With apologies to the Beatles: "You say you want a resolution? Well, you know..."

Happy new year, everybody!!

So my first 2012 resolution was to be a better blogger - to post more often and to share lots and lots of helpful art and healing links.

So here are a few more for you:
http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/  "Creative Workshops" - What I love about this one is that there is such a great variety of workshops:  collage, calligraphy, watercolor, digital grounds, journaling and so much more - truly something for everybody.

http://dolldreams.ning.com/  "Doll Dreams" - If you've ever wished you could draw and paint those adorable doll-like girls with the huge eyes, this is the place for you.  Addy is a great teacher, too. 

http://handsandheart.ning.com/ - "Hands and Heart" - I did my first acrylic painting ever by following Monica's beautiful videos on this site.  She is a wonderful teacher.

"Fairy Claudia" from an online workshop at "Hands and Heart" (see link above)

 

 

Good intentions and all that :o)  REALLY want to keep up with this blog and am resolving to do just that in 2012.  The first 3 months of school knocked me for a loop (I have gone back to teaching middle school language arts after many years away from the classroom) as I also had to take a class at night and on Saturdays.  So this Christmas holiday has been the first chance I've had to catch my breath, and I've spent DAYS visiting art blogs and gathering links for you!  See the end of this post for links!  Also, Santa gave me some money and said, "That's so you can take some more online art workshops."  Do I have the best Santa or WHAT!!!

Here is my latest project, a collage I did for my younger son as a housewarming gift for him in his first home.  He visited Japan last year and was taken with the story of Sadako, the little girl who died of leukemia due to the fallout from the atom bomb.  When she was sick, she learned of a legend that said that if someone made a thousand paper cranes, their wish would come true.  She had made approximately 600 origami cranes before she died, and her classmates finished them for her.  In her memory, the children started an international peace initiative, and today there is a beautiful park in Japan with a statue of Sadako holding a paper crane.  Children come from all over Japan to visit the park and bring paper cranes to honor her and to show their desire for world peace.

SOOOO this collage contains a transferred image of Sadako on Japanese rice paper, a quotation from Sadako, a Japanese postage stamp and another stamp that says "Atoms for Peace" (I love irony), a piece from an antique Samurai sword (more irony), an origami paper crane and other Japanese, peace- and crane-related items and ephemera.  My goal in each of my collages is to tell a story that is important to the person for whom they are created.

 

SO here are links to some of my new favorite blogs and sites:
http://thekathrynwheel.blogspot.com/   Just ordered her art journaling DVDs - the reviews of them are AWESOME and I can't wait 'til they arrive.

http://www.janedavenport.com/  Have signed up for her "I (HEART) Drawing" workshop.  Check it out to find out why it's important to say "heart" instead of "love" here - it's really cool!

http://www.meganscreativebliss.blogspot.com/   Love her style!

Resolving to be a better blogger in 2012, so I will be back soon!!!  Hope all of you had a WONDERFUL holiday and that your new year will be blessed with good health, joy and prosperity!

My Favorite Online Art Courses

Whoa! Can't believe it's been so long since I posted! I was so lucky to be asked to teach at our local Gifted Center for the last 6 weeks of school, filling in for a teacher who was having a baby.  WELL, as it turned out, a position came open at the Center, I applied, and I got the job! I am over the moon with excitement and joy.  I got busy right away studying curriculum, policies and so forth - you know, just REALLY wanting to do a good job.  I've worked really hard and think I'm ready now for the start of school in August, so I'm going to use these last few weeks of freedom to get caught up on the other important things in my life, like art and healing and living and blogging about all of it!

If you've never taken an online art course, you are in for such a treat.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them because you can progress at your own pace and according to your own schedule.  One of my favorite sites for online art courses is Willowing.  Tam is an AWESOME teacher, very cute and funny.  You will enjoy just watching her teaching videos, but once you start following along, you will be amazed at what you can create!  Right now I'm taking her "Magical Mythical Makings" workshop.  I'm painting fairies, mermaids, goddesses and more.  Right now is a great time to sign up for one of Tam's courses because she's celebrating reaching 5000 members on her site with some great give-aways!

Have fun!  And I'll keep you posted as I figure out how to blend my new teaching career with my art, my passion for peace and healing, and life in general.  Hugs to everybody!

I'm a CZT!

Back from Massachusetts and the Certified Zentagle Teacher training seminar hosted by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, the creators and founders of Zentangle, Inc.  They are the loveliest people and two of the most gifted artists it has ever been my privilege and honor to meet.  I am now a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) and am excited to already have a class scheduled through the Hampton Arts Commission in June.  You can learn more about Zentangle here and you can see and purchase Maria's incredible botanical prints and calligraphy here.  If you live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and want to know more about Zentangle, shoot me an e-mail.  I'm a CZT!

