Third Annual Objects of Desire Show

Your Play    Mixed Media Collage

A Very Special Two Day Show at 
Passionflower Design
In Eugene
Work by Beverly Soasey and Me...
Join us for the opening Feb 3 from 5-8pm.

Show runs Feb 3 & 4 only.
128 East Broadway, Eugene, OR


US Postal Service

I made a mixed media piece for my kids for Christmas...
3 canvases, each 18 x 24. 
It was all made from bits of recycled paper.
Since they flew up from LA, 
I was going to drive it down when I went to visit. 
But I got anxious to get it to them and decided to ship it. 
I packed it in card board and sent it off.

 

This is how it arrived. And the third canvas is even worse.
What the hell did they do to it?

 
I thought I had packed it well. 
But obviously I have a lot to learn about packing for shipping. 
Especially if I use the postal service. Never again.
And no, I did not purchase insurance.

Yes, I know. 
Really stupid.

February Paper Clay Workshop


Two Half-days:  Saturday, Feb. 4, 10-2, Sunday, Feb. 5, 1-4
Workshop fee: $100.00
At Clay Space
222 Polk Street,  Eugene OR 97402  
To register call: 541-653-8089

Make a mixed media masterpiece and learn new ways to create artwork in two half-day sessions using paper maché clay, tissue paper, and acrylic paint. On day one, you will sculpt the clay on boards. On day two, you will refine, carve and paint your finished piece. The result will leave people wondering how you made it. This workshop is easy, fun and very forgiving. A unique process, perfect for every skill level from beginner to advanced.

Each person needs to bring:

--One 8x10 canvas or board (about 1/4" thick)
--8 oz Creative Paper Clay (from any art supply or craft store)
--Acrylic paint-- Bring what you have. If you do not already own them, you need to minimally buy a set that includes ivory black, titanium white, a red, a yellow and a blue. If you are unsure what colors to buy, email me at rogenem@phototidings.com
--Paint brushes, a variety of sizes and shapes--at least one for detail plus 2-3 medium-small sizes
--Xacto knife
--Pencil, eraser and black stylist marker of some kind
--Elmer's School Glue
--Plastic containers for water and glue/water combo
--A palette for acrylic paint such as an 8x10 piece of glass, a white plate, a glass plate, or 2-3 white paper plates with plastic coating,
--Rolling pin or something that will work as a roller
--Tape, masking or whatever
--Gesso, small amount

Optional:
--letter stamps, other things to stamp into the clay
--hair dryer  or heat gun to speed drying times

I will provide:
--Inspirational images
--Carbon paper for transfer
--Tissue paper, variety of colors
--Tissue for sketching designs
--Plastic sheeting for clay work
--the loan of a wooden clay tool
--rubbing alcohol
--sand paper

Christmas for the Birds

This year...consider making a nature tree for the birds. You can decorate a tree outside with treats for your feathered friends. It's a cruel world out there...and those cute little birds are scurrying to find enough food to keep themselves alive each day. And when it is below freezing, they could use a bowl of water too. Here is one of many sites that shows how to make a nature tree for the birds.

http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/Decorate-A-Christmas-Tree-For-The-Birds.htm

If you do it near a window you will be able to see how much they appreciate your generosity.

Happy Holidays!

Small Pleasures Art Show

Opening next Friday, December 9th at 5:30
Show runs through January 25
20 artists, all pieces are 12" or less
at the Jacobs Gallery in Eugene


Love Hurts   Paper Clay/Mixed Media
The Pest   Paper Clay/Miked Media


I have about 10 pieces in this show.
All are somewhat dark.
Like the days when clouds hang over the sun 
and you never get the sense that it is still in the sky.
Happy Holidays

Small Things Show at Guardino Gallery in Porltand

This is going to be a great show...opening the day after Thanksgiving. I will have several bug and bird pieces hanging. And all the work is under 7" square. More than 40 artists on display.

Un-Christmas Cards

Don't we all have enough stuff? This Christmas, consider sending this card to friends and family so that you might all take a break from the holiday spending machine. Click on it to see what it says on both sides. I have them with matching envelops for sale at cost (1.25/card)...but would gladly GIVE them away if it would save even one more thing from being dumped into the landfill. Contact me if you are interested: rogenem@phototidings.com.

Front and Back of card
Inside of card


Insecto-side

When I went to San Miguel in Mexico recently, I packed up a few art supplies so I could get some work done down there. I took along some paper clay and a few paints, plus 10 small canvases. As you can see, I am into insects these days. They are just so beautiful...but are treated so poorly by all. They are regarded as unwanted pests but they play a vital role in our world. How would it feel to be so unwelcomed and expendable?


 

 

Let's Tear It Up at my Collage Workshop

This is one of my FAVORITE ways to make art. It is fun, relaxing and portable which makes it perfect for travel or for those long winter months ahead. Don't make yourself crazy, make art instead.

