:: For the Week of June 6th ::
So as I get back into the swing of things, I'm thinking of the thrilling experience of having painted with Flora at The Makerie.
I learned so much from the experience ... but I think the single lasting lesson from the experience is her message during the class ... actually toward the end of class, when she dared us to make a bold move. What a concept. Make a bold move. Regardless of whether you love or hate or feel indifferent about your painting, add a bold new color, add a bold new stroke, break away and take yourself to a new place.
I mean in terms of painting, there's this trick that our mind plays that says once you've laid down the paint, that's it. It's forever. You literally have painted yourself into a corner and you can't get out. But you know what? You can turn the canvas, you can paint over your first layer. And over that layer again. There's always a way out. And interestingly, the layers beneath don't ever disappear, really. They remain beneath the surface, and an integral part of your story.
The concept of making bold moves I think has applications to all facets of life. Our families, our careers, our friends. It takes guts to make bold moves and redefine healthier boundaries with dysfunctional family members. It takes audacity to break away from the pack in terms of our professional paths and for lack of a better term, follow our passion. It takes courage to expunge friendships that are toxic and stand up for our values.
Being a maker of bold is definitely not for the faint of heart. That's why it's called bold.
Throughout my life, I occasionally meet people who unbeknownst to them, become my role models. These role models help me gain focus on the topic that they are known for, as I channel their wisdom, their strength, their essence.
One of my role models when it comes to focus, productivity, and sensibility is Quinn McDonald, who writes regularly about the many facets of what it takes to succeed in the creative world. She has an unusual knack at teaching lessons with a memorable firmness but never with offensive dogma. With insight but always with humility.
I'm honored that Quinn is teaching me and all CRESCENDOh readers with her weekly installments in The Good Coach department. This week, she talks about the importance of throwing out the parts of our lives that aren't working for us. So much to think about.
Many thanks to Quinn for sharing with us every week this month.
NOTES:
It happens every time when I open a package from Rachel Emilie Jackson.
I am completely blown away with the magnificent impact that her paper creations make ... especially considering that the elements she uses are simple, humble, pure, clean.
Like this lovely little muslin pouch that she adored with a little bit of rubber stamping, and a little bit of stitching. And once opened, out pours the littlest mother-of-pearl buttons, with strips of torn vellum that are typed with magical words for the season.
And a card with a small sprig so beautifully placed with other small treasures and a message that does remind me that indeed, it is the smaller moments, the littlest details that create the most exquisite and most impactful beauty to be known. Thank you, Rachel.
Peace.
Check out this wooden collage piece that I made at Silver Bella. I learned how to make it in a class titled The Secret in a Bottle taught by Lisa Kaus.
I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. And more than anything, I'm just so excited with all that I learned. During the class, as Lisa was demonstrating her techniques and opening our eyes to some of her favorite art supplies, I had to contain myself because I was just so dang excited with all the new information.
And I could tell that all the other students were experiencing the similar excitment ... Lisa is an amazing teacher ... with great energy and skill. And the students loved her.
I've known Lisa and worked with her for so many years ... and am blessed to call her friend. (We are working on a new project together which I'll be sharing as it unfolds.)
She has worked so hard to make things happen as she continues to push herself and push her art to new and wonderful levels. I'm especially proud of the ways in which her works are now able to reach a larger audience through her licensed products. Tidbits of life, love, laughter and art ... and always authentic to who she is. Bravo to Lisa.
PS: If you're in the market for a 2011 wall calendar, check out the one designed by Lisa here. It's beautiful.
PS2: Check out Lisa's ART SAVES story here. (Lisa will be returning in 2011 as an alumni curator to provide us an update on her continued journey as an artist and a fresh batch of her most favorite links. Stay tuned.)
Check out this fabulous piece of art I made at Silver Bella. Isn't it cute? I just love it. I love everything about it. It's a piece that I made during one of Lynn Whipple's class where I learned so much by watching her masterful demos and receiving all the knowledge that she so generously passed on to the students. And the students really loved Lynn. Deservedly so.
