a visual journey

Art Unraveled ~ Phoenix 2012

2012-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a quick trip to Phoenix where I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Linda Young, the coordinating genius behind Art Unraveled. She was so kind to give me a tour of the resort where all the magic happens and to answer all my many questions.

I am thrilled to announce that I'll be teaching three of my favorite workshops at Art Unraveled in Phoenix this coming summer.

Transferring Memories : Sunday

In this workshop we will learn over a dozen different techniques on how to transfer images and text directly into a handmade origami memory book!

Learning to See : Monday

Learning to draw isn't about learning how to use a pencil (we all know how to hold a pencil), it is about learning to see the world around you. I'll be teaching my visual journaling style + shading values techniques with a pencil that will bring depth and dimension to all your journal pages.

The Savage Mirror : Tuesday

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. ~ Lua Tzu

Lets spend a day getting to know ourselves, seeing ourselves for who we truly are or where we really want to be. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of having to draw a portrait, we will get around that!! I promise. We come to the mirror to express what is in our hearts, through the use of guided exercises, collage, expressive drawing, painting, and writing. The savage mirror reflects those traits and dreams that the human eye cannot see but are nonetheless obvious when revealed.

If you have any questions about my workshops please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you!!

First Workshop of 2012

2011-12-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

This will be the first time I have offer a workshop in the Boise area. It will be nice not to travel so far. I am hoping that I will get some excitement about visual journaling closer to home. What better way to start than to teach a bookbinding class, then get them excited about drawing and journaling?

This is also perfect timing for me. I need to make a new book for the upcoming year.

"Clarification"

2011-11-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

"Clarification" ~ from the Book of Dreams
mixed media: ink, acrylic, china marker, markers, gel pen, thread, ashes

While finishing these pages up over the past 24 hours I finally came up with some concepts for my submission into The Sketchbook Project. My theme, Encyclopedia of the Scarlet Thread. I have a lot of work ahead of me between now and the end of January.

I also think I am going to translate this particular imagery onto a larger canvas. I like the overall look and feel.

work in progress...

2011-11-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

So I had this dream back on Sept 19th in the middle of the day. I usually don't take naps during the day, but during this time period I was experiencing insomnia and slept when ever my body/mind would allow. I recall awakening from the dream with the word "clarification" echoing very clearly in my mind. Sometimes I think I know best... I should have listened. I know this doesn't mean a lot to anyone else but me, and that is just fine with me. It is all just a way to process anyway.

Sometimes i look at the pages in my Book of Dreams and wish that I was painting/drawing them on large canvases. But then they would have the chance of being taken away from me. That would be fine by me if they weren't so personal. I wonder how other artists deal with selling their art that is very personal. I need to investigate more on this subject.

Shattered Lens

2011-11-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

"shattered lens" ~ traditional dipped pen, with india ink washes and touches of acrylic washes

Book of Dreams

dreamt: Aug 14,2011

I'm a slowly getting pages from my book of dreams posted here. This dream went something like this... "I recall rolling a manual camera around in my hands, the lens was shattered and I was trying to figure out how to fix it. I looked through the broken lens and could see a man climbing some stone steps towards me. It was like looking through a telescope backwards, as the man was very tiny and far off in the distance. When I pulled the lens away from my eye I was surprised to see you climbing the last step right in front of me."

Then I awoke.

Fears

2011-11-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

I began this page in my Book of Dreams as a demo for my Savage Mirror workshop. After returning home I felt compelled to finish it as soon as possible before my thoughts escaped me.

The ogre that sits up on my shoulder reminds me that my nose is way too big...but that is what happens when i get distracted while drawing and that is perfectly fine with me. This exercise is far from being about accuracy in the drawing. I do like the way I rendered my hair though... I'll have to do more dipped pen over acrylic.

Journalfest 2011 wrap up

2011-11-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

I arrived home late one Sunday night from a full week away in Seattle and Port Townsend. I had been looking forward to the trip for months. The time leading up to it was stressful and at times overwhelming. Between working full time, preparing for my classes, getting ready for my Open Studios weekend (a mer 2 weeks prior), and being mom to two teens...life was hectic. It left little time to think. So having a whole 4 days to myself prior to heading over to Journalfest gave me the time I needed to think, sketch and contemplate my life.
Here is my journey...

The night before leaving, I surrounded myself with journals and class samples. (oh and a glass or two of wine) I wanted to center myself for the journey ahead. Afterwards they were all packed lovingly into my car for the 8 hr trip to Seattle. As usual though, I stayed up much too late packing and didn't get out of town until almost 10am!! Yikes. I was hoping for 6am. Oh well.

Had to take many stops along the way. There are a few places that are just breathtaking and I wish I would have pulled over to get some shots. It is a long drive, but I actually don't mind it too much. I like road trips, it gives me plenty of time to think. As I mentioned before, I don't often get that luxury.

Arrived in Seattle in the early evening and spent some time with a close friend and his family, who graciously put me up for the night. I was able to take a little time to sketch and throw a first layer of color down while his family went about their busy routines.

My first full day in Seattle I spent searching for the Fremont Troll and the Gas Works Park.

The troll was a lot bigger than I expected! I had a hard time climbing up on his hand, in fact I recruited the help of some nice teenagers to get up there and back down. ;)

It was such a beautifully sunny afternoon in Seattle. I spent many, many hours over at the Water Works Park. I had heard about it from an online sketching group and was intrigued.

I had grandiose plans to paint some beautiful fluffy cotton ball clouds behind the text, but that idea flew out the window when i realized that the red/purple ink that looked so luscious and alluring in the bottle ended up bleeding all over the place and isn't water-proof. sad. sometimes it's best to stick with what you know works.

I could have spent a lot longer there with all the natural steampunkness but unfortunately I was exhausted. So I headed over to my hotel to check in. Once unpacked I promptly took a nap. Awoke a few hours later and walked across the street to order dinner to go at a fabulous Mexican restaurant. Promptly took it back to my room, with adjacent kitchenette and sat down to eat and journal.

I must have really been tired, slept in until 10:30. Finally, dragged myself out of bed and got ready for the day. Wasn't sure where my destination was going to be or what the day had in store for me. My only goals were to get some sketching in and to stop by Daniel Smith's Art Store. As I drove downtown I decided to stop over by Pioneer Square, it was cold out and there was a coffee shop right across the street. I bought a pumpkin-spiced latte and molasses cookie and perched myself up on the bar stool behind the big store window.

There I sat all afternoon. Time flew by and the next thing I knew it was 4:30 and I still hadn't made it over to the art store.

Here in Boise, Idaho there isn't really much of an artstore anymore. Oh, we have the big warehouse art store that carries the Happy Painters products and the token craft store, but no REAL art store. So whenever i am in Seattle I have to stop by Daniel Smith and stock up. Next time I go I'll have to find the Dick Blick store too. Anyway, I left with lots of printing inks and supplies, new watercolor sticks, and Faber Castell brush pens. I am looking forward to fully breaking in my etching press over the next few months.

I sure didn't feel like going back to my hotel room, so I went downtown again and treated myself to dinner at Ivars. It was interesting to see the looks on the waitresses faces when I said a table for one. Is it really all that odd to eat alone? Regardless, I enjoyed myself.

Afterwards, I spent a rough evening drawing/journaling/writing and such... wow, I'd had almost too much time alone to think. I was looking forward to getting over to Port Townsend, and familiar faces.

Waiting to board the ferry to Bainbridge :)

First stop in Port Townsend... Akamai art store! This store is almost better than Daniel Smith.

just a small sampling of the beautiful handmade papers

waxed binders threads... pick a color... any color.

more Golden acrylics than I have seen in one spot ever.

The moment I walked in I was greeted by an old friend and teacher, Liesel Lund. What a bright happy smile she has, made me feel right at home.

(note: this was taken the last evening of Journalfest, and I stole the image from Liesel's blog! hehe)

While there I also ran into two of my students from last year, Gina and Krista (mother and daughter). As soon as I saw them together I knew instantly who they were, for they had been on my mind all year. It is because of students like them that I love teaching and sharing so much. They both took what they learned in class and kept moving fast forward.

Gina and her daughter Krista

They made their own traveling watercolor sets out of antique eyeshadow compacts! But it didn't stop there! They went to Italy for a month and each filled a journal full of drawing in ink and watercolor. When they returned home, the fun continued and each started finding their own artistic voice.

Gina's personal deck of Bird Tarot cards. She planned out, drew with ink, and painted each in watercolor.

Krista's gorgeous spread of fall leaves. This was the woman that a year prior tried to convince me that she couldn't draw let alone paint. Yes, my heart swelled many, many sizes and they brought me close to tears.

Next stop Fort Worden Park, and Journalfest.

Three years ago was the first Journalfest. Three years ago was the first time I taught a group of adults something I am very passionate about. Three years ago was my first experience attending an Art Retreat. I was a nervous wreck. I didn't know what to expect. I left Fort Worden 4 days later on an emotional and creative high. It honestly took about a month to come down off that high.

Last year I arrived much more relaxed. I knew what to expect, gosh I've already done this once before, right? Wrong. I had an amazing time, met even more like minded souls, and left feeling renewed. However, when I returned home I began questioned everything about myself as an artist. I couldn't create anything for months. See this post here...

This year I arrived without any preconceived notions as to what I was going to experience. I was an open vessel ready to be filled.

Teesha and Tracy were there to greet everyone as they arrived. Here Tracy was show us his cool new phone credit card scanner. (Yes, I want one too!)

Two dear friends, Josie and Nancy (mother and daughter) who came to Journalfest for the first time this year. They live here in Boise with me. They are two of the sweetest woman I have ever met. So genuine and loving.

the Second year that I was greeted by a rainbow. (look close, it is on the horizon)

What a great way to start the adventure!!

My home for the next 4 nights. It wasn't quite this neat after I unpacked.

After dinner the first night we met in the theatre for a "meet your instructor" gathering. The Moore Duo had random questions for each instructor to answer. All in all it was a lot of fun.

Journalfest Instructors I

Journalfest Instrucotrs II

Myself, answering my question... oh gosh, I am not very comfortable talking into a mic. However, I must pat myself on the back, for 20 years ago I would have crawled under my chair rather than stood behind that mic. Ahhhh... yes, there has been growth in the past 20 years. ;)

After the gathering I meet up with some friends that I had met in past years Journalfest adventures. The moment I entered the room my vessel began to fill up. The discussions were heartfelt, raw, and all barriers where withdrawn. My soul yearned for this type of connection, as unexpected as it was. I left knowing that the next few days were going to be intense and fulfilling.

