Inspiration

We have been having some beautiful sunsets lately.  They are very inspiring.

Can you see the sliver of moon high in the sky in this first photo?

These were all taken from my living room with my pocket camera.

Stitch & Post Workshop

I taught my Stitch & Post workshop this past weekend which was in conjunction with the Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance Fiber February.  The sign-ups were through their site, but you didn't have to be a TVAA member to take the class (but TVAA members got a discount).

The workshop was full with eight students.  I think this is the first time I have taught adults.  In the past, I have worked with children.

The workshop was at my house and I think it worked out well.  I was able to do a slideshow on our television screen and if we needed something extra, I had all the materials right there in my studio.  I was also able to show them examples of my own artwork where I had used hand stitching.

The focus of the workshop was on hand stitching.  I showed them some simple hand stitches and many examples of the different ways to use those hand stitches to accent artwork on fabric, paper or canvas.  The students practiced different stitches and then made either a fabric postcard or small square artwork using fused fabrics and accented it with their hand stitching.

For this first time, I learned that we could have used a little more time (I had scheduled three hours for the workshop).  Several people did complete their works.  Most were almost done and they took the stuff home to finish up.

We were set up in our downstairs living room.  I set up a couple extra tables and brought in my ironing board.  Here you can see our new windows!

And here are some of the students working.

Some of the works in progress.  I had fabrics already pre-fused for the participants.  I enjoyed seeing what fabrics and colors people chose and their little compositions.

I didn't get a chance to get a picture of everybody's.  It seemed as though everyone enjoyed the workshop, but could have used a little more time.  I hope to teach this again and now I can refine it a little more.

Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance's Menagerie

The Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance's latest exhibition is Menagerie.

Menagerie: a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition.
A strange or diverse collection of people or things.

This exhibition was juried by local artists and BSU professors Richard Young and Cheryl Shurtleff. With only around 17 artworks chosen, this is an intimate exhibition.  Artworks can be seen at the Boise State Public Radio offices at 220 E. Park Center during business hours and is up until April 24th.

Here's a sneak peek.

Unfurled by Barbara Louise Bowling

I did not submit any artwork for the exhibition because I did not have anything to go with the specific theme.  Usually, I don't like to make artwork for a specific theme. Even if I had, I don't think this theme lends itself very well to my style. But I did install the exhibition, so go check it out.

Plein Air Painting

Sunday morning I went on what I would call my first "en plein air" painting excursion.  It may not technically be the first if I go by the literal definition of "in open air."  I have done some sketching outside with my sketch book and a few times have actually used watercolors on those sketches. But this is the first time I have gone out with the intention of painting, not sketching.

I have been taking a painting workshop with Rachel Teannalach to learn how to use oil paints. I haven't done much painting since college and we did not use oils in college; we used acrylics.  Rachel invited us students to join her in a paint out at sunrise in the foothills.  We actually arrived a little before the sunrise.  There was a sliver of moon out and several of us headed up the trail to find our painting location.

Here is Carrie, Rachel and Lorna working on their paintings.

This is my little set-up since I am not really equipped to do plein air painting.  I have my large palette I have been using in class, a towel to sit on (the ground was still frosty) and I taped a couple pieces of paper to a piece of sturdy cardboard.

One piece of paper is bright orange because with oil paints the surface needs to be primed before painting.  I chose an orange color.  I'm not ready to show you the finished pieces just yet.  Let's just say they don't look anything like what I was seeing.

Here is Lorna's set-up and painting.  She was using the box to hold her painting while she was working on it.

Although I am still not use to working with oil and get frustrated with it, it was a fun experience to go on the paint out.   

Valentine's Day is Here

Happy Valentine's Day!  Today may be Valentine's but it is not the last day to bid on the artwork at Flying M's Valentines for Aids auction.  You can celebrate today and tomorrow and go make your final bid.  Auction closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

These are the last two pieces I am going to post, but there are many, many more to see.  This first one is a drawing titled, Come Live in my Heart and Pay No Rent, by Patrick Davis.

 Time is running out to bid on this last piece by Ferris Goul.

Valentine for Aids Continues

Have you gotten your love something for Valentine's day yet?  There is still time to bid on artwork at Flying M.

The featured artwork for today is a ceramic piece made by Kevin Flynn that is entitled, Bee Mine. So sweet.

