Wednesday, July 27, 2011

NEWLY ADDED CLASS! Williston, VT. ALTERED BOOK WORKSHOP 8/20



Back by popular demand, I am teaching my Altered Books Workshop on Saturday August 20th from 10:30am to 4:30 pm at Artists' Medium, right here in beautiful Williston, VT.

This workshop will have you gluing, cutting, painting and tearing up old books to create 3 dimensional works of art. We will break all rules set into place by librarians and school teachers who told you books were meant to be kept on shelves. This class will offer you a space freely develop your own personal narrative with found objects; transforming ordinary pages of text into something mythical and profound, using something as simple as an old book as your base.  We will bravely enter into creative new territories in this process oriented class.

SPACE IS LIMITED for this class!!!  If you want to attend, don't delay. This class has historically SOLD OUT!
Call Artist's Medium for more info  
(802) 879-1236 or toll free (800) 255-1290.
 300 Cornerstone Drive, Williston, VT 05495

Supply list and more details can be found here on my VT class page.





Saturday, July 23, 2011

New WorK: Litany Against Fear: Collection Vessel

Litany Against Fear- L Reynolds 2011
I've been working on this piece for a while, but now I am happy to say it is finished. It is currently taking up residence in my dining room but soon to be on display in Burlington.  

The idea for this started to incubate in my head last October. Little by little, I worked on it; adding objects here and there, searching for just the right something or some other thing to add. Unlike some of my work that can be very spontaneous, I could picture in my head exactly how I wanted this piece to look. It was just a matter of committing to the piece and finding the right materials. 

I have always been inspired by the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, that appears in Frank Herbert's book, Dune. I used those words as a starting point for this piece. The idea being to overcome your fear you need to let it past through you. Allow the storm of emotion to come forward, always remembering that the only this that is constant and the thing that will endure is yourself. That is how you tackle those things you fear the most.  Each of streamer's that float in the tree bears one line of the litany.

  

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 my inner eye to see its path. Where fear has gone there will be nothing. 

Only I will remain.


 
Detail: Litany Against Fear: Torso
Close up- Litany Against Fear

Close up: Litany Against Fear
Closeup: Litany Against Fear

Close up: Litany Against Fear: Stand


The streamers
Litany Against Fear: Detail: Streamers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This piece speaks on many levels and I could go on and on about their meanings for me personally, but I feel it's really important to just let it speak for itself. I have plans on showing this and it's sister: Desire at the South End Art Hop in September. It is much more impressive in person, than in a photo.  

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Torso
Litany Against Fear: Detail: Collection Vessel
When it is on display, I will ask viewers to people write down their fears and place them in the vessel. If you can't make it and you want your fear added, please feel free to leave me a comment on this blog post or email me directly. I would love to include it in the work.



And what of Desire? This piece is still sitting on the workroom table. After this morning treasure hunting (aka yard-sailing) I am very excited to get back to work later tonight. I will post more photos of her as she progresses. 

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Torso
"the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" FDR

Saturday, July 2, 2011

CLASS UPDATES and SUPER SAVER COUPON

The summer always make me feel really creative. I love spending Saturday morning hunting for treasures at yard sales. I come home with a big pile of rusty things and just want to get down to the workroom and get things started. You feel the same way? Maybe you need some thing to inspire you? Maybe we should get together and make some art! 

Well there's some great opportunities for us to work on some special art projects together.

There's still a few spots left in my classes at INSPIRE MY LIFE. Yes, I'm headed to the Midwest at the end of the month, to hang out with one of my favorite people Kim Geiser, in beautiful Manitowoc, WI.  If you live near by I would love to see you! 

If being in the Midwest is not in your plans this summer, why not take one or two of my classes at the splendid art retreat, ART-IS-YOU, in Danbury, CT, in October. October feels like it is so far away, but classes at this annual retreat book up fast. 


To sweeten the deal, the ladies @ Art-Is-You are offering a super saver coupon for $50 off your full registration. But, the coupon is only go FOR ONE DAY. Monday July 4th. So don't delay.  Make sure to used the coupon code:JULY4 when you register.

Hope you have a creative weekend! See you in the the classroom.