Letting Go, Again

I have finished my piece that I was working on while traveling. I made 8 birds while on the road. Then when I returned to my studio, I built the rest of the piece and adhered the dried clay birds onto it and added a few more.

While posting images of the white clay, so many people said they would love to see some of my work remain white. And so I have been working with that idea.

Letting Go18x24Paper clay and acrylic paint on canvas

Letting Go18x24Paper clay and acrylic paint on canvas

I have made this image before. The first one I made for a friend who died from cancer, the second for another friend who died from a brain tumor. And so began a life long tribute to those who have had to let go of life.

The inspiration for this series is this quote by Lao Tsu from the I Ching:

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

Working on Paper Clay While Traveling

As crazy as it might seem, I like to sculpt paper clay when I travel. Like while I am traveling. In a car, on a bus, on a train or airplane. I take along clay that I have already rolled out and cover it with plastic. Then I take my designs on tracing paper. I take a few tools, a small cup for water and extra plastic to use under the clay while I am working on it.

When I get home I can adhere my clay pieces to a larger work and finish it. This piece is another in my series called Letting Go. To see others in the series, check my gallery under Paper Clay Folk Art and Mixed Media Paintings

I did this while on the Amtrak train from Seattle to Portland. I carry two small boards to sandwich them between so I can keep them flat.

I did this while on the Amtrak train from Seattle to Portland. I carry two small boards to sandwich them between so I can keep them flat.

Paper Clay FUNdamentals Workshop

What a fun workshop we had this weekend! Each person did such a great piece. Below you will see their clay work, along with the black and white, and then their final piece in class (some were not quite finished). What a great group of women. Each with their own style and ideas. Such creativity. I am so proud of their work!

Keep Your Pallet Clean

Here is my trick to keeping my glass pallet clean when using acrylic paint. It's a good way to keep paint from going down the drain and into the water supply. You can just throw it in the trash after it's dry.

Body of Work

Once in a while I get an idea to do something that excites me until I can actually work on it. This piece was one of those pieces. I thought about making a body and adding elements to it that I sculpt separately. I have done it before, but this time I added connecting elements like stems and leaves. This makes it so much easier to work on because I can sit comfortably and sculpt each element, rather than having to stand and bend over a large piece. When I can relax while working, I am more careful and thoughtful about what I am doing.

I planned to paint this black with rich colored flowers and birds. Having the green leaves and stems be the unifying color. But now that I see it in white, I like it as it is. So I kind of have a dilemma.

I got lots of comments on facebook to leave it white or add subtle color.

Stay tuned to see what happens. Even I don't know at this point.

Emerald Art Center Workshop 2016

What a wonderful class we had at Emerald Art Center in Springfield, Oregon! I am always grateful for a group of fun-loving creative people coming together to make art...and this was a really fun group. Everyone had a distinct style and idea of what they wanted to learn and make. 

Below you will see the progression of their work, which for many is still unfinished. But wow...I am amazed at how well everyone did in just a few hours each day. There is never enough time when you are having fun making art. Day One, we did clay work.

My next workshop is in June.

On Day 2 of our workshop, we paint our clay pieces. Transformation happens!


Everyday Saints Workshop, San Miguel de Allende

What a wonderful workshop we had here in San Miguel de Allende! Each person made their own Saint paying homage to something important to them or someone they love. Done with torn paper collage on canvas, it is the perfect art project for Mexico! Thank you to Carol Jackson for putting this together and to Heidi Lavass for opening your beautiful Bed and Breakfast, Casa de Questa for our fun filled workshop. Below are my two demo pieces as well as the class work.

Our Lady of Being Kind to Yourself

Our Lady of Being Kind to Yourself

Our Lady of Wishful Thinking

Our Lady of Wishful Thinking

These were done by the class, and though most are unfinished, you can see how creative and fun loving each person in the workshop was by their piece.

Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine Article!

Check out the November/December issue of the wonderful art magazine Cloth Paper Scissors for my latest paper clay art project! Yep, that's my project on the cover! Can you believe my good fortune? Learn to use paper clay to make holiday tags, gift wrap embellishments and more. Available on news stands now. Send me a picture of your paper clay project and I will post it here on my blog. Happy Holidays! (See below for images that were submitted.)

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Sent in by Lynne Farrow

Sent in by Lynne Farrow

Also sent in by Lynne Farrow, done by her her and her friends at an art making get together.

Also sent in by Lynne Farrow, done by her her and her friends at an art making get together.

Demonstration at the Duck Store!

Come and visit me at this annual event...happening this week! November 11 & 12, Wednesday and Thursday at the corner of 13th Avenue and Alder Street in Eugene. I will be demonstrating paper clay techniques all day, both days. Lots of artists are demonstrating...so come and join the fun!

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Duck Store Demo



I will be at the University of Oregon Bookstore on November 12 & 13 demonstrating paper clay techniques during their Tools of the Trade Show. Get discounts on ALL art supplies, meet artists demonstrating their crafts, and visit with art material suppliers...it's a great annual event.

