WYLDE WOMAN AWARD

A little while ago, the lovely Catherine Moore
gave me a special honor of this sweet award

I believe it was before Art Unraveled

Here are the conditions of this stunning award:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite http://www.tammyvitale.com so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.

The Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

I think of Judy Wise, D.J. Pettit, Sharon Tomlinson,

all who love to share their talent and love of art so generously.

~

Before this wonderful acknowledgment from Catherine,

Suze of Pink Crayon Studio sent me a sweet honor, also.

It's a funny thing. I feel so honored and really touched

then I get this feeling of almost shyness in sharing the awards.

Then anxiety about choosing people to give it to when there are so many blogs I adore visiting.

So many generous souls who open themselves up and teach or make us laugh or think seriously and introspectively.

Well, thank you, dear Suze
for not only the honor, but for visiting so regularly

and making me laugh and sharing so much on your own blog.
(I can't wait to try the newspaper page books)

I love your spirit and your spunk, and your talent.

TOTALLY OUT OF ORDER
DAY THREE
OF ART UNRAVELED

FABRIC BOOK WITH D.J. PETTITT

My third day at Art Unraveled was the first day with D.J.

This was a one day class and jam packed with wonderful information

The canvas is a nice piece of duck cloth and it will be the cover of a book
that I actually finish one of these days.

I need to add more to the composition for sure
another layer or two

....and I could use it for something else
...maybe add some fabric as a border and put it on a frame

These are the pieces started for the back of the book and the spine.

I can add more and more than likely will.


The paper pages are slightly painted in prep for additions that I have yet to create
there are lace bits and collage elements that I have collected for this possible book

You see, I am one of the slower students.

I almost would do better just watching and then doing later.
I can imagine that a teacher would think she failed if her room was full of students like me.....

but the fact of the matter is that I learned so much under D.J. and the day just flew by.

I now feel more comfortable working with acrylics....no, maybe more CONFIDENT

That is what this wonderful artist gave to us all. Confidence.

How I wish I could spend a full week, taking my time, watching, talking, sharing....
painting along side this lovely and talented gal.

But for now I am just grateful for my three...........splendid days with her.

TWO DAY CLASS WITH D.J.

I am skipping to my last two days with D.J.
as these are the photos that have made it to
the computer at the moment.

What can I say?

D.J. is the sweetest, most gracious instructor
I've ever had the pleasure of learning under.

It's not easy for the teachers to spend two whole days with I think 20 students.......varying personalities

some quiet, others somewhat demanding, all eager to learn.
It's draining on a soul.

But you never would know that in D.J.'s classes.

She gives 200%, barely taking a breath,
certainly not taking a lunch break.

She gives and gives.

From the beautifully packaged
student kits
(I've never received anything so wonderful as these)

to her generous spirit,
genuinely wanting you to succeed and learn as much as you can.

I learned so much and feel confident that I can move forward and experiment and even zip her
a quick question by e-mail and she will be 'there'.

I am a slow processor.

I have to take things in and let them mull over a bit.

Some gals did two or three pieces.........I barely finished this one.

Done on fabric

There are a few things I would do differently if I could do her over

I won't point them out to you
as that would cause you to focus ONLY on those aspects.


My favorite part is the fat little bird. She makes me smile.

I can only hope to take classes again with D.J. and would wish any of you to do the same.

MY CAT LOVES ME

(only) when I am eating yogurt.

She is relentless

yearning.

staring me down with those..........sometimes scary

feline eyes.....

and I give in.

and put a little on my finger for her to lick off.

feeding the obsession.

ART UNRAVELED PART DEUX

On Tuesday, my class was with
Barbara Roth

(I can't seem to link her site for some reason...but please do google her.)

The class was entitled: How To Watercolor Paint Anytime, Anywhere

For this class our supply list was looooooong and expensive

including the search for a box that opened, with a carrying handle
and was at least 3" deep

and at least 12 1/2 x 9 3/4.

That took some doing!!

but finally I found one online at Cheap Joes for a little less than $30.

We were also instructed to bring a piece of balsa wood 1/4" X 1" X 36" that would be cut to
fit inside the box
in a way that would work for us to hold a water container..brushes..paints, etc.

My box already had some removable wooden dividers,
but I may totally rearrange that in the future.

No one in class really did cut their pieces of wood,
and it wasn't really demonstrated, but was explained...and we were all pretty bright individuals who could certainly figure it out.......

so I am guessing everyone packed that awkward piece of balsa
and brought it back home with them.

Barbara is a gentle soul and a very talented watercolorists.
In visiting her blog you can see how lovely her work is.

She eagerly and gracefully answered any question we had.