Get more information and the materials list at Clay Space in Eugene.
541-653-8089

 http://clayspaceonline.com/learn/workshops.html

Paper Clay Demonstaration



I will be demonstrating paper clay techniques on November 9 & 10 from 10 am-6pm at the Campus Duck Store as part of the Tools of the Trade Show. This is a FREE event offered by The Creative Duck at the Campus Duck Store for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. During the trade show, local and regional artists and vendors share their knowledge and stools of the trade. Plus you can get 25% off ALL ART SUPPLIES both days! It's a great event and you can see lots of other artists doing their thing as well.

Check this link for a list of participating artists an details about the show:
http://uoduckstore.com/creativeduck/events/totts.cfm

Getting Inspired in Mexico

I jumped on a cheap flight to Mexico City and took a bus to San Miguel de Allende, one of the most charming cities in Mexico. This colonial town is the home to hundreds of artists from all over the world. Art is everywhere. Whenever I need a shot in the arm, this is the place for me. Fabulous weather, fantastic food, welcoming people and unbridled creativity. Plus I must walk 10 miles a day here...which is easy because there is so much to see and do. It truly is a wonderland for artists.








Painted Torn Paper Collage Workshop in November

NOV 12th AT CLAY SPACE IN EUGENE

Create a work of art from bits of torn paper. Join me for a one day workshop and learn some of my favorite techniques for making art with a few simple materials. This method is perfect for those looking for a flexible, forgiving, and fun way to be creative. This class is perfect for all skill levels. Learn a variety of designing, gluing, application, and acrylic painting techniques in just 6 hours. Bring your favorite papers and an open mind to try something new.

DETAILS:
http://clayspaceonline.com/learn/workshops.html

Tutorial: Adding a Torn Paper Background

People ask me how I add my "newsprint" backgrounds to my paper clay pieces. So here is the process...After I have painted my paper clay piece, I tear up book pages, newspaper pages or whatever I am working with...removing headlines, lines, empty space, and anything that is not consistently the same size type.

Using Elmers Glue (I use School Glue because it can be reconstituted if you want to remove it) and water (equal amounts) I paint on the glue and add the paper scraps bit by bit. I paint over and under them as I go.

I always fit around the images first and then fill in the rest. Sometimes a little cutting is necessary to fit tight corners...but mostly, the edges are all torn.

When finished, I sand the edges to make a nice clean edge and paint the sides of the canvas black.

My last step is to paint the whole thing with Matte Medium. Sometimes, I will go around all the edges of the paper clay image  with a light black acrylic wash to help give it a more polished took. It helps to integrate the background with the paper clay image.
Take a class with me sometime!





Cleaning Out My Studio!

Whenever I finish a bunch of work, I clean out my studio so that I can begin anew. In the summer, I can open my garage door to the outside world...but over the summer everything gets pretty dusty and spider webby. So, having just finished teaching at Art and Soul, and making work for the vendor night sale, I am ready to begin a new phase of work. And that always begins with cleaning my studio.  It looked like a tornado hit. But now, it's all ready to mess up again.
 
Our Lady of Setting Your Soul Free  8x10    Torn paper collage/acrylic paint


Teaching a Workshop at Art & Soul in Portland

Not Today      Paper Clay/Mixed Media     8x10

If you are wondering how I make my art...you might want to take my 2 day workshop at Art & Soul on October 1 & 2. This venue is a wonderful place to make art, meet other artists and get all inspired for fall.

Here is the link to my class: http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/retreat-Portland2011-2002-workshop.php

The Creative Paper Clay Company has donated the clay for my class...so the materials fee (listed at $15.00) is actually only $5.00!

I promise you will learn all sorts of new ways to make art that you will LOVE!

Obsessive Thinking

Noxious Thoughts  9x12  Paper Clay/Mixed Media
Circular thoughts are the ones that keep coming through your head and making you feel anxious. Ever notice that they are not happy thoughts? Just the old stinky bad ones? Things you or someone else did or said that bug you. It's like being on a hike with a rock in your shoe. The only cure is to take it out. And only you know how to do that.

Relationships

It's not like love hurts all the time...but one false move and it can get kind of sticky. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

Paper Clay/Mixed Media    10"x 12"   Love Hurts

Who's Bugging Who?

My latest insect collection honors those bugs that are now extinct or endangered because of humans encroaching upon their habitats. Next time you swat at an insect, just remember that they actually have a right to be here too. "But for the grace of God go I."

Bugged 1  5x7  Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 2   5x7 Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 3  5x7  Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 4  5x7 Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 5  7x7  Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 6   7x7  Paper Clay/Mixed Media

Bugged 8   7x7  Paper Clay/Mixed Media

The Going Away Party

I was invited to participate in a show at MECCA, our local recycled materials exchange organization. They provided me with items I needed to make into art: a slide carousel and slides. Here is the result...a game board with a spinner that works. It's a tribute to endangered animals. Looks funny but it's no joke.

Show: Objects Afterlife Art Challenge
•  Showing at the Eugene Celebration: Aug 26-28, 174 W. Broadway (next to NewZone Gallery)
•  Artist's Opening at MECCA: First Friday Artwalk, Sept 2, 449 Willamette St. (to the right of the Amtrak Station)

 

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