Day 1 of Workshops

The next morning I awoke about 5:30am and decided to get up. I have been wanting to watch the sunrise on the beach for the past few years and never did. What a wonderful place to center ones self. I wish I lived closer to the ocean, something about the sea calls to me. The sounds, the smells, the beauty...

That first day was my day to take a workshop. Daniel Essig is a wonderfully patient and organized instructor. He taught us how to work with mica and we spent the day creating multiple pages for our coptic bound mica book. I loved the process and ended up purchasing an additional kit so that I can make another book.

Daniel Essig demos one of the processes for the mica book

The group that touched me to the core. (Here they are Skyping their missing Pirate Sister)

Later that evening was the bonfire journaling party down by the beach. Had even more heartfelt conversations with many artists. Was even able to get a little journaling in as well.

Day 2 of Workshops

The next morning I awoke full of nervous energy. I was about to teach my new workshop The Savage Mirror. It was not meant to be a class to learn academic rendering of a human face, but rather a spring board to go deeper than what we see on the surface.

We began the day with a brief story about becoming fearless with our art and leaving our ogres at the door. Then we dove in. I didn't know what to expect, didn't know how many of the woman who signed up truly wanted to break through their barriers or were just taking the class because it looked interesting. By lunch time I was thrilled at the energy that was building, unbelievable energy! The portraits that were emerging in each mirror where powerful and had stories to be told. It all was more than I could ever hope for as an instructor. There were tears, there were hugs, there were wheels in motion, there were ogres being thrown out of the room, finally there was authenticity in each individual mirror. I felt a connection and bond to each person in the room. I felt privileged and humbled.

My Fearless artists, Share one of many Savage Mirror images.

This is Carrie's. She seemed a little hesitant when she realized that she drew her ear instead of her eyes (everyone was encouraged to draw the area of their face that spoke to them the most) I asked her what is it that she is supposed to be listening for? The light bulb came on...she knew instantly.

This is the finished page.

I decided that this year I would go ahead and participate in the Vendor Night. I haven't ever tried to sell any of my personal work before and wasn't sure what to expect (again) but went in with nervous excitement. Thank goodness my dear friend Josie was there to help!!! I couldn't have done it without her! What a thrilling experience. Thank you to all that purchased a little piece of art. I was so happy to have new homes for each of them. My only regret was that I didn't get a chance to run by everyone else's tables and have them set little nuggets aside for me.

Day 3 of Workshops

This was the third year in a row that I've had the privilege to teach Learning to See. It is a workshop very dear to my heart. What an unbelievable thrill it is to watch my students learn to open their eyes and begin to see the world around them with a new vision and then be able to draw with their own authenticity. These are the same individuals who just hours earlier raised their hands when I asked "who here believes that they can't draw?" Not only can they draw, but they can draw without the crutch of an eraser!!!

Here is the whole class working really hard on their morning assignment #2.

Breathtaking view of the beach area during my lunchtime stroll.

At the end of the day, I challenged them to complete a group project in less than 20 mins. The clock was ticking, and they didn't have time to think and over analyze everything. And they ROCKED the HOUSE! Here is their surprise gift to Tracy Moore. Which we presented to him at the Journal Jam Party that evening!

Carla, Susan and I just before presenting Tracy with the drawing.

I LOVE this image of Tracy with his portrait!! It looks like he may even be wearing the same shirt. He loved it too! It was awesome to see the excitement in room as all the artists that worked so hard on the drawing as able to see how thrilled Tracy was. Teesha posted this on her website, which brought a smile to my heart.

These are the portraits my students (over the past two years) drew as a group.

Yes, I am so very proud of each one of those brave individuals!

It is amazing what can be created in 20 short minutes!!

Journalfest was wrapped up with a fabulous Journaling Jam with music, dancing, journaling, bonding. And someone invited the Black Swan Brethren to the party!

Just a few of the "fearless" crew!

Carla, Nancy & Josie

Carrie Todd and I

The fabulous band Surrealized! SO much talent, we were so fortunate that they agreed to come play at our party again this year!

Yes the Black Swan Crew closed the house and loved every moment.

As I returned to my room that night I felt blessings beyond anything I could have imagined. As I mentioned the opening night during the Q/A, we teachers receive just as much from the "students" as they do from us. We are all in this together and we each have something to bring to the table. Yes, my cup was overflowing and I loved every moment.

Sunday morning quickly came. I slowly packed my bags and car, re-centered myself, and began the long trip back to Idaho. I stopped at one point just to capture the sun as it was setting on one side of the horizon and lighting up the mountains on the other side.

A breathtaking end.

The gift of Journalfest

2011-09-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Visual journals are a very important part of my artistic expression. I am often asked, “What is a visual journal? Like a diary?” My answer is, “Well, not exactly. It is more like taking your sketchbook to a whole new level”. For me it is a visual documentation of my life, my dreams and desires. I combine thoughts, feelings, and memories through the written word, but for me it is primarily about the overall visual experience. At times the pages are immensely personal…yet at other times the pages are meant solely for experimenting with new mediums.

Journalfest (Art Retreat) is in 6 weeks, the end of October!!! Artists and instructors, from all over the country, will be teaching visual journaling techniques and bookart forms. If you have never been too an art retreat, this is one you deserve to go to. Consider the new book “Destination Creativity: The Life-Altering Journey of Art Retreat" by Rice Freeman Zachery. On Sale now at Amazon.com

My visual journals have altered my life as an artist, dramatically in fact. It may seem cliché, but for me it is true. My first experience with Journalfest, three years ago, was a highlight in my artist career. Last year, I wasn't anticipating just how much my artistic life was going to be altered but between the classes I participated in (both as an instructor and a "student") and the individuals I meet a shift happened in my soul. A very exciting shift! I strongly encourage all of you to give yourself the gift of an art retreat. Journalfest is an intimately size group of artists/craftsmen that are excited about exploring the art form of Visual Journaling.

I will be teaching two classes this year at Journalfest, "Learning to See" and "The Savage Mirror". Visit the site for the full lineup of workshops and registration details. JournalFest 2011

"swarming of small people"

2011-08-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Acrylic & Ink
from the Book of Dreams Journal
dreamt on 8/20/11

More from the Book of Dreams journal... I have a couple more to work on before I am caught up. :)
This was an unusual dream for me, I never dream about swarms of insects....however, recently I've had dreams of zombies, tornados and swarming insects...gosh, my subconscious is really trying to tell me something. Just need to figure it all out during my wakeful moments.

sneak peek

2011-08-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

A little sneak peek as to what has been going on in the studio this past weekend... little limited editions from my Book of Dreams journal. Just a few of the items I'll be selling during October's Open Studios event and at Journalfest in Port Townsend. :)

Over the years, I have had inquires about reproductions of my journal pages. I've always shied away from reproduction prints, partially because I've felt that they don't have the same quality as the original. That being said I also rarely sell my originals. Even more so, the thought of mass reproductions seem to fire up an internal struggle I have between being both a graphic designer and a fine artist. I view the art I create as a graphic designer is meant for the mass population. It isn't about me... ultimately, it is for the client and the product/service they are selling in huge quantities. The art I create in my journals is for me. I choose to share it and get great pleasure in knowing that there are other like minded souls out there who relate to the art hidden away in my journals. My most treasured days are the ones when I hear from an individual that has had a profound reaction to these images.

This weekend I came up with a compromise. Limited edition hand crafted reproductions of some of my favorites images. If there is an image I've created that resinates with you, please let me know. I may be taking special orders after October. ;)

tangled chaos

2011-08-16T23:10:00.001-07:00

tangled chaos
Originally uploaded by rightside
left my fine tip Pitt pen in the studio...only had a bold tip pen. it was interesting to forgo the detail i am used to in the line drawing.

this is my third year planting a graden, and i am in love with fresh home grown veggies...especially the tomatoes (not shown here)

Now, just to find some time to begin canning/freezing all these yummy veggies for the winter months.

summer road trip

2011-08-15T16:10:00.001-07:00

summer road trip
Originally uploaded by rightside
It has been 6 months since I last drew/journaled in my visual journal...not because I didn't feel the urge nor lacked the time. I just physically haven't had in in my possession for that amount of time. I am glad to have it home safe and sound where it belongs. :)

"a storm is brewing"

2011-08-11T17:31:00.000-07:00

"a storm is brewing" ~ acrylic and ink

Book of Dreams
dreamt: June 28th, 2011 (41st Birthday)

"Dreamt that I was balancing a tornado on my fingertip, feeling very pleased that I was able to keep it from blocking the path I was planing on taking. After moving the smaller tornado aside I went inside, only to peer out the window and see dozens of mile wide tornados coming straight at the house...I woke up to the horror settling in my stomach knowing there wasn't anything I could do to stop them all."

I think my Book of Dreams is my favorite journal at the moment. It has been energizing working with acrylics / collage again, my other journals are mainly watercolor and ink.

In regards to this particular dream, it was very apparent what the underlying message was... I have no control over most of what happens in my life. I can attempt control, but ultimately the more I try to control it the more life throws at me.

"hesitations"

2011-07-31T22:56:00.000-07:00

From the Book of Dreams
dreamt on June 24th, 2011

Why is it that we hesitate telling others those things that are on our minds and in our hearts. Perhaps I am more guilty of this than most. Most of my life I have built walls around myself, thinking that they would protect me from...hurt, rejection, ridicule, and embarrassment. Unfortunately, all the self inflicted walls have done is prevent me from following dreams, expressing the intense emotions in my heart, made me ask "what if I had only...", and worst of all made me hesitate sharing my true feelings.

birds are Western Tangers that migrate through SouthWestern Idaho in mid spring.

"Watching You ~ F03"

2011-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

"watching you" - mixed media
in my Book of Dreams Journal

It took a long time to finally get around to working on this one. I prepped the pages way back in Feb. Couldn't quite decide how to approach this dream... yet again it is best not to think too much and just let the image emerge and tell me where it wants to go.

I have two or three more dreams that I need to work out and get in my book before I forget about them. One was about balancing a tornado on my finger tips while a doz or so other ones were barreling down towards me.

Art Journaling Magazine Summer 2011

2011-07-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled and honored to announce that my 2010-11 journal is featured in the summer issue of Art Journaling Magazine!!

Way back in Jan. of 2010 I wrote out my artistic goals for the year and the very last goal was to submit my book to Somerset for consideration. I truly took a leap of faith on this goal, as I knew it would be months and months before I heard anything. Not to mention sending my book away into the unknown and hoping that we would be united again... someday. So far it has been 6 months... I have to be honest, I have missed my journal more than I ever imagined. I know it is in good hands though and we will be reunited very soon.

