Carla Sonheim will be our guest artist/instructor for the Mini-Deluxe Art Camp for Women, this fall from October 9-12.
Also, watch for Carla’s new book, “Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed Media Workshop with Carla Sonheim.” Published by Quarry Books, due out in bookstores this fall.
Book Art with Carla Sonheim
Hello! This is Carla Sonheim guest blogging for Art Camp for Women.
I am super excited to be teaching for two days this October in beautiful Colorado. We will be creating two or more artist’s books using the following ingredients:
3+ T. watercolor
1 c. gesso
1 pencil
colored pencils,
markers,
and ink pens galore
a stack of junk mail
watercolor paper
a pinch of drawing
a pile of inspiration
a lot of creativity
and a whole lot of fun!
(all ingredients supplied at Camp)
We’ll start by splashing around paint on various surfaces (including junk mail):
This is the “No Worries” part of the workshop!
Book on Junk Mail by Carla Sonheim - her quirks are starting to show...
Then we’ll slow down and pull together the chaos with pencils, pens and more paint, if necessary.
(I tend to pull out animals, but you will be free to do your own thing, for sure!)
Relax and paint
This is the “Still No Worries” portion of the workshop!
Squint your eyes - and there it is!
In my teaching I always include a short drawing session (don’t worry-these are easy drawing exercises for all levels of skill) so you can get more comfortable with pen and paper and begin to know this truth:
D r a w i n g i s F u n
(it is!)
…and if you don’t think so, please consider letting me show you how fun it can be!
Bonus: 3 step – 10 minute – Art Tutorial
Even if you can’t make the workshop, you can still try some of these things at home:
Get some watercolors and paper and paint a random “blob,” kind of like this:
Sample Paint Blob
Let dry completely.
Turn your paper around and around until you “see” something… an animal, a face, the beginning of a landscape… then, using a combination of pencil, markers, colored pencils, ink, “finish” what is already started!
I’ve found this to be a great way to work in my sketchbook or whenever I’m feeling a little stuck… it takes all the pressure off of “what to draw” and I end up with animals and drawings of things that I would never have tried on my own!
Art Camp for Women welcomes Carol Sloan as our Guest Blogger this week. Carol will be teaching mixed-media bookmaking at Art Camp for Women in June 2012. She will be teaching at Deluxe Camp as well as “The Works!” Camp! Welcome Carol.
Carol Sloan Spirit book - Wanna make one too?
I am so excited about teaching at Art Camp for Women this year!
I think that we, as women, have so many responsibilities in our lives that we often put our need to express ourselves creatively last on the list. We spend our days meeting the needs of everyone but ourselves.
It’s so important for each of us to be able to tell our stories…to express what we have lived through, what we are dealing with or how we are feeling. And doing this in a creative manner is often just what the doctor ordered!
Everyone has a story to tell, whether it’s about your own life, a loved one or a made-up tall tale. It’s there just waiting to be shared.
Imagine being surrounded by caring, loving women that truly understand your yearning to express yourself creatively. Being in an atmosphere where your lack of skills (or your imagined lack) is no longer an issue.
Imagine having every tool, every little item that you need to create a stunning piece of artwork right at your fingertips…everything.
Every tool, every little item at your fingertips.
Gourmet food waiting at the table. Wine poured for you.
Dinner is Served!
Smart, talented and funny instructors that understand your fears and hesitations. We have a knack for helping those that think they can’t be helped…
Imagine finding your tribe. That special group of women that share your likes, your experiences, that love the same things that you do. You speak the same language when it comes to being creative.
THAT is what Art Camp For Women is all about.
It’s about connecting with like-minded women and spending a few days wrapped in the cocoon of creativity away from all the distractions of everyday life.
I’ve spent the last couple of months creating a special class for the June camp. I wanted everyone to be able to create a book that they can use for whatever purpose they choose to use it for, whether that is an art journal, sketchbook, writing journal or as a piece of art in itself.
Carol Sloan Painted pages
I also wanted to consider the brand new book maker as well as the experienced one. I did a lot of research on binding stitches and feel that the combination I worked into the book will be perfect for our purpose and range of experience. It lies completely flat when opened, goes together beautifully, incorporates found items or treasured keepsakes and the paper is heavy enough to use watercolor paint on.
