welcome back, dina!

Last weekend, June 7-9, Dina Wakley was The Queen's Ink's featured artist-in-residence.

Over the three days! she taught a total of five workshops. I was lucky enough to take three (and wished I'd signed up for all).

We were introduced to a variety of art techniques and inspired beyond our wildest imaginations. In Dina's inimitable style, we were encouraged to experiment, play, discover, and told, in no uncertain terms, that we weren't allowed to  a) moan or  b) over-think. Always great advice and often, really hard to refrain from doing...but we did (or if we did moan and/or over-think, we did so surreptitiously.)

Of the three workshops I took, my favorite was "Facing the Facts." We learned to  draw faces. Yep, you read that right:  d-r-a-w! When asked, we all agreed that we couldn't draw and especially, not faces. Surprise, not only could we, we did! Take a look:

Dina demonstrating

Left: drawn; Right: painted

The next four faces are by some of the class participants:

Dina told us that she'd only been drawing faces for about a year and a-half...since being inspired by the book: 100 Girls on Cheap Paper by Tina Berning. So, in 2012, Dina also drew 100 faces (and many more)...and challenged us to do the same. We did draw at least three during the class - guess that only leaves 97 to go...

When I got home Saturday afternoon, as I'm wont to do, I did an Amazon search for a) the book (my used but in mint condition is on its way) and b) a web search on drawing faces - lots of great fodder out there. I, too, am inspired to draw at least 100 faces this summer. How about you? Want to join me? If so, please leave a comment and/or if you attended the class, let me know that also and share with us your take on the experience.

In my next post, I'll share some more faces...and also, some photos from Dina's encaustic tag book class. 

(a face in progress...)

Cheers~
Honoré

creative inspiration...

Hi, Honoré here,

I've just returned from a week-long quilting workshop in Sisters, Oregon - my absolutely most favorite place on earth. For the past four years, I've made this annual May trek to Sisters and have returned, over-flowing with ideas and inspiration for any number of quilty mixed-media artistic endeavors.

I think this year's workshop filled me with over-the-top inspiration because we went beyond just intuitively stitching bits and pieces of fabric together to make an art quilt. We also learned about and played with a variety of techniques for making marks on fabric, for example: using stencils with oil pastels to printing using the Gelli Plate to carving stamps for stamping to making shibori, just to name a few of the techniques we tried.

Along the way, we discovered new techniques that appealed to us and proceeded to engage us in more in-depth exploration. We made mistakes...and that was A-OK!

I think that workshops are truly one of the best ways to be inspired and The Queen's Ink is one of the best local resources for inspirational, creative mixed-media art workshops.  Through them, we're provided with the opportunity to flex our creative muscles, to make mistakes and learn not only how to do a technique but also, what appeals to us, what gets our creative juices flowing. A workshop gives us a chance to try out a technique without making a full-blown investment of materials and supplies. One such technique that comes to mind is encaustic- the new (ahem, an art form that has been traced back to ancient Greeks) art medium that has taken the creative art community, all branches, by storm. Have you toyed with the idea of doing a piece of encaustic art?

 Well, now's your chance: Guest Artist Jess Greene is coming to The Queen's Ink the weekend of  June 21 - 23 for an in-depth exploration of encaustic. Jess was so intrigued with the medium that "she quit her day job as a teacher and spent a month-long residency in Spain in 2011to paint in encaustic." Go here to read a guest post, written by Jess, that highlights her love for the medium.

Here are a couple of Jess' class samples:

Looking at these photos, one cannot tell  they are encaustic pieces...but, in real life, they are not only intriguing but also,very textural. Treat yourself to learning and experiencing a new medium without having to make a trip to Spain (though that doesn't seem like such a bad option - smile)... check out the class descriptions and give the shop a call! Hurry, 'cause classes fill up f-a-s-t!

Hoping to see you there,

Cheers~

PS. Art quilters use encaustic in their works, too...

a quick tour of Art Asylum...