It was a very happy day when I came home, from a long emotional day at the hospital with my father, to find waiting for me in my inbox an email from Somerset congratulating me on being chosen as one of the featured artists. To be quite honest I was surprised, as i thought for sure my "style" of visual journaling wasn't what Somerset was looking for, as my style is quite different from most of the visual journaling artists i have met and seen published in books. What thrilled me even more was that they spent some time looking through my book and hand picked the pages that were published, which were quite different from what I had originally suggested. My article was primarily focused on my trip to the Oregon coast and all the pages that coincided with that trip. Now that I see the article and the chosen images I am very pleased with the finished publication.

Not having my main journal at hand over the past 6 months has forced me to work on other artist books. Such as my "Book of Dreams", "Widow Maker", and a new one i have started "Craters of the Moon." I'll post new pages from these soon. :)

Hurry, these magazines are on shelves now and wont last long!! Pick yours up today at your local bookstore (I know Barnes and Noble carry them) or order your copy on-line at Somerset .

Our choices define who we are.

2011-07-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

At times I find it a real challenge being a parent/mentor not only to my own children but to all the youth that need guidance and a positive influence. I am a believer in the philosophy that it takes a village to raise our youth, and that a parent can only influence so much. The world around us has a way of influencing our youth, sometimes for the better, sometime for worse. We can't place our children in bubbles. The only thing we can do is to talk to them honestly, give them guidance, expect them to live up to their potential, and learn to make choices that will take them further in life. I wish that when I was in my youth a caring adult would have pulled me aside and explained that life is made up of choices. Each choice we make comes with a consequence. Nobody can make the choice for us, nor can they force us into making the choice. When making the choices in life we have to take responsibility for the outcome. Both good, and bad. Always keep in mind that these choices will eventually define who we are.

A friend posted this link to his page awhile back and it has resinated with me ever since. Looking beyond who produced the commercial, It visually and eloquently illustrates the parallels of how powerful our choices define us, exactly what I think each young person needs to see and hear.

He Is Here

2011-06-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

A recent self portrait painted for the Treasure Valley Artists Alliance (TVAA) installation at the Modern Event. Many of the members painted portraits that were all hung in a grid style on the side of a local building. It was impressive to see! I wish I had had my camera that night.

Anyway, this portrait is directly related to the dream I had back in 2005 about my dad. I forgot I had written the dream down and happen to come across it in an old notebook just a week before my dad's heart attack. I included it in the visual journal I kept while daddy was in the hospital. About a month ago I sat down with him and shared my journal with him. We both cried. Reading the dream to him was particularly difficult. But I feel so very blessed to have these extra moments, days, weeks and months with him. I know most who have experience what our family went through never had the gift we now treasure. More time.

click on image to see larger

JournalFest Workshops

2011-06-14T13:26:00.001-07:00

I recently came across this blog post from a former student, Lauri, who took pictures during my "Learning to See" workshop. I am really excited for October to arrive and make the trip to Seattle/Port Townsend. Journalfest is truly one of my most treasured outings of the year. I can't wait to meet all the artists who have signed up for my workshops, the bonds that are formed are invaluable.

me giving a demo

Portrait Party

2011-05-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

While browsing through my Flickr contacts I spent some time with one of my favorite artist/illustrator/teachers of all time. Rama Hughes. He inspires me more than words can describe. How I wish I would have had an art teacher like him when I was younger! How I wish my kids had an art teacher like him!! The children he teaches each day have no clue (or maybe some do) how very fortunate they are. I have asked Rama if he plans on making a book that includes his lesson plans for other teachers. I love how open he is with his class projects and how obviously proud he is of his students. My heart smiles when ever I hear how he has finally convinced a reluctant student to love art as much as he does.

One of the projects he worked with his student on was to draw themselves as how they might look in a 100 years. This is Rama's example for his class. I think this would be a very interesting one to try myself. the portrait party by rama hughes.

Printmaking workshops

2011-05-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Rocky Mountain Printmaking Alliance's Inaugural Symposium was in town last week. I had a fabulous time meeting many talented printmakers. I also attended two very inspirational workshops. One on the "Exploring the potential of Polyester Plates in Lithography" presented by Andrew and Kathryn Polk of Arizona. We didn't get a chance to try the process ourselves however the instructions/demos were excellent! My friend Amy and I have plans to experiment with this process in the near future.

The next day I took a two-day workshop from Melanie Yazzie, the Associate Professor of Art at the university of Colorado, on monoprints using Ukra Inks. (a set for myself is on my Birthday wish list)

If you ever have a chance to take one of Melanie's workshops, I highly recommend it! She is so sweet and giving of her time and talents. I wish she could have been there with us on the second day when we all started printing. I was amazed at how many lovely prints came from our afternoon together.

Here are some examples of the stencil monotypes I worked on.

As well as examples of the 3 color reductive monotype method:

I enjoyed the stencil method, as you can print many monotypes very quickly. Some of the less successful prints I plan on binding into visual journals and drawing over the top of the prints.

My favorite of the two was the reductive monoprints. I related to the painterly process much more than the stencils. I had taken a similar workshop last year, but we used oil-based inks instead. I like the soy-based Akua inks better for this process.

One of the techniques presented involved using sharpies. Yes, sharpies! I am excited to experiment with this and see how it works in my visual journals. (I may add this to my Savage Mirror workshop agenda this fall!)

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

2011-04-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Song of the day!! Makes me happy every time I hear it on the airwaves.
Adele has so much talent

"messengers"

2011-04-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

"messengers"
Originally uploaded by rightside

I was finally able to complete my first edition on my new press, built by my talented father.

"messengers"
5"x7"
collograph

The Widow Maker

2011-04-11T10:13:00.001-07:00

The Widow Maker, a set on Flickr.

"The Widow Maker"
there is no term in the medical lexicon more ominous than "widow maker." This condition, a full and complete blockage of the left anterior descending coronary artery, is fairly rare but exceptionally lethal, having the ability to kill a patient in an instant. The signs are the same as a standard heart attack, the distinction is in the severity and location of the blockage.

From the time symptoms present themselves, there is only a roughly 5 minute window of time to relieve the arterial blockage. If this blockage is not corrected within this window, death is nearly certain.

The only immediate treatment possible when a widow maker heart attack occurs is the insertion of a cardiac stent. This pushes the arterial blockage up against the arterial wall, thereby allowing blood flow to resume.

Dad had three stents inserted into his Left anterior descending coronary artery. The paramedics arrived within 3 mins of the 911 call mom placed, during the 5 min window mom preformed CPR on dad to keep him alive.

Daddy

2011-03-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

The past 5 days have changed my life dramatically... I am the ultimate "daddy's girl" having 4 brothers and no sisters. He has been my cheering squad, mentor, friend, shoulder to lean on and cry on, and I love him to the depths of my soul.

I wrote this a few years back.

In a way this is a portrait of my father and I. He was a mechanic when I was growing up. When I was very young his work fascinated me and he couldn't keep me out of his shop (which was a huge building behind our house that could fit three semitrucks in it at the same time.) He allowed me to use most all his tools, even at a very young age. I loved making things with him and watching him work.

When I was a teen, I became quite embarrassed by the profession of my father. All my friends parents were "important people" like doctors or lawyers and such... we always had peoples broken down trucks and engine parts laying around our driveways. Our house was still in the process of being remodeled the whole time I was a teen (dad was working on this in his spare time most weekends and some evenings). So in my young arrogant mind, our house didn't measure up to my friends homes.

When I became a young adult I realized how hard my father works. The multitude of talents he possesses. The pure joy and love he has in creating and making objects and machinery work. This is not a trait all men have as I once believed. I now love to see him in his coveralls, cap, steel toed leather boots, and with his stained fingernails (from all the hours of working). He is very patient and enjoys teaching my husband how to do new things. (Like plumbing, wiring, framing and sheet rocking... )
My dad is a gem.

A few weeks ago I printed my first collagraph print on the press daddy built for me. I was so thrilled at how beautiful the press worked and couldn't wait to show dad the preliminary proof. I scanned in the print and emailed it to him. He liked it, but said "It's a little sad though." At the time I felt a twinge of guilt, as I had promised daddy that my first print would be for him (something to do with antique cars). But I have a print exchange coming up and I really wanted to do this image for the exchange. It will have a quote about tears being a strength not a weakness.

However, driving home Sunday night I realized unbeknown to me I had made my first print for him.

Journalfest 2011 - Registration is now open

2011-03-06T23:39:00.000-08:00

Registration for Journalfest 2011 is now open!!

Visit Journalfest's website to sign up and get more information about the event. I am so excited and honored to get the opportunity to teach again this year. I will be teaching one of my favorite classes "Learning to See" in which I teach and demonstrate my visual journaling style.

New this year, is the "Savage Mirror" workshop. I have been working and journaling a lot this year on the idea of dreams (dreams I have had as well as my perspective on dreams others have had about me), getting to know oneself on a deeper level and am looking forward to sharing these journaling techniques and ideas within my workshop.

Also new this year, I will be have a vendor table at the "Vendor Night" where I'll be selling original art as well as prints from my journals. Yay! October can not come fast enough!!

New to the studio

2011-02-23T01:35:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by rightside

~ antique luggage to house my art supplies and to keep my visual journal safe from harm when traveling. :)

New to the studio

2011-02-23T01:34:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by rightside

~ an antique cast iron book press.... I've always wanted one of these!!

"for better, for worse"

2011-02-02T22:50:00.000-08:00

"for better, for worse"

8"x8" deep edge canvas

mixed medium - collage, acrylic, image transfer

This is the 4th year I have donated a piece of art to the local Valentine for Aids Silent Art Auction which benefits SNAP (Safety Net For Aids Program). I enjoy coming up with a "Valentine" themed piece of art, I enjoy seeing all the other "valentines" created by local artists, I enjoy knowing that my little piece of art was bid on and bought with love, but this year is a bit different... this year I didn't really want to let it go. It was personal... whispering thoughts from my core...holding symbols, ideals, needs and yearnings... things that the future owner will never know or understand. I will be making another, for me.

The following are past years donated art:

"the hearts wishes"

8"x12" hand-bound photo album

mixed medium

2007

"fly away home"

4"x5"x2" hand-bound photo album

mixed medium - hand-made paper, letterpress, linocut

2009

"twitterpated"

8"x10"

mixed medium - india ink, watercolor, colored pencil, graphite

2010

Yes, I am aware that I have included birds every year for this event. I haven't figured out exactly what all my personal symbolism is, but having a bird reference in general seems to be abundant in a lot of my personal art.

