Pinkie

eyes luminescent bright light shining through reflecting what is inside where do the words come from what have i seen where do i extend to next pools of soul falling dropping like splashes on the page

the next pretty girl

xo

jen

The Wise Women Project

I am so fortunate to have been asked to participate in the Wise Women project by Lora Deeprose. She has been working on a series of pieces about women who inspire & create. My contribution talks about my journey to becoming the artist I am today. It can be seen, along with the others in the series on her blog at
http://blog.loradeeprose.com/2010/11/wise-women-project-part-vi-lucky-breaks.html

Art Journaling Class

For those of you in the scrapbook world, it's the latest thing! But more importantly than that, it's a journey in to your heart and soul that takes you in to the world of being an artist - even when you didn't think you could be an artist!

I am so excited to announce, that starting November 15th, I will be teaching an Art Journal class at the Scrap Yard! Click on the image below to view it full size - it has all the info on what the class is about.

There are two classes - Mondays at 12:30 or Thursdays at 6:00 pm.

The class is limited to ten students and is generating a LOT of interest. 

 So call the Scrap Yard at 403-271-2225 to sign up and come play with us!

Here are a few of the pages that I have started creating as demos for the class:

I love tapes. Not the cassette kind that we mixed up in the 80's and 90's. Washi, transparent, masking and this uber-cool metal tape I found at home depot.  What a lovely, lovely surface to work on. It embosses under my pencil; the pencil rubs away with subsequent media, but the mark remains. It paints beautifully. It also gives one hell of  paper cut...but what's a little blood between friends? This tape inspired me to push past my comfort zone and attempt a bit of a sketch. And then go beyond it. And spread my wings.

Sigh. So many lovely things to play with.

My Own Connection

Connection comes in so many ways.  Connection is the energy between people.  It is emotions felt, expressed and left crackling. It is light and love and sensitivity. I know that the root of my images is connection. And yet - I keep my own connections pretty deep.  You get glimpses of it in my photography and in talking to me.  But I am very conscious of crossing the professional line to allow the deeper glimpses of my rock star underneath. And in session today with my amazing business coach, Laura Watson I/we realized that in reining it/her in, I haven't been true to my art, to myself and most importantly, to my soul. I thought - this is a blog for my business, and though I have deviated slightly, it hasn't strayed far. And yet, my photography is art.  And art comes from the soul. If I can't show my soul as an artist - what do I have?

So - Laura challenged me to cross that line.  To smash it.  And bare my soul.  To share who I am.  I thought I would do this in a separate blog.  It felt safer and potentially less alienating. But no. It needs to be here.  Because we never know when the words we share make a difference for someone else. So here she/we are. Her name is 9er and she has come to represent the better/crazier/more interesting/ligther/artsy parts of me. I am unleashing her in hopes that people will connect with my story, emotions and more. I welcome comments and interaction.  Pass it along if you like.  I am reaching out without (in theory) fear and I hope you enjoy the ride. 

Grace and ease (below) isn't done yet. It took me 3 months to journal over the background because I was in love with the marks. I know there will be more on the other side, but wanted to share the process.

Check out my new Ning Site!

I am so freakin' excited! I have a new Ning site for all my classes. What is Ning? Well - it's a social network that seems to be geared for artists. What does it do for you guys? It lets you take classes, interact with other members in your interest group and most of all, you can see tons of cool stuff on there!

The September classes start this week, and I know you guys are busy with the start of the school year. But seriously! Sign up! It's going to be a lot of fun.