Have you always wanted to paint but don't know where to start?

Oh Deer, Look What's Become of Me!   detail

In August I am teaching one of my favorite classes Painting Imagery for Art Quilts at the Create Retreat in Lisle, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

I love to teach this class not only because I love to paint, but also because I love seeing peoples amazement when they are able to do things they never thought they could. People are hesitant to try painting, because they have this misguided notion that certain people have an "artistic gift" that they themselves do not possess, so they don't even try.

Learn to use freezer paper masks and painting backgrounds

Well I am here to tell you that is baloney, painting is a skill, consisting of various techniques that with practice you can perfect, the more you practice the more natural it will become. The reason some people are so good at painting is because they do it a lot and you need to keep in mind it's never too late to start.

Learn to paint smooth gradations

Painting on fabric is unlike painting on canvas though, with canvas the paint sits on the surface and you can push it around and manipulate it. On fabric the paint sinks in and stays, so there are different techniques you need to learn to cover large areas smoothly, avoiding blotchiness and keep the paint from bleeding.

Learn what tools and techniques to use to control the paint more effectively.

The consistency of the paint is one of the first things we talk about in class, it is such a simple thing that can make the act of painting so frustrating for people. Too thick and the paint is hard to spread on the surface evenly, too thin and it bleeds in places you don't want it to go.

Learn to paint smooth gradations, work with transparent glazes and paint fine details.

Besides learning different painting techniques for creating gradations, glazing paint to create more visual depth and painting smooth lines, you'll also learn about different types of paint, how each affects the hand of the fabric, increasing value contrast in your work to create more dynamic imagery, basting a painted surface for quilting and non traditional binding methods.

This is an information packed class geared to help you feel more confident working with paint on your next textile project.

I would love to see you at Create this August, last year was a blast.

A new mixed media retreat you won't want to miss!

the Premier Mixed-Media Retreat in 2010, August 25-29, Rosemont, Ilinois

This fall Cloth Paper Scissors will host an event that will celebrate artistic expression through Mixed-Media unlike any other. CREATE with Cloth Paper Scissors is a new Retreat that will bring together inspiring artist instructors and enthusiastic participant artists of all levels for an exciting weekend of workshops, special contests & prizes, shopping opportunities, and the first ever Mixed Media Mixer. The Retreat will take place August 25 through 29, 2010, at the Rosemont Hotel just outside bustling Chicago.




• Learn interesting techniques &; make creative projects in Workshops taught by renowned mixed-media artists
 
• Shop for supplies and unique finished artworks at the Exciting Vendor Night
 
• Meet the Cloth Paper Scissors team, Instructors and new friends at the 1st ever CREATE Mixed-Media Mixer
 
• Participate in Artist challenges to win great prizes
 
• Celebrate Art at the CREATE with Cloth Paper Scissors Retreat

Check out the website for details and sign up for updates. 

Alyson Stanfield Retreat

I am finally catching up with enough things to sit down and make a blog post about the fabulous Artist Marketing Retreat with Alyson Stanfield.

Alyson brought lots of books and CD's with her wonderful marketing materials to help guide you and inspire you to get moving with putting yourself out there as a working artist. We had two full days of presentations filled with valuable information.

Our fearless leader Laura Wasilowski makes announcements while Alyson sets up her presentation.

We also had lots of times to chat with friends and share information on breaks and after our day was through.

The lovely Frieda Anderson and Anne Lullie (below)

We had a nice turn out of 50 attendees from several midwest states, many from PAQA and several photographers, weavers and jewelry artists.

The retreat was held at the Sienna Center in Racine, Wisconsin on lake Michigan. Unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there, but the weather cleared just before we left and I had to take a walk out to see the lake.

This a view looking back at the Sienna Center with a labyrinth planted in the grass, if I wasn't in such a rush to get back to Chicago and my kids with all the afternoon traffic ahead of me, I would have loved to take some time to walk it.

The lake was lovely with waves crashing on the beach, it looked and sounded just like the ocean. I am a coastal girl, spending most of my life close to the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, so that is a sound that is so comforting to me.

Now I have to get started on making my Irish dinner of Corned beef and cabbage, I have a knitting group meeting next wednesday, so I am celebrating early. I have a friend from Austin staying with me over the weekend to share the meal with us this year.

Fantastic Art Marketing Retreat with Alyson Stanfield!

Artists: How would you like to sell more art?

If you could use some fresh and practical ideas for marketing your art,
check this out.

Alyson B. Stanfield, author of “I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The
Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion,” is coming to Wisconsin in
early March to help us get a groove on our marketing.

I’D RATHER BE IN THE STUDIO

A NO-EXCUSES ART MARKETING WORKSHOP

March 9-10, 2010

Siena Center, Racine, WI

**Sign up by February 12 and get a bonus gift from Alyson!

During these two days, you’ll learn

• How to write a better artist statement that connects with your audience

• How to organize and expand your mailing list

• The tragic mistakes artists make on websites and blogs (and how to
fix them)

• Email secrets that produce results

• How to increase traffic to your website and blog

• How to build your online presence with Facebook and Twitter without
becoming a slave to your computer

And it’s only $100! Alyson says this is a crazy low price, so you should
probably grab it while you can.

Two full days of ideas, examples, and motivation to help you get your
art out of the studio and in front of people who can see it and buy it.
AND, you’re going to leave with an action plan.

Get the details and register (by February 12 to get the bonus!)

And help us fill the room by sharing this information with other
artists. We’re already at 2/3 capacity!

The accommodations at the Siena Center are a down right bargain too, so this is an amazing opportunity to fit our tight recession budgets, too.