Journalfest 2011

2011-01-21T13:21:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to share that I'll be teaching two workshops at Journalfest 2011. This years dates are October 26-30. All workshops will be posted by March 5th. The website is www.teeshamoore.com .

Here is a sneak peek at the descriptions of my two workshops, more info to come as the date approaches:

“The Savage Mirror”

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. ~ Lua Tzu

The savage mirror sees all and will reflect all you wish to reveal or keep hidden. That little wrinkle, aurgh, why do I have a wrinkle there!?! The sweet little wrinkle has a story, as an art journalist isn’t it time to give it a voice and share it’s story, even if it is just between the two of you. Perhaps you have a story that has been kept in your heart that is ready to find a voice, it is part of you and gives you strength. Or perhaps you have a dream that needs to be brought forth, it is there in the mirror, don’t you see it?

I cannot begin to tell you how often I hear, “I can’t draw a straight line,” or “I can barely even a draw stick person.” I am convinced that anyone can learn to draw, however first you need to Learn To See. See as an artist does. Once you experience this, drawing skills can quickly be learned.

In this class you will learn useful drawing techniques that will help you see the world around you with a new vision, while learning to loosen up and draw without the crutch of an eraser. Together, we will be drawing found and/or everyday objects that are always in abundance. You will learn the difference between what we know about objects and what we see. After completing the ink drawing, you will learn some basic color theory and how to apply watercolor and colored pencil to your drawing to give it a visual punch.

Once comfortable with your new “vision”, we will explore a variety of pencil and pen techniques for applying value to our drawings, thus increasing the illusion of three-dimensional form. Some of these modeling techniques may include expressive line qualities, value relationships with the use of continuous tone, hatching, and cross-hatching.

If you have never been to Journalfest, I highly recommend giving yourself this 4 day gift!

"sweetheart"

2011-01-19T22:58:00.000-08:00

"sweetheart"
part of my "book of dreams" journal & "the savage mirror" project

mixed media: collage, image transfer, acrylic, sharpies, transparencies, china marker

style(s)

2011-01-14T02:13:00.000-08:00

As I posted my last two "Book of Dreams" images (journal pages, illustrations, drawing, painting... what ever the 'correct' title is I don't know.... I lovingly call it my art) I thought about you. How are you going to react to my latest posts. Are you going to wonder, 'who's work is this? Is it Lisa’s work? It doesn’t appear to be Lisa's style, at least it isn’t the style I am used to seeing." As those questions went through my head I wondered how to answer them for myself.

To answer the question of "whose work/style is this?" Simply put, it is mine. Always has been, always will be. I have added some techniques to my arsenal, but the grittiness and expressiveness is mine. I have suppressed, hid, and protected my 'darker' side from the world, for those thoughts and images hiding in my shadowy corners have always been for me, only me.

Over the past few months an internal pressure has been building. The pressure to create, the pressure to draw in my visual journal, pressure to make things for family and friends, pressure to complete all those unfinished projects (they weren't termed "projects" when I embarked on them months and years ago, but they are now so titled... "projects") my life has been consumed by pressures, projects, and clutter. A friend described it perfectly for me one night. "The pressures that everyone puts on us... It seems at times that our lives are not our own." So much more has happened since that short discussion a month ago, the unyielding need to examine what has been consuming me internally overshadowed the need to see what was surrounding me externally.

The “style” you are used to seeing, the style I save for my visual journals, is my external view of the world and how I fit into it. I journal about my daily experiences, those things that bring me joy and sometimes sadness, this “style” makes me feel centered and in-touch with the world. It slows me down and makes me appreciate the present moment. This “style” is very much a part of who I am now.

Given all of this, I have struggled with finding my voice for everything else that lurks in my mind. I have suppressed and at times turned my back on were my art was headed 14 years ago when I graduated from college with my BFA. At that time my art was very expressive and my voice was just beginning to call to me….but I failed to listen. I focused instead on other priorities (mind you they were and still are my main priorities), I didn’t have time to listen. Now, I can’t ignore the pounding in my head.

My recent trip to Seattle unknowingly unleashed this voice. It was quiet and patient while I was there. Soaking everything up. It had me all to itself… no distractions, no pressures, no commitments, no responsibilities. It started the first evening while I sat alone in the restaurant drinking a glass of wine and eating a simple bowl of soup. At first I was uncomfortable sitting there alone, nobody to talk to… but I quickly reminded myself that this trip was for me… only me.

The next morning I awoke early with a full day planned! I grabbed my visual journal and walked through the rain to the space needle. I’m quite sure I was a sight to behold, balancing the book on my knees, sketching the landmark with one hand, while attempting to hold an umbrella over myself and my sketchbook as the rain poured down. From there I did a little shopping and then headed downtown to Pikes Market. I wandered for quite some time before inspiration struck and I found something I wanted to draw. Just in time too, as I had a reservation to see the Picasso Exhibit!

I have to admit. I didn’t know that this exhibit was at the museum when I arrived in town. The gal at the hotel’s front desk that told me about it and that I needed to reserve tickets. She quickly got on line and reserved the tickets for me! I was excited to see a master’s work in person, though I had never been much of a Picasso fan. Regardless, I went in with an open mind. Something unexpected happened as I moved through the rooms, looking at and absorbing the breathtaking art, the styles changed and overlapped and morphed. It all depended on his mood, what was going on in his life, who was in his life…he never gave up a “style” completely, instead he gave himself permission to push beyond what was expected. I could have stayed in those rooms much longer than the 3 hours I was allotted, for this idea of changing “styles” and “voices” swirled in my head and I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I loved it.

That night I ate alone again, I wasn’t lonely…just alone. My “voice” was still patiently finding it’s way through the dark hallways in my head. It was stirring, but I wasn’t necessarily listening.

The next few days I spent with some amazing artists while attending and teaching at Journalfest. Many of whom I instantly connected with. My students were amazing and I left each day on an emotional high and a comforting satisfaction that I was able to share and touch like-minded souls. My heart was full and singing when I went to bed each night.

I previously posted that I took a class on the one day I wasn’t teaching, it was an expressive drawing class with Juliana Coles. I recall thinking months prior that, “it would be fun to take an expressive drawing class again, I haven’t explored that way of drawing in years.” During the class I was relaxed and open to what ever was thrown at me, it felt comfortable. Just as comfortable as the way I draw in my visual journal. Kind of like putting on your favorite pair of fluffy, thick, soft socks. One for each foot. While at the after hours events, I could have gone back and finished the multiple pages in my visual journal that still required color and my thoughts, however all I could think about were those pages I started in class.

I left Journalfest feeling refreshed and renewed. However, when I look back at what I wrote the days and weeks following I recognize the internal struggle I was having. The creative juices were flowing, but I was struggling internally with how to express what was going on inside. I shut down. No art was being created. I refused to listen. For almost 2 ½ months. During those months, pressures from others started building…. Pressures that only reinforced the doubts I already had… sometimes those around us can’t begin to understand that what they are doing and saying cause more harm than good… and that damn pounding in my head wouldn’t go away.

During these past months I begun to take a hard look at myself, it hasn’t been easy. I believe I had a break through the other night when I finally allowed myself to put pen/brush to paper. Hours later, the pounding in my head and the pressure under my skin seemed to have quieted down. What stared back at me was an image that I have held in my heart for a long time but didn’t have a voice for it. The voice was loud and clear now.

Obviously, I am just beginning to accept that my voice will determine the “style” I choose. I am not sure how my style(s) will evolve, but for now I am enjoying having an outlet to express both my external view of the world as well as my internal view.

Broken to Harness

2011-01-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

needed to throw this to the wind...
part of my Book of Dreams and new project that has been bubbling in my head for a few months: The Savage Mirror.

mixed media: acrylic, sharpies, graphite, watercolor crayon, and image transfer

parting ways D'03

2011-01-10T04:35:00.001-08:00

parting ways D'03
Originally uploaded by rightside
stayed up all night drawing and painting.... can't even begin to describe how better I feel.

mixed media
Book of Dreams - "parting ways D'03"

Merry Christmas to me!!!

2010-12-29T00:20:00.000-08:00

The day has finally arrived, my 30" wide press came to rest in my soon to be printing studio. My father and brother built it from scratch after looking at a friend's press. Dad and I took it for a spin the day after Christmas and it works beautifully!! I feel so blessed to have such a talented father.

Next up will be to remodel my studio. I originally thought about just having a "doorway" from my current studio to the "press studio". Now we are considering removing the dividing wall and opening it up into one big room... not sure how I feel about that. So many possibilities...

For the love of Journalfest

2010-11-18T00:36:00.000-08:00

It has already been weeks since I returned from Journalfest 2011, the week after returning my body and mind shut down and only wanted to sleep, and then sleep some more. All those long nights & days of 3-5 hours of sleep for weeks on end, prior to driving to Seattle, had finally caught up to me. Regardless, this didn't and still hasn't dampened my creative high I am still on. My mind has been on a constant fast forward, thoughts and ideas have been rushing in SO fast I can barely keep up with them. Even as I write this all I truly want to do is turn on the music, turn off the computer and phone and submerge myself in my studio. I don't want to work on upcoming Christmas gifts, cards, and all the other items that have become my tradition over the years. I want to be selfish and work out some of these ideas in my head that are starting too ooze out my ears only to be lost moments later. I really need to keep a notebook next to me at all times so that I don't forget all these ideas. It would really come in handy for the days and weeks that I can't think of a thing to create.

I am still working on the journal pages I started that week...So I will post them as I complete each page. For now I want to share some pics I (and new friends) took while at Journalfest.

My first day of workshops began selfishly, I wasn't teaching and I wanted the day to be about me and absorbing the class I was signed up to attend. Wanting to go a little incognito for the day, I tucked my hair under my favorite green cap, grabbed a quick cup of coffee and quietly slid into my classroom chair. Little did I know Mardie Rhodes, whom I had met over the summer at Tracey Moore's workshop, was to be my table neighbor. (She is such a wonderful woman!) Then Julianna Coles entered the room wearing her cowboy hat, boots, and hip holster (with cap guns)! She is a bundle of pure joy, I took a liking to her instantly.

She ended up squishing us together into very uncomfortable quarters, nobody's personal bubbles were safe! And don't get me started on her choice of music to put icing on the uncomfortableness... It was all for a reason and I just went with it.... She took me to places I hadn't gone since my college days in art classes.

