finally got my long awaited button magnet making supplies on monday and tonight i started playing. carmi, now i understand the obsession!

i pulled out my button maker. ripped open the bags of magnet supplies and started tearing out vintage magazine images to create teeny, tiny 1.25″ collages. i was soooooo happy with these diminutive art works that tonight i listed 2 new items on etsy. two sets of 3 - 1.25″ button magnets featuring original, mini-collages on each magent. so cool!

i love that they are originals and will not be reproduced. so… if you’re interested in art for your kitchen, desk or bathroom vanity - check these babies out =)

i’ve received a few questions about the art of transference online class… so here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q: how much will the supplies cost for the class?

A: tough to say. it really depends on what you already have in your home studio. pricing for the class supplies should be in the neighbourhood of around $50 depending on what you already have and what you have to purchase. here is an outline of what you will need to have on hand for the course curriculum:

• 8oz Golden Soft Gel Medium - runs between $8-11
• 8oz Golden Heavy Gel - Matte or Gloss - runs between $8-11
• 8oz Golden Acrylic Gesso - $8-11
• small tube of light coloured acrylic paint - $2-10 depending on colour
• Costco Kirkland brand of glossy photopaper - 125 sheets for $25: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135013
• Apollo Inkjet Transparencies Non-Fast Drying - 50 sheets for $22-28: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-CG7031S-Inkjet-Printer-Transparency/dp/B0008GM20C
• 1-2″ cheap chip/bristle brushes - i get mine at home depot for $5 per bag of 5 brushes
• small bottle of rubbing alcohol - available at any pharmacy for $1-2
• 1 or 2 smallish atomizer/mister bottles - $1-2 dollars each
• packing tape: dollar store $1
• Chartpak Blender Pen: Colorless Blender $1.95 - OPTIONAL Item if you are sensitive to smells
• Nail polish remover $1-2
• receiving surfaces will vary and i encourage you to use what you already have… but suggestions for surfaces will include watercolour paper, fabric, unpolished stone tiles, metal flashing, plexiglass etc. there should be minimal addition cost with this aspect of the class since I’m teaching you how to transfer on what you likely already have around your art/craft room.
• printable image transfer sheets will be provided and available for download from the private blog. you can download and print the transfer sheets yourself and everyone will have access to the same images.

Dick Blick has really good pricing and they deliver to your door! I get alot of my gesso, paint and mediums from DB or locally from a manufacturer of acrylic mediums in vancouver called Kroma.

Q: when printing my images for the transferring class, what kind of printer should I be using?

A: for printing inkjet prints, I recommend that you use a pigment based ink system like that of the Epson Durabrite system. you will also need to have access to a laserprinter/copier for colour and b/w prints. If you don’t have your own, you can use any Kinkos, Office Depot, copy shop to print your laser/toner images.

Q: is the polaroid stuff still available?

A: the polaroid stuff is still available in limited supply and the DayLab Copy System is what I use to ‘print’ the photo before transferring.

polaroid film is now being looked at by Ilford and Fuji film for continued production, so it may become more readily available in the longterm.

this component of the curriculum does not dictate that you HAVE to do polaroid transfers… its mainly a demo and information session for people who are interested in this older transferring process as opposed to newer medium/h20 and alcohol based transfers. i discuss the pros and cons of the polaroid, do multiple video demos and art samples, etc.

there is NO EXPECTATION that you as students must run out and buy an expensive polaroid system or film… however those who are interested in polaroid transfer will probably find that this part of the curriculum will help them to decide whether they want to pursue it artistically or not. it’s a pricey process, but the rewards are pretty amazing!

Q: i sometimes work slowly, is this going to be a problem? what if i can’t keep up?

A: the course is designed as a self-paced program load. the main thing is to get you doing transfers successfully, repeatedly and with confidence.

if you only do a few transfers using the techniques I’ve taught you and your good with that, then that is cool with me. however… there will be encouragement to try specifically designed art projects with image transfer and opportunity to share those projects created with your transfers. it’s totally up to you how much, or how little you do.

Q: what happens if i miss a class or two?

A: the content on the private site will remain active and available for up to 30 days following the last class. everything will be downloadable, so you can always save and review the lesson plans at a later date.

I hope that clarifies a few of your questions. feel free to email or contact me with any additional questions not covered in the above q & a

hello!

i have some exciting educational news to share with you… since our store and rubydog’s art house is closing in the next 3-4 weeks, i’m going to have limited opportunities to teach classes directly to my students and customers. so, with that in mind, i have decided to offer my locally taught, consistently sold-out, Art of Transference class ONLINE!

yes! you better believe it! this class, up until now, has only been available to local vancouver area residents and to a few lucky people in toronto. however, with the internet and my vastly enhanced video capabilities [my flip camera lol!] i can now offer my art of transference class to anyone interested in taking it, from anywhere in the world. technology is cool.

