UPCOMING CLASSES I'LL BE TAKING

"Josephine" ...
a mixed media piece done (by me!) in a Chris Cozen workshop earlier this year.

Dear Princess Magpie friends:

So as the year draws to it's close, I am gearing up and looking forward (SOOOO forward !!!) to a 4-day ART RETREAT with my friend, Ann Deakers. We'll be at AN ARTFUL JOURNEY { http://www.anartfuljourney.com/retreats/feb2010/index.html } in Los Gatos, California, where we are signed up to spend the entire Retreat getaway under the "tutelage" of artists KELLY RAE ROBERTS and MATI ROSE McDONOUGH. We're very excited - it will be the first mixed media Retreat for both of us, and the first "swap" experience for us each as well. So much newness, so much to learn, so much to do !!!

Kelly Rae Roberts & Mati Rose McDonough - above - photo by Denise Andrade

In the interest of feeling as prepared as I can {you know Princess Magpie: always 'reading, researching, learning all I can about a technique} for said Retreat in February 2010, I am focusing my art goals on learning what I can that will see me ready as I can be (for a new mixed media kinda girl such as myself) for the FUNKY CHUNKY COFFEE TABLE BOOK project we will undertake with Kelly and Mati. Ooooh, it sounds sooooooooo F.U.N. !!!!!

I have just signed up for "COLOR MIXING" with Chris Cozen, a fabulous mixed media artist who teaches for Golden (the product line of acrylics that I just love) ... and I'll also be taking her "FAUX ENCAUSTIC" (ie, faux beeswax effect) class. Both, at STAMPING DETAILS right across town in Poway. Check out their website at: http://www.stampingdetails.com/ for Class details.

here, Chris Cozen teaching a workshop thru San Diego Book Arts / 2009

and below, an assortment of finished / unfinished pieces that I created in

a Chris Cozen workshop / 2009

(that's all in one day, folks!)

I also signed up for BEGINNER'S ALTERED BOOKS, with instructor Pat. Also at Stamping Details, this workshop is meant to introduce us beginners to techniques like cutting a niche, making windows, creating special cover effects, giving color to the pages in various ways, using glass and wire, making pop-ups (oh my!), adding embellishments, doing image transfers, and more! (more!? how could there be more than all that !!!). That class will be held 11 am - 4 pm on Sunday, November 29. { Yup; it's right after Thanksgiving, which I anticipate will be more joyful and filled with THANKS-givings than in years past.}

So ... I do hope you'll join me at one, two, or all three of these workshops.

a group of happy Chris Cozen students / 2009 / San Diego Book Arts weekend

and below, a whole bunch of fantastic Chris Cozen pieces ... ooh la la !!!

I'm a big fan of EVERYTHING at Stamping Details -- and you already know how I admire the work of CHRIS COZEN ... don't miss out! You'll be SOOOOOO glad you signed up. :-)

-- Princess Magpie

ART SUPPLY QUEST from Mixed Media Class 2/23/09

So much inspiration comes from taking an art class ... not just from the finished pieces, but from the conversations as well. Products Used & Inspiration Found & Techniques Discovered were three key themes in this Monday's MIXED MEDIA with JANE LA FAZIO class.

Michaelanne & I have been shopping, both physically and on-line, for some of the products that we've learned of in this class - some products are quite pricey {printable canvas} and so, worth searching for a better pricepoint.

Me, being the neophyte in this class of talented artists, found the GOLDEN website very helpful the other night:

http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/medsadds/mediums/index.php

And when I take the workshops with Chris Cozen, who teaches for GOLDEN, at Stamping Details {Poway, CA} in March, I know I'll learn so much more ... they do carry a nice selection of Golden product there, too. FYI.

IF YOU MISSED MY POST EARLIER about those workshops, here is the link to Stamping Details March calendar:

http://www.stampingdetails.com/events/cal/cal_0903.html

ON TO PRODUCTS:

Judikins DIAMOND GLAZE, which is what Linda told us she used to adhere some tiny BEADS to one of her projects, early on in our journey with Jane ... I found it online at the following:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/EP8848146.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google

http://www.createforless.com/Judikins+Diamond+Glaze+10+oz/pid88110.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse

Here's the link to the DIAMOND GLAZE FAQ {frequently asked questions}:

http://www.diamondglaze.com/dg_faq.html


RE: Printable Canvas

SINCE I HAVE NOT TRIED PRINTING ON CANVAS / FABRIC, I CANNOT VOUCH FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, NOR CAN I RECOMMEND A PARTICULAR BRAND {those of us in Jane's class should ask Linda what brand she used for her project last week ...}:

Fredrix Desktop Inkjet Canvas (8 1/2 x 11 ") - 6 sheets @ $12 :
http://www.rexart.com/tar_desktop_canvas.html

Assorted grounds (cotton, linen) for printing on "fabric" found here:
http://softexpressions.com/software/notions/VWInkjetPrint.php#lin


Remember the beautiful book that Linda used for her CHAIR inspiration, "Revealed" by Carolyn Quartermaine? Here's a link to that lovely find:

http://www.amazon.com/Carolyn-Quatermaine-Revealed-Rizzoli/dp/0847820335

And Nancy showed us a book, GOING BACK HOME, that spoke to her recently:

http://www.childrensbookpress.org/ob/going.html

And JANE has a very nifty THREAD/EMBROIDERY FLOSS organizer called "Floss Away" by Nordic Needle - here's that link:

http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E25-00-00/6554.html

There - that should get everyone going on their hunt for things they can't live or create without!

-- Princess Magpie