"over 40 years" ~ mixed media

This "mess" truly took me out of my comfort zone, but I went in with an open mind and no judgments. In doing so, I found a little piece of unexpected authenticity. My heart strings are drawn to this little figure that emerged in the fog. She has a lot to tell me, and as I work on this page I think her voice will be heard. Even as I write this, I am seeing and hearing more of what she has to tell me. (click on the image to see it bigger)

"he loves me...he loves me not..." ~ mixed media

While starting this next page all the drama of one's relationship with a first "love" kept creeping into my mind. My sweet daughter had been calling me during the week giving updates and asking advice about her first big crush...which brought up lots of memories for me... so naturally I had to capture the moment.

"cut to the core" ~ mixed media

This page began as an experiment of drawing on masking tape (loved it!) and ended up being the "bridge" between the next to drawings. I saw it as a "cutting away the negative to make room for the positive"

"beauty...negative" ~ mixed media

We were to draw the ideal beautiful person, then write down negative traits we think we have around her.

"Shadow Self - positive"

Next we were to draw one of our table neighbors, they became our Shadow Self (the part of us who tries to discourage our efforts) then we were to list positive attributes we think we have around the shadow self. [David Baxter and I were paired up. He was great fun to draw and an even better sport about it.] The "bridge" was the reconciliation between the two portraits. Not sure if it all makes sense the way I have described it, but I guess as long as it makes sense to me that is what is important.

It was an exhausting day, and I loved every moment of it! I did exactly what I set out to do, renewed my creative juices and didn't question the process. It was refreshing. To top it all off, over the follow few days I had a chance to get to know Julianna more. Words alone can not express the connection I felt with her. The closest I can come to describing it is a "soul sister". That isn't meant to sound cheesy or anything. It is what it is.

Julianna and I at the masquerade journal jam on the last night of Journalfest

Next up, the classes I taught and the wonderful "students" that shared the next two days with me!!!

Friday was a day full of origami and image transfers, as the Transferring Memories class learned over a dozen different image transfer techniques that they were able to incorporate into two little origami books.

Here are the class examples:

I think my favorite part of teaching is just after giving a demo and everyone heads back to their seats. You can hear a pin drop, very clearly. I love hearing the creative juices flowing and the occasional hmm from someones iPod. Next best thing would be to walk around the room and see what everyone is creating. So much food for the soul.

Diane and Jody hard at "work"

Tammy made a fun book full of fairies, trolls and creepy little characters... so cool

Ty and Marcia were getting VERY experimental with their transfers. It was fantastic to see. My favorite part, during the time I spent with them, was when I told Ty I'd get him some clean water to remove the paper from his transfer... and he told me, "Why? I have water right here." then he proceeded to soak his transfer in the dirty paint water... LOL... Hillarious!!!

Jody England Hansen took a moment to look up for me. :) She is such a sweet woman, I so enjoyed her positive energy!! She makes some amazingly beautiful books which she taught the following day.

Diana created a travel journal about a recent trip she and her husband had taken. It was very fun to watch her figure out how she was going to use her image transfer techniques in this book. I look forward to seeing the finished book!

Tammy proudly presents her little origami book!

This sweet young lady worked SO hard on her book and was determined to leave the class with a finished book. It took some doing but we got it all together by the end of the day!!

Saturday's workshop to come soon!!

watercolor kit

2010-11-04T10:10:00.003-07:00

watercolor kit
Originally uploaded by rightside

I love this traveling kit. As it has extra pull out pallet for more space to mix colors. Over the years I have added more colors to the pallets with Winsor & Newton paints from the tube.

journals/tools

2010-11-04T10:10:00.001-07:00

journals/tools
Originally uploaded by rightside

Over the years I have had folks inquiring about what tools/mediums I use in my visual journals. Thought I would share a bit, basically I start drawing with a Faber-Castell PITT artist pen (usually no pencil, just jumping in feet first with the ink), then I apply color with my Winsor & Newton watercolor traveling kit, and finally I punch up colors and add details with Prisma Color Pencils. (not shown here)

"unofficial" SketchCrawl

2010-11-03T21:57:00.001-07:00

"unofficial" SketchCrawl
Originally uploaded by rightside

a group of us decided to go on an "unofficial" SketchCrawl... It was the best turn out all year. We ended up at the same park I drew in back late July. The trees are just starting to turn. Fall is on it's way.

Memories of the Oregon Coast

2010-09-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

For years Dave and I have talked about taking the kids to the Oregon Coast, camping all along the way. So past winter I talked to my parents about the possibility of them going with us. In April we booked our campsites, 10 days...a different camp each day. Sounds like fun I thought to myself!

As the days got closer, the stress started to build. Work was finally picking up, which meant long hours in the studio, Dave was scheduled to be out of town the week prior, kids were home and wanting to be entertained... is this all really worth it?? Do we really have time to be gone for 10 whole days?

Thankfully, the week we were to leave Dave was able to take an extra day off to help get the camper ready while I focused on getting the food ready. Lots of cooking and freezing dinners. Mom, dad and my niece arrived late on Thursday night. We were ready to leave town by 10:30-ish the next morning. It always feels a bit strange once we are actually in the car, camper in tow, and pulling onto the interstate. It feels a bit like a mental tug-o-war. Did I forget to pack the emergency kit? Yes, it is in the camper. Did I forget to email such-and-such client? Yes, you told them last week you were going to be gone. Did I get the alarm clock? Yeeesss.... it is in your bag. Not until I am a good 20 miles away does my mind settle down enough to start enjoying the ride.

Friday ~ August 6th
Our first destination: 365 miles down I-84 to the Dalles in Oregon. As we traveled closer to the Columbia river the wind started picking up, then hundreds and hundreds of windmills started appearing on the landscape. The Columbia was rippling with waves and the windsurfers were taking advantage of wind and waves. We had planned on stopping at some of the large dams that are located on the Columbia, but we arrived a bit too late for a tour. Dad was disappointed, thankfully we were camping in-between two different dams so we were able to stop at the second one the next morning.

We stayed at the Memaloose State Park camp ground next to the Columbia River. My first entry into my Visual Journal .... while hunkered down behind a rock to get relief from the wind, I was sitting in Oregon while drawing Washington on the other side of the Columbia River.

Saturday ~ August 7th
The next morning we visited the Boniville Lock & Dam and the fish hatchery. Both places are quite interesting. As I mentioned my dad loves seeing dams (must be the engineering aspect) and Dave works for Idaho Power, so the two of them had lots to see. At the fish hatchery, we enjoyed the sturgeons...they acted a lot like pets. Coming up out of the water to look at you and entertaining (showing off) to all those that watched from the window down below.

Next we traveled down the Old Highway 30 to see the Multonmal Falls. Unfortunately it was a Saturday and the parking was terrible, definitely no room to park a truck and camper...so we moved on down the road.

The old HWY-30 was originally built for the Model -T cars so it is a bit narrow, but the view along the way is gorgeous. I'd love to travel it during the fall months when the trees are changing colors!

We did stop at the Vista Home overlooking the Columbia. While everyone walked over to see the sites, I stayed behind and sketched from a top the camper. In total we drove about 90 miles to our next campsite, the Milo McIver State Park.

Sunday ~ August 8th
We stayed right next to the beach at Nehalem Bay. It was very windy that evening, but that didn't stop us from running over the sand dune to the beach. Hailey sat in a chair and painted her very first Plein Air painting in watercolor. (I still have sand in my traveling water color kit to prove it.) I was very proud of her.

WE fell asleep to the sound of the wave crashing onto the shore...it was heavenly. The next morning I woke bright and early to a calm and peaceful beach at low tide. I found a huge full sand dollar. I was very excited. Alex saw one down in a tide pool that he couldn't reach. So I rolled up my sleeves and pants and reached down to grab it...I emerged a moment later unsuccessful and my entire left side dripping wet. I didn't realize that you sink very quickly in wet sand...Yikes.

Monday ~ August, 9th
It was foggy and overcast the whole time. We stayed just above Newport at Beverly Beach. The trees at the camp ground were really amazing...wish I would have had the time to draw them.

Instead Dave and I took the kids to the Devil's Punchbowl tidepool. Then ended up buying them hot chocolates...Alex made us all laugh with his chocolate evidence. He had no clue that the ring on his face was there.

Tuesday ~ August 10th
We stayed just above Newport on Monday and just below on Tuesday. So we had plenty of time to see the sights. We went to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and the Aquarium. So much fun! However, I think all the kids really enjoyed the quick trip Monday evening to Ripley's Believe It or Not shop the most... It was a bit crazy, creepy, and weird...just perfect entertainment for three youngsters!

That evening we were greeted by an amazing sandcastle on Beachside. I spoke to the gentleman that made it. He had spent all day on it! Apparently he makes a different one on each beach he stays at. I only drew the top portion in my visual journal.

Hailey, Alex, Mickenly and I all heading to the water in the fog.

The next morning Dave and I found a large crab buried in the sand. So I took it back to camp and cooked it... Oh my goodness, it was the best crab I've ever had....mmmm.

Wednesday ~ August 11th

We drove another 88 miles south to Sunset Bay State Park near Coos Bay. We had a great time hiking around near the tide pools. This is definitely a spot Dave and Hailey want to come back to. The beaches are becoming more and more beautiful with their rocky cliffs and little islands. We didn't get to spend quite enough time here since we didn't arrive until early evening and left mid-morning. I slept fantastic the whole time we were near the beach. I also started waking up earlier than everyone else... I almost felt like an early bird rather than the night owl I am accustomed to.

Thursday ~ August 12th

After a long and stressful afternoon of washing clothes at the laundry mat (in Coos Bay) and becoming separated.... we finally arrived at Harris Beach. Our last stop in Oregon. This was my favorite beach site of them all. The camp ground was huge with lots of campers, but the site we stayed in was great and secluded. The best part was the beach was within walking distance and the hike down to the beach was breathtaking. There was a huge tide pool that we all enjoyed exploring, luscious fern covered rock formations towering overhead and plenty of open beach to play in the sand & water.

Dave and Alex exploring the beach

Hailey drawing the rocky views, using charcoal she recovered from the campfire pit.
Yep, I was a proud artist mom that evening.

Friday, August 13th

At last the Redwood Forest! One evening was NOT enough time. We met Greg, the hitch hiker, just before we entered the park. He gave us some great advice on which trail to hike. We weren't disappointed either! The old growth area of the forest is spectacular. I look forward to spending multiple days there next year hiking the many trails. As we left the forest all the other trees we saw seemed so unimpressive in comparison

to read the adventures of Greg Clarke, our hitchhiking friend, visit his blog here: thehitchingposts.wordpress.com

For the first time since we left I didn't sleep well, kept waking up during the night... could have been because there are bears in the area and I was a bit freaked out about it. My mom however, being the special mom she is, sprinkled moth balls all around the exterior of our camper while we were on our hike. She heard from a ranger, who works in Yellowstone, that bears do not like the smell either. Not sure if it was the moth balls or we were just lucky, but the bears didn't visit us that night.