Art of Transference Online Class:

Image transfer is a much used technique in mixed media, collage, paper and memory arts today. Through my image transfer teaching experience, I have learned that image transfer techniques need to be learned VISUALLY to ensure success. In this ‘all you ever wanted to know about image transfer’ class you will learn how to make your own image transfers using 10 DIFFERENT techniques covered over 6 weeks. Throughout the series you will be transferring provided vintage images and stock photography onto a variety of surfaces including watercolour paper, vintage paper, tile, fabric and metal using different mediums and techniques.

This workshop includes lots of video demos of techniques and encourages hands-on time for student to experiment with new techniques or perfect ones you may already know. And as a group, we will discuss ways to incorporate image transfer into your artwork, memory projects, ideas for gift giving and more.

NOTE: this is a technique/process-based class where you will create a large number of samples. Also please note that one method of transfer produces STRONG fumes. If you are sensitive or allergic to chemical smells, please consider this carefully before signing up for the workshop.

Class fee: $65 CAD (6 weeks)

here are the details…

• registration for the Art of Transference ONLINE class begins june 14 june 6 and will remain open until june 22, or until the maximum ‘classroom’ capacity is reached.
• please click on the ‘pay now’ button in the right column to complete your payment and registration before june 22 to be included in this first session of the Art of Transference ONLINE class.
• the first class will begin on june 30 with the first technique workshop and will include:
  • a downloadable PDF handout with supply list, step by step instructions and photo-support
  • BONUS downloadable PDF image transfer sheets with vintage images and stock photography. new sheets will be provided each week.
  • a comprehensive, high quality quicktime video tutorial for each technique covered plus supplementary videos where appropriate
  • an online chat to discuss problems/successes and project ideas for weekly technique(s).
    date and time to be determined based on student poll
  • access to private flickr student gallery and discussion board where students can submit their class examples and the projects
• classes will be held through an online, password-secured blog.
  after completing and payment for your registration is received, you will be given access to the blog with a provided login id and password.
• payment: all online class payment is through paypal. paypal now accepts credit card payments in addition to paypal account payments, so if you do not currently have a paypal account don’t worry. the transaction process is easy and relatively painless =)
• refunds: refunds will only be processed up to 24 hours before the first class is launched on june 30. all refunds requested after 12:00am, june 29th, 2008 will be denied.

planned course curriculum outline [this may be subject to minor schedule changes]:

• week 1: b/w and colour toner based transfers part i - 2 techniques
• week 2: b/w and colour toner based transfers part ii - 2 techniques
• week 3: inkjet transfers using acrylics part i - 2 techniques
• week 4: inkjet transfers using acrylics part ii - 2 techniques
• week 5: inkjet transfers using alternate solutions - 2 techniques
• week 6: polaroid image transfers - 2 techniques

IMPORTANT NOTE: This class will not be repeated until october 2008. please register today if you wish to take part in this first session.

so that is the scoop my friends. i hope that by offering this workshop series online, that i am giving more artists an opportunity to acquire new skills and empowering them with techniques that can bring new excitement to their artwork.

see you in class!

i’ve been itching to create a collaborative book with other mixed media and paper artists. it’s an idea that has been swirling around in my noodle for a while now…

i’m thinking about a collaborative mixed media art publication. something fun… a little avant garde, a little altered, something fresh, and definitely something unique and exciting. are there any peeps out there who may be interested in contributing to this type of publication? the end result would be your artwork(s) in a beautifully printed edition of outstanding mixed media artwork.

the publication would be available for sale “at cost” through my website to collaboration participants only, and then would be made available to the public for a higher fee. my goal with this book is not to generate a ton of additional revenue [although a few bucks might be nice for all the design work i plan on putting into this publication]… my goal is to give individuals who have not had their artwork published in the past, an opportunity to do so; to expand creatively as an artist; and to be part of an exceptional collaborative project.

if you are interested, please post your comment below or email me.

i don’t have a limit/number of participants in mind at the moment, but depending on the level of interest, i may impose one when it comes time to finalize the process… in the meantime, i’m just trying to get a feel for who, if anyone, may be interested in participating in this project.

the first 3 of my 6 new collages have been posted on etsy. to see them in their entirety, please click here.

in the meantime… here is a sneak peek at them. enjoy and thanks for looking.

hey all…

getting ready this week for my next portobello west show.

i’ve got a bunch of new pieces in the works and will be showing/selling 3 LARGE pieces plus a couple of my abstract acrylic paintings in addition to my mixed media collage portraits. the 1st big one is done and i’ve just about finished the 2nd one. i love it! no. 2 is very girly with butterflies and pink, silver, cream and dark green colour palette. it’s a great 18×36″ size and looks pretty darn nice if i say so myself =) i have it hanging in my studio downstairs and will miss it dreadfully if it sells this weekend. oh well… that IS the point isn’t it?