I really didn't mean to look so goofy - I was just so excited!

Swaparoo!

Finally!  The "Made For You Swaparoo" swap ended last week, and just as I was getting ready to post pictures of the awesome goodies I received in the swap, Blogger went down!  Stayed up as late as I could waiting for it to come back up, but we had to leave at 3 am to go out of town for 4 days, so ANYWAY I'm finally getting around to posting about this amazing and totally fun swap!

Jessica Ocasio from New Jersey was my swap partner and she has the coolest site - www.cutyourheartout.com.  She sent me some really beautiful things and one kinda' creepy but very fun thing!

The necklace of sage green and rose cabochons on a silver chain looks like it was made to go with a new top I have - it's like she was watching me shop!  The black filagree earrings are my husband's favorite - he LOVES to see me in what he calls "dangly earrings" and these black ones go with everything from jeans and casual wear to my little black dress.

Jessica also made these gorgeous cards - wish the picture could show more details - they really are lovely.  Even the round blue box all these items were gift-wrapped in is handmade.  SO pretty - blue and silver.

Now the skull!  How cute is he?  I laughed out loud when I saw him.  I grew up in Texas and the whole "Day of the Dead" thing was part of our Tex-Mex culture, so he has a prominent place on a shelf in my studio as does the pretty blue box - perfect size for all those tiny things that tend to get away if they're not corralled.  Jessica, thank you SO much!  I love all my goodies!  And thank you so much to the Swaparoo hosts!  What a great online party!

I Went to a Garden Party!

The theme of Art & Soul this year was "In the Garden" and there was a hat contest.  Everyone was given the same plain straw gardening hat and told to alter it any way we wanted to.  Here's mine:

Another day at Art & Soul

Yes, I am running out of steam, but not enthusiasm.  This has been another great Art & Soul retreat.  Today I took a class from the amazing and gifted Pam Carriker.  The class was called "Arcimboldo Style Self Portrait" and that's exactly what we created - self portraits in the style of the 16th century Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo.  His work was considered bizarre in his day - and many still think it's strange - but it's lots of fun.  He created portraits by painting fruits, vegetables, fish and other organic items to form the features of the model.  We were instructed to come prepared with images of things we like to eat, see, hear, listen to and think about as well as a black and white profile photo of ourselves. We went through several steps to transfer a line drawing of the photo onto watercolor paper, then began to fill in with the images we'd brought.  Then there was some painting, some glazing, some other steps and we were done!  Here's mine:

Kathy's "Arcimboldo Style" self-portrait

Here are a couple of other tags from Lesley Venable's classes that I forgot to include in yesterday's posting.  The one on the left is a transfer done with plastic wrap; the one on the right is a transfer done with Contact paper.  Remember, these were technique classes - we were learning techniques, so this is not supposed to be a finished art project.  Very cool techniques, very easy to do and tons of fun.

Saran Wrap transfer on the left; Contact paper transfer on the right

Halfway through Art & Soul

Art & Soul - Hampton started Thursday, so we're halfway through and the time is just flying!  I am having SOOOOO much fun!  Thursday I took a class called "Fluid Romance" from Kari McKnight - just awesome.  I learned a ton about paints - which colors are opaque, which are translucent and which are almost transparent - and, best of all, how to use that knowledge and make it work for you in your painting.  Kari taught lots of layering techniques, too, from making images go "deep" into your collage work to creating three-dimensional layers, so what you see below is not intended to be a finished project; it's the canvas on which I practiced the techniques Kari taught.  Awesome!  Such a great teacher and a super nice person, too!

My practice canvas from Kari's class

I took evening classes on Thursday and Friday from one of my all-time favorite teachers, Lesley Venable.  Thursday night was "Tied, Tagged and Twisted."  We learned a transfer technique, some stamping and stenciling techniques and lots about how to work with fluid chalk - something that had always given me a hard time.  We practiced these techniques on plain tags - they weren't plain when we finished with them! - then tied and stitched them into pretty little booklets.  Friday night's class with Lesley was "A Trio of Transfers."  We learned how to create transfers using Contact paper, plastic wrap and a product called Transfer Ink.  We practiced on tags and a small canvas board.  Everyone's projects were beautiful!  Another super nice person and a great teacher.  Lesley comes with an extra bonus - her husband Tom who is a baker extraordinaire and who supplies all of Lesley's classes with homemade cookies and brownies.  What a neat couple!

