the details in the next few days. First though, here is a picture of my lodgings.

This is one of the campers my husband lived in while in high school after his house burned down. It has been passed down to us. I love it! Old enough to paint, new enough to have a toilet and shower! Most people who attend ArtFest stay in the housing at the Fort, but there are camping spaces. So, my husband set this up for me. My own private art studio/apartment for five days. I realized that at the age of 37 this was the first time in my life that I had been by myself for more than a day or so. Wow. Thinking back, I would have that I would have been a bit anxious, but I wasn't.  I think I really needed the alone time. I haven't had it, but now that I have I know I need it.

 Ok, on to summing up ArtFest. While in high school I used to sing a lot. I would sing while walking down the halls at school and at other places. I am not sure why. I think I had a sense that no matter what stresses I was under that I had everything under control. Well, while at ArtFest I was walking across the grass and I found myself singing. Singing to myself. I was surprised. But it felt so good. I am not sure where the singing had gone since I was in high school but it felt so good to have it come back. Like a long lost friend that I finally found. One that I want to hug and not let go for a very long time. That was ArtFest for me. I'll share actual details tomorrow.

I am running out the door to go to ArtFest at Fort Worden.

Here is a quick picture of some of my trades.

About two weeks ago I took another basket making class. I can't remember what the name of the basket was supposed to be but I do remember it was supposed to be much taller than what I came up with. During the class I ran into a few problems, mainly that some of my materials were woven wrong side out and I wanted them right side out. So, I took some rows out a few times to fix it. Add that to me messing up the pattern a few times and I found myself pretty far behind. So, I decided I didn't need a tall basket and that a shorter basket would suit me just fine. Here are my two baskets (one I made a few months back) in an unfinished state.

In the next photo, I am getting ready to stain the baskets. I am using a stain provided by the instructor. As soon as I started applying the stain my eyes started itching really bad. I won't be using that stain again.

And here are photos of the baskets once they were stained. I am very pleased with them and will use them right away. I think I may use them to carry art supplies around it when I go to ArtFest next week!

I have been trying to get some things made up for ArtFest. I finally finished and mailed off my trading cards.

I made the trading cards by printing out an image that I had drawn onto watercolor paper. Then I painted each picture with watercolor paints. It was pretty fun and very relaxing. If I had a bit more time or imagination I would have added some type of clever saying in black in around the face, kind of like a border. But, since I was short on both I decided to leave them as is. I think they turned out pretty good. I am pleased with the fact that the card is all mine. No stamped image, collaged image or anything. It's something I drew. Hurray for that. (Although I won't be giving up my stamps or collage images any time soon.)

I also have fat book pages made and am in the process of making charms to swap with people in person at ArtFest. I have some really great images that I bought from LandOfEnchantment on Etsy that I am using for my charms. I just love the way they are turning out! I'll share photos when I get them finished.

I have been melting a little wax lately in my studio, trying to see what I can do with it. I really love the depth and texture that are created when images and paper are covered and textured with wax. I initially thought I would spend a day working on several different boards, just experimenting. But, one thing I realized is that it takes me a lot longer to work with the wax than I thought it would. Instead of having 5 or 6 different pieces/experiments, I was only able to do two. One is very ugly. I like the other one well enough for a first try. I really love the way it feels.

I think my next podcast will be about how to make something like this. Well, about how I make something like this. I am sure there are a ton of different ways to achieve the same technique. 

Hey everyone! I have a loom for sale. I have posted the info on Craigslist, but haven't seen any interest so far. Do you know anyone who needs a loom?

I am still practicing my Suzi Blu faces. I am also supposed to be practicing the bodies, but I don't feel like it much. I think it's because the bodies look terrrible. All the more reason to keep practicing.

We have been working on a fun little project that involves cupcakes. While the making of the cupcakes isn't then entire project, it did take up a bit of time. And, we had fun doing it.

I'll let you know when we finish the actual project, in the meantime, we have a lot of cupcakes to eat!

I signed up for an online workshop with Suzi Blu. I had been wanting to take one of her classes and jumped at the Angle's class. I didn't realize until after I started watching the videos that I wasn't quite ready for this class. So I signed up for a beginner class to get a better understanding of how to draw a face.  I drew several faces and then chose one to use for my angel.

Suzi suggests drawing a face on sketch paper and then tearing it out and gluing it to wood. This face is the foundation for the painting. After spending hours and hours drawing faces I couldn't bear to tear out the original drawing and glue it to wood. So, I scanned the image and then printed it out on nice matte photo paper that holds up real well to water and other liquid type stuff. I applied a layer of gel medium over the face and then began to add more details and color with colored pencils and paint.

It's hard to see, but the painting is covered with a layer of wax and a bit of colored wax as well. The wax, along with the molding paste wings give the painting great texture. I love texture! Anway, I finished the painting up the day before Christmas and gave it to my sister. I can't wait to try some of the other projects Suzi has in her workshops.