This past Saturday (April 27th) was the date for The Queen's Ink Art Asylum artist showcase and silent auction. All day long the space right next to the shoppe was filled with people browsing  displays, chatting with the artists and making purchases. The photo essay that follows is just a sampling of the 20 artists who were there sharing their insane creativity. I especially enjoyed seeing the work of fellow classmates and workshop instructors I've met over the past year.

Decorated cigar boxes were popular; each one unique. This one was from The Peddler's Gallery

Lorie of the Peddler's Gallery

 Mari O'Dell of Enchanted Journey Design, created this wonderful color wheel made from flip flops; ingenious.

These ladies are two of a trio: A.N. A's Custom Creations who create hand-crocheted wearable art:

 Just For Fun's Kathy and Mary Kay make these fun soldered pendants and ornaments:

Monica  and Kathleen offered custom birdhouse albums and other paper home decor.

Donna and Val have an interesting twist on their business: they are event planners and they make unique hand-made gifts and home decor. Whoops, no photo. Visit their blog: Two Snaps and a Twist.

Suze Perrott, mixed media artist, has taught several classes at The Queen's Ink. It was to drool to see a lot of her work on display; this is just a small sampling. ..

suze perott. pinkcrayonstudio.blosgpot.com

 A new artisan, these weathered mugs by Bob Vogtman are made from leather stretched in embroidery hoop; they are unique and colorful.

Ana Maria DiLuigi had inchie art and decorated cigar boxes( definitely for men) on display.

Chris Hines had quite a wonderful collection of handmade and altered books:

The fragrances from Margarita ~ Rose display was delightful; I could've stayed there much longer ~ so relaxing...

margarita ~ rose

Dee Gray makes these delightful Bottled Curiosities; they are her version of of the message in the bottle. Stay tuned as she may be offering a workshop at The Queen's Ink sometime in the future.

shadela.blogspot.com

 I am sorry that I didn't take better notes for this display; I'm not quite sure who the artisan is but I love the welcome and other signs. My apologies...

Sandra of J.Delilah's (and an exhibitor) wrote on her facebook page: "Having a great time at Art Asylum 2013!"

And so did I! Looking forward to next year's event...and I hope to see you there as an exhibitor?

Cheers~

Honoré

PS. And if you were there, we would love for you to share your impressions in the Comments. Thanks.

Art Asylum...where insanely creative artisans reside

Join us at The Queen's Ink on Saturday, April 27th for an insanely creative day. Not only do we have a fabulous returning Guest Artist that weekend (Carol Owen) teaching her handmade books and personal shrines, we have our insanely creative customers turned artisans offering their finished artwork for sale. You will definitely want to visit Savage Mill, so mark your calendars now!

Show Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Reception & Silent Auction: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: The Old Weave Building

Items for the silent auction are being donated by the participating artists. Proceeds will benefit Howard County Blossoms of Hope.

(i heart) Art Journal Freedom...

... Art Journal Freedom , published book by North Light Books, is  Dina Wakley's new book.

My copy arrived last week and would you believe it actually sat on my reading table for several days before I started it. Don't ask me why since  I'd waited for months...go figure.

Anyway, the book is a gem and so Dina.  All the accompanying photos are of her artwork and supplies, including the step-by-step illustrations of the techniques - one per- that accompany each chapter. So, how do I know the photos are of her supplies - 'cause the items depicted show they've been used, including the photo of Dina (that accompanies the artist's statement) complete in her very-painted apron holding her Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Creative Journey journal in a very non-pristine stage.

Art Journal Freedom  is divided basically into two parts: The first half covers composition and the second, color -  both hallmarks and the underlying structure of Dina's work. She says that "if one understands the principles of design and color, you have power over them, even to break them."

Not all the principles of design and color are covered, just primarily the ones that apply to making art journal pages. We are  invited, encouraged and even challenged to not only explore the rules but also to play, experiment, create, express, discover, and yes, even to learn from the messes we make, like combining two complementary colors and winding up with brown soup (I can't even begin to count how many times I've done that, inadvertently ;-)). I found the chapters on color especially valuable and one thing I immediately did was get myself a color wheel.