Saturday, Aug 14th

The next morning we headed back up to Oregon and then in-land to see Crater Lake....

We had a long drive ahead of us, so we weren't able to stay at Crater Lake for very long. Regardless, the drive up the mountain was impressive, the Lake was breathtaking, and the drive back down the other side made you feel like you were on top of the world looking down. You can see for MILES and MILES... the mountains actually gradated from dark blue to pale powder blue just like you might see in a photographers photo.

Sunday, Aug 15th
Saturday night we stayed at La Pine campground out in the desert about 70 miles from Burns. We all wanted a shower that evening, but decided against it since the showers were on 2 min timers and the water was cold. ): Alex and I awoke on Sunday to the sound of coyotes howling at the first light of the day. After breakfast, we headed across the hot Oregon High Desert. Wouldn't be so bad if we could drive 65-75mph.... but no, it was 55 all the way. Dave was nervous about getting a speeding ticket if he drove faster than 55, given the area we driving in it would have been a high probability for a ticket so 55 it was... I decided that living anywhere with in a 75 mile radius of Burns was not my cup of tea.

Hope you enjoyed coming along with us as we explored the coast. And just for the record... I'm still finding sand in the crevices of my journal.... =D

Formal Dinner party

2010-08-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I still sit in awe at the realization that my baby girl is going to be 13 in a few short weeks. She was just going into kindergarten...wasn't she?

Her two best friends have birthdays during the summer as well, so us moms thought it would be fun to have a combined 13th birthday party. The girls helped plan it, initially the Mad Hatter tea party was the theme but it morphed into each girl decorating a hat to go with a formal dress. So we moms organized a special dinner, complete with menus, and decorated my patio to look like a little french bistro...complete with a candle lite chandler, twinkly lights, and billowing curtains.

The girls each dress up in their new formal dresses, hats of their choice and heals. We helped the girls do their hair and makeup and when they all arrived we escorted them to their table.

Here Kimo (one of the dads) is serving the first course of the 6 course meal!! The girls loved every moment!

After dinner was over their other friends, who arrived during dessert and had to wait in the "parlor" until dinner was over, where brought to the restaurant for cake. After the all that fun and it started getting dark the girls changed clothes and they all play flashlight hide/seek/tag until midnight. It was a great party and so much fun!!

Happy 13th Birthday to my sweet Hailey and her best friends!!

These girls are awesome!!

July 31 ~ SketchCrawl

2010-08-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy summer for everyone...lot of full schedules... Soooo, I went out solo this morning. I was so glad I did too! Drew in a spot that I have never drawn before. Cathryn Alberstons Park is full of inspiration. But what really caught my artist eye were the lilies in bloom on the ponds...I spent the entire 2 hours in one spot, soaking in the sights... watched how the light changed the colors of the lily pads, and how quickly the flowers opened up to the sun. To top it all off, I came face to face with a young doe deer. She wasn't frightened of me and continued to graze about 15 feet from me.

Reconnect Daily

2010-07-15T22:48:00.001-07:00

Reconnect Daily
Originally uploaded by rightside

learn from what works

what a daddy's love can make

2010-07-12T22:22:00.001-07:00

what a daddy's love can make
Originally uploaded by rightside

still can't get over the joy that this will be mine VERY soon! My only downfall is that the space that it is going to live in needs a LOT of work and I'm feeling very overwhelmed. :-/

Gallery Source 9th Annual Juried Show

2010-07-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

In my creative goals for the year I indicated that I wanted to apply to some art shows. Back in May I got the courage up and applied to the local Art Source Gallery 9th Annual Juried Show. There were 216 submissions and only 55 were chosen. I am thrilled and honored to be one of the chosen few.

Next month two of my Solar Prints "the Protectors" and "all that is left" will be in another show. Exciting times for this graphic designer with a fine artist heart.

Studio Open for the weekend.

2010-06-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

2010 Creative Goals: Apply to BOSCO: CHECK
I had an amazingly good week last week. The long awaited Boise Open Studios event finally arrived.
To kick off the event we had a reception and showing of all the participating artist's recent work.

I was thrilled to be in a show with my painting mentor from college, John Killmaster. He taught me so much about painting and seeing the world around me with a new set of eyes.

Dave and I worked very hard trying to get the yard whipped into shape to welcome all our visitors, and my studio needed some sprucing up just to physically allow folks to wonder in and sit a spell. Since my studio is so small we thought it best to set up a refreshment table outside.

Overall, the weekend was tremendous fun. I saw many good friends and met many future friends. The flow through the studio was steady and we only had about a 20min lull on Saturday. And I even sold some artwork! I am looking forward to opening my studio again the first weekend in October. I hope to see many more people that weren't able to make it out this weekend. Thank you ALL who came to the reception and/or to visit my studio. I'm hoping that by Oct. my studio will have doubled in size! I need to make a new home for my 30" wide etching press and small letterpress!

Currently, my press is living with it's makers....my father and brother in Idaho Falls. Soon it will move to it's new home in Boise!

Boise Open Studios

2010-05-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

About 8 years ago my dear friend, Josie, invited me to attend an art event around Boise. It was called Boise Open Studios, which I had never heard of. In a nut shell local artists opened their studios to the public for a weekend. All were welcome to meet the artists, we were able to talk to them about their work, see their studios and stay as long as we wished. Afterward, we pulled out our map, found the next studio, and moved onto the next location. It was an adventure. An inspiring adventure. One that stayed with me for many years. At the time I thought to myself that I someday wanted to have a studio that people could come visit and hang out at. This was a secret longing I've had since that very first weekend so many years ago.

Last year I toyed with the idea of applying to become a BOSCO member. However, when I saw that I had to submit and artist statement, artist resume, 10 samples of my current work, and then be juried on top of it, I chocked. For 15 years I have been a graphic designer and have a nice resume to show for it. But THAT is not what is required for an artist resume, and WHAT could I possibly say about my "art" ... I was feeling very inadequate as a "fine artist" to say the least. So I procrastinated long enough that it was impossible to even try to apply.

In January of this year, I included "apply to BOSCO" as one of my artist goals. So, since I wrote it down for all to see as a tool to get over my irrational fears.... I applied. To my sincere amazement I was juried in as a member. This next weekend will be the first open studio my little "studio" will experience. I am thrilled!! Though running on vapors trying to get ready for it, I'm still absolutely thrilled to see this private goal finally happen.

Any and all that are in the Boise area, please stop by June 5-6, 12noon-6pm. Visit boiseopenstudios.com for detailed maps of all the studio locations.

not knowing is worse...

2010-05-03T08:14:00.001-07:00

not knowing is worse...
Originally uploaded by rightside

Went in on Friday to finally find out what is going on with the little lump that has been irritating me for the past year and a half. I was glad to finally see a doc that seemed to know what he was doing, second opinions really are a must. I'm not really worried about it being serious or anything, just ruling out the worst. But, boy oh boy did it hurt....

Emotionally, when the oral surgeon first referred me to the ENT after reviewing my CT I had a really tough afternoon of being very frightened. That was over a year ago. The ENT I saw at the time was NOT a good doctor at all, he just blew me off. So now I just want to know what the heck is going on once and for all. I really like the new doctor. As he put it, "the not knowing is sometimes worse than the knowing."

gifts come in many packages

2010-04-28T10:25:00.001-07:00

gifts come in many packages
Originally uploaded by rightside

still catching up on my journal pages ;-) getting closer though!

Thank you Lord

2010-04-28T10:24:00.001-07:00

Thank you Lord
Originally uploaded by rightside

still catching up on my journal pages ;-)
sorry this one is so hard to read. Basically, it is about the Lord watching over my family and protecting us from what could have been a horrible car accident.

Mr. & Mrs. Bott

2010-04-24T21:44:00.001-07:00

Mr. & Mrs. Bott
Originally uploaded by rightside

These two robots cracked me up... just loved them both... they were both the size of a full grown person. Wish I would have had more time to sketch more robots from the exhibit. They were all awesome.

guardian

2010-04-20T13:21:00.001-07:00

guardian
Originally uploaded by rightside

I loved the stark contrast of these trees against the subtle pastel foothills.
This was fun to draw... took awhile to finish just because it was one that I sketched from the photo I took that day, which i kept tucked away in my journal. I recall drawing on it at Papa Murphy's Pizza, the doctor's office, soccer practice.... and so on. ;) kept me from being bored during down times.

after the slumber

2010-04-20T08:51:00.001-07:00

after the slumber
Originally uploaded by rightside
starting to catch up on my journal... so many drawings, so little color. :)

These little buds looked like baby birds... heads and beaks tucked to their chests, with their wings wrapped around their plump bodies... I didn't do them justice though. These don't look like baby birds at all. ; /

All that is left

2010-04-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

"All that is left"
hand pulled solar plate print + hand colored with watercolor and touch of colored pencil
created for the "Leftovers" exhibit in Salt Lake City, UT & Boise, Idaho
individual images 1.5" x 2", over all print size 4"; x 4"

While drawing the individual images, my thoughts kept wondering to the idea of what do we leave behind in this world? The shell from a birth and the shell from a death. Through the process of creating the prints I realized that the imagery also resonates most all relationships. My emotions are stirred up as I contemplate how this all fits into my life.

brilliant maddness ~ Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

2010-04-06T00:49:00.001-07:00

Tim Burton + Johnny Depp = I'm one happy lady

I enjoyed the story line and the overall movie, but i loved Johnny Depp as the mad hatter, all the costumes, makeup and sets the most. Tim Burton is brilliant.

visison of new studio space dances in my head.

2010-04-05T00:23:00.000-07:00

5 years ago (wow, has it already been 5 years) we moved into our beautiful 1940 clinker brick home. I was thrilled to finally have a studio office space all to my own. No more spare bedrooms hidden away in the basement, dinning room tables buried under stacks of my art crap, and card tables randomly placed in the middle of the livingroom.... no more clients feeling awkward as they navigate through my home to meet in my "office". Now they can drive right up to my door!

5 years ago, we gutted and remodeled the 1970's decor office space into my current office studio. I love having a space that is so close to the house, yet still feels like I am at work as soon as I enter the door.

