Cloth Paper Scissors May/June Issue

The weather in Vermont has decided to go along with the fact that Spring might actually be here! It's an amazing blue sky day; daffodils are blooming, the birds are singing, peepers are peeping. To make it even more outstanding. I have just received my comp copy of this month's Cloth Paper Scissor Magazine. I've been waiting for this issue for a while. It contains my first published article. I am so excited about this opportunity and honored to be in a publication that has featured some of my favorite mixed media artists (and friends.) 

 

The article features my Bird House Shrines series and discusses my motivation and process behind making them. I am so please with the way the whole thing turned out, and the photography is just stunning.

The Soul House series stirred such a strong response in people that created a workshop on how to create your own bird house shrine. 

I'll be teaching this process later this summer in Wisconsin at Inspire My Life and in the Fall at Art-Is-You in Danbury, CT. The class sizes are limited so don't delay in registering.  I'm so excited to be able to reach out to a broader audience and talk about artistic potential and creative fearlessness! I can't wait to get back into the class room again. I hope to see you there!

So as the stream bubbles by, outside the screen porch where I sit, taking in the issue, my heart brims over with thanks to all the people who have helped me along the way. I can only bask in the serenity and joy of the moment for a brief time. My own creative fearlessness, is being tested tonight.  I'm wrapping up a new piece for a looming deadline. I thrive on meeting time lines, so I know it's going to be an all cylinders evening.

So friends, I must jet. Thanks for stopping by, be well, stay creative and fearless! 

Somethings (are better left unsaid)

 

somethings(are better left unsaid)

this is a new shrine,assemblage piece made from found objects, old cabinet card, and a discarded light fixture.
tribute to secrets, fears and things that cannot be expressed with words.

14"x 6"x 6 1/2"

Reliquary Of Faith

 I just finished a new altered book for the Vt Book Arts Guild Show: Big Ideas, Small Books, an exhibit of artist books at the Emile A. Gruppe Gallery. The show will run April 17 - May 22, 2011. The opening reception will be on Sunday April 17th, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Subject matter includes both 2-D and 3-D works, smaller than 5" x 5", in all media relating to book arts, including hand-made paper, artists’ books, calligraphy etc. 

I call this book Reliquary of Faith. It's made from an old prayer book, found objects, ephemera, and a lovely old tin type photo.

Build a little bird house in your soul

I had an amazing weekend. On top of some crazy weather and record snow fall. I spent a  rainy Saturday @ Artists' Medium creating Birdhouse Shrines with four amazing ladies. All the students in my class really stepped it up and produced beautiful work. To listen to them at the end of the class, talking about their 6 hour artistic journey and beaming in delight over their work was so rewarding.

Artists' Medium is locally owned and operated art supply store here in Williston, Vt. The shop employees are very supportive of my work. They work hard to get the word out and promote the class.  I really appreciate the opportunity to interface with the community this way. It's such a gift! Thanks, Chelsea and Kristen!

They've had me in the shop to do demos and teach other classes. Each time has been a memorable experience. This time was no exception.I really love teaching there. I always leave inspired and pumped about the creative process. Kristen and I are talking about scheduling  an altered books class. I haven't taught that in a while, so should be great fun!

Thanks ladies for your terrific work! You all did wonderful things! Stay creative, trust your instincts and don't forget to glue and screw.

Don't live in VT. Don't worry. I will be teaching at Art-Is-You, East Coast Art Retreat, this Fall. Check out their website for more info....

 

and the winner is....

Thanks everyone for their comments and link. A little guerrilla marketing goes along way. With your help, my classes should be completely full. 

Sorry for the delay on posting... life got in the way of me picking a winner for the soon to be finished bird house assemblage.

Thank you, Jess for pulling this name at random....

Pamela Tomerlin

congrats!!!  you're assemblage will be in the mail soon!

Didn't win??? Don't fret. April will be bringing another fantastic art giveaway. So, stayed tune!!

Thanks again, everyone! Have a creative day!

Soul House Class at Artists' Medium & Giveaway

I can't believe February is almost over. Here in Vermont, that means the days are a little longer, and the hardest part of the winter will soon be behind us. March will be here in a blink of an eye, and I will be at Artists' Medium teaching next weekend!

I've got a little cabin fever.  I am really looking forward to getting out, meeting some new students and teaching this class. Do you need to get out and stretch your wings, too? Need a little creativity and inspiration in your life? There's still a few spots available, I'd be thrilled to have you in the class!

SOUL HOUSES at Artist's Medium, Williston, VT

Saturday, March 5th
10:30AM-4:30 PM

$60

300 Cornerstone Drive
Williston, VT, 05495
300 Cornerstone Drive 05495       
Call to register

1-802-879-1236
1-800-255-1290
email: info@artistsmedium.com

click here for supply list and more info about the class.

 

The end of February also means that it's almost time for me to giveaway a little bird house shrine. I'm in the process of finishing it up. It needs to get it's little nest inside and some work to the front, but it's almost done.   

I wonder who will be the lucky winner? It could be you! The drawing will be on 2/28. If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late. 

All you have to do is to make a post blog/website/FB page about the Soul House classes I'm teaching here in VT (and also in CT in the Fall)

 

Then add the link for my workshop page to your site.

 

http://glimmeringprize.blogspot.com/p/workshops.html

Attach a comment to this blog post with your link. (Don't forget to include your name)

That's it!! You are in the running for a brand new birdhouse shrine that is just days away from being finished

So, spread the word! 

Thanks so much for your support and hope to see you in the class room some time soon!

Fear is the Mind Killer

I have been incubating on a new project for a while and I finally have gotten a chance to get down to the workroom to start it. It stems out from an idea while I was making some of the bird house shrines. 


The initial idea behind the whole bird house is that it was a physical place to store emotion and feelings. I would take bits and pieces of things that have resonance and meaning; like scraps of fabric, feathers, bits of photographs, and lines of text, and put them inside the birdhouse, before I sealed up the hole.  The bird house is transformed into a vessel to hold the emotion.  With the bird houses, this idea just came to me intuitively. Since then, I have been doing some research into Victorian Memory Vessels. I have decide to work on two large pieces that further this concept. This time however, I am being much more intentional about the work. The pieces are going to be interactive. It relies on feedback from you to be created. 


The first piece is about FEAR. 


Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. It is part of our core, basic emotions.  We all have fears, and the range of things that frighten us is astounding. 


Sometimes when you create ART, you are forced to face certain fears. Facing those emotions can be extremely difficult, but the result is almost always one that reaps greater benefit than loss. 


My first steps in making this piece is to identify what people are really afraid of.


Some of the most common fears are of: ghosts, evil powers, bugs, snakes, heights, water, enclosed spaces, bridges, needles, social rejection, failure, examinations public speaking, flying, heights, clowns, intimacy, death, and success.


I am definitely afraid of some of those things. 


I'm asking all you brave souls to leave me a comment about what your greatest FEAR is.


Since all my comments are moderated, you can definitely remain anonymous. Just leave me a little note in you comment and i won't post to the blog.  All the "FEARS" that I collect will go into the vessel that I am creating, as well as help me to construct the outer shell of the piece.


Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to receiving your comments.








The Litany Against Fear


I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.^[2]