Cigar Boxes

I made some treasure boxes for my grand kids for Christmas using wooden cigar boxes and Paper Clay. Celia got the butterfly, Peter got the grasshopper and Arrow got...well the Arrow. It's hard to make art for kids that they will appreciate. But tape money in a box...and just maybe they will keep the box long after they spend the money.


Time to Simplify


I am certainly not an abstract artist. But sometimes, I want to simplify things and just do large fields of color and texture. Here are a couple of large mixed media paintings that allowed me to play out my desires to simplify. But darned if they did not become landscapes! I think I need more abstract therapy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is one of my favorite holidays. It's not about buying stuff or giving gifts...it's all about getting together with people you love and sharing a meal. Plus it is a time to reflect upon all that we can be grateful for. Making art has been such a joy in my life. In every stage of my life, it has been my passion and my best friend. It has afforded me a living, helping me raise 2 wonderful children and fuel a card business for more than 25 years. I have a lot to be thankful for. And art will always be at the center of it. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Paper Clay/Mixed Media Demonstration

Stop by the University of Oregon Bookstore on November 7 & 8 where i am doing demonstrations of my paper clay and other mixed media techniques. This is a great annual event. Several artists will be demonstrating their crafts and you get 25% off all art supplies. So come and say hi!


The Gift of Voice   Paper Clay on Canvas  12x16

Art & Soul Workshop October 1 & 2

Letting Go

Ever Growing

Still Young Inside


It will be my pleasure to be teaching a 2 day workshop at Art & Soul in Portland, Oregon, on October 1 & 2. This year's theme is Every Day Saints in Paper Clay.

Make your very own mixed media mantra. In the spirit of the Latin countries, you will be designing your own saint, goddess or icon dedicated to whatever needs or deserves more attention in your life. How about Our Lady of Creativity…or The Goddess of Family and Friends…or Saint of Simplification? Create an icon that represents your aspirations using paper clay and collage materials.

Sculpt relief forms onto boards with Paper Clay on the first day. The second day will be devoted to carving and sanding our air dried pieces, then finishing them using collage materials and acrylic paint. The result has a rich, wood-carved effect that will leave people wondering how you made it.

Focus your energy on yourself and lift your spirit with this fun exercise in dreaming out loud.

There are 4 space left at the time of this posting.
Register at: http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/retreat-Portland2012-2343-workshop.php

Supplies Needed for Class:
Each person needs:
--Acrylic paint-- Bring what you have. If you do not already own them, you will need a few like ivory black, titanium white, a cool red like magenta or Quinachrodone Rose, a warm yellow like cadmium medium, and a cyan or phthalo blue. You can mix most colors from these.
--Collage papers—A palate of papers in different patterns, solids, stripes, borders, pages from old books, brown wrapping paper, scrapbook papers, sheet music, whatever you like and are drawn to. But consider a color pallet so you are not bringing reams of paper.
--1 11x14 canvas (about)
--8 oz Paper Clay
--Gesso, small amount
--Paint brushes, one for detail plus at least 3-4 medium-small sizes. One should be cheap to use with glue.
--Xacto knife
--Pencil, eraser and black stylist marker of some kind
--Elmer's School Glue
--Acrylic Matte Medium
--Plastic containers for water and glue/water combo
--A palette for acrylic paint
--Rolling pin or something that will work as a roller
--Tape, masking or whatever
--Fine grain sand paper (small piece) or sanding sponge
--Letter stamps and other things to stamp into the clay (optional)
--Hair dryer to speed drying times (optional)
--Scissors
--Paper towels
Items I will provide:
--Carbon paper for transfer
--Tissue paper, variety of colors
--Tissue for sketching designs
--Plastic sheeting for clay work
--The loan of a wooden clay tool with a pointed end
--Denatured alcohol

Painting with Newspaper Tutorial

I felt like posting this little tutorial for those who have been asking about making a torn paper collage. There are many ways to do it. This is just one. And it uses only black, white and a bit of gray. If you Google "Painting with Paper" you will see some pretty amazing stuff. But this is my process for painting with paper. And I use a similar process to begin any painting.

I have always been a fan of using recycled materials to make art. In this tutorial, I am using shoe box tissue and newsprint to make a painting. You will need: a canvas coated with gesso (as small or as large as you like), a piece of vine charcoal, black acrylic paint, a small brush, liquid matte gel medium, brush rinsing cup and water, tissue paper in colors you choose (black and gray work well with news print) and pages from newspapers...especially the classifieds and financials (small, consistent type works best)



For this piece, I was inspired by a classical painting by Botticelli. When I paint on canvas prepared with gesso, I begin by drawing my image using VINE CHARCOAL. Vine charcoal is very soft and wipes off easily with a cloth (not to be confused with other charcoals that have an oily finish). This way I am free to sketch and change it without making a huge mess on my canvas.

