collaboration is fun

I invite you to virtually create with me! 

I have this 18" x 18" canvas that has been sitting it my studio from, what seems like, the beginning of time. I've worked on it and worked on it.  I woke up with a fantastic way for it to be completed.  I'd love to take credit for the idea but, actually, it was gifted to me from The Universe/God. :-)

Let's collaborate and finish this piece together.

This is where you come in.  Take a good look at the canvas below and tell me something you can add to it, something that will pull this piece together.  Tell me what to add, if it's a particular color tell me that or a marking of some sort. as the places fill up I will choose a location then I will add  it for you.   A few things you should know - the white areas are joint compound and can be painted on - the actual top of the canvas has been determined and is placed accordingly.   I only have areas marked to help when you tell me where to add your idea.

I know some of you are reading this and are not even considering having fun with us because you think you are not creative.  Well... I am here to tell you that we are ALL creative. (period)   So step on out of your comfort zone and give me your idea.   You have absolutely nothing to loose!  When your element has been added I will send you a snippett on FaceBook.

Let's get this party started!!!!!!!

Simply put your idea in the comment section and I will let you know when it was added.  If you are unable to leave yoour request here please add your comment to the FaceBook post.

I'm tickled

I'm tickled and wanted to share.  My picture made it in the advertisement for the workshops at CREATE.  Open the link and scroll down to the bottom.  This is a photo of me and Mary Beth Shaw.  Mary Beth was the artist/instructor for a class I took last August in Lisle, IL. She had one of the most lovable personalities + I learned lots from her.  CREATE is coming to Lisle, IL again this year.  If you have the opportunity you should check it out and perhaps take a class or two or three or.......
http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=2CF9776E1CA25942F354A97C233C7F7C5BE63396ECAF4B7D

CREATE mixed media

I just had 2 wonderful days at the CREATE mixed media retreat.  I took 2 classes and both of them were very good.  The one that resonated the most with me was A Craving for Circles taught by Mary Beth Shaw. 

She was an absolute genuine person, very easy going, and funny! You could tell that she loved what she was doing.  And she really wanted you to get the most out of her class.

 Her class is what I have been yearning for... techniques. She is from Missouri and will soon be opening up her studio to teach classes.  I will be taking some road trips to learn more from her. 



I met some incredible women there, too.  Peggy sat beside me.  We shared some stories and laughed a little.  Peggy wore a beautiful blue feather in her hair that  looked good and it fit her personality.  I want one!! :-)  She wore an apron that she had drawn a woman's face on it.  Awesome is the word to describe her face.  She said she followed the instructions given by Kelly Rae Roberts in her Taking Flight book.  This was just the encouragement I needed to try my hand at drawing a face.  I'll show you later what I came up with.  Here is the artwork I created from Mary Beth's class.

It will proudly hang in my studio as my 1st  piece of artwork! 

I, also, had the pleasure of meeting Jenny Petricek whom I have been communicating with since I started my blog.  It seemed like I had known her forever.  Her blog is authentic and represents who she truly is as a person.  Be sure to check out her blog about the "Altered Book" she is doing in honor of her Grandmother.  Her passion shines thru in the book.

icing on the cake

Most of you know that in I April I registered for and  have been extremely excited to be taking painting/art classes at the CREATE mixed-media retreat which happens to be within 1-2 miles from my home.  How sweet is that?   It's getting closer and closer!  Thursday evening (as in tomorrow) I will be taking a class with  Joanne Sharpe about artful lettering.  Saturday I will be spending the entire day with Mary Beth Shaw in a class called A Craving for Circles.  Part of my creative journey has been learning more "techniques" to be able to incorparate in my art.  I am really starting to believe that I can do this.  That in itself is a wonderful feeling!

I got an email from Jenny Petricek, someone I met at the beginning of my creative journey, we have encouraged each other along the way and started to develop a friendship.  She is going to be at CREATE mixed-media retreat on Saturday, too.  We are planning on getting together after our classes.  I am soooooo happy to be able to finally meet her.  I've heard it said over and over again, "that it's not just about the art you create, it's also about the people you meet along they way".   I would have to say that is very true!