Jabberwocky- Gothic Style

So my last big project for school- needed to be based on an animal or creature. I decided upon the poem of the "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carol- Alice In Wonderland. Earlier I posted the early stage of the piece. Here is the final product. There is a bit of a dark story being told. The more I got into the project the more I leaned away from the "Jabberwocky" feel of the piece. Not sure. Like the final outcome. A good project to end the school year with.

Blogging Class & Etsy !

Speaking of classes- In the last few weeks I have had the extreme pleasure of teaching an "Etsy" & "Intro to Blogging Class" at Mystic Paper. I love these classes. I love being able to help expand on peoples skills, audience, and personal creativity. In teaching these classes I have met some very talented individuals. In most classes you meet your students- you teach- you share- you both perhaps grow. The grandness in these classes- is that I get to spend a lot of one on one with individuals. We meet- I gain lots of perspective on you. We share- I learn alot about your creations- you as an artist-and your aspirations. During the process I get to help you further your artistic voice. In the past thats where some things ended as a teacher. You had the classroom time- you shared- then you sometimes met up in the future- kept tabs occasionally. But with blogging and Etsy- I can see and watch, and share with you daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. That relationship grows into something more. Thanks all. Here are a few of the blogs & individuals I was able to meet with in the last few weeks. I hope that you check them out and are able to make a connection. Thanks for reading.

Pam S-treasures-n-textures
Tanya- Roadtrip With Ruby and The Scarlett House
Diva Becky- Heart In My Hand
Laura Gunn- Decor To Adore
C.& T.- My Pixie Pond

Thanks Everyone!

It's here! Metal Tape & Sculpey Collage!

The time has come! This Saturday at Mystic Paper! I originally put it on the calendar three or four months ago. I had to switch a few times due to conflicting time schedules- but its here! This will be a damn fine class. It will be a nice change. Not complaining. But I have recently taught and been doing lots of digital work lately. It will be nice to get my hands dirty. Lindsey & Marissa you have been patient. Still playing with a few things for this class. Like Tim's grunge board,metal numbers, alcohol ink. Also trying to pack a few different techniques on stamping and coloring your sculpey pieces. Different pigments, pearl-ex, embossing powder. Its going to be grand. Need to go grab a few last minute supplies today and tomorrow. If you have never experimented with metal tape on a wood surface or covering some sort of surface-I highly encourage it.In this class we are going for a grungy-metal rusty-look. What I can promise good tunes, lots of exploration,and a good time. Plus a few good old ghost stories. Given the location- wink wink!

Here's the breakdown of the class again-
We will be exploring "metal tape and sculpey". Here are some examples of what you might create. The technique will be the same. Your creation will be your own. I will provide all supplies. The only items you need bring- yourself-your creative spark- a favorite small image- and perhaps a stamp or two. We will also be discussing the Industria & Grunge movement that seems to be the flavor of choice lately. Tim Holtz- grunge board and more, Jen Crossley- Industria, Leighanna Light and rusty choices,and the likes of Michael Demeng. Also Laurie Mika & Sandra Mccall for taking a grand look at what you may create with polymer clay and sculpey. Its an exciting time out there in the mixed media world. If you have never explored these artist's- I suggest you do so.

Ghosts-Textures-and Rust. Birthday goodies.

So I turned thirty six a few weeks ago. As I'm sure that I have mentioned a few times. Age-it has a way of being on the brain. But anyway it gets me going. For my birthday the Cat & my Mom took me out for an early morning photoshoot and basket breakfast out at the base of the Superstitions. Nothin better. Blue sky - orange rock, dust, sand, cactus. I love it. For me Phoenix has lost large amounts of that old west feel. You can still find it on the fringe and out of the city. Love the Superstition Mountains- the place is filled with stories and myth. The Lost Dutchman's Mine, bloody battles, murders, string of serial killings in the seventies. People go missing all the time.
The best story is about the beheaded bodies. If you have never heard about this -perk your ears up. It has been told that more than several bodies have been found around different times, and various locations out at the Superstition Mountains. More than several of these bodies missing heads. Never to be found. The last explanation I heard tell was that the Superstition Mountains are filled with these magnetic energy circles. People get trapped in these magnetic circles, get lifted and then the force of these magnetic fields cause bad things. Ya with me. Just one of the many weird stories to be told out here in the West.

After breakfast we took our cameras and spread out. All of us trying to get that money shot. You know the shot. The shot that screams- master of photography.

After that we made our way nice and early to the "Goldfield" ghost town. Not really a ghost town- a tourist trap with a few people living in weird housing. Trying to sell you ice cream and a mini train ride. But damn rich in old textures and aged wood. Rusty things with faded labels, and junk piles of forgotten freaky things.
My favorite kind of place.