I can sketch to my hearts content.



If I don't like it, I can wipe it off.
See? It wipes off without an eraser...and no mess.
I add shading using my finger to smooth edges.
This is the base sketch...so I keep it loose and simple. But I still throw in some shading so I can see where I am going.





Then, when I am happy with my sketch, I set the charcoal by painting over it with a wash of black acrylic paint. Thin paint...meaning watered down...so it is more gray than black.


I add gray tones so that I know where I want to fill in with gray paper.


After I have "set" my sketch with paint, I rub off all the vine charcoal with a cloth, leaving just the paint. If I do not remove the charcoal, it will get into my work and look dirty.

Now I tear lots of tiny bits of paper and start adding them to the piece using my base painting as a guide for tones. If I want it to be darker, I use smaller, darker print. For lighter tones, more open print. The lightest tones are the newsprint borders where there is no print at all. I use a liquid matte get medium for adhering the paper to the canvas. I paint areas of the canvas with it and just start sticking down the bits of paper. I use my brush, sticky with gel medium, to pick up and place the paper pieces.

For the hair, I have torn stringy strips of black and gray tissue paper. I use my brush to move it around because it will stick to my fingers if I get my hands in it.

I use a bit of tissue on the eyes as well. It is important to mix materials in all parts of the piece...not just use tissue in the hair and nowhere else.

Sometimes, I use Elmer's glue mixed with water (50/50) for this part. But then I will always coat it all with gel medium just to seal it no matter what I use while working on it. By the way, Elmer's School Glue works just as well, and if you don't like what you have done, you can soak it with a wet paper towel and remove what you don't like and do it over.

Working this way is a gentle approach to painting. I can easily change the shape of things by adding more paper bits. I feel more freedom when using paper instead of paint. I love the texture of the bits of paper. And the satisfaction of using something that costs nothing! The acrylic sealer in gel medium will protect the work and keep the paper from fading.
Here she is all finished. When I make art that is planned out (drawn first and then "filled-in") it is a very meditative experience. I can lose myself in the process more easily than I can when I am working on a more spontaneous piece. I can go slowly and think about what i am doing. I can stop and start without worrying that the paint will dry. I learn a lot by doing this kind of work. It is very forgiving which is good when you are trying to learn. And art making, for me, is always a learning process.

Images from Haystack Gallery Show

These three paintings are now on display at Haystack Gallery. Life brings challenges and I feel the need to express them for myself or for others who struggle with cards they are dealt.

Clearing Your Head  12 x 24   Acrylic on Canvas

You're Never Stuck with Anything   12 x 24 Mixed Media on Canvas



Lucky to be Alive     12 x 24  Mixed Media on Canvas

Spring Show in Cannon Beach

In Cannon Beach, Oregon, each year at this time the galleries have a Spring Unveiling. On May 4, 5 and 6, most of the galleries in town will be hosting local, national and international artists who will be unveiling their new work and demonstrating their techniques. During the evenings, the galleriies will hold artist's receptions with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. 

I will be one of the artists demonstrating at Haystack Gallery in Cannon Beach. I am demonstrating from 12-4pm on Saturday, May 5, and the unveiling of my new work will be at 4:30pm.

This sounds like a really fun event in Cannon Beach, which is a really cute beach town. So if you are in the neighborhood, come and see me!

Link to more information about Spring Unveiling:
http://cbgallerygroup.com/spring-unveiling-2012-artists-2

Link to Haystack Gallery:
http://www.haystackgallery.com/


US Postal Service Update

Earlier in this blog I posted an image of 3 art pieces I send to my daughter in LA...and they were destroyed by the postal service. So here is the updated image. I cut the fronts of the canvases off of the shattered frames, taped all the holes on the backside and then reapplied paper bits to cover the holes...Now it is tacked to the wall like banners...still a bit crumpled...but I think it came out alright considering. Just goes to show the benefits of working with collage...you can't tell when things are patched ; )

after repair

before repair
before ruination



Table of Fun Stuff


For my out-of-town buddies...here is a peek at our show at Passionflower...lottsa fun stuff!


Third Annual Objects of Desire Show

This Friday and Saturday, I am in a show at Passionflower Design, along with my good friend and fellow artist, Beverly Soasey. This is our third annual Objects of Desire Show. 

What I love about this show is that it is very informal and eclectic. Jewel, the owner, lets us do whatever we want and so we create a variety of artworks, cards, doodads and what-nots. Some of the pieces are especially for Valentine's Day. Join us for a fun opening this Friday from 5-8pm.

