On Saturday, March 7th, my sweet daughter (River, 9) and I will be traveling to beautiful Lake Toxaway, NC to teach the Bookmaking Bonanza! at the Earthshine Lodge.
In this workshop, we will make 5 mini books in 5 hours. Can we do it? Children ages 6 years and up are welcome to join us with an adult. This is a great workshop for mother/daughters, besties, couples and makers of all types. Please join us!
(Click the image below for more details and to register).
While teaching my ‘Rust Printing + Mark Making’ workshop back in April, one of my student introduced me to Gelli Plate printing. I had been looking into the process for awhile and after checking out her Instagram feed, I was HOOKED. I came home that weekend and ordered myself several plates and did what most artists do when learning a new technique—I obsessively scoured Pinterest for visual inspiration and watched YouTube videos until my excitement led me to my studio.
I tried multiple techniques and was not happy with the results. I tried cheaper, more fluid acrylics. I tried heavier bodied acrylics. I tried spray inks. I made a MESS. I threw many prints into the recycling bin.
Then I got SICK. Every few years, seasonal allergies will kick my butt. This was one of those years. My throat was raw, I had a persistent and painful cough. I eventually lost my voice (which is fun when you teach art to young children). And the best part—I got several tick bites that became swollen and a rash spread over my entire torso.
During the recovery process, I spent a weekend resting and took this time to play around with my plate. I made dozens of prints. Below are some of my faves…
It took a few days of rest but I did recover from both the allergies and the bites. I am looking forward to using these prints in a new body of collage work and covers for new mini booklets for my upcoming show in December.
On Friday, April 5th, I joined 14 VT students to create one-of-a-kind mini handmade books as part of a class entitled Mindful Makers. This was the second semester I have been invited onto campus to be a part of this class. Isn’t it funny how others see us in regards to how we see ourselves? When I was originally invited to join the class, I remember how honored I was to be thought of as ‘mindful’ in my making.
Working with young adults that know how to (and love) work with their hands is a treat!
A VT student is learning how to ‘convince’ the decorative paper that it wants to wrap around the book board.
Here the Instructor discusses with the class their final projects as we admire the uniqueness of each piece
Yes…mini handmade books are the cutest…these students nailed it!
This class has inspired me to become more intentional in my mindfulness in regards to the way I create. I try to weave mindfulness into every class, workshop and camp I facilitate. Breathe, be in the present and focus on workmanship.