I poked around old cars and crawled around in the dust getting great shots- I really expected a rattlesnake to jump out a few times.I give things another week. I'm not a snake person at all. I loved them as kids. But they give me the heebies now. When I opened an old car door- the train whistle went off at the same time. Scared the hell out of me. Anyway here are a few collaged pieces I made from some shots. My big goal in the next week or two- to make my way out to the Vulture Mine & ghost town. Can't wait- but I hear the place is loaded with rattlesnakes. I have been told to
bring a great Y stick for removing snakes.

Eighties Music Mix!

I know that I have not blogged for a few days- more than a few. But tonight- I hope! Here is a new mix of music for ya for a few days. Its back to my grand eighties mix. I have also posted this mix( yes annoying for some- it also does not quite fit the vibe of my dear site- vintage circus/ curio meets "Eddy Grant-Electric Avenue"- I know) for my friends Tanya and Jennifer. I was thinking of ya both. Dug deep for some of the dear "Valley Girl" soundtrack material. Also a few Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, the early years of Punk will need to be added to a different blog. To harsh for some I imagine.Anywho- what the heck has been going on? Ghost hunting, birthday, lots of art, and lots of computer design goodies. Been making blogs and banners like a madman. I will post a few links later today-yes I'm talking about you Becky, Ted & Char, Pam, Tanya, Laura, Janice, Lisa, and a few more. Damn good sites I saY! Helping others discover blogging and other such computer oriented goodies- fills my sails, floats my boat, makes me happy. Seriously. It does. What is even better- is every time I sit down with someone - it reminds me of where I was two years ago with a few things.- A certain friend that I was working with the other day- was talking about how she knows what she wants- she can visualize it in her head- but the transfer from mind to computer or digital medium can be a toughie. But damn this girl rocked the house with her blog. We all want to do more and communicate more with different mediums. But damn technology just throws a wrench in the works. Just another medium and more techniques to learn. But once figured a very cool tool. I know I'm kinda rambling. Another thing that amazes me lately- is what a hub of strong artists and crafters are in this area. We have some fantastic local talent creating in this area. Huge to be honest. Every day I meet another. Take care all. Be back with more tonight. Need to go work the Mystic Paper magic for a few hours.

I need to blog! Blog ,Art , & Life

So here is a sample of one of the many projects I have been working with... many more goodies coming soon.

School, classes, teaching, making blogs, art shows. I have had no time for my own blogging and journaling. I have been swamped. The days have been short and my to do list long.
I have piles of yellow legal pad "to do"lists. Everyday I work the list down. But it just keeps growing. But school ended yesterday- all my projects in and done. Semester is over. I have completed many of my art projects and assignments.

I have taught several classes in Photoshop, Etsy, and blog making in the last few days. They have been great classes. Ladies and gentlemen -I can't wait to get some of your blogs, stores, and personal creations up and on the world wide web. The time that I have spent with you all has been an enriching experience for me as I hope that it was for you. In the last few weeks I have also started working part time at the grand "Mystic Paper" in Mesa. So far -I have spent as much as I make. I think they knew that I might. Ellen, Kim , and J thanks for the training and all your help. Customers of Mystic Paper thank you for your patience.

I also want to say thanks to a few fellow bloggers and artists out there. Over the last few weeks I have had the great oppurtunity to meet a few of the people and artists that I have traded ideas and comments with over the last year. It is great when you can blog with someone across several states( or all over the world) and then have the pleasure of meeting a mutual friend, that individual, or that particular artist. Its a small , small, world. Six degrees of "Kevin Bacon" small. If you know the game. In the blogging world, or mixed media/ art world. It is very easy to play six degrees of "Tim Holtz". Or six degrees of "Carol Wingert". Or six degrees of "Traci Bautista". When you touch one person -it travels. With art and moments it really travels. It spreads- a good artist-or/and a good person can effect so many.

I turned thirty six last week. Life is good. I'm content for the moment. Do I want more of certain things? Yes. But in time.

Do I feel at peace with lots of things? Family, friends, obstacles. Yes. Things in the last ten years have been crazy. Its been like being a passenger on a fast moving train-not being able to stop, not being able to get out, not being able to see things for what they are. Everything out the window has been a blur- the speed blur.

We have moved, we have had divorces around us, fighting around us, people with major concerns and issues, fast paced jobs, tumors, health concerns, family issues, money problems. The usual.

But as of late- in the last two years- things have become clear. The train stopped. We have gotten off. We have been able to see everything around us with clear eyes and
good sense.

Is that called maturity? Becoming older? Living life? Or has deciding to be an artist full time- been the leap and jump that was needed. Is that also part of becoming more mature. Making critical choices to follow certain paths. I have done that before in my life- but it didn't feel so content. As things do now.


Talk soon. As you can tell I need to blog and journal. Be back tonight with luck...

Paris watercolor book

Paris watercolor book, originally uploaded by My Artistic Side by Judy B.

This is way cool! Love it Judy! Check this out! Diva Judy rocks the house.