Paper Clay Workshop at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology

What a wonderful workshop we had this week! Sitka Center is the perfect place to gather with others who like making art and learn a new medium. The natural beauty of the area is so inspirational and invigorating. Everyone worked hard and the results were amazing. Such nice clay work and painting. Most are still in progress, with finishing touches to come...but check out this great class work!

Thank you to each and every student for taking my workshop! What a great bunch of people. And thank you Sitka for inviting me to teach in one of the most beautiful art centers on the west coast.

Clay work before painting...



It's all about the attitude...

Meticulous attention to detail...




Then we add a dark color to the recesses...




And painting begins...





Unfinished potential...

Adding bits of paper...

And blushes of color...


With fanciful ideas...

Or just plain monkey business...

Cedar waxwings begin to migrate...

As autumn begins to fall upon us.

Wonderful Workshop!

These wonderful works were created by my latest paper clay workshop class at Lincoln Gallery on August 8-9. What a bunch of fun and talented people! It was new to almost everyone. And they really got the hang of it right away. Lots of pieces were yet to be finished...but as you can see, they are headed toward success. Thanks to all for the creativity and inspiration!





































Summer Paper Clay/Mixed Media Workshop


Saturday and Sunday
AUG 8 & 9, 2015
9:30-4:30, Includes 1 hour lunch break at 12:30

At The Lincoln Gallery
OSLP Arts & Culture Program
309 W. 4th Ave.  Eugene 97401
541-636-3119
www.artsandcultureeugene.org

$140.00
Includes some supplies plus an
illustrated take-away instruction booklet

Register Here!
Complete supply list will be emailed to you when you register.

Join me for 2 FUN days learning a brand new method of art making with my inventive paper clay and mixed media techniques. Using an air-dried, paper maché clay, participants will learn to sculpt bas-relief forms onto boards, then carve, sand, and finish them with acrylic paint and collage materials. The result is a rich, textural, wood-carved effect that leaves people wondering how it was made. These techniques are perfect for beginners and advanced students alike, as they inspire experimentation and stir creativity, yet are flexible and forgiving.

Get inspired with birds and blooms and make one or two 5x7 pieces.
Inspirational images provided. Or you can do your own thing.
All skill levels welcome. This is gonna be fun!

Our Lady of Being Authentic

This is another of many homages to Frida Kahlo that I have done over the years. She is such an inspiration to me. Not only do I love and admire her artwork, but as a person, I believe she tried to be as authentic and true to herself as she could in her time. She did not follow trends, she set them. She did not conform to ideologies, she developed them. And not because she was a rebel, but because she was herself. Following her own drum beat.

Our Lady of Being Authentic    11 x 14  Paper clay/mixed media on canvas

This is an example of creating a paper clay base and then collaging over it with decorative papers. Her form was done in paper clay, as well as the ring around her halo. The wings were added with torn paper to the background. I love working in this way. It is very meditative.

Our Lady of Being Authentic  Detail  Paper clay/mixed media

More Fun with Paper Clay

This clay is so versatile...you can shape it, carve it, sand it, mold it, and then paint it or not!

Left to right: Vintage scissors, paper clay mold and paper clay scissors.

Join me for more fun with Paper Clay and expand your repertoire of art making with this most amazing and versatile medium.

CAPTURING NATURE WITH PAPER CLAY
At Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
June 15–19, 2015 (Monday–Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm)

Class Description
Learn a brand new way to make art in this fun class using inventive paper clay and mixed media techniques. Using an air-dried, paper maché clay, participants will learn to sculpt bas-relief forms onto boards, then carve, sand, and finish them with acrylic paint and collage materials. These techniques are perfect for beginners and advanced students alike as they inspire experimentation and stir creativity yet are very flexible and forgiving. This week will be devoted to capturing nature in a variety of ways with simple sculpting techniques. The clay adds dimension to flat work and allows for new painting opportunities and textural options. Students are encouraged to bring ideas and images related to nature. Inspirational images of birds, insects and plants will be provided.
http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Summer15/Manas.html

Clean Studio!

Oh how I love to clean my studio after a long project! It helps me refocus on the next work to begin. Plus I always have a hard time transitioning from one series of work to the next. But cleaning my studio, rearranging things, hanging work stacked around the floor, putting away stuff that no longer inspires me, and organizing my tools, materials,  and reference images always invigorates me to get going again. I found things I forgot about! ONWARD!








And the best reason to have your studio in your garage...a sunny day!




DIY Framing Idea for Paperclay

Since Paper Clay pieces and other mixed media work might have uneven edges, they don't often work in normal frames, where the image goes in from the back. But they look great in box frames. The trouble is, box frames tend to be expensive because they are often custom made. But you can make your own box frame by purchasing a cradled panel and flipping it over. Since they are unfinished wood, you can paint them to match your images. Use wood glue to hold in smaller, lighter things, and wood screws from the back to hold in larger, heavier things.

Magnolia Pod     Paper clay  5"x5" unframed, 8"x8" framed