Those of us who were lucky enough to take a class with Dina when she was at The Queen's Ink last October (or even other places and online) will feel, as we read and contemplate and play with the ideas, techniques, information and inspiration from the book, that we've re-kindled an old friendship. And if  you're at all like me, you'll pull out your supplies, tools, apron, prop up the book and let your muse have a ball! I bet your book will take on the look and feel of well-used - paint splatters and all - and it will be.

Just a note: Art Journal Freedom is not just for art journalers; I think anyone in the mixed media and art/craft arena will find something of value.

I encourage you to take a look at Art Journal Freedom and oh, by the way, reserve June 7 & 8, 2013 - Dina's scheduled a return visit to The Queen's Ink. Details are still being developed, so stay tuned. In the meantime, go experience some freedom in your art journal. And if you have the book, we'd love to read your take in the comments.

Cheers~

Honoré

A bucket list of sorts...

Greetings and Happy 2013! Has the new year caught you off guard as it has me?  Whoa! Not so fast there...I've barely gotten  (actually, I'm not too sure I can even use the qualifier barely) started and I am absolutely astonished that January is practically over!

Though I don't make resolutions I do spend a lot of time contemplating and anticipating the coming year. I always have way too many thoughts and ideas on tap for any given month and the entire year. And I am often stymied by too many choices, so much so that I frequently  don't get started 'cause I can't make up my mind: where to begin!

Going through my mind as I write this post are the following possible 2013 projects:

• creating a  365 something: a daily art journal or a tag a day or a fabric post card or a heart-a-day (inspired by Joanne Sharpe's article in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. And that Joanne's coming to The Queen's Ink in March is just icing on the cake, me thinks...
• making a fabric art journal. I really love working with fabric, especially choosing bits-n-pieces as I create a palette. 
• decorating more cigar and other boxes...I find this to be an absolutely fulfilling and rewarding project, in addition to being fun! And The Queen has several classes planned in February that take the project to different levels. Can't decide which I'll do  tho' I think I'd better hurry 'cause for all I know, the classes may already be filled.

Jewelry Tray workshop - February 9th

• trying my hand at sketching/drawing and/or doodling. Last fall I ordered the cutest book: Doodling in French: How to Draw with Joie de Vivre by Anna Corba and I've been promising myself, today is the day...you know where that has gotten me...
• in that same vein: drawing. Earlier this week I discovered a digital art journaling app:  Paper.53 for the iPad. It is too cool! And the best part: it's portable and doesn't require tools, paints, papers, etc. And did I say: free? Tho' you do have to pay for some additional tools and paints if you want them. (I will share a photo of a page as soon as I figure out how to do it - I think a screen capture is it and I'm wondering if there is a print function. I think that would be just great 'cause you could then do a page or many, print them out and then adhere to a journal.)

The above list is just a sampling of the smorgasbord of ideas and inspirations bouncing around my brain... and I've not even touched on the PIPs - projects in progress - that call out to me every single day. That's a whole 'nother list.

What's on your bucket list for 2013? Would love to have you share in the comments. And speaking of such, the current issue of Cloth Paper Scissors has some ideas...including a really great article on Donna Downey, too!

BTW: I was at The Queen's Ink a week ago. It has totally been rearranged and reorganized. Get there quickly so you can see first hand how open and even more inviting the store space is!

(when you enter the store, you are greeted by this display. turn right or left for surprises)

Cheers~
Honoré

CHA Highlights - Part 1

I'm headed home from not so sunny California. It was so cold here I nearly froze my royal highness off! It's a good thing that most of my time was spent inside the Anaheim convention center walking the rows and rows of vendors and checking out their new product offerings. I warmed up when my credit card caught fire from over-use. Needless to say, my trip was a very successful one, and fun too. Lots of new products will be arriving over the next 3 months. Watch for updates on Facebook, our blog, and the newsletter. I'll write more once I arrive home.

Here are a few highlights to tide you over. Darling new stamps from Penny Black. See photo.

 

 

Tim's new paints - 24 colors
 

Also new images from Stampendous and Impression Obsession.