She gave us quite a few tips on color mixing and we had a hand out with some of her sketches to trace and watercolor and you can see my pale approach. Clearly not my best work

with a few notations of color and color combos.

Since Monday's class with Jill Berry was so filled and downright exhausting for this gal,

I was relieved that this watercolor class was laid back
and there were no expectations.

That is both the good and the bad news some would say.

Home I came with the box.......which I probably didn't need when it was all said and done. I barely used my paints, but will certainly be using them in the very near future.

I met some lovely people in class and that is always a gift.

So, here is my box that I will have fun embellishing
one of these days as it SCREAMS to have some personality..........

and you can see that I put it to use in bringing things home from AU. And I do so love boxes and containers...........so, it's all good.

O.K. so here's the scoop on my week at Art Unraveled.

First of all it was held at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix.
Not downtown Phoenix, thankfully,
but in the Paradise Valley area
close to Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Micheal's.

All an easy drive with a feeling of safety.
Just a nice area.

From my wonderful room I could watch the little golf carts whizzing around and the beautiful green, green......green. You can't see the mountain range to the left from this photo.......

but that is where I live.

On the other side of the range, about 35 minutes East.

How wonderful to just pack up the car and drive such a short distance.
It was hot................boy was it ever.

And the monsoons, of course, add the extra element of uncomfortableness outside
and in several of the classrooms.
The staff there worked hard to keep us all comfortable.

I was also very grateful for the free internet access that Linda arranged for us all to have.

I only grabbed my laptop at the last minute
and it was so nice to check on things while away....family, friends, bank account, etc.

The room rate was very reasonable
and included a gorgeous breakfast buffet with an omelet station
where I ordered egg white omelets almost every morning.

There was beautiful fresh fruit and yogurt so those of us watching what we ate were more than accommodated.

The dining room was cheerful and bright overlooking the golf course.

Since this WAS my vacation this year.......it was truly a lovely experience.

Rooms were even filled with nice prints of what I would certainly call Mixed Media Art.

Now to the nitty gritty.

My first class was with Jill Berry,
A great presence and exuberant teacher.

She warned us she would push us hard, and push she did.
It was all fabulous.

We learned about using sumi ink......how beautiful this ink is!

We used a gorgeous Arches text weight paper that was so wonderful to work with.

She showed us several resists and how to really understand color.

We each came away with about 8 different pieces of beautiful paper
that we can use in so many ways.

I already used a tiny piece of one of my papers
in a project on the Paper Whimsy art group.

The bodice of this faerie gown is that luscious paper
which has sumi ink and a walnut ink wash


I highly recommend taking a class with her if you can.

Visit her website and you will see for yourself how talented she is.

O.K. my dears

That is installment #1

I will be back with Tuesday's watercolor class
Wednesday's D.J. Pettitt's class
and
Thursday & Friday's class with D.J. Pettitt class.

YES I AM BACK FROM ART UNRAVELED

What fun.....

I have a few photos to share,
but found that I didn't take many
and that happened last year as well.

I think I get so lost in the process of each day's class that there is little room for much else.

There were so many wonderful people to chat with and see for the first time.

The blog world opens so many doors and it's just amazing when you finally get to say hello in person
and experience that person's spirit.

I am trying to put together a nice little post with what few photos I have

and share my experiences.

I want to do it justice.

But for now I am back to the crazy desk job
and in a moment of boredom yesterday

......or perhaps a missing of the fabulousness of being
surrounded by like-minded art souls

I quickly sketched out this bored faerie.

When everyone around me here seems odd or just gossiping about unimportant things

I will say to the one co-worker that is just a lovely soul

"I think I am from the planet Zem..............
where everyone respects each other

and listens with intent when you are in conversation

and honors the good in the next person.........

and quite frankly, I want to go back there. I don't belong here."

We laugh.........

we agree..........

.and once in a while when things are truly, over-the-top crazy I will look at her and just shake my head

and give her a mournful look and say

"Zem"

with a sigh.

THEY ARE LEAVING THE NESTS

In January of 07 I wrote a post....a memory of letting one of my birds go

The title - Empty Nest - Full Heart

A dear friend who was saying goodbye to her little chick
was struggling so I altered a card with a little wooden bird in a nest.

Very faintly on the twigs of the nest you can see the words

'Empty Nest - Full Heart'

I did not want to write of her particular struggle as it was hers and personal to her.

Instead of wrote of a very vivid memory of my own as a Mother saying goodbye to my oldest.

I know there are many now who are preparing for the goodbye as the child - the heart of our heart -
goes off to college for the first time.