I wanted to keep it simple enough so that everyone could go home and put another one together on their own and not feel frustrated.
I also wanted to include more than one binding stitch. In planning the workshop book, I’ve included three different stitches in the binding. All easy as pie but beautiful!
They really show off the thread color too. I’ll be bringing lots of thread colors to choose from too!
Here are a couple of photos of sample books that I’ve been working on.
Carol Sloan Handmade Books - Don't you want to take one home?
I had received an email or two asking about what could be expected from the class – what will we learn kind of questions. So I thought I would list that out.
Here’s a partial list, as I tend to include all kinds of extras when I teach. I’m one of those teachers that like to share as much as they can. It’s not in my personality to hold things back…
Basic book structure
Building a cover with various elements
Designing and creating a cover collage (to make it uniquely yours)
Differences in bookbinding threads (and how to choose what to use)
Using household items as art supplies
How to use acrylic mediums (what, when and why)
Making your cover durable/waterproof
Using vintage linens/laces in collage & bookmaking (great ways to use those vintage linens that you’ve been hanging onto)
Making signatures
Collage methods to create beautiful book pages
Three different bookbinding stitches with resources for more
Discuss paper differences (with samples of each)
Pulling it all together (the book, that is)
Using power tools (small ones!) in bookmaking
Using non-traditional supplies in bookmaking
Proper measuring/marking for binding stitches
Discuss different binding structures for different types of books
Background painting for book pages
That’s the list that I can think of just sitting here…there will be more but not in an overwhelming way. I also provide several pages of instructions to take home with you – complete with hand drawn stitching details.
We will have lots of book making books for you to look through also.
One thing that I still find so exciting is that the participants don’t have to bring their own supplies to the retreat! How cool is that??! Everything is provided for you, with many things to choose from and make the book special for you.
You owe it to yourself to investigate those creative urges that you feel. Art Camp is one of the few (if not the only) retreat that pampers you the way that they do. No carrying a huge stash of art supplies, no wondering and second guessing if you’re taking the right tools… It’s all there – waiting on you.
So, if you’re looking for a retreat that allows you to investigate your own creativity in a safe and nurturing environment, then this is your place.
You give so much of yourself to the other people in your life, it’s time that you started treating yourself the same way!
This is a guest post from Beth Hayden of Blogging with Beth. Beth is one of our 2012 guest instructors for Art Camp for Women – she’ll be teaching a brand-new class on setting up an artist’s blog.
I’m a blogging coach, and I have a confession to make – I have a soft spot in my heart for artist’s blogs. I think artists create some of the most visually engaging, dynamic blogs on the web. Art blogs are filled with images that are so yummy I just want to reach through the screen and touch ‘em. I could look at them all day.
If you’re an artist, why should you consider blogging (other than just giving me more fabulous eye candy to savor?) Here are the top five reasons every artist should blog:
1. Your blog will give you a very professional, accessible presence on the web. Whether or not you sell your art commercially, a blog is a great place to share your work in a beautiful, polished way. An artist’s website is their “home base”, the place that acts as their online business card (and much more!) Blogs give you lots of options for creating your online presence in gorgeous ways that really reflect your artistic style.
And if you ARE interested in selling your work, using a blog is the easiest, quickest way to set up your own online shop. Blogs can also integrate beautifully with Etsy, if you’re selling your artwork via their platform.
Search engines also love blogs, and Google rewards bloggers who update their sites on a regular basis. So if you’re creating art in a specific niche, blogging will make you more findable on the web!
2. Blogs help you build connections and relationships. Your blog will make it easier for everyone (friends, family, gallery owners, potential buyers) to see your work. They can also encourage you by commenting on your work and cheering you on!
Blogging also lets you hobknob with other artist bloggers (in your niche and beyond) in order to exchange ideas, share tips and tricks, and talk about exciting upcoming conferences and camps – like Art Camp for Women!
Meeting new people and growing your connections and relationships is excellent fodder for your artwork, too. After all, isn’t being in relationship with someone the ultimate act of self-expression? These relationships will make your life richer and your art better.