Tim Holtz and Dyan Reaveley each introduced new products... Tim has fabulous new Distress Paints (shown left) which I had the pleasure of using... and yes, you will want them all. I'll tell you more about them later.

Dyan released six new inks, stencils, and great stamp images.










    

Pocket watch (new Sizzix die) and alarm clock projects with new
embellishments (from Advantus "Idea-ology")

 

     

Left: Joanne Sharpe (coming in March) demonstrates new Silks and
Twinkling H2O's (we ordered these). Viva Decor has new pearl paint pens (displayed
at right), all on order and available at the shoppe the first week of February.
 



Who could resist Brenda Walton's new dies (for Sizzix)... can you say ALL THINGS QUEEN-ISH ?! a full sized teacup, shoes, and embellished tiara... you know they had my name all over them!

 

a gift for you (and others, too)...

When I was in the shop yesterday, a new shipment of  Stampington & Co magazines had arrived: Art Journaling; Artful Blogging; Somerset Studio; Where Women Create Business; Prims; Somerset Life, The Stampers' Sampler; and the class/workshop list for January - March was out. The schedule is filled with all sorts of activities from A to Zentangles, including two guest artists in March: Seth Apter and Joanne Sharpe...and The Queen was busy creating a new decorated configurations jewelry tray project that is just too neat to pass up! Ooh, I want it all...

At this time of the year, we're all probably pretty busy making, checking, updating our holiday gift/shopping list. Uhm, let's see: every one's name on your list is checked off except yours! Yours?
Yes, Y-O-U-R-S!

If you're like me, I always also gift myself on important days like my birthday and Christmas. Perhaps it's books, magazines or a new journal or a new art supply or a class/workshop. Or, all of the above. And this year, I've found the perfect gift that makes it easy to do one-stop shopping: a gift certificate from The Queen's Ink.

(cover of gift certificate ~ quite lovely)

This holiday season, The Queen's Ink gift certificates are extra special: for every $25, another $5 is added, so, if you buy a certificate for $100, it will actually be worth $120. This is a great offer - but hurry, 'cause it ends at 2 PM EST on Monday, December 24th, 2012.

(inside of gift certificate held by Lolly's lovely hands )

Oh, my quandary now: what gifts for myself will I choose with my gift certificate?

Earlier this month, The Queen's Ink celebrated its twelfth birthday with a toy drive for underprivileged children. The drive was a phenomenal success and The Queen and her court are truly appreciative for The Queen's Ink customers' support and generosity. Know that you've made many little children quite happy. Thank you for all that you do!

Last, Patti is going to CHA in January to see/order all the new products. If you have been watching any sneak peeks lists and know of a product(s) you'd like her to check out, please let Patti know before January 9th.

Happy Holidays!

Cheers~

Honoré

icing on the birthday cake...

The Queen's Ink celebrated its twelfth birthday this past weekend, Nov 30 - Dec 2, with two weekend-long events: a toy drive for underprivileged children...

and there were more as the weekend progressed

Queen Patti with a toy ~ she loves toys !

 and four inspiring classes featuring the incomparable Donna Downey!

I took three of the four classes: two featured learning about/using Pan Pastels and the third, creating an inspiration journal. Pan Pastels are a wonderful medium and we actually created three pieces of art between the two classes. I'd been introduced to the pastels in one of Karen Bearse's art journal workshops over the summer and looked forward to learning more about the medium and using it. I'm glad I took the classes and Pan Pastels are definitely going to be a go-to in the future. Donna has really delved deep and experienced Pan Pastel's potential. In our classes, she shared with us the benefit of her experiences and learning and made us eager to plumb Pan Pastel's depths. Donna has created a series of online video workshops about Pan Pastels...and two are featured this week on her blog.

Donna demo-ing Pan Pastels

For several years now, I've followed Donna's Inspiration Wednesday online journaling video series she walks us through as she creates pages in her handmade journal.  A perk of  our class included selecting one of her handmade  journals to work in; trust me, the decision was hard.

So many journals...so little time...

