Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Art Books I am Loving Now

 When I am in-between Artful Gathering classes preparation time I do something I call cleansing my art palette. I never really plan in what direction my artistic cravings may take me. I embrace what ever strikes my fancy. So I've been bouncing back and forth with these three books that I thought I would recommend. I have been a Jane Davenport fan for several years. I have taken her online classes. I am so in love with her whimsical style. She and I  have one big thing in common and that is our love of color. I just discovered Tamara LaPorte from England who I learned about from Jane. She is amazing in the way she teaches how to use art to heal your inner soul. Seems I go to my art supplies to help me through life issues. Tamara is tops with this process. Finally my latest obsession tapped me on the shoulder when I was shopping at a popular bath and cosmetic store.  I was totally sucked in by the colorful display of the products and the fragrances. (Color addiction is real!) I began researching soap making and pretty much fell really hard down the YouTube rabbit hole! I've only tried the melt and pour soap making products. My first bars are seen in the header.  I am in the study phase of learning cold process soap making. Not being a person who enjoys measuring this may take me a while to try. Stay tuned for pictures! 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Artful Gathering Summer 2018 - Whimsical Grotto Reliquary

Last winter when Zinnia of Artful Gathering offered her first winter themed online art classes I was all in with a project that I had in mind that was developed after I had done a little tour of the Texas Prairie Painted Churches. The ornate metal work, the life like statuary, stained glass windows and the skilled craftsmanship of German artisans is undoubtedly stunningly beautiful. My winter class was well attended for the first launch of the new season of Artful Gathering.
 Through this success I felt my heart strings pulling on yet another reliquary project but wanting to go in the extreme opposite of  HDR. I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and we do enjoy our beach especially Galveston Island which we visit several times a year. I love sea shells and beach decor especially Mermaids. So I set out to do a reliquary that I could morph into one that was whimsical and featuring a mermaid. I also tried to vary the types of materials so that my students who may have taken HDR would still gain new knowledge of some of my favorite mixed media materials when the take Whimsical Grotto Reliquary. I am looking forward to July when my class will launch. It is so exciting to see what others will do with my instructions and guidance. 

Artful Gathering Winter Class 2017 - Holy Divine Reliquary