3. Blogging lets you measure your progress over time. When I look back at my earliest blog posts, I see that my writing style was more amateur, my explanations on technical topics not as clear, and my presentation not as professional. I see a huge difference between my early posts and the posts I’m publishing today.
Imagine seeing your growth and progress as an artist as you flip back through your archived posts. You’ll see how you are changing and growing in your art, and also as a person! As you integrate new skills you learn from classes and conferences, you can see clearly how you go from beginner to expert over the course of time. It’s incredibly satisfying for you, and really compelling for your blog readers, too!
You also get to keep your blog as an incredible online scrapbook and archive for your kids, your extended family, and your friends. Blogs will stay up on the web as long as you keep them up, so your art will have a staying power!
4. Blogging is motivating and inspiring. Blogs provide a wonderful structure in which to work and play. If you’ve decided to post a new photo of your artwork once a week, and you know your readers are expecting a new post, you bet your booty you’ll be more motivated to sit down and create. Some artists even post new artwork every day! You certainly don’t NEED to post everyday, though, to get an enormously fun motivation to create.
You can also find inspiration from your blog – from the comments you’ll get from readers, from other artist blogs and websites, and from images you’ll see all over the web. A blog is a wellspring of constant inspiration if you’re curious and keep your eyes open!
5. Finally – and perhaps MOST importantly – blogging is FUN. Modern blogging tools, combined with state-of-the-art digital cameras – make it fun and easy to publish new posts, switch out new blog templates, and get creative online. And artist bloggers can let their passion for color, light and texture run free online. Blogging is a blast, and once you get started, you won’t want to stop!
Sold on the idea of blogging? Then I invite you to join us at this year’s Art Camp for Women sessions for a special workshop on blogging.
You’ll come out of this two-day session with a working, published blog. You will already have one or two posts up when you leave the camp, and will have the knowledge and understanding to put up new posts whenever inspiration strikes.
You’ll learn how to load pictures from your camera to your computer, and how to easily publish them to your blog
You’ll feel more comfortable with technology (technophobes are 100% welcome!)
You will LOVE your new blog, and will be excited to go home and put up new posts!
During this two-day class, I’ll teach you how to:
Set up a new web hosting account (you’ll need this for your new blog – sounds hard but it really isn’t!)
Create your new WordPress blog
Choose a new site template to create a look and feel for your blog that reflects your artwork and your mission as an artist
Create and publish blog posts with photos of your artwork
Manage online comments and discussion from your readers
Categorize your blog posts to create an easy-to-use online archive for you and your readers
You will need a laptop computer and a digital camera (or photos already on your laptop) to participate in class.
Important note: If I haven’t sold you on the idea of blogging and you’d just like to create a regular website, we can do that, too! I’ll teach you how to use WordPress to create a regular website with your images and text. You’ll still get a TON out of this workshop.
I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching this class as part of this year’s Art Camp for Women sessions, and to have the opportunity to teach side-by-side with Lori Wostl and Lorri Flint, two of my favorite women (and two of the best TEACHERS) in the world. We’d love to have you join us. Want more info? Here’s where you can get more information on registering for the upcoming Art Camp for Women camp, or get more details on this blogging workshop.
Beth Hayden helps business owners, artists, entrepreneurs and authors grow their business by helping them create fabulous websites, blogs, and social media campaigns. Get her best tips for achieving blogging nirvana by downloading her free report, From Blah to Hurrah: 25 Ways to Make Your Blog Bigger, Better and More Profitable.
I’m getting ready to take a little art pilgrimage to Colorado for Art Camp For Women and hope you’ll consider coming with me. We’re going to have an amazing week creating, bonding, playing and making artful messes in the beautiful mountains. This is my one chance to get together with like-minded women and MAKE to our heart’s content! There is still room, so grab a friend and book a room together. I’ve made a short video (above) so we can get acquainted and I can share a sneak peek!
We supply it all!
