Our Lady of Being Authentic

This is another of many homages to Frida Kahlo that I have done over the years. She is such an inspiration to me. Not only do I love and admire her artwork, but as a person, I believe she tried to be as authentic and true to herself as she could in her time. She did not follow trends, she set them. She did not conform to ideologies, she developed them. And not because she was a rebel, but because she was herself. Following her own drum beat.

Our Lady of Being Authentic    11 x 14  Paper clay/mixed media on canvas

This is an example of creating a paper clay base and then collaging over it with decorative papers. Her form was done in paper clay, as well as the ring around her halo. The wings were added with torn paper to the background. I love working in this way. It is very meditative.

Our Lady of Being Authentic  Detail  Paper clay/mixed media

More Fun with Paper Clay

This clay is so versatile...you can shape it, carve it, sand it, mold it, and then paint it or not!

Left to right: Vintage scissors, paper clay mold and paper clay scissors.

Join me for more fun with Paper Clay and expand your repertoire of art making with this most amazing and versatile medium.

CAPTURING NATURE WITH PAPER CLAY
At Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
June 15–19, 2015 (Monday–Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm)

Class Description
Learn a brand new way to make art in this fun class using inventive paper clay and mixed media techniques. Using an air-dried, paper maché clay, participants will learn to sculpt bas-relief forms onto boards, then carve, sand, and finish them with acrylic paint and collage materials. These techniques are perfect for beginners and advanced students alike as they inspire experimentation and stir creativity yet are very flexible and forgiving. This week will be devoted to capturing nature in a variety of ways with simple sculpting techniques. The clay adds dimension to flat work and allows for new painting opportunities and textural options. Students are encouraged to bring ideas and images related to nature. Inspirational images of birds, insects and plants will be provided.

http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Summer15/Manas.html

Clean Studio!

Oh how I love to clean my studio after a long project! It helps me refocus on the next work to begin. Plus I always have a hard time transitioning from one series of work to the next. But cleaning my studio, rearranging things, hanging work stacked around the floor, putting away stuff that no longer inspires me, and organizing my tools, materials,  and reference images always invigorates me to get going again. I found things I forgot about! ONWARD!

And the best reason to have your studio in your garage...a sunny day!