During Silver Bella, I also had the privilege of being roommates with Lynn. What fun we had! Though we have worked together for quite some time (including some current special projects that are percolating) I had never met her in person. Lynn is not only an incredible artist, but one of the most warm, friendly, smart, hilariously funny, and deeply in-touch people I've met. A class act all the way.
In 2011, Lynn will be leading a collage class in our Creative Lab where she will teach and demo her very unique collage techniques. Lots of fun to be had. Stay tuned. :)
{NOTE: It's funny that this art and these words "awkward mouse" is what I ended up making. I think it's because believe it or not, I am shy by nature. And especially when I attend new events (like Silver Bella) I get nervous and wonder if I'll fit in. It's something that probably a lot of us go through, right? And when I feel that nervousness, I sometimes feel like an awkward mouse. But you know what? I think that's OK. It's OK to feel nervous sometimes. I think that's what keeps us real and humble and causes us to work hard at being attentive and treat others with respect and sincerity.}
For many, Carol Parks was known as a lover of art and of artists. And it's true. She loved art. She loved artists. And she did a great job helping the art world in different ways, including the classes that she facilitated through her studio.
Carol was more than that. She was a recording artist of many songs ... songs she began to sing into a microphone as a young girl ... songs she would nail on the first and fiery take in the recording studio. This I learned as I worked with her on an article about her earliest memories of childhood.
Carol was a friend. A lover of Valentine's day. A good mom. And the consummate hostess who opened up her home ... frequently on Valentine's Day to share her love of goodies and all things pink with her guests. This I learned as I had the honor of enjoying in her festivities just this past Valentine's Day.
Carol was ill. But ever hopeful. And fighting and struggling to grow stronger. This I knew as we worked together on her ART SAVES story that she shared just a few months ago.
Now she is gone. No longer here. This I know. This I know.
Life is short. And through all the blood, sweat and tears, we all seek to make our marks. I am grateful for the mark Carol made on so many ... from her days as a child singer all the way until her recent passing. Our art community is better for her having been a part of the landscape. She will be missed. And with all respect and love that is due, we offer condolenses to her family and pray that Carol will rest in peace.
With wings clipped and feet tied, she elected to survive still.
And to reach for the red tutu ... until raggedy it became.
To don over the pain, her daily dress ... as she elected to survive still.
To hear the music still.
To dance still.
She dances still.
NOTES & DISCOVERIES:
One of the things that students of Crafting My Best Life have been doing is illustrating our life stories through a crafted self-portrait. A process that allows us to embrace and honor all of what has happened to us ... including the good and bad. One of the class participants is none other than Cynthia Shaffer, who I'd like to thank for allowing me to share her illustrated self-portrait here ...
Our class group has been able to share the significance behind our stories in our Creative Lab and together enjoying many aha moments. And truly amazing stories and self-portraits have been shared. In terms of Cynthia's self-portrait, many of us were all found ourselves asking her: "How did you make that face?"
So I asked Cynthia if she'd answer that question for all of us. (NOTE: I first met Cynthia years ago when she was my sewing and quilting teacher. Later in 2011, her brand new book about quilting with Lark Books will be released. Hold onto your buckles, it'll take your breath away. Also in 2011, she'll be teaching online art quilting and creative sewing classes in the Creative Lab that will knock your socks off.) Anyway, here's how Cynthia answered the question about how she made the face. Enjoy! And see you at The Lab. :)
Check me out with Klai Brown ... the artist who I told you about here. An artist of immense talent, who orchestrates truly unique moods through the incredible faces that she creates.
These faces appear on paper but they also make their way onto her very unique pottery.
And as cool as her art is, Klai the person is even cooler. Here we are goofing around, trying to look like some of her drawings.
I'm excited to be working with Klai as we fine-tune ideas to develop some very cool products for CRESCENDOh, so stay tuned ...
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