I have felt guilty every time I've daydreamed about having a larger studio that could hold my letterpress and type all in one room, or to actually have a real painting studio rather than the makeshift easel that I drag from sunny spot to sunny spot. Oh yes, I say guilt because my husband does not have a place to call his own. Where as I do. As a matter of fact, technically I have just about all of the house. So, all this time I have coveted my office/studio and have been grateful to have it. All the while keeping my daydreams to myself.

Now after only 5 short years I have visions of more studio space dancing through my head. For Dave has been talking about converting the entire garage into my studio. (Currently I occupy 1/2 of the downstairs) The other half of the garage could be converted into my print studio, the current space would stay my design studio, and the upstairs would be converted into my painting studio with multiple sky lights..... pinch me, I must be dreaming?

Boise Weekly Cover

2010-04-04T23:24:00.000-07:00

I recently participated in a artist print exchange entitled "Blue" that was
honoring Boise Blue, our local art store, that is going out of business
after 71 years of service. All 14 participating artist's work will be
exhibited in the store's windows during the month of April.

Boise Weekly wrote a wonderful article explaining Amy Nack's vision for the
exhibit and showcased many of the artist's pieces. The big surprise came
tonight when I was chatting with Amy. She asked if I knew that my
"Bluebells" were on the cover of the Boise Weekly? Obviously, I had no clue!
So Hailey and I ran to the newsstand at midnight to grab a copy... Or two...

check it out on-line :) http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/blue/Content?oid=1541339

As soon as I get my esty account up and going I'll have a few of these prints available for sale.

kitty, where did your head go?

2010-03-22T22:03:00.001-07:00

kitty, where did your head go?
Originally uploaded by rightside

another from our recent Sketchcrawl. :) I am slowly getting caught up on my SketchCrawl pages.

bluebells

2010-03-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Bluebells

Currently: graphite; 6.5" x 8.5"

Our local art store (that actually carries GOOD art supplies) is closing it's doors at the end of the month after 30 some yrs in business. In honor of them, a few artists in town have organized a print exchange with the theme of "blue".

Thus, my bluebells.... I'll be converting the drawing to a solar plate and print the edition this evening. I'm excited to see how the edition looks. I plan on experimenting with a light blue/green chine collé technique on the main flower.

v-day gifts

2010-03-12T08:19:00.001-08:00

as much as I loved the awesome cake pedestal (which I REALLY wanted btw) the series of notes along the edge are what melted my heart.

It began with Alex, my son, asking me to go to my room... ummm... ok. 15 mins later I receive a phone call from "Bob"....
"hello?" , "Hi, this is 'Bob'." , "Hi Bob", "Please go to the dining room and look out your window." , "Why? What is outside?", "Just do as your told, please. Good-bye", "Good-bye 'Bob'."

Taped to the dining room window is the first note, "Go to the mailbox." which I did of course. Next note. "Go to the T.V."... "Go downstairs, were the computer is"... "Go into your office"....

See next page for the conclusion. :)

Conclusion: there standing in the middle of my office is my 10 year old boy, looking shy and nervous about my reaction to his gift, holding this note. Oh boy did my heart melt, A LOT.

SketchCrawl, Boise Idaho

2010-03-08T23:43:00.000-08:00

For years I have wanted to participate in the International SketchCrawl event. Well, it finally happened!

Feb. 27th marked the first SketchCrawl Boise has seen in many years. I have wanted to participate in an International SketchCrawl for many years. This year I decided to start a Boise group.My hope is to see Boise artists from multiple disciplines come together on a specific day each season and bond. I want to see painters, printmakers, graphic designers, illustrators, sculptors and photographers all documenting the world around them in their own unique ways. I want to feel the collective energy from all these like minded souls.

The group was small and intimate, with 3 artists meeting up at the newly remodeled State Capitol House. We explored, learned some of our city's history, and sketched.... then moved on down the road to 8th Street to have lunch, sketch and talk about the morning. After lunch two of us explored the ally ways downtown and discovered some wonderful graffiti art on the old brick walls.

I'll be posting more sketches from the day very soon.

2010 Creative Goals

2010-02-23T10:34:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have jotted down my creative goals, yet never included them into my journal... curious... This year I gave them the front page hopefully to keep me focused. I've also heard that if you have a goal, share it with others and you are more likely to accomplish what your heart desires. So here goes:

* Deal with my Inner Critic and Fears of Failure *

Production:
• create a hand bound journal for 2010 (check)
• bind 1-2 sketch books a month to sell
• schedule one afternoon a week to paint w/oils (Wednesday)
• complete one "Rusties" painting a month
• complete at least 3 pages a week in my visual journal (if I accomplish this then my 2010 journal will be filled by the end of October)

Creativity:
• visit and draw in a new location each month
• start a new SketchCrawl group in Boise, participate at each international SketchCrawl
• travel to Seattle and spend a day visiting the museum & marketplace sketching as much as possible
• visit a new art gallery
• visit a new museum
• try painting plein air again
• continue learning new printing techniques, make room for my own press
• sketch my neighborhood

Business/Networking:
• get my blog on-line and keep it up to date (check)
• design my website that shows all my work ~ graphic design, illustration, visual journals
• start an etsy site
• apply for BOSCO
• apply for teaching at Journalfest (check)
• apply to Art Journaling Magazine
• Attend more local art events / AIGA events

So there it is... out in the open... seems a bit ambitious, but very exciting.

the plate is full

2010-02-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

"it's all right to make a schedule, and it's all right to say no"... so my horoscope tells me today... is it rude and selfish to tell the whole world "no" just to regenerate my soul? What I really want is time to focus on just the items on my schedule...without worrying about hurting someones feelings when they want to hang out. I don't want anymore on my plate. I just want to eat what is already there.
i've been running on vapors for far too long, too many paths to choose from, I want to say "yes" and take them all. Alas, nothing gets done and more paths open up... where is the rabbit hole to jump into? I need to hide for awhile and eat my veggies.

Journalfest 2010

2010-02-18T23:41:00.000-08:00

I received notice a few weeks ago from Teesha that both of my classes have been included in the line up for this years Journalfest. Truthfully, I am ready to jump in my car and head to Seattle this evening! Last October I was a newbie to the "fest" family and to teaching in this venue, so I had no idea what to expect. The energy and overall openness of everyone I encountered was staggering. I actually felt a bit high with my head in the clouds for days after returning. I loved sharing and learning from all those around me. I loved the journal jams, the dorm midnight gatherings, the location, and I even loved the small little room that I was able to sneak away to in between events to have some quite sketching time.

I have no doutbs that Teesha and Tracy are going to blow some socks off with Journalfest 2010. Start brainstorming for All Hallows Eve now, I'm telling ya!! This is going to be one fantastic party! I love a good scary/bit distrubing/totally out of character costume once a year. (when else can you be someone/something else for a day and nobody thinks twice.) Hmmm... Saturday may be an interesting day...as I plan on wearing my costume all day... I hope my students will be understanding hehehe

Highlights:

Thursday evening: free costume making workshop

Friday evening: vendor marketplace

Saturday: COSTUME PARTY! live music and journal jam party!

The official Journalfest 2010 website is to go live March 5th. In the mean time here is a sneak peak at the two workshops I'll be teaching.

Transferring Memories : Friday

How could I NOT have a Halloween inspired book to share?

As well as well as an exploding treasure trove of image transfers.

Learning to See : Saturday

I can't wait to see some familiar faces as well as meet some new friends!
Hugs to you all!

Prairie, Idaho

2010-02-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Dave, the kids and I went to Prairie this weekend with some friends. Oh my, I was in heaven. The cabin was just the perfect size, warm & comfy, and surrounded by 3-4 ft of snow. Alex and the other boys played outside in the snow all morning. Hailey went snowshoeing and Dave shoveled out a path to the sheds. We played some card games and then I snuck off to sketch while Hailey took my place in the game. ;-) perfect for me!!

Saturday night all the adults went to a Valentine's Day dinner, prime rib & lobster.... mmmmm....

a month at a glance...

2010-02-15T22:34:00.000-08:00

Wow! I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that January is over and we are into the 2nd week of February. It seemed to me that I wasn't all that productive, especially with my visual journal, until I started listing all the creative activities I have been working on and completing... now I know how Jan. flew by without my noticing!

This page mostly introducing the best news I had all month. I have been accepted to teach two classes at this year's 2nd annual Journalfest! I am beyond excited. Teesha and Tracy are going to pull out all the stops for this Halloween themed event =D I have so many ideas dancing around in my head for TCs and Class evidence cards. I feel so honored to be able to teach two of the art mediums I adore: bookmaking (with personal imagery) and drawing. The Transferring Memories origami book class is going to be a whirlwind of fun. I am thrilled to be able to teach these techniques with all my students (sign up quickly as classrooms are going to fill fast due to the lower number of students per class rule). The Learning to See class is going to be a bit quieter and more thought provoking. Teaching others how to draw and have confidence in their drawing ability is a passion of mine. The biggest thrill of last year was to watch the students drawing and painting in their journals for the first time. It made me smile for days. This year I am including techniques on applying values to a drawing through the use of hatching, crosshatching, shading/blending. The official 2010 website with all the classes and more details on my classes will be posted in a few weeks. I can't wait until October!!

My 2010 Visual Journal is finally done!

2010-02-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

It is the beginning of February and I have finally finished binding my new journal. This is the first year I have had a handmade journal to work in. I made it larger than what I've used in the past. I like the paper (140# hot-press), but it will take some getting used to since it has a lot more tooth than the smooth drawing paper that I've become accustomed to. I'm also going to have to get used to the larger size. I have a feeling that the illustrations may take me longer than usual... or else I'll have to loosen up even more to speed up the process. This should be an interesting year of experimentation.

It is hard to see from any of these photos, but the 1st and last 3 signatures are wrapped with the same antique looking blue/teal floral paper that are used for the end-pages which sets off the blue/teal shadows in the clown on the cover. The two middle signatures were left white.

Binding: a version of the french twist plus a coptic headband, the corduroy ribbons are sandwiched between two book boards which I love because it gives the covers a nice hefty feel.

closure detail ~ hand crocheted and then braided

illustration for the Christmas Holiday

2010-02-01T22:31:00.000-08:00

Finally posting the illustration I drew for our Christmas cards and some gifts.

The first is a in progress detail, 2nd is the finished pencil drawing 8"x8", 3rd is was colorized on the computer and used as an image transfer onto sparkly gold 80lb paper ~ they were sent to friends and family for our holiday cards, and the last one is a hand pulled intaglio solar print 5"x5" ~ these were given as gifts to family and artist friends. I had so much fun printing them!