In the class, we learned many simple techniques and ways to get beyond the blank page syndrome. Donna says she  is a "journal junkie," wooed by every pretty, pristine journal she sees and has many that have been untouched by her hands. (I know the feeling very well ~ I added two more to my stash just today! They were a steal at $1.99 each! Who could resist? Maybe I'll give them as gifts ... or not...)

Spending three to five+ hours being creative is enervating! I was plumb tired at the end of each day's class and at the same token, pumped up to go home and create some more...of course, when I got home, I just crashed!

I am still reflecting on the classes, thinking about the total experience and what my take-aways are. One that immediately comes to mind: designate a weekly inspiration day. I'm leaning to Wednesdays for the obvious reason plus that day also happens to be fairly free on my schedule. So, if you were in any of the classes, I'd love to have you share your take-away in the comments ~ please do and thanks.

In closing here are a few more photos...enjoy!

Cheers~

Honoré

Andra's Project #1

Tanya's Project #1 

Bette's Project #1

Sophia's Project #1

Group's Projects #2  - we did two paintings with Pan Pastels

Capturing Thanksgiving Memories on the Go*

What's on your workdesk today? Could it be a recipe for baking a turkey or making some other delectable dish for tomorrow's Thanksgiving holiday meal? Do you remember the first time you set out to bake a turkey, all on your own? Do you stuff your turkey... or bake the stuffing separately? What's your favorite part of the turkey?

Do you have a favorite dish that has always been served on Thanksgiving? Was it passed down from one generation to another? Do you have the original, handwritten recipe?

What other memories and traditions are unique to your family, you? Will you be making new traditions this year?  How will you record the events of this Thanksgiving? Have you carved out some me time for yourself? I hope so...

If you are the principal cook, here are some ideas for stealing me time and documenting as you attend to the tasks of the day:

1. Take about 15 minutes today (or very early  tomorrow (Thanksgiving ) morning, especially if you're going to be home) and pull out your art (or SMASH) journal. Prep a page spread or two, some tags and/or plain 3 x 5 index cards.  
2. During the day, as you're waiting for the timer to go off, use the tags or index cards to make notes about things that a) you remember and/or b) are happening. Keep them in your apron pocket ---psst: aprons are great tools for keeping your art tools close at hand...
3. Or, using your favorite writing tool, put those thoughts directly on your art journal page. 
4. Periodically,  give yourself a zen moment: grab a couple Zentangle cards and make a Zentangle too!
5. Remember your phone camera and Instagram or Twitter - they are all quick and easy ways to document an idea, thought, happening.
6. Encourage your guests to jot down on a tag or index card a sentence or two about their favorite Thanksgiving dish or memory. All ages can play, too...and you can use your phone camera to capture their photos to add to your journal spread later.

Later, when the last football score has been made and the last load of dishes washed, fix yourself a drink, prop your feet up, pull out your notecards and tags and/or journal, review your photo snapshots and savor the day and the memories made and recalled.  Some you will add to your journal and others, no doubt, will find a home in other places.

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for following this blog.

Cheers~

Honoré

* These ideas will work for other holidays, too! And a reminder: This Saturday, November 24, is Small Business Saturday. Head on over to the Queen's Ink and see what's new and in store for the rest of 2012!

i heart Dina ...

Last weekend, fortunately before Hurricane Sandy made and left its mark, guest artist Dina Wakley was in town, here at The Queen's Ink! I attended, along with about 29 others, her Saturday workshops: Intro to Art Journaling and Affirmations Journal. Both workshops were fantastic, the latter building on the first.

Dina has a wonderful sense of humor and easily establishes rapport - you feel like you've known her all your life. I heart the way that she constantly challenged and reassured us that we could and would step out of our comfort zones. We did! I think her artist's apron sent the best subliminal message: messy is not just good, it's great. And there is within each of us a muse eager to get out and make art.

