Today at Art Camp

I'm truly enjoying sitting in the kitchen in the morning and having Jimmy tell me the news in the paper over coffee. This morning there was some 'library time' to get centered for the day. The remainder of the day was devoted to adding more painting, adding details with paint markers, and running for supplies. When we got to Pat Catan's it was their sales event. Lucky and I walked in to a woman who gave us a coupon, put a Hawaiian lei around our necks, and ushered us to free hot dogs and popcorn. :) Later I picked up my bamboo batting at Jo-Ann's for 50% off! Score!  Tonight will be for drawing and a little writing. The first two pictures are process pictures when figuring out how to best add details.

Had to hang him up to see everything from a vertical plane - the tale gives such a scewed perspective. The top will be appliqued to fabrics and who knows what else!

The world's sweetest puppy - who happens to look like Lambchop. :)

Day One & Two at Art Camp

Whew! I've been working so hard this past day and a half I chose resting and sleep over blogging. This fibro chickie wears down like an old woman at the airbrush wall. The second half of the first day here was spent coming up with a plan of attack for my piece. I want to mix techniques as I problem solve and started off blocking in color at the airbrush wall. Nothing says what happens like pictures!

I found I seriously needed to block in color before airbrushing to work out the color sequence.

I now know that I furrow my brow like my grandfather when I concentrate hard!

practice

practice

practice!

to give you an idea of the scale of the final piece

first layer on

heat setting the practice pieces

My buddy Libby and I in front of the color blocking

Later on Lucky was working away in her studio adding a tag to her new piece. I love this picture.

Day 2 Patti Sly came for one day to learn to work with an airpen. She was doing great!

Still in progress, but I went into it with dyes and paint by hand. Starting to add details and other fabrics today.

Last night we went to Susan's opening and the work was beautiful. She had done a number of pieces collaboratively with her six year old granddaughter, Eva. My family came and we all went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant afterward. It was Lucky, Jimmy, my husband Donovan, my mother in law Pat, father in law Tim, niece Sam, her friend Jenna, and Lucky & Jimmy's friend Vicki. Lots of laughs and hugs then home to collapse in bed with Otis curled up by my feet! Let's see what today brings!

Turtle Art Camp 2011!!!

Last night I arrived at Susan Shie's Turtle Art Camp. As an alumni who is coming back, the format is more of an independent study. Susan is so gracious about sharing her work and thoughts. The time spent here has had my mind moving from the second I hit the door. Her passion and ability to love and live life is contagious and I feel like a puzzle piece that just fits. I'll share sketches and experiences as the week moves along.
The piece I will be working on will be larger than I typically work and I plan on using different techniques, intermixing a graphic and painterly influence. The sketch below is a rough of the final piece. Changes will be made as the give and take of problem solving arises. We'll see how it transforms!

I was even able to have a model! :) This was the "Godzilla Groom" that stood atop Susan & Jimmy's Wedding cake. They made the outfits themselves. I'll have to take a pic of the bride and groom together. In the background is Otis, my love buddy and wonder cat who came in to snuggle with me in the Lily of the Valley room this morning.

Well, off to airbrush like a wild woman!