In a few weeks, when you have gathered yourself and your world doesn't seem so out of sorts.....
find the piece as it will speak to you and remind you that you will be o.k. and it's all going as planned.

In the upper left corner of the blog is a 'search' field. Type in Empty Nest Full Heart and it will bring you right there.

And a special note to C.
Wait a few weeks. Your heart will be lighter then.

ALMOST A YEAR

Almost a year ago my little bird went on an adventure....by herself.

I love her independant spirit and know that a small part of it was passed down from this proud Mama bird.

But only a small part.... as she was determined and brave from birth.

I always took a deep breath as she went out on her own. The world is not always a loving place for a young woman out alone...but I did so want them all to fly freely despite my often overwhelming fear I would lose them..that someone would hurt them.

This is one of my favortie photos of her. It has taken me this long to figure out how to work my mac and the photos loaded there and bring them here to the blog. This is also my screensaver.

My middle chick. The one I always called My Little Bird. Sometimes in French.
A beautiful, serene moment that I have also experienced at the Grand Canyon.

All by herself, and loving it.



Well, I have arrived at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix for Art Unraveled. I am thankful that I did not have to board a plane
with the many bags I packed for this week of adventure.

The heat is a bit oppressive, but the airconditioning in the room is divine.
It is blissful to have art supplies around me and I have begun to take some photos to share with you.

Have a good night and I will be back in a bit.

xo Rella

A FEW THINGS BEFORE I LEAVE

Paper Whimsy art group needed a replacement for the 2009 Calendar, month of June
and while I don't really enjoy working with the horizontal - 8x10 format
I was able to come up with a piece
using a required Paper Whimsy image.

Off she went in the mail this week and I can happily check one more project off my little list.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the process
and jumping in to fill the void for the gals

they are a wonderful bunch
and it tickles me to be part of such a great forum.

Now the task of gathering the supplies for each of my classes
and checking off the huge list

I love lining up the bottles of paint.
It just reminds me of the box of crayons the first day of school.

Of course, I didn't have to write my name on each crayon
like I do the paints
that may get lost in the shuffle
of sharing that often goes on in class

It's inevitable that we will forget something necessary .....

but I DO want to come back home with all that I brought.

Once the art supplies are gathered,
it's time to accumulate other necessities

On that list are these
three
Must Haves

a bit of detergent that can do a bit of clean up if necessary
back in my room

a bit of fabric softener as my delicates will need hand washing

and last
but NOT least by a long shot
BLEACH!!
Yess sireebob

I will not use the bathtub without my own washing first.
Yuk.....no way.

Now I know it's
a poison
I barely breath while pouring
and I do my best not to ever touch it.
But I do not feel good unless I know every bacteria is
washed away in that tub.
(so please don't write to me about the dangers of chlorine)

Now, it's August......

it's Arizona........

the temperature is in the triple digits.....

I have no idea how cool the classrooms will be
and a gal can just get the vapors

(you must talk slowly and pronounce it like this : VAAPAS)

as they would in Georgia.......
(that would be JOORJA thank you very much!)

No, I am not from the South, but it sounds lady like.
And when Lynnie and I get together
(she arrives on Tuesday to begin the adventure)

we often become southern belles in our conversation together.

I have no idea how that even started,
but it's a hoot.....

In fact, the very first year she flew in to visit me
we pretty near fell off
(o.k. - we DID fall off)

the Papason Bamboo Chairs we were laughing so hard.

Most college kids at the time and maybe still......
know that round bowl shaped chair to which I refer.

Well, that's pretty much how live.
Like some Bohemian, collage kid with very little furniture
or luxuries
Or even much of a wardrobe.

EXCEPT....I am faaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr from that age group.

But I have just about every art supply you ever could imagine..
yes I do.


I am quite excited to also be meeting this wonderful Faeriefriend.

She lives here in Arizona, also
will be in my Wednesday's Fabric Collage & Book class
with D.J. Pettit
supermondo excited to be taking three days
of classes with D.J.
and I am so looking forward to it.

Also on the list of peeps to catch up with is this darling gal....
also here in AZ..........
and gosh, there are many more
but my head is just abuzz with the thoughts of it
and I can't even make a list of names to share.
Blimey!!

So that's it chickadees........
I've been soaking my feet while writing to you all
as I need to smooth them up and paint on my toenails.

Maybe I'll do each toe a different color
It's a perfect week to do that.

All the while shooshing Ms. Pia (AKA Morgan) away
as she wants to drink the salt water
crazy cat

I can check that off the list now, too.

I love lists
I don't always follow them
but I love to make them.

I will be back next Sunday.

Be good while I'm away.

And I hope to have lots to share with you when I return.