Joyful Purpose

Influenced

Saturday morning I visited the old home of my late friend Carol Parks for an estate sale.  I must say it was hard to walk through a home that was always sych a beautiful nest - a piece of artwork unto itself and see it just stripped down and strewn with her belongings.  It made me sad.  But I knew the point was to sell her things to benefit her daughters.  I went to her kitchen cupboards - a place that always made me smile.  When you opened up her cabinets you would witness a beautiful array of oranges and greens with little 3d paintings nestled amongst them.  Above you can see that I purchased some lovely things of hers that will bring me fond memories.

in honor of Carol I have tucked in her small paintings into my own cupboards so when I open them I will think of her and smile

If I had to choose 1 word to describe her it would be ~Colorful - an adjective in so many ways

so I placed her vivid pottery atop as a reminder that life is never dull

 

Come take a Class with me At Carol Parks Studios this Summer

I am happy to announce that I will be teaching a workshop at Carol Parks Studios  this summer. 

Finding Your Creative Voice:
The Many Faces of Self

June 27-28, 2009

This is a more in depth workshop based on Finding Your Creative Voice where we will really have time to delve into the self portrait using computers and cameras.

This class is constructed for you to learn how to access that unique voice within yourself so that you can express your creative spirit in an introspective and honest way while learning a plethora of computer, photographic, and drawing skills.

This class will explore the use of computer self-portraiture, paint, pastel and pen techniques to create a journal that will excavate our creative voice.

I will provide the computers and printer so that we will be able to learn a variety of techniques using iphoto, photoshop and photobooth to capture our image in a unique way. We will then print out these and use them to create meaningful journal pages. You will learn quick and easy background pages and several fast journal-binding techniques.

The ideas taught in this class will provide a springboard for you to use as an inspiration for all of your work.

Please visit my art blog http://sweetsistergina.typepad.com or email me with questions at [email protected]






 gifts for men

  

Well it is about time!

I  have been waiting for this.  My friend Carol Parks finally has a BLOG!  Check it out for Inspiration galore!  This is the wall of her kitchen so you can see just a peek of what's in store.

CHECK OUT HER UP COMING CLASS LIST!

Traci Bunkers 9/12-14
Get Your Art On
Sabrina Ward Harrison 9/20 & 21
True Living
Keely Barham 10/3-5
Found Object Frenzy
Sas Colby 10/10 & 11
Amber Shellac
Mary Beaton 10/17-19
Extreme Paper Marbling
Carla Sonheim 10/24-26
All Creatures Great & Small
Jesse Reno 10/31 & 11/1
Halloween Weekend
Lynne Perrella
Field Trip
David Caspar 12/6 & 7
Eye Candy Shrines Your Lifeon Canvas
Lisa Engelbrecht 1/30- 2/1
Memento Mori
Jesse Reno 2/13-25
Valentine Weekend
LK Ludwig 2/27-3/1
Line of Sight
Gail Rieke 3/6-8
SARK 3/21 & 22
Lisa Sonora Beam 3/27-29
Leighanna Light 4/3-5
Stephanie Lee 4/17-19
Jesse Reno 4/24-26
Katie Kendrick 5/22-24
Anne Bagby 6/5-7
Misty Mawn 6/12-14
Jesse Reno Master Class 6/23-28
Michael deMeng 9/4-6
LK Ludwig 10/23-25
Into the Shadow and Light

I am blessed with great friends

This weekend I took a workshop with my dear, dear friend LK Ludwig - the workshop was incredible - being an educator I can tell you that there are great artists and then there are great artists who are also great teachers - you know what I mean - they model, they facilitate your growth, they push you, they nurture you, they encourage your own unique voice, they are generous of heart and spirit without ego or pride - LK is one of these. 

And not only was it a great workshop but it was at my friend Carol's where I got to stay for the entire weekend!  Yup, I even spent Fri and Sat night in that fabulously, warm, comforting, inspiring, loving nest of hers.  Carol has one of the biggest hearts and spirits I know and I am so blessed to have her in my life.

and if it couldn't get any better my darling Judi took the workshop with me and was my seat mate .... not to mention that her talented husband Steve (who cooks like no other) made homemade salsa and guacamole for us on Sunday.

to complete this love fest where some great gals -Darci, Carol, Yvonne, Lindy, and Minnie.

I am filled up!

Jesse Reno - a true and tender spirit

I was one of Jesse Reno's helpers yesterday for his class at my friend Carol Park's Studio and what a magical time it was.  Jesse is such a soulful and generous spirit.  We gathered on comfy chairs in the warm space of Carol's living room to watch Jesse paint, describe his techniques and answer questions for over 3 hours and then artist's went to work on their own.  Jesse is an honest and humble artist who puts up no walls but opens himself up to connect with others.  That's what I call a true artist - one who gives of themselves freely and willingly without worrying if they are giving to much away.  One who shares their gifts with others knowing that in that unselfish act only strength and joy will be returned to their own work.  Jesse is one of those individuals.  There is no big ego here - just a kind and giving soul.  I feel very honored to have met him and watch him paint and share.  I also purchased on of his pieces for my husband for our upcoming anniversary which I will share later. 

On another note - Carol Park's Studio ....

I know she is a dear friend but honestly there are NOT many better places to take a class - this intimate and warm environment is so nurturing and healing.  Artist feel valued and welcomed in her home - which in itself is a work of art.  She has an incredible line up for the rest of this year and the next.  Make sure you check out her site and get on her mailing list - she has everyone you ever wished to take coming to her studio to teach.  This Fri, Sat, and Sun I get to go back and take a great class for me dear dear friend LK Ludwig - can't wait - more to come ....

Open Up

Yesterday I had a fabulous day at my friend Carol's Home Studio attending a workshop with my darling Jules ( That is the very talented Miss Juliana Coles)  It was sort of a gear up for Artfest but more than anything it was a good thing for the soul - being around friends, art, warmth, and laughter - the best medicine for anything.

Carol and Jules

One of my favorite Proverbs -

"THOSE WHO HEAR NOT THE MUSIC THINK THE DANCERS MAD"