My New Summer Classes At The Castle

Decoupage Glass Plate

Learn the fascinating technique of glass decoupage using a six-inch round plate as the object for embellishment. As part of the class, you’ll learn how to use an Epson printer/scanner as a fabulous tool for collaging. The printer/scanner enables you to preserve your originals, convert them into waterproof images, and easily manipulate the size. Elisabeth will bring hers in for you to experiment with. You’ll learn about the right glue, the preferred paper, and the inks to successfully collage on glass. Fee: $75; includes materials, but feel free to bring in some images of your own (no larger than 8½” x 11” inches). Tuesday, June 22, 6pm–9:30pm Sign up here Printing On Fabric Learn the essential skills for successfully printing on fabric in this one-day intensive class. In the morning, Elisabeth will cover design and the use of transfer techniques that don’t require drawing skills. You’ll use these skills to design and carve your own simple stamp from buttery soft rubber. In the afternoon, Elisabeth will discuss the differences in designing stamps and stencils, then teach you techniques for cutting your own stencils. She’ll also describe how to use both your stamps and stencils on other surfaces, including paper and even walls. There will be plenty of extra fabric for you to practice on and a set of two tea towels for you to take home. Feel free to bring any pre-washed, light colored cotton or linen fabric, such as a set of napkins or a tee-shirt, to stamp. Fee: $95; includes materials.Limit: 10 students. Sunday, August 22, 11am–5pm Sign up here

Inspired by my Asian trip

It's hard being away from my studio for such a long time. I was suffering from art withdrawal. So I assembled some materials and made these collages and note cards.

Mysterious etchings

These beautiful altered etchings are by Dan Hilier. You can also browse his sketch book on his web site, which I loved.

Thinking about the perfect studio

The ideal studio

Fornasetti 's Studio

This is big: I am in the process of changing my studio space! I have a small office/studio space off the dining room. The space is too small for all my art supplies and so I often spill into the dinning room, cluttering everything with my boxes of art supplies. In the evening there is sometimes hardly any place for dinner and dishes on the table, because my art projects are taking up the space. Soon this will change and I am so excited to get my own clubhouse, where I can play, make art and jewelry and have tea parties.
When this whole studio idea started I ripped out pictures of studio spaces that I liked. Some are of course unrealistic, but you gotta dream first to get somewhere. My ultimate idea of an art studio (top picture) is far from my reality - love the high window!
Storage possibilities is another important issue when thinking about setting up an art studio. Picture number 2. shows the perfect drawers to keep papers and images. No wonder it is the studio of Fornasetti, the Italien master of decoupage. I love Fornasetti's art objects and would love to own one, but they are expensive. He was an artist and interior decorator in Milan and he applied his images to all different kinds of objects and furniture.

I saw the fabulous porcelain urns at Barneys in San Francisco.

Also fun is this Fornasetti lacquer tray that I found in a magazine.

I love decoupage, collage, multi media arts and an exhibition I have recently seen springs to mind: Joseph Cornell at the San Francisco Moma : Navigating the Imagination
Cornell created these fabulous boxes and multi media collages. I loved learning that he actually started out as a collector of all sorts of stuff, like postcards, photos, magazines etc. that he bought at flea markets and garage sales. Eventually he wondered what to do with all the stuff he had accumulated and started making art out of it. I can relate to the need for collecting and creating and love the surrealist aspect of his dream like images.
Tilly Losch
Painted: 1935
Construction
Untitled (Medici Princess)
Painted: 1948
Construction
Untitled (Bebe Marie)
Painted: Early 1940's
Construction

The Moma writes about Cornell: "A self-taught artist, Joseph Cornell relied almost exclusively on found materials. He collected items from books, newspapers, second-hand stores, exploratory walks — even sweepings from his studio floor — to create intricate, elaborate box constructions and collages. These enchanting works of art transformed commonplace objects into extraordinary and magical dreamscapes, earning him immediate and enduring respect as a sort of artistic alchemist."
Talking about found objects - have you heard of FOUND Magazine? My daughter Valentina bought it in the bookstore the other day and we love it. This magazine publishes found stuff, like letters, to-do lists, ticket stubs, birthday cards, doodles and photos that people have found on the street. Some of these notes/writings are random, crazy, hilarious or sad and they offer a brief glimpse into a stranger's life.
Check out their web site, because they post the "find of the day", like these following two, that I love:

note and nice wedding photo from Found Magazine


And believe it or not, continuing this perfect stream of consciousness, I found a blog today that celebrates the discreet charm of to-do lists. This girl Sasha Cagen got obsessed with to-do lists. She collected people's lists and published a magazine, a blog and now a book about to-do lists. The interesting part is that people make not only lists about mundane chores, but about important life decisions. Sasha says that a list can give away it's makers personality or at least offer a glimpse into emotional inner workings. Myself being endowed with a slight compulsive obsessive streak (how else would I enjoy stringing tiny beads for hours?), I have to admit that from the tender age of 10 I was a faithful list maker. I not only make the lists, but particularly enjoy the crowning act of crossing items off the list (preferably in a different color pencil - now, how sick is that?) Right now as I am typing this there are several lists on my desk, including the precious list-book (yes, you heard right: I own a book into which I write my most important lists) So you can imagine, that the to-do list blog struck a chord with me.
The precious tall and slender List book and a selection of my lists du jour

Looking at my desk brings me back to my research of artist's studios and I stumbled across this website, called On my desk: artists, designer and illustrators share the stuff on their desk . I would love to roam around Jane Ann Wynn's studio space and check out the goodies on her desk.
Jane Ann Wynn's studio

and desk

Last not least I saw this book on Amazon and wonder, if it is just as enticing inside as the cover is:
Maybe you have some suggestions, advice or ideas for my new studio? If you do, leave a comment.

Halloween Box

Yes, it is true I haven't been in my usual "Happy Halloween Celebration Mood"! I blame serious burn out from last year. sometimes one has to take a break. Nonetheless a little art therapy is a well known remedy against burn out and so I worked on this mixed media collage box all last week, trying to find my inner spooky self.

Enchanted Birthday Cards

Here are some cards that I have made for people's birthdays the last several months. The first two cards are made of 3 layers and therefore create a sense of depth and dimension. The last two cards are variations on a theme that I already used on a card for mother's day. I really enjoy making these collage dresses and am thinking of creating a little book of fashion.

This Mother's Day I collaborated with my daughter in making my mom/her grandma a hand made card. We worked on the computer with a photo and some Dover Clip art
and then glued the result together with a variety of beautiful papers, some colored fish, a coffee filter and blue ribbon onto card stock. We also gave my mom a wonderful yellow vase that was filled with a stunning bouquet of peonys and orchids, arranged by my talented friend Ellen.