I heart the snippets of her life she shared, especially stories of her sons

I heart the tips she shared:

• get and use a color wheel so you can avoid making brown when mixing paints, especially complementary colors... 
• journal - write - in different directions: horizontal; on an angle; vertical; outside of silhouettes; inside silhouettes...
• use tags as mini canvasses - they are inexpensive and can be used in a variety of ways: whole; cut in half or in strips or in shapes; or to "mop up" wet paint...
• use palette knives for spreading paints - they have a little more flexibility and are easier to clean than a brush; another good tool: old credit or gift cards and hotel room keys...
• keep a project box to keep bits -n-pieces of tags, pages made and not used, etc for future projects. And the best part is the box has a lid, it organizes the stuff neatly and serendipity just awaits as one ruffles through the contents.  No telling what one might find...and my favorite
• don't think -just DO!

Dina promised to return in 2013 so watch for an announcement. And she has a new book coming in January...I wish it were tomorrow! I am really looking forward to getting my copy. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit her blog, try some of her online classes and check out her Creative Jumpstart Vimeo video:



Creative Jumpstart -- Dina Wakley from Dina Wakley on Vimeo.


If you attended the workshop, would love for you to share your experience in the Comments.

Cheers~

Honoré

creativity jump starters...

Hi there. Honoré here.  Daily, I spend the first one-to-two of my waking hours engaged in what  I call  Morning Solitude & Quiet Time. T'is very special me-alone time, something I've been doing easily for 20 years. I arise between 5:30 - 6:00 a.m. when most of the world is still fast asleep or barely just stirring, go downstairs for tea and read, journal and blog jog, a term I coined for touching base with some of my favorite blogs and blog friends. During MSQT, I plan my day - which usually goes agley - and gather lots of ideas and inspiration for creating.

Yesterday, as I was winding up my morning blog jog, I stumbled upon this weekly challenge : List It Tuesday at Amy's blog: Artysville. Since I'm always on the lookout for blog post content and especially creativity jump starters, I read on and perused the post as well as the other links, with interest. But first, I made a quick list of creative things I could do in just 15 minutes:

1. Take a walk, morning, noon or early evening. Mother Nature usually offers great inspiration! 
2. Audition fabrics for any number of mini (and even big) quilts. I love selecting color palettes for a future quilting project.
3. Practice my free-motion quilting...I really do need to do this on a daily basis so I can do it when it's time to do so on a real quilt...
4. Organize/declutter a drawer, file, etc. Always, I'm inspired by something I find that leads to an idea for an art journal page or a scrapbook layout or a quilting project...
5. Straighten up my work area. Just having a clear surface that I can clutter up with a new or even on-going project pumps up my creative juices...
6. Meditate for 5 minutes and then, create a Zentangle. That will extend your meditation and creativity... If zentangle is new to you, the next basic class is October 20. You can learn more here...
7. Edit/print photos for a scrapbook layout... 
8. Select cardstock and create a kit for a project, e.g., Patti's Decorative Cigar Boxes. They are addictive and make great gifts. A few people on my list will be getting one...and the next class is October 21. You can learn more here.
9. Prep background pages in your art journal: gesso, paint, spray ink, stamps and stencils, all of the above...
10. Skim a magazine or junk mail for images to use in your art journal and cut them out... 
11. Glue them on your art journal page or in your SMASH book...
12. Check out play date cafe for a fun challenge...or Pinterest, but watch out, that can become addictive, I'm told. I only look at it, maybe 1-2 times a month and especially if I'm zeroing in on a particular project or technique. I do not pin!
13. Watch a YouTube video ~ a treasure trove for how-to and techniques. 
14. Check out the The Queen's Ink class schedule...and even if you can't join in a particular workshop by a visiting artist, you can always visit his/her website and/or blog for inspiration, ideas and tutorials.
15. Watch one of Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesday videos. If you've never seen these, log on as soon as you finish this post. You'll be totally inspired. And (drum roll please), November 30th through December 2nd, Donna is coming to The Queen's Ink to help celebrate our 12th anniversary; read more on our website, then call the shop to register for classes! I plan to be there and I'm hoping to see you, too!

I hope you've been inspired to create your own list of creative things. Would love for you to share in the comments. And, perhaps I'll be seeing you this weekend for Terry Quinn's 50 Shades of Play. That ought to be super-sized creativity!

Cheers~