Valentine’s for Aids ~ Silent Art Auction

2010-01-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

Twitterpated

graphite, ink, watercolor, colored pencil

8"x10"

Yesterday I nervously submitted my art work for this year's Valentine's for Aids Silent Art Auction. I say nervously because it will be the first time I have submitted a piece that wasn't a handbound book. This will also be the first time I have unleashed a combination of my two different styles of drawing: the very photo realistic pencil drawing & my more whimsical ink/watercolor/colored pencil style that I reserve for my visual journals. I am not sure how it will go over in the Boise area, I can not begin to guess what others are going to like or hate. It might turn out to be a total flop... or someone may even bid on it. I guess I will find out come Wednesday.

This year rather than a book, I decided to draw an image of a concept I have been toying with for a few months. The idea of loving and wanting another without the love being reciprocated or perhaps even acknowledged. Dispite these circumstances, she has a hard time letting go of the harbored feelings she carries so close to her heart.

This is the 3rd time I have participated in the event. The first time was back in 2007. I find it ironic that all three pieces include a black bird. There is just something about the crow and raven that fascinate me, I was once told that the crow was one of my animal totems. Makes perfect sense to me. The redwing black bird has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Everytime I hear one singing and chattering I am immediately transported back to the country fields that surrounded me as a child.Their song holds a great comfort for me.

Hearts Wishes

mixed media, hand bound photo album

2007

Fly Away Home

mixed media, hand bound book, hand made paper

2009

2010-01-21T22:26:00.000-08:00

These images are a reflection of the drawings/illustrations I've completed for the International Moleskine Sketchbook Exchange groups that I participate in. Each group consists of 6-16 different artists. Each artist starts their own sketchbook (usually with a theme) then passes it onto the next artist in line. In about a year my sketchbooks will make their way back to me full of outstanding and diverse artwork from all the artists in our group. The collaboration and meeting new artists has become priceless to me.

MolyX20

My Book Theme: Self Portrait

MolyX20

Lee's Book Theme: Vacation Spot

MolyX20

Leah's Book Theme: Welcome to the Carnival

MolyX20

Joyce's Book Theme: Pop Art, City Sketch, Collage or whatever you wish...

MolyX20

Kirsten's Book Theme: Mythology

MolyX23

My Book Theme: Container

MolyX23

Karen's Book Theme: Childhood

MolyX23

Kathleen's Book Theme: Travel

MolyX23

Shane's Book Theme: Open to Interpretation

MolyX23

Megan's Book Theme: Pass it on

MolyX21

My Book Theme: Open to Interpretation

MolyX21

Bill 's Book Theme: Open to Interpretation

MolyX48 ~ Exquisite Corpse

MolyX48

My Book Theme: Totems

MolyX48

Samantha's Book Theme: Circus

MolyX Portrait 1

MolyX Portrait ~ Draw yourself with the other artist

My Book - USA

Kathleen's Book - Australia

Jan's Book _ Australia

Marnia's Book - Israel

Emma's Book - Australia

search

2010-01-21T21:37:00.001-08:00

search, originally uploaded by rightside.

having a lot of fun with my antique wood printer blocks. I rediscovered them in my storage room above my studio. I had forgotten I bought them years before getting my letterpress. I think I'm going to attache these together to make a cover for book.

beauty

2010-01-21T21:36:00.005-08:00

beauty, originally uploaded by rightside.

NaNoJouMo Nov challenge ~ (nov 4) in response to the word "beauty"

I keep these special blocks sitting on top of my monitor in my studio.

solitude

2010-01-21T21:36:00.003-08:00

solitude, originally uploaded by rightside.

webelos woods

2010-01-21T21:36:00.001-08:00

webelos woods, originally uploaded by rightside.

mental scrubbing....

2010-01-21T21:35:00.005-08:00

mental scrubbing...., originally uploaded by rightside.

NaNoJouMo Nov challenge ~ left page (nov 2) in response to the word "purity".... more of a mental cleansing ~ right page (nov 3) in response to the word "inspire"

This all feels a bit messy to me... which is the way my physical and mental world has felt recently... time to make a shift.

makes my heart Sing

2010-01-21T21:35:00.003-08:00

makes my heart Sing, originally uploaded by rightside.

Freedom to Soar

2010-01-21T21:35:00.001-08:00

Freedom to Soar, originally uploaded by rightside.

in response to Dawn Sokol's November Journal challenge (NaNoJouMO group)

I had a spread in my journal that had some airbrushed birds and trees (remnants from Journalfest's Journal Jam) that I thought I would play around with...

Journalfest - Day 1

2010-01-21T21:34:00.003-08:00

Journalfest - Day 1, originally uploaded by rightside.

this was the object I demoed for my class at Journalfest. What an amazing adventure those 5 days were. I can't wait to go back again next year. :))

...time to welcome a new era...

2010-01-21T21:34:00.001-08:00

...time to welcome a new era..., originally uploaded by rightside.

Pitt Pen, watercolor, colored pencil EDM # ??? draw a blanket/folds of fabric

I don't know about any of you, but I truly have mixed emotions about watching my daughter grow up. One day I still view her as the little girl who would not go to sleep without her favorite blankie (many a night I had to drive home and get it for a sleepover) and then the next day I am looking at a independent young woman...It does bother me that she isn't even an official teen yet. She has an old soul. I love her dearly and try so hard to be understanding...sometimes I fail miserably, other times I surprise myself.

no rest for the....

2010-01-21T21:33:00.001-08:00

no rest for the...., originally uploaded by rightside.

This little birdie was drawn from a stuffed bird at the Wildlife Refuge we went to on Saturday. He was a bit stiff and awkward... so I tried to liven him up a bit... it is always difficult to color in a "black" bird without having it look like a black blob...so my Red Wing Black Bird has a bit more color than others... :)

Harvest 09

2010-01-21T21:32:00.003-08:00

Harvest 09, originally uploaded by rightside.

I'll been teaching the step by step process of my journal at Journalfest in a few days!! So exciting!! I am counting the days and am so looking forward to meeting, sharing and being inspired by all the artists and participants that will be there. I just know the energy is going to be priceless and I will be able to take it home with me.

Now I'm off to make some little mementos for the students who have signed up for my class. :))

Hugs to you all that have inspired me over the past few years and kept my spirits high.

from the past

2010-01-21T21:32:00.001-08:00

from the past, originally uploaded by rightside.

The kids and I spent some time visiting my parents this past summer. While there I took the kids and the cousins to the Titanic exhibit. It was very informative and in most rooms you could have heard a pin drop and the viewers were taking in the information. As you entered, you received a boarding pass with all the information about an actual passenger. While touring each room you got to see the places where your passenger spent their time & slept. (Depending on if they were 1st Class, 2nd Class, 3rd Class or crew) At the end of the exhibit there was a long list of all the passengers: who lived, who died. I happened to live, Alex (who was the father to my passenger) died.

Wonderland

2010-01-21T21:31:00.003-08:00

Wonderland, originally uploaded by rightside.

I still plan to color this one and add a photo of Alex and all the other actors under the curtain....

welcome get away

2010-01-21T21:31:00.001-08:00

welcome get away, originally uploaded by rightside.

girl time

2010-01-21T21:30:00.005-08:00

girl time, originally uploaded by rightside.

After all this time Hailey still loves a good vampire love story and has read most of the ones out right now.

looks better than it tastes

2010-01-21T21:30:00.003-08:00

looks better than it tastes, originally uploaded by rightside.

4th of July get away

2010-01-21T21:30:00.001-08:00

4th of July get away, originally uploaded by rightside.

starting to catch up on scanning some of my journal from this summer.

spring poppies

2010-01-21T21:29:00.003-08:00

spring poppies, originally uploaded by rightside.

It's been awhile since I have posted anything from my visual journal... there is a whole lot that needs color...will get to that in time.. ;-) for now I drew and colored these poppies in one sitting over memorial day weekend. I took the kids to Banberry Hotsprings for the weekend. The poppies were just starting to bloom. These two beauties were helped along by my daughter Hailey and I...we helped remove their husks early in the morning and by mid afternoon they were looking lovely!

Le Femme - Wine Night - Ladies Night

2010-01-21T21:29:00.001-08:00

Le Femme - Wine Night - Ladies Night, originally uploaded by rightside.

A few of the neighborhood mom's and I have started a once a month evening for just us ladies. We rotate who hosts the evening: the host chooses the theme, adds to the accessories box (dress up box) and can choose to invite one of their close friends for that months gathering. It has been a lot of fun so far!!! Wonderful support from some strong women who are not afraid to be a bit silly for the night.

polluted: at least my body thinks so

2010-01-21T21:28:00.003-08:00

polluted: at least my body thinks so, originally uploaded by rightside.

addind wine to my list of: can not have anymore..... :-( just when I was really starting to really like red wine too...

grandma's cinnamon rolls

2010-01-21T21:28:00.001-08:00

grandma's cinnamon rolls, originally uploaded by rightside.

the note said " I found it stuck on the bottom of a pan"

Alex sleeping

2010-01-21T21:27:00.005-08:00

Alex sleeping, originally uploaded by rightside.

I went in last night to turn out lights and such is the routine...I thought it was so sweet to see Alex holding his hands on top of his belly and his hair all messed up... couldn't resist trying to capture the moment.

families are like pizzas....?

2010-01-21T21:27:00.003-08:00

families are like pizzas....?, originally uploaded by rightside.

I'm teaching a God and Family class this month to 9 cub scouts (they all choose to work towards their Religious Emblem award). The class is geared towards the comparison between families and pizzas. Last week we made the "crust" which is also the foundation for the pizza which relates to all families should have a solid foundation. This should be quite interesting.

attempting to plant seeds....

2010-01-21T21:27:00.001-08:00

attempting to plant seeds...., originally uploaded by rightside.

Started my 2009 journal and planning on drawing in it a lot more regularly than I did in 2008!!!

Reunion 08

2010-01-21T21:26:00.001-08:00

Reunion 08, originally uploaded by rightside.

this one is long overdue for posting....
playing around with gel transfers. Realized I need to play around a bit more... :)
This was a reunion for Crystal and I as well as my 20 class reunion.

I have grand ideas/plans for the little tin box. :))

yes, we can...

2010-01-21T21:25:00.005-08:00

yes, we can..., originally uploaded by rightside.

ok, this is old now...but I finally added a touch of color...however the scan sucks and the colors are washed out yet the yellows are too bright... sigh...done fiddling with it for now. May try again later...

Garden Valley

2010-01-21T21:25:00.003-08:00

Garden Valley, originally uploaded by rightside.

Future home of our cabin...