Winter 2013 Artist Trading Card Workshop!
This January I’ll be holding an Artist Trading Card (ATC) workshop in conjunction with my friend artist/painter Susan Ashbrook. I’ve been participating in ATC trades on and off for five years now with artist friends or local ATC groups including the now sadly defunct ATC quarterly which was run by artist Ronna of Dunvegan, Ontario – you can view a sample of one of her zines on the ATC Quarterly Website and even order a back issue of one if you like. I really love the sense of community and friendship ATC trades instil in participants. I like too that anyone, artist or not, can start their own ATC group and make it a fun way to explore and improve their artistic skills as well as socializing with others. ATCs don’t have to be art “masterpieces” – as long as they are uniquely “you” they are amazing gifts to trade with others. The ATC workshop will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013. See Susan Ashbrook’s Events website page for further details and registration. I’ll be posting some information on my Workshops Page in mid December. For more background on ATCs see my blog entry: A Personal Glimpse into the World of Artist Trading Cards.
Michelle Casey, Untitled Journal Page, Mixed Media/Collage: acrylic paints, magazine fragments, marker, 5 x 7 inches, December 4 2012
Spring 2013 Mixed Media/Collage Journaling Workshop!
Last year many daily ephemera journaling students interested in working with paints and other materials have been clamouring for a mixed media journaling workshop. I’m no Picasso when it comes to painting, but I do have a few handy tricks to share in creating exciting page backgrounds for your visual journals – I know how intimidating the blank page can be! I’ve been experimenting with acrylic paints for several years now and found they can add so much dimension to a page as well as being a great jumping off point into your collage narratives. I’m still debating on what types of techniques to demonstrate… right now, I’m thinking of working with acrylics, of course, and rubber stamping as well as working with printing inks. I welcome any other suggestions! The workshop will most probably be held in mid to late April. Please check my Workshops Page in mid January for further details. Here’s a sample of my latest mixed media journal page (above) incorporating stencilling into the page’s background.
Exquisite fabric flower pin made by Connie Howes-Davidson
Connie’s Gift of Fabric Flowers
In August I had lunch with friends (two former journaling students): Connie Howes-Davidson and Ruby Ireland. We had a great chat catching up on our latest creative adventures since the workshop as well as sampling delicious fish tacos at a local restaurant which Connie had recommended: The Side Door in the Market. While we were there, Connie presented me with a beautiful floral pin collage she’d made. I’d heard that she made them and had pleaded with her to bring a few samples along. These beautiful fabric broaches were inspired by ones her mother wore long ago – such a touching tribute! The black and white one she designed for me worked wonderfully with the outfit I was wearing that day! I love it, Connie! Above is a sample of one of her precious pins – the contrasting textures and fabric patterns she uses are so brilliant! To learn more about her art work see my blog entry: Connie’s Journey from Quilter to Collagist.
Enigma's Album Cover of "Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi" is also composed of a beautiful collage mix of visuals...
The Sound of Enigma in My Art Studio
This week I’ve been back in the studio working on an eight-page collage zine. It’s been great to create in my space uninterrupted by email and Facebook now that I’ve moved my office to the second floor! To further propel my imagination to exciting places, I’ve been listening to some compelling music from my long-time favourite album by Enigma: Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi: a veritable sound collage of technological beats and primal sounds from world cultures. The hypnotic “voice” of Enigma is created by Michael Cretu; his fascinating sci-fi, futuristic music always sends me journeying to the far reaches of my imagination. I love getting lost in music while creating. Further, listening to his music also evokes all kinds of memories and sensations within me. Cretu says the “world comes together” through his music and it does so in such a magical way. Here’s a video link of Michael Cretu talking about the way he composed the music for his album… in my collaging I can totally relate to the way he describes the process of “diving” into the atmosphere of his subject matter in order to get to know it better. In the video’s background you’ll also hear brief music samples from the album… it’s so amazing, I had to share it with you!
Stay tuned next week for my top book recommendations for the year – they’ll make great Christmas gifts for your crafty friends!
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