Published on
June 6, 2008 in
Fibers.
The Saturday market here in Revel has been going on since the 14th Century. Just like pictures you have seen in books and magazines, it is a dazzling display of fruits and vegetables providing potent inspiration for gorgeous color combinations.
I’m taking with me my journal and colored pencils to try to capture the beautiful colorways. Also at the market are buttons, ribbons and trims, colorful woven baskets, trendy fashions and the Provencal fabrics, tablecloths, dishcloths and napkins. I bought six Jacquard dishcloths to turn into seat cushions for my dining room chairs. My first groups arrives on Wednesday- I’m very excited!
Published on
May 28, 2008 in
Fibers.
I’ve arrived at beautiful La Cascade where I’ll be teaching workshops this summer (info on France page). After landing in Paris we went straight to Versailles for a day of exploration.
The chateau and gardens are a feast for the senses. I was particularly inspired by the sumptuous wallpapers and upholstery fabrics- glorious color combinations that I can see will lead to a new series of brocade brooches.
And the hundreds of beautiful statues throughout the gardens and fountains got my imagination going on a new approach for a series of Renaissance figures.
Today was spent here in the garden at La Cascade, weeding and pruning a path to the beautiful river and waterfall (la cascade).
Published on
May 15, 2008 in
Fibers.
Bonjour! I’m off to France in a few days and my goal is to “journal” from there evey week (depending of course on finding cyber cafes along the way) to show you how I’m using what I see as a “creative spark” and inspiration. 
I’ll be joined in June and July by my students- adventuresome and talented- who will be coming for my workshops in southern France. The area is so rich with medieval villages, artists, flea markets- I’m excited to share it all with you.Â
So please check in every now and then- I’ll begin about June 1st- and join me on this adventure!
Published on
April 26, 2008 in
Fibers.
I’m home from teaching the polymer clay guild in Colorado Springs and was really inspired by the joy and sense of adventure these ladies brought to the class. On reflecting, I can see that a sense of adventure has been an important theme in my life and art. I can remember backing out the driveway in the station wagon with my mom, dad, and three siblings- my dad would turn to my mom and say with glee, “We’re off on a great adventure!”. Even now as soon as I get in the car for a trip, I have that same feeling. And I think that is also why I am so inspired by the art and artisans of faraway countries and ancient cultures!
I decided to sew fabric “homes” for the Africa mask pins to live on (See previous post). They are collaged pieces of fabric 
combined with muslin that has a black mask image transferred onto the cloth. The polymer mask pins “lives” on or near the mask image. I enjoyed creating an environment for the polymer clay pin and this seems to be the direction I am VERY interested in now- combining textiles and polymer clay.
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Published on
April 11, 2008 in
Fibers.
For me, the hardest step in my creative process is just to begin! Some days I am overwhelmed with the possibilites of what to make and I freeze up and decide to do the laundry instead.
So, something that works for me is to give myself small tasks or assignments. This seems to do the trick in not only getting my hands busy doing art, but it relaxes my brain and the ideas then start to flow.
So for instance,
- I will assign myself to draw 20 flower designs-no pressure- just draw whatever.
- Then I will assign to interpret two or three of my favorite designs in another media- polymer clay, wire, collage?
- Then I will assign to make five of one of the designs I just made.
This not only helps me to refine the design and streamline the techniques, but helps me decide if I LIKE making the design and might want to do a production line of the design.
This is how I made the masks pictured here- which became a line of brooches. 
Now I have gone further and created for each a “place to live” via a fabric collage wall display. More on that in a coming post!
Published on
March 25, 2008 in
Fibers.
I was so pleased and excited to be interviewed by Alison Lee for her Craftcast show.  It was a delight and a honor. We chatted about lots of things with a focus on sparking creativity. I hope you will enjoy listening here. Thanks Alison!
And FYI, I just finished teaching my first online workshop and will repeat it again starting April 11th. I enjoyed it so much- I guess I have to finally accept I do have an inner geek! Info is at www.thatcreativeplace.com
Published on
March 14, 2008 in
Fibers.
As part of my Creative Sparks seminar I talked about how words inspire my work. Usually in two ways.Â
- The word itself brings to my minds eye a visual image that I would like to interpret as a piece of jewelry, artist book  or something else
- The words themselves will serve as a narrative (in an artist book or collage for instance),Â
And of course letterforms/calligraphy can be beautiful works of art.Â
I want to encourage and challenge you to start and incorporate text into your work! It can add power to the message you want to send with your art work.Â
Here’s an easy way to get started:Â 
Let your finger drop onto a dictionary page in one, two or three places,
Let those words roll around in your creative mind a little bit (not too long, don’t over-analyze and get paralyzed!),
then create something using the word or words as inspiration.
Published on
February 29, 2008 in
Fibers.
The conference was a magical and inspiring event and my hat is off to the organizers and volunteers who made it such a seamless and exciting event!Â
The conference allowed us to converse and think deeply about our art as personal expression.
For me it is striving to find the balance and blend of
- content and narrative,
- fine technique and attention to detail
- personal style
Three early ways we can start to do this:
- Create a personal palette of colors that resonate for us indivdually
- Pay extra attention to sides and back of pieces
- Naming a piece early on (without alot of analyzing, but a quick thought from the heart or gut) helps me identify what the essence of the piece might be- of course, allowing that to morph and change is equally important!
Published on
February 15, 2008 in
Fibers.
I’m often inspired to start a new project by discovering a new color combination that I happen upon
- in a magazine or book
- a piece of fabric
- a walk in a garden
Color is one of the first ways in which we can allow our personal voice to come through our work. We each respond to different colors that resonate for us and creating with our personal palette makes our work unique to us and others.
I have a favorite color inspiration book I’d like to share with you. It’s one that really works for me as it is informative, puts color in a historical and artistic perspective and has wonderful palettes to mix that work beautifully together.
The book is Living Colors by Magaret Walch and Augustine Hope and is available here
Enjoy the beautiful spring color combination starting to burst out all over!
Published on
February 1, 2008 in
Fibers.
In preparation for my Creative Sparks seminar at Synergy, I came across a book called Creative Sparks by Jim Krause. It’s aimed primarily at commercial graphic designers but I did find some pearls.
I often get kidded about my enthusiasm for just about everything- whether it be a 3 PM piece of chocolate, a piece of 
jewelry, a beautiful building- my first response is usually an enthusiastic WOW!
Krause says “amazement” can be learned and cultivated. That it leads to discovery and learning . Discovery and learning fill your creative well and provides fuel for art.
I love this quote of his:
“Being amazed takes little time and little effort.”
I hope to see many of you in Baltimore in February!
