Joyful Purpose

The Lake

Well, I am off for our family vacation to the LAKE - Priest Lake that is in northern most Idaho.  My husbands family has been going there for over a hundred years.  So we are taking the boys up to stay in a cabin, take the boat on the lake, water ski, toast some marshmallows, hike in the woods and see grandpa.  Of course I have packed all my art supplies and many books. 

p.s. If you haven't received your zine in the next week the remainder will ship out at the end of July - thanks for your patience in my initial endeavor and if there is another I will streamline the process - LIVE AND LEARN - Y'ALL!

I create my own world ...

Yesterday was my Maryvale day to work with the girls.  It was a hard day for them as they had an emotional week.  Ah, but look at the art they created!  AMAZING in my opinion.  I gave them each this image of Louise Nevelson and a quote by her ..."You must create your own world.  I am responsible for my world."  I love this quote and use it in my own work and lovvvvve the image - these are the journal pages that the girls created - the only direction they got was to use the quote and the image - fabulous work.  Bet you can't pick out my work from theirs - that's how talented and soulful they are.  I am so proud of them - their courage and their spirits - they certainly lift mine.

Zine Update

Sorry that the third printing has taken some time to get out but as they say "LIfe Happens"  that being said here we have it.

These are the names of the zines being shipped out this week.

*IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR NAME ON THE LIST AND YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED YOUR ZINE - CONTACT ME ASAP! @ g.armfield@yahoo.com

Collen Drake

Shirley McCutheon

Joan LoCicero

Ruth Shciller

TIna Abbott

Stephanie Hirschberg

Cindy Dean

Happy Day Art

Maria D'Alcantara

Annette Roussso

Robin Brisacher

Deborah Wire

Betsy Spencer

Lisa Justus

Creative Adrienne

Atinuke Omogbehin

JOyce Resnick

M. Watson

Taylor Shapiro

Nikki Swain

At this time a waiting list for a 4th printing is not in the works until POSSIBLY the end of July.

Live with Passion and uh a little cake doesn't hurt

Live with Passion!  My friend Judi knows me well.  At least I try- really I do.  This sign was a gift from Judi.  Beautifully wrapped I might add.   We got to spend the whole day together.  Which started out with are lovely husband making us an authentic Mexican lunch fabulously prepared down to all the details. - one word - YUMMO. 

Then we trotted down to Little Tokyo and one of my favorite places - ever - Kinokuniya Bookstore - where I found some great sketchbooks and Manga Books -I also found this great plastic sleeves with wonderful asian designs on them.  And then on to China Town for some Stawberry Cake at the famous Phoenix Bakery - another Yummo - and some great little finds.

 

These girls never cease to amaze

  I went to Maryvale yesterday for my weekly art lesson.  These girls never cease to amaze me - their work, their spirits, their attitudes and above all their hearts - which are big and not broken - unbelievably.  Their homework assignment last week was to draw pictures of their hands from photos we had taken.  Here are two that blew me away. 

  I asked J what the spot in the middle of her hand was - she told me  ... it was the life we hold ... yeah - wise one - I look at these and want to weep - not out of sorrow but out of gratitude that their souls speak such goodness.

Yesterday we worked on large sheet of wassau paper using a variety of techniques - which we then ripped down into smaller sheets to create the basis of their journals.  Here are the results - all amazing in their own right. 

I am very proud to be part of Free Arts and what they stand for and provide - they have given me a direction and a purpose in my life for which I am very grateful - definitly food for the soul.  These girls are all a blessing to me.

 

Summertime Art on the Go!

Summertime!  It makes me think of openess, sunshine, ice tea, beaches, barbeques and much more.  It also makes me think that I am outside more and moving around more and less structure and yadada yadada - basically less time for art.  So I have come up with my art travel kit that I take with me when I travel and when I go to the beach etc.

I use a large travel kit  approx. 9x12 - this is my favorite oil cloth so it can be wiped down and is very durable.  This one is deep and has two zippered pockets and holds a lot of stuff!  Plus it is really cute!

  All of this will fit in the case nicely and covers what I need to art journal.

  Caran D'ache Neo Color II's in an oil cloth zippered little box.

Pitt pens and white japanese pens in - yes, an oil cloth zippered makeup pouch.

Copic markers in a handmade bag that someone made for me - they fit perfectly and there are 46 of them in there!

Misc. sharpie poster paint markers and other colored markers in a zip pouch from my friend Carol Parks who's zine by the way is awesome and you should check out! Every issue is its own little piece of art lovingly assembled and filled with lots of goodies - you can order back issues and the current one at the link above!

  Size 4 small alphabet stamps and and ink pad - goes in pouch with pitt pens.

A black 5x7 sketch journal that fits nicely just sandwiched inside - and Zip, Zip , Zip it all goes in and I am ready to go!

You can use any type of travel bag but I do lovvve oil cloth! Mary Jane Bags are where most of mine come from and are worth a look!

So What do you think?

So what are your thoughts?  On the zine that is - "Artful Purpose Issue #1"  I would love to hear your thoughts as it would help me if and when I decide to do issue #2. 

Here are my questions:

Did you like the material covered?

Did you like the format and size?

Where there enough pics?

Now here come the tough ones (for me that is - some needed background info first - basically even though the zine was 21.00 I made little or no money from it with paypal, post, color printing, binding etc. - it was a labor of love and I truly didn't think I would get such overwhelming interest :)  That being said I need to rethink my format and costs and would like your suggestions!

OPtions:

same full size less pages and color pics with b/w text (same cost)

same size same amount of pages all black and white (lower cost)

Half size, color pics and bw text (lower cost)

Basically we are talking about what is important to you ...

color,size, number of pages, and cost ............

Thanks,

Gina

Zine waiting list printing #4 and update on #3

  ZINE MALING UPDATE!

If you have made a payment for the zine as of 6/11 your are in the 3rd printing batch which I will have mailed by the end of next week.  As of right now I have not decided to do a 4th printing - if I do I will go on a first come first serve waiting list.  If you want to be added to the waiting list please reply to this post - even if you have replied to other posts MAKE SURE YOU REPLY TO THIS ONE! this will be considered the waiting list for the 4th printing if I decide to do one.

Shower Me with Love

I made these favors for my friend Marsha's daughter's bridal shower - If I do say so myself they did come out rather cute! This is what is printed on the little green card. 

On another fun note today is the last day of school for the boys and summer begins - thus I just HAD to have my toes painted like beachballs for the season.

I'm in Love!

I have found a new love!  Copic Markers - ah the colors and the smoothness - I know I am a freak!  I remember using the old chartpacs in art school that caused brain damage  as soon as you removed the cap!  These have no fumes and the colors are fabulous!    They are a bit costly (5.95 each)  I happened to score and got a set of 41 on ebay for a fraction of the price :)  Just started doodling with them - the great thing is the Pitt Artist pens that I love (india ink) go right over or under the markers with no bleed - very cool.  They have a chisel point and a brush point on either end.  I know Pam Garrison likes to use them in her journaling and I thought I would try them out - oh joy - so happy I did - can't wait to play with my new toys!