New Journal Pages

I have been working hard to finish a visual journal that I started last summer in Chicago. I still have a few pages to get started but have made significant progress. Hope to get it finished soon. Working in the journal has been a good way for me to try out new techniques and color schemes. Much of what I learn ends up in my paintings. Mostly though, I just enjoy working with interesting images and trying to find words and colors to make everything work together. I also enjoy teaching workshops on visual journals and altered books. I am looking forward to doing more of that this summer. Here are a couple of images. If you would like to see more, they are posted here: New Journal Pages
Enjoy!

Artful Afternoon in Alamance County

Ed and I had a wonderful lunch at the annual "Artful Afternoon", sponsored by the Alamance Arts Council. Ed was the speaker for the luncheon and talked about Carolina Bronze, his fine art bronze casting foundry. I was his humble technical assistant. Along with his talk, he showed a power point presentation with many visual images to illustrate his points. The luncheon was held at the Alamance Country Club and was beautifully decorated with red and white tables, featuring red tulips as a centerpiece. The sold out crowd was much bigger than we had anticipated, but very receptive to his speech. The bronze casting process is very intricate and the foundry has some new high tech equipment that offers artists many advantages over older techniques. Many in the audience had questions afterwards. To learn more about the foundry and the casting process go to his website, Carolina Bronze Sculpture .

Here are some more pages. A few still need some journaling to finish them up. I have been trying out some new color combinations as well as some new techniques. I love snow days!

New Journal Pages

I started an altered book this past summer, just before my trip to Chicago. I am working differently in this book from the way I usually work. I started by doing random page backgrounds and then adding collage elements to each page. As I find images, words, and other collage pieces that go with the page, I start to add them in. I then finish the page with stamping, drawn lines, and adding detail to the image. I have been working on it on and off since this summer, but am finally making some headway on getting things finished. It has helped to have the day off from school because of snow. I have gotten a lot done today. It's nice to get back in the studio!

Winter Images

Took a walk today in the snow. These are just a few of the images I got. Need to edit some more.

Sage and Stuart's Wedding

Hope you enjoy!

Views from the top of Sugar

Came up to Sugar Mountain yesterday with my son Nathan to do some skiing. Slipped and slid the last few turns at the condo. Looks like we might be here for a few days. It's been snowing like crazy and the wind is gusting. We may have to ski down to the main building. We can catch a shuttle there to take us to the slopes. No way we can drive. The Sugar Mountain site said 20" fell last night and 4" more will fall today. It is so beautiful! Haven't seen snow like this in years. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Carolina Multi Media Arts Guild

The CMMAG sponsored a "make and take" table for visitors to Jerry's trade show. Lots of folks stopped by to make some ATC's. They were also responsible for getting me the demonstration with Strathmore. Thanks ladies!

ATC Demo At The Strathmore Booth

Got the opportunity to do a demo on ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) this past Saturday at Jerry's Artarama Trade Show in Raleigh. I was partnered with the Strathmore booth who donated ATC blanks for me to demo with. I had a great time and got to make several cards. I am holding one up in the photo. Hope to get to do this again!

My National Art Honor Society Chapter at Randleman High School has published a calendar to help raise money for our art program and also to fund a $300 scholarship for a student pursuing art as a career. It starts in Nov. 09 and runs through Dec. 2010. The size is 11x17". These are the images that are included. If you would like to purchase one or more of these calendars to support our program, please send a check made out to RHS to: Melissa Walker/ 4396 Tigers Den Rd. / Randleman, NC 27317. These make great Christmas gifts! Thanks!!!

Has It Been This Long?

Wow, did't realize it has been this long since my last post. Weddings will do that to you. Everything went well and all was beautiful. I am still recovering, but making headway on other things. This Saturday I will be doing a demo on ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh. Can't wait! Jerry's trade show is great. I can never get out without buying more art stuff, as if I don't have enough now. Look for me at the Strathmore booth between 11 and 12 noon. Here are some images of recent ATC's. They are great fun and a good way to get your creative juices flowing. My students love them!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This has been a crazy month. Wedding plans proceed. 2 sets of portraits have been done, one in the studio and one at the Grandover. Some of those outside on a VERY cold and windy Sunday morning! Sage was a real trooper, posing without complaints.

This weekend is my Art Education conference. I have 2 presentations to give and a meeting to preside over. I am looking forward to it, but sad that I don't have time to stay the whole weekend.

My National Art Honor Society has just published their 2nd annual calendar. This year it is in full color and costs just $10. All proceeds go to our chapter and the art department to buy supplies for the kids and to fund a $300 scholarship for a senior art student. With the state budget cuts this year, I don't plan on getting ANY money to support our program so we really need to sell lots of calendars. I'll try to get pictures up soon!

Guess that's all for now.