I’ll be teaching a 4 hour workshop on designing and self-publishing your own photo and portfolio books at Langara Community College on May 22, 2010. The class is being offered for the first time at Langara and came about in a funny way…

During my landscape photography class at Langara, as part of [...]]]> Yep… It’s true =)

I’ll be teaching a 4 hour workshop on designing and self-publishing your own photo and portfolio books at Langara Community College on May 22, 2010. The class is being offered for the first time at Langara and came about in a funny way…

During my landscape photography class at Langara, as part of my chosen curriculum for my Commercial Photography program, my instructor Jim Balderston showed an interest in the books I had published. One class, I brought in a few and he was blown away. So, after a bit of discussion, we [Jim and I] thought it could be a great class to offer the photography students at Langara – and since I was the one who had shown the potential of the books, Jim felt it appropriate that I introduce the idea to the department head Greg Blue… Greg was also impressed and could see the HUGE potential for not only photography students, but fine art and graphic students too and as they say, the rest is history LOL!

More details will be shared on my blog once registration for the course is open. So if you’ve ever wanted to create a coolio book like me, sign up for this 4-hour workshop and amaze your friends, family and YOURSELF!

Toner and Gel Medium Image Transfer from Christina Lazar-Schuler on Vimeo.

Image transfer tutorial using a toner print from either a magazine, photocopier or laser printer and acrylic gel medium.

Toner and Gel Medium Transfer Part [...]]]> Many people have asked, so here it is… Part 1 and 2 for toner and gel medium image transfers. Enjoy!

Part 1

Toner and Gel Medium Image Transfer from Christina Lazar-Schuler on Vimeo.

Image transfer tutorial using a toner print from either a magazine, photocopier or laser printer and acrylic gel medium.

Part 2

Toner and Gel Medium Transfer Part 2 from Christina Lazar-Schuler on Vimeo.

Continuation of Toner and Gel Medium image transfer

My long awaited Art of Image Transference: Master Class book is now available directly through lulu.com!

Yep… this is the Art of Transference companion book to the ONLINE class available through my blog [see the right see bar for information] and contains all the instructions and tips for image transferring that I’ve compiled and experimented [...]]]> Hey gang…

My long awaited Art of Image Transference: Master Class book is now available directly through lulu.com!

Yep… this is the Art of Transference companion book to the ONLINE class available through my blog [see the right see bar for information] and contains all the instructions and tips for image transferring that I’ve compiled and experimented with for years. It’s like having a printed version of ME in your home studio… guiding you through a wide variety of Image Transfer techniques.

Here are some of the book details:
Downloadable PDF Version: 1 documents, 84524 KB – PRICE: $22.50 USD

Printed Version: 60 pages | 6″ x 9″ | open-flat, coil binding | white interior paper (80# weight) | full-color interior ink | white exterior paper (100# weight) | full-color exterior ink: PRICE – $33.00 USD

Description: A Master Class Manual on Image Transfer techniques including toner, inkjet and Polaroid image transfers in combination with acrylic mediums, water and alcohol. Lots of techniques [10 in all!] and how-to photos to accompany the detailed print instructions. A gallery of projects and types of image transfer accompanies each chapter and a multi-page Gallery of projects completes the book.

Buy it NOW!

This 2009 Calendar features some of my favorite mixed media collages in an unusual 4×6 format. Each 2009 calendar is numbered and signed on the bellyband that wraps around your elegantly packaged [...]]]> i  have just completed my 2009 limited edition giclee calendars! i’m so excited that i had to share with you. the nitty gritty…

This 2009 Calendar features some of my favorite mixed media collages in an unusual 4×6 format. Each 2009 calendar is numbered and signed on the bellyband that wraps around your elegantly packaged set.

The 2009 calendar is limited to 50 reproductions only and will not be produced again. The first 10 will be listed on ETSY, with the remaining calendars available locally in Vancouver BC or through my website.

The design of the calendar is such that as each month changes, you simply crop off the dates and keep the beautifully printed limited edition artwork for framing or display on it’s own. Each calendar comes with a specially designed 4×6 photo frame CD case that allows you to easily display your calendar on a desk or end table. Here are some additional details:

• 12 – 4×6 months
• printed on 400gsm archival, museum quality watercolour paper
• vivid, bright colouruniquely designed
• limited to 50 numbered sets!

to purchase this calendar, visit my etsy site at www.studiowerx.etsy.com or visit me at portobello west in november. these calendars will be shipping in early november so purchase or reserve now.