Valentine Artwork Preview Continues

More artwork from the Valentine for Aids auction.   There's only a few more days left to bid on some great artworks.  Since we are running out of time, I am going to show you two pieces today.

The first is by my friend, Mike Landa.  I love the simplicity of this.  The title is Equal Are We.  Sorry for the light reflections.  Sometimes there is just no way around them.

This pair of cute cups is made by Brenda Golden. Title is Day of the Dead.

More Valentine for Aids Artwork

This Valentine for Aids artwork is made by Ardith Tate and is entitled, Loliti.  It looks like a mixed media piece.  Check it out at Flying M Coffeehouse in Boise.  Up for bids until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15. 

Pay What You Want Event

In an effort to get more of my artwork out of the closet and to people who would enjoy it, I came up with the idea of a Pay What You Want Event.  I am offering to my newsletter subscribers a chance to name their own price on selected artworks each month.  They have 24 hours to make an offer before I let the public in on the deal.

Last month I did not need to go public.  This month I still have one artwork available that I am now offering to the public.  It will be available for 24 hours.  If you want to read more about how this works and/or make an offer, here is the link to the page.

If you want to sign up for my newsletters and be one of the first to make an offer on future artworks, you can sign up here.

Valentine Countdown Continues

There are lots of fun artworks at the Flying M's Valentine for Aids auction.  I am just showing you a few, but there are hundreds.  So you will want to go see them for yourself (if you are in town).

Today's artwork is a little painting by JanyRae Seda.  It is framed with glass which is why there are lots of reflections in the picture.  The piece is entitled, Heart Bird Glance.

Valentine Countdown

Flying M's Valentine for Aids event is up and running.  This is the first year in sixteen that I have not donated an artwork.  The event is very popular and they can only take so many artworks.  I decided it was time to give someone else a chance.

I went to see the artworks and will give you a preview of one (or two) each day as we count down to Valentine's day. First up is a cozy pair of mittens made by Gail Baccheschl. You can bid on these beauties until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15th.

There are lots of things to bid on and this picture only shows part of the work.

Fiber February

The Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance has designated this month as Fiber February. On Feb. 2, the group held a panel discussion on Fiber Arts.   I was asked to be a panelist, along with other Idaho artists Thea Belecz, Sara Esquivel-Morrissette, Betty Hayzlett, Shirley McCarter and Kathleen Probst with Boise State University Assistant Professor, Lily Martina Lee, hosting as moderator.

The event was well attended, good questions being asked and lots of interest. Each artist on the panel brought some examples of their work for people to see.

The Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance is also hosting several fiber workshops to go along with the monthly theme.  I will be teaching one and my friend, Kathleen, will also be teaching one.  There is a third workshop in the making with my other friend, Betty Hayzlett, teaching.  But that one has not been finalized (keep checking on TVAA website for information).

Sign-up for the workshops is through the Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance website (scroll down and click on "pay now" button to register).  Since spaces are limited, sign up soon!

Here is the workshop information:

Stitch and Post Workshop
Instructor: Lisa Flowers Ross
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2015

Time: 1 – 4 pm
Place: Lisa Flowers Ross’ studio, 1466 Rimrock Ct., Boise

Maximum number of students: 8

Add a new layer of dimension to your artwork!  In this workshop, participants will learn several different, simple hand stitches that can be used in a variety of ways on fabric, canvas or paper to add extra texture and accent to your work.  Examples from different artists will be shown and lots of stitching ideas generated.  Using fused fabrics, participants will compose and complete a small artwork or postcard, embellished with hand stitching, that can actually be mailed, or just “posted” on the internet.

Workshop fee for TVAA members: $15
Fee for non-members: $30

Sign up now!

Mod Fusion

Instructor: Kathleen Probst
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2015
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Place: Kathleen Probst's studio, 2286 W. Kelly Creek Dr., Meridian

Maximum number of students: 8

Get Your Mod On! In this workshop you will learn how to fuse fabrics and create a variety of fusing effects. You will produce several samples to practice the techniques and then create a small composition.  We will focus entirely on fusing.  No sewing machines are required.

Workshop fee for TVAA members: $35
Fee for non-members: $55

Sign up now!








I am excited about teaching my workshop.  I hope some of you can join me.