IllustratingStories.com

In the Studio and Ladies Room

Last week was an amazing week. First, the IS fat book project inspired the daylights out of us.  You should see the awesome art that is in that book.  Created by a talented group with gifts and skills in so many areas:  Scrapbooking, collage, mixed media, digital arts -- you name it!  Each page is different and beautiful; an eye-candy extravaganza for sure!  Next, I finished up with the last assignments from the Painting Layers class I took from Misty Mawn.  I know I've said this before, but it is still worth saying.  Misty is a great teacher.  Not only is she a master at her subject, but she has a natural ability to encourage and foster the creative spirit in others.  I feel blessed to have met her and found my way into her classes.  She is a sweet soul and eagerly gives and shares so much of herself; amazing, amazing woman for sure!  Finally, I've been keeping a secret for a long time now about a book that just came out.  And now, I can share -- yay!

Here's the scoop:  A while back, my friend Maria Hammon asked if I would like to be a part of something big.  It was to be a new book (Meeting in the Ladies Room) by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino (authors of Visual Chronicles and Journal Revolution).  "YES!" I said, just about like that, too.  The assignment?  Snap a photo of myself in the bathroom and share what I see.  Then, they added my shot and story to a collection of shots and stories from others and worked their author-y magic.  And, you should see the list of those others.  I am so awed, honored, and grateful to be in the company of those other artists.  Most of all, I'm thankful to be a part of a book that reveals so much about women.  While sharing their grace, power, and strength through their stories, it leads up to and ends with the message, "I am art."  Yes!

All in all a full and wonderful week, I'd say.

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Note:  If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, Meeting in the Ladies Room, Linda and Karen are extending an invitation for $10.00 off of your entire purchase.  Here are the details:

The book is available for purchase through [their] site (http://www.ladiesroombook.com) or directly from the publisher at (http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1044138). You can save $10 on your purchase (until 12/31) by entering the following code at check out:
Orders from the US (using US $):   GREATGIFT
Orders from UK (using UK £):   GREATGIFT2
Orders from EU (using EU €):   GREATGIFT3
Orders from AU (using AUD $):   GREATGIFT4
Orders from Canada: select $US before adding to your cart and use the code GREATGIFT.

Argyle Patterns: Fun, Versatile, and Easy!

When I was about seven, Grandma would give Grandpa's worn out socks to me (after washing, of course, heh-heh).  Surprisingly, these socks were a big treasure and made the best doll dresses and not just because of their size.  Why?  Well, the socks had beautiful argyle patterns and colors.  I loved them!  And as crazy as it is, thinking of those socks make me both nostalgic and a bit nutty for argyle!

Argyle is a wonderful pattern!  It's the kind of pattern that is perfect for digital and traditional scrapbook pages (it makes great background paper!), as bits of collage in art, printed for homemade wrapping paper, or as an element for cards (seasonal or not)!  Therefore, it shouldn't be too surprising that I was driven to figure out how to make the pattern in Photoshop.  Nor, should it be a big stretch to see how that would become our next IllustratingStories.com video tutorial.

I've got it bad!  So naturally, I just had to share how to make an argyle pattern.  Plus, since the color combos are a big part of why I love the pattern, the following tutorial demonstrates how to create it in such a way that you can change pattern colors later.  This adds to the versatility of the pattern (which is super easy to make, by-the-way).  Argyle is so fun!

Enjoy!

Growing Stronger

It has been a long five weeks. I came down with the flu, then got bronchitis, then onto pneumonia. Fun times!

As I have begun to win the battle for health over the nasty illnesses that have plagued me, I was able to complete my pages for our first Illustrating Stories art exchange.

The words growing stronger mean many different things to me. The obvious one is the physical strength that is returning to me every day. But even more important is the strength that I am finding in myself.

For years (my whole life really) I have been who I needed to be based on the situation I was in.

I did not grow up in an artistic environment, so my desires to create were doused with the desire to be a part of the family. In college, I branched out, but still kept structure around my creative passion. I graduated with a graphic design degree, but my creative energy still had rules and conditions wrapped around it. I was designing for others and had to use my technical skills to give them what they wanted.

This pattern continued for 33 years, until I began to take control of my environment and surround myself with experiences and people that were true to who I really am.

The last two years have been a roller coaster of fun and also a little fear as for the first time I am becoming me. Pure joy!

Thank you for blessing my life with your creative strength and abilities, it makes me stronger everyday!

Sharing and Michael Shapcott

One of the great benefits of taking any class and especially the Painting Layers Class with Misty Mawn, is the connections you can make. I've met some amazing people and am blown away by the talent! In addition, the students are eager to share what they know. It is great to be a part of the awesome community growing up around the class!

A recent share by one of the students sent me to the video channel of Michael Shapcott.  Which has resulted in yet another artist-crush for me (the list of favorite artists just continues to grow!).  For starters, I love his art.  Next off, his videos are both fun and informative.  What a perfect combination!  Finally, he openly shares his ability through his videos, encouraging the artful spirit within his audience.  I love it when artists share!

Naturally, I have to share, too.  So, here is Michael at work, painting a portrait.  What an interesting process and beautiful outcome.  I could watch this again, and again, and again.

Enjoy!

Art for a Cause (and Just Plain Fun)!

This morning a great friend sent the link to the Pink Glove Dance video to me.  Since it is a cause that both Jackie and I support and because it is just so inspiring (makes you smile -- and, if you're like me, tear up a bit), I just had to share.  It was directed and choreographed by Emily (MacInnes) Somers in Portland as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness.  I love it for what it is and that it is a great, artful expression for a cause.  It's just AWESOME!

Enjoy!

Whew! What a Fun 2 Weeks!

We had a great two-week vacation (for the most part, anyway -- we won't talk about our health or how I needed to send some potatoes down the disposal on Thanksgiving, heh-heh).  During our time away, we visited with friends and family and had too much to eat on Thanksgiving.  It was a holiday that left us spinning, but in a good way.

          

Two of the "arty-ish" highlights of my vacation had to do with the two gifts above.  They are two custom/personalized collage pieces that I couldn't wait to give away:  One to my brother and his fiancee and one to a dear friend.  It is always fun to work on pieces like these, but even better to send them off to their new homes.

So, how have you been over the last two weeks?  If you celebrate Thanksgiving, how did it go -- any memorable moments?  Please share your stories with us -- we'd love to hear them!

Taking a Mini Vacation

Good Morning! We're out of the virtual office and on vacation for the next two weeks, returning on Monday the 30th.  We wish you all the best for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Take care and see you all soon!