Weaving a Story
I took up weaving several years ago after taking a weaving class with Carla Sonheim presents (Weaving!) While at the time, it was a little different for me to take this class having never woven before, and not knowing a thing about weaving or tapestry making, I fell in love! It is SO representative not only of my art, but of life itself! Since then I have made weaving wall art, coasters, and baskets. I particularly like that I can recycle old fabric and yarn! So naturally when I heard about an online class being offered by the Shelburne Craft School called “Weaving your story,” I jumped right in. I had no idea that the process could be so healing, contemplative and uplifting all at the same time. And, to top it off, the process has woven (for lack of a better word) right in with two of my Art projects at the moment, which I call “Connections” and “The Edge of Innocence.” This spurred me to add onto and publish an idea I have had for some time which combines my Artist self with my work as a counselor, which is to offer a commission on my website called “Woven Tapestry, a Personal Tapestry of Memory and Meaning.” (click on the link for more details! I am excited to continue to combine my love of fiber arts with my love of intuitive and abstract art!
At the top of this post is my own personal “Weaving my story” project (soon to be complete).
Quick Collages in my Sketchbook…
I struggle with finding a balance between using my intuition when creating a collage, and the “proper” composition! I find that working this struggle out in a sketchbook that is dedicated to collage work is quite helpful! I first choose a “bunch” of collage pieces (pieces that look (intuitively) like they belong together,), then I play with the pieces in a composition until it “feels right.” The definition of “feels right” is naturally different for everyone, but I try as much as I can to remember the basic composition “rules.”
Exploring the power of intuition in my expressive collage sketchbook. Each page is a spontaneous journey of creative self-discovery, guided by mindful art-making and emotional awareness. The process is perfect for artists, creatives, and anyone interested in intuitive collage, art journaling, or mixed media sketchbooks, but finding a balance between intuition and the “composition rules” can sometimes be a challenge. I play with the pieces until it “feels right.” It’s hard to describe what “feels right” is, and it is different for everyone! My first step is to pick a small amount of collage pieces that seem to work together well (again, a “feels right” situation), then I play and play until it feels like it’s time to stop. What makes it easier is that I am playing in my sketchbook, not committing to a final piece of art, and it helps me work through things. I can then decide to replicate the collages that I like in a final piece.
My Muse takes a ride.
My muse is my staffy dog.
My muse, otherwise known as Forester, AKA Goofball loves to go on car rides, and naturally, I need to take a picture of the event.
Backseat Bully
He is my muse for many things…I made a Bully Breed calendar this year,
Bully Breeds are Delicate Flowers 2025 Calendar
which featured Him, as well as lots of other Bully breeds because who isn’t obsessed with their Bully dog! I am also in the beginning stages of illustrating a children’s book with him, naturally, as the star!
Sir Mr. Fluff and Forester with Mr. Mouse at recess.
I’ll give you two guesses as to whether there will be more Bulldog illustrations coming….
The outskirts of an Art Table!
I recently organized my Art space to make my art table, where I create, a bigger surface. There are several challenges with having a clear “creating area.” One is that as a multi-creator, I often go from one art process to another. This makes it challenging as I use lots of different media in my pieces! Another challenge is what I like to call “the incredible shrinking work space.” Creating for me is such a meditative process, that when I come out of my “art trance,” I find myself with a much smaller space! This will be an ongoing work in progress for me! Anyone else have this issue?
The funniest things inspire me!
I take my walks, or go on traveling adventures and get inspired to create by sidewalk cracks, junk spewed about…whatever catches my fancy! sometimes I can’t imagine that others would get inspired by the same things, but several recent trips to Bethlehem Pennsylvania resulted in a multitude of photos that I took and posted on Pinterest. One of these photos is by far the most downloaded of all my pins! I love old grungy things and I guess a lot of people do too! What do you think? Does this inspire you? What does inspire you?
Steel stacks Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Embrace the Process
Embrace the process!
I love to create. But often what I create is not for a product that I will be selling, and if it is for a sellable product, the final piece doesn't happen right away! There is a creative process that each artist goes through to discover the Art!
An Artist I follow has such a joyful process that I am bringing it to you so that you can enjoy it as well! My favorite creative process was taught by Laly Mille, whose classes I wholeheartedly recommend! These classes have taught me to embrace the process joyfully!