If you’ve always wanted to play with these art supplies, you’ll have plenty of opportunities. Art Camp is different. Don’t bring yours, play with ours! We’ll be using: silver plated spoons, old book text, waxed linen cord, dyed ribbons, painted fusible web, fabric foil, angelina, dryer sheets, alcohol ink, acrylics, watercolors, inkjet printed fabric, assorted ephemera, beads, fabric paints, fabric dyes, ultra thick embossing enamel, foam stamps, handmade stamps, paper beads, Shiva paintsticks, delicious glitter, oil pastels, sponges, brayers, bubble wrap, rubbing plates, stencils, freezer paper stencils, gold leaf pens, embroidery floss, deColourant, bleach pens, color wash sprays, gel medium and MORE! What a fabulous mess we’ll make, and at the end we’ll have piles of handmade artwork to admire.
More Goodies!
And MORE!
The margaritas are chilling and the hot springs are calling. You deserve a retreat for the soul–a chance to make art without fear, in the company of other women. This is a much more intimate adventure than the big retreats, with a cozy, limited class size that ensures plenty of time to get to know each other.
Being a very Jill-of-all-trades type of person, I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to. Once in a while though, I find myself trying something and becoming frustrated because I cannot do it the first time I try it.
Napkin fabric-paper - duds to practice free-motion stitching on
Often I just throw my hands up and give up. Such has been the case with free-motion sewing. I read Kelli Perkins blog, see her beautiful stitch paper and other projects and think, “Oh I can do that – that looks fun.” Or I read about the fabric-paper in Beryl Taylor’s book and begin a project, only to come to a screeching stop at the part that involves a sewing machine.
Last summer I was introduced to the Bernina Super-Machines and since then my excuse has been that my sewing machine sucks and if I had that $4000.00 model all would be well. Well, my dear, I would just like to say, “have you seen the machine embroidery coming out of Pakistan, Guatemala and other equally impoverished places?” I’m sure they are mostly using old treadle Singer machines.” (Yes, I talk to myself too.)
I have made a few pieces that involved a bit of sewing, mainly by muscling my way through, starting and stopping, using the presser foot on the machine. Then a few months ago I bought a free-motion sewing foot and have tried it three times. The last time, yesterday, I ended up pretty much in the same place as the other two times, swearing and frustrated with three or four broken needles. To add insult to injury, I am in the middle of a severe allergy/hay fever season, so my nose was running too.
Couldn’t I just follow the path of least resistance and be someone who doesn’t sew?
Epiphany? Insight?
I woke up early this morning and had an epiphany. This is a three-day, holiday weekend. No one expects anything of me, what if I apply myself to figuring this out. How about if for 10 minutes out of every waking hour I try to free-motion sew. Practice makes perfect – right?
First three sessions from the back.
And what about a plan. Instead of just jamming ahead willy-nilly, what if I work on something specific like perfecting making spirals and then other circles of various sizes. If it goes well I can try some other things.
First three sessions - front
What could deflect me from my chosen path this weekend? Well we could have disastrous weather and given the way the wind is blowing, we just might. Or the grand kids could come by – they are more distracting than the worst of storms – I should be so lucky.
Session 4 in which I started breaking needles again!
What else, well at the rate I’m going I could run out of sewing machine needles. “My dear, you have great coupons from both Michael’s and JoAnne’s you can get more needles.”
Well what if I do all that and still cannot make spirals and circles or anything else? I just have to say, that I will be better at it than if I don’t try – I probably couldn’t get any worse – so what have I got to lose? HA!
So as soon as I get dressed, it is now 5:45 am, and get through my exercising, I will begin. I will keep you updated. Coffee.
12 hours later
Now it is about 5:45 pm and here is the update – I am getting better! AND this is going to take more than a little bit of practice. At some point I started worrying about the upper thread tension and went to YouTube and found a tutorial that addressed the issue within 2 minutes!
What have I learned so far?
Session 4 - Front
1. Some things take more than one try. (Or more than many tries.)
2. Some things are worth working at over time.
3. I am a bit embarrassed to put these photos up.
4. This is fun, I like the look, even the kind of scrappy, primitive (i.e. bad) sewing.
5. I’ll be back at it as soon as possible, if not tonight – it’s my turn to make dinner – then tomorrow.
Gosh, my business partner is a master at art quilting and might disown me when she sees this post. Nah…