the monthly portobello west date is this coming sunday and will be running from 11am-6pm at the rocky mountain train station in vancouver [just off terminal blvd, between main street and clark drive - behind the home depot].

so, if you live in the vancouver area, please take a trip to portobello west on sunday may 25 for a shot of inspiration and an infusion of art and fashion. you won’t be disappointed. the merchandise for sale at this monthly event is outstanding quality and showcases vancouver’s up and coming fashion designers and emerging artists.

new stuff is listed on etsy! well, sort of new =)

i’ve just listed the next edition of my first 6 digital mixed media collages and will be listing 3 more new ones this evening. the editions of the original collages are numbers 3 of 25. the last batch sold out super fast, so if you’re interested in a higher numbered edition, don’t wait too long to purchase!

a few people who enjoy the textile anthology kits have expressed an interest in just the beads, so i’m obliging by listing them in my etsy shop. as of sunday may 4, i’ve listed 4 pairs of colour coordinated 6/0 seed beads from my textile anthology kits. there is a pink combo, green combo, turquoise combo and slick grey metal combo. check them out here!

within the last few days, i’ve also been asked, to list fabric packs of coordinated patterns/colours for textile anthology-styled projects. I’ve been listening to your requests and this weekend will be obliging you, my loyal readers, and will be listing 4 new groups of fabric and batting only kits in my etsy shop. these are amazing patterns and colours. so “on trend” and luxurious… you’re going to love them!

so that’s my good news at the moment… thanks for looking and reading

i’ve just started another print run of my book iconography, so exciting! soon there will be another lovely stack of books in my hands, ready for the website and ready for my next portobello west show in may.

it’s so hard for me to explain how wonderfully this book turned out, without it sounding fake and hollow. after all, who believes an author touting how great their book is? it sounds so false coming from the book artist doesn’t it?

well, earlier today i received a really kind email from a customer who had gotten my book this month. she was very enthusiastic about the publication and with her permission, i’m posting her critique of the book here:

“Your book is awesome. You have captured the true beauty of women, your botanical imagery …wonderful. The two combined with the use of street poetry makes this book my favorite.

Your dedication for your husband and your Dad and Mom is lovely. I like when artists include something personal in their books relating to family.

I have studied the book cover to cover a few times this week. I will go to your etsy shop soon and purchase one of your originals. Thank you so much for the book. I shall treasure it.”

~ Pamela Barnes, Ontario CANADA

thank you pam for your kind and generous review of my work. it warms my heart knowing that you will treasure this book for years to come.

if you are interested in purchasing a signed edition of iconography: a collection of mixed media beauties, please visit my website. you may also purchase directly through my book production house lulu.com by clicking here.

there are so many possibilities for these wonderful textile anthology fabric projects… here are a few examples for your consideration:

using large grommets and your crop-o-dile punch, create binding holes along the left edge of your fabric page so that it can be included in a traditional binder album like a maya road chipboard binder. this is a great addition to any paper based scrapbook album since it infuses unique textures and tactile qualities of fabric into your memory project.

use grommets and fasten multiple textile anthology pages together with binder rings to create a 100% fabric book. yummy!

add grommets to both sides of your main page and add additional fabric pages to the sides to create an accordion album! so cool and infinitely touchable.

make two fabric panels that are the same size, then create two narrow sides panels and a bottom panel that when stitched or fastetned together make a ’soft’ box! this is so great for holding collectibles and memorabilia in a baby’s room or as a gift for grandparents…

more ideas and photos will be coming soon!

i’m all jazzed up about making more of these touchable, lovable and huggable fabric projects. i just can’t stop touching all my fabrics and embellishments… it’s a bit of an addiction lol!

i’m off to the quilting store again this afternoon to pick up more lovely fabrics and then this weekend will be spent stitching new projects and sifting through my embellishments so that i can put together the most wonderful textile anthology kits. ahhhh… nothing like a little enabling huh?

first day teaching at inspired today. it was an early day but the vibe with all the students was great. super fun and a really laid back crowd. this vancouver girl LOVES that! everyone has been so open to the idea of stretching their creative boundaries and trying something new. it’s been awesome.

i’m also having a great time hanging with claudine for a few days. we don’t get to do this kind of thing [conferences and teaching] together, so sharing a room and hanging out has been really special and loads of fun! lots of laughs and fun stories to remember and reminisce over. love that =)

donna d has outdone herself with this event. so organized… great take home goodies, scheduled and coordinated to the hilt. you go girl! have a few pics to share on my return home Monday, so will catch up with you then =)