Art Prompt: Illustrate a goal.

Dream Big - Reach High

Writing Prompt: What keeps . . . → Read More: Art Journal Project 2012 – Week 8]]> These weekly prompts  are not intended to make an entire page  but instead are meant to give you a starting point or a kick in the pants when you need one.

Art Prompt: Illustrate a goal.

Dream Big - Reach High

Writing Prompt: What keeps you small?

I’ve set out to make one a month and this . . . → Read More: Blue Silk Beaded Spool Maiden]]> Lorri F here – I was inspired to make these beaded beauties by a Kelli Nina Perkins’ blog post.  Kelli will be teaching at Art Camp for Women in October 2012.  I loved her beaded spools and thought they would make sweet bodies for angels, fairies and maidens galore!

I’ve set out to make one a month and this month I’m featuring a little maiden with a blue silk dress and a sweet little scarf upon her head.  This Blue Silk Maiden was created during a recent weekend in the mountains with my art group, Uncommon Cloth.  It’s always a challenge to bring enough supplies to work with AND not bring enough for 2 weeks when I only have a few days to play  – this is the main reason why we provide ALL the art supplies at Art Camp for Women - we want you to have lots to play with and not have to lug a great big suitcase full of stuff you end up not using.

I tossed in some hand-dyed silk squares thinking they were just too lucsious to leave behind.  I can’t remember where and when I got them, but I’m thinking I might have had them for at least 10 years…I think it’s time to use them!

I started with a needle felted head and a beaded body which I explained how to make in a previous post.

To make the skirt, I lightly ironed the silk to get out any wrinkles and raided the kitchen for a small Fiestaware plate to use as a circle template.  I drew around the plate with a pen and cut out the circle with scissors.  The plate is about 7″ in diameter.

Next I used needle and thread to sew a loose running stitch about 1/4″ from the edge around the whole circle.   Pull both ends of the thread to draw the circle up into a little pouch and tie the ends together to create a knot so the pouch does not come open.  Clip off the extra thread about 1/2″ away from the knot.

 Next, you will sew the various parts together.  I used strong, heavy duty carpet or button thread and chose a long needle.  I have 4″ long doll making needles, but of course I didn’t bring those up to the mountains so I had to make due with the longest needle I could find.

Start by going down through the spool and then through the top of the gathered pouch.  Back up through the spool and then up through the center of the needle felted head.  Go over about 1/8″ and sew  back down through the head.

Remove the needle and holding both ends of the thread, pull them tightly and tie a knot so that all the pieces are drawn and held together tightly.  If you find that it’s too loose, carefully cut the thread and try it again.  It might help to have an extra pair of hands hold everything together while you tie the knot.

Lastly, I used a scrap of silk to tie a little scarf on the top of her head.

Art Prompt: Try using tiny script for the background texture of your page.

Script for Background

Writing Prompt: Write about what makes . . . → Read More: Art Journal Project 2012 – Week 7]]> These weekly prompts  are not intended to make an entire page  but instead are meant to give you a starting point or a kick in the pants when you need one.

Art Prompt: Try using tiny script for the background texture of your page.

Script for Background

Writing Prompt: Write about what makes you thankful.

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 . . . → Read More: Carla Sonheim-Artist and Author – Art Camp for Women]]> Below is a guest post from Carla Sonheim.

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:

1. Get some watercolors and paper and paint a random “blob,” kind of like this:
   

   Sample Paint Blob

2.  Let dry completely.
3. 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!

Editorial note: If you can’t wait for Carla’s new book check out her book currently available:  Drawing Lab For Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun! also published by Quarry Books.

Art Prompt: Collage and make a background using at least 3 elements with your favorite color.

Pink Elements

Writing Prompt: Make a list of what annoys you . . . → Read More: Art Journal Project 2012 – Week 6]]> These weekly prompts  are not intended to make an entire page  but instead are meant to give you a starting point or a kick in the pants when you need one.

Art Prompt: Collage and make a background using at least 3 elements with your favorite color.

Pink Elements

Writing Prompt: Make a list of what annoys you most about your city.