Altered Book Shrines workshop to take place August 5!

Shrine-in -progress, originally uploaded by jomoma58.

Join me for an evening of shrine-making, using old books, collage elements, paint and found objects. You will learn to transform a plain, everyday object (a book!) into a beautiful shrine. Come to class with possible themes in mind for your shrine. You'll finish with a great feeling that you've recycled a discarded object into something thought-provoking. Book, collage materials and acrylic medium are provided. Small supply list upon registration. No experience necessary! Course #10.0334

General Public Fee: $36

Student Fee: $29

General Location: University of Washington, Seattle Campus

Specific Location: Gould Hall (GLD) 435, University of Washington.

Meeting Times:

Wed, Aug 05, 09 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Register: http://exco.org, or call 206-68-LEARN

Hands busy at work during "The Painted Page" Workshop

I LOVE to photograph hands at work...my students were just awesome!

More pics from my workshop "The Painted Page"

"The Painted Page" class is about to take place!

On Wednesday, July 22, I will be teaching a 3 hour class in Seattle, Washington, called "The Painted Page". It will be a rip-roaring fun and fast-paced class from 6–9 p.m. Here's the scoop:

Get ready to roll up your sleeves, and spend the evening painting and collaging free-form, folded books. This 'process-oriented' class will open your eyes to many possibilities using various papers, fabrics, texture and acrylic paints. Heavy watercolor paper, gesso and some collage materials will be provided. Small supply list upon registration. No experience required!

To register online go to: www.exco.org (and click on "One Night Wonders" or "Arts and Crafts"). Class: The Painted Page, class # 10.0332. There's a few spaces left, and I would love to see you there!

Whistler, B. C. adventure...feeding the soul.

I've just returned from Whistler, British Columbia (Canada). What a feast for the soul! We stayed in the Upper Village–what a great location to be in! It feels 'far and away' from the crowds down in the main Village. My companion and I invested in the pricey ticket to have full access to all the chair lifts and gondolas on both Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb. It was well worth it!! We had two days of gondola and chair lift 'hopping', fantastic hiking trails and a 360 degree view (from the top of Whistler Mountain) of the Coastal Mountain Range. We were also able to visit the 2010 Olympic Nordic Center, and saw the newly constructed ski jumps, the competitive cross-country ski trails and the biathlon stadium. I felt so fortunate to be standing where the drama of the Winter Olympics will unfold in early 2010. And there was absolutely NOBODY there!! Pics to come soon (I know, I'm way behind on posting pictures). But believe me, being there makes one really contemplate the meaning of "dedication", no matter what the category...(art, parenting, writing, teaching, dance, volunteering, sports, etc.). More to come!

My work, "Autumn Diptych", is in the Arts Council Juried Art Show

If you are in the Everett, Washington area this Thursday, July 9, please stop by for the opening reception for the Arts Council of Snohomish County's 17th Juried Art Show (5–8 p.m at the Monte Christo Hotel lobby on Wall Street). This exhibition features artwork of the highest quality and innovation (in my opinion!). I have one piece featured in the show, called "Autumn Diptych", and is a somewhat abstract piece using encaustic combined with inkjet print on fabric, wire, bones, bleach and oil pastels. I described the process I used to make this piece in a June '09 post titled "Autumn Diptych". The Arts Council Show runs through August 20.

Now THIS is book art!

This is the kind of art that really 'turns my crank'...Nicholas Jones makes sculptural pieces from old books. I've been tinkering with this idea for a couple of years now, and I'm offering an"Altered Book Shrine" class this August at the ASUW Experimental College in Seattle (my fall workshops will soon be posted in the sidebar under "Upcoming Workshops"). Check out Mr. Jones' work, you will never look at an old book the same way again! Truly amazing.

Lost in Oregon...

I've just returned from gorgeous central Oregon country. Take my advise: the best 'therapy' you could ever ask for is to be on a Harley, riding through beautiful lands with your favorite tunes playing on your iPod. Pictures and stories to come soon! (I promise)...