Art in the Rough - Art Retreat for Women
June 26 - 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
“If the sight of the blue skies
fills you with joy
If a blade of grass springing up in the fields
has power to move you
If the simple things of nature have
a message that you understand
Rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
~Eleonora Duse
ART IN THE ROUGH
Art Retreat for Women
JUNE 26 - 29, 2009
You will be kicking yourself later...don't miss out :)
REGISTER TODAY - SPACES LIMITED
Join Us for the Festivities!
fills you with joy
If a blade of grass springing up in the fields
has power to move you
If the simple things of nature have
a message that you understand
Rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
~Eleonora Duse
ART IN THE ROUGH
Art Retreat for Women
JUNE 26 - 29, 2009
You will be kicking yourself later...don't miss out :)
REGISTER TODAY - SPACES LIMITED
Join Us for the Festivities!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
earthy-goodness
although there is light slush/rain/snow outside my studio window, i am dreaming in springtime colors
leafy green, rich earth, daffodil cheer, periwinkle sky
in my "past life" when working in the corporate world, around this time of year, I would always sneak away to the nearest nursery during my lunch break. walking the aisles of a greenhouse, feeling the energy of life, filling my lungs with the earthy-goodness smell of the rich soil...I would feel renewed. it was my little secret getaway - more retreat then shopping.
I have decided in the same celebratory spirit of renewal & growth that I will create some hypertufa pots this weekend. I adore hypertufa and it's mossy, natural look in the garden. Not to mention the artist in me loves to sculpt & mold interesting shapes or press leaves & other textures into the surfaces. The texture of the materials you use is very satisfying in a tactile way.
I so love the look, that beautifully planted hypertufa pots were featured at my wedding. Each guest received a small one planted with lush moss as a favor and the centerpieces were large round troughs filled with lush plantings.
when the tables were set and all of the candles were flickering and the crystal was sparkling...it was just magical
We made them all ourselves - with the big help of a family "hypertufa party". My parents did all of the plantings & floral arrangements - they are so talented.
aaaahh, wedding memories....I loved my wedding.
if you have always wanted to try making hypertufa, I have included one (there are many out there) beginner's recipe to try:
1 part Portland cement
1½ part peat
1½ part perlite OR vermiculite
tip - if you need to strengthen your piece (for especially large/cumbersome shapes/troughs) you can mix in a handful of fibre mesh/fibre glass or encase chicken wire w/ the mix
work quickly - make sure you have all sorts of interesting molds on hand - cheap plastic bowls give great results. I use plain old plastic wrap lining the bowls as my mold release...it adds an interesting texture. The key to durable, beautiful hypertufa is the waiting game - patience pays off! Although your hypertufa straight out of the mold looks pretty, you need to let it cure completely. If you really want an aged, "been in the garden forever" kind of look, I highly suggest creating your pieces and then leaving to cure fully in a sheltered spot outside for a few months. Then you can scrape textures into the outside to make them look more craggy & aged. Another tip is to brush with buttermilk to encourage moss/lichen growth. When fully cured & ready - plant up with an assortment of moss, sedum, alpine plants, etc. So much fun!
leafy green, rich earth, daffodil cheer, periwinkle sky
in my "past life" when working in the corporate world, around this time of year, I would always sneak away to the nearest nursery during my lunch break. walking the aisles of a greenhouse, feeling the energy of life, filling my lungs with the earthy-goodness smell of the rich soil...I would feel renewed. it was my little secret getaway - more retreat then shopping.
I have decided in the same celebratory spirit of renewal & growth that I will create some hypertufa pots this weekend. I adore hypertufa and it's mossy, natural look in the garden. Not to mention the artist in me loves to sculpt & mold interesting shapes or press leaves & other textures into the surfaces. The texture of the materials you use is very satisfying in a tactile way.
I so love the look, that beautifully planted hypertufa pots were featured at my wedding. Each guest received a small one planted with lush moss as a favor and the centerpieces were large round troughs filled with lush plantings.
when the tables were set and all of the candles were flickering and the crystal was sparkling...it was just magical
We made them all ourselves - with the big help of a family "hypertufa party". My parents did all of the plantings & floral arrangements - they are so talented.
aaaahh, wedding memories....I loved my wedding.
if you have always wanted to try making hypertufa, I have included one (there are many out there) beginner's recipe to try:
1 part Portland cement
1½ part peat
1½ part perlite OR vermiculite
tip - if you need to strengthen your piece (for especially large/cumbersome shapes/troughs) you can mix in a handful of fibre mesh/fibre glass or encase chicken wire w/ the mix
work quickly - make sure you have all sorts of interesting molds on hand - cheap plastic bowls give great results. I use plain old plastic wrap lining the bowls as my mold release...it adds an interesting texture. The key to durable, beautiful hypertufa is the waiting game - patience pays off! Although your hypertufa straight out of the mold looks pretty, you need to let it cure completely. If you really want an aged, "been in the garden forever" kind of look, I highly suggest creating your pieces and then leaving to cure fully in a sheltered spot outside for a few months. Then you can scrape textures into the outside to make them look more craggy & aged. Another tip is to brush with buttermilk to encourage moss/lichen growth. When fully cured & ready - plant up with an assortment of moss, sedum, alpine plants, etc. So much fun!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Join the Teaparty!
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I am so pleased to be able to participate in another year of Art is You...the East Coast Art Retreat, Oct 8 - 11, 2009. This year's theme is "Taking Tea with Alice" and it will be absolutely fabulous. The workshop selection is wonderful, the organizers Sal & Ellen are amazing, not to mention all of the fun, artsy shopping from great vendors. You do not want to miss the fun - for more information click here
Here are the workshops I will be teaching:
Missing Pieces
Softie shrines
Prints Charming
Paper Art Charms
A Storybook mEnding
Cloth Book Purses
Sweetie Cakes
Easy Altered Pincushions
Secret Books
Small Shadowbox Shrines
Coronation of Alice
Special Evening Workshop for Attendees
I hope to see you there :)
Join the festivities!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Artsy-Artsy
So excited...had to share a little sneak preview...
My altered handbags will be appearing in the newest Spring 2009 Haute Handbags issue by Stampington & Co - Available April 1st
***ART in the ROUGH - Art Retreat for Women***
We've had an amazing response...do not miss out! Registration is still open, but there are limited spaces available.
For more information about Art in the Rough click here
Please note: If you would like to attend the retreat and would be traveling w/ a spouse/partner, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in the area - golf, antiques, flea markets & shopping, fishing & beautiful lakes, etc.
Summers in Maine are breath-taking!
Complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. For those who prefer to lodge off-site, there is a fabulous B&B nearby, called Brewster Inn.
For more information about Brewster Inn click here
We hope to see you at the festivities!
My altered handbags will be appearing in the newest Spring 2009 Haute Handbags issue by Stampington & Co - Available April 1st
***ART in the ROUGH - Art Retreat for Women***
We've had an amazing response...do not miss out! Registration is still open, but there are limited spaces available.
For more information about Art in the Rough click here
Please note: If you would like to attend the retreat and would be traveling w/ a spouse/partner, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in the area - golf, antiques, flea markets & shopping, fishing & beautiful lakes, etc.
Summers in Maine are breath-taking!
Complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. For those who prefer to lodge off-site, there is a fabulous B&B nearby, called Brewster Inn.
For more information about Brewster Inn click here
We hope to see you at the festivities!
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