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 [...]]]> well, it’s that time… time for the Art of Transference ONLINE Class – Fall 2008 Session registration to open!

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 september 17 and will remain open until september 30 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 september 30 to be included in this Fall session of the Art of Transference ONLINE class.
• the first class will begin on October 01 with the first technique workshop
• all weekly classes 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 october 1. all refunds requested after 12:00am, september 30, 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 Spring 2009. please register today if you wish to take part in the last 2008 session.

this is the last session for this ultimate image transfer class to run this year, so don’t miss out on your last opportunity to register and get 6 weeks of images transfer lessons, videos, detailed handouts and vintage imagery.

the fall session will begin october 1 and will through to mid-november, which means that all your newly acquired image transfer skills can be put to use in time for the holiday gift giving season! you’ll be able to take the techinques taught and apply them in a variety of ways and create unique, personalized projects.

i hope to see you in class!

Lu emailed me today, confirming my ’slam’, and one [...]]]> ok. so i was asked by Lu Braxton to contribute to her art slam blog – i was super pumped but also my head has been swimming with so much information and wicked deadlines at the moment, that i hit a bit of a creative stumbling block.

Lu emailed me today, confirming my ’slam’, and one little word in her email jumped out at me and led me down my chosen art slam path… digital. now that was a word. a word that led from digital to digital paper projects, digital scrapping, hybrid scrapping and on and on. so, with that pivotal word in my mind, the plan was set… an art slam about hybrid paper arts projects. so let’s get to it!

step 1: picking your subject…

for me, that was the easy part. my hubs. i’ve been with my hubs for 14 years [married for 8 of those] and he is often the focus of my photography and my favorite person to journal about.

step 2: picking your colour palette…

this is usually a little harder for me because i’m a mixed media artist and i love colour. but… lately i’ve been drawn to [almost hypnotically!] to blues and browns, with bright shots of white and contrasting black. it’s my favorite yum-go-to palette.

so… rifling through my vast inventory of supplies – i’m a manufacturer of stamping and scrapping supplies after all lol! – i dug up some of my favorite paper, a few of my favorite newish stamps, a couple of great ink pads, some rubs and kicked-up the computer so i could add some digital goodness to my chosen patterned 12×12 paper.

this is essentially the collection of supplies that i pulled together:

step 3: pick and print a photo…

again. easy. picked a great photo of my hubs terry and printed it in black and white so the colour palette would stay crisp and clean. then i mounted the pic on chipboard, rounded off the corners and sanded the edges for a distress look.

step 4: pick and digitally alter pattern paper…

i decided to use our paperWERX organic collection paper called mud bay since it had light enough areas for digital printing to show up on it. it was also a new and still current favorite of mine. plus i love that it has ‘visual’ texture without the bulk of actual texture. wicked!

i cropped the 12×12 pattern paper to 8×10.5 so i could feed it through my laser printer, then i opened up photoshop on my computer and loaded a digiWERX ledgerbook digital sheet. i converted the ledger page to b/w, adjusted the ‘levels’ of the paper and resized the ledger page to a 8×10.5 digital layout base. then i added a piece of graphic stock for the title frame and finally set up the title using a bold, blocky font.

i placed my cropped 12×12 paper in the by-pass tray of my laser printer and printed the digital layout onto the patterned paper. so cool! i took a regular scrapbook paper and customized it simply by doing a few simple things in a graphics program like photoshop. many paper artists know this as hybrid paper arts or scrapbooking. i just call it like i see it, cool as heck!

step 5: start scrapping…

so first i adhered my mounted, distressed and oh-so-handsome pic of my hubs on the altered pattern paper. i covered up the butterfly in the paper because butterflies aren’t that manly. LOL! then i layered on a hambly screenprints journaling spot and journaled in my own handwriting, i used a black sharpie pen for the journaling. love those!

step 6: breaking out da rubbah!

next, i used two ink pads from the staz-on ink line in timber brown and jet black to stamp layered concentric circles around the edges of the layout. the cool thing about that was that it ‘inked’ the page edges without looking forced and contrived. love that. the randomness of the strong concentric circular stamps perfectly complimented the structured lines and rectangles of the printed pattern and photograph… cool beans man!

