Life Book Lessons

My Christmas present this year was the Life Book class on line by Tamara Laporte.  There is a lesson a week, some by Tam and others by different artists.  I haven't been able to do a lesson a week, but here is some of what I have done.

Heart Connections

 Painting Over A Printed Image

Quirky Birds

Expressing You

This is one of my favorite techniques, pulling images from a background.  I can find a lot meaning to me in this one.

Fantasy Cupcakes

I have made fantasy cupcakes for the summer birthdays in my family.  This technique is from an on line class by Tobi Britton.  The cupcakes are plaster of Paris and the frosting is lightweight premium Spackle.
The first one I did was for our granddaughter who turned seven and fancies herself a cheetah.

The next one was for my husband who is a blues fan.

And the next one was for my son in law who is a golfer.

That is an eagle next to his foot.  It is a Zuni carving made from Picasso marble.

It was a little messy at times, but a lot of fun to create these special birthday cupcakes.

Super Moon at Midnight Saturday, June 23, 2-13

Fairy Forest in Diamondville

Heart Cloud

Little Robin Red Breast

 Feed Me!

 Nap Time.

 Dinner Arrives.

 Standing Guard.

 I'm A Big Bird Now.

Following The Leader.

Pink Forest Fairy Cakes

Tobi Britton is teaching  how to make Fairy Cakes at Artful Gathering.
This is a link to her blog.
http://pinkpixieforest.blogspot.com/

My Latest Endeavor

Strathmore Workshop

I signed up for free online workshops from Strathmore. The first workshop is abstract painting.  The second is drawing in May and third is card making in September. These are my painting from the abstract painting workshop.  They are quick and fun.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 1 This started out as an abstract bug and it it just didn't work so I painted over it and looked for an image. I found this face which I  enhanced with colored pencil and then painted around it to make it stand out.  I will try week1's lesson again another time.

Winter Storm

 Wednesday morning it's starting to snow.

 Wednesday evening it's coming down.

 Four little pumpkins sitting on the rail.

 No coffee on the deck tomorrow.

 Thursday morning through the window.

 I looked out the back door and to my surprise there was a a snowy reindeer

wearing a Santa hat looking back at me.  Or was it the trumpet vine coated 

with snow?  I think it was a reindeer!

Mr. Cardinal was up early for breakfast.

The Architect And The Builder

The Architect and The Builder

aka

Cami and Grammy

Cami had no school and was spending the day at Grammy's and Grampy's.

Never one to rest, Cami had a plan in mind to build a hamster house for her imaginary hamster.

To start she needed card board boxes, packing tape (to make clear windows), and scissors.  She designed and directed the building process as Grammy followed her instructions.  The original plan was to connect three boxes, but when that seemed to make the house too long, she decided that the third box would be a second story.  Then she determined that an elevator would be needed to get from the first to the second floor.  The elevator was designed and built, and an overhang and slide was added.  The house was finished by coloring with markers, the universe was drawn on the roof,  a welcome mat was drawn and a stone patio was made using circle stickers.  The second floor was decorated with flowers made from the circle stickers. 

Helping Our Neighbors

I'm posting today because I have a wonderful way for you to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.  My Art is You retreat group and my extended art community have linked up with Family to Family to raise much needed funds for essential personal and household items for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. You will have the opportunity to make a cash donation or purchase actual items including groceries or gas cards through Art Is You
http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/artis...hurricanesandyreliefprogram.htm

or you can go directly to Family to Family

http://www.family-to-family.org/2012/11/hurricane-sandy-relief/

Tribute to Twain

Tribute to Mark Twain

I recently participated in a fund raiser for Hartford Arts.  

Our local Jerry's Artarama donated 12 inch square canvases 

that were painted by local artists and sold for $25 

at the Mark Twain House October Fest.

I painted my contribution using a pulled art technique 

taught by Mystele in my Lifebook 2012 on line class. 

My Latest

Doll Head Sculpting Class with EJ Taylor

I was very fortunate to be able to participate in a 3 day class taught by EJ Taylor at NIADA.

My head still needs to be painted and wigged and of course she will need a body.  We sculpted on 

 a styrofoam ball using paper clay.  EJ was an extremely caring and sharing teacher and it was a 

pleasure to be in his company and learn from one of the best.

Bracelet Class with Richard Salley

The day after my sculpting class, I completely shifted gears and spent the day with Richard Salley at 

Art Is You making a "Rocked and Riveted" bracelet.  My cabachon is dinosaur bone and the bracelet is copper.  The class was wonderful and Richard and his assistant were great teachers.