A few new pieces from the show... 

 



Third Annual Objects of Desire Show

Your Play    Mixed Media Collage

A Very Special Two Day Show at 
Passionflower Design
In Eugene
Work by Beverly Soasey and Me...
Join us for the opening Feb 3 from 5-8pm.

Show runs Feb 3 & 4 only.
128 East Broadway, Eugene, OR


US Postal Service

I made a mixed media piece for my kids for Christmas...
3 canvases, each 18 x 24. 
It was all made from bits of recycled paper.
Since they flew up from LA, 
I was going to drive it down when I went to visit. 
But I got anxious to get it to them and decided to ship it. 
I packed it in card board and sent it off.

 

This is how it arrived. And the third canvas is even worse.
What the hell did they do to it?

 
I thought I had packed it well. 
But obviously I have a lot to learn about packing for shipping. 
Especially if I use the postal service. Never again.
And no, I did not purchase insurance.

Yes, I know. 
Really stupid.

February Paper Clay Workshop


Two Half-days:  Saturday, Feb. 4, 10-2, Sunday, Feb. 5, 1-4
Workshop fee: $100.00
At Clay Space
222 Polk Street,  Eugene OR 97402  
To register call: 541-653-8089

Make a mixed media masterpiece and learn new ways to create artwork in two half-day sessions using paper maché clay, tissue paper, and acrylic paint. On day one, you will sculpt the clay on boards. On day two, you will refine, carve and paint your finished piece. The result will leave people wondering how you made it. This workshop is easy, fun and very forgiving. A unique process, perfect for every skill level from beginner to advanced.

Each person needs to bring:

--One 8x10 canvas or board (about 1/4" thick)
--8 oz Creative Paper Clay (from any art supply or craft store)
--Acrylic paint-- Bring what you have. If you do not already own them, you need to minimally buy a set that includes ivory black, titanium white, a red, a yellow and a blue. If you are unsure what colors to buy, email me at rogenem@phototidings.com
--Paint brushes, a variety of sizes and shapes--at least one for detail plus 2-3 medium-small sizes
--Xacto knife
--Pencil, eraser and black stylist marker of some kind
--Elmer's School Glue
--Plastic containers for water and glue/water combo
--A palette for acrylic paint such as an 8x10 piece of glass, a white plate, a glass plate, or 2-3 white paper plates with plastic coating,
--Rolling pin or something that will work as a roller
--Tape, masking or whatever
--Gesso, small amount

Optional:
--letter stamps, other things to stamp into the clay
--hair dryer  or heat gun to speed drying times

I will provide:
--Inspirational images
--Carbon paper for transfer
--Tissue paper, variety of colors
--Tissue for sketching designs
--Plastic sheeting for clay work
--the loan of a wooden clay tool
--rubbing alcohol
--sand paper

Christmas for the Birds

This year...consider making a nature tree for the birds. You can decorate a tree outside with treats for your feathered friends. It's a cruel world out there...and those cute little birds are scurrying to find enough food to keep themselves alive each day. And when it is below freezing, they could use a bowl of water too. Here is one of many sites that shows how to make a nature tree for the birds.

http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/Decorate-A-Christmas-Tree-For-The-Birds.htm

If you do it near a window you will be able to see how much they appreciate your generosity.

Happy Holidays!

Small Pleasures Art Show

Opening next Friday, December 9th at 5:30
Show runs through January 25
20 artists, all pieces are 12" or less
at the Jacobs Gallery in Eugene


Love Hurts   Paper Clay/Mixed Media
The Pest   Paper Clay/Miked Media


I have about 10 pieces in this show.
All are somewhat dark.
Like the days when clouds hang over the sun 
and you never get the sense that it is still in the sky.
Happy Holidays

Small Things Show at Guardino Gallery in Porltand

This is going to be a great show...opening the day after Thanksgiving. I will have several bug and bird pieces hanging. And all the work is under 7" square. More than 40 artists on display.

Un-Christmas Cards

Don't we all have enough stuff? This Christmas, consider sending this card to friends and family so that you might all take a break from the holiday spending machine. Click on it to see what it says on both sides. I have them with matching envelops for sale at cost (1.25/card)...but would gladly GIVE them away if it would save even one more thing from being dumped into the landfill. Contact me if you are interested: rogenem@phototidings.com.

Front and Back of card
Inside of card


Insecto-side

When I went to San Miguel in Mexico recently, I packed up a few art supplies so I could get some work done down there. I took along some paper clay and a few paints, plus 10 small canvases. As you can see, I am into insects these days. They are just so beautiful...but are treated so poorly by all. They are regarded as unwanted pests but they play a vital role in our world. How would it feel to be so unwelcomed and expendable?