step 7: add the rubs…

suddenly as the stamping took over and i got all rubber happy, the layout started looking a little dark! dark stamping, b/w image, dark writing and journaling spot was all adding up to a heavy looking layout. not my plan… so as usual, flying by the seat of my pants, i hauled out the basic grey white rubs and started randomly applying them on the layout. i pretty much added the rubs whereever looked ‘right’ or was too dark. no master plan, just a quick ‘lets do this’ attitude. worked well IMHO =)

then, to spice up the rub-ons, i used a uniball signo white pen and added scribbles, fills and outlines to the basic grey rubs.

step 8: finishing up…

the final step in this fast and fun, add a ’subtitle’ to the layout. using my favorite, hard-to-find american crafts roosevelt jr. alphabet, i added the word ‘baby’. a small word, but one that fit the bill of this layout to a tee.

the final results of this layout are pretty dang cool in my humble opinion. the design of the layout is simple and clean. the graphics trendy, fresh and funky with a touch of tribal. the colour palette a favorite of mine, restrictive and simple – which means it works! it was a layout that took all of 30-45 minutes to complete and the results were quick. dirty. and lots of fun!

i hope that this piece shows you how you can combine what you already have, supply wise, and how you can ‘tweak’ your projects with digital hybrid media. hybrid paper arts are all about chucking everything in your arsenal of supplies, including the kitchen sink and your computer skills, at a project and seeing what sticks. there are no rules. nothing is wrong. as long as you like, or hopefully love it, it’s all good. use what you’ve got… or download digital media to make what you’ve got, better! now go forth and hybridize your projects.

i visited ikea and bought a new storage cabinet to go with the fixture we brought home from the store and assembled it on monday [...]]]> i started the massive undertaking of reorganizing and sort my inventory from the home studio and our store on monday. can i just say OHMIGOD i have a lot of rubber!!

i visited ikea and bought a new storage cabinet to go with the fixture we brought home from the store and assembled it on monday night before the ‘big dig’ [as i like to call my re-org] began. it looks fabulous! it holds lots of inventory in clear bins and pristine white/silver ikea boxes plus it has great display potential with space for small art projects, mini-books and cards. love that!

i will be taking some pics of the ‘big dig’ results soon so you can see the massive improvement. i did forget to take pics of the before though… but just imagine 20 boxes of inventory, haphazardly placed store fixtures, cluttered studio table and boxes of giclee prints and mixed media artwork… not to mention the boxes of rubberstamps i had at home BEFORE i brought home MORE inventory!! wowsers!

so… here is a tease for the studio/warehouse sale. so far i have collected in 9 FACS boxes the following:

• 2 boxes of magazines – somerset, legacy, creating keepsakes, papertrends, scrapbook trends, cloth paper scissors, old and ends, and a few handmade altered art zines [these will be sold as a set]
• 2 boxes of art and craft books including books on painting techniques and faux finishes, book binding and journal making, altered books, knitting, interior design and paper crafting
• 1 box FILLED with UM rubberstamp sheets and general overstock. we’re talking discontinued christmas stamps for 65% off the regular retail price. yep… i’m blowing these suckers OUT. each quarter sheet will be $4, each half sheet will be $6 and full sheets for $12. crazy i know, but i gotta make room for new stamps!!
• 1 box of UM singles [and more to come] that will be put into grab bags for $10-15 each.
• 1 box of chipboard embellishments and other ’stuff’ for your artwork
• 1 box of odd and end embellishments, fabric, and ’stuff’

there will also be a bunch of my paper arts artwork from class samples for sale too. most of them are framed in cool 8×8 ikea frames and will sell starting at $15 each. all are signed and value for the frames alone is $9. so you will be getting some of my original artwork for cheap cheap =)

lots more to be done… will hopefully get some pics shot tomorrow evening of the new storage/display unit. i have BIG plans for this space and it’s really nice to see it starting to come together.

have a good day people =)

previously, this class has only been available locally in vancouver at our store, but since our store is now officially closed, i [...]]]> for my online image transfer class… this is the ultimate image transfer class and you will learn so many ways to transfer images that your head will literally spin with ideas and new projects!

previously, this class has only been available locally in vancouver at our store, but since our store is now officially closed, i am offering this class online for the first time.

the class start date was delayed due to my surgery, so… if you are interested in registering for my 6-week ultimate image transfer class – the art of transference ONLINE – please click on the link on the right and you too can be part of this innovative and exciting image transfer workshop.

complete class details and faqs are available here and here.

don’t miss out on the registering for this class… the class will not be repeated until october/november. registration closes June 30, 2008.