Fronts of my tag book pages

Backs of my tag book pages

During the day on Friday, I took a class called "Through the Rabbit Hole" with Ingrid Dijkers.  This one was complicated AND complex, and nobody finished, BUT when these books are done, they are going to be amazing.  They're called "tunnel books" because each page has a successively smaller hole with things peeking through - lots of fun!  I'll put a picture of Ingrid's here so you can see what I'm talking about.  She has some of the most beautiful journals I've ever seen.  If you ever have an opportunity to take a class from Ingrid, be the first in line to sign up!

Ingrid Dijkers' "Through the Rabbit Hole"

Today I took "Cover to Cover" with the incredible Misty Mawn.  I learned the coptic bookbinding stitch!  I'd seen it before and thought it was so beautiful, but all so complicated I would never learn it.  Wrong!  We made gorgeous little soft cover books in the morning and then spent the afternoon painting and embellishing the pages.  I still have a long way to go to finish mine, but will post pictures when it's done.  Misty is not only a gifted artist, but also a wonderful and very patient teacher.  I've already pre-ordered her book Unfurling which will be released June 1.  Saw her copy today and it is AMAZING!!  You can order your copy now at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.

Two more days of classes - yay!  Will tell you all about it soon!  

 

Have you heard about Zentangle?

One of Maria's beautiful Zentangle designs

I took a Zentangle class at Art & Soul - Hampton last year and was instantly hooked on this simple, meditative art process developed by the very gifted husband-and-wife team of Maria and Rick Thomas.  As the Zentangle website explains, "With Zentangle, anyone can create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. This method is easy to learn and easy to do. And even though it is a specified series of steps, it results in a creative expression that transcends its own rules."

The results are always surprising and pleasing.  You cannot fail at Zentangle! Just look at these first Zentangle attempts by the students in the class I took (mine is second from the left on the next-to-the-bottom row).  

Pretty amazing, huh?

In just a few weeks, I will be going to Massachusetts to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher, and I'm already scheduled to teach a class for our local arts association.  I'll be sharing lots of information about Zentangle here, too, so plan on getting all tangled up with me after May 16!

Handmade For You Swaparoo!

Just signed up for this really cool swap!   It's called "Handmade For You Swaparoo" and the deadline for mailing your trades is already fast approaching - May 6-7 - so you need to sign up now!  I can't wait to get started on the three items I will be swapping with my partner.  The neat thing about this swap is that you can trade anything handmade.  I already know what I'm going to make for my partner, and it will be so exciting to receive a package with three surprises in return.  So come on, everybody, let's swaparoo!  Just click on the link in this post or on the big button at right to sign up.

Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh! Just found a great swap site!

This is a P.S. to today's post!  Just found a great swap site.  LOTS of different items to create and trade.  Have fun!

Art Swaps and Trades

Until a couple of years ago, I had never heard of art swaps.  Now I don't know how I ever lived without them!  Artists swap ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), holiday ornaments, special occasion cards, art supplies and just about anything they can think of.   It's mostly online and by mail, so everyone can play!

Paris Fan

Christmas Fan

Mermaid Fan

One of the first swaps I participated in was sponsored by Lisa Vollrath of Ten Two Studios.  Lisa hosted a fan swap.  She provided the pattern for the fan, posted info about the swap, and artists who were interested signed up.  Each of us then created 3 fans from the pattern (the pictures above are of the 3 I made), mailed them to Lisa and she mailed 3 fans back to us.  Each of us received 3 beautiful fans made by other artists.  

Another swap I had fun with was an ATC swap.  There are many of these online at various artists' blogs and websites.  Here are a few I did for one with the theme "Leather and Lace."

Leather & Lace ATCs

So are you ready to swap?  A good place to start is ATCs For All.   And keep visiting all of your favorite artists' blogs to find more swaps.

And watch this blog for swaps.  Encourage your art-y friends to follow this blog, too.  The more, the merrier!!

Take Time for Yourself

This picture was taken as I was leaving the World Healing Institute at Cobb Island Light Station on the Eastern Shore of Virginia last October.  I had just spent 4 days at a retreat there with a group of awesome and amazing women.  The experience was enlightening, empowering, spiritual and healing on so many levels.  The joy and peace I found in those 4 days have remained with me and taken me in directions I would not otherwise have gone.

The Labyrinth at Cobb Island Light Station

One of the most powerful experiences of the retreat for me was walking the grass labyrinth behind the retreat center.  I walked it barefoot at sunrise as a doe and her twins watched me from a small distance.  The breeze off the ocean was energizing, and I turned my face to the sun as it broke through the clouds and whispered, "Thank you."

I urge everyone who has not experienced a labyrinth walk to go online and find one near you.  Many hospitals and churches now have permanent labyrinths, and there are labyrinths that roll out like carpets that are available to churches and community groups for rental.  You can also find handheld and other small portable labyrinths online, some so small you can slip them into pocket or purse to carry with you.  Each time you "walk" the labyrinth - whether with your feet or the little stylus that comes with the pocket ones - you will have a different experience.  A good place to locate a labyrinth near you is The Labyrinth Society, and Relax4Life has some beautiful personal labyrinths.

Take time for yourself today.  Find a peaceful place, center yourself and breathe consciously.  Consider going on retreat - alone or with a friend, your family or other group.  I promise you will return to the "real world" energized and joyful.

Another great art site for you!

Calligra-Fun practice page

Creative Workshops is another great site for those of us who enjoy online art workshops.  I have taken two awesome lettering workshops with Martha Lever ("Italic Calligraphy" and "Calligra-Fun"), a journaling workshop with Jodi Ohl and a backgrounds class with Nancy Lefko.  So much fun!

Our lives are busy, and we need to find time - make time! - to do the things we enjoy.  Online art classes give us the flexibility to work at our own pace and at convenient times.  We don't have to drive anywhere or - and this is a biggie for me - have others looking at our work until we're ready for it to be seen.  Creative Workshops  is a great place to start if you've been thinking about trying an online workshop.

AND from July 16 to August 20, Creative Workshops will be hosting "Artful Gathering," an online art retreat!  Seventeen art classes by some of the most amazing and talented artists/teachers working today!  To learn more, click on the button that says "An Amazing Event" or "I'm a member of Creative Workshops."

Rites of Spring

Gathering daffodils and putting them in my cobalt bottles is a rite of spring at our house.  We've had so much cold and rain around here that I was starting to wonder if the daffodils would make it, but they opened up their shiny little faces this week and I knew that spring had finally come to our little corner of the world.  Yay!

Another sure sign of spring in this part of Virginia is the arrival of the Art & Soul art retreat, five days of awesome paper, fabric, jewelry and fiber arts workshops.  I count the days 'til Art & Soul every year like a kid counts the days 'til Christmas.  The retreat always has a theme.  Last year it was "Wonderland," the year before that it was "Rock 'n Roll" (I collaged a guitar!),

My "Girls Rock" guitar

and this year it's "In the Garden."  I'm so lucky to live right here, but artists come from all over the world to this retreat!  It's not too late to register, so if you can make it, fly, drive, walk, swim or crawl to Art & Soul Virginia.  The dates are April 28 - May 2, and you can sign up and choose your workshops at Art & Soul.  Hope to see you there!

Hooked on Blogs

Blogs are so much fun!  I've spent the last year reading fantastic blogs and have learned SO much from so many amazing bloggers.  I'm hooked!  So I decided to jump in and create my own.  I'll be learning how to do this as I go along, so bear with me.

"That Allison Girl" will be mostly about art and writing.  Not the high falutin' stuff that bored you in school and made you think you could never call yourself an artist or a writer.  Nope, this is going to be about the fun stuff - the kind of art and writing that takes many of us far too long to realize we CAN do and once we realize it there ain't no stoppin' us! There will also be some healing, self-nurturing stuff I've learned from others far wiser than me during the most difficult times of my life because that's when our spirits really grow, right? And some pretty things, and some just-for-fun stuff and who knows what else?  We'll find out as we go along.

Do you hear your inner artist calling you?  Have you always had a secret longing to write but found it too intimidating - you know, too many rules and restrictions?  Do you know you need to take better care of yourself and do some things that are just for yourself, but don't know how to begin?  Well, me too, and here I am starting at the beginning at a time in life when most folks have been doing what they love for years and years.  So I hope you will jump in with me and enjoy being a beginning artist and/or writer and/or self-nurturer.  I hope you'll choose all three!

What I'll be doing at first is bringing you links to other blogs I think you'll enjoy.  I'll be sharing links to online workshops that I've taken and showing you the results.  And believe me, these are art projects that if I can do, anyone can do!

I'll also be sharing my journals with you and showing you how to make your own.  These are NOT your grandmothers' diaries!  Don't spend money on those little lined books at the bookstore - too restrictive.  You'll have WAY more fun making your own and it will be a work of art!  Then we'll use our beautiful new journals for...well, whatever we want to use them for!  But I'm jumping ahead.  Must be the excitement!

My "Fairy Claudia"

So here's the first thing I want to share.  I just finished a little online art workshop called "Fairy Claudia" with Monica at Hands and Heart. I had never painted with acrylics before, but it was only $15, so I decided to give it a try.  Monica is a great teacher, very easy to follow and so encouraging every step of the way.  And right now she's offering a free online workshop called "Free Spirit" to everyone who adds her to their Facebook page! She's got some other courses on her site that I can't wait